There are a lot of people who come to Bloomington Normal for a lot of different reasons. When you come to town as a new student or a fresh State Farm import, it can be really easy to fall into the habit of eating dinner at a place like Chili’s or grabbing a quick breakfast at McDonalds. Local residents alike may have lived here their whole lives and not know that their new favorite restaurant is just around the corner. It can be hard to strike out on your own and go explore the little gems that are always the greatest places to eat in any town. With more restaurants per capita than any other region in the nation, the area could use the help of a major food festival, similar to the Taste of Chicago. Despite the lack of an event like that in B/N, you can let your eyes do the tasting here, on this page. This page is a brief guide to some the best small places to eat in town, and what makes them just a little more special than going home with a full belly.
Bloomington/Normal Restaurants: Local Gems
The Grand Cafe
Overview
If you are looking to try the best Chinese food anywhere outside China, or at least outside a metropolis’ Chinatown, you want to head directly to Downtown Bloomington and visit the Grand Café. At the Grand, as it is often referred, it is extremely difficult to walk away and find yourself hungry again in an hour. Every dish is so good you’ll want to keep eating, and the portions are large enough that even if The Grand does manage to live up to that Chinese food stereotype, you will have plenty of leftovers to satiate you ravenous appetite.
Food
The Grand Café has everything on their menu that you would expect to find, plus some things that may surprise you. If you’re in the mood for chop suey or egg foo young, the Grand’s is the best. Like sweet and sour shrimp, pork or chicken? You’ll find a unique twist that includes their house sweet and sour sauce, pickles and pineapple. It’s a wise move to order their appetizer Combination Tray as a standalone meal. It includes egg rolls, spareribs, butterfly shrimp, pork tidbits (small slices of bbq pork), and stuffed fried won-tons. If you’re looking for something lighter, try the egg drop soup. For that lighter appetite, don’t go in thinking you can get away with ordering the Grand Special War Mein Soup. It is a meal in itself. Chinese food not your thing? If you’re group chooses the Grand Café, don’t feel let down. Join them, and enjoy steak, shrimp, fried chicken or one of their “American” dishes. Once you set foot in the doors, no matter what your intention, the one item you are required to try, by decree of all B/N Chinese food aficionados, is the egg roll. You have never had an egg roll until you have eaten one here. Don’t expect the typical roll of dime sized egg roll that you’ve come to expect from the typical carry out counter. These monsters are filled with shrimp and pork; way more going on here than just a pit of shredded cabbage. Free hot tea is also served with every meal. A full online and printable version on their menu can be found here.
Atsmophere
Walking into The Grand Café feels like walking into an ancient Chinese palatial estate. You are greeted with bubbling fountains and Chinese chandeliers. Large folding fans and other authentic decorations adorn the walls. Most notably is a portrait of the four generations of family who have owned the establishment. The main dining room is dimly lit and quiet, and provides a very personal, intimate feeling. The restaurant includes a smaller side dining area which can be used for large parties, a private banquet room, and fully stocked and isolated bar. The booths, table’s chairs and decorations may feel a bit dated, but it only helps to add to the charm of the dining experience.
History
In December of 2015, The Grand Café will celebrate its 95th year in operation in Bloomington. The restaurant was founded by Charlie B. Lum, a Hong Kong native who arrived in Chicago in 1918. In 1921, he bought a downtown Bloomington restaurant from two Chinese men and renamed it The Grand Cafe. The original site was the second floor of a building at 204 N. Center St. Several years later, Lum's son, Peter, joined the business and in November 1948, the restaurant moved to 106 W. Front St. Peter Lum took over the business a few years later. In 1976, the restaurant moved to its current location, where the bar/lounge was added, and the seating capacity expanded. Despite all the changes, the recipes remained the same. All dishes are created from whole ingredients using locally grown ingredients. Chinese spices are shipped to the restaurant from Chicago's Chinatown, Chiu said. (Pantagraph)
Location
The Grand Café is located at 615 N Main St. in Bloomington. The telephone number is (309) 828-0324. The restaurant open weekdays at 11am, Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 11:30am. Closing time vary based on that day’s business, but are usually around 9pm. Dine in, carryout and delivery are offered. Parking can be a bit tricky at busier times, so diners must be aware of private parking lots and on street regulations in the surrounding area.
The Ozark House
Overview
If you have ever watched the movie Goodfellas and you think that bar that they hang out in looks like something you might enjoy, make your way over to the often overlooked Ozark House. You’ll find the clientele to be a bit less rowdy, but the comradery amongst all of the regular diners and staff gives the restaurant a truly relaxed and lounge-like atmosphere. This really is one of Bloomington’s hidden gems. Located behind Lakeside Country Club and surrounded by a residential neighborhood, it is nearly impossible to find a scene father from the hustle and bustle of the over corporate Veterans Parkway restaurant strip. According to owner Connie Weaver, a 60+ year old lifetime Bloomington Normal resident on their first visit to The Ozark House is not an uncommon occurrence.
Food
The Ozark House is the place to go for three things. If you are in the mood for BBQ ribs, fried chicken or a steak Ozark House is where you need to be. The head chef, who has worked there for nearly twenty years, arrives around eight every morning to fire up the wood smoker. Depending on what’s on the menu for the day you may find a wide variety of meats in there, but there will always be plenty of ribs, pork loin and chicken. If you order a full slab of ribs, you will most likely be getting lunch for the next day. A half slab fills a plate up more than a full one does ant most other restaurants. The hand battered fried chicken is the crispiest, juiciest chicken you’ll find anywhere, and is available and many different combinations including the all leg dinner (5 legs) or the three breast dinner. Finally, there’s the beef. Friday and Saturday nights are the nights to visit for a great prime rib, but the king of all the steaks at the Ozark House is the 16oz ribeye. Much like the ribs, it’s a plate and belly filler. And when it’s grilled to perfection by a seasoned pro like Mark, you know you’re never going to have to send it back. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, Ozark House has a great selection of seafood as well. The most popular seafood item is the onion crusted salmon, but not far behind is the 16oz fried catfish. The Ozark house also has a variety of salads and pasta, plus a great selection of appetizers. Take a look at the menu here. There is also a full bar with a large selection of bottled beers, wine and cocktails, and Tuesdays features half off all bottles, carafes and glasses of wine. Come in Wednesdays and take advantage of their 10% off food coupon.
Atmosphere
When you finally find The Ozark House, don’t let the tiny looking parking lot fool you. It’s often full, but the lot extends way back to provide more than enough parking for its three rooms. Walking in the front door will take you directly into the bar area. There is seating at about 14 tables in the first dining room and about 30 in the second dining room. Ozark House also features a large banquet room that seats up to 300. The 70’s wood paneling and the faded red padding on the bar stools combined with the clashing of the dimly lit room and the glowing neon tropical fish tanks will make you feel like you’ve walked into a different area. Faded wall décor and the butcher paper on top of the tables will leave you thinking that after you finish your post dinner brandy alexander you can still make it home in time to catch Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.
Location
You can find The Ozark House at 704 McGregor St in Bloomington. Just remember to look it up on the map first, and no, you have not gone the wrong way. Hours are 3-9pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 3-10pm on Friday and Saturday. The banquet room is open 7 days a week for lunch or dinner, but advance reservations are required.
