Salem Bowl - (Near Salem, IL)

Willow Moss I had the pleasure of dining at The Hideout Two yesterday, and I can confidently say it was a delicious experience that left me eager to return. This restaurant truly shines with its commitment to quality, offering dishes that are both comforting and crafted with care. The star of the show was undoubtedly their handmade burger patties. Each patty was perfectly seasoned, bursting with flavor, and cooked to juicy perfection ( I chose mine medium ). You can tell the kitchen takes pride in sourcing fresh ingredients and shaping each patty by hand, resulting in a burger that feels like a labor of love. Paired with their toasted burger buns, which had just the right amount of crispness on the outside while staying soft inside. Another standout was the hand-battered onion rings. These golden, crispy delights were a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to doing things right. The batter was light yet crunchy, and the onions inside were tender and sweet, making each bite absolutely addictive. The seemingly made in-house ranch was a yummy addition to both the onion rings and their fries as well. The crawfish soup, however, was the unexpected highlight of my meal. It arrived hot, brimming with generous chunks of crawfish that were fresh, plump, and packed with flavor. The broth was rich and well-balanced, with just the right kick of seasoning to complement the natural sweetness of the crawfish. The atmosphere at The Hideout Two is welcoming and open. The staff’s passion for their craft is evident in every dish, and their attention to detail elevates the dining experience. If you’re looking for a spot that combines heartfelt cooking with bold flavors, I wholeheartedly recommend The Hideout Two. Their handmade burgers, perfectly toasted buns, exceptional onion rings, and soulful crawfish soup will leave you hungry for more. Did I mention the bacon aioli is divine? Im already looking forward to my next Crazy Bacon Burger.

Remote Hog Shellys Burger Station is a true gem for downtown Vandalia. a small yet great little diner. The prices are great, the staff are awesome, and the food is stellar. Anytime I get the chance I pop in and have a meal that takes me back to my youth. To a time when diners were all about the food and the people. A time before fast food even became a thing. A time when you could actually afford to eat out without having to worry about paying other bills. This place is as close to that feeling as Ive been since right out of college. Thanks Shelly Ledbetter for bringing back that feeling for myself and many others. Do yourself a favor Google this place and check out their food. You will not be disappointed, I know I have never been.

Steven Schellhorn Ryan- valet friendly and personable. Jaymez - our server, was very knowledgeable, interactive, and a pleasure to talk with. First off, we arrived and saw they had complimentary valet parking. This was a nice plus! We started with cocktails, old fashions were made just right. We had the lamb chops and the fishermans grill (see photos). Everything was amazing, flavorful and portioned well. We had the caprese and the tomato goat cheese. Both unique and a great pre course to the main entrée. For the main we had the special. A 10 oz filet, one standard and one with the blue cheese crust as well as a lobster tail, mixed with cheese butter and all sorts of deliciousness. For sides we had the mushrooms, brussle sprouts with bacon and a baked potato. All of which was cooked perfectly. Would highly recommend if you are looking for a up scale steakhouse with great atmosphere, amazing staff, and even better food!

Kathryn Vogel We walked in and were immediately greeted. We were a bit nervous as you are going into a bar you have never been in. Bartender, patrons, even the cook were as friendly as they could be. Good drinks and fun place.

John O We stayed in one of the private homes, unit 501. The house was well maintained and clean with everything exactly as described. There was plenty of space for three couples. The outdoor fire pit, the hot tub, and the screened in porch were very nice touches. They have an easy checkout just like a hotel. They take care of the trash, food left in the refrigerator, everything you can think of! This was so nice compared to a VRBO where you spend 2 hours cleaning up and worry that you forgot one of the owners 30 items from their list. Additionally, this was the most friendly and accommodating staff I have been around in a long time! Will definitely come back!