The long-closed and historic Olde Keg building in downtown Joliet, Illinois, will reopen as a Mexican restaurant in a few weeks.
The Herald-News reports Amy Montiel of nearby Lockport, Illinois, plans to rechristen the building at 20 W. Jackson St. as Catrina’s Mex in May.
Montiel told the newspaper she wanted to open a restaurant that offered authentic Mexican food.
“[We] want to open a really nice restaurant, where you can go to celebrate your birthday or take a brunch with your family,” Montiel said. “We want to bring people from other towns – that’s our goal.”
Much of the menu will feature more traditional Mexican food, such as Mexican meatballs, but diners also will see what “they’re used to,” including burritos and tacos.
According to a story in the Joliet Patch a few weeks ago:
The last time somebody tried to operate a restaurant inside the legendary location of The Keg, their business failed. That was around 2009. Ever since then, the Keg building has sat empty. Now, it’s about to come back to life, just as the city of Joliet’s downtown is in the midst of a resurgence that is centered around bringing more nightlife and fine-dining options to the City Center.
Until its closing, the Olde Keg often appeared in recommended-dining lists, including the now-defunct National Historic Route 66 Federation’s Dining and Lodging Guide.
The building sits on a southbound leg of Illinois 53 (aka Route 66) in Joliet.
According to a 1993 article in the Chicago Tribune about the history of the building, back when it was called The Keg:
(Hat tip to Marla Bagdon; excerpted image of the Olde Keg building in Joliet, Illinois, via Google Street View)