Illinois is famous for some fancy, award-winning restaurants. But some of our best food comes from places that are, well, far from ordinary. But they are all absolutely mouthwatering! Read on to see pictures of some stellar food from some unique restaurants in Illinois:

1. Blind Faith Cafe (Evanston)
Blind Faith Cafe, 525 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
Blind Faith Cafe/Facebook
Believe it or not, that's a vegetarian BBQ sandwich you're looking at. This cafe has been doing global-inspired, vegetarian food since the seventies. And it's awesome. This place will satisfy even the biggest carnivores. If you're looking for a cool restaurant in Illinois, look no further than the Blind Faith Cafe.
2. Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket (Willowbrook)
Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, 645 Joliet Rd, Willowbrook, IL 60527, USA
Cameron Wiegartz / Google Maps
You wouldn't think that the best fried chicken in Illinois would be in a suburb, but it is! They've been serving mouth-watering chicken on Route 66 since 1946. You have to check this place out if you haven't already. It's definitely one of the best restaurants in Illinois!
3. Nesler's Polar Whip (Herrin)
Nesler's Polar Whip, 100 W Johnson St, Energy, IL 62933, USA
Nesler's Polar Whip/Facebook
This place might not look like much, but the flat, juicy burgers have led many a guest to eat five in a sitting. The decor may mislead you, but this is one of the most unique restaurants in Illinois. The burgers are practically famous!
4. Bang Bang Pie & BIscuits (Chicago)
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, 2051 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Jonathan/Flickr
It's not your mama's pie. They have some of the more traditional sweet pies. But then they have some awesome savory ones, too. Like an avocado pie. Delicious. One of the more unique dining experiences in Illinois, but absolutely unforgettable!
5. Blue Springs Cafe (Highland)
Blue Springs Cafe, 3505 George St, Highland, IL 62249, USA
Blue Springs Cafe/Facebook
This great cafe serves some absolutely amazing pies, too. But they also serve your traditional down home fare. Everything is great. Did someone say delicious? It's got our vote for one of the best restaurants in Illinois.
6. BIG and little's (Chicago)
BIG & little's Restaurant, 1034 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
BIG and little's/Facebook
This small dive is serving up some huge flavors, like with this epic blue cheese burger. They have a few locations to meet your cravings. And their fries are pretty legendary, too, marking their spot as one of the coolest restaurants in Illinois.
7. 17th Street Barbecue (Murphysboro)
17th Street Barbecue, 2700 17th St, Marion, IL 62959, USA
17th Street Barbecue/Facebook
One of the nation's best barbecue places...in Illinois? Located near the very bottom of the state, 17th Street has become internationally renowned for their meats. It's no surprise this great spot makes our list of most unique restaurants in Ilinois.

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8. Abreo (Rockford)
Abreo, 515 E State St, Rockford, IL 61104, USA
Abreo Restaurant/Facebook
This place is as sophisticated as you'd expect to find in River North, Chicago. It's a fantastic wine bar with delectable small plates. The menu changes depending on the season. It's a gorgeous place to take someone special!
9. Gene & Jude's (Chicago)
Gene & Jude's, 2720 N River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171, USA
Gene & Jude's/Facebook
It's not complicated. Or fancy. It's just darn good. Get your dog with fries piled on TOP. Not just one of the best restaurants in Illinios, but one of the most iconic, too.
10. Basil's Greek Dining (Aurora)
Basil's Greek Dining, 4000 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, IL 60504, USA
Basils/Facebook
Who knew some of the best Greek food wasn't in Greektown but was instead in a suburb? Yes, it's at Basils, a fantastic restaurant that has phenomenal Greek food perfectly paired with wines. You can't go wrong here!
11. One World Cafe (Peoria)
One World, 1245 W Main St, Peoria, IL 61606, USA
One World Cafe/Facebook
On the outside, this place looks like a coffee shop. But they are serving up some superb food, like the sandwich pictured here. You can definitely get a baked good and coffee, but you'll be plenty satisfied if you get lunch here. We love this unique restaurant in Illinois.
12. D'Arcy's Pint (Springfield)
D'Arcy's Pint, 661 W Stanford Ave, Springfield, IL 62704, USA
D'Arcy's Pint/Facebook
If you're from Northern Illinois, chances are you don't know what a horseshoe is. Well, that's a horseshoe. You're welcome. D'Arcy's does one of the best horseshoes around these parts. But they also put out some pretty refined plates. Check them out. This Irish Pub is one of the most unique dining experiences in Illinois.
13. R-Place Family Eatery (Morris)
RPlace, 21 Romines Dr, Morris, IL 60450, USA
R-Place Family Eatery/Facebook
This restaurant has been a haven for truck drivers since 1967, but it's not your usual truck stop fare. The interior of the restaurant is a little quirky, including a puppet show for children. The bakery is really the star of the show here. It's so good, people have this at their weddings. One of the cool restaurants in Illinois that you can't miss.
14. Blue Sky Vineyard (Makanda)
Blue Sky Vineyard, 3150 S Rocky Comfort Rd, Makanda, IL 62958, USA
Blue Sky Vineyard/Flickr
There's a wonderful vineyard in Southern Illinois? What?! Yes, Blue Sky Vineyard offers their wines in a romantic setting. But they also serve some great food, like this dish seen here with a chocolate port sauce. This place is gorgeous, and easily takes home one of the title of best restaurants in Illinois.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Illinois? Did it make this list of unique restaurants in Illinois? Let us know in the comments.

Looking for more great places to dine? Check out these train-themed restaurants in Ilinois that everyone will love!

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Unique Restaurants In Illinois

Megan McDonald | January 27, 2023

What famous food is Illinois known for?

Illinois is known for a couple of different food items, including Chicago-style deep dish pizza, pumpkin pie, Italian beef sandwiches, and in the southern part of the state: its delicious barbecue! Some of our favorite places for barbecue in the state are:

 

What is Chicago famous for food?

Chicago is famous for deep-dish pizzas, the Chicago hot dog, the Italian Beef sandwich, Chicago-style barbecue, and of course the Jibarito sandwich. Some of our favorite Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas places in Illinois are:

 

What snack is Illinois known for?

Illinois is known for popcorn! Little known fact, the official snack food of Illinois is popcorn, to the delight of children all throughout the state. It was actually a class project in 2003 to make the state snack popcorn, and the second and third grade students from Cunningham Elementary School in Joliet, along with their teacher, Fran Hollister, succeeded!

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