Firefly Grill in Effingham

Yelp strikes again. Way out in Effingham, Illinois, a pit stop between the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds (at least, that's how we saw it), we were searching for somewhere interesting to eat dinner.

Enter Yelp's terrific iPhone app and, presto: it recommended Firefly Grill. The stellar reviews mostly boil down to: What the heck is this place doing in Effingham?!?

I was intrigued. Off we go! We exited Interstate 70. It was all chain hotels and fast-food options, as far as our eyes could see. Dubiously, I followed Google's directions down a random side street, a seeming dead end.

Nope: the wasteland of corporate signs opened up to green grassland and a pretty little pond, with Firefly Grill situated on its banks.

We snagged a table on the deck, by the open fire pit, and settled in after a long day of driving. I ordered a delicious sangria.


Our waiter brought out housemade rolls with chives and homemade butter.


I forgot to take pics of our dinners — pesto pizza for Paul, a tasty salad for me — but no matter. The desserts were more tempting, anyway. A brownie sundae for Paul ...


... and my favorite bite of the trip: bread pudding with pear and cranberry compote and caramel sauce. So sweet and fantastic.


Firefly Grill
1810 Ave. of Midamerica
Effingham, IL 62401