Diners in downstate Illinois

[Chasjohn2001]

The Nugget (a bar) located just West of Danville on route 150, just 1 mile off of I-74 (exit 210). They have really good food, reasonable prices, cook your own (huge) steaks. Cheap beer. Go to the back dinning room(s) to avoid the loud noise of the bar and many families go there to eat.

[SonySegaTendo617]

I'm going to put a vote in for Zorba's in Normal, IL. I loved going there back when I used to go to Illinois State, due to how cheap it was, how close it was to the part of campus I lived in ('South Side', a nickname for the big Hamilton-Whitten and Atkin-Colby dorm complex). And at the time I went, it was one of the only non-bar places just before Normal's smoking ban you could smoke at(they do still allow smoking on the patio during months when the weather is nice, though). I think I've heard from others still going to Illinois State that you still can smoke on their patio, last time I talked to them.

Another place I can't exactly vote for per se(since I've unfortunately haven't had any opportunities to eat here yet), but I can vouch that several friends of mine who went to SIU really enjoyed Mary Lou's Grill in Carbondale. I've always read nothing but great things about it myself, the few times I've looked up online reviews for it.

[TabulaRasa]

Ziggie's in Mendota - true dive. Mile marker 72 on I-39, take Route 34 into town.