Every once in a while, a national foodie deep dive uncovers a place so legendary, so beloved, and so thoroughly “hidden in plain sight” that longtime Illinois residents wonder how they’ve lived this close without ever hearing its name. That’s the case with a newly celebrated Illinois steakhouse that just earned a coveted spot on Food Republic’s list of America’s Best Hole-In-The-Wall Steakhouses. And yes, it stings a little to realize some of us have been driving past this gem for way too long.

A Hidden Treasure With a Wild Backstory

Food Republic dug through Reddit threads, online forums, YouTube features, old news articles, and thousands of reviews to find the most unassuming, long-loved steakhouses in the country. Their criteria? Modest décor, decades of history, fiercely loyal locals

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