7 Small Town Steakhouses In Illinois That Are Totally Worth The Trip
If you don’t mind driving to a remote part of the state for a fantastic bite to eat, you’ll find some of the best steakhouses in Illinois. Each offers a community atmosphere, no frills, and big portions of delicious food.
Meat eaters unite for some of the best restaurants in Illinois. Scroll on to check them out.
Located in the small town of Cobden, which is tucked away into the Shawnee National Forest, this spot is a rustic roadhouse with a sports bar theme. One of the best steakhouses in Illinois, it features excellent indoor and outdoor seating as well as both steaks and BBQ. Learn more about visiting Blue Boar Restaurant & Bar.
Blue Boar Restaurant & Bar, 920 Kratzinger Hollow Rd, Cobden, IL 62920, USA
When it comes to the best restaurants in Illinois, this award-winning one is a real standout. There is upstairs and downstairs seating and a top-notch menu that will please even the pickiest eater. Guests can enjoy prime rib, ribeye, filet mignon, sirloin, porterhouse steaks, and more. Find out more about Mascoutah Steak House.
Mascoutah Steak House, 1415 Mc Kinley St, Mascoutah, IL 62258, USA
Editor's note: Unfortunately, this restaurant is permanently closed.
A popular place for locals to dine, this remote steakhouse is known for its laid-back atmosphere and excellent, homemade food. If you're anywhere near southern Illinois, you'll want to stop in for steaks, burgers, tenderloins, horseshoe sandwiches, and other comfort food dishes. This place is located in the little-known town of Standard City and has breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours. Click here for more details.
A popular place for locals to dine, this remote steakhouse is known for its laid-back atmosphere and excellent, homemade food. If you're anywhere near southern Illinois, you'll want to stop in for steaks, burgers, tenderloins, horseshoe sandwiches, and other comfort food dishes. This place is located in the little-known town of Standard City and has breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours. Click here for more details.
For more than 20 years, this Illinois steakhouse has been serving the people of Litchfield. It is known for its buffet, steaks, and other gourmet meals. Find out more about what dining at Maverick Steaks & Spirits is like.
Maverick Steaks & Spirits, 201 Ohren Dr, Litchfield, IL 62056, USA
Known for hand-cut steaks, one-pound burgers, and homemade desserts, this remote restaurant has a long history. Menu items here at one of the best steakhouses in Illinois include New York strip, ribeye, filet mignon, tenderloins, seafood, appetizers, and more. Learn more at the Facebook page for Nuby's Steakhouse.
Nuby's Steakhouse, 679 Old National Trail, Pocahontas, IL 62275, USA
When it comes to small-town steakhouses, this one might be in the tiniest village of all. It is a bar and grill that does steaks, pizzas, fried fish, BBQ, and so much more. Enjoy both indoor and charming outdoor seating at this marvelous place. Read more about Picco's Pit BBQ and Steak House, one of the best restaurants in Illinois.
Picco's Pit Bar-B-Que & Steakhouse, 310 W Division St, Norris, IL 61553, USA
This simple downtown eatery and local watering hole has wonderful food and drinks. Filet mignon, ribeye, prime rib, brisket, pork chops, burgers, pasta, sandwiches, fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, fried pickles, shrimp cocktails, soups, salads, and so much more grace the menu. Drink specials on wine and desserts make any night special at this Illinois steakhouse. Head to the Facebook page for Tailwinds Steakhouse to learn more.
Tailwinds Steakhouse, 200 E South 2nd St, Findlay, IL 62534, USA
Known for its good food, friendly service, and rustic atmosphere, this is one of the best steakhouses in Illinois if you love large portions. Each meal comes with Texas toast, your choice of a side, and an unlimited salad bar. Guests enjoy ribeye, t-bone, and filet mignon, as well as pork and poultry dishes. Learn more from the Facebook page for Sam's Steakhouse.
Sam's Steakhouse, 105 W Trefz Dr, Marshall, IL 62441, USA
What are your favorite Illinois steakhouses? Share them with us in the comments below!
If you want to explore Illinois and its lovely towns, check out these 10 small downtowns in Illinois.
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The Best of Illinois
May 12, 2023
What are the best hotels in Illinois?
Want to stay a night in the Prairie State? After you have dined at some of the best steakhouses in Illinois, consider staying at some of the best hotels in Illinois:
- Inn at 835 Boutique Hotel: Located in Springfield, this hotel only has 11 rooms and two suites, all decorated in an early 20th-century style. And the city is full of historic sites to take in like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
- Ten-Acre Treehouse: Located in Nauvoo, this hotel is actually a treehouse within a peaceful wooded area. Enjoy such lovely amenities as a wraparound deck and outdoor shower.
- The Steamboat House: Located in historic Galena, this bed and breakfast has five rooms to choose from. There is also a library, formal dining room, garden, gazebo, and wraparound front porch to relax in.
Where can I dine at themed restaurants in Illinois?
Jazz up a boring old night out by heading to some of these themed restaurants in Illinois:
- The 50s Diner: If you love the 1950s, get to this eatery in Peoria. Grab a loosey sandwich, burger, breakfast item, or one of their many other delicious dishes. Just be sure to wash it down with one of their signature milkshakes.
- Westwoods Lodge: This lodge in Springfield has a hunting theme, from the decor to the menu. Try the yeti, moose tracks, a campfire soup, or one of their many other interesting menu items.
- Ragin Cajun Piano Bar: If you love Mardi Gras, head to this spot in Alton, as they celebrate it all year long. Not to mention the fun when they are running the dueling pianos.
Where can I find unique shopping destinations in Illinois?
If you’ve got some extra money to burn, check out some of these unique shopping destinations in Illinois:
- Champaign County: Located in the East Central part of the state, here you’ll find such unique stores like Cinema Gallery, a fine art gallery, Circles Boutique for clothing, and Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade craft and housewares store.
- Bloomington-Normal: This area offers up some fun stores that you might be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Grab new and used books at Bobzbay, browse CDs at Waiting Room Records, grab some new cookware at The Garlic Press, or home decor at Jeffrey Alan's.
- Effingham: Head to this city to peruse the wares of several interesting stores. Stop by Downtown Popcorn Co. for specialty popcorn, America’s Groove Record Store for vinyls, and Red Thread Boutique for women's clothing.
