Chuck’s Restaurant reopening delayed
Emily Jones, owner of Chuck’s Restaurant in Des Moines’ Highland Park/Oak Park neighborhood, had planned to reopen the pizzeria today. However, unexpected delays in the installation of new equipment in the kitchen have pushed back the restaurant’s reopening by about two weeks, she said. The building that houses Chuck’s underwent a $1.4 million renovation that included replacing an aged roof and rehabilitating five apartments above the restaurant that had been unoccupied for years. The renovation also included upgrading the kitchen with new equipment including an oven/range hood that must be inspected before the restaurant can be open. When the reopening does occur, Chuck’s will be open from 4:30 to 8 p.m. for several weeks and initially offer carryout only. A limited menu will include pizza, salad and onion rings. The restaurant, located at 3610 Sixth Ave., opened in 1956 and for decades was operated by members of the Bisignano family. Emily and Lucas Jones purchased the restaurant — and the building — in 2014.