The D’Angelo family’s values live on through Carla Bolin, who said she wants to share the time-honored recipes and Italian heritage of her grandfather and father through her endeavors.
“I am truly honored to bring back the name, traditions, quality and sense of family that the Angelo’s brand represented in the Chicago Southland for many decades,” Bolin states on the website for Angelo’s Prime in Schererville.
The resident of Chicago Heights, Illinois, took a former flooring store and made it into a spot reflecting Italian roots from Sicily to Parma.
Here is the dish on this local establishment, which opened its market in December and its restaurant in January:
On the menu: Angelo’s Prime offers a prime steak sandwich, artisanal pizzas, Italian meats, a popular meatball submarine sandwich, prime burgers and wild-caught seafood. “We have a great chef,” said Bolin about Oscar Palma, of Highland. “For the pizzas we have a really cool wooden oven. It cooks the pizza in three minutes. It’s fresh.”
About the owner: “I’ve been in this business for over 30 years,” said Bolin, adding that her family was involved in restaurants since she was in seventh grade. She also owns Angelo’s Fresh Markets in Illinois at 1044 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, 708-914-4094; and 7150 183rd St., Tinley Park, 708-407-8724. Go to angelosfresh.com. Although all three locations offer Italian imports, fresh meats and a deli, the Angelo’s Prime menu is different from Angelo’s Fresh Market.
A mission statement: “We’re trying to bring high-end, very good quality, locally raised, locally fed, locally processed items to the community,” said Bolin.
“When you go to other stores you really have no idea where your meat is coming from. Generally you don’t know where the farm was. You’re almost guaranteed it’s going to have some sort of chemical to preserve it. Meats by Linz’s farm is right in Crown Point and their meat is processed at a plant right in Calumet City, Illinois. You can drive by the farm in Crown Point. It’s pretty cool.”
Decor: “It’s pretty Tuscan-looking. It’s darker tan paint and wood floors,” said Bolin about the casual, counter-service eatery that seats approximately 30 diners. “We have a lot of Italian artwork. We’ve got some cool Italian lights in the ceiling. There’s some greenery and some really cool trees with white lights in there. It’s very pretty.”
Specialties: “We do a homemade meatball sandwich. It is the best-selling item. It’s just a blend of veal, pork and beef so it’s a true Italian blend. Most places only use beef or some places use beef and pork,” said Bolin about Papa D’s Special.
Bolin said the Sicilian steak sandwich is another popular item. “It’s so unique. It’s taken on a life of its own. It’s awesome. It’s a great sandwich,” she said about the dish featuring a half pound of prime steak, Asiago Italian herb steak bun, melted mozzarella, grilled onions, garlic mayonnaise and a secret house steak sauce. “Our burger is so good. It’s a blend of short rib, brisket and chuck,” added Bolin.
We’re different because: Many of the dishes feature products from Meats by Linz, which Bolin said helps to set Angelo’s Prime apart from other restaurants. “Your taste palate conforms to what you’re used to eating. You forget what a real peace of meat tastes like or smells like, for that matter,” she said.
Prices: Start at $7.49 for burgers and $8.99 for artisanal personal pies.
Logistics: Angelo’s Prime is at 1542 U.S. 41, Schererville. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. Call 219-319-0075 or go to www.angelosprime.com.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
