New year, new you, right? At the very least, you can hit up some new places to eat with these 12 bucket list restaurants in Illinois. From buffets to historic diners, you’ll find every sort of cuisine and much more.
This list will help you try a new eatery at least once every month. Check it out:
- Alongi’s Italian Restaurant
Google/Johnny Mnemonic
Facebook/Alongi’s Italian Restaurant Opened by actual Italian immigrants in 1933, this is one of the oldest restaurants in the Land of Lincoln. It has had famous visitors like Sonny and Cher, Connie Stevens, and Joe Garagiola, and it is known for both its lovely indoor and outdoor seating. All the food is amazing and made traditionally. Learn more about it here.
- Fishhouse
Facebook/Fishhouse
Facebook/Fishhouse Seafood lovers can’t get enough of this lakeside restaurant in southern Illinois. It is known for its nautical theme as well as for being a local favorite. Order fried fish by the pound or get it on a sandwich or taco. You’ll also find burgers, chicken strips, soups, and salads. Get more details here.
- Gallagher’s Restaurant
Facebook/Gallagher’s Restaurant
Facebook/Gallagher’s Restaurant Though it did not become a restaurant until 2005, this building has been standing since the 1870s. It is known for its unique atmosphere and all-you-can-eat fried chicken Sundays. The place also features a full bar, seafood dishes, a wealth of sandwiches, and a plethora of historic decor. Click here to learn more about this excellent spot.
- Huckleberry’s
Facebook/Huckleberry’s
Facebook/Huckleberry’s This homey eatery is all about BBQ. It’s a down-home restaurant with simple decor and outstanding menu items like BBQ nachos, pulled pork, pizza, and more. Including a full bar, this place has all you need for a fun night. Learn more about it here.
- Islamorada Fish Company
Google/Jerome Wellence
Facebook/Islamorada Fish Company Bolingbrook IL Whether or not you like seafood, you’ll love the nautical decor in this most unique of bucket list restaurants. It is located inside a Pro Bass Shop and features a 13,000-gallon fish tank that you can see from just about anywhere in the dining room. Classic menu items like burgers, seafood, sandwiches, and more abound. Read more about this fabulous spot here.
- Mandy’s Family Restaurant
Facebook/Mandy’s Family Restaurant
Facebook/Mandy’s Family Restaurant This small town diner in southern Illinois is all about large portions and comfort food. Both breakfast and lunch classics are available daily at this cozy spot and include tenderloins, burgers, hot dogs, omelets, pancakes, biscuits with gravy, and much more. More information about this little-known watering hole can be accessed here.
- Martinez Tacos Restaurant
Facebook/Martinez Tacos Restaurant
Facebook/Martinez Tacos Restaurant This northeast Illinois diner will whisk you away to Mexico. The interior is quaint and decorated with charming decor. Locals are attracted by the $8.75 Mexican buffet that includes nachos, enchiladas, tacos, tortas, and so much more. Learn all about this marvelous all-you-can-eat experience here.
- Pizzeria Antica
Facebook/Pizzeria Antica
Facebook/Pizzeria Antica Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza, this central Illinois eatery is an absolutely lovely restaurant inside and out. Exposed brick adds charm to the interior while glowing lights bring the exterior to life. You’ll be whisked away to Tuscany from the moment you step inside. Get more details here.
- Rowdy’s
Facebook/Rowdys
Facebook/Rowdys In business since 1971, this is certainly one of the oldest bucket list restaurants you can’t pass up. It is known for its wings, burgers, and beer, and it even features a fish tank and a game room. For more information about this hot spot, click here.
- Schultz’s Dairy Bar
Google/Bravo Tango
Facebook/Schultz’s Dairy Bar This iconic custard shop that’s been around since 1957 belongs on the top of your bucket list if you have not been here yet. It is best known for a fried tenderloin sandwich that is so big, it nearly falls off the plate. You won’t find anything like it anywhere but here.
- Taco Gringo
Facebook/Taco_Gringo
Facebook/Taco_Gringo This very simple fast-food restaurant belongs on your list because it has been an Illinois staple for more than 50 years. Forget Taco Bell when you can try a taco from this local chain. Other menu items include nachos, quesadillas, burritos, chalupas, tostadas, enchiladas, tamales, as well as American favorites like wings, potato skins, criss-cut fries, fried fish, and tenderloin sandwiches. Get more details about it here.
- Wishful Acres Farm & Brewery
Facebook/Wishful Acres Farm & Brewery
Facebook/Wishful Acres Farm & Brewery This is one of those bucket list restaurants that’s just for craft beer lovers. It was established in 2009 but has only been at its current property since 2011. Guests can sit in the taproom or beer garden and enjoy pub classics like soft pretzels, popcorn, chips, and cheese plates along with their beer. Stop by on special days for meals of pizza, brats, chili, and more. Click here for more details.
While you’re thinking about what to eat, why not check out these seven strange food combinations only people from Illinois love.
Google/Johnny Mnemonic
Facebook/Alongi’s Italian Restaurant
Opened by actual Italian immigrants in 1933, this is one of the oldest restaurants in the Land of Lincoln. It has had famous visitors like Sonny and Cher, Connie Stevens, and Joe Garagiola, and it is known for both its lovely indoor and outdoor seating. All the food is amazing and made traditionally. Learn more about it here.
Facebook/Fishhouse
Seafood lovers can’t get enough of this lakeside restaurant in southern Illinois. It is known for its nautical theme as well as for being a local favorite. Order fried fish by the pound or get it on a sandwich or taco. You’ll also find burgers, chicken strips, soups, and salads. Get more details here.
Facebook/Gallagher’s Restaurant
Though it did not become a restaurant until 2005, this building has been standing since the 1870s. It is known for its unique atmosphere and all-you-can-eat fried chicken Sundays. The place also features a full bar, seafood dishes, a wealth of sandwiches, and a plethora of historic decor. Click here to learn more about this excellent spot.
Facebook/Huckleberry’s
This homey eatery is all about BBQ. It’s a down-home restaurant with simple decor and outstanding menu items like BBQ nachos, pulled pork, pizza, and more. Including a full bar, this place has all you need for a fun night. Learn more about it here.
Google/Jerome Wellence
Facebook/Islamorada Fish Company Bolingbrook IL
Whether or not you like seafood, you’ll love the nautical decor in this most unique of bucket list restaurants. It is located inside a Pro Bass Shop and features a 13,000-gallon fish tank that you can see from just about anywhere in the dining room. Classic menu items like burgers, seafood, sandwiches, and more abound. Read more about this fabulous spot here.
Facebook/Mandy’s Family Restaurant
This small town diner in southern Illinois is all about large portions and comfort food. Both breakfast and lunch classics are available daily at this cozy spot and include tenderloins, burgers, hot dogs, omelets, pancakes, biscuits with gravy, and much more. More information about this little-known watering hole can be accessed here.
Facebook/Martinez Tacos Restaurant
This northeast Illinois diner will whisk you away to Mexico. The interior is quaint and decorated with charming decor. Locals are attracted by the $8.75 Mexican buffet that includes nachos, enchiladas, tacos, tortas, and so much more. Learn all about this marvelous all-you-can-eat experience here.
Facebook/Pizzeria Antica
Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza, this central Illinois eatery is an absolutely lovely restaurant inside and out. Exposed brick adds charm to the interior while glowing lights bring the exterior to life. You’ll be whisked away to Tuscany from the moment you step inside. Get more details here.
Facebook/Rowdys
In business since 1971, this is certainly one of the oldest bucket list restaurants you can’t pass up. It is known for its wings, burgers, and beer, and it even features a fish tank and a game room. For more information about this hot spot, click here.
Google/Bravo Tango
Facebook/Schultz’s Dairy Bar
This iconic custard shop that’s been around since 1957 belongs on the top of your bucket list if you have not been here yet. It is best known for a fried tenderloin sandwich that is so big, it nearly falls off the plate. You won’t find anything like it anywhere but here.
Facebook/Taco_Gringo
This very simple fast-food restaurant belongs on your list because it has been an Illinois staple for more than 50 years. Forget Taco Bell when you can try a taco from this local chain. Other menu items include nachos, quesadillas, burritos, chalupas, tostadas, enchiladas, tamales, as well as American favorites like wings, potato skins, criss-cut fries, fried fish, and tenderloin sandwiches. Get more details about it here.
Facebook/Wishful Acres Farm & Brewery
This is one of those bucket list restaurants that’s just for craft beer lovers. It was established in 2009 but has only been at its current property since 2011. Guests can sit in the taproom or beer garden and enjoy pub classics like soft pretzels, popcorn, chips, and cheese plates along with their beer. Stop by on special days for meals of pizza, brats, chili, and more. Click here for more details.
What are your bucket list restaurants for 2019? Please share your food goals with us below in the comments.
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