John Kline is bringing 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry to his newest venture — Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Elmhurst.

The latest chain restaurant to come to town, a self-described “family-friendly sports pub,” aims to bring competitive prices and fun to the Holiday Inn Elmhurst. General Manager Kline, an Indiana native, said Beef ‘O’ Brady’s presents options for the whole family.

“It’s a place where kids can come eat, and if Dad wants to sit at the bar and watch the game, he can,” he said.

With the state of the economy, Kline has introduced daily specials to help keep dollars in customers’ pockets. He said he’s even gotten flack from customers for not charging more.

“People have said ‘you guys do realize you’re in Chicago right, you should raise your prices,’” Kline said. “We’re still running the same menu we ran in South Georgia.”

Just because it’s a family bar doesn’t mean it can’t loosen up at night. Kline said he’s scheduled a disc jockey to come in from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Kline said the Watterson sandwich is the pride of the franchise. The roast beef with Swiss cheese combo is named for one of the chain’s first repeat customers.

Since the restaurant opened in September, Kline said customers have come from all over.

“Our main clientele goes anywhere from minimum-wage kid to blue-collar worker to white-collar business professional,” he said.

Notable
John Kline has been in the restaurant business for 10 years. Since September, he’s been General Manager at the new Beef ‘O’ Brady’s at the Holiday Inn in Elmhurst.

& quotable
“We’re trying to make sure we do enough specials out there so people don’t hit up the dollar menu at a drive-through when they can get a real 8-ounce burger with fries and drink.”

Philosophy
Great food and great service

Favorites
Cubs or Sox? Cubs
Menu item? Watterson sandwich
Draft beer? Miller Lite
Hobbies? Chicago Holden Connection Car Club