Best Bites print column (July 8)
Here are a couple reader recommendations that I’ve received lately:
A reader named Russell called to tell me that Stage Door Sweet Shoppe (110 E. Washington St.) in Momence “has absolutely the best ice cream I’ve ever had.” He said, “I go there every single day. They have some great black raspberry sorbet. … I’m just giving it thumbs up, four stars.”
Stage Door serves more than two dozen flavors of Ashby’s Ice Cream, plus specialty sodas. They also have weekly meal specials, such as a hot dog, soda and chips for $2.75. Stage Door is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. They’re closed Monday. Call ahead to order pints or quarts. The phone number is (815) 472-4280.
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Two readers have called me recently to recommend Johnny Angel’s (119 W. Washington St.) in Momence. “‘Wow’ is all I can say,” said a reader named Dick. He tried the 48-oz porterhouse and said, “The filet part was the best steak I’ve ever had in my life, period,” even better than steaks he’s had at Mr. Benny’s in Chicago and Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
If you want to give this monster piece of beef a try, please be prepared to wait. It takes at least 30 minutes to cook.
Dick also has become a regular at the all-you-can-eat frog leg dinners, held on Sundays after 4 p.m. On a recent visit, his group included four or five diners who ordered the frog legs and “we never had to ask” for more, he said. Dick said the frog legs were medium to large in size, with a light breading and very tender. “They’re the best I’ve had around here in a while,” he said. “I think everyone will go back.”
Another reader said Johnny Angel’s “was very, very good.” In her voicemail message, the anonymous caller went on to say, “The food was delicious. The Italian beef was really, really good. … It’s a great place to eat.”
Johnny Angel’s is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The phone number is (815) 472-6801.
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A reader named Larry called me to recommend Denny’s (1303 N. state Route 50) in Bourbonnais. “I think they’re doing a great job over there,” he told me. Larry said they have “changed quite a bit” and have a nice menu and staff. He takes advantage of their frequency card discount, which earns the diner a free entree after the purchase of five entrees. You can also get a free build-your-own Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday. Denny’s is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The phone number is (815) 937-9304.
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I’m running out of room, so I’ll save recommendations for Big Fella’s in Gardner and Amoré Restorante in Crown Point, Ind., for next week. If you have a recommendation you would like to share, please e-mail me or call me at (815) 937-3374.
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The Landing Bar & Grill (575 S. Schuyler Ave.) is the only restaurant in the city of Kankakee to offer a view of the river and they now have a remodeled patio to make your visit even more enjoyable. Enhancements include a pergola, railings, umbrellas and landscaping.
The Landing serves lunch and dinner daily. “Summertime Express Lunches” are served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and include a sandwich, soup and salad bar. Daily specials include a half-pound burger for $1 on Tuesdays. Pizza specials include a 12-inch, one-topping pizza for $5. Dinners include ribs and steak.
The Landing is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. The kitchen is open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For carryout, call (815) 935-5454.
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If you’re a subscriber in Kankakee County, look for The Daily Journal’s third annual Let’s Eat Out Restaurant and Delivery Directory inside today’s paper. You’ll find information on 22 area restaurants, plus To Your Door, a local delivery service. A limited number of additional copies of the guide are available at any office of The Daily Journal.
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I would like to welcome The Watseka Theatre (218 E. Walnut St. in Watseka), Dunkin’ Donuts (112 E. Bethel Drive in Bourbonnais) and Nancy’s Pizza (513 N. Convent St. in Bourbonnais) to Let’s Eat Out, our online menu guide. Go to www.i57life.com/letseatout for downloadable menus, coupons, hours and more.
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.
July 12th, 2010 at 6:04 am
The Landing
The new deck is nice, but that is about it. Went there Friday night, the bathroom was like a sauna. One person in our group ordered a steak sandwich medium; there was no pink in meat what so ever. We sent it back and the cook came out and told us it was done right and proceeded to argue with us. What a joke We will never go there again!