Guidebook for De Soto
Food Scene
Best burgers and fries in Southern Illinois! (Also try the corn nuggets and fried green beans)! Small cafe style restaurant on the strip in Carbondale!
Fat Patties
Best burgers and fries in Southern Illinois! (Also try the corn nuggets and fried green beans)! Small cafe style restaurant on the strip in Carbondale!
Our favorite locally owned breakfast joint! They also serve lunch. On the strip in Carbondale.
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Harbaugh's Cafe
901 S Illinois AveOur favorite locally owned breakfast joint! They also serve lunch. On the strip in Carbondale.
If you need pizza- just call 549-5326 (area code 618). A local favorite for deep dish pizza! They also have an awesome whole wheat special pizza crust on Mondays after 4PM
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Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza
218 W Freeman StIf you need pizza- just call 549-5326 (area code 618). A local favorite for deep dish pizza! They also have an awesome whole wheat special pizza crust on Mondays after 4PM
One of the few places that delivers to our home! Great pizza & even better dessert pizza (cinnamon is our favorite)!
Primo's Pizza
604 East Park StreetOne of the few places that delivers to our home! Great pizza & even better dessert pizza (cinnamon is our favorite)!
Another local favorite on the strip in Carbondale! Great pizza and italian dishes!
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Pagliai's Pizza
509 S Illinois AveAnother local favorite on the strip in Carbondale! Great pizza and italian dishes!
Just down the road from our house at the intersection of Route 13! A variety of food & drinks!
Fat Bottom Betty's
2310 Reed Station ParkwayJust down the road from our house at the intersection of Route 13! A variety of food & drinks!
Starbucks
1255 Lincoln DrThe local Starbucks can be found at the Kroger's in Carbondale
Small upscale restaurant- the menu changes monthly! Also a great place to enjoy some cocktails!
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Global Gourmet
102 E Jackson StSmall upscale restaurant- the menu changes monthly! Also a great place to enjoy some cocktails!
Mary's Restaurant
509 S Park AveFormal dining - reservations recommended. If you go, try the potato leak soup!
Award winning BBQ & Ribs. Locations in Marion (new location). Original location is in Murphysboro.
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17th Street Barbecue
32 N 17th StAward winning BBQ & Ribs. Locations in Marion (new location). Original location is in Murphysboro.
Hunan Chinese Restaurant
710 E Main StEat in or carry out
My favorite Thai in the area- on the strip in Carbondale, dine in or carry out
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Thai Taste
100 S Illinois AveMy favorite Thai in the area- on the strip in Carbondale, dine in or carry out
Japanese Steakhouse with hibachi grills- recently built a new location. Also offers carry out
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Fujiyama Japanese Cuisine
225 N Giant City RdJapanese Steakhouse with hibachi grills- recently built a new location. Also offers carry out
Longbranch Cafe and Bakery
100 E Jackson StLocally owned coffee shop and cafe
* Seasonal - closes after Christmas until February* Famous for fried chicken, dumplins, green beans, corn and mashed potatos- a bit of a drive from the house but it is in beautiful Giant City Park
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I-Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant
460 Giant City Lodge Rd* Seasonal - closes after Christmas until February* Famous for fried chicken, dumplins, green beans, corn and mashed potatos- a bit of a drive from the house but it is in beautiful Giant City Park
Dairy Queen
104 Plaza DrDairy Queen in Carterville- serves fast food & ice cream
* SEASONAL * Closes during the winter! On the strip in Carbondale - This Dairy Queen only serves ice cream (no food).
Dairy Queen Store
508 S Illinois Ave* SEASONAL * Closes during the winter! On the strip in Carbondale - This Dairy Queen only serves ice cream (no food).
Parks & Nature
Shawnee National Forest Headquarters
50 IL-145Lots to see in the Shawnee National Forest!
Bald Knob Cross is a giant cross on one of the highest hilltops in the area. The views are breathtaking!
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Bald Knob Cross of Peace
3630 Bald Knob RoadBald Knob Cross is a giant cross on one of the highest hilltops in the area. The views are breathtaking!
Crab Orchard National Wildlife
8588 IL-148Not too far from the house!
State park with lodge, hiking trails, & horseback riding. There is also a water tower that has steps up to a platform with great views (next to the parking lot for the lodge restaurant).
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I-Giant City State Park
235 Giant City RdState park with lodge, hiking trails, & horseback riding. There is also a water tower that has steps up to a platform with great views (next to the parking lot for the lodge restaurant).
Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour
635 Robinson Hill RdZip Lining
Shopping
University Mall
1237 E Main StClosest liquor store to house (has a drive up window). At the intersection of Route 13 & Reed Station Road
Blue Fish Liquor & Cigars Carbondale
2355 Sweets DrClosest liquor store to house (has a drive up window). At the intersection of Route 13 & Reed Station Road
There are a few really neat shops & a great coffee shop in downtown Carterville.
Irons in the Fire Mercantile & Trading Company - Unique local items, hand made jewelry, photos available to purchase from local photographers, hand made soaps, furniture, etc. - Live Simple Shop - Crown Brew Coffee Company
Irons In The Fire
113 Jersey StThere are a few really neat shops & a great coffee shop in downtown Carterville.
Irons in the Fire Mercantile & Trading Company - Unique local items, hand made jewelry, photos available to purchase from local photographers, hand made soaps, furniture, etc. - Live Simple Shop - Crown Brew Coffee Company
Essentials
Kroger
501 N Giant City RdWalmart Supercenter
1450 E Main StWalgreens
206 S Wall StOpen 24 hours! Pharmacy but they also have other necessitates
Entertainment & Activities
Goofy Golf - Crainville
500 Plaza DrS.I. Bowl Family Fun Center
10240 Samuel RdSIU Recreation Center is on campus - they have a variety of activities including a pool, racket ball courts, basketball courts, a rock climbing wall, etc. Visitors should be able to purchase daily passes. Call in advance to confirm!
SIU Student Recreation Center
300 E Grand AveSIU Recreation Center is on campus - they have a variety of activities including a pool, racket ball courts, basketball courts, a rock climbing wall, etc. Visitors should be able to purchase daily passes. Call in advance to confirm!
Everything Else
Winery & More! Walker's Bluff is only 1.3 miles from the house- they have a general store with alcohol, shopping and some food items. They also have a wine cave and tasting room. There are other outdoor areas on site as well.
Tasting Room at Walker's Bluff
14250 Meridian RdWinery & More! Walker's Bluff is only 1.3 miles from the house- they have a general store with alcohol, shopping and some food items. They also have a wine cave and tasting room. There are other outdoor areas on site as well.
Blue Sky Vineyard
3150 S Rocky Comfort RdVery poplar winery in the area
Big Muddy Brewing
1430 N 7th StLocal Brewary
Brewing company "out in the boonies"! Very poplar attraction for enthusiasts outside the area (my brother-in-laws favorite). Very simple, little or no food served, but use items grown on the property to brew the beers.
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Scratch Brewing Company
264 Thompson RdBrewing company "out in the boonies"! Very poplar attraction for enthusiasts outside the area (my brother-in-laws favorite). Very simple, little or no food served, but use items grown on the property to brew the beers.
A bit of a drive but a pretty cool brewery. House-brewed beers served with tavern eats & growlers.
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St. Nicholas Brewing Company
12 S Oak StA bit of a drive but a pretty cool brewery. House-brewed beers served with tavern eats & growlers.
Alto Vineyards
8515 IL-127Local winery
Von Jakob Winery & Brewery
230 IL-127Local Winery
StarView Vineyards
5100 Wing Hill RdOwl Creek Vineyard
1600 Cobden School RoadRustle Hill Winery
We have a very large wine trail in Southern Illinois & a lot of great breweries!
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Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
2865 Hickory Ridge RdWe have a very large wine trail in Southern Illinois & a lot of great breweries!