Cheesecakes By James Reveals Everyone's New Favorite Slice

JOLIET, IL — With Mother's Day approaching May 9, Joliet's go-to restaurant for cheesecake plans to be taking orders until the day before Mother's Day.

Joliet Patch first wrote about Cheesecakes By James last July. This summer marks the one-year anniversary since James Sankey opened Cheesecakes By James at 81 North Chicago St.

Sankey's dessert business is at the corner of Van Buren and Chicago Streets. He's across the street from the Rialto Square Theatre and next to Joliet's Van Buren Plaza fountain.

This summer, Sankey is gearing up to host an anniversary party to coincide with National Cheesecake Day, which is July 30.

Sankey said he has no complaints with how business is going.

Cheesecakes By James has built a tremendous social media audience. Its Facebook page has 8,733 followers and 8,448 likes.

"Valentine's Day, we did well and St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and we now we're getting ready for Mother's Day," Sankey told Joliet Patch.

What kind of cheesecake does Sankey recommend for Mother's Day desserts?

"Blueberry lemon cheesecake and the caramel banana," he said.

While Sankey sells plenty of his homemade cheesecakes, he said that sales continue to grow for individual slices. One of his newest additions that has become a big hit with the customers is the caramel pecan with no chocolate, he said.

He introduced that to his menu about two months back.

"Slices is everything," Sankey said. "People love to grab a slice to go. They're loving it, John."

For now, Cheesecakes By James is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, he stays open for customers coming to pick up their cheesecake pre-order.

With the summer and warmer weather approaching, Sankey said he will probably extend his hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Since he opened last year, Sankey said that his key lime cheesecake has been one of his most popular selections for customers.

"But it's just so hard to get when it's out of season," he said. "People will order that all day."

Overall, Sankey said he's happy he chose to open his business in downtown Joliet.

"I am right here next to the Rialto and the water fountain," he said. "And with Mother's Day, we'll be taking orders until the day before.

"No mother left behind," he quipped.

For more information, or to place your Mother's Day cheesecake orders, visit the Cheesecakes By James website here.