Noka's couple's 2nd restaurant
In the bottom level of the Old Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point is a new breakfast and lunch spot.
Those entering through the historic building's north entrance find Noka's Cafe & Catering, which opened in August.
“We have our other restaurant, Fahrenheit Two-Twelve, in Crown Point. We've gotten to know people in the community,” said Steve Kirincic, who co-owns Noka's with his wife, Nicole.
“We did a lot of catering upstairs in the Maki Ballroom. There was a restaurant in the courthouse before for 30 years. It used to be the old Valentino's, so we took over the first two spots and made it into a small cafe.”
Featuring seating for 48 people, Noka's is named for the Schererville couple's sons, Noah, 5, and Luka, 1.
“It's nice having that little, small-home feel where you get to know everybody that comes in and walks out,” said Kirincic, noting his mother-in-law, Sandy “Goose” Madouros, of Crown Point, is part of the small staff.
“You get to know people on a different level than if it's a bigger restaurant. It's a lot slower pace. It's just nice to have the time to go back there in the kitchen and do what I got into the business for. It was to be able to cook and create, so it's been nice having that freedom.”
Breakfast items start at $4.49 for pancakes and French toast, $4.99 for classic egg breakfast, $6.79 for omelets and $7.99 for skillets.
Lunch items start at $5.99 for combos, $6.49 for cafe sandwiches, $6.99 for cafe salads, $7.99 for wraps and $8.99 for burgers.
“Our omelets, our burgers and our roasted turkey and avocado BLT sandwich are probably our top sellers,” said Kirincic, who has been in the restaurant business for approximately 27 years.
“They're huge fluffy omelets. We serve them with diced red skin potatoes. We have half-pound Angus burgers served on a German pretzel roll.”
Noka's offers not only cafe meals and catering but extras for special events via Flower Arrangements by Nicole.
“My wife does flowers. She's been doing floral arrangements for quite a while,” said Kirincic of Nicole's nearly decade of experience including banquets in the Maki Ballroom.
“Once the catering business started to pick up, she started doing more weddings and more for dances. It makes it a one-stop shop for weddings and catering events.”
Noka's features decor with a rustic feel.
“It's just a nice dining experience all around through service and the food,” said Kirincic, who opened Fahrenheit Two-Twelve (www.fht212.com) with his wife six years ago after returning from their honeymoon.
“We don't do a lot of advertising, so our advertising is making the dishes good so our guests spread the word. That's what we did with Fahrenheit as well.”
Noka's Cafe & Catering in the Old Lake County Courthouse, Courthouse Square #3, Crown Point. Contact 219-281-7100 or
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