'It's All Me!': Orland's Kismet Gets New Owner Who Honors Its Roots

ORLAND PARK, IL — Daniel Canter spent two decades in real estate, before he decided it was time to circle back to a dream that had been lingering in the back of his mind for years.

"I said, 'Enough is enough, it’s time to do what I want to do with my life,'" Canter told Patch.

The 53-year-old Worth native and Alan B. Shepard High School alum had dabbled in the fast food business as a teen, and found himself drawn to it again later in life. He was mulling the idea of buying his own spot, when he found Orland Park classic spot Kismet.

Known for its gyros, burgers, and frozen custard, Kismet has been in business for 47 years prior to Canter finding it.

"I went and checked it out, hit it off with the owners," Canter said. "Left the corporate world to fulfill my dream."

The restaurant's location and appearance sold Canter on it.

"I like the fact that it looks like it’s a freestanding building, even though it’s in a strip mall," he said. "I like that it’s not on LaGrange Road, where you don’t get buried by franchises."

Canter bought the restaurant, located at 9931 W 151st St., in January 2024. He's focused on honing in on what people have loved about it for decades, while also adding his own touches.

"My intention when I bought it was to keep everything the same, but better products and ingredients," he said.

The frozen custard—Frosted Dog Frozen Custard—is all made fresh, with real fruit and fresh purées.

Canter loves the interaction with customers, and seeing people find a new favorite in an old staple.

"They’ll read a review on Yelp, come in and try something, and now they’re regular customers," he said.

The menu has "every fast food item you can think of," Canter said, but there are a few standouts.

"We’re known for our gyros, top-tier gyro meat, comes from Kronos (Food)," Canter said. "Our biggest seller."

Customers also love the chicken sandwiches, Italian breaded steak, breaded pork tenderloin, and sirloin burgers. Italian beef sandwiches are also a favorite.

"We try to be fresh and homemade where we can," he said. "Soups are homemade, sauces are homemade."

So many customers who have loved Kismet all along have kept coming back.

"I have a very large customer base here, and they’re regulars," he said. "Three times a week, twice a day. They won’t go to the franchises—they come in and they’re pleased with everything. Affordable prices, good food."

What he's doing appears to be working—customers are giving glowing reviews.

"2nd trip. Great gyros! The large fries were crispy crinkle cuts and the gyros were juicy with soft grilled pita, fresh cut tomatoes, and onions, and perfectly seasoned tzatziki sauce," one wrote on the website.

"Fabulous. Service was again 5 stars. They could not be friendlier or nicer."

Another stopped in while visiting Orland Park.

"We were at a baseball tournament in Orland Park and looking for a place to grab lunch," the reviewer wrote. "This place was three minutes from the baseball fields and had good reviews so we decided to try it. It was a great decision on our part. ... Prices were reasonable. Place was clean. Service was excellent. Pricing extremely reasonable.

"If I'm ever in the area again, I will return."

The praise means everything to Canter, who has gone all-in on this adventure, taking it on solo and learning as he goes.

"You've got to make sure you have enough money to survive, everything is so expensive," he said. "You just have to be willing to give it 110 percent, all the time. If you want it to be successful, you've got to be there for your customers."

The food and atmosphere are nostalgic for many, who've been visiting for decades.

"We still have a huge customer base who’ve been going there for years, looking at their old pictures on the walls," he said.

With some younger staff preparing to head back to school and in an effort to thank loycal customers and attract new ones, Canter has special plans in the works. He'll roll out Customer Appreciation Days August 8–11.

Many of Kismet's popular items will be heavily discounted, he said, with other deals like coupons for future use for a free cheeseburger, and free sundaes. More details can be found on Kismet's website, and don't miss daily specials on its Facebook page.

Canter's joy in being behind the counter is contagious, and he hopes customers can sense it.

"... Solo adventure!" he said. "It's all me!"

Kismet of Orland Park is located at 9931 W 151st St. Hours are Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.