Vito’s Pizzeria and Pub (1887 Armour Rd.) in Bourbonnais now has a lunch buffet.
The buffet is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and costs $4.99. It includes pizza, salad bar, breadsticks, homemade soups and rotating hot specials.
The buffet service started today (Sept. 8, 2009).
Another update on Schoop’s Hamburgers: They’re now planning to open on Tuesday.
Hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Their phone is (815) 936-9090.
A reader named Ken emailed me recently to tell me about the Watseka Theatre. Here’s what he said:
“It is newly restored and a terrific nostalgic experience. On Friday nights, they serve a high-end menu (prime rib, steaks, etc.) and have live entertainment. On Saturday nights, they offer dinner and a movie for $10.”
When Ken went on a recent Saturday with his wife and another couple, the dinner “was a pork loin sandwich (very tasty), potato salad, and homemade dessert, and … (the) movie was a 1937 Cary Grant comedy.”
I didn’t realize the theater offered dining, so I did a little research, and here’s what I learned:
The dining area inside the theater is called The Club Café, and it celebrated its grand opening on May 22.
On Fridays, there’s happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m., with dinner served from 5:30 p.m. until midnight or until the last guests have left, whichever comes first. There’s also live music every Friday, ranging in style from jazz to pop to folk.
The menu changes from week to week, and you’re encouraged to “just show up and see what we have in store for you to please your taste buds,” according to the theater’s Web site. Sample entrees include lamb chops, rock cornish game hen with apricot brown sugar sauce, Tuscan chicken with white wine cream sauce, or stuffed pork chops. Most of the meats are grilled, and the vegetables are organic.
Debra Liddell, of Watseka, does all the cooking and baking with her husband, Charles Gomez. It’s “cooking from our heart,” she said.
Debra has a few staples on the menu, including a lasagna that she makes out of homemade crepes. She also makes all the desserts from scratch, including a triple chocolate molten lava cake.
On Saturday evenings, when the theater isn’t booked for a special event, there’s “food and a flick” for $10. These dinners are much more casual, and the movie is an old one that’s not copyrighted.
If you are planning a visit to the Watseka Theatre and The Club Café, you are encouraged to confirm the schedule. Their number is (815) 993-6585, their email is info@watsekatheatre.com, and they’re on the Web at watsekatheatre.com
An anonymous reader sent me this today via email:
“Just wanting to drop a note about Dixie Delite in St. Anne. Small town feel with great ice cream and food. Check it out!”
Dixie Delite is at 6726 S. State Route 1 in St. Anne. They’re a full ice cream parlor, with flurries, shakes, smoothies, sundaes, sugar-free yogurts and more. They also serve “anything fried.” Menu offerings include burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, Italian beef sandwiches, nachos and soup bowls.
They have several combo meals and children’s meals, and the children’s meals include a free kid cone.
Co-owner Courtney Wright sent me this info via email:
“My husband and I ran 4 restaurants in town and decided to buy this resturant in May and are doing a 50’s theme. It’s not all done but it’s a work in progress.”
Dixie Delite opens at 10:30 daily and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Their phone is (815) 427-6222.
Here’s a complete list of their menu:
(more…)
I’ve just learned that Schoop’s Hamburgers will likely open on Monday. One of the owners tells me they are mostly ready but awaiting some final inspections.
The new Jimmy John’s in Manteno will open Sept. 1.
Here are more details from a previous blog post:
“The latest addition to the sandwich franchise is at 104 Southcreek Drive. That’s next to Family Video on the south side of W. Division Street, about 1/4 mile east of the I-57 interchange.
The phone number of the new store will be (815) 468-8866. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.”
A reader named Gypsy sent me this via email:
“If you’re ever going through Momence, stop at Yanni’s on Washington (where Simpson’s used to be). Home cooking, good sized portions, reasonable prices. From the biscuits and gravy to skillets in the a.m. to pork chop dinners and homemade ravioli in p.m. with different specials every day. They’re open until 8 p.m. Thur., Fri., and Sat. evenings. Then go a couple doors down to the Stage Door Sweet Shoppe for the most delectable ice creams like Belgian Chocolate, Amaretto Cherry, and Tennessee Toffee!”
I had never been to Yanni’s, but this prompted me to make a trip out there for lunch. I had the Yanni’s Skillet, which is described on their menu as “Golden country home fries blended with chopped spinach, bacon, tomato, onions and topped with feta cheese and 2 eggs any style.” I love a good breakfast skillet and have tried them many places, and that was one of the best I’ve had. The salty feta cheese was a perfect compliment to the other ingredients.
The skillet also came with a side of pancakes, which I normally don’t bother eating. These, however, were also fantastic. They gave me new insight into the phrase “light and fluffy”, and I now know what pancakes SHOULD taste like. To top it off, they came with a little glass of syrup that was so good I was almost tempted to drink it like a shot. (Don’t worry, I didn’t. But it really was that good.)
Yanni’s is at 102 W. Washington. Hours are 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Phone is (815) 472-4600. They offer a large menu, and breakfast is available any time. All menu items are available for carryout.
After my carb-loaded lunch I walked two doors down to Stage Door and managed to consume even more calories. Read my separate post about what I found there.
The "Yanni's Skillet" at Yanni's on Washington in Momence.
A reader named Janice emailed me to asked, “Have you suggested — and I missed?? — The Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn? Always good. Always made fresh. Nice menu. Daily specials.”
The Great American Grill is in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn (455 Riverstone Parkway) in Kankakee. That’s the northeast corner of the Exit 308 interchange.
They’re open daily for breakfast and dinner. Call (815) 932-4444 for more information.
A pizza parlor is slated to open soon in Momence.
Marcotte’s will be at 118 E. River St., and it will feature Helen’s original pizza recipe. I’m told that Helen’s once was a popular restaurant in Momence, but closed about 10 years ago.
I’ll share an opening date as soon as I hear of one. So far I’ve been told they hope to open sometime in September.
If you remember Helen’s pizza and can tell us more, please leave a comment below.
According to a press release I received today:
Aurelio’s Pizza Celebrates 50th Anniversary with 1959 Pizza Price Roll Back
WHAT: Aurelio’s Pizza is celebrating their 50th Anniversary by rolling back pizza prices to 1959 on Thursday August 20, 2009. Thin Crust pizza only.
WHY: In an effort to reward our loyal customers for 50 years of support
WHERE: The original Aurelio’s Pizzeria is in Homewood, Illinois (18162 Harwood Ave.) and the 43 franchisee locations mostly South and West of Chicago and in Northwestern Indiana. Visit www.AureliosPizza.com for locations.
WHEN: Thursday, August 20, 2009 during regular business hours while supplies last.
HOW: Thin Crust Pizza prices will range from $1.75 for a small cheese to $6.50 for a Fiesta Super Six pizza. The local police departments have been contacted in anticipation of traffic jams and long lines.
WHO: Joe Aurelio the son of the founder and the many franchisee owners want to thank their loyal customers for many years of support.
Since 1959, the Aurelio family has been devoted to offering the finest pizza, pasta and sandwiches at reasonable prices with fast, courteous and dependable service. Aurelio’s Pizza has. Their secret for success is dedication to customers and families as a quality pizzeria. Visit an Aurelio’s and find out why generations of families keep coming back to enjoy Aurelio’s delicious pizza. Visit www.AureliosPizza.com to find one of the 43 locations close to you!
Locally, Aurelio’s is at 1600 N. Convent St. in Bourbonnais.
