10 Countryside Restaurants In Illinois That Are Almost Too Good To Be True
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
A peaceful drive to the countryside for an excellent meal is somewhat of an Illinois pastime. These 10 remote, down-home eateries make us nostalgic for a simpler time before cell phones were in every hand and coffee shops were on every street.
If it’s good enough to survive out in the middle of nowhere, then you know it has to be one incredible restaurant. Keep scrolling for a peek at some of Illinois’ best cooking and where in the country it can be found.
For the freshest pizza around, locals dine at this seasonal restaurant nestled in a picturesque farm community. The pies are wood fired and topped with unique and authentic ingredients. Dine on picnic tables or bring your own blanket to camp out on the ground and enjoy whatever entertainment is scheduled for the night.
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Once an operational dairy farm, this family owned restaurant is known for its comfort food. You can get all your favorites from fried chicken and fish to breakfast items on the Sunday brunch buffet. This lovely place to eat sits in a curve of the Fox River and, like any farm, is riddled with animals to watch.
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Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this countryside restaurant serves diner-style dishes you'll crave time and again. This place is so much more than a restaurant though. It is also the largest family-owned pick-your-own orchard in America, and it also has a general store where you can purchase meat, cheeses, fruit, wine, and other specialty food and gifts.
A diamond in the rough, this wonderful eatery out in the middle of nowhere in Illinois offers amazing views as good as its food. Guests sit near windows overlooking a pond with a fountain while enjoying sophisticated takes on comfort dishes. We recommend the fried chicken and waffles.
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Since 1912, Illinoisans (and even out-of-staters) have been flocking to this restaurant for the best burgers in the land. Though it has a Martinsville address, it is actually in the town of Moonshine - and it is the only building in the town. Known by locals as "a wide spot in the road," this countryside restaurant is only open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., so get in quick.
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Casey is home to many wonders, and one is definitely this remote restaurant set in a barn. It was built in the 1930s and used to hold grain and livestock before closing down and reopening as a restaurant in the 1970s. Dining is buffet-style or individual service, and you'll find all your down-home country favorites from mashed potatoes to pie.
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Not far from Galena on Apple Canyon Lake sits a remote waterfront restaurant. Locals and newcomers alike come for the incredible menu but stay for the gorgeous views. Patrons can get pizza, wraps, sandwiches, tacos, and many other delicious dishes here. Sit by the window or out on the patio to enjoy a peaceful meal like none other.
Serving what might be Illinois' best fried chicken, this restaurant operates out of a working farm. Locals also love the fish, steak, corn fritters, kidney bean salad, and coleslaw. After your meal, walk the grounds and meet the critters living at the petting zoo.
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Way off the beaten path, this log cabin-style restaurant is fun to dine at anytime of year. The interior is cozy and rustic while the outdoor seating is very green and leafy. It serves American-style comfort food and even has an award-winning buffet you don't want to miss.
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This family-run restaurant is situated near the heart of Illinois' Amish country. It is a buffet-style restaurant that has all the homemade favorites you'd expect from meatloaf to donuts. There is also a bakery and gift shop selling pastries, jams, jewelry, and greeting cards.
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If you love going out to the country, check out these 10 images of countryside life in Illinois.
Have you ever been to one of these restaurants? Share your experiences and photos with us!
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