Thanksgiving Eve tends to be popular at taverns, and Timothy O’Toole’s Pub is looking to draw people to the sports bar by bringing back an eating competition.
For the first time since 2019, Turkey Testicle Festival takes place Nov. 22 at Timothy O’Toole’s Pub branches including Libertyville and Gurnee.
“It felt like the right time to get back to doing all the fun contests and promotional things we’ve always done,” said Sara McKinnon who owns O’Toole’s Pub Group with her husband, Humberto “Junior” Martinez Jr.
The contest, which was paused during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic and did not take place in 2022 due to a shortage of turkey testicles, debuted circa 2011 at Timothy O’Toole’s Pub after McKinnon heard about the deep-fried delicacy.
“Our first year, no one had ever heard of such a crazy thing. We had people sign up for the contest. It was a success and hilarious to watch everybody get a kick out of these little turkey testicles,” said McKinnon of Long Grove.
According to McKinnon, approximately 15 people typically register to compete in Turkey Testicle Festival at each participating Timothy O’Toole’s Pub, which is also home to the year-round, non-timed, burger-eating Big Timmy Challenge featured on Season Five of the Travel Channel show “Man v. Food” in 2017.
“We do a flour combination with cornmeal, garlic powder and a little Louisiana Hot Sauce. Then we deep-fry them,” she explained about how the turkey testicles are prepared.
“Each participant is presented with a pound. (Turkey testicles) are pretty small so a pound of them is usually between 16 and 20 (pieces). With that they get a couple of dipping sauces so a ranch dressing and also a buffalo wing sauce they can dip (the turkey testicles) in.
“Whoever completes eating them in the fastest time is the winner. The person that wins get an O’Toole’s swag bag with a bunch of great giveaway items, including a gift card. They can use the gift card toward future purchases and, of course, there will be drink specials all night long.”
“We have always had (the festival) on Black Wednesday. It’s a night people like to go out,” McKinnon said.
“The night before Thanksgiving, people are always very festive. Friends who haven’t seen one another in sometime are gathering and out to have fun.”
Turkey Testicle Festival
When: 9:30 p.m. Nov. 22
Where: Timothy O’Toole’s Pub, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; and 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee
Tickets: free
Information: 847-984-2599 and 847-249-0800; timothyotooles.com
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Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.