New Restaurant Alert From Owner Of The Grill At Fritz's Pour House

CHANNAHON — For several months, the owner of Joliet's The Grill at Fritz's Pour House on Plainfield Road and Jody's Hot Dogs on Republic Avenue has teased social media followers suggesting the idea of adding another restaurant to his portfolio, this time, in Channahon.

However, Miguel "Mike" Villarreal continued to keep the details of his possible restaurant expansion into Channahon a secret, leaving followers to wonder whether something serious was in the works. On Wednesday afternoon, the owner of Jody's and Fritz's Pour House posted a video showcasing his new endeavor being called The Grill At The Office.

The Grill At The Office is located in Channahon at 25520 Pheasant Lane, near the busy intersection of Route 6 and Ridge Road. Villarreal said The Office Bar And Grill has been around Channahon for approximately 15 years. The bar will continue to exist under a similar arrangement like he has in Joliet at Fritz's Pour House.

"I will also like to take a moment and give thanks to those who have supported me and my business and my ambitions. As long as they keep eating, we'll keep cooking," Villarreal wrote Joliet Patch's editor.

Villarreal told Joliet Patch's editor that The Grill At The Office intends to open Oct. 1.

One Joliet Patch reader saw the story and commented, "The Office has been there a while, is he buying?"

"No, teaming up together," Villarreal responded to her question.

Details on the days and hours of operation are still being finalized.

He said this will be a completely separate venture from his highly successful sit-down restaurant, which has become a regional destination on Plainfield Road, known as The Grill At Fritz's Pour House. Joliet Patch featured Fritz's Pour House in a story back in March.

On Wednesday, Villarreal also said he has no plans at all to close down Fritz's Pour House once The Grill At The Office is up and running in Channahon.

The Grill At The Office will feature seafoods, steaks and pastas, he said. It will also offer some of Fritz's most popular selections such as the fried chicken, the jumbo cheese sticks and the breaded pork tenderloins, he said.

He plans to start with a smaller food menu and expand the offerings once things get up and running smoothly in Channahon.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

The Grill At Fritz's Pour House: People Drive An Hour For This Food

Jody's Hot Dogs Feed A First Responder Becomes Huge Hit