Smitty's Place - Leonore, IL.

Smitty's is fast becoming one of my favorite places to eat out in Lasalle County. I have made 2 visits this week, once for wing night(the best wings I have eaten), and last night to try their all-you-can-eat fish night.

My wife ordered the fish special, which comes with salad bar, and the fish & french fries are served as on a buffet tavle, not cooked to order. The walleye, and cod were good. I ordered an 8 piece jumbo shrimp platter for my daughter(served with fries, and cole slaw), and I ordered the highly touted pork tenderloin sandwich, and some cheese fries. The tenderloin sandwich is massive, and the best I have tried anywhere. The tenderloin is easily 3-4 times the size of the bun, and cooked perfectly. I ordered mine with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion, and there were about 6 slices of tomato, lots of lettuce, picles, and sliced white onion as well. The cheese fries were a hit for me as well, so basic, but they really hit the spot last night. Total bill with 2 Miller High Life lites, and 2 shots of tequila....$29.00 before tip.

Smitty's Tap
Leonore, IL.
815-856-2030

Open for lunch Mon- Sat, and open @ 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. They serve lunch from 11:00 to 1:00, and have specials pretty much every night. Tues & Thurs are wing nights, etc. & they serve broasted chicken on some nights.



*edited for spelling*

Hi,

Do they pound their tenderloin on the premises?

I was at The Silo in Lake Bluff last weekend. I ordered their pork tenderloin sandwich, which is pounded and breaded on the premises. A small improvement over my last tenderloin there a few years ago, I didn't need to add salt this time. I smiled at the menu's descrption advising, "The tenderloin comes fresh from Ottawa, Illinois." It appears LaSalle County is a reliable source for really good food.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Do they pound their tenderloin on the premises?

I was at The Silo in Lake Bluff last weekend. I ordered their pork tenderloin sandwich, which is pounded and breaded on the premises. A small improvement over my last tenderloin there a few years ago, I didn't need to add salt this time. I smiled at the menu's descrption advising, "The tenderloin comes fresh from Ottawa, Illinois." It appears LaSalle County is a reliable source for really good food.

Regards,

I would guess they do but I am not 100% sure of it since it is so uniquely huge.

A popular pork tenderloin that many bars/restaurants sell, and mention by name on their menus is the Polancics Pork tenderloin. Polancics is a great family owned meat market in Ottawa.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Do they pound their tenderloin on the premises?

I was at The Silo in Lake Bluff last weekend. I ordered their pork tenderloin sandwich, which is pounded and breaded on the premises. A small improvement over my last tenderloin there a few years ago, I didn't need to add salt this time. I smiled at the menu's descrption advising, "The tenderloin comes fresh from Ottawa, Illinois." It appears LaSalle County is a reliable source for really good food.

Regards,

I would guess too they may be getting their tenderloins from:

Polancic's Meat & Tenderloins
Mfg Tenderloins & Ret Meat Market
412 W. Norris Dr.
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 433-0324

Davydd wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Do they pound their tenderloin on the premises?

I was at The Silo in Lake Bluff last weekend. I ordered their pork tenderloin sandwich, which is pounded and breaded on the premises. A small improvement over my last tenderloin there a few years ago, I didn't need to add salt this time. I smiled at the menu's descrption advising, "The tenderloin comes fresh from Ottawa, Illinois." It appears LaSalle County is a reliable source for really good food.

Regards,

I would guess they may be getting their tenderloins from:

Polancic's Meat & Tenderloins
Mfg Tenderloins & Ret Meat Market
412 W. Norris Dr.
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 433-0324

I am not 100% sure(Ill have to ask they guys @ Polancis when I am there on Saturday getting some steaks, or on my next visti to Smitty's),

Polancics tenderloins are about half that size(they are good though), and typically the places that offer them mention it on their menus since they are kind of a local specialty.

The last time I was in Polancic's Market I remember a sign about suppling tenderloins for area bars and restaurants. Super nice people to deal with.

I'll add Smitty's Place to my go to list.

I was there for steak night on Monday.. and my I add it was simply delicious! I actually heard them pounding them out! I asked the girls what was going on and they confirmed it, they said they pound there own and bread them.

kevin100 wrote: I actually heard them pounding them out! I asked the girls what was going on and they confirmed it, they said they pound there own and bread them.

thanks for verifying my guess that the tenderloins were prepared in-house.

I was @ SMitty's on Tuesday(3rd time in a week) for wings. One of these times we will be there on the same night I bet.

I really need to get to Smitty's on a Wednesday or Saturday for the all you can eat broaster fried chicken, the broaster fried pork chops on fridays have also come highly recommended.

jimswside wrote:the broaster fried pork chops on fridays have also come highly recommended.

OMG. If we weren't due for a big storm, I'd be there tonight.

stevez wrote:OMG. If we weren't due for a big storm, I'd be there tonight.

thats just what I was thinking about the all-you can-eat broaster chicken for tomorrow night...

I never been over there before. I believe there was an article in the paper last night about the place. www.ottawadailytimes.com

maxpowers wrote:I never been over there before. I believe there was an article in the paper last night about the place. http://www.ottawadailytimes.com

thanks for the link, I am going to try to talk my wife into letting me go to Smitty's tonight for $8 steak night.

Got a pass to go out last night(so off to my new favorite spot in the area, I have been to Smitty's 4 times now in a little over 2 weeks, well worht the 30 minute drive), and I was in the mood for a steak(I have been eating too much pork and chicken lately). One of Mondays specials is a 12 oz ribeye steak with choice of potato, and salad bar for $8.95. Decent steak, & more importantly it was cooked rare, as I ordered it( I cant stand places that do not know how to cook a steak to temperature). Well worth the price, and the service, and atmosphere of Smitty's was good as usual.

I am probably heading back tonight for a tenderloin sandwich, and some of their addictive cheese fries(and of course a few of their $1.75 Miller High Lifes).

Ok I went there tonight and even though I am Catholic I didn't go with the fish because of the dang picture I seen on here! It was very good and I have enough left over for lunch tommorrow! Wife was a good Catholic and stuck with the fish and she said it was good. We were only in the area for a doctors appointment in Lasalle, we are from Sandwich so this will be one place we stop for sure when we go that direction.

maxpowers wrote: I didn't go with the fish because of the dang picture I seen on here! It was very good and I have enough left over for lunch tommorrow!

you went for the pork tenderloin didnt you... thats becoming one of my favorites. When I was there on Tuesday night I skipped the wings and had the tenderloin which was easily 1/3 bigger than the one I posted the picture of upthread.

Went to Smitty's last night for a cheap, but good dinner. I had wanted to get out there for one of their broaster chicken nights, and finally did. The 1/4 lite chicken($5.25 served with choice of fries or potato wedges & salad bar) I had last night was the best fried "broaster" chicken I have ever eaten(better tha Rips). The crust was crisp and flavorfull, and the meat, especially the breast was moist, and just packed with flavor, the chicken has to be being marinated because it was great. I also had a side of ravioli that are made next door, and they were decent, they would be better with a better marinara, or red sauce. But still good. The $1.75 Miller High Life lites were flowing, and we had a good time. My wife had the all-you-can eat chicken & pasta(served with choice of fries or potatoe wedges & salad bar) which to my surprise and deligth was made to order. I was suspecting Smitty's would have it on a buffet table like the all-you-can-eat fish on Friday's, but it was not. Between Monday steak night, the pork tenderloin sandwich, and the broasted chicken nights I know I can get a good meal any time at Smitty's. Next on my list is a Friday visit to try the broasted pork chops. I bet they are good.

maxpowers wrote:Ok I went there tonight and even though I am Catholic I didn't go with the fish because of the dang picture I seen on here! It was very good and I have enough left over for lunch tommorrow! Wife was a good Catholic and stuck with the fish and she said it was good. We were only in the area for a doctors appointment in Lasalle, we are from Sandwich so this will be one place we stop for sure when we go that direction.

You're ok: it was Saturday in Ireland (and at the Vatican). Also, we have some weird ideas about what constitutes meat. I'm pretty sure tenderloin counts as a fish, if this does.

Santander wrote:You're ok: it was Saturday in Ireland (and at the Vatican). Also, we have some weird ideas about what constitutes meat. I'm pretty sure tenderloin counts as a fish, if this does.

Lovely, and quite humorous. Does nutria qualify as a fish as well?

Made it out to Smitty's last night for dinner just to try the broasted pork chops. I have to say the broasted pork chop, much like their broasted chicken are the best varieties I have had of either, anywhere. The pork chop was the juciest, and most flavorfull chop I have ever eaten, a tad salty, but that was nothing a dip in sweet bbq sauce, the applesauce, or a sip from a cold High life lite didnt fix.

One Chop w/choice of potato, a side of beans, apple sauce, and salad bar(the salad bar falls a little short, just lettuce mix, and a choice of sald drssings, some cheese, cucumbers, etc would be nice, with that said I am not coming to Smitty's for a salad, but to eat a tenderloin, wings, fried chicken, or some pork chops).... $5.95.. 2 Chops for $7.95.

I briefly chatted with Smitty who was manning the broasters and the fryers, and he mentioned it takes about 4 minutes in the broaster for the chops. Next time I will try to get a picture of these broasters as I am a big fan.

Pork Chop with fries:


Pork Chop with baked potato:

Santander wrote:

maxpowers wrote:Ok I went there tonight and even though I am Catholic I didn't go with the fish because of the dang picture I seen on here! It was very good and I have enough left over for lunch tommorrow! Wife was a good Catholic and stuck with the fish and she said it was good. We were only in the area for a doctors appointment in Lasalle, we are from Sandwich so this will be one place we stop for sure when we go that direction.

You're ok: it was Saturday in Ireland (and at the Vatican). Also, we have some weird ideas about what constitutes meat. I'm pretty sure tenderloin counts as a fish, if this does.

woo that is such a relief, now there will be no confession! After reading about the chicken I just might have too make another trip... I was there for a lunch during the week too get another tenderloin and the wife and I shared it just got an extra bun.

Rough week, I think tonight is a Smitty's night.

Wings, or the tenderloin to go with my Miller High Life Lites is the only question.

Got out to Smitty's for my weekly visit(I went last week,but only had a beer, the place was very busy, and I didnt get any food). Last night, much more laid back, and it was fried chicken night. I got the half light fried chicken, served with fries, garlic bread, and salad bar. That and 2 beers came to a little over $11.00.

This was my second time having the broasted fried chicken, and if there is a better fried chicken in Chicagoland I have not found it. Cooked to order, juicy, flavorfull, and steaming hot. I have some pictures of my visit, and will post them when I have time this weekend.

Some more pics of Smitty's and what I consider the best fried(broasted) chicken to be found in Chicagoland.


1/2 fried chicken:




on the fork:



signage(note the broasted chicken sign on the left):

Great pics Jim! I'll have to make a trip down there and try the PT sandwich and wings.

Blown Z wrote:Great pics Jim! I'll have to make a trip down there and try the PT sandwich and wings.

I recommend the fried chicken, the tenderloin, the pork chops, the steak, and the cheese fries. The wings are pretty good as well.

I made it to Smitty's back in March, based on this thread (thank you very much). Everyone at our table had the chicken, which was very good. We also had an order of onion rings to start, and they were very tasty and not greasy at all.

Two things that I especially loved: the fact that we were sitting at card tables (with places for beverages underneath the table), and that Smitty's sells milk, eggs, and bread. The outdoor patio across the street also looks like fun on a hot summer night.

This is off the subject of Smitty's, but I heard there was a new restaurant in Ottawa called the Blind Pig. It's supposed to have great fried chicken, huge tenderloin sandwiches, and fried wall-eye. Has anyone been?

tcdup wrote:I made it to Smitty's back in March, based on this thread (thank you very much). Everyone at our table had the chicken, which was very good. We also had an order of onion rings to start, and they were very tasty and not greasy at all.

Two things that I especially loved: the fact that we were sitting at card tables (with places for beverages underneath the table), and that Smitty's sells milk, eggs, and bread. The outdoor patio across the street also looks like fun on a hot summer night.

This is off the subject of Smitty's, but I heard there was a new restaurant in Ottawa called the Blind Pig. It's supposed to have great fried chicken, huge tenderloin sandwiches, and fried wall-eye. Has anyone been?

Glad you enjoyed it.

THe outdoor area/pavilion/beer garden across the street is open on THursdays during the summer I guess. It does look like it would be a good time.

The Blind Pig? no I have not heard of it, Ill keep my ears/eyes open on that one.

edit: did a quick internet search. looks like THe blind Pig opens today. Website under construction

The Blind Pig Bar & Grill
222 W. Madison
Ottawa, IL.

815-434-1000

www.theblindpigbarandgrill.com

Finally made it back too try the chicken and it was excellent!!! It was by far the moistest most flavorful chicken I have ever had.

maxpowers wrote:Finally made it back too try the chicken and it was excellent!!! It was by far the moistest most flavorful chicken I have ever had.

gald you made it out for the chicken. It is my favorite fried chicken around.