120 E. Walnut St
618-942-3394
Louie’s P&K is an interesting and historic Herrin institution. It’s part Italian market, part butcher shop and part delicatessen. Known for making their own Italian sausage and “salameat” they have a loyal following for both retail meats/sausages and their lunch time sandwiches. With the good fortune of being within walking distance of the Herrin hospital that supplies a steady stream of staff for lunch(location, location, location) this downtown establishment thrives providing a limited but unique and authentic menu with a heaping helping of friendliness and service. A recommended “must see” in the area.
π π π Fresh meat sandwiches served from their own butcher shop.
π π π ½ A friendly family atmosphere, Italian specialty items in the small market section.
$ Chucks BBQ, Herrin IL
1420 South Park Ave
618-986-6566
My trip into Chucks BBQ in Herrin last month started with a brief discussion with the manager on duty, “I’ll have whatever you think is sensational, and something you’re known for”. After the cursory “everything is good here” baby back ribs were selected. To be honest, I was surprised on just how much I did not care for them. The ribs weren’t pre-boiled but had that consistently that required me to ask. The pink firm meat with smoke ring of a fine BBQ was what I hoped to get but not what I received. The meat was dark like mothers over done pot roast and had the fall off the bone consistency that I don’t attribute to good Q. The baked beans and hush puppy sides I had were OK but nothing sensational – a forgotten accompaniment had the ribs been stellar. I’ve heard good things about Chuck’s, my trip didn’t confirm them.
π π Below average ribs, perhaps the pulled pork might be better.
π π π On duty manager was polite and interested in feedback
618-986-6566
My trip into Chucks BBQ in Herrin last month started with a brief discussion with the manager on duty, “I’ll have whatever you think is sensational, and something you’re known for”. After the cursory “everything is good here” baby back ribs were selected. To be honest, I was surprised on just how much I did not care for them. The ribs weren’t pre-boiled but had that consistently that required me to ask. The pink firm meat with smoke ring of a fine BBQ was what I hoped to get but not what I received. The meat was dark like mothers over done pot roast and had the fall off the bone consistency that I don’t attribute to good Q. The baked beans and hush puppy sides I had were OK but nothing sensational – a forgotten accompaniment had the ribs been stellar. I’ve heard good things about Chuck’s, my trip didn’t confirm them.
π π Below average ribs, perhaps the pulled pork might be better.
π π π On duty manager was polite and interested in feedback
$$ Crazy Joe's Fish House, Ava IL
693 Suchman Road
618-763-4417
Fried fish – period. OK, not quite true, they have fried chicken, fried crawfish, fried frog legs, fried chips and French fries. The slaw is good and not fried. Crazy Joes is a fun and obviously informal atmosphere and if you have a craving for fried fish, a few beers and laughs with your friends and you want to go to an “out of the way” place this your place. If looking for an entrée that is not fried, you want something quick and close or you want to use your credit card go elsewhere. Limited at what they do, but what they do has good results, I could recommend the bluegill.
π π π They do one thing, and do it pretty well.
π π ½ Pole barn, picnic tables. Very friendly and welcoming
618-763-4417
Fried fish – period. OK, not quite true, they have fried chicken, fried crawfish, fried frog legs, fried chips and French fries. The slaw is good and not fried. Crazy Joes is a fun and obviously informal atmosphere and if you have a craving for fried fish, a few beers and laughs with your friends and you want to go to an “out of the way” place this your place. If looking for an entrée that is not fried, you want something quick and close or you want to use your credit card go elsewhere. Limited at what they do, but what they do has good results, I could recommend the bluegill.
π π π They do one thing, and do it pretty well.
π π ½ Pole barn, picnic tables. Very friendly and welcoming
$$ The Cajun Cowboy, Murphysboro IL
308 Walnut
618-565-4766
Cajun and Creole style cuisine are synonoumous with New Orleans and Louisiana and are culinary treat when well prepared. Unfortunately the meal at the Cajun Cowboy did not represent what a treat these styles can be. The gumbo was cold in one spot, hot in another. It was bland and tasteless which is not at all indicative of this Cajun staple. A shrimp dish was served awash in butter and although the shrimp seemed to be prepared correctly in terms of tenderness they too somehow lacked flavor, the only taste being that of the barrage of butter that they floated it above the rice. The gator dish on the menu warns that it is spicy hot lives up to the claim, hot but nothing more.
π ½ Food was bland and not particularly well prepared.
π π Small and cozy, wait staff was friendly
618-565-4766
Cajun and Creole style cuisine are synonoumous with New Orleans and Louisiana and are culinary treat when well prepared. Unfortunately the meal at the Cajun Cowboy did not represent what a treat these styles can be. The gumbo was cold in one spot, hot in another. It was bland and tasteless which is not at all indicative of this Cajun staple. A shrimp dish was served awash in butter and although the shrimp seemed to be prepared correctly in terms of tenderness they too somehow lacked flavor, the only taste being that of the barrage of butter that they floated it above the rice. The gator dish on the menu warns that it is spicy hot lives up to the claim, hot but nothing more.
π ½ Food was bland and not particularly well prepared.
π π Small and cozy, wait staff was friendly
Newell House, Carbondale IL - full review coming soon
210 East Main
618-549-6400
My only dining experience was almost two years ago, long before the blog so I’ll go back (soon) to try it again with a critical eye (lol)! But I did want to put this teaser out now because we have ended up in “the grotto” for desserts and/or drinks several times after a hard night of restaurant reviewing to unwind and talk. Good friends, comfortable chairs and couches and the extraordinary talents and friendliness of Jordan make the Grotto a favorite spot to end the evening.
Food score - TBD.
π π π π AAA service and comfortable setting in “the grotto”
618-549-6400
My only dining experience was almost two years ago, long before the blog so I’ll go back (soon) to try it again with a critical eye (lol)! But I did want to put this teaser out now because we have ended up in “the grotto” for desserts and/or drinks several times after a hard night of restaurant reviewing to unwind and talk. Good friends, comfortable chairs and couches and the extraordinary talents and friendliness of Jordan make the Grotto a favorite spot to end the evening.
Food score - TBD.
π π π π AAA service and comfortable setting in “the grotto”
$$ Thai Taste, Carbondale IL
100 South Illinois Ave
618-457-6900
I like Thai food and know enough about it to know that the widely held axioms of it being too hot/spicy to eat are not necessarily true. Although many dishes are or can be extremely hot there are many that have wonderful blends of flavors and textures that are not. I’d recommend pad thai the national noodle dish of Thailand as a savory yet non spicy entrée.
We, and by we I mean the rural Southern Illinois community, are fortunate to have a couple of decent ethnic choices that often are missed unless your in a larger city. Thai Taste has both a decent selection of dishes, a 1-10 scale for spiciness for almost each dish, and the dishes are generally well done.
The largest caveat I’d offer that would prevent an all out recommendation is the inexplicable disgustingness of the carpet. If any association to the worn and soiled carpet (an undetermined original color now black in most places) is made on general sanitation and cleanliness in the kitchen I’d stay far, far away. Get a new floor covering!
π π π Good food, reasonably priced. There is a wide range of regional cuisine available. Cantonese, Sichuan, Thai dishes among them.
π General concerns about the cleanliness based largely on the carpeting. “To go” a better option?
618-457-6900
I like Thai food and know enough about it to know that the widely held axioms of it being too hot/spicy to eat are not necessarily true. Although many dishes are or can be extremely hot there are many that have wonderful blends of flavors and textures that are not. I’d recommend pad thai the national noodle dish of Thailand as a savory yet non spicy entrée.
We, and by we I mean the rural Southern Illinois community, are fortunate to have a couple of decent ethnic choices that often are missed unless your in a larger city. Thai Taste has both a decent selection of dishes, a 1-10 scale for spiciness for almost each dish, and the dishes are generally well done.
The largest caveat I’d offer that would prevent an all out recommendation is the inexplicable disgustingness of the carpet. If any association to the worn and soiled carpet (an undetermined original color now black in most places) is made on general sanitation and cleanliness in the kitchen I’d stay far, far away. Get a new floor covering!
π π π Good food, reasonably priced. There is a wide range of regional cuisine available. Cantonese, Sichuan, Thai dishes among them.
π General concerns about the cleanliness based largely on the carpeting. “To go” a better option?
$$ Hunan, Carbondale IL
$$ Hunan, Carbondale IL
710 East Main Street
618-529-1108
Hunan seems to satisfy any craving for Chinese cuisine for my friends in the area. Our recent foray was very pleasurable and the food was good. The adventurous may try some exotic fare from the chefs’ specials, I can attest that the tea smoked duck was delicious but you’ll have to try the tripe dishes yourself and let me know how they are. Although adventurous I’m not exactly Andrew Zimmer. The soups have an excellent reputation.
There are plenty of dishes that I feel are “dumbed down” for the American palate that might not be exactly as they are in China, but that is fairly typical of any cultural food brought to America (think Mexican, Italian, etc., they’re usually any where from a lot to a bit different in the US). That doesn’t make them any less desirable. Allow me to philosophize…..any food or wine that you like is good.
From my understanding there are two Chinese restaurants in the area that out class the others. I will make that trip to Marion to check out the competition but in the meantime I’ll certainly recommend Hunan.
π π π Good food, reasonably priced. There is a wide range of regional cuisine available. Cantonese, Sichuan, Thai dishes among them.
π π π ½ Very attentive and polite wait staff.
710 East Main Street
618-529-1108
Hunan seems to satisfy any craving for Chinese cuisine for my friends in the area. Our recent foray was very pleasurable and the food was good. The adventurous may try some exotic fare from the chefs’ specials, I can attest that the tea smoked duck was delicious but you’ll have to try the tripe dishes yourself and let me know how they are. Although adventurous I’m not exactly Andrew Zimmer. The soups have an excellent reputation.
There are plenty of dishes that I feel are “dumbed down” for the American palate that might not be exactly as they are in China, but that is fairly typical of any cultural food brought to America (think Mexican, Italian, etc., they’re usually any where from a lot to a bit different in the US). That doesn’t make them any less desirable. Allow me to philosophize…..any food or wine that you like is good.
From my understanding there are two Chinese restaurants in the area that out class the others. I will make that trip to Marion to check out the competition but in the meantime I’ll certainly recommend Hunan.
π π π Good food, reasonably priced. There is a wide range of regional cuisine available. Cantonese, Sichuan, Thai dishes among them.
π π π ½ Very attentive and polite wait staff.
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