I bet you all knew this was coming!  It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Thayer Brothers Deli  on six corners, in Joliet, Illinois.  To bring you up to speed, the beautiful older woman, who will greet you when you arrive, is Mrs. Anne Thayer.  She is my aunt – my late mom’s sister.  I grew up calling her “Aunt Anna Mae.”  The owner is my cousin, Rick Thayer – more like a brother to me – and always “Ricky.”  So yes, I am biased.  But, hand to God, the food is so good and will take you back in time.

Eating at Thayer Brothers, with Aunt Anna Mae sitting next to me, has been a gift from heaven.  Since my mom passed away, my aunt has been my surrogate mother.  When I talk to Anna Mae, I see my mom in her eyes and experience my mom in her mannerisms.  When I ask her advice, I am confident it will be exactly what my mom would say.  Anna Mae encourages me to keep my strong faith in God, just like my mom.  Funny thing, she adores my husband, John, just like my mom did!  You see, going to Thayer Brothers is like sitting in my mom’s kitchen – including the homemade food!

Back to the food.  The daily soup and specials are made by my aunt each day.  Stuffed cabbage rolls, stuffed peppers, meatloaf, lasagna, pork chops, salmon, white fish, and more, make appearances on the specials menu often. Fridays are special because the menu includes cod fish dinners – perfect during Lent!  The soup is a must starter to your meal.  Soups are homemade, rich with ingredients and a complex broth.  I love soup in the winter and even love it in the summer!

The menu items are awesome, too.  The poorboy is a real steak tenderized in the kitchen.  The beef sandwich is stellar.  The hamburgers are hand-formed and made to order.  Nachos, onion rings, and fries are hand-cut.  The Reuben sandwich will be authentic with sauerkraut and Russian dressing on Milano marble rye bread.  Pasta salad and coleslaw garnish your plate – these are homemade too!

Follow Thayer Brothers Deli on Facebook.  You will be able to see the posted daily specials.  This is the link:  https://www.facebook.com/thayerbrothers.deli

When you do go, pull up a chair for Mrs. Thayer and tell her how you know me.  She will love it!  She will visit with you like she was your aunt.  That is the secret of Thayer Brothers.  The food is outstanding, and the warmth you will receive by the owners, and the warmth you will create yourself by supporting a local family, will make it a pearl experience!

Love you, mom.