We've been doing some cleaning and getting rid of stuff so we decided to go somewhere several marketplace items were picked up.  After discussing we decided to go to Frenchmans Widow since it had been a while since we went there.
I wanted to get mushrooms for an appetizer only to fine out it was buy one get one half price so naturally we got another which ended being cheese curds.  I decided on wings with parm garlice and cajun spice on the side.  Lisa went with the gyro sandwich with cauliflower balls, Mike got his usual burger with chips as the side and Debbie got a french dip and also got cauliflower balls.
The mushrooms were your typical button style mushrooms are were decent but the curds were very good.  The wings were nice and crisp and tasted really good but I was disappointed in the garlic parm.  It needed some more butter or olive oil cause it just seemed like shaved parm, the cajun spice was good when I sprinkled it on the wings.  The meat in Lisa's gyro was very good and the cauliflower balls were really good too.  I wasn't wild about Mike's chips, they were cooked nicely but didn't seem to have any seasoning on them.  The au jus that Debbie got for her sandwich looked really good and they gave her a lot.  Most places seem to short on au jus and I like a wet sandwich.

We hit a couple more regular places this week that needed mentioning.
First off after a nice ride on snake road and such we stopped at Bottoms Up.  We were back to our normal half fried chicken all white with side salads and of course Mike ordered enough chips for a crowd.  I'm glad to say the chicken was back on point and of course the chips are always good.  The salads are always good and plenty.
Yesterday we ordered from China Buffet.  We were planning on going somewhere but I'd had a very rough night struggling with heartburn and I didn't feel great.  By the time I'd come around Lisa was home bound.  Anyway Lisa got her normal chicken in garlic sauce and I ordered shrimp mei fun but I asked for it to be made with garlic sauce.  I also ordered pan fried dumplings to try.  
I liked the dumplings but Lisa wasn't wild about them.  The mei fun was good but I didn't get much of a taste of the garlic sauce in them.  The chicken in garlic sauce is always good and this was more of the same.

We snuck down to Game On yesterday to grab something to eat when Lisa got home from the grandkids swimming.  We go there a fair amount so I don't post much about it but this time we both tried something different.
I got the cheeseburger with grilled onions, swiss cheese and pickles.  They were having a special of Chalet BBQ with Cairo bbq sauce and Lisa got that.  I hadn't realized that Tracy the owner was the daughter of Wayne the owner of the Chalet at one time.  She was also the sister of Mark, a classmate of mine before they moved to Benton and Kelly who owned Sandy's bar in Benton that we stopped in a few times.
Anyway the cheeseburger was good but I prefer the smash burger.  The fries were good and nicely salted but I'm just not much of a fry guy anymore.  The bbq was good but a little dry and I'm not much of a Cairo bbq sauce person, a little to spicy for me in my old age.  Lisa also got mac and cheese and seemed to really like it.
Of course I had to mention to the owner that I thought her sisters burger was better and she said of course it was, her grill hasn't been seasoned long enough.  All in fun because their smash burger is so good.

I've been wanting to give the 1860 Public House in Red Bud a try since I noticed that it was no longer the Opera House.  Well we finally made the drive yesterday after debating several other places (of course).
Red Bud has a population of just less than 4000 but has a lot of traffic go through there.  The Public House changed a lot from the previous spot and has really updated it nicely.  We decided on a booth and there were two other tables filled when we got there.  Our waitress came over and boy was she a hoot.  Very energetic and personable.  I finally decided on the fish and chips while Lisa got a taco salad and chili.  Mike got a burger and Debbie got a steak wrap.  We also got rolls for the table and some pub chips for good measure.  
The rolls were just okay, nothing special but the butter was real good.  I only had a couple chips but they were well cooked but not much seasoning so salt was added.  My fish was cod and really good.  It was cut long ways and was similar to a frozen fish stick that we ate back in the day.  They had both spicy and regular tartar sauce, I thought the regular was very plain but I did like the spicy.  Lisa really like her chili and said the taco salad was good.  Debbies wrap looked real good and Mike liked his burger.  
A great new addition that I'm sure we'll go back to.
Afterwards we went next door to Leiferbrau for a quick drink.  We found out you can order from next door and get food delivered.  As fate would have it as we were leaving our waitress from the Public House delivered food and once again was very energetic and fun,.

Saturday pizza was on my mind but wanted something a little different so we decided to go to Alongi's.  It's been quite a few years since we went there.  I like that you can add ingredients without paying extra.
We went with pepperoni, italian sausage and mushrooms while Mike got chicken parm and Debbie got lasagna.  They have very unique shaped beer glasses, tall and thin.  Each of us got a bread stick that was very good but I wish it had dipping oil or something to dip it in.  The pizza was good and different than our usual pizza places so that was nice,  It was thin crust but wasn't a thin pizza, the cheese and toppings built it up.  Mike really like his chicken parm which is his go to for italian places and Debbie loved her lasagna.
Nice change of pace for us.

Thursday we both had appointments in the morning so we decided to try out a new place in DuQuoin called Traditions.  It's in the building that used to be Taco Bell/KFC just past the old coke bottling place.
The waitress was very helpful and nice but a little naive when it came to the beer selection.  We both ordered Yuengling and finally decided on splitting a chef salad with house dressing and spaghetti.  We were both nervous about the formaggio cheese since it was a blend of mozzarella and provolone with a little provel added.  Neither of us car for provel but it was fine.
The salad was humongous and they brought two bowels so we could get out what we wanted.  The dressing was really good too, overall a really good salad.  The spaghetti was solid but nothing special.  Same with the meatballs but the sauce was really good.  It came with two small slices of garlic bread that were tasty.
Overall a good trip and we'll make it back soon to try the pizza and burgers.
It just so happens that there was an 89th birthday party for the legendary Batman at the Da-Nite so we stopped in for a beer or two.  He was both our teachers in high school and has been a friend for a lot of years.  We missed a couple people I would have liked to see but there was still plenty there and we stayed a lot longer than anticipated.
Great day

We started out for Frenchman's Widow yesterday but decided on Joe's Pizza on the ride over.  This time we wanted pasta instead of pizza plus I wanted salad.  When we got there we ordered an italian salad with no olives.  I got balsamic vinaigrette while Lisa got creamy italian.  We finally decided to split an order of pasta pomodoro.
The salad was good but the balsamic vinaigrette didn't really hit the spot.  Lisa said the creamy italian was good.  The salad was more than enough for the two of us and enough left to bring some home.  The past pomodoro was ok but needed more of olive oil.  For some reason they couldn't put extra on but brought some garlic butter for me and some red sauce for Lisa.  This really helped along with some parm and pepper.  The red sauce was very good and the pasta we order the next time we get pasta there.

Yesterday we made a last minute decision to go to Bottoms Up.  We hadn't been there in a while and we both decided to go off our norm with what we got.  I went down thinking catfish while Lisa was thinking wings.  
The catfish is hand breaded there so that sealed the choice especially when the cook said she would cut it in strips since they weren't busy.  Lisa went with wings.  We both got side salads that were plain but tasty.  The catfish had a different coating, maybe cornmeal based, but it was very good.  Not up there with the best in the area but worth getting again.  Lisa's wings were on point as they always are there.
It's always nice talking with the staff there, very nice and outgoing.
We stopped at Slips Hideaway, aka Kinkaid Marina, on the way home for a drink and to check out the place.  They've redone almost the whole place and it looks really nice.  They did keep the bar made out of a boat though.  I had a beer and Lisa started a beer but noticed the slushy machine and got one of those after trying all three.  I have to say all three were really good.

An expected stay at home day turned into going out after we saw Game On's special was filet mignon soup.  That sounded too interesting to turn down so we loaded up Greyson and Dax and went there.  Of course the kids didn't get that they went with kids meals, one with chicken tenders the other boneless chicken wings.  Me and Lisa went with the soup.  
It was very good and it was a decent size.  The filet pieces were very small but otherwise no complaints.

We took advantage of a kid free day to go to a new place that's been on our radar for a while, the Mule Barn in DuBois.  The place is an older building that has seen it's better days but still functional with a mule statue outside,  Fried chicken was the special and it came with mashed potatoes and corn or green beans.  I tried to change sides but couldn't find them listed so we both went with corn,
The food arrived too fast to be freshly fried chicken but the chicken was really good.  The sides could have been hotter but was okay, what can you say about corn and mashed potatoes.  The gravy was really good, once again I wish it would have been hotter.  Interesting place that we'll go to again before long.   Of course Lisa had to get on the mule and have her picture taken.
On the way up Lisa had seen a sign for Black Sheep saloon in Tamoroa so we stopped in there.  They didn't have food until four on Wednesdays but earlier the rest of the week.  They have pizza all the time.  I asked if it was frozen pizza but it is handmade.  
We tried to find a place in DuQuoin but never saw it so we came on back to Murphysboro and stopped at the Da Nite where we ran into Ozzie, Jodie and Clint.  We had a couple there and ordered pizza to go.  The pizza was good but not as good as having it at IV"s.

Sometimes the best trips are the ones you don't take.  I've been tired and not 100% lately so after discussing it we decided to stay home yesterday.  Lisa mentioned gumbo and thats all it took.  I had to got to the milk store for milk and eggs so we could also have cornbread but overall didn't do anything except watch tv.
She made a giant batch of chicken and crawdad gumbo so that there would be enough left over for cards on Monday and it was great.  The crawdads really added to it instead of shrimp or andouille sausage.  The cornbread was good and offset the gumbo well.  
I feel a lot better today than I have but the days early.

After we went to the farmers market yesterday we stopped in 17th St to grab a bite to eat and use a gift card Ted had gotten us.  Neither of us really have a go to there but after an extended amount of time to decide I went with turkey chef salad when the subbed romaine instead of something called field greens.  Lisa got wings and chili.
The salad was really good and nice sized, the smokey vinegarette was really good too.  The wings were also really good and Lisa likes their chili.
thanks Ted.

After a fun afternoon of cards yesterday we decided to order Dominos mainly because their commercials look so good.  I have to say the delivery was fast and the pizza was hot but otherwise mediocre.  The crust was good and the pepperoni and mushrooms were good also but the sauce and cheese just weren't that good.
I know better than to go by what food looks like in commercials and learned that lesson once again.

Yesterday we went to the Cardinal game against the Brewers with tickets Lisa won at the Relay for Life bocce tournament courtesy of Scott and Paula.  The seats were in the shade which was a mixed blessing, my head didn't get burned but it was a chilly day.  The Brewers put up a 4 spot in the first inning and the game really wasn't in doubt after that.  
Afterwards we stopped at Patty O's for a couple beers to let the traffic thin out which turned out to be a very good move at least until we hit construction after leaving St Louis.   I hate driving in those conditions so Mike drove with his past experience in California traffic.
We stopped at Skootrs in Mascoutah to grab some much needed food.  We discovered it several years ago coming back from the airport and it was one of the few places open on Mondays (not anymore).  I ordered a pork tenderloin, Lisa got a farmers salad, Debbie got reuben which she says is the best ever and Mike got pulled pork.  We all got house chips.
My sandwich was good and thicker than I expected and bigger than I thought.  The house chips weren't seasoned very well and I'll get something else next time we stop there.  Lisa's salad was the star of the meal.  It was BIG and very good, a full chicken breast sliced on top of it and the bacon vinegar dressing was great.  Mike and Debbie both liked their sandwiches.  

We've had a lot going on lately so when we've been able to go out it's been someplace local that we've been to a lot.  Yesterday was no exception but Lisa wanted El Jalisco for Cinco de Mayo so I said I'd pick it up.
Lisa ordered birria tacos and I ordered pollo yucateco, I saw a picture of it and it looked good.  They said 10 minutes so I rushed there and to my surprise it wasn't very crowded.  I got there around 4:40 so maybe it would fill up later.
Anyway my dish was a flattened chicken breast with shrimp and some other things on top.  It came with rice and lettuce with sour cream on top and some more stuff on it.  The dish was delicious especially the shrimp and other stuff.  Even the lettuce with sour cream worked and I'm not a big sour cream fan.  This may be my new go to there.  Lisa said her tacos were real good, I was planning on having one of them but I was stuffed.

Yesterday was a long overdue trip to Cape.  First we checked out Academy Sports.  I like looking at the grills and smokers along with the BBQ sauces and rubs.  They had several that I would have gotten if Lisa had found anything she wanted to get but didn't want to stand in line for just that.
Afterwards we went to Port Cape for a drink.  The service was not good, we sat for quite a while waiting to be waited on.  We finally got someone and the service was better but not enough to make up for the initial wait.  We also got some chips to snack on and they were very good, whatever seasoning they put on it is really good.
Next we stopped at Broussards to eat.  Me and Lisa decided to split a pick three platter and we chose two crawdad etouffees and shrimp creole.  They've changed it where you only get one side instead of red beans and rice and a salad.  We got fried corn as our side.  Mike and Debbie got the same thing except with gumbo instead of shrimp creole.  
I'm really glad we got the creole, it was really good and we hadn't got it in a long time.  The etouffee was great as always and the fried corn was good and interesting.  It was battered and deep fried.  Mike liked the gumbo best while Debbie like the etouffee.
On the way home we stopped at the Duck Inn so Mike could go to the bathroom.  Of course we had a drink while we were there, it was pretty dead so we headed on home.

Roll'em If Ya Got'em made their 2026 debut yesterday, at least kind of,  We played as Rolling For A Cure in this tournament.  After a lot of really nice days yesterday was crappy, cool, windy and rainy.  Anyway we were back on the courts.  Our pool played all of it's game on the third court which gave us a big disadvantage in the playoffs since they were on the two other courts.
We played our first game against a team of some players from Tuesday night and my cousins son Josh.  We jumped out to a big 7-2 lead before they came storming back and we had an 8-5 lead but we were unable to get that final point and lost 9-8.
Up next was a team led by Ian.  This time we jumped out to a big lead and kept going winning 9-2.
We played each team in our bracket 2 times so it was time for Josh's team again.  This time we once again jumped out to a big lead and kept going winning 9-3.
Finally it was Ian's team again.  Win and get in but also if we scored over 3 points we would be the pool champion.  This game was more competitive but we won 9-5 so we would be advancing.
In the semi's we played Can't Be Trusted/Brickdust Blues playing as Survivors, an apt name.  This is where the disadvantage happened, we switched to the middle court and they had just finished a game there.  They were also on fire and we lost 9-0 in three frames.  They would also go on to win the tournament.
In the third place game we played Wops on the first court and still could not adjust losing 9-3 for a fourth place finish.  Not too bad considering that three of us hadn't played this season.  We are planning on being back for summer.
Afterwards we went to Middies for Fred, Cathy and Clints birthday get together.  Appetizers galore were bought and drinks were flowing.  Very enjoyable time.  

After seeing all 3 grandkids run, jump, throw, slide, swing and everything else at Ultimate Gymnastics for their combined birthday parties we went to T Street for the first time in a few years.  It's not that we don't like the place it doesn't open until 4 and we prefer going earlier.
The main reason for going was that I was pasta night there with a pasta bar where your food is cooked to order in front of everyone.  I ordered the pasta bar with fettuccine, marinara, steak and mushrooms while Lisa got bowtie and Debbie got the garlic butter sauce.  The three of us got the house dressing on our salads.  Mike was the oddball and went with chicken parm with double chips.  We'd also ordered pub chips as an appetizer.
T Street has an excellent side salad that keeps it simple with white shredded cheese and pepperoni making it different than most salads.  The pub chips were surprisingly good.  I don't normally like cheese on chips but these were nicely done and also had bacon sprinkles on it.  Who  doesn't like bacon.
The pasta was great, well cooked and delicious.  The three salad bar people were really happy with our choice and there was a lot left over.  Me and Lisa combined our salad and took it home too.  Mike really like his chicken parm which is one of his favorites but he hasn't had in a while.
We can't let it be as long before we get back.

We had a little free time yesterday so after I finished some yard work we decided to go some place and grab lunch.  We'd had a big weekend so it came down to Game On or New Kahala.  She said it was my choice and after changing my mind several time decided on New Kahala.  
We've usually been going to China Buffett so it's been a while since we've been there.  I opted for beef rice noodle and Lisa got chicken in garlic sauce.  It was ready when we got there but was still hot when we got home.
My beef and noodle seemed lacking but some soy sauce made it a lot better.  Lisa's chicken in garlic sauce was good and you always get a two mounds of rice, in this case she'd ordered fried rice.  There was plenty left for a couple more meals.

Yesterday we took advantage of no grandkids and beautiful weather to go to Herrin and eat at Joes Pizza.  We had to go a little earlier than our normal time but Lisa had to pick the twins up from school.
We had decided on a salad and pizza but didn't totally decide until we got there.  We opted for an italian salad and thin pepperoni and mushroom pizza.  We also got a pitcher of Blue Moon.  I'd forgot they still have glass pictures.
The salad was excellent and they split it into two bowls for us.  More than enough for each of us.  This will probably be a must each time we got there.  The pizza was very good and it's different than any of the pizzas locally.
Slowly we are getting back to normal and hopefully it will continue.

With Lisa feeling a lot better we finally got out for a late lunch early dinner whatever you want to call it.  On Saturday I took her for a ride around Murphy Lake and Kinkaid marina and of course Riverside Park.
I went down thinking fish bites and mushrooms or fried chicken.  Lisa ended up getting fried chicken with hushpuppies and slaw while I got the aforementioned fish bites and in house mushrooms.  Debbie got the Italian beef and fries while Mike  also got fried chicken with hushpuppies and fries.
Wow, the fried chicken was great.  I probably liked it better than long time favorite Bottoms Up.  The hushpuppies were very good and I don't eat a lot of them.  The slaw was on point and of course the mushrooms are great.  The fish bites were once again on point but I had a little too much fried food.  Everyone was very pleased with what they got and had a great time.
After we were both stuffed my old friend Ronnie stopped by and brought some chicken for us.  I pinched off a little piece and it was really good with a little bit of kick.  After he left I finished off the rest of the thigh because it was so good and I normally eat white meat in chicken.

We having been straying very far from Murphysboro lately but here are a few places we've done (mainly me).
El Paisano - Lisa got the chicken soup and I got the steak ti patio.  The soup was real good but I ordered it without any rice in it and when we got it there was a lot of rice in it.  The steak wasn't very good but the shrimp and corn were excellent plus they let me sub an extra ear of corn instead of rice.
17th Street - I was in the mood for a good ribeye on my way back from Carbondale.  I tried Pats but they didn't have any so I ordered one from 17th St..  We used to get them occasionally some time ago and remembered them being good.  I ordered medium and this one came out well done which made it tough.  Greyson liked it when he got off the buss.  The baked potato was good.
Pats - I went by Pats to pick up some corned beef and cabbage.  It was okay but was soupy and that's not how I like it.
Game On - I tried the italian beef and apple salad and thought both were very good.  I also stopped by on a Sunday morning and got biscuits and gravy.  The gravy was real good but they broke up the biscuits and I prefer mine cut in half plus the biscuits tasted like they been sitting for a while.  Mike and Debbie brought me fish and mushrooms from there but misunderstood what I wanted and brought me a fish sandwich and portabella mushrooms.  The fish bites are much better and the in house mushroom are also a lot better.
Hopefully we can get back on track in a couple weeks.

Lisa is getting her appetite back but still not ready to go anywhere so yesterday she said an italian beef sounded good.  After mentioning a few places she said Dale's have good ones so off I went.  I got a large and Lisa got a medium and both of us got a large cup of au jus.  I also got some peppers which turned out to be giardiniera.  
Both sandwiches were really good, one of the best italian beefs around and the au jus really complements it well.  The giardiniera was hot but Lisa ended up liking it.  Only downsize is that it was very expensive for two sandwiches and we'll both get a smaller sandwich next time.
Saturday I went to Game On by myself to try the fish.  I sat at the bar to eat for the first time in many years since Lisa doesn't like to eat at the bar.  The fish was good but not as good as the fish bites.  Both the baked beans and slaw were solid, not great but good.
Last week I went to China Buffet again since Lisa really liked to rice noodle.  I got chicken and broccoli which didn't have much flavor, I didn't try the chicken rice noodle this time in case Lisa wanted it left over.

Catching up a bit with some places we go a lot.
With Lisa not feeling good yesterday and it being valentines day we chose to stay at home, not unusual for us to avoid crowds.  Soup sounded good to her so I picked up China Buffet.
I ordered shrimp mei fun and spring rolls and got her egg drop soup.  I googled Mei fun and it's just rice noodles. So why not.  Lisa said the soup was good and it was hot this time, several places lately haven't been.  Their spring rolls are good and only cost $2.  The shrimp mei fun was very very good, Lisa said she may have found her new go to there.  All in all it really hit the spot.
Earlier this week we went to Game On for what seems the 100th time, it's close and good so there.  We got the in house mushrooms and they were spectacular.  We both got smash burgers but I got a double and she got a single.  Both were really good, true smash burgers.  I had the apple salad and I really liked it, nice to have a side option that's not fried.  Lisa had the chili and liked it in spite of the beans.
We went to Quatros and Bottoms Up last week.  At Quatros we got a veggie chef and a meateaters pizza.  The pizza was like old times, wonderful.  The veggie chef was a lot better than the dinner salad we'd been getting and not much more.
At Bottoms Up we got the usual two side salads and half chicken all white.  Lisa said hers seemed dry and the first two or three bites of mine were dry but then okay.  A rare miss there.

We went to Game On again yesterday, really wasn't my choice since we've been there a lot lately but Jeff wanted to try it.  Not a big deal since we really like the place but don't want to get burned out.
Mike ordered two orders of the buffalo rangoons and Jeff ordered jalapeno poppers.  Me and Jeff ordered wings, Mike and Debbie ordered burgers and Lisa ordered nachos.
I didn't eat any appetizers, trying to cut down fried food some plus not really in my wheelhouse.  Mike really likes the rangoons, some would say he's a rangoonian (sorry).  My wings were different but good.  I ordered roasted pepper garlic sauce on the side and it was okay but I asked for bbq sauce and I liked it better.  Lisa wasn't real wild about the nachos but I thought they were okay.  The burger eaters seemed to like burgers and the fries.
After leaving there we went to Big Muddy for a Red Devil Red and they had a decent crowd.  Next we went to Brews Brothers and it was dead, only one person who was talking to the bartender.  Lastly we went to the Elks and there wasn't anyone there until a couple walked in just before we left.