The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Finally Got My CB&C

The first two attempts I made to get cb&c (corned beef & cabbage) dinners this past Saturday ended in failure.  No cb&c for me.  Sadly, this is the only time of the year you can get it.  I sure wouldn't mind if I could find a place to get it year round.

Plus, I have a particular way I want my cb&c.  Each fork full needs to have equal parts corned beef and cabbage.  Plus I like a bit of medium horseradish on it.  And, of course, the whole thing needs to be liberally peppered.

I also like to have the mini potatoes, cooked onions and carrots and a piece of rye bread heavily buttered.

But, the third attempt proved to be the charm as I got a heaping plate full of cb&c at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and yesterday, the actual St. Patrick's Day, I got another plate of my beloved at the St. Baldrick's celebration at the Fox Lake American Legion.

So, Two for Four's Not So Bad.  --RoadCorned


Saturday, March 16, 2024

When Irish Eyes Weren't Smiling So Much

The Day before St. Patrick's Day and I still haven't had any corned beef & cabbage (cb&c).  Not that I haven't tried.  I am now 0 for 2 in attempts.

First I went to the Lake Villa (Illinois) St. Patrick's Day celebration.  Sadly, by the time I got to the VFW, they had sold out of cb&c.

Then, I drove to Johnsburg with intentions to get cb&c at Sunnyside.  Yesterday, I had stopped in and seen them advertising what I was looking for.  Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed in the fine print that it was being offered at Cullom Knoll over in McCullom Lake near McHenry and not at Sunnyside.

The woman who owns Sunnyside also operates Cullom Knoll.

So, so far no corned beef and cabbage for me.  But, in a few minutes I'll be heading over to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and I understand they have cb&c.

Here's Hoping.  --RoadLessCornedBeef


Friday, March 15, 2024

Getting My Irish on Tomorrow

Well, I have three options for tomorrow.  A lot depends on the weather which sounds a bit iffy.  Ans, of course, there are the crowds.  Tomorrow seems to be the bigger of the two weekend days even though St, Patrick's is actually on Sunday.

The biggest one tomorrow would be the McHenry (Illinois) ShamROCK the Fox which includes the dying green of the Fox River, a parade and bands.  That is usually a bit too crowded for me.  This involves five bands throughout the day in huge tents. 

If I decide against McHenry, I will go to Lake Villa (Illinois) for their annual parade and then to the VFW for the corned beef & cabbage dinner and a band afterwards.  

If that doesn't work out, the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society is having a group come in at the museum and give an old-time radio broadcast.  Then, it would be a trio to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes (Wisconsin) for free corned beef & cabbage.  Layer, Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for green beer and entertainment.

SUNDAY, ST. PATRICK'S DAY, McHenry continues bands in the tents and fireworks at night.  The Fox Lake American Legion has St. Baldrick's Day where folks have their hair cut off for a good cause.  (I'm not, I'll donate.)  Then a corned beef and cabbage dinner and entertainment.

Here's Hoping My Tongue Doesn't Get Too Green.  --Road O'Dog


Thursday, March 14, 2024

Time to Get Those 1920 License Plates On Your Car


From the March 25, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Some of the automobile owners in DeKalb County  are going to get in 'Dutch' with the sheriff if they don't pay attention to the license  law.  There are some people who are still using the last year's license number on their cars.

"They should have had them changed the first of the year but police have made allowances for the delays that sometimes occur.  Now, however, they are going to arrest any person with a 1919  license plate and the fine  is $25 to $200."

And, you can still get fined for having out of date stickers on those tags.

Reckon You'd Better Update That Thing.  --RoadFineOtherWise


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

What to Do on a Tuesday

Yesterday was a good one for me.

I drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and saw a movie then went to the Woodstock Library and looked at some books on Woodstock history.  

Then, I met a group of members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers for dinner before moving back to the library where we had the first meeting of the year.  We do not meet December to February.

We had a presentation on Confederate Railroads.

--RoadCivil


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

So, What's to Do Around Here-- Part 2: Wendy's Breakfasts, Fish Fry

MARCH 7, THURSDAY

Drove to McHenry and had the Baconator breakfast sandwich at Wendy's and if you like bacon, this sam's for you.  Went to Meijer and bought their last brick of Maxell cassette tapes.  This is the only place I know of around here that still sells them.  I still record on them.  Then went to Hobby Lobby and bought flowers for Liz's grave as well as her parents.  Time to take the Christmas ones down.

MARCH 8, FRIDAY

Met Kevin and Kelly at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for the fish fry.  Then to the Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.  All sorts of fun next Sunday at the Legion.  St. Baldrick's, corned beef & cabbage dinner and entertainment.

MARCH 9, SATURDAY

Drove to Fox Lake and had the 2 for $3 breakfast biscuit special and senior drink.  Bought too much stuff at Dollar Tree (well, Dollar Twenty-Five Tree now).  I need to stay out of that place.  Stopped at Thornton's for my iced drink and a guy backed into my car when I was leaving.  I checked for damage but couldn't see any so we went on our way.

Went to Sunnyside for the afternoon

MARCH 10, SUNDAY

Daylight Savings arrived, so that kept me busy for a bit.  Always like its arrival.  We're almost over winter.  Bob Stroud featured songs with the word "Light" in their titles on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.

Went to Saylor Mick's and enjoyed $3 pint Bloody Marys and a huge $7 cheeseburger and fries.

Summer's Almost Here.  --RoadSaving Time


Sunday, March 10, 2024

So, What's to Do Around Here: Bar Hopping, Cheap Beer and Food

Okay, so it's still winter for a few days (starts the 19th) and it has been a fairly warm one so far.  So, what is there to do around here (northeast Illinois) until summer gets here.?

MARCH 3, SUNDAY

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, then to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove where I had a great $3 Bloody Mary and $7 Italian beef sandwich and fries.

MARCH 4, MONDAY

Sunnyside for $1.50 pints, the Monday special.

MARCH 5, TUESDAY

Back to Saylor Mick's for $1.50 tacos and live trivia.

MARCH 6, WEDNESDAY

Drove to Wisconsin and went to Best Bargains which sure lives up to its name when it comes to groceries.  Filled up with gas at the BP in Twin Lakes for $3.35 (it had been down to $2.50 a month ago).  Still better than Illinois where it is around $3.90.

Played live trivia with Uncle Jeffie at Donovan's Reef.

--RoadDog


Friday, March 8, 2024

Just Looking for Some CB&C

Well, it's coming up on St. Patrick's Day again.  That means I am looking for some of that good old corned beef & cabbage CB&C).  I love that stuff.  I wish it would be available in places throughout the year, not just now.  I don't care about health questions, I just love it like good ol' Eastern Carolina BBQ (well, any sort of bbq).

And, as we start the final countdown to St. Patrick's Day (on a Sunday this year 9 days from now), I have two places pegged for some CB&C.  Next Saturday at the VFW in Lake Villa, Illinois, after the annual parade, next Sunday at the American Legion in Fox Lake and the following Thursday at the Fox Lake senior luncheon.

Looking for some places this weekend and maybe even some St. Patrick's parties.

--Road-O'Dog


Thursday, March 7, 2024

Kishwaukee River Flooding Back in 1949

From February 20, 2024, "Looking Back ."

1949, 75 years ago.

A combination of ice and high water choked up the Kishwaukee River through DeKalb and offered city crews  something different in problems Saturday.

"High water had reached the upper portions of the bridge at Annie's Woods, and the crews had dislodges floating ice there before moving up to the Lincoln Highway Bridge, where a large  flow offered another problem. Blasting powder was used to shake up the ice masses and the current started moving it down."

--RoadDog


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Here's Hoping Wilmington Does the Right Thing

It always gives me great pleasure to enter Wilmington, Illinois, on Route 66 and there on the east side is that 30-foot tall guy holding the rocket in apace suit and helmet, you know, that Gemini Giant.  It means you are home on 66.  

And, for many years you could stop there and get a delicious bite to eat at the adjacent Launching Pad Restaurant.  Sadly, it closed quite a few years ago and despite efforts has not been able to reopen and stay open.  (But one problem eating there was that it was too close to that Polka Dot place in Braidwood.)

Anyway, I hope the city of Wilmington acquires the Gemini Giant and finds a place for it.  It is too much of an icon of Route 66.

Save the Giant.  --RoadDog


Monday, March 4, 2024

Some More on Wilmington's Gemini Giant

From the Feb. 28, 2024, My Plainview (Illinois)  "The fight to save Route66's Gemini Giant" by Dominic Genetti.

The Gemini Giant is one of the popular muffler men who are used for promotions and attractions throughout the country.  They are, to say the least, eye catching.  But the Gemini Giant stands out from them all.  This 30-foot guy is dressed completely differently than his brethren.

He is named after NASA's Gemini Space Program of the early 60s and is decked out in a space suit with boots and holding, instead of a muffler, a rocket.

Legends of America calls him Wilmington's most-photographed inhabitant.

*************************

From Wikipedia

Stands at 810 E. Baltimore St. in Wilmington, Illinois.

Built 1964.  Restored 2019.

Height:  30 feet

Weight:  438 pounds

Fiberglass

In the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.

--RoadGiant


Saturday, March 2, 2024

Save the Gemini Giant

From the February 28, 2024, Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer  "The fight to save Route 66's Gemini Giant" by Dominic Genetti.

And we all love those Route 66 roadside attractions and one of the top ones is that repurposed muffler man that stands outside the Launching Pad Restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois.  It is made up to look like an astronaut holding a rocket and has the name Gemini Giant.

Sadly, now its future is unknown.  The restaurant has been closed and opened many times in the last ten years, now it appears to be heading to oblivion.  Both are going up for auction March 20.  I would sure hate to see a private collector get it and remove it from view.

But a GoFundMe page has been started by Ryan Jandura.

As of Wednesday, the page has raised $3,000 of $100,000 requested.

Let's Hope It's Saved.--  RoadGiant


Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Fried Chicken Po' Boy at Merichka's

Okay, here's one that I don't think is right on Route 66, but close to it.  And, here the fried chicken comes in a po' boy.

MERICHKA'S 604 Theodore Street, Crest Hill, Illinois.

In Crest Hill, near Joliet and a very popular local site.  They have been in business since 1933 and are known for their po' boys which also are made with chicken.  They are family-owned-and-operated and take great pride in using Chicago USDA and quality hand-cut meats, from the famed chicken to the freshly hand ground hamburger.

Merichka's is incredibly authentic and has an interior of the quintessential supper club, boasting dark rich paneling, red-checkered tablecloths and a generously-sized bar where you can order a libation or two before your meal.

Menu items include great steak and chops, as well as an extensive seafood selection.  And, then there is the fan-favorite Garlic Butterine that can be added to just about every item on the menu, enhancing the flavor of nearly any classic dish.

A 6 ounce Poor boy steak costs $13.95 and 6 ounce poor boy chicken $12.55.

Stop in and try some exciting fried chicken at this icon of Old Route 66.  They also have a neat old sign.

--RoadChicken


Monday, February 26, 2024

More White Fence Farm-- Part 2

White Fence Farm was built by multimillionaire coal executive Stuyvesant Peabody  in the 1920s so he could entertain his Chicago friends in a country setting.  The building has now grown to 11 dining rooms and can seat over 1,200 hungry chicken eaters at a time.

Kids of all ages will be entertained by the White Fence Farm's on-site petting zoo, as well as the restaurant's Car and Antique Museum.

Be sure to commemorate your fried chicken road trip by snapping a picture with the larger-than-life chicken mascot near the main doors.

A half chicken with all the afore mentioned goodies:  kidney bean salad, cole slaw, cottage cheese, pickled beets and corn fritters will set you back $21.58.  Fritters and relishes will be replenished on request.

--Gettin' Hungry.  --RoadDog


Friday, February 23, 2024

Fried Chicken at White Fence Farm on Route 66 in Illinois-- Part 1

WHITE FENCE FARM

1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville

When you see the giant water tower with the letters "WWF" on it, you'll know you're at one of the earliest and most famous dining establishments along Route 66.  They are celebrating their 65th year in business and is an actual farm.

They have been serving up, as they brag, "The World's Greatest Chicken" to several generations of hungry travelers.  Fried chicken fans from all over the country are drawn by their twice cooked process, which involves baking and then frying the chicken to produce that distinctly thin yet crispy crust.

In keeping with the  authentic  farm theme, every meal comes with a selection of sides that have become as famous as the chicken:  cole slaw, cottage cheese, bean salad, pickled beets and mashed, baked or French-fried potatoes.

--RoadChicken