'The best feeling a mom can have': Mother-son team operates this Peoria restaurant

Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star

May 11, 2024 at 6:19 PM·6 min read

In some ways, building up a business is like raising a child.

MaryBeth Milburn would know. A mother and a grandmother herself, she opened MD’s Sports Bar and Grill in May 2017 with her family.

“You've got to nurture it and coddle it and develop and help grow (it),” she said, “and help its future existence by teaching everything you're doing.”

There have been challenges to navigate along the way, Milburn said, as well as valuable lessons learned. Over the years, she said the business fostered close friendships and created a sense of family with others in the restaurant industry.

Most importantly, Milburn said the experience has allowed her to work alongside her son, Dan Gilfillan, to create a legacy that he can one day carry on.

A look back: MD's stands for family at new Peoria sports bar

‘We did it’

MaryBeth Milburn, left, and her son Dan Gilfillan started MD's Sports Bar and Grill, 7719 N. University Street in Peoria, in 2017.

Milburn boasted a long history in the food industry before opening MD’s – having spent more than 40 years in various roles. Gilfillan, she said, brought around a decade of his own experience.

Even so, learning to effectively navigate the added responsibilities and demands of owning a business took time. Milburn said various tasks have become easier to complete since then, and the business has “streamlined” various aspects of operation.

When MD’s opened, Milburn said the biggest question was: “Can we make it?”

She said good food and customer support are not the only things which restaurants need to be successful. New businesses must also strike a good balance between costs and menu prices.

“If you don't have anything left to make a profit … there's no point in being in business,” she said.

Milburn recalled others telling her that it takes years for new businesses to become profitable. She remembers celebrating with Dan when MD’s reached that crucial milestone.

“We did a shot behind the bar together and was like, 'We did it,’” Milburn said. “I mean, we had customers. We paid our bills and there's still money in checking, so we made a profit this month. I mean, and that's a big thing.”

MD’s faced other challenges over the years, as well, such as navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back, Milburn said owning and operating MD’s has taught her to not fear change – to be open to adapting and trying new things. At the same time, she said it is alright if something doesn’t work out.

“Trial and error is your best friend,” she said.

Along with this, Milburn said she has learned to not “sweat the little things … This too shall pass, my mom used to always say.”

More: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for March

‘The best feeling a mom can have’

A plaque featuring a Journal Star story on MD's Sports Bar and Grill hangs on a wall at the popular tavern on N. University in Peoria.

Working alongside family can be its own challenge at times.

Milburn and Gilfillan said there are days where they may disagree or fight. Yet, arguments are always resolved, and Gilfillan said the experience is “still rewarding and fun.”

What that, Milburn can agree.

“There's moments that we love each other even more and say, ‘I'm so glad I'm doing this with you,’ and that's a good thing – that’s the best feeling a mom can have, for sure,” Milburn said. “And then I know sometimes he won't say it, but I know he loves doing what he's doing and he's doing it with mom.”

Milburn said they have learned how to find middle ground and give each other space. Seven years after opening, the mother-son team do not always need to be at the restaurant together.

Even when only one of them is present, however, both are represented in the business’s name.

Milburn tells customers: “It's MD’s for mom and Dan.”

Treat mom this Mother's Day: Here's a long list of local restaurants serving brunch

‘Like one big family’

MD's Sports Bar and Grill at 7719 N. University Street in Peoria.

Many of those who work in the restaurant industry have also become like family.

“The food and beverages industry as a whole is like one big family divided into like 150 houses,” she said. “So that's kind of nice because you can always rely on others in the industry.”

Along with this, Milburn said she and Gilfillan have formed close friendships with patrons at MD’s.

A local band that performs at the business traveled to Colorado for Gilfillan’s wedding, and Milburn said one customer has become a dear friend.

“Thank God I had the bar,” Milburn said, “because she's been a rock for me.”

Other customers include a family which visits each week, and she said the children want to go to MD’s for their birthday, as well. She said a group of golfers also regularly stop by after their games.

The goal, Milburn said, is to “welcome everyone.”

Milburn said she and staff members know what is happening in their customers’ lives and take notice when regular patrons do not show up.

“You want to know that they're okay because you have built a camaraderie and a friendship and a connection with them,” she said.

Many people supported MD’s over the years, so now, Milburn said the business works to give back to the community.

Customers can earn points through Clover rewards to redeem later, and Milburn said patrons redeemed roughly $15,000 in 2023. The business has also hosted fundraisers and found other ways to support the community.

'Well worth the wait': Peoria lounge opens as father-son team navigates challenges

‘If you don’t have family, this isn’t worth anything’

Co-owner and bartender Dan Gilfillan works behind the bar at MD's Sports Bar and Grill on N. University in Peoria.

MD's Sports Bar & Grill will be closed on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – which fall on May 12 and June 16, respectively. Milburn said she is looking forward to spending both days with her family.

“If you don't have family, this isn't worth anything …” Milburn said. “I mean, you’d just (be) working your life away and I don't want to do that.”

In fact, when asked about plans for the next seven years, Milburn said she wants to eventually retire and pass the reins to Gilfillan. She said she will still be there if he needs help, of course, but added, “he does great now.”

Milburn said she hopes MD’s will continue to succeed and grow. If Gilfillan ever decides to move past the restaurant, she said the business could act as “a little gold mine to sell down the road and go (on) some other adventure.”

Yet, Milburn hopes MD’s becomes a legacy which will be passed on to future generations.

“I hope it works for him, and he likes it, and he can make it work and I think he will,” Milburn said. “I have a feeling that I'll be watching – years and years and years from now – from Heavens up above and be like, ‘I helped him start that.’”

'A huge joy': Longtime ice cream shop owners revive Morton business