Well, Henny Penny, there really isn't anything new to report right now, unfortunately. The few times I've been back in Peoria recently have not netted anything worth writing about, because my visits have been quick, like hours long. Way too busy down here in Macomb.
Doing what, you say?
Well, lemme tell ya. Between school (right now I'm down to 44 papers I have to write before the end of the semester), raising up the baby, and other extracurricular activities, the weekends are filled with the wife working, thus keeping me mostly here.
What extracurricular activities, you say?
Well, lemme tell ya. Down here at WIU, we are having an absolute grandiose Mock Presidential Election. We're talking candidates showing up on campus, local and national news coverage, and some high profile keynote speakers (I know who they are, but I can't say anything yet). I have no less than three positions in this event--part of the Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honor society) coordination staff which essentially runs the guts of the event; as a peer mentor who has to make sure my group of freshmen get their butts over to the event, and most importantly to me, I am the Campaign Director of the Biden for President campaign for the election. I have made many contacts with Senator Biden's election staff, and due to the fact that we are so close to Iowa here, and this school has plenty of Iowan students, I am receiving many offers of help and support, from giving my campaign staff signage and literature to having some Iowa state senators or congresspersons come over and talk or participate in debates.
So, all this leads to me not having a great deal of time back home in Peoria. Of course I can blame it all on the wife and her goofy work schedule, but it's my goofy school schedule that is really the problem. God bless her and her schedule maker at work for working around MY schedule!!
Additionally, I have a career fair on campus next Tuesday (the 2nd). Wish me luck, hopefully I can catch the eye of some lucky employer who sees just what a wonderful asset I would be to their company!! Come on, employers!! 3.714 GPA here!! Management and organizational experience!! Not just a good, but a s00per-d00per writer!!!
Restaurant-wise, one notable place I checked out on one of my minutes in Peoria was the Irish place over there in Morton. O'Flahertys? That the name? Good food, slowish service. It riled up the womenfolk I was with, but I'm pretty laid back, and I was absolutely bone-tired, so it didn't get to me as much. I am definitely going to go back there and try it again.
I'm not sure if Peoria gets any commercials for the burger place called Red Robin, of which there is one in Davenport. I see the ads down here all the time, and when I learned that they were as close as the QC, we stopped by there last Friday when me and the family did some shopping and visited the Biden field office. What a cool place! Very franchisey-decor style, but cool menus, fun burgers, and bottomless steak fries! I want to see Red Robin come to Peoria.
I'm not anti-franchise. I know there are some people who would rather go with the local product, and I would too, if I got right down to it. But there are franchises that are worth the while to visit, and I wouldn't write off a place just because they open a restaurant in Peoria that looks exactly like the one in Alberquerque, NM. Someone worked hard to begin that chain, and sometimes a franchise restaurant is the product of a person who worked hard to save up for the franchise and got it up and running. Human agency went into it, and I will be happy to reward whoever gives me what I want.
But for all intents and purposes, give me the family restaurant owned by the guy who has been a Peoria resident for most of his life and actually has HIS family working for it!!
For whoever still visits here looking for new posts, thanks a lot. Once everything slows down a bit, I will begin to eat at places again. Plus, I only have less than three months until we move back to Peoria, and by then I'll have a s00per-d00per job that will allow me to afford to dine out!!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 02, 2007
River Station, Peoria
For my father-in-law's 60th birthday, myself and the wife, along with her brother and his wife, planned a nice outing with the help of said father-in-law's wife. We figured that a nice day would be to go to the River Station Sunday Brunch and then take a boat ride on the Spirit of Peoria. Two things stood out about our day:
1) It was the last cruise of the season, save for a few oddwad special cruises.
2) What! A! Beautiful! Day!!!!
We could not have asked for better weather today. The cruise was just wonderful, very crowded. Our strategic positioning of the chairs got us a shady spot up the river, and then by the time the boat turned around to head back, we were the shady side once again!!
On to the restaurant, which was actually before the cruise.
I reviewed the River Station some time ago, and gave it a wonderful review. That was a Saturday night dinner with the wife. The Sunday Brunch, I understand, was a carry-over from the previous incarnation of the restaurant. I can't judge from back then, but today, I can come here and tell you that the food was wonderful!!! They had an omelet station and a meat carving station. The prime rib was my only complaint. I got a very rare piece of meat, and I suppose it's my fault for not requesting something in the medium range. So, my bad. But this meat just looked red, and it wasn't real great.
Buuuuttt.... the rest of the meal? Wonderful. I'm going to run down what I had-scrambled eggs (okay, nothing special), bacon (!!!!!!!11!!! awesome!!!!111!!one!!), some kind of burrito thing with eggs, cheese and chile peppers (yummy), turkey and dressing (turkey nothing big, but good tasting dressing), cranberry-banana bread (I think it was banana, but it was definitely cranberry, and it was definitely good), and some kind of trifle with strawberries, mandarin oranges, and pineapple. That was actually my favorite part of the meal (besides the bacon!!!!!!!11!!!one!!!). I didn't get a chance to get up to the omelet bar, because it seemed crowded every time I tried.
So, all good stuff. My fellow diners raved about the waffles, another thing I just didn't get around to (too much trifle and bacon!). It was pricey. The total bill was around $135 for six of us. The food met the price, but it is a bit spendy for breakfast. I can get a better deal over at the Golden Corral on their breakfast bar. Sure I sacrifice quality, but how bad can you mess up breakfast?
River Station once again gets a thumbs up, and they remain on the HIT LIST!!
What made the day was my wonderful dining company, Jenny and Chloe, Paul and Stefanie from Michigan, Julie and, of course, the birthday boy Robbie. Happy 60th, and many, many more to my favorite father-in-law!!
1) It was the last cruise of the season, save for a few oddwad special cruises.
2) What! A! Beautiful! Day!!!!
We could not have asked for better weather today. The cruise was just wonderful, very crowded. Our strategic positioning of the chairs got us a shady spot up the river, and then by the time the boat turned around to head back, we were the shady side once again!!
On to the restaurant, which was actually before the cruise.
I reviewed the River Station some time ago, and gave it a wonderful review. That was a Saturday night dinner with the wife. The Sunday Brunch, I understand, was a carry-over from the previous incarnation of the restaurant. I can't judge from back then, but today, I can come here and tell you that the food was wonderful!!! They had an omelet station and a meat carving station. The prime rib was my only complaint. I got a very rare piece of meat, and I suppose it's my fault for not requesting something in the medium range. So, my bad. But this meat just looked red, and it wasn't real great.
Buuuuttt.... the rest of the meal? Wonderful. I'm going to run down what I had-scrambled eggs (okay, nothing special), bacon (!!!!!!!11!!! awesome!!!!111!!one!!), some kind of burrito thing with eggs, cheese and chile peppers (yummy), turkey and dressing (turkey nothing big, but good tasting dressing), cranberry-banana bread (I think it was banana, but it was definitely cranberry, and it was definitely good), and some kind of trifle with strawberries, mandarin oranges, and pineapple. That was actually my favorite part of the meal (besides the bacon!!!!!!!11!!!one!!!). I didn't get a chance to get up to the omelet bar, because it seemed crowded every time I tried.
So, all good stuff. My fellow diners raved about the waffles, another thing I just didn't get around to (too much trifle and bacon!). It was pricey. The total bill was around $135 for six of us. The food met the price, but it is a bit spendy for breakfast. I can get a better deal over at the Golden Corral on their breakfast bar. Sure I sacrifice quality, but how bad can you mess up breakfast?
River Station once again gets a thumbs up, and they remain on the HIT LIST!!
What made the day was my wonderful dining company, Jenny and Chloe, Paul and Stefanie from Michigan, Julie and, of course, the birthday boy Robbie. Happy 60th, and many, many more to my favorite father-in-law!!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Leonardo's, Peoria
Just kidding. They closed, very secretively, as discussed on the Peoria Pundit (and in the Journal Star).
Bunch of crap. I hope the employees get their paychecks, and I hope the owner, Michael LaHood, brother of representative Ray LaHood, finds a way to pay his workers. It is just the most careless thing to do. I hope it gets worked out.
And it's too bad for Leonardo's. Their pizza was, to me, at the very top of Peoria area pizzas, especially their deep-dish. Damn shame.
I am unclear about the ownership situation, as far as how long LaHood has owned it, or if he owned the one down on War Memorial and Wisconsin, as well.
Kinda weird, though. Good business in the original location, they open up a new location out at the Grand Prairie, the old business catches fire, rebuilds, and then closes. Now the new place closes.
And I also noticed a sign over in Washington. They have a LaGondola that offers (offered?) Leonardo's pizza.
WTF? Any answers out there?
Bunch of crap. I hope the employees get their paychecks, and I hope the owner, Michael LaHood, brother of representative Ray LaHood, finds a way to pay his workers. It is just the most careless thing to do. I hope it gets worked out.
And it's too bad for Leonardo's. Their pizza was, to me, at the very top of Peoria area pizzas, especially their deep-dish. Damn shame.
I am unclear about the ownership situation, as far as how long LaHood has owned it, or if he owned the one down on War Memorial and Wisconsin, as well.
Kinda weird, though. Good business in the original location, they open up a new location out at the Grand Prairie, the old business catches fire, rebuilds, and then closes. Now the new place closes.
And I also noticed a sign over in Washington. They have a LaGondola that offers (offered?) Leonardo's pizza.
WTF? Any answers out there?
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Milford, Michigan
Yes, Katie, I am still alive. Don't you know that I am a world traveler? Always out and about, gallavanting around the globe?
The truth of it is, me and the family just got back from Michigan, up to visit her brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Stefanie. They got themselves a house in Milford, which is about the cutest little town ever. Nice little house, too. Wonderful hosts, didn't complain once with the crying kid or me trodding heavily up and down the stairs with the cell phone low-battery beep going off every minute while they try to sleep.
Not that I expect anyone to rush off in search of this wonderful cuisine, but we had some nice meals up there. Paul made us a couple of homemade pizzas that just rocked. We lunched at a little deli up on the main drag where I had pineapple salsa for the first time, on a "caribbean Philly" sandwich. Dinner at the Milford House, where I enjoyed a nice salad with oranges, dried cherries, and other stuff with a house dressing that was sort of sweet and sour. Big ole burger, too. Good stuff.
A visit to the Big Boy in Chelsea, Michigan, and a quick stop at an Arby's in Ottawa, Illinois, and we were back home, ready to get back into the swing of things.
Highlights of this trip: Getting to see my sis-in-law's mom and sister, Sue and Kim. They are a treat!! Also, there's this big grocery that sells organic stuff and gourmet food. I just wanted to buy about everything!! I ended up buying orange juice made from "blood oranges", pomegranate soda, onion horseradish dip, horseradish pickles, Charles Chips (!!), and a piece of Wensleydale cheese (Cheese, Gromit!!).
Lowlights of this trip: I forgot our birth certificates, so we couldn't go across the river to Canada so I could buy contraband such as Players cigarettes and Cuban cigars. Dammit. Also, we were going to swing by Ypsilanti to hit the Bomber Restaurant. Traffic just got too thick in between Milford and there, so I decided, reluctantly, to save my arteries and head on down the road.
So, yes, Katie, I am still alive. Alive with pleasure!! The pleasure of having driven about 920 of the 1000 miles involved in this trip. But it was good to get away for a bit. I've saved you a horseradish pickle. You're welcome!!
The truth of it is, me and the family just got back from Michigan, up to visit her brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Stefanie. They got themselves a house in Milford, which is about the cutest little town ever. Nice little house, too. Wonderful hosts, didn't complain once with the crying kid or me trodding heavily up and down the stairs with the cell phone low-battery beep going off every minute while they try to sleep.
Not that I expect anyone to rush off in search of this wonderful cuisine, but we had some nice meals up there. Paul made us a couple of homemade pizzas that just rocked. We lunched at a little deli up on the main drag where I had pineapple salsa for the first time, on a "caribbean Philly" sandwich. Dinner at the Milford House, where I enjoyed a nice salad with oranges, dried cherries, and other stuff with a house dressing that was sort of sweet and sour. Big ole burger, too. Good stuff.
A visit to the Big Boy in Chelsea, Michigan, and a quick stop at an Arby's in Ottawa, Illinois, and we were back home, ready to get back into the swing of things.
Highlights of this trip: Getting to see my sis-in-law's mom and sister, Sue and Kim. They are a treat!! Also, there's this big grocery that sells organic stuff and gourmet food. I just wanted to buy about everything!! I ended up buying orange juice made from "blood oranges", pomegranate soda, onion horseradish dip, horseradish pickles, Charles Chips (!!), and a piece of Wensleydale cheese (Cheese, Gromit!!).
Lowlights of this trip: I forgot our birth certificates, so we couldn't go across the river to Canada so I could buy contraband such as Players cigarettes and Cuban cigars. Dammit. Also, we were going to swing by Ypsilanti to hit the Bomber Restaurant. Traffic just got too thick in between Milford and there, so I decided, reluctantly, to save my arteries and head on down the road.
So, yes, Katie, I am still alive. Alive with pleasure!! The pleasure of having driven about 920 of the 1000 miles involved in this trip. But it was good to get away for a bit. I've saved you a horseradish pickle. You're welcome!!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Donnelly's, Peoria
Lots of talk about this place on the blogosphere in the past few days. Why? Because anyone who's anyone was there at the Blogger Bash. We enjoyed a nice evening of conversation, sometimes four or five at one time. It was a pleasure to meet some of you folks, and I am looking forward to the next Bash!! I was saddened when it was time for me to leave, and then I had to take the ever-bubbly Katie away from the party far too soon. It will be nice to get back to Peoria after my stint out here in Macomb. I like living here, but would rather be back among all my friends and fambly. But the new friends I made last night are just a keystroke away anyhoo!!!
So anyhoo, about Donnelly's. Little Irishy place over off Glen, kind of across from the Lariat Club. It's a dark little pub-like atmosphere with lots of wood walls. It's a bar, so it's smoky, but if you want to eat in a bar, you already know that you're going to have to deal with the smoke. So deal with it!!
Our waitress sure seemed on top of things, ready for refills and always checking up on us. There was a bit of an ordeal with silverware, but it was solved rather quickly. I had the catfish, which was just dandy. I'm used to the southern style of catfish frying, which is usually a cornmeal batter, but this wasn't like that. No matter-it was very tasty, and absolutely huge!! But the star of my dinner was the dill tartar sauce. Wow!! It's DILL-icious!! Hooooo-weeee!! Fries were okay, but they were better dipped in DILL!!!!
Katie had mini-tacos. Hard to screw them up. Dump 'em out of the bag and fry 'em. They did go the extra mile and sprinkle some cheddar cheese on it.
Looking around the table, I heard a bit about an overcooked ribeye steak sandwich, and saw a yummy looking chicken breast sandwich dipped in buffalo sauce (the chicken, not the whole sandwich). Chef Kevin had a "Waterford Chicken" sandwich and onion rings. He had no complaints about it-said it was his fallback meal when he went there.
One more comment-I'm not sure if Donnelly's is the kind of place that makes their own salad dressing, but their balsamic vinaigrette was (searching for another adjective besides tasty....) tasty!!!
Donnelly's-it's bar food that is well worth a visit!!! Donnelly's makes the HIT List!!
And again, to all who showed up for the party, it was a pleasure, and I look forward to future meetings!
So anyhoo, about Donnelly's. Little Irishy place over off Glen, kind of across from the Lariat Club. It's a dark little pub-like atmosphere with lots of wood walls. It's a bar, so it's smoky, but if you want to eat in a bar, you already know that you're going to have to deal with the smoke. So deal with it!!
Our waitress sure seemed on top of things, ready for refills and always checking up on us. There was a bit of an ordeal with silverware, but it was solved rather quickly. I had the catfish, which was just dandy. I'm used to the southern style of catfish frying, which is usually a cornmeal batter, but this wasn't like that. No matter-it was very tasty, and absolutely huge!! But the star of my dinner was the dill tartar sauce. Wow!! It's DILL-icious!! Hooooo-weeee!! Fries were okay, but they were better dipped in DILL!!!!
Katie had mini-tacos. Hard to screw them up. Dump 'em out of the bag and fry 'em. They did go the extra mile and sprinkle some cheddar cheese on it.
Looking around the table, I heard a bit about an overcooked ribeye steak sandwich, and saw a yummy looking chicken breast sandwich dipped in buffalo sauce (the chicken, not the whole sandwich). Chef Kevin had a "Waterford Chicken" sandwich and onion rings. He had no complaints about it-said it was his fallback meal when he went there.
One more comment-I'm not sure if Donnelly's is the kind of place that makes their own salad dressing, but their balsamic vinaigrette was (searching for another adjective besides tasty....) tasty!!!
Donnelly's-it's bar food that is well worth a visit!!! Donnelly's makes the HIT List!!
And again, to all who showed up for the party, it was a pleasure, and I look forward to future meetings!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Nothing to see here...
Sorry I haven't written much lately. I've been busy writing a paper for my independent study class at school. Thirty pages of Sino-Soviet relations tends to take up all my writing time. The only places of note I've been to in the Peoria area between last weekend and last night have been Red Lobster and Silver Bullet. Nothing of great note there, just decent food, no complaints.
Today we're lunching at Jimmy John's over in the Metro Centre, where they have just moved into their new, larger shop located two doors down from their previous location. My friend Greg, who is the manager over there, let me know last night that they are all moved in, so we're going to pay a visit.
Have a good weekend. Bloggers, hope to see you at Donnelly's Tuesday night for the Blogger Bash!
Today we're lunching at Jimmy John's over in the Metro Centre, where they have just moved into their new, larger shop located two doors down from their previous location. My friend Greg, who is the manager over there, let me know last night that they are all moved in, so we're going to pay a visit.
Have a good weekend. Bloggers, hope to see you at Donnelly's Tuesday night for the Blogger Bash!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Good News, Everyone!!
My mother called with news she knew would get me all excited, and it confirms what Chef Kevin said a few posts down:
The "Q" Smokehouse is coming back!!
I couldn't find this on pjstar.com, but I will assume Mom is not lying to me in some cruel tease-the-fat-guy way. I understand it will be up in the shopping center there in the Heights that has very few tenants as it is. Smaller square footage means no long walks back to the buffet. Honestly, the Westlake location just seemed like a barn to me. Seemed weird. So now the Heights gets a bit more affordable fare than the fancy places that are already on that stretch of Prospect (no offense to them; I'm betting that their food is wonderful). And I like the idea of it being in the Heights, seeing as how that's where I grew up.
Good for the "Q"!! They will finish me off, for sure!!
The "Q" Smokehouse is coming back!!
I couldn't find this on pjstar.com, but I will assume Mom is not lying to me in some cruel tease-the-fat-guy way. I understand it will be up in the shopping center there in the Heights that has very few tenants as it is. Smaller square footage means no long walks back to the buffet. Honestly, the Westlake location just seemed like a barn to me. Seemed weird. So now the Heights gets a bit more affordable fare than the fancy places that are already on that stretch of Prospect (no offense to them; I'm betting that their food is wonderful). And I like the idea of it being in the Heights, seeing as how that's where I grew up.
Good for the "Q"!! They will finish me off, for sure!!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Kade's, Peoria
Haven't tried their coffee, but their ice cream is yummy. Jenny had a waffle cone with oreo ice cream, and I had a turtle sundae made with espresso ice cream. Sooo rich!! Sooo tasty!! And I learned that it's pronounced like it looks, instead of "Kay-Deez". Dad was right, and I think I tried to tell him otherwise more than a few times. Sorry bout that, Dad. My bad.
But if you're looking for an ice cream alternative, try Kade's out there near the new mall. I understand that the one down by Target does not have ice cream.
But if you're looking for an ice cream alternative, try Kade's out there near the new mall. I understand that the one down by Target does not have ice cream.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Chili's, Peoria
I'm not going to make this long and drawn out. Chili's always wins in my book, so no point in putting forth more platitudes about the place. I had another good burger, Jenny enjoyed the Chicken Tenders, Mom had a humongous serving of Country Fried Steak that had me jealous. We had an appetizer of boneless shanghai wings, complete with wasabi ranch dipping sauce. Just magical. Jeff, our waiter, was a good guy. Even told me the Cubs score because he noticed my cell phone shell was Cubbified. Brought me lots of iced tea refills. Chili's just makes me so happy, even though it's a chain restaurant. Given a choice between going to a chain restaurant or a locally-owned original restaurant, I'll always choose the latter. Unless the former is a Chili's. Then I'll think about it. And then decide to want to go to Chili's.
The Galley, East Peoria
Following a sweaty night of softball, we needed a place to go and recharge our batteries. Usually the place to go is the Silver Bullet, but that's a little too bar-like, and thus too smoky, for the baby to go a-visitin'. On the advice of Katie's parents, we headed down to the Galley, located on Cat Trail nearby Jonah's and the little shopping center with the gas station near the old Famous Dave's.
The Galley is a bar, but it wasn't quite as smoky where we sat, so we decided to stick around. It was a group of nine, and they got a couple of tables ran together rather quickly, and we got some menus and drinks. It then took quite a while to get our orders in, at a time in which it was not so busy. Katie finally went up and shook the tree branches a little bit and out dropped a waitress that got us up and going on our orders.
Of the things I can remember people ordering, the wife ordered a hot ham and cheese sandwich that looked small but it tasted okay. Katie had a pizza that was decent enough, good vegetables (just the right size!!!), but nothing to come running back for. Ron had a ribeye steak sandwich that he didn't complain about, and I had fried chicken that I WOULD go back just to have. It was really good, not the best, but when I get good fried chicken, I remember it well, and they will make the HIT LIST based solely on the fried chicken. I love fried chicken so much that I just can't stop typing the words fried chicken.
Other things I can remember-Katie's cole slaw was good, Jenny's pasta salad was good, and the corn fritters were awesome!!!
Our waitress kept up fairly well on the beverage refills, and we got to watch the Cardinals losing yet another game on TV, which always makes for nice dessert!!
The Galley, though it was not spectacular, seemed to be right up our alley that night. I will go back and try it again.
The Galley is a bar, but it wasn't quite as smoky where we sat, so we decided to stick around. It was a group of nine, and they got a couple of tables ran together rather quickly, and we got some menus and drinks. It then took quite a while to get our orders in, at a time in which it was not so busy. Katie finally went up and shook the tree branches a little bit and out dropped a waitress that got us up and going on our orders.
Of the things I can remember people ordering, the wife ordered a hot ham and cheese sandwich that looked small but it tasted okay. Katie had a pizza that was decent enough, good vegetables (just the right size!!!), but nothing to come running back for. Ron had a ribeye steak sandwich that he didn't complain about, and I had fried chicken that I WOULD go back just to have. It was really good, not the best, but when I get good fried chicken, I remember it well, and they will make the HIT LIST based solely on the fried chicken. I love fried chicken so much that I just can't stop typing the words fried chicken.
Other things I can remember-Katie's cole slaw was good, Jenny's pasta salad was good, and the corn fritters were awesome!!!
Our waitress kept up fairly well on the beverage refills, and we got to watch the Cardinals losing yet another game on TV, which always makes for nice dessert!!
The Galley, though it was not spectacular, seemed to be right up our alley that night. I will go back and try it again.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The "Q", Peoria, IL
Sigh.
R.I.P. Q Smokehouse. Gonna miss the good ole meat buffet.
Come back and save me!!
R.I.P. Q Smokehouse. Gonna miss the good ole meat buffet.
Come back and save me!!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Firehouse Pizza, Peoria
Not long ago Chef Kevin reviewed Firehouse Pizza, and I made the comment that I didn't like a pizza sauce that was on the sweet side. I had reconciled myself to not trying this place, but today I just changed my mind. I'm allowed to do that.
So me, the wife and kid head out to their new location at Northpoint and found the place not real busy. I did like the looks of the place, with the TV's in every booth allowing me to catch the Cubs/Sox game without having to crane my neck around the place.
We got ourselves a couple of sodas, Jenny had a little side salad and I had the pigs-in-blankets, which were a couple big hot dogs wrapped up in the pizza dough. Those things I liked!! Great dipped in good ole yellow mustard.
The pizza we ordered was a "Cheeseburger" pizza, with hamburger, bacon, onions, and a cheddar-mozzarella blend. I would have really enjoyed it... were it not for that sauce. It wasn't bad... just had that sweet taste. Certainly different from other pizzas in this area. I can see people liking it... but not me. Took a helluva long time to get a refill, too, for such an unbusy Sunday afternoon.
While they are not going to make my HIT list, Firehouse Pizza will not make my SHIT list, either. It was passable food, and perhaps someday I will try the pizza with the white garlic sauce. It just wasn't my thang.
So me, the wife and kid head out to their new location at Northpoint and found the place not real busy. I did like the looks of the place, with the TV's in every booth allowing me to catch the Cubs/Sox game without having to crane my neck around the place.
We got ourselves a couple of sodas, Jenny had a little side salad and I had the pigs-in-blankets, which were a couple big hot dogs wrapped up in the pizza dough. Those things I liked!! Great dipped in good ole yellow mustard.
The pizza we ordered was a "Cheeseburger" pizza, with hamburger, bacon, onions, and a cheddar-mozzarella blend. I would have really enjoyed it... were it not for that sauce. It wasn't bad... just had that sweet taste. Certainly different from other pizzas in this area. I can see people liking it... but not me. Took a helluva long time to get a refill, too, for such an unbusy Sunday afternoon.
While they are not going to make my HIT list, Firehouse Pizza will not make my SHIT list, either. It was passable food, and perhaps someday I will try the pizza with the white garlic sauce. It just wasn't my thang.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
River Station, Peoria
Well hot diggity damn!! Finally I get back to Peoria for a period of time so's I can do some eating!! I've been back a few times, but fairly quickie trips that didn't really call for any reviewing of restaurants. Not that I didn't eat, but in all honesty, it wasn't review-worthy.
Tonight me and the wife had us a date. We dropped off the kid at my folks house and headed down to the newly-reopened River Station for a 7:45 dinner reservation. I have to admit, I don't remember what the place looked like inside, seeing as how I believe I was only there like twice before they closed. But it sure looks nice inside now! They're getting some business, that's for sure. We were not called to be seated until about 8:15 or so, but they warned us that things were running a bit behind. It gave us lots of time for people-watching, which was fun stuff. Lots of nicely-dressed cougars, and men who looked like they either stepped off a boat or off the golf course.
When we were seated at a nice river-view table (which made the extra wait okay), our waiter, a nice young man named Jake, got us going with our drinks and discussed some of the features of the menu. We declined appetizers, choosing to save room for the dessert. River Station does a salad bar at your table-I've never been a part of something like this before. Lots of iceberg lettuce, followed by whatever toppings you told the waiter to put on, including something he referred to as "sour cherries". Looked like big raisins to me, but they were tasty! A clever addition to a salad. I had a balsamic vinaigrette which was just dandy. Jenny had ranch. She asked for French, but that's okay. Jake offered to get some, but Jenny ain't picky.
Our entrees arrived in a very timely fashion. Jenny ordered the lobster and crab ravioli, and the one I took off her plate as a driver's fee had large chunks of said shellfish, and the white sauce, while not overpowering, complemented the dish. My dish was called chicken saltabocca, which was a couple of grilled chicken breasts wrapped up in prosciutto and mozzarella, sitting in a dark wine sauce. Very tasty, indeed!! It was recommended to me by my father-in-law. The sauce was my favorite part of the meal, just yummyness. It was sauce that I could have on the side and dip waffle fries into and be content.
Dessert...ahh, dessert. Very enjoyable, if a bit on the expensive side. Jenny had The Caboose, which was a couple different ice creams layered on top of each other with some other stuff on it, with a piece of almond brittle sticking out. Yummy! Mine was some sort of chocolate ganache with lavender ice cream. Lavender!! Weird that I was eating something that had made bathrooms smell better for decades. I must have forgotten about the ice cream, because I commented that it tasted "herbal". It sure was good, however. I will look for this in other places. The ganache was utterly rich in chocolate delight.
I am glad the River Station has returned. To me, it really ties the riverfront together, having a well-known spot with historical significance. And free refills on soda!!
River Station-you made the "HIT" List!!!
Tonight me and the wife had us a date. We dropped off the kid at my folks house and headed down to the newly-reopened River Station for a 7:45 dinner reservation. I have to admit, I don't remember what the place looked like inside, seeing as how I believe I was only there like twice before they closed. But it sure looks nice inside now! They're getting some business, that's for sure. We were not called to be seated until about 8:15 or so, but they warned us that things were running a bit behind. It gave us lots of time for people-watching, which was fun stuff. Lots of nicely-dressed cougars, and men who looked like they either stepped off a boat or off the golf course.
When we were seated at a nice river-view table (which made the extra wait okay), our waiter, a nice young man named Jake, got us going with our drinks and discussed some of the features of the menu. We declined appetizers, choosing to save room for the dessert. River Station does a salad bar at your table-I've never been a part of something like this before. Lots of iceberg lettuce, followed by whatever toppings you told the waiter to put on, including something he referred to as "sour cherries". Looked like big raisins to me, but they were tasty! A clever addition to a salad. I had a balsamic vinaigrette which was just dandy. Jenny had ranch. She asked for French, but that's okay. Jake offered to get some, but Jenny ain't picky.
Our entrees arrived in a very timely fashion. Jenny ordered the lobster and crab ravioli, and the one I took off her plate as a driver's fee had large chunks of said shellfish, and the white sauce, while not overpowering, complemented the dish. My dish was called chicken saltabocca, which was a couple of grilled chicken breasts wrapped up in prosciutto and mozzarella, sitting in a dark wine sauce. Very tasty, indeed!! It was recommended to me by my father-in-law. The sauce was my favorite part of the meal, just yummyness. It was sauce that I could have on the side and dip waffle fries into and be content.
Dessert...ahh, dessert. Very enjoyable, if a bit on the expensive side. Jenny had The Caboose, which was a couple different ice creams layered on top of each other with some other stuff on it, with a piece of almond brittle sticking out. Yummy! Mine was some sort of chocolate ganache with lavender ice cream. Lavender!! Weird that I was eating something that had made bathrooms smell better for decades. I must have forgotten about the ice cream, because I commented that it tasted "herbal". It sure was good, however. I will look for this in other places. The ganache was utterly rich in chocolate delight.
I am glad the River Station has returned. To me, it really ties the riverfront together, having a well-known spot with historical significance. And free refills on soda!!
River Station-you made the "HIT" List!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
He's posting reviews again!!
Not me, Chef Kevin, over at Culinary Rants and Raves. Check it out!! He has checked out such joints as the River Station (so wanna go there!), Firehouse Pizza, Eamon Patrick's (where is this place?) and one other one along the river. Name slipped my mind, but it sounds like my kinda place!!
Friday, June 08, 2007
New Blog To Read
My good friend Katie, she who helped birth my baby, maker of good hashbrown casserole, lover of Ron, and coach of co-ed softball, has started a blog to note her days of fine trailer park living. She entertains me, and I'm sure she will entertain her readers.
Notes From The Trailerhood
We're not coming into town this weekend, as we already have to make a trip to town next Tuesday night so that me and my buddies can go down to Kansas City and eat barbecue, among other events.
I will share that I just had a delightful ice cream sandwich, fresh out the box from Hy-Vee. Probably gonna have a few more based on that wonderful experience.
Notes From The Trailerhood
We're not coming into town this weekend, as we already have to make a trip to town next Tuesday night so that me and my buddies can go down to Kansas City and eat barbecue, among other events.
I will share that I just had a delightful ice cream sandwich, fresh out the box from Hy-Vee. Probably gonna have a few more based on that wonderful experience.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Corky's, East Peoria
I'm a fan of saying things such as, "it's hard to screw up a lunchmeat sandwich", or "it's hard to mess up a salad". One thing that is for sure is that it is EASY to screw up barbecue. Big John's, back in the heyday of his downtown location, was ON. They knew their barbecue, and I daresay that Peoria hasn't seen barbecue like it again. There are a few BBQ joints that I can attest to having pretty decent food, but I just think we're a bit too far north for any of the good ones.
Corky's, which is in the remodeled Citgo/Burger King building over by the East Peoria Wal-Mart, is a franchise that got its start in Memphis, home of barbecue, Elvis and rockabilly music. Back when it first opened up here in town a few months ago, the wait was far too long for me and my gathered group of gourmands. We were told that the list was two hours long, and after you ordered, it would be another hour. So this is the first opportunity I've had to get back and see what's up. I've heard different things about it, but the possibility of good BBQ is enough for me to give it a try.
We had a group of six tonight, and we ended up having to wait about a half-hour before being seated, and that ain't bad. I tried a combo that consisted of a half-rack of dry-rubbed ribs, beef brisket, turkey and pulled pork. Ron had the ribs and pork, Russ had a pulled pork sandwich, Jenny had turkey and pork, Jen had a turkey sandwich, and Katie had... I forgot! She doesn't like BBQ, so I'm sure she had something different. And don't make fun of Katie because she doesn't like BBQ. Ron will fix that, over time.
The only complaint I heard from anyone was from myself and Ron, and we thought the ribs were served a bit on the cool side. They were still fairly tasty and very tender, but it would have been better if they were the temperature they were supposed to be.
Other than that, nice atmosphere, a pretty kind server who kept up with our refills as long as we requested them. It doesn't measure up to BBQ I've had in other locales, mostly down south, but for Peoria, it does good. I hope they succeed, and I liked their Elvis-themed room.
Corky's makes the HIT List!!
Corky's, which is in the remodeled Citgo/Burger King building over by the East Peoria Wal-Mart, is a franchise that got its start in Memphis, home of barbecue, Elvis and rockabilly music. Back when it first opened up here in town a few months ago, the wait was far too long for me and my gathered group of gourmands. We were told that the list was two hours long, and after you ordered, it would be another hour. So this is the first opportunity I've had to get back and see what's up. I've heard different things about it, but the possibility of good BBQ is enough for me to give it a try.
We had a group of six tonight, and we ended up having to wait about a half-hour before being seated, and that ain't bad. I tried a combo that consisted of a half-rack of dry-rubbed ribs, beef brisket, turkey and pulled pork. Ron had the ribs and pork, Russ had a pulled pork sandwich, Jenny had turkey and pork, Jen had a turkey sandwich, and Katie had... I forgot! She doesn't like BBQ, so I'm sure she had something different. And don't make fun of Katie because she doesn't like BBQ. Ron will fix that, over time.
The only complaint I heard from anyone was from myself and Ron, and we thought the ribs were served a bit on the cool side. They were still fairly tasty and very tender, but it would have been better if they were the temperature they were supposed to be.
Other than that, nice atmosphere, a pretty kind server who kept up with our refills as long as we requested them. It doesn't measure up to BBQ I've had in other locales, mostly down south, but for Peoria, it does good. I hope they succeed, and I liked their Elvis-themed room.
Corky's makes the HIT List!!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Coop's, Princeville
Today was a day for exploring the backroads of Peoria County (and just a slight, slight bit of Fulton County). The first Saturday of every June is the Strawberry Festival out in Elmwood, which runs just north of Farmington. It's a pretty nice small-town shindig that draws seemingly every citizen to either visit or volunteer their efforts, especially given the fact that the town buried one of their own on Friday, a young Marine named Ben Desilets, who was struck down in Iraq.
After taking our cruise around the town square and eating strawberry shortcake (two helpings for me, of course), my wife, child, and mom headed up the road to Princeville, hope of Coop's, a little restaurant there on what seemed to be the main drag. It was right across the street from Casey's, so it's pretty much the center of town for this blogger.
Coop's is a cafe-like setting which is fairly rustic in appearance, both inside and out. The walls of the dining room drip with nostalgia, right down to the empty can of Standard Cream Separator Oil on a shelf high above us. Attached to the dining room and also accessible from the outside is The Whip, which is a little ice cream stand.
Today's specials were homemade tenderloins or pork burgers. My wife opted for the tenderloin, which she proclaimed was good. I got a taste, and it definitely tasted homemade. Had a good texture, and wasn't over-seasoned. Mom had a "Hawaiian Salad", which was an enormous helping of lettuce and toppings, served with a side of the house dressing, which was a hybrid of a sweet onion dressing and something else. The salad itself had grilled chicken, pineapple, and shaved coconut, along with a few other things I think. She really did like it, and for what it's worth, the lettuce, although it was only iceberg (sorry, lettuce snobs-no field greens), it was the kind that was cut up thin-shredded, maybe? Yeah, that sounds right. Before I reveal my meal, I want to take a second to talk about their salads. It seemed like every other table had salads, and they are just hoarkin' huge, and had lots of colorful toppings. At the quick glance I gave the salad portion of the menu, there had to have been like 10 or 12 different salads to choose from. Egads!!
And, finally, my meal was a big ole double cheeseburger. There was more that I could have chosen from, but it's what I want, and what I want is what I want. It was a tasty burger, lots of cheese, with my typical mayo, mustard, pickles and onions. It was everything I could ask for in a cheeseburger. The fries that came with the sandwiches were the crinkle cut variety, and we rather enjoyed them. Got a lot of 'em, too!!
Seeing as how I'm not a frequent traveler to Princeville, I couldn't tell you of the many other reasons to make a visit to the fine farming community. If you find your way out that direction, I would suggest a stop by Coop's for a sandwich, or one of those awesome salads!! They might even be worth a drive out there just for one of them!
Coop's-You made the HIT list!!! Thumbs up, and good luck under your new ownership (or was it just management?)!!
After taking our cruise around the town square and eating strawberry shortcake (two helpings for me, of course), my wife, child, and mom headed up the road to Princeville, hope of Coop's, a little restaurant there on what seemed to be the main drag. It was right across the street from Casey's, so it's pretty much the center of town for this blogger.
Coop's is a cafe-like setting which is fairly rustic in appearance, both inside and out. The walls of the dining room drip with nostalgia, right down to the empty can of Standard Cream Separator Oil on a shelf high above us. Attached to the dining room and also accessible from the outside is The Whip, which is a little ice cream stand.
Today's specials were homemade tenderloins or pork burgers. My wife opted for the tenderloin, which she proclaimed was good. I got a taste, and it definitely tasted homemade. Had a good texture, and wasn't over-seasoned. Mom had a "Hawaiian Salad", which was an enormous helping of lettuce and toppings, served with a side of the house dressing, which was a hybrid of a sweet onion dressing and something else. The salad itself had grilled chicken, pineapple, and shaved coconut, along with a few other things I think. She really did like it, and for what it's worth, the lettuce, although it was only iceberg (sorry, lettuce snobs-no field greens), it was the kind that was cut up thin-shredded, maybe? Yeah, that sounds right. Before I reveal my meal, I want to take a second to talk about their salads. It seemed like every other table had salads, and they are just hoarkin' huge, and had lots of colorful toppings. At the quick glance I gave the salad portion of the menu, there had to have been like 10 or 12 different salads to choose from. Egads!!
And, finally, my meal was a big ole double cheeseburger. There was more that I could have chosen from, but it's what I want, and what I want is what I want. It was a tasty burger, lots of cheese, with my typical mayo, mustard, pickles and onions. It was everything I could ask for in a cheeseburger. The fries that came with the sandwiches were the crinkle cut variety, and we rather enjoyed them. Got a lot of 'em, too!!
Seeing as how I'm not a frequent traveler to Princeville, I couldn't tell you of the many other reasons to make a visit to the fine farming community. If you find your way out that direction, I would suggest a stop by Coop's for a sandwich, or one of those awesome salads!! They might even be worth a drive out there just for one of them!
Coop's-You made the HIT list!!! Thumbs up, and good luck under your new ownership (or was it just management?)!!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Avanti's, East Peoria
Good ole Avantis. A Peoria staple for many years before my time, and it has expanded into East Peoria quite a while back. I can remember eating at their Main Street location when it was across the street. Does anyone remember the "Gondola" controversy between Avanti's and LaGondola? What a great legal battle that was. Someone should have written a book about it.
I know Billy D wrote about it a while back (sorry, Bill - not going archive diving tonite!), and it seemed like a good mix of opinions.
Avanti's is real hit-and-miss for me concerning whether I even want to eat there. Nothing's gross on the menu, it's not like you can go wrong. Locals know that you are not going to get fine Italian cuisine on the menu. Sometimes I don't want meat sauce or marinara, or even the alfredo. Just doesn't sound good, and if I eat too much of their all-you-can-eat spaghetti on that most special of nights, I fart a little more than usual.
The bread - good stuff. I am not going to waste time extolling the virtues of Avanti's bread. But jeebus, they found one thing to do good, and they do REAL good. Just the bread and butter is enough of a meal for me. The pizza is not bad, either. I prefer it over any of the chains around here. (speaking of which, I gotta find out how to do polls, because I'd like to see what pizza reigns supreme in the Peoria area).
Tonight's visit to the Avanti's in East Peoria, to begin, was just dandy. No problems that weren't taken care of quickly, and nice folks waited on us and brought us food and soda refills. I had the lasagna, and this is something they have down so well that it lacks the fun of eating homemade lasagna that falls apart and you end up eating one big spoonful of ricotta or a big sheet of pasta. Still, it's tasty, and it's just enough for me. Because I filled up on the bread. And the goony little salad, which just works, for some reason.
Lovely wife Jenny had the chicken alfredo, and I heard no complaints. Ron and Katie both had Gondolas (capitalize that?? dunno), and I guess it was good because it's hard to screw up a lunchmeat sandwich, especially on that bread!! Russ had the Friday special, which was oven-baked cod. He specifically told me that he enjoyed the fish, but the accompanying linguini dish was just kind of "meh", not bad, nothing special. Jason had the only issue of the evening, when they brought his spaghetti and meatballs without the layer of mozzarelly on top like he wanted. They corrected it, and he dried his tears.
The kid who rang me up barely said a word, no "how was everything" queries, and I had to wait for like two minutes for someone to show up. Not gonna complain about that, because 1) high school kid has to work Friday nite at Avanti's isn't always going to be "on", and B) had fine conversations with the others standing around.
All in all, don't set the bar too high. Yeah, there's better places in town to go eat. I can name a whole bunch. Gotta pay more for that, however. Pay more money-get better food. Pay less money-get less better food. And so on. Avanti's is never my first choice of restaurants, but it's better to take the kid there than to the smoke-filled bar of choice for grub.
Avanti's-you made my HIT list (which, to refresh, is the good list to make. The bad list is known as the SHIT list)!!!
I know Billy D wrote about it a while back (sorry, Bill - not going archive diving tonite!), and it seemed like a good mix of opinions.
Avanti's is real hit-and-miss for me concerning whether I even want to eat there. Nothing's gross on the menu, it's not like you can go wrong. Locals know that you are not going to get fine Italian cuisine on the menu. Sometimes I don't want meat sauce or marinara, or even the alfredo. Just doesn't sound good, and if I eat too much of their all-you-can-eat spaghetti on that most special of nights, I fart a little more than usual.
The bread - good stuff. I am not going to waste time extolling the virtues of Avanti's bread. But jeebus, they found one thing to do good, and they do REAL good. Just the bread and butter is enough of a meal for me. The pizza is not bad, either. I prefer it over any of the chains around here. (speaking of which, I gotta find out how to do polls, because I'd like to see what pizza reigns supreme in the Peoria area).
Tonight's visit to the Avanti's in East Peoria, to begin, was just dandy. No problems that weren't taken care of quickly, and nice folks waited on us and brought us food and soda refills. I had the lasagna, and this is something they have down so well that it lacks the fun of eating homemade lasagna that falls apart and you end up eating one big spoonful of ricotta or a big sheet of pasta. Still, it's tasty, and it's just enough for me. Because I filled up on the bread. And the goony little salad, which just works, for some reason.
Lovely wife Jenny had the chicken alfredo, and I heard no complaints. Ron and Katie both had Gondolas (capitalize that?? dunno), and I guess it was good because it's hard to screw up a lunchmeat sandwich, especially on that bread!! Russ had the Friday special, which was oven-baked cod. He specifically told me that he enjoyed the fish, but the accompanying linguini dish was just kind of "meh", not bad, nothing special. Jason had the only issue of the evening, when they brought his spaghetti and meatballs without the layer of mozzarelly on top like he wanted. They corrected it, and he dried his tears.
The kid who rang me up barely said a word, no "how was everything" queries, and I had to wait for like two minutes for someone to show up. Not gonna complain about that, because 1) high school kid has to work Friday nite at Avanti's isn't always going to be "on", and B) had fine conversations with the others standing around.
All in all, don't set the bar too high. Yeah, there's better places in town to go eat. I can name a whole bunch. Gotta pay more for that, however. Pay more money-get better food. Pay less money-get less better food. And so on. Avanti's is never my first choice of restaurants, but it's better to take the kid there than to the smoke-filled bar of choice for grub.
Avanti's-you made my HIT list (which, to refresh, is the good list to make. The bad list is known as the SHIT list)!!!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Macomb in the Summertime
The thrill of the season is upon me-the return of the snow cone shack!! This is only my second summer, so I don't know how many years this thing has come and gone, but we've been anxiously awaiting its arrival. I was reminded that it was the place we went after going to the woman doctor office after a checkup of the fetus. I tells ya, nothing more exciting than getting a grape and lemon shaved ice and heading to Farm King for galoshes and mixed nuts.
It gets rather boring around here when the kids go home for the summer. The traffic remains the same throughout the day, but there's just less dumbass girls on cell phones. Usually less girls doesn't mean good things, but when the group of three have two phone conversations going on, it just makes me shake my head.
It's hard to live in a place that has only one option for seafood, and that happens to be Long John Silvers. Now I realize that LJS can't really be considered oceanic in any way, but their hush puppies are a guilty pleasure. Seafood, to me, doesn't have to be a fancy issue. The fare at the Red Lobster suits me just fine, what with their biscuits and scampi.
This weekend we're heading back to Peoria. Now I've been anxious to try out that Corky's over in East Peoria. I've heard many mixed reviews about the food and its genuineosity. I know it is a franchise of a BBQ joint that got going down in Memphis, but that it has been mainstreamed a bit. We'll see if I can get over there. What I'm looking forward to is the first co-ed softball game I've been able to participate in all year, then a trip down to the Silver Bullet in EP for beverages and some good bar food. I'm thinking it's horseshoe time!!!
The Corky's thing may not come off, though. In a few weeks me and a few pals (Aaron, Jason) are heading down to Kansas City to see the Royals take on their I-70 rivals, the St. Louis Chickens-On-A-Stick. We'll precede that by a visit to probably Arthur Bryant's BBQ or KC Masterpiece. Next day we'll eat at some other BBQ joint (I'm hoping Gates' BBQ) and go to the Negro League Baseball Museum.
Speaking of horseshoes, the best EVAH can be found at the Jackson Street Pub here in Macomb. I have no doubt of this bold statement.
It gets rather boring around here when the kids go home for the summer. The traffic remains the same throughout the day, but there's just less dumbass girls on cell phones. Usually less girls doesn't mean good things, but when the group of three have two phone conversations going on, it just makes me shake my head.
It's hard to live in a place that has only one option for seafood, and that happens to be Long John Silvers. Now I realize that LJS can't really be considered oceanic in any way, but their hush puppies are a guilty pleasure. Seafood, to me, doesn't have to be a fancy issue. The fare at the Red Lobster suits me just fine, what with their biscuits and scampi.
This weekend we're heading back to Peoria. Now I've been anxious to try out that Corky's over in East Peoria. I've heard many mixed reviews about the food and its genuineosity. I know it is a franchise of a BBQ joint that got going down in Memphis, but that it has been mainstreamed a bit. We'll see if I can get over there. What I'm looking forward to is the first co-ed softball game I've been able to participate in all year, then a trip down to the Silver Bullet in EP for beverages and some good bar food. I'm thinking it's horseshoe time!!!
The Corky's thing may not come off, though. In a few weeks me and a few pals (Aaron, Jason) are heading down to Kansas City to see the Royals take on their I-70 rivals, the St. Louis Chickens-On-A-Stick. We'll precede that by a visit to probably Arthur Bryant's BBQ or KC Masterpiece. Next day we'll eat at some other BBQ joint (I'm hoping Gates' BBQ) and go to the Negro League Baseball Museum.
Speaking of horseshoes, the best EVAH can be found at the Jackson Street Pub here in Macomb. I have no doubt of this bold statement.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Back for some action
Well, I'm still down here in Macomb, but with the summer upon us and the gas prices being absolutely affordable, we will be making not infrequent trips back and forth to Peoria for various and sundry reasons. I've been messing around with the idea of firing this back up, with the hopes that when we finally make the move back to Peoria this December, I'll have a good list of restaurants nailed down, sometimes two or ten times.
Hat tip to Chef Kevin over at his blog,
Culinary Rants and Raves. He entertains me when he writes about the places he visits. He does it from a professional viewpoint-a guy who actually knows when something is done right or wrong. I take it from a different approach. You have to really screw something up for me to be unhappy about food and restaurants. Like the Texas Roadhouse did a few years back. Still pisses me off. Still haven't gone back, either, and I sneer at them when I pass their building in East Peoria that always has a letter or two unlit on their sign.
Anyhoo, difference between me and him is that he's a pro talking about a restaurant, and I'm a fat guy talking about a restaurant. His writings kept me interested in starting my own blog back up again.
So, update your blogrolls and get me up there on the list. I'll be talking about the places I visit and giving the lowdown on what's hot and what's not in Central Illinois dining, from a sammitch at Wendy's to a bone-in ribeye down at Jim's. I may even talk about the occasional Icee from Target or the Crap-a-cino I get from Starbucks. Nothing is taboo, and nothing is far from my reach. As long as my gut doesn't get in my way, I cannot be stopped!!
Hat tip to Chef Kevin over at his blog,
Culinary Rants and Raves. He entertains me when he writes about the places he visits. He does it from a professional viewpoint-a guy who actually knows when something is done right or wrong. I take it from a different approach. You have to really screw something up for me to be unhappy about food and restaurants. Like the Texas Roadhouse did a few years back. Still pisses me off. Still haven't gone back, either, and I sneer at them when I pass their building in East Peoria that always has a letter or two unlit on their sign.
Anyhoo, difference between me and him is that he's a pro talking about a restaurant, and I'm a fat guy talking about a restaurant. His writings kept me interested in starting my own blog back up again.
So, update your blogrolls and get me up there on the list. I'll be talking about the places I visit and giving the lowdown on what's hot and what's not in Central Illinois dining, from a sammitch at Wendy's to a bone-in ribeye down at Jim's. I may even talk about the occasional Icee from Target or the Crap-a-cino I get from Starbucks. Nothing is taboo, and nothing is far from my reach. As long as my gut doesn't get in my way, I cannot be stopped!!
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