Algonquin Sub Shop reopens after fire

ALGONQUIN – Drew and Tony Perrino were on their way home from Woodstock's Groundhog Days festivities Friday when the cravings began.

“My husband said in the car that ‘Algonquin Sub Shop makes my wife almost happier than I do,’ ” Drew Perrino said.

When Tony Perrino checked social media to see whether the popular sub shop had reopened, he said, “Thank God.”

Algonquin Sub Shop,
105 Filip St., was closed for repairs for about a month after a fire caused significant damage. The store reopened Wednesday with a line out the door and record sales, owner John Ryals said.

“The customers remembered us, so we were very appreciative,” Ryals said. “They’ve been very complimentary of the new dining room and very supportive.”

Ryals said he was trying to thaw frozen water pipes by warming the crawl space of the popular sandwich shop with a propane heating device Jan. 2 when the restaurant's siding caught fire.

The dining room has been rebooted with new walls, menu boards, lighting, flooring, tables and chairs. The grills and fryer were replaced in the kitchen.

“We are now the cute little place that has good food instead of the hole in the wall that has good food,” Ryals said.

Ryals thanked the Golf Club of Illinois for hosting a fundraiser to help with repair costs, which contributed more than $3,000 to the effort.

“It raised quite a bit of money, which helped me keep the payroll going for staff and allowed me to keep my staff intact,” Ryals said.