Pal Joey's, the longtime pizza institution that helped put pan pizza in the western suburbs on the map, is closing its last remaining location in Batavia after a 53-year run, owner John Hamel announced this week. The news hit hard along River Street, where generations of youth teams, families, and wedding parties have packed in for pies, rehearsal dinners, and end-of-season parties. Hamel said the decision comes with "so much pain, sadness and regret" and urged customers to stop by in the coming days to support the staff as they navigate the transition.
Owner's farewell
In a Facebook post, Hamel told patrons, "I know how much of a shock this is and all I can honestly say is, I'm sorry," according to CBS Chicago. He added that "dramatic changes to our business" helped drive the choice to close. That public note did not specify a final day of service.
Roots and reputation
The Pal Joey's story starts in West Chicago in the spring of 1973, where the shop built a following for its pan-style pies and reputation as a neighborhood gathering place, according to the Daily Herald. Hamel and Greg Miller took over ownership in 2001 and expanded the brand to Batavia in 2012, turning the downtown spot into a familiar stop for locals.
Recent moves and final days
The Batavia restaurant shifted off River Street to Randall Road in 2018 amid rising rent, then returned to River Street in 2022 in a bid to get back to its downtown roots, Shaw Local reports. The Batavia location is set to close in the coming days. Shaw Local notes Sunday, April 26 as the final day of service, while other coverage points out that Hamel's original Facebook post did not list a firm closing date.
Plans for the pizza
Hamel has signaled he is not quite ready to retire the Pal Joey's name or recipes. He wrote that he hopes to "find a home for a carryout/ catering space where I can continue to offer our famous pizza and more," according to CBS Chicago. In the meantime, he asked customers to be "overly generous and patient" with employees as they figure out their next steps.
Local reaction
The community response has been a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. Batavia Mayor Jeffrey Schielke told the Daily Herald that while losing Pal Joey's is painful for the city, other entrepreneurs are already "kicking tires" in town and there is hope a new operator will eventually take over the River Street space. Longtime regulars and fellow business owners have been posting memories and well wishes on social media since the news broke.
