Location: Oglesby
Top Restaurants in Oglesby
Top Things to do in Oglesby
- 1. Lock 16 Visitor Center & LaSalle Canal Boat
- 2. Matthiessen State Park
- 3. Cedar Creek Ranch
- 4. Baker Lake Park
- 5. Senica's Deer Park Golf Club
- 6. Starved Rock State Park
- 7. Hegeler Carus Mansion
- 8. Vermillion River Rafting
- 9. August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Co. Tasting Room
- 10. Illinois Waterway Visitor Center
Oglesby Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Oglesby
Oglesby is a city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,791 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Things to do in Oglesby
1. Uptown Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
Uptown Grill is a full service restaurant featuring American Cuisine for lunch and dinner seven days a week. We offer one of the most diverse menus in the Illinois Valley area. Uptown Grill uses only the freshest ingredients. Our steaks and seafood are fresh and never frozen. Our dressings, sauces, and stocks are all made from scratch. We have our own line of home-made desserts and breads, which are also available for carry out. We offer a full bar service including hand-crafted specialty cocktails, an extensive wine menu, and craft beer. Our facility offers a polished casual atmosphere. We are family friendly, including your pets with our sidewalk dinning! When the season is right we offer al fresco dining in our screened in patio. Our gorgeous bar room also has comfortable casual lounge seating. We have recently updated our banquet facility and host a variety of private parties for up to 150 people including rehearsal dinners, weddings, showers, luncheons, business meetings, and social events. Join us at our Uptown's Playlist Theater, where we host a variety of artists, including some nationally acclaimed musical acts! We have been family owned and operated for over 32 years. Ray and Rita learned the trade from Ray's father Victor who owned and operated the Red Door Inn in Peru, Illinois for over 30 years. Uptown is centrally located off Interstate 80 and Interstate 39. We are in the heart of Starved Rock Country, just five minutes away from Starved Rock State Park. To learn more about Uptown Grill, please visit our website.
Reviewed By mandolin33333 - TG, Illinois
From the great wine list and beer selection to the artisan bread basket and mellow atmosphere you just go wrong! The appetizers and salads are just out of this world! Every dish I’ve ever had in 20+ years has always been incredible and delicious!!! It’s my favorite spot, worth every cent spent. I really cannot day enough great things about this place!!!
On a side note: The music is always amazing, that doesn’t include the intimate shows the place hosts regularly.
Stop what you’re doing and go have dinner here!!!
2. Cajun Connection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By Teahan - Chicago, Illinois
I had heard about this place years ago and finally got to try it. It was very good and for sure a change of pace considering you are in central Illinois. The menu features all the items you would expect to find down south and you have the option of getting it fried, blackened, or grilled. We tried to gator, frog legs, oysters and a few more items. We left stuffed and happy. Friendly staff and quaint setting
3. Delaney's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By RTRupp - Chicago, Illinois
All the reviews are spot on in recommending this solid diner which also offers a great salad bar and hot buffet. Really appreciated having a somewhat healthy alternative to the fast food of the area when we wanted that, and also appreciated carb loading on a proper horseshoe sandwich over waffle fries. Respectable prices and they serve beer.
4. Mark Allen's American Kitchen
Overall Ratings
5 based on 265 reviews
Reviewed By Scohn - Skokie, IL
My wife and I just got back from this lovely restaurant in Peru, Illinois, during our weekend visit to Starved Rock State Park. The restaurant portion is in the back room of a bar/restaurant set-up. All of the staff there were incredibly friendly from the moment we walked in the front door. In the dining room area, all of the walls have "playful" wall designed where you can reorganize magnet shapes in different designs, or draw pictures with dry erase markers. Really nice way to give a little fun for the evening.
They start you off with pieces of bread, which is more rich a rich, non-sweet beignet - rich and salty and flaky. I had a glass of the house merlot - quite nice, and they also have a reasonable wine list if you like. The entrees come with a salad as well. I had mine with ranch dressing, and it tasted like a really good homemade dressings.
For the entree my wife had the chicken parmesan and I had the trigger fish. My fish was excellent - in a seasoned lime sauce. tender and flaky. The chicken was also pretty good - moist and well seasoned, although the sauce seems just a tense sweet. I also got a side of string beans, which was really good, although well (very well!) buttered (could have had just a tense less, but the flavor of the beans was excellent).
My wife and I shared a cheesecake for dessert. It was very good (I liked it better than she did), but the chocolate sauce on the cheesecake tasted like Hershey's syrup - very mild without that deep rich chocolate taste that a good homemade sauce tastes like.
Overall, a wonderfully relaxing evening with very good food, great service, and a comfortable decor. Definitely a place I would come back to!
5. Nonie's Bakery & Cafe
Overall Ratings
5 based on 179 reviews
Nonie's is a family owned bakery and cafe. Opened June 2012 in Utica IL near Starved Rock State Park. Nonie's serves All Day breakfast and lunch and offers a wide variety of baked goods and novelty desserts. Vegetarian options also available. Espresso drinks and locally roasted coffee.
Reviewed By Gina J - Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
We stop in at Nonie's whenever we hike in the area. I almost always have the trail hiker sandwich. Fresh ingredients on homemade bread, and then DESSERT! Everything we've tried has been so good. This time it was pumpkin spice cake and dutch apple crumb bar. I took apple cider donuts home to my hubby and he said they were the best ever. Reasonable prices and friendly staff. Seating indoors or on the deck (which is great for us bc we can keep an eye on our dogs in the car). We prefer Nonie's to eating at Starved Rock Lodge, which used to be our go-to.
6. Two Girls and a Cupcake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By duranie4life - Chicago, Illinois
Every time I go, they have different cupcake offerings, although there are a few consistent offerings. The cakes are always moist and delicious no matter what kind you get. The cupcakes are $3 each no matter how many you get. If anything, they should offer a special price for a half dozen or dozen, even a buck cheaper would be great.
7. MJ's Walnut St Pub & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
MJ's Pub & Grill is where you'll have fun while enjoying the home cooked meals, indoors or on the patio. Our full stocked bar to serve you one of MJ's Specialty drinks or martinis. 5 TVs for all your sports plus a big Screen and video gaming so you can win some money while you're here. Our friendly service hours are 7 days a week, 10 am to midnight Sunday thru Thursday, 10 am to 2 am Friday & 10 am to 3 am Saturday. And we have weekend entertainment.
Reviewed By Jerry B - Branson, Missouri
On our way from Springfield Ill, (St Louis works also) to Wisconsin Dells, and it's lunch time. Where do we eat? We know nothing about this part of Illinois. Pull out TripAdisor to search for a good eating place. Isn't technology great??!!!?? MJ's shows up so we turn off I-55 for about 2 miles to the local town of Oglesby, Ill. Awesome find. We both had the Italian Beef Sandwich at recommendation of server, Amy. Fantastic. Similar to a Philly Cheese Steak, but way better. It's more a cafe than bar, so we felt comfortable. Lots of light from front windows. Amy was great, a real treasure.
8. Brandy's Fine Food and Cocktails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Julie C - Fishers, Indiana
Unexpected space along the river in what you'd assume is a typical small town bar. The atmosphere is a touch swanky and our service was fast and friendly.
None of us loved our breakfast...except for the complimentary cinnamon rolls that were brought to the table. Those that could eat them, loved them.
Keep a few loaves of gluten free bread in the freezer for the growing # of gluten intolerant people floating around. Celiacs couldn't have it, but others could and it would be very appreciated.
Breakfast potatoes were too thick and oily. Would much prefer traditional crispy hash browns.
The person who brought us here based on past experience barely touched her breakfast. Could have been an off day.
9. Starved Rock Lodge - Main Dining Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 308 reviews
The Main Dining Room is located in the heart of Starved Rock Lodge and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Sunday Brunch is a favorite at Starved Rock! In addition to our delicious food, we offer a variety of wines, homemade Artisan ice cream and great desserts. Locals and guests enjoy our restaurant because of its beautiful, historic setting. Reservations are recommended and always appreciated. Holiday Buffets are offered on Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Easter. Reservations are required for holiday buffets. For reservations, please call: (815) 220-7321
Reviewed By David W - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Our family spent a couple of days this week staying at Starved Rock State Park watching Eagles. We had heard good "things" about the restaurant at the Starved Rock Lodge's Main Dining Room from Trip Advisor reviewers. Well, our reviewers were right on. The Main Dining Room is quite beautiful and harkens back to a much more simple time in American history. The menu is quite lengthy and with great choices. Personally, I chose an American staple...chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, with green beans...plus homemade rolls. I was not disappointed. The chicken fried steak was locally breaded, perfectly deep fried, plus had two very large pieces as the portion. The mashed potatoes and gravy were GREAT! The green beans were nicely done and tasty. All in all, the food was really good. The best part of the meal, in reality was our waitress. She was exceptional...friendly yet professional, knowledgeable and attentive.
10. Haze Smokehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By lynnkolt - Serena, Illinois
We have been to Haze many times and have never had anything less than fantastic food and drink there. Fun atmosphere, very clean, delicious food, interesting drinks. The Bama White Nachos and the Pretzels/PBR Cheese Dip are must-have appetizers, and I’d recommend anything on the menu literally. In the summer, the patio is super fun and they have awesome live music out there. Go there to dine inside in fall and winter, and go there to sit outside in the spring/summer! Just go!
