Trax makes its way to new, healthy menu
By Laura Bollin Contributor October 4, 2011 1:58PM
Trax Tavern and Grill patrons Cory Wheelerand Tom Walsh drink beer at the Deerfield establishment. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 11, 2011 5:02PM
Trax Tavern and Grill in Deerfield has brand-new, healthier menu items.
Robert Cohn, general manager of the restaurant, said that he began looking at healthier choices after talking to customers.
“We are very customer-oriented,” Cohn said. “I talked to the parents about it, and they said they would rather have their kids have a smoothie than a soda to drink. So we added a smoothie machine.”
Smoothies, in a variety of fruit flavors like strawberry and banana, sell for $3.99. The smoothie machine also creates new cocktails for the restaurant, including margaritas and daiquiris.
“We added more salads and some new appetizers,” Cohn said. “We had a popular spinach and artichoke dip with deep fried nacho chips.
“Instead, now we are going to do warmed pita chips with Parmesan cheese to make it healthier.”
An average appetizer costs $7.
Amanda Werhane, the restaurant’s head waitress, said she is happy the Italian beef is now a staple, not just a special on the menu.
“It is homemade and delicious, very lean meat which is why I think I like it,” Werhane said. “There is a very homey atmosphere here. It is like a second family.”
Cohn has been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years, and said he loves the people in Deerfield. He got his first restaurant job when he was 12 years old at Goodman’s, a Jewish restaurant and delicatessen in Highland Park.
“I asked for a raise in my allowance, and my dad kiddingly told me to get a job,” Cohn said. “So I took him seriously and rode my bike to the first restaurant I knew.
“I grew up in Highland Park. I know the people of the North Shore, and I like the idea that we are focusing a lot on the community here. Every family who walks in seems to know each other. We will have a family of four turned into a table of eight because two families will sit together. It is a really cool community.”
Trax Tavern and Grill, located at 833 Deerfield Road, is open from 11 a.m. to midnight every day.
For information, call (847) 236-0203 or visit www.traxtavern.com.
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