'Best Restaurant In Will County' Now Offering Free Valet Parking

JOLIET — In addition to the city of Joliet offering free parking at the Ottawa Street Parking Deck for everyone visiting downtown Joliet's stores, bars and restaurants, now the owner of CUT 158, Juliet's Tavern and Mousa Greek Taverna will be offering free valet parking to everyone coming to enjoy downtown Joliet's restaurants; not just his.

Bill Dimitroulas told Joliet Patch that new valet parking will be set up near the corner of Clinton and Chicago Street, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 10.

His employees will park your vehicle and bring your vehicle back to you once you are finished with your dining experience at CUT 158, Juliet's or Mousa.

"It's going to be free valet not only our restaurant, but any restaurants in the area," Dimitroulas explained Friday. "At Clinton and Chicago, there is going to be a sign. With the valet, the client can use it and there will be the designated area for drop off and pickups.

"We have to try to encourage people to come downtown. It might be a little messy, but we make it as convenient as possible to enjoy a great fine-dining experience. We're trying to make it as comfortable for everyone, yes."

Among his three downtown Joliet restaurants of Juliet's, CUT and Mousa, Dimitroulas said he has about 70 employees.

"The city is really trying to help and do the best they can and support us downtown," Dimitroulas remarked. "We always hope for something better. We are down 60 percent. CUT alone, 60 percent, Mousa, also 60 down percent and Juliet's down 40 percent."

CUT 158 is widely known not just in Will County, but across the entire Chicago region for its quality of aged steaks and its seafood offerings. Dimitroulas told Joliet Patch on Friday that CUT is the best sit-down restaurant anywhere in Will County.

"It is the top, from the service perspective and quality of food," Dimitroulas said. "It's the No. 1 restaurant in all Will County, and we're very proud of it with Chef Jeremy leading his team, to the front of the house, they give every client an amazing experience.

"Quality of food, prime meats and cuts."

Now more than ever, Dimitroulas told Joliet Patch, he could really use the support of everyone in the Joliet region during the ongoing street and water main construction work. The latest project taking place in front of the Rialto Square Theater and CUT 158 is part of a more $20 million project that Joliet awarded to Austin Tyler Construction that involves public infrastructure upgrades and creation of a new downtown City Square plaza.

Dimitroulas said the decline in business is directly tied to the ongoing downtown street construction. The Van Buren Plaza water fountain has been dismantled and turned into a pile of rubble to make way for the new City Square.

"It is something that it's a good thing that it's happening," Dimitroulas said of the City Square project. "It's going to give a different look of the entire downtown area, so we have to keep ourselves above water."

Dimitroulas said his free valet parking initiative that starts Tuesday is not just for all three of his downtown Joliet restaurants, but also for people going to Chicago Street Pub, Richardson's, Jitters and other restaurants to take advantage of.

"That's why we do valet, we minimize the damage from construction as much as possible," Dimitroulas said.

CUT is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m. CUT and Juliet's are also available for private banquet events and parties.

"The 28-ounce rib-eye, that's very popular," he said. "The aged meats, the bison ribeyes, that's very popular along with a good variety of seafood of course."

Mousa is open Tuesday through Saturday 4 to 10 p.m. and Juliet's is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Juliet's is also offering NFL Sunday, "so the bar is full of TVs and drink specials," Dimitroulas said.

Mousa is best known for its seafood orzo, lamb chops and "an amazing lamb burger made with fresh lamb," Dimitroulas remarked. "People can do reservations at Open Table or call."

Reservations are encouraged, Dimitroulas said. The number for CUT is 815-630-4219. Online reservations can also be made at any of his three downtown Joliet restaurants through the website Open Table.