Service and atmosphere was over the top!! White linens on the table and yet prices are very reasonable. They have a great salad bar and the deserts are a must to try. The menu is amazing they have everything from a burger to a steak. read more

This is a lovely restaurant. Service was friendly and great. Deserts were homemade and a plenty . Very nice salad bar. Homemade soups . Prime rib, seafood, ribeye sandwich and homemade fries were very good. I would recommend this restaurant for sure ! Causal attire is appropriate. read more

The food is always good and so is the service. The fried chicken is very good. They have a brunch on Sunday's.

The Ariston is an icon and a must on Route 66. The food is fantastic and the salad/soup bar is like no other. A great place to take pictures and make memories read more

Wonderful stop on your Route 66 trip or anytime. Friendly staff and owner was very generous with his time. My service dog was welcomed with no reservations. Artichokes appetizer light and delicious -a must! Sirloin was wildly tender. This was perfectly cooked and the best I have ever had. (That cut is usually chewing - but not here!). read more

Really enjoyed dining here. We were driving home from Chicago and decided to grab a bite. There were 3 diners in the running and we chose the Ariston because... because ... I have no idea why we chose this place. But I'm glad we did. I had the salad bar and a burger. Really good. The star of the show was my wife's shrimp... coconut, crispy shrimp (her favorite,) and stuffed shrimp. She was in shrimp heaven! If you get the chance hit this place up. Oh ... and sign the guest book! read more

Oh Ariston Cafe, why do you have to be so far away from me? I was in the area for a couple days and wanted to avoid another chain restaurant. Everyone that I asked, told me to go to the Ariston. I am so glad that I did! So cute! The wait staff was adorable, helpful, prompt, extremely attentive and just overall wonderful! I was dining alone, but that was perfectly fine here. My iced tea glass was never empty. The waitress suggested a crispy rice noodle shrimp appetizer with a tasty side sauce. It was delicious! The soup & salad bar was nice. Nothing fancy, but fresh. I moved on to the fried chicken with American homefries. Perfection. The homefries almost brought me to tears. They were just like my Grandma used to make. AND, all white meat was only $.50 more! YUMMY!!! Finally, the lovely waitress brought over the dessert tray. For $3.95, I could have a delicious dessert. I was stuffed. But, I learned that about half of them were homemade, so I took a homemade cherry cheesecake slice/slab back to the hotel with me. Don't hesitate to head to the Ariston Cafe! Smile, enjoy the hospitality and great food! read more

The Ariston Cafe - Sunday Fried Chicken Special with Home Fries - American Near Me - Litchfield, Illinois

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This is one of those "I want to love this place, but" reviews. I have probably kept the four rating in the past on wishful thinking. I love the history. The service is great and it is always fun to find these old places along the road. But I have to be honest, it is really a three star place and we will continue to stop on our way to Chicago to see the kids. On our last visit I had a daily special Hot Pork Sandwich. I know the drill on these things; white bread covered with meat, then mashed potatoes and gravy over it all. This can be roadside café food at its finest. While waiting, I was envisioning wonderful moist and tender roast pork and rich, brown homemade gravy. What I got was sliced, dry poorly prepared pork loin and if that was homemade gravy, it sure tasted like it came out of a jar or a Durkees packet. I ate it and was disappointed. I realize that with this large menu, you can't have all of things homemade like Grandma used to do, but when it is your special of the day, put some effort into it. read more

What a charming little place. I felt like the server was family welcoming us home. I had the hot beef sandwich which was Devine. I haven't tasted gravy so good since my Aunt Betty in northeast Colorado cooked big meals. This is definitely worth getting off the highway for. read more

This place is a must stop if you're traveling on I-55. Took my friends to enjoy their delicious food, but mostly their spectacular desserts!!! Be prepared to leave stuffed with not a hefty bill to follow. read more

Possibly the worst meal I've ever had.. most of the clientele appear to be dying from old age. If you want to experience what it's like to live in a retirement home then here you go. Depressing. read more

The Ariston Cafe - American Near Me - Litchfield, Illinois

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Oh, I just love this little place! My favorite place to eat when passing through Litchfield. Great salad bar and friendly staff. It has a nice homeish feeling with delicious food. Fried chicken, steak, salad, soup, catfish, fried mushrooms, chicken nuggets, french fries, so much yummy. Also, it's child friendly. By that, I do not mean it is wild; I mean that I feel like the primary clientele/staff has or had children, and they are accommodating and accepting. :) read more

Sooooo disappointed, after waiting 45 minutes for appetizers, not only was my boyfriend's chicken sandwich cold, my Mexican plate was inedible. Taco was greasy and I may not be Mexican, but I know what a tamale and enchilada is.. and that was not on my plate. It was dry and crusty and literally struck to my plate. My guess is our entree's sat while our appetizer was forgot about then made. Again very disappointed! read more

Very impressed with this historic cafe in quaint Litchfield, IL, especially during Covid. They take all the precautions necessary to keep a safe dining environment. Waitress was fabulous, really enjoyed her! The food was delicious and the amazing desserts definitely pass the sweet tooth check! Wish I would've taken photos. Next time I go visit Litchfield, IL I will definitely go back to eat there! read more

You can't go wrong with any item on the menu! The food was great, the setting was great, and the service was top-notch. Just Awesome!!

I had a business lunch here. There were all bout a dozen of us. The restaurant is warm and inviting. We were seated in the salon next to the main dining room. The service was good. I had a great fried chicken sandwich- with fries. Yummy. The desserts were gorgeous and really tasty! The staff was very welcoming - kudos to Gina and Tina. I loved all the Route 66 souvenirs. This place has some really cool Route 66 t-shirts. If you're in Litchfield, stop in. read more

Great food and service. Have been going to the Ariston for years when traveling between Springfield and St. Louis. An Illinois classic that one must stop at when hungry near Litchfield. read more

In town for business and stumbled upon this place after seeing Yelp reviews. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Place is old but sparkling clean and obviously consistently well-kept over the years. Food was delicious! The tenderloin really was The Best I've ever had. Desserts looked incredible but we were too full to try them. Wish we could go back tomorrow! Will definitely visit again when back in town. read more

The atmosphere of this restaurant and the waitress who served the party I was with are great. However, the fries I ordered with the tilapia meal special seemed to be too few and many of them were overcooked. I also understand that another customer in my party ordered a catfish meal he discovered was bone-in without any prior indication of bones in it with the the menu description. Because the bones made the fish too difficult to eat, he attempted to discuss the situation with management but was reportedly ignored, making me feel that it would be pointless to try to resolve the situation regarding my fries. The restaurant might have enough satisfied customers and good reviews to not take customer concerns seriously, but customers who support an establishment should at least be allowed to speak with its management. I hope future customers are able to have their voices heard at the Ariston when needed. read more

Came here while I was training in some schools teaching kids about Internet safety. Upon walking into this restaurant I thought I was with my parents at a diner in the 70s. The menu was plentiful. I had the soup salad bar and liver and onions. The soup was homemade just like my mom made it. The salads or all homemade dressings and it was amazing. Liver and onions were fantastic crunchy ends and crispy onions. Then, the desert which would feed 4 ppl. THIS IS A HIDDEN GEM. read more

NEVER AGAIN. That was an awful experience. Just a couple things I would like to touch on. It starts with the clashing decor, cloth napkins with a swordfish on the wall, pink laminate tables with formal uniforms? An even larger lack of harmony comes from the menu. They offer tacos, gyros, and mozzarella sticks for under 8 dollars but the special was Halibut on sautéed spinach for $26!? The worst part was when my children discovered their taco meat was PINK. When we addressed the situation the manager was rude but the whole staff said, "IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME." the manager tried to say it was from The seasoning. We're talking Barbie pink not burnt orange, buddy. We stopped on our way home from Branson, MO and WHAT A MISTAKE. read more

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We occasionally stop here on our way home to Springfield IL from St Louis as Litchfield IL is about half way. The menu is extensive and the food is consistently delicious. Portions are generous. If you're a dessert lover, the homemade desserts are excellent. Every server we've ever had has been top notch. read more

Had the Prime Rib today thick cut of course and it was just how I like it. Met Nick and his wife they seem like wonderful people. The desserts were out of this world!!!! Pick them all! I don't know why I'm not giving it 5 stars..maybe I'll change it later read more

The Ariston Cafe was a pleasant surprise amongst a sea of chain restaurants at this middle of nowhere highway stop. The owner greeted us at the door and the great service never stopped from there. A very interesting menu with lots of choices and specials. I had the Chicken Scalopine and my wife the blackened Tilapia, both very very good. They have a well stocked and varied salad bar with delicious obviously home made soup. To top it off, our waitress tempted us with an incredible selection of mouthwatering oversized deserts. You can't go wrong having dinner here. A treasure along old Route 66 to be sure. read more

Overrated. This place could not be more average. Growing up in the area, everyone talks about how historic the Ariston is and that it's a must visit, but I firmly disagree. This place is an average old diner with nothing that special. The only cool part about this place is the dessert tray that they bring by after your meal. That being said, if you do end up here, get the cheesecake. read more

Ariston Cafe has become a favorite stop for dessert whenever we visit the area. Not only is it a well-preserved historic restaurant on Route 66, but it offers some of the most delicious desserts anywhere! Our travels haven't worked out so we could eat a meal there, but we are hoping that will be possible soon. The salad bar & special offerings are wildly tempting. Hubby's favorite dessert is a lemon fluff pie, light, cool, & refreshing. That pie is often presented with different fruits/berries, depending on the season. I last tried the one with blueberries, with pecan crust! Oh my! Melt in your mouth yummy! The facility is casual, roomy, & clean. Parking is convenient, & service is outstanding. Fantastic place to visit!! read more

Stopped in for dinner with my husband - dinner was average with little to any spices added to flavor the chopped steak. Mashed potatoes were delicious with gravy... read more

Easily the very best patty melt I've ever encountered. I would only expect the best, though, for a Rt. 66 landmark that's been around since 1924! They've got to be doing a few things right at the Ariston Cafe--and lucky for me, the patty melt was one of them. We make the trip from Chicago to St. Louis on a pretty regular basis and try to avoid chain restaurants when our hunger gets the best of us (with the exception of Culver's 'cause I just can't stay away). On our last trip, we *almost* passed up the Ariston Cafe for another little family restaurant, but I'm so glad we gave this historic restaurant a try. I expected a roadside diner, but Ariston Cafe is actually a "fancy" small town restaurant! Dim lights, white table cloths, specials boasting filet mignon and portabello mushrooms, full bar and wine menu--this was not a greasy spoon. In addition to the dinner specials, Ariston makes everything from Italian to Mexican food to open-faced sandwiches to hamburgers to old-time favorites like liver and onions. They also boast a salad bar, which seemed to be the big draw the night we were there. I skipped all that jazz for the patty melt by which all other patty melts will be judged--crisp, buttery, grilled Russian rye, sweet grilled onions and a patty with cheese, all likely enhanced by the flavors of their well-seasoned griddle. I'd get it again in a heartbeat. I'd also like to try one of their ice cream drinks at the bar lining one of the walls, but as it was freezing outside, I wasn't quite in the mood for a Brandy Alexander. I have a feeling the folks at the bar know how to make a good, old-timey cocktail. And, last but not least, I have to mention the ladies' bathroom. Very clean, extremely pink and nice and toasty, thanks to a space heater right below the (wait for it...) changing table! My little guy appreciated a warmed table on such a chilly day. If you're tooling around I-55 (or actually cruising Route 66, which I highly recommend) and aren't interested in giving your cash to some blah fast food chain, visit The Ariston Cafe. Have a patty melt for me. read more

This is most certainly the best place to stop for a meal between Springfield and St. Louis. Admittedly, that isn't saying much but this place is truly a gem. They've been around for decades, have that old-time feel and produce really good food if you order right. Hint - ordering Mexican food here does not constitute ordering right. Over the years I've tried a good number of their offerings while traveling I-55 but on this occasion I had their french dip sandwich. I enjoyed the shaved beef and au jus but the sandwich was nothing too special. On previous visits I've had some really good steaks (try the NY strip with whatever topping most appeals to you), coconut shrimp, reuben sandwich, etc. One note: do not leave this place without having dessert. They make most of the stuff themselves and it is always amazing. I'm not a big fan of tres leches cake but the wife thinks their version is amazing. read more

Oldest restaurant on Route 66...check! Nostalgic atmosphere....check! Great place for a family gathering and good ol' American food with great service. Ask for Jimmy to serve you, he was great! read more

The Ariston Cafe - American Near Me - Litchfield, Illinois

During our previous trip down Route 66, we were in Lichtfield on a Monday, so we couldn't eat at Ariston Cafe. This trip, we were able to enjoy it. A VERY COOL PLACE. It is immaculately clean, and practiced all social distancing, masking and other COVID 19 measures. The restaraunt looks meticulously maintained: the fixtures, woodwork, booths, and tables all look like original 1930's Route 66 pieces, but maintained VERY WELL. Each boot also has an old-time light fixture. The food is VERY GOOD, better than the typical Greek restaraunt fare. When I mentioned to the waitress that we've been wanting to eat here for a few years, but this was the first time we were in Lichtfield when they were open, she gave us a postcard and refrigerator magnet that are now on our fridge. Very cool place. Very good place for a pit stop on your Route 66 trip, or any time you're in Lichtfield. Read the menu, too, because it gives a nice, short history of the Ariston and the area. read more

I came here with my grandparents on our way back from Kentucky. I'd never eaten here before, but they had. The first thing I want to comment on is the atmosphere. It's a cozy place, really nice. Very welcoming. It was already getting dark outside (and the wind speed was picking up!) and the lighting inside was dim, giving it that cozy feel. As soon as we got inside, the man who showed us to our seats was VERY peppy and smiley. They turned the lights down when we were seated--and it was fine because the booths had side lights so you could read the menu and see what you're doing. The waiter who actually served us was also a very nice guy, funny too. And he was patient with me. My grandparents had eaten here before so they already knew what they were getting--but I had to take a few minutes. He was understanding and very polite about it. We had chips and salsa, and portobello mushroom fries as appetizers. The salsa was excellent, they had mild and spicy--both were good. The mushrooms were also very tasty, kinda had the melt-in-your-mouth feeling as well. I ordered the horseshoe sandwich as my main course, and that was excellent. Not my absolute favorite horseshoe, but it was pretty good! My grandparents had no complaints on their meals either. All this being said, I only have 2 complaints--both of which are very small. It was pretty chilly in the restaurant. The other thing was how small the booth was and the spacing between the table and the seats. It was way too close. I had to remove my coat before the meal came (I was cold so I'd left it on) and my grandmother had to help me. She had to lean almost completely out of the booth, and I just about twisted my arm 180 degrees getting my coat off. Other than that, great place and great food. I was happy with this service. :) read more

We have been through this area several times but yesterday was the first time we have ever been to Ariston Cafe. We loved it. Ariston was started in 1924 and moved to Litchfield in 1935 and are still in the same building. I had the salad & soup bar. There was ham and bean soup and it was really good. I tried all the salads and liked all but one which was brussel sprouts. It's hard to like a brussel sprout. The kids had tacos that were homemade and they really enjoyed them. They split a lemon desert and devoured it in minutes. I didn't even get to try it. They said it was fabulous! We are looking forward to going back again someday. read more

I decided to stop here on my trip down Route 66 from Chicago to Saint Louis. I went simple and had the cheese burger. The burger was good, but nothing special. A burger, fries, and a root beer was $10. Not a cheap burger, maybe a little high for the burger. There was a post meal offer of deserts. They looked GOOD! Though I was saving my sweet tooth for later. The people were very nice. The place had a nice old fashion feel to it, a good thing. If I traveled through here on a regular basis I may go again. read more

My Mom is originally from Hillsboro. We were in town to visit family and go to Old Settlers. In all the years I have been to Hillsboro I don't think I have ever been to Ariston or if I had it was so long ago I don't remember. We were a large party of 14 and I want to give our waitress Sam a shout out because she dealt with everything like a pro. There is a pretty wide variety of entrees available and on both visits I took advantage of the included soup and salad bar. One visit I had the fried chicken which was pretty good and another visit I had the halibut. The dessert tray is kind of insane so save room for that. If you have time and are stopping in Litchfield I would definitely make a point of coming here definitely one of the nicer options in the area! read more

Have eaten at this restaurant a several times while working in the area. Did not have anything that was better than mediocre at best. The food was slow to come out of the kitchen on more than half of my visits, food taste is blah not very well seasoned and the management was not attentive at all to food wait times, happiness with food quality. The salad bar lacks selection of common items you would find at most salad bars. The price for the quality of food does not create a good value. the only bright side was the service staff was friendly and hard working. read more

This place is overpriced for what it is. The food quality is decent but I had a few complaints. First the salad bar didn't have the standard items you would expect such as tomatoes or ham. The pieces of meat that look like ham bits actually taste like hot dog. Hmm. The soup was decent. The steak was a decent cut but they didn't cook it the way I asked (medium well) and I thought the price was high. The kids meals were ok, but they brought the wrong thing. They did fix it however when we complained. The dessert menu was extensive and the family liked all of their choices. So this is a place to stop off if you want a little bit of Americana, but judging by the age of the clientele and the quality of the food, I bet this place will be gone in 5 years. We will not be going back. read more

The best food I have had on I-55 between Stl and Springfield! Excellent cuisine, terrific service and a quaint, small town atmosphere. The term "cafe" is oddly placed in the name. This is not a true "cafe" in my eyes. It is a full service restaurant where you can get anything from steak to blt's. They serve alcohol, appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, salads and deserts so you have much to choose from. I'll be back for sure!! read more

Service was a little on slow side, however the delightful staff more than made up for it. The head staff was attentive to our needs with 3 kids one who was being disruptive. Boys said the corn dogs were awesome. I had the fried chicken that was very good. read more

The Ariston Cafe - Entrance - American Near Me - Litchfield, Illinois

Great food and service. First time there. Logan was our server and took great care of us. Food I'd give a 4. Service a 5. Rounding up to a 5. read more

The Ariston Cafe - Very quaint exterior and interior. - American Near Me - Litchfield, Illinois