Best Bites column (Sept. 17)
Here’s the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
I love to hear from readers, and here are some tips I’ve heard lately:
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A reader named Janice e-mailed me to asked, “Have you suggested — and I missed?? — The Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn? Always good. Always made fresh. Nice menu. Daily specials. The Great American Grill is in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn (455 Riverstone Parkway) in Kankakee. They’re open daily for breakfast and dinner. Call (815) 932-4444 for more information.
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An anonymous reader sent me this: “Just wanting to drop a note about Dixie Delite in St. Anne. Small town feel with great ice cream and food. Check it out!” Dixie Delite (6726 S. Illinois State Route 1) in St. Anne is a full ice cream parlor, with flurries, shakes, smoothies, sundaes, sugar-free yogurts and more. They also have a lengthy food menu, with offerings such as burgers, fried chicken and soup bowls, and their children’s meals include a free kid code. Co-owner Courtney Wright told me via e-mail that she and her husband bought the restaurant in May and are doing a 50s theme. “It’s not all done but it’s a work in progress,” she wrote. Dixie Delite opens at 10:30 daily and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Their phone is (815) 427-6222.
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A reader named Gypsy sent me this recommendation via e-mail: “If you’re ever going through Momence, stop at Yanni’s on Washington (where Simpson’s used to be). Home cooking, good-sized portions, reasonable prices. From the biscuits and gravy to skillets in the a.m. to pork chop dinners and homemade ravioli in the p.m. with different specials every day … Then go a couple doors down to the Stage Door Sweet Shoppe for the most delectable ice creams like Belgian Chocolate, Amaretto Cherry and Tennessee Toffee!”
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I had never been to Yanni’s, but this prompted me to make a trip out there for lunch. I had the Yanni’s Skillet, which is described on their menu as “golden country home fries blended with chopped spinach, bacon, tomato, onions and topped with feta cheese and 2 eggs any style.” I love a good breakfast skillet and have tried them many places, and that was one of the best I’ve had. The skillet also came with a side of pancakes, which I normally don’t bother eating. These, however, gave me new insight into the phrase “light and fluffy,” and I ate every bite. Yanni’s is at 102 E. Washington Street. Hours are 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. They offer a large menu, breakfast is available any time, and all menu items are available for carryout. Call (815) 472-4600 to order.
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Stage Door Sweet Shoppe, at 110 E. Washington, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
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Do you have a favorite place that I haven’t written about before? Please call me at (815) 937-3374 or e-mail me.
NOTE: You can also leave a comment below.
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Monical’s Pizza opened Monday in its new home at 199 Southcreek Drive in Manteno. Formerly located at Illinois Route 50 and Locust Street, the new location has more seating inside and more parking outside. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (815) 468-7409 to order.
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Tailgate Challenge 2009 has been rescheduled, renamed and relocated. It will now be held Oct. 24 at Jimmy Jo’s BBQ in Bourbonnais. BARBEQUE-U, as it’s now called, is put on by the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce. Amateurs and professionals are welcome to participate. To register your grill team, or for more information, call the chamber at (815) 933-7721.
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The season finale of Sandwiches with a Side of Jam is tomorrow. The lunchtime concert series runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Depot Park in downtown Kankakee. Downtown restaurants will be selling food.
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Can’t wait until Thursday for your restaurant news? All the above information has been available online at www.myKankakeeCounty.com/blogs/dining.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Stage Door Sweet Shoppe is in what town? I’m sure there is a Washington St. in most towns.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Lori — Stage Door Sweet Shoppe is in Momence, two doors down from Yanni’s.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Denise, Regarding the “SPECIAL DRINK PRICE” at 164 North, just how special IS 4.00 for a martini? No more so than 3.00 beers, at most local eateries. Consider not what other bars charge for all the beverages, one of the most profitable items in their place of business – instead consider the cost of the product, labor to mix and serve these drinks and cost of doing business and I feel strongly that ALL beverages served, especially alcoholic, are very much overpriced. We can buy good beer for 11.00 to 14.00 a case (domestic) – check Berkot’s ad Wednesdays in Bourbonnais Paper. Or other local ads.So beer costs .50 per can and up, how does the price elevate to 3.00 / 3.50 a can? I can afford that, but I am not going to. As a matter of choice. 600% markup. WOW!
Just LOOK at the price difference in a dinner check with a couple drinks. I admit I may drink only a couple dozen beers, mostly at home, during the course of the year. But I really sincerely feel drinks out are a very bad bargain. Thanks
September 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am
John — You’re right that all beverages, whether it be alcoholic or even just soda, are overpriced. But that doesn’t stop lots of people from enjoying them at bars and restaurants. You’re paying for the convenience, and the company, and the ambiance. One Sixty Four North offers some very nice ambiance, plus terrific food. Add a couple of friends and you’ve got a swell cocktail hour that no one has to clean up after. Just don’t try to calculate the profit margin, and don’t forget the tip.