BBQ'd Productions giving away $100,000 in prizes
LAKE ZURICH - From its 14-hour slow-smoked brisket to its double-rubbed, double-smoked burnt ends and everything in between, BBQ'd Productions' mouth-watering plates have been an increasingly huge hit since 2009.
This time of year, though, there's even more reason to follow one's nose into one of owner Kris Schoenberger's two northeastern Illinois restaurants, located in Lake Zurich and Third Lake. Because this time of year, visitors walk out guaranteed to win one of hundreds of prizes totaling $100,000 in value - so long as they don't peek at what's inside their envelopes before the January-through-February redemption period.
Each guest dining at a BBQ'd Productions restaurant now through Dec. 31 receives one of the prize-packed envelopes. When they return to dine again anytime Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, they can redeem them, opening the envelopes at that time to reveal which of 14 different prizes is theirs.
Some folks will win free appetizers or sides, or as much as 100 percent off of their order up to $100. Others will take away a new iPad, grill or smoker (two each available), or even $1,000 cash or a new motorcycle from Nielsen Enterprises in Lake Villa. Because no one claimed the top prize last year, two motorcycles are up for grabs this year. Adding to the excitement, kids receive their own envelopes this year, with prizes ranging from candy bars and kids' meals to bicycles and motorized four-wheelers (two top prizes available).
"This is my way of giving back to my amazing customers," said Schoenberger, who jumped into the BBQ business nine years ago after budget cuts led to his early retirement from a local area police department. "Our fans and guests have been so supportive of us."
With the strong encouragement of his mother and friends who'd enjoyed his impressive backyard barbecues, Schoenberger first launched BBQ'd Productions as a single-trailer catering business. He has since added six trailers, and opened his first restaurant in Third Lake in 2014. He opened his Lake Zurich restaurant in 2017 and aims to add more.
Schoenberger employs just more than 100 people at his restaurants, both of which also offer full drink menus, including signature cocktails such as the choose-your-bourbon Smoked Manhattan. The Third Lake location is at 34121 Route 45. The Lake Zurich restaurant is at 405 N. Rand Road. Both are open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
Those interested can learn more and see a complete menu at www.wegrillitall.com, or download BBQ'd Productions' free mobile app.