Review

Restaurant Review - Journal Star (Peoria, IL)
January 28, 1994

GIL'S SUPPER CLUB LIVES UP TO REPUTATION>NO-FRILLS PLACE WELL WORTH RIDE TO HANNA CITY
Author: Beverly Kelley Davis

HANNA CITY -- For many years I've heard how great the fried chicken is at Gil's Supper Club, a longtime fixture in this small town, and I'm pleased to say I agree.

We arrived about 8 p.m. on a very cold Saturday and were quickly seated in the huge L-shaped non-smoking section. To reach it you pass through the large smoking section, which contains a dance floor and stage at one end. Occasionally the music of groups such as the Pink Flamingos, a '50s and '60s rock and roll group, is featured.

There also is a separate large banquet room. This newly remodeled small-town eatery can seat approximately 300 people.

The menus are printed on paper place mats and following a decision-making process (because it was late and our blood sugar had plummeted), my cousin Lois finally decided on country fried chicken ($6.75) and coffee (60 cents). The boneless chicken breast filled half the plate and the country style milk gravy that covered the meat and the real mashed potatoes were perfectly seasoned, she said, adding that the chicken was moist and "just right."
I ordered the fried chicken (all white, $6.95) and iced tea ($.60). The meals include a choice of baked potato, mashed potatoes, potato salad or French fries. The generous portion of crispy, hot, batter-dipped juicy chicken -- two large wings and two large breasts -- were very hot and delicious and made up for my baked potato, which was a tad on the black side.
We had a choice of the soup of the day (cheese soup) or salad. We opted for salads, accompanied by a basket of assorted crackers and two biscuit-sized yeast rolls. Those hit the spot so well with Lois that she asked for more.

The salads, consisting of a couple of kinds of lettuce, shredded carrot and red cabbage, a cucumber slice, tomato wedge and crispy croutons, were very tasty. Lois said her low-fat honey- mustard dressing had an excellent tangy, sweet flavor and I enjoyed my French dressing.

We ordered a combination appetizer, onion rings and potato skins, and we substituted mozzarella sticks for the mushrooms ($3.95 plus 50 cents extra for the substitution). They were served with a marinara sauce and sour cream. The potato skins were outstanding -- thick chewy cheddar cheese topped with bacon bits and chopped green onions, and the cheese sticks were very good.

The powdered sugar-covered corn fritters were nothing to write home about. They were rather dry inside with very little corn.

The luscious-looking homemade dessert tray contained pumpkin cheesecake, peanut butter pie, lemon delight and Black Forest cheesecake. I chose the Black Forest cheesecake ($2.25) with its very dark Oreo-looking crunchy bottom layer and a generous creamy layer of chocolate mousse, topped with cherries and then whipped cream sprinkled with bits of chocolate. It was wonderful and, needless to say, I carried most of it and almost all my chicken home.
Lois had the lemon delight ($2.25) which had a delicious thick, crunchy, toffee-tasting, nutty bottom layer, layer of whipped cream, a lemony filling in the middle and topped with whipped cream.

This no-frills place is well- worth the short ride to get there if you want a reasonably priced meal that will leave a little change in your pocket and a happy stomach. @ART CAPTION: QUICK GUIDE Restaurant: Gil's Supper Club Location: Illinois Route 116, Hanna City Phone: (309) 565-7889 Reservations: Accepted Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday Attire: Casual to dressy Specialties: Specials offered each day include chicken and spaghetti ($5.50) on Thursdays and all-you-can-eat catfish ($7.50) or walleye ($6.25) on Fridays.

Prices: Inexpensive to moderate. Sandwiches run from $2 for a hamburger to $4.25 for a grilled or deep-fried pork chop; entrees range from $4.50 for spaghetti and meatballs to $13.75 for ribeye and shrimp or prime rib and shrimp; 15-piece fried chicken, $13.50; 21 piece, $17.85. Miscellany: Full bar; local checks accepted; MasterCard, Visa and Discovery credit cards accepted; large non-smoking area; wheelchair ramp; children's menu; banquet menu available; carryouts from regular menu.

Ratings: Food [CS][CS][CS]; Service [CS][CS] 1/2; Atmosphere [CS][CS]