Most Of These Old-School Steakhouses Closed Years Ago, But This Illinois One Still Serves T-Bones And A Full Buffet

A 16-ounce T-bone and an all-you-can-eat buffet still share the same menu at one Illinois interstate stop. Plenty of families thought that combo vanished along with the restaurants of their childhood. The chain behind it once dotted highways across the Midwest. Most of those locations closed years ago, so finding...

Annual squirrel bloodbath in Carlinville needs to stop | Opinion

Chicago has squirrels on the brain. Lincoln Park residents worry about a billionaire feeding luxury nuts to squirrels , but instead making for fat rats, while the intended recipients (so called rats with fluffy tails) gorge on macadamia nuts. Downstate squirrels have it much worse. Every winter Carlinville hosts a wildlife killing contest called “Squirrel Bowl.” But as of October, Carlinville has a new claim to fame as Hallmark has named it America’s “Merriest Christmas Town .” Hallmark celebrities descended on Carlinville for the surprise announcement. In addition to bragging rights, a Hallmark holiday movie will be filmed there in 2027. This will bring economic benefits to the region. However, it’s unlikely that Hallmark knew about the "Squirrel Bowl" when choosing Carlinville as “merriest.” More: Carlinville named Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town Carlinville’s annual wildlife killing contest occurs before Super Bowl. It began in 2016, growing significantly with hundreds of hunters entering. Competitors hunt in teams. Youth and adult hunters participate. Squirrel Bowl awards prizes in categories based on criteria including dead squirrel weight. Prize categories include “Big Fox Squirrel winner” and “Big Gray Squirrel winner” for youth and adult hunters. The event raises money for charity. Squirrel Bowl isn’t unique.

Local Food Inspections November 2 - 6

The following food establishments were inspected by the Madison and St. Clair County Health Departments between November 2 and 6. November 2 Trackside Bar & Grill- Collinsville 10 (Pf) Handwashing sink shall be provided with paper towels, continuous towel system supplying user with clean towel, heated-air hand drying device or air-knife system Reference 6-301.12. MENS RESTROOM MISSING PAPER TOWELS. PIC ADDED PAPER TOWELS TO DISPENSER DURING INSPECTION. CORRECTED. 51 ( C) Plumbing needs repair. Repair according to Illinois and local plumbing code. Reference 5-205.15.KITCHEN HAND SINK HAS A LEAK. REPAIR OR REPLACE. November 3 SOS Soup Kitchen-First United Presbyterian Church- Collinsville 19 (P) Food was not reheated to 165F within 2 hours, before being placed in hot holding. Reference 3-403.11. ROAST BEEF WAS COOKED AND COOLED YESTERDAY. BEEF IS BEING SLICED AND PLACED IN CROCKPOTS WITHOUT REHEATING MEAT TO AT LEAST 165F FOR HOT HOLDING. CORRECTED BY PLACING MEATS IN OVEN UNTIL REACHING AT LEAST 165F. Jimmy Johns- Collinsville 16 (Pf) Food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Wash, rinse, sanitize routinely. Reference 4-601.11. ONION SLICER STORED ON RACK FOUND STILL DIRTY. CORRECTED BY PLACING IT INTO 3C SINK TO BE PROPERLY CLEANED AND SANITIZED.

Experience Burger Perfection At This Timeless Old-School Drive-In Hidden Away In Beautiful Illinois

Somewhere in Wood River, Illinois, tucked along a quiet street and covered by a canopy that’s seen more happy customers than most restaurants ever dream of, King Louie’s Drive-In is waiting for you. It’s not hiding exactly, but it’s not shouting either, and that quiet confidence is part...

Fairmount Park Casino and Racing Announces Facility Improvements, New Racing Schedule for 2027

Fairmount Park Casino and Racing Announces Facility Improvements, New Racing Schedule for 2027

The Unassuming Bar In Illinois That People Will Happily Drive Hours To Reach

There’s a yellow brick building on a corner in Alton, Illinois that doesn’t care about your expectations, and that’s precisely why Fast Eddie’s Bon Air is worth every mile of the drive. The outside tells you everything you need to know before you even touch the...

Doc’s Smokehouse earns ‘Best of the Best’ barbecue honor

Doc’s Smokehouse and Catering earns its ninth “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America” honor from Barbecue News in the past 10 years.

From ‘The Office' to the Shaggs: Belleville's Ken Kwapis takes on a new story

A documentary about a sister group whose album has been called one of the worst of all time is an unusual starting point for a first film. But Belleville native Ken Kwapis has never shied away from a professional challenge. He helped bring “The Office” from British television to American audiences, directing 13 episodes, including the pilot, the 100th episode and the finale. Now, after more than 40 years in Hollywood , he’s returning home with his first documentary, “We Are the Shaggs.” Kwapis will present the film at the 35th annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7. “I’m excited to bring this to my home turf,” he said in a Zoom interview. The 98-minute music documentary is about sisters Dorothy, Betty and Helen Wiggin, who lived in a small New Hampshire town and were forced by their father, Austin, to become a rock band after he received a prophecy. He bought them two cheap guitars and a drum kit. In 1969, they recorded an album, “Philosophy of the World,” in a studio near Boston. Kwapis discovered the album in 1980 at a Los Angeles record store. “It was on the wall with new releases, the

The Rock invites Edwardsville family to ‘Jumanji’ premiere

Brooklynn Keppler’s Halloween costume catches The Rock’s attention, leading to an invitation for the Edwardsville family to attend the “Jumanji: Open World” premiere.

Granite City Singer-Songwriter Dana Michael Anderson's Music

Dana Michael Anderson was a singer-songwriter from Granite City, Illinois, whose recorded work included albums and live performances. He died in 2023. Dana's recorded work included albums released during his lifetime. His brother, JB Anderson, said a coroner contacted him in August 2023 to inform him that Dana had died by suicide, as detailed by BroBible. Dana's obituary, published through Central Cremation Center, states that he passed away at his residence on August 10, 2023.

Frosted Sky Bakery Joins Effingham County Chamber

Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- What started with a love of baking and creativity has grown into Frosted Sky Bakery, a Teutopolis-based home bakery owned by Shaylee Runde and one of the newest members of the Effingham County Chamber. Frosted Sky Bakery specializes in custom cakes, cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats...

Byway Discovery Center Grand Opening

Granite City Fresh Market Coming to Bellmore Village

The Granite City City Council meeting opened on November 4, at 7pm. The minutes from the previous meeting were passed unanimously. In presentation of communications, representatives from Bellmore Village gave a presentation on the planned renovations of the stores they purchased, one of which will be Granite City Fresh Market. The market will offer a deli counter and fresh high quality produce. In public correspondence Susie Rodgers spoke first, on the behalf of Heather Groetecke. She read a statement from Groetecke that revolved around the "No" result of the recent referendum asking whether residents were in favor of data centers. She praised the community for standing together, calling for transparency and resisting a data center. Jacob Sudabris spoke next echoing the same sentiment as Grotecke, that the residents resisting the data centers are valid in their criticisms of the board and their concerns are not unfounded. As proven by the recent ballot initiative, they are speaking for the majority. He hopes the board will hear that message and adapt. Leslie Budoris followed Jacob, also sharing the same message as the first two speakers. She does not want a data center at all, under any circumstance. James Bailey was the next

St. Louis never forgot this soup. Now we’ve lost the man who perfected it.

I love soup. Always have. I’ve written about soup, collected soup recipes from readers and even launched a Wednesday Super Soup Spectacular in Morning Light. Yes, I actually called it that. But there is one soup that stands above the rest, at least in my memory. Famous-Barr’s French Onion...

Missouri park shut down by a male elk 'acting like a teenager' in mating season

A teenage male elk, excited by mating season, prompted officials to temporarily close Lone Elk Park in St. Louis County on Monday. "We have a younger, more inexperienced herd bull this year," said Eric Johnson, acting director of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation. "It's his first year, and he's acting a little bit like a teenager."

The No-Frills Bakery In Missouri That Serves The Most Legendary Donuts You Will Ever Taste

Nobody puts a giant cartoon hand holding a pink sprinkle donut in their shop unless they understand something fundamental about joy. Old Town Donut Shop in St. Peters, Missouri understands joy, and it delivers that joy in the form of some of the finest donuts you will ever have the pleasure of eating.

Drive To This Remote Missouri Restaurant Where The Steaks Will Leave You Absolutely Speechless

Some restaurants are easy to find, and some restaurants are worth finding, and Annie Gunn’s in Chesterfield, Missouri is the rare kind that manages to be both at the same time. You just have to be willing to drive a little, and trust that what’s waiting for you at...

St. Charles County Parks Opens Their 20th Park Location

The newest location in the St. Charles County Park System, Spring Bend Park, is officially open to the public. Holding 126 acres of land just off Upper Bottom Road in St. Charles, the property was donated to the park system back in 2007 by Nancy Knowles and her family, who have deep roots in the area and operated a small farm on the land for years. The park now holds some beautiful prairie and river views to be explored.