Where to Eat

Getting a delicious cup of coffee before your trip to Starved Rock State Park just got even easier. Jeremiah Joe Coffee, a local favorite roastery and café in Ottawa, has opened up a beautiful second location in town along the historic I&M Canal.For more information, be sure to f…

August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. in Downtown Utica is Starved Rock Country’s award winning winery. August Hill Winery has been making wine since 2002. The Winery includes caves for aging wine, a tasting room, a sparkling wine program, and a staff that is family. Enjoy …

Join the Mystery Diner as they take a trip to Starved Rock Country's own Sunfield, a destination for quality comfort food in Ottawa!Sometimes you want a homemade, comfort dinner, but you don't want to cook.Still taking it cautiously during the pandemic, we opted for a carryout, s…

Starved Rock Country is no stranger to viticulture, take a look at six of the best wine bars and wineries the region has to offer amateur sommeliers. From Morris to Ottawa, Utica to Princeton, you'll be surprised at all the hidden gems available for your fall wine roadtrip!August…

Join the Mystery Diner as they take a trip to Starved Rock Country's own Flo's on Pulaski, a destination for gigantic tenderloins and home-style meals!I tried Flo's on Pulaski in Peru when a friend told me the breaded pork tenderloins were the largest he's seen. They didn't disap…

While COVID-19, and the temporary closure of Matthiessen State Park, has put plans for the Vintage Illinois Wine Festival on hold for 2020, you can still sample wines from some of the state's best growers at their pop-up event this weekend in Utica!This year's participating winer…

Starved Rock Country is home to no shortage of amazing pizzerias, from classic deep dish parlors to progressive Neapolitan-style pies, there's a pizza for everyone! Join us as we take a look at eight of the region's favorite pizza places scattered across Starved Rock Country.Inig…

Join the Mystery Diner as they take a trip to Starved Rock Country's own Dig Doug's BBQ, a destination for smoked meat fanatics in Streator!Dig Doug's is open for lunch and dinner five days a week — Wednesdays through Sundays.

I made a mistake of putting a 20-minute drive in between my order at Jerry's Tap in Ransom and eating it at home. The smell in my car almost drove me nuts in the best way possible. While my mistake was pretty bad, the food was incredible, and inexpensive, too.Burgers and sandwich…

For one week only, starting Saturday, September 5, four great resturants in Ottawa will be featuring dishes made from fresh, locally sourced, ingredients. This fan favorite farm-to-table dining experience is part of Ottawa's second annual Local Foods Resturant Week, celebrating g…

If you're taking the scenic route to the recently reopened Starved Rock State Park, exiting I-80 in Ottawa or coming in along Route 71, you'll pass a picturesque white barn, perched atop a sprawling hill of green grass.On Fridays and Saturdays, be sure to stop at Hank's sister st…