These restaurants plan openings in this southwest Illinois town — with more to come
The culinary options in O’Fallon are expanding with international cuisines and comfort foods this fall. Several new restaurants will open during October, while others are still in the works.
Community Development Director Justin Randall said Hawaiian Brothers is looking at mid-October.
“Same with Scooters Coffee near the IHOP on U.S. 50. Ziggy’s is a ways’ out,” Randall said.
That coffeehouse is near the McKendree RecPlex. More is expected out that way, Randall said, including a Mexican restaurant connected to Aberdeen Village townhouses and a noodle company that will be a spin-off of Thip’s Thai. No time frame given yet.
Le Ono
On Monday, Oct. 3, the O’Fallon City Council approved a right-of-way agreement for a new entrance and patio to the existing building at 101 S. Cherry St. That is a new upscale restaurant being built by Jon and Emily Greenstreet.
The Greenstreets are in partnership with Talani Moe and Lisa Udasco-Moe, who operate Grit & Tonic in Lebanon and have been completely revamping a former labor hall across from Peel’s. The Greenstreets own Bike Surgeon and Gears.
“Our hope is that you will find this to be one of your chosen places to spend time and make it a home away from home,” Jon Greenstreet said. He provided a release to the Progress.
They hope to open this year. In the meantime, they said keep an eye out for pictures of the progress and sneak peaks of some of the buildout.
“The dark, private edginess that you’ve all come to love about Grit & Tonic, which continues in Lebanon, will happen in its own unique way in the Downtown District. It will have an inviting and comfortable ambiance curated by the craftsmanship and talents of Jon and Lisa and back-breaking labor of Talani in a location only Emily could find,” their press release stated.
“The foundation of every great dining establishment is delicious food and drink, many cultures have their own word for just that. So, we all agreed that it was fitting, with a Polynesian chef who loves the food from the islands and has a passion for great French cuisine as well, to name our new establishment Lé Ono, a loose translation of ‘The Delicious’ in French and Hawaiian,” the release stated.
“Food and drink is where Talani and Lisa make magic happen. Without giving too much away, the cuisine will be creative, pulling from many pacific island techniques and flavors and still seeing the love of French food peak through. The cocktails will continue as a focus just like at Grit and Tonic with the addition of some unique tiki drinks too. However, they love the classics. So along with their own in-house creations, Lé Ono will also be a place where you can also get a refreshing classically crafted cocktail,” according to the press release.
For hiring opportunities, contact them at leonoapplication@gmail.com.
“What are we looking for: A willingness to learn and work hard, a drive to pay attention to every detail, to show up on time, to stay until we are done, to be part of a team that will help us deliver phenomenal customer experiences and do it all while having fun! Tell us a bit about yourself, send your resume (if you have one) and a couple references too,” the release said.
Dogwood Social House
The restaurant, arcade, bowling, karaoke, and fun center for families was in full swing this past weekend in the renovated former Gold’s Gym at 1206 Central Park Drive.
Boasting the “largest TV wall in the state” and a self-service beer wall, the entertainment complex is the fourth operated by Andy Patel of Cape Girardeau. Besides one there, he has establishments in Ellisville and O’Fallon in Missouri and now O’Fallon in Illinois.
Announced in January, the Dogwood Social House was expected to feature such indoor games as miniature golf, axe throwing, cornhole, video games, table games (air hockey, billiards, foosball, and shuffleboard), simulator games, arcade games, and a mini-bowling alley.
The restaurant and bar take up 36,825 square feet while the remaining 3,670 square feet will be a package liquor store with a separate entrance.
Menu includes burgers, tacos, pizza, shared plates, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts, and extensive drink options.
Hours are 3 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday; 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday. According to their website, the business is closed Monday, Oct. 10, for Columbus Day.
O’Town Food Hall and Tap House
As previously announced, the OTown Food Hall and Tap House is hoping to open mid-October. Axzaillya, one of the managers, said they are still shooting for Monday, Oct. 17, but subject to change due to equipment arrival time.
She is excited about the three BellaBots — programmable robots.
“We find them unique and will help in providing fast delivery times as well as a fun experience for our customers,” she said.
Hours of operation are expected to be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Located at 1214 Central Park Drive, it is in the former HopHouse Southern Eatery and will specialize in comfort foods.
She is pleased with the new look.
“The greenery gives it an inviting and soothing aesthetic. I like to believe it brings chill, positive, and purifying vibes. Kind of like a garden feel. Plants make me happy. I hope they make others feel welcomed as well!” she said.
Hawaiian Brothers Island Grill
Where once a dilapidated Dairy Queen stood for years at 1630 U.S. 50 (two minutes from Lincoln Crossing) is a colorful new place with an island vibe and familiar plate lunches.
Hawaiian Brothers Island Grill is planning to open in mid-October, as is one in Florissant, Missouri, and one in a former Pizza Hut in Edwardsville on Saturday, Oct. 22.
There are currently 17 in Texas, six in Missouri (Kansas City area), six in Kansas, two in Chicago, one in New York and one in Oklahoma.
The menu is based on the plate lunches — a protein, rice and scoop of macaroni salad — that began being offered in the 1950s for the laborers who worked the pineapple and sugar plantations.
Hawaiian Brothers offers seasoned vegetables in place of a starch, and the proteins include Huli Huli Chicken (marinated in teriyaki sauce), Luau Pig (slow-roasted Kalua pork), and Molokai (sweet and spicy), among others. There is a Spam Musubi. Their housemae pineapple barbecue sauce and teriyaki sauce are among the condiments. Fresh pineapple is a side, so are vegetables. Dole Soft-Serve Whip is a dessert in multi-colors and is fat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and low-calorie.
“It’s the beloved comfort food you eat with your ohana (family), an island staple,” their website states. “It’s a feeling, a way of life, the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of food like nowhere else in the world.”
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Nashville-based Edley’s Bar-B-Que has opened at 531 W. Highway 50 as part of the West Highway 50/Cambridge Boulevard District, the second one in Illinois (Glen Carbon opened in July, the first location outside of Tennessee).
Scott Plocher of Plocher Construction developed the site, and his previous projects with the city include Sugarfire 64 and Dewey’s Pizza. Goshen Coffee of Edwardsville will eventually go into the site (their coffee is currently available at Sweet Katie Bee’s in downtown O’Fallon).
The meats are smoked using Southern white oak and the sides are made from scratch daily.
