I reported in August that an Arby’s was planned for U.S. 45/52 in Bourbonnais. At the time, Ed Miller, who also owns the Arby’s in Bradley, was close to finalizing the plans for the new restaurant and anticipated beginning construction in the fall, with an opening date sometime after the first of the year. Not surprisingly, the economy affected those plans.

I spoke with Mr. Miller recently and he told me that they’re reinvestigating building this summer. He said they own the land, which is on the east side of the road about 1/4 mile north of Larry Power Road, and that it’s a question of when they build, not if.

If you’re in the Watseka area and are looking for a new place to eat, try The Daily Grill. The restaurant, owned by Amber Daily and run with the help of some of her family, opened three months ago at 200 W. Walnut St., next to Boomer’s bar.

The Daily Grill is family-friendly, so feel free to bring the kids. They might enjoy JR’s Grilled Cheese or Shorty’s Nachos and Cheese, two menu items that are named after Amber’s children. Also on the menu are several burgers, including a 1-pound monster called the Big Boy Double Stack. It’s two half-pound patties topped with American cheese and served on a grilled bun.

The menu also features sandwiches, hot dogs, wings, salads, sides (including a wonderful homemade potato salad) and munchies. There are also daily specials, including comfort-food favorites like homemade sloppy Joes, and tacos every Monday.

The Daily Grill opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and closes at 9 p.m. on weeknights. They stay open later on Friday and Saturday nights, and are closed on Sunday. Carryout and delivery are available. Call (815) 432-FOOD to order.

The slaw burger at The Daily Grill in Watseka.

The Daily Grill is at 200 W. Walnut in Watseka.

Best Bites runs every Thursday in The Daily Journal. Here’s a copy of today’s column.

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Best Bites appears in The Daily Journal every Thursday. Here’s today’s column:

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A reader named Joyce recently sent me this note via Facebook:

“Hey Denise – I have to eat gluten-free and dairy-free. That makes it difficult to eat out because of all the hidden gluten in most processed foods. There are restaurants that are helpful and work hard to provide gluten-free foods, but most are uncooperative. I was just wondering if (when things calm down a bit for you) you would consider doing a story about restaurants (like America’s Bistro, Oliver’s, Bull’s, etc.) who are conscientious and helpful about food allergy problems.”

That’s a great idea, Joyce!

Right away I can suggest Bahay Kubo (263 N. Convent) in Bourbonnais. I think their food is delicious, almost all menu items can be ordered gluten-free, and I believe there’s a gluten-free buffet the third Thursday of every month — which you’ll appreciate if you’re (understandably) intimidated by the hard-to-pronounce Filipino-Asian dishes on the menu.

Another reader named Elizabeth had this suggestion for Joyce, too:

“My son is on the same diet. I have some great cookbooks and resources if you ever want to talk. Aurelio’s has a GF pizza crust now and it is very good.”

Does anyone else know of other restaurants that are food allergy-friendly? If so, leave a comment below and I’ll include a list in a future print column.

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Bahay Kubo is in the strip mall across from WVLI radio. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. They’re closed on Monday. The lunch buffet is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; the dinner buffet is served from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you have any questions, their phone is (815) 802-9889.

Saturday, April 25, is the first day of the Kankakee Spring Farmers Market. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon.

The market has several new vendors lined up this year, plus the favorites from last season. Here’s a list I received of the vendors signed up so far. A * indicates new vendors.

Also, here’s a preliminary calendar of special events scheduled for the market:

April 25 – First Day of Spring Market & Reusable Bag Day

May 9 – Building Safety Day
May 16 – Asparagus Party
May 23 – First Day of Summer Market (hours 7 a.m. – noon)

June 20 – Health Fair
June 27 – Salute to Ag

July 4 – Patriotic Music featuring the RA Brass
July 11 – Library Family Fun Day
July 18 – Community Foundation Day
July 25 – Sweet Corn Weekend

August 8 – Pro Chef Challenge
August 15 – Kankakee Chamber of Commerce Day
August 22 – Amateur Chef Challenge
August 29 – Salsa Contest

September 12 – Seniors’ Day (barbershop music)
September 19 – Memory Walk

October 10 – Customer Day
October 17 – Final Market

One of my favorite things to do is help spread the word about “secret” places to grab a meal, and here’s one that’s long overdue: Country Fruit Market, which includes Cakes ‘N Lace Bakery and Country Florals and Gifts, has a deli counter that’s open seven days a week.

Hours for the store and deli are both 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The store is at 1695 S. Schuyler Ave. in Kankakee, making it one of the few places to grab food once you head south over the river.

The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from the basic (turkey, ham or roast beef), to traditional (Italian Beef and barbecue pork), to subs and clubs. They also serve hot dogs, Polish sausage, tamales, daily specials, soups and salads.

Owned by Dick and Sharon Panozzo, the store is an eclectic mix of edible, smell-able and plant-able items, plus home decor and gift items. Besides the deli, notable offerings in the edible category include fresh and dried fruit, a large selection of cheeses, smoked salmon, gourmet jellies, and confections. In the latter category, I recommend the chocolate-covered cashew crunch, which tastes very much like English toffee.

If you’ve never been to Country Fruit Market, Sunday (April 19) would be a great day to go, as that’s the annual spring open house. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be an orchestra, petting zoo, barbecue and samples of their food products. You can also stock up on garden goodies, of course.

X-Line Sportsman’s Club in Kankakee is holding their annual chili cook-off on April 26, and there’s still time to enter.

It costs just $10 to participate, and all the money will be redistributed as first-, second- and third-place prizes. I’m not sure if last year’s winners (Rich “Bones” Huffman of Bradley, Nick Monacelli of Kankakee and Leanne Provost of St. Anne) will be returning to defend their titles, but the more competitors there are the more fun it is. To enter, call LeRoy Smith at (815) 935-2700.

The cooking starts at 9 a.m. and concludes at noon, when the judges will do their thing. Then, as in past years, the public can enjoy the fruits of the competition. $5 gets you a trip through the line, where you can sample any or all of the entries, or grab a hot dog. The public tasting will go until 4 p.m.

Brendan and I have gone the past two years, and I would love to go again, but the 26th happens to be my due date. If the baby hasn’t arrived yet I will try to get out there, but if I don’t, have fun without me!

P.S. If you’ve never tried adding Fritos to your chili, I highly recommend it. I almost can’t eat chili anymore without some of the corn-flavored chips crumbled and mixed in. (It’s kind of like not being able to eat eggs without hot sauce. Once you try it, you’re hooked!)

Happy Easter, everyone!

Try not to eat too much candy today.

~ Denise

If you’re planning a meal out this weekend, make sure you check out our new online coupon Web site, Let’s Eat Out. Coupons for area restaurants are available on the Web site, via cell phone or via the email club.

Here’s a list of participating restaurants as of today: