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24 | November 8, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot DINING OUT newlenoxpatriot.com The Dish Military-inspired pub showcases owner’s past Jacquelyn Schlabach Assistant Editor A wood-crafted American flag hangs on the military-green painted wall, and beer tap handles are in the shape of 20 mm caliber rounds inside At Ease Craft Beer Pub in Homer Glen. The owner, Nick Roppo — who served for seven years in the Army — shares throughout his pub a piece of what makes him who is he today: a proud military veteran. Roppo brought At Ease to Homer Glen because of his love for craft beer and love for country. “There’s no places that really are a craft beer-like pub here in Homer,” he said. “So, I figured, ‘Hey, why not try to introduce something new to this town?’” He opened At Ease in April of this year, following the closing of his parent’s restaurant Steamer’s Grill n Pub last December in the same location. It was a dream of his to have his own business after serving in the military. “I got out of the Army being like, ‘Hey, I was in the Army for seven years, I’ve been deployed, I’ve worked a bunch, like, slow down a little,’” Roppo said. “Now, I work seven days a week. It’s definitely stressful some days, but that’s what it takes to get a business up and running; you’ve got to be here and watch everything at all times.” Although Roppo is hands-on with his business, he wants his customers who come in to be relaxed and stress-free. “[At Ease is] a double meaning,” he said. “For someone that wasn’t in the military, at ease means come in and relax. It has the same meaning when you would tell a soldier at ease, to relax. So, I want people come in here and relax.” When the pub first opened, there were 54 craft beers and several ciders available. On Aug. 11, Roppo abruptly closed for a month to expand his food and beverage offerings before reopening on Sept. 12. “I had been thinking about [adding to the menu],” Roppo said. “I was sitting there like, ‘Should I add this stuff?’ But if I was going to add it, I knew I needed to close down for a little bit to add all these changes behind the bar. So, one day I just woke up — I had been thinking about it — and one day I was like I’m going to make these changes starting today. So, that’s why I ended up closing so suddenly. It definitely was the right choice, without a doubt.” Now, At Ease offers 38 craft beers, six ciders, six wines, domestic beers and hard liquor. Roppo also expanded his food menu by adding a variety of sandwiches, salads, appetizers and pizza. “I got a lot of input from customers saying it was just burgers before, and I didn’t want to be known as a burger place,” Roppo said. “So ,it’s like, I’ll do some changes to accommodate more people instead of, ‘Let’s go here for a burger,’ where [now] anyone can come here and get something other than a burger.” Some of the new items on the menu include the Buffalo chicken sandwich ($12) which is made with fresh chicken, Buffalo sauce, provolone cheese, pickles and lettuce. Roppo also added a spicy chicken sandwich ($12), chicken caesar wrap ($12) and grilled chicken sandwich ($10). Every sandwich and burger on the menu comes with fries. Also new to the menu are several appetizers, including onion rings ($4), fried cauliflower ($5) and jalapeno poppers ($5). The cheese curds ($5) have been popular since Day 1 and remain on the new menu. “Now, I do pizza, also, but it’s from Kenootz Pizza,” Roppo said. “So, we’re working together to where if someone comes in here [and] orders a pizza, I let them know, and [we] just help each other out.” Two menu items that stayed on the menu and remain popular are the grilled ch-ease ($10), which has provolone, muenster, Gouda and pimento cheeses, with bacon One of the new items on the At Ease menu is the Buffalo chicken sandwich ($12), which is made with fresh chicken, Buffalo sauce, provolone cheese, pickles and lettuce. Thomas Czaja/22nd Century Media “[At Ease is] a double meaning. For someone that wasn’t in the military, at ease means come in and relax. It has the same meaning when you would tell a soldier at ease, to relax. So, I want people come in here and relax.” Nick Roppo — Owner of At Ease Craft Beer Pub and tomato. The bourbon burger ($12), another hit, has Brie cheese and pickled onion. When Roppo introduced the revamped menu, he added two house drinks he said he made strong to represent the names that accompany them. Army Ranger ($6.95) has rum, Red Bull and Jägermeister, while the Bald Eagle Martini ($7.50) has tequila, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, lime juice and lemon juice, with salt on the glass rim. “I figured to be stronger is what I wanted, because they have military names,” Roppo said. While the food and beverage menu were revamped, Roppo also made some changes inside. He added three TVs, a dartboard and TouchTunes, so customers can pick At Ease Craft Beer Pub 15761 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen Hours • 4-11 p.m. Monday- Wednesday • 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday • 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday- Saturday • 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday For more information ... Phone: (708) 981-3186 Web: www.ateasepub.com their own music to play in the pub. As a veteran-owned business in Homer Glen, Roppo said he has received a lot of positive feedback from customers. “Everyone really likes the name,” he said. “There’s a lot of veterans that do come in. They’re like, ‘Wow, this is awesome.’ They like what I’ve done with the place.”
newlenoxpatriot.com LOCAL LIVING The New Lenox Patriot | November 8, 2018 | 25 T.J. CACHEY BUILDERS UNVEILS NEW MODEL, OPENS SKY HARBOR PHASE II For those looking from the Lawler close to the historic to land a newly highlight is the Wauponsee Glacial constructed home, master bedroom Bike Trail. While T.J. Cachey Builders and guest bedrooms some are ready for recently announced the are separated by the quick deliveries, the opening of Sky Harbor family room and ranch and two-story Phase II in New Lenox. kitchen. It’s great for townhomes range The subdivision, an empty nester. in size from 1,700 constructed on a former The homes come to 2,100 square airport, has more than priced in the low feet and are priced 140 single-family lots $300s. from $240,900. and is opening a new Stop by and see Basements are model – the Lawler. the Lawler model at optional. A popular ranch Sky Harbor Phase II Cachey Builders model for all types of from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. offers more buyers, customization Friday, Saturday than 90 years is available on all plans. and Sunday. For more close to Old Plank Leighlinbridge experience T.J. Cachey Builders information, call (815) Trail bike path. The Townhouse Building homes since specialty includes 462-0242. 1,600- to 3,600-squarefoot A townhouse 1927, T.J. Cachey ranch and two- community nestled in accessible bathrooms Cherry Hill South Builders takes pride in and homes. story designs include Manhattan, T.J. Cachey T.J. Cachey Builders building each home While there are four generous lot sizes and Builders is also opening also has two lots left in as if it were their own. ranch plans to choose Cherry Hill South, with homes from $240,900. semi-custom layouts. Phase II with ranch and two-story townhomes. Many past clients often The exclusive With beautifully community consists of 39 single-family homes, appointed features and options to fit you and including look-out lots, your family’s needs, in a natural setting this community is return to T.J. Cachey Builders for a second or third time, relying on them for the same quality home building experience that they have grown to expect. Additionally, T.J. Cachey Builders has a dedicated staff that will walk their clients through each step of their projects. From planning and designing to execution and completion, T.J. Cachey Builders staff will be there today and for years to come. For more information, visit CacheyBuilders. com or call (708) 349- 1575.
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