JOLIET, IL — Last month, Joliet Patch reported on one of the biggest restaurant stories of the year: Joe’s Hot Dogs on Plainfield Road is now on the real estate market. Now there’s another blockbuster restaurant sale to report: the Babe’s Jumbo Hot Dogs restaurant, owned by Tim and Amy Reilly for years, is also up for sale as of this week.
Babe’s has long been one of Jefferson Street’s staple restaurants, operating for decades. “We’ve been in business 35 years,” Tim Reilly told Joliet Patch last year.
Babe’s has been at 2600 W. Jefferson St. since 2001. Before that, Babe’s was at the corner of Jefferson Street and Springfield Avenue.
Philip Howell of REMAX is the listing agent for 2600 West Jefferson, and he’s poised to sell Babe’s Jumbo Hot Dogs for $1,750,000. The real estate transaction includes the sale of both the restaurant business and the property.
Babe’s is along West Jefferson Street near the Caterpillar Drive intersection for the Menards store.
“Thriving quality business opportunity awaits! Outstanding Joliet classic with value-add potential in super growth area with ample parking and multiple access points,” reads the listing posted on the commercial real estate website LoopNet. “Strong regular customer base with drive thru and indoor dining options including established gaming. Well maintained building and equipment are all included.”
Howell told Joliet Patch’s editor on Thursday that the goal is to find a new owner who will maintain the same high-quality reputation that the Reillys brought to Babe’s for several decades.
“I want to keep that quality, and find someone able to keep that same vibe and energy that the Reillys had,” Howell told Patch. “It’s staying as a classic. And it’s thriving. Everyone loves going there whether it’s their hot dogs or their corned beef. The business is doing really, really well. (Tim)’s getting older and it’s time to turn the page.”
In addition to the thriving restaurant, the REMAX agent pointed out that Babe’s is known for holding some of the biggest classic cars shows in the area during the warm weather months. The classic car shows are great for the business and bring Babe’s great exposure and positive noteriety.
Last year, Joliet Patch reported that Babe’s was one of Joliet’s most popular destinations for senior citizens. Babe’s offers a 10 percent discount for all seniors — anyone 55 years old and above.
According to the listing, the Babe’s property consists of 1,750 square feet of building space and 32 parking spaces. It’s being marketed as a fast-food restaurant, and the prospective buyer being sought can be an investor or owner user. The restaurant was built in 1985.
The last major Joliet Patch story on Babe’s took place in June 2024. Joliet Patch reported that Tim Reilly’s long-time business sign proclaiming “Babe’s Jumbo Hot Dogs” was no more. Now, tens of thousands of Joliet motorists traveling along the busy West Jefferson Street corridor are greeted by a new sign that reads “Babe’s Home Cookin’.”
“We took the word hot dogs out and put wraps and salad, wraps and salad is a huge part of our business,” Reilly told Joliet Patch during the interview. “Don’t get me wrong. I still think we have the best hot dogs in town, but we have so much more. Everything is fresh every day, and we just can’t stress that enough.”
If you are interested in taking the next step to become the proud new of Babe’s, Howell, the REMAX listing agent, can be reached at 815-228-4883 or by email at philhowellsold@yahoo.com.
