Lujacks All-American Grill celebrated its North Naples launch Jan. 9, the same day Notre Dame won the Orange Bowl to advance the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship game Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
This is especially notable because Lujacks honors football legend Johnny “Louie” Lujack, the 1947 Heisman Trophy winner, Notre Dame hall of famer and former quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Lujack died in Naples at the age of 98 in July 2023.
Lujack’s actual Heisman trophy is on display in a protective glass case between the restaurant’s main entrance and bar. So, of course, selfies with the prestigious 45-pound cast bronze trophy can be shared via social media.
Even beyond its legendary history, Lujacks has a great backstory. Lujack’s grandson, Grant Pohlmann, is co-owner of the new restaurant and owns its retail center, Fountain Park, near the southwest corner of Airport-Pulling and Vanderbilt Beach roads. Pohlmann co-owns Lujacks with Ted Kasemir, co-founder of Bar Louie and Zza Baby Pizza Bar, both of which had locations in Southwest Florida.
Lujacks’ sizeable space most recently was The Pearl Steak & Seafood Restaurant for more than five years, but the new restaurant compares more closely to The Pearl’s predecessor, Stonewood Grill & Tavern, a Florida chain that had a 17-year run there.
“We have a great atmosphere, a great product, a back-to-basics menu — not something crazy,” Kasemir said.
Before its public opening, Lujacks had a private fundraiser earlier this month to benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an organization that Lujack and Pohlmann have been passionate about. From that kickoff, the initial reaction has been good, Kasemir said.
“They love the nostalgic photos from the ’40s and the ’50s. That’s the era for a lot of the clientele we have here,” he said. “It brought it home. It’s an elevated ’40s-’50s steakhouse.”
Pohlmann has noticed a lot of smiles and a lot of happy people at the new restaurant. He is thrilled with the reception and feels they have set a high bar.
“Naples is a great town that appreciates good food and good service,” he said. “I think they are really pleased and excited about what they see in the food.”
Besides steaks, Lujacks’ most popular menu items include seafood and even some fare with a nod to Chicago, where Lujack played professionally.
“We have this miso-glazed salmon everyone is raving about, this pan-seared grouper we brought out,” Kasemir said. “We have a traditional Chicago Dip, my spin on a Chicago Italian beef made with prime rib and a little hot giardiniera from Chicago.”
That’s not the only elevated sandwich on the menu.
“Our Heisman Burger I think will knock your socks off,” Kasemir said. “A prime blend, we’re making our own patties, two 4-ounce patties with some American cheese and this maple-glazed bacon that we’re bringing in — real thick, thick slabs — and then we put a fried egg on it and we put it all together at the table. It’s really an impressive burger.”
The menu also features specialties such as baby back ribs, braised short rib and Chicken Vesuvio — airline chicken marinated with garlic and white wine. In addition to salads, sweets and sides, appetizers include ahi tuna tartare wontons, “diabolical” deviled eggs, Louie’s meatballs and a chilled seafood tower.
Lujacks will be a dinner-only restaurant until it opens for lunch beginning Feb. 6. The new destination also sports a full bar with some signature craft cocktails.
“My favorite’s the Cherrywood Smoked Old Fashioned,” Kasemir said. “We put a little Woodford cherry bitters, a little Woodford bourbon, some vanilla and we smoke it in a glass with a special ice cube.”
Cocktails also include “The Champ” with Grey Goose Vodka, lemonade, Chambord and raspberry garnish; and the Heisman Spritz with prosecco, Aperol, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, tangerine juice and an orange wheel.
Lujacks, 7935 Airport-Pulling Road, Suite 20, is open daily 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant seats 190, which includes a private banquet room with about 70 seats.
