Goshen Gourmet: Edwardsville Restaurant Explosion

Since it's the time of year for fireworks, I thought I'd muse today about the explosion of restaurants here in Edwardsville Illinois (which is in Southwestern Illinois/Suburban St. Louis, Mo).

A few years ago, Edwardsville and Glen Carbon residents had to drive miles to reach a variety of dining options. Now, it's a quick spin down two of our major highways -- 157 & 159 -- and you can choose from just about anything your rumbling tummy desires.

Chains are great, but many places across America are starting to look just the same. Take any highway exit and it's hard to know where you are. A friend of mine calls it "Generica." So my props in this post go to those local restaurateurs -- some brand new, some older -- who have taken a chance on Edwardsville and have been rewarded with grateful and loyal customers:

• Bully's -- great barbecue (try the brisket).
• Nori -- sushi
• Shangri-la -- upscale Chinese
• Bull & Bear (formerly Krieger's) -- time to check it out. The food is much better than when it was a chain
• Neruda -- Stylishly elegant (see image above). Try the Baked Goat Cheese appetizer and the Red Curry Glazed Atlantic Salmon
• Bella Milano -- a Italian taste of St. Louis' famous Hill neighborhood right here in Edwardsville
• Los Tres Amigos -- newly opened Mexican famous for fried tacos made with flour tortillas and stuffed with meat, potatoes and beans
• Sgt. Pepper's -- There are a few of these scattered across southern Illinois, but they're local enough to be included in this list. Great breakfast horseshoes (for you non-Illinoisans a horseshoe contains meat, potatoes and eggs, covered with cheese).
• Erato -- an intimate wine bar
• Sacred Grounds -- a true local coffee house
• Laurie's Place -- go for the food and stay for the music, especially the Saturday jam by Moore Pleasure which begins at 2 p.m. in the front bar
• Shenanigans -- a college hangout with a big menu and a raucous bar

There are plenty more, but they'll have to wait for another post. While the gains are obvious, we also have some losses to report. A long-time staple of fine dining, Rusty's, has closed.

My only remaining question is: Where are the Thai and Vietnamese restaurateurs? Edwardsville is waiting for you. We have a Tom Yum and Pho vacancy that only you can fill.