Best Bites column (July 30)
Here’s the Best Bites column that appeared in today’s edition of The Daily Journal:
The new Jimmy John’s in Manteno is expected to open Aug. 19. The latest addition to the sandwich franchise is at 104 Southcreek Drive. That’s next to Family Video on the south side of East Third Street, about 1/4 mile east of the Interstate 57 interchange.
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A couple of readers have contacted me wondering about the new building going up on the Illinois Route 50 frontage road in Bradley, near T.G.I.Friday’s. I’m told it will be an Aspen Dental, not a restaurant.
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It was my birthday a few weeks ago, and when it came time to pick a place for the all-important birthday dinner, I picked Tuscany Steak & Pasta House in Manteno. Why? Because of their awesome dessert case. That’s not to say they don’t have good food. But if you view dinner as just the obligatory warm-up act to the real headliner of the meal, a.k.a. dessert, then Tuscany won’t disappoint. Their refrigerated dessert case displays several tiers of beautifully decorated cakes and other sweet treats. Choosing just one of them was difficult, but I finally decided on a layer cake that had, by my careful estimate, the greatest volume of chocolate per serving.
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If that sounds like your thing, check out Tuscany’s coupons on our Let’s Eat Out Web site (letseatout.mykankakeecounty.com). One of the offers is for a free dessert with the purchase of a dinner on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.
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Speaking of coupons and birthdays, America’s Bistro is offering a coupon that lets the birthday boy/girl take a percentage off their meal based on their age. For example, on your 50th birthday you would receive 50 percent off your meal. Go to the Let’s Eat Out Web site to print the coupon and get all the details.
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Tiger’s Den in Herscher is closed this week. It will reopen on Tuesday at 6 a.m. with breakfast service. Previously they only served lunch and dinner. Area farmers will be supplying many of the ingredients for the new meals, including the eggs. Tiger’s Den is at 160 S. Main St.
The new hours will be 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. They don’t accept credit cards, but checks are fine.
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Tailgate Challenge. The grilling competition takes place behind Commonwealth Credit Union and BrickStone Restaurant & Brewery in Bourbonnais.
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If you were a fan of the coffee at The Ray Cafe and Coffee House, which closed earlier this month, you can order the beans online. Bob Pierce, former manager of the Manteno cafe, has even arranged for Ray Cafe customers to receive a discount when ordering. For the Web site and the discount code, go to my blog at www.myKankakeeCounty.com/blogs/dining.
A fondness for sweets was the only unusual craving Denise Renckens experienced while pregnant, but it still hasn’t gone away. She can be reached at drenckens@daily-journal.com.
