Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage ‘Pops’ Up in Joliet
Beloved Chicagoland favorite Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage opens new location in Joliet
Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage, the Chicagoland staple known for its savory Italian beef sandwiches, announced the opening of a new location in Joliet.
Conveniently located at 1866 W. Jefferson Street, the new restaurant joins the other 16 open locations throughout South Suburban Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
“We are beyond excited to be opening the second Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage in Joliet,” said Joe Haberkorn III, local resident and co-owner of the new Joliet restaurant.
“I grew up eating Pop’s, and I would have never imagined that years later I would be opening a location of my own with my father, and helping the restaurant grow across suburban Chicago. The city of Joliet has been so supportive every step of the way to help us open. I am thrilled to be sharing this experience with local community members,”
Haberkorn III is the co-owner and operator of the new Joliet restaurant, along with his father, Joe Haberkorn Jr.
The 23-year-old grew up visiting the original restaurant in Palos Heights frequently, where he watched his father develop a long-term relationship with Frank Radochonski, the founder of Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage.
Haberkorn Jr. is well-versed in the restaurant industry as he has owned and operated multiple restaurants for 40+ years, and Haberkorn III has worked alongside his father leading restaurant operations since graduating in 2020.
“Haberkorn’s passion and experience for restaurant operations has set him up to be a successful owner of the newest Pop’s location in Joliet,” said Kacie Radochonski, director of operations for Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage.
“The Haberkorns both believe in the Pop’s concept whole heartedly, and they are the perfect duo to grow our presence in Joliet. We’re confident that this location will quickly become a local favorite.”
Pop’s Beef is known for its savory Italian beef, sliced and cooked fresh daily and their commitment to high quality menu items and impeccable service. The signature Italian beef and sausage sandwiches are topped with your choice of homemade Giardiniera or cooked sweet peppers.
Hours of operation at the new Joliet location are Sunday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
For more information on Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage in Joliet, visit www.popsbeef.com.
About Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage
Frank Radochonski grew up in the restaurant business, beginning working at a restaurant as a teenager. More than 40 years later, he is still as passionate as ever about what he does. Since, 1980 Frank has owned and operated Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage, and he can still be found at the original location in Palos Heights, Illinois. Franchising for several years, now Frank and the family-run business are in strategic growth mode, continuing to attract individuals and proven operators attracted to the brand’s unique appeal.
For more information about the restaurants, visit PopsBeef.com.
Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
- Maria Pappas shares emotional stories of family, faith and perseverance during Romanian Heritage Center book signing - October 10, 2026
- The Cook County Treasurer and the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Attend Flag Raising and Kickoff Event Ahead of Columbus Day Parade - October 9, 2026
- Illinois Principals Association to host “Unlocking Potential” conference in October - October 8, 2026
