New Route 59 Restaurant Coming To Joliet Soon

JOLIET, IL — The vacant Firehouse Subs restaurant in the Joliet Commons strip mall along Route 59 across from Walmart is about to get a new restaurant. Grill Island has erected a large business sign announcing it will offer burgers, Philly steaks, kebobs and loaded fries.

Grill Island is not open yet. The sign on the entrance door reads "NOW HIRING."

The Grill Island is in the same plaza as the Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and the Starbucks drive-thru.

During a phone interview Thursday afternoon, the owner of Grill Island told Joliet Patch he is looking to hire several chefs and chef assistants. Grill Island anticipates opening sometime in March, he said.

"We need to hire more people right now," he said. "We have all different kinds of jobs."

Prospective job applicants are urged to call 630-401-6416 or 630-689-6446.

Grill Island will be open seven days a week, probably from around 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week and staying open until 11 p.m. weekends. Grill Island will also have hot dogs.

Grill Island will be a fast-food restaurant, mostly for takeout orders. Indoor dining will be allowed as long as the Illinois Department of Public Health is allowing indoor dining amid the pandemic, the owner told Patch.

Joliet will be the first location for Grill Island. If things go well in Joliet, the owner hopes to add several more locations in the future.

Firehouse Subs closed more than a year ago, according to the owner of Grill Island. The restaurant franchisewebsite for Firehouse Subs currently lists only two other Illinois restaurants still operating: one in Peoria and another in Bloomington.