Pony Express Takes Over Kitchen, Menu At New Lenox American Legion Post

NEW LENOX, IL — It was a great idea at the right time in the perfect place, as a well-known name on the New Lenox dining scene finds a new home.

Pony Express Kitchen & Catering—an extension of longtime New Lenox staple JBD White Horse Inn—this summer sold its location along Schoolhouse Road, embracing an opportunity to take over the kitchen at New Lenox American Legion Thomas E. Hartung Post 1977.

Pony Express began manning the grill there last week, with a soft opening Friday and through the weekend.

It was all timing—and a little luck—that made it happen, said the people behind it.

The kitchen at the American Legion post had been closed for some time, and Service Officer Bob Metzger decided to try to find someone to fire it back up. He was hitting a wall everywhere he asked—no local establishments seemed interested. Someone suggested JBD White Horse, noting the quality of the food.

"'It’s worth a try,'" Metzger told Patch. "I seriously doubted they would (be interested)."

Meanwhile, Pony Express and JBD White Horse Inn owners Annette Rizza and Jim Hedberg felt they were outgrowing the previous Pony Express location, which had opened in the shuttered Songbird Cafe.

"We got a call from Bob Metzger, and he said, 'Hey, your food is really good. You wanna take over the kitchen at the American Legion?” Rizza recalled.

"That sounds like a fabulous idea," she thought.

Rizza and Hedberg are longtime New Lenox residents, and have owned JBD White Horse Inn for nearly a dozen years. Pony Express opened in 2023, as a sister location to the pub. Serving "scratch-made takeout" and catering, it was intended to help accommodate the pub's catering orders, Rizza said.

"We didn’t know we were going to do that well when we opened," Rizza said. "We really outgrew that location, and we’re lucky enough to be able to jump in with the Legion."

When Metzger approached them in May 2025, Rizza realized they were staring down an excellent opportunity, but they had a decision to make—she couldn't run three locations.

"We had to do something, and the White Horse isn’t going anywhere," Rizza said, of selling the location at 21950 Howell Dr. It's since re-opened as Nicky V's Beef, Dogs, and Food Trucks (stay tuned for more on that).

Metzger said that while he did the asking, it was post leadership Commander Anthony Zipsie and Senior Vice Commander John Cap who struck the deal and contract.

"White Horse, Pony Express are renowned for their fantastic food," Metzger said. "It's good for the post, good for them—we hope for a long, productive future."

The menu at the Legion will feature a mix of Pony Express and White Horse Inn favorites: smashburgers, pot roast tacos, wings, and salads. The kitchen will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Rizza is eager to see how they can draw people to the post.

"We're looking forward to building the business for the Legion," she said. "People can stay and eat instead of ordering food out."

With Pony Express in place at the Legion kitchen, people are now prohibited from bringing in outside food or having it delivered, she noted. Daily specials will be available, with menu items only available on those specific days, Rizza said. She expects the menu will grow and change in time, she said, as they learn what kind of business to expect.

They'll maintain their catering and take-out services there, and will also take over banquets and special events at the Legion, effective January 1, Rizza said.

"The Hartung Legion Hall is a staple of our New Lenox community and is open to everyone, both veteran and non-veteran," the Pony Express website reads.

With a soft opening over the last weekend, Metzger said the public has been excited to see the new addition. The Queen of Hearts drawing and a live band on Saturday both pulled large crowds, he noted.

"It was great," Metzger said. "It’s important for people to have a place to come and meet. Food is very important to community.

"Having a place where people can gather, have some good food—that’s what we’re looking for—to make it a destination place. It’s a win-win. I just had an idea and I got lucky. It turned out great.

"Everyone thought it was great. They loved the food, and they said they’d be back. That’s a good thing!"

Pony Express will be open at the Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 kitchen, 14414 Ford Dr., Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.