Remember when a steak dinner came with a trip to the salad bar, and nobody had to pay extra for it? That tradition is still alive in a handful of Illinois towns, from Peoria to Pinckneyville.
The six family-friendly steakhouses below pair real grilled steaks with salad bars you can visit again and again, and several even let you cook your own cut. Save this list for your next road trip or Sunday supper.
1. Alexander’s Steakhouse Peoria, Peoria, IL
Grab a fork, or grab the tongs. At Alexander’s, you can cook your own steak over the big wood fire grills inside the dining room, or let the kitchen handle it while you head for the salad bar.
Every steak comes with unlimited trips to that salad bar, plus a baked potato and Texas toast. The New York Strip and sirloin are the cuts people tend to talk about, and the skillet cookie makes a strong case for saving room.
The space has brick walls and a casual, roomy layout that works for a date night or a big group. Kids are welcome too, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready to go.
Hours run Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. Saturday evenings get busy, so dinner reservations are a smart move.
2. The Ribeye, Champaign, IL
With a name like The Ribeye, you already know what to order. The signature cut arrives on a hot plate, often joined by fresh sauteed mushrooms.
The all-you-can-eat salad bar comes with steak dinners, and fresh bread lands on the table with each meal. I like that there is a senior special here too, which pairs a 5-ounce steak with a potato and the salad bar.
Families will find changing tables, high chairs, and a kids’ menu. It is a comfortable spot along South Neil Street that fills up on weekend and Tuesday evenings, so expect a wait or call ahead.
Doors open at 4:30 PM on weekdays and at noon on weekends.
3. Blackhawk Steak Pit, Oregon, IL
Charcoal is the secret word along Route 2. Blackhawk Steak Pit cooks its steaks over real charcoal and serves them in a classic supper club setting.
Prime rib is a headliner, and the full salad bar is a big part of the meal. For something different, the alligator appetizer adds a fun twist before the steak shows up.
A fireplace and a quiet, relaxed mood make this a nice pick for a slow dinner. Prices usually land around $30 to $40 per person.
Plan carefully, because the restaurant is open only Monday and Friday through Sunday, from 5 to 9 PM. Saturday night is the busiest, and reservations are recommended.
4. Grecian Steak & Seafood House, Pinckneyville, IL
Southern Illinois diners on a budget, take note. Most meals here run about $10 to $20 per person, which is rare for a steakhouse with this kind of spread.
The ribeye is the menu star, and the fresh salad bar sits alongside homemade soups. There is also a buffet with hot dishes and desserts, and the Friday buffet has a following of its own.
The dining room is quiet and clean, and kids are well covered with high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. It opens at 10:30 AM Tuesday through Sunday and stays open until 9 PM, so lunch works just as well as dinner.
Just skip Mondays, when the doors stay closed.
5. The Packinghouse, Galesburg, IL
History buffs get a bonus here. The Packinghouse sits inside a former meat packing building in Galesburg, which makes it a fitting home for a steakhouse.
The extensive salad bar is a big draw, and so are the signature cinnamon rolls. On the menu, look for the Bourbon NY Strip, French onion soup, and a ribeye sandwich.
Sundays bring a brunch buffet starting at 10 AM. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday.
It is family-friendly with a kids’ menu, and most meals cost about $10 to $20 per person.
6. Little Nugget, Danville, IL
Late dinner plans? Little Nugget stays open until 11 PM most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, which is unusual for a steakhouse.
Like Alexander’s, it offers a cook-your-own grill, so you can handle your steak yourself. Plates often come with a loaded baked potato, the signature salad bar, and unlimited Texas toast.
The menu goes well beyond steak, with a jumbo pork tenderloin sandwich, breaded portabella mushrooms, and a Bayou Burger. Younger diners can order a Kids 5 Oz Ribeye.
Opening at 11 AM every day, it works for lunch, dinner, or a late bite after a game.
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