Alcohol on campgrounds

[TJNDND]

I am thinking about going Musky fishing with a couple of my buddies one of these coming weekends. We would like to bring a small cooler of beer, or something of that nature. Obviously, we would not be loud, obnoxious, or making any kind of mess. How strickly are these rules enforced and if they are sticklers........are there any nearby bars that anyone knows of to grab a drink afterwards or before? Thanks!

[Kathy]

Hi,
I wasn't really clear on whether you're just hitting the lake to fish or if you are camping as well so I'll address both options. First - alcohol is prohibited in the campground but interestingly enough you can legally have alcohol on board the boat on the lake (of course standard DUI laws apply). Even as the campground goes one need only check out the garbage dumpsters to see that more people than not in fact do bring alcohol into the campground but for the most part people are responsible and act like adults. You just don't walk around with open containers such as cans or bottles that are obviously beer, etc. In other words you put it in another container/cup/glass, etc. As far as I know there have never been anything along the lines of checking coolers because they simply haven't had to take those kinds of measures because, again, it's a great place to go and people don't go there to "party" or get rowdy and if they do they're tossed. If you want to hit a bar after the fishing I don't really know of any in Shabbona itself (there may actually be one but I can't for the life of me recall seeing one) but if you take Rt. 30 east into Waterman (5 miles on the nose) there are a few bars on each side of Rt. 30 right as you get into Waterman. Nice "towny" type bars..friendly people, etc. These are tiny, rural towns out that way (was raised in an even smaller one myself) and you'll find people to be friendly and helpful as long as you treat them likewise. They are used to seeing lots of strangers so it's not like when you guys walk in there the place is going to go silent and they are all going to gawk at you or anything 'Twilight Zone' like that. :) Hope you have a nice time...it's an awesome park, a great little lake, etc.

[rich mc]

there are two bars in shabbona. one is called nightcrawlers or was , the other is right next door to it. middle of town on the south side of 30

[BlackJack]

The PUB in Hinckley is a great Bar & also has really good food from Pizza to Burger's and dinners. Pool tables, lotsa TV's for sports viewing and a really nice staff. It's on the NE corner of Rt.30 and Somonauk Rd on the west side of Hinckley. They also own a pizza bar in Waterman just south of the tracks.

[Kathy]

OMG..I can't believe I forgot THAT place ! That is a great place. I haven't been for a while but when my brother and sis-in-law camped with us a lot we would go there once in a while. They used to have this driving game that was SO fun but it wasn't there the last time I was in there. This is off the subject but one of my favorite things about coming back west (I was raised in Malta and live in Elgin now) is pork tenderloin sandwiches. It's like somebody drew a line in the sand or something because I haven't found one single place ieast of maybe Sycamore that has them but they're all over back toward home. As big as dinner plates, hanging all out of the bun...mustard and raw onions on mine, please. MAN !

[Shabby]

"This is off the subject but one of my favorite things about coming back west (I was raised in Malta and live in Elgin now) is pork tenderloin sandwiches. It's like somebody drew a line in the sand or something because I haven't found one single place east of maybe Sycamore"

The place that BlackJack is talking about in Waterman was(?) a satellite of Pizza Villa, and if you're from Malta I'm pretty sure you know who they are??? They have them on the menu for Dekalb, but I don't know if they have the same menu at Waterman? What about the Twins Tavern on Rt. 23 on the south side of Dekalb, ever tried their pork tenderloin??? Good stuff!

TJNDND,
If you guys are going to go out after fishing make sure you are back in the campground before they close the gate at 10pm or you might tangle with the tire shredder! :eek:

[Kathy]

I know it well (Pizza Villa). That was THE place to go for Pizza and my Dad would always drive to DeKalb to pick it up, etc. And Twins? Know it well also and I have had their tenderloin...excellent and great burgers too. We used to go there for Friday night fish fry all the time and there would always be this crowd of people on the stairs waiting for tables. MAN, those stairs are wicked...I'll bet they've had a few folks take a header down those babies after a few cocktails :eek: . Even sober you have to kind of mind your step on those things. Both great, long standing FAMILY OWNED businesses which makes it that much sweeter.

[Shabby]

Yep, both places are great and yes those back stairs are wicked. Not sure why Mike hasn't put one of those oval hand rails down the middle of them, I know it would make it easier traversing those steps going both ways (especially going down). ;) The Twins is a little more like home with the fishing decor though. The Villa is still what all pizza in town is compared to, and none do. :D We just got back from the northwoods where there is a place that the Villa doesn't hold a candle to though, the Liberty Bell Chalet in Hurley Wi. gets all our evening business when we are up dere, ya. OK, now I'm hungry. Time to fire up the grill and make some more pork chop sandwiches...