Horseshoe...memories from college

I went to school at Western Illinois University. I remember fondly eating at the Jackson Street Pub in Macomb and consuming the vastness that is the Horseshoe. For those not familure it consisted of two open face sandwiches on white toast (burger, chicken, breaded pork, etc...) covered in waffle fries and topped with cheese sauce and optional grilled onions. I know this does not constitute high end food, but it was pretty tastey, cheap (around $5) and there was a lot of it...key for any poor college student. Is there a place in the Chicago area that serves something like this. From what I have read it is more of a down state type of thing.

This is a place that specializes in bbq but I've found it to be pretty inconsistent. They do have horseshoe sandwiches however with various choices of meats. Can't really say how they compare to downstate or Springfield where I believe they originated. Hope this helps.

King James Restaurant
1200 W Hawthorne Ln, West Chicago, IL
(630) 231-6262

I just had to write when I saw a mention of Macomb and Horshoes. I went to WIU (class of 95) and loved Jackson Street Pub. Being from Central IL and having lived in Springfield, they still have the best horsehoes that I remember. I think it was the waffle fries. Their cheese ball appetizer (fried cheddar cheese balls) with the salsa and ranch dressing was also very tasty!

That said I don't think I have ever seen a horseshoe on a menu in Chicago. Most people here deride them as "redneck" food. In Springfield they have competitions on who serves the best horseshoe. There is also debate as to who orginiated the horseshoe.

I am a 96 alum from WIU

I remember you could also get a pony if you couldn't quite handle a horseshoe. A pony was a half size horseshoe with only one sandwich.

BethO wrote:
That said I don't think I have ever seen a horseshoe on a menu in Chicago. Most people here deride them as "redneck" food. In Springfield they have competitions on who serves the best horseshoe. There is also debate as to who orginiated the horseshoe.

Kinda a shame. I took the family to Springfield a couple of years ago. Getting a horseshoe was high on my list of reasons to visit in the first place. I had very low expectations, expecting something akin to bad nachos. I was VERY pleasantly surprised by how, well I would not call it haute cuisine, but the stuff had some effort in it. I mean it was not cheese sauce but mornay (even if they did not know it!). A good local horseshoe source would be a nice thing to have.

Rob

Horseshoe BBQ on Lincoln Ave just north of Irving Park does have a horseshoe on the menu. It's an open faced angus beef burger on texas toast topped with cheese sauce and steak fries. I had it and thought it was pretty good. Also, the bartender on Wednesday nights, Broken Cherry, plays on one of the Windy City Rollers roller derby teams.

Horseshoe BBQ
4115 N. Lincoln Ave
773-549-9292

how's the BBQ at Horseshoe? what are the distinguishing characteristics of Texas 'que?

electric mullet wrote:This is a place that specializes in bbq but I've found it to be pretty inconsistent.

King James Restaurant
1200 W Hawthorne Ln, West Chicago, IL
(630) 231-6262

I just happened to be in the area on sunday and stopped with high expectations. Problem is, they were closed.

The place looks good, rustic exterior, nice smell of hickory smoke, quiet and off the main streets.

Just called and they are open...

M-F 11 to 9
Sat 12 to 6 (sometimes eariler or later depending on the crowd)
Closed Sun

"pretty inconsistent' is one review.

Any others?

Thanks in advance.