Grandpa John’s Rib Shack
200 W. McClure, Peoria IL
(309) 685-8902
Three out of five stars
I had lunch with Mom and Dad at this venerable, third-generation rib joint today. They had the beef sandwich, I chose Monday’s daily special: A turkey sandwich with fries and a soda. I should have ordered the beef, as the bun looked empty. [...]

Sad news, via Chef Kevin: The Penguin Tapis closing its doors, if if hasn’t by the time you read this. The Tap was always close to my heart. I used to eat there quite often, less and less since the original owner passed away, leaving the restaurant to his family. Unlike Kevin, I loved their [...]

A few thoughts:

Why would someone I’m talking to on the phone, has no idea who I am or what I look like, say “thanks, big guy” at the end of our conservation? I don’t SOUND fat, do I? Maybe he was being ironic.
The Bloomington Pantagraph interviewed folks from both the Aaron Schock/Colleen Callahan campaigns comparing [...]

East Peoria likes to crow about all the economic development happening in its downtown and riverfront areas. Well goody for them and their little strip mall paradise.
But look what happened when there was a major water main break in East Peoria. Some 32 restaurants were without water for 48 hours. And what I find frightening [...]

Some Tuesday morning linkage, via the Journal Star:

Red Zin is closing, and competition from East Peoria is to blame. Oh, please. I liked Rex Zin. The food was great and the atmosphere was friendly. But every single time I went into Red Zin, it was filled with lawyers, politicians and other muckety-mucks who were wearing [...]

The site is called Peoria Fashionista.
This is how she describes herself:
I’m married, no children, live in Peoria, have a great job, a wonderful husband and fabulous friends who love food, drink, fashion, commenting about others and living life - just like me!
I have lived in multiple states and traveled to foreign countries. I believe [...]

Angie reports that the state and federal liquor finks (my words, not hers) made pests out of themselves at several local bars and eateries. Angie was stunned to fund out there’s a rule they can enforce that no one really knows anything about.
Silly girl. If everyone knew all the rules, if the rules made sense [...]

I heard this tale from someone else, who heard it from a third person, so I can’t vouch for its accuracy. That’s why I’m not mentioning the name of the restaurant. I will say that it’s a place I’ve eaten before, part of a national chain and no place that I have reviewed for the [...]

I finally managed to get down to Grandpa John’s Rib Shack on West McClure. I ordered the rib tip dinner with French fries and cole slaw. The tips were good, the fries absolutely fantastic and the slaw sweet and tasty.
My only advice: Rip out those tables with the fixed chairs. Some of us more full-size [...]

Work is progressing nicely on the new Grandpa John’s Rib Shack on West McClure Avenue. I hear that it’s going to open for business on Monday. The site is the former Hardees fast food joint at the corner of Linn and McClure.
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As the son of a former restauranteur, I cringe at the news of any eatery going out of business. But I’m not worried that the closing of Famous Dave’s East Peoria restaurant will lead to a BBQ shortage in River City. Hell, we’ve got a new Grandpa John’s Rib Shack opening up soon right [...]