I went to the Chicago Grill when I did my “Can I Eat My Lunch In Here?” episodes at the James Kelly Law Firm on Knoxville Avenue. That day the owner of the place seemed to be a little grouchy and wouldn’t let me take photos in there and so of course it led me to be a little obsessed about going back and trying to get some photos of the Chicago-themed restaurant. Back in June we had our 50th sandwich at Oliver’s North with Julie Motherway, who was featured in our lunch episode because she’s the Executive/Personal Assistant to James Kelly at the law firm. We talked about going back to the Chicago Grill to see if I could get photos there and since this is the last week of our year-long sandwich tour, we thought this would be a fun and exciting way to end the tour. And so it’s off we go for our final sandwich at the Chicago Grill!
I met Julie where this all began, at the James Kelly Law Office on Knoxville. There’s Julie looking pretty behind her desk in her spacious office and check it out, she brought me a present! It’s a miniature hot dog smoking a cigarette! That is so cool and I love it, thanks, Julie! We hung out for a little bit in her office and formed a back-up plan just in case they wouldn’t let us take pictures at the Chicago Grill. Okay, the back-up plan is firmly in place and so it’s off we go to...
The Chicago Grill! I’m a little nervous because last time they weren’t too thrilled with the whole blog thing. But it’s too late to turn back now and in we go!
The owner was behind the counter and didn’t want his photo taken, but he was in a good mood today and said we could take photos in here! That’s his pretty wife Rose and we placed our orders and you can see the kitchen back there. The owner bought Julie a drink and was a little flirtatious with her, I think having her with me made the difference!
We chose a booth to sit at and there’s Julie with the drink that the owner bought her. Julie took a photo of me in my Oliver’s t-shirt she gave me when we had the 50th sandwich at Oliver’s North.
Here’s the view from our booth and Barbie has joined us as well! Julie has an extensive Barbie collection and brought one along for our final sandwich episode. Just for the record, Barbie has no clothes on underneath that robe! That Ken is one lucky fellow!
There’s lots of Chicago sports photos and memorabilia on the walls and the tables have vintage Chicago sports cards on them.
While the Mike, the owner wouldn’t let me take his photo, here’s one of him on the wall with President Bush!
This is a PJ Star “Dining Out” review by Danielle Hatch. She gave the place a great review!
Julie and I both agreed that this is the best picture in here. “This Dog Is Rated: NK-17. (No Ketchup Unless Under The Age Of 17.)” Ha ha ha!
Meanwhile, back at our booth...put that phone away Julie because...
It’s sandwich time! I got the Italian Beef sandwich with mild Giardiniera peppers and their special blend of Mozzarella and Provolone cheese. It comes with au jus and it looks and smells absolutely delicious!
Julie took a picture of me digging into this sandwich. It is so tasty and flavorful! The roast beef is sliced thin and it’s tender and juicy. The cheese is rich and creamy and the Giardiniera peppers add a nice zing to the sandwich. The Italian bread is bakery fresh and holds the sumptuous sandwich together nicely.
Julie got a Chicago Dog and here she is enjoying that. Keep on scrolling for our Point/Counterpoint debate about the Chicago Dog!
Here we are at our booth. The sun from the window kind of silhouetted us and this photo turned out pretty cool! Thanks to Julie for coming along and charming the owner into letting me take the photos! It was a really fun lunch and a great end for this wondrous year of sandwiches! But it’s not quite over yet, next week is a wrap-up from the entire year and you can vote for the best sandwich of the year. Stay tuned for that and we’ll see you all tomorrow!
Sandwich Rating
Four Dagwood Bumsteads—This is the best Italian Beef in town, it’s like a taste of Chicago in Peoria! And you can take pictures in here too!
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814 W. Pioneer Pkwy
Peoria
309-690-4745
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Related Posts: A Year In The LIfe Of A Sandwich @ Andy’s Diner, Oliver’s Pizza & Pub North, Peoria Hofbrau, Dave’s Pizza, The Publik House, Alwan And Sons Meat Company, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Fedora’s Pizza & Deli, Peoria Pizza Works, Big Catz BBQ, Le Peep, Jubilee Cafe, Subway, The Dublin Pub, Pottstown Meat & Deli, Whitey’s BBQ, W.E. Sullivan’s, The Hungry Moose, TNT’s Sports Bar & Grill (East Peoria Location), Adams Street Cafe & Catering, Panaderia Ortiz Bakery, Cayenne, Bellevue Tap, Pioneer Smokehouse, Childers Eatery In Junction City, Arby’s, The Chef And The Baker, 4th & Goal Grill, No Wake Zone, Agatucci’s, The Downtown Diner in Morton, The Exchange in Delavan, Big Behm’s Sports Bar & Grill, Chick-Fil-A, Jimbo’s Jumbo, Grandpa John’s Rib Shack, Khaki Jack’s, Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern, 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.
Surprise link, click on It...I dare you!
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MBIP Bonus Feature—Point/Counterpoint: The Chicago Dog Versus the New York Dog
As you saw above, Julie ordered the Chicago Dog for this final sandwich episode. I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of the Chicago Dog and I prefer my hot dogs New York style—a “dirty water” dog topped only with mustard. We decided to go back to the roots of Saturday Night Live and have an old fashioned, “Point, Counterpoint” debate over the Chicago Dog versus the New York Hot Dog. Take it away, Julie!
Julie—Pro Chicago Dog
You’re telling me that a New York-style hot dog is just a regular hot dog with mustard on it? Sure, you could shove a hot dog with just mustard down your throat with the speed of Takeru Kobayashi, but even he found a more interesting condiment than mustard for his hot dogs—water—when he downed 50 of them in 2001.
On Easter Sunday 2011, my brother almost got into a fist fight at a Cubs-Dodgers game because the sport pepper on his Chicago Dog squirted some meathead in the back of the neck when he bit into it. This guy had a complete lack of appreciation for a full set of hot dog toppings, and surely the tangy vinegar stung him like the sting of failure that only washes away with the sweet release of death. Wait, was that guy you?
There’s an old saying by Marilyn Monroe that it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. But you wouldn’t know anything about that, Marty, because there’s no saying about grown men who think a pickle spear, neon relish, sliced tomato, diced onion, celery salt, and sport peppers are ridiculous. Perhaps it’s time to put on your Big Boy Pants and use that one plate you own to hold something more robust—like a Chicago Dog, perhaps.
Marty—Anti Chicago Dog
Julie, you ignorant slut. The most popular condiment for hot dogs is mustard and with good reason. It’s flavorful and it’s easy to eat. Hot dogs were imported to our culture in the 1800’s via Germany and are meant to be a “street food,” something that’s tasty and easily eaten on the run. That’s why a New York dog is adorned with mustard and nothing more, nothing less.
Chicago has ruined hot dogs by turning them into literally a buffet of terribleness on a bun. Tomatoes? Pickles? And Neon Relish? That last one sounds like a pathetic attempt at a name for a Glam band.
The Chicago Dog is hardly glamorous and it’s not even ridiculous as you suggest. It’s just downright horrible.
Julie, if you want to put a wiener in your mouth that’s been dragged through the garden, that’s your business, but please, have some common decency and shut the door and close the blinds when you perform this disgusting act with the aforementioned wiener. It’s causing the rest of us to lose our appetites and we’re trying to enjoy a nice, simple New York dog over here.
