Mystery Diner: Illini Lounge in Marseilles provides the best of pub food

The options for a terrific meal in the Illinois Valley are not limited to the many fine-dining restaurants in the area. There also are plenty of high-quality pubs with outstanding and delicious fare available to the everyday diner in the region.

And the Illini Lounge in Marseilles should be placed right near the top of that list.

My dinner companion was delayed, so, due to the cold, I decided to go inside the busy tavern and get a table. I was seated in the nice, quiet dining room, with a wall screening the merriment coming from the bar area.

When the server quickly came over to present menus, I explained the situation and placed my drink order, and, a short time later, asked for an appetizer. The crisp and delectable Sante Fe Chicken Egg Rolls ($5) arrived at the same time as my fellow diner, and we happily shared them.

Knowing chicken is often the tastiest thing on the menu at taverns like this, I ordered a half fried chicken mixed ($11), and was not disappointed. The pieces were good-sized and golden brown, hot to the touch and crispy. On each piece, not just the dark, the meat was juicy and combined with that crust for several very flavorful bites.

My side was mashed potatoes and chicken gravy; the small bowl of it proved to be delicious.

My friend had a sandwich, but what a sandwich! The Illini Burger ($16) is pricy as burgers go, but was every bit worth it – so large, it ended up being three meals. The 1-pound patty, ordered medium, was cooked to perfection, piled high with grilled onions, bacon and American cheese, though cheddar, mozzarella and Swiss were available.

The side was onion rings, with a crisp, tasty batter and soft inner rings; and there were plenty of them. Our total bill for the two of us came to $44.73.

In addition to a variety of additional appetizers and sandwiches, the corner tavern also has a good reputation for other things, including steaks and chops, seafood and pastas. Of particular renown are its wings and its pizza. The former come bone-in or boneless with a long list of seasonings – anything from Parmesan garlic to Korean barbecue to, yes, maple syrup – that can be tossed together in the kitchen or served on the side to dip yourself.

And then there’s the pizza, which comes only in what’s dubbed “Chicago thin-crust,” with an array of add-ons and in sizes small to extra large, with a 10-inch, gluten-free version available as well.

There are also kids meals, and a small dessert menu includes Eli’s cheesecake and Lois’ handmade pies.

While not familiar with every item on the menu, the quality and value of the things we did have on this visit led us to vow to return, and to heartily recommend it to our friends.

The Illini Lounge is open for dining and carryout.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at Shaw Media. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Illini Lounge

WHERE: 390 Main St., Marseilles

PHONE: 815-795-5880

INFORMATION: www.illinilounge.com