Pop's Offers Free Burgers and Hot Dogs To Students This Thursday

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL -- Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage locations throughout the Chicagoland area are celebrating the back-to-school season by hosting free student hot dog and cheeseburger days on Thursday, August 23 and Thursday, August 30, from open to close. Students in grades K-12 are invited to visit their nearest Pop’s location to redeem a free hot dog or cheeseburger. Students that have not yet received their ID, or are too young, are encouraged to bring a parent to redeem their giveaway.

“Having grown up in the area and now raising my own children here, I have a deep appreciation for our school districts,” said Kacie Radochonski, director of operations for Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage. “We are excited to give back to students who are beginning their new school years with awesome student discounts available at all Pop’s Beef locations.”

Community has always been the cornerstone of Pop’s Italian Beef and Sausage, which is probably why the venerable beef, burger and hot dog joint has endured 43 years at Harlem Avenue and 127th Street in Palos Heights. The flagship of the independently owned franchises, Frank Radochonski was 23 when he opened the first Pop’s franchise.

Frank said his daughters and son, now in their thirties, attended Palos schools. Many of their former teachers still stop by the restaurant.

“We always try to contribute in some way throughout the year,” Frank Radochonski said. “I don’t think of myself as an owner, I think of myself as a customer.”

Southland Pop’s locations participating in the back-to-school celebration include:

• 7153 W. 127th St. (Harlem Avenue and 127th Street), Palos Heights, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 14279 S. Wolf Road, Orland Park, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 9400 W. 159th St., Orland Park, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 7301 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 18328 Governors Highway, Homewood, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 10337 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago (Mount Greenwood), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Photos: Frank Radochonski and his crew at Pop's Italian Beef and Sausage, 7153 W. 127th St., Palos Heights | Patch Editor Lorraine Swanson | Food photos courtesy of Pop's