Mona's Italian Restaurant
202 N. Main Street
Toluca, IL 61369
815-452-2303
The Mystery Diner Says: "Mona's fried chicken is a specialty unto itself. For the best of both worlds, order it "Family Style" to sample the chicken, salad, choice of potato or rice, bread and a side of spaghetti and tortellini. A few delicious desserts are available too, such as Eli's cheesecakes or spumoni ice cream … if you still have room for them."
Garzanelli's Supper Club
750 N Columbia Ave.
Oglesby, IL 61348
815-883-8633
The Mystery Diner Says: "Aesthetics are harder to appreciate within clamshell, to-go containers, but the food was neatly laid out and generally withstood a short drive to our dining room. Anyone who remembers the signature garlic-oil dressing won’t be disappointed, and none of the appetizers or entrees – mozzarella sticks, fried jumbo shrimp, spaghetti and tortellini – tasted as if they had been frozen. Freshness still matters here."
Verucchi's Ristorante
600 N Greenwood St.
Spring Valley, IL 61362
(815) 663-6431
The Mystery Diner Says: "The chicken, for me, bests any in Starved Rock Country, with a light ultra crispy flaky batter and consistently good chicken inside. The spaghetti and ravs are a favorite as well. Even with two of my dining companions being notoriously picky about their meat sauce, we didn't have a drop left over of those sides."
Thyme Craft Kitchen
405 Fifth Street
Peru, IL 61354
815-780-8774
The Mystery Diner Says: "Ingredients matter here, though the emphasis on freshness does not dictate a meat-and-potatoes menu, by any means. I ordered an Italian dish while my dinner companion went Mediterranean and ordered a more exotic “shakshouka,” an Israeli dish of eggs, tomato, goat cheese and vegetables."
Burger and Sushi House
1012 North LaSalle St.
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
(815) 434-2274
The Mystery Diner Says: "Atmosphere has always been a cornerstone of the B.A.S.H. experience, with their long communal tables, open concept design and glass fronted sushi bar, design and interaction have always went side-by-side with their top notch food."
The Study Supper Club
414 First St.
La Salle, IL 61301
(815) 224-4689
The Mystery Diner Says: "For my dinner, I ordered Smothered Chicken. The meal was boneless, skinless breast, sauteed and smothered with mushrooms, onions and mozzarella cheese. My chicken was soft and flavorsome, and I loved the amount of cheese, mushrooms and onions on top. My friend ordered Chicken Pasta Parmesan — a pan-seared chicken breast, meat sauce, melted mozzarella cheese with a side pasta. My friend said the chicken was tender but crispy on the outside."