A guide to eating near Bourbonnais Bears training camp
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (WLS) -- For the past 60 years, they've been coming to Blue's cafe in Kankakee for the food, the conversation, and the pie. More than a dozen are made from scratch each day, making decisions difficult.
Also in Kankakee, the legendary Homestead, which has been in the same family since 1906. Hearty pork shanks are just one part of the menu.
"The broasted chicken is just very, very popular here. I mean we're just noted for our broasted chicken," said owner Terry Linskey.
There's also a healthier broiled version, but Linskey says it's the regulars that make this place; some of whom have been coming here for 60 or 70 years.
"This would almost be like a supper club up in Wisconsin; a little bit like that," Linskey said.
In Bourbonnais, Jaenicke's drive-in is a good option for Chicago dogs, Atomic fries, chili dogs and "sauce buns" - that's a chili dog without the dog, since 1940. They also make a sweet root beer that'll remind you of childhood.
Brickstone Brewery offers plenty of award-winning microbrews and hefty, two-fisted sandwiches plus messy burgers, in a very convivial, relaxed atmosphere, next to a bunch of strip malls.
Just as casual is Jimmy Jo's Barbecue, where the focus is on Texas-style - which means smoked brisket and snappy hot links - but also lots of pulled pork. You might even have a Bear sighting.
"I'll brag - they seem to like our barbecue quite a bit, so, it's great to see a table full of those big guys chowing down on barbecue," said Jimmy Jo's owner, Lloyd Kemble.
So if you do come down during training camp and you've got time to eat, don't be surprised if you're in a restaurant, say, like a barbecue joint, and you happen to see a bunch of linemen huddled around a table chowin' down on some Texas barbecue.
All of these restaurants are within a 10-15 minute drive of the Bears' training camp.
Blue's Cafe
1190 W. Station St., Kankakee
(815) 933-5315
Homestead Restaurant
1230 S. East Ave, Kankakee
(815) 933-6214
http://www.kankakee-homestead.com/
Jaenicke's Drive-in
605 Armour Rd., Bourbonnais
(815) 932-2884
and
390 E River St, Kankakee
BrickStone Brewery
557 William Latham Dr., Bourbonnais
(815) 936-9277
http://www.brickstonebrewery.com/
Jimmy Jo's BBQ
665 N. Convent St., Bourbonnais
(815) 933-7500
