One of the most common things Patrick O’Brien has been told in the almost four years Scratch Kitchen and Lounge has been open in Forest Park: “You guys should expand.”
That’s what O’Brien is now doing, having signed a lease to open a second location at 733 Lake St. in Oak Park.
“I had always planned on opening more Scratch Kitchens,” said O’Brien, Scratch’s chef and owner, who has worked at Cucina Paradiso and Avenue Ale House in years past.
O’Brien said he’s hopeful the restaurant will be open by mid-November.
“We’re just 100 percent speed forward,” he said.
After four months of preparation, real estate broker David King said O’Brien signed a long-term lease for the 2,500-square-foot space. O’Brien said Sept. 30 he had just obtained keys to the former Chara space, which fortunately needs little work.
Diners at the Oak Park location will “certainly know it’s Scratch Kitchen,” O’Brien said, with burgers, fries and mac and cheese making up the core of the menu.
He said he plans to tailor some burgers and mac and cheese to Oak Park, and is working on an after-3 p.m. menu with “stick to your ribs stuff,” like pot roast, meatloaf and fried chicken.
Like the Forest Park location, the new Scratch will feature bingo, trivia and live music in a fun, loud atmosphere, but — unlike the original’s menu of just canned beer — will have a bar featuring craft beer drafts, wine and whiskeys.
“The bar program has to be up there,” O’Brien said.
King pointed out that the Hemingway District has several white-tablecloth restaurants, and Scratch offers a more casual atmosphere.
“I believe they fill a niche of value-priced food, good quality and a fun atmosphere,” King said. “They will rock and roll in Oak Park.”
O’Brien said he’s not worried about competition among restaurants and enjoys being part of a destination area.
“I really feel like we’re such a fit there,” he said. “That family/kids niche is kind of missing.”
The restaurant will keep similar hours to its sister location, serving lunch and dinner, and brunch on weekends. O’Brien said he hopes to be open until at least midnight, and possibly later on weekends if allowed.
For more information, visit www.scratchfp.com.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
