Elgin ‘institution’ Paul’s Family Restaurant celebrates 65 years

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Paul’s Family Restaurant in Elgin celebrated its 65th anniversary with a gathering of community members and officials recognizing its long-standing presence since 1961. The milestone highlights the restaurant's resilience as a family-run business that has survived industry challenges, including recent pandemic difficulties, under the stewardship of the founders’ daughter.

Paul’s Family Restaurant, one of the oldest family-owned dining establishments in the Chicago suburbs, marked its 65th anniversary on Friday with a gathering of roughly 75 guests, including friends, family, and local officials. The event was held at the restaurant’s current location at 1300 Lawrence Avenue in Elgin.

State Senator Cristina Castro commemorated the milestone by reading an official Illinois Senate proclamation that recognized the restaurant as an Elgin institution. Castro described Paul’s Family Restaurant as embodying a sense of home and community, emphasizing the importance of preserving such long-standing local businesses. Elgin Mayor David Kaptain also highlighted the achievement, noting that the average restaurant in the area operates for about two years, and surviving beyond five years is regarded as a marker of lasting significance.

The restaurant was originally opened in 1961 by Greek immigrants John and Stella Paul under the name Douglas Coffee Shop at 158 Division Street. The couple launched the 19-seat eatery with just $200 worth of food. The business later relocated to its present site on Lawrence Avenue, where it has continued to serve the Elgin community for over six decades.

Their daughter, Elaine Paul, purchased the restaurant in the mid-1990s to keep it within the family as her parents prepared to retire. Despite pursuing a career that included attending Northwestern University, graduating from law school, and working in Washington, D.C., Elaine Paul chose to maintain her family’s legacy. “When it was time for them to retire and sell, I’m the only child, and I wasn’t ready to see it go to someone else,” she said. “I thought I’d keep it a few years, and here we are 30-some years later.”

Stella Paul passed away in 2015. John Paul, who is now 97 years old, was reported in good health as recently as this year but was diagnosed with stage 1 colorectal cancer following an illness during international travel earlier this year. Elaine Paul said her father was unable to attend the anniversary event due to a recent hospital stay.

Elaine described running the restaurant as “a labor of love” and stressed the importance of honoring her parents’ work, particularly through recent business difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed pride in continuing the family tradition and serving the Elgin community.

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