Stone Eagle Tavern opening in Hoffman Estates
The owner of a new eatery scheduled to open early next week in Hoffman Estates says guests will find his business unique because it's “half museum, half restaurant.”
Stone Eagle Tavern, which offers a huge menu of American fare, will open its doors at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at 4680 Hoffman Boulevard, in Prairie Stone Crossing.
“It's filled with historical, architectural antiques and it's geared toward being very affordable,” said owner Jimmy Vitale, who owns another Stone Eagle Tavern in Rockford.
Vitale has been operating restaurants in the Rockford area since the 1970s, but decided to try opening one in the Chicago suburbs to “see what it's like here.” He figures no matter what the demographics are in the surrounding area, people will appreciate that most of the menu items — which range from wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes to ribs and homemade pot roast — are priced at $12.99 or less.
“That appeals to anyone,” Vitale said. “Everybody appreciates value.”
Some features of the restaurant include a large oyster bar and an outdoor patio with a bocce ball court. About 200 guests can be seated inside the 6,800-square-foot building, where walnut paneling from the former Continental Bank of Chicago and decorative iron eagle gates from the original Federal Building in Chicago are just a few of the artifacts on display.
Vitale said he expects to hire about 110 employees at the restaurant.
“We think we have a really good form for success,” Vitale said. “We're not just taking a wild stab at it.”
Stone Eagle Tavern will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to midnight.