$$$ Koko’s at Kokopelli, Marion , Il

1401 Champions Drive

618-997-5656

What would your expectation be upon hearing that a consortium of prominent investors which include the owners of Mary’s acclaimed restaurant in Herrin had opened a restaurant within Marion’s exclusive Kokopelli neighborhood? Mismanaged, disaster and almost empty on a Saturday night might not have come to mind but are in fact accurate descriptions of our January 29^th dining experience there.

A sterile décor reminiscent of the dining area in an assisted living community, a bar cart on wheels sans limes or a bartender with a repertoire that must be limited to the number of digits on his/her hands, and a menu that has a grand total of 4 entrees and a sandwich (2 steak cuts, one chicken and one fish plus a cheeseburger) made this restaurant the most disappointing experience of any restaurant I’ve reviewed.

The experience started off on the wrong foot when our party arrived at the traditional front door (the one with the bright neon “OPEN” sign) only to find the path beyond it blocked by a dumpster and the door locked. Somehow in our after sunset sojourn we had missed the marker-on-poster sign pointing to the restaurant. Upon finding the door we entered the dining room that had three occupied tables (this was 7PM on a Saturday night). The menu choices did not meet the special dietary choices my significant other practices so, being the gamer she is, she cheerfully ordered two side salads since the menu did not contain an entrée salad choice. Management for reasons that still escape me, decided they would not sell a salad to us – much less two. At this point, we had pretty much reached our breaking point and focused discussion on where we might go for dessert. 
The steak I ordered was no better, and perhaps not as good, as other area establishments have for half the Koko’s price was no surprise.

If you are a Top 20 card patron you’ll notice that Koko’s is a participating restaurant. My advice is leave that square unused and get a better meal with far wider choices somewhere such as Midland Inn for the same price you would spend at KoKo’s utilizing the card.  

 π  Just can’t recommend the experience

 π  Just can’t recommend the food

$$ Cummare's Murphysboro, Ill

1603 Chestnut Street
618-687-3700
The Galati family has been in the restaurant business for three generations. The menu features authentic Italian cuisine featuring homemade sauces used in the lasagna and spaghetti, along with pizza dough and alfredo sauces, all made from recipes that have been in the family for years....as quoted from their website.

Our groups visit in early January 2010 found the food enjoyable and without cause to doubt the authenticity of thier posting. Subject to quite a rush on weekends (we were there on a Saturday night), it can be quite crowed with little room between the tables but my guess is the people who come are largely "in the know" and find the food worth enduring somewhat cramped conditions. The variety of pasta dishes were ordered and the table was satisfied, a little heavy on the red pepper on the nights pasta special, but overall very satisfied.

Although a family run business, it requires outside staff as well. Therein lies the most noticable room for improvement, the staff while friendly and prompt failed to offer a dessert offering, coffee or after dinner apertiff leaving the associated profits in our pockets. And I hear the tiramisu is fantastic!


For those living in the jackson County area, they'd be hard pressed to find a better choice to satisfy a craving for a pasta dinner.

π π π pi’s for the the flavorful     Foods

π π π pi’s for the atmosphere and service