Tinley Park Set To Sweeten Winter With Inaugural Chocolate Fest

TINLEY PARK, IL — Those with a taste for a little something sweet in February might be able to find something special on the menu, with a chocolate-themed fest debuting among local restaurants.

Tinley Park's Chocolate Fest will feature sweet specials in town, also aimed at shining a spotlight on local businesses.

Set for February 3–9, the inaugural chocolate-centric event will incorporate specials at several Tinley Park restaurants, with a Wonka-esque Golden Ticket handed over to anyone who indulges in the sweet treats. The ticket then enters the customer into a raffle for prizes, which will include giftcards to the featured restaurants. Specials will be available at the participating restaurants the entire week, said the Village of Tinley Park's Marketing Department.

"With all of the things we have going on in Tinley Park, our calendar is a little lighter in the January and February timeframe," said Marketing Director Donna Framke. "This presented an opportunity to bring people in, at a time when people are looking for something to do.

"People will get an opportunity to try our great, independently owned restaurants."

Participating restaurants include:

• Ed and Joe's Restaurant & Pizzeria, 17332 Oak Park Ave.
  • Special: Ghirardelli fudge brownie
• Siam Marina: 16846 Oak Park Ave.
  • Special: chocolate martini, chocolate eggrolls, chocolate cake
• Frankies: 9501 W 171st St
  • Special: Nutella pizza
• Vinny's Clam Bar: 18201 S Harlem Ave.
  • Special to be determined
• Hillgrove Tap: 9501 W 171st St Suite R
  • Special to be determined
• Primal Cut: 17344 Oak Park Ave.
  • Special to be determined
• Sip Wine Bar and Restaurant: 17424 Oak Park Ave.
  • Special to be determined

The event was also planned to fall close to Valentine's Day, an occasion known for chocolates and other sweets.

"I'm a big chocolate fan," Framke said, "so I'm excited about this."

Submissions must be entered by February 13, and the raffle will take place on February 14.