MD's stands for family at new Peoria sports bar

PEORIA — MaryBeth Milburn remembers her first date. It was at a Pizza Hut on North University Street, and it did not go well.

“I called my mom to come and pick me up. I didn’t like him,” she said of the young man. “He kept trying to hold my hand when I was eating pizza.”

MaryBeth was 16 then, and she’s 59 now. Over the years that Pizza Hut has gone through numerous name changes. Today it’s MD’s Sports Bar & Grill, and she is the owner.

“This is the first bar I’ve ever owned," she said.

She was not exactly idle before opening MD’s almost a year ago. She has spent more than 30 years in the food and beverage industry. In the 1990s, when her last name was Gilfillan, she managed Bleacher's Sports Bar & Grill and the Raintree Restaurant at the Holiday Inn City Centre.

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Her work history includes time at Par-A-Dice, and her last job before opening MD’s last year was director of operations for Professional Sports Catering, the food service provider for the Peoria Chiefs.

“I never thought of myself as a job hopper, but something always came up that was interesting. I wanted to make it bigger, better, brighter,” she said.

MD’s is brightened with the help of 13 TVs (one outside), interactive juke boxes, video gambling machines and a Golden Tee golf game. Customers also can play pool and darts. A beer garden is outside.

The menu features hearty fare such as Philly cheesesteak, jumbo wings, pulled pork, Reuben sandwiches, Italian beef, wraps, pizza and a “stacked” burger. Breakfast is available Saturday and Sunday.

An MD’s favorite is “Comeback Sauce,” a mayonnaise-based condiment that got its name when a customer called it the "keep them coming back sauce," MaryBeth said.

As for the recipe, “I stole it from Paula Dean, but I tweaked it, so she can’t sue me,” she said with a smile.

MD’s Facebook page is a feast for eyes looking for food and drink, but also includes videos and pictures showcasing local musicians whom MaryBeth encourages to perform there.

“There are a lot of people who want to play but they play at the same place every week,” MaryBeth said. “They are good at what they do. They’re just not getting enough exposure. This gives them another outlet for some people to hear them and what they have to offer.”

MD’s opened May 5, 2017, replacing Big Behm’s Sports Bar, and MaryBeth is clearly proud of the effort her family has put into getting the business up and running.

MD’s Facebook page says it has won two Heart of Illinois hospitality awards, for Best Casual Dining and Newcomer of the Year.

Dan Gilfillan, 31, worked at Big Behm’s and told his mother and stepfather, Cass Milburn, a Mitsubishi retiree, that it was for sale.

Now Dan is the bar and video gaming manager and “owner in training.”

“You’re a people person anyway,” MaryBeth told him. “You have the gift of gab, just like your mom.”

She is the M and Dan is the D in MD’s. Cass is also represented in the name.

“I always say my husband is the apostrophe,” she said. “He keeps us all together.”

MaryBeth said MD’s attracts a wide range of customers, including young people, retirees, golfers, employees of other restaurants, and more.

MD’s Facebook page and connections from her previous jobs have helped spread the word, she said. “All the places I’ve worked, that brings people in.”

“Everyone is welcome,” she said, but added that civility is important.

“We don’t put up with rude, crude or lewd,” she said.

As a food and beverage industry veteran, MaryBeth is used to the work and long hours needed to run a restaurant.

“This is like giving birth to a child.” she said. “If you don’t take care of it, nurture it, coddle it, it will fall apart. I don’t see that happening.”

Dan doesn’t see himself going anywhere else. “I plan on being here as long as I can, unless somebody wants to give me a lot of money when I get it,” he said.

MaryBeth said there will be no more restaurants for her after MD’s.

“This is my last hurrah. I enjoy working with my son. This is where I draw the line,” she said. “This is my dream, this is my passion.”

Brad Erickson can be reached at 686-3059 and berickson@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bradrickson.