Are you planning to attend the Arizona Family History Expo in Mesa, Arizona on January 21 and 22? If so, I'd like to invite you to dinner on Saturday evening. This will be a dinner of genealogists. Please be aware that the dinner will be informal... VERY informal.
When I attend genealogy conferences, I like to hold dinners for newsletter readers and their invited guests. I have been hosting dinners at the end of genealogy conferences for the past 23 years, even before this newsletter first appeared. Wow! It doesn't seem that long. These are usually Dutch Treat events with little or no formal plans. There are no agendas, no presentations, no speeches, and as little planning as possible. For lack of a better name, I call these the EOGN Dinners. "EOGN" stands for Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter.
Those invited include:
- All subscribers to the Plus Edition newsletter
- All subscribers to the Standard Edition newsletter
- Those who read the newsletter online sometimes
- Those who know someone who reads the newsletter sometimes
- Those who have heard of the newsletter
- Any invited guests of anyone listed above
OK, does that cover everyone?
We simply gather together at a local restaurant, sit together at adjacent tables in one area, talk a lot, consume a lot of food, and generally have a good time. Adult beverages are also available for those who wish to have a drink with dinner. This is a good time to gather together with friends you met at the conference and with new friends you haven't met yet.
Past Saturday night dinners after conferences have generally been successful. (OK, OK, so there were a couple of disasters, but that's the fun of the unknown, right?) We usually have a raucous group where we try to disturb as many other restaurant patrons as possible with the high noise levels.
Thanks to a suggestion from newsletter reader Cheryl McGregor, I have made reservations for 35 people at Bill Johnson's Big Apple restaurant at 950 E. Main St, Mesa.
Cheryl recommends this restaurant highly. If this restaurant doesn't work out, we all know who to blame, right Cheryl? (Just KIDDING!)
The restaurant specializes in "Arizona Cookin' Done Right." The menu includes lots of BBQ, along with salads, shrimp, salmon, pork chops, several chicken dishes, steaks of all sorts, ribs, burgers, sandwiches, and similar items. There are always a few "Specials of the Day" as well. Prices vary from about $8 for sandwiches up to about $15 or $16 for steaks. There is one 16-ounce T-bone steak on the menu for $18, in case you are really hungry.
The entire menu is available at the end of this message as well as at http://billjohnsons.com/menus and the entire web site is available at http://billjohnsons.com. You might like to read The Legend of Bill Johnson at http://billjohnsons.com/the-legend as there is some history there.
Dinner is "Dutch Treat." You pay for your own meal and drinks and anything else you order. The restaurant will add an 18% gratuity, and I am sure that Arizona must have a meal tax of some sort. There will be no other charges. Payment is collected after the dinner.
Google Maps says Bill Johnson's Big Apple restaurant is a 5-minute drive from the convention center. A map is available at http://goo.gl/maps/BDI1
The restaurant is right on Main Street, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. If you would like to join us but do not have an automobile available, please let me know, and I'll try to match you up with someone with an automobile so that we can all carpool to the restaurant and back.
The one disaster we have had at past dinners has been making reservations and keeping track of who was on the list. One year, we had (many) more people show up than those who had made reservations. The restaurant didn't have enough seats to accommodate everyone. Now, THAT was a disaster!
For the last EOGN dinner I used an online reservation system, and it worked well. It eliminated all the confusion, so I believe I will use the online system again.
OK, here's how to attend the dinner:
| 1. |
You absolutely MUST have a reservation in advance. No exceptions. In fact, you will make the reservation online and then print your own ticket(s) on your printer and bring the ticket(s) with you. If you don't have a printer available, please let me know, and I will print your ticket for you several days in advance. Either way, you must have a ticket. I know this sounds harsh, but we really must avoid a repeat of the disaster we had one year. The tickets are free. You will need to pay for the items you ordered at the end of the meal. |
| 2. |
If you are bringing a spouse or other invited guest, make sure you make a reservation for everyone in your party. It will be embarrassing to tell your spouse that you are going out to dinner with others while your spouse is left alone because "you forgot!" If there are two of you, you need two tickets. |
| 3. |
We will start accepting reservations at 9 PM Eastern time next Wednesday, January 12. That's 8 PM Central Time, 7 PM Mountain Time, and 6 PM Pacific Time. At that time, I will post a message here on http://www.eogn.com that contains a link to the reservation system. Read the message here, click on that link, and the next screen you see will be the reservation sign-up form. |
| 4. |
Past experience has shown that these reservations fill up quickly. Last time, all available reservations were snapped up within six minutes. However, if we don't fill the reservation list this time, reservations will close seven days later, at 12 noon Eastern time on January 19. I have to call the restaurant and give them an exact final headcount on the afternoon of January 19. |
| 5. |
If we do receive more than 35 requests for reservations, there will be a "wait list" created automatically by the reservations software. Names will be added to the wait list in the order they are received. Anyone on the wait list may or may not be seated, at the discretion of the restaurant manager. The restaurant has other patrons that evening as well and can only confirm 35 people at this time. I will know if there are extra seats available by 4 PM Saturday; so, if you are on the wait list, see me at the end of the conference (4 PM) to learn if there is room for you and your guest(s). |
I'll see you at dinner. Bring your appetite!
- Grand Canyon Nachos 9
Beef, Black Beans, Jalapeno’s, Avocados, Green Onions, Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream piled high.
- Big Bill’s Sampler Platter 11
Onion Rings, Zucchini, Potato Skins, Buttermilk-Breaded Popcorn Shrimp and Hot Wings.
- Classic Potato Skins 6
Deep fried and stuffed with Cheddar, Bacon and Tomato. Served with Sour Cream or Ranch Dressing.
- Big Bill’s Buffalo Hot Wings 10
Seasoned with Bill’s Special Hot Sauce.
- Silver Dollar Zucchini 6.5
Served with Ranch Dressing.
- Pound (or so) of Onion Rings 6.5
Yum.
Salads include Homemade Dinner Rolls and a choice of Bill Johnson’s own Dressings:
Thousand Island, Blue Cheese, Ranch, Bill’s Cinnamon French and Sweet Italian.
- Southwest Chicken Salad 9.5
Southwestern Grilled Chicken Breast, Black Beans, Pepper Jack Cheese, Corn and Tomato.
- Chef Salad 9
Ham, Turkey, Cheddar Cheese, Tomatoes, Hard-boiled Egg and Pickle Spear.
- Serious Sirloin Steak* Salad 11
Sirloin Steak strips, Green Onion, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Cucumbers and Bell Pepper. Served with Homemade Croutons.
- Sonoran Cobb Salad 9
Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Tomatoes, Hard-boiled Egg, Blue Cheese, Avocado, Corn and Red Sweet Peppers.
- Chicken Salad 8.5
Choice of Grilled or Crispy Chicken Breast, Cheddar Cheese, Tomatoes and Hard-boiled Egg.
- Award-Winning Chili Bowl 6
Slow simmered Beef and Beans, topped with Cheddar and Diced Onion.
- Soup of the Day Bowl 5 Cup 3.5
- All-You-Can-Eat Soup & Salad 7
House Salad & Soup of the Day Combo.
Meals include choice of Potato, Soup or Salad, Barbeque Beans,
Daily Vegetable and Homemade Dinner Roll.
- Baker’ s Dozen Breaded Shrimp 14
Golden fried Shrimp with our famous Shrimp Sauce.
- Broiled Salmon Filet 15
Flame cooked Pacific Salmon – 8 oz. topped with our Lime Sauce.
- Crispy Icelandic Cod 14
Golden Cod – 9oz. with Tarter Sauce.
- Steak* & Endless Popcorn Shrimp 15
Sirloin – 6 oz. with endless buttermilk-breaded Popcorn Shrimp. No doggie bags, please.
- JJ’s Catch of the Day (Please ask your server.) MP
Meals include choice of Potato, Soup or Salad, Barbeque Beans, Daily Vegetable and Homemade Dinner Roll.
- Mama’ s Breaded Pork Chops 13.5
Two Pork Loin Chops, breaded, seasoned and grilled.
- Chicken Fried Chicken Steak 14
A whole Chicken Breast, lightly breaded and perfectly fried.
- Southern Fried 1/2 Chicken 14
Breaded and deep fried until it’s juicy and golden brown.
- Daily Un-Beef (Please ask your server.) MP
Meals include choice of Choice of Potato, Soup or Salad, Barbeque Beans, Daily Vegetable and Homemade Dinner Roll.
- All-You-Can-Eat Beefy Barbeque Ribs 15
Rover won’t be happy, but no doggie bags.
- “Ten-gallon T-bone Steak* 18
Our best selling steak since 1956 – 16 oz. of USDA choice steak.
- Big Bill’s Ribeye Steak* 16.5
12 oz. of USDA choice pride topped with an onion ring.
- Cowboy Combo Blow Out 15
Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, Chicken and spicy Hot Link. You can say you’ve tried ‘em all.
- Chicken Fried Beef Steak 15
Lightly breaded, 11 oz. Beef Steak fried to a crispy, juicy perfection.
- Our Famous Barbeque Pork Ribs
Half Rack 15, Full Rack 18
Bill Johnson’s Big Apple is known for our naturally aged USDA Choice steaks,
cooked over an open flame, and seasoned with our Secret Spice Blend.
Meals include choice of Potato, Soup or Salad, Barbeque Beans, Daily Vegetable and Homemade Dinner Roll.
- The BIG One – 32 oz. Choice Porterhouse Steak* 29
Dinner Bell & Free T-shirt “I Ate the Big One” (One size: BIG)
- Ground Round* 14
- New York Steak-10oz* 16
- Sirloin Steak-9oz* 15
- Bacon Wrapped Filet of Sirloin-8oz* 15
Add Sauteed Mushrooms & Onions 2
Add Popcorn Shrimp 3
All our steaks are cooked to order. We can’t guarantee the tenderness of medium-well to well-done steaks and please allow up to 25 minutes.
Meals include choice of Potato, Soup or Salad, Barbeque Beans,
Daily Vegetable and Homemade Dinner Roll.
- Make Your Own Smoked Combo 17
Pick 3 and we’ll plate ‘em: Pork Rib, Beef Rib, Pulled Pork, Smoked Brisket, Hot Link, or Barbeque Smoked Chicken.
- Smoked Barbeque Platter 14
Mesquite Smoked Beef Brisket or Pulled Pork.
- Lickin’ Chicken & Ribs 15.5
Mesquite Smoked 1/4 Chicken & 1/4 Rack of Pork Ribs.
- Mesquite Barbeque Chicken 13.5
1/2 a bird, without the feathers.
- Double-Breasted Barbeque Chicken 14
12 oz. perfectly grilled.
Choice of one side: Soup, Salad, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries Coleslaw,
Barbeque Beans, Daily Vegetable or Mashed Potatoes with Gravy.
- Pulled Pork 8
- Smoked Beef Chopped Brisket 8
- Famous Sliced Beef 8
- All 3 Meats on a Bun – Beef, Pork, Ham 8
- Bill’s Combo Sliders – Beef, Pork, Ham 9
- Nice‘’n Slow Smoked Ham or Turkey 7.5
Fresh – never frozen – All-Beef Patty, Toasted Sesame Bun, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles, Red Onions and
Bill’s Secret Sauce. Choice of one side: Soup, Salad, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Coleslaw,
Barbeque Beans or Mashed Potatoes with Gravy.
- The Cheeseburger* 7
Choice of American, Cheddar, Pepper Jack or Swiss.
Add Bacon 8. Make it a Double 9
- It’s-a-Fiesta Burger* 7.5
Pepper Jack & Roasted Green Chilies.
- Patty Melt* 7.5
American & Pepper Jack, with grilled Onions on Rye Bread.
- El Diablo Burger* 8.5
Jalapenos, Pepper Jack Cheese, Avocado & spicy Ancho Mayo. Hot! Hot! Hot!
- End-of-the-Trail Burger* 8.5
Pepper Jack & Cheddar Cheese, grilled Mushrooms & Onion with Hickory Barbeque Sauce.
- Chili Size Burger* 8.5
Beef Patty and Cheese on a toasted Bun. Smothered with our Chili, topped with shredded Cheddar and diced Onion. No side.
Choice of one side: Soup, Salad, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Coleslaw,
Barbeque Beans, Daily Vegetable or Mashed Potatoes with Gravy.
- JJ’ s Spicy Chicken 9
Breaded Chicken Breast with Lettuce, Tomato topped with Spicy Hot Sauce.
- Slow Draw Chicken 8.5
Grilled 6 oz. Chicken Breast with Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Pepper Jack Cheese & Lime Sauce.
- Mr. Fish 9
Crispy fried Cod with Lettuce, Tomato, Pepper Jack & Lime Sauce.
- Surly Cowboy Steak* 11
New York Strip – 8 oz. with grilled Onions, Bell Pepper & Pepper Jack Cheese on a toasted French Roll.
- Revolutionary Ruben 7
Corn Beef, Sauerkraut, Thousand Island Dressing with Pepper Jack Cheese on Rye.
- Bill’s Club 9
Turkey, Ham, Bacon, American Cheese, Lettuce & Tomato.
- Gene’s Hot Beef 8
Sliced Beef open-faced with a side of Mashed Potatoes & Brown Gravy right on top.
- Bottomless Refreshing Twist
Sweet Tea, Peach Tea, Sasparilla, Stewart Soda, Sugar Free Strawberry Lemonade, Lemonade, Ice Tea
- Bottomless Soda Pop
Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Sierra Mist, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew
- Warm it Up
Hot Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate
- Juice or Milk
Apple, Orange, 2%, Chocolate
MORE BILL JOHNSON’S BIG APPLE ANYONE?
- Catering Information:
602-370-2476
- Great Taste to Go:
Get your take-out menu.
- Bring Home the Flavor:
Homemade Dressings, Barbeque Sauce and Bill Johnson’s Big Apple shirts, hats and more.
