$$ Giant City Lodge, Makanda, IL

460 Giant City Lodge Road

618-457-4921

I struggle defining my thoughts regarding dining at the Giant City Lodge. I’ve heard many folks that are not from the immediate area describe this place as the Holy Grail. I don’t know many locals who choose to eat there. Myself, it’s somewhere I go when family is in town because there is an emotional attachment (my grandfather worked building the lodge in the CCC days), and there no defining the beauty of the setting. I think the journey to and the surroundings around the lodge put flat landers in such a state of piece and awe that they’d brag about the porridge of out of any of the three bears bowls.

Not that the food is bad, it is not. For those who enjoy family style, all you can eat fried chicken this is a Mecca of comfort foods. Good fried chicken, dumplings, corn, mashed potatoes, green beans…you get the picture. They also have local buffalo on the menu for those who either really enjoy it or (and more likely) the tourist who want think they’re being adventurous by trying it. Most locals I know have no aversion to buffalo but wouldn’t spend the premium cost of eating it over when other area establishments serve a good beef steak meal at roughly half the price of a similar buffalo steak.

π π ½      Good food, family style a specialty, priced slightly higher than some other local restaurants.

π π π ½   Beautiful destination – so much it may be reason enough to go. A beautiful traditional log lodge within an equally scenic park.

$$ Midland Inn, Murphysboro, Ill

7570 Old Highway 13

618-529-9133

This is a great local treasure. Casual, serving a large variety of good food at fair prices are descriptions that best describe Midland Inn.

Midland Inn boasts their own smokehouse in the back of the restaurant. I think there are two schools in our area for favorite barbeque those at the Midland Inn and those across town at 17^th Street. I think both are good but probably give the nod to Midland Inn specifically because I don’t feel the present offering at 17^th Street comes close to what their 3 time World Champion billing would lead you to believe.

From burgers to barbeque, from fish to fowl and soup to nuts (OK, there may not be nut offerings but it fit the description) Midland Inn offers good food to locals who know of this location off the beaten path. Away from fast food and chain restaurants will satisfy and so much more pleasing.

π π π    Lots of stuff to choose from, all pretty well done

π π ½   Pub atmosphere, enough said, come for the food

$ Taqueria Pequena, Cobden, Il

107 East Market Street

618-893-1353

A wonderful little family run taqueria. This is not a Mexican restaurant but a taqueria where authentic Mexican style tacos, home made tamales and tortas are ordered from the counter then taken back to the tables in their new digs (was formally limited to 3 picnic tables outside under a tent/awning) in the former digs of “chicken Sunday” or otherwise known as the C-Infinity Center.

The steak (carne asada) tacos are my favorite. Each taco is served on a double stacked corn tortilla with the traditional cilantro and onion with a wedge of lime and a supply of green (verde) sauce. I find it no different than many of the taqueria’s I frequented while working in Central Mexico.

If your looking for table service, chips and salsa on the table or feel inclined to ask for a “crispy shell” taco this will NOT be the place for you.  If your enjoy experiencing cultures through a culinary experience – the “Little House of Tacos” will make your taste buds feel as if they’ve been transported to Mexico. Enjoy.

π π π    Simple, authentic food that is made well

π π ½   Missing the street presence of the old shack, now in comfortable indoor digs just around the corner