Italian beef eatery moving to better digs

Salvatore Gagliano knows beef, particularly Italian beef.

The proprietor of Tore & Luke's in Palatine says diners can get a history lesson on the sandwich's origins when the restaurant expands and relocates across the street.

The Palatine Village Council this week approved a plan to open a 5,000-square-foot Tore & Luke's at Rand Road and Spruce Drive.

The family-owned eatery opened at its current location in 1977.

"It's old, obsolete and time for a new place," Gagliano said. "We've been wanting to a build one for five years."

The new restaurant, which Gagliano hopes to open in six months, will feature a drive-through and operate from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. There will be seating for 75 people inside, as well as outdoor picnic tables. A Toyota dealership is planned on the same corner.

Tore & Luke's is behind the curve, says Gagliano. In order to catch up and cater to all, the menu will feature more salads and homemade dishes such as lasagna.

But don't fret: The Italian beef sandwich is always front and center.

Gagliano says the dish became popular in the early 1900s at inexpensive, Italian "peanut weddings," where it was custom to rent a hall and serve peanuts and homemade Italian beef.

"I used to hear that story from my father, aunts and uncles," he says. "That's how Italian beef started in Chicago. It's our claim to fame."

The project drew concerns from residents of the adjacent Fox Cove Condominiums who use Spruce Drive. Some worried about traffic congestion, noise and hours of operation.

Village staffers met with Fox Cove twice and residents felt the village put extra effort into answering questions and addressing concerns. Spruce Drive will be widened to include a left turn lane, and a study showed the peak traffic hours for the condos and restaurant fall at different times.

High-tech recycling bin: Not quite sure how to get rid of any computer, electronic or medical-related equipment you've got on hand?

Make a donation at the technology recycling drive, which takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15-16 at the John G. Conyers Learning Academy, 2800 W. Central Road, Rolling Meadows.

The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago, in partnership with Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and Whole Foods Market in Palatine, are sponsoring the event.

The drive will benefit local schoolchildren through the United Cerebral Palsy Association's Assistive Technology Exchange Network, a program giving Illinois public school children with any disability access to educational technology via refurbished computers.

Fresh off the farm: Here's a reminder that the Palatine Farmers Market debuts Saturday, a month earlier than usual. It runs 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Metra train station at Smith and Wood streets. Gifts perfect for Mother's Day will be plentiful.