Porkies History

In 1987, a group of local business leaders, led by Lee Womack, were at a party and started talking about the great Charbroiled Butterfly Pork Chop sandwiches served at the former Hardees Golf Classic (now the John Deere Classic). They decided someone should start a restaurant that served those same Charbroiled Butterfly Pork Chops. Before that night was over, they decided to do it themselves. At the time, the group became aware that the former Mr. Quick restaurant building in Silvis, IL was empty. It was located at the corner of Hero Street and First Avenue in Silvis, the perfect place for the new venture. They contacted the owner of the property and negotiated a purchase. After spending over $120,000 in improvements, the doors opened in November, 1987, with the name of Porkies.

In 2001, Lee Womack died and Mark Petersen, a local area CPA who had previously served as Corporate Secretary-Treasurer since inception, assumed the reins as CEO. As the restaurant evolved, so did the ownership to the point that now the ownership is only Petersen and store manager Roger Pulford. Pulford has been in store management since the store opened and has been an owner since 2006.

Fast forward to February 13, 2017. Roger Pulford, part owner and store manager, was opening up as always, shortly after 5:00 AM. He had just turned on the exhaust fans when the ansul fire suppression system kicked on. He immediately saw the fire in the exhaust fan over the fryers. Luckily, due to the quick response from the Silvis Fire and Police Departments, the building was saved, though there was extensive smoke damage. After over $200,000 of building renovations and equipment replacements, the doors were re-opened to the public on May 12, 2017. Porkies has served that same great Charbroiled Butterfly Pork Chop for 30 years. There is a secret that makes the pork chops taste just the way they taste out at the John Deere Classic golf tournament, and Porkies knows that secret. You will agree that the Charbroiled Butterfly Pork Chop sandwich is even bigger and better than those served at Classic. And it costs less!

The other sandwich Porkies has become famous for is the Giant Breaded Tenderloin sandwich. At 10 oz., we call it the “Big Daddy” Tenderloin. You had better come hungry! And if you dare…. Porkies has just recently added the Grand Daddy Tenderloin of them all! At 20 oz. this is the biggest tenderloin in the Midwest. To satisfy more moderate appetites Porkies also has two smaller sizes of tenderloins. Porkies also serves Pork Burgers in three different sizes, Pork Barbeque and Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. If you are really looking for a treat, try the Hot Pork and Beans. There is nothing else comparable. There can be no doubt… Porkies is the “Pork Headquarters of the QCA”.