likestoeatout,

I have seen the pork tenderloin on Ron's menu, but as you mentioned I am too busy eying that nights special, or the jambalaya, red beans & rice, or an etouffe & have never tried it. I do have to try one of his Po' Boys one of these trips though.

Just up 71 from Ottawa is a small town called Norway. It's worth a trip to check out the Norway Store, small grocery/restaurant stocking an odd assortment of the usual groceries alongside a random selection of Norwegian and Swedish foods.

The small diner/cafe has fairly bad coffee, but a solid diner menu, including a "troll" breakfast sandwich--biscuit with egg, cheese and sausage or bacon. I've noticed signs for weekly fish frys and turtle dinners (another specialty of the region), but never experienced anything more than breakfast.

The freezer section in the store has an interesting selection of game meats --venison, buffalo, alligator.

There's also a farm stand next door selling local relishes, hot sauces and whatever's coming out of the ground at the moment.

Norway Store
3654 N Il Route 71

crrush,

good call on the farmstand in Norway. During the summer he has the best sweet corn around.

I have never made it into the Norway Store other than to fill up with gas., but may have to take a trip over there.

We've passed through Norway many times too and have never stopped other than to read the plaque remembering the King of Norway's visit there. As I said up thread, after 29 years of going to Peoria 5-6 times a year, we are always trying different routes and trying new places. This fall we took backroads seeking out apple orchards on the way. Norway is just a little too soon for us to hit for a lunch stop, we usually pass through about 9:30 and have already had breakfast near home.

I think Friday night my wife, daughter, and myslef are going to try a new supper club for dinner. Its in LaSalle, and called Monari's 101. Typical LaSalle County menu, fried chicken, steaks, ravs in broth, and some fish. Also deep fried chicken livers and giblets. Also the typical Friday fish special, this Friday one of my favorite fish, deep fried Walleye..

www.monari101.com

Jim:

Do report back on Monari's. It has been high on my list to try for a long time. (Along with Cherry Supper Club even before you mentioned it.) I lived in Peru for the first 18 years of my life and actually know the Monaris, but for some reason it was not one of the places we ever went.

Mmm, ravs in broth....

crrush wrote:Just up 71 from Ottawa is a small town called Norway. It's worth a trip to check out the Norway Store, small grocery/restaurant stocking an odd assortment of the usual groceries alongside a random selection of Norwegian and Swedish foods.

The small diner/cafe has fairly bad coffee, but a solid diner menu, including a "troll" breakfast sandwich--biscuit with egg, cheese and sausage or bacon. I've noticed signs for weekly fish frys and turtle dinners (another specialty of the region), but never experienced anything more than breakfast.

The freezer section in the store has an interesting selection of game meats --venison, buffalo, alligator.

There's also a farm stand next door selling local relishes, hot sauces and whatever's coming out of the ground at the moment.

Norway Store
3654 N Il Route 71

Ahh the Norway store, I golf fairly regularly in the summer at The Bourne just past Norway a little of 71 and always stop on the way home to pick up any odds and ends I may need for dinner that night and just because the place makes me happy! They'll occasionally have an out of the blue somewhat rare craft beer or two hiding in their beer fridge usually at a good price. You can't miss the gas station on a hill with a longboat dragon on its roof! I have never eaten there will have to stop in for breakfast before gold sometime.

dabney's.

I will let you know about Monaris 101.

Cherry Supper CLub is one of my favorites like I stated above. Where else can you go to the bar with the waitress who is working your table, and buy shots of tequila for each other while waiting for the food to arrive? Gotta love small towns.

Last night we had some more good fried chicken & some suprisingly good prawns @ Hank's Farm in Ottawa. Tonight will be some "gringo" Mexican food @ Mariachi's in Naplate.

Had to make a last minute change last night for dinner. My "gringo" Mexican restaurant was closed when I went by last night, so I detoured to Carreto's Bar & Bowling upon the information that they have a great Pork tenderloin sandwich. I was not mislead. Carreto's is a small supper club style place with the bar area in front, and table seating towards the back. Along one wall is a door, and a large glass window that you can look in and see the approx. 6 bowling lanes that were all full, and hopping. The pork tenderloin sandwich was as advertised, the pork tenderloin was the size of the plate, dwarfing the bun it was served on. I had mine served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion, and drizzled it with hot sauce. I also ordered 1/4 light fried chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. The chicken was excellent, and I am a sucker for mashed potatoes and gravy so they hit the spot as well. Total tab for the pork tenderloin sandwich, 1/4 light fried chicken with potato, salad bar, 2 shots of tequila, and 2 bottles of Bud... $25... with tip $31. I expect to become a regular..

BTW they have nightly specials, last night was Deep chicken livers and gizzards for $7.95.

Carreto's Bar and Bowling
729 Chestnut
Ottawa, IL.

On the theme of huge great pork tenderloin sandwiches and bowling, I recommend checking out Betty's in Marseilles. Not far from Ottawa and the place has a dingy old school charm. I have never eaten anything else there but when visiting my father in Marseilles we stop in for the Pork Tenderloin sandwich almost everytime. Turtle soup seems to be rather ubiquitous in Marseilles as well.

Betty's Restaurant
329 Main St, Marseilles, IL
Tel: (815) 795-4085

kseecs,

I live in LaSalle County(2 years now), and have not gone to Betty's yet. I will have to put it on the list. Thanks for the tip.

Whenever we travel on I-39 (seldom, SO hates the Lincoln bridge) we see a sign at the Oglesby exit for a Mexican restaurant somewhere off that exit. We have never found it, anyone know where it is?

jimswside wrote:we were just at Ron's on Sunday for an early dinner. Same high quality food as expected. I had that nights special shrimp & crab etoufee served over the jambalaya with the bubba shrimp, and of course the obligatory cup of gumbo.

His seafood gumbo was the best I have ever tasted. I only wish we lived closer to the place, I'd eat there weekly. We usually head out to Starved Rock, hike for a few hours and then stuff ourselves at Ron's.

libgirl,

I guess you will just have to move out to the country like we did to get to enjoy Rons food a little more..

seriously the reverse commute back into the Chicago suburbs is not that bad. 1 hour each way now that the 355 extension is done.

Ron's Cajun Connection will be having a Mardi Gras party on Fat Tuesday.

A cajun buffet for $45 with the best gumbo, etouffe, and jambalaya you will find north of New Orleans.

www.ronscajunconnection.com

As a side note im going out in the snow tonight to get another pork tenderloin sandwich the size of the plate, dwarfing the bun it is served on, and some great fried chicken @ Carreto's in Ottawa.

Some recent return trips to my favorite places:

Cherry Supper Club
Cherry Illinois

We went out to Cherry on Saturday night for dinner, and enjoyed another fine dinner. My wife had their fried chicken which is always great, while myself, and our other dining partner had a N.Y. Strip special for the night for $14 that included potato, & soup and salad bar. The steaks unded up being 14 oz. each, and both were cooked to a perfect medium rare. Not prime beef, but a very good steak. The soup was homemade cream of potato, and I had 3 cups. Total tab before tip, but including a coupe of beers = $39.

Carrretto's
Ottawa, IL.

I didnt feel like cooking Monday night so we went over to Carretto's in Ottawa for dinner. My wife went with all you can eat fried chicken for $7 and some change, while I went with an 8 oz. sirloin steak for $13. Both dinners included salad bar, and potato, I chose the homemade mashed with gravy, while my wife had some excellent american fries.

Both of these spots are either already regulars on our dining rotation, or becoming regulars. Addresses are posted in previous posts.

Monte's is open for lunch as well, at least on weekdays. My cousin and I eat lunch there almost every year the week before Christmas.

We usually go into LaSalle for dinner the night before. I think the place is called Seven, but I'll have to ask him.

thats the second rec for Monte's, I pass by it whenever I take Route 6 in to Ottawa, I am going to have to at least stop in for drinks, and some food. thanks

threadkiller wrote:Monte's is open for lunch as well, at least on weekdays. My cousin and I eat lunch there almost every year the week before Christmas.

We usually go into LaSalle for dinner the night before. I think the place is called Seven, but I'll have to ask him.

Monday, coming back from Peoria, we drove by Monte's at lunch time and there were no cars and of course, it's really sad to drive right by Ron's on a day he is not open. We didn't stop anywhere for lunch, we were packing way too many leftovers from Easter with the family so we just foraged off of that. Next trip through I think we'll try The New Bright Spot, the parking lot was packed on a Monday so the locals must like it.

Finally tried Johnnys Corner tap, about 3 blocks from my house in Marseilles(town just east of Ottawa). I had heard great things about their fried chicken, and turtle, but had not been in, due to their hours(only open Weds., Fri., Sat., & Sun. for dinner only.), and they only take cash(I rarely carry any).

So I got made sure to get some cash, and paid a visit for some carry-out last night. A small clean space inside with a bar that runs the length of the room. MGD, and Lite on tap for $1.75, and a rootbeer on tap as well(I think it was called 1919, or 1918). Sipped a beer, and looked at the menu, Friday nights special was deep fried turtle for $10.25. I ordered that, a cod platter $9.95(deep fried cod, popcorn shrimp, and clam strips), and a 1/4 lite chicken $5.75(I love wings and breasts). Each of these meals was served with a choice of potato(baked or fries), and the choice of a salad, slaw, or cottage cheese). Got fries for 2 meals, and baked potato for the other, and an order of slaw, and a couple of salads. They cook everything to order so I had an other beer while they fried everyhting up. The good ol' boys behind the bar were good hosts.

The fried chicken was on par with most of the fried chicken I have had out in Lasalle county(moist, perfectly fried, and the best I have had in Chicagoland). The cod was very good, and the clam strips, and popcorn shrimp were what was to be expected. The turtle, interesting, and good, deep fried, bite sized chunks. Some tasted different than others, I was told that different parts of the turtle different have different tastes by the bartenders. To me it tasted alot like deep fried alligator.

All in all I am glad I stopped in, and will be back for sure.

Other items on the menu
12 oz. walleye - $11.25
whole battered catfish(16 oz.) - $8.25
Pork tenderloin sandwich - $4.25

Johnny's Corner Tap
701 E. Bluff Street
Marseilles, IL. 61341
815-795-5577

jimswside wrote:The turtle, interesting, and good, deep fried, bite sized chunks. Some tasted different than others, I was told that different parts of the turtle different have different tastes by the bartenders. To me it tasted alot like deep fried alligator.

Jim,

I wonder how often Johnny's Corner Tap has turtle, Marseilles is but 75-miles down I 80. Combine with a stop at R Place Restaurant for an Ethyl or Hubcap Tenderloin and you have yourself quite the outing.

Enjoy,
Gary

R Place Restaurant
Interstate 80 and Route 47 (northeast corner of this exchange)
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-3690

G Wiv wrote:

jimswside wrote:The turtle, interesting, and good, deep fried, bite sized chunks. Some tasted different than others, I was told that different parts of the turtle different have different tastes by the bartenders. To me it tasted alot like deep fried alligator.

Jim,

I wonder how often Johnny's Corner Tap has turtle, Marseilles is but 75-miles down I 80. Combine with a stop at R Place Restaurant for an Ethyl or Hubcap Tenderloin and you have yourself quite the outing.

Enjoy,
Gary

R Place Restaurant
Interstate 80 and Route 47 (northeast corner of this exchange)
Morris, IL 60450
815-942-3690

I have their carry-out menu in front of me, the Turtle looks to be a Friday night special. Small portion $ 10.25 Large portion $ 13.95

For reference I can make the trip from Marseilles to the lakefront of Chicago in about an hour and 15 mins on a Saturday, or Sunday morning. I do set the cruise control @ 85 mph, but it is typicall wide open.

A LaSalle County crawl would be interesting for some city folks I bet..., from deep fried turtle(Johnny's), to Cajun food(cajun Connection), to fried chicken(Rips, etc), to pork tenderloin sandwiches(Carettos. R Place, Rockwell) & cheap beer, it would be a good time. Not haute cusine, but rib stickin food I have come to treasure since moving out here.

I finally made a long scheduled trip to Ottawa this past Saturday. Unfortunately, I was there in the early morning and none of the fried chicken places opened up until 4:30 PM, so I didn't get a chance to visit any of them. It was breakfast time, though. That meant a stop at the R Place Truck Stop in nearby Morris was in order.

R Place Entrance


R Place is a tschotzke laden roadside attraction whose main claim to fame is the Ethyl Burger, a 4 lb behemoth that comes complete with a side order of rules and regulations. If you eat it within their time limit and follow all the rules, it's free.

R Place Ethyl Burger Menu Listing


Whether you can finish the burger or not, your picture goes up on their wall of fame (it ought to for the nearly $21 price tag).

R Place Ethyl Burger Wall of Fame


To answer your question, NO I did not order one of these burgers. It was 8:00 on a Saturday morning, so breakfast was on my mind. The Chow Poodle ordered a cheese omelet, which was cooked pretty well done (exactly as she ordered it), while I, wishing it was closer to lunch time so I could have ordered the hubcap tenderloin, opted for a special of chicken fried steak and eggs.

R Place Cheese Omelet


R Place Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs


While The Chow Poodle's omelet was exactly the way she wanted it, my eggs, which I ordered scrambled easy, came out in a flat omelet style and were not scrambled at all plus they were cooked well past any semblance of scrambled easy. The CFS, while not close to the best version I have ever had, was nicely fried and was a pretty good version for a Northern truck stop. Lesson learned. If I ever go back for breakfast, I'll avoid the scrambled eggs and probably order over easy instead. In both cases, the hash browns were badly undercooked. Service was both prompt and very friendly.

I really liked this place and feel that R Place was a worthy stop, though I'm not sure breakfast is their strongest meal (kind of surprising for a truck stop). I welcome the chance to return to try a lunch or dinner entrée at a future time.

R Place Restaurant
Interstate 80 and Route 47
Morris, IL
815-942-3690

Hi,

To check out the rules and regulations related to the Ethyl challenge, they are covered in this post. I was there in the evening to find they were out of tenderloin sandwiches. If one is making a beeline for either the Ethyl or Pork Tenderloin sandwich, maybe a call in advance to reserve one is in order. It is simply too far to go to be disappointed.

Regards,

LikestoEatout wrote:Whenever we travel on I-39 (seldom, SO hates the Lincoln bridge) we see a sign at the Oglesby exit for a Mexican restaurant somewhere off that exit. We have never found it, anyone know where it is?

It's been a while since I've been back to Oglesby (grew up there) but are you referring to Mr. Salsa's? If so, it's on Walnut Street (the same one you'd exit onto) a little east of the downtown area at Spring Ave. It's maybe 1.5 miles from the exit.

If you make it to Oglesby, you have to go to Garzanelli's Supper Club. Great neon sign too. I never miss an opportunity to go if I'm anywhere near the neighborhood.

Deep fried turtle and some walleye are on the agenda for dinner tonight(if I can talk my wife out of wanting fried chicken instead of the walleye).

I am returning to Johnny's Corner Tap down the street from mmy house in Marseilles to get another order of the turtle, and to try the walleye I saw last time. The piece of fish was huge, and hung over the plate. That and a few cheap beers at the bar before I take the food home to my family, and I will have a great start to the weekend.

stevez wrote:While The Chow Poodle's omelet was exactly the way she wanted it, my eggs, which I ordered scrambled easy, came out in a flat omelet style and were not scrambled at all plus they were cooked well past any semblance of scrambled easy. The CFS, while not close to the best version I have ever had, was nicely fried and was a pretty good version for a Northern truck stop. Lesson learned. If I ever go back for breakfast, I'll avoid the scrambled eggs and probably order over easy instead. In both cases, the hash browns were badly undercooked. Service was both prompt and very friendly.

Steve,

The eggs might not have been to your liking, and the hash browns undercooked, but that CFS, even with your damning with faint praise Northern Truck Stop qualifier, looks pretty damn good!

Enjoy,
Gary

Finally made it out to dinner at Monari's 101 in LaSalle last night for dinner. I liked it alot, and think I have found a new regular for my rotation.

A small restaurant with 2 rooms, one containg a bar. A seasoned staff, and an owner who greets you as you enter his establishment. We were quoted a 40 min wait @ 6:30, but were seated within 10 minutes. In that time frame I had 2 shots of Patron, and a Budweiser. Tab = $12... gotta love a place with a healthy pour, and cheap drinks. For dinner I had a 10 oz. sirloin steak, salad(with what tasted like homemade 1000 Island), a side of spaghetti, and some of the best hashbrowns with onoins I have tasted. My wife had a cup of cream of artichoke, spinach, and chicken soup(very good), a half fried chicken mixed, rice, and a side of applesauce(homemade). The steak was cooked perfectly rare, and a nice sized cut. The fried chicken was cooked as ordered, so it was very good. Tab for this feast $27.00.


Great service, cheap drinks, and very good food, I will be back for sure.
www.monari101.com

The Green Mill in Ottawa, referenced upthread, had a big fire yesterday(Sunday). It had been around under different owners/names for 108 years.