Sponsors Restaurant Opens In Huntley

Restaurateur Kara Simpson's what you call a hands-on businesswoman.  With partner Scott Sharp and a cast of, if not thousands, at least more than a dozen, Simpson remodeled Huntley's former Del Toros Restaurant into Sponsors Bar & Grill in time for Friday's opening.  For one thing, Sponsors is more spacious than Del Toros.  "I knocked down the wall myself," said the petite Simpson.  "With a sledgehammer.  My shoulders still hurt."

Opening day patrons gave the restaurant good reviews.  Huntley resident Mike Strasser and family were working their way through a pile of chicken wings.  "They're a little bit bigger than Buffalo Wild Wings," he said.

A Sun City couple feasting on broiled cod said, "The food is great."  The pair who identified themselves as "The Anonymouses", thought, "The prices are on the high side," though.

Nah, said Norman and Bonnie Jones, with burger and pulled pork baskets respectively.  They thought Sponsors offered good value for the money.  "Oh, yeah," said Norman.  "We'll be back."

In the pic:  Co-owner Kara Simpson was moving fast Friday to keep up with opening day business at Sponsors Bar & Grill in Huntley.