Tonight I’m going out to dinner with my parents. We’re going to Sky Harbor Steak House, an iconic Peoria restaurant that I’ve been too many times here on MBIP and it’s always great food and good times there. Before we go, however, I’m going to make a whistle stop for a couple of beers at a bar that’s kind of a secret hideaway of mine. I’m not going to give the address or location away, but it is a “members only” place and tonight you get an exclusive peek at a hidden Peoria Speakeasy. We’ll be there in two seconds. One...
Two...and two and here we are. The secret bar I was talking about is none other than Jerry's Bar. This was bar number 362 on my trip to 365 bars in 365 days when I was doing my bar crawl blog.
We'll go down the red tartan staircase...
That leads to Jerry's Bar. And there's a familiar face behind the bar...
It's the owner and friendly host of Jerry's Bar, Jerry himself, serving me up a can of Budweiser!
And here I am with the prettiest girl in the bar, Anne. Cheers!
Jerry points to a couple of bottles in the well-stocked bar.
Jerry's not only the host of Jerry's Bar, he's also tonight's designated driver. He only had one drink at Jerry's Bar and it's off we go. Vroom, vroom!
We have arrived at Sky Harbor and it's in we go.
The front room is decorated in a festive fall manner, very nice!
There's a picture of legendary Peoria piano man, Jimmy Binkley who tickles the ivories at the piano bar in here Wednesday and Saturday nights.
There's a Halloween costume party and optional bags tournament next Friday here at Sky Harbor. There's a Hog Roast buffet and music by Denise Adams. The winner in the bags tournament gets 25% of the entry fees. And the night before that, next Thursday, October 30th, is the 43rd Anniversary Party for Sky Harbor! There's going to be free cake for all customers and also it's the final "Dklu Pickin On" set of the year. Music will be provided by Eddie Lee Harrmann and Brian Dennison, from 7 to 9 PM. Food specials that anniversary night are Margarita Marinated Chicken Breast and four buck Shrimp cocktail with any steak dinner. There's also going to be four buck margaritas all night long.
Here's a poster for a Dan Fogelberg concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of his groundbreaking "Souvenirs" album that's going to happen at the Peoria Riverfront Museum this Saturday. You can read the details about that right here.
As we make our way into the restaurant we're greeted at the front podium by Daryl and his pretty mom, Ellen. Great to see both of them, as always!
Usually I'd sit over there at the bar, which is one of my favorite bars in town. but since I'm with my parents...
We'll sit at a table here in the dining room.
Sharon's our lovely waitress for the evening.
I saw frog legs on the menu and we all noted that we don't know of another restaurant that serves those. My dad and I decided we'd each try them out.
My mom was still deciding, so I decided to wander around and take a few more photos.
I love the blue leather banquettes that line the dining room wall and the photos and lights on the wall behind them.
Sky Harbor is really a unique place with a style all its own. If you've never been, you really should check it out.
This is the legendary piano bar at Sky Harbor. There's live music here every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes impromptu jam sessions happen as well with Daryl joining in on guitar and banjo.
Here's a shot of the dining room from behind the piano bar.
Another shot of the classic bar in here.
Angela is the pretty bartender on duty tonight.
Down at the end of the bar we have three generations of Klusendorf's: Daryl's son Ryan, his mom Ellen and Daryl. Daryl's dad and Ellen started in Peoria's restaurant business by opening The Lariat restaurant in 1956. They ran that till they leased it out to the Kouri family in 1975. As I mentioned earlier, next Thursday, they celebrate their 43rd anniversary in here.
As I make my way back to the table, a bowl of French Onion soup is waiting for me. I love it when that happens!
My mom got fried chicken...
My dad and I got the frog legs which come with melted butter and a cocktail sauce.
I soaked this one in melted butter and then dipped it in cocktail sauce and it was so good. They're lightly battered and plump and juicy. I don't know of any restaurant in town serving frog legs, do you?
I got a side of the au gratin potatoes which are a signature dish at Sky Harbor. They are creamy, cheesy and oh so tasty!
On the way out, I ran into Ryan at the bar who was chatting with his friend Joey, who it turns out works with MBIP Contributor, Chip Joyce! Time to cue this up and we'll see you all tomorrow!
Sky Harbor Steakhouse
1321 North Park Road
West Peoria
309-674-5532
facecrack page
Related posts: Two Beers @ Jimmy’s Bar, New Amsterdam and Castle’s Patio Inn.
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