Social 18

Social 18 and Mully’s Grill opening on Main Street in Park Ridge

There has been lots of anticipation — and undoubtedly a few questions — about just what is going into the space formerly occupied by Mel’s BBQ on Main Street.

And we’re here to set the record straight because it’s happening now, and a recent tour got us a bit excited. We sat down with co-owners and Park Ridge residents Tom Sotos and Bob Giotakis (Tom’s brother, John, is also a partner) in early September to get the full run down.

Social 18, which is opening soon, will serve as a sit-down Greek restaurant (offering dishes like Grecian chicken with lemon potatoes and pork souvlaki) and golf simulator bar in the front half of the building. And Mully’s Grill in the back of the building closely (and purposefully) resembles Wally’s, the former Park Ridge staple, including fast-food counter service offering a very similar menu of gyros, beef, ribs, chicken, hot dogs, burgers, fries and more. Entrance for Mully’s is in the back of the building (13 Prairie Street). It officially opened in mid-September and offers catering as well.

Social 18, which is opening soon, will serve as a sit-down Greek restaurant and golf simulator bar in the front half of the building. And Mully’s Grill in the back closely (and purposefully) resembles Wally’s, the former Park Ridge staple, including fast-food counter service and a similar menu

The Sotos brothers own Play 18 in downtown Chicago, believed to be the first indoor golf simulator lounge in the Midwest. Giotakis, meanwhile, owns a Greek restaurant called Pittsfield Cafe in the Loop. It’s been in his family since 1987, and he’s been running the show since 1996.

So combine the two venues and what do you get? Greek food, drinks, golf and memories of Wally’s. Not a bad combination.

“We’re talking about two brothers and a friend, who’ve known each other since we were six years old, bringing their concepts together to bring Park Ridge a social version of a golf restaurant,” Tom Sotos tells us.

“We like to say, ‘Come for the food, stay for the golf,’” Giotakis adds with a smile.

Social 18 and Mully’s Grill are located at 24 Main Street in Park Ridge, with the entrance for Mully’s around the side off Prairie Street. See the menu for Mully’s at MullysGrill.com

Neta Sushi opens on Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge

If you’re like us, you can never have enough quality sushi options around, so we were delighted to see Neta Sushi open in the former location of Sushi Express.

Neta, which is owned by Min Kim, who previously worked at Starfish and BluFish, officially opened in July and offers a sizable menu full of tempting dishes like crab-stuffed mushrooms, yakisoba stir-fried noodles, spicy tuna seaweed salad and the Neta maki, made of shrimp tempura, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeño and truffle yuzu. Wow. Hungry yet?

In late August, they added a few new lunch items like the delicious salmon teriyaki bento box.

Neta Sushi is located at 35 S. Prospect Avenue in the heart of the Prospect shopping district. (847) 518-8580.

Westside Children’s Therapy opens in Village Green shopping center

Westside Children’s Therapy opened last spring and offers a new, modern and large space with expansive sensory equipment. The Park Ridge facility is a multi-disciplinary center. The following therapies can all be scheduled at this location:
* ABA therapy
* Counseling
* Occupational therapy
* Speech therapy

Westside sessions are conducted on a 1:1 therapist-to-child ratio. With multiple sessions going on at once, it allows for extra social interaction as well.

Located at 575 Busse Highway, Unit C in Park Ridge. WestSideChildrensTherapy.com

Keep an eye out for…
Kouklas Greek Eatery, the new Jimmy Bannos (of Heaven on Seven fame) Greek restaurant in the former Amici space in Niles.

Kilwins Chocolate, Fudge and Ice Cream shop slated for 116 Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge.