Enjoy Fair Foods Nearly Year-Round At This Unique Illinois Restaurant
By Linze Rice|Published March 31, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
When a festival comes to town, one thing is for sure: The food is going to be great. Great for you? No. But great nonetheless. These are the foods you eat when memories are made, be it going to a carnival with your family or grabbing some sustenence at a music festival. But this one-of-a-kind carnival foods restaurant in Decatur, Illinois keeps the deep-fried fun going nearly year-round.
The Tornado Truck, 1355 IL Rt 48, is a food truck in the Colonial Mall parking lot specializing in classic festival quick bites and carnival food favorites. The restaurant on wheels is open most of the year, but closes between late fall and spring.
It wouldn't be festival fare without some shaved ice! Flavors range from classics like blue raspberry, grape, strawberry, orange, and watermelon — to more festive flavors like Sweet Pickle, Tiger's Blood, wedding cake, and cotton candy.
Pro tip: Add a scoop of ice cream on top to give it a cold, creamy twist! And if shaved ice isn't your thing, they also sell mouthwatering Lemon Shake-ups.
Of course, you should definitely try the restaurant's namesake item: The Tornado Potato, a thin-sliced potato deep-fried with a perfectly balanced softness and crispiness. They're great plain, but cheese makes everything better.
But only the real ones know to go for the Tornado Nachos, which combines the cheesy Tornado Potato slices with Italian beef, mozzarella cheese, peppers, and spicy giardiniera.
The fried corn fritters offer a mix of sweet and savory, finding that sweet spot between dessert, appetizer, and snack. Definitely go for a dip in the honey with these bad boys.
Would you eat at this carnival foods restaurant in Decatur, Illinois? What’s your go-to festival snack? Tell us in the comments! Start conjuring up your drool-worthy order now by visiting The Tornado Truck’s Facebook page. While you’re in Decatur, be sure to check out this super creepy cemetery (if you dare). Or, if you’re up for a less-creepy, but still thrilling, adventure, spend some time at Overlook Adventure Park!
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