Okay, we hit the halfway mark last week, when we went to AmVets Post 64 and had a tenderloin and a great time there. And now onwards and upwards to week number eleven on this twenty week tenderloin tour!
More than one person suggested Crusens on War Memorial Drive back when I asked for suggestions on places to go on facecrack. I haven’t been to Crusens in over twenty years and I’ve never had one of their tenderloins that I’ve heard so much about. Time to correct that right now, to the MBIP mobile!
Usually I do my tenderloin thing on a Sunday afternoon, but I have plans this Sunday, so I'm heading out on a Friday night after work. Here we are on War Memorial Drive and we're getting close to Crusens.
Drive-by shot of Crusens from the car at 47 MPH!
Okay, I've parked and here we are in front of Crusens bar. This place has been here for decades and its been decades since I've been inside of it.
Let's go in and see what's happening in here on a Friday night at Crusens.
Since it's Friday, there's a good sized crowd in here, but check it out, there's a seat at the end of the bar just waiting for us. Let's go snag it!
Here's bartender Cory, serving up an ice-cold bottle of Budweiser. This is Cory's second time on the blog, he was also featured when we hit the Crusens on Farmington Road back in May.
Hee's my view from where I'm sitting at the corner of the bar over here.
As you can see, they have a large selection of beers on tap. Cory let me behind the bar to take a photo from one end of the tap line...
To the other end. I think this will get a high rating on the Spike-O-Rama-Rating-System (patent pending) if he chimes in. We haven't heard from him in a bit...are you out there Spike?
There's tables behind the bar for drinking and dining at.
Comfortable leather and wooden booths line the far back wall.
Free popcorn! Normally I'd get some, but I just ordered my tenderloin and don't want to ruin my appetite. Maybe next time.
They have gift certificates here for the functional or raging alcoholic on your holiday list!
Here's a shot of the place from the back of the bar. As you can see, it's a lively Friday night in Crusens.
Suddenly...Lincoln!
Meanwhile, back at the bar, the condiment ring has been placed at our seat. Looks like it's just about tenderloin time!
And here it is served up by both Cory and bartender, Ryan.
I got it with grilled onions and it looks great...but where's the bun?
Ha! There it is buried underneath the tenderloin!
As usual, I won't be able to eat the whole thing in one sitting, so I dressed up the section I plan on eating tonight with mustard and pepper...
The bun has been placed on top of the sandwich and now it's time to dig in!
It's a really good tenderloin, thick, porky and juicy. And putting the buns underneath has given them a steamed quality that's very nice. One thing I wish I wouldn't have done is order it with grilled onions. I like them on cheeseburgers, but they taste weird on a tenderloin to me. I'm sticking with raw ones from here on in.
And here's the leftover portion one day later at lunch time. Those grilled onions have to go!
I ate all the bun the night before and the onions have been scraped off, so here's the tenderloin in it's purest form, topped with some of Kathy's Cleveland mustard. Delicious! We'll see you all tomorrow!
Tenderloin Rating
Two and a half Porky Pigs. Would’ve been a three if I would’ve just stuck to the raw onions. Oh well, you live and you learn!
Crusens
426 E. War Memorial Drive
Peoria
309-686-3890
Related Posts: Tenderloins @ AmVets Post 64, Schooners, Bemer’s Village Inn, Sky Harbor, Kenny’s Westside Pub, Hello It’s Me (Tenderloin at Sam Wong’s), The Boar’s Nest, Donnelly’s Pub, Perdue’s Grill and Midway Duck Inn.
Washington Illinois Recovery Page
The area continues its effort to clean up and regroup after Sunday’s tornadoes swept through the area. As I stated yesterday, the best place to keep up with information is the Washington, Illinois Recovery Page.
If you’d like to donate money to help out those affected by the tornado please call: 1-800-RED CROSS and specify that your donation should go directly to Central Illinois Tornado Relief. You can also donate online here.
If you want to donate to the Salvation Army, call 800-SAL-ARMY, or you can donate online right here.
Even if it’s just one dollar, it’ll help, so give if you can. Thanks!