09/19/2011 - QC Foodie - Mulkey's Restaurant

Ricardo and I visited Mulkey's Restaurant in Rock Island.  It is family-owned since 1955.  I love learning the histories of local restaurants.  According to the website, “Bob Mulkey started Mulkey's Restaurant in 1955 and passed along his family secrets to his son, Chuck Mulkey. Chuck started working at the family business as a young boy and continues the family tradition of great food and superb service.  Chuck's son, Ryan Mulkey, has also grown up in the business and together they continue to make Mulkey's a hometown favorite!  The family tradition of delicious Henny Penny Chicken has continued for more than 50 years!  In addition to their famous chicken they have daily homemade soups and specials.  Mulkey's is home cooking at its finest.  Hot Roast Beef, Whole Catfish and other menu items are so yummy you'll have to visit again and again to be sure to try everything.”       

To match the homestyle cooking, the décor is homestyle as well, with ruffled curtains with chickens on them, like those in my grandma's house.  Our waitress was pleasant and attentive.  I ordered the Grilled Iowa Pork Chop, mashed potatoes and a salad.  Ricardo ordered Henny Penny chicken.  The pork chop was good, I liked the seasonings, I tasted garlic and black pepper.  The salad was made with iceberg lettuce so it was crunchy but not flavorful.  The mashed potatoes were delicious.  Ricardo said the chicken was good.  It came with a plate so full of chicken and fries that it was amazing the server didn't drop any off of the great heap.  The chicken was a deep-golden brown color. 

I noticed there was a vegetable and cheese sandwich and wondered how many people order that.  When I eat at a restaurant offering this type of food, I go for the heartiest food I can get.  It's nice that they offer that choice, though, in case someone in a party of diners is has an aversion to meat.  I wish we would have gone for breakfast rather than dinner since they have an extensive breakfast menu that looks like it has quite a few delicious-sounding items.  Mulkey's is a neighborhood restaurant that serves its customers well by offering down-home cooking at reasonable prices.

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