In Peoria, one of the first signs that spring is here is the annual early morning opening of Emo’s Ice Cream Stand. Every year Emo’s opens up at the ungodly hour of 5:30AM to sell all items at half price until 10AM. I went last year and while I was half asleep through the whole event, it was fun to go and see all the other half-awake people eating chili dogs before the sun had even risen. This year’s opening happened last Monday and if you missed it, no worries, I was there and you can see all the action by scrolling, scrolling, scrolling!
Motherfucker! I set my alarm for 4:30AM, it went off and I made the mistake of thinking I'd shut my eyes for a second and get up. Now, almost an hour later I just opened my eyes back up. The place opens in ten minutes, we have to get moving!
This is your brain on four hours of sleep. Vapors flashback moment!
Unlike last year, there's no snow and ice on the MBIP mobile, but it's freezing as fuck-all out here, I wish spring would get here already! I held this back all through the season, but I have to finally let it out: I fucking HATE winter!
It looks like the beginning of one of our nighttime excursions, but sadly, this is the morning. And just like Cat Stevens, it's broken all over my head.
Drive-by shot of Emo's! Let's park the car and get this shit over with...err, I mean let's park the car and let the fun begin!
There's the infamous Emo's clown that's equal parts kitsch, entertaining and creepy. Good to see it lit up in all its infamous glory.
There's a decent-sized crowd this year, hey check it out, I think this guy just threw his jeans over his pajamas. Pull your pants up buddy!
Here's a behind the scene shot of the workers at Emo's.
Every year all the items are half price with the proceeds going to the Arthritis Foundation.
Speaking of the Arthritis Foundation, this pretty young lady was handing out flyers and information about the foundation and the upcoming walk, but I forgot to write her name down and I forgot to bring my notebook. Hey, I'm operating on about four hours of sleep, it's lucky I remembered my camera!
Speaking of cameras, I'm not the only one taking pictures here. I didn't ask, because I didn't want to bug him while he's working, but I'm pretty sure this is David Zalaznik from the PJ Star. Check out his photo gallery here.
In addition to the newspaper, there's TV coverage here as well via WMBD.
Here's WMBD's Morning Meteorologist, Karissa Sanford reporting live on the scene. Sadly I was not asked to be interviewed. Sob!
Okay, let's get in line and get this shit over with...err, I mean get our wonderful morning treat!
Condiment buckets, hey wait, what's that over there...
Check it out, it's Wendy who was at the counter last year! It was great to see her pretty, smiling face again and I placed the same order as last year: Two chili cheese dogs.
The order is rung up and I'm actually a little hungry and can't wait to get back into the car and get this shit over with...err, enjoy my breakfast.
Hooray, here's Wendy calling out my order!
And here it is, up on the dashboard of my car with the heat blaring, the first chili cheese dog of the year!
And finally this shit is over for another year! I'm going home and getting back to sleep, we'll see you all tomorrow!
Emo’s
3618 Prospect Rd. (Corner of War Memorial Drive)
Peoria Heights
Related Posts: Dashboard Dining @ Emo’s and Peoria Hot Dog Wars: Emo’s Versus The Hofbrau House.
Can't walk you out in no morning dew.
Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!
Bonus Radio Linkage Alert: Pop! The Beat Bubble Burst
I got a nice message the other day from Rich Reese in St. Louis telling me he enjoys reading the MBIP blog. Rich grew up in Peoria and went to Bergan High School and graduated a few years after I did. Rich hosts a radio program called, Pop! The Beat Bubble Burst on KDHX radio and you should check it out. Here’s the facecrack page for the show and you can listen live here.
Bonus Ketchup Art by Jaws the Cabbie!
Jaws the Cabbie sent in this piece of ketchup art to go along with today's post. Ha, nice one, Jaws, thanks!
