Downtown is a key part of the story behind Zodiac Bar & Grill, the 13-year-old business that’s had three locations within half a block.
Jerry Ewais opened a sandwich shop at 128 W. Adams St. in February 2000 because he wanted to reduce his 85-hour-a-week job at a Southside restaurant.
“I opened my sandwich shop and served breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday,” he said.
The centerpiece of the lunch business was a buffet stocked with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialties. Within a couple of years, the buffet became so popular, Ewais was forced to look for a larger space. That’s when he moved two doors west to the corner of Adams and Hogan streets.
Eighteen months ago, Ewais moved the Zodiac again, to 118 W. Adams St., in the Schultz Building.
“I went from 60 seats to 90 seats and now I have 150 seats,” he said.
The larger restaurant allowed him to qualify for a full liquor license, so in addition to the restaurant, there’s a bar and cocktail lounge. Ewais replaced a storefront window in the building with a door so the bar could stay open after the office building closed for the day.
The buffet is still on the lunch menu in addition to a selection of traditional salads and sandwiches, including burgers, Philly steak and wraps. Fish and chips and chicken wings also are offered, as are low-carb and vegetarian choices.
“You have to have different things on the menu. Not everybody wants Mediterranean food,” said Ewais.
The cocktail lounge and outside entrance have allowed for more hours at Zodiac. Dinner is served until 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and the bar stays open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays for karaoke. Ewais books live entertainment most Friday nights, when last call is at 12 a.m.
“The bar has become the hangout for a lot of Downtown residents. It’s like ‘Cheers.’ Everybody knows each other,” Ewais said.
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