Make a Reservation Today!Your hosts Maria Wakeford and Bobby Joe
Rooms and RatesFirst time visiting a B&B? See what our guests think about us!Things to do around Ottawa, Illinois - Canoe, Fish, Skydive and more!Fox River Bed & Breakfast Home PageFox River Bed & Breakfast Home Page

See the great entertainers who have performed at Fox River Bed and Breakfast!! Past Events

Join our newsletter Join our newsletter

 


Make plans with us for October 7th to see David Hoffman and Paul Adams Live and Playing at Fox River Bed and Breakfast!!
We are offering tons of fun musicians now!! Check out our events page below!! Or just click here
Like good food and interesting topics? Sign up for our newsletter online. Be notified of any events or room vacancies also!!
Warning: please avoid reserving a room with us if you dislike canoeing, great food and barbeque, gracious hosts, music and fresh air..

Your Caterers

Texas BBQ and Mexican Perfections

Bobby Joe was born in Edinburg, Texas amid a plethora of colors and senses, flavored by a Mexican influence. Surrounded by the smells of meats being smoked over hardwood and the fragrance of Mexican spices and herbs in the air, he decided at a very young age to become creative with his own food. As the years went by, his interest grew and he soon would pick the brains of those old timers who knew how to get the very best flavors into a pork shoulder or brisket. Today his smoking and grilling techniques are perfected and very few can imitate. His world travels have taken him to lands afar, places including Alaska, Amsterdam, China, The Philippines and nearly all of The United States of America.

 


English Elegance

From the first minute that I could feed myself the appreciation of good food was taught to me by my parents. My father, a Master French Chef, in London England, for over 50 yrs would always make sure I had the nutrients needed even when I went through those early childhood days of being picky. He would create wonderful drinks with names that would appeal to my young mind, like "jubbly bubbly' for those times that I refused anything that seemed to take away from my precious play time. Although my life took a different direction in my career, passion for food had always been with me. Today I am now fortunate with my partner to be able to bring to you the experience of all those years from the simplest to the most extravagant of menus utilizing only the finest of ingredients.

Bobby Joe and I met four years ago and straight away discovered that we had the same passion for beautiful food. We worked hard to create Bobby Joe's Smoke Shack, catering to an exclusive clientele a Gourmet Barbeque Menu. Some of our portfolio include The Geneva Golf Club Summer Dance for over 350 guests in 2004 and a private Golf Outing sponsored by The Wine Seller in Geneva. A standing ovation for the absolute best Texas Charred Brisket was the accolade. We are very proud of our achievements and now with Fox River Bed and Breakfast, a new chapter begins. Surrounded by such a wealth of history and beauty, we will continue to bring to you and each and everyone of our special guests, the best experience to make your time by the gorgeous Fox River memorable.

 

Our Sample Menu



 

Beef Wellington - We start with aged beef tenderloin and using a French Puff Pastry, we seal the flavors of Duxelle and Pate. Served with Portabella Port Wine Sauce. This is an excellent dish anytime of the year!
Texas Charred Brisket - This dish is excellent all by itself! Enjoy the flavors of a caramelized BBQ sauce crust and extra juicy and tender brisket trapped on the inside.. No brisket you will ever have is as juicy and tender as what you will get with this creation!
Grilled Aged T-bone or Rib eye - Perfectly dry aged T-bone or Rib-eye, grilled to your liking over hardwood coals to create an excellent flavor. Unbeatable
South Texas Chili-My medium spicy recipe that uses a perfect balance of Oregano, Cumin, Chili powders, Very ripe tomatoes, Onion, Celery, A few secret spices and vegetables and the one thing I don't mind sharing about this recipe is the perfectly grilled rib eye steak that we dice and add at the end of a long simmering.
Asian Pineapple Roadrunners-A refreshing twist on grilled chicken! The flavors of the Philippine Islands perfectly blended with Jack Daniel's Whiskey, A bit of pineapple, soy, ginger, and a couple of other secret ingredients create an excellent BBQ 'd main dish. This is an excellent way to impress your friends and family. I put this dish together during my stay on the island of Cebu and have worked on it for six years. It is as good as it can be and always a pleasure to serve at any event.

Smoked Chicken Breast-Hardwood slow smoked Pullet breast.

Juicy Tender with an excellent flavor

Paella-This dish was passed down to Maria from her father, who was a five star chef in London. World renowned for this dish, it earned him his fame.

This dish is a blend of sea foods, wine and spices like Saffron from Spain.

A must for seafood lovers

Grilled Salmon with Dill Cream Sauce - Fresh Salmon grilled perfectly and served with our own Fresh Dill Cream Sauce over a bed of wild rice.
Grilled Ahi-Fresh Tuna Steaks grilled as you desire over hardwood coals.
Grilled Prawns-Jumbo Prawns grilled over hardwood coals after marinating in our Mediterranean Lime and Cilantro Salsa.
Bourbon Pulled Pork- Some call this delicious dish Chopped Pork or even shredded Pork. I call it Pulled Pork because you can easily pull the juicy tender meat into succulent pieces with your hands. This is a very affordable BBQ that totally floors our guests with it's tangy zesty flavors and the unbeatable tenderness of the meat..This delicious dish is perfect for picky eaters and BBQ connoisseurs alike. Many times I have heard guests say to me " I usually don't like pork, but WOW!!"
Fall-off-the-Bone Baby Back Ribs-This is where you are really gonna see how good Barbecue can be. . Lip smackin' ribs. These are competition quality ribs and all men bow down and pay respect for our new found masterpiece. Juicy Tender every time!!
Dijon Potato Salad-There is nothing better than a perfect side of potato salad to marry with any of the main courses above and this particular salad is beautiful in appearance and just divine in flavor. It is a perfect balance of fresh red potatoes, sour cream, horseradish, Fresh dill and a few other ingredients that bring it all together..I think it is the White Zinfandel Wine that I add right at the end that is the secret to it's success. Perfect with any main course of BBQ. Perfect for any time of the year and it even goes well with a complicated dish like Beef Wellington.
Grace land Coleslaw-This is one side that is well worth the three months it takes us to create the vinegar base that is used at the time of serving. Apple cider vinegar and several spices are mixed and stored for three months to allow the flavors to mix perfectly. Then in one smooth move, you will see another creation from heaven as we combine a couple of other ingredients into fresh, crispy creamy Coleslaw. Absolutely the best!!
Red Beans and Rice-This side will add a bit of Cajun and Mexican influence to your table. With zesty Fresh simmered beans and rice, smoked pork and finished off with fresh squeezed lemon juice and fresh cilantro. WOW!! This side is very good!! Goes great with any dish above or we can simply grill some of your favorite Kielbasa sausage or even brats.
Santa Fe Green beans-Another favorite embraced by many at several events I have done. The twist on this lovely side is the Smoked bacon, garlic, sweet onion and here once again, the grand finally is the addition of lemon juice and fresh cilantro right at the time of serving. This is an excellent compliment to any dish above and goes with any of your favorites as well. Always welcome on anyone's table!
Laguna Madre Salad-Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive oil blended with freshly minced garlic top off this garden fresh salad made of romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and a few other special additions.
Garbage Can Salad - Fresh Spring salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, smoked chicken breast, blue cheese, toasted bread cubes and Parmesian cheese with the dressing of your choice.
Super Moist Corn Bread Muffins-These are the best cornbread muffins you will ever have! Very light and moist and pair nicely with any sides to compliment your main dish. Buttery sweet corn flavor that just makes everyone want to melt. The dish took me about two years to perfect and it was well worth the effort in the end.
Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie -We take this dessert to the limits with chopped pecans, vanilla custard and imported chocolates, then we get sinful by adding a generous amount of select bourbon!
Boston Cream Pie -
Carrot Cake-
Bananas Foster-

 


 

 

Would you like to know more?...

Please call us at...815-431-9257 so we can talk about it!

 

Buy My Secret BBQ Recipes!!


 

| Rooms/Rates | Packages and Specials | Parties | Guest Feedback | Scrapbookers | Weddings |
| Things to do | Your Hosts | Home | Virtual Tour | Policies | Newsletter | Hill Billy Directions |


Fox River Bed and Breakfast Inn
3367 E 2072nd Rd.
Ottawa, IL. 61350
Phone 1 (815) 431-9257
E-mail: Charlotte@foxriverbnb.com

 

 

Copyright ©2005-2008 Fox River Bed and Breakfast 

Revised April 21st, 2008

Website Content, Interior Photos, Guest Feedback Photos, Exterior Photos, Color Enhancements and the overall apeal of this website is done meticulously and on many sleepless nights over coffee and cookies that I sneak from Charlottes secret stash spots. Bobby Joe

Website Hosting, Code, Scripting, Excellent team assistance and a little bit more tweaking the untweakable is done by Sam at Compass Point Media

Please enjoy the peaceful face and the unseen behind the scenes we have created for you.