Durbin’s, the popular chain of restaurants throughout the south suburbs, announced this week it would be closing its Tinley Park location because it could not come to an agreement with its landlord on a new lease, according to owner Tom McAuliffe.
The restaurant at 17265 Oak Park Ave. will close at the end of the day on Sunday after 16 years.
“It’s been a rough two years. We survived COVID and now this,” McAuliffe said.
Fans have even started a petition drive to try and keep the Tinley location open.
The petition had more than 700 signatures as of Friday afternoon.
Signers were united in their love of Durbin’s.
“My family love Durban’s in the summer with their patio and pizza. It has become a beloved Tinley Park establishment,” wrote Michelle Cannon, of Frankfort.
“Durbin’s is a Tinley Park institution,” wrote Matt Schuldt, of Tinley Park.
“This place deserves to stay open! So many memories have been made there from the local Tinley Park community,” said Guy Lucia, of Tinley Park.
Durbin’s fans can take heart, however. A Durbin’s Express recently opened at 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue.
“We were going to keep both locations open but that has now changed,” McAuliffe said.
“The new Durbin’s will have the same menu,” he said. “It’s a lot smaller and only has six tables and no bar, but it is open for dine-in, pick up and delivery. There’s a drive-thru window to make it easier than ever to get food to go.”
The new Durbin’s is at 18250 S. Oak Park Ave. and has a game room for video poker and is right around the corner from Darla’s, a deli and video game room also owned by McAuliffe. Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Gaming hours are from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
“Durbin’s is a good name in and around the south suburbs. We have been around for more than 35 years,” McAuliffe said. “Our other locations are doing fine and we all have the same great food.”
Durbin’s locations in Frankfort, Palos Hills, Midlothian, Burbank and Evergreen Park will remain open.
Bob Bong is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.