Daily Dirt: It’s lunch time again, and it will be walleye for Norm and birthday cake for the Rock

Daily Dirt for Monday, May 2, 2022

“Lunch with Steve” returns, and we have a fine list of folks to share the grub … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 274 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It’s a new month, which means it’s time to set up a new series of virtual lunches with some of those people we would like to break bread with. Pull up a chair and join us, but remember: I get to ask the questions. This month’s lunch partners include:

Ray Wilson: We’re just a little over a month from another chapter of the Quincy Derby, the annual downhill run for fun at 18th Street and Bob Mays Park that will bring together more than 200 youngsters, plus their families, friends and onlookers. Wilson is the man who helps make this great event a reality. He is a never-ending source of great stories about what makes this event for kids a Quincy treasure. Lunch at: Native Grill and Wings. Wilson likes wings. Wilson likes wings a lot.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: The popular entertainer/movie star/former pro wrestler is turning 50 and we should to celebrate with a birthday bash. Lunch at: At one of the local Hy-Vee cafeterias. I’ll spring for a birthday cake at the Hy-Vee bakery.

Eric Orne: Few, if any, coaches in Illinois have ever enjoyed the combined level of success the Quincy Notre Dame softball and girls basketball coach has at 10th and Jackson. I’d love to have him map out his secrets to success, and if it takes longer than a traditional lunch hour, so be it. Lunch at: Kelly’s, because we’re going to need a smorgasbord-type setup. I’ll need a number of refills while Eric details the secret to those dynasties he’s built at QND. 

Norman Reedus: I would so enjoy sitting down with the longtime “Walking Dead” star, simply to tell him how enjoyable that program has made my Sunday nights for more than a decade. Zombies will never be the same once this program comes to an end later this year. Lunch at: Mr. Bill’s. Norm and I will each have the walleye.

Blake Dotson: The first-year race director at Adams County Speedway seems to be the perfect man to have a key role in the resurrection the dirt track that, at one time, was the focal point of racing in this area of the country. Lunch at: Adams County Speedway. We’ll have promoter Jimmy Lieurance provide some of those world-famous trackburgers.

Tom Brady: This lunch will be a short one. I have but one question for the future Hall of Fame quarterback: Are you really coming back, and if so, what team will you be playing for? (Actually, that’s two questions, isn’t it?) Lunch at: Lucky Dog, and I’m ordering two coneys — both with onion. I’ll suggest the chili for Tom.

Melissa Shriver-Hackamack: A member of the Adams County Fair Board of Directors, Melissa helps bring together the event’s principal musical guests each year. I need to twist her arm (figuratively, of course) to bring back the Oak Ridge Boys, since Rod Stewart is probably out of the question. Lunch at: The South Side in Mendon, which is about five minutes from the fairgrounds. If we’re lucky, we’ll run into Skippy Dunker, and he can treat us.

Milana Vayntrub: She’s the girl who plays “Lily” on the AT&T television commercials, and I’m totally confused why she thinks she’s fooling us with that some-times wig (or hair extension, whatever the technical term might be). I can tell it’s not real, Lily. I can tell. Lunch at: McDonald’s at 48th and Broadway. There’s a beauty shop nearby. We can go there after lunch, and Lily can reveal her secret(s).

2. Speaking of food, here’s a coupler of dishes you probably want to skip:
Khash: In the Middle East, Turkey and eastern Europe this is quite popular, but don’t expect to see it anytime soon at any Quincy eatery. Khash is a pretty gruesome little dish made up of stewed cows feet and head. It was once a winter comfort food but is now considered a delicacy. I have no idea why.
Guinea pig: Typically served whole and roasted or in a casserole, guinea pig is said to have a similar flavor to rabbit — but it looks like a fried guinea pig on a plate. It’s very popular in South America.

3. If you’ve been a devoted reader of the Daily Dirt, you know I love Clint Eastwood movies and famous lines from those films. I also love thoughts in general from this 91-year-old icon, who has no plans to retire anytime soon. Here are a few more of his famous lines and observations:

• “This film cost $31 million. With that kind of money, I could have invaded some country.”
• “If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster.”
• “Extremism is so easy. You’ve got your position, and that’s it. It doesn’t take much thought. And when you go far enough to the right, you meet the same idiots coming around from the left.”
• “Let’s not go and ruin it by thinking too much.”
• “I tried being reasonable, but I didn’t like it.”
• “On a scale of one to 10, you’re a two, and that’s cuz I’ve never seen a one.”
• “Work hard, keep your nose clean and just stick around.”
• “Nobody, and I mean nobody … puts ketchup on a hot dog.” (This is the main reason I love Clint Eastwood.)

Steve Thought O’ The Day
About trying a dish of that khash … I wouldn’t count on it.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Have a suggestion for someone who Steve needs to take to lunch? Or a place Steve needs to go for lunch? Or some disgusting food that Steve needs to try? Send him a note on his Twitter or Facebook page.