Pretty sure the copper mugs are used for Moscow Mules as I know that's how I prefer mine!

smokinjoe wrote:Pretty sure the copper mugs are used for Moscow Mules as I know that's how I prefer mine!

Appreciated, never had a Moscow Mule, figured those mugs were for something specific.

Okay...it's been a while...hello all!

I'm going to have to review this thread, since I just moved into the Marseilles area. There's certainly lots of good information here...but tonight, we eat at Hank's.

Take care all!
Dan

Well, Hank's the other night was good...we've been there a number of times...years before we moved out here. We usually cook at home, so it's going slow trying to see how the restaurants are.

GreenHorn in Morris was okay...nice place...decent burger...Cajun popcorn were good. Beer selection was fairly bleak, as far as craft breweries go.

Johnny's Ice Cream in Marseilles...my wife and I got the special...a blueberry pie icecream. I tell you...that old fashioned, scoop, ice cream was awesome. Our kids had various other things as well. All were really good...but that blueberry pie icecream...oh man!

Ate at the Sandlot in Seneca the other day as well. We were working on my dad's '37 and just wanted to get something to eat. The burger was decent...and they had Revolution IPA on tap...nice and fresh!


I have to try a few pizza places around Seneca, for those nights we order in. I have a sweetspot for a good hamburger too. My favorite may be the ground beef from Chenoa Meat Locker...nothing fancy...just good beef!

Dan

Does anyone have any suggestions for meat in the Seneca/Marseilles area? I get a pig a year from a farm that I really like, but sometimes I'm looking for something specific...that's possibly frozen...or that I already cooked from my pig.

I've been to Sage's Meat, in Morris, and was hoping for a bit more (reminded me of Tichler's in Plainfield) . It wasn't bad...but. I do like Chenoa Meat Locker...but it's an hour each way from here.

Love to hear some suggestions...

Dan

Okay -- this is kind of specific -- and maybe too late to get any feedback -- but so far, every restaurant I've checked on this list is closed on Tuesdays or doesn't open until 5, and Tuesday is when I have to be in LaSalle, and I have to be at the site (LaSalle Library) for my speaking gig by 5:30. So closed on Tuesday or not open until 5 doesn't help me.

Anything fairly decent in the area that opens at say 4pm, or is open all day, where I could grab something to eat before my talk? Or should I just bring a sandwich?

Or -- to be more specific -- are some of the places that have gotten dissed still an option if they're open? It looks like Uptown Grill is actually open on Tuesday and all day. But it's been pretty well dismissed in this discussion. Is it survivable?

Well, Uptown Grill turned out to be perfectly adequate. Not a destination, certainly, and not even one's first choice if one lived in LaSalle, but perfectly okay -- especially if you're out there and everything else is closed or opens too late. The staff was friendly, service was swift, place is attractive. One had a choice of two different brewed, unsweetened iced tea flavors -- peach or mint (I took mint, which was quite good.) The salad was probably from a bag, but very fresh, and the creamy applewood-smoked bacon dressing was really tasty -- and it really was good bacon, not Bacos. I suspect the sauce for the chicken marsala was not house-made, but it was tasty, and the chicken was fresh and well cooked. (But then, chicken is, as noted above, something they do seem to do well in this region.) The zucchini was perfectly cooked -- just a bit of bite left to it, and sprinkled with parmesan. Apparently, they either do baking there or nearby, as they not only serve but also sell a number of breads, including a nice herbed bread and good sour dough. At the front desk, they also had a lot of large cookies for sale.

On a rainy night, after a long drive, a place within one block of where I needed to be that offered charming, quick service and passable food was all I really needed. Not looking for high-end when on the road -- just need to improve on the chains -- and I did.

thanks for the tip Cynthia! I really need to get out more and try some of these restaurants...I just cook way too much at home!

I think I need to start hitting some of these chicken spots and see what I like.

We stopped at Steve's Bakery in Ottawa. We picked up an assortment of some doughnuts, cinnamon bread and coffee cake. All were very good...I'll definitely be back there for dessert items.

I'm still looking for a place to get good baked breads. In addition to that I want to start trying some of the pizza places between Seneca and Ottawa...and also fried chicken.

Really liked Steve's though...it was a nice

Re: Steve's bakery in Ottawa. I haven't been that way for a while, but I still jones for the cinnamon bread from there.

my son and I ate at The Office. Good Chicken...nice crust and moist. Not the best I've had...but pretty good. Good pork tenderloin as well. Completely different crust than usual...almost reminded me of pancake batter...good. Poppers were nothing special

Okay...So far we've tried Bianchi's pizza, in Ottawa...it was decent. I don't think the drive back home did it any favors, being in the box for 20 minutes or so. We also tried Sam's pizza, Marseilles and Alfano's, in Ottawa. Both were pretty good pizza's...Sam's was close to home and a nice pick for a quick pizza. Alfano's, we ate in...we got both a cheese and sausage pizza and a taco pizza. I liked both...but the taco pizza was the family favorite.

Left field sports bar has had some good fresh Revolution Anti-Hero on tap...So they've got my attention already. The jalepeno caps were tasty...burgers were decent too. I haven't been there too many times...but it seems to have some potential.

Cowboy & Tony's Butt Shack BBQ, Mendota...we ate there tonight...it was pretty bad. The Brunswick stew was never brought up to a simmer...it tasted like ketchup and their bbq sauce with corn. The onion rings were the highlight...everything else was pretty far down the hill after that.

jimswside wrote:

jimswside wrote:Enjoyed a couple hours I spent yesterday at a spot on the Illinois River. I had used their parking lot to turn around a couple times but hadnt made it in - mistake...

enjoyed a healthy shot of Jim Beam, and (3) 12 oz. drafts while watching the boats on the river. (1.25 drafts, $2.75 Jim Beam pour)

Cant get out of a place for a $10 bill very often

South Shore Boat CLub
2380 Water Street
Peru, IL.



been back a few times the past few weeks, fun place to cool off catching a breeze along the river. Usally pretty quiet and subdued. Although 8/4 is the annual bikini contest that can get wild(i have heard)

Had their fried chicken this past Saturday for lunch. Batter dipped, nicely done. $7 for a 1/4 bird, salad and fries.

South Shore Boat Club has become one opf my favorite bars in my area - open to the public. and fantastic views of the river:



I try to stop in on Sat or Sundays for some cheap drinks - shot and a beer joint, though bloody marys look popular. Also some of the better bald eagle watching in the area.

Some area updates: - Monaris 101 in Lasalle - profiled upthread is closing April 1, Carettos in Ottawa has closed again.

- There is a "new" cajun restaurant over in McNabb - approx. 20 minutes southwest of Lasalle/Peru -located at the Edgewood Golf Course, I got tipped off to it back in early September by a friend that lives out that way. Da Rajun Cajun has been open since August and I have gone in twice on the way back from Peoria - once just for some drinks and the 2nd sampled some gumbo. Different than Cajun Ron - Da Rajun Cajun had tomatoes in theirs, but perhaps a scoop of some of the best rice I have eaten.

The owners is a transplant from Louisiana so I dont doubt her cooking chops - They are also open 7 days a week. Worth some further exploring by me.

Da Rajun Cajun
3289 Route 89
McNabb, IL.

https://www.facebook.com/DaRajunCajun/t ... e_internal

Don't forget the Wedron Tap in Wedron, Ill. - just north of Ottawa on the main N-S highway off the expressway. Basically an old time local bar in the middle of what seems to be miles & miles of cornfields, but has excellent fried chicken and other entrees. Great service & food quality, plus the low prices will surprise you. Highly recommend the trip. Sundays they serve only after 4pm. Arrive after 4:15 and you'll have to wait in line!

alewek wrote:Don't forget the Wedron Tap in Wedron, Ill. - just north of Ottawa on the main N-S highway off the expressway. Basically an old time local bar in the middle of what seems to be miles & miles of cornfields, but has excellent fried chicken and other entrees. Great service & food quality, plus the low prices will surprise you. Highly recommend the trip. Sundays they serve only after 4pm. Arrive after 4:15 and you'll have to wait in line!

Wedron Tap? You mean Wedron Office?

a monthly stop for me. Fried chicken, and bluegill.

got its own thread here.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=32802

Pretty sure they serve all day Sundays as i have been there for lunch and dinner + AYCE chili. Some times the salad bar isnt set up til 4pm.

Spots a GNR that just hasnt been crowned.

jimswside wrote:
got its own thread here.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=32802

Pretty sure they serve all day Sundays as i have been there for lunch and dinner + AYCE chili. Some times the salad bar isnt set up til 4pm.

Spots a GNR that just hasnt been crowned.

They've got bluegill too? Nice, I'll have to get that! Wedron's pork tenderloin sandwich and fried chicken were both pretty good!


The new Cajun place sounds nice too...thanks for posting!

Well, I ended up making it to Da Ragin' Cajun! - McNabb Ill

I'm not sure what to think about this place, will certainly give it another visit. They didn't have any gumbo, but I can understand restaurants carrying a limited menu.

The fried catfish was decent, I'd definitely get it again if I were in the area...but, should I be near Joliet...I'm going to Aisha's for catfish...should I be in Mississippi, I'm going to Cock of the Walk (the Nashville was is decent...but not as good as the Mississippi one)

I also got a bowl of the crawfish and dumpling soup, which wasn't very good (dumpling was barely cooked and gummy)...but the alligator appetizer was really nice. While it was still breaded and fried (grilled is my favorite)...the alligator meat was large enough chunks where it actually tasted like alligator! Too many times fried alligator is so small you can't get the flavor of the meat...it's still good like this...but I prefer larger pieces.


We also went to Shaker's Lounge - Ottawa, Il. First off...they had some nice craft beers on draft, Sculpin, Ballast Point and a number of West Coast breweries you seldom see around the Chicago area. I'm still surprised how many places around here have Revolution Beer...now I can add Shaker's Lounge to my places to go grab a beer! I got a med rare hamburger...it was real good. Now, mind you, I'm not a person that needs a fancy hamburger...and this wasn't fancy at all. it was just good ground beef cooked slightly over med-rare. I'm still going down to Chenoa Meat Locker to get my ground beef...and I would be happy with this hamburger any day of the week

JJ's sportsbar...decent selection of beer. Okay Hamburgers...good Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and really good homemade pub chips. My wife got a taco salad there before and it was quite bland and unimpressive. Also, the fried cheese app was pretty bad too (tasted like battered and fried Velveeta). But I would look forward to getting the chips and Philly cheese steak again...the hamburger was decent too.

jimswside wrote:... but perhaps a scoop of some of the best rice I have eaten.

Have you ever had Cajun Brown Jasmine Rice?

https://www.cajungrain.com/


It is awesome! It cooks a little differently...but it smells and tastes amazing.

gonefishin wrote:

jimswside wrote:... but perhaps a scoop of some of the best rice I have eaten.

Have you ever had Cajun Brown Jasmine Rice?

https://www.cajungrain.com/


It is awesome! It cooks a little differently...but it smells and tastes amazing.

Realize this is getting a little off topic, but the Cajun Grain rice is excellent. I used to get at the farmers market in Baton Rouge on my periodic visits to see my folks. I believe it is available at retail in at least one place in New Orleans as well. Online purchasing is also always an option (although drives up the per-pound price significantly); way he used to do it was based off off of how much he could cram into a flat-rate mailer, so may be worth playing around with different quantities to see what the best deal is.

Okay...hit a few more joints worth mentioning, both of which I know you all are familiar with. First up, some weeks ago was the Last Chance Saloon, in Milington. We went on chicken night...everything was really good...and we got out of there under $30 for a family of five! All in all...a nice chicken place...I'll be sure to be back


It only seemed fitting that we ended up going to Ripps at some point. We were out near Princeton looking at various (tree) nurseries in the area. Having passed by SpringValley and Ladd...I knew where I wanted to stop. I was actually picturing a place that had a bit more age, something like Wedron Office or The Last Chance...so I was a little surprised to see it was located in a newer building. Again...brought the whole family. We spent a little more money this time...but it was still reasonable. Plus, the kids could easily split two boneless meals instead of ordering three. I got a 1/2 chicken too. I finished it...but only because it was so good...not because I was still hungry! I really enjoyed the chicken at Ripps...probably my favorite chicken place so far. i still like Hanks, Last Chance, White Fence Farm...but for me...for now...Ripps has my vote!


Okay...hit a few more joints worth mentioning, both of which I know you all are familiar with. First up, some weeks ago was the Last Chance Saloon, in Milington. We went on chicken night...everything was really good...and we got out of there under $30 for a family of five! All in all...a nice chicken place...I'll be back


It only seemed fitting that we ended up going to Ripps at some point. We were out near Princeton looking at various (tree) nurseries in the area. Having passed by SpringValley and Ladd...I knew where I wanted to stop and eat. I was actually picturing a place that had a bit more age, something like Wedron Office or The Last Chance...so I was a little surprised to see it was located in a newer building. Again...brought the whole family. We spent a little more money this time...but it was still reasonable. Plus, the kids could easily split two boneless meals instead of ordering three. I got a 1/2 chicken too. I finished it...but only because it was so good...not because I was still hungry! I really enjoyed the chicken at Ripps...probably my favorite chicken place so far. i still like Hanks, Last Chance, White Fence Farm...but for me...for now...Ripps has my vote!



I should add...I'm pleased with the beer served at Shakers, in Ottawa!
Every time I've gone there they have at least one Ballast Point beer on tap...plus plenty of other real nice beers on tap as well...I'm impressed!

Rips is as good as it gets, either them or Sip n Snack are my favorites anywhere in the US after a bit of research.
Try Saturday lunch at Rips, no fried chicken, but fantastic wings, hand battered chicken breast sandwiches, and monster hand battered chicken tenders, 11-130, sat only, deep fried burgers and tenderloins too.

Last Chance, really cool spot I don't hit enough, posted about them over in the Fried Chicken off I 80 thread I think. Sweet oldtyme bank building. They do a fried chicken special on Tuesdays, 1/4 light $3 , 1/4 dark $2. Yeah they get packed, chicken is solid.
They also do an annual Testical Festival, prolly posted about that somewhere here too, this years is Sunday, June 7th.

Glad to see you finding some spots to your liking out here.

Jim, or anyone...has anyone tried the bar/restaurant on Grand Ridge Road, near Verona? I think the name may be EJ Karz. It seems they have a smoker out front...so that should be a good sign. I always seem to be passing that way in the morning...I gotta give it a try one of these days.

thanks

gonefishin wrote:Jim, or anyone...has anyone tried the bar/restaurant on Grand Ridge Road, near Verona? I think the name may be EJ Karz. It seems they have a smoker out front...so that should be a good sign. I always seem to be passing that way in the morning...I gotta give it a try one of these days.

thanks

I have not - ill check it out if I am in the area.

hoping the riverfront bars in the area survive the weekend with the rivers expected to crest above flood stage - I know H20 in Ottawa has already been shut down/damaged by the flood.

jimswside wrote:

gonefishin wrote:Jim, or anyone...has anyone tried the bar/restaurant on Grand Ridge Road, near Verona? I think the name may be EJ Karz. It seems they have a smoker out front...so that should be a good sign. I always seem to be passing that way in the morning...I gotta give it a try one of these days.

thanks

I have not - ill check it out if I am in the area.

hoping the riverfront bars in the area survive the weekend with the rivers expected to crest above flood stage - I know H20 in Ottawa has already been shut down/damaged by the flood.

Yeah, the water is certainly getting up there...that's for sure. Hopefully the businesses and residents get spared by the high waters. This rain just won't let up though...we're on high ground but the soil's more like a marsh...maybe I should get a few little gators for the summer

you gotta stop over for a beer one of these days...

anyways...thanks for all the advice in the area.

Went to Boondocks today, water was right up there...Springbrook was shut down due to water...couldn't even get into the parking lot.

I had a real nice burger the other day at Fergy's bar in Seneca. Best burger I've found so far in the area. Nothing special, just good ground beef cooked medium rare.

Right next door is Fergaria's pizza...really good pizza! I didn't eat it and get wow'd by anything in particular...it's just a solid pie. So far, this will probably be our go to pizza joint.

Jim, have you had the Tai food from Fergy's? It sounds like twice a month they have a guest cook come in and cook Taiwanese food. It's suppose to be real good, though I haven't tried it yet.

Later

gonefishin wrote:I had a real nice burger the other day at Fergy's bar in Seneca. Best burger I've found so far in the area. Nothing special, just good ground beef cooked medium rare.

Right next door is Fergaria's pizza...really good pizza! I didn't eat it and get wow'd by anything in particular...it's just a solid pie. So far, this will probably be our go to pizza joint.

Jim, have you had the Tai food from Fergy's? It sounds like twice a month they have a guest cook come in and cook Taiwanese food. It's suppose to be real good, though I haven't tried it yet.

Later

I've only been to Fergys a couple times, had their chicken which I thought was good. The Thai food is like 2 weds. A month I think, never tried, didn't hear much positive from some of my wife's coworkers.

Ive been trying to get around to spots impacted by flooding, H20, They were closed 3 weeks due to the river.

Where's H2O?

H20 Bar & Grill
948 E. Main
Ottawa, IL.

Far east side of Ottawa - where Main Street ends and then around a curve towards the river- ive taken a couple LTHr's here and had a good time

The deck is sweet -



they do fried chicken on Weds and Sat I think(pretty sure I have not eaten here) - I usually stop in for a couple cold ones and some sun on the deck on a Sat. or Sunday afternoon - Been live bands the last 2 Sundays - Great mix of folks here - bikers, boaters, regular folks, etc.

Thanks...I'll check it out