Noticing that the Metra station was just across the street from Duke's, I thought a trip up there could be a perfect weekend adventure. And what a better counterpoint to a thousand calorie dinner than a thousand calorie bike ride? Taking advantage of Google's new bicycling option for maps directions, I found a nice 10 mile route to nearby Moraine Hills State Park. Metra allows bikes on the trains during off-peak hours, so plans were made.
Patty and I packed a simple picnic lunch of some leftovers from a barbecue the night before, plus a little cheese and some PBRs. Then we caught the 12:45 north bound Union Pacific Northwest Line out of the Irving Park station.
The ride to the park could only have been more perfect if it was all on bike path, instead of just 80 percent trail. We rode north on the Prairie Path Trail (and up and down some pretty substantial hills, considering I had my girlfriend in tow!) to Bull Valley Road, and then took that east to the junction with the S. River Road bike trail, which skirted the edge of Moraine Hills State Park.
Inside is a five mile loop of crushed limestone over more hills and past wetlands traversed by a maze of boardwalk. We dismounted and walked the bikes out to some benches by the waterfront; then enjoyed some PBR and our light lunch.
After an hour or so inside the park, riding and eating, we returned to Crystal Lake and found a seat at the bar of Duke's Alehouse, and ordered two Tallgrass burgers, made with Black Earth Farms grass-fed beef. We also split the beet salad, which included endives, pears and Gorgonzola (always a great pairing), and pecans. I had a salad, Patty the sweet-potato fries, and we shared both, as well.
Grass-fed beef has much healthier fats, rich in unsaturated and omega-3, due to the cow's exclusive diet of leafy green grass, rather than omega-6 and empty-calorie packed corn. Grass-finished beef cooks faster, and has a tangy, almost nutty flavor, like bison, dense with protein. The burger, served medium-rare on a pretzel roll, did not disappoint. I had farm-produced cheddar on mine, Patty chose Gouda.
A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon with a loved one, enjoying the misunderstood and seldom experienced unique items such as Duke's and bike paths that the suburbs have to offer.
