While you’re traveling around the state in the new year, you’re going to want to find the best places to eat. This list of 2020 restaurants will give you a good place to start. Check out all 10:
- Brenda’s Frozen Custard
Google/Justin Michael
Facebook/Brenda’s Frozen Custard In business since 2006, this small town diner has a 1950s theme and a community atmosphere that brings locals back time and again. They are known for an extensive, budget-friendly menu and delicious frozen custard that comes in a myriad of flavors. Click here to learn more about this place from previous coverage.
- Carlock Family Restaurant
Google/Rich R
Facebook/Carlock Family Restaurant This country-themed restaurant has a little bit of everything on the menu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner items abound at this family-owned eatery that makes everything fresh-to-order. Click here to learn what is on the menu.
- Greenhouse Café
Facebook/Greenhouse Café
Facebook/Greenhouse Café This central Illinois dining establishment has been open since 2018 and is one of the best 2020 restaurants to visit in the spring or summer. It is situated within Allerton Park and allows guests to eat in an actual greenhouse. Get more details here.
- Hamburgersia
Google/Matt Knutson
Facebook/Hamburgerseria This burger paradise sells its patties in quarter-pound, half-pound, and one-pound options. These gourmet burgers are then topped with all sorts of delicious cheeses, meats, and veggies that take it to the next level. Click here to learn more about this fabulous restaurant.
- Illinois Machine Shed Restaurant
Facebook/Machine Shed Restaurant
Facebook/Machine Shed Restaurant This country-style eatery is known for its hearty portions and excellently-cooked meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites abound at this magnificent place. You’ll also find a county store to bum around in before or afterward. Get more details about this charming place here.
- Picco’s Pit BBQ & Steak House
Facebook/Picco’s Pit BBQ & Steak House
Facebook/Picco’s Pit BBQ & Steak House In business since 1983, this cozy eatery has indoor and outdoor seating as well as an extensive menu that brings locals in from far and wide. Everything from steak to BBQ to pizza to fried chicken can be found here. Click here to learn more about this all-in-one eatery.
- Two Brothers Roundhouse
Google/Brian Wood
Facebook/Two Brothers Roundhouse Situated inside an actual historic roundhouse, this unique restaurant is known for its beautiful outdoor seating, live entertainment, and fresh food. Chicagoland locals love to discover this gem. Click here so you can discover it too.
- Crusade Burger Bar
TripAdvisor/Phil G
Google/Dan Wooton Known for their outrageous burgers and milkshakes, this restaurant has been in business since 2016 and is a hot spot for young and old alike. The rustic atmosphere, craft beers, and food make it one of these places that always has a crowd. Click here to learn more about how you can be apart of it.
- Wally’s Drive-In
Google/Davein STL
Google/Eboni Harris In business since 1951, this popular southern Illinois burger joint is a must for the bucket list. With only outdoor seating, this classic eatery is a tradition for locals during the warmer months of the year. Click here for more details.
- Vito & Nick’s
Google/Javier Cervantes
Google/Phil Wingo Known for its inexpensive, quality Italian dishes and thin-crust pizza, this restaurant is known as much for its history as it is for its food. Family-owned and locally-operated, this is a quintessential Chicago eatery that is worth a trip from anywhere in the state. Get more details about it here.
For more like this, check out these 11 iconic Illinois restaurants that are always worth a visit.
Google/Justin Michael
Facebook/Brenda’s Frozen Custard
In business since 2006, this small town diner has a 1950s theme and a community atmosphere that brings locals back time and again. They are known for an extensive, budget-friendly menu and delicious frozen custard that comes in a myriad of flavors. Click here to learn more about this place from previous coverage.
Google/Rich R
Facebook/Carlock Family Restaurant
This country-themed restaurant has a little bit of everything on the menu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner items abound at this family-owned eatery that makes everything fresh-to-order. Click here to learn what is on the menu.
Facebook/Greenhouse Café
This central Illinois dining establishment has been open since 2018 and is one of the best 2020 restaurants to visit in the spring or summer. It is situated within Allerton Park and allows guests to eat in an actual greenhouse. Get more details here.
Google/Matt Knutson
Facebook/Hamburgerseria
This burger paradise sells its patties in quarter-pound, half-pound, and one-pound options. These gourmet burgers are then topped with all sorts of delicious cheeses, meats, and veggies that take it to the next level. Click here to learn more about this fabulous restaurant.
Facebook/Machine Shed Restaurant
This country-style eatery is known for its hearty portions and excellently-cooked meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites abound at this magnificent place. You’ll also find a county store to bum around in before or afterward. Get more details about this charming place here.
Facebook/Picco’s Pit BBQ & Steak House
In business since 1983, this cozy eatery has indoor and outdoor seating as well as an extensive menu that brings locals in from far and wide. Everything from steak to BBQ to pizza to fried chicken can be found here. Click here to learn more about this all-in-one eatery.
Google/Brian Wood
Facebook/Two Brothers Roundhouse
Situated inside an actual historic roundhouse, this unique restaurant is known for its beautiful outdoor seating, live entertainment, and fresh food. Chicagoland locals love to discover this gem. Click here so you can discover it too.
TripAdvisor/Phil G
Google/Dan Wooton
Known for their outrageous burgers and milkshakes, this restaurant has been in business since 2016 and is a hot spot for young and old alike. The rustic atmosphere, craft beers, and food make it one of these places that always has a crowd. Click here to learn more about how you can be apart of it.
Google/Davein STL
Google/Eboni Harris
In business since 1951, this popular southern Illinois burger joint is a must for the bucket list. With only outdoor seating, this classic eatery is a tradition for locals during the warmer months of the year. Click here for more details.
Google/Javier Cervantes
Google/Phil Wingo
Known for its inexpensive, quality Italian dishes and thin-crust pizza, this restaurant is known as much for its history as it is for its food. Family-owned and locally-operated, this is a quintessential Chicago eatery that is worth a trip from anywhere in the state. Get more details about it here.
What other 2020 restaurants should be on the list? Share your ideas with us below in the comments.
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