The W Restaurant - DuQouin

For my husbands birthday our good friends Molly and William made reservations for us at The W Restaurant in DuQuoin (we went to Rustle Hill for Molly's birthday last year, but I never got to blog about it, because I sent my camera through the washing machine the next morning. >_< )
I know what you're thinking (same thing I was) , 'A fancy restaurant in DuQuoin? Yeah, right.' But really, it's beautiful.  The W is right outside of town on a ranch (A ranch in DuQuoin? yes, really!) with big longhorn steers staring at you while you meander up the drive.

(picture courtesy of the Southern)

There was a class reunion going on the night we were there, so it was really busy (and I didn't get to wander around and take pictures like I normally would) but either way I do recommend reservations.  I would think it is busy enough that you will prefer, if not need them.
The W, beyond the pretty ranch it sits on, honestly doesn't look like much when you reach the building.  It's a big pole barn type building, with a fenced off area in back where people were on horses.  If you have a twinge of disappointment at the outside, walking onto the porch and in the door will more than make up for it.

The entire inside is warm, welcoming, and rustic.  The theme, of course, is ranches, horses, and rustic charm.  We sat right inside the door in one of several dining rooms, and the W also sports private dining as well as a bar and outside seating to watch the cowboys ride horses and rope cattle.

 (last 2 pics courtesy of the Southern)

The W has an impressively creative drink menu, and we took full advantage of it.  Kevin had a Jack and coke, and me, Molly, and William had a Georgia Peach, Raspberry Lemon Drop, and AppleTini, respectively.  I don't think I even need to say how amazing they all were :)

The menu is beautiful.  It has plenty of choices, but it's not overwhelming.  They have four or so salad choices, half a dozen entrees, anther half a dozen or so sandwiches, some A La Cart items, and just a few desserts.  But honestly, who needs a menu that takes an hour to read and even longer to make a selection?  Not to mention how they keep everything fresh by only having those few things they need on hand.  The W has something for everyone, and it's all amazing, and I commend them for a smaller menu.

I ordered the pork chop with fruit glaze, and it was probably the best I've ever had.  Sweet and salty and cooked to absolute perfection.  Not to mention that the chop itself was so big I took no more than three bites of my baked potato.  Prices are about what you would expect to pay at any fine dining restaurant, between $15 and $25 a plate. 

Of course, we couldn't go without dessert, but our entire table was stuffed, so we ordered one slice of Kahlua Pie, and let me tell you, even between the four of us, once slice is all we needed.

The staff was quick and courteous, even with a packed house.  We were not rushed through our courses nor our after dinner chit chat.  I didn't see the bill, but I imagine with the four of us it hovered comfortably around the hundred dollar mark.   After you've thoroughly stuffed yourself, it seems that a lot of people go outside onto the porch and 'sit a spell.'  It's lit up beautifully with globe lights and is super inviting.

There was a bunch of lights on in the arena when we went out, so naturally we went to investigate.  Apparently we had just missed the bull roping, and they were getting the steers lined up to go back out the gate.  I mentioned how a brown brindle one was pretty, so then one of the cowboys said he'd sell it to me. Ha, Thanks?  No thanks.  The reunion was gathered mostly in the outdoor seating area right next to the arena, which was really neat because it was almost completely walled in yet still was (and felt) like it was outside.  I would really like to sit out there sometime and watch the action with a meal.

All in all, I highly recommend the W Restaurant.  It's definitely the kind of place I would return to time and again.

The W Restaurant & Lounge

7230 State Route 152

Du Quoin, IL 62832

(618) 542-2424

(888) 971-9435

http://www.thewrestaurant.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheWRestaurantLounge

Hours of Operation:

Wednesday - Saturday 5 p.m. – close 

Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m

DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

So here we are, it's getting warmer, and as soon as that happens, the first thing any good Illinoisan thinks of is the State Fair.  Cuz you know, it's kind of the biggest thing about summer.

We did finally, after living in Southern Illinois for eight years, attend the DuQuoin State Fair.  You know, we're from the Springfield area, and after so many summers at the Springfield State Fair....it kind of felt like betrayal.  But the butter cow was present, so I guess in a way, a state fair is a state fair.

While reading up on the fairgrounds I discovered that they were originally the Old Black Gold strip mine.  This was filled in, leveled,  and landscaped by William R. Hayes in 1939.  There were no electric lights. The wooden grandstand held just 3,000 people. The oval race track was but a half mile around. But it was the first of many fairs to follow. And the first of many firsts for the fair.  In 1924 it had it's first horse show, and we now have horse and livestock shows year ground in a massive, beautifully crafted show barn and holding stalls, which are now part of the magnificent livestock exhibitions held yearly at the fair.

The grandstand and flanking bleachers now seat 18,000. The fair's nightly stage shows now feature class acts from Las Vegas, Broadway, Nashville, and other parts of the country. Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr., Alabama, Willie Nelson, Jim Nabors, the Bee Gees and countless other top entertainers have shared the stage over the past 69 years.  My husband and I saw Firehouse, Trixter and Warrant in 2012.

Labor Day weekend traditionally draws a packed grandstand for auto racing. Auto racing events have included such greats as A. J. Foyt, Tony Bettenhausen, and Mario Andretti. And harness racing, still the mainstay of the fair, continues to draw people from across the country to see the World Trotting Derby, just as they came for 24 years to see the Hambletonian before it.

The Southern Illinois Center is located on the fairgrounds, and we've been there on many occasions.  They host everything from Demo derbies, the Shriner's Circus, motorcycle and go-kart racing, tractor pulls, and Monster Truck Nationals (which we've gone to the last two years.)

Then of course, there's the fair...the rides, the food, the fun.  They have a good section of rides for all ages, and even I rode a few last year, bringing back memories of fairs past.  

The expo building is full of sellers peddling wares, but they are good ones.  Scentsy, unique handbags, and even a wine tasting (which of course we imbibed!)   There's little fun things all over the fair, booths for all manner of organizations, a magic show, petting zoo, and fun little billboards set up for photo ops. 

And the games! Right off the rides is a huge row of games, for big kids, little kids, kids at heart....

And if nothing else, come for the food.  Traditional fried fair food, local favorites...there isn't anything you could crave that you won't find here.  No matter what you come to the fair for, I promise you won't be disappointed.

You can find dates and lineups for the fair here:

http://www.agr.state.il.us/dq/

How to get there:

Take I-57 to the Benton exit, and turn West towards DuQuoin.  You can't miss the fairgrounds!

Mike's Drive-In

Mike's Drive-In is a must for anyone living or passing through West Frankfort.

What initially drew us in was just that it was something different.  Yes, WF has a Sonic, and McDonalds, and pretty much all the other required fast food crap.  Mike's is not like these.  An original '50's style drive-in, Mike's has all the classics - burgers, onion rings, chili dogs...then you get home made root beer (best around!)  What keeps us coming back (every Friday, to be exact) are the horse shoes and pork tenderloin sandwiches.  We are from the Springfield area, and both these things are hard to find outside of there.  What's better, is they are actually good!  Especially the horseshoes, which come is several varieties with homemade cheese sauce - hamburger, pork, or turkey.

The service here is nothing short of excellent, another reason we always return.  It didn't take long to make friends with the waitresses (especially Krystal and Angie.) They are always super friendly, and if you come back often enough, know your favorite orders. :)

They have indoor seating (with awesome retro decor!), an outdoor patio with bench seats, and traditional curb side eat in dining.

I highly recommend taking a trip to Mikes, which is open most evenings until 8, closing a little earlier on Sundays.  You can find the whole menu here: http://www.urbanspoon.com/cities/171-illinois/restaurants/983219-mikes-drive-in/menu (great prices!!)

Mike's Drive-In
1007 W Main St,
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 932-2564

Directions:

Take I-55 to the West Frankfort exit and head into town.  Right off the interstate on the North side of the road.

The Fin Inn

Grafton Illinois has always been one of my favorite places, despite it's overly touristy feel of the past few years.  And if your going to go, you HAVE to eat at the Fin Inn.

Opened in May of 1981 the Fin Inn started with only five tables.  It's been expanded several times since then, and there's alot of seating although on a weekend you will still have to wait.  All the tables, with the exception of those located along the outside wall of the restaurant, are next to huge aquariums housing a multitude of fish fund in the Mississippi, including a few loggerhead turtles weighing over 100 lbs and 100 years old.

Even if you don't get an aquarium side table, the food is well worth the trip.  This is one of the few restaurants where if you only go every ten years, everything will taste the same as it did the last time you were there.  My favorite has always been the 'eagles nest' onion blossom, which will easily feed 6 people as an appetizer.  The food is not expensive, we had three adults with dinners, a kids dinner, and the onion for $60.00.

Wether your on a first date, anniversary, or just celebrating the weekend, if your in Grafton, the Fin Inn is the place to go.
Open year round, 7 days a week!

How to get there:
Mapquest is your friend, depending on where your coming from, but getting here is easy.  Just take a drive down the Great River Road.  The Fin Inn is just about a mile West from the main 4 way in Grafton on the River Road.  You can't get lost.
www.fininn.com
And when your done, go back East and stop for dessert at the Chocolate Factory!!