Route 66 icon! If memory serves me it's been in operation since 1924. Inside the decor is…read moreauthentic to the 1950's, but this is obviously well cared for, which was very apparent when I saw the counter swivel stool-chairs: they look brand new! I was on a road trip up from Florida to Wisconsin with a friend. We were going through Springfield, Illinois, so we could visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library. So that's how I ended up in this neck of the woods. Needed a spot for dinner and this popped up as an option and sure glad it did. My friend & I both opted for the Fried Chicken dinner and this place makes the best fried chicken I've had in decades! OMGOSH! The meat was fully cooked, but still so incredibly juicy. The crispy skin and coating was unreal, it was so good - it was truly "finger-lick in' good". While I'm borrowing that old slogan, The Ariston Cafe's fried chicken is like the fried chicken ideal of perfection. They have a classic salad bar and that hit the spot, especially on a road trip where you're not often getting enough veggies. I'm writing this review some weeks later after getting back home. If the place had been average, I wouldn't bother, but when a reminder to do a review popped up, I had to do this as the waitresses and cooks deserve it, as do the owners & all the staff. Waitresses were all nice as could be and helpful. It's like walking back in time when you go inside, and it reminded me of great restaurants in the area I grew up in. If I make it back up that way again, I'll plan my travels to include another stop in at The Artisan.

My husband and I were looking for a place to eat supper and were heading toward a Taco Bell when…read moremy husband saw the Ariston Cafe. He noticed that the restaurant's parking lot was packed and said, "This must be a good place to eat." We then noticed the signs on the outside that said, "A better place to eat." While walking into the restaurant our appetites were stimulated by the wonderful smell of steaks cooking. We went inside and were pleasantly greeted and given a choice to sit at a table or a booth. We chose the booth and were seated right next to the salad bar. We opted for the Icelandic cod fish special which came with one side and unlimited trips to the salad bar. The salad bar had a lovely selection of vegetables and toppings. Several choices reminded us of dishes that one would bring to a family reunion. One was a sweet corn salad with a tasty dressing that tasted like hummus. It was delicious and I went back for seconds, another was a sweet carrot salad-equally delicious, another consisted of Brussel sprouts (I thought it would be pickled, but it was not), again, I had seconds. The cod fish came with unlimited servings, but the three large pieces were more than we could eat. We wanted to save room for dessert. The choices were many and we had first eyed them coming into the restaurant. They included: German chocolate cake, coconut and chocolate creamy pie, baklava, cheese cake topped with strawberries or blueberries, lemon meringue, and bread pudding with bourbon sauce. I had the coconut cream pie and my husband had the chocolate cream pie. Both were wonderful. We couldn't finish them because we were absolutely stuffed. So, we took them home to finish with our morning coffee. I wished that I could wrap this restaurant up and take it with me back to Evansville, IN to share with my group of retired friends when we go out for lunch. They would love it. The price for our dinner was extremely good considering the amount of food we had, and our waitress was very friendly and good at her job. We'll be back again next year for certain. This is truly a better place to eat.

Very clean friendly place. Took my parents there on recommendation of a friend. You must ask…read moreabout and watch how the 'tap' beer is served. Interestingly fills from the bottom up! Seals off with a small magnet that you may either take home with you, throw it up to the ventilation ducts or just throw it away. (Those are not washed / re -used). Sign on the wall says something like 'don't finger your hole' because obviously if you do, it will break the magnetic seal and you will loose your beer! My mother has never drank more than a few sips of beer, but enjoyed the Ciderboys Grand Mimosa they have on tap. It was even better with an added shot of amaretto. Have already returned with a group of friends. Enjoyed both some Butch's and TJ's pizzas this time. Everyone had a good time and are looking forward to going back again. They are less than 1 mile west from I-55 (Exit 80). 20 minutes south of Springfield.

Great vibe, fun place but not a lot of variety for food. We didn't have time to drink so I can't…read morecomment on the bar which is where i imagine most of the money comes from as it is a bar atmosphere. Pizza was ok but the service was so nice and made the experience worth it.

The food is good service is great the beer is cold and there open on Monday now . The atmosphere is…read morevery cool all the old signs is the icing on the cake

Food was delicious. Not a real big fish fan, but their walleye is the best I have ever eaten.read more

I'm into bourbon and golf, and this place delivers for me. Monster list of bourbons and two golf…read moresimulators too. What's not to like? Cocktails, wines and beers as well, if you're not into bourbon. Live music on occasion and 8 TV's all the time.

From the owner: Specialty Bourbon…read more Products: Domestic Beers, Domestic Bottles, High-End Bourbon, Imported Beers, Imported Bottles, IPAs, Local Brew, Non-Alcoholic Beer, Seltzers, Wine, Whiskey, Scotch, Rum, Flavored Vodka, Cordials, Cognac, Tequila, Gin, Irish Whiskey, Frozen Pizza, Pretzels, Candy. Services: Live Music, Poker, Gaming, Gambling, TVs, Televised Sports, Golf Simulator, Appetizers, Event Rentals Brands: Brick River Cider, Buffalo Trace, Butch's Pizza, Destihl, Eagle Rare, EH Taylor, J&J Gaming, Old Forester, Riggs Beer Company, Smokin' Aces, Triptych Brewing, W.L. Weller Special Reserve, WhistlePig, Woodford Reserve.

In central Illinois u have to check this out. Amazing dive bar but so clean and the bartenders…read morewelcome outsiders. In for some bar food snacks, try the poor boys sndwch or homemade pizza. Worth a stop off the hwy

Me and my girl have been going here for years but we didn't know it was owned this way until…read morerecently, me and my girl are out for drinks, we drink a little bit, not even 30 seconds later after us paying our bill, owner walks up to us instantly raising voice and being hostile "is there a problem because you hardly tipped anything" stopping us both in our tracks, being were both young twenties and one of us is in college we don't have a lot of money to do a lot of things so we have fun when we can. I tell him" gratuity is a option and I didn't have to leave anything if I didn't wanna" owner responded" well then we don't need service from people like you. Will never go back to a bar that has a owner that begs people for more money because that is illegal in the first place. Owner was drinking at own bar during work hours and managing a new bar tender. I'm telling you this now, do not bother coming here if you don't tip big I guess. Otherwise you may get told to leave to just over a few bucks. Will not be around a owner who lies about his own name as well to save his own skin. Because there is online so I don't get why he lied to my face about his name to save himself when I found it in 5 minutes. Win Lose or Draught is a great bar but a terrible terrible owner.

Great staff and drink prices. I usually go their on Thursday and I love the environmentread more

My iced tea was tasty. I got the fried brussels sprouts and the southwest chicken tacos. The…read morebrussels sprouts themselves didn't have any flavor unless I dipped them in the ranch. The southwest chicken tacos had lots of toppings, but looked like they were missing something. I mentioned to my companions that they were awful dry when I was eating them. Afterwards, I pulled up the menu on my phone and realized they were supposed to have salsa and ranch. I bet they would have tasted a lot better if they'd had everything they were supposed to have on them. It was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night in a medium-size town, but there aren't a ton of food options there. The ambiance was kind of fun, with an outdoor seating area in addition to the inside.

Is it a brewery or a beer memorabilia museum? Tasty brews and an absolutely amazing collection of…read morebeer signs and more. An old Rt 66 classic.