Recipes at JC's Barbecue come from years of grilling experience
For years, Gilberto Dominguez has worked as a cook at other people's restaurants.
He recently took the next step and opening his own place in East Dundee. The native of El Salvador launched JC's Barbecue at 116 Penny Ave.
"After working for other owners all my life, I finally decided to try it on my own. I felt it was time to fulfill my dream of owning my own restaurant," Gilberto, 58, said in an e-mail.
The Elgin resident describes his new place as an old-fashioned neighborhood, family-style barbecue restaurant.
Dominguez' son, Juan Carlos, assists his father in the operation that opened Aug. 17. Juan Carlos, 33, immigrated here when he was 13. For the past six years he has worked as a Realtor for ReMax Horizon in Elgin.
"This is something my dad always wanted to do," Juan Carlos said.
Menu favorites include the rib tips plate that sells for $9.99, the half roasted chicken plate, a baby back rib plate selling for $16.99, BBQ pork and beef sandwich at $8.49, and JC's five meat dinner special selling for $14.98.
Gilberto has perfected his recipes after working at a similar restaurant. The new restaurant, serving lunch and dinner, seats about 24 people. About 75 percent of the business has been devoted to carryout service.
The father-and-son team said the process of opening their own place has not been an easy one. Gaining all the permits was a lengthy job and developing relationships with suppliers has been difficult, Juan Carlos said. He said because they are a new business, suppliers demand that everything is paid in cash.
"We weren't expecting to spend as much money as we did, just starting out," Juan Carols said. He guesses that the start-up costs have been double what they expected.
As an owner, Gilberto added that countless hours are spent at the restaurant.
The eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call (847) 783-0700.
Educational session: Wessels & Pautsch of St. Charles announces a teleconference titled "How to Win IDES Audits on Independent Contractor Status."
Shareholder and senior attorney Nancy E. Joerg hosts the session from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 4. IDES is the agency that audits companies to see whether their workers should be reclassified from independent contractors to employee status.
Joerg will explain how to effectively deal with auditors; how to properly and successfully represent independent contractor situations to an IDES hearing officer, how to handle correspondence from the local IDES office and what you should and should not have in independent contractor agreements and independent contractor files.
The cost is $95 and includes a packet of materials, which is mailed to participants as well as instructions.
To register, call (630) 377-1554.