The average buffalo lives well into its 30s, weighing as much as 3,500 pounds, yet is easily capable of running 35 miles per hour and with enough stamina to outlast a horse. According to the fact sheet at the Buffalo Bar & Grill, an eatery in Libertyville, buffalo meat also was the original health food. It is higher in protein and yet lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than any other meat, including poultry and even some fish.
The facts seem interesting enough, but what does it taste like? According to owner Sandy Sun, buffalo meat is similar in texture to ground beef. It has a hearty and sweet taste and isn`t gamey.
”People tell us that ground beef tastes gamier than our buffalo,” Sun said.
She went into the restaurant business as a mere investment. The self-admitted pampered wife of local obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Frank Sun, Sandy now has converted what used to be the Northern Chalet to the Buffalo Bar & Grill. Upon the urging of her head chef, Ralph Priesing, she adopted an innovative menu concentrating on Southwestern cuisine.
As Sun stresses, she is still pampered, only now she works 15 hours a day, seven days a week.
The restaurant offers customers two areas to dine in as well as banquet facilities. There is a separate dining room for more intimate meals and a livelier tavern with a karoake bar.
”We`re basically a neighborhood bar,” said head chef Priesing. ”Of course, it`s a big neighborhood.”
The Buffalo Bar & Grill offers healthy meal alternatives. All meats are charbroiled. ”Healthy Heart” items low in calories, fat and cholesterol are highlighted on the menu.
Featured items are the California Chicken Salad, with bananas, pineapple, almonds and a poppyseed dressing for $5.95; the grilled sesame tuna served over linguine in an oil-free herbed broth for $9.99; and of course, the half- pound buffalo burger, for $5.99, served with waffle fries.
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The Buffalo Bar & Grill, 1760 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday. Phone 708-362-8202.
