A slew of new dining options ranging from a Mongolian hot pot restaurant to a Philly pretzel shop to a restaurant specializing in pita sandwiches is expected to become available in Naperville in the coming months.
Sharko’s BBQ, currently at 4931 S. Route 59 in Naperville, is opening a second location in a recently completed strip mall in Freedom Commons, near the intersection of Diehl Road and Freedom Drive.
The new location is expected “to be smoking by the end of July,” owner Brian Sharko said.
For a more adventurous palate, Little Sheep Hot Pot is taking the 1170 Iroquois Ave. location that formerly housed MB Urban Road House and Connie’s Pizza. The spot is just off of Ogden Avenue and will be the chain’s second Illinois location, the other being in Chicago’s Chinatown community.
Hot pot is a style of Mongolian cooking that allows diners to cook meat, vegetables, fresh fish and handmade noodles in broth at their table. Little Sheep currently has 35 locations in North America, according to its website.
An interior demolition permit was posted on the building in late April but no opening date has been announced.
Philly Pretzel Factory near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Royal St. George Drive could be open as early as the first week in August, said Rose Saglembeni, administrative assistant for the soft pretzel chain.
Philly Pretzel serves up soft pretzels similar to those people might find at a sporting event, pretzel bites known as “rivets,” dipping sauces, cinnamon pretzel twists and several sandwich options, including pretzel cheesesteak and a pepperoni pretzel melt.
The restaurant’s recipe leans toward a more savory approach to the soft pretzel than a sweet one, Saglembeni said.
Philly Pretzel Factory is taking over the 1037 W. Ogden Ave. location formally occupied by Little Sicilian Pizza. It will be the chain’s first store in Illinois.
Pita Inn is opening a location at a site adjacent to Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant near Freedom Commons.
The Mediterranean-based chain sells shawarma, kabobs and falafel among other items. Pita Inn currently has four restaurants and a bakery/deli in the north and northwest suburbs.
Pita Inn could not be reached for comment on the Naperville restaurant. No opening date has been announced.
In downtown Naperville’s Water Street district, SixtyFour-A Wine Bar and Blue Sushi Sake Grill are both projecting June openings.