HO_110719

homerhorizondaily.com dining out
the homer horizon | November 7, 2019 | 19
The Dish
Trio of friends collaborate to open Tavern in the Glen
Homer bar and
restaurant strives
to be a comfortable
neighborhood spot
Thomas Czaja, Editor
Three friends spoke increasingly
in recent years
of realizing their dream to
open a pub together.
These buddies — Jeff
Wood, Kevin Connolly
and Greg Stefanon —
found the right spot to
make that goal a reality,
opening Tavern in the Glen
on Aug. 30 in Homer Glen.
The trio of Orland Park
residents envisioned a
comfortable neighborhood
gathering place they could
call their own.
“I worked for a family
business that got bought
out four years ago that
manufactured mats; Kevin
is an electrician; and Greg
is retired from the FBI,”
Wood said, noting none
have any prior bar or restaurant
experience. “We
talked for years wanting to
do this, and now seemed
like the time.”
With that mindset, they
learned the industry as
they developed Tavern in
the Glen, with Connolly
using his expertise as an
electrician and builder to
completely remodel the
The loaded fries ($9) are made with a wedge-like fry,
and feature bacon, cheese, red onion, tomato and sour
cream.
space. They increased the
size of the bar its seating,
upped the amount of televisions
from four to 18
and added a garage door
that opens near an adjacent
door to a new outdoor patio
area.
There is one more interesting
new addition to
Tavern in the Glen.
“We have a church pew,”
Wood said of the long pew
stretching across several
tables — part of new seating
where the former entryway
and front windows
to the business are. “A
church closed in Milwaukee.
We bought [the [pew]
online and drove up there
and brought it back.”
While maximizing space
by adding to the bar and
creating more seating was
imperative, the main focus
of any bar and restaurant
is to provide quality food
and drinks. Occupying the
space that used to house
Steamer’s Hot Dogs and
then At Ease Craft Beer
Pub, Tavern in the Glen’s
ownera are confident they
have the goods to stay.
“It’s a simple menu right
now,” Wood said. “Being
brand new, we didn’t want
to have too much on the
menu. We wanted to make
a good, small menu, and
everybody has been very
happy about it.”
The partners plan to
grow the menu as time
goes on, but one of the
most popular sandwiches
so far is the smash burger
($9), which comes with a
6-ounce patty served on a
brioche bun with cheese,
lettuce, tomato and onion.
The Italian beef ($8) is one of the popular sandwiches at
Tavern in the Glen in Homer Glen. It is served on garlic
bread au jus. Peppers or cheese can be added for 50
cents each. Photos by Thomas Czaja/22nd Century Media
Diners have their choice
of American, pepper Jack,
cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella
or provolone, and all
sandwiches include one’s
choice of fries or coleslaw.
“We get three deliveries
a week for everything,”
Wood said. “Our burgers
and everything [are] made
fresh daily.”
The chicken tender
sandwich ($9) has chicken
tenders, bacon, cheddar,
lettuce, tomato and
onion, served on a black,
charcoal-infused bun with
chipotle mayo.
The chicken tender
sandwich also made the
menu, because it was the
meal Greg used to have
regularly back when he
was at the Naval Academy.
“All our bread is bought
from a bakery,” Wood said.
“We spend a little more on
that. We want to be aboveaverage
bar food.”
On the appetizer side
of things, the loaded fries
or nachos ($9) — stacked
with bacon, cheese, red onion,
tomato and sour cream
— have been a big hit.
Of course, no tavern
is complete without its
alcoholic offerings, and
Tavern in the Glen keeps
a handful of beers on tap,
with several rotating for
seasonal options. There
also are a number of beer
selections in cans at the
revamped bar.
In striving to be more
than a dive bar, the owners
have made sure to have
something for the wine
enthusiasts, too, with a
red Mirassou Pinot Noir
from California ($7 glass,
Tavern in the Glen
15761 S. Bell Road
in Homer Glen
Hours
• 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday-Thursday
• 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Friday-Saturday
For more information:
Web:
tavernintheglen.com
Phone: (708) 645-
4763
$26 bottle) being just one
example.
“We went a little higher-end
than what most
bars have,” Wood said.
“We have wine drinkers
very happy when they
come in.”
The hope for the owners
is the updated ambiance
and selections — along
with daily specials, such
as pot roast on Mondays,
and a $7 burger and draft
beer deal on Wednesdays
— will make Tavern in
the Glen like the local
“Cheers” for Homer Glen.
“The most rewarding
thing is seeing people
coming in, actually telling
us they feel comfortable
and it’s a welcoming
place,” Wood said.
“That’s what we love to
hear.”
dance
From Page 17
later, we felt more kids would
come. They’re not as nervous,
and they’re more coming with
friends.”
Dancing at the event was
Mikey Waterloo. Wearing a
neon green hat and high-fiving
everyone, Waterloo radiated
confidence.
“This is my second dance in
high school,” Waterloo said.
“This dance has been set up
well; there are a lot of cool activities.”
Waterloo, who was on the
freshmen football team, was
happy to be at a social event on
a Friday night.
“I met a lot of familiar faces
tonight, including my good
friend Freddie Miller who I’ve
known since kindergarten.”
Both attended Walsh School
and have been friends ever
since. “This dance gets people
together to have a good time.”
Miller also gave his stamp of
approval for the dance and evening.
“I like the whole glow in the
dark theme,” said Miller, from
Homer Glen. “I enjoy hanging
out with my friends at the
dances. I’m seeing old friends
and meeting new ones.
“Getting together with people
I’ve known since kindergarten
to kids I just met makes for a
fun night.”
Ultimately, it was a chance
to continue to enhance the
high school experience and
gain new relationships along
the way.
“This is a good way to spend
your night,” Waterloo added.
“You build connections, make
new friends and just have a
great time, that’s what high
school is about.”