Monday Minute - 2.23.26

By EatLocal / February 23, 2026

Happy Monday! It’s time for another “Monday Minute!”

Sharks Fish & Chicken Bloomington opened today at 711 E. Washington St. This is the 5th location for the group with two in Decatur, one in Springfield and one in Champaign. Even though names and menus are similar, this is a DIFFERENT business/franchise than Sharkey’s which is located on Raab Rd. in Normal.
Wendy’s on Raab Road closed abruptly last week. Wendy’s corporate said it plans to close at least 5% of its restaurants over the next few months.
Spring is on the way! Carl’s Ice Cream Locust St. location (601 W. Locust St. in Bloomington) will open for the season on February 27th!
Breakfast at Fiesta Ranchera? The daughters of Fiesta owners have opened a breakfast pop-up, Gozo Cafe inside Fiesta Ranchera on Veterans (next to Best Buy). They have brunch favorites, specialty coffee, matcha, dry-pressed yogurt and more. They are open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.
Merna Tap reopened Saturday after it had been closed about a week for kitchen repairs.