Elgin’s Paul’s Family Restaurant: A 65-Year Tradition

One of the longest-standing family-run restaurants in the suburbs, Paul’s Family Restaurant, recently celebrated a significant milestone in Elgin. It was honored as a local “institution” during an event attended by about 75 guests, including friends, family, and local leaders. The celebration took place at the restaurant’s location on Lawrence Avenue and McLean Boulevard to recognize its 65 years of business in the community.

State Senator Cristina Castro addressed the gathering and read a proclamation from the Illinois Senate to congratulate the restaurant. “This is an institution,” she said. She emphasized the importance of cherishing such longstanding establishments, likening it to coming home to family. Elaine Paul, the restaurant owner, expressed gratitude as Castro shared her personal memories of the place.

Elgin Mayor David Kaptain also praised the restaurant’s enduring success, reciting advice once given to local council members that surpassing five years in the restaurant business qualifies as an institution. With 65 years of operation, he noted their achievement as “incredible.”

John and Stella Paul founded the restaurant in 1961, first operating under the name Douglas Coffee Shop at 158 Division St. in Elgin. The Greek immigrant couple started with little more than $200 for their initial day’s food supply in a 19-seat eatery. They relocated the restaurant to its current location on Lawrence Avenue later on.

Elaine Paul, their daughter, acquired the restaurant in the mid-1990s to maintain family ownership as her parents retired. Though initially working in Washington, D.C., after graduating from Northwestern University and law school, she decided to preserve the family legacy. “I thought I’d keep it a few years, and here we are 30-some years later,” she commented. Her mother, Stella Paul, passed away in 2015.

Her father, John Paul, now 97, was once described as being in excellent health even earlier this year. However, he experienced health challenges recently, diagnosed with stage 1 colorectal cancer. Elaine Paul shared that, although John had wished to attend the event, his health condition following a hospital stay prevented him.

Elaine acknowledged challenges the restaurant faced following the pandemic but stressed her commitment to continuing her parents’ legacy. “It’s really been a labor of love,” she stated. “And it’s really been to honor my parents because I was always so proud of them.”