Rax Restaurant
Our Facebook followers agree: The best things at Rax Restaurant were the BBC - Beef Bacon and Cheddar sandwich, Uncle Alligator meals and the salad bar.
Swartz Restaurant
Swartz Restaurant had an old diner feel with wooden booths and long counter for bar seating.
A favorite memory: At Christmas, they would put up a toy train that would run the perimeter of the restaurant.
Ponderosa Steak House
Favorites submitted by our readers included the steak tips, country fried steak, ribeye dinner and the rolls.
Blue Mill
1928: Pictured in front of the Blue Mill are, from left, Howard Atkins (back to camera), Alma Brown, Mrs. Kohlbecker, Thurman W. McDavid, Mac, Brock and Bruce Perkins; and Frank Chamberlain. George A. Zeller and Anthony T. Gralike started out in a small place at 129 S. Oakland Ave. next to the Oakland Theatre in 1915. In 1923, they moved to the present site, known then as Zeller’s Confectionery. The business closed in 1924 and was later taken over by Bill Hamel and became the Blue Mill Pharmacy. (H&R file photo)
Redwood
The Redwood Restaurant, open in 1958, may have been Decatur's first smorgasbord restaurant.
Brown Jug
Cheese soup was a favorite at the Brown Jug.
Tom's Grill
Tom's Grill was known for their relish appetizer caddy and dark, intimate setting.
Shaw's Restaurant
Shaw's Restaurant is fondly remembered for their fish, catering and memories of going there on Friday nights with friends.
Elam’s Root Beer Stand
Stopping at Elam's Root Beer Stand for a tenderloin and root beer was a must when cruising Eldo.
Chili Parlor
- Archives: The Chili Parlor ribbon cutting
- Archives: Chili Parlor tests waters along lake
- Archives: Restaurants join forces to add services
Mr. G's
Mr. G's had phenomenal tenderloins and a great taco salad as well!
Tater's
The best thing you could order: Smothered taters.
Tops Big Boy
Lone Star
- Archives: Ground Round sold to Lone Star
- Archives: Lone Star opening likely in '97
- Archives: Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon closes its doors
Shenannigans
Favorites from our Facebook followers include brunch on Sunday sand the taco salad.
Red Wheel Restaurant
- Archives: Girl wins bike in Red Wheel contest
Carlos O'Kelley's
Stoney's Restaurant
- Archives: Stoney's new owners hope for heapin' helpin' of success
- Archives: Stoney's fine wine
- Archives: Stoney's to reopen under new ownership
Sandy's
Dante's Restaurant
- Archives: Strike Continues
- Archives: Former Dante's building sold
- Archives: Demolition to close street
Country Cupboard
Tokyo Garden
- Archives: Karaoke: High-tech sing-along
- Archives: Epicurean Dining Adventures: Tokyo Garden
Jimmy Ryan's
As featured on
Due to the overwhelming popularity of “Macon County: The Early Years,” the Herald & Revi…
LINCOLN — The last Bonanza steakhouse in Illinois is closing.
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(3) comments
We loved the Brown Jug, the french dressing was to die for and the twice baked potatoes were the best I've ever eaten!
Going to the Blue Mill was always a treat.....date night with my husband.
you can still eat at a few of these places, just not here in decatur. Big Boy you can find in Danville, Rax is in a few places in indiana and ohio, ponderosa still has a few scattered around. just like bonanza exists still in pennsylvania.
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