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26 | November 29, 2018 | The Mokena Messenger dining out mokenamessenger.com The Dish Kenootz Pizza celebrates 30 years this month Business opened second location in Homer Glen in May 2017 Thomas Czaja Contributing Editor Ken Keeler can still remember the exact time and date, as well as the order. It was 5:01 p.m. Nov. 23, 1988. The first order was a large pizza with sausage, onion, green pepper and mushrooms, delivered to a man next door to his business, which Keeler opened that day and called Kenootz Pizza. Kenootz was the nickname given to Keeler by his grandmother as a child, and FEATURING: • Health & Wellness • Fitness • Medical • Dental • Insurance and more! MORE INFO: (708) 326-9170 ext. 16 22ndCenturyMedia.com/healthy his mother told him to use that namesake for his pizzeria for good luck. The business started in Oak Forest, doubled its size and moved to Midlothian, changing its address there once before settling into its permanent location in that town. It opened its second location in Homer Glen in May 2017, which has several tables inside but is more of a carryout and delivery spot, as opposed to its Midlothian counterpart, which has more seating. Keeler and his wife, Dee, went into business with Homer Glen residents Kris and Tom Boylan, who now run the Homer Kenootz location. Keeler met Kris when she worked as a waitress at a now-closed restaurant in Midlothian. “I wanted to open a pizza place out here [in Homer Glen], but I’m too busy at the one in Midlothian,” Keeler said of how he and his wife became co-owners with the Boylans. “I needed a third person, and I knew how Kris worked. I handpicked her to run this place.” With the business about to celebrate 30 years, Keeler reflected on the time that has gone by and was candid when he said he could not have envisioned things turning out as well as they have. “[The pizza business] was the only business I really knew,” Keeler said. “I had worked at pizza places and figured I could do it myself.” “I didn’t think when I opened it up I could make Saturday Jan. 19, 2019 9am - 1pm V E N D O R S W A N T E D Tinley Park Convention Center DEADLINE: DEC. 12, 2018 Kenootz Pizza 15755 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen Hours • 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily For more information ... Phone: (708) 737-7188 Web: www.kenootz.com The thin crust, 16-inch large pizza ($19.99 for cheese) is shown at Kenootz Pizza in Homer Glen, here with a sausage topping added. Jacquelyn Schlabach/22nd Century Media a good living out of selling pizza.” But despite starting out with only $3,000 to run things at the age of 23, perhaps it was the fortune of the Kenootz name that allowed him to make a good living. Now, with 30 years of business have come three decades worth of stories. One of the top tales is when pizza helped Keeler find love, as roughly a decade ago he met Dee when she got a postcard for a free pie from the business and came in to claim it. Keeler would go on to propose to her with green peppers spelling out “Will you marry me?” on a pizza. In 1991, he introduced the Kenootzer 20-inch thin crust pizza to the menu ($24.49 for cheese) — a bigger size that appealed to families and bigger crowds. “We used to only go to 18 [inches], and people said it couldn’t always feed a family, so we added the Kenootzer,” he said. Keeler added that the cheese and sausage is a big seller for Kenootz. Other thin crust sizes include a small 12-inch ($12.99), medium 14-inch (14.99), large 16-inch (19.99) and party 18-inch ($21.99), with a variety of toppings available at an additional cost. Also at Kenootz is the deluxe pizza (prices vary by size), which includes sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green pepper, onion, bacon, ham, black olives and a 2 liter of soda. Customers now can order gluten-free pizza, as well. “All veggies are fresh; nothing is frozen on our pizza,” Keeler said. “On our pizza, everything is fresh.” The sauce at Kenootz is consistent between both locations, with Keeler describing it as sweet. “I made the sauce myself the day I opened and tweaked it over the years by listening to customers,” he said. Beyond pizza, Kenootz has a number of other options, including wraps and pitas at just the Homer Glen location. This is an example of Kris responding to what customers are looking for, with Keeler giving her his menu to start but telling her to adapt it to what the community wants. All wraps and pitas are $7.99 and come with fries. Kris noted the chicken Caesar — which comes with romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, mozzarella cheese, and breaded or unbreaded chicken breast — is one of the popular selections for diners looking to go that route. Wings ($6.99 for a seven pieces, Buffalo or barbecue) are another fixture on the menu and come served with a choice of ranch or blue cheese. The theme of listening to the customer has allowed Kenootz to survive and thrive, as Kris always is willing to fulfill a request a customer might have if she has the right ingredients, even if it is not on the menu. And Kenootz goes beyond making pizza, with Keeler long having been passionate about giving back. “He helps everybody,” Dee said. Over the years, Keeler has spoken at career days from elementary to high schools about making pizzas, as well as donated countless pies and time to the likes of fire and police, sports and school fundraisers, churches, seniors, and more. The charitable concept is shared by Kris, who has brought that same giving nature to the Homer Glen store. “Whenever someone calls, we try to do donate gift cards or sponsor or figure it out,” she said.
mokenamessenger.com dining out the Mokena Messenger | November 29, 2018 | 27 The Dish Tropical Smoothie Cafe branching out to south suburbs Tinley Park couple opens spot in hometown Cody Mroczka, Contributing Editor More than three decades ago, Phil and Theresa Knippen were merely co-workers at a Brown’s Chicken fast food restaurant on the South Side of Chicago. “I was young, and it was fun,” Theresa said, “[Phil] was into the food business.” Now, the married couple of the last 31 years have three Tropical Smoothie Cafes spread across the south suburbs, with plans to add more. The Knippens’ first fast-casual eatery — which specializes in healthy meal and snack options in the form of smoothies, sandwiches, wraps and bowls — opened in New Lenox back in 2012. Another location was opened in Lockport in March, followed by the most recent opening in Tinley Park in October. “Eight years ago, [Theresa] and I went to a franchise show,” Phil recalled. “We tried their products — their smoothies and their food. We really fell in love, and then I learned the area was available to develop. That’s what interested me the most.” Around the time the couple got married, they also settled in Tinley Park, where they would raise three children. Phil owned multiple Brown’s Chicken franchises as well as a plumbing business before selling those to concentrate on Tropical Smoothie. The investment paid off, as Phil was named the area developer for the south suburban Chicago area, making him responsible for planning and ensuring future site developments and operations. “It’s kind of like a master franchise,” Phil said. “So people that are interested in purchasing a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, I would assist them in finding sites; I would assist them in the construction process; I would give them training at my store, and then continue to inspect Tropical Smoothie Cafe • 7101 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park • 1872 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox • 16105 Farrell Road in Lockport Hours • 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday- Saturday • 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday For more information ... Phone: (708) 468-8456 for Tinley Park, (815) 717-8095 for New Lenox, (815) 524- 4647 for Lockport Web: www. tropicalsmoothiecafe.com their stores on a monthly or quarterly basis.” Where Phil concentrates on the big-picture items, Theresa is more detail-orientated and makes sure the three locations are all running smoothly and efficiently. Though she was not involved in Phil’s other franchises, Theresa is now fully invested as a co-owner and manager. “When we opened our first one in New Lenox, people were asking for it in other areas,” Theresa said. “Then, it was Lockport, and we were hearing the same thing in Tinley Park. Once they come in and they try it, they’re hooked.” Phil said he believes in the franchise system, because “you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.” When the Knippens first started, there were 260 Tropical Smoothie locations in the country. It has since grown to more than 700, and the Knippens think the Chicago area is “wide open” for more expansion. A part of the challenge is overcoming the idea that a place with smoothie in its name has more to offer than just blended drinks. “We don’t have fryers,” Phil said. “It’s an easier operation. It’s cleaner, and we’re using real fruit, bananas, strawberries, mangos, The chicken caprese pressed sandwich ($7.49) features grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella and tomato, with a pesto and balsamic glaze, served with a side of kale and apple slaw. Photos by Cody Mrozcka/22nd Century Media fresh spinach and kale. There’s over a dozen supplements you can put into it, and three different kids of whey protein. We’re talking 22- 26 grams of protein in one drink. It’s a healthier concept. ‘Eat better, feel better’ is kind of our main theme.” Some local favorites in the south suburbs include the Island Green superfood smoothie ($5.49 for 24 ounces) — made with spinach, kale, mango, pineapple and banana — as well as the Bahama Mama ($5.29, 24 ounces) classic smoothie, a mix of strawberries, pineapples, white chocolate and coconut. Available now are two holiday specialty smoothies, known as Very Berry Cranberry and Cranberry Truffle. Theresa points to the Supergreen chicken Caesar wrap or Buffalo chicken wrap, both $6.99 and also available in bowls, as two common orders. But she encourages patrons try the Cuban pressed sandwich ($7.49) or the chipotle chicken club ($5.49) if they like a little spice. The locations also offer catering for businesses or family parties. “Spicy or regular, whatever your taste, the food is phenomenal,” Theresa said. “The flatbreads with chipotle mayo are so tasty. The Island Green [has] five servings of fruits and vegetables, but you would never know. It’s something different. It’s a healthier, better option.” RIGHT: Phil Knippen, of Tinley Park, owns all three south suburban Tropical Smoothie Cafes and also serves as the Chicago area developer for the franchise.
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