CALF_News_December_2019_January_2020

50 CALF News • December 2019 | January 2020 • www.calfnews.net By Adalynne Norman Contributing Editor  CALF BEEF REVIEW Remington's Gastropub Malta, Ill. Where’s the Really Exceptional E very small town has some hidden treasures, and Rem- ington’s Gastropub is just one of the hidden gems in Malta, Ill., 70 miles west of Chicago. Perhaps I’m a little biased because I’m one of the owners’ daughters, but I know a good burger when I devour one. The word gastropub is an English term that originated in London to describe a business that offers both a restaurant and bar atmosphere with items including beer, wine, cocktails and food that soars above the normal standard of “bar food.” Opened in September 2016, Remington’s Gastropub was and currently remains the only restaurant/bar in Malta.We are a family business, owned and operated by two veterans – husband and wife Kristen and Curt Catencamp – who have a combined 25 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. My parents have created a place of business with a wonder- ful atmosphere and a large group of returning customers that makes Remington’s the place it is today. And with the help of their staff, which also consists of additional family members, Remington’s is the place to be. With one location, we have no desire to expand due to the outpouring of love and support we have received from our community here in Malta. We are known for our vast selection of craft beers, cock- tails and great service. Our family believes in supporting local businesses, so a great portion of our beer selection comes from nearby breweries. Above all else, we are known for our diverse selection of delicious appetizers and meals, including Chili Lime Elote Bites, Baha Calamari Tacos, Chicken N’Waffles and a monthly Raw Bar, in addition to a unique offering of gourmet burgers and high quality steaks. I have a lot of favorites on our menu, but the burgers win. We offer half-pound and quarter-pound beef patties. The specialty burgers with unique toppings and mouth-watering flavors are all half-pound patties. My personal favorite is the Jamming with the Blues Burger – 8 ounces of beef topped with bacon, homemade balsamic onion jam and whipped brie infused with bleu cheese crumbles, served on a soft pretzel bun. The burgers come with a choice of sides, including but not limited to, French fries, sweet potato fries, cheese curds, and homemade macaroni and cheese. In addition to our burgers, our steaks are high on my list of favorites. We offer two steaks at a time, one a regular menu fea- ture and the other changes monthly. The USDA Prime sirloin is our regularly served steak. The monthly featured steak dif- fers, but we try to rotate the same handful of steaks so custom- ers can enjoy their meal again in the near future. We usually rotate between ribeyes, New York strips and skirt steaks. The steaks come with a choice of two sides, as well as soup or salad. All of our meat comes from Stock Yards®, a company acquired by the well-known food distributor U.S. Foods. Located in Aurora, Ill., Stock Yards meat is locally sourced, which ties back to our goal to support local businesses. In a village of 1,200, there’s not a whole lot to do; however, between late summer and late fall, nearby Jonamac Orchard offers apple treats, entertainment and a haunted corn maze. We are just west of DeKalb, which is home to the Northern Illinois University Huskies. During the school year, you can catch a sporting event and then take a short drive to a tasteful destination – Remington’s. In just three years, we have changed the game for bar food here at Remington’s Gastropub. My family and I have been introduced to many new things and wonderful new people through our business. Malta is just east of I-39 along Highway 38, so if you’re traveling through Illinois and want to catch a quick sit-down meal, then Remington’s is the perfect place to stop. We’re open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Come give Remington’s Gastropub a try. 