It’s hard to believe but the Neon Bison bar has been open for five years now. You can listen to the owner Jon Hopkins discuss his bar on the Phil Luciano Show on WMBD.
It’s Peoria’s only Nashville-inspired bar and it’s also the 28th stop on our 365 tour, so let’s head on down there for our Friday lunch post and I think we have a special guest star waiting for us there.
Let’s go and get our Friday lunch and find out who our special guest star of the week is, the suspense is killing me!
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Bar Number 28: Neon Bison, Friday, February 6, 2026
Here we are, just like Bob Seger, down on Main Street. There’s the Neon Bison, let’s go in the Valentine’s Day flavored door and see what’s happening in here.
There’s a good crowd at the bar and I think I see our special guest star sitting over there…
It’s my friend, Bill Molleck! I’ve known Bill since we both went to grade school at St. Vincent’s and then high school at Bergan before it became Notre Dame!
Bill’s been a Real Estate Agent for over 30 years now and you can check him out at work by clicking here.
He came with a shirt from the original 365 bar crawl from over 16 years ago, very cool! The shirt was designed by my friend, “Boris,” who designed the current banner at the top of the page. Thanks for bringing that along, Bill!
Kelly was the bartender on duty and she’s looking great and took our lunch order.
There’s the back of the bar and a sign showing their many signature drinks you can order in here.
They have eight beers on tap to choose from behind the bar.
Here’s a shot from the other end of the lengthy wooden bar in here.
There’s a dining area opposite the bar with lots of neon signs on the wall and a stage area for the live music that happens in here at night time.
Murph and Amanda were having lunch in here and it was great to see both of them!
There’s gaming machines lined up against the back wall over here.
Meanwhile, back at the bar…
Lunch is served!
I got the Buffalo Mac and Cheese and Bill got an order of their Biscuits and Gravy.
The Buffalo Mac and Cheese was a tasty and spicy treat and Bill said the Biscuits and Gravy were delicious.
They have fantastic food in here and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, so there’s no excuse not to stop in and try them out!
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The Same Friday Five Luncheon Questions We’re Going To Ask For 52 Weeks! Week Number Four With Bill Molleck!
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One: What’s your favorite luncheon sandwich?
Bill Molleck: A cheeseburger.
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Two: Does ketchup belong on a hot dog?
Yes, in fact, ketchup is my favorite vegetable!
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Three: What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words, “Pillsbury Doughboy?”
Roger Lane. You had to have played baseball at Bergan High School in the ‘70’s to understand that answer!
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Four: Who has better pizza, Chicago or New York?
I’ll have to go with Chicago. I love the deep dish pizza there.
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Five: What’s your worst school lunchroom memory?
That would be at college where the dining room served up meat that was impossible to cut with a knife!
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Drinks
I had an iced tea and a can of Budweiser.
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617 Main Street
Peoria
309-674-5005
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