Once in a blue moon

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.

Once in a blue moon, Nancy and I get a taste for some good old fashioned tangy, smoky barbeque. Luckily, we did get a recommendation from someone, but because we’re old, we can’t remember who it was from or the name of the restaurant. We knew it was “Moon” something. We frantically googled Moonbeam, Moonshine, Shoot the Moon, etc., and finally found what we were looking for. It was the Moontime Smoking’ Que in Crystal Lake.

We jumped into the Mini-Mobile, put in the restaurant’s location in the GPS, and off we went. Why does that “$#%*@-in-the box” take you on the most complicated, side street ridden routes just to save 30 seconds in travel time? Despite detours and road construction, we found ourselves in the middle of downtown Crystal Lake by the train station.

The reassuring voice in our car said, “you have arrived,” but still there was no sign of the restaurant. We parked the car and got out to look around, and immediately noticed the aroma of smoky barbeque in the air. Like two bloodhounds, we followed our noses around the corner and down the street to our destination.

We walked in and the hostess told us to seat ourselves. Jim being the ever-debonair husband, directed me to a table and even pulled the chair out for me to sit down. What a guy!!! He must want something. The only time he opened the car door for me was when I wore a short skirt.

There were eight regular tables and four high top tables with a bar in the back of the restaurant. This is a small venue which filled up quickly as the day went on.

In keeping with the “moon” theme, Nancy wanted to try a Blue Moon Beer. The waitress saw her take her first sip and asked if she would like something else. Nancy’s expression said it all, but as usual, she suffered in silence (NOT)!!!

The restaurant has a rather limited menu. Their “Shareables” (appetizers) seem to be more entrée sized. They offer two different sizes for most of them and they are in the $12 to $14 price range. We noticed one of the sandwich sides was jalapeno cheddar corn bread. We asked our waitress if we could have some of these as an appetizer and she said they are bite-sized muffins (4) for $1.50. We asked for one order, tasted them, and ordered another. There is something wonderful about warm cornbread slathered in butter.

Nancy loves brisket and a good Philly cheesesteak sandwich. She spotted the Brisket Philly ($15.95) and had to order it. This was chopped brisket, sautéed onions and peppers, topped with a cheese sauce on a toasted grinder roll. She had her choice of seven sides and went with the house-cooked chips. The sandwich was huge and delicious. She shared her chips and we both agreed they were totally awesome!!! These were served hot and crunchy, and every once in a while, you got a chip with a soft middle. Her sandwich was so big she took half of it home in a doggie bag.

Jim was “Done Porkin’ Around,” and that’s what he ordered from the menu ($15.95). This was pulled pork, bacon, cheddar, and pepper jack cheeses, served on thick cut sourdough bread with honey pepper que sauce for dipping. He chose Grandma’s Baked Beans for his side. The sandwich was good but he was hoping for more flavor and more sauce. The baked beans were yummy and he ordered an extra side of coleslaw ($4) for us to share. All the sides we tried were very tasty and went well with our barbeque entrees.

This is a nice local barbeque place with very attentive service.

The cost for a “Moontime” lunch was $50.55, sniffing out a new restaurant, priceless…

FYI: The restaurant is handicap accessible depending where you park. There is a lot next to the restaurant, but our GPS couldn’t find it, so we did street parking.

Jim’s take: Nancy’s doggie bag was a great lunch for me the next day. I love cheese sauce on anything!!!

Nancy’s take: I loved everything I ate today. Jim said I won since my sandwich was really delicious.

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at: thediningduo@gmail.com

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