Best Bites column (June 10, 2010)
Here’s the Best Bites column that appears in today’s edition of The Daily Journal.
Last month, I asked for your help gathering information on vegetarian-friendly dining options in the area. Here’s some of the feedback I received:
A reader named Andrew wrote, “I would highly recommend the falafel at Niro’s Gyros on Kennedy Drive. … As far as I know, (it’s) the only real falafel this side of Chicago, and it’s reeeeeally good.” Call ahead if you don’t want to wait, though, as they make them fresh each time.
Andrew and a reader named Allan both recommend La Villetta Restaurant on Broadway Street in Bradley. “La Villetta has some of the best dinner items around at very fair prices,” Allan wrote. “The service is always top notch as well! Reliable and delicious!” The restaurant offers a number of vegetarian options, including three-cheese lasagna, cannelloni Rossini, eggplant Parmesan, Little Italy (bow-tie pasta with creamy Parmesan sauce, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower) and Pasta Armandy (linguini with sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil in a light marinara sauce). The owner also says almost any dish can be prepared without meat upon request.
For fast food, Andrew recommends the Taco Bravo at Taco John’s, substituting refried beans for the meat. “Inexpensive and yummy, even for you omnivores and meat-atarians,” he wrote.
A reader named Jesse wrote, “El Burrito Loco’s refried beans are cooked without lard, and their rice is vegetarian, as well.” I recommend their chile relleno burritos, which are delicious.
Jesse also said Ruby Tuesday and Denny’s offer a veggie burger.
Two readers, Gary and Patrick, both recommended the goat cheese veggie sandwich at Brickstone Restaurant & Brewery in Bourbonnais. It’s “very good,” according to a comment Patrick left on my Best Bites blog.
Patrick also wrote that “The Allspice Cafe at Riverside Medical Center has a rotation of vegetarian items through their menu, such as a black bean chipotle burger with bruschetta, wild mushroom flatbread and tomato bread on Fridays.”
One Sixty Four North in Kankakee has a vegetarian pasta on their summer menu, and it’s available all year long for lunch or dinner by request. They also have a veggie wrap on their summer menu.
A reader named Willeum mentioned French Toast in Bourbonnais, which offers a caprese panini and roasted portabella ciabatta, as well as a number of meat-free breakfast items.
If you’re planning a vegetarian meal a few days in advance, try Carmen’s Bakery & Deli in Herscher. “I understand their hummus and eggplant wraps are excellent,” wrote a reader named Hank. The wraps aren’t on the menu, though, and need to be ordered ahead of time so they can marinate the eggplant and make the homemade hummus.
I recently discovered that Higher Grounds on Kennedy Drive in Bradley offers a hummus wrap that’s very good. They have other vegetarian options on their menu, too.
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If you’re a fan of hummus, look for the Sabra brand at the supermarket. It’s the best mass-produced hummus I’ve had. Jewel has carried it for several months, at least, and I found it at Kroger for the first time a few weeks ago.
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The new owners of Club Irwin (4460 Main St. in Irwin) had hoped to be open by now, but it will likely be sometime in July, instead. John and Linda Naese, of Aroma Park, and Sue Stevenson, of Kankakee, purchased the restaurant in April. They immediately began cleaning and remodeling, and had wanted to open by June 1. However, unexpected issues have caused the work to take much longer than planned. I’ll share more details as they’re available.
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Ray’s Ranch House (208 W. Main St.) in Essex is now offering delivery. Communities in luck include Reddick, Union Hill, Braidwood, Custer Park, Gardner and everyone in between. Order between 4 and 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 4 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (815) 365-2858.
Denise Renckens is general manager of online operations for The Daily Journal. She can be reached at (815) 937-3374 or at drenckens@daily-journal.com.
