Illinois is home to a plethora of places to eat that would make any bucket list complete, but there are a few select must-try restaurants that should not be neglected. You’ll regret it if you do.
Locals have been keeping these amazing eateries in business for years. Scroll on to discover Illinois’ best.
- Jolane’s Cafe (Glenview)
Facebook/Jolane’s Cafe
Facebook/Jolane’s Cafe Enjoy fabulous scenes that will take your breath away at this wonderful restaurant. It is a great spot for special occasions and even serves as a wedding venue. Guests enjoy home-style cooking that is inspired by modern European cuisine and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Get more info here.
- 17th Street Barbecue (Murphysboro)
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Facebook/17th Street Barbecue For BBQ that can’t be beat, you must try this famous Illinois smokehouse. Best known for its ribs, the place also serves amazing pulled pork and bread pudding. It’s all in the “magic dust.” Get more info here.
- Firefly Grill (Effingham)
Facebook/Firefly Grill
Facebook/Firefly Grill In what appears to be a large barn or industrial building from the outside actually sits a down-home country restaurant that locals love deeply. It serves sophisticated versions of your favorite comfort foods and offers views you’ll have to see to believe. Get more info here.
- Port Edward (Algonquin)
Facebook/Port Edward
Facebook/Port Edward This is one of Illinois’ must-try restaurants because it lets you book private dining on a little boat. Regular seating is also nautical, and patrons can dine on a seafood feast of lobster, shrimp, mussels, crab, scallops, and several types of fish. Get more info here.
- Paddy Long’s Beer and Bacon Pub (Chicago)
Facebook/Paddy Long’s Beer and Bacon Pub
Facebook/Paddy Long’s Beer and Bacon Pub Bacon lovers unite for one of the most delicious must-try restaurants around. Patrons enjoy beer-battered bacon, bacon burgers, and the Bomb. This gargantuan delicacy is five pounds of ground sausage wrapped in a brown sugar bacon weave and then slow cooked. Get more info here.
- The Original White Fence Farm Restaurant (Romeoville)
Facebook/The Original White Fence Farm Restaurant
Facebook/The Original White Fence Farm Restaurant Loved for its famous fried chicken, this farm-style eatery is quintessentially Illinois. It began back in the 1920s and is so well-known that it has appeared on TV networks. Get more info here.
- Moonshine Store (Moonshine)
Facebook/Moonshine Store
Facebook/Moonshine Store This incredible burger place was founded in 1912 and is literally located in the middle of nowhere. Fans come from far and wide, and you can be sure you’ll be addicted after one taste. Get more info here.
- Yoder’s Kitchen (Arcola)
Facebook/Yoder’s Kitchen
Facebook/Yoder’s Kitchen Enjoy comfort food in the best way at this Amish-style restaurant. Offering both a lunch and dinner buffet, you may go into a food coma trying to taste everything on display. Get more info here.
- Spoonies Bar & Grill (London Mills)
Facebook/Spoonies Bar & Grill
Facebook/Spoonies Bar & Grill This place is best known for its huge tenderloins. Every true midwesterner has had one of these puppies. Gigantic tenderloins are a staple to our way of life, and this is one of the best little hole-in-the-wall bars to find one. Get more info here.
- Warsaw Inn (Lynwood)
Google Maps
Facebook/Warsaw Inn This all-you-can-eat paradise features both American and Polish comfort favorites that will remind you of home. It is a perfect place for loved ones to gather anytime. Get more info here.
For more great places to eat, check out 11 themed restaurants around Illinois that will heighten your dining experience.
Facebook/Jolane’s Cafe
Enjoy fabulous scenes that will take your breath away at this wonderful restaurant. It is a great spot for special occasions and even serves as a wedding venue. Guests enjoy home-style cooking that is inspired by modern European cuisine and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Get more info here.
Facebook/17th Street Barbecue
For BBQ that can’t be beat, you must try this famous Illinois smokehouse. Best known for its ribs, the place also serves amazing pulled pork and bread pudding. It’s all in the “magic dust.” Get more info here.
Facebook/Firefly Grill
In what appears to be a large barn or industrial building from the outside actually sits a down-home country restaurant that locals love deeply. It serves sophisticated versions of your favorite comfort foods and offers views you’ll have to see to believe. Get more info here.
Facebook/Port Edward
This is one of Illinois’ must-try restaurants because it lets you book private dining on a little boat. Regular seating is also nautical, and patrons can dine on a seafood feast of lobster, shrimp, mussels, crab, scallops, and several types of fish. Get more info here.
Facebook/Paddy Long’s Beer and Bacon Pub
Bacon lovers unite for one of the most delicious must-try restaurants around. Patrons enjoy beer-battered bacon, bacon burgers, and the Bomb. This gargantuan delicacy is five pounds of ground sausage wrapped in a brown sugar bacon weave and then slow cooked. Get more info here.
Facebook/The Original White Fence Farm Restaurant
Loved for its famous fried chicken, this farm-style eatery is quintessentially Illinois. It began back in the 1920s and is so well-known that it has appeared on TV networks. Get more info here.
Facebook/Moonshine Store
This incredible burger place was founded in 1912 and is literally located in the middle of nowhere. Fans come from far and wide, and you can be sure you’ll be addicted after one taste. Get more info here.
Facebook/Yoder’s Kitchen
Enjoy comfort food in the best way at this Amish-style restaurant. Offering both a lunch and dinner buffet, you may go into a food coma trying to taste everything on display. Get more info here.
Facebook/Spoonies Bar & Grill
This place is best known for its huge tenderloins. Every true midwesterner has had one of these puppies. Gigantic tenderloins are a staple to our way of life, and this is one of the best little hole-in-the-wall bars to find one. Get more info here.
Google Maps
Facebook/Warsaw Inn
This all-you-can-eat paradise features both American and Polish comfort favorites that will remind you of home. It is a perfect place for loved ones to gather anytime. Get more info here.
Which of these must-try restaurants do you frequent? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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