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These 7 Illinois Drive-Ins Serve Onion Rings Worth Going Out of Your Way For

Fries get most of the attention, but a good onion ring tells you a lot about a drive-in. Illinois still has a handful of old-school spots where carhops bring trays to your window and the rings come out crispy and golden. This list covers seven of them, from a famous...

Illinois · 21d
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everafterinthewoods.com

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This Illinois Polish Kitchen Hand-Makes Pierogi Daily From A Family Dough Recipe Passed Down Through Generations

A grandfather in southeastern Poland once rolled out a dough so tender that his grandson still uses the same recipe today, every single morning, in Illinois. The result is a plate of pierogi that tastes like a family kitchen instead of a factory. In a state packed with Polish heritage,...

Chicago, IL · 22d
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nrn.com

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Golden Corral, Wendy’s, and Yoshinoya

Golden Corral is closing more restaurants than usual in 2026. Media reports show that at least seven locations closed this year, in Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, Texas, Florida and Missouri. The buffet chain would not confirm the number of closures but did say “there are more closures this year than our normal rate of attrition.” At the start of the year, Golden Corral said it planned to double its portfolio size by 2035. The company also said it will be opening a few of these restaurants under new ownership.

Missouri · 21d
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The State Journal-Register

partner publisher · 14.3K followers
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Head West Sub Stop has temporarily closed downtown

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A popular sandwich shop near the capitol complex has been closed for close to a month now, with no signs of opening soon. The Head West Sub Stop downtown has been closed since the Route 66 Mother Road Festival, according to one employee who told a reporter at The State Journal-Register all staff at the 530 E. Capitol Ave. location quit immediately following the festival. More: Illinois Route 66 byway names Centennial Award finalists The store is not permanently closed, the employee continued. “We’re just in the process of trying to get new people in and back open,” the employee said. “We are definitely hiring. All you’ve got to go is on Indeed or on our actual website and apply.” Since 1912, the corner store on Capitol Avenue has been a spot for grabbing a bite to eat. Before the site was a Head West, Bachmann & Keefner Pharmacy was the name on the street, with its black-and-white mosaic floor and red bar stools. The pharmacy had stood as the corner staple for 90 years under several owners. The pharmacy sold drugs, as well as olive-loaf sandwiches as an equally effective remedy for tourists, politicians and Springfield

Springfield, IL · 22d

I-Rock 93.5

partner publisher · 4.5K followers

The 3 Halloween Candies Illinois Trick-or-Treaters Want Most

llinois has three favorite Halloween candies, and the top pick might surprise you. Find out what trick-or-treaters want most before you fill your candy bowl.

Illinois · 23d

The State Journal-Register

partner publisher · 14.3K followers

Trader Joe's announces new locations in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Trader Joe’s has been expanding throughout 2026 with new stores in Utah to Massachusetts, but soon the Prairie State will soon be getting some new locations. On Oct. 12, Trader Joe’s listed 25 new locations to open within the end of the year on the grocer’s store search webpage. The labeled new locations don’t set a specific opening date but does point in a direction the cult-followed small box grocery store is shifting geographically within the next six months. Here's what to know. More: Phoenix Center cleared of criminal fraud charges What is Trader Joe’s? Known for their ready-to-eat frozen meals, fresh produce and flora as well as their name-brand quirky marketing strategy, Trader Joe’s operates more than 660 locations across the United States selling private label goodies and specialties only found in-store. The brand began as a convenience food store chain in the late 1950s before expanding to their first ever store in Pasadena, California in 1967. By 1979 the store was purchased by Theo Albrecht, the co-founder of Aldi, and has maintained a similar shopping style, if more niche than the already famous grocery chain. What new Illinois locations are coming in the expansion? 804

Illinois · 22d

everafterinthewoods.com

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We Ranked The 7 Best Family Restaurants In Illinois And Here Are The Results

How many family dinners come with a car museum on the side? That was just one surprise we found while hunting for kid-friendly restaurants in Illinois. Swedish pancakes made one stop feel like a weekend treat, and a salad bar nearly the size of a small boat made another impossible to forget.

Illinois · 23d

Timeless Dishes

partner publisher · 11.1K followers

10 Regional American Sandwiches You’ve Probably Never Tried but Absolutely Should

America has no shortage of famous sandwiches. New York has pastrami on rye, Philadelphia has the cheesesteak, and New Orleans has the beloved po’boy. But travel beyond the usual food destinations, and you’ll discover sandwiches locals have enjoyed for generations while the rest of the country barely knows they exist. Some feature crispy fried pork... The post 10 Regional American Sandwiches You’ve Probably Never Tried but Absolutely Should appeared first on Timeless Dishes .

Springfield, IL · 27d

Fun 104

partner publisher · 12.2K followers

Dozens Of Crumbl Cookie Locations Closing, Including Some In Illinois

Cookie chain Crumbl is closing about 60 stores nationwide.

Illinois · 23d

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Small-Town Illinois Bakery Makes Fluffy Donuts That Draw Massive Weekend Crowds

By ten thirty on a Saturday morning, the donut case at one little Illinois bakery can look almost bare, and that is the best compliment it could get. The glazed raised donuts here are big, light, and gone fast, so early birds win the prize. Families stop on their way...

Ottawa, IL · 29d

everafterinthewoods.com

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Fans Swear This Old-School Illinois Donut Shop Makes Legendary Golf Ball-Sized Donut Holes

Golf balls usually belong on a putting green, but in one corner of northern Illinois they show up in a paper bag, warm and dusted with sugar. A family-owned donut shop has been frying them around the clock since 1976, and people happily drive an hour just to grab a dozen.

Crystal Lake, IL · 22d

illinoistimes.com

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Great Halloween recipes with minimal fuss

Halloween cookery can range from playfully autumnal to murderously macabre. From festive pumpkin crostini to bloodied witches’ fingers and ghoulish eyeballs, the best recipes strike an appropriate balance between shock value and delicious taste. I like to achieve this by focusing on deep, vivid colors, contrasting textures and a reliance on gorgeous fall produce like butternut squash, pomegranate and fresh sage. Some recipes, such as these cheerful and cheap popcorn balls, are old family favorites from back in my grandmother’s day while others such as black sesame hummus with flash roasted broccoli and carrot chips are decidedly more modern, and a nice foil to the inevitable onslaught of candy and sweets.

Springfield, IL · 20d

takemetotn.com

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14 Gorgeous Illinois Lakeside Restaurants Where Sunset Views Steal the Show

On the Illinois shore of Lake Michigan, the sun never actually sets over the water. It drops behind you, in the west, while the lake turns pink and gold out front. I love that twist. It means the best lakeside sunset in the state sometimes faces the wrong way, and it still looks incredible. Downstate, the rules flip, and big inland lakes catch the sun sliding right into the waves.

Illinois · 24d

familydestinationsguide.com

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This No-Frills Seafood Joint In Illinois Is So Legendary You’ll Happily Drive Hours Just To Visit

Somewhere in Des Plaines, Illinois, there’s a little seafood spot that has absolutely no business being this good, and yet here we are. Don’s Dock Seafood is the kind of place that makes you question every fancy restaurant you’ve ever visited, and it does it all without a single white tablecloth in sight.

Des Plaines, IL · 24d

takingthekids.com

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This Illinois Seafood Boil Buffet Serves Generous Portions Of Cajun Seafood For One Flat Price

Crab legs, crawfish, sushi, and a made-to-order hibachi grill all share one roof, and you pay a single price at the door. That alone made me sit up and reach for a napkin. The seafood side leans Cajun, with shrimp coated in butter and herbs and little seasoned crabs that take real, messy effort to crack. Across the room, a sushi spread and a salad bar wait for anyone who needs a break from the mess.

Burbank, IL · 25d

everafterinthewoods.com

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10 Old-School Illinois Bakeries Where Pies Are Worth The Drive

Flaky crust has a funny way of turning a quiet Saturday into a road trip across Illinois. All over the state, family bakeries, orchard kitchens, and Route 66 diners are still rolling dough by hand the way grandparents did decades ago. These spots are humble, easy on the wallet, and...

Illinois · 23d

takemetotn.com

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10 Small-Town Illinois Steakhouses That Are Worth Driving Miles for a Great Dinner

At one Illinois steakhouse, the cook standing over your steak might be you. The restaurant lets you pick your cut, sends you to the grill, and trusts you to decide when it’s done. That’s only one surprise on this list. Another spot grills steaks over open charcoal right in...

Illinois · 22d

everafterinthewoods.com

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Pork Tenderloins Hang Way Past The Bun At These 8 Small-Town Illinois Spots

Bread crumbs, a meat mallet, and a hot fryer are all it takes to make a sandwich that sticks out past the bun like a dinner plate. In Illinois, the breaded pork tenderloin is more than lunch; it is a small-town tradition passed down at diners, drive-ins, and corner grills.

Illinois · 24d

familydestinationsguide.com

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This Quirky Route 66 Spot In Illinois Is Both A Restaurant And Museum Rolled Into One

There’s a place in Springfield, Illinois, where race cars sit on the roof and the chili comes in microwavable containers you can take home, and somehow, that combination makes perfect sense. Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill is the kind of spot that makes you wonder why every restaurant...

Springfield, IL · 24d

takemetotn.com

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This Illinois All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ Spot Lets the Whole Family Grill Unlimited Meat Right at the Table

The grill is built right into your table, and everyone gets to cook their own dinner. You choose your favorite meats, watch them sizzle over the heat, and reach for another bite while the next batch cooks. That setup sounds simple, but it changes dinner completely. Kids get lower pricing...

Illinois · 24d