Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
Breaking News: The Dining Duo finds Big Foot! Everyone was searching in the wilderness, but Big Foot was found just outside the city limits of Harvard. This is proudly proclaimed on a roadside sign on Northwest Highway. More evidence can be found as you drive past the Big Foot Cemetery. Venturing further on we discovered the place where all the Big Foot (Big Foots??? Big Feet???) dine and socialize. We are ecstatic to announce the discovery of the Big Foot Inn Supper Club and Restaurant in Harvard.
Big Foot Inn
11508 U.S. 14
Harvard 60033
(815) 943-4740
bigfootinnrestaurant.com
Directions: Take Rte. 47 North to Rte. 14 West to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 43 minutes
The restaurant is located in the unincorporated metropolis of Big Foot, but the address given is in Harvard. As you pull into the parking lot, we were amazed at how large the restaurant is considering its location.
After we were seated, we looked at the menu and decided to try the Bruschetta ($9.95) for an appetizer. This was plum tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil on a crostini. We were served eight of these delectable bruschettas. This was one of the best bruschettas we have ever had. Nancy, who is not a lover of raw tomatoes, gobbled it down. I took a taste, and it became clear to me why Nancy loved this appetizer so much. There was enough garlic in it to satisfy even Nancy, and scare away Big Foot!!!
The waiter brought over a relish tray (radishes, green onions, celery, and carrots) along with a basket of assorted crackers to go along with a scoop of cheese spread. This is an old school tradition that we wish would make a comeback. We devoured the entire tray while we sat chatting.
All entrees come with soup or salad and a basket of warm rolls with butter. Nancy, as if she didn’t have enough garlic, chose the salad with garlic dressing. She must have had enough tomatoes since she told the waiter to leave them off the salad. I chose the New England Clam Chowder. Nancy loved her garlic dressing but my soup was light on the clams.
Jim was torn between the Veal Parmesan and the Veal Marsala. I came to the rescue and told him to try something different for a change. He went with the Veal Marsala ($27.95), which was veal served with shallots and mushrooms in a Marsala wine sauce on top of a bed of angel hair pasta. What arrived was a huge portion of veal and mushrooms large enough to feed Big Foot. Jim wished the sauce was more like a gravy. It needed reducing to enhance the flavor.
Nancy, still in fear of being attacked by Big Foot, ordered another dish heavy on the garlic, namely, the Shrimp Scampi ($21.95). This was shrimp tossed in a lemon garlic white wine sauce over a bed of angel hair pasta. The waiter brought over a bowl of pasta with six medium sized shrimp. She was disappointed in the seasoning of her dish, mainly it needed more garlic, salt, and butter. She was surprised by the amount of shrimp for the money.
To sum it up, we both took home “Big Foot” bags for another dinner. We also had a nice ride in the country to an old school supper club.
Dining Duo Tip: This restaurant is known for their fish fry on Fridays. Reservations are strongly suggested for this event.
The cost for our expedition was $70.46, finding Big Foot, priceless…
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.
As a side note, Nancy’s garlic fest succeeded warding off Big Foot, vampires, and people in general, including me.
Jim’s take: The veal was very tasty, but the sauce needed some work.
Nancy’s take: I will be adding some butter, garlic, salt, and parsley to my pasta leftovers to bring it up to my liking.
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at: thediningduo@gmail.com
