Sabadosa: Hometown coffee shop owners have ‘passion for perfection’

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Ryte Kilikeviciene, owner of Rito’s Coffee in Hometown, enjoys the afternoon with her lunchtime customers from Hometown Elementary School. | Supplied Photo

Updated: March 13, 2012 8:06AM

There is a new coffee shop/sandwich shop/diner in town. On Jan. 1, Rito’s Coffee opened its doors in the Hometown Plaza location at 4116 Southwest Highway in Hometown. Ryte Kilikeviciene and her husband Alvydas Kilikevicius may very well be the ultimate host and hostess.

While Ryte welcomes each guest as if they have just walked into her living room, Alvydas tends the coffee/dessert bar and register. When she disappears into the kitchen to prepare the meals, he waits each table, offering refreshments.

The new coffee shop is in the former Gio’s in the plaza, and I remarked at how similar of a name the new shop is. With the usual twinkle in her eye, Ryte shared with me that the naming of their business was driven by working with the existing name on the building. The couple was able to keep the signage cost down by changing only some of the letters — going from Gio’s to Rito’s.

Ryte and Alvydas have been living in the United States for the past 19 years. Before coming to America, she was a physics teacher in Lithuania. Once here, she took the required courses and started a catering business. Six years ago, she began keeping an eye open for a business opportunity and feels very fortunate to have found this particular location.

She said that “Hometown is so friendly, supportive, and patient.” She has already made many new friends and is noticing a lot of repeat business. Just recently I joined a group of 12 from Hometown School, and we lunched at Rito’s. Calling in our order ahead of time, our lunch was elegantly set out when we arrived.

Lunch offerings include sandwiches such as pretzel bread panini or ham and cheese with artichoke-spinach spread on ciabatta bread. Hot dishes include meat loaf and fish bake with carrots, zucchini and baby potatoes. It reminds you of mom’s cooking. Ryte is also an excellent baker, making her own coffee cakes and other delightful sweets.

In fact, two of Ryte’s recipes have been published in Greg Patent’s cookbook, “A Baker’s Odyssey.” They are Lithuanian mushroom piroshki and mushroom cookies. Her photo with Patent is featured on the first page of his cookbook.

In Ryte’s own words, her meals are prepared with a “passion for perfection.” It is evident that she enjoys what she does and her goal is to please the palates of her customers.

The shop walls are adorned with paintings by young artist Lauren Karrenberg, who is a student of art and a friend of Ryte’s. These paintings are also for sale. As a sideline, Ryte designs leather jewelry which is also displayed and may be purchased.

When she is not busy in the kitchen, Ryte offers crafting classes for young children. She has several samples of her kirigami (Japanese paper cutting) projects on display.

There is already a play area for children in place. Ryte also is planning to host private parties such as showers and other family parties. She envisions dancing and live music as part of Rito’s experience.

For more information, check out www.ritoscoffee.com or call (708) 424-1555. Rito’s is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

News From our Neighbors

Congratulations to Adam Smith of Oak Lawn, who will become an Eagle Scout on March 4 at a Court of Honor at Trinity Lutheran Church. Adam is the son of Bob and Sue Smith and belongs to Boy Scout Troop 618. This past June, he directed a landscaping bench project at St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn. His mom tells me that he dedicated his Eagle project to her late father and his grandfather, Nicholas Sotiros, Sr.

Leeann Schlesser of Hometown is inviting everyone to “Help me freeze!” Once again, Schlesser and her coworkers at Advanced Eyecare Professionals, PC in Oak Lawn are seeking participants and donations to take part in the 12th Annual Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach on March 4. This event benefits Special Olympics Chicago. If you are interested in being a part of team “Eyes-Breakers,” check out Schlesser’s link at www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/lee/12thannualchicagopolarplunge.

Regina “Reggie” Sabadosa is a citizen journalist from Oak Lawn and may be reached at rsabadosa@comcast.net.