Plano, TX and Peoria, IL?

Any recommendations?

I've started a new job and will be traveling to Plano, TX about one week a month and Peoria a few days a month. I will have a car in both locations. I will pretty much will try anything interesting. The only thing I'd rule out is anything very high-end since I'll want to save that for going out with my family.

I'll report back on anything I find out of the ordinary.

My in laws live in Peoria and we travel there about 5 times a year. Most of the time my MIL who is in assisted living , likes to go to Red Lobster or Chili's however recently SIL took us to a place near her office, Khaki Jack's. Mostly a small hole in the wall bar, a tuna sandwich is a nicely seared tuna with olive tapenade, pork chop sandwich is nice and moist and chicken strips were nicely grilled. All shared sweat potato fries.

Khaki Jack's
7221 N. Allen Road
Peoria
309-691-8010

behind the Huck's gas station

There are actually quite a few good places in and around Plano. (I live there.) What kind of food are you interested in?

I have to go to Plano next week. I'm interested in Barbeque, of course.
What do you recommend either in Plano, or in between Plano and Denton (another place I'll have to go to).

I don't know that Plano proper will do anything to satisfy your BBQ fix, but I suggest you look at http://www.dallasfood.org/ to get a pretty good feel for what's available in the Metroplex.

Aaron is right. Plano doesn't have much to offer in the way of barbecue ... chains and chain wannabees mostly. Some, including me, argue that the whole Dallas area has a paucity of decent barbecue. Dallasfood.org is a good source for what there is around here; Forth Worth is really the closest source of decent 'cue.

On the other hand, if you are looking for good steak, decent Asian (not Chicago calibre, though), or passable Chettinad Indian, I can provide some ideas.

Unfortunately, I'll just be passing through on a day trip, so I don't have time for a steak or to travel to Fort Worth where I've heard has a few good places. The last two times I was in Denton, TX, some colleagues at the company I was visiting there suggested I try one of their favorite bbq places, which was oddly attached to a convenience store. It was all right, nothing special, so I thought I'd see if I could find something else.

Thanks anyway!