10 Photos: Raising Canes Grand Opening For Shorewood

SHOREWOOD, IL — Most people in the Joliet area were probably still asleep around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, but not Romeoville resident Rich Tindle. He pulled into the Shorewood parking lot along Route 59 where the new Raising Canes restaurant was still hours away from opening.

So, for the second time this year, Tindle won himself a free meal and a gift box for being the first customer at a new Raising Canes. On March 8, Tindle became the first customer to enter Joliet's first Raising Canes on Plainfield Road, the one by the Louis Mall, on the site of the demolished Diamand's Family Restaurant property.

Tindle knows the route. He gets to take several photos with the Raising Canes employees and their mascot as part of the grand opening bonanza.

Joliet Patch's editor is now accustomed to interviewing Tindle.

On Tuesday, Patch asked the Romeoville man whether he thinks the new Shorewood location will do well for the rapidly expanding fast-food franchise that started in 1996 in Louisiana.

"I think it will do really good, this (Route 59) is a busy road," Tindle explained.

Now, there are 650 Raising Canes across the United States. Shorewood becomes the 24th in Illinois. One just opened in late September in Waukegan. The next one is planned for downtown Chicago near the intersection of Michigan and Madison.

Why does Tindle keep attending Joliet area grand openings for Raising Canes?

"The quality and they're always friendly. I've never had a bad experience," he answered. "If they do get your order wrong, they get it (corrected) right away.

"Plus, they've got good food."

Several of Shorewood's top village officials including Mayor CC DeBold, Village Administrator Aaron Klima and trustees Don Carroll and Scott R. Selfridge also attended Tuesday's grand opening gala.

"Raising Canes is another welcomed restaurant opportunity," DeBold told Joliet Patch. "This is another great addition to the community."

Along those lines, "the Route 59 corridor is relatively full," DeBold pointed out.

Before leaving, Patch's editor saw Tindle's restaurant tray was practically. He devoured his four chicken fingers, plus his fries and Texas toast.

Was the new Shorewood Raising Canes fantastic?

"Yeah, it was," Kindle replied.

"It was definitely one love."

The new Shorewood Raising Canes is now open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight. The new restaurant in Shorewood Commons II offers indoor dining, plus there's double drive-through lanes.

Joliet Patch March 8 article: Raising Cane's: 4,000 Customers Expected For Opening