I’ve had lots of delicious and tasty items from the menu at the Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern, but I’ve never tried the Brisket sandwich. I think that would be a wonderful thing to have on this 14th week in our Year In The Life Of A Sandwich Tour...so that’s exactly what we’re going to do! And if you scroll down just a smidgen, you will be magically transported to Water Street and we’ll be on our way! And for those of you keeping score, that’s the first time I’ve ever used the word, “smidgen” on MBIP and I for one am thrilled at this maiden voyage of that aforementioned word. Okay, enough of that...here we go!
And here we are on Water Street heading towards the Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern. I really like how the sidewalk turns to brick as you get closer. It’s the little things like this in life that I appreciate, so there! Hey, check out who’s hanging outside of the restaurant, ti’s the owner and the man responsible for all of the wonderful recipes and smoked meats inside, Kavan Shay! Kavan and I chatted and gossiped a little bit about Peoria and other restaurants (I’ll never tell which ones we discussed!) and then I decided to head inside and start this 14th week in our year of sandwiches tour!
There’s the entrance, so let’s do what the sign says and enter...
Well, that was easy! We’re inside...but wait...as we head down the front hallway we must Interrupt the current scheduling and take a break from the action here on the blog to present...
This painting of a fox with a top hat and a pipe! It definitely brings back this “Best In Show” memory (look for it at 1:20 into the video clip.) Okay, we now resume back to the MBIP blog, already in progress...
There’s the front hostess station, with Kathe manning the area. She asked where I wanted to sit, but I told her I was meeting friends here and she said I was free to wander and look for them, so let’s go wander around and find these friends of mine!
I don’t see them at the bar...not in the booths over here either...let’s go up the stairway to the elevated dining area opposite the bar...
They’re they are, Amber and Joe, my friends and frequent guests here on MBIP! Always great to see them and now it’s time to settle in for our 14th sandwich week! I have to confess, I’m still obsessing over the fox with the pipe painting! I love that!
Our waitress is Bailey, but she didn’t want her picture taken till we took one of Lauren, who we know from previous visits here and there’s Lauren up top and then Bailey joined her in the second photo! A couple of beautiful and fun women for sure and we’re happy to have them at our table! I kind of wish each one of them had a little pipe as a prop, but what are you going to do?
We placed our order, so now let’s take the obligatory little tour of the place, while our dinner is being prepared.
I took a couple elevated shots of the bar and the booth area from the dining area and then got one of the menu up in the front of the restaurant. And check out all of the beers on tap, nice selection!
The service here is wonderful, so let’s get back to the table because I bet it’s just about sandwich time!
See, I told you so! Amber and Joe split the Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich and got an order of the fresh cut fries to go along with it. It looks so good! In addition to the smoked, pulled chicken, it’s got bacon, tomatoes, fresh lettuce and onion added to the mix and its tossed in a spicy mustard sauce. The sandwich is served on a Torta roll. I think I need to try this on my next visit!
Here’s my Brisket sandwich and it looks simply scrumptious! The Brisket here is smoked daily for at least 12 hours and it’s always tender, juicy and delicious. The sandwich adds caramelized onions and a horseradish crema to the brisket and it’s housed in a warm Brioche bun. I also got a side order of the Warm Bacon Potato Salad which is a specialty of the house and one of my favorites!
Amber and Joe gave me a hunk of their sandwich and it was really tasty with all the flavors and textures combining for a palate-pleasing punch! The Warm Bacon Potato Salad was delicious as always. It’s chunks of grilled potatoes with bacon and onions tossed in a mustard sauce, so how could it not be a taste treat? Okay, now to try this week’s sandwich!
Wow, this is one tasty and hearty sandwich! The brisket is the star of the show, it’s smoky, juicy and tender and it’s the first thing my taste buds alerted me of with the first bite. Then the caramelized onions and the unique horseradish crema came along and they really added a nice layer of tastes to the sandwich without overpowering it. The Brioche bun was bakery fresh and warm and was the perfect housing for the delicious ingredients inside. Great sandwich and yet another reason to come and try out Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern if you haven’t been here yet!
Well, Bailey doesn’t have a pipe yet, but she’s definitely whooping it up alongside Kathe! Thanks to everyone at Blue Duck for a great sandwich, meal and hospitality and thanks to Amber and Joe for joining me and sharing their sandwich! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
Sandwich Rating
Three and Three Quarters Dagwoods—Blue Duck Barbecue is one of my favorite Peoria restaurants and this is a great sandwich you definitely need to try it! I also suggest the Banh Mi if you’ve never had one...and of course their chicken wings...and everything else on the menu! Oh and if you’ve never visited their seasonal brunch served on Saturdays during the Riverfront Market, you should check that out as well, there’s only a couple weeks of it left till next year!
Blue Duck Barbecue
212 Southwest Water Street
Peoria
309-981-5801
facecrack page
Related Posts: A Year In The Life Of A Sandwich @ Green Gables Bar And Grill, Kenny’s Westside Pub, No Wake Zone, Picco’s Pit Bar-B-Que And Steakhouse, The Fox Pub, Leonardo’s/La Gondola, Castle’s Patio Inn, Kuchie’s On The Water, The 50’s Diner, Donnelly’s Pub, The Mix Sandwich Works, Nacho Mama’s and Jim's Steakhouse.
She's got ducks, ducks on the wall,
Ducks, ducks, hanging on the wall.
Surprise link...click on it, I dare you!
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Happy Birthday To Chad Wallace!
Continuing in our September Birthday Festival here on MBIP, today I'd like to wish our resident Haiku master and Caddyshack obsessed commenter, Chad Wallace a happy birthday! I don't have any pictures of Chad to put up yet, but we will one of these weeks when Scott and I finally take a road trip to Springfield to meet him! Stay tuned for that! Happy birthday, Chad Wallace, this birthday surprise link is for you!