Mike Mills, a great pitmaster, is popularly regarded as "The Legend" in the barbecue world. In Southern Illinois, he oversees the pits at his two nationally recognized 17th Street BBQ barbecue restaurants.

He was a co-captain of the Apple City Barbecue team in the early 1990s, one of the most well-known teams on the circuit. At Memphis in May, often known as the Super Bowl of Swine, he is a four-time World Champion and three-time Grand World Champion. He was also the Grand Champion of the Jack Daniel's World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest in 1992, as well as the winner of the Jack Daniel's Sauce Contest.


Mike is a partner and barbecue expert at New York City's Blue Smoke restaurant. In Las Vegas, he was a founding partner of Memphis Championship Barbecue. Peace, Love, and Barbecue, his book, was nominated for a James Beard Foundation award in 2006 and won the National Barbecue Association Award of Excellence in 2006. At the Jack Daniel's World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest in October 2008, he received the Pioneer of Barbecue award. In 2010, Mike was named to the Barbecue Hall of Fame.

• Website: 17bbq.com
• Location: 32 N. 17th Street Murphysboro, IL 62966
• Phone number: (618) 684-3722

Bien Trucha's ever-changing cuisine combines seasonal locally-sourced ingredients with Mexican recipes and cooking skills to produce a unique menu, inspired by the exquisite and wildly diversified food that their culinary team grew up experiencing at street vendors and local markets throughout Mexico.

The bar program features one of the best collections of tequilas, mezcals, and agave-based spirits in the Midwest, as well as a rotating selection of local craft and Mexican beers.

All of the aspects of Bien Trucha have been carefully curated, from the visually appealing décor to the compelling music to the restaurant's renowned food and drinks. They believe that eating should be a pleasurable experience, and that outstanding hospitality should be the norm. Allow all of these factors to take you to Mexico and provide you with a one-of-a-kind experience!

• Website: www.bientrucha.com
• Location: 410 West State St, Geneva, IL 60134
• Phone number: (630) 232-2665

While its roots and identity are established within the city limits, they felt a responsibility to build upon this wicked notion and offer it to the masses, thus opening in Schaumburg was a thrilling adventure for them. After all, while listening to and viewing GWAR footage on the large screen, everyone should try a Lair of the Minotaur at least once.

They've had the great fortune of hosting thousands of dedicated eaters from all around the world. It is a pleasure for them to have their work featured on the Food Network, the Cooking Channel, the Travel Channel, as well as regional and local access shows, and their standards are high... Local and homegrown vendors are supported by them. There are no freezers in the back; all of their products are brought in everyday and created from the ground up as much as feasible. They invite you to inquire about the charity of the month and consider making a donation to what they believe are good and deserving causes in your community.

In Schaumburg, they are also pleased to have a large thirty-two tap draft beer system! They have beers from local favorites like Marz, Pipeworks, Revolution, and BuckleDown, and if you're lucky, you'll get to try one of their collaborations with these fantastic brewers. They were sick of seeing the same 15 beers all around town, so they begin to seek the unusual and unique craft.

• Website: kumascorner.com
• Location: 1570 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173
• Phone number: 847.240.1200

Algonquin is home to Montarra, dubbed the "hidden jewel" of the Northwest Suburbs. Executive Chef Joshua Lynn has created a menu of Contemporary American Cuisine with International influences that is sure to please everyone, whether it's the Black Angus Aged Steaks or the delivered daily fresh seafood. Using the finest locally grown produce and locally raised beef, Executive Chef Joshua Lynn has created a menu of Contemporary American Cuisine with International influences that is sure to please everyone. With a comprehensive wine list that includes over 40 wines by the glass and from more than 10 countries across the world, even the most discerning diner will have plenty of options to complement Chef Lynn's incredible meal and create a really unforgettable dining experience.

• Website: montarra.com
• Location: 1491 South Randall RoadAlgonquin, IL 60102
• Phone number: 847.458.0505

D'Arcy's is a genuinely unforgettable experience if you're searching for a taste of the Emerald Isle in a fun and welcoming environment. Delicious cuisine, delicious drinks, and excellent service!

Hallie Pierceall, the proprietor, has been welcoming people to one of Springfield's most popular destinations since 1998. Our world-famous horseshoes attract visitors from all over the world, and a delicious menu of Irish and American foods keeps them coming back.

• Website: www.darcyspintonline.com
• Location: 661 W Stanford Ave, Springfield, Illinois 62704
• Phone number: (217) 492-8800

"One of the top BBQ restaurants in the country," according to Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. Barber & DeAtley, Inc. was the low-bid General Contractor when the owners opted to convert the historic old Champaign Depot building into their second facility. They phoned Barber & DeAtley, Inc. again when they were ready to grow.

The most talked-about restaurant in town is Black Dog Smoke and Ale House. Locals and travelers alike flock here to enjoy excellent BBQ and craft brews in a welcoming atmosphere. The modest restaurant delights local BBQ fans in the Champaign-Urbana area with a range of sandwiches, burgers, and platters. When University of Illinois students and locals alike crave classic BBQ pork and corn bread, they flock to this tiny, hole-in-the-wall eatery.

• Website: www.blackdogsmoke.com
• Location: 320 North Chestnut StreetChampaign, IL 61820, US
• Phone number: (217) 954-0465

Pequod's first opened its doors in 1970. Pequods pizza, located on fernald avenue in morton grove, Illinois, began a cult for its pan style pizza with a "caramelized crust" edge.

The hometown pizzeria was popular among the locals because of its distinctive atmosphere and excellent deep dish pizza. The original owner sold the pizzeria in June of 1986, resulting in a rebirth. The restaurant has been revitalized under new management. The menu was enlarged, and the renowned pan pizza was joined by a savory thin crust pizza. Pequod's became the best-kept pizza secret in Chicago's northwest suburbs as word of mouth spread. Even after moving away from the Chicago region, many of the faithful continue to make pilgrimages to Pequods. The mythology of the Pequod began a fresh chapter in January 1992. Pequods opened in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood in response to the cries of many loyal clients. Pequod's began to develop a new cult following in the Windy City, swiftly becoming recognized for late-night pizza and delivery of their world-class deep dish pizza, thanks to the enthusiastic patronage of dedicated consumers.

• Website: pequodspizza.com
• Location: 2207 N. Clybourn Ave Chicago IL 60614
• Phone number: (773) 327-1512

Gene went to a baseball game at Wrigley Field with his mates one July day in 1945. He had no idea it was the day of creation. The party ordered hot dogs and beers while watching the game. He noticed something was missing when he looked down at the meal in his hands. The experiment had already begun by the time he arrived home. He had a brilliant idea and used it to create a little stand on Polk and Western Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, in 1946, providing hot dogs and fries, as well as a few other items on the menu.

The dogs and fries alone were such a hit that he dropped the rest of the menu, and Gene and Jude's was born in 1950 in River Grove, Illinois. Although known as Gene and Jude's, the River Grove site had no name on the outside of the building at first, and many residents referred to it as River Road Hot Dogs.

• Website: geneandjudes.com
• Location: 2720 N. River Road River Grove IL 60171
• Phone number: 708-452-7634

Mesón Sabika was founded in 1990. The restaurant is located on a lovely four-acre estate near downtown Naperville and is housed in a mansion built in 1847. Guests can dine indoors in the grace and charm of a Mediterranean villa, or on our award-winning terrace for the ultimate alfresco experience.

Mesón Sabika has also become one of the most sought-after wedding and event sites in the Chicagoland area. You can choose the eating experience that best suits your guests with their personalized wedding and events packages, whether it's tapas style or conventional dinner style.

They think that it is the guests who have shaped them into who they are, and they are happy to assist you in any way they can. It is their mission to continue to exceed expectations and demonstrate that each meal they serve is deserving of the honors and significant acclaim they have garnered from the media and guests.

• Website: www.mesonsabika.com
• Location: 1025 Aurora Ave · Naperville, IL 60540
• Phone number: 630.983.3000