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Experience Effingham: For the Foodie (Sponsored)

Begin your day at the John Boos & Company Factory Showroom + Outlet to see what’s got everyone talking about John Boos butcher blocks! With celebrities and chefs, like Bobby Flay and Kylie Jenner, using cutting boards, butcher blocks and other professional equipment from this well-known company, visitors won’t want to miss this up-close look at the infamous Boos Butcher Blocks. While you’re browsing their collection, commemorate your visit by choosing a board to get engraved, on-site! John Boos and Company is the oldest industry in Effingham, Illinois and has been in business continuously since 1887. For more information, visit www.johnboos.com. After visiting John Boos, enjoy your lunch, on a John Boos table, at a one-of-a-kind restaurant… Firefly Grill!

A Boos Butcher Block at John Boos and Company

Firefly Grill in Effingham is much more than just a restaurant; it is a culinary experience that brings thousands of people each year to the Effingham community. Firefly Grill has been recognized in several publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Bon Appetit and the St. Louis Post for its unique atmosphere and efforts to go green.

Firefly’s award-winning chef, Chef Niall, provides guests with a menu that boasts sustainable seafood, prime steaks, brick-oven pizzas and soulful, American-fresh cuisine. Using only the best ingredients, Firefly sources what they can from their on-site gardens, and what they can’t, they source from nearby artisan farms and local foragers and fishermen.

Firefly cultivates a lively, yet intimate atmosphere, where every meal becomes a memory. Their eco-friendly roadhouse is an oasis, right in the heart of the Midwest. With their reclaimed barnwood exterior and ever-changing, seasonal menu, Firefly Grill provides the warm welcome of a small town with the gourmet flavors of the big city. Groups are invited to walk their on-site gardens, watch meals being prepared in their expedition kitchen and dine on their patio, overlooking Lake Kristie. Visit www.ffgrill.com to make a reservation or to learn more about Firefly Grill.

Soak up your afternoon with an inspiring view that feels a world away… Tuscan Hills Winery. This old-world, Italian-inspired winery is not only picturesque, it’s also temperature controlled and pet-friendly. Get cozy under heated patios and enjoy their wide selection of wines, brews, slushies, charcuterie boards and artisan appetizers. Visit www.effinghamwinery.com to view their wine menu, hours and live music calendar.

Tuscan Hills Winery

End your evening with dinner and a handcrafted brew in Downtown Effingham! Effing Brew Company is at the top of our list of must-stop destinations for beer-lovers. This local, family-owned and operated brewery offers old-world and handcrafted brews, as well as delicious pub-style fare. Pair the Granville Davis IPA with a house-made Beer Cheeseburger on a Pretzel Bun or try the Tuetonic Knight Belgian Wheat with the Fish and Chips Special. Enjoy outdoor seating, live music and great food and brews, of course! To learn more about their selection of brews and IPAs, visit www.effingbrewco.com.

Enjoy dinner and craft beer in downtown!

Whatever you’re craving, Visit Effingham is happy to guide you on your ultimate foodie experience. Check out www.visiteffinghamil.com for more information on local hot spots for food, drinks and everything in-between!