CHICAGO
ROOTS …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery & Pizzeria offers exactly
what its name claims - which is great news for Chicago
transplants and visitors in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Blackhawks, Bears, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox games are on
the big-screens and framed posters, photographs, jerseys and
other memorabilia decorate the walls. But it’s the authentic
Chicago-style cuisine that really makes you feel like you’re in
the Windy City.
“It’s basically a taste of Chicago,” said Tommy Dennis, who owns
Joey D’s with his brother, Bobby. “That’s what makes us different.
And we’ve been doing it for 2 years.”
For non-native Chicagoans, the family-run Joey D’s is just as
warm and welcoming to all, with a fun, celebratory atmosphere,
especially on game days. The decor is not completely Chicago
sports-inspired, as there are tons of photos of friends and family
members in the mix. And while it’s guaranteed you can watch
Chicago teams here, you can watch local ones, as well.
The Dennis Family Story
The Dennis family’s story begins in aples, Italy, where Tommy
and Bobby’s mother, Maria, was born. When she was 28, she
moved to Chicago and met Bob senior, who’d been born and
raised there. Maria was a beautician and Bob an auditor for
International Union. The two married in 1965, and raised three
sons: Tommy, Bobby and Joey.
Tragically, in 2000, Joey died after battling a rare genetic disease
called Cockayne Syndrome, the effects of which include difculty
gaining weight, short stature, premature aging and an impaired