New restaurant caters to workers at Arlington Park backstretch

A new vendor is bringing food and drinks to the 1,500 employees who live and work on the backstretch at Arlington International Racecourse this summer, but only after its owner faced some tough questions from village officials.

Scruffy's Kitchen, owned by John Gurhy, received its liquor license from the Arlington Heights village board on Tuesday.

Gurhy, who opened the restaurant two weeks ago, said he got a late start to the season after the owner of the previous backstretch food vendor pulled out earlier this year due to health issues.

Scruffy's will not be open to the public, as people must have authorization to be in the backstretch at Arlington Park, an area reserved for horse owners, handlers and other track workers, many of whom live there seasonally.

The restaurant will open at 5 a.m. each day to cater to workers who are up early feeding or running the horses.

Gurhy said the menu will be similar to that of the previous contractor, and he is looking for Mexican cooks because the vast majority of the workers on the backstretch are Hispanic.

Scruffy's will pay a prorated fee for its liquor license since the restaurant will be open only during racing season. This year's last day of racing is Sept. 24.

Village trustees grilled Gurhy about his experience in the food and beverage industry and the responsibility of holding a liquor license before voting to allow beer and wine sales at Scruffy's.

“There is a serious concern that you make sure your business is operated professionally, that minors aren't served and that those who appear to be overserved are cut off,” warned Trustee John Scaletta. “This license is under your name, and it all comes back to you.”

Assistant Village Manager Diana Mikula said there was one liquor license violation — selling alcohol to a minor in 2014 — at the backstretch kitchen under the previous owner.

Gurhy, who has worked in restaurants and bars in the Chicago area since the 1980s, said he has never had any liquor violations and understands the seriousness of the trustees' concerns.

Village Manager Randy Recklaus said that during the 2015 racing season there were 91 police calls to the backstretch, but he did not know how many of those were alcohol-related.