Hawg Dawg’s Eateries (16 S. Locust St.) in Manteno has reopened.

New owner Clarissa Anagnos opened for business on Saturday. The menu still features “dawgs”, burgers, sandwiches and sides, and “they still have the best fries,” a happy customer told me when I stopped in on Monday.

The restaurant had been closed for about 2 months.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays. They can be reached at (815) 468-3400.

(Thanks to a reader named Steve for that tip.)

Monical’s Pizza opened Monday in its new home at 199 Southcreek Drive in Manteno.

Formerly located at Illinois Route 50 and Locust Street, the new location has more seating inside and more parking outside.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (815) 468-7409 to order.

The new Jimmy John’s in Manteno will open Sept. 1.

Here are more details from a previous blog post:

“The latest addition to the sandwich franchise is at 104 Southcreek Drive. That’s next to Family Video on the south side of W. Division Street, about 1/4 mile east of the I-57 interchange.

The phone number of the new store will be (815) 468-8866. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.”

An update from Paula at PJ’s Ice Cream & Coffee in Manteno:

“Exciting news here at PJ’s: We again have new ice cream flavors. Fall is on the way. We have pumpkin ice cream and frosted gingerbread cookie ice cream. Put a little caramel and whipped cream on either the pumpkin or the gingerbread and oh my, it is wonderful!! Come on in for a taste of the best ice cream around.”

PJ’s is at 41 W. 2nd St. in Manteno. Summer hours are noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday; and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. Their phone is (815) 468-8680.

A reader named Jen sent me this today:

“I was just wondering if you knew that Hawg Dawg’s in Manteno is now closed. There were signs up today.”

I’ll try to get more details and will share them if I do.

UPDATE —————–

I stopped by today (Aug. 24) and took this picture. The sign in the window says, “Thank you MNT”.

News from Paula at PJ’s Ice Cream & Coffee in Manteno:

“Just a few things going on here at PJ’S I want to let you and your readers know about. On Sundays we offer cows in a blanket. Yes, cows in a blanket. A big scoop of your favorite ice cream on top of a warm pancake drizzled with flavored syrup.

Also, with school starting I have decided on Aug 25th I will open at 8:00 in the morning. Mothers sending the first or last child to school can come and visit over Door County Coffee.”

Thanks, Paula!

PJ’s is at 41 W. 2nd St. in Manteno. Summer hours are noon-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday; and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. Their phone is (815) 468-8680.

The dessert case at Tuscany Steak & Pasta.

It was my birthday a few weeks ago, and when it came time to pick a place for the all-important birthday dinner, I picked Tuscany Steak & Pasta House in Manteno. Why? Because of their awesome dessert case.

That’s not to say they don’t have good food. I had a tasty pasta primavera, and Brendan said his steak was great. We also had very good service, and the back room provided a cozy, semi-private place for us to walk around with Grady, who is usually a happy and quiet baby if he’s being held by someone standing up. (Why he cares if we’re standing or sitting I don’t know, but he does.)

But if you view dinner is just the obligatory warm-up act to the real headliner of the meal, a.k.a. dessert, then Tuscany won’t disappoint. Their refrigerated dessert case displays several tiers of beautifully decorated cakes and other sweet treats. Choosing just one of them was difficult, but I finally decided on a layer cake that had, by my careful estimate, the greatest volume of chocolate per serving. It was delicious, as expected.

There’s even a way to get that dessert for free if you go on a Tuesday. Tuscany is currently offering a coupon on our Let’s Eat Out site that is good for a free dessert with the purchase of a dinner on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.

I’ve got good news for those of you who were fans of the coffee at The Ray Cafe and Coffee House in Manteno, which closed earlier this month. The beans can be ordered directly from the roaster, and Bob Price, the former manager of the cafe, has persuaded the company to offer a special deal to former Ray Cafe customers. Here’s the email from Bob with the details:

“Morning Coffee Lovers and Friends,

I have had a lot of inquiries on where to find coffee beans – especially flavored coffees – now that The Ray Cafe has closed. At this current time, there is no other coffee shop nearby The Ray that carries beans from our roaster.

However, after discussions with our coffee roaster, I am excited to announce that you can buy all those great coffees online at the roaster’s Web sites listed below and $AVE 10% on every order. Simply follow the easy ordering instructions, and at checkout in the coupon box simply enter “BOB” and you will receive a 10% discount!! With the 10% discount and shipping, prices are going to be pretty close to what you were paying at The Ray.

Want to really save money? Get all you friends together and buy beans in 5 pound bags! Or if you can put together an order of 40 pounds or more, you will get your 10% discount plus shipping will be FREE!!

You can order the coffee through one of these  Web sites:

www.kmojoe.com (roaster’s Web site selling 1-lb. bags)

www.kmocoffee.com (roaster’s wholesale Web site that sells 5-lb. bags)

Thanks for your loyalty and business at The Ray Cafe, if you have any questions please e-mail me (coffeeguru@comcast.net) and I will be glad to help. …

Bob Pierce
coffeeguru@comcast.net
Formerly of The Ray Cafe”

Bob also told me that this is the same supplier he used when he owned The Corner Perk Coffee Cafe at Northfield Square Mall or The Gathering Grounds at St. Mary’s Hospital, so if you loved the coffee at those places, you’ll like these beans.

Thanks to a reader named Pat for this tip:

I just would like to let you know that my friend Ryan Jackson is a fantastic chef, and he is hosting the fish fry at the American Legion in Manteno every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. He has done 3 to 4 different fishes, and all have been prepared different. From a Parmesan-crusted Tilapia with a tomato sauce (mild) that is pan-fried when ordered, to catfish filets.

He also has a dish for the non-fish fans, from smoked pulled pork and chicken to pork loin with an apple-peach sauce (on the side if you like) with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. He also caters to the kids with chicken strips & fresh fries.

For $10 you also get a salad bar with a soup that may range from a potato with bacon & smoked pork to a black bean soup. There are a couple types of pasta salad (tomato pesto to a Mediterranean pasta salad), fresh fruit and dinner rolls. They also offer carry-out.

The Legion started offering the Friday night meals about a month ago, and they’re starting out with just a few menu options each week.

American Legion Post 755 is at 117 N. Walnut St. in Manteno. Call (815) 468-8324 for more information.

More sad news from one of our area eateries. I just received this email from Bob at The Ray Cafe & Coffee House in Manteno:

Morning,

I am sad to inform you that The Ray Cafe and Coffee House and Aqueous Ideas has closed their doors. Randy, the owner of both, announced to the staff early Tuesday (July 7th) morning that due to the economy he was closing both businesses.

My staff and I appreciate the support that you gave us and the friendships that we made. Hopefully our paths will cross again soon.

If you loved our coffee beans, please stay in touch with me, as I am trying to find an alternate source from our roaster.

Thanks again for your support. If I can be of any assistance to you please feel free to send me an e-mail!

I’m very sorry to hear that, Bob. Best of luck to you.