A new restaurant that is unique both because of its cuisine and its name is preparing to open in the former Dew Chilli Parlor space on Wabash Avenue.

Owner Ersen Yildirin said his wife, Tuba Yildirin, came up with the name Ugly Restaurant & Bar for their Turkish grill at 2312 W. Wabash Ave.

“My wife said we should do something different, otherwise nobody will remember the name. We should do something catchy and fun,” Yildirin said. The couple also owns a nearby nail salon, Ugly Nail, at 1305 Wabash Ave.

Yildirin previously operated a restaurant in his native Turkey, but “this is going to be the first restaurant experience for me so far in the United Sates,” he said. The couple immigrated to the U.S. nine years ago and moved to Springfield, where Tuba’s mother lives.

“I came with nothing, not speaking English, with my wife and two kids,” said Yildirin. “I started learning the language and I found a job. Then me and my wife opened our own business in 2021. Having a restaurant was always my dream job, but I couldn’t make it work until now.”

Yildirin said in the past few years, more of his family and friends have immigrated, and they also have cooking experience to be able to help him in the restaurant. His wife will focus on managing the salon.

He said the space didn’t need much in the way of renovations, since it was operating as a restaurant until Dew Chilli Parlor closed in January. Owners Mike Monseur and John Leskovisek told SBJ at the time they planned to continue to operate the other two Dew Pub and Grill locations in Springfield and focus on expanding in outlying areas.

“We’re trying to put together a few more small details and working on the recipes, said Yildirin. “We have a liquor license in process and also plan to apply for a gaming license, but in the meantime, we’ll go ahead and have a soft opening on Monday (April 10).”

Initially the hours of operation will be 10 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week, although Yildirin said he plans to stay open later once the restaurant is able to serve alcohol.

“People are already really excited, because this is something very different and new in Springfield.”