'The Original Niko's Pizzeria Is Back': Former Owner Returns, Vowing To Bring Back 'Greatness'

JOLIET, IL — It's been two years and three months since the founder and original owner of Niko's Pizzeria — Nikos Lippas — sold his downtown Joliet takeout and delivery restaurant business at 20 Ohio Street. Starting in 2024, he branched out and acquired two long-standing banquet halls on Joliet's west side. But starting next week, Niko's Pizzeria will return to its former glory, Lippas boldly predicted during Friday afternoon's interview with Joliet Patch.

Come next week, there will be a new owner for Niko's Pizzeria, and his name is Nikos Lippas.

"The original Niko's Pizzeria is back," Lippas proudly proclaimed to Joliet Patch's editor. "I'm very excited to take it back and make Niko's Pizzeria great again with the original recipes and service. All my original cooks are still there. Tell them we have the same name, same phone number, same Facebook page and online ordering will be coming soon and a lot of hot specials coming up daily."

To generate buzz around the Joliet community, Lippas will give every customer a free slice of his original thick crust pizza on Wednesday, Oct. 22 as long as they buy something at the restaurant, even a can of soda.

The free slice of pizza giveaway will take place all day, from opening to close.

"Free slice of pizza with any purchase all day," Lippas emphasized. "Sausage, pepperoni or cheese."

Original Pizza Style Like It Used To Be: Lippas

During the past two-plus years when Lippas was no longer affiliated with Niko's Pizzeria, the new owners made changes to the pizza, notably the crust.

"Braided thick crust is coming back," Lippas revealed Friday. "The original style like it used to be. I'm excited to go to work again with my place where I had been for 15 years. We will be delivering all day, and I'm excited to see the customers again."

Lippas wanted everyone to know that in addition to offering free pizza slices on Wednesday, his daily specials for the rest of the week will be as follows: Thursday chicken wings, Friday rib tips, Saturday pizza and Sunday pastas. And in addition to his new regular daily specials, Lippas said he will be adding taco dinners to his regular menu at Niko's Pizzeria.

"We're adding taco dinners to the menu and soon we're going to have a couple more dishes," he teased. "I'm excited to add some more dishes in the coming weeks."

Starting next week, Niko's Pizzeria, with Lippas back as the owner, will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"Stay Hungry, My Friends," Nikos Brings Back His Catchy Slogan

In May 2024, Lippas opened his D'Amore Banquet Hall, previously known around Joliet as the Republic Banquet Hall. Then, this past February, Lippas made headlines again, thanks to his acquisition of the Serbian Hall between Stryker Avenue and Midland Avenue.

This year, he remodeled the property and renamed it Niko's Banquet, 310 Stryker Ave. He said the lower level of the former Serbian Hall can now accommodate 150 guests while the main banquet room can hold 250 guests.

Back at 113 Republic Ave., where he runs Niko's Catering out of the kitchen, his D'Amore Banquet Hall can hold up to 400 people.

Talk about a busy guy, Lippas will now find himself responsible for four Joliet restaurant-related businesses: Niko's Pizzeria, Niko's Catering, Niko's Banquet and D'Amore Banquet Hall.

During the past two years, while Lippas was gone from Niko's Pizzeria, his once-catchy and popular restaurant slogan faded from memory as the new ownership team did not continue with his constant social media presence on Facebook.

At Friday's interview, Lippas wanted people to know that his original restaurant slogan for Niko's Pizzeria is now back.

"Stay Hungry, My Friends," he revealed.

Related Joliet Patch coverage of Niko Lippas:

Serbian Hall: Prominent Joliet Restaurant Owner Nikos Takes It Over

Niko's Catering Opening On Republic Ave. 'We're Proud To Serve You'

Last Greek Chicken Dinner For 2023 At Niko's Catering Is This Week