Okay, time for another stop as we eat our way up Main Street. Our last stop was Table 19 and so the next place is none other than one of Peoria’s oldest standing bars on Main Street, Judge’s Chamber. It’s funny, I just realized that while I’ve been in this bar at least hundreds of times, I don’t think I’ve ever been in there during the day. Well they serve lunch in there and so today we experience Judge’s Chambers in the bright and cruel sunshine.
Off we go on our latest eating destination on this Main Street eating journey.
We've parked and the meter is set for one hour. Let's see if we can get this episode done in under this time limit. The clock is running so let's go!
Judge's Chamber is right up there on the next block. I think we'll travel on the shady side of the street and keep out of that foul sunshine. It's just too bright over there!
Judge's Chamber sure looks different in the cold and cruel light of day.
Let's get inside and get out of this rotten sunshine...hey, what's the sign on the door say?
Wow, it's their 30th Anniversary! And a reminder that a great punk rock name for a woman is Miss Demeanor. Just throwing that out there. No need to thank me, it's what I do.
We're a little bit past the lunch hour rush, so there's plenty of seats at the bar, let's snag one and get settled in.
I got an iced tea, no beer for me as I have to go to work in a little bit, and it's served up by the pretty owner of Judge's Chamber, Lori Loree. I officially move to change Lori's name to Lori Squared, all those in favor say, "Aye." Lori told me that the bar and the fixtures in the back of the bar are from the old legendary Puff Tavern that was located a few blocks away here in downtown Peoria. I told her my Uncle Bill was a regular there and she told me that she knew him and we traded stories about what a great guy he was. And now it's time to cue up this song.
I went ahead and ordered lunch. What did I order? Well be patient, hang on to your underpants and you'll find out soon enough. Let's take a little daytime tour in here.
I've never noticed the wood paneled walls in here at night time.
I've turned the flash off on the MBIP camera and it gibes the illusion that it's night time as I snap a shot of this Budweiser neon light hanging over this table opposite the bar.
But as I take a photo from the back of the bar, it's a sad reminder that it's still the daytime hours out there and we must resist our urge to get a beer in here.
There's tables up front here that overlook Main Street, but it's too bright up here...
Let's head back to the bar where it's a little darker and feels a little more normal.
Lori told me the champagne etched mirror is also a remnant from the old Puff days. Quite a piece of Peoria history there.
Glasses hang suspended over the bar.
Lunch is served! I got a grilled cheese with bacon and an order of onion rings.
This is a really good grilled cheese sandwich. The bacon is really smoky and tasty and is a nice counterpoint to the creamy cheese and crispy bread. You know what would go really good with this sandwich? A beer...we better eat this and leave before we start drinking and miss work. Rent is due next week after all!
And look, we made it with 13 minutes to spare! Don Pardo, what do we win? Oh wait, Don Pardo's dead, no on wins anything anymore. That sucks, but I have to get to work, so there's no time to dwell on this dark fact of life.
Okay, through the magical miracle of these here interwebs, it's nine hours later, work is over and it's time for dessert!
The Judge's Chamber is now cloaked in darkness, just the way I like it.
And Brandi serves up what I've been craving for the last nine hours with a pretty smile!
Cheers and we'll see you all tomorrow!
Judge’s Chamber
514 Main Street
Peoria
309-674-5005
Related Posts: Eating Main Street: Table 19, Pepper’s Cafe, Haddad’s Downtown, Cookies By Design, Richards On Main and Nut House/Cracked Pepper.
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Today’s post was brought to you by Sky Harbor Steak House. Check them and all the other fine businesses helping to support this blog over at the MBIP Bucket List Page. Your Daily Random Linkage awaits you at the bottom of the that page as well!
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