These restaurants will be busy. So, if a place runs out toward the end of a shift, take it like a pro: go back the next day, try an earlier time, order your pony shoe, and thank them for working their butts off to do this for you.

​Please be nice to our restaurants and their staff.

See #1 above. Don’t be surprised if restaurants have waits. In fact, be surprised if they don’t.

$5 brings out the cheap in all of us, but really, you’re getting a $10-$15 shoe (many restaurants go way overboard with ingredients, trying to outdo each other), so please tip at least 20%. We expect the people who are serving you are working harder during Pony Shoe Week than at any other point in the year. A kind word will also be welcome—these people are your friends and neighbors.

While extra purchases are not a requirement, we think it says something good about you if you show a little love to a restaurant going above and beyond to bring you an awesome pony shoe. Enjoy a Coors Light or Woodford Reserve cocktail at locations offering alcoholic drinks. Take a friend (or two or three), even if they are not pony shoe or coinsurer of cheese sauce. These restaurants will still offer their regular menu items. You’ll enjoy yourself more with friends, anyway. 

Restaurants are encouraged to post their waits and remaining “shoes” for the day. For links to restaurants, go to “The Participating Locations” page and click on each restaurant pony shoe photo. Also, check Instagram & Twitter #217FoodWeek.

Illinois Times loves pony shoes so much we’re celebrating with great giveaways! 217 Pony Week is a social affair so we’ll reward notable #217FoodWeek social sharers with cool gifts. Tag us socially for a chance to win!

Twitter: @217FoodWeek
Instagram: 217FOODWEEK
Facebook: 217 Food Week

Prize to be determined. Stay tuned!