Beef-A-Roo. Community staple.

Today, we have another restaurant from Rockford, IL making itself known. Philly has the cheese steak. Rockford has the Beef-A-Roo. A local establishment in the area for 40 years, Beef-A-Roo commands the attention it has spent on a great dining experience. I knew Jean Vitale back in the day, although as a child I am sure she really didn’t know me. My sister and I went to school with her daughter, my sister being in the same grade and classes as her. Beef-A-Roo has been in our family dynamic since I can remember and that is no exception when we get the chance to visit when we come up north from time to time.

The Beef-A-Roo I remember had a cool retro flair back in the 80’s. Restaurants were decked out with 50’s and 60’s memorabilia with an emphasis on rock and roll. Complete with a juke box, this was the cool place to hang. Since the 80’s, they have evolved not only their look, but also their menu. They have several different themed diners, including a lodge theme and a fire station theme. They also have an ever growing selection of menu items. These items include, the beloved beef sandwich, seasoning for their awesome fries, and an array of milkshake flavors you cannot get anywhere else.

I have fond memories, going to the Beef-A-Roo located on South Alpine with my father. Conveniently located to the route we took going home after a day of golf at Ingersol, we would often stop without letting my mom and sister know. Shhhh, don’t tell them. My father and I would enjoy a quick bite of juicy beef, a large bag of fries each (loaded with the season salt), and to wash it all down, a milkshake (watermelon in the summer). While dining you are always offered mints. Chocolate was a staple, but they have several to choose from nowadays along with wet towelettes. I will never forget these days and memories coming home and saying, we were not hungry. It was something special my father and I would always share and keep secret.

Since we are the subject of food, let’s talk fries. Not all fries are created equally. 

They have changed what kind of oil they cook their fries in, but they are just as crisp and beautiful today. Common salt would not do them justice, so they use a special seasoning to top them off before placing these sticks of gold into bags for the masses. This leads me to another memory I still hang onto to this day. I created my own special sauce to dip these wonderful fries in back in the 80’s and have been doing so nonstop, every time we are at a Beef-A-Roo. This sauce has no patent, so Beef-A-Roo, if you are listening, just do me a favor and name my concoction in honor of my father if you decide to make it. Ketchup, their barbeque packets, and the season salt are all you need. I start with a generous portion of ketchup and add a little barbeque sauce for extra tang. To top it all off, sprinkle season salt on top (enough to coat the wet ingredients). Take one of your stiffest fries, mix and enjoy. My fam thinks I am weird, but I swear by this sauce for Beef-A-Roo fries. Don’t forget to sprinkle more season salt on your fries.

Jean Vitale has kept this establishment wholesome, but has updated it at the same time. They still surpass anything you can get at the local chain stores that try to compete and will always be a stop on our craving train when we are in town. I am salivating now thinking about it and that is not good because we don’t get to visit often.  So, have some food for me and don’t forget to choose a wonderful flavored shake.

Visit Beef-A-Roo here or on Facebook.   

NS(SAHD)ML

Not so, stay at home dad material lately.

Been really busy the past few days and I apologize to my followers, stalkers, and wanna be’s.

Nearly 1800 miles later, in a three day period and I am still trying to recover. We travelled up to my hometown near Chicago to send my grandma back home. It was a nice short visit, but one that could have been nicer with more time. The kiddos were left with their mama and this SAHD was nowhere to be found. Lost in a sea of highways and byways, I had to scramble to find my way back to the nest. I was so lost, in fact, that I made the executive decision to leave on Sunday at 9pm to travel back home. This was a last minute decision on my part, but one I am all too familiar with. I am not a play it by the book kinda person and love to just go with the flow (my wife would attest to this hated fact). I had not yet, made up my mind whether we were going to stop or keep traveling through the night. I am an insomniac at heart anyway, so five hours in I know the answer I was looking for. We did not stop for some zzz’s and instead floored the pedal home. I was very excited to be back with the wife and kids and had not even told them we were headed back down……they still assumed we would be arriving late that Monday evening. My mom helped take one leg and we made it in one piece.

The following day was filled with mystical unicorns and one eyed monsters. Dazed and confused from the long drive, I cannot even remember much about Monday, except for the fact that it happened. I do remember having an impromptu date night with my wife that night, which was very nice and much needed. We saw a flick…….something with the ill hated Izzy from Grey’s Anatomy. The movie was quite humorous and I did not even mind that she was in it. Texas Roadhouse is always a good standby, although a fucking killer to my little diet plans with their damn addictive cinnamon butter and rolls. Cinnamon is my crack. I snort it, I ingest it, I shoot it.

Tuesday was just that, Tuesday.

Wednesday was another well travelled day. Clocked in another 200 or so miles on the old buttocks. Changed oil and rotated tires on my mom’s car, so she would be safe and sound for another 10k.  Came back home and that was that.

So you see, my title has been diminished somewhat these past few days. I have felt more like a SAFHD(stay away from home dad). I promise to bring you the same energy that has been broughten and will be posting like a man looking for some honey on a day with no bees. 

Bittersweet.

I am loading up. Heading into the great frontier. Well, not really frontier.

My grandma is going back home, after spending some time with my mom in Florida. I offered to help, since this weekend is a long one with the holiday. I love driving and traveling. When I was younger, my great parents took us on a great vacation every summer. I have been to just about every state thanks to them and enjoyed every minute, every mile, and every location. We are going to my hometown. A place that has many memories. A city that has special meaning. I will be thinking of my father the whole time.

My father and I had several places that we could not live without. Several pizza joints that don't compare to anywhere else and a few other unique eating establishments. I will savor these tastes, as I think my father would want me to, but it will be sad knowing he is not here to share. My father is sorely missed.

I will be lugging my camera, taking pictures along the way. However, I will not be posting anything new on my blog until my return, so there will be several days of nonexistence. Don't worry your pretty little hearts. I will be posting everyday after I get back with amazing pictures and stories. Until then, look at my other posts and share them with anyone you know. Follow me, stalk me, harass me.....I don't really care.

Peace.