Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen in Chicago was established to become an extension of its customers' own kitchens. It’s a place to grab something quick and healthy off an extensive menu, stay for a productive business meeting or gather with friends and family.

By using fresh and mindful ingredients, Doc B’s helps customers maintain a balanced lifestyle. Partnering with local, Midwest and national farmers, as well as trusted purveyors, allows Doc B’s to deliver the best menu possible. Two local vendors are Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits and McClug Farms, a local seasonal producer.

“We don’t follow trends, we set them,” says the Doc B’s website. “That’s why we call ourselves fresh-casual. Just like you, we’re all about innovation and convenience. You’re busy, but you deserve the best in a quick and comfortable setting. Our tech-to-table approach allows you to customize your dining experience. Whether you prefer a streamlined order-at-the-counter bite or a full-service meal, we’re here to give you what you want.”

With a focus on fresh, house-made and locally minded dishes, Doc B’s also offers an extensive craft beer, wine and spirits selection at its two locations, Gold Coast and River North.

Doc B’s Kitchen Gold Coast underwent extensive remodeling from the original dental studio. River North was transformed from a T-shirt business. Doc B’s is currently in the process of expanding its market to other locations.

The Gold Coast location features a Schweiss Doors one-piece designer hydraulic glass door which opens wide at the entrance to the outside where customers can enjoy their dinners sidewalk style. The custom Schweiss designer door is 16 feet, 2 inches wide and 7 feet, 9-3/4 inches tall and equipped with electric eye sensors.

The door opens to an outside dining area which seats 20 customers. That’s one of the reasons owner Craig Bernstein decided on a Schweiss door following an introduction from Dwayne MacEwen of DMAC Architecture of Chicago.

“What’s unique about the door is when it’s open, it creates this natural canopy,” Bernstein says. “You can sit right up next to the window. So if it’s rainy or misting outside, you get the benefit of the outside visual and still have the advantage of that outdoor/indoor feel. Once I saw this door, I was attracted to it and knew it was the right fit. I fell in love with it at first sight.

“My customers love the door. They are very enamored by the hydraulic arms. We get a ton of compliments on the functionality and usefulness of it and the aesthetics and operation of it as well. We try to use it as much as possible. It’s like driving a convertible, putting the top down and then blasting the heat.”

Jerome Nye of DMAC Architecture in Evanston, Ill., says his firm put considerable thought into this project before deciding on recommending a Schweiss hydraulic one-piece door for Doc B’s.

“We researched operable storefronts and operable window systems previously on the Internet,” Nye says. “We started thinking about how they could be applicable to some other projects we were working on. Schweiss doors really caught our eye and stood out, especially those on airplane hangars. I think we looked at every conceivable door type available. We looked at bifold, horizontal and vertical, scissor type systems and overhead glass garage doors as well. We mostly wanted a strong connection to the outside street energy of Doc B’s. The single-piece storefront that moves was the most dramatic option. It’s a great door, the simplicity of it is one of the nicest features. We’d use it again and definitely recommend it to others looking for a really simple way to open up a large opening.”