Old Macs Drive Thru - (Near Dieterich, IL)

Jerome Burns While visiting Rockford last summer, my friend took me out to lunch at Murphy’s Pub and Grill. As I surveyed the menu, I noticed they offered a giant burger challenge! A whopping 3 lb burger patty topped with 12 slices of bacon, 8 slices of cheese, grilled onions and placed on top of a 1 lb house-made bun, served with an entire pound of French fries. Competitors have one hour to eat this powerful platter in order to the meal for free, a $50 gift card, and a sweet t-shirt. Losers would have to cover the cost of the $100 dollar meal. Only 4 people had EVER completed it and they included 3 of the greatest eaters of all time, Patrick Bertoletti, Molly Schuyler, and Randy Santel. The mondo menu item and its devious lore piqued my interest, but self doubt and shame dissuaded me from trying such a grand challenge and I ended up ordering a meal made for mortals instead. The existence of Murphy’s Burger Challenge continually plagued my thoughts, taunting me for chickening out, and I vowed to one day to return and face my fears as well as that burger head on… and after my major league eating debut in July, I knew my return to Rockford this summer would finally be the year… I eagerly got to Murphy’s early the day of the challenge to set up my camera, drinks, and mental state. Murphys had even set up a stage with a long table and kingly throne for me to eat at during the challenge. Before I knew it, the time finally came and my burger emerged triumphantly from the kitchen. A huge platter hit the table before me absolutely loaded with fries and WAY more vegetables than I could have anticipated! At least an entire head of lettuce was on the burger and on the side! After a brief cool down, it was go time. I jumped into the largest burger of my entire LIFE starting by ripping off the top bun and attacking the MEATS. Let me tell you, this burger was seasoned with loads of delicious garlic, so much so that it actually reminded me of Nathans hot dog haha. Funny enough, I brought along the same strawberry watermelon Mio to flavor my water for this challenge that I used at Nathan’s, so the beefy and soda mixed burps I experienced during the challenge felt fondly familiar and provided a sense of encouragement. The cheese coated mounds of meat wrapped in chewy bacon were the easiest part to get down. Then it was time for this beastly bun. It had a tough crust almost like a pizza with a similarly doughy flavor. Outrageously delicious, but a slog to plough through for my jaw and esophagus. Luckily the bottom bun soaked up plenty of burger juice to keep it soft and added an extra layer of nuance to its flavor staving off fatigue. After finishing the meats, veggies, and bun, all I had left were the crispy fries. The first handful tasted fantastic, but each bundle of taters just became harder and harder to swallow. My gut was broaching capacity considering the unusually crazy volume of fluid I ending up needing to keep all this food moving down. My eating speed exponentially decreased with every spud induced bite. With my last fiber of gumption, I cleared the very last bit of food from my mouth at 46:37 making me the 5th human begin to EVER finish the Murphy’s Burger Challenge! This was without a doubt my absolute most GRUELING challenge yet in terms of volume and duration. The before and after weights of my tray revealed that I had consumed 9.3 lbs of total food! This doesn’t even count for the pitcher and a half of soda that it took me to get it down as well. My gut was close to if not at MAX capacity by the end making my now 11th restaurant challenge win a particularly proud accomplishment. As I basked in distended glory, the owner came over to congratulate me with my Murphy’s gift card, a Murphy’s t-shirt, and even a rad Murphy’s Mug! Thank you so much to Murphys for hosting such a demanding food challenge and for treating me like a celebrity! You made me feel like a rockstar and I hope it made for a fun watch to your regular guests. This challenge is no joke as it tested and pushed me beyond my physical limits.

Barb Sigel Richardson’s Downtown Sports Bar and Grill – A True Hometown Gem From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with genuine smiles and quick, friendly service. The atmosphere at Richardson’s is exactly what you want in a hometown sports bar. I’m a sucker for a great sports bar and a solid smash burger, and here I found both. The food was excellent, the drinks were perfectly made, and the owners were actually out mingling with guests, something you don’t see often anymore. It gave the whole experience a personal, community feel. The outdoor seating is a huge bonus, especially on nice evenings. Between the great food, welcoming staff, and relaxed vibe, Richardson’s Downtown Sports Bar and Grill has easily earned a spot on my regular rotation.

Chris Atkins First time visitor... Wanted to give some local BBQ a try. Very good stuff! Tried the tips and brisket - overall, pretty good stuff. Never had the pork tips before but moist and flavorful, with the right amount of meat and fat. Brisket was good, with a nice bark. Also gave Annies Beans a go. Good stuff. And great sweet tea - thought I was in the South! Recommend.

christopher tripp Smokin’ K’s BBQ & Cajun Cuisine in Marion, Illinois absolutely delivers on authentic Southern and Cajun flavor. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place takes pride in doing things the right way. I was told the beef brisket was the standout item—and it did NOT miss. Perfectly tender with a deep, smoky flavor, it truly needs no sauce. Adding anything would only take away from how well it’s prepared. The dirty rice was another highlight, seasoned with just the right amount of spice and packed with that classic Cajun depth. The fried okra was a brilliant Southern touch—crispy, flavorful, and a great complement to the main dishes. I also asked about the gumbo and they offered me a sample on the spot. That alone says a lot about their hospitality. It was fantastic—rich, balanced, and carrying the perfect amount of heat. If you’re anywhere near Marion, do yourself a favor and stop at Smokin’ K’s. The food, the flavor, and the service make it genuinely worth the trip. Highly recommend!

Christy Gale First time eating here & food/service were very good. Had a party of 10 and they did a great job with it.

Shirshaditya Gupta Outstanding burgers and great service - and the unique, quirky history of the place along with the wooden-abbeyesque architecture gives good food for thought as you eat. Would love to be back.