230 Hiway 127 North
618-893-4600
Von Jakob's Alto Pass location has an excellent lunch offering at a fantastic value. Offering range from $6 to $8 and are deliciously prepared and well presented. A near fine dining experience for the price of a Big Mac Super Value Meal!! Available are German specialties such as various sausages and schnitzel and pork shank, as well as some outstanding and inventive panini sandwiches. Friday night dinners are supposed to be fantastic but I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but I regard the lunch offerings top notch and one of my favorite value / experience destinations. The are also now a micro brewery!
π π π Well prepared and "different" fare that is vary tasty
π π Scenic view outside on the patio, inside like a hotel banquet room. Service can be spotty
$$ Brick House Grill, Anna IL
308 South Main Street
618-833-5367
I'm not sure why my expectations were relatively low when I first considered dining at the Brick House Grill in Anna. They far exceeded those expectations and the meals we had were delicious, well presented and much more complex than what I had assumed. Parmesan encrusted chicken breast with a clever avocado and corn salsa served with asparagus and roasted red potato, tilapia with goat cheese butter and a roasted red pepper soup - all delicious. We were quite impressed with the tastes and presentations and already looking forward to another trip (this time to try the highly touted bread pudding with whiskey sauce). The old saying about assuming bit me again....this place is a delight and probably the nicest $15-30 entrees in the area.
π π π ½ Pi’s for the food value equation. Excellent food and nice presentation without breaking the bank.
π π π Brick walls and cement floor can make it a bit noisy, but owners / staff show great concern in making sure you have a great dining experience.$ Louie’s P&R, Herrin IL
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.
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”
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