I second the beauty of Illinois 2. We take it every year when heading to the Quad Cities (at least as far Sterling/Rock Falls). kland01s, is the place near Grand Detour a roadhouse/tavern looking kind of place? If so, Mrs MFL always wanted to stop there someday. We never found the right spot in Dixon so we usually ate earlier in Byron or at Al & Leda’s Pizza Villa in Sterling on RT 2. Dixon is a pretty town where they plant flowers along the sidewalks for 4th of July.

 
I finally put my thinking cap on and remembered the place was called Stan Hack’s who was a Cub in 1930’s and later managed the Cubs in the late 50’s. He grew up in Dixon. Last trip by it, I seem to remember a different name on the place.

I also drove across the bridge to Lowden State Park to see the indian statue carved by Laredo Taft. I had last been there in 1981 on a 5th grade field trip.

I imagine there aren’t very many northern Illinois grade school classes that haven’t visited Black Hawk at least once; I’m pretty sure that I made at least 2 visits during my K-6 years.  Apparently there’s now a campaign to raise funds for restoration.
 
Another neat place on IL-2 is Stronghold but since it’s a conference center I don’t know if individuals or families can get in to see it.  Again, it was a school field trip destination for me back in the 1970s.
 
Brad

Last year I passed through Dixon on the way home from Minneapolis, and I had lunch at the Parkway Village Family Restaurant, located on Chicago Ave. ( US 52 ) on the east side of town. While the chicken noodle soup was disappointing, the rest of the meal ( patty melt, french fries and cole slaw ) was very good, and I wouldn’t hesitate to stop there again. 

As far as I know, that’s why I posted phone numbers so you can also check hours as well. These small town places can have quirky hours. Also just north of Dixon in Grand Detour there used to be a good place right near the John Deere home site owned by a former Chicago Cub, on Route 2. Not sure about it’s status. Route 2 is a very scenic drive from Dixon to Oregon, very pretty at this time of the year.

danimal, Rip’s is about an hour’s drive south of Dixon. but I have friends who live in Dixon and if you are looking for chicken they recommend these 2 spots:
 
White House Restaurant
641 Palmyra Rd.
Dixon
815-288-6668
 
Sheridan Walton Tap
906 Walton
Dixon
815-857-2381
 
 

I’ve never stopped at the Dixon Arthur’s but have had a couple of meals at the Rock Falls location over the years.  Good to hear that it’s still a good place to eat.
 
Brad

Had some time off a few weeks ago and it was a really nice fall day so we drove out to Dixon. Looking for some lunch to take with us before we headed out on Route 2, we found Arthur’s Garden Deli on the road that comes off I-88. It looks like it might have been converted from a drive in but that is not an option now, you go in, order from a window and wait for your food to be made to order in front of you. Great sandwich options, pasta & potato salad fresh made plus they also have baked potatoes, soups and a salad bar. We took our food to go and later ate by the Blackhawk statue. Very good, fresh, cheap food! If there was a place like this near me, I would be there all of the time, a good straightforward deli.
 
Arthur’s Garden Deli
1133 N. Galena
Dixon
815-288-1110
 
 

If you are going to Starved Rock and have some time, be sure to go to Matthiessen State Park (about 5 miles south of Starved Rock on Route 178).  It is smaller and less crowded than Starved Rock, but just as beautiful.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/mttindex.htm http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/mttindex.htm
 
A picture of Cascade Falls in the park:
http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/five_day_trips_in_central_illinois http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/five_day_trips_in_central_illinois/

And if you’re near Byron on Sunday stop in at Motosports Park on German Church Rd (next to the nuclear cooling towers). You’ll see where i spent many. many. many, Sundays racing motocross! They have hotdogs and So-Good bbq Treat sandwiches only! lol

I second the beauty of Illinois 2. We take it every year when heading to the Quad Cities (at least as far Sterling/Rock Falls). kland01s, is the place near Grand Detour a roadhouse/tavern looking kind of place? If so, Mrs MFL always wanted to stop there someday. We never found the right spot in Dixon so we usually ate earlier in Byron or at Al & Leda’s Pizza Villa in Sterling on RT 2. Dixon is a pretty town where they plant flowers along the sidewalks for 4th of July.