A two-story Chicago-style steakhouse planned for downtown Arlington Heights is edging closer to opening its doors, though the wait isn't over yet. Hugh's Chophouse, set for 9 N. Vail Ave., is now undergoing village inspections ahead of its anticipated debut, with the restaurant expected to open in the next few months.
A Steakhouse Years in the Making
The project comes from Matt Peota, the Arlington Heights resident who is the primary owner of Hugh's Chophouse, according to the Daily Herald. Hugh's Chophouse is a forthcoming Chicago-style steakhouse and American bistro, built out in a two-story, 6,300-square-foot space that formerly housed Vantage Pointe financial offices, the Daily Herald reports. Renovations on the interior began about a year before the paper's report, and Peota addressed Arlington Heights village board members as part of the process that also netted the restaurant a Class A liquor license.
The venture is a partnership that includes Peota alongside Tom Kalaway, Scott McMahon, Tom Delaney and Justin Reed, according to the same report, with backgrounds spanning hospitality, construction and finance. Peota is no stranger to the neighborhood — he also owns Passero, the Italian-American trattoria located two blocks from Hugh's Chophouse. Peota started out as a busboy after college before working his way up to executive chef at Lettuce Entertain You's Wildfire, the outlet notes.
Seating Plans Have Shifted
Exactly how many people the restaurant will seat has evolved since earlier reporting. Arlington Cardinal reported in June that plans called for a full-service 76-seat restaurant and 16-seat bar on the first floor, with a second-floor event space for roughly 90 people including a small bar, a wine-tasting room and a stage for entertainment. The Daily Herald's more recent account of the floor plan instead lists 89 seats on the main level and 107 seats upstairs, putting total capacity at 196 seats — the two reports differ on the restaurant's exact layout.
The upstairs area, per the Daily Herald's description, will include a lounge with couches, chairs and a mini bar up front, and an event room in back; those rooms can be combined into one larger space. Peota described the upstairs as having a more casual vibe than the formal dining experience planned downstairs. The restaurant's menu is expected to feature prime cuts, seasonal sides and elevated cocktails, with Peota describing Hugh's Chophouse as an American bistro with a strong steak focus offering a range of American cuisine.
A Timeline Still in Flux
Hugh's Chophouse received its zoning approvals in June 2026, and Arlington Cardinal's report at the time said the restaurant was expected to open that summer at 9 North Vail Avenue. The Daily Herald's more recent reporting instead indicates the opening could still be months away, a lower-confidence account that has not been confirmed elsewhere.
Part of that runway involves training. Peota said the restaurant will take time to train staff, managers and chefs properly, and the plan calls for a 40-day training period for staff followed by 40 to 45 more days before the restaurant opens. Hugh's Chophouse is expected to employ 30 to 40 part-time workers once it's up and running, per Arlington Cardinal's earlier report.
Looking ahead, the restaurant plans to operate seven days a week for dinner, with weekend brunch and weekday lunch to be added within a year, according to a separate Daily Herald report. The restaurant also eventually plans to join the Arlington Alfresco outdoor dining program, though not right away.
A Name Rooted in Family and Film
The Hugh's Chophouse name references both Peota's family members and filmmaker John Hughes, who grew up in the suburbs, the Daily Herald reports. The connection ties the new steakhouse's identity to the same kind of local, suburban roots that have defined Peota's first restaurant.
Passero, located at 3 S. Evergreen Ave., marked its ninth anniversary the Saturday before the Daily Herald's October report. Peota opened Passero in Arlington Heights in 2017 at 5 W. Campbell St. before moving it to its current, larger Evergreen Avenue location in 2019. Peota has said Arlington Heights has been loyal to his business, a relationship he's now building on with a second, considerably larger restaurant two blocks away.
