Peoria Hot Dog Wars: Lou’s Drive-In Versus Meadows Avenue Tap

Last week we saw Meadows Avenue Tap emerge as victorious winners for the second week in a row in this war of wieners after they beat out the M & M Twistee Treat in East Peoria. Well, they’ve got a formidable foe to battle this week as I’m heading out to a Peoria landmark to sample a couple of dogs. I’ve had a lot of requests to stop at Lou’s Drive-In on Knoxville, which has been a River City summer tradition for over 50 years. I ate a lot of hot dogs and drank a lot of root beer there while growing up in Peoria, but I haven’t dined at Lou’s for over twenty years. Time to hit the road to this legendary land of hot dogs and root beer and ice cream...oh my!

We're heading down Knoxville on a Sunny Sunday afternoon.​

There it is, Lou's Drive-In, let's drive on in and let the battle begin!​

Lou's Drive-In, what a festive and fun looking spot. It's been here in the same location and building for over 50 years.​

As you can see, there's lots of choices of goodies to order here at Lou's...​

But we're here for the hot dogs!​

Let's go up to the island and place our order.​

I've decided to sit down on a stool at the bright red counter on the side of the island so I can watch the action happening here at Lou's.​

And here's super-cute counter person/carhop, Hannah, to take my order. She's really nice and told me she's been working at Lou's for four years now. A veteran!​

My order is being written down by Hannah, time for the Hot Dog Wars to begin! Ringo, sound the battle drums!​

Here's my tools of the trade for the day for this war reporter: A menu, an official MBIP card, a pen, a notebook with Hannah's name on it and my receipt. Hopefully I can write this whole Hot Dog War's thing off on my taxes!​

A big mug of Lou's root beer is served up by Hannah. It sure brings back memories of visiting here as a kid!

Here's my view from my counter seat.​

There's the big wooden keg from where the root beer flows like a sweet dark river of goodness.​

A lit up menu hangs on the back wall and a window to the kitchen is below it. Let's go say hi to the people cooking up our hot dogs.​

Hello!​

For today's palette cleanser I ordered a bag of popcorn. Wow, it's a giganzo-sized bag! It looks great though and it's fresh and piping hot!​

Alright, here we go, the moment we've all been waiting for, Hannah has just delivered the wrapped up wieners! Gentlemen, start your engines and let the games begin!​

Here's their famous chili cheese dog, it sure looks good...​

And it tastes even better than it looks! The chili is tangy and there's a decent amount of melted cheese inside.​

Okay, time to cleanse the palette with some of that popcorn...​

And a healthy slug of Lou's root beer to wash it all down. Wow, I forgot how good their root beer is!​

And here's the hot dog with mustard. I always get one with just mustard to sample the hot dog itself...​

And this one doesn't disappoint, it's tasty with a bakery fresh bun. It's been a great afternoon sitting here at the counter of Lou's Drive-In and watching the world go by...​

But now it's time for me to go bye bye. I put the rest of the popcorn in the car and hit the road, Jack. You can see who won the latest battle below. See you all tomorrow.​

Peoria’s Hot Dog War Status

This was a tough battle to judge. It was pretty much a tie and I’ll admit that nostalgic memories and the charm of Lou’s pushed it over the top and they are the new wiener champions for the week! Can they hold on to this title for more than a week? Stay tuned to Peoria’s Hot Dog Wars next Tuesday to find out!

Hot Dog Rating:

Three Oscar Meyer Wienermobiles, the hot dogs and root beer are just as good as I remembered from years gone by and the place and people that work there are just as charming as they were back in the day. Nice to see some things don’t change.

Lou’s Drive-In
4229 N Knoxville Ave
Peoria, IL 61614-7434
309-685-4519

Further reading: Peoria Journal Star, Trip Advisor and TP the Town.

At sixteen she quit high school,
to make her fortune in the promised land.
She got a job behind the counter,
In an all night hamburger stand.

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

Mother’s Day Bonus Photos!

The other day I went speedshopping at Kevin Kelly Jewelers to get my mom a Mother’s Day present. I thought you’d like to see a few photos of my mom opening up that present so here we go! Oh mom...​

My mom digs in to the bag from Kevin Kelly Jewelers.​

Here's the card I got for my mom, an official MBIP card. Yep, even on Mother's Day, I'm whoring out myself and this blog! You gotta do what you gotta do, even on Mother's Day.​

​And here she is with the necklace from Kevin Kelly Jewelers! She loved it and thanks to Kevin and Maureen Kelly and everyone at Kevin Kelly Jewelers. And Happy Mother's Day to the best mom in the universe! She deserves not only a necklace, but a medal of honor for putting up with my antics over the years!