Best Bites print column (May 27, 2010)
Here’s the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
Reader recommendation: Miss Karol’s in Watseka
A few weeks ago a reader named Frank called me to recommend Miss Karol’s in Watseka. “It’s one of my favorite places,” he said.
According to Frank, all the food is homemade and the prices are very reasonable. The buffalo burger and the steaks are excellent, he said, and the fried chicken and fish are very good, too. “It’s one of those places I’ll travel to from Chebanse any night of the week,” he told me when we talked.
I tried the buffalo burger for myself and can confirm that it’s very good. It might be because owner Karol Behrens gets the meat locally. Buffalo is a good choice for the health conscious because it has less cholesterol and fat than beef.
Karol says Greg’s Stuffed Shrimp is another popular dish, as is their prime rib and barbecue ribs. Other seafood dinners on the menu include scallops, catfish, salmon and lobster. The menu also features sandwiches, salads, pasta and steaks.
Miss Karol’s (1140 E. Walnut St.) is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday and 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. On Sundays, the restaurant is only open for private parties.
A private banquet room is also available during regular hours.
To get there from Kankakee, take your favorite road south toward Watseka, then head east on U.S. Route 24 (aka Illinois Route 1 and Walnut Street as it goes through town). The restaurant is on the north side of the road, past the Dralle’s of Watseka car dealership but before Walmart.
Carry-out is available. The phone is (815) 432-2875.
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A reader named Gina emailed me to recommend dinner at Savannah’s Southern Bistro: “Two of us had baked tilapia with scrumptious oven sweet potatoes and a nice, fresh salad bar for $7.99. The third partner in crime had a crab salad-filled wrap sandwich that was so huge she only ate half! And what a nice dessert idea: five small slices of cheesecake, in different flavors, with various sauces drizzled over each. A sampler of sorts, for only $5. Super for sharing! … Really reasonable prices considering quantity and quality. … I know they’re quite busy at lunchtime, and it’s nice to know they’re there evenings, too. Also, we all believe in patronizing local food places, especially in these economic times. And, the two owners are also Iraq vets with a beautiful tribute to their lost buddies that’s worth a long look.”
Savannah’s Southern Bistro (2005 W. Court St.) in Kankakee is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They’re closed Sunday.
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Carmen’s Bakery & Deli (33 S. Oak) in Herscher has new summer hours. They are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. They’re closed on Saturday. In addition to traditional bakery and deli items, they also serve ice cream, milk shakes and smoothies.
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The Watseka Theatre’s third annual Blues, BBQ & Arts Fest will be held Saturday. Grilled turkey legs, chicken, pork, burgers, ribs, brats and polish sausages are on the menu. Wash it down with a cocktail or a wide selection of craft beers, including Steven’s Point Pale Ale, Guinness Stout Irish Brew, Belgium Kriek Lambic Cherry Ale, Samuel Smith’s English Taddy Porter and Traquair House Scottish Brew. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and go until 1 a.m. Tickets are $5. More information, including a full music lineup, is available at www.watsekatheatre.com, or call them at (815) 993-2880. The theater is at at 218 E. Walnut in Watseka.
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I would like to welcome One Sixty Four North (164 N. Schuyler Ave. in Kankakee), Blarney’s Irish Pub (200 W. Walnut St. in Watseka) and Tucci’s (1560 N. Illinois Route 50 in Bourbonnais) to Let’s Eat Out, our online menu guide. Go to www.i57life.com/letseatout for downloadable menus, coupons, hours and more.
If you have a recommendation to share, contact Denise Renckens Olszewski at (815) 937-3374 or at drenckens@daily-journal.com.
