#4 Main Street
618-893-1634
The Root Beer Saloon may be the most unique dining destination we’ve reviewed. I’d post the hours, but they seem to be open when they feel like it, and close up show when they have other plans. Generally they’re open for lunch. The restaurant seats relatively few so large groups are ill advised to show up unannounced. No credit cards accepted.
When they are open it was our experience that it takes the husband and wife proprietor a while to warm, but once they do they are plethora of information subjects ranging from custom guitar building (If you come in with an extra $6000 or so in your pocket you might want to pick up one of the curly maple Zuni Custom guitars built by Michael Blank the owner). The food is unique and ever changing. I was doubly surprised to find cioppino on one of my visits, first to find it anywhere outside the San Francisco area (much less Southern Illinois), and secondly then to find it was pretty good. Herbed pork loin was another dish we tried that was good. There are two alluring factors to this place (1) the craziness of the décor which includes 175 sets of antlers and 150+ mounted ducks and geese and too many other artifacts to mention and (2) the food is anything but basic fare and totally unexpected and generally done well.
Oh yeah, the root beer saloon is so named because they have at least 3 craft / draft root beer selections – if you haven’t had a frost mug of draft root beer you don’t know what you’re missing.
π π π Surprising menus, a solid 3 pi (good/B) rating.
π π π You’ll remember the very unique setting, hit and miss with the service.
Don't forget, they don't have a bathroom. Nor is there a public restroom in Alto Pass. And no free water. If you want water, you have to buy bottled.
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