The early bird gets the fish fry at Blinders
By Tina Johansson Special to The News-Sun February 2, 2012 2:56PM
Lisa Archibald of Gurnee who is a bartender (left) gives some lemon to Wil Maltby of Grayslake for his fish at the fish fry at Blinders on Rt. 45 just south of Rt. 173 near Antioch. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
Blinders
Fish fry for $5.75 served Fridays starting at 11 a.m. It includes three pieces of battered cod loins, cole slaw and french fries.
41480 N. Route 45
Antioch
(847) 838-4904
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If you’re heading in the direction of Blinders, why not stop in some Friday and give the fish fry a try?
But don’t be late, says owner Kevin Hoff. Sometimes the restaurant runs out by 4 or 5 p.m.
“Usually, there’s plenty to go around on Fridays. I don’t like to waste, so I only make a certain amount. And when it’s gone, it’s gone,” he said.
Customer Vicky Frontzak of Lindenhurst and her husband Bruce enjoy going there often for lunch and on Fridays for the fish fry.
“We call this place the friendliest little bar and restaurant in Antioch and Lindenhurst,” said Frontzak. “The fish fry here is delicious, as well as everything else.”
Frontzak noted the many daily specials, including the regular items like eight jumbo french-fried shrimp and fries for $6.50. “They also make a killer BLT. It’s just awesome with the thick slices of tomato, and loaded with bacon,” she said, likewise recommending the homemade soups.
Sundays are Bloody Mary days at Blinders. “They are always a big treat for people,” said Hoff. Priced at $3.75, the beverage is loaded with veggies, and topped off with summer sausage and shrimp.
Blinders also offers some “good down-home chili” made with Black Angus beef and “lots of chili beans and seasoning,” said the owner, promising it’s not too spicy. In fact, Hoff likes chili so much, just last week he held his third annual chili cook–off. The grand prize winner, Waukegan resident Larry Acuff, took home a $50 prize.
Hoff, 55, opened the tiny place bordering Antioch and Lindenhurst two and a half years ago after retiring as quality manager for a plastics company. “This is the first time I’ve been in the restaurant and bar business,” he explained.
It doesn’t hurt that his wife Joanne is in the food industry — she has a food science degree and works for Kraft Foods in Glenview.
“Though she has very little time to be here with her profession, her input is greatly appreciated,” said her husband. In fact, it was Joanne who assisted as a “food consultant” helping Hoff put together the menu for Blinders.
Among Joanne’s signature dishes is a spicy concoction, the Blinders Burger. “It’s a quarter-pound burger with hot giardiniera and pepper jack cheese, and all the trimmings,” said Hoff.
Hoff noted his pride in Joanne goes way beyond the restaurant. During the holidays she can often be seen on television food show re-runs for Kraft Kitchens. Joanne, he said, is also a two-time Ironman Triathlon champion.
While he does some of the cooking himself, Hoff praised his entire “professional and fabulous” staff.
He gave special kudos to cook Mike Shreve who has more than a decade of restaurant experience. “He’s a great asset to the business and he frees me up so I can take care of other business,” said Hoff.
“The hours are long, the pay’s not much, but the rewards are fantastic,” Hoff added. “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of great people in this business.”
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