A ‘special’ restaurant

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.

Nancy is what some people might call frugal. I prefer to call her cheap. Of course, this frugality does not apply to jewelry, but I digress. She is on every retailer’s mailing list, and gets hundreds of emails a day with money saving deals, whether we need it or not, if it’s a deal, she purchases it. This strategy has undoubtedly saved me millions of dollars over the years, at least in her way of thinking.

This practice has spilled over into our dining out habits. We have a storehouse of Groupon and Living Social coupons, but, if we don’t have a coupon, the next step is looking for early bird specials, half price days, or their super special “entrees they can’t get rid of” days. There’s a local eatery that we all know is the king of specials. Whether it be dollar burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, or a Del Webb favorite, half price wine day. We are referring to Rookies All-American Pub and Grill in Huntley.

I think we all know what the inside of Rookies looks like. It is a typical local sports bar which pre-COVID offered a never-ending popcorn bowl. Hopefully, they will bring this back now that COVID is starting to wind down. Now let’s concentrate on the food.

Jim and I have always gone to Rookies for their dollar burgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches. Our personal favorite is their chicken sandwich. In the past we have never ordered anything off their menu that wasn’t a special. Because we still have leftover stimulus money that Nancy hasn’t spent yet, we decided to throw caution to the wind and go for the full price items.

If you look at the menu closely, I am not so frugal after all. Certain residents of an unnamed over-55 complex have been known to bring in their own slices of onion to avoid paying a 50¢ upcharge when they offer their dollar burger. FYI: This practice is expressly forbidden as stated on their “specials” menu!!!

Jim and I lost our desire for appetizers since my stomach turns somersaults at the very hint of the putrid smell of burning Feta cheese. This is one time I am actually glad to wear a mask as the flaming toxic mass passes me by. Opa!!!

Nancy, of course, found an entrée she could customize just the way she wants it. Since this is our big meal of the day and she wanted a salad but didn’t think it would be enough, she went with the Deluxe Pick Two Combo ($10.99). This was her choice of a salad and a half sandwich. She chose the Ultimate Grilled Cheese. This was cheddar, Velveeta, pepperjack, tomato, and bacon on grilled garlic parmesan cheese bread and served with a tomato basil dipper. To accompany this she chose the Berry Nut Salad. It contained mixed greens, walnuts, egg, avocado, strawberries, cranberries, tomato, cucumber, carrots, and a small pita. The salad was delicious, and I told her I might even try it sometime. The sandwich could have used more cheese, but it was tasty with the garlic parmesan bread.

Every so often Jim has to have a gyro, and I get to smell his breath for days later. Since he was also hungry, he went with the Gyro Platter ($11.99). This is sliced gyro meat with tomato, onions, and tzatzki sauce on grilled pita bread. This comes with fries, coleslaw or potato chips and he went with the potato chips. Jim said this is one tasty platter. Try it, you’ll like it. Dining Duo Tip: Ask your waitress for the shaker of parmesan and sprinkle it over your chips. Do it once and you’ll be hooked!!!

Let’s hope Rookies brings back the dollar specials and the popcorn. But until that time, give Rookies a try for other entrees, you will be pleasantly surprised.

FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.

Price for our afternoon out $31.28. I think this is the most money we’ve ever spent at Rookies!!!

Jim’s take: Every once in a while, a guy just has to have a good gyro. What is that meat anyway???

Nancy’s take: I loved my salad, I just wish Rookies would have a $1 salad special. It would make my day…

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

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