Where to Eat

More than 600 people cast their votes for which bars, breweries and restaurants in Starved Rock Country grilled up the best burger! Here are five great places where our readers think you should visit:Lodi Tap House The Lone Buffalo Court Street Pub Red Dog Grill Broadway Pub

Downtown Ottawa's Burger and Sushi House opened several years ago to meet a demand for sushi in Starved Rock Country.The business has alread…

Ottawa’s inaugural restaurant week is underway, with four of the city's best restaurants serving special dishes made with ingredients from around Starved Rock Country. B.A.S.H, C230, Lone Buffalo and Pine Hills will be serving special farm to table dishes using ingredients from f…

Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm may bill themselves as the Chicago area's first, and best, community-supported agriculture venture, but since 2002 they've called a rural Ottawa farm home. This Saturday, you'll have a rare opportunity to tour this sustainable family-run operation an…

Believe it or not, Star Union Spirits owners' first love was not spirits. It was wine.On a camping trip about a decade ago, Jeff Yosowitz gave Bob Windy a sample of his homemade wine. Windy enjoyed it so much, he asked Yosowitz to teach him how to make his own. It started a frien…

For one week only, starting Sunday, September 15, four great restaurants in Ottawa will be featuring dishes made from fresh, locally sourced, ingredients. This farm-to-table dining experience is part of Ottawa's first annual Local Foods Restaurant Week, celebrating great meals an…

More than 600 local coffee connoisseurs cast their votes for which cafes, restaurants and coffee shops in Starved Rock Country brewed the best cup.Whether you're looking for iced cappuccinos and live music or black coffee in a vintage diner, there's bound to be a coffee shop with…

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Utica’s biggest festival, the La Salle County Historical Society Canal Market has teamed up with Tangled Roots Brewing Company to produce a special Burgoo-themed brew!So what exactly is Burgoo?Burgoo is a benefit festival hosted by the La Sall…

It's not unusual for Smitty's to cook 6,000 wings on a Tuesday or Thursday. It's quite the feat for the small restaurant nestled between two houses in the town of Leonore – population 130. For more than three decades, customers have flocked to the southwestern La Salle County eat…

Ottawa's Burger and Sushi House (B.A.S.H.) has been providing crowd pleasing, and innovative, dishes since they opened their doors, back in 2013. This diverse menu of sushi rolls and artisanal burgers has earned them a huge cult following, now's your chance to have a personal din…

Starved Rock is going to be a happening place this weekend, and after a few hours of enjoying Illinois' favorite Labor Day destination, you'll probably want to track down a place to cool off and have a drink or two. We've got you covered, here's a guide to seven of the best water…