Matt Habib is converting what had been the Red Poppy Bistro in South Elgin into Legit Dogs & Ice, resurrecting yet another of the restaurants he once operated in downtown Elgin.
Habib started Legit Dogs & Ice, specializing in hot dogs and Hawaiian shave ices, as a food truck business in 2016 before launching a bricks-and-mortar operation in the lower level of Dream Hall in downtown Elgin in June 2017.
When that business closed in late 2019 following a dispute with the building’s owner, Habib and his wife, Jennifer Polit, moved on to run the Red Poppy Bistro at 109 E. Highland Ave. in downtown Elgin from 2020 through through early 2022. They later revived that concept at 322 S. Randall Road in South Elgin, where it was open from May to October 2024.
In between the two incarnations of Red Poppy, they also operated Rogue’s Gallery pizzeria at the Highland Avenue location from May 2023 to January 2024.
The new restaurant is opening in the South Elgin location and represents a return to their original dream, Habib said.
“We have recently split from our former business partner,” he said. “However, we have managed to retain control of the business, which we created. We’ve always intended to relaunch Legit Dogs & Ice.”
The couple is joining forces with investors Curt Harrison, Pat Mineau and a silent partner on the new venture. Harrison and Mineau operate a home roofing and siding business in Mundelein and are involved in the Chicago area’s punk rock scene, as is Habib.
“Curt also runs Put it Here Productions and is in a band called The Usuals,” Habib said. “He has always organized and booked the shows for us, all the way back to 2017, and he’s never charged us a dime. It’s been DIY since day one.
“Pat has a band called Grey Trash Aliens that played Legit back in the day. He’s just a fan who wants to see this place succeed so he has invested as well.”
Harrison said the decision to sign on was an easy one.
“Working with Matt is a no-brainer for me. The concept of the restaurant is exactly who we are,” he said.
Harrison has already booked an all-ages show for the new Legit Dogs venue. The triple bill scheduled for Saturday, March 22, features Grey Trash Aliens, Hot Alice and headliners Smoking Popes.
Based in Chicago, Smoking Popes formed in the northwest suburbs more than 30 years ago and is currently on a nationwide tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their 1994 album “Born to Quit.” The concert has already sold out, Habib said.
In the meantime, Habib has been busy securing permits as he and his partners and other friends remodel the space. A soft opening of the restaurant is planned for the week of March 24, he said.
A stage area is already in place and artists have come in to paint punk-themed and graffiti-style murals on the walls.
“Everyone’s invested a lot of time and sweat into the place for free in order for this place to exist,” Habib said.
The menu will be close to what Legit Dogs & Ice offered before, he said. In addition to hot dogs with all sorts of toppings and shave ice, the lineup will include gourmet smashburgers and street tacos. There will be old school arcade games, which patrons can play for free, and retro pay-to-play pinball machines.
As for starting over once more, Habib admitted that while “we’re so broke we can barely pay attention,” they’re also optimistic this new business is going to work.
“Again, it’s scary because we have everything to lose, but we know we put our true hearts and souls into this,” he said.
“I think that love and passion, especially with the foodies, authentically translates to the public, regardless of what background they come from. It’s the American dream, but a little more delicious in Legit’s case.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
