Buona Beef to Open Bolingbrook Location Today

, Bolingbrook's newest Italian beef restaurant, opens today at 10:30 a.m.

But from the line outside the building, you'd think the chain's newest location opened the night before.

Nearly 100  fans lined the building's sidewalk early this morning in hopes of landing free food for a year—more than 50 had showed up by 10 p.m. Tuesday night; nearly 100 were in line by 11 p.m.

As part of its opening strategy, Buona Beef gives the first 100 customers of each restaurant will get a coupon good for a free original beef sandwich every week for the next year.

Restaurant enthusiasts could begin lining up at 9 p.m. and the first 100 customers would be given a ticket this morning at an undisclosed time prior to opening. The winners must be 16-years-of-age or older and make an initial purchase of at least $5.

The restaurant, located at 303 S. Weber Rd. (the site of the old Krispy Kreme), specializes in Italian beef sandwiches but also serves soups and salads, burgers and hot dogs and even pizza.

It will also offer catering services—home and business—to Bolingbrook, Naperville, Plainfield and Romeoville.

Members of the held a ribbon cutting at the restaurant Tuesday night. Buona Beef could help revive the Weber Crossing Shopping Center, which features more than one business vacancy.

 Mayor Roger Claar said the Krispy Kreme building had been long vacant because of the property's prime location and asking price.

You can also follow Buona Beef on Facebook and Twitter.