Little Red Barn

If you’ve ever tired of franchises, then this country spot, north of exit 100 on I-​64 in Illinois, is a fun alternative and pleasant reminder of what a small town café can do.
Their self-​deprecating motto on the backs of some servers T-​shirts is «The foods not that good but there is plenty of it». It’s both true and yet, at its best, not.
At one level, it’s a drive-​in joint with anything you need for a simple fill up – chicken baskets, pizzas, a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers and ice cream desserts. Breakfast is typical stuff and, sure, an omelet does not need slices of American cheese melted on top, but that is not the critical perspective for a place like this.
What they literally hit the ball out of the park doing are daily lunch and dinner specials. Keep it simple and you won’t be disappointed. Roast pork with potatoes and carrots, Salisbury Steak, basic fish dishes, roast or fried chicken, meatloaf, etc.– is presented as good family cooking at its best. And when it comes in at $ 6 to $ 8 an entrée, it’s a terrific bargain. A wide variety of sides and home made desserts adds to your pleasure and, honestly, the unpredictability that makes this place worth your while.
We’ve stopped in several times and have never regretted the short detour from the high-​speed predictability, and monotony, of the Interstate.
The servers are polite and smart and the clientele is more typical of the American heartland than any freeway franchise joint. As a traveler, you’ll be the odd one in attendance. I like it because it reminds me of where most of us really live when we take time to ignore the barrage of TV commercials.
Cash and personal checks only. How cool is that?