I think many would agree that 2008 has been a year to remember.
Between the economic downturn and history-making political election and our own Gov. Rod Blagojevich making national headlines, 2008 has been a year the economy can’t help but move on and learn from.
So let us bid farewell to 2008 as I bid farewell to you with my final blog entry. It has been a pleasure writing about the hot spots around Central Illinois for the last several years, but I must say adieu as I move on to new adventures. But I can’t leave without giving you a rundown of my favorite places to eat and treat myself this past year.
I had barbeque fever in 2008, if you notice barbeque dominates much of the list. But I definitely didn’t neglect other restaurants. There were tons of places that met my need for food and entertainment in 2008, making it difficult to pick. In fact, two of my choices ended up being a tie.
10. Witt’s Smokehouse & Deli , 10325 E. State Highway 33, Effingham, 868-5615 – Witt’s is my first barbeque spot on the list. I like the fact that the business of Witt’s Smokehouse & Deli is based on their own barbeque sauce, called Pappy LeDeaux’s “Unique” Country Style BBQ Sauce. That makes them special. You can’t get the delicious sauce just any where; you have to go to Witt’s in Effingham.
9. Lana’s Cakewalk, 3777 N. Woodford St., Suite A, 872-1313 – I enlisted some help with this blog entry. Instead of me trying the many, many delectable desserts Lana’s Cakewalk offers, I got the help of some friends to help me critique such desserts as mini éclairs, chocolate chip and sugar cookies, cupcakes and brownies. My friends had no complaints. I even went back for myself and tried their strawberry cupcakes, and let me just say that was the sweetest taste of bliss.
8. Black Bart’s Pumpkin Patch, 9381 W. Wise Rd., Warrensburg, 672-8287 – Tyler, Ted and I had a blast strolling through the numerous pumpkins of Black Bart’s Pumpkin Patch looking for the perfect one. What I appreciated about the patch was that it was more than pumpkins. There were activities, a haunted house designed for young children, goats to pet and a hay maze and slide. It’s a must do for the Halloween season.
7. (Tie) Royal International Buffet, 2036 Mount Zion Rd., 864-4700 and 864-2450 & Papa’s BBQ Fish and More, 2855 N. Water St., 877-2750 – I still can’t believe I tried and liked peanut butter chicken at Royal International Buffet. But besides the restaurant allowing me to show my bravery, the place was sparkling clean and the price for the variety was great for my budget. Papa’s BBQ Fish and More is one of my favorite places to go for barbeque today. The taste is wonderful, and I love their potato-sliced fries and lemon cake.
6. Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, 423-7708 – Rock Springs Nature Center makes my top 10 list for a second year, but this time for its pancake breakfast. I can still taste the fresh homemade maple syrup now. Rock Springs will have their next Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 7. You can also visit the Sugar Shack and find out how their syrup is made that day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
5. Main Hangar Restaurant , inside of the Decatur Airport, 910 S. Airport Rd., 421-7452 – What a splendid view at the Main Hangar. The wide windows open up the restaurant to the Decatur Airport runway, where you can watch the airplanes roll or fly by from the comfort of indoors … and with a hearty meal right in front of you.
4. Vinnie’s Barbee-Q, inside Hickory Point Mall, 1146 Hickory Point Mall, Forsyth, 875-2214 – Like McDonald’s, one dollar goes a long way at Vinnie’s Barbee-Q, and maybe even farther. The restaurant inside Hickory Point Mall offers Little Vinnie Burgers, similar to the size of White Castle burgers, for only 69 cents. And don’t forget to order the scrumptious baked beans with a hint of cinnamon to go with them.
3. Jupiter’s Pizzeria and Billiards, 39 E. Main St. (at 398-5988) and 251 Village Green Plaza (at 366-8300), Champaign – Jupiter’s Pizzeria and Billiards in Champaign may be rather far, but they have the pizza to keep you traveling back. Plus, they have billiards. It’s a great hang out spot for brews, sports and pizza.
2. Pizza Factory, in Southtowne Plaza, 397 W. 1st Drive, 428-4400 – Jupiter’s is followed up by another pizza eatery – one of my absolute favorites in town. Pizza Factory has a flavor that can’t be matched. Their calzone is the best, and I’m not the only one who feels that way. Here’s a comment made by Sue, one of my readers:
“I moved from Decatur a few years ago and this place was one of my favorite places of all times to order from. The calzone is awesome and so are their pizzas. To heck with the same old same old Dominos or Pizza Hut, I ordered from this place at least once a month for a treat if not more. Wish they would franchise to the Southwest LOL”
1. Drive-in movies – I simply had to make attending my first drive-in movie my number one pick of the year. Watching a movie from your car in front of a giant screen was an unforgettable and new experience for me even though it’s nothing new. Drive-in movie theaters have been around for years, and I feel like a late bloomer that I’m just now experiencing it. It’s just too bad they’re hard to come by.
I really do wish I had taken in a movie under the stars a lot sooner. But that’s in the past. All we can do now is look to 2009 and hope for change, new experiences and reasons to celebrate.
Here’s wishing you happy fine dining and a fulfilling New Year!
