Pizza Made from Scratch at Ed & Joe's

Though Ed & Joe’s in Tinley Park celebrated its 50th anniversary in February, the Ed & Joe’s location in Mokena celebrates its two-year anniversary this month.

"We stand out from other pizza joints because everything is made by scratch every day,”said Joe Shenoha, manager at the Mokena location. That includes fresh dough made daily, freshly grated, extra-dry mozzarella, homemade sauces, and fresh basil, garlic and other toppings.

While some businesses struggle to make it through, Renae Morse, general manager at the Tinley Park location, said Ed & Joes continues to expand, with the newer Mokena location a perfect example.

“You don’t stay open in this economy for 50 years without having great service and a great product,” Morse said . “We have it all. It’s a full package.”

This full package began in the 1950s when the Clark family opened a pizza joint on Feb. 6, 1961. Michael Clark, Ed & Joe’s current owner, began learning the business as a teenager, according to the restaurant’s website. In 1978, Michael bought the business from his father, and to this day, owns both businesses with his wife, Ellen.

Though the restaurant began as only a carry-out and delivery business, much like the Mokena location is now, Ed & Joe’s became a full-service restaurant in 1984. Now, the Tinley Park location not only serves great pizza, but also provides entertainment almost every night of the week.

Tuesday nights are trivia nights, Wednesdays nights are comedy, character, balloon or magician nights for kids, and live music ensues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Tinley location also includes a full-service bar.

Besides the famous thin-crust, stone-baked pizza, the menu also includes steaks, chops, pastas, sandwiches, soup, salads and appetizers.  

Over the past 50 years, many changes have taken place, but Morse said she thought the restaurant’s expansion was the major change.

“We started out as one carryout place 50 years ago, and we continue to grow,” Morse said.

Morse and Shenoha both agree that the business in Mokena has been good. However, Morse said the Mokena locationis only opened for dinner now, though it used to serve lunch too.

Shenoha said most of Mokena’s customers are regulars.

Steven Magnani, a Mokena resident, said he’s eaten at Ed & Joe’s in Mokena five times. Twice, he ordered out and said the pizza was great.

“Big chunks of sausage, and the fried cheese was awesome,” Magnani said.

Magnani also visited Ed & Joe’s three times for their lunchbox special and was disappointed the third time.

“They could have a great crowd if they just had consistency and a visual display of the pizza when you walk in,” Magnani offered up. “Customers will order more if they see and smell the food.”

Ed & Joe’s has a special offer available to all customers called “Dough Dollars.” After signing up, for every $200 you spend at the restaurant, you receive a $10 award certificate to redeem on your next visit. Also, when you sign up, you automatically receive a free birthday meal during the month of your birthday.

At both restaurants, the most popular menu item is the taco pizza, which they are most known for. Other specialty pizzas include the BLT, vegetarian, BBQ chicken, Sinatra and Putanesca.

Morse said there has been talk about expanding Mokena’s location into a full-service restaurant someday, much like Tinley’s location. But Shenoha said that he doesn’t think it will expand.

“There’s not enough parking,” Shenoha said. “The employees alone would take up the whole parking lot.”

Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.