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everafterinthewoods.com

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Families Drive Country Roads To This Humble Illinois Barn For Its Old-Fashioned Fried Chicken Dinners

Peacocks stroll the grounds while families sit down to fried chicken inside an old dairy barn. That alone sounds like a pretty good reason to gas up the car. This Illinois spot pairs that country barn setting with a salad bar loaded with homemade bread, plenty of toppings, and a long list of dressings. On Sundays, a brunch buffet shows up with a dessert spread big enough to need its own line.

Ottawa, IL · 2d
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takemetotn.com

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Grab Your Stretchy Pants and Head to This Legendary, Laid-Back Illinois BBQ Joint

A peach chipotle barbecue sauce sits right on the table, waiting for you to squeeze it onto smoked brisket. It shares space with other house sauces, so every bite can taste a little different. That alone makes me curious. The menu reads like a smokehouse wish list. Brisket, pulled pork,...

Peru, IL · 13d
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fastfoodclub.com

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Small Illinois Towns Hide These 7 Family Restaurants

Some of the best meals in Illinois are served in towns with one main street and a water tower you can spot from the highway. Many of these restaurants have been run by the same families for decades, feeding farmers, road trippers, and grandkids alike. This list covers seven of...

Illinois · 7d
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decorhint.com

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This Tiny Illinois Diner Is Hidden Inside An Old Gas Station But Piles The Plates High

A giant Phillips 66 shield hangs on a diner wall in central Illinois, and nobody is pumping gas. The license plates and old stoplights hanging nearby make the scene even more curious, like a garage that switched careers. Calling the decor themed would be a little off, since themed suggests...

Peoria, IL · 2d
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videtteonline.com

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Business spotlight: Hensy's Hot Dogs

Hensy’s Hot Dogs is a new independently owned business in the Bloomington area. The food truck opened on Oct. 24. Hensy’s Hot Dogs owner Tyler Henson is the food truck’s sole worker. It took Henson a little over a year to set up and prepare the hot dog truck, ensuring it was ready for business.

Bloomington, IL · 1d

familydestinationsguide.com

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Satisfy Your Inner Chocoholic At These 7 Legendary Chocolate Shops Hiding Throughout Illinois

Craving chocolate shops in Illinois that will satisfy your inner chocoholic and leave you grinning ear to ear?. These 7 legendary chocolate shops are hiding throughout Illinois with incredible handcrafted treats and unforgettable flavors!. 1. Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream (Geneva) Geneva has a lot going for it...

Illinois · 7d

takingthekids.com

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6 Illinois Pizza Joints Where Tavern-Cut Squares Have Fed Families For Over 50 Years

Tavern-style pizza has its own official holiday now. It lands every October 22, and I love that a thin, crunchy pie earned a spot on the calendar. The squares came first for a practical reason. Early tavern pizza was handed out as a free snack, cut small so folks could eat with one hand.

Chicago, IL · 2d

starvedrockcountry.com

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Frosty on First returns to downtown La Salle

Frosty on First, La Salle’s official holiday kick-off party, returns this Friday, Nov. 6 for a second year of exciting winter-themed activities, entertainment and shopping along First Street. The festivities will take place across Friday and Saturday, with an selection of family-friendly fun – including a brand new drone show planned for Saturday evening.

Lasalle, IL · 2d

WSPY NEWS

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Safford Veterinary Services’ Pet of the Week

Ralph (aka Rowlf) is a sweet, high-energy Terrier mix puppy, born around mid-April 2026. He’s bursting with love, curiosity, and tail wags, and he approaches every day like it’s a brand-new adventure. He loves exploring his foster’s yard, playing with toys, and soaking up all the attention he can get. This social butterfly adores spending time with people and other dogs!

Yorkville, IL · 2d

takingthekids.com

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From Cozy Tea Service To Historic Charm, This Illinois Church Hides A Special Tea Room

Lunch arrives on a three-tiered tower of real china, and the stained glass windows above your table once watched over a church congregation. That’s the setup at one little lunch spot in Illinois. The building is more than a century old. Old church benches still serve as seating, and...

Illinois · 1d

NBC Chicago

publisher · 127.3K followers

One of Chicago's most beloved spots for burgers, hot dogs opens in southwest suburb

One of Chicago's most beloved spots to snag a burger or hot dog opened a new location in a southwest suburb this week. Redhot Ranch opened at 60 Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove on Tuesday, bringing a new late-night food option to the area. Open daily from 10:30 a.m. until...

Chicago, IL · 4d

The Independent

partner publisher · 2.6M followers

Popular Chicago chain known for its hot dogs set to close locations

The Chicago-based fast-casual chain, known for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, has 109 locations nationwide Getty/iStock To be frank, fans of a popular Chicago -style hot dog chain may not relish this news. Portillo’s plans to close a “mid-to-high single-digit number” of underperforming restaurants outside the Chicago area, mostly by the end of the year, CEO Brett Patterson announced Thursday. The Chicago-based fast-casual chain, known for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, has 109 locations nationwide. It said it looked at each restaurant’s sales, operating costs and expected future performance before deciding which ones to close. The company has not yet announced the affected locations. “This will improve portfolio quality, strengthen returns on invested capital and reflect our commitment to disciplined growth,” Patterson said. The move comes as Portillo’s looks to get back on track after struggling to find the same success in markets outside Chicago. The move comes as Portillo’s looks to get back on track after struggling to find the same success in markets outside Chicago (Getty/iStock) Portillo’s plans to put more focus on its existing restaurants and take a more careful approach to opening new locations, particularly in unfamiliar markets. Patterson said the chain

Chicago, IL · 2d

CBS News

partner publisher · 2.4M followers

Newly opened NW café vandalized with racial slurs, owner says

Chicago, IL · 9h

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Old-Fashioned Illinois Candy Shop Still Makes Its Own Fudge And Caramel Apples In A Nostalgic Little Shop

Caramel apples come with a choice of fruit at one little Illinois candy counter: tart Granny Smith or sweet Honeycrisp. That decision alone could stall a family for ten minutes. Then you spot the bear claws, the cheese popcorn, and the chocolate-dipped apricots. The fudge is made in house, the...

Riverside, IL · 5d

everafterinthewoods.com

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Swedish Pancakes With Lingonberries Still Anchor Breakfast At This Andersonville Diner In Chicago, Illinois

A Viking breakfast in Illinois comes with falukorv sausage, eggs, potatoes, and thin Swedish pancakes topped with lingonberries. That combination alone made me sit up straight. The room matches the plate. Swedish folk art fills the walls, and whimsical tablecloths cover small tables in a cozy blue and yellow space.

Chicago, IL · 2d

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Old-School Illinois Butcher Shop Still Cuts From Hanging Cattle And Makes Over 80 Sausages

A carved wooden pig head hands out your number at the door. That’s how your visit starts at one of the most beloved butcher counters in Illinois. The kitchen behind the counter turns out more than 80 kinds of sausages and brats. A smokehouse adds more than 10 kinds of homemade bacon to the lineup.

Chicago, IL · 2d

familydestinationsguide.com

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This Illinois Seafood Restaurant Is Known Far And Wide For Its Incredibly Fresh Fried Fish

Some restaurants earn their reputation quietly, one perfectly fried piece of fish at a time, and The Fish Keg in Chicago has been doing exactly that for longer than most food trends have existed. If you haven’t heard of The Fish Keg yet, that’s about to change. The...

Chicago, IL · 1d

CBS Chicago

partner publisher · 230.8K followers

NW Side café vandalized with racial slurs month after opening

Mi Gente Café on Harlem and Farragut opened its doors to the public a month ago.

Chicago, IL · 9h

mariajackson27magazine.com

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Christmas at the Oasis Brings a Night of Gospel Music to Chicago

Greenwood Oasis and the Black Promoters Collective will present Christmas at the Oasis, a night of joy, music, and holiday wonder, on Friday, December 11, at 7:00 PM. The event takes place at 7621 S. Greenwood Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The lineup features Tye Tribbett, Donald Lawrence & Company, Bishop...

Chicago, IL · 2d

everafterinthewoods.com

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This Family-Run Illinois Italian Market Still Bakes Its Bread Fresh And Piles Subs High For Under $10

A 9-inch Italian beef from this deli can show up looking more like a 12-inch one. That’s the kind of generous surprise that gets an old-school Illinois sandwich counter talked about across the city. The beef comes from a family recipe, and it can arrive fully dipped and dripping....

Chicago, IL · 3d