New Big Bowl seems imminent for Glenview

Glenview residents who enjoy Chinese and Thai cuisine may anticipate another dining option in their future.

The Glenview board of trustees on Nov. 2 heard a proposal for a Big Bowl restaurant at 1320 Patriot Blvd., in the Jewel at The Glen shopping center bordered by East Lake Avenue.

The restaurant would share parking with the Jewel-Osco and fellow Lettuce Entertain You franchise Wildfire.

Lettuce Entertain You partner Howard Katz could have walked to the board meeting from the proposed site, about 1,500 feet away.

“I will be operating both concepts, myself, and I'm here daily,” Katz told the board.

The application for the restaurant was filed Sept. 7 by MAC Management Co. By a 7-0 vote on Oct. 13. Glenview's New Development Commission recommended that the board consider the project.

The 6,775-square-foot, one-story restaurant will offer 209 seats in its main dining room, bar and a screened-in porch, according to the Sept. 7 application.

Satisfied with the applicant's commitment toward landscaping enhancements, as requested by the New Development Commission, the board broached the issue of parking.

Jeff Brady, Glenview's director of Community Development, dispelled any parking crunch between Wildfire and the prospective Big Bowl.

“Even during the peak times there's enough room for each of them to share their available parking fields,” Brady said.

Big Bowl has existing Illinois locations in Chicago, Lincolnshire and Schaumburg.

It seems likely to add a fourth address when it returns to the board's consent agenda for second consideration on Nov. 16.

“I'm excited to have Big Bowl here. I think it's a great fit for our community,” said Trustee Mary Cooper.