Unbeatable Eatable's Makes a Comeback in Oak Forest

Oak Forest, there's a new entrepreneur in town. Meet Sabrina Rasmussen, the owner of Unbeatable Eatable's, 5440 W. 159th St. 

Rasmussen might be a new business owner, but she's no stranger to the community—she was born and raised here. And she knows her new business well.  For the past five years, she has been working at the Country Club Hills location at 183rd and Pulaski, and last month brought her own spin on the shop to Oak Forest.

This is the second go-round for Unbeatable Eatable's in Oak Forest.  The first restaurant was in the Scarborough Fare mall from 2006 through 2009.

So how do you go from employee to employer? 

"When Scarborough Fare closed I asked about the equipment, and I started thinking about a better location," said Rasmussen.

"Nancy (Lantermane, the owner of Unbeatable Eatable's) has been interested in selling franchises, and a year ago I started working on the financing."

A few months ago Rasmussen decided to take the leap and started looking in earnest for a good location.

"I knew I wanted to stay in the area," she said. "The name is golden here. We really lucked out finding this place. There was a lot of equipment left behind from the previous tenant.

"I'm glad to be in Oak Forest," Rasmussen said.  "I grew up here, and this is really where I wanted to be."

Oak Forest officials were very helpful in getting her up and running.

"There were some requirements from the fire departement and the building department," she said, "but they were very nice, very professional. They helped get us open when we wanted to be."

The timing worked out pretty well, too.  She received the keys on June 6 (her birthday), and opened the doors on June 11, which happened to be two weeks before Oak Fest.

"We got a lot of business from Oak Fest," she said.  "It was a great way to introduce ourselves to the people of Oak Forest."

Like most new business owners, Rasmussen was a little overwhelmed in the beginning.

"I didn't realize how many hours I'd be here," she said.  "Most days I'm here from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Until you can get some people trained, there aren't any other options."

The Country Club Hills restaurant has been helping her with training. 

"I send some workers over there for training," she said, "and they send me some experienced workers to help out over here."

Rasmussen is very optimistic about her new venture, with the motto "The Best Subs You'll Ever Eat."

Subs aren't the only thing on the menu, she said. The homemade chili is very popular, and so is the ice cream.

If local resident Debra Griffin is any indication, Rasmussen's optimism is well placed. 

"The food is wonderful," said Griffin.  "I've been going to the restaurant in Country Club Hills for years."

As Rasmussen says, the name is golden.

Unbeatable Eatable's is located at 5440 W. 159th St in Oak Forest.  You can reach them by phone at (708)535-2447 or by fax at 708-535-2448.