Oct 21 2006
More Local Eating
I’ve decided that I want to avoid chain restaurants as much as possible. I wouldn’t mind if we completely drove them out of Peoria, in fact.
One way to love our neighbors is to frequent their businesses. That way they can help ours. Thinking locally means being willing to pay more for something that doesn’t come from a bigboxmart type store.
Thursday TC and I had what is probably our last date before Little Engine arrives. We had a midwife appointment and then headed down to the riverfront to eat dinner at Kelleher’s Irish Pub. We had a wonderful dinner there of Irish fare and will be back soon–but on a less busy night. Between Bo Diddly and game 7 of the NLCS starring the “local” Cardinals it was crowded and pretty loud. The food and service were great. We bumped into our district councilperson and met the owner and I will enjoy going back and trying more of the Irish specialties.
After escaping the noise we decided to find someplace quiet to sit down and have some coffee. We went to Kade’s on War Memorial. It was nice and quiet, soft jazz playing on the speakers. Fantastic service and great coffee, plus they had loose tea available by the cup. We had a nice time talking there before heading out shopping for a few minutes and then home.
Support local peoria businesses! Eat, drink, spend money–and help build a thriving community here.
I haven’t gotten to eat at many locally owned restaurants in Peoria, but of the ones I’ve been to, Kelleher’s has the best burgers. In fact, I’d rank their burgers near the top of my list of best burgers ever; though, I’m certainly not a burger officianado.
As for Kade’s, I think John Williamson (a Samaritan Ministries employee) has a son or some other relative who works there. If I’m right about this, you now can feel good about not only supporting local business but also about supporting your local John Williamson clan. ; -)
Try El Mixicana on Jefferson, its a favorite for the wife and I. Also Mr Gs on Main, Leonardos Pizza (deep dish), Agatutis (sp?) on university (thin crust), the Lebenon bakery on Indiana for fresh baked pita bread. Childers on university. Peoria has good food you just have to go looking. Most of the best for real food, at a fair price, with the owner behind the counter, are in the ghetto and worth the trip.