Restaurants near Towanda

“Had a birthday party there for my brother. Place is bigger than it looks from the outside. Really nice meeting all on the first floor basement bar area is fantastic.”

“Awesome! Loveeee the name too. Fried Green tomatoes!!!!”

“Friendly atmosphere and staff 😁”

“Have dined here several times with the wife. Unique offerings on the menu and attentive servers. The bowls are good and the various chicken dishes were also good. Looking forward to trying some of the other offerings. Ample portions for the reasonable prices.”

“We went here yesterday after the sports card convention at ISU with no idea what to expect, we just all agreed that we wanted a good, local pizza that we could not get back home. All of us on the trip agreed that this place was OFF THE CHARTS EXCELLENT FOOD. The atmosphere of the restaurant was kind, friendly, prompt, well-cleaned, and cosy. While I may get this wrong, the pizza to me was like a premium quality, perhaps modified blend of an artisinal with ultra fresh, ultra high-quality ingredients with everything someone would love about a Detroit style. I am a "pizza guy" and I am talking like top 5 lifetime pizza places for me. Definitely my favorite new pie that I have tried out over the last several years!😀 I will have to find a convenient excuse to get back to the area from 3 hours away soon just so I can visit again! Thanks for a great meal and outstanding service!”

“Absolutely love the chico here! Highest suggest! Owner is absolutely awesome to work with!”

“Incredible service right at the door. Food was luscious, hot, so special. Crust was delectable and unique. Well worth visiting again & again. Coffees are to die for-a MUST try! Pricing is so reasonable it’s great for a family. Try this- you will be so pleased!”

“The absolute best smoothie spot in the Blono area! I highly recommend that you try my favorite, the kiwi strawberry, add blueberries with a kick of fat burner. You won't be disappointed! Have you ever tried their breakfast menu items?!? I also highly recommend their Cali breakfast flatbread!! Great, friendly customer service with a smile everytime we come here! We love TSC and their staff are amazing!”

“ordering online was super easy and convenient! Food was hot and ready when the website said it would be. I ordered the paneer Tikka burger and it was AMAZING.”

“Had a great Father’s Day breakfast at the bar! Great drinks, food & staff. 👍🏻”

“I live strawberries. I got the strawberries pretzel pie cookie. Totally awesome - reminded me of the dessert I had as a child with the strawberry jello! Thank you for the memory!”

“Today was my first time eating at Lucca Grill. We went during lunch and I ordered their grilled chicken sandwich dipped in parmesan sauce and homemade chips. It was delicious! Our waitress was fantastic! She greeted us as we walked in and gave us great service! We are definitely going back and will have to try the pizza.”

“Vegan friendly, delicious, flavorful food at reasonable prices. I just wish they were open for extended hours!”

“Culinary Chronicles of Central Illinois: An Adventure at Lil Beaver Brewery

Some adventures don’t require a passport — just a short drive across Bloomington. Our latest stop took us to Lil Beaver Brewery, a bold and creative hub of local beer innovation that has been delighting Central Illinois since 2016.

We were greeted by General Manager Brandon Ciasnocha, who shared stories of the brewery’s evolution and local impact. Owners Adam and Justin Bellas have taken their “small but mighty” brewery from a homegrown dream to a Bloomington favorite that’s crafted over 200 beers throughout the years. Their flagship hit — the ever-popular Wainbows — continues to fly off the taps.

Step inside and you’ll quickly sense the energy: the beer garden extends the space beautifully, offering room for friends, families, and laughter under the open sky. Sustainability also plays a proud role here — Lil Beaver partners with local farmers, sending their spent grains to feed cattle and close the local loop in true community fashion.

Tasting the Adventure

Our tasting flight read like a tour through the brewery’s creative DNA.
Wyezick – a crisp and refreshing wheat ale with balanced citrus notes.
Wainbow – their iconic fruited IPA that bursts with tropical character.
CHRA Space Crystals – a hazy IPA that’s smooth, juicy, and cosmic in both flavor and name.
Dipped and Deride – a dessert-inspired stout that turns indulgence into art.
Peach Crumble – like summer in a glass, softly sweet and fruit-forward.
Jitters – coffee lovers rejoice; a bold brew that marries rich roast with silky texture.
PDC Lager – clean, crisp, and perfect for a classic beer moment.
Amber Ale – toasted malt warmth for those who love tradition done right.

Brewers Collin Shaffer and Tyler bring creative fire to every keg they craft, while bartenders TJ and AJ make each pour a friendly experience that keeps regulars coming back.

Bites to Match the Brews

Don’t miss the Wisconsin white cheese curds — simply outstanding when paired with a pint of amber. The homemade pretzels dipped in beer cheese are another highlight — warm, flavorful, and flat-out addictive.

For mains, we couldn’t resist the Birria Nachos, piled high and full of rich flavor, and the Beaver Wrap, a crowd favorite featuring tender chicken and house-made flair.

Every corner of this brewery hums with creativity, community, and care — proof that great beer tastes even better when rooted in local pride.”

“My favorite place to eat every Friday night 🖤 chili chicken and white 🍚 the husband gets Tenga chicken biryani. The have made so many improvements lately to their dining. It’s looking beautiful in there.”

“We had a graduation party at Casper Brewing Company and it was absolutely perfect! Everyone was amazing to work with and the room is comfortable, with several tables and sitting areas. You can bring in your own food and the drinks are fabulous! We would definitely recommend Casper Brewing Company for your next party!”

“Excellent at its Best Food Fit for The Queen an Daughter Queen Enjoyed The Food an conversation very interesting keep Rising”

“Today was our first time here. The food was delicious. The Brioche french toast has the best flavor. Coffee was hot and the waitress didn't flinch when I mentioned I liked a lot of cream for my coffee. Best little secret in the BloNo area! Thanks Bloomin' Cafe!! We will be back!”

“The best Mexican place in town HANDS DOWN. Fast, delicious, variety. You can’t ask for much more. This is my go to place in Blono for authentic Mexican food”

“great breakfast but the waitress sucked and kept going into the bathroom to ues her vape”

“We arrived right at opening. We were immediately greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome by Lee. Already they were swamped with New Year's Eve orders, but Lee was super attentive, and his attitude was just phenomenal. The entire staff was actually really great, they clearly know what teamwork is! The food was absolutely amazing. We tried the pepper jack cheese curds as well as the garlic cheese curds. Delicious. The double cheeseburger (which was the special today) was on point, the chicken sandwich was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of crisp and juiciness, fresh bun, and my favorite crunchy pickles! The restaurant was really clean, and the atmosphere is cozy. Love the chill vibe. The prices are unbelievably amazing too! We will be back! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If I could give more stars for service, I would!”

“I have been 2x now and both experiences I left happy! Great food. Great prices. Great staff. Only suggestion is to have bottled water availble for purchaseuntil the water doesn't taste like mud in Bloomington.”

“Went to Baba with some friends for dinner tonight. Got the #3 family combo! Absolutely fantastic! Great fries, great breading on the chicken/catfish, and great customer service. Will definitely be coming back”

“Not just the best tacos in town, but the best lunch spot hands down. I've never had anything from there that wasn't amazing. The barbacoa tacos and the cubana torta are my two favorite menu items.”

“Absolutely a wonderful find !! We just loved the place, bartender was the best”

“Terri and Chelsea are true charms as owners. They have trained their staff to the highest levels to take care of each customer. The food is excellent and exquisite, which warrants compliments to the chef! The atmosphere in Mystic is lively and energetic. We always enjoy coming to this establishment!!”

“Meal, service, and atmosphere are all great!”

“This is Bloomington’s best hidden gem - the menu is totally unique from anywhere else in town, the cocktails are staff-created and to die for, and you really can’t ask for better company! Pat hired the friendliest crew in town (shoutout to Stephen), so do yourself a favor and get to know them 🩷”

“I was super impressed by their level of customer service! The manager was incredibly friendly and extremely hospitable!”