Algonquin's Downtown Dogs Reopens

Updated 5 p.m.

DownTown Dogs manager Tony Moscatello got a good reception when the doors of the popular Algonquin hot dog joint opened Friday after being closed for eight days due to flooding.

Customers “are just happy we are open. They were missing our gyros and our hot dog specials,” Mostcatello said.

The restaurant, at 107 S. Main St., is having gyros special for $2.50 all weekend, he said.

DownTown Dogs had to close April 18 when Crystal Creek flooded its basement with about four inches of water.

The water damaged some equipment and supplies, owner Omar Razvi said at the time.

Razvi was not sure when or if the restaurant would reopen.

But his landlord, Sam Bianchi along with neighbors and other businesses helped Razvi clear out the water, clean up and reopen.

There’s a wall in the basement against the creek that normally doesn’t leak, but the rain came down so fast it caused the flooding, Bianchi said. It took four days and nights to get the water pumped out.

“It’s in pretty good shape now,” Bianchi said.

Things are back to normal at the restaurant with customers coming in and out for the specials. The gyros special, which is usually on Sundays only, is a way to say thank you to the community and customers, Mostcatello said.

“Everything is terrific,” Mostcatello said. “This is a great community. We extremely happy to be open again.” 

Original story:

Algonquin's Downtown Dogs is open for business, General Manager Tony Moscatello announced.

The hot dog joint located at 107 S. Main Street was closed because of the issues created by the flooding Fox River.