A Chicago native has opened a Chicago–style deli in Peoria.
Eric Shangraw goes to Jammers in this week's You Gotta Eat.

Jammers Chicago Style Classics is the latest tenant in a little hole–in–the wall spot on West Farmington Road. Outside is a little shabby. Owners John and Vickie Arrowood have poured their money into remodeling the inside. –Bright red booths. –Super–duper clean. Chicago sports memorabilia plastered on the walls.... a Cubs game on TV. John grew up a base–hit away from Wrigley Field. Running a restaurant is living his dream.

"Chicago–style food is Fontanini beef. Chicago–style dogs with neon green relish loaded with the garden. We do a little Peoria flair with the River City Dog. But Chicago–style really means hot dogs, beef, and our own little touches. And we never freeze our beef," said John Arrowood.

Jammers prices rock! Nothing on the menu is over six bucks. You can get two dogs dragged through a garden, fresh cut fries and drink for seven bucks.

"We didn’t know what we would find when we came here. But it is nice and homey. And this tastes just what you would expect from a Chicago-style dog," said customer Rick Norton.

"When I came in I asked if they would mind serving a Cardinal fan. And they said they would serve anybody," said customer Mike Harms.

I went with the two–dog special. Running them through the garden means having your dog topped many of the food groups: mustard, pickle, tomato, onion, neon–green relish and a shake of celery salt. I felt "big city" with each bite. Photographer Warren Brinegar had the cheeseburger melt. He said it was "chees–a–riffic." We rounded out our windy city meal with apple pie alamode, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. -All that food for $18.50. Jammers offers Chicago style food with Peoria prices.

Jammers Chicago Style Classics is open six days a week... call ahead for carry–out. They are up the hill from the Peoria Speedway on Farmington Road.