Joliet Restaurant Makes Everything Homemade

You know how the saying goes - that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that you nearly miss or can't barely find is the one with the best food. It's true of and now, through the direction of Patch's own Dulcinea Hawksworth, it's true of a little restaurant in Joliet called Thayer Brothers Deli and Grill. Joliet natives probably already know about this gem on Ruby Street. From Channahon, Minooka or Shorewood, it might be a little drive, but believe me, it's worth it.

Thayer Brothers makes everything from scratch, including soups and desserts. For this foodie, that's good news, because I can ask just what is in everything on the menu.

I ordered the shrimp kabobs, which was served on rice. Hawksworth ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. Both came with a choice of soup or salad. Because they make it in house, I could safely order the soup. My first spoonful and I knew I was going to like this place.

Eating at Thayer Brothers is like eating in your grandmother's kitchen, except it's a little bigger. The portions are huge, the soup is homemade, the soda comes in cans and they only take cash.

My shrimp dish was amazing. I cannot tell you how good this was. Later, my mother-in-law saw the photo of it in my camera and said, "my god, where is this from?" She's going there next time she visits.

The shrimp dish did not have any sauce, but what it did have was flavor. I didn't even ask for a lemon, which is a requirement when I eat seafood. It had notes of vinegar and spices - possibly garlic, maybe a black pepper. I couldn't even really tell you, I was too busy enjoying it.

Hawksworth had already raved about the place and this was no exception. We even ordered dessert. Three cookies - which were priced at 3 for $1 and smelled phenomenal- and blueberry pie, which did not make it into the to-go box. I dove into the dish of vanilla ice cream, which was the largest bowl of ice cream I have ever seen.

Go eat at this place. It's worth the trip. But stop at the cash station first, because you won't be able to pay any other way.

Thayer Brothers Deli and Grill is at 753 1/2 Ruby Street in Joliet, 815-726-8990.