'He was a great guy': Downtown Peoria fine-dining restaurant welcomes shirtless comedian
No shirt. No shoes. No service?
Jim’s Steak House – a fine-dining establishment in downtown Peoria – made a minor exception on March 25 when Bert Kreischer paid the restaurant a visit. While there, the shirtless comedian took a photo with staff and sang a couple of songs for guests.
“We didn't have any problem with it at all. It was a great time. He was a great guy,” restaurant manager Kristin Comfort said. “It was a pleasure to host his group. We were really, really happy to have him.”
Kreischer, who is known for his shirtless stand-up routines, came to Peoria as part of his “Tops Off World Tour.” The comedian performed to a sold-out crowd at the Peoria Civic Center's Carver Arena before making his way to Jim’s.
According to Comfort, Kreischer did have a shirt on while dining. The party of 10 arrived at the restaurant hungry, she said, and ordered various appetizers and steaks.
“Bert was taking pictures of the table with all the food, and they were impressed,” Comfort said.
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Kreischer’s group was seated in a private dining room, and Comfort said she stayed mostly in the background during the visit.
For Comfort, maintaining well-known guests’ sense of privacy is important. Jim’s Steak House has a history of hosting celebrity visitors, including Jay Leno, Larry King and more.
Even so, she said Kreischer decided to make a shirtless appearance in the cocktail lounge at around 1 a.m. Comfort said the comedian performed a couple of songs, starting with “Midnight Special.”
“He was funny and he was a good sport, too. He didn't have to go into the lounge and sing with everybody, but he did,” she said. “He wanted to. He enjoyed it. So, that was really cool.”
Comfort said staff and guests enjoyed the experience, as well. She said staff described him as “down-to-earth” and took a photo with him – which was later posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Some of the restaurant’s patrons had come for drinks after Kreischer’s show, Comfort said, which led to a happy surprise. She said she heard from several people afterward about what an amazing experience they had.
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For Comfort, seeing the excitement on guests' faces when a celebrity stops by is her favorite part.
“You just can't really beat that,” she said.
Connect with Jim's Steak House
Address: 110 SW Jefferson Ave., PeoriaPhone: (309) 673-5300Website: https://jimssteakhouse.net/
Connect with Cassidy Waigand by emailing her at CWaigand@gannett.com or by following her on Twitter at @justxaxwriter.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bert Kreischer visits Jim's Steak House in downtown Peoria
