Westwoods Lodge Pub and Grill

Yet another stop on the Tenderloin Tour had us visiting Westwoods Lodge Pub and Grill physically located at 2406 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL and virtually located at http://www.westwoodslodge.com/.  At this urban redneck paradise, they say Welcome to the Woods and they aren’t kidding.  Their menu boasts of exotic meats like elk, bison, quail, gator and frog legs, not to mention dishes titled Bear Trap Nachos, The Boone and Crocket Sandwich, and a new item called the Tackle Box which consists of a Gator Kabob, Frog Legs, Clam Strips, and Wood Chips all served in, well, a tackle box. 

We followed the turkey prints up the sidewalk to the front entrance complete with a Bull Moose rack over the door.  After donning our blaze orange hats, camouflage bib overalls, and muck boots, we stopped momentarily to envy the fresh kills displayed on the Bragg’n Board.  We, then, maneuvered through the Swamp People, Moonshiners, Hillbilly Handfishers, and Billy the Exterminator to find a table.  Once there, we settled into our hunting stands to order our meal.  We browsed over the exotic menu items and settled in on the Rocky Mountain Pork Tenderloin Sandwich.  We’re a little nervous about what kind of pig family creature roams the Rocky Mountains but I reckon Rocky Mountain Oysters have to come from somewhere.  The sandwich ran $7.59 and came with wood chips or fries.

Our server was a wonderfully energetic older woman identified on the receipt as “Waiter 4 Toots.”  Not sure if they get special names to go with the theme or that was what she really goes by but we didn’t care because she was great.  She took our order and brought us the drinks.  We couldn’t help but notice the camo carpeting, camo window blinds, and camo paper strap used to hold the napkin and silverware together.  The drinking glasses were sponsored by an insurance company and a hunting property land manager.

The orders were delivered on metal camp plates.  The first thing we noticed was the smaller size (when compared to those we’ve had so far) of the tenderloins and their relatively similar shape of all of them.  It led us to believe they had been pounded to their thickness somewhere else and were delivered in this manner.  The breading was very reminiscent to a breading commonly used on fish and was nicely peppered.  When you picked up the sandwich there was an unexpected weight to it.  Like any good magic trick, we couldn’t figure out how they did it. 

Biting into this sandwich was a magical experience.  Their “gourmet” bun was soft and forgiving until you met up with the crispy, fried breading which guarded the soft, juicy core of the tenderloin sandwich.  Though the multiple textures were only a surprise the first time, the experience was enjoyed time and again as we consumed the sandwich.  The fries were good and crispy and the accompanying toppings were fresh and tasty. 

This venue certainly gets the award for most varmints, critters, wild game and woodland creatures displayed on their walls, ceiling, and bar.  They included, but are not limited to, fish, turkey, deer, elk, bear, squirrel, pheasant, moose, and a well placed jackelope.   The price was equitable to the others, the size was less, yet not inadequate, but the thickness was equal to or better than the others.  One or two of us did leave with the ability to eat more.  The atmosphere and staff were great and welcoming, especially those of us with lifetime memberships to the NRA.  Overall, this has been our favorite experience so far on the Tenderloin Tour…but will it surpass Billy’s?

 (Disclaimer:  The level of redneck hillbillyness of this review is highly embellished for entertainment purposes.  We were merely playing on the theme of this particular venue.)