People Leave Chicago Behind For These 8 Small‑Town Illinois Comfort Food Spots

Chicago might be famous for its deep-dish pizza and gourmet restaurants, but sometimes the best meals are found along the dusty backroads of Illinois.

I’ve spent years exploring the small-town diners and family-owned eateries that make our state a hidden culinary wonderland.

These nine comfort food havens are worth the drive from the Windy City, offering dishes so delicious they’ve turned weekend warriors into regular road-trippers.

Grab your keys and an empty stomach – we’re going on a tasty adventure!

1. Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket (Willowbrook)

Holy crispy goodness! The first time I bit into Dell Rhea’s legendary fried chicken, I nearly fell off my stool. This Route 66 landmark has been serving up crunchy, juicy poultry since 1946, and the recipe hasn’t changed a bit – thank goodness!

Their secret? A 24-hour marinade that makes the meat impossibly tender. The basket comes overflowing with golden-brown pieces alongside crinkle-cut fries that somehow maintain their crispiness until the very last bite.

What I love most is the time-capsule atmosphere – vintage road signs, checkered tablecloths, and servers who call you ‘hon’ without a hint of irony. When Chicago’s fancy food scene feels overwhelming, this is where I escape for comfort that tastes like grandma’s kitchen (if grandma was secretly a fried chicken wizard).

2. The Fill Inn Station (Batchtown)

Motorcycles line the gravel parking lot of this converted gas station where pumps once stood. Now The Fill Inn Station serves up fuel of a different kind – massive pork tenderloins that hang off the plate like edible frisbees.

My cousin dragged me here after a day of fishing on the Mississippi, swearing I’d thank him later. Boy, was he right! These hand-breaded beauties are pounded thin, fried to golden perfection, and served on buns that seem comically small in comparison.

The walls are plastered with dollar bills signed by visitors, making the décor as unique as the food. Between bites, I chatted with the owner who told wild stories about the building’s history – including its rumored past as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Whether that’s true or tall tale doesn’t matter when you’re munching on the best tenderloin sandwich in three counties!

3. Rip’s Tavern (Ladd)

Blink and you’ll miss the tiny town of Ladd, but your taste buds would never forgive you. Rip’s Tavern has been frying chicken since 1936 in this coal-mining community, and locals guard their secret recipe like it’s made of gold.

Unlike other places, Rip’s serves their crispy masterpieces on plain white bread that soaks up the juices like a delicious sponge. The first time I visited, I laughed at this humble presentation – until I took that first bite and immediately shut my trap.

Cash only and no reservations means you’ll likely wait in line, but strike up a conversation with the folks around you. Everyone has a Rip’s story! My favorite part? The paper bags they serve your chicken in actually improve the flavor as the steam works its magic. Science or sorcery? You decide.

4. Tony’s Ranch House Restaurant & Lounge (Godfrey)

Spaghetti and meatballs bigger than your fist! Tony’s Ranch House looks like a time machine deposited a 1970s Italian-American restaurant in the middle of farm country – wood paneling, red checkered tablecloths and all.

During my first visit, I witnessed a server carrying a platter of fried chicken so large it required both hands and careful navigation between tables. The portions here aren’t just generous; they’re borderline ridiculous in the best possible way.

Family-owned for generations, Tony’s specializes in Italian-American classics with a Midwestern twist. Their house-made Italian dressing has a cult following, and I’ve seen people buy bottles to take home like liquid souvenirs. The garlic bread alone is worth the 45-minute drive from St. Louis – thick-cut, butter-soaked, and powerful enough to ward off vampires three counties away.

5. Ariston Café (Litchfield)

Sweet mother of menu variety! The Ariston Café isn’t just old – it’s the oldest restaurant on Route 66 still in operation. My grandpa used to drive 40 miles just for their Greek salad, and now I make the pilgrimage whenever nostalgia hits.

What makes this place magical isn’t just one signature dish but the mind-boggling range of perfectly executed comfort foods. One table might be swooning over authentic moussaka while another demolishes classic meatloaf that would make your momma jealous.

The current owners still use recipes from the original Greek immigrant family who opened the doors in 1924. My personal obsession? Their homemade pies with crusts so flaky they should be illegal in at least twelve states. Pro tip: The raspberry cream pie is worth fighting your dining companions for the last slice!

6. The Galena Kandy Kitchen (Galena)

Sugar rush heaven! Stepping into this Victorian-era confectionery shop feels like walking into a time capsule of sweetness. The copper ceiling tiles gleam above glass cases filled with hand-dipped chocolates that have been made the same way since 1974.

Last summer, I watched in awe as a candy maker stretched hot caramel by hand, the sweet smell wafting through the shop and practically hypnotizing everyone present. Their pecan “turtles” use local nuts and chocolate so smooth it should have its own fan club.

Though technically not a restaurant, no comfort food tour is complete without dessert! The fudge comes in slabs thick enough to use as doorstops (though they’re far too delicious for that purpose). My personal weakness is their cinnamon-sugar coated cashews – I’ve been known to hide bags from my family to avoid sharing. Not my proudest moment, but completely understandable once you’ve tried them.

7. Krekel’s Custard & Hamburgers (Decatur)

Brain freeze never tasted so good! When temperatures climb in central Illinois, locals make a beeline for this no-frills drive-in where the custard machines haven’t stopped churning since 1949.

Unlike typical soft-serve, Krekel’s custard contains egg yolks that create a silky texture that ruins regular ice cream forever. My first concrete mixer – custard blended with mix-ins – was a revelation that made me question every dessert choice I’d made previously in life.

Don’t overlook their savory offerings though! The thin, crispy-edged smashed burgers develop an almost caramelized crust on the well-seasoned flat-top grill. They’re served on steamed buns with simple toppings that don’t distract from the beefy perfection. Pro move: Order the “Krekel Burger” with cheese, then immediately get back in line for a chocolate-dipped custard cone for the perfect sweet-savory combo.

8. Poopy’s Pub n’ Grub (Savanna)

Yes, you read that name correctly! This biker-friendly roadhouse along the Mississippi might raise eyebrows with its cheeky moniker, but the food is seriously no joke. My Harley-riding uncle insisted we stop here during a river road trip, and I’ve been grateful ever since.

Housed in what feels like a small village of connected buildings, Poopy’s serves burgers so massive they should come with warning labels. The “Poopy Burger” stands nearly six inches tall – a towering monument to excess that somehow remains structurally sound until the final bite.

Live music rocks the outdoor patio on weekends, where leather-clad bikers mingle with curious tourists and locals. Everyone’s united by the common language of exceptional bar food. Their hand-cut fries arrive in portions that could feed a small army, and the homemade potato chips with French onion dip have ruined all other chips for me forever.