Best Bites print column (Sept. 3, 2009)
Here’s the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
A new bar, Slim & Chubby’s Pour House, will be opening soon in Kankakee. Owner John Hogan (aka “Slim”) and friend Matt Neblock (aka “Chubby”) expect to complete renovations in about three weeks. Much of the new interior was once part of an Indiana barn. The old lumber, beams and tin roofing are meant to create the look and feel of a “pour house.” The playful name also brings to mind the fine art of beer pouring, of course. There won’t be food, but there will be coffee and doughnuts every morning, along with basic bar fare, such as pizza and beef jerky. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The building, at 1500 N. Hobbie Avenue, sits on the Bradley/Kankakee border, which is also where Hobbie Avenue becomes Kinzie Avenue, aka Illinois Route 50.
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When I hear of a firm opening date, I’ll post an update on MyKankakee County.com. If you want to be alerted via e-mail, please contact me at drenckens@daily-journal.com.
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The new Jimmy John’s opened Tuesday at 104 Southcreek Dr. in Manteno. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The phone number is (815) 468-8866.
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If you like to eat and support community causes at the same time, mark your calendar for these upcoming fundraisers:
• The Grant Park Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a wine tasting on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Bennett-Curtis House (302 W. Taylor St.) in Grant Park. Cost is $15 for tickets purchased prior to Saturday, or $20 at the door. Call (815) 465-2288 for more information.
• The third annual Half Paddy Festival will be held Sept. 11 and 12 at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee. The Homestead Restaurant is catering Saturday evening’s corned beef dinner, which will follow the 4 p.m. Blue Mass and be served until 8 p.m. Dinner tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Call the church at (815) 932-6716 for advance tickets. The festival is celebrated half-way to St. Patrick’s Day, thus the name. Go to www.halfpaddy.com for more information.
• The 74th annual Greek Festival will be held Sept. 13 from noon to 8 p.m. Dinners include your choice of Greek-style shish-ke-bob or chicken, plus several sides. For dessert, numerous homemade Greek pastries and sweets, including the classic baklava, will be available for sale. The festival is held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, which is at 296 N. Washington Avenue in Kankakee.
• Two “haunted” evenings in October will benefit the building fund of the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County. On Oct. 24, the evening includes cocktails, dinner, an auction and a Spooky Walk. On Oct. 29, there will be hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, auction and a Spooky Walk. Tickets per person are $75 on the 24th and $25 on the 29th. Call (815) 465-2288 for reservations.
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Here’s a recommendation from a reader named Jack: “Bull’s Pit Smoked Barbecue (125 W. Station St., Kankakee) offers a fresh tenderloin sandwich that I believe may possibly be the best in all of Illinois, definitely all of Chicagoland. Seriously, it could be ranked among the front-runners in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, or anywhere.”
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Best Bites appears on Thursdays in The Daily Journal and online at www.blogs.i57life.com/dining.
