I’ve been on a mission to have weekend breakfasts at rural locations in Illinois, and today we hit the Pub 72 Bar & Grill in Gilberts, IL. The “72” is after the number of the highway, and if memory serves me, is a rather new name. Not sure if the change also represented a change in ownership.
The place has a menu with “something for everything” whether you’re in the mood for plate dinners, sandwiches, appetizers, pizza, or adult beverage drink specials.
They serve a VERY economical breakfast (beginning at $2.99) on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM.
This is one of those joints were seemingly every employee took a course in what being in the hospitality business truly means. You’re almost always greeted by the owner when you walk in, a guy who doesn’t think so much of himself that it would be beneath him to walk around, refill coffees, inquire to customers satisfaction, and be observant enough to notice patrons that need attention. Superb. Rare qualities in most smaller places these days.
Serving help was equally affable, smiles all around, diligent order taking, great follow-up. By 9:30, the place was pretty busy with Sunday morning diners.
I had ham steak and eggs, great piece of ham with a nice grill char on it, just the way I like it. And a slice of Texas toast. As is the fashion at small diners in Illinois, a bowl of butter pats grazes each table. Eggs cooked precisely as ordered.
Hash browns are above average too.
I’ll be back. You should check them out if you live in the area, or are tooling down I-90 some day.
Ham, Eggs, Texas Toast
Pub 72 Review