Location: Petersburg
Countries
Where to Eat in Petersburg: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Petersburg is a city in Menard County, Illinois, United States, on the bluffs and part of the floodplain overlooking the Sangamon River. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,299 at the 2000 census, and 2,185 at a 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Menard County. Petersburg is located approximately two miles north of New Salem, the original settlement where Abraham Lincoln first settled when he came to Illinois.
1. Gillmore's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Les E - Rochester
My significant other and I went for a Sunday drive, ending at Abraham Lincoln's New Salem. Just down the road is the town of Petersburg; home of Gillmore's Café. It has to be a very popular place, there being only one parking place the lot.
It was busy but the waitress led us to a table with no waiting. My companion had the buffet and I ordered off the menu. Her selection was very good, with no complaints. I had the "Horseshoe", a favorite of the area. It consists of toast covered with chicken tenders and fries, all covered with a cheese rarebit sauce. About 2000 calories. Our waitress, Jade, stopped by our table often, to by sure we were doing well. I complemented her of the quality and asked about a touch more of the cheese sauce. She responded with a four ounce dish of the sauce, much more than needed, at no extra charge.
This was our first trip to Gillmore's but we'll be sure to return.
2. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Kevin1234567892014 - Havana, Illinois
Bad experience at Culver's so we went to this Dairy Queen. Went through the drive thru and order came out very quickly and as ordered. Will stop here again.
3. Los Rancheros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff W
Have had a half dozen meals since place opened and the last few have been really good. Service is friendly if occasionally harried, but this is by far the best Petersburg has to offer.
4. OMG Snack Shack
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Snack Bar type setting located in New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg Illinois. We serve Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Pulled Pork, Horseshoes, Ponyshoes, Breaded chicken nugrets, Nachos, Pulled Pork Nachos, French fries, fried pickles, mushrooms, onion and Mozzerella sticks. We also have wonderful Soft-Serve Ice Cream, Milk Shakes, Sno-Cones and fountain/bottled soft drinks.
Reviewed By jameslouie - Decorah, Iowa
Take the time while you are at Lincoln's New Salem for lunch or a treat. I would highly recommend the "STEPHANIE" or the Reuben for sandwiches. The pastries looked really, really good,too!!
Way,way better than most food venues in a park like this.
Super friendly people that run this unique find!!
Thanks for a most enjoyable lunch!!
5. Leo's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff W
Have done pizza take-out here for years...it's reliably good, particularly the thin crust. The place isn't fancy and the matriarch of this family owned place can be a little salty when they're really busy, but you learn not take it personally and admire the way she doesn't take any guff from the rest of the family working there!
6. New Salem Fast Stop
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By AuntieSusie - Big Bear City, California
I NEVER thought I would eat a hamburger at a gas station...Go to the counter and order a burger with everything. It is like a barbeque at home hamburger! Delicious! And a great price.
On the shelves they had Pik Niks, so we gobbled them with the burger! The folks are friendly there!
There is a small seating place inside.
7. Ray's Escape
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Gregory C - Saint Louis, Missouri
I live at a nearby lake community outside the city of Petersburg. The small town of Petersburg enjoys tourists coming to the local state park, New Salem State Park. I wanted to post this review for visitors and locals alike, since this small, unassuming restaurant is a fantastic place to eat. It's not much for ambiance. If you can get past that, you are set for a fantastic meal. Chef Jeff Ray creates everything that comes out of that kitchen. I understand he was a chef in Portland and moved back to be close to his family.
I've have visited three times..different meal each time.
First up...rib eye steak. Unbelievable! great cut of meat, his own steak seasoning and butter, cooked to perfection. Every bit as good as any restaurant I've eaten and I've been to quite a few in my travels. It was unbelievably inexpensive for the quality. My girlfriend had the pulled pork sandwich...again, incredibly tender with a fantastic homemade sauce. and beautifully presented!
Next visit, Calzone.....Wow! handmade dough, organic ricotta & mozzarella cheese with fresh veggies. Stunningly fresh and flavorful. Huge portion.
next visit was with the family...pizza night. Again, homemade dough, fresh ingredients, homemade tomato sauce...way higher standard of quality for $10.
so as you can see, for a little unassuming place, it has a standard of quality you won't find in neighboring cities....even Springfield, Illinois. I highly recommend it.
8. Subway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By lcar4000 - Oakford, Illinois
Of the four fast food chain restaurants in this small town, Subway is the only one offering a menu populated mainly with healthy choices. The restaurant is very clean, the manager works hard, and everyone seems to be friendly. I'm especially impressed with the Subway breakfast sandwich....for a little over $3, you get a relatively healthy sandwich with the usual Subway fillings, plus a drink.
9. GiGi"s Bistro
Overall Ratings
3 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Autodealer - Petersburg, Illinois
Restaurant is located in a separate room for those who don't wish to eat in a bar! Good homemade soups and small salad bar which is included with complete dinners. Good sandwiches , homemade chicken strips and homemade pie for desert!
10. Corner Cafe
Overall Ratings
3 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Onery13
We were staying in Petersburg overnight and needed some 'real' food (chicken, fish, pasta, etc.) The clerk at the lodge suggested this restaurant so we stopped by. (Note, there aren't a lot of dining offerings in Petersburg, so options are limited!)
The interior looks like an older cafe that could use some definite refreshing. The booth chairs had those one spot saggy, one spot firm places in them. There were two servers - ours felt like she was doing her job and then would be ready to go home. The other was very friendly - chatting with everyone and buzzing around all the tables asking if they needed anything. It's a small town, so outside of us, I'm pretty sure she knew everyone in the place. :-)
I ordered the fried fish dinner which came with crinkle cut fries and slaw. It was ok, but you could tell someone pulled the fish and fries from a package, dumped it in the fryer and put it on the plate. I was hoping for a baked potato but they were out.
The husband got the chicken parmesan which was literally swimming in spaghetti sauce. Now we like a lot of sauce with our pasta, but this was excessive even by our standards. His salad was chopped iceberg lettuce from a bag (I saw our server 'preparing' it) and his garlic toast was again a frozen item that had been warmed and put on the plate.
I guess it was better than going to Dairy Queen or getting a frozen pizza at the lodge, but we would not stop here again.
