Best Bites print column (April 1, 2010)
Here’s a copy of the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
The Herscher Restaurant and Pub opened March 22 at 171 S. Main St. The restaurant and bar is open from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’m told that the menu features soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, chops, chicken, seafood, pasta, desserts and cocktails. The phone number is (815) 426-2200. (Thanks to Rose and Amy for that tip.)
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In Manteno, Roo’s Rib & Philly Shack is now open inside the Route 50 North bar. That’s at 178 N. Locust St., aka Illinois Route 50. An anonymous caller left me the tip on my voice mail. Here’s what she had to say: “Everyone has got to go there. The food is fabulous. The prices are great, and if you leave there hungry it’s your own fault. Their ribs are fantastic. The fried chicken is out of this world. Burgers are big and juicy and cooked the way you like them. Fries are included. They have lunch delivery. It is fantastic. So please have your readers go there.”
My husband and I went there last week and split a Rooburger with cheese and a Southwest Chicken Philly. The Philly was very good, and the burger was outstanding. It was a half pound of juicy, flavorful, charbroiled meat, served on thick slices of Texas Toast that had been seasoned with a special spread that includes garlic and Worcestershire sauce. I’ve been craving another one ever since.
There are other burgers on the menu, plus several sandwiches, fried chicken, baby back ribs and appetizers. Every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., there’s a fish fry featuring 8-ounce cod fillets.
Roo’s is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. They’re closed Mondays. Lunch delivery is available in the Manteno area weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Delivery is free for orders over $20, or $2 for smaller orders. Carryout is also available. Call (815) 468-8242.
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Happy April, everyone! Now that you’ve flipped the calendar, here are a couple notable events:
* French Toast is slated to open sometime this month. The new breakfast and lunch restaurant is at 161 E. Bethel Dr. in Bourbonnais, next to Aava Java and The Wedding Center. I’ll share more details closer to the opening date.
* April 24 is the first day of the Spring Kankakee County Farmers Market in Kankakee. Hours will be 8 a.m. to noon.
* April is customer-appreciation month at La Villetta Restaurant (801 W. Broadway St.) in Bradley. They’re offering a free appetizer or dessert with each dinner entree purchased. The offer is good any day of the week after 4 p.m. for dine-in customers only. For more details, call (815) 939-4960. La Villetta opens at 11 a.m. daily and closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
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We’re down to the semifinal round in Pub Madness. Go to www.i57life.com/win to vote in the final two matchups. It’s down to BrickStone Restaurant & Brewery vs. Eddie’s Bar & Grill, and Oliver’s Bar & Grill vs. River Bend Bar & Grill. Voting continues through Monday morning, when the championship round begins.
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Have a wonderful Easter, everyone!
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Denise Renckens Olszewski lives in Bourbonnais with her husband, Brendan, and son, Grady. This will be Grady’s first Easter, and Denise thinks the Easter bunny is bringing him socks, a baby toothbrush for his six teeth and a new cup, since he just learned how to drink through a straw.
