Okay, only one day back here at MBIP and we’re already taking a road trip for our 11th week on our second chicken wing tour. This week we’re traveling to Mackinaw, Illinois and...oh, oh, what’s that....
It’s someone knocking three times at the new MBIP World Headquarters, let’s see who it is...
Tony Orlando and Dawn! Okay, you’re famous for knocking three times, but we need someone else to take us to this week’s chicken wing destination...
And that someone is MBIP Contributing Writer, Pal and Wheelman, Scott Turley! Great to see him again and it’s time to hit the road!
And off we go with Scott behind the wheel! The only bad thing about going to Mackinaw is that you have to travel over that scary-ass bridge...yikes!
Alright, I white-knuckled it over the bridge and here we are at The River Roadhouse in Mackinaw. As you can see from these outside shots, it definitely lives up to its roadhouse name!
Let’s go in and let the 11th week of our chicken wing tour begin!
Wow, it’s nice in here! I like all the wood and as you can see, Scott is already at the bar. Let’s go join him.
This is Gary, the friendly bartender on duty serving up an ice-cold Budweiser!
Jim was seated nearby at the bar and he’s a member of the Independent Kinsmen motorcycle club.
Larry was seated to our left and he told me that he’s a photographer and proceeded to show me some of his work on his phone. It was very impressive, he takes shots of landscapes that have an artistic feel to them. Very nice work!
Here’s some shots of the bar, there’s a large dining area behind the bar, a stage for bands to play, I love the Budweiser boat that’s floating overhead, there’s a pool table and two state of the art dart machines in the back of the bar. Who could ask for anything more?
Check this sign out, “Employees Only In The Kitchen...NO EXCEPTIONS,” well I think that MBIP is the exception to the rule so...
I just waltzed into the kitchen and said hello! Terry was up in front working on our wing order and Angel who’s the kitchen manager was making the onion rings. They use large rings of onion and fry them up in a homemade batter. Hey batter, batter, batter...swing!
Meanwhile, back at the bar, the table is all set and it looks like it’s time for...
Onion rings! These were so good! Scott’s an onion ring afficionado and he gave them high ratings. They serve them up with homemade sauce made by Angel appropriately called, “Angel Sauce.” They were delicious!
And speaking of Angel, here she is with the main course! They have a lot of varieties of chicken wings here including, Sweet Chili, Bourbon, Mild, Medium, Hot, Plain, BBQ and Garlic Parmesan. We ordered all of the flavors except the Garlic Parmesan because garlic gives me heartburn.
I picked out three to start out with and let them begin the ever-important cooling process while I ordered another beer.
But Scott dug right in without waiting!
Gary suggested putting some of the Angel Sauce on the wings and I did and they were really tasty! Crisp on the outside and juicy and tender inside. They all had a great flavor and even the hot wings were tasty without being overpowering with heat.
Weekly bones and napkin shot!
For dessert I thought I’d try one of their “Little Beers.” Here’s the recipe for this drink.
Cheers and we’ll see you all tomorrow!
Chicken Wing Rating:
Three Wings guitar picks, really good chicken wings and if you go on a Thursday you can get a pound of them for five bucks!
The River Roadhouse
30573 State Route 9
Mackinaw, IL
309-359-3344
Related Posts: Twelve More Weeks Of Chicken Wings @ Castaways Bar & Grill, Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, Rumberger’s Wings & More, The Fieldhouse Bar & Grill, Peacock’s Pub, Kep’s Sports Bar & Grill, T-N-T’s Sports Bar & Grill, Babes On Plum,Donnelly’s Irish Pub and Schooners.
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
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Bonus Shot of Randy at the Red Barn!
Last night I went to The Red Barn and took a shot of legendary Red Barn bartender, Randy! One of these weeks I need to stop in for his Saturday Coney Dog feast that goes on in the afternoon. And thanks to my friends Amber, Joe and Justin for hanging out last night. It was a lot of fun and this time I almost didn’t fall into a fire...twice! (Inside joke alert!)