Best Bites print column (Aug. 27)
Here’s the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
Happy birthday to Stage Door Sweet Shoppe (110 E. Washington) in Momence, which celebrated its first birthday on Aug. 4. Ice cream is their primary commodity (Ashby’s Ice Cream, to be exact), and they offer 24 flavors on any given day, with seasonal flavors regularly rotating through the mix.
If an ice cream headache is your idea of a good time, may I recommend the Momence Mountain — seven scoops of ice cream surrounded by brownies, smothered in chocolate and caramel sauces, and topped with a marshmallow, whipped cream and a sparkler. No one has yet been able to eat all of it solo, but photos of those who have found friends and family to help can be seen on the store’s wall of fame. For smaller appetites, there’s also the Redskin Pile Up (five scoops and all the toppings) and the Kiddy Pile Up (three scoops and all the toppings). In addition to cones, sundaes, malts and shakes, Stage Door sells nuts, candies (including licorice imported from Australia), and imported coffee and tea. Also, the handiwork of area artists appears throughout the store and is available for purchase.
The shop is a labor of love for owner Mark Noller, whose efforts to transform the 138-year-old building into an ice cream parlor were inspired by a desire to create a family-friendly hangout in downtown Momence. Today, patrons can enjoy movies every Wednesday night and open mic night on Friday nights. For groups needing their own space, Stage Door also offers a private dining room for luncheons. Stage Door is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Call ahead to order ice cream by the pint or quart. Their phone is (815) 472-4280.
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While I was at Stage Door, I got a tip that a new pizza parlor is slated to open sometime next month in Momence. Marcotte’s will be at 118 E. River St. and it will feature Helen’s original pizza recipe. I’m told that Helen’s once was a popular restaurant in Momence but closed about 10 years ago. I’ll share an opening date as soon as I hear of one.
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Congratulations to “The Unpampered Chefs”, who won this year’s Amateur Chef’s Challenge, held Saturday at the Kankakee Farmers Market. Team members Shawn Hamende, of Bonfield, and Tim Chappell, of St. George, won $100 with their meal of gazpacho, grilled lamb with vegetables, grilled Caprese salad, and peach crepes. Finishing second in the competition were Louann Lucas, of Momence, and Aaron Wheeler, of Kankakee, who served lamb burgers with tapenade and goat cheese on a pretzel bun, fresh roasted red pepper and tomato soup, and a vegetable fruit salad with mint.
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There will be another food competition this weekend at the market, and this time YOU get to judge. Salsa Fest starts at 9 a.m. and voting will conclude at 11 a.m. The winner of the $100 prize will be announced at 11:15 a.m. There’s no charge to compete or to vote, but there are special rules regarding preparation of the salsa. For all the details, contact Bill Yohnka at (815) 933-0462 or e-mail him at kankakeechamber@gmail.com.
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A reader named Pat e-mailed me recently to let me know about a new Friday night dinner option in Manteno. “I just would like to let you know that my friend Ryan Jackson is a fantastic chef, and he is hosting the fish fry at the American Legion in Manteno every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.” Ryan prepares a different fish (such as parmesan-crusted tilapia with a mild tomato sauce) each week, and also offers other entrees, such as pork loin with an apple-peach sauce, plus chicken strips for the kids. Dinners are $10 and include soup and salad bar. Carry-out is available. American Legion Post 755 is at 117 N. Walnut St. Call (815) 468-8178 for more information.
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5 Star Wings & More has closed. There’s a “for rent” sign in the window at 408 N. Schuyler Ave. in Kankakee. Another eatery, C & L Ribs, looks to be opening next door. The name of the restaurant and the phone number — (815) 928-8811 — are etched in the glass windows and a “coming soon” sign is posted. C & L is at 406 N. Schuyler, which previously was home to Big Poppy’s.
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Also closed is Hawg Dawg’s in Manteno.
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Best Bites appears on Thursdays in The Daily Journal. Denise can be reached at the phone number above or at drenckens@daily-journal.com.
