Mystery Diner: Southwestern-style eatery a hole in one

SUGAR GROVE – With the temperature creeping above 50 degrees Tuesday, my lunch companion decided to make the short trek out to Bliss Creek Golf Course for a round of nine before coming into the office in the afternoon. After learning this, it gave me the perfect opportunity to try out a recent reader suggestion, Open Range Southwest Grill.

The eatery is attached to the pro shop at the course. There were plenty of TVs inside, making it the perfect establishment to enjoy a good meal after a round on the course.

Our waiter, who was fantastic throughout our lunch, came over quickly to take our drink order and let us browse the menu. Many of the items listed were definitely infused with Southern-style flavors.

We both started off with the Cowboy Chili, a recipe made with grilled steak, smoked beef brisket, chopped tomatoes and beans. Cheese and onions can be added as well. The smoky flavors inspired by the Southwest were evident in the dish. It was obvious the establishment knows exactly what its style is.

As for our lunch entrees, I went with the Pulled Pork Sandwich. The description made the choice an easy one.

“This one is truly a local favorite,” the menu read. The sandwich features slow roasted pulled pork tossed with a smoky and tangy barbecue sauce, piled high on a toasted parker-house bun.

My companion decided on a burger with the usual fixin’s. He has tried many burgers from many different places throughout Kane County and said this one ranks right up there with the best of them. The burger was cooked exactly the way he wanted and the flavors in the ground beef rounded out the dish well. Each entree has a choice of side – my companion chose the waffle fries, which he said were terrific. Having eaten at the restaurant before, he also recommends the sweet potato fries. He only chose the regular waffle fries to try something new.

Meanwhile, I was thoroughly enjoying my pulled pork. I decided to get the “Smoklahoma Baked Beans” as my side choice, forgetting that I already ordered the bean-infused chili. No problem, though, as the beans were just as good as the chili in their own right. Featuring bits of bacon, the beans were just as smoky and just as Southwestern.