Illinois

Wooden boardwalks stretch across the wetlands at Heron County Park, putting visitors surprisingly close to the wildlife that…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 4

Cardamom announces itself before the first bite, filling a bakery with the kind of warm, fragrant spice that…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 3

Dessert tastes even better when finding it requires a little adventure. Across Illinois, pastry counters, ice cream shops,…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 3

Sometimes the sandwich you remember most is the one that never needed a complicated recipe. At The Igloo…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 2

The promise of a flaky crust and a still-warm filling can make an extra hour on the road…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 2

Downtown Chicago prices can climb quickly, which makes a filling meal that stays relatively easy on the wallet…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 1

Forget the plain pretzel you grab between errands. Gnarly Knots Pretzel Company in Lombard takes the familiar twisted…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 1

Choosing just one entrée feels unnecessary when an entire room of possibilities is waiting. Across Illinois, under-the-radar buffets…

By Abigail Cox · Sep 1

More than a century of Chicago history sits behind the doors of The Berghoff on Adams Street. Opened…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 31

Apple picking is only half the temptation at Edwards Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove. After wandering between rows…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 31

Meatloaf never needed a trendy comeback because some Illinois kitchens never stopped serving it. At old-fashioned diners, neighborhood…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 31

A giant steel form rising from prairie grass or an abstract figure appearing around a wooded bend can…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 30

A frosty mug of root beer is the kind of old-fashioned treat that can make summer feel simpler.…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 30

Stone walls, delicate Victorian details, and a dramatic limestone backdrop make this unusual Illinois cottage look like something…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 29

Massive stone walls rising from the Illinois countryside make Fort de Chartres feel like a piece of colonial…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 29

Follow the back roads to Jacob, Illinois, and you will find a restaurant where fried chicken gets the…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 28

Nothing breaks up a hot Illinois road trip quite like spotting an ice cream shop ahead. Across the…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 28

A worthwhile food detour should leave you talking about the meal long after the drive home. Across Illinois,…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 28

Save room for dessert at West Union Cafe, because the lemon meringue pie may be the part of…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 28

Rain can transform an ordinary Illinois trail into something spectacular. Across the state, seasonal waterfalls tumble through sandstone…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 27

Route 66 has changed dramatically over the decades, but The Ariston Cafe in Litchfield remains a delicious connection…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 27

The aroma of cinnamon, butter, and fresh dough is enough to make walking past Trefzger’s Bakery nearly impossible.…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 27

Some recipes earn their staying power one summer at a time. The Custard Stand in Sesser has spent…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 26

Crispy lumpia, savory adobo, sizzling meats, and generous scoops of rice make Filipino comfort food especially difficult to…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 26

Butter, wine, delicate sauces, and warm bread have a way of making dinner feel like an occasion. Chicago’s…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 25

Come hungry to Las Ollas in Christopher, because stopping after one plate may be the hardest part of…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 25

Fire does much of the talking at a great Argentinian steakhouse. Across Illinois, restaurants inspired by Buenos Aires…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 24

Heavy metal blasts from the speakers while towering burgers arrive with names borrowed from bands at Kuma’s Corner…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 24

Fries usually belong beside a hot dog, but Henry’s Drive-In in Cicero has spent decades proving they are…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 24