Sign says it all -- Big Ange's finally close to opening in Arlington Heights

A new hot dog restaurant planned for the former Jimmy's Place in Arlington Heights might finally be close to opening nearly two years after getting initial approval from the village.

In April 2013 the village board approved plans for Big Ange's, a hot dog restaurant named after new owner John Fridono's wife, Angie, at the corner of Northwest Highway and Euclid Road.

The renovated restaurant replaces Jimmy's Place, which was an institution in Arlington Heights for more than five decades before closing in 2011.

It's been a slow process for Big Ange's, but the owners have kept their sense of humor, posting signs promising to be open before the Cubs win the World Series and a more recent one saying, “We promise to be open before Cutler throws another interception, thank God for the Blackhawks.” There's no word on whether they are talking pre-season or regular season football. The restaurant's Facebook page says opening day is “just around the corner.”