Fatmans in Gurnee closed for remodeling when Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered the statewide shutdown in March.
In fact, the Khayat family shut down all five of its restaurants; which also include Primo and Chicago Woodfire Pizza Co. in Gurnee and two Lake House locations in Lake Bluff and Lake Villa.
“We made it more of a vision than a virus,” said co-owner Nicole Khayat. “We closed down completely. We didn’t want to put anyone at risk.”
Fatmans reopened June 4. The interior is brand new — even though patrons may have to wait a little longer before they can fully enjoy it.
But that’s all right, as Fatmans has three bars, three patios, four volleyball courts and live music onstage. The Khayats are ready for business.
During the shutdown, the family also further developed its catering and delivery service. Khayat Catering has a five-car fleet to bring delivery orders.
A new menu addition is rotisserie chicken, served atop mashed potatoes with corn on the cob and soup or salad. Chicken is available in barbecue, mushroom Alfredo, lemon and Lake House, served in a lemon butter sauce and topped with oregano and feta.
Other popular items include breakfast pizza, served all day; the Porker burger topped with barbecued pork on a pretzel roll; wings in 12 sauces; or four varieties of Foot-Long French Toast, cut the long way instead of traditional slices.
“It has a vacation feel,” Khayat said of the remodeled outdoor dining areas. “People were eager to come back. We missed everybody so much!”
How the restaurant got its name: “The original owner was Tiny but he was the biggest man you’d ever see,” Khayat said. “He was 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds!”
About the owners: Khayat Enterprises is Chris and Twyla Khayat, their sons and their families, Elliott and Nicole, and Christian and Krista. The family has owned Fatmans for 40 years.
Philosophy: “Family owned and run. Even our kids are involved. We get to do it all together all the time. Customers can feel that,” said Khayat, whose 2-month old daughter naps in a nearby carrier.
Décor: “Contemporary rustic,” Khayat said.
Price range: Breakfast 7-11 a.m. from $5 to $14. Appetizers from $8 to $15. Wings and strips from $11 to $100. Salads and wraps are $11 and $13. Soup and chili from $3 to $5. Sandwiches and hot dogs from $10 to $14. Burgers and chicken from $11 to $15. Smokehouse barbecue from $15 to $20. Rotisserie chicken is $19. Southwestern dishes from $11 to $22. Pizza from $13 to $23.
Ordering options: Khayat Catering delivers as will third-party vendors Grubhub and Door Dash.
Logistics: Fatmans is at 36309 Skokie Highway, Gurnee. Hours are 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays-Saturdays for carryout and delivery and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. for outdoor dining. Contact 847-244-8300 or fatmansgurnee.com/.
Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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