Gregg Horan Builds Steakhouse Success in the Suburbs

Why It Matters

The Gregory shows how suburban steakhouses can thrive by pairing high‑end culinary experiences with flexible pricing, offering a scalable template for upscale dining outside major city centers.

Key Takeaways

• Suburban steakhouse offers diverse menu beyond traditional cuts.
• Wood‑fired and rotisserie cooking create visual, flavor appeal.
• Pricing balances high‑end items with affordable bar bites.
• Fairly priced wine list attracts cost‑conscious diners seeking value.
• Owner plans second location, leveraging suburban demand for premium dining.

Summary

Gregg Horan (Greg Han) launched The Gregory, a year‑old steakhouse in South Bingham, Illinois, positioning it as a high‑end dining destination outside Chicago’s core. Drawing on decades at Gibson’s, the Polo Bar and other elite venues, he built a concept that blends classic steakhouse fare with Mediterranean‑inspired pastas, wood‑fired shellfish towers, and rotisserie meats.

The menu’s breadth is a deliberate response to tight dining dollars: signature items like a $180 tomahawk steak sit alongside $30‑$40 bar bites, fresh‑made pastas, and a robust wine list priced below city averages. Chef Sosa’s hearth‑cooking adds visual drama—steaks and rotisserie prime rib are prepared in a showcase kitchen where diners can see the flames.

Horan emphasizes value without compromising experience. He notes that “a busy restaurant feeds on itself,” so offering lower‑ticket options keeps tables full on slower nights. Guests appreciate the fairly priced wines, allowing two bottles without shock, and the familiar bar staples—Greg’s Old Fashioned and espresso martini—drive repeat traffic.

The approach demonstrates that suburban markets can sustain premium steakhouse concepts when they blend upscale ambiance, diversified menus, and transparent pricing. Horan’s plan to open a second location suggests the model could inspire other operators seeking growth beyond saturated urban cores.

Original Description

Gregg Horan knows steakhouses. As a longtime partner in Gibsons—one of Chicago's most iconic steak destinations—he's spent years mastering the art of high-end dining. But a little over a year ago, he took a bold step: opening The Greggory in South Barrington, Illinois, bringing fine dining to the suburbs.

And it's working.

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