3 New Lenox Waitresses Open Their Own Cafe

After working together for six years at a local restaurant, three waitresses have opened their own cafe in New Lenox.  

Teardrop Cafe, located at 826 W. Laraway Rd. in the old Broken Egg Pancake House location, opened at the end of November 2013.

Co-owners Gina Buck, Toni Chester and Christina Murphy met while working at another New Lenox restaurant. They didn't want to say which restaurant that is, though many locals are familiar with their service. It became clear over the summer that they wanted to do things their way, and Teardrop Cafe allows them to do that. 

"It's a dream come true," Chester said. "We know what we're doing because of our experience and we do it well." 

Strong service is a key to the cafe—they all worked as waitresses, after all. So the three women continue to wait the tables at their restaurants. They often sit down and chat with customers, especially those who come in to dine alone.

"We're just fun," Buck said. "I could tell you some life stories, probably." 

The cafe is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Murphy said they wanted to stick to breakfast and lunch because "it's what we know." The menu features staples like omelets, skillets, waffles, salads, soups and sandwiches. There's a great variety for a small place, and everything is made fresh every day. The kitchen staff also came with the women from the previous restaurant. 

Everything inside is warm and inviting, with many inspirational messages and fun items to look at on the walls. Murphy decorated the restaurant

Did all the decorating - her first time designing a restaurant - but everything is inviting and warm. Lots of fun looking at the decorations on the walls, which includes inspirational messages and fun items. 

Buck and Murphy both live in New Lenox, and Chester lives in Manhattan, so she's actually closest to the restaurant. They all said they've gotten great feedback about opening a cafe on the south end of town. They'll even run over items at no cost or send home customers with uneaten soup at the end of the day. 

Because of their experience working in New Lenox, there's a rapport with many customers who are all happy to have a new cafe in town.

"We’ve been waiting on the same people for so long, they come in and say, 'It is you!'" Chester said. "There’s lots of laughs and good times." 

For more information, call Teardrop Cafe at 815-717-8111 or like the business on Facebook for updates.