EDGEWATER — A little southern comfort is coming to North Broadway.
The owner of Toons Bar & Grill in Lakeview plans to open Pearl's, a barbecue joint with a New Orleans flair, after winning the alderman's support to rehab a long-vacant building at 5352 N. Broadway.
"We’ve been looking and looking for a place in a neighborhood," said Danny Beck, Pearl's creator and a resident of Lakeview. "We really like what’s going on up there."
Beck won the support of the community, and therefore the alderman, when he presented plans to rehab a building that's been vacant for more than a decade.
Dan Luna, chief of staff to Ald. Harry Osterman (48th), said a zoning change and special-use permit would be granted at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Beck said Pearl's, when completed, could seat about 70 people, including about 30 on a rooftop patio overlooking North Broadway.
The menu includes smoked ribs, slow-cooked pulled pork, brisket, gumbo, jambalaya, chicken wings and tacos.
Brunch will be served on Saturdays and Sundays.
Beck, a graduate of Kendall College School of Culinary Arts, was the executive chef at the House of Blues before buying Toons 15 years ago.
If all goes as planned, Pearl's would open in spring 2014, Beck said.