Joy & Ed’s in Utica made me love fried pickles

I hate pickles. But the Joy & Ed’s fried pickles turned me into a pickle lover for an evening.

I have friends and family who love ordering fried pickles at restaurants, as was the case during this visit to Joy & Ed’s in Utica. Naturally, because of this, I’ve sampled a variety of them from different restaurants in the Illinois Valley and beyond.

As someone who doesn’t care much for pickles, I’ll usually sample one or two, and leave it at that. But not with these.

Let me begin by saying they were some of the best fried pickles I’ve had. They were extremely fresh and hot; I probably should’ve let them cool down, but had a hard time waiting because they were so good. The fried pickles ($7.50) were slightly seasoned with the perfect amount of salt, and were served with a side of ranch that complemented the flavors nicely.

As a second course, I sampled the stuffed pepper soup and a cup of chili ($4); both were specials of the day.

The stuffed pepper soup had great flavor, and was what I needed on a cold January day. The chili was similarly enticing. It wasn’t spicy, but had a slight zest to it I found terrific. Both came with crackers to add an extra crunch.

For the main course, I ordered a plate of fried chicken. The menu offers a half or quarter portion, and then a selection between light meat, dark meat or a mix ($11 to $16). It comes with the choice of French fries, bar chips, tater tots or baked potato and a salad. I chose French fries, and substituted for the salad with the stuffed pepper soup.

My colleague ordered a simple ham and cheese sandwich ($10). It was a hot sandwich served on Texas toast with a side of pickles. You can’t go wrong with this classic and delicious combination.

Joy & Ed’s specializes in burgers, fried chicken, handheld sandwiches, starters, beer and wine, according to its website. Next time, I’d love to try the burgers and explore the drinks menu. They have outdoor entertainment and dining during the warmer months. While I dined for dinner, they also have a breakfast and lunch menu I’d like to come back and try.

Not only was all the food delicious, the service was fantastic. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and seated right away. It’s a casual and welcoming ambiance, an overall comfortable experience. While we didn’t venture into the drinks menu, the

If You Go

WHAT: Joy & Ed’s

WHERE: 113 Mill St., Utica

PHONE: 815-859-2008

INFORMATION: www.joyandedsbarandgrill.com restaurant has a full bar in an adjoining room.

Fresh, hot and irresistible, the fried pickles at Joy & Ed’s in Utica were emblematic of the delicious fare at great value.

I’d say Joy & Ed’s is an inviting option if you want appealing food and service for a great price. Set in the heart of Utica, its location enables patrons to hop over to Bruce & Ollie’s for a quick ice cream dessert or to savor a post-meal walk to enjoy downtown.

•TheMysteryDinerisan employeeatShawMedia.The diner’sidentityisnotrevealed totherestaurantstaffbefore orduringthemeal.TheMysteryDinervisitsadifferent restaurantandthenreports ontheexperience.IftheMysteryDinercannotrecommend theestablishment,wewillnot publishastory.

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PUBLISHE R'S NOTICE

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subjec t to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any prefer ence, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an inte ntion, to make any such preference , limita tion or discrimination .”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or le gal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of child ren under 18. This newspaper will not know in gly ac cept any advertising for real estat e which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call, HUD toll-free at 800- 669-9777. The toll-free telephone numbe r for the he aring impaired is 800-927-9275

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BUREAU COUNTY, ILLINOIS LAND AUCTION

No. 202 2F C5

NO TICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE OF RE AL E STATE

PUBLIC NO TICE IS H EREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 01/12/ 2023, the Sheriff of Putnam County, Illinois will on March 9, 2023 at the hour of 9:00 AM at Sheriff's Office at the Putnam County Courthouse 120 North 4th Street Hennepin, IL 61327, or in a place otherwise designat ed at the time of sale, County of Putnam and State of Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

PIN 02-00- 071- 020

02-00- 071- 030

Improved with Residential COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 305 E South St Granville, IL 61326

Sale term s: 10% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the auction; The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds, is due within tw enty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessm ents, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

If the property is a condominium and the foreclosure takes place after 1/1/2007, purchasers other than the mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under The Condom inium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If the property is located in a common interest comm unity, purchasers other than mortgagees will be required to pay any assessment and legal fees due under the Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee's attorney.

Upon paym ent in full of the amount bid, the purchaser shall receive a Certificate of Sale, which will entitle the purchaser to a Deed to the real estate after Confirmation of the sale. The successful purchaser has the sole responsibility/expense of evicting any tenants or other individuals presently in possession of the subject prem ises

The property will NOT be open for inspection and Plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the Court file to verify all information.

IF YO U AR E THE MO RTGAGOR (HOM EO WN ER), YO U HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN PO SSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER EN TRY OF AN ORDE R OF POSSESSION , IN ACCO RDANCE WITH SECTION 15- 1701(C) OF THE ILLINO IS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

For information: Exam ine the court file or contact Plaintiff's attorney: Codilis & Associates, P.C., 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 100, Burr Ridge, IL 60527, (630) 794- 9876. Please refer to file number 14-22-05721.

1, 8, 15, 2023 )

• 1 TRACT

The James E. Crisman farm is located approximately 4 miles southwest of Buda, Illinois or 18 miles southwest of Princeton, Illinois. The property is further described as being located in Section 17, T15N•R7E, Macon Township, Bureau County, Illinois. The land represents highly productive, well maintained, Class A soil and a small wooded area suitable for recreational purposes.

JAMES E. CRISMAN ESTATE SCOTT CRISMAN – EXECUTOR

Attorney: Michael L. English | Russell, English, Scoma & Beneke, P.C. Ten Park Ave. West, Princeton, IL 61356 | (815) 875-4555

Auction Manager: Dale Jones (309) 299-6400

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