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| 103 S. Rt 53 Braceville IL 60407 (815) 237-2953 Website Menu http://www.myspace.com/JKHarrisons |
| J.K. Harrison's Pub & Grill |
| The Riviera Roadhouse |
| 5650 South Route 53 (Old Route 66) Braceville, IL |
History & Old 66 Found at Riviera
This is the RIVIERA Restaurant and Tavern, located on Rt. 53 (Old Route 66) 60
miles south of Chicago in southern Grundy County. The Riviera reopened in 2009
after being closed nearly a year.
The restaurant is located between the Villages of Gardner and Braceville, each a mile
distant. The beautiful Mazon River flows just alongside. The new Mazonia Lakes
State Recreation area is across the river. Mazonia is named after the rail junction on
the nearby Southern Pacific Railroad.
It was during the Great Depression in the year 1928 that the RIVIERA came into
being. James Girot, a South Wilmington business man decided to build.
South Wilmington, a nearby coal mining community was suffering economic woes,
and many men were unemployed. Mr. Girot put many to work. He moved buildings
from Gardner and South Wilmington and put them together to form the Riviera as it
stands.
The upper floor houses the restaurant, the lower portion of the building is the tavern.
This barroom is unique. It reminds one of entering a cave. Stalactites hanging from
the ceiling and the lighting added much to the effect.
The menu for the RIVIERA is: Home Made Italian Food; also Chicken, Steak and
Sea Food.
In 1933 Mr. Girot added a gasoline station to the establishment. But that was closed
many years ago.
Bob and Peggy Kraft acquired the RIVIERA from the Girot family in 1972 and
retired January 1, 2009. It was then purchased by Bob Kelly and it reopened later in
2009.
Among the famous customers of the RIVIERA were such names as former
Governors of Illinois, Horner, Green, Stevenson, Stratton, and United States Senator
Irv Dirksen always made time to stop when he was in the area. Movie greats such
as Tom Mix, the western star and Gene Kelly, the dancer and actor, always stopped.
Al Capone and his brother, Ralph, often came in. They had an interest in alcohol
stills in nearby Kankakee county.
During Prohibition, a section of land just east of Gardner was known as the "Hole in
the Wall". Along the east side was a cement post that, at one time, was part of a
farm gate. In the post was a hole. For those who desired the alcohol, "White
Lightning", they had to put $1.00 in the hole, place their empty jug on the ground,
drive around the section and return. When they arrived back at the post, the money
would be gone but their jug would be filled to the top.
Sadly, the Riviera burned to the ground on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.
This is the RIVIERA Restaurant and Tavern, located on Rt. 53 (Old Route 66) 60
miles south of Chicago in southern Grundy County. The Riviera reopened in 2009
after being closed nearly a year.
The restaurant is located between the Villages of Gardner and Braceville, each a mile
distant. The beautiful Mazon River flows just alongside. The new Mazonia Lakes
State Recreation area is across the river. Mazonia is named after the rail junction on
the nearby Southern Pacific Railroad.
It was during the Great Depression in the year 1928 that the RIVIERA came into
being. James Girot, a South Wilmington business man decided to build.
South Wilmington, a nearby coal mining community was suffering economic woes,
and many men were unemployed. Mr. Girot put many to work. He moved buildings
from Gardner and South Wilmington and put them together to form the Riviera as it
stands.
The upper floor houses the restaurant, the lower portion of the building is the tavern.
This barroom is unique. It reminds one of entering a cave. Stalactites hanging from
the ceiling and the lighting added much to the effect.
The menu for the RIVIERA is: Home Made Italian Food; also Chicken, Steak and
Sea Food.
In 1933 Mr. Girot added a gasoline station to the establishment. But that was closed
many years ago.
Bob and Peggy Kraft acquired the RIVIERA from the Girot family in 1972 and
retired January 1, 2009. It was then purchased by Bob Kelly and it reopened later in
2009.
Among the famous customers of the RIVIERA were such names as former
Governors of Illinois, Horner, Green, Stevenson, Stratton, and United States Senator
Irv Dirksen always made time to stop when he was in the area. Movie greats such
as Tom Mix, the western star and Gene Kelly, the dancer and actor, always stopped.
Al Capone and his brother, Ralph, often came in. They had an interest in alcohol
stills in nearby Kankakee county.
During Prohibition, a section of land just east of Gardner was known as the "Hole in
the Wall". Along the east side was a cement post that, at one time, was part of a
farm gate. In the post was a hole. For those who desired the alcohol, "White
Lightning", they had to put $1.00 in the hole, place their empty jug on the ground,
drive around the section and return. When they arrived back at the post, the money
would be gone but their jug would be filled to the top.
Sadly, the Riviera burned to the ground on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.
Village of Braceville
