Father, son team launch new restaurant

Rick Rudolph believes one sign that his restaurant is off to a good start is the plates are coming back to the kitchen empty.

Rudolph and his son, Colin, recently opened Barrington Gourmet, 232 E. Main St. "People who find us, really like our food," said Rick.

The month-old eatery that provides take out and delivery services features an array of lunch and dinner items that are made fresh. Crabmeat macaroni and cheese, vegetable burgers and thin crust pizza with fun toppings are part of the mix.

"We're not a fast food place. We make everything. We make our own pizza dough and sauce," Rick said.

The thin and crispy crusted pizza is different from other pizzerias in the area, Rick said. A favorite is the pesto pizza with artichokes and sun dried tomatoes. The barbecue chicken pizza is another popular pick along with standard pepperoni and sausage.

Rick added that some items take a little longer to prepare, so customers in a hurry, should call in their orders in advance.

Chicago style ribs baked in the oven and then finished on the grill and topped with a sweet barbecue sauce have also been popular. The full slab goes for $19.99 and the half slab is $11.99. Pulled pork, brisket, hamburgers, spinach spinach spinach spanakopita and vegetable burgers have been going over well. "We make our own veggie burgers with black and red beans, chick peas and other vegetables and spices," Rick said of the $5.99 burger.

One of the most popular menu items has been the crabmeat macaroni and cheese made with a creamy sauce, a layer of Gemelli pasta, lumps of crabmeat, Parmesan cheese and crushed Ritz crackers. "It's flying off the shelf," Rick said. It sells for $8.99 and served with a roll.

The owners say they attempted to build an affordable lunch menu. Rick believes if the lunch items are between $5 and $7, people are more likely to go out to eat.

Rick and his son have always enjoyed cooking together. "We've been cooking together for years," said Rick, 54, who raised his family in Grayslake, where he still lives with wife Therese. She assists in the business as well.

Colin, 21, of Chicago, graduated from Grayslake High School and the University of Illinois before launching the business.

Rick worked for an advertising company and then in mortgage and real estate marketing.

The eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information, call (847) 304-0809.

kmikus@dailyherald.com