Whether you are a visitor or resident of Clinton County, there are few things more relaxing than spending an evening or afternoon enjoying the combination of good food and great company. To make that pastime easier, we have put together a guide to the best restaurants in Clinton County, IL. So whether it is a casual night out or celebrating a special occasion, you will find the perfect place for a tasty meal to share. Because we love them all, we have put them in alphabetical order.
Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery
15469 State Rt 127, Carlyle IL
(618) 594-8830
Open Wed – Fri, 4pm – 8pm, Sat Noon – 9pm, Sun Noon – 8pm
Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery is a venue that creates the atmosphere of an informal safari. Come for a steak dinner, or enjoy their barbecue specialties.
Eddie’s Rise and Dine
13961 Progress Dr, Breese IL
(618) 526-2221
Open daily 7am – 8pm
Eddie’s Rise and Dine has tasty choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is the perfect place to bring the whole family for any meal away from home.
Franks Sundown and Corner Kitchen
110 Old US Hwy 50E, Beckenmeyer IL
(618) 227-8251
Daily 8am – 2am
Franks Sundown and Corner Kitchen has standard pizza and burger menu. If Frank is there, ask him about his baseball career, and you will get some fantastic stories.
Guzman’s Restaurant
1150 12th St, Carlyle IL
(618) 594-8310
Mon – Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm
Guzman’s Restaurant in Carlyle has authentic Mexican food, and a must-be-seen Margarita tower. Favorites are menudos, tacos and tamales. There is a small grocery store attached, where you can pick up specialty items.
Little Augies Pizza and Pasta
620 North 2nd St, Breese IL
(618) 526-7040
Tue – Thu 4pm – 9pm, Sat & Sun 4pm – 10pm
Little Augies Pizza and Pasta not only has pizza with from-scratch ingredients but pasta dinners, sandwiches, and salads. You can order your pizza crust thin, thick, or medium, and either “soft in the pan” or “crisp on the brick.” Gluten-free options are available.
Old 50 Cafe
870 Franklin St, Carlyle IL
(618) 844-5003
Open daily 6am – 2pm
Old 50 Cafe serves us breakfast and lunch daily, with specialties that include amazing fried chicken and the Old 50 Cafe Omelet with bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, onions, green pepper, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
Pizza Market
111 W Broadway, Trenton IL
(618) 224-9100
Open daily 4pm – 8pm
Pizza Market has some amazing specialty pizzas, make sure you look at their specials! Spaghetti dinners and subs are also offered. Classic pizzas, done well.
PJs Diner
560 N 4th St, Breese IL
(618) 526-0600
Open Mon – Thu, 6:30am – 2pm, Fri – Sun, 6:30am – 8pm
PJ’s Diner is a family-owned restaurant open during the week for breakfast and lunch and opens for dinner on the weekend. There are daily specials like meatloaf or beef tips and noodles.
Popeye’s Chop House
17910 St Rose Rd, Breese IL
(618) 526-7369
Open Sun – Thu, 4pm – 9pm, Fri & Sat, 4pm – 10pm
Popeye’s Chop House calls itself a rustic country-western restaurant, but the menu selection far exceeds that description. Featured items include sea bass, pork chop cordon bleu, and wasabi filet, to give you an idea!
Schleichler’s Bar & Grill
1031 Fairfax St, Carlyle IL
(618) 594-8117
Open Tue – Sun, 11am – 8 pm
Schleichler’s Bar & Grill has a full menu, with specials that include a fish platter, hot roast beef, and the “Palsenburger” which has grilled onion, green pepper, and mushroom along with both American and mozzarella cheeses.
Swamp Tales
7901 State St. Rt 127, Carlyle IL
(618) 594-2885
Open daily 11am – 2am
Swamp Tales is a bar with daily specials and a Cajun theme. Look for various sandwiches, fish, alligator, tacos, and a few other Cajun dishes. There may be live music.
Trenton House Restaurant
2 E Broadway, Trenton IL
(618) 224-2400
Closed Monday, Open Tues – Fri & Sunday 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday 4 pm – 8 pm
Trenton House Restaurant has something on the menu for everyone–from sandwiches to steaks, seafood, chicken and pork. Make sure you check out the specials menu, and the daily specials (like all you can eat fried chicken).
Turf Bar
398 N Main St, Breese IL
(618) 526-9293
Open Mon – Fri, 8am – 2am, Sat & Sun 11am – 2am
Turf Bar has a standard menu with appetizers and sandwiches with great daily specials like pork carnitas tacos or beef & cheddar with waffle fries.
Wally’s Drive-In
711 N 4th Ave, Breese IL
(618) 526-4040
Open daily 10:30am – 7:30 pm
Wally’s Drive-In is consistently mentioned as having the penultimate burger in the area! It’s not fancy, but with its reviews, you must try it!
So many choices for excellent home cooking! Many of you could visit one of our best restaurants in Clinton County, IL, every week, so you can decide which one you enjoy the best! Make sure you let us know.