Okay, this Mac and Cheese tour is coming to an end and I’ve decided to pick the two highest scored restaurants and go back with two MBIP Judges and let them decide which was the best Mac and Cheese on this cheesy tour!
So let’s not waste any time and introduce the esteemed judges for this final installment of this cheesy tour!
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The Judges
My friends and frequent MBIP guest stars, Amber and Joe have graciously volunteered to judge this final cheesy segment of the MBIP Macaroni and Cheese tour. They’re both looking fantastic and ready to start the evening!
I got them some notebooks to take judgmental notes and a an official MBIP Judges sign for our table. Okay off we go to stop number one!
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Verandah Cocina Latina
Here we are at Verandah Cocina Latina in Morton, Illinois. You can see the original post by clicking here.
Let’s go in and let the judging begin!
There’s Amber and Joe at the official judges table!
Ty was our pretty and friendly waitress and took our drink and dinner orders with a beautiful smile.
We started off with an appetizer order of Jalapeño Poppers.
These were a fabulous and tasty appetizer and both Amber and Joe gave them a high score in their judging books.
In addition to the Mac and Cheese, Amber and Joe were giving the place points for ambiance, the appearance of the dish and if we were treated in a god-like manner.
While they take some notes, I’m going to go and take some photos in here.
In addition to the tables in the dining room, tables also line the far wall and there’s a cozy bar in the back of the room with two beers on tap.
There’s a nice, screened in patio area in the back for outside dining and drinking.
Meanwhile, back at the Judge’s table…
The Mac and Cheese has arrived!
There’s a nice toasted cracker topping and they call this their Mac and Carnitas as it’s got Mexican slow cooked pulled pork added to the dish.
There’s the judges sampling the first plate of Mac and Cheese for the evening.
Now on to stop number two…
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Industry Brewing Co.
There’s the front of the restaurant and you enter through the side door over here.
You can check out the original post by clicking right here.
There’s Amber and Joe all set up at this stop’s judging table!
Jen is our waitress and she was very friendly and had a beautiful smile as she took our dinner and drink orders.
We started off with an appetizer order of the Gochujang Shrimp.
These are breaded and glazed shrimp served with Yum Yum sauce. They were delicious and got a good score from Amber and Joe.
There’s Amber at the Judge’s table taking notes while Joe is drinking on the job!
They have a bar at the front of the dining room with a good selection of beers on tap that are brewed right here in there very own brewery in the back!
They have a very nice beer garden here with tables, umbrellas and they even have another bar out here. Nice!
Meanwhile, back at the Judge’s table…
Industry’s take on Mac and Cheese has arrived.
This is their Brisket Mac and Cheese with smoked brisket, jalapeno cured ham, smoked gouda and mozzarella and it’s topped with fried jalapeno chips.
There’s Amber and Joe scribbling down their final notes. We decided to score the Mac and Cheese on a five star scoring system. I’m going to combine their two scores and Industry got a combined score of: 5.3 stars making the winner of this cheesy tour…
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Verandah Cocina Latina!
Verandah got a 5.8 rating from Amber and Joe and that put them in the winning slot!
Thanks to Amber and Joe for being the Judges on this cheesy journey!
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Nightcap
We had a post Mac and Cheese nightcap at Tavern On Prospect and Gabi was the beautiful bartender on duty.
Thanks again to Amber and Joe for being the Judges and hanging out for the evening. It was a cheesy, fun-filled evening!
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Related Posts: MBIP Macaroni & Cheese Tour @: Weavers, Dac’s Smokehouse, Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern, Country Club BBQ, One World Cafe, Industry Brewing Co., Brasky’s Bar & Grill, Sugar Wood Fired-Bistro, MBIP World Headquarters, Thyme Kitchen + Craft Beer, Hearth, Verandah Cocina Latina, Kenny’s Westside Pub and The Publik House.
Amber has her own blog she’s been publishing and it’s a fun and hilarious look at what people are selling in and around Peoria, called For Sale Peoria.
These are real ads and some of them include, Used Needles, A Mechanical Fortune Teller and a Dog’s Rabies Tags!
Check out this visual guide that asks, “You’re Selling What?”
It’s updated daily and you can follow along at facecrack and Twitter!