Where to Eat in Davenport during the Centennial

During the exciting events of the Chiropractic Centennial Celebration Grand Finale in Davenport, Iowa, many visitors will eventually be stroking their stomachs and asking, "So where's a good place to eat?" To answer this vital question, second in importance only to, "Where's the restroom," "DC" conducted an impartial survey of Quad City denizens for their recommendations on the best eateries.

• The Faithful Pilot Cafe & Spirits, 117 N. Cody Rd. (Hwy. 67), LeClaire, Iowa (319) 289-4156 -- Casually elegant French bistro-style restaurant (whatever that means) about 20 minutes north of Davenport on the Mississippi river, featuring pasta, seafood and chicken dishes plus great homemade bread and salad dressings. (Make reservations early.)

   

• Maria's Taco House, 1714, 7th Ave., Moline, Illinois (309) 764-5252 -- Authentic Mexican cuisine, including unique dishes like chicken mole (spicy chicken with chocolate sauce).

  Brew Pub Favorites:

   

• The Blue Cat Brew Pub, 113, 18th St., Rock Island, Illinois (309) 788-8247.

   

• The Front Street Brewery, 208 E. River Dr., Davenport, Iowa (319) 322-1569. Casual atmosphere and homemade beer.

   

• Duck City Delicatessen & Bistro, 115 E. 3rd St. (just down the street from where D.D. Palmer performed the first adjustment). (319) 322-3825. A good variety of sandwiches, salads and entrees.

   

• Windows on the River, 200 E. 3rd St., Davenport, Iowa (319) 323-5226. Gourmet dining atop the Blackhawk Hotel. (Make reservations early).

   

• The Dock, 125 S. Perry St., Davenport, Iowa (319) 322-5331. Good food and great ambience complete with views of that river that runs through town.

   

• Lagomarcino's, 1422, 5th Ave., Moline, Illinois (309) 764-9548. Family-owned confectionery with wonderful homemade candy plus great sandwiches and malts.

  Barbecue Delights

   

• R.J. Boar's, 1804 State St., Bettendorf, Iowa (319) 359-8949. Great barbecued ribs and sandwiches.

   

• Jim's Rib Haven, 531, 24th St., Rock Island (309) 786-8084. For those who love great ribs. Dinning is on the east side of that big river.

   

• Cafe Continental, 723 N. Brady St. (319) 322-6151. Located across the street from Palmer College of Chiropractic on Brady Street. Wunderbar ambience on the first floor of an old mansion. Try the pasta bar and one of their desserts.

   

• Whitey's Ice Cream, 1230 W. Locust St., Davenport, and locations throughout the Quad Cities, (319) 322-0828. A Quad Cities institution. Whitey's homemade ice cream or frozen yogurt.

  Editor's note: While we agree with many of the recommendations, Editor/Publisher Don Petersen Jr., would like to chip in two personal recommendations:

   

• Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant, 7250 Northwest Blvd., Davenport, (319) 391-2427. The kind of food you would expect from a good Iowa family restaurant: plenty of pork specialties, generous portions, very reasonable prices.

   

• Chantilly Lace, 1712 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, (309) 793-4088. Not a place to eat, but the best place for dancing, loud music and beer. The place to go to blow off steam and get a little crazy.