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chi&beyond Great Rivers Land of Lincoln Trails of Adventure

Taste your way around the state, sampling everything from innovative gourmet cuisine to unique regional eats.

Region Search Results: All Regions

Black Dog Smoke & Ale House

City: Urbana
Region: Land of Lincoln

This pub is known for its great house-smoked barbecue, including pulled pork and ribs glazed with vinegary, North Carolina-style sauce. Choose from an eclectic selection of tap and bottled beer.

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Bossanova

City: Alton
Region: Great Rivers Country

From smoked salmon ragoon to the Thai barbeque pizzette, the seasonal menu is always fresh and healthy. Come for the food or just relax and try one of the fun martinis, approachable wine list, lots of beers and specialty drinks.

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Cafe Brio

City: Springfield
Region: Land of Lincoln

This festive dining spot in downtown Springfield features Mexican and Caribbean-influenced food, plus great margaritas (try the pomegranate) and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

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Castelli's Moonlight Restaurant at 255

City: Alton
Region: Great Rivers Country

It has been over 74 years since Alfonso Castelli opened Moonlight Restaurant. One of the most popular items is the fried chicken. The TALK-N-CHIC is a house secret, trademarked recipe that has been passed down through the generations. Castelli's Moonlight at 255, also offers other homemade specialties such as the “Roman” house salad dressing, tortellini, and ravioli. All are absolutely delicious! If you're a steak, chop or seafood lover, you can't go wrong. The menu from top to bottom is wonderful and the prices are a great value.

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Crew Bar & Grill

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This sports bar and grill features 20 hi-def TVs showing the latest games, a selection of more than 60 beers, and an extensive menu that offers sandwiches and flatbread pizza.

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Etc. Coffeshop

City: Champaign
Region: Land of Lincoln

The Etc.Coffeeshop is a very different kind of coffeehouse. They offer fair trade, donation-based, brewed coffee & teas. Etc. is a place where students go to study and hangout. All proceeds support Wesley Evening Food Pantry.

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Firefly Grill & Restaurant

City: Effingham
Region: Land of Lincoln

Ranked the second most eco-friendly restaurant in the nation by Bon Appétit, Firefly’s striking building is constructed from reclaimed barn wood, and its menu of American dishes incorporates ingredients from Firefly’s own gardens and local producers.

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Fried Green Tomatoes

City: Galena
Region: Great Rivers Country

Enjoy a dinner of rustic Italian dishes (and be sure to try the signature tomatoes) at Fried Green Tomatoes, a romantic restaurant housed in a historic downtown Galena building. The restaurant features an award-winning wine list recognized by Wine Spectator. Reservations recommended.

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Gentelin's on Broadway

City: Alton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Located in Historic Downtown Alton, Gentelin's offers a relaxed fine dining experience with an incredible view of Alton's famous Clark Bridge. The restaurant features a full menu ranging from appetizers and sandwiches, to pasta, steak and seafood. There is something to satisfy everyone's taste buds!

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Grafton Winery & Brewhaus

City: Grafton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Located in the quaint river town of Grafton Illinois along the Great River Road Scenic Byway, the Grafton Winery and Brewhaus overlooks the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Nestled among the river bluffs, our winery offers great views of the river for every season. Come join us for dinner with soup, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pasta dishes. Private parties & banquets are welcome.

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Hamburger Mary’s

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Located in Chicago's neighborhood of Andersonville, Hamburger Mary’s features a menu of creative hamburgers (what else?) in its dining room, DJ-driven music and stage shows in Mary’s Attic and sports broadcasts live in Mary’s Rec Room, a combination sports bar/microbrewery.

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Heaven on Seven

City: Naperville
Region: Chicago & Beyond

The Best Louisiana cookin' outside of New Orleans! Heaven on Seven, Chicago's premiere location for authentic Cajun cuisine, and home to critically acclaimed Chef/Owner Jimmy Bannos, offers full-service dining, carry-out, private parties, off-premise catering, box lunches and much more.

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Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Dinner comes with a side of entertaining female impersonators at this raucous restaurant, located in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood. Sample one of more than 70 different martinis, including the famous Kit Kat.

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La Espanola Tapas

City: Berwyn
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Take a trip to Spain and indulge in the authentic tapas and a glass of sangria at this LGBT-friendly spot that features Gay Night on Fridays, with the occasional drag show.

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Longbranch Coffee House

City: Carbondale
Region: Trails to Adventure

Dig into a breakfast burrito or Portobello burger at this hip coffeehouse in downtown Carbondale that’s known for its vegetarian dishes.

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Mississippi Half Step

City: Grafton
Region: Great Rivers Country

This charming restaurant housed in a Queen Anne-style mansion overlooks the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Enjoy pasta dishes, seafood and steak inside or on the seasonal outdoor patio. A special Sunday bald eagle breakfast is served during the winter, when the regal birds flock to the area.

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My Just Desserts

City: Alton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Follow the lead of the locals and order dessert first, as fresh-baked favorites like the Tollhouse brownies and Mrs. Ledbetter’s chocolate pie sell out early. For lunch, sample the hefty half-pound chicken salad sandwich or one of the homey casseroles.

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One World Eats & Drinks

City: Peoria
Region: Great Rivers Country

One World Cafe has been serving Peoria and Central Illinois since 1993. Our eclectic selection of fresh, homemade food (from scrambled egg breakfast pizza to Havana fajitas) in a comfortable artistic atmosphere has truly placed us as a Peoria original. We have a full menu, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. Our coffee bar and full liquor menu allow us the creativity to make some of the most refreshing beverages around. We specialize in catering and meetings with groups from 10 to 35 people in our cafe. Come see us today!

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Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe'

City: Peoria
Region: Great Rivers Country

Relaxed, casual atmosphere in warehouse setting, serving beer, wine, and champagne.

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Robbie's - Springfield

City: Springfield
Region: Land of Lincoln

Located across from the historic Old State Capitol, this Springfield staple offers homemade soups, sandwiches and pie. Live jazz and blues performers play during dinner on Friday nights.

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Social Urban Bar & Restaurant

City: Rockford
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This hip Rockford restaurant cooks up seasonal dishes inspired by the produce and meats supplied from local farmers. The bar offers a nice selection of craft beers and wine, along with more than a dozen different absinthes.

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The Lodge at Giant City State Park

City: Makanda
Region: Trails to Adventure

Make the scenic trek to Giant City State Park for the all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinner, served in the rustic dining room at Giant City Lodge. The family-style Southern fried chicken comes with made-from-scratch dumplings, mashed potatoes and biscuits with rich country milk gravy.

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The Newell House

City: Carbondale
Region: Trails to Adventure

This fine dining restaurant in downtown Carbondale is a place where people meet for food, drinks and conversation. The Newell House provides everything you need in a restaurant and gathering place--everything from steak to decadent desserts are featured on the menu.

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Trattoria 225

City: Oak Park
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Trattoria 225 is a full service restaurant and bar featuring rustic Italian dining. We offer wood-fired pizza, fresh salads, house-made pasta and a variety of artisan gelato. We strongly believe in supporting local producers and using organic products whenever possible. Our mission is simple: provide you, your family and friends with a fantastic, affordable meal in a space that is warm, inviting and fun.

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Yellowmoon Cafe

City: Cobden
Region: Trails to Adventure

The Yellowmoon Cafe is a cozy coffeehouse which features live music Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and most Sunday afternoons. We serve all types of coffee and coffee specialty drinks, local wines, and the best milkshakes in Southern Illinois.

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Join in a pride parade or catch one of the many gay-friendly events around the state that are uniquely Illinois.

Illinois is the sixth state to allow civil unions, providing same-sex couples with the same state-level rights as married couples. Passing the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act into law was an important priority for Governor Pat Quinn. Since June 1, 2011, civil union licenses have been available at any County Clerk’s office in Illinois.

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CONTACT US PRIVACY STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pat Quinn, Governor Adam Pollet, Acting Director Jennifer Hoelzle, Deputy Director Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
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