09/18/2026
I’m happy to announce that opening day for the Calumet Eatery will be October 1, 2026!
I can’t tell you how excited I am, not only to finally open the doors, but also to get a taste of my own favorite food again!
We will be starting with a soft opening limited menu and building our way up to the full menu.
A lot of people have asked what took so long. This is the shortest answer I can come up with...
If you ever think about opening a restaurant while you’re homeless, penniless, living in your vehicle, bankrupt, and carrying destroyed credit, I definitely do not recommend it. The challenges could be tremendous.
You would think being beyond bankrupted by the restaurant business would have taught me to stay away from it. But the truth is, I enjoy it too much.
I've sold many goods and services in life, but there is nothing quite like seeing the smile on someone’s face after they’ve eaten something they genuinely love, reading a good review, or hearing some of the crazy compliments I've ever heard.
Somewhere along the way, it stopped being just a way to make a living, and feeding people became something I truly love.
I also haven’t forgotten that I still owe money to people who helped me through my previous attempts. Right now, getting this place open has put me even deeper in the hole, but I intend to pay back every dollar as soon as I’m able.
To do that, I first have to get the Calumet Eatery open, become stable, and build something that can survive for the long run. I haven’t forgotten anyone, and I’m not running away from what I owe.
I was fortunate enough to be blessed with an incredible opportunity (thanks Tina!) from two amazing people I now call my landlords. Because of their generosity, patience, and belief in me, something that once seemed nearly impossible is finally becoming real. Thank you Keith and Julie!
These challenges have not been without heartbreak, as I have lost three people in the last year, who were supposed to be part of my crew, to illness and death.
Two were very dear friends who started with me many years ago as employees and became like family. The third was a new hire who quickly became a great friend while helping me prepare to open this place. All three were eager to be here when the doors opened, but God had other plans for them, may they rest in peace. 🙏🙏🙏
And let us always remember Jacques, and how he poured his heart and soul into Chicago Beefs, cementing his smile into our memories. Rest in peace my friend. 🙏
Their absences will be deeply felt on opening day and always. I wish that they could all be standing beside me, but they will always be part of this journey and what it took to get here.
It all makes me even more grateful for everyone who is still beside me near and far and has helped me keep moving forward, especially my friends, my family, and the great people of this community that have helped me build and rebuild.
My friends Mickey, Teri, Garry, Stephanie, Laurel, Jake, Cody and Todd are among the top of that list, along with too many others to name.
And, of course, to all of you who have tried and liked my food and recommended it to your friends and family... thank you for your support. It truly means the world to me. ❤️❤️❤️
October 1st.
Calumet Eatery.
431 5th Street Downtown Calumet.
Hope to see you soon!
