Don Chencho Mexican Restaurant

We came Sunday after church and the place was packed! We were served our beverages promptly…read more However, my hubby said the coffee was very weak. He asked and their coffee packs are prepackaged, maybe time to change brands! My Yncle Linnie's omelette was cooked to perfection and very flavorful! We, however, did not like the seasoning on their home fries. French toast was of thick bread and was very good! A great diner with very fair prices and excellent food! The coffee was mostly our issue. Ambience was noisy.

Decent skillet made any way you like it!!!! Pretty well…read morestaffed. Neat memorabilia! We stopped here on the way to Chicago!

Cake case

BYO Pecan & Oreo (Meal) scrambled eggs and bacon. Everything was so delicious

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Tuesday - Beer Battered Alaskan Cod Horrible

Teri's Route 66 Diner

3.8(21 reviews)

1.9 mi

We don't live but 30 mins away, but didn't know about this place until we saw it in the Route 66 IL…read morepassports! We stopped in for carry out - ordered a breakfast wrap & 2 burgers (1 bbq and 1 Rt 66). It's fun inside, cute signs. Wait wasn't long at all! They had a sign in book & ofc the Route 66 stamp. What could improve / could have been better: Order accuracy: I received a breakfast bowl instead of wrap.One of the burgers was a bacon burger & neither matched what we ordered but they were decent burgers! Food preparation: The hash-browns were cooked on too high of heat, so not fully done but burning in places. 3/10 at best. Carry out specifics: no napkins, no flatware. They accept card, but tips are only cash. I don't love that & would prefer somewhere be fully cash only or accept cards & allow tipping. I had called to asked prior to arrival when placing my order to inquire about cash or card & they noted card was fine, so I didn't have cash available to tip unfortunately!

If it were not for the, Illinois 66 Passport, I would have never discovered this tiny little diner…read more Teri's was not part of the original Mother Road, but her decor and themed diner pays tribute to that historical highway. Being retired, I am on a mission to experience all 66 businesses listed inside the Illinois 66 Passport. I'm experiencing the ones close to home first and then I'll work my way up to Chicago. Teri's use to be in the Route 66 Antique Mall, but now it's in downtown G City. The new location is spacious and has a minimalistic decor. There's plenty of vinyl records and Route 66 signs covering the walls. After looking the menu over, I opted for an early lunch over a late breakfast. Seeing a Jalapeño Burger on the menu, is what pushed me towards lunch. The burger came with a side of crinkle fries. The fries were extra crispy with a hot soft insides. The burger was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting a smash or a thin prepackaged burger. When my burger was served, it was a thick hand pressed burger. It covered the entire bun and the Pepper Jack Cheese draped over the edges. The jalapeños were plentiful and paired well with the onions, too. I give the burger a solid A for presentation and flavor. Teri's and Granite City is not a short drive for me, but it was and is worth the drive. If you're in G. City and getting hangry, give Teri's a try.

Counter

Buffalo Chicken Wrap and mind blowing Onion Rings

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Condiments

Apple Tree Family Restaurant

4.0(42 reviews)

0.4 mi

Great family owned business. Soup, French fries and a BLT sandwich for $12 bucks! The broccoli…read moresoup stole the show yet the rest was excellent as well. Great spot with excellent service.

Just an awesome place to sit and enjoy a GREAT meal. Plenty of room for the family. Huge Menu with…read morelots of GREAT food. Breakfast is the BEST. Quick service.

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Thursday specials

Taste of Country

5.0(3 reviews)

4.1 mi

Excellent food. Clean ingredients and portions are just right. High quality. Loved everything…read more(tried everything everyone ordered lol). Desserts were to die for. Get the bread pudding!" Servers were attentive and conversational, which I love, including the owner Teri, who chatted with us when we sat down. And I enjoy the cute country atmosphere and the country music. Maybe not everyone's vibe, but I love it. Oh, and good coffee too.

Excellent little spot for lunch. I had some friends visiting from out of town, and we got lunch…read morehere. The staff was super friendly, and the chicken salad croissant sandwich was excellent, as was the blueberry cheesecake. I will definitely be going back to try their breakfast options.

Desserts!

Apple pecan bread pudding

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Park Grill

4.5(47 reviews)

1.5 mi

My sis and I came for lunch around 2:00 pm. What a cute…read morediner!! Memorabilia all over! I wanted to try one of their hand patties burgers without the bun. Its appearance shows it's a hand patties burgers without, smashed. That was the best hamburger I've ever eaten!! Seasoned well, pickle and onion fresh, and even got a to go cup for my tea. Granite City is lucky to have this longtime business!

Absolutely the perfect friendly family owned neighborhood restaurant. Great service, amazing…read moreprices, marvelous food that makes you smile on the way to face the day. If Park Grill was closer I'd go every day. Thanks for being there and what you guys are doing!

Hamburger, no bun

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Billz Cafe

2.0(1 review)

0.5 mi

The place looks nice, very clean and cozy. I ordered an Oreo milkshake and brownie because I…read morethought those were a safe bet. The brownie was so dry that it was almost crumbling, and the shake was 90% ice, 9% milk and 1% Oreo. Who puts ice in Milkshake? Anyways, I am willing to give it another chance but not anytime soon.

From the owner: Welcome to our bustling oasis, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee dances with the tantalizing…read moresweetness of boba, and the savory allure of gourmet sandwiches beckons. We are more than just a café; we're a sanctuary for those seeking a symphony of flavors, a haven where every sip and bite is crafted with passion and precision. Step into our world, where each cup of coffee tells a story, every boba concoction is an adventure, and every sandwich is a journey to culinary bliss.

Chicken Wings and fires

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Steel City Cheesecakes

4.0(14 reviews)

2.7 mi

The gluten free banana nut bread was AMAZING! Chai with oat…read moremilk was great. My people all enjoyed their drinks. People were great. Vibe was even better...I hated taking it to go. I will def go back and hang out inside. Cool couches, but also tables. Gift shop with cute gifts. So many books you can choose from as well. They're doin it right here

Ambiance was welcoming and relaxing! It was a great place to relax, sip and scroll. The breakfast…read moreburrito was good. I could have used more veggies. Coffee was tasty as well.

Pastries/cheesecakes

Private party space for rentals

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Meme’s Coffee Shop

4.9(11 reviews)

0.4 mi

This coffee was so fun with me and my daughter. We ordered the sausage egg cheese bagel, and my…read moredaughter ordered the croissant with egg cheese and sausage, we LOVED the food, and the baristas choice was lovely and delicious! The energy was so welcoming and home felt, it was cozy and peaceful The barista was working alone, yet was not rude or anything, she welcomed us both with smiles. 10/10 will return!

Memes is a really good place coffee and latte drinks are really good and the food is great. The…read moremorning muffins are always good and the big Italian sandwich is a must. Always a good stop! Jim Greenwald Granite City IL.

Yogurt parfait & cold brew

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Lavender honey latte

Waffle House

3.5(32 reviews)

2.7 mi

Eating at a Waffle House has been on my bucket list for a long time and I finally did it. Now I am…read morequestioning myself, why did it take me so long to finally do it. I had always heard horror stories about Waffle House, so I avoided it. I quickly learned, they were just stories and not part of my experience. I went for a Sunday morning breakfast around 9 AM. The parking lot and the restaurant was packed. However, I lucked out and got a stool at the counter next to the check-out register. A man getting a carry-out was leaving and I slid into his seat. It was loud inside the restaurant, music was playing, lots of conversations and orders being shouted to the short order cooks. May have been loud, but it was also entertaining at the same time. After looking the menu over, I went with, All-Star Special. It's a two egg breakfast with a waffle and side protein. My eggs were scrambled, I chose hash browns over grits, bacon was my protein, took my waffle plain and said no to toast. Who needs toast when you've got a waffle. Being seated at the counter, I was able to watch the cooks prepare the food. I was impressed with all of mine. I loved that the bacon was freshly prepared. Most diners prepare bacon ahead of time, but not WH. The hash browns were super crispy, just how I like them and I didn't even have to request them to be prepared that way. My waffle was the star of the morning. It wasn't big and fluffy, it was a thinner waffle, but full of flavor. With a good smear of whipped spread and a generous pour of syrup, it hit the spot. I'll be back for another waffle and a side of bacon. The service was attentive and entertaining at the same time. They called regulars by name and others were hun, babe and other names. It gave a warm fuzzy feeling. I was surprised to read on their name tags how long some of the staff members have been with WH. Most of them had been working at WH 5 years or more. That blew my mind. If you haven't experienced a Waffle House, don't wait as long as I did. Get out of your comfort zone and go enjoy it yourself.

We stopped at Waffle House while visiting from out of town to tour the University, and it was a…read moreperfect start to our day. Our server, Shawn, was awesome attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. The food was spot-on: I had the ham, over-easy eggs, and hash browns, and my son got the chicken sausage--everything was cooked exactly right. Huge shoutout to the chef & sous chef in who were totally in the zone and absolutely nailed every order. You can tell they take pride in the food coming off that grill. The coffee was hot, the vibe was classic and welcoming, and the whole place just felt like a warm hug. This Waffle House will definitely be a regular stop for us anytime we're back in town. Highly recommend!

Things to do in Granite City

Condiments on Breakfast Bar

Biscuit & Gravy with a two egg breakfast

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Business

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Gage S.

1 year ago

Misleading Tipping Practices -- Beware! I recently visited this Mexican restaurant and was surprised to see a sign saying that a gratuity fee is automatically taken out of the payment. That seemed fair enough, but when I got the receipt, there was an additional spot asking for a tip. It was really confusing and felt like I was being asked to tip twice. This kind of double tipping feels misleading and unfair. If a gratuity fee is already included, customers shouldn't be pressured to add another tip on top of that. Clear communication about charges and tipping is important, and this restaurant needs to be upfront about their policy. I hope they clarify this soon because it takes away from what could be a great dining experience. read more

Jesse S.

6 years ago

My husband and I love this restaurant so much we are going to name our future dog after it.

Megan G.

8 years ago

Excellent Mexican food. Affordable prices and friendly service.

Don Chencho Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated September 2026

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I'm getting more adventurous in exploring the menu here at Arandas MX Cocina. My recent visit, I…read moretried the, Pollo Feliz and I can honestly say, it may be a future go-to or at least in my top 3 choices. Polo Feliz is one of their chicken specialties. It's a grilled chicken breast with shrimp. They serve it on a bed of mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and melted cheese. On a second plate, it is served with rice, beans, salad and tortillas. It was so much food, I could not clean my plate. The chicken breast and shrimp were excellent. They were seasoned and grilled perfectly. Honestly, when I order it the next time, I may tell them to hold the second plate, except for the tortillas. The service is always good and when it's super busy, I don't mind sitting at the bar. Being a single diner, I hate tying up a table or booth when they could sit a larger group. Arandas is on the backside of my subdivision, I can easily walk there. I'm going to check and see if their new patio is dog friendly. If so, my fur-baby and I may become regulars.

I would not recommend. I do like the pick up window. But, soggy nachos is gross. Nope not thanks…read morewill not return.

Palenque Troy

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Great service and the food was phenomenal! Loved the silent sports on the TVs, music, and patio. We…read morewill definitely be back!

Stopped in for dinner - food was good! We sat inside, but they have this great outdoor, covered…read moreseating area. They have multiple big screen TV's, so a great place to catch a sporting event. Our server was very friendly and our food came out fast! Might be our new go to for Mexican!!

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Do yourself a favor and make a visit here, this is our favorite Mexican spot in O'Fallon. The staff…read moreis always friendly and attentive, and we usually sit at the bar. The food never disappoints. My go-to is the chile verde chicken, which has the perfect amount of spice. And the golden margarita? Absolute winner every time.

Stopped on in here after being at the ballpark all day and were pleasantly surprised…read more The food was outstanding, no complaints about service, decently clean besides the bathrooms need a bit of tidying up. Would easily return if we are in the area again!

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Stopped by Oaxaca with a friend and had a great experience. There was plenty of seating, so we were…read moreseated right away, and our waiter was friendly, attentive, and checked on us throughout the meal. I ordered the fish tacos with the peach/watermelon piña colada, and my friend had the nachos. Everything came out quickly, was presented well, and tasted just as good as it looked. The fish tacos were fresh and flavorful, and the piña colada was a refreshing twist on a classic. My friend's nachos were loaded and looked delicious too. Overall, the service was great, the food arrived quickly, and the atmosphere made for a relaxing meal. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

I am happy I gave this place another shot after my last visit. This time I ordered the Blueberry…read moreMargarita to start. It was delicious and strong. The smashed blueberries were a great addition to help balance out the drink. I also ordered the Shredded Chicken Chimichanga. The rice was moister than last time, and the beans were cooked well. The chimichanga itself was served hot and was delicious. It's still a standard Tex-Mex place, but my experience was better the second time.

Tios Tacos & Tequila

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Authentic??? I don't think so. Basic white woman, definitely. In the limited exchange with the…read morestaff, I found everyone to be friendly. From sitting down to getting our food was less than five minutes. The food was extremely fair priced. However, I cannot call it authentic. The flour tortillas were clearly purchased at the Walmart supercenter. The El Cabrón burrito I ordered was chopped up chicken breast inside a cold flour tortilla, smothered in queso. The beans were very watery and the rice was very good. Once I mix the beans and rice together, the beans seem to have a little flavor. Did I mention the burrito only had chicken inside nothing else? We also get the mango tacos, which was a mini version of the El Cabron burrito with some mango juice poured over the meat. It was fast. It was an expensive and it was filling. It did not remind me of Mexico. When we ordered the mango tacos, I expected some kind of mango chutney on the chicken, unfortunately, it was like someone opened a can of ocean spray and pour it on the meat. We will return, but it was boring.

Greeted politely when my husband and I came in. Took a bit for the waiter to come for our drink…read moreorders. The menu is busy!! Lots to choose from. I got pollo loco hubby got chori pollo. Let me say if you don't like spice DO NOT eat the salsa. Plus the salsa is not complimentary like most Mexican places. My food was not very well seasoned but spicy basically lacking flavor, only could feel the "heat". Hubby said his was good. The music was techno which was odd but honestly better than loud mariachi music, honestly. The staff was on their phones a lot! Which is probably why I didn't get a refill for my beverage and it took 15 minutes to get him to come and take the payment for our meal. So basically this was a meh experience at best.

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I always love this place, the chips and salsa are good! I usually get two a la carte items and walk…read moreout plenty full. The service is always quick and the food is hot - actually comes out on a hot plate. I love this type of Mexican cause it's full of sodium. The place has always been busy but lots of seating, and parking. The place doesn't have the typical Mexican restaurant feel. It's a good place, great for Maryville.

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