A Lemont Tradition Since 1945
1930-1955 - The Nick Burger and The Suburban Club
In the early 1930’s, Nick Papamichalis (shortened later to Pappas) left his homeland Greece, and immigrated to the United States. He landed in Chicago seeking a better life in the land of opportunity. He planned to stay in Joliet, IL with his sponsor family. Following his map to Joliet, he noticed a small town-Athens, IL, about thirty-five miles southwest of Chicago. The name reminded him of his home and he decided this is where he would one day start his business and raise his family. The town of Athens, IL, was later renamed Lemont, the birthplace of Nick’s Tavern.
Nick Pappas married Vera Zolecki of Lemont and together they embarked on his “American Dream.” Nick opened a restaurant that would fulfill his love of cooking. He wanted to give the people of Athens something he was proud of, so he introduced the “Nick Burger”-a one pound hamburger with the highest quality meat, topped with all the fixings…and so it began!
Nick grew out of his original location at 213 Stephen Street and moved to 90 New Avenue, which later became the Lemont VFW Post #5819. There, Nick operated under the name “The Suburban Club,” but soon it became known merely as “Nick’s Tavern.” Wanting to move into town, Nick bought 221 Main Street. Hoping to keep his original bar he loaded it onto a flatbed truck. With the help of many friends, they moved it the seven hundred feet “into town” and unloaded it through an open pane glass window to the location where is sits still today.
1956-2008 - 221 Main St. and The Novaks
Nick and Vera had two children; Dorothy, who later married Gordy Drafke and Joanne, who married Louie Novak in 1956. The first time Louie met Joanne’s parents was at a family dinner in the Pappas house. While Louie visited with his soon to be in-laws, Nick passed the olive dish as was the tradition in Greece, and the Pappas’ Lemont home. Not wanting to be rude, Louie ate the olives, and Nick kept refilling bowl after bowl. That night, Louie Novak learned a lot about hospitality, but he never ate another olive!
In 1962 the daughters and spouses ran the family business and in 1963 Joanne and Louie Novak took over. They had three sons: Ray, David, and Steve. The family resided upstairs of the tavern at 221 Main Street and worked together to make Nick’s Tavern a staple in town.
With the Novak family’s hard work, Nick’s Tavern became synonymous with Lemont, IL. People from neighboring towns would stop after events to enjoy a Nick Burger-a tradition passed down for generations. In 1984, then Governor Jim Thompson was in Lemont for the Keepataw Day parade. He stopped at Nick’s Tavern and ordered the Nick Burger. After that meal, the Governor named the “Nick Burger" the best hamburger in the state!
2009-Present - The Tradition Continues
In 2009, the Novak family sold the tavern to Don Quaid with one stipulation-not to change a thing. Respecting their wishes, Don kept Nick’s Tavern the same iconic establishment since its inception. Adding a few items to the menu, Don kept Nick’s Tavern a destination for families, friends, and the people of Lemont to gather and enjoy the best burger in the State of Illinois.
In 2024, Don sold Nick’s Tavern to Sam Forzley. Sam is humbled and honored to carry-on the vision of this iconic establishment. Nothing has changed. Nick’s Tavern remains a part of Lemont’s rich history and continues as “A Lemont tradition since 1945.”