Finding In-N-Out In The Midwest!

This SoCal girl loves her In-N-Out Burger!  Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, has been able to come even close to the I'm-so-happy-feeling that I get EVERY TIME I eat at In-N-Out!  Since moving to the Midwest 20 years ago, I've only been able to enjoy my favorite burger a handful of times when I was either in California or Las Vegas! I've sent emails to I-N-O begging them to open a franchise close to where I live. I know, I know...it's not all about me...it's just business.  I get it!

Well, if there is anyone out there who shares my opinion and joy of the best burgers in the world, I want you to know about Van's Frozen Custard and Burgers in East Dundee, IL.  Click here if you want to drool voraciously and learn more about them! My Mother's Day gift was to have lunch at Van's (upon the recommendation of another happy I-N-O customer).  It was the best Mom's Day gift ever...except for the days that my darlings made me breakfast in bed!

Van's is a family owned and independent business started in 2007 by Chad Van Acker and his parents.  Visit their website to get a glimpse of their mouth-watering menu (click the link in bold above). It's an eatery that offers treat of frozen custard (ice cream to most of us...but better!) or a meal that includes all of the food groups!

I was warmly welcomed by both Nancy and Rick (Chad's parents) and made to feel comfortable immediately.  They are close to my age, which always gives me a good feeling to see my peers in a successful business.  The building is located on a corner in the downtown area of East Dundee, a place that still has a "small town" feeling. The decor is casual and very family-oriented.  As my hubs and I savored every morsel of our burgers and fries, we watched as other families came in to the restaurant, all with smiles on their faces.  I figured they were repeat customers and knew exactly what they wanted.  Nobody left without ear-to-ear smiles on their faces!

So, the verdict...I give Van's a 20 out of 10 licks for making this Cali girl smile, knowing she'll "be back" for more!  Thank you, Van's!!  See you soon!

For more Sunday stories from around the globe, please visit Unknown Mami at Sundays in My City by clicking on the logo below!

I live near Chicago, IL!  Welcome to my City!

Frags, Anyone?

Well, howdy doody all!  Hope your week has been filled with challenge, excitement, drama and maybe even something fun for someone in your life!

You know that saying, "God never gives you more than you can handle?"  Ahem....well, my "handle" bar was lifted when I wasn't looking!  I thought I would collapse from stress overload, but I didn't.  I'm alive today to tell about how the guy upstairs continues to come through for me...time after time!

A few weekends ago, I was packing up what was left (after purging, selling or otherwise disposing) of 35 years of stuff to be moved to a 10'x20' shared garage close to my current dream home (a one-bedroom apartment). After trekking 300 miles south, we loaded the truck, kissed the house goodbye and trekked back to the dream house...all within 24 hours. Two days later, we received closing documents, got them notarized and over-nighted back (not without a hiccup) and closed the deal completely. The following day, the front porch balcony of the dream home was to be torn down and rebuilt, so we moved food and clothes for 10 days to another dream home about a football field away.  I'm grateful the dog continued to relieve herself outside and not in the new dream house.

The new balcony is almost finished, we no longer have a mortgage payment, and our adventure in paradise begins with no ties to the "old world", except for my four little darlings...who live 300 miles away...who can no longer "pop" in when they are in the neighborhood.  I am breathing again...I'm walking on sunshine...and it feels good! 


Thanks for stopping by today.  Please "pop" in and say hello to Mrs4444 at Half Past Kissin' Time by clicking on the logo below.

P.S.:  I LOVE and desperately miss my darlings!