Junction Functions for All

Caitlin Ewald
ENGL 103
Junction Functions for All
One of the landmark restaurants in DeKalb, IL also happens to cater to the needs of students attending Northern Illinois University. Located at 816 West Lincoln Highway, where a mobile home park originally resided, The Junction provides delicious, affordable food in a warm environment right on campus. Right behind train tracks, this restaurant is a simple yet cozy self proclaimed diner, and doesn’t try to be more than just that.
The Junction is railroad themed, which is easily picked up on by their unique railroad crossing shaped sign and the painting of steam engines that greet you when you walk inside. This specifically caboose themed establishment welcomes all types, from families with children, to older couples, to college students, and has been since 1969. From the moment I sat down, I felt comfortable and relaxed. This could have something to do with the overall tone set for not only the diner, but also for its employees. When asked about his knowledge of the restaurant business, the Junctions manager, George Bahramis stated, “Treat people fairly, treat others how you would like to be treated.” This way of thinking was reflected in my server who delighted me with her polite and energetic manner. She even went so far as to decorate the back of my bill with stars and a friendly, “Thank you!” in green highlighter. And the bill itself wasn’t too bad either. The prices of items on the menu are fairly average, depending on what you get.
There main menu includes an array of quintessential American dishes. The Bar-B-Que beef is a popular favorite at $5.75, along with the Taco Salad which is served in a large tortilla shell and comes out to $6.50. The California Sandwich offers a hearty pile of sliced turkey with jack cheese, alphalfa sprouts, sliced tomato, and thick slabs of avocado, all on multigrain bread at $6.95. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a Junction Burger, that is served thick and char-broiled on a toasted bun and comes to a mere $4.95 . But when asked about the most popular menu items, George Bahramis was quick to say, “Skillets, mostly skillets, and the Trailblazer which includes two eggs, meat, hash browns and toast.” Be sure to get the seasoned fries, which go perfectly with almost every dish. There are also soups and two dinner specials offered every day; with this you can be sure that you will always find something delicious on the menu.
You can eat great even later than most other restaurants around DeKalb, because the Junction is open till two a.m. on weekdays and four a.m. on weekends. Very convenient hours for students who like to stay out late. You can be promised a warm booth and coffee, perhaps with an appetizer, or maybe a slice of one of the decadent cakes displayed in a case for you to see right as you walk in. But no matter what time of day you visit the Junction, be sure to look for the toy train that parades around the restaurant top on its wooden track from morning to night, greeting every customer with a warm sense of welcome and a promise of satisfaction.

The Junction
816 W Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-5441
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