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newlenoxpatriotdaily.com dining out the new lenox patriot | October 10, 2019 | 25 Quick Bites Tailgate time: A look at the area’s most interesting game-day options Staff Report Fact: It’s almost impossible to truly enjoy a sporting event without at least a little snack or something to drink. And whether fans are going out or having friends over for the big game, the southwest suburbs offer no shortage of interesting options. What follows are a few of the area’s biggest attention-grabbers this football season. Totchos: The un-nachos Stoney Point Grill, 19031 Old LaGrange Road in Mokena What would happen if potatoes and nachos got together and had a love child? It might end up being something akin to totchos, Stoney Point Grill’s take on two beloved tailgate appetizers. Totchos replace the triangular tortillas with tater tots, then smother them in sour cream, bacon bits, provolone cheese, garlic and taco seasoning, all served in a skillet for an easy, shareable snacking during a Bears game, where customers can order the Frankensteinian creation for $8. Gameday specials include Miller buckets, boneless wings, pull pork potato skins, Buffalo chicken nachos and an assortment of drinks. Reporting by T.J. Kremer, Contributing Editor The Bomber: A unique take on the cheese dog Bailey’s Bar & Grill, 17731 Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park Most Chicago-area folks are always game to indulge in a Chicago-style hot dog. But most probably have not had The Bomber, which is sure to take taste buds to a whole new dimension. The hot dog is by no means ordinary. Owner Tamir Bailey said customers certainly cannot find it anywhere else, because it was concocted nine years ago in their kitchen. “This is our creation,” she said. The Bomber is sliced down the middle and filled with American cheese, then wrapped in bacon and deep-fried. Tomato, onion, relish, sport peppers and cucumber complete the hot dog. “It’s pretty filling,” Tamir said. “You have just one, and then you’re good.” The meal is $6 and comes with a side of fries. On Sundays when the Bears play, the hotdog by itself is $3.50. Reporting by Jacquelyn Schlabach, Contributing Editor Ribs: St. Louis-style Bear Down Barbecue, 20857 South LaGrange Road in Frankfort Frankfort’s Bear Down Barbecue has two main claims to fame: the Chicago Bears memorabilia lining its walls and the St. Louis-style spare ribs that earned it a spot on WGN- TV’s “Chicago’s Best BBQ” list in 2017. Owner Rashid Riggins said the restaurant only purchases premium ribs and seasons them with a special dry rub blend before they go into the smoker. A live fire grill gets the meat “nice and crispy on the outside, while completely tender on the inside,” he said. Diners have the option to have the ribs slathered with the restaurant’s signature barbecue sauce, or just dry rub with the sauce on the side. “The rub definitely has sweetness to it, because of the brown sugar, but it’s a very complex flavor, and it has 21 different seasonings and spices in it,” Riggins said. Reporting by Nuria Mathog, Contributing Editor Loaded Bloody Mary: A noon starter Coom’s Corner Sports Grill in 1225 E. 9th St. in Lockport The bold Loaded Bloody Mary at Coom’s Corner Sports Grill is designed to incite passionate reactions. Priced at just $6, the concoction is prepared from scratch, with tomato juice and the restaurant’s special homemade spices, along with pickles, olives, sausage and cheese on a stick, as well as a generous sprinkling of celery salt along the rim. This vodka-based cocktail has a kick and, according to owner Candy McWilliams, it pairs well with any of the items on the menu, especially a burger. “It’s not your typical, out-of-the-jar Bloody Mary mix,” McWilliams said. “It is bold and unlike anything you will find at another bar.” Sundays are dedicated to the Loaded Bloody Mary, and it attracts a large tailgate crowd. “We sell a lot of these on the weekends, especially when guests come in to watch the games,” she said. “This drink is not for those who don’t like spicy things, but if you want something hardy with a strong flavor, it meets all the requirements.” Reporting by Abhinanda Datta, Assistant Editor Beer: Taking it to-go Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company, 2101 Calistoga Drive in New Lenox Few things go together better than football and beer. And if the game day festivities are taking place at home, Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company has a variety of to-go beer options to take care of game day needs. Arrowhead sells 64-ounce growlers and 32-ounce crowlers, and 16-ounce four-pack cans to take home. Growlers and crowlers can be filled with any beer on tap, though four-pack availability varies. “Growlers and crowlers are great for getting a good amount of beer in bulk for sharing with a group,” Arrowhead owner Mike Bacon said. “Four packs are great for trying a few different options.” Bacon said Odessa, a Mexican Lager that is easy to drink, is Arrowhead’s “perfect football beer.” Reporting by Sean Hastings, Contributing Editor Game-day gathering Pelican Harry’s Sports Grill, 14807 Founders Crossing in Homer Glen One place that pulls out all the stops for Sunday games is Pelican Harry’s The Totchos at Stoney Point Grill in Mokena combine potatoes and the concept of nachos, and can be purchased on game days for $8. T.J. Kremer III/22nd Century Media Sports Grill. The Homer Glen bar and eatery features the likes of a free halftime buffet, a Bears jersey giveaway and Sunday specials to keep fans of the Monsters of the Midway happy. For Pelican Harry’s coowners Jim Dobek and John Hoffenkamp, it is a football season tradition spanning more than a decade. As for the jerseys, patrons may be surprised when they come in for a game, with some of them autographed. And for ravenous fans wanting a bite outside of halftime, the Sunday specials include tacos; domestic pitchers, pints and buckets; and Bloody Marys. Reporting by Tom Czaja, Contributing Editor Pizza in the parking lot? The ultimate party Wooden Paddle, 212 Stephen St. in Lemont There is nothing wrong with ordering pizza to feed the party. But what if that pizza instead was being made in a wood-fired oven, at the party, and it did not require any effort or further cleanup? Well, Wooden Paddle — which started in Orland Park before its move to Lemont — has made a name for itself in the mobile pizza oven business. And while it would be a first, the business is not opposed to the idea of catering a tailgate. “Jon’s a huge Bears fan,” co-owner Brianna Cowan said of her husband. “We haven’t catered a game before — we usually do weddings — but we’d definitely be up for it.” Provided money is no object for the game-day festivities, of course. Movies have taught us you can’t put a price tag on the biggest party of the season. But Wooden Paddle can. And the oven and effort will cost fans a $1,500 food and beverage minimum, $395 for setup, 10 percent for sales tax and another 15 percent for gratuity on nonwedding weekends. Reporting by Bill Jones, Managing Editor
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