Design Tweaks Delay New Lenox Hog Wild Opening, But It's Coming Soon

NEW LENOX, IL — Absence of the Hog Wild food truck in the Cedar Road strip mall parking lot has some scratching their heads, but don't worry, it's just out on the job—Hog Wild is still coming. It's taking a bit longer than hoped, but work on the new location is progressing, and it will be worth the wait, the franchisee assures.

Changes to the interior design and feel of the incoming Hog Wild have caused some delays, business partner Rich Wagner tells Patch, but it's all been with the customer experience in mind.

Wagner in December 2023 announced they'd be opening the local barbecue spot in the former Little Joe's, 1300 N. Cedar Road. He and business partner Carolina Munoz had originally hoped for an April opening. While a new opening date has not yet been firmed up, they're getting closer, Wagner said.

"We shifted gears as to the design to the finishes mid-way through during the demo," Wagner told Patch Tuesday. "That took us back to the drawing board. Things are back on track now—we’re just trying to create a better experience in the dining room and in the sports bar."

Known for their barbecue but also the giant pork chops, Hog Wild has been in business for 30 years. Wagner and Munoz were eyeing the New Lenox location more than a year prior to securing it, but the timing wasn't right, and they couldn't reach an agreement with the Little Joe's owners. But when the opportunity re-presented itself, they couldn't pass it up.

Tinley Park resident Wagner and his significant other Munoz are all-in on the venture after some twists of fate. After the partners originally decided not to pursue the property, Cedar Point Pizza and Pub business partners Shawn Heffernan, Tom Pavlopoulos and Kimberly O'Gorman purchased the property as LLC Crimson Restaurant Group in spring 2023, with plans to maintain its previous purpose as a pizza place. Those plans fell through after what was said to be differences between the partners. They sold the space before opening fully.

After plans of their own to expand Hog Wild in Niles didn't pan out, Wagner and an investor who has since stepped out of the group swooped in to grab the New Lenox space in December 2023.

There was quite a bit of work to be done on the interior, partners said. They'll also have a full-service bar—they removed the one newly built by the Cedar Point partners, and started fresh.

During some of the demo work, Wagner discovered that beneath layers of drywall, paneling, and tile, there was face brick original to the building. Some delay was caused by their desire to restore that brick to its original glory.

Wagner also decided to "cut the whole front of the building open," he said, making room for two glass garage doors that will enable open air flow in the bar area, Wagner said.

While known for their barbecue—ribs, brisket, barbecue chicken—Hog Wild has more on the menu, including meatloaf and other comfort food many call their favorites. The menu also features chicken sandwiches, burgers, salads, and rib eye steak tacos weekly. But it was their 'chops that put 'em on the map, he said. Appearances on WTTW's "Check, Please!" and "Chicago's Best" brought the brand newfound fame.

Hog Wild is also known for large portions and low prices, something they strived to maintain during and after the pandemic.

Hog Wild was started by Steve Pikorz in 1995. Pikorz at the time owned a heating and cooling company before breaking into the barbecue business with the first location in Midlothian, 14933 Pulaski Rd. Hog Wild has largely been a family-run business, with Pikorz's son Bryan and nephew Mike Pikorz playing roles in its operation at the first location. At the time of Pikorz's death in December 2021, he and Wagner had already begun plans to add locations, son Bryan Pikorz told Patch. The Oak Lawn location—owned by Wagner and Munoz—opened in February 2022, shortly after Pikorz's death. Since Pikorz's passing, son Bryan has taken the reins at the Midlothian location.

That location sponsors children and adults sports teams through the Midlothian Park District.

"We want New Lenox to know we are looking forward to getting involved in the community the same way Midlothian has," Bryan Pikorz told Patch.

"We have a great relationship with our local park district. It’s so important for businesses to get involved for the kids."

Pikorz said he's looking forward to seeing the Hog Wild name back in the Lincoln-Way area. A Hog Wild location existed previously in Mokena, he said, but was closed when Pikorz returned to run the Midlothian location after his father's death.

"We are very excited to be back in that area," Pikorz said.

Wagner hopes to have a better idea of an opening date in the coming weeks, he said. Keep an eye on New Lenox Patch and the Hog Wild Oak Lawn Facebook page for updates.