MLS wrote:If you make it to Oglesby, you have to go to Garzanelli's Supper Club. Great neon sign too. I never miss an opportunity to go if I'm anywhere near the neighborhood.

Finally got over to Garzanellis Super Club yesterday for lunch. Not a bad place, I will post the pictures of my meal later this week.

A good bargain, I ordered their fried chicken "family style" which in Lasalle County means chicken, bread, salad, or salad bar in some places, choice of potato, as well as a plate of spaghetti and ravs. Garanelli's offered a basic salad, good 1000 Island Dressing, some tasty bread, 4 pieces of fried chicken(2 wings, 2 breasts), american fries, and a bowl of spaghetti and ravioli for $10.95. Not bad. The chicken was good, juicy, but their breading didnt have much flavor(it was crisp, but just bland), that was easily fixed with some salt, pepper, and tobasco. Overall a pretty good meal for the price. Their chicken isnt up to Ripp's standards, or a couple of other places I like, but I will go back since it is pnly about 30 mins from my house. They have a full bar, as well as a full menu, not juste a fried chicken spot. They are also right down the street from The Rootbeeer Stand.

Garzanelli's Supper CLub
750 N. Columbia
Oglesby, IL.

I found this dining guide for Ottawa, IL

http://www.foxriverbnb.com/ottawa_dining_guide.html

It is super because it gives name, complete address, phone number AND a photo of the restaurant.

I've been to R Place and the Rockwell Inn in Morris. I'm thinking of making a stop this May in Ottawa for a pork tenderloin sandwich as I drive across I-80 heading east. This place was recommended to me.

Detorres Town Lanes
714 Columbus St.
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 433-0033

Anyone been there?

Davydd wrote:I found this dining guide for Ottawa, IL

http://www.foxriverbnb.com/ottawa_dining_guide.html

It is super because it gives name, complete address, phone number AND a photo of the restaurant.

I've been to R Place and the Rockwell Inn in Morris. I'm thinking of making a stop this May in Ottawa for a pork tenderloin sandwich as I drive across I-80 heading east. This place was recommended to me.

Detorres Town Lanes
714 Columbus St.
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 433-0033

Anyone been there?

never heard of them(ill have to check them out), I live in the next town east of Ottawa, so I am in Ottawa a few times a week.

Upthread you will see a mention of Caretto's, and their tenderloin was the best I have had in Ottawa.

Also here is a pic of a tenderloin sandwich @ Smitty's in Leonore(30 mins from I-80). Probably the best tenderloin I have tried. Smitty's has its own thread in the Beyond Chicagoland area.

jimswside,

Detorres does exist. It is featured in that Ottawa dining website I found. Corretto's is in there too. I've received two e-mails about Detorres. In fact, I've received quite a few e-mails recommending Ottawa. It evidently is a tenderloin hot bed. I need to add to my Illinois search. I've only had five tenderloin sandwiches so far there. I plan to work in Schooner's in Peoria or Bloomington-Normal too some how hopefully this year.

Davydd wrote:jimswside,

Detorres does exist. It is featured in that Ottawa dining website I found. Corretto's is in there too. I've received two e-mails about Detorres. In fact, I've received quite a few e-mails recommending Ottawa. It evidently is a tenderloin hot bed. I need to add to my Illinois search. I've only had five tenderloin sandwiches so far there. I plan to work in Schooner's in Peoria or Bloomington-Normal too some how hopefully this year.

I wasnt doubting you, sorry if I came off that way. I just hadn't heard of any local buzz about it like I had Carettos, and Smitty's when I moved out here. Perhaps a town secret. Im gonna go in the next few days, and give it a try.

Thanks for that website link. Some good spots there, and some chains, but a good sample of the places in Ottawa.

Ottawa, and Lasalle County are a tenderloin, and fried chicken hot bed

great website by the way.

I'm dying over here, you guys are making me want a pork tenderloin sandwich for breakfast in the morning!

Decided to try a new place that opened up earlier this month over in Ottawa @ the new Heritage Harbour Marina/development.

The restaurant/bar is called Crawdads, and has a very nice location overlooking the boat slips at the marina. It has an "indoor" seating area which is screened in, so I believe this is seasonal place. We sat at one of the outside unbrella tables with the warm evening sun lowering towards the water. A very relaxing view.

The menu was basic. Appetizers were onion rings, calamari, some fried crawfish tails, and a fried oyster, clam, and shrimp combo. All around $5-$12. The menu had a burger, a chicken, sandwich, a brat, a wrap, a pita sandwich, and a pulled pork sandwich(I didnt see a smoker though). The specials were a balckened steak sandwich, and a panini of some sort. Prices were in the $8 range for these items.

We ordered black and tan beer battered onion rings, the fried crawfish tails, and a grilled chicken sandwich. The onion rings were pretty nice, a beer batter that really tasted of beer, and served with grill marks on the battered rings. Not bad. The deep fried crawfish tails were good, but nothing spectacular. The chicken sandwich was a typical chicken sandwich with fries. Beer was cheap, $3 per bottle, and they had a full bar. The view, and the setting is top notch for me though. I took some pics, and should download them this weekenend.


Overall a place I could see going back to for a simple dinner, or a drink.

Crawdads Bar & Grill
Heritage Harbour Marina
Ottawa, IL.

Finally got over to Detorres Lanes for a pork tenderloin sandwich today. A good version, made in house for $5.50. Not as good as Smitty's which is the best I have found, but easily as good as Carreto's. Old school bowling alley and bar, pretty crowded for a Sunday. The lamp ala "A Cristmas Story" cracked me up.








good tenderloin:



Detorres Town Lanes
714 Columbus
Ottawa, IL.

815-433-0033

I survived in Ottawa, IL albeit I was only there for about 15 minutes. It was actually our first stop yesterday before Willies just to stretch the legs and walk around the little historic town where Lincoln and Douglas had their first debate. Cool place to visit of you head to Starved Rock for the day or weekend.

jimswside wrote:

MLS wrote:If you make it to Oglesby, you have to go to Garzanelli's Supper Club. Great neon sign too. I never miss an opportunity to go if I'm anywhere near the neighborhood.

Finally got over to Garzanellis Super Club yesterday for lunch. Not a bad place, I will post the pictures of my meal later this week.

A good bargain, I ordered their fried chicken "family style" which in Lasalle County means chicken, bread, salad, or salad bar in some places, choice of potato, as well as a plate of spaghetti and ravs. Garanelli's offered a basic salad, good 1000 Island Dressing, some tasty bread, 4 pieces of fried chicken(2 wings, 2 breasts), american fries, and a bowl of spaghetti and ravioli for $10.95. Not bad. The chicken was good, juicy, but their breading didnt have much flavor(it was crisp, but just bland), that was easily fixed with some salt, pepper, and tobasco. Overall a pretty good meal for the price. Their chicken isnt up to Ripp's standards, or a couple of other places I like, but I will go back since it is pnly about 30 mins from my house. They have a full bar, as well as a full menu, not juste a fried chicken spot. They are also right down the street from The Rootbeeer Stand.

Garzanelli's Supper CLub
750 N. Columbia
Oglesby, IL.

Yes indeed, we drove by and I had to get a picture even though it was closed. Cool building. Well have to have some High Lifes here one day.


Oglesby, IL

Please dont judge me but my first stop of my journey down the river and over to Springfield was to The Root Beer stand in Oglesby mentioned above by Jim. I had a/have a situation/story one couldn't make up in this little town back in high school when we went camping at Starved Rock one weekend and I couldn't remember why I had heard of this place until it hit me that this is where that story happened. It was around noon and we were hungry so I made the driver pull into the drive in when we passed by for at the very least a root beer. Im a sucker for drive ins.


Oglesby, IL

It was pretty packed and I decided to take an order to go and eat it on the trunk since it was really nice outside. I asked what the most popular item was and it is the pork tenderloin and along with the bacon double cheeseburger it was what everyone was eating and they all had root beers.


pork tenderloin


bacon double cheese

All in all a decent meal with the root beer being great. I actually liked the bacon cheese with thousand island dressing etc...better than the tenderloin. But the total was something like $11 for the sandwiches with a root beer and root beer float so I aint complaining. Again, a good place if your in the area camping or exploring Starved Rock.

The Root Beer Stand
225 North Columbia
Oglesby, Illinois 63148
815-883-9254

nice pictures da beef,

definitely let me know the next time you are out west, some High Lifes will be consumed for sure.

Monari's was my wifes choice for mothers day supper last night(I was rooting for Cajun Connection & some dungeness crab), also under consideration were Cherry Supper Club(open for lunch on Mothers Day Only), Ripps and John's North Star. I wish now that we would have gone elsewhere.

WHile I have enjoyed Monari's on many a previous visits, my last 2 have been a little less enjoyable. Drinks, and hospitality of the owners are as good as ever, as well as the hashbrowns and house made salad dressings. However the fried chicken has taken a step down imho. The last 2 vists the chicken has been on the verge of being overcooked wwith the batter a deep, overly crisp brown color. Wings to the point of being dried out. Perhaps they are running their fryers too hot. Also the sirloin steak while sizeable, and well cooked to rare is somehow dry, and the meat has an odd texture. My $19 dinner of "hoof, shell & wing"(steak, shrimp & chix wings), was just ok. The hashbrowns were perfect.

Also off the menu are the deep fried gargonzola stuffed olive appetizer. One of my favorite things they had.

some pics from Mothers Day @ Monari's, as mentioned fried chicken was ok, but needs to be cooked at a lower temp, hoof, shell and wing wasnt very good. hashbrowns were good.

fried chix:




hoof, shell, and wing:




mmm... hashbrowns:

When I was staying in the area last year I hit Garzanelli's for dinner one night and it was the worst pasta experience that I have ever had and I've eaten at Olive Garden.

I started by ordering spaghetti and meatballs (can't go wrong with that right?...wrong!). First I had to have their famous garlic dressing and even though I told the waitress that it's supposedly a creamy style, she insisted that it's vinegar and oil with minced garlic in the bottom of the bowl.

OK then, that's what I'll have.

It was serviceable and with all that garlic somewhat unique.

Then came the main course. Lukewarm pasta and insipid, boring gravy and burning hot meatballs (obviously nuked) with the pasta the consistency that one might find in a can of Campbell's chicken noodle soup.

To say that I was underwhelmed wouldn't do this place justice.

I may have caught them on a really, really bad night but it seems that if you can't do a basic dish like this you should just close the doors for the 4 days that you can find the time to stay open.

For really good pasta I would go to Duffy's Tavern in Utica on, I think, Tuesday night for their AYCE spaghetti and meat sauce special. Obviously house made with onion, tomato chunks and a healthy portion of ground beef. Tasted like mom made it. It was my go-to Tuesday night favorite.

Duffy's tavern
http://www.duffystavernandgrill.com/

I havent found any good pasta in the area yet. The ravs, and spaghetti most places serve is just a toss in when you order fried chcken "family style".

LaSalle County isnt the first place Id go looking for good pasta.

Actually finally made it over to "R" Place for a meal today after living 15 minutes from there for the past 5.5 years.

Big place, decent food, decent service.

I went with a steak and eggs dish that consisted of a 7 oz. butt steak cooked rare, hash browns, 2 eggs sunnyside up, and raisin toast for $9.99. Steak was actually pretty good, cooked rare as ordered, and pretty tender. Hash browns and eggs were also good,

My wife had the corned beef hash with 2 eggs, hashbrowns and raisin toast, approx $8.00. Hash was a little salty, but overall not bad.

Kids meal for my daughter of "pigs in a blanket" (2) full size pancakes wrapped around sausage links. $2.99.

Also noticed alot of daily, and lunch specials, the one that caught my eye, and I will probably be returning for was the Mon-Fri A.Y.C.E. chicken wings for $7.99.

They appear to have beer, and wine, and a menu that has a little bit of everything.

I took pics, but something happened to them on dowload.

We had some business in Seneca(about 15-20 mins east of Ottawa on Route 6) last night after work. We used to enjoy a place called Boondocks that is right on the Illinois River, restaurant and tiki bar. The restaurant burned down a few years ago, and was rebuilt, this was our first visit back.

Tiki bar wasnt occupied so we ate on the deck at one of the oversized picnic tables. Thursday is $1 taco night(ground beef, lettuce, tomato, on a soft flour tortilla, sides of sour cream, salsa ). For a dollar as a side to some drinks not bad. Also had an order of deep fried mushrooms. Made in house, fresh mushrooms, beer battered, really nice touch using fresh shrooms.

Also spied on the menu the typical fare of the pork tenderloin, fried chicken, burgers, etc.

The view is what this place is about, feet off the illinois River, quiet, and relaxing. Cold beer and a full bar.

Boondock's
1 DuPont Road
Seneca, IL.

http://www.boondocks.us

I'm going to Ottawa this weekend, meeting someone for dinner. How about a few recs? Any kind of food as long as it's good and not over-priced. Something off the beaten track would be cool.

jimswside wrote:
Bartley's Supper Club
414 1st Street
LaSalle Illinois

Enjoyable small supper club with a nice bar, and friendly owner who works the bar and dining room. I have enjoyed steaks, and everything I have had here.

Hank's Farm
2973 N. Route 71
Ottawa, IL.

Some of the better fried chicken around, we have also tried the pasta dishes here, and suprisingly a crab claw appetizer that was good. Good home cooking with a nice salad bar.

Casa Mia
219 18th Avenue
Naplate, IL.

Italian food, above average veal, and chicken dishes as well as some crab, steak, scallop, & shrimp entrees. Nice cozy spot with a small bar.



Rockwell Inn
2400 W. Route 6
Morris, IL.

Nice restaurant, I prefer lunch here over dinner, very good rueben, and a very good pork tenderloin sandwich. The Bar area is very nice, and the drinks are cheap.



Cajun Connection
897 E. Hwy 6
Utica, IL.

The best restaurant in the area, and the best cajun food I have found anywhere around Chicago. The gumbo is top notch as well as the jambalaya, etouffe, fried corn, and everything else I have tried. The chef/owner is on site every day, and crawfish boils are had on occasion when he can get the fresh product on his trips down to Louisiana when he picks up supllies.

Cherry Supper Club
110 N. Main
Cherry, IL.

One of my favorite places to go, located in the small town of Cherry, just west of Peru, the Cherry Supper Club has never disappointed. We have gone maybe 15 times, and enjoy the fried chicken, the fish, the ribs, and everything on the menu. Every meal comes with salad bar, and soup, & the the hash brown potatoes are some of the best I have had. There are menu specials every night, and we can miost nights get out of there for under $30 including shots at the bar, a few Budweisers, and alot of hearty food.

not much has changed out here since the page one of this thread when I posted my fidings. from that thread these are still the places we go most.

With GNR Cajun Connection about 10-15 mins west of Ottawa sitting high atop the list.

Rips in Ladd isnt on my original list as I hadnt gone there as of my original post, but it is good, although not a place for a relaxing meal, and the menu is pretty much only fried chicken.

enjoy your trip out west of the city.

edit: just a heads up, but traffic on I-80 might be heavy tomorrow with alot of motorcycle riders coming out to Marseilles for the annual "Freedom Run" to the Middle East conflicts wall. Somewhere between 10,000 and 30,000 folks come out for this event where they read the names of service members who have died during the previous year in the Middle East fighting for our freedom. Typically we leave town for this day, but are going to hang out @ home this year. The run is from Morris to Marseilles from 9:30 to 1:00 p.m., with bands, etc after that.

Thanks a lot Jim. I have never heard of most of those small towns. Are they all pretty close to Ottawa? I'm not wanting to have to make any long trips after getting to Ottawa.

Jim, what's your take on the Green Mill, I noticed you didn't mention it?

Cogito wrote:Thanks a lot Jim. I have never heard of most of those small towns. Are they all pretty close to Ottawa? I'm not wanting to have to make any long trips after getting to Ottawa.

Jim, what's your take on the Green Mill, I noticed you didn't mention it?

Utica(Cajun Connection) is the next exit west of the main Ottawa Exit(route 23) on I-80.

Naplate(Casa Mia) is a small town on the southwest corner of Ottawa(its a town of maybe 1,00 people but story goes it the main drag used to have 50 bars, now there may be .

Really not much to eat that I have found in downtown Otttawa

here is a website with some Ottawa options:

http://www.experienceottawa.com/visitors_dining.cfm

One place listed on there that I have heard some good things about but have not been is Tracy's Roadhouse:


The Green Mill burnt down last year.

The wife and I spent a nice day last Thursday driving around the Morris - Ottawa area. We came down IL Rt. 71 and just north of the intersection with I-80 came across Grumpy's Weenie Wagon. Grumpy's consisted of a food truck - not being used that day - a very small shack, painted yellow of course, that was open and a covered eating area with cable spools and chairs. The sight of all this alone made me pull in.

Options were a "Chicago style" hot dog, brat, chili dog, bagged chips and a variety of canned drinks. We both had the Chicago style dog - a quarter pound all beef dog, non-steamed bun, mustard, relish, pickle, celery salt and jalapenos. Overall, the dog was much better than I figured it would be since i did not expect an all beef dog. The woman running the stand was just as nice as she could be. She told us Grumpy was off somehwere running errands. The overall experience was worth the stop.

The highlight, however, was dinner at Ron's Cajun Connecton on US 6 west of Utica, a LTH GNR. This was our first visit to Ron's and it was as good as promised in all the LTH postings I've read about it. We both had the night's special, perfectly cooked blackened prime rib with jambalaya and a cup of gumbo (included). The gumbo had sausage and chicken and the jambalaya had sausage and pulled pork. We shared bread pudding for dessert. The friendly staff made the evening perfect. We certainly will be back.

Oops! Just checked and saw that Ron's isn't on the current GNR list. Wonder why?

nice report, i'm glad you liked Ron's

Also thanks for the report on Grumpy's I have driven by it a few times and wondered what it was like.

My trip to Ottawa got postponed until next the middle of this month. But I think Cajun Connection will my destination once I get there.

Cogito wrote: But I think Cajun Connection will my destination once I get there.

good choice, they arn't only the best at what they do in the area, but they are the best at what they do within a few hundred miles. no one in Chicago or the burbs is even close.

After a quick stop @ the pigfarm in Varna an early lunch was in the cards. So off to Oglesby for a visit to The Rootbeer stand. Da beef put this place back on my radar after his visit & post a little while ago.

Seriously this place deserves its own thread kind of like Cajun Connection, Rips, Smitty's and other more than worthy places out here, and not to be buried in a few other threads, but I digress, and will post on here.

The Rootbeer stand was open @ 10:15 perfect timing for when we were heading through. Ordered 2 rootbeers in iced mugs, I got the double bacon burger, my wife and duaghter shared a super delux(double cheeseburger). Cooked to order on a flat top and perfect. If I have had a better cheeseburger in the last year or two I cant think of it(that includes Kumas bongzilla which was my gold standard til now). Juicy, piping hot, perfect bun to meat to topping ratio. Just a great burger @ $3/ea, or a combo with fries and a small salad for $5.25. In regards to a price to quality of food ratio this item is off the charts.

The rootbeer, mercy... ice cold mugs, tones of vanilla, just great.

I see The Rootbeer Stand becoming a regular stop for sure. We aete inside, but carhop drive in service is available for those waxing nostalgic. They also have beer on tap, but i couldnt see not getting the rootbeer as the beverage.





menu shots:









mugs o' root beer:




double bacon burger:




everyone loved it:

Another uniqe local spot that we go to, but I had yet to post about.

Snug Harbor, during the summer, Saturdays and Sundays are priceless. The river, sun, cold beer, and freshly grilled food. Locals, boaters, and bikers mix together for a good ol' time. Just check your big city attitude at the door, or dont bother coming out.

There is a bar thats open year round, but we dont come during the winter

Small menu, and a few cold beers in the cooler, menu items are all sandwiches(ribeye, pork chop, brat, chicken, and hot dog). Bags of chips and some salads(potato, & pasta) Prices are cheap. 2 beers and lunch $20 w/ tip. Pork chop sandwich is simple but nice, grilled chop bbq sauce, bun. It is what it is, and tasted pretty damn good today. Brat is ok, and the dog, good for a kids fix.

The view, people watching, and the vibe are where its at. A steady stream of Harley folks thundering in and out. As well as boat loads of folks stopping in for a drink and a snack. Kind of blessed this place is 5 minutes down the road.

Before any of the usual suspects gets the wrong idea, re-read my post carefully before you chime in. This isnt Alinea or June and I never said it was. It is a fun time if you are out this way, & like to get some sun on your shoulders, a beer or 3 in your belly, and a sandwich. It is what it is.










million dollar view:



pork chop sand.:



for what its worth I like this place,

Snug Harbor
103 Liberty Street
Marseilles, IL.

That pork chop sandwich looks pretty good Jim plus it's nice to sit out along the river and watch the world go by!

LikestoEatout wrote:That pork chop sandwich looks pretty good Jim plus it's nice to sit out along the river and watch the world go by!

It was an ok lunch, and for $4 you really cant beat it or the view of the river.

interesting article on some Ottawa area places & what they offer:


http://www.mywebtimes.com/archives/otta ... ?id=412905

Ive neve been to Chicken to Go, but I may have to pay a visit for some frog legs and maybe some Turtle.

As far as The Illini Lounge in Marseilles, I used to drink there on occasion, but the food isnt anything great, and dropping a Nathans hot dog into a deep fryer isnt anything groundbreaking.

The RootBeer Stand looks great. The hamburger looks delicious and the rootbeer sit perfectly beside a good burger. We'll go down to Starved Rock to walk on the trails with the kids a couple of times a year. I'll definitely be stopping there, although it will probably be next year...spring time.

We used to have a small boat docked at SpringBrook, in Seneca. Believe me when I say small compared to many of the other boats there. But we have been to Snug on many occasions. They used to have a ribeye steak sandwich, on Fridays I think, which was pretty good...and cheap too. No, it's not the best steak sandwich...but I would agree that it's a nice place to sit...look out on the water and eat some decent food.

Thanks for the heads up...

dan


edit add: Oh...we always liked to stop in Hank's from time to time too...finger lickin' fried chicken.