Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics Podcast: A Centrist View on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • D230 students win prestigious art awards Education
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez would have made a great mayor Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications Business
  • Inappropriate Illinois license plates
    New Secretary of State reaffirms rejection of inappropriate license plates Chicago
  • Justice Department Health Care Fraud Unit
    Chicago Man Convicted of Participating in Illegal Kickback Conspiracy Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receives the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award for her support of Arab and Muslim Americans, returning more than $1.3 million to Arab and Muslim taxpayers.
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas refunding more than $47 million to homeowners Cook County
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job Business
  • Chicago Mayoral candidate Kam Buckner 2023
    Buckner slams Garcia, Johnson and Lightfoot for Crypto hypocrisies, supports probes Chicago
  • Fighting oppressive taxes in Cook County Editors Pick
  • Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman
    Suburbs lose a great leader in Liz Gorman Blogger
  • Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman
    Liz Gorman brings sanity and services back to Cook County Board Blogger
  • Alexi Giannoulias, former Illinois state treasurer and candidate for Illinois Secretary of State
    Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report Government
  • Assault weapons, courtesy of WIkipedia
    Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe Blogger
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot’s CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Garcia of being AWOL from Chicagoland needs Chicago
  • Lori Lightfoot speaking at Police Accountability Task Force hearing in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go Blogger

The Dugout reopens

Posted on November 3, 2017November 3, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on The Dugout reopens
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

The Dugout reopens

Longtime Burbank restaurant has loyal customers smiling

By Steve Metsch

Ray Sierakowski said it “felt like home” when he eating a hot dog Oct. 23 at The Dugout.

Hey, it’s been more than four months since he could enjoy food at his favorite restaurant in Burbank. “I went to a few other places,” he said, “but it wasn’t the same.”

The Dugout, 6300 W. 79th St., is back in business after fire swept through the 875-square-foot building on June 14, closing it down. That’s a long time between hot dogs.

“I’m very happy to be back. I was lost. They’re real friendly here. The food is terrific. I couldn’t wait (to return),” said Sierakowski, 87, of Burbank.

Sierakowski was among the many devoted customers who came out to enjoy the food and, perhaps more importantly, to visit with owner Mike DiStefano.

When he wasn’t working the counter, DiStefano was busy chatting with regulars, something he enjoys perhaps more than preparing the food that last year earned The Dugout a spot in the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame.

“I never had a day off from work (before) in 33 years. I’ve got to tell you, it feels good to be back,” DiStefano said. “We had an extremely busy lunch today. All the old-timers were here.”

Burbank Police Chief Rick Shore, 52, was among those “old-timers.”

“It’s awesome. It’s another good business in Burbank. Solid revenue. Good food. And, you can’t ask for a better owner to be in our town,” Shore said.

Shore, “a cheeseburger or a hot dog guy,” opted for the former.

“I went with American cheese, but I’m still like a little kid, ketchup only,” Shore said with a laugh. His cheeseburger was tasty, as he expected.

“I love the fries here, but I don’t need them,” he said, sneaking a few between bites of his cheeseburger.

Employees were busy Monday getting accustomed to the new kitchen, not to mention working The Dugout’s first drive-thru window, Chris Molitor said.

“It takes some time getting used to the new stuff,” said Molitor said as she cleaned the fryer.

A lifelong Burbank resident, Molitor has worked at The Dugout for three years.

“It’s nice to see all the regular customers, people from the neighborhood. It wasn’t that bad at lunch because we were all here (working),” Molitor said.

The drive-thru “is okay so far, but will take some time getting used to,” she said. Molitor encouraged customers to phone first, especially for larger orders, and then pick up their food at the window.

“We don’t want you to stand here and wait around,” Molitor said.

If there is a wait, customers can check out all the Chicago sports memorabilia, spared damage in the fire, displayed on the restaurant’s gleaming white walls.

Around 5 p.m. Oct. 23, DiStefano posted on The Dugout’s Facebook page about how happy he was to be back in business, thanking “our amazing customers.” In just four hours, 126 of those amazing customers had liked the posting.

That was a low-key, soft opening, “but we’re going to do a big grand opening in a couple weeks,” DiStefano said.

An NHL official who works at each Blackhawks game in the United Center, DiStefano said he is trying to get someone from the hockey franchise out for the grand opening. A date has not yet been announced.

Desplaines Valley News

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • James Koc rejoins Lyons ZBA - November 26, 2022
  • “It’s time,” says McCook top cop Svetich - November 26, 2022
  • No town too small, Pritzker visits Southwest suburbs - November 4, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Burbank, Mike DiStefano, The Dugout

Post navigation

Previous Post: Lyons approves sidewalks plan
Next Post: Argo High shopping for boilers

Related Posts

  • Cook County Sherif Tom Dart
    Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Spike in Thefts of Kia & Hyundai Vehicles Cook County
  • Chicago Wolves forward David Gust (left) and Cole Smith (right) after Gust scores May 1. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Defensemen drive Chicago Wolves to another victory Chicago
  • Jennifer Tyrrell named Principal of Sandburg High School
    Tyrrell named Principal at Sandburg High School Education
  • Photo caption: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cicero Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias, Cicero Senior Director Diana Dominick, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Adjutant General Major General Richard R. Neely, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep. Michael Zalewski, and Morton High School Supt. Dr. Tim Truesdale. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero.
    Pritzker tours vaccination center at Morton East High school coronavirus
  • Morrison gets special attention at expense of taxpayers, column in the Regional News Newspaper June 23, 2022
    Sean Morrison gets special police protection at expense of other taxpayers Blogger
  • Magnificate Bienheureux, 23. Mugshot provided by the Cook County Sheriff's office and ICAC
    Rockford Man Charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of Minor Cook County

More Related Articles

Southwest Exelon Pavilion (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Exelon, ComEd Crews Assist in Puerto Rico Recovery National
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash 16 members of St. Ignatius Hockey team injured, truck drive faces DUI charges Crime
Rob Cruz, Republican Candidate for the 6th Illinois Congressional district. Cruz urges Supreme Court to uphold personal liberty Chicago
Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community Blogger
Commander Michael Meno, a 1991 Carl Sandburg High School graduate and native of Orland Park, Illinois. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bradley Gee Orland Park native exemplifies “We Build, We Fight” legacy of Navy Seabees News
Cristina Nonato, Philipine American Activists, candidate for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) in the March 15, 2022 Democratic Primary election Cristina Nonato seeks seat on Water Reclamation District board Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez would have made a great mayor
    January 26, 2023
  • Assault weapons, courtesy of WIkipedia
    Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe
    January 16, 2023
  • Lori Lightfoot speaking at Police Accountability Task Force hearing in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go
    January 15, 2023
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Return semi-conductor and chip-making industries to America
    January 15, 2023
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: The China threat to Asia’s Democracy
    January 9, 2023
  • Harry and Patricia Michalski courtesy of their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10105680464226180&set=t.100009314491026&type=3
    Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness
    December 30, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Lori Lightfoot speaking at Police Accountability Task Force hearing in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Chicago Mayor Lori Lightf... Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has faile... posted on January 15, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website Vallas urges probe in Lig... Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot's CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Ga... posted on January 16, 2023
  • Chicago Mayoral candidate Kam Buckner 2023 Black and Latinx Elected... Black and Latinx Elected Officials Unite Against the Chaos Caused by Mayor... posted on January 8, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash First Installment Cook Co... First Installment Cook County property taxes due date pushed to April 3 Coo... posted on January 4, 2023
  • Alexi Giannoulias, former Illinois state treasurer and candidate for Illinois Secretary of State Secretary of State Alexi... Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team... posted on January 17, 2023
  • NEWS
  • D230 students win prestigious art awards
    January 26, 2023
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley Named Chair of Police and Fire Committee
    January 25, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • Inappropriate Illinois license plates
    New Secretary of State reaffirms rejection of inappropriate license plates
    January 23, 2023
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Arrest and Criminal Charges Announced Against British and Russian Businessmen for Facilitating Sanctions Evasion of Russian Oligarch’s $90 Million Yacht
    January 23, 2023
  • Justice Department Health Care Fraud Unit
    Chicago Man Convicted of Participating in Illegal Kickback Conspiracy
    January 23, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Return semi-conductor and chip-making industries to America
    January 15, 2023
  • William O. Lipinski former Congressman from Illinois (5th and later 3rd District). Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: The China threat to Asia’s Democracy
    January 9, 2023
  • Sam Bankman-Fried in an interview during the Bitcoin 2021 conference. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Demands continue for Lightfoot and Garcia to detail ties to FTX scandal
    December 15, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves 2022-2023 season
    Chicago Wolves top Stars for second win in a row
    October 25, 2022
  • Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! The team that does a lot of the work to help the Stagg High school band perform works behind the scenes like a NASCAR pit stop. The students are profiled in this feature
    Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop!
    August 31, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Noesen wins President’s Award
    July 22, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas demands Lightfoot explain email scandal, and use of government resources for political campaign
    January 12, 2023
  • David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive. Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County
    Milwaukee County sells 90 lots for single family homes
    January 11, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Chicago’s Police Officers Endorse Paul Vallas for Mayor
    January 9, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Photo courtesy of the Cook County government
    Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30
    December 28, 2022
  • Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Orland Park offers Christmas Tree, Wreath and Light recycling
    December 27, 2022
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job
    January 19, 2023
  • United Airlines Flight at O'Hare Airport
    United offers endless airline travel problems for travelers
    December 25, 2022
  • Sam Bankman-Fried in an interview during the Bitcoin 2021 conference. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Demands continue for Lightfoot and Garcia to detail ties to FTX scandal
    December 15, 2022

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme