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ChiTownDiner 14 years, 1 month ago.
Hello again ChiTown, I enjoyed reading of your visit to Dr of BBQ, I must get over there!
It sounds like you get downstate from time to time, so just a little FYI for your next Decatur visit. Coney O Kanes was formerly "The Bakery", and if one is downtown (NE corner of Main and Prairie) the biscuits and gravy and home fries are the best in town–not as colorful as Harolds, but no smoke and nice decor. Closed Sunday.
As you were told, Toms Grill is a local institution since 1935–not really roadfood, but good steaks and a unique house specialty, french fried lobster. Their twice baked potato is the best ever, beloved even by people who don’t normally do twice baked. Regrettably Decatur does not have lots of noteworthy places, but there are a few, best wishes if you come back through, Todd C
Hi Todd – Was Coney O Kanes formerly Ivey’s? At Harold’s, we didn’t have the hash browns, just the donuts, coffe and chocolate milk. It was a real friendly group, not just the coffee thing but everyone talking to everyone. Check the BBQ review under the Dr. of BBQ thread. If we get back, we’re going to Tom’s…everyone had a Tom’s story…and many had nothing to do with road food!
Hello ChiTown, I was wondering how everything went for you. Too bad about missing dinner, but Monicals is a local downstate chain that has good pizza, if often indifferent service.
Coney O Kanes is a new name (and not very marketable IMO) for a previous place, so that is the problem there. Harolds probably gives you the best combination of good food and local color IF you can tolerate the smoke. What did you think of the custom of the customers serving each other coffee? Hope you got the hash browns which are always good, and I wll look forward to hearing about Dr of BBQ who I also need to go see soon. Todd
quote:
Originally posted by toddfleet
Hello ChiTown, hope you get this in time. For a (non chain) dinner you could try Pastabilities downtown for pasta, or Tom’s Grill for steak. Tom’s Grill is on US51/Main St southbound, on the left. It is a nice old family owned place popular with locals, the neighborhood looks rough but it is not, the steak and twice baked potato are very good.For breakfast downtown, try Coney O Kanes at Main & Prairie St, the biscuits and gravy are very good. If you are staying in Forsyth the Skinny’s Diner is a gamble, the Hometown Buffet is good as chain buffets go. For something a bit more roadfood you can go into town to Harolds House of Doughnuts, it is a good little dive but smokey. Good luck!
We arrived on time but ended up with a very late evening not completing our committments until a little past 11pm. While everyone we met gave thumbs up to Tom’s Grill, the thought of a steak dinner pushing midnight didn’t excite us so it was a Monical’s pizza and back to the hotel. Next morning we could not locate Coney O Kanes and had no luck finding it in the telephone book. We asked a few folks and they were unfamiliar with it. We opted for Harold’s House of Donuts. You were right on with the smokiness, alot of folks clutching a cup of coffee, smoking a cigarette and engaging in lively conversation. The donuts werre first rate with ChiTown Jr. saying they were the best! We departed late monring for Springfield and a fantastic visit to the Dr. of BBQ which I’ll post in another thread.
Todd – I was hoping you’d see this as there was no direct email contact. I knew from your roadtrip this was your stomping grounds. Thanks for the tips…I’ll let you know how it goes. We leave in 30 minutes. I am going to try to squeeze in a trip to see the Dr of BBQ also.
Hello ChiTown, hope you get this in time. For a (non chain) dinner you could try Pastabilities downtown for pasta, or Tom’s Grill for steak. Tom’s Grill is on US51/Main St southbound, on the left. It is a nice old family owned place popular with locals, the neighborhood looks rough but it is not, the steak and twice baked potato are very good.
For breakfast downtown, try Coney O Kanes at Main & Prairie St, the biscuits and gravy are very good. If you are staying in Forsyth the Skinny’s Diner is a gamble, the Hometown Buffet is good as chain buffets go. For something a bit more roadfood you can go into town to Harolds House of Doughnuts, it is a good little dive but smokey. Good luck!
On short notice, will be spending Friday night in Decatur (IL). Not familiar with area and may need a later night dinner place for Friday and/or a breakfast spot for Saturday. Any good Roadfood type recommendations?
Decatur, Illinois
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