Southern Belle's Opens for Business Today; Thomas Albert to Follow Soon

The long-awaited Southern Belle's Restaurant and Pancake House at the corner of Lockport Street and Van Dyke Road makes its debut at 6 a.m. today.

Workers were putting the finishing touches on the 5,500-square-foot space Monday night in anticipation of the opening, owner Steve Fotos said. 

This is Fotos' ninth restaurant, and fifth Southern Belle's, a chain that specializes in breakfast and lunch fare and is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The other Southern Belle's are in Crest Hill, Oswego, Yorkville and Bridgeview.

Those familiar with the chain will recognize many of the same menu offerings, Fotos said, but there will some new choices as well.

"We changed up the menu a little and added some new options to make it a little different," he said. "There are more salads, paninis, the menu has been expanded."

Although the new eatery is directly across the street from Larry's Diner, a longtime Plainfield fixture, Fotos said he's not worried about competition.

"It's not a problem at all," he said.

The new restaurant — done in shades of beige with blue detail work, tile floor and high ceilings — can seat up to 200, and there are plans to add outdoor seating for another 50 this summer, Fotos said.

Southern Belle's marks the third new bar/restaurant to open in Plainfield since the beginning of the year. Fox's Restaurant & Pub opened at 14206 S. U.S. 30 in early February followed by Tap House Grill in March, which filled the spot left empty by Gunther's Bar & Grill at 24402 W. Lockport St.

A fourth new addition to the Plainfield dining scene — Thomas Albert American Wine Bar & Lounge — should be open by early May in the 24047 W. Lockport St. space once occupied by Cafe Brulee, owner Tom Murphy said Monday.

The restaurant, which will seat 38 inside and another 30 or so at tables outside, is in the last stages of securing inspection approvals and licenses, he said. Murphy co-owns the bar/restaurant with his mother, Mary Ann; they've named it in honor Murphy's late father.

The menu will feature American fare and specialize in wines produced in Illinois.

Manager Kelly Bjorklund said their first big event will be the Cinco de Mayo Girls Night Out, a fundraiser sponsored by MainStreet Plainfield to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which supports breast cancer research.

Businesses downtown will be offering special events and deals from 5 to 9 p.m. May 5; women are encouraged to buy a sombrero for a $5 donation and will receive a pink boxing glove keychain and a Mother's Day shopping list.