New Joliet Restaurant: Wings, Rib Tips, Slabs Of Ribs And Desserts

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“I love the variety,” he said of the menu. “And it’s very reasonable prices for the food. With Christ Temple Church across the street, he should do very well right here.”

Thursday marked the first time that Joliet Patch has visited Jack’s Chick’N Ribs since Dunklin opened for business one month ago.

The overwhelming reaction to his food from the customers has been positive, Dunklin said.

‘The Slabs Are Really Taking Off’

“Ninety percent positive and 10 percent negative,” he said, referring to the naysayers. “I give out food a lot to some of the people of the neighborhood because God has still blessed me.”

Because of slow sales on the brisket and the pulled pork, Dunklin has taken those items off the menu, at least for the winter.

On the other hand, the owner of Jack’s has been pleasantly surprised by the rousing success of his slabs of ribs.

“The slabs are really taking off,” he said. “I was at first scared to cook them, but now I’m almost cooking like 10 slabs a day, people are buying them, whether it’s the half slabs or the whole slabs.”

Jack’s Open Tuesday-Saturday

Dunklin loves to rave about his food. He’s particularly thrilled with the quality of his chicken wings. He hopes that customers consider them in the same league as Harold’s Chicken. “As you can see, I make everything to order.

“I rank my chicken wings right up there with Harold’s,” he proclaimed. “I’ll go up against anybody.”

While the chicken wings are one of his most popular orders, “it’s neck and neck with the ribs,” he said. “My number one seller is the large combo, which they get both of them,” Dunklin said of the ribs and the chicken wings. “And I made a smaller combo to make it more affordable to the community.”

After being open for a month, Jack’s Chick’N Ribs realized that some changes were needed in terms of his schedule.

“I noticed opening up at 11 a.m. was not working,” he said. “It really gets busy between Thursday and Saturday, but it is still so brand new. But today is a pretty good day.”

Home-Cut Fries Are Part Of Menu

For now, Jack’s is typically open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Sometimes the schedule fluctuates, depending on the winter weather.

“And Sunday and Monday are my prep days to get ready for the new week,” he explained. “I will be opening up in the spring to do Soul Food Sundays. They are gonna love that.”

In addition to his popular ribs and chicken wings, one of his other crowd pleasers are his home-cut french fries. His fries, he explained, are similar to the ones you would get at Five Guys and Mooyah Burgers.

“With the home-cut fries, everything is made in house, fresh to order,” Dunklin said. “And our cakes are delicious, the caramel and the lemon cakes.”

BBQ Smoked Chicken Coming Next

While the brisket and pulled pork are off the regular menu for now, Jack’s plans to introduce a BBQ smoked chicken to his menu in the coming days.

“It will be smoked legs and thighs,” he explained. “I’m going to bring back the brisket in the early spring.”

In addition to the home-cut fries, Jack’s also offers coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese and potato salad.

And there are desserts, including Old School Butter Cookies and slices of lemon cake and caramel cake.

If his business can prosper, Jack’s intends to occupy the rest of the old convenience store, turning the storage space into a banquet hall.

Prior to teaming up with former Joliet City Councilman Terry Morris, who is leasing him the property, Dunklin considered opening his Jack’s Chick’N Ribs in Rockdale.

He said that expanding into Rockdale, with a second location, is still a possibility in the future.

“I’ve got the capability to supply two or three restaurants. I want to serve delicious food everywhere,” Dunklin said.

During Thursday’s interview, Jack’s helper, Jerryd, walked into their kitchen and assured Joliet Patch that the chicken wings are fabulous. “His wings are fire. I love them,” Jerryd explained.

And starting next week, the owner of Jack’s plans to introduce his special Buffalo sauce to his customers.

He said he considers it “revolutionary.”

One Last Thing: To place a carryout order, the number for Jack’s is 779-702-4488. Jack’s has taken social media by storm. The Facebook page for Jack’s Chick’N Ribs is now up to 5,600 followers.

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