Great meal and movie this weekend I wanted to share

I found a perfect combination of a great movie & phenomenal restaurant to enjoy in the Southwest Suburbs that you need to try. Don't let Biden-inflation and today's polarized political turmoil.

By Ray Hanania

Free/Entertainment/Wednesday/Feb. 21, 2024

There is nothing like an entertaining movie on the big screen and a satisfying dinner at a local restaurant.

It's not always easy to do, though, especially since COVID, the Screen Actors strike, and, more importantly, the dramatic rise of inflation that President Biden keeps trying to tell us is under control.

Inflation is not under control and Biden would see that if he were not "dazed and confused," (the name of one of my favorite past movies). Claims that inflation is under control is all pre-election political propaganda. Just go to any store and check out the prices. We end up getting used to the high prices and forget about the lower rates, but you can feel the pain at the self-check out lanes at any store.

That turbulence in our lives. made my recent experience at a local restaurant and then watching a recently released big screen film fabulous and enjoyable.

For some reason, when I heard that a "Juicy Seafood Restaurant" opened in Orland Park, the word "juicy" kind of turned me off. I don't like to think of sea food as "juicy."

I like Cod, more like the steak of fish. Firm and tasty. Not juicy. So when it opened last year, I didn't go.

But when I told my wife I hadn't been to Red Lobster, where I wanted to get lobster, she reminded me about how terrible the service is there and the annoying crowded customer base.

So, I figured, why not try The Juicy Seafood at 16154 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park, a beautiful community where I have enjoyed living for nearly 40 years in a very affordable and spacious brick home, but where politics is on the precipice of insanity because of a crazed mayor there who thinks he is a crusted screaming Master Sergeant and we are all his grunts.

So why not try The Juicy Seafood, and, make it an evening with a good movie.

There haven't been many great movies in the past few years. A few, but not a lot.

But whenever I see the name Jason Statham on a film's cast, I know the movie is going to be great.

The Juicy Seafood Entrance area

So, I decided to see "The Beekeeper," starring Jason Statham. "The Beekeeper" is "actiony" as my son would say when he was young. He's a Northwestern Grad student now. There is action from the opening shot and it doesn't stop.

All I will say is that Jason Statham goes after those vicious and sinister telephone and computer scammers who target seniors and steal all their money with les and deceit and often with little consequence.

To see them get their tele-marketing buttes kicked is just so satisfying. You will be happy!

But which theater? Marcus Theater in Orland Park or Emagine Theater in Frankfort which is not too far south of Orland?

Let's talk about the food at The Juicy Seafood.

The food there was Phenomenal! Phenomenal is my American version of the British phrase "Brilliant" to describe an ecstatic experience.

The Juicy Seafood is phenomenal. I kicked myself for not going there sooner.

The place is so much bigger and roomier than Red Lobster, which seems to attract many obstreperous patrons. My last experience there was crowded, noisy and not very fun. Red Lobster is always crowded, and people there are loud and annoying.

I don't want to eat even Lobster in that kind of atmosphere.

The Juicy Seafood, however, was roomy. The dining areas were large. The service was fast and attentive. And the food was great. Phenomenal. Brilliant!

My wife and I ordered the special for Two, the "Black and Red" which is large pan of seasoned garlic and butter filled with two lobsters, several "clusters" of crab legs, black muscles, a dozen large shrimp, 2 potatoes and 2 small corn on the cob.

I'm a no-carb dieter -- a lifestyle that has helped me lose a lot of weight -- so I was excited that they also offered two hardboiled eggs as a side.

Add it baby.

Of course, eating at a great seafood restaurant is messy. Those plastic aprons I used to get at the old Carsons, The Place for Ribs on Clark Street, were very handy for ribs and even handier for seafood that you have to crack open.

The lobster was easy to get at. The crab legs are always a hassle but fun and "juicy."

It was a great tasting meal that my wife and I both enjoyed. The cost for the selection was $86.99, which isn't too out of line with other restaurant prime menu orders.

It was fun and really good. And great for my diet.

Afterwards, we decided to get tickets at Emagine Theater in Frankfort rather than the closer Marcus Theaters in Orland Park.

Marcus just doesn't have the rhythm. In today's movie world, Emagine has seamlessly coordinated ordering food with enjoying a movie. They bring the food right to you.

We ate of course, so this time we didn't order any of Emagine's good movie food -- pizzas, cheese sticks, chicken strips or hotdogs -- and instead just enjoyed the theater seating where the seats are slightly wider and more comfortable than Marcus Theater seats.

And at Marcus, you have to order your food. Wait. And then carry it into the theater and eat while watching the commercials and movie previews. By the time the movie starts, the food is gone.

At Emagine, the food arrives just as the movie is about to start.

There's far more parking at Emagine than Marcus, too.

The Juicy Seafood and a movie at Emagine Theaters like the non-stop excitement in "The Beekeeper" is a combination you have to try.

Give yourself a break and enjoy life. Get the best. You deserve. It was the best outing since our last cruise.

Don't forget to check out my reviews on Yelp. I write about every restaurant I visit. (The link is in the NOTES section, but click here just in case.)