14 Hole In The Wall Illinois Restaurants That Deserve More Love
Illinois has more to offer food lovers than just Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza. Hidden throughout the state are amazing little eateries serving delicious food without the fancy atmosphere or high prices.
These unassuming spots might not look like much from the outside, but locals know they’re treasure troves of authentic flavors and hometown hospitality. I’ve rounded up 14 hole-in-the-wall Illinois restaurants that deserve way more recognition for their mouthwatering food.
1. Gene & Jude’s (River Grove)
Stepping into Gene & Jude’s feels like traveling back in time. This no-frills hot dog stand has been serving up the same perfect Chicago-style dogs since 1946, topped with mustard, relish, onions, sport peppers, and a handful of fresh-cut fries right on top of the dog.
What makes this place special isn’t fancy decor there aren’t even tables or chairs! You eat standing up at the counter, just like customers have done for generations. The menu is beautifully simple: hot dogs, double dogs, tamales, and drinks.
Long lines often form outside this River Grove institution, but the efficient staff keeps things moving quickly. Cash only and absolutely no ketchup allowed they’re serious about their hot dog traditions here!
2. Cozy Dog Drive In (Springfield)
Home of the original hot dog on a stick, Cozy Dog Drive In claims to have invented the corn dog as we know it today. Founded by Ed Waldmire Jr. in the 1940s, this Route 66 landmark continues to serve their famous “Cozy Dogs” to travelers and locals alike.
Their walls tell the story of American road trip culture, covered with Route 66 memorabilia and vintage photos documenting the restaurant’s colorful history. Beyond their signature item, they offer tasty burgers, sandwiches, and hand-cut fries that keep customers coming back.
Family-owned for generations, there’s something special about biting into the same recipe that road-trippers have enjoyed for over 70 years. The batter is crispy, the hot dogs juicy, and the atmosphere genuinely nostalgic.
3. The Fireplace Inn (Chicago)
Hidden in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, The Fireplace Inn has been grilling up perfect baby back ribs since 1969. Don’t let the rustic cabin-like exterior fool you this place takes their barbecue seriously.
Famous for their fall-off-the-bone ribs slathered in tangy sauce, they’ve perfected their recipe over five decades. The dining room features exposed brick, wooden beams, and yes, an actual fireplace that creates a cozy atmosphere even in Chicago’s harshest winters.
While tourists flock to the city’s famous deep dish spots, locals know to come here for the tender ribs, juicy prime rib, and perfectly grilled steaks. Their homemade potato chips are addictive, and the bar mixes strong, classic cocktails that complement the hearty food perfectly.
4. Maid-Rite (Various Locations)
Maid-Rite created the “loose meat” sandwich long before Sloppy Joes became popular. These iconic sandwiches feature seasoned, crumbly ground beef served on a steamed bun simple but incredibly satisfying.
The original Maid-Rite in Muscatine, Iowa opened in 1926, but Illinois locations have been serving these distinctive sandwiches for generations. What makes them special is the preparation the meat isn’t formed into patties but rather steamed with secret seasonings until perfectly tender.
Regulars know to order their sandwich with everything: mustard, pickles, and onions. Don’t bother asking for ketchup true Maid-Rite enthusiasts consider it sacrilege! Many locations maintain their vintage diner feel with counter seating and friendly service that makes you feel like family.
5. The Shanty (Wadsworth)
Tucked away in the small town of Wadsworth, The Shanty looks exactly like its name suggests a weathered wooden building you might drive past without a second glance. But locals know this unassuming spot serves some of the best seafood in northern Illinois.
Chef Michael Jorndt creates magic in the kitchen, transforming fresh ingredients into dishes worthy of fine dining establishments. Their famous lobster roll rivals anything you’d find on the East Coast, piled high with tender lobster meat and minimal filler.
Despite its rustic appearance, The Shanty has earned serious culinary credibility. The blackboard specials change daily based on what’s fresh, and their signature garlic pepper shrimp appetizer has developed a cult following. Cash only and reservations recommended word has spread about this hidden gem!
6. Krekel’s Custard (Decatur)
When summer heat hits central Illinois, locals line up at Krekel’s for their legendary frozen custard. This Decatur institution has been cooling down generations of families since 1949 with their exceptionally creamy treats.
What sets Krekel’s apart is their commitment to making custard fresh throughout the day. Denser and silkier than regular ice cream, their vanilla and chocolate custard serves as the base for countless sundae combinations, shakes, and concrete mixers packed with mix-ins.
Beyond desserts, their thin, crispy-edged burgers have developed their own following. These smashed patties are cooked on a well-seasoned flat-top grill and served on soft buns simple but perfect. Several locations now exist around central Illinois, but the original Decatur spot maintains its nostalgic charm and friendly service.
7. The Burger Barge (East Peoria)
Perched along the Illinois River, The Burger Barge combines riverfront views with monster-sized burgers that challenge even the heartiest appetites. This nautical-themed joint started as an actual floating restaurant before moving to solid ground in East Peoria.
Their signature “Big Barge Burger” features multiple hand-formed patties stacked with various toppings attempting to finish one earns you bragging rights among locals. The riverside deck offers stunning views, especially at sunset when boats cruise by and the sky turns orange.
Despite the focus on burgers, don’t overlook their excellent catfish sandwich a nod to their riverfront location. The casual, boat-themed decor includes life preservers, fishing nets, and other river memorabilia. Family-owned and unpretentious, it’s the perfect place to enjoy comfort food while watching the river flow by.
8. Gross’ Burgers (Danville)
Don’t let the name fool you there’s nothing unappetizing about Gross’ Burgers in Danville. This tiny burger joint has been serving the same perfectly simple burgers since 1957, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way.
Their magic comes from the basics done right: fresh ground beef smashed thin on a sizzling grill, creating crispy edges while staying juicy inside. Each burger comes on a steamed bun with the classic toppings of your choice. The crinkle-cut fries are fried to golden perfection.
The no-frills dining room features vintage booths and counter seating where you can watch your food being prepared. Cash only and closed on Sundays, this family-owned spot hasn’t changed much in decades and that’s exactly why people love it.
9. Busy Corner (Goodfield)
Located at a rural crossroads in tiny Goodfield, The Busy Corner Restaurant lives up to its name despite its seemingly remote location. Amish and Mennonite families mix with truckers and travelers at this homestyle restaurant known for enormous portions and exceptional pies.
Breakfast is served all day, featuring skillets big enough to feed a farm crew. Their homemade bread makes perfect toast and sandwiches that complement their hearty soups and comfort food classics like meatloaf and roast beef.
Save room for pie – baked fresh daily in varieties that change with the seasons. Regulars know to check the pie case first thing when arriving to reserve their slice before favorites sell out. With friendly service from longtime staff and reasonable prices, it’s no wonder this rural gem stays busy from open to close.
10. Lonzerotti’s Italia Restaurant (Jacksonville)
Housed in a converted 19th-century train station, Lonzerotti’s brings authentic Italian cuisine to the heart of central Illinois. The Lonzerotti family opened this Jacksonville gem in 1987, preserving the building’s historic character while creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Red-checked tablecloths and vintage railway memorabilia set the scene for meals featuring hand-rolled pasta and sauces made from generations-old family recipes. Their housemade Italian salad dressing has such a following that they now bottle it for retail sale.
The bar area occupies what was once the station’s waiting room, with the original ticket windows still visible. Wine lovers appreciate their extensive Italian wine selection. While the restaurant has evolved over the years, the commitment to quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods remains unchanged making this converted train depot worth seeking out.
11. The Galena Kandy Kitchen (Galena)
Since 1974, The Galena Kandy Kitchen has been sweetening Main Street with handcrafted confections made using techniques that haven’t changed in generations. The mouthwatering aroma of caramel, chocolate, and fresh-baked waffle cones greets visitors before they even step inside.
Famous for their buttery caramels and “Kandy Kitchen Fudge” made in copper kettles visible from the shop floor, everything here is created in small batches. During summer, their homemade ice cream draws lines down the block the butter pecan uses locally sourced nuts and has a cult following.
While Galena has become a popular tourist destination, this candy shop remains authentic to its roots. Third-generation candy makers still use many original recipes and equipment. The vintage decor, complete with antique display cases and original tin ceiling, makes visiting as much about nostalgia as satisfying your sweet tooth.
12. Lu Lu’s Diner (Springfield)
Hiding in plain sight in downtown Springfield, Lu Lu’s Diner serves up classic American breakfast and lunch with a Greek twist. The unassuming exterior gives way to a cozy dining room where politicians, state workers, and locals gather around formica tables and vinyl booths.
Owned by the same family for decades, Lu Lu’s horseshoe sandwich an open-faced creation topped with meat, fries, and cheese sauce is legendary in a city known for this regional specialty. Their secret cheese sauce recipe remains closely guarded, with a perfect balance of sharpness and creaminess.
Breakfast brings massive skillets and omelets served with a side of friendly banter from long-time servers who remember regular customers’ orders by heart. Cash only and closed by mid-afternoon, Lu Lu’s embodies the charm of diners from a bygone era while still serving food that satisfies modern appetites.
13. Wolfy’s (Chicago)
Marked by its iconic hot dog-shaped sign, Wolfy’s has been a Chicago North Side institution since 1967. This no-frills hot dog stand serves textbook-perfect Chicago-style hot dogs Vienna Beef franks on poppy seed buns “dragged through the garden” with all the traditional toppings.
Unlike many hot dog joints that have modernized, Wolfy’s maintains its vintage charm with the original counter service, tile floors, and no-nonsense approach. The menu remains focused on what they do best: hot dogs, Polish sausages, burgers, and hand-cut fries.
Lunch hours bring a mix of blue-collar workers, students, and neighborhood regulars who appreciate the consistent quality and reasonable prices. Despite changing food trends, Wolfy’s refuses to compromise on tradition still serving their dogs exactly as they did over 50 years ago, proving that some classics need no improvement.
14. Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket (Willowbrook)
Located along historic Route 66, Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket has been frying up crispy, golden chicken since 1946. This roadside institution started as a simple gas station lunch counter before growing into the full restaurant it is today.
Their secret recipe chicken hasn’t changed in over 75 years each piece is hand-breaded and pressure-fried until perfectly crisp outside while remaining juicy inside. The classic blue-plate special includes potatoes, vegetables, and their famous biscuits with honey.
The interior preserves its mid-century charm with Route 66 memorabilia covering the walls. Even Guy Fieri featured this spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, cementing its reputation beyond just local fame. Despite this recognition, Dell Rhea’s maintains its unpretentious, family-friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices.
