ACE: Joliet's Iconic Drive-In Opens For 73rd Year

JOLIET, IL — Restaurants around Illinois come and go. Some don't last a full year. Joliet's ACE Drive-In has remained at 1207 Plainfield Road since 1949, and this week, for the first time in 2021, ACE opened for the season.

Thursday marked a beautiful, yet chilly spring day, but the cold breeze did not keep customers away. The parking lot remained busy during the lunch hour as the Pierson brothers, Tom and Rich, kept busy in the ACE Drive-In kitchen making french fries, preparing Italian beef and barbecue sandwiches.

"It's been steady," Tom Pierson told Joliet Patch's editor.

While most customers prefer to enjoy their lunch at their vehicles, ACE has 10 outdoor picnic tables along Plainfield Road.

ACE employs several friendly and smiling carhops who deliver your food.

The ACE Drive-In is now open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. ACE stays open during spring, summer and part of the fall.

Even though the coronavirus pandemic was devastating for many businesses and restaurants, the Piersons said that 2020 "was pretty good," for ACE.

What's been a popular food item this week?

"The barbecue," Tom Pierson remarked.

ACE has been a part of Joliet since 1949. For the Pierson brothers, this is their 39th year of owning the local landmark.

The brothers told Patch they did not make any noticeable changes to their menu for 2021 and "the prices are pretty much the same," they said.

The ACE Drive-In Facebook page shows 5,883 people have checked-in here.

"Come in and enjoy Homemade Rootbeer, Sandwiches, and delicious Rootbeer Floats!" the ACE Drive-In Facebook page informs followers.

To learn more about ACE's history, check out its website here.