LOCAL RESTAURANTEUR MERGES TWO RESTAURANTS INTO ONE SPACE FOR FOOD HALL STYLE DINING

Jovanis Bouargoub (pictured) owns Red Fish Bleu Fish and Pork Chop in Hyde Park which he recently just combined into one building at 5121 S. Harper Ave. to begin fulfilling his vision of creating a small food hall in the neighborhood. Photo Credit: Cindy Kurman
Jovanis Bouargoub (pictured) owns Red Fish Bleu Fish and Pork Chop in Hyde Park which he recently just combined into one building at 5121 S. Harper Ave. to begin fulfilling his vision of creating a small food hall in the neighborhood. Photo Credit: Cindy Kurman

LOCAL RESTAURANTEUR MERGES TWO RESTAURANTS INTO ONE SPACE FOR FOOD HALL STYLE DINING

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Originally located in Harper Court in Hyde Park, local barbecue restaurant Pork Chop has officially moved into the Red Fish Bleu Fish location at 5121 S. Harper Ave. which is also in Hyde Park. Both restaurants are owned by Jovanis Bouargoub and will continue to operate out of the one location creating a casual dining experience with a variety of options.

The menu at Pork Chop is a go-to for barbecue with items like smoked wings, bone-in pork chops, and smoked brisket chili. Red Fish Bleu Fish serves seafood classics like mussels, creamy seafood chowder, lobster, and a build-your-own seafood boil.

“I moved Pork Chop because I have a great manager and a great chef making sure the food is executed the right way at Red Fish Bleu Fish so we just brought it over,” said Bouargoub. “We added a small bar and some new decor and now because of Pork Chop, which is a well-known brand, we have all the people coming and they are getting exposed to the seafood menu and it’s perfect.”

Originally from France, Bouargoub studied hospitality management at Le Cordon Bleu which is an international chain of hospitality and culinary schools. He now lives in Hyde Park and said that it is a great neighborhood to do business in.

“Hyde Park is like a small city by itself. The good thing about Hyde Park is that everybody knows everyone, it’s not like when you are downtown or in West Loop.

The people appreciate you and support you. Hyde Parkers are like one community and they appreciate you as much as you appreciate them and they show you love,” said Bouargoub.

Now that Red Fish Bleu Fish and Pork Chop are operating out of the same location, Bouargoub said that he is thinking about adding another dining option to the space which he described as beautiful, classy, and industrial. By adding a third restaurant concept to the mix, Bouargoub would be fulfilling his vision of creating a small food hall in the community.

“I am trying to have a small food hall in Hyde Park. I have a big space at the Red Fish Bleu Fish building and I want to keep my eyes on the space and make sure I combine my ideas together. I saw enough space for Pork Chop to be there and now I see enough space for another concept, maybe a gourmet concept,” said Bouargoub.

In addition to Red Fish Bleu Fish and Pork Chop, Bouargoub also owns a bar called The Hyde which is located just down the street at 5115 S. Harper Ave. The Hyde is a speakeasy bar that is typically open on the weekends and offers live music and a unique list of rules including a no cell phone policy.

To get updates on when The Hyde will be open and who will be performing, follow them on Instagram @thehydechi.

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