$10 Pig Roast At Joliet's New 1st Stop Restaurant Just Days Away

JOLIET, IL — Patrick Fanning has tried to change the dynamics of Joliet's small restaurant scene. On April 1, Fanning opened Joliet's 1st Stop at 318 South Chicago St. Starting at 1 p.m. Friday, Fanning will host a pig roast geared for takeout customers to celebrate his new restaurant along the main entrance into downtown Joliet along Route 53.

A pig roast? Yes, that's right.

Fanning told Joliet Patch the dressed pig weighs 140 lbs. For $10, customers will get a pig dinner and two sides.

Fanning said the pig roast is being promoted as a chance for people to meet the new Joliet restaurant owner. He has 40 years experience in the restaurant industry after growing up in Elwood. He said he's worked at Red Lobster, the former Earl's Cafe on Jefferson Street, Merichka's and most recently at Loco's Mexican Restaurant on Essington Road.

He also wanted to thank one of his relatives, Kate Fanning, for creating his restaurant's logo and for designing the flier publicizing Friday afternoon's pig roast event.

Fanning said he will remain open into Friday evening as long as he has pig left to serve.

"It's first come first serve," he told Joliet Patch. "Call in your order."

Walk-ups will also be welcomed, he said. The pig will be available either plain or with barbecue, he said. He will also be selling pop and water.

"I don't know what to expect," Fanning told Joliet Patch on Tuesday night. "I hope Joliet steps up to support me. It's a chance to meet me, get to know the owner. I've done pig roasts at family gatherings and at picnics for years."

What motivated the owner of one of Joliet's newest restaurants to throw a pig roast?

"I'm just one of those guys who kind of just goes for it," he said with a laugh.

Since opening., Fanning has kept Joliet's 1st Stop open from 5:30 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and he's closed on the weekends.

"Mondays and Tuesdays have been OK, I'm sticking with that," he said. "I'm not looking to be a pancake house. I appreciate all the business so far and hope to keep up the quality."

The restaurant owner-cook said "my breakfast sandwich and my homemade sausage patties," have been two of his most popular selections since Joliet's 1st Stop opened last month.

Joliet's 1st Stop restaurant is about a block up the street from the Milano Bakery.

The restaurant is right behind the Ajax Cleaners & Laundry. Joliet's 1st Stop has a large parking lot for customers right off Third Avenue and South Chicago Street.

To call ahead with your pig roast order, the restaurant phone is 815-791-9837.