A Trip Back to the Midwest

Jeff and I recently took a trip back to the Midwest to see my family. As usual, we ate our way through the trip (and probably almost caused my parents to burst - our bad). Here are some highlights from our trip food diary!

Day 1: We visited The White House in DuBois, IL for some BBQ. My parents had been talking about wanting to take us here for a while since they thought it was really good. Jeff had a brisket sandwich and I got the BBQ nachos. We both left full and happy.

Later that evening we hit up the DuQuoin State Fair - something I used to attend every year when I was growing up. We met up with my bestie, AZ, and her family for some fair food and rides for her daughter, PZ. We ate all the things: a corn dog, lemon shake up, fried pickles, toasted ravioli, Dole whip, a red velvet funnel cake (best thing at the fair, hands down!), and a lifetime favorite of my family - Malone’s State Fair Taffy. It was a great night with great friends.

Day 2: My parents took us to Soulard Market in St. Louis. We acquired all kinds of goodies at the market - mini donuts at Smitty’s as well as gooey butter cake and a cherry turnover from Soulard Bakery. So much sugar, but so delicious.

After the market, we stopped by Russell’s on Macklind where AZ’s sister, AB, works. We were seated on the patio and AB made sure we were stuffed to the gills with delicious food. We had to take a lot home because we were out of stomach real estate.

Our next stop, which was a first for Jeff, was Ted Drewes for some concretes. We were still really full from Russell’s, but we’ll never say no to ice cream. It was every bit as delicious as I remember.

Day 4: We headed over to Perryville, MO to Mary Jane Burgers and Brew for a late lunch. They have a fairly unique menu for a burger place in the Midwest. We had smoked pork rangoon, wings, a prime rib sandwich with house made fried onion petals, and a PB-QUE burger. The food definitely measured up to all the hype we heard around this restaurant.

Day 5: We had one last meal of barbecue at A Fines Swine in New Baden, IL before heading back home to Seattle. We shared a sampler platter with brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken as well as sides of chips, beans, corn bread, and piggy puppies (basically deep fried pulled pork hush puppies - amazing). As snobby as I am about barbecue - this place passed the test. I would go back for sure.

It was a great trip with tons of great finds in regards to food. Mom and Dad are recovering nicely from trying to keep up with our eating all the things. :)