Old Chicago sets opening for May 14

Workers lay bricks on the exterior of the new Old Chicago restaurant, 383 W. Mopar Drive, across from Walmart.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The building looks like a construction zone now, but franchise officials said they are confident Old Chicago in Hays will be open by May 14.

The franchise is remodeling space in the former Golden Corral building, 383 W. Mopar Drive, across from Walmart.

The interior is already unrecognizable from its former self, with a large bar, patio area and brick facing on the exterior. OC Restaurants gutted the kitchen and brought in all new equipment. With the patio, the restaurant will seat about 220 people.

Old Chicago has completely gutted and remodeled the interior of the old Golden Corral building.

The restaurant will offer a full bar with 40 beers on tap and another 70 beer labels in bottles, including some German beers.

Old Chicago offers menu options for everyone, said Jeff Daley, director of operations.

“The thing that I like about Old Chicago the best is the menu is so diverse,” he said.

They are known for their pizza, which includes ale-crust and gluten-free options. However, the restaurant also offer a variety of pastas, sandwiches, salads, wings and burgers.

He said the atmosphere is great for a family dinner, a night our with friends or a business meeting.

The restaurant will offer catering and takeout. Online ordering will be available a couple of weeks after the opening.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The restaurant will employ 105 people and, as of Thursday morning, still had slots open for another 20 employees.

“The workforce, we are very excited about that and all the employees we have hired,” Daley said.

Old Chicago will have a full bar with 40 beers on tap and another 70 other beer labels available in bottles.

Old Chicago is a national franchise that was founded in Colorado in 1976. It already has a strong Kansas presence, including locations in Wichita, Great Bend, Liberal and multiple restaurants in Kansas City.

“We like the community. We are very excited about the growth. We are excited about the interstate location,” Daley said.

Ross Olsbo, opening operations manager, said, “You asked why Hays. This is just a great Midwestern community. It is a feel-good place coming here. Everywhere we go, we get treated with that great Midwestern hospitality. I was over at the CVB yesterday, and everyone made me feel like I was welcome and part of the community. It is nice to have that feeling. … I am glad that we are coming here and going to be a part of that community.”

Old Chicago is only using about 6,600 square feet of the old Golden Corral building. The other 3,600 square feet of the space will be leased. It will be closed off from the restaurant with a second entrance. The business has had some interest in the space, including a gym, retail or professional office space. No contracts have been signed.

Old Chicago’s kitchen was completely redone in the remodel, including adding this pizza oven. The restaurant is known for its pizza, but also serves sandwiches, salads, pasta, burgers and appetizers, such as wings.

Jim Gardner, operating principal on the project, also said the OC Restaurants would consider dividing that portion of the building into two smaller rental spaces.

The restaurant is doing a fundraiser in conjunction with its opening. Several training meals will be served by invitation prior to the restaurant opening on May 14. One hundred percent of the proceeds from those meals will go to Big Brother Big Sisters of Ellis County.

“We expect to raise a significant amount of money. The other thing that is important is that when we are doing our opening functions and training, we will have representative here from Big Brothers Big Sisters. We also think we can help raise the awareness of their organization and what they are trying to do,” Daley said.