Coach's Corner is celebrating 20th anniversary
Not many neighborhood places stand the test of time, but Coach's Corner in Elk Grove Village has done just that!
Original owner Joe Carcerano still opens the restaurant every day. His mother, Connie Carcerano, has been the daily hostess since the very first day. Joe's wife, Renee and son, Joe Jr. also worked at the restaurant for many years before they started their own successful careers.
Joe's partner of 11 years, Sue Remien, also works at the restaurant daily. Sue's daughter, Courtney Winters, acts as a server/manager while attending DePaul University. Lynsey Winters acted as a hostess and will graduate from Loyola University this spring.
Coach's Corner has been in business Lynsey's entire lifetime. Over the last 20 years, they have seen children after their sporting events, then on high school dates, going away to college, returning to work and get married, and are now bringing their own children into the family atmosphere of Coach's Corner.
It is truly Elk Grove's "Cheers" and hometown pizzeria and sports grill.
If there is a sporting event on Coach's Corner carries it, sporting 27 HD TVs. Many sports figures have found their way to Coach's Corner over the years: Ronnie Bull, Mike Pyle, and Emery Moorehead of the Chicago Bears; John McDonough, Bobby Hull and Brandon Bollig of the Chicago Blackhawks; Steve Maltais of the Chicago Wolves; and a special appearance by Dave Otto, Elk Grove native and Chicago Cub for the seventh game of the 2016 World Series!
Over the 20 years, Coach's Corner has been actively involved in the Elk Grove community. Every child who participates in Elk Grove Youth Sports has received the gift of a free pizza for their effort. Coach's has supported many community endeavors sponsored by local churches, and the local school districts, elementary and high school.
The Stanley Cup has visited Coach's Corner three times: once in 2010 and twice in 2013.
Coach's Corner was featured on WGN's Chicago's Best the "Finger Food" episode of 2009 starring Ted Brunson.
Coach's Corner has been the recipient of the Daily Herald's Top Pick for Best Neighborhood Place, Best Sports Bar, and Best Italian Beef for many years running. In 2017, Coach's won the Best of the Best in Best Neighborhood Place, Best Sports Bar and Best Family Value and Top Picks in 17 other categories.
Both Sue and Joe cite their deceased fathers as their mentors and role models in the food industry. Joe Carcerano Sr. opened many local restaurants, was the bar manager at the Hyatt O'Hare, and owned and operated Frankies Two in Des Plaines. Sue's father, Jerry Remien, founded TRI-R Vending Service Company and Honor Gard Security Systems, and owned and operated several food manufacturing companies over the years. It was their can-do attitude and their work ethic that inspired us everyday.
The restaurant is at 152 Biesterfield Road in the Elk Crossing Shopping Center. For information, call (847) 956-1818 or visit www.dacoachs.com or www.facebook.com/CoachsCornerElkGrove/.