Former Super China Buffet: New Joliet Business 'Good Fellas' Opening

JOLIET — More than a year has passed since Joliet lost its Super China Buffet, the long-time Chinese restaurant was at 2138 West Jefferson Street, next door to Joliet's beloved Rax Roast Beef restaurant and a newer addition, the Bookie Magee's off-track betting facility operated by Hawthorne racing.

On Thursday, a sign company was taking down the sign for Super China Buffet. What will replace the Super China Buffet restaurant, you ask?

A city of Joliet construction permit displayed on the window of the empty Chinese restaurant indicates that Joliet's building services director Don Pallissard issued a building permit on Jan. 23 for an interior remodel.

The future business will be called Good Fellas Cigar Lounge, and the remodeling permit listed the contractor as Rich Kunz Construction. Also on Thursday, the city of Joliet sent Joliet Patch its monthly report for all building construction projects that were approved in January.

The City Hall spreadsheet indicated that Rich Kunz Construction was approved for the commercial remodeling project at 2138 Jefferson St. on Jan. 23 and the estimated cost for the remodeling is $525,000.

After Joliet Patch share the article on social media, Ammar Sheikah, the owner of the soon-to-be opening Good Fellas Cigar Lounge posted the following comment in Brian Bessler's Joliet Area Bar and Restaurant Guide:

"Thanks for the article, John. We are excited to finish up our renovations and open up the lounge this Spring/Summer. A little bit of background on us, we opened Joe's Beverage Warehouse on Jefferson back in 2005 and owned it until 2023, when we decided to sell that location, which is now John’s.

"My family and I spent nearly two decades in town operating the liquor store and are excited to come back to see familiar faces. We plan on being a place where people can socialize, hold meetings, watch the game, or just get away from the stress of everyday life. There aren’t many other options in the area, so we are excited to give the people of Joliet and the surrounding community a place to enjoy premium cigars."

Related Joliet Patch coverage of the two adjacent properties:

Rax Roast Beef, A Joliet Tradition Since 1968, Still Thriving

'Best Bourbon Bar In Joliet' Opens In May, 100 TVs: Hawthorne