HI,

I learned something today, which should interest some here: the lady who conceived Sloppy Jo's used to own Edgebrook Diner until about 10 years ago. It is her experience at Edgebrook Diner, which encouraged her to go ahead with Sloppy Jo's whose footprint is less than 600 square feet. She recognized if she kept the menu simple, then she could make this small space work.

As George stated above, she did actively pursue revitalizing Shelton's. She talked to the elderly owner offering to keep the name and style, then revitalize like she did to Edgebrook Diner long ago. She indicated the kitchen is great condition with a lot of mechanization for a small location indicating they once had great turnover business. Everything is there except the interest to rejuvinate.

Sloppy Jo's now has all their permits and expects to open in February. I commented how well thought out their concept and website seemed to be. I inquired if this was a testing ground to franchise the idea. She advised she has had several franchise inquires, though she told everyone to at least try out the product.

I did ask if she had been to Edgebrook Diner since she sold it. She was obviously emotional when she advised she did not. She didn't want to sell it when she did. She hadn't returend because she didn't want to be disappointed if there had been changes. She reported during her ownership, there were 79 regulars who came by weekly. (I am a regular at a few places, I wonder if they have a regular count, too?) While I am only a recent convert, I told her I was introduced to the Edgebrook Diner by people who have loved it for years. I didn't have the impression it had radically changed.

Debbie contact me after I left a phone message the day I was practically stalking her (just scroll up to my post of December 1st). She made quite the impression on the phone as someone who will bring a lot of energy to her business. She has the experience of Edgebrook Diner to make a small space work productively.

Like George, I wish her well and cannot wait to get there in February!

Regards,

According to Chicago's Dish Newsletter, Sloppy Jo's is opening on February 8th.

Hi,

Now that I learned about the Edgebrook Diner pedigree of the owner, I am much more optimistic about this enterprise.

Can't wait!

Regards,

Anyone been to this place yet?

HI,

At least as of Friday last week, it was still papered over. I know the owner expected to be open sometime in February. I am keeping an eye on this as well as George R who lives nearby.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:I am keeping an eye on this as well as George R who lives nearby.

Good thing. I've always thought we should keep an eye on George.

Still papered over as of today.

Just put a call into their number and the answering machine message doesn't give an opening date, but is a cute little poem that refers people to the Web site.

I walked by this evening and the paper is now off the windows... there is no mention of a grand opening date, but clearly they are getting close to opening. By the way, the place looks really sharp... very nicely done !

--

Tuesday is the day. I was walking past about 10 pm last night and saw the owner going into Sloppy Jo's, so I asked and she said they would open this coming Tuesday after all the holidays are over.

It does look nice -- Very clean and cheerful. There is space for sit-down: 3 tables with 3 chairs each + a counter with 4 seats.

Hours will be Mon-Sat: 11-4.

Details are on the website: http://www.sloppyjos.com/welcome.html

I'm looking forward to trying it.

I must admit, this place seems to be the antithesis of what most of us would be looking for in a restaurant: a very marketing-driven, heavily branded, tzochke-offering concept place with a limited menu of really cute stuff.

Still...I'm very interested to see how you guys like it, and I'm doing my best (and clearly failing) to be non-judgmental.

Previewed on Metromix: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/121926,0,6526236.venue

"bound to be a popular hangout for nannies and parents with kids in tow" --- I am so there.

George R wrote:Hours will be Mon-Sat: 11-4.

Wow, that trumps Salamera for inconvenience!

Well, except for that fact that Highland Park probably has a whole lot more people ready to eat lunch out on a weekday than Rogers Park...

germuska wrote:

George R wrote:Hours will be Mon-Sat: 11-4.

Wow, that trumps Salamera for inconvenience!

But it matches Hot Doug's.

Sloppy Jo's is open! I took my wide and daughter for lunch today and it was excellent. The Frito Pie (sloppy joe on top of a bed of Fritos with melted cheese sauce and fresh chopped onions) was great, as was the plain sloppy joe (get it with the onions) and the hefty corn dog. Other options included a Fluffernutter sandwich, which sadly my daughter did not opt for.

It's a great little place to grab a quick lunch, especially if you have kids in tow. There are lots of neat little touches, like a rack of hard-to-find old fashioned candies like Sky Bars and Cherry Mashes; a row of Etch-a-Sketches to fiddle around with; and free Wi-Fi. THe decor is cute without being too cloying.

The owner mentioned she hopes to have extended hours once the college kids come back and she can get some reliable part-time help, making it a great option for a fill-up before Ravinia.

HI,

I finally got to Sloppy Jo's in their second week of operation. I ordered the classic Sloppy Jo with cheese, tater tots, Coke and complimentary tootsie roll:



The Sloppy Jo came with an unexpected addition of a single Ritz cracker embedded in it:



My original guestimate for the Ritz cracker as a litmus test to guarantee your sandwich was freshly made. A Ritz cracker would wilt after a short time if made in advance. Naturally there was a simpler reason: the owner is a self declared "salt freak" who added the cracker for the saltiness. While unexpected, there was no negatives to its presence. If anything, it certainly was a conversation piece.

There were great looking cupcakes for dessert, though on this occasion we had the peanut butter brownie:



I don't especially like peanut butter. My friend who likes peanut butter found it to her liking.

Sloppy Jo's certainly had plenty of representative customers in their target market: Mothers with young children. There were a dozen Etch-A-Sketch available for kids. There was an i-pod docking station to apparently upload music. Wi-Fi is available, though for such a small space I don't understand why they encourage people to linger.

My friend and I disagree about Sloppy Jo. She does not especially like the food. I found it fine for the price point as well as a unique alternative to everything else available in town. There are some non-sloppy jo options like a tunafish sandwich and hot dogs. Slopply Jo's has a narrowly focussed menu range by design in response to the small space. Comparitively most hot dog stands seems like Greek Family style restaurants in their relatively vast menu compared to Sloppy Jo's.
I'll be back soon as I dying to try the Sloppy Jo over Frito-Lays.

As I was leaving, I bumped into George R and his first (and only) wife who were arriving for lunch. I wonder what they thinks?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:The Sloppy Jo came with an unexpected addition of a single Ritz cracker embedded in it:

C2,

I had zero desire to go to Sloppy Jo's until I saw the Ritz cracker tucked in with the 'sloppy.' I find the combination appealing, in a crunchy salty potato chip in the middle of a tuna fish sandwich fashion.

Enjoy,
Gary

Cathy2 wrote:

I found it fine for the price point as well as a unique alternative to everything else available in town.

We think you summarized it nicely. My wife enjoyed her Sloppy Joe. It tended more toward the sweet than the tangy side, but that's a matter of personal preference.

My hot dogs were OK. Owner Debi Gordon told us that although her personal preference is for Vienna (kosher-style, but not actually kosher) because of the snap, she went with Best Kosher due to many requests for genuine kosher hot dogs.

She has the full range of condiments including celery salt. There was a funny moment as one of the women Debi is training relayed my hot dog order to her. My request for tomatoes came out as tomato ketchup! Debi looked at me in shock and asked to confirm it, so things were quickly corrected.

Debi gave us a tour of the place. She pointed out that her tiny office in a workroom corner with a minuscule window about 8 feet up finally gave her a corner office with a window!

She also showed us one of the reasons for the delay in opening. Because of limited space the sink in the rear had to be custom-made. It took nine weeks to arrive and was the wrong size -- 66 inches instead of 56 inches. Because it was oversize the rear door couldn't open and she had to start over again.

She had the original terrazzo floors polished and they look great.

Business has been good and Debi has hired more people. Sloppy Jo's has local delivery (by bicycle).

Food choices in the Ravinia area are limited and it has long needed a family place. We're happy to have Sloppy Jo's in the neighborhood.

Word on the street is that the former Pasta Fresca space three doors down on the corner is set to become a Starbucks, which I think, if anything should help the traffic at Jo's. No word on what becomes of Java Love, next door.

I live less then a 1/2 mile north of here. I stopped in today for a quick lunch. I ordered several things to try...

The namesake sloppy w/cheese is worth a special trip imho. I love a slightly sweet sloppy joe and this one is spot on. The ritz cracker, sweet pickle slices and the stuffed crusty roll is the quintesential synergy of sloppy joe goodness

Tuna sandwich==Just like your mom would make. Again just a little bit sweet on wheat.

Corn Dog--Debbie refused to serve me the corndogs that were sitting out because they were not up to her freshness standards. i insisted on trying what she had out as i was in a hurry and just wanted a bite. I dont know if they are homemade but the corny batter was thick and delicious.


Overall, i love this joint... Your kids will love it too

I must admit to some amazement at the love this place gets -- but I've never been there. It does seem just right for little kids, but older kids seem to like it too, so I am suspending (intense) disbelief.

How odd. My girlfriend and I literally two days ago wondered aloud whether there was such a thing as a fast food joint that specializes in Sloppy Joes and other mid-to-late-20th-century comfort foods and, if not, what a great idea that would be. Lo and behold, there is one! I can't wait to check it out.

Highland Park News in the letters to the editor:

Beth Olderman wrote:... it is almost impossible to wipe the grin (as well as the sloppy jo sauce) off your face as you walk through the doors to a full stand of Etch-a-Sketches, sparkling clean table-tops and the perfect kid friendly menu! After all, who doesn't love a good Tater Tot, Corn Dog, Cracker Jack and Green River? That combination must cover all four of the essential food groups!

... be sure to get there early, because the line forms fast.

Who knows, maybe she is one of us!

Regards,

Binko wrote:How odd. My girlfriend and I literally two days ago wondered aloud whether there was such a thing as a fast food joint that specializes in Sloppy Joes and other mid-to-late-20th-century comfort foods and, if not, what a great idea that would be. Lo and behold, there is one! I can't wait to check it out.

I would also suggest chacking out the Spicy Sloppy Joes at The Brown Sack. The Brown Sack seems to be Sloppy Joe's Lunchroom for adults.

stevez wrote:I would also suggest chacking out the Spicy Sloppy Joes at The Brown Sack. The Brown Sack seems to be Sloppy Joe's Lunchroom for adults.

Thanks for that! The Sloppy Joe conversation started after I had a Manwich for the first time in, I dunno, at least 15 years and I had forgotten how nice a Sloppy Joe can be from time to time. Now I've got a craving!

Sloppy Jo's was also featured on 190 North a few weeks back.

We won lunch for four in a raffle, and we happened to be in Highland Park for the day. We had a regular sloppy joe, a fluffernutter, a hot dog, and a frito pie joe. All were fine. The tots were a bit soggy.

For free, though, it was great. We live in a nearby suburb, though, not in Ravinia. I don't think a return trip is coming anytime soon.

BTW, I grew up in Ravinia and went to Shelton's more times than I can count. I get nostalgic for the hamburger special. We always had a little change left over to get candy at Gsells.

Hours have been extended. A sign in the window now says Sloppy Jo's is open Mondays from 11-4, and Tuesday - Saturday from 11 - 8.

Look at the website page by page. It looks like a high school student's Junior Achievement project.

They don't list prices on the menu BUT they have a whole detailed page on their biodegradable SPORKS! No forks or spoons when you can have an authentic SPORK.

Not a place that appeals to me.

Goes to show what I know... as I think their website is rather well done, in fact, probably a bit too "showy" considering they are just a neighborhood joint and not a franchise (even tho they look like a franchise). BTW, more often than not, restaurants do not list menu prices on their websites.

I like this place (it's just down the street from my home), and while they may be a bit inconsistent, they have never been inconsistent to the point of being bad, more so, it lends to the "charm" this place has... the owner is nice lady with quite the wit and her employees are friendly and helpful. The owner is very passionate about the Ravinia area and will talk a blue streak when engaged... she truly cares about the area and the revitalization of the Ravinia business district and the neighborhood as a whole.

IMO, this really is a great neighborhood place that has already done a lot of good in helping revive the Ravinia business district, and is certainly helping to bring back a real neighborhood feel to Ravinia, something we have not had around here since the days back when Shelton's was still in business.

--

I met Cathy2 for lunch at SloppyJo's Lunchroom today. This is part 1 in my 2 part sloppy joe taste off. Part 2 will be held tomorrow at The Brown Sack.

SloppyJo's Lunchroom is a bright, sunny space that has all the trappings of a franchise (but it is not). It is interestingly decorated with logo themed artwork everywhere you look.

SloppyJo's Lunchroom "Lunch Ladies"


Between the two of us, we ordered a good portion of the menu. I had the Cheesy Jo, which was a pretty standard issue sloppy joe with carnival-style cheese sauce on it. It was served in an innovative way, inside a hollowed out bun and, of course, with a Ritz cracker. The bun was the best part of the sandwich. It was more like a kaiser roll than a hamburger bun. It had the structural integrity needed to stand up to mess of the sloppy joe and cheese.

Cheesy Jo


Cathy ordered Frito Pie. I didn't taste it, so I'll let her comment further.

SloppyJo's Lunchroom Frito Pie


We also split a childhood favorite, a fluffernutter. The fluffernutter served at SloppyJo's is made club sandwich style, with 3 pieces of bread and is served with a small handful of Circus Peanuts.

SloppyJo's Lunchroom Fluffernutter


We also had a order of insipid, undercooked tater tots (No picture available).

If you are a kid between the ages of 4 - 15, or if you have one in tow, this is probably the Best Restaurant on the North Shore. If you are an adult, I wouldn't put it very high on your list of places to try.

SloppyJo's Lunchroom
733 St. Johns Ave
Highland Park, IL
847-266-8687

stevez, all due respect, I've wolfed down some odd stuff in the past months, but I might have to draw the line at the fluffernutter. The candy peanuts put it, for me, in the realm of the uneatable.

Hammond

PS. Although Sloppy Jo's may not be a franchise at the moment, it seems this place is poised for expansion: the logo, the menu, the "concept," all seem part of a marketing plan for ultimate world dominion.