There’s a jail restaurant in Woodstock, Illinois that used to be used for both sentencing and housing criminals in McHenry County. Today, it is a charming place to eat that is preserved for its history. Check it out:

Public House of Woodstock in northern Illinois was originally known as the Old McHenry County Courthouse in which a jail was built in 1887. The whole thing was constructed in 1857 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock
Situated on the historic square of the downtown block of Woodstock, this building is now a restaurant with lovely indoor and outdoor seating.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock
The meals you'll find at this jail restaurant far surpass those that were likely served to the prisoners who were kept here long ago. Lunch and dinner favorites abound with breakfast served on Sunday.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock

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On Sundays, guests can enjoy morning meal classics as well as special takes on the classics such as Crab Cake Benedict, Banana Pancakes, Seafood Omelet, Schnitzel and Waffle, and more.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock
Other menu items include soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, steak, seafood, burgers, pizza, and appetizers like wings, quesadillas, and more.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock
Other specific menu items include shrimp Alfredo, fajitas, fish tacos, pulled pork sandwich, lobster cobb salad, and buffalo chicken ranch wrap.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock
Enjoy a marvelous downtown setting and a wealth of history when you dine at this jail restaurant for any meal. Everything is made fresh-to-order.
Facebook/Public House of Woodstock

Public House of Woodstock is open Monday through Thursday between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., as well as Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. Get more details on its website or Facebook page.

For more like this, check out 11 of the oldest restaurants in Illinois.

If you’ve ever been to this jail restaurant, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.

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101 N Johnson St, Woodstock, IL 60098, USA