 |
| Eaton's Redwood Inn, 118 West Chicago Street |
There is so much that can be said about Eaton's Redwood Inn. It feels like it has been there forever. It is that kind of basic "sit at the bar and drink" kind of place, the sort of place you get Pabst Blue Ribbon in mason jars. It is so old world, you'd think you had entered a time warp, except it isn't legal to smoke indoors in Illinois anymore. The walls rattle when the trains go by on tracks next to it.
It still opens at 6:00am. That is hardcore. This place is hardcore. I'm not sure if it's still the case, but it used to be the only place in town to get your hands on packaged beer before 10:00am.
It is practically at the corner of the turnaround on State Street (Rte 31) and Chicago. It was originally a grocery market, and went through a few owners. At one time, during Downtown Elgin's lowest point, it was not a nice corner to be. Prostitutes, drugs, weapons and fights. It was there. It's a miracle no one ever walked out of the place and been smacked by a train (at least to my knowledge).
It's a much better area, and a better place, but it is still as basic as it gets.
No comments:
Post a Comment