Side Street American Tavern may be near hotels and the Tinley Park Convention Center but that does not mean the establishment is only for people visiting the area.
“People say we’re a hidden gem because we’re not on 159th or 183rd streets. We’re a little off the beaten path,” said Jimmy Kollintzas, who co-owns Side Street American Tavern with his cousin Nick Kolintzas and Nick’s wife, Aileen, of California.
“We’re all about getting feedback from our customers. The No. 1 person is our customer. We have a great group of core regulars that come in and support us. The surrounding area is also a great community,” Kollintzas said.
Here is the dish on this local eatery, which opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 2016 and seats 350 indoors and another 50 outdoors:
On the menu: Chef Victor Panteleon, of Chicago’s South Side, leads the menu of updated versions of classic American entrees plus a variety of wines and local beers including Hailstorm Brewing Co., of Tinley Park. An exclusive beer list features more than 20 handpicked offerings. “We have your staples like burgers. We have great sharable plates as well,” said Kollintzas, of Tinley Park. “We’re adding some more comfort-type food with the weather changing. We’re adding turkey pot pies and mac and cheeses.”
About the owners: “I’ve been doing restaurants all my life. Since I was in high school I started working in restaurants. I opened up my first restaurant 17 years ago and I have another restaurant in Joliet with a different concept. I just enjoy the restaurant business,” said Kollintzas, whose first foray into restaurant ownership was in 2000 with Jimmy K’s in Hammond, Indiana. A fast-food restaurant by the same name, known for its Weezee sandwiches, opened in 2012 in Joliet.
A mission statement: “We’re a beefier neighborhood tavern in an 8,500-square-foot facility with a little bit of everything for everybody,” Kollintzas said. “We’re not your typical sports bar. You can come in with your family and watch the game. We have live entertainment every Saturday. We have live entertainment on Sunday afternoons as well.”
Decor: “We’re your modern contemporary tavern. There are some really cool pieces. The Tinley Park Historical Society gave us some great pieces to use for the private room that does parties as well. We also have a video gaming area,” said Kollintzas, who studied restaurant management at Purdue University Calumet (now Purdue University Northwest) in Hammond.
Specialties: “Our burgers are fantastic. Our burgers are hormone-free and antibiotic-free and they’re very popular. Our appetizers are big portions and shareable. Our pork shank is a very good signature dinner item. We added tacos to the menu, too. Those are extremely popular,” Kollintzas said. The menu also includes the original, chicken and Triple M Weezees from Jimmy K’s.
We’re different because: “Banquets and events have really grown. We already have a lot of parties booked for 2018,” said Kollintzas about private rooms that can be reserved for 25 people to 100 people. Other offerings include weekly bar bingo with a progressive jackpot at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and occasional paint parties.
Prices: Start at $6 for bar bites and shareables; $8 for tacos; $9 for flatbreads, handhelds (wraps or sandwiches) or salads; $11 for handcrafted burgers and $13 for big plates.
Logistics: Side Street American Tavern is at 18401 N. Creek Drive, Tinley Park. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Thursdays. Call 708-928-8080 or go to www.sidestreettavern.com
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.Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.