Perry’s Steakhouse is the place to go for “Pork Chop Friday”

Pork chops and applesauce. You get bonus points if you know the 70s pop culture reference – but another reason to utter those words would be a visit to Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Oakbrook. Already famous for their iconic pork chop entrée, Perry’s has now decided to offer a smaller portion on their Friday lunch menu.

 

There are a number of reasons why this should excite you. First, the Perry’s Friday lunchtime option is great news for anyone who finds themselves in the Oakbrook area midday on a Friday. Second, the evening version of the pork chop is insanely gigantic, but the lunch portion is far more manageable. Finally, the price is an unbelievable bargain.

 

Officially called “Perry’s Famous Pork Chop” (truth in advertising), this prime chop is cured, roasted, slow-smoked and caramelized, and served with homemade applesauce. It is then carved table side. The lunch portion is served with whipped potatoes and homemade applesauce and comes with an astonishing price tag of only $14.95.

 

When I visited Perry’s to sample the lunch menu, I had the pleasure of sampling the pork chop, but the lunch menu obviously has other delicious options, including entrée portions of a number of salads. If you’re in that salad mood, I recommend the wedge salad. Generally, I avoid wedge salads on a menu. I think of iceberg lettuce as a useless food. In the case of Perry’s, I made and exception and I am glad I did. The dressing is a wonderful mixture of Italian and Ranch – a perfect flavor combination to med together the lettuce, crispy bacon, and ripe heirloom tomatoes. You can supplement with chicken shrimp, salmon, or beef.

 

If you visit Perry’s for dinner, their full appetizer menu has some superb options. My favorites are the Asian Ahi Tuna Tartare, Steak Tartare, Tempura Fried Lobster Tail, and their Signature Fried Asparagus topped with jumbo lump crab meat. For solo diners (like me), the appetizers are a great option and it is possible to get the asparagus in a half-sized portion – perfect if you are dining alone and want to have more than just appetizers for your meal.

 

Because the pork chop is such a well-loved entrée, Perry’s recently developed something that I think of as genius. They have crafted a new cocktail which they call the Hog-Hattan, designed to marry two classic Perry’s items – a traditional Manhattan and their Famous Pork Chop. This new cocktail features a classic Manhattan with Redemption Rye, a spicy 92-proof straight rye whiskey, and Vya vermouth, and is finished with a dash of bitters. The rim of the glass is then coated in brown sugar and Perry’s Signature Homemade Barbecue Sauce.

 

But wait! There’s more.

 

The Hog-hattan is served with a skewer of Luxardo cherries and small bites of Perry’s Famous Pork Chop. For the full experience, dip the pork chop skewer into your Manhattan — a Perry’s-specific trick to marry two of its signature flavors. The cocktail alone is superbly well-balanced, but the addition of the spicy/smoky/sweet sugar with barbecue sauce adds layers of flavor that are unbelievable. Then – when you swirl that skewer in the cocktail – you get hints of cherry and pork. Trust me – if you like a good Manhattan, you want to try this cocktail.

 

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (5 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523) is open Monday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. For more information, call 630-571-1808 or visit their website.

Perry’s Steakhouse is the place to go for "Pork Chop Friday" 2

 

 

 

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