Everyone craves a good foodie story, and there was no shortage of Galesburg-area food and restaurant-related news in 2023.
Just how big is food news? Our story on Seminary Street favorite baked Pizza being named the best pizza in Illinois by Yelp ranked as WGIL’s most-read story of 2023 with 48,169 page views — more than twice the views as any story we shared this year.
So, from tacos to pizza, to doughnuts to coffee, to openings, closings, festivals, remodels and more, here is a year in review for Galesburg food:
JANUARY
It’s pho real. New restaurant featuring Vietnamese cuisine, bubble tea coming to Galesburg
Lovers of pho, meet Pho Lover. A new restaurant specializing in Vietnamese cuisine — including pho soups, Banh Mi and bubble tea — opened in the former NY Sushi location at North Henderson and Sanborn streets.
This Galesburg pizza joint ranks No. 1 in Illinois, and among top 40 nationwide
You don’t have to leave Galesburg to experience the best pizza in Illinois, or one of the top 100 pizzas in America. Yelp has released its Top 100 Pizza Places for 2023, and baked at 57 S. Seminary St. in Galesburg comes in at No. 40 overall and No. 1 in Illinois.
Yelp, the mobile app that allows people to publish crowd-sourced reviews about businesses, says the rankings are an all-time list of the Top Pizza Spots in the US, according to Yelp ratings. They identified businesses in the pizza category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews.
Dunkin’ has its ‘sites’ on Galesburg. Doughnut/coffee chain submits plans to city
Dunkin’ is one step closer to serving coffee drinks and its wide assortment of donuts in Galesburg.
A group which owns more than 100 Dunkin’ stores nationally submitted site plans to build a Dunkin’ restaurant at 951 N. Henderson St. in Galesburg.
See August for more Dunkin’ news …
FEBRUARY
‘The community has really embraced this place’. Galesburg bagel shop seeks assistance to grow
Four days a week, way before sunrise, Keith Anderson is busy rolling dough for bagels that often sell out in a matter of hours at Black Market Bagels.
“The community has really embraced this place — I’ve been overwhelmed by that,” Anderson said. “The people in Galesburg really do support local, and that’s been really great. But I can’t burn the candle at both ends too much longer.”
That’s why Anderson sought city assistance in the form of a revolving loan that will enable Black Market Bagels to add some new equipment, but more importantly allow for the addition of extra staff.
Have Tacos and Thai, will travel. New food truck to feature locally sourced items around Galesburg
Have Tacos and Thai, will travel. Featuring the two items in its name, and more, The Tacos and Thai Truck announced they would be serving food in Galesburg and the surrounding area.
Tacos and Thai made its Galesburg debut in March.
Galesburg fast food restaurant getting its first makeover in 40 years
A Galesburg fast food restaurant received makeover — or at least a face lift. In February. Wendy’s on North Henderson Street underwent its first exterior remodel in more than 40 years.
It’s Dame Fine: Coffee shop opens permanent home in Galesburg
More coffee is brewing on the east side of Galesburg. Dame Fine Coffee officially opened in its new building on at the corner East Main Street and Illinois Avenue.
MARCH
Featuring gourmet hot dogs and barbecue. Shawdaddy’s ready to debut Galesburg food cart
The dog days of summer started in the spring this year. Shawdaddy’s — a mobile food cart/catering service specializing in hot dogs and barbecue items — announced it would make its Galesburg debut sometime in April.
Galesburg Chocolate Festival canceled for 2023; event will return in the future
Downtown Community Partnership of Galesburg (DCP) decided to cancel the upcoming Galesburg Chocolate Festival event, scheduled for Friday, March 24, in agreement with the events co-hosts, Galesburg Historical Society and Galesburg Community Arts Center.
An email sent to vendors said the cancellation is in-part due to “Ongoing construction and ever-changing deadlines faced at the Arts Center, as well as mounting pressure faced by several of our local restaurants, concerning supply chain struggles, staffing, and already busy schedules.”
Cake normally isn’t found on the menu at Wendy’s, but it was March 31 as Rhonda Fones celebrated her 40th year as manager of the Galesburg fast food store.
Fones started as a breakfast cook at Wendy’s on April 1, 1983, one year after the store opened at 976 N. Henderson St. She moved into a management role a year later, and has since remained the leader of one of the most successful local Wendy’s restaurants in the chain.
APRIL
Featuring ballpark food year-round: Meet Double Play, a walk-up sandwich shop in Galesburg
Ballpark food and more will be available year-round at a new Galesburg walk-up sandwich shop, which just so happens to be located next to a neighborhood ballpark.
Featuring a variety of hot dog options, smash burgers, nachos and more, Double Play opened March 20 at 1315 E. Losey St., just down the right field line at O.N. Custer Park. The restaurant is owned and operated by Jonna Lee, who has worked in the food/restaurant business locally for 20 years.
A legendary restaurant touting “the world’s best onion rings,” and known for its fried catfish and original super club feel has closed.
Owner Andy Huston announced via Facebook in April that Club 41 in St. Augustine is permanently closed, due primarily to staffing issues.
But wait … there’s a happy ending in June.
Enjoy a cup of coffee on the patio. Downtown Galesburg shop expands al fresco experience
A popular downtown coffee shop nearly tripled the space for customers to enjoy a beverage, a pastry or lunch on its outdoor patio.
Innkeeper’s Fresh Roasted Coffee added a brick-paved patio along the Ferris Street side of its 80 N. Seminary St. business.
More Innkeeper’s news in November …
Coffee talk: A conversation with Melany and Scott Baldwin of Orange Cup Java
In a conversation with WGIL Content Director Jay Redfern, the Melany and Scott Baldwin talk everything coffee, including — the ever-growing number of coffee shops in Galesburg, the most popular drinks at Orange Cup, how the baristas are the magic ingredient at OC, and what the future holds for coffee drinks.
MAY
‘The best Mexican food you’ve ever had’: New owner excited to take over La Cantinita
Armando Velazquez of Riverside, California, right, is the new owner of La Cantinita, 240 E. Simmons St., Galesburg. His son Isaac Velazquez, left, will help oversee the restaurant. (JAY REDFERN/WGIL)
A downtown Galesburg restaurant and tequila bar opened under new ownership — touting the best Mexican food you’ve ever had.
Armando Velazquez of Riverside, California, is the new owner of La Cantinita Cafe & Tequila Bar, 240 E. Simmons St. He also operates the popular Long Beach Taco Company in Long Beach.
Elvith Santoyo-McNaught and her husband Justin McNaught, who opened the eclectic and artsy La Cantinita in the fall of 2020, elected to sell the establishment to pursue other interests.
JUNE
Popular Galesburg restaurant rescues home of onion rings and catfish: Meet PZ’s Club 41
What do you get when you cross one of Galesburg’s most popular restaurants with a former supper club that stirs nostalgic memories dating back more than 60 years? Meet PZ’s Club 41 in St. Augustine.
PZ’s Club 41 opened at the former Club 41 on Route 41 in St. Augustine. Zan and Connie Carter, owners of PZ’s Place and Steakhouse, 2330 Grand Ave. in Galesburg, recently acquired the Club 41 property.
JULY
Featuring ‘amazing drinks made amazingly fast.’ Scooter’s Coffee opens in Galesburg
Galesburg is now a little more caffeinated. A new Scooter’s Coffee drive-through opened in July at 1317 N. Henderson St.
New-look Buffalo Wild Wings reopens Saturday in Galesburg. Here’s what is new
A remodeled Buffalo Wild Wings — complete with all-new furniture, updated sports memorabilia and more and bigger TVs — made its debut in July at Seminary Square in Galesburg.
Talking craft beer, Mud and the Safari Lounge. Exciting changes happening at Cherry Street Brewing Company
Exciting changes continue to happen at one of Galesburg’s most popular and iconic restaurant and bars. Since acquiring Cherry Street Brewing Company just more than a year ago, ownership led by former owner Kit Wilcox and his son C.C. Wilcox have rolled out a number of improvements to the historic South Cherry Street building, including a complete exterior facade makeover, along with lots of upgrades to the interior. But this summer, Cherry Street debuted an on-site brewing component to the business, and this week Cherry Street officially launched the Safari Lounge.
Owners Kit Wilcox and C.C. Wilcox, along with Sam Fisk, who heads up the new beer brewing component of the operation, joined WGIL Content Director Jay Redfern to talk about the history of and changes at Cherry Street Brewing Company.
Seen on scene from Taste of Galesburg 2023
Taste of Galesburg was held on a steamy July night in Downtown Galesburg.
Click here to see the food category champions from Taste of Galesburg 2023.
AUGUST
Doughnuts and ice cream: City approves plans for Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins in Galesburg. What is next?
Plans have received city approval, and contractors are being sought for a proposed Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins restaurant in Galesburg. It will be located at 955 N. Henderson St., site of the former Steak House.
Galesburg Director of Community Development Steve Gugliotta confirmed the developer has met requirements and he said the city will issue building permits once Dunkin’ selects contractors.
The Dunkin/Baskin Robbins restaurant will feature a drive-thru, inside dining space and a patio area for outside dining. According to building plans obtained from the city, the dinning room would have nine tables and 32 seats.
As of December 22, construction has yet to start on the project.
SEPTEMBER
Orange Cup makes Grand debut: Popular coffee shop opens third Galesburg location
Orange Cup On Grand opened to customers early in September at 2501 Grand Ave. in Galesburg.
Originally a gas station and most recently Grand Energy Drinks, the small building on Grand Avenue will feature a single-window drive-thru and serve Orange Cup’s wide variety of coffee drinks, OCNRG, teas, Italian sodas, and flavored lemonades, along with assorted food items like breakfast burritos, Black Market bagels, and baked goods from The Carriage House.
OCTOBER
Are Kitchen Cooked chips returning to their classic flavor? Here’s what the company says …
Are the popular Kitchen Cooked potato chips returning to their classic taste? A company spokesman says they’re trying.
‘A sub above’: Jersey Mike’s eyes Summer 2024 opening in Galesburg
A new sandwich sandwich that promises to deliver a “sub above” plans to open early next summer in Galesburg.
Jersey Mike’s Subs, a New Jersey-based fast food chain, will open in the new Galesburg Commons retail development at 2200 N. Henderson St., site of the former Sirloin Stockade buffet restaurant.
NOVEMBER
Featuring Tex-Mex cuisine: New Mexican restaurant to open in Downtown Galesburg
A new restaurant specializing in American-style Mexican cuisine opened on Main Street in the heart of Downtown Galesburg.
El Barril Mexican Restaurant, with locations currently in Taylor Ridge and Woodhull, opened in December in the former Whiskey Barrel restaurant, 325 E. Main St.
‘The best stolen moment of your day’: Innkeeper’s Coffee
One of Galesburg’s most established and popular coffee shops celebrated a milestone this year. Innkeeper’s Fresh Roasted Coffee, 80 N. Seminary St. in Downtown Galesburg, turned 25 in November.
Owners Jessica and Ben Ketchum joined WGIL’s Jay Redfern for some coffee talk and more.
Crazy Buffet becomes Panda Buffet. Here’s what is new at the Chinese buffet
The former Crazy Buffet, 463 Grant Ave. in the Seminary Square shopping center, will re-open Monday under the name Panda Buffet.
DECEMBER
One Galesburg Pizza Hut closes. Here’s what management says
The number of Galesburg Pizza Huts has been sliced in half. The familiar red roof remains, however Pizza Hut location at 1555 E. Main Street in Galesburg is permanently closed.
Galesburg barbecue restaurant on the move. Here’s the plan and future location
Owners of a Galesburg barbecue restaurant say a new downtown location will allow the business to grow, expand hours and better serve the community.
Smokin’ Willies BBQ is eyeing a $290,600 project that will renovate 161 N. Cherry St. — originally the Moose Lodge and most recently home to several other restaurants — into its new location. It has operated the last three years at Cedar Creek Hall, and before that in the former Fat Fish Pub.
