Timmerman's Supper Club [East Dubuque, IL]

LTH,

Spent the weekend in lovely East Dubuque, IL and lovely it really was, especially the drive once you got past Rockford. Rolling hills, picturesque farms, mooing cows, quacking ducks, and friendly people. The occasion was a cousins reunion, on my wife's side, at my brother in-laws, and, surprisingly, a good time was had by all, even me.

Friday evening we, all 27 of us, gathered for dinner at Timmerman's Supper Club a real honest to goodness old school Supper Club situated on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi river. Timmerman's is huge, with multiple rooms, great views, that evening we were treated to an incredible display of lightning, and, while not destination dining, pretty darn good food of the Continental school.

My suggestion, based on observation and the couple of dishes I tasted, is to shy away from Timmerman's 'Continental' offerings and go simple, prime rib, steaks, chops, grilled fish of the day or the greaseless, and tasty, fried shrimp. Timmerman's also had a good looking fried catfish offering, which I did not get a chance to try.

Timmerman's seems a destination spot for the area, there were numerous large groups, couples dining, from young to (very) old and multi-generational families. The bar, which is huge, and they serve a mean drink, was buzzing when we left and the dance floor was filled with couples dancing. Interestingly, these were not casual shuffle around dancers, but astoundingly elegant Ballroom dancers. They must have been part of a club as they were really something to watch.



Timmerman's Prime Rib


Saturday was the cousins party, I brought Applewood smoked beef tenderloin and Chipotle mayo, which went into the wee hours. One of the highlights was watching the hummingbirds feed at the specialized feeders my brother and sister in-law had situated around their house. One of the low points was going to the riverboat casino in Dubuque, Iowa. Too many people, by half, jammed into a noisy, smoky, fear and loathing baby needs a new walmart sundress atmosphere.

Speaking of walmart, Ellen and I went to the walmart in Dubuque, Iowa, right across the bridge from East Dubuque, IL, and never in my life have I seen so many crock pots in one place. They must have had 40 crock pots for sale in the kitchen section.

The drive back went surprisingly quick, including a few stops at farm stands for corn and tomatoes, and, as was the drive up, extremely picturesque.

Enjoy,
Gary

Timmerman's Supper Club
7777 Timmerman Drive
East Dubuque, IL 61025
815-747-9916
http://www.timmermanssupperclub.com/

Looking at that prime rib, I'm working hard to keep from heading down to the Volkswagen and starting the drive west right now! Yowzah.

This is where my father's family is from. They call it God's Country. My dad worked on the road crew on US 20 west from Freeport during the early WW2 years, when he was went back from Detroit to live with his grandparents and aunt. He was eating up all the rations in Detroit, and in God's Country he had uncles and cousins who owned farms and could feed him off the books.

Himself and I took a trip out there after our fearless leader exhorted us to "get out, travel, spend money" after 9/11. We figured we would spend it as close to the source as possible, and bought some awesome raw warm cream from a dairy, some excellent smoked meats, and had some really good meals, good walks, and good scenery.

On the Iowa side of the river, in Dubuque in the area that you would call the "flats" close to the river and down the hill from the fancy restaurant with a view (where we also ate and had a good basic whitefish and beef experience, with a really nice view over the locks) there is a little tavern/restaurant where they serve central/eastern European food. I will leave the description at that, since LTH does not have smell-o-vision. And awesome deserts.

We also had a surprisingly simple and good red sauce Italian meal, in that same area of Dubuque. In a family-owned restaurant where they simultaneously served a busload of basketball players, lots of locals, and the family was having a nice meal in the back room (we were seated close by, it really is a family). Both of these places I found in the Yellow Pages provided in our motel.

Having spent a number of years living not too far west of the mighty Mississippi, I always want to take the drive up. It is always spectacular when you just burst onto the high prairie. It's a real "Giants in the Earth" moment. When you do that drive from Dubuque, you can go to the Iowa tourist attraction that is the Field of Dreams. I suppose it is true: build it and they will come. It's not my favorite view of that vista, but it's close for a weekend trek. In Iowa my vote for the best ride is on side roads from Dubuque to Decorah, Iowa (home of the Seed-Savers exchange). It is spectacular. You might think you were in Appalachia for a bit, there.

Dubuque has a Trappist abbey nearby where one can go on retreat. Also, there are some Carmelite nuns somewhere around there that make the most incredible caramels (available at the Dubuque tourist office).

Dubuque also has a funicular, that is fun, probably more fun than the casino boats.

And because of the mighty Mississippi and the creeping influence of southerners (through Civil War prison camps etc) you can buy sorghum at farmstands on the Iowa side.

Altogether, a great little trip. From the top of the Terrapin Ridge you can see three states.

Don't waste your time on Galena.

Gary,

Great view?
Did you see any of the kept bunnies outside the window at Timmerman's?

I don't think rabbit is actually on the menu, though.

:0

I'm gonna be spending an entire day in the Dyersville - Dubuque area on Thursday. anything else interesting to be had cept that "medium-well" prime rib? (beyond: http://www.chowhound.com/midwest/boards ... 27634.html of course)

TIA!

I had the lamb shank which was perfectly cooked and very tender.

TonyC wrote:I'm gonna be spending an entire day in the Dyersville - Dubuque area on Thursday. anything else interesting to be had cept that "medium-well" prime rib?

Tony,

We spent the weekend at my brother in-laws house and the only place we ate, aside from his house, was Timmerman's. I'm afraid I can't be of much help.

Enjoy,
Gary

Here's a link to Dubuque restaurants:

http://www.dubuquechamber.com/play/rest ... fm?Cat=405

LikestoEatout wrote:Here's a link to Dubuque restaurants:

http://www.dubuquechamber.com/play/rest ... fm?Cat=405

boy i should've read your link while @ the Dyersville Library..

following up:
Country Junction right off of Route 20 expressway has hand breaded , hand pounded fried pork tenderloin burgers/sandwiches as discussed here

this is, however, unverified info; was informed by a Dyersville resident. and if you happen to be stuck i Dyersville, do visit the Spec Cast outlet store, do skip

Leroy's
108 1st Ave. W, Dyersville, IA
(563) 875-2483

btw, why does every restaurant in Dyersville serve buffet during lunch?

Hi,

I am taking the Moms for a drive to Galena and environs. It's just a day trip, so dinner at Timmerman's is not in the cards. In Galena, the consistent thumbs-up choice is Fried Green Tomatoes.

I was wondering if someone could offer an inspiring idea of lunch in Dubuque-Galena region. I don't mind driving out of our way for an excellent or at least interesting meal. Worse comes to worse, we can always do Maid-Rite!

Regards,

I had a very nice lunch at Oscar Pike's last year around labor day. Very good crab cakes and a nice homemade tomato soup.

http://www.oscarpikes.com/
300 N. Main St.
Galena IL 61036