Last February I was going to start a new food tour here at MBIP and was going to do eight weeks of chicken wings. Then I realized I was suffering from blog burnout and put the blog on hold and fell asleep for three months. Well, I’m back and wide awake and this week starts my wing-eating tour. But instead of eight weeks, I’ve decided to do twelve weeks because I’ve gotten so many suggestions for places to go to. Tonight we start out where we started the pizza tour, Agatucci’s. Agatucci’s is known for their pizza, spaghetti and fried chicken, but a lot of people don’t know they have really tasty chicken wings. And so, let’s make like Paul McCartney in the ‘70’s and start this tour of wings!
Check it out, it’s MBIP Contributing Writer and Wheel Man driving us to wings and drink tonight! He’s stylin’ with that ‘stache!
And here we are at Agatucci’s, one of my favorite Peoria restaurants. We started the pizza tour here, so it’s cool to be starting the wing thing here as well!
And Scott opens the door as we begin a new food journey!
The bar is crowded, but I spy two seats at the end of the bar, my favorite place in Aggie’s!
And here’s the third generation of Agatucci owners, Dan and Tony! Two great guys!
And there was a pretty woman seated at the end of the bar, as we walked in I said to Scott, “Let’s go sit next to her!” It turned out to be Dan’s wife Julie and here’s a picture of this happy couple. They actually met in here and have been married for 10 years! What a great looking couple!
Okay, time for the first order of this wing tour to begin. Tony’s back at the deep fryer, let’s go see the wing action up close.
The wings are in the basket and seconds later...
Whoosh, they’re being deep fried like Syd Barret’s brain in the ‘70’s! While they cook, let’s take a look around in here!
I always have to get a photo of this classic Hamm’s beer sign with the rolling waters. Love this!
And the taps shot for Spike...you out there Spike or did you forget about us? Note the Cardinals baseball on the Budweiser tap. You don’t want to come in to Agatucci’s and root for the Cubs!
More St. Louis love on the Michelob tap!
Speaking of Michelob, I don’t know if I’ve ever taken a photo of this stained glass Michelob light hovering over the bar. Well, now I have, so there! And by the way, I hope you know that the night belongs to Michelob.
St. Louis and Budweiser neon alert!
And the infamous and iconic backwards Agatucci’s clock!
Here’s the back dining room, it’s not that crowded because we’re getting near closing time.
Booths line the back and side walls in this room with...
Chianti lamps looming overhead that make me think of Hannibal Lecter.
Here’s the very back dining room and it looks like there’s a party going on back there!
There’s press clippings and photos on the wall over here...
Here’s Tony and Dan with that lantern-jawed freak, Jay Leno! This is a great story, he had finished a show here, asked someone where the best pizza place was and was told, Agatucci’s. So they opened up especially for him. Which is very cool, but he’s still a lantern-jawed freak in my book!
Here’s a PJ Star on Agatucci’s complete with...
A vintage photo of the first incarnation of this establishment: Agatucci’s Tap Room.
On my way back to the bar, I met Ed who was enjoying an Aggie’s pizza pie. It turns out Ed is a lawyer and works in the same building as my cousin Bill, who is also a lawyer. And now, for the first time since the hiatus we need to cue this up. That felt so good!
Ed said he was taking this home to eat the next day. He made a nice dent in the pie, good work, Ed!
Chuck brought the wings out just as I was sitting down, perfect timing and proof that sometimes the universe is synched up perfectly every once in a little plaid moon moment. Sadly my camera fuzzed out on this shot and not even Photoshop can save this photo. Sometimes I hate the MBIP camera and this is one of those moments. Hate the MBIP camera!
The wings look and smell fantastic!
The wings are peppered and I’ve chosen a wing and a drumette to start with and star in this wildly exciting photo opportunity. This will begin the all-important cooling process, like I did with the pizza and it’s a good excuse to get another beer as I like drinking a lot more than eating.
Wow, these wings are really good! I’ve had them before and forgot how tasty they are. Tony said the sauce is homemade and it’s really a great sauce. Wonderful wings!
Napkins and bones shot!
And for dessert...another beer and Scott gets the last laugh! Damn him all to hell! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
Chicken Wing Rating
Three and a half Wings guitar picks. The chicken wings at Agatucci’s are a somewhat hidden gem on the menu. The sauce is homemade from Tony's recipe and has a nice taste and a bit of a zing to it, but it’s not overpowering or too hot. Great wings in one of Peoria’s greatest and oldest restaurants!
Agatucci’s
2607 N. University St.
Peoria
309-688-8200
Related post: Wings and Saturday Night Chicken Wings and Spaghetti @ Agatucci’s.