Saturday, December 25th, 2010—Bar 349
Friday, December 24th, 2010—Bar 349
Chili’s
I just want to repeat the fact that I only have a window of about a half an hour on the internet here at my brother's in Peoria every day, so that's why I'm not commenting back much and leaving comments at other people's blogs. And if you've emailed me, that's why I'm slow getting back to you. I never realized what a slave I was to the internet till it was gone.
Okay, as I said a couple days ago, I usually write this introduction right before I go to a bar, but since I’m going so early in the day while I’m here in Peoria, I’m writing the introduction right before I post this. That means that today is Christmas and we all know who’s birthday this is. The one and only Jesus Clacky! That’s right, it’s Clacky’s birthday, today (here in the states, it was yesterday in Australia, but who’s counting?) so I propose we rename this holiday, Clackmas. So happy birthday Clacky and Merry Clackmas to all!
I know I usually rail and rant about chain restaurants and bars, but like all rules, this has one exception. I’ve been meeting friends at the Chili’s in Peoria on Christmas Eve for 17 years now and it’s one of the friendliest places anywhere. Even though it’s a chain, it feels like a local place and the bartenders and waitstaff are really nice and welcoming to all. And so, it’s off to Chili’s we go!
Okay, my parents are driving me to Chili's because I don't have a car or driver's license. It started snowing today...
Welcome back to Peoria!
And here I am, ready to start my 17th Clackmas Eve at the Chili's in Peoria.
It's early and it's snowing like crazy outside so there's plenty of seats at the bar.
And the lovely and friendly bartender Chrissy serves up a pre-afternoon beer.
It's 11:36...do you know where your bar crawler is?
Why he's right here! Cheers, everybody and happy Clackmas! Ho, ho, ho...green giant.
A long shot of the wooden bar.
The daily papers at the bar.
My perspective from the bar.
Tera and Kevin posed for the 365 camera behind the bar.
And here's more of the friendly staff, I didn't get their name's though, because it's starting to fill up in here and they had to get to work.
A shot from the other end of the bar.
Hmm...now why do I feel like it's three in the morning, outside the horrid 13th Step in the East Village?
Okay, my friends are going to be showing up soon, so I settle up my tab with Tera at the bar.
And just as I secure a table...
And as if on queue, who shows up bearing Clackmas gifts, but Toni who brought along some of her fantastic original artwork. She has original paintings and photo cards and more available to purchase. If you’re interested in purchasing artwork from Toni, you can email her here: Toni’s email. Oh and Bob Dylan, if you’re reading this, Toni’s available to paint your next album cover.
And here's Bebe posing with a piece of Toni's artwork.
And then there were three. From left: Bebe, Yours Fooly and Toni. Two pretty and wise women and one bumbling bar crawler.
Paul stopped by the table and told me he was a fan of the 365 blog. He bartends at the Fish House here in Peoria and you can check out Paul's website here: Big 10 Rant.
And then Aaron shows up and it's time to let the party begin! But first...
A Clackmas miracle...condiments! Happy birthday, Clacky! Happy Clackmas to all and to all a goodnight!
Review
Chili’s has been on this corner of University and Glen for over 24 years now. I usually shop local and avoid the chains, but this one is highly recommended. And if you’ll pardon me, it’s Clackmas and I have drinking celebrating to start. Happy Clackmas one and all!
4825 N. University St.
Peoria, Illinois
309-692-0468
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Bonus Clackmas Photos From The Wombacher Household!
My dad and my...
Mom, dozing after dinner. They don't have a computer and have no idea these photos are floating through the internet. Please don't tell them about this, I don't want to get grounded and/or sent to my room.
This is my favorite lamp in my parents house. Doesn’t he look a little like Radar O’Reilly from M*A*S*H? My parents got this lamp back in the ‘70’s. I remember doing acid once when they were out of town and I was home alone. I ended up staring at him for like, four hours. I watched him melt like a stick of butter underneath a red hot broiler and then he’d solidify and then melt again and this process happened over and over and over. After hours of this activity my mind wandered from thoughts of eternal darkness to rivers of raging creamed corn to rolling thunder that sounded like grass growing in a field of ringing glass bells. Then I felt like I was coming unglued and that mental psychosis was just moments away, so I chugged a half of a fifth of vodka and passed right the fuck out on the floor beneath the lamp. When I woke up I had Cheez Whiz and crackers and the world looked just a little different to me. That was a pretty good night.
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Bonus Clackmas Card from Jaws!
Jaws sent in this Clackmas card for all of us to share, thanks, Jaws!
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Bonus Obligatory Bathroom Shot From Lex!
Canadian correspondent Lex, sent in this obligatory bathroom shot, from the one room cabin where her and her family are spending Clackmas. I’ve never wished constipation on anyone, but I think in this case it’s most opportune!
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Reader Comments (20)
Very cool lamp at parents house and yes it does look like Radar. Purple microdot acid will make things appear to melt. Very funny stuff, great Christmas meeting friends at Chili's (its always about friends and not so much the bar). Your parents nodding is so normal and it's the best sleep in the world after a nice dinner and a few cocktails,,,I hate to be woken up when Im nodding like that. Ok Marty,,,try hitting one dive before you leave,,,,suggestion,,,,THE DOME TAP in Peoria.
Or the Gin Joint on Main St Peoria
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good crawl!
Merry Birthday Clacky and Happy Christmas!
PS
I think it was just "Radar's" one hand that melted.
When I was in the army, I had one of the first optifiber lamps evermade...it looked like a big electric dandelion that changed colors. Every once in a while some really good windowpane acid would show up on post and the entire battalion would party down. sometimes there would be five to ten people (myself included) sitting around and worshiping that thing for hours on end.
Merry Clackmas to all and to all a good night!
Nice to see you having fun in Peoria! Merry Clackmas to all!
Merry Clackmas Everyone !!
Happy Birthday Clacky
ssssssssshhh , Martys Parents are sleeping !!
Merry Clackmas! I love so much that your parents had to drive you to a bar. Isn't it awesome that no matter how old you get your parents can always make you feel like a kid :) Nice to find some friendly places even if they are in a chain. Maybe there are some gems even within a place not to be named but including the letter TGIF.
And the pictures of your parents are priceless! Being without a computer myself I have definitely realized how much I depend on it. I've had to fight my dad for use today. I'm sure both of us will enjoy being connected back to the world.
happy clackmas everybody! LOL! your friends look nice and it looks like you're having a fun holiday. i'm wondering what in the world you're doing today? is there any bars open on christmas in peoria? i guess we'll find out!
Best Chili's in America !
HAPPY CLACKMAS TO ALL !!!!!!!
I base all of my vacation destinations on their proximity to indoor plumbing, so I'm more than awed by Lex's choice to spend Christmas with frosty outhouses. BUT, I guess it's a double, so they'll have their loves to keep them warm. Anyhoo, I'm glad you got to see your old pals at Chili's. Even chains can be fun when the staff is cool. Plus, the joint is smart enough to keep its mayonnaise in the fridge, where it belongs! Hope everyone had a nice time catching up. And I hope everyone in Crawlville is having a very Merry Clackmas. In the spirit of the season, remember...don't trust your kids to do an accurate headcount, don't empty your RV juice into the sewer, and don't go lickin' frozen BB guns. Happy holidays!
Wow!
What an honour! Thanks for the awesome post Marty and I now have my own day!! Drinks all round!
To Clacksmas! I'm gonna drink 3 wise beers.
Apparently I got a bit messy on a Vodka punch on christmas night. I don't remember it.
Then I had to get up at 5am and go to work. I'm a bit sore....and just a little bit remorseful.
@Lex: Why on earth?? I think it's funny how there are 2 seats. Friends that poo together, stay together!
Woot! Glad you made it home safe and sound for the holiday! Merry Christmas, Marty!!
PS: Your parents? Are ADORABLE!
Merry Christmas...er...Clackmas!!!! When I graduated from high school, I got a job as a waitress at chilis. I STILL crave some of their food now and then and have to go back to fill the craving.
Yummmy. Have fun in Illinois!!
@Everybody: Merry Clackmas! Once again sorry about not being able to comment back much, as my internet time is limited. Now it's time to post today's post.
Aww your parents are so cute!
"I’ve been meeting friends at the Chili’s in Peoria on Christmas Eve for 17 years now and it’s one of the friendliest places anywhere." Very cool Marty!
I like the bar at Chilis too!
Toni is a very talented artist.
Happy Birthday Clacky! Happy Birthday Jesus !
Those Toilets.... Funny place to have a christmas poo poo !!!
Sorry, I've been offline for a bit since I got back to Chi-town, but it was great to see you all again! You got there at 11:30??! Gee, no wonder you were glassy-eyed by the time I got there...LOL I'm sorry I won't make it back this weekend for the last night of the crawl, but I will be there in spirit(s)!
Merry Clackmas to all!
@Aaron: Great to see you as well!
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