Stan's Restaurant Selections
In our travels around the state where I have given talks and done book signings, we make every effort to stop and eat at local in-town restaurants where there is inexpensive good food (often home-cooked) along with friendly people. We have found that this is one way to experience the best of Illinois. Based on our personal experiences, we are recommending the following restaurants in these small towns for you to savor and enjoy. Most of the time they are not fancy places, but you can be yourself and feel very comfortable while enjoying delicious food (often including homemade pies). See the real Illinois, support local economies and experience small-town dining! We doubt that you will be disappointed.
Arcola, Illinois
The Dutch Kitchen Restaurant
127 E. Main Street
Arcola 61910
(217) 268-3518
Arthur, Illinois
Yoder’s Kitchen
1195 E. Columbia
Arthur 61911
(217) 543-2714
Bloomington, Illinois
Epiphany Farms Restaurant
(Limited Menu, Organic Foods)
220 East Front Street
Bloomington 61701
(309) 828-2323
Chicago, Illinois
Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant and Bakery
565 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago 60661
(312) 427-3170
DeKalb, Illinois
The Junction Eating Place
816 West Lincoln Highway (IL 38)
DeKalb 60115
(815) 758-5441
Dwight, Illinois
Old Route 66 Family Restaurant
105 S. Old Route 66
Dwight 60420
(815) 584-2920
The Country Mansion
101 W. South Street
Dwight 60420
(800) 892-5969
Effingham, Illinois
Niemerg’s Steak House
1410 W. Fayette Avenue
Effingham 62401
(217) 342-3921
Flossmoor, Illinois
Flossmoor Station Restaurant
1035 Sterling Avenue
Flossmoor 60422
(708) 957-2739
Lincoln, Illinois
Bonanza Steakhouse (This is the only remaining Bonanza Steakhouse in Illinois.)
1121 Hickok Drive
Lincoln 62656
(217) 732-4022
Litchfield, Illinois
Ariston Café (Experience dining as it was during the heyday of the Mother Road.)
413 North Historic Route 66
Litchfield 62056
(217) 324-3510
Mt. Pulaski, Illinois
Farmers Family Restaurant
304 E. McDonald
Mount Pulaski 62548
(217) 792-3330
Oregon, Illinois
The Blackhawk Steak Pit
1429 N. IL Route 2
Oregon 61061
(815) 732-2500
Pontiac, Illinois
Bernardi’s II Restaurant
123 N. Mill Street
Pontiac 61764
(815) 842-1198
Old Log Cabin Restaurant
18700 Old Route 66
Pontiac 61764
(815) 842-2908
Sterling, Illinois
Candlelight Inn Restaurant
2907 N. Locust Street
Sterling 61081
(815) 625-2600
Utica, Illinois
Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
Main Dining Room
2668 East 875th Road
(Entrance off of IL 178)
Oglesby 61348
(815) 220-7321
Washington, Illinois
Washington Family Restaurant
1269 Peoria Street
Washington 61571
(309) 444-1690
Watseka, Illinois
Watseka Family Table Restaurant
101 N. Jefferson Street
Watseka 60970
(815) 432-2727