Chicken wings and beer are a must if you’re watching a football games. But for breakfast?
Yes, indeed, if you plan on catching this weekend’s Chicago Bears game at an Elgin-area bar or restaurant. The team is playing in London on Sunday, meaning kickoff is at 8:30 a.m.
All seven of Rookies Sports Bar & Grill locations — Elgin, St. Charles, Huntley, Hoffman Estates, Roselle, Crystal Lake and Geneva — will be ready to serve patrons their favorite football fare when the Bears take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, owner Bob Karas says.
They will have breakfast items, Karas said, along with their regular menu, which includes appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, wings, salads, entrees and burgers, including one of Karas’ favorites, The Hangover — a hamburger topped with a fried egg, Applewood bacon and Velveeta cheese.
“I remember the first time I had it at Steak ‘n Shake,” he said. “I thought it was odd. (But) honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve ever had. Ever since, it’s on all our menus.”
Game day eats are important, but so is having something to drink.
“All my locations are able to serve (alcohol) early,” Karas said.
Years ago, many towns prohibited alcohol sales until noon Sundays, he said.
Illinois’ “blue laws” dated back to the 1930s, when work and the sale of alcohol were both prohibited on Sundays. These days, every municipality is allowed to set its own hours for when alcohol can be sold.
Because Carpentersville doesn’t allow alcohol sales before 11 a.m. Sunday, Randall Roadhouse owner Stefanie Bonilla had to receive special dispensation from the Village Board to accommodate those who want to drink during Sunday’s Bears game.
“We don’t know what to expect because it’s early,” Bonilla said. “But we are hoping for a good showing. Hopefully everyone will come out.”
General Manager Brandon Mabry said Randall Roadhouse didn’t want to lose out on the business that the Bears attract on game days.
“The Bears are doing good. They have a number one draft pick. There’s a lot of hype, a lot of excitement about the team,” Mabry said. “It’s a good way to let Bears fans have a chance to go out and celebrate.”
This is the first time Randall Roadhouse, located at 2267 N. Randall Road, is opening so early. It’s a special occasion, Bonilla said.
They’ll be adding chicken and waffles and steak and eggs to the regular menu for folks looking for breakfast due to the early hour, she said.
Karas agreed that they didn’t want to miss the excitement that comes with a Bears game, especially one being held in Europe.
“We have the fight song every time they score with sirens and horns,” he said. “The whole place starts singing ‘Bear Down, Chicago Bears.’ It’s just a fun atmosphere.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.