Salutos doesn’t get a lot of tourist traffic “unless someone really knows of us, but we’re worth the mile-and-a-half drive from Gurnee Mills,” owner Bob Bode said.
The Gurnee native worked at a couple of Italian restaurants in high school and college and developed a taste for pizza. After a career in sales, Bode and his wife, Melody, and another business partner “put our heads together, and I quit my job. We physically built this place.”
“Pizza was my forte from the beginning,” he said.
When Bode was in sales, he visited a popular pizza chain that used sausage he liked, and when he inquired about the brand, he was rebuffed.
“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I went out back in the Dumpster and snooped around and saw the packaging,” he said.
Salutos, which takes its name from “salute,” like “cheers” in Italian, made a name for itself with its house Italian salad dressing, sold in 8-ounce, 16-ounce and quart jugs. The secret is fresh chopped Italian parsley, Bode said.
“I’ve had mothers tell me that they have to come here for dinner because our salad dressing is the only kind their kids will eat,” Bode said. “It’s green to you, but it’s gold to me.”
On the menu: Italian dishes featuring homemade pasta and sauces are made fresh daily. The house salad is tossed with Italian dressing, and there are fresh-baked seasoned rolls. There also is pizza, tiramisu and cannoli.
About the owners: The Bodes have owned the restaurant since 1990. Their kids Hunter, Rylee and Robert Jr. came along later and are prominently featured on the website in photos. “My wife has been such an integral part of our business from day one. She actually was the front house, and I was the back house. We work together and play together all the time,” Bode said.
Philosophy: “We pride ourselves on nothing but quality. We buy and bake it here in the pizza oven. We pride ourselves on our service. We put out the best product for the best price,” Bode said.
Decor: Large trees were hand-created by a local plasterer from two-by-fours and chicken wire. The largest tree at 20 feet tall is in the bar/lounge while the “beefiest” tree is at the dining room entrance.
Specialties: Chicken or steak Saluto and rotolo
Price range: Appetizers from $7.99. Pasta and specialties from $8.99. Chicken and meat dinners from $9.99. Seafood from $12.99. Pizza from $6.50.
Logistics: Salutos, 7680 Grand Ave., Gurnee. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Contact 847-356-6900 or go to www.salutosofgurnee.com.
Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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