KCR_Kendall County Dining Guide 2019_032819

KENDALL COUNTY 2019

DINING GUIDE

Thursday, March 28, 2019

| DINING GUIDE

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M STERY D NER

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

Capitano brings hearty meals, sweets to Yorkville While most of the country was out shopping on Black Friday, I was in the office.

Not intending to miss out on the national day of spending money, I decided to take a guest to visit Capitano Deli & Sweets in the heart of downtown Yorkville.

Located on Bridge Street (Route 47), steps away from the intersection with Van Emmon Street, Capitano is an Italian-style deli, featuring freshly made sandwiches with Boar’s Head meats, cheeses and breads, as well as charcuterie boards, desserts and soups.

Parking was easy, as there is an expansive lot right behind Capitano. Entering the deli, I was greeted immediately, and went right into the comfortable atmosphere.

The shop is simply furnished, with dark wooden booths, tables and chairs.

After perusing the menu for a short minute – and a thank you to the employee who helped me identify the new sandwich I had seen on the deli’s Facebook page but couldn’t find on the menu – my guest and I made our orders. For him, a small bowl of clam chowder and the Yorkville Broil: London broil, provolone and mozzarella on garlic buttered sourdough.

For me, a small bowl of tomato basil soup and the new sandwich, the Mahunga: oven-roasted chicken, Italian herb-crusted mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo and bacon on a baguette.

Each sandwich came with chips, and my guest ordered a moscato, while I chose a root beer.

Our soups were brought out first. My guest praised the clam chowder as rich and filling, very good and thick with plenty of clams. My soup was delicious – not overly salty, slightly sweet from the basil and tomato, and not overly seasoned. It tasted very natural and was incredibly filling for a small-size serving.

Both sandwiches were

If you go n WHAT: Capitano Deli &

Sweets

n WHERE: 220 S. Bridge St.,

Yorkville

n HOURS: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday to ​Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday n INFORMATION: 630-8829173, info@capitanodeli. com, www.capitanodeli.com

Capitano Deli and Sweets provides hearty meals with high-quality ingredients in downtown Yorkville.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: A range of Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, used in the sandwiches at Capitano Deli and Sweets, are on display in the Yorkville shop. RIGHT: The tomato basil soup at Capitano Deli and Sweets was fresh and filling, not too sweet or salty. incredibly filling. The high quality of the Boar’s Head cheese and meats on both sandwiches elevated them both to something well worth the cost. Neither sandwich was overloaded with condiments or additives, which also helped to allow the quality of what was used to make the sandwich shine through.

The Mahunga was juicy, subtly flavored with the Italian herb cheese, and I liked the crunch of the baguette.

The Yorkville Broil, according to my guest, was juicy and enjoyable, with the garlic

flavor of the bread a pleasant taste that lingered but was not overpowering. Each sandwich was large enough to be cut in half, and when paired with the soup, made for a very filling meal.

When we completed our meals, we took a step into the next room and visited Piccolo e Dolce, the candy shop located inside of Capitano.

Something I really love about Piccolo e Dolce is that it’s a showcase of the owners’ desire to provide work opportunities to young adults with special needs. The candy shop

features a job skills program for those young adults, and I offer my thanks and appreciation to the young man working in the shop that day.

He was on the ball, helping my guest and me make our choices, cleaning up, and making sure that every candy was displayed properly.

Capitano Deli and Sweets is a strong addition to downtown Yorkville, bringing big flavors into Bridge Street.

The deli’s unique sandwiches and soups are delicious and filling, well worth a visit on their own. However, a stop

into Piccolo e Dolce is also worth a visit, both for the candy, and to support the great initiative behind the shop.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Record Newspapers. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. The Mystery Diner is not intended to be a restaurant critic but does highlight the parts of a dining experience that he/she can recommend.

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DINING GUIDE | Thursday, March 28, 2019

Capitano Deli & Sweets is a family-owned and operated delicatessen in Yorkville, Illinois.

Our family is committed to quality food and service for every customer that walks through our door.

At Capitano, we offer a delicious selection of fresh fare. We proudly serve American deli favorites and Italian bites using the freshest ingredients. We’re bringing you delicious, handcrafted sandwiches stacked high with Boar’s Head meats and cheeses.

From hand-carved deli meats to freshly prepared lunches and sides, we have what it takes to satisfy your appetite.

Capitano Deli is proud to offer FREE delivery to Yorkville businesses. Hardworking People deserve a great lunch!

We Sell Meat by the Pound Want to stay in for dinner?

We deliver to homes after 3PM

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($5.00 Home Delivery Charge)

HOURS OF OPERATION:

CONTACT

Monday: 9 am – 8 pm Friday: 9 am – 8 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 8 pm Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 8 pm Sunday: 10 am – 3:30 pm Thursday: 9 am – 8 pm

220 S. Bridge Street Yorkville, Illinois 60560

630-882-9173 info@capitanodeli.com

https://capitanodeli.com/deli/kids-menu/

Thursday, March 28, 2019

| DINING GUIDE

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M STERY D NER Prohibition Junction offers trip down memory lane

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

The Mystery Diner starts this week’s review with a little historical vocabulary.

Who’s heard of a “speakeasy?”

The term speakeasy originally referred to the illicit drinking houses that rose to prominence during the Prohibition era of the United States.

Alcohol was discreetly sold behind closed doors to a chosen few at locations with no signs and hidden entrances.

This week’s Mystery Diner adventure takes us to an establishment inspired by that roaring 1920s era, Prohibition Junction Sports Bar & Grill at 1031 Station Drive. The restaurant, under new management for a couple years, is located right off of Orchard Road near Route 30 in Oswego.

Decor can really set a fun mood for a restaurant. The Mystery Diner and fellow companions found that to be the case as we ventured out on a cold winter evening.

The cozy establishment’s walls are adorned with pictures of figures from the Prohibition era. Tabletops follow along with the theme, and so does the menu. Entrees are brought out in dishes lined with paper decorated like a 1920s newspaper. For those in the mood to catch a sports event, Prohibition Junction features a bank of TVs behind its bar area inside the dining room.

Prohibition Junction’s extensive drink selections keep that spirit. There are fun cocktails like the Prohibition Berry and Banana Popsicle, specialty drinks like the Moscow mule and Black Fedora and a large selection of martinis.

Our party arrived hungry, though, and Prohibition Junction more than sated our appetites.

While munching on some freshly popped popcorn from the popcorn machine, we first perused the large selection of appetizer options, which include traditional bar fare like chips and mozzarella sticks.

If you go n WHAT: Prohibition Junction Sports Bar & Grill n WHERE: 1031 Station Drive, Oswego n HOURS: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday n INFORMATION: Call 630-636-9355, email info@ prohibitionjunction.com, or go to www.prohibitionjunction.com Prohibition Junction Sports Bar & Grill is located at 1031 Station Drive in Oswego.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: The Prohibition bacon burger, locally sourced, hand-packed and served with crumbled bacon, is served with a side of french fries and a pickle. RIGHT: Prohibition’s chicken wings, served regular, naked or hand-battered, are slathered with one of five sauces. This is Classic BBQ. Prohibition Junction’s wings are available regular, naked or hand-battered, slathered in any one of five sauces. We went with regular BBQ, which we happily found to be sweettasting and tangy.

The Mystery Diner’s companion also opted to try the stuffed mushrooms. The dish is a meal in itself, stuffed with borso cheese and fried until golden brown.

Moving on the main course, Prohibition Junction’s menu features a large selection of “gourmet bootleg burgers,” sandwiches, wraps and

dinners ranging from Prohibition tacos to coconut shrimp and chicken Parmesan.

My companion went with the “incognito chicken sandwich.” The sandwich is served grilled with sauteed garlic, buttered spinach and Parmesan cheese with pesto.

Pesto is a personal favorite of the Mystery Diner’s companion, and her tastebuds weren’t disappointed.

The Mystery Diner opted for the “Prohibition bacon burger.” Prohibition Junction touts all its burgers as a special blend done locally;

this particular burger was hand-packed and mixed with crumbled bacon. The sandwich is filled with plenty of meaty goodness that the Mystery Diner devoured.

We were both full, but our pleasant waitress had a dessert offer we simply could not refuse.

Fried Oreos.

This was not the Mystery Diner’s first rodeo with this fried, gooey deliciousness, and we were happily delighted once again. We didn’t leave a crumb.

For those in the mood for

a trip down memory lane to the bygone era of the roaring 1920s, and a good meal, Prohibition Junction is recommended.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Record Newspapers. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a different restaurant and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

O T T A TRE EAT $ OFF 1 AT JOHNNY K’S!

Any Ice Cream Treat $5 or more Johnny K’s • Sandwich • 815-786-3088 Valid thru 6-30-19 with this ad.

Not valid with other offers.

F F O 20 %

Any Order

Johnny K’s • Sandwich • 815-786-3088 Valid thru 6-30-19 with this ad.

Not valid with other offers.

First Cruise Night Is May 7th Making Life Sweeter Since 2003

Dine In Drive-Thru Carry Out 815-786-3088 • 125 Duvick Ave. (Rt. 34), Sandwich Open Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm • Fri & Sat 11am-10pm

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DINING GUIDE | Thursday, March 28, 2019

SA Y A W L A S ’ IT

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

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M STERY D NER Ginger & Soul a hidden, high-end delight in Yorkville

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

There’s a common misconception that the only restaurants and dining options in the area are fast food or chains. The point of Mystery Diner is to disprove that, and I was happy to do so again at a recent trip to Ginger & Soul in downtown Yorkville.

Started as a catering company in 2016, the business launched dinner and brunch services for the public this year.

Tucked away next to the Fox River, behind Foxy’s Ice Cream, Ginger & Soul doesn’t look like much from the outside. But once inside the deceptively small-looking restaurant, I was overwhelmed with colors and music. I was promptly greeted and given a choice of seating, The menu was left with me throughout the evening, something I appreciated, as it gave me time to peruse the options and decide what I wanted for each course.

I started with an appetizer of pan-fried falafel with dill yogurt sauce, paired with a recommended glass of Chardonnay, followed by salmon with lemon basil risotto, charred tomatoes and sauteed green beans. For dessert, I ordered a cinnamon roll.

Having, at least to the best of my recollection, never tasted falafel before, I was pleased to find out that I greatly enjoyed it. For those who don’t know what falafel is, it’s a deep-fried patty or ball made of ground chickpeas, fava beans or both. The texture was interesting: crunchy and flavorful without being too overwhelming. The sauce was delicious, a mix of yogurt and dill with a slight hint of lemon. I would definitely try it again.

My main course was salmon, a favorite meal of mine. The salmon was cooked perfectly, not overly seasoned, moist and flaky. It was delicious – I only wish my portion had been larger. The salmon rested on top of a mountain of lemon-basil risotto, which was creamy and rich. I greatly

If you go n WHAT: Ginger & Soul Res-

taurant and Catering

n WHERE: 131 E. Hydraulic St.,

Unit C, Yorkville

n HOURS: 5 to 9 p.m. Thurs-

day to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday to Wednesday) n INFORMATION: 630-4404017, gingerandsoulcatering. com, or Ginger and Soul Inc. on Facebook

The Mystery Diner enjoyed Ginger & Soul’s special of falafel with dill yogurt sauce, a unique treat the Mystery Diner had never had before.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: The salmon at Ginger & Soul was cooked perfectly, along with the sides of lemon basil risotto, charred tomatoes, and sauteed green beans. RIGHT: The painted wooden floor and string lights lend to the ambiance at Ginger & Soul. enjoyed the delicately flavored risotto; another first-time treat for the Mystery Diner.

Along with the salmon and risotto, I enjoyed my share of vegetables in sauteed green beans and charred tomatoes.

A quick sidebar: In between my appetizer and my main course, I was offered a sweet roll with honey butter presented in the shape of a flower. It was so delicious I had seconds. The roll’s crust had a good crispness, with a warm and sweet interior, and the butter was sweet and

pleasant, without being cloying.

At this point, after falafel, a full meal, and tasty bread and butter, I was stuffed to the brim. But I was determined to try one of the enormous cinnamon rolls with sweet cream frosting. So I got it to go, and had it for breakfast the next morning. It was flaky, rich, well-flavored, with plenty of sweet icing to enjoy. A highlight to have at any point of the day.

I can’t finish this article without praising my server,

whose name I unfortunately didn’t catch. She was very kind, giving me plenty of time to decide on what I wanted, and took the time to chat with me throughout the meal.

That kind of service deserves praise.

While the full price of my meal was not inexpensive, the quality of my meal, along with the welcoming service, was well worth the cost. Besides, why drive to Naperville to drop big bucks on a meal, when you can support a burgeoning business in your own

backyard?

Ginger & Soul was a treat that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I can’t wait to go back.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Record Newspapers. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. The Mystery Diner is not intended to be a restaurant critic but does highlight the parts of a dining experience that he/she can recommend.

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

Gillerson’s puts fresh spin on neighborhood tap The Mystery Diner is always in the mood for a good burger and a beer. I can find one with just a short drive. It takes a little exploring, though, to find an establishment that puts a unique spin on this traditional fare quite like Gillerson’s Grubbery.

Gillerson’s first opened its doors in the middle of Aurora’s increasingly bustling downtown area across the street from the Hollywood Casino in the fall of 2015 on the site of the former Chef Amaury’s restaurant.

The brick storefront exterior with a simple sign suggests a typical neighborhood tap, but Gillerson’s is anything but.

We walked in on a warm summer evening to a cheery interior with hardwood floors and bright-colored walls. We sat in the cozy dining area, but there is seating in the brickwalled bar and an exterior patio in the back.

In the mood for a cold beverage, the Mystery Diner came to the right place. Gillerson’s provides an extensive sampling of rotating craft beers, with close to 40 varieties either available on tap, in a bottle or can. I selected the Two Brothers Domaine DuPage, a French country ale with a deep amber color suggested by our friendly waiter. It hit the spot.

Onto the grub, and Gillerson’s offers plenty of fun – and creativity – in its dining options. Food and drink specials were listed on the chalkboard above us. Snacks and shareables include “Scooby Snacks,” tempura shishito peppers with wasabi teriyaki, “Spaceballs,” with risotto, asparagus, jalapeño, sweet corn, onion and jalapeño avocado aioli, and “Trippy Shrooms,” stuffed mushrooms with arugula pesto, cream cheese and garlic aioli.

It being a Wednesday, we opted for the half-off wings, BBQ-style. The serving of 10 wings were not short on meat with a zesty sweet barbecue flavor.

Moving on to the main course, Gillerson’s is bursting

If you go n WHAT: Gillerson’s Grubbery n WHERE: 33 W. New York St., Aurora n HOURS: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday. n INFORMATION: Call 630-

340-3719, email info@gillersons.com or go to www. gillersons.com.

Gillerson’s Grubbery is located at 33 W. New York St. in downtown Aurora.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: Gillerson Grubbery’s “Winner Winner” sandwich – pulled chicken, bourbon BBQ sauce, pickle and onion strings served on a homestyle bun with a side of tater tots. RIGHT: The Gillerson’s Grubbery bacon cheeseburger, served with a side of french fries. with creative ways to dress its handcrafted 8-ounce patties.

The headliner is the Rebel Duck, a steak burger with pork shoulder with bacon, white cheddar, fried onion strings and barbecue sauce, but there is also a Spicy Hawaiian Burger, Avocado Turkey Burger, “Grumpy Patty Melt” served on marble rye, and a “Mac Daddy,” a steak burger with mac and cheese, bacon and roasted jalapeño.

Diners can also craft their own burgers with a seemingly endless smorgasbord of sauces, “O.G. Toppings” like lettuce, tomato and Gillerson’s house-made ketchup or more

adventuresome additions like mac and cheese or carnitas.

I created my own classic bacon cheeseburger, served with a side of crispy tater tots.

The heaping serving of beef was well-seasoned, juicy and a mouthful.

For those with special dietary concerns, beef can be swapped out for a turkey, black bean or chicken patty, with gluten-free and vegan buns available. Or try the “Impossible Burger,” made with all-natural ingredients like wheat, coconut oil and potatoes that tastes like meat.

My dining companion was in the mood for a sandwich –

and again, Gillerson’s has a plethora of creative names and options for the palate.

There is the “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart,” Gillerson’s version of the traditional BLT with avocado aioli served on a tomato focaccia bun, the “So Long Castro” with carnitas, smoked ham, house pickles, swiss cheese on panini bread, and a number of salad options.

She went with the “Winner Winner,” pulled chicken piled high and topped with bourbon BBQ, pickle and onion strings. By the looks of things, it required a knife and fork.

My companion had no trouble devouring the mountain of

chicken on her plate.

If you’re looking for a fresh, fun trendy take on the traditional beer and burger in downtown Aurora, Gillerson’s Grubbery is the perfect spot.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Record Newspapers. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. The Mystery Diner is not intended to be a restaurant critic but does highlight the parts of a dining experience that he/she can recommend.

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DINING GUIDE | Thursday, March 28, 2019

M STERY D NER

Thursday, March 28, 2019

| DINING GUIDE

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M STERY D NER

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

Brenda’s: A tasty, quintessential small-town eatery Comfort food has different meanings to a lot of people.

For some, it’s chicken noodle soup or pizza, and for others, it’s eating an entire bag of chocolate chips by yourself.

To me, one of my top comfort foods is chicken strips.

I’m not sure why, it may be because I’m secretly still a child.

But I love chicken strips, and I loved the chicken strips I had recently at Brenda’s Frozen Custard in Sandwich.

The small diner located just off Route 34 features 1950s rock ’n’ roll-style decor, and a wealth of food, including wraps, burgers, paninis, salads, corn dogs, pulled pork, mac ’n’ cheese bites, and, of course, custard. The bathrooms are decorated with the same theme decor, and on the wall near the door leading to the outdoor patio is a sign for Sandwich, resting above a collection of black-and-white photos from the town’s history.

As I mentioned above, there is also a small outdoor patio that I didn’t take advantage of because of the weather, but on previous occasions that I’ve been to Brenda’s, I’ve sat on the patio, and it was lovely, filled with large flowers, and a great place to catch some rays while enjoying lunch.

On the day that I visited Brenda’s, I ordered a double helping of chicken strips (a total of six strips ) with ranch dressing because I was pretty hungry. For a side, I ordered what I’m pretty sure is a new side dish, seasoned straightcut fries.

It was delicious. The whole meal was delicious. It was quick, simple and filling. So filling, in fact, that I ended up taking some of my leftover chicken strips with me to eat later. (They were just as good the next day). I was so stuffed with chicken and fries that I didn’t have any room for custard, something I plan to remedy very soon.

Like I said before, chicken strips are a big comfort food for me, so I have pretty high standards. Those standards were met at Brenda’s. The

If you go n WHAT: Brenda’s Frozen Custard n WHERE: 205 Wells St., Sandwich n HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Closed Sundays and Mondays. n INFORMATION: 815-570-2236, www.toasttab.com/brendasfrozen-custard or facebook. com/brendasfrozencustard Located off Route 34 in downtown Sandwich, Brenda’s Frozen Custard offers a variety of filling meals, in addition to their gourmet custard.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: The extra ranch sauce was just the delicious topping on a filling meal of chicken strips and seasoned straight-cut fries that the Mystery Diner recently enjoyed at Brenda’s Frozen Custard in Sandwich. RIGHT: Photos showing the history of Sandwich can be found on the wall at Brenda’s, along with 1950s rock ’n’ roll decor. strips were long, but not enormously thick. The breading was crunchy; a slight taste of flour with a touch of pepper that didn’t overpower the breading. When I ripped into the chicken strips, I could see that the meat was fresh, with steam and plenty of heat.

I also have pretty high standards for seasoned fries, because they’re something I surprisingly don’t come across that often. The seasoned straight-cut fries at Brenda’s were equally delicious – a crunch to the fries with a hot interior that didn’t taste like

biting into a raw potato. The seasoning was perfectly balanced in all directions with no spices overpowering each other. I was so happy with the fries that I actually ate most of them before I even remembered that I had chicken strips to eat.

For ordering a double helping of chicken strips, a green tea, a side of fries and extra ranch dressing, the cost of my meal was very reasonable, which I was pleased to see. I was served promptly, for having arrived around lunch time, and the employee at the

counter gave me a pleasant greeting when I walked in.

Brenda’s is the kind of quintessential small-town eatery that isn’t found that much anymore, because towns are too busy filling up with chain restaurants that can be found anywhere. But I enjoyed my time at Brenda’s, and my freshly-made lunch, which was probably a lot healthier than spending $4 on chicken nuggets and fries at a fast-food chain. It’s a great place for a family meal with a prime location in town. I’m already planning to go back when the

weather gets nicer, because I really want to try some custard. I love custard.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Record Newspapers. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. The Mystery Diner is not intended to be a restaurant critic but does highlight the parts of a dining experience that he/she can recommend.

M STERY D NER

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Restaurant reviews

Ivana’s Cafe a quaint spot for homestyle food If there were any justice in the world, people would be lined up for blocks outside of Ivana’s Cafe in downtown Plano for their biscuits and gravy.

Ivana’s opened on East Main Street last spring, but in August the building was heavily damaged in a fire and the owners had to close up shop.

They reopened last November at 12 W. Main St. Ivana’s serves breakfast and lunch, and its quaint, warm interior includes a chalkboard menu with the daily specials. On the day I visited, the specials included a Polish sausage omelette and lunch specials like homemade lasagna and pork stew.

The cafe is also unique because it offers Polish specialties like pierogi, potato pancakes, cheese blintzes and kolaczki.

They offer the traditional breakfast fare, like skillets, eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles and French toast, and lunchtime staples like burgers, sandwiches and wraps.

But their other lunch menu items include hot turkey or meatloaf sandwiches, or entree platters with pierogi, sausages and other flavorful delights.

When I arrived at Ivana’s, it was a little later in the morning, after the early morning rush, but Ivana’s was a happening place. I was immediately greeted by my server and given a menu, and that’s where the biscuits and gravy come in.

I fancy myself a bit of a B ’n’ G connoisseur, and have my favorite go-to places in the Fox Valley region. Technically, biscuits and gravy isn’t hard to make, but it is easy to screw up.

I scanned the menu and my eyes quickly fell on a breakfast treat called the “Half & Half”: a half order of biscuits and gravy served with fresh American fried potatoes. I ordered some sausage patties and toast on the side as well.

The meal came out quickly

If you go n WHAT: Ivana’s Cafe n WHERE: 12 W. Main St., Plano n HOURS: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. all week, except for Fridays – 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. n INFORMATION: 630-429-8127 or facebook.com/IvanasCafe-1345256868860245 Ivana’s Cafe opened at 12 W. Main St. in downtown Plano last November, after a fire in August damaged the building where the cafe was originally located on East Main Street. The cafe opened for business in that East Main Street location in the spring of 2017.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: The Mystery Diner decided to get a nice hearty breakfast at Ivana’s Cafe, and the restaurant didn’t disappoint. The Mystery Diner ordered the Half & Half: a half-order of biscuits and gravy with American fries smothered in sausage gravy. He decided to add an order of sausage patties and toast to his breakfast at additional cost. RIGHT: A server chats with and takes the orders of some locals who came in for good homestyle food at Ivana’s Cafe in downtown Plano. and it was hot and fresh. The biscuits were perfect and soft and the gravy had tons of flavor. It didn’t specify this on the menu, but the American fried potatoes, which were crisp and delicious, came smothered in the sausage gravy as well.

The sausage patties were perfectly cooked, and the toast came with jelly or jam that appeared to be homemade or at least tasted like it was.

It was a generous meal for a good price. The most expensive item on the menu is $9.99.

The Mystery Diner came

away full and satisfied. I will definitely be back to Ivana’s Cafe again, and soon.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Record Newspapers. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff before or during

the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. The Mystery Diner is not intended to be a restaurant critic but does highlight the parts of a dining experience that he/she can recommend.

DINING GUIDE | Thursday, March 28, 2019

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Thursday, March 28, 2019

| DINING GUIDE

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M STERY D NER

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

Restaurant at Whitetail Ridge makes the cut YORKVILLE – The Mystery Diner never made the cut as a golfer.

Frequent slices into the rough, and three-putts (or more) are par for the course for my afternoon visits to the links.

A good restaurant on the golf course, though, scratches my itch.

Which takes us to this week’s Mystery Diner visit, the restaurant at Whitetail Ridge Golf Club.

With grand views of a 6,604-yard golf course in the rolling countryside five miles east of downtown Yorkville, the Whitetail Ridge is an ideal stop for a relaxing dinner.

The Mystery Diner ventured to Whitetail Ridge on a lovely Saturday evening, arriving at a bustling restaurant also hosting a wedding reception in the adjacent banquet rooms.

Taking our seat at a table with large open windows allowing for diners to overlook the golf course, we perused the Whitetail Ridge’s offerings.

Whitetail Ridge, which serves lunch and dinner Mondays through Saturdays with a breakfast buffet on Sundays, features – no surprise – a golfthemed menu.

“Teeing Off” appetizers include options ranging from pulled-pork sliders to nachos to loaded potato skins. A large sampling of “The Greens” include a fresh spinach salad and a new buffalo chicken salad.

With empty stomachs and big expectations, we chose from the “Back 9” dinner entrée section. My dinner companions opted for the bourbon-glazed salmon and bruschetta chicken, while the Mystery Diner went with the 16-ounce prime rib available Fridays and Saturdays.

We certainly were not disappointed.

A generous cut of beef was well-seasoned, juicy and quite filling. It was served with au jus and horseradish, with a

If you go n WHAT: Whitetail Ridge n WHERE: 7671 Clubhouse Drive, Yorkville n WHEN: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mondays through Saturdays, serving lunch and dinner; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sundays, serving breakfast buffet until 1 p.m., lunch menu available after 1 p.m. n MORE INFO: Call 630882-8988 or visit whitetailridgegolfclub.com Whitetail Ridge’s prime rib is served with choice of potato and seasonal vegetables. The generous cut of beef was wellseasoned, juicy and quite filling.

Shaw Media photos

LEFT: Whitetail Ridge’s chicken bruschetta, served with choice of potato and greens. The restaurant, which has a golf-themed menu, serves lunch and dinner Mondays through Saturdays with a breakfast buffet on Sundays. RIGHT: Whitetail Ridge’s chocolate lava cake oozed with dark, decadent, warm, gooey chocolate sauce. choice of potato and greens.

It was no small feat to finish, but the Mystery Diner did not leave a morsel.

Whitetail Ridge offers a large selection of gluten free offerings ranging from the aforementioned salmon and

prime rib to a new entrée, the ahi tuna filet.

But we weren’t ready to pack up our golf bag yet – the desserts were well worth another round before we left.

We chose to split the caramel apple stack, and the

chocolate lava cake. As the name indicates, the lava cake oozed with dark, decadent, warm, gooey chocolate sauce.

As for the caramel stack, my companion couldn’t recall a more delightful after-dinner treat. Buttery, flaky crust cov-

ered an apple filling drizzled with caramel sauce nestled under vanilla ice cream.

Decadent.

Pun intended, when it comes to restaurants on a golf course, the Whitetail Ridge is a real hole-in-one.

Suggest a restaurant! Email news@kendallcountynow.com

Restaurant reviews

Gene’s offers ‘old school’ dining and beef rolls

SANDWICH – There are some foods you can only find in certain areas of the country: Springfield has its horseshoe, Louisville has its hot brown, and Sandwich has the beef roll.

I’ve lived in the Kendall County area for 26 years and have traveled throughout the United States, and I have never seen a beef roll offered at a roadside diner or cafe. But in Sandwich, there are multiple places to find a beef roll.

This time around, I tried one from Gene’s Chicken and Pizza. It’s also called Gene’s Carry Out or, simply, Gene’s.

This spot in downtown Sandwich has been serving families for 37 years.

Gene’s has a menu with a wide variety of tasty meals, from their battered fried chicken to their fried seafood offerings like perch, and has a number of specials during the week, like fried chicken livers on Thursdays or a fish fry on Fridays with cod, perch or popcorn shrimp.

They also serve their own pizza (thin and deep dish), burgers, and other specialties. And soft-serve ice cream, if you’re ready for a treat after your meal.

But when I entered Gene’s one recent Friday evening, I was there to pick up some savory treats, including a beef roll.

I’ll be honest, I had no idea what a beef roll was before I ordered it. A beef roll, at least one from Gene’s, has Italian beef, bell peppers and onions along with mozzarella cheese rolled up into pizza dough, similar to a calzone ... but different.

The beef roll from Gene’s was full of beefy flavor, and the onions and peppers added an extra kick to complement the creamy mozzarella.

Gene’s also offers a variety of other rolls: a chicken roll, chicken gyros roll, ham roll, vegetarian lover’s roll, turkey roll, tuna roll and gyros roll.

The interior of Gene’s is old school, warm and invit-

The welcoming exterior of Gene’s at 125 S. Main St. in downtown Sandwich. The restaurant has been around for years and serves beef rolls, gyros, burgers and other sandwiches, along with fried seafood, breakfast plates and a plethora of other goodies.

If you go n WHAT: Gene’s n WHERE: 125 S. Main St.,

Sandwich

n HOURS: 4 to 10 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday n INFORMATION: 815-7869058, facebook.com/ genescarryout ing. There is plenty of seating, and you can also order and then sit at the bar in back.

You can tell, especially from coming into Gene’s on a Friday night, that this is a place where the locals line up for some tasty favorites.

It reminded me of a lodge in the north woods of Wisconsin, with folks eating, drinking and being merry.

And some, hopefully, eating a beef roll.

Shaw Media photos

ABOVE: The interior of a Gene’s beef roll, complete with Italian beef, mozzarella cheese, onions and bell peppers.

A flavor explosion that’s like a hybrid between a calzone and an Italian beef sandwich. BELOW: The order counter at Gene’s in Sandwich was hopping on a recent Friday night.

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FREE

ROMAN PINSA with the purchase of a 16” extra large pizza at regular price

MEET THE NEWEST ADDITION TO OUR PIZZA FAMILY. THE ROMAN PINSA HAND CRAFTED IN OUR KITCHEN.

2 FREE

1 HR UNLIMITED LASER TAG PASSES ARCADE CARD with the purchase of the $30 gift card

(non-ticketed games)

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$

732 Prairie Street, Aurora, IL 60506

(630) 756-5451 luigisinfo@lpafc.com Sunday – Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM

SM-CL1643697ZZ ZZ