From a reader named Jack:
“Bull’s Pit Smoked Barbecue (125 W. Station St., Kankakee) offers a FRESH tenderloin sandwich that I believe may possibly be the best in all of Illinois, definitely all of Chicagoland. Seriously, It could be ranked among the front runners in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, or anywhere. It’s not cheap (about $7) but it comes with your choice of two side dishes.”
A few weeks ago I posted comments from a reader who raved about the guacamole at Dos Amigos in Kankakee. A reader named Jan decided to put his claim to the test. Here’s what she had to say:
“My boyfriend and I decided to go to Dos Amigos Restaurant and see if, in a recent email you received from Allan, he was right in his claim that they had ‘he best guacamole in Kankakee County’. We have tried guacamole from all over the United States and HE WAS RIGHT!
Not only was their guacamole exceptional, but the other dinners we tried were also very good. We had the Taco Dinner and the Carna Asada Dinner. You get a lot of food for the low prices and the dining room was very clean. The employees were very nice as well.
We would recommend this to others to try, if you haven’t already. I would like to see all the people who are within walking distance to take a walk and support this local “non-chain” food establishment. They work hard to stay in business, not backed by a big company, and can only stay in business with your support.
They are located at 522 E. River Street, near the corner of River Street and Harrison Avenue.”
The phone is (815) 802-9840. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Yeah! Some good news for a change!
A new bar, Escape, opens today at 383 W. Station St. (formerly The Alamo) in Kankakee. During the grand opening festivities tonight they will be giving away two trips, one to Cancun and one to Las Vegas.
Escape is owned by Jason Beckner. The phone number is (815) 802-7507. Hours are 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.
The casualties continue to mount. I just heard that Big Randy’s Bar & Grill in Kankakee closed July 3. I’ve left a phone message to see if I can find out anything more.
(Thanks to a reader named Tom for that tip.)
One Sixty Four North in Kankakee has a private banquet room upstairs that will accommodate up to 80 people. It even has its own bar and restrooms. They also offer catering.
One Sixty Four North in Kankakee is holding their summer wine-tasting event on Sunday, July 19.
The evening starts at 4 p.m. and will feature 13 different wines paired with multiple appetizers, entrees and desserts. Here’s the menu:
Appetizers:
Stuffed pastry, shrimp and scallops,
wild mushroom soup, raspberry salad
Entreees:
Chilean sea bass and tournedos Parisian
Desserts:
Chocolate mouse, tiramisu and lemon cake
Tickets are $70 per person, or $135 per couple. Call 815-936-0164 for reservations.
Live entertainment will be provided by Palmer.
A final inspection tomorrow morning and a food delivery on Wednesday are all that stand in the way of JR’s Chicken opening in Bourbonnais. The owner expects to open at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
The second location for the restaurant known for its fried chicken and macaroni salad is at 654 N. Convent, which is next to Thomas David Salon at the north end of the former Kroger building. Unlike the Kankakee location, it will be carry-out only. Most of the regular menu will be available, except for grilled items.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Their phone is (815) 929-0735.
Devon’s Bakery & Cafe in Kankakee has closed. There’s a sign in the window saying, “Devon’s is Closed and will be opening under new ownership in the future. Thank you for your loyal support.”
(Thanks to a reader named Anita for that tip.)
I have learned that Romer Bakery in Bradley has closed. The bakery, which was also home to A Piece A Cake and Mr. Java’s Coffee House, was located at 200 N. Washington.
I am trying to find out if they have reopened their Kankakee location at 275 S. Schuyler Ave. That location opened in September of last year and closed a few months later, but I believe it recently may have opened again.
If anyone has any details, or knows the phone number to the Kankakee location, please let me know. (The phone number of the Bradley store has been disconnected.) You can leave a comment below, or call me at (815) 937-3374.
Thanks to a reader named Donna for that tip.
Jim & Angie’s Saloon is now open in Kankakee.
The bar, which also offers food, is inside the Economy Inn, which is on the west side of U.S. 45/52 on the southern end of town. Jim and Angie Krumwiede own the tavern, thus the name.
The saloon opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday (so you can start your drinking early!!), and at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. It closes at 2 a.m. daily.
“Fix’ins” are available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. on the weekends. Also, chicken patties, pork tenderloins and pizzas are available during saloon hours. The food is made fresh daily, according to the press release I received.
The daily Fix’in specials are:
For carry-out, call Jim & Angie’s at (815) 932-0990.
