Summer days in Southernmost, Illinois!
How does that song go? “Those lazy, hazy days of summer…” It is that time of year, and my friend Annie Jansen and I took a road trip to Southernmost, Illinois. Hosted by Southernmost Illinois Tourism we ate our way through the southern part of the state working on my upcoming book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Illinois. I have the honor of co-authoring this with my cousin Carrie Steinweg. The book will be out in the fall of 2026. Thank you, Carol Hoffman for hosting us!
Rendleman Orchards and Cottage
On our trip, we were hosted by Rendleman Orchards and got to stay in the Cottage at Rendleman’s. Managed through Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals, built circa 1920, the house is a family one that has been converted into vacation rental property. With two bedrooms and more there is even a taj mahal of a chicken house for visitors to enjoy. Golf cart rental is also available to peruse the orchards during a stay. Each morning, we took a walk through the orchards and on our last morning there, Michelle Sirles honored us with a four-by-four tour of the orchards and agritourism stops! At Rendlemans they grow peaches, nectarines and apples.
Rendleman’s Orchards offers everything a person seeking an agritourism trip could ask for. Owned by Wayne and Michelle Sirles, this orchard has been in the family since 1873. We enjoyed a stop at the Farm Market, which offers orchard produce as well as specialty food items. We loved the amazing peach smoothies.
In season, they also offer fresh apple cider slushies. These are refreshing and tasty. Young visitors will enjoy the fancy chicken coop with a large chicken run, with a Chunnel bridge to goats. There is a bee apiary and bee yard, and amazingly beautiful flower fields perfect for pictures. Flowers can be you picked and then purchased to take home. In the fall you pick pumpkins will also be available with a special Goth Pumpkin this year.
Stops in Southern Illinois
While out and about in Southern, Illinois, Annie and I also took in some of the beautiful sites of the Shawnee Hills.
Dining in Southernmost, Illinois!
Our first stop in Murphysboro, Illinois was Pat’s BBQ and Catering.
I had no idea that Murphysboro, Illinois is the BBQ Capital of Illinois. There were a lot of amazing selections, and we tried the BBQ sampler. The sampler included pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken, rib tips, wings, and ribs. Pat Burke has won several trophies, and an amazing 185 grand Championships. Pat’s is owned by father/daughter Pat Burke and Patti Welten. This was our first BBQ stop!
Later in the day we stopped at the Small-Town Scoop for some delectable ice-cream with house-made waffle cones. With the Big Muddy Monster Sundae there is a challenge to eat a giant sundae with 27 flavors, five toppings, whipped cream and more! We were not up to the challenge but succeeded in a wonderful a scoop. Besides ice cream, they offer a nice luncheon option as well!
More Dining!
Our evening meal was Italian dining at Cummare’s Italian Ristorante. Katy Cannell the owner offered us amazing Italian Comfort food. Our server was wonderful, food was great, and dessert heavenly. Part of the fun was eating a meal in an 1896 building with brick walls, hard wood floors and the original tin ceiling. The Hennessy Building, where Cummare’s is located, started out as a grocery store.
Our second day out, breakfast was at Faye by 17th Street. This breakfast and lunch place is famous for their biscuits. I had a wonderful egg biscuit sandwich.
Besides good food, and Onyx coffee, I was delighted by the building itself. Faye is located in the oldest car dealership in town. Owner Amy Miller shared that most of the building was destroyed in the tri-state tornado, but they lovingly restored it with nods to the automotive history from the past using a Sunset Coral1958 Woody Edsel Wagon for the template.
A visit to Mileur Orchard was in order! This small family-owned orchard is owned by Lisa and Howard Mileur. Originally planted in 1961 by Lisa’s father-in-law, the ground has been farmed since the mid 1800’s by her mother-in-law’s family, the Graffs. Lisa and Howard took over the orchard in 1996.
At Mileur they grow peaches, apples, and nectarines. Lisa makes amazing peach cobblers! Annie and I loved it. Lisa uses lard for the crust, and it is flaky and amazing. She also makes homemade ice cream to go with the cobbler. They also offer sorbet and homemade marshmallows. “We try to keep it real and make it from scratch.”
More BBQ!
The BBQ experience would not be complete in the BBQ Capital of Illinois without a visit to 17th Street BBQ, home of the late Mike Mills who was known as “The Legend”. Growing up with his father creating a sauce that he dreamed of bottling, Mike and now his daughter Amy continues with the tradition. A sample plate is one of the best ways to experience the flavors that have made 17th Street BBQ not only a dining stop, but a destination. Amy also runs the amazing Faye and has her very own BBQ Consulting firm!
The trip would not be complete without a stop at Havisham Bourbon Bar! Near Pinckneyville, the southernmost town of Alto Pass, is the Havisham Bourbon Bar where they serve appetizers and cocktails and host events. Once a flour mill, at the bar, for their drinks, they use local produce like peaches from Rendleman’s Orchards, strawberries from Flamm’s Orchard, and Shawnee Hills Lavendar as well. Next door is the beautiful Havisham mansion that we got the chance to tour. This is a great wedding venue, and would make a great family reunion stay!
Bald Knob Cross and Shawnee Hills
Annie had seen the Bald Knob Cross from a distance but had never visited so a stop was in order. The cross itself though is a magnificent tribute to the Christian faith and a true accomplishment for those in Southern Illinois that took this effort to task. Over the years the site has had its ups and downs, but the cross that stands111 feet tall and when illuminated at night with 40,000 watts, can be seen for 7,500 square miles.
The story of the cross begins in the spring of 1937 with Wayman Presley, a native of Jackson County. Presley and Reverend W. H. Lirely were walking and speaking about the need for a place where people of all denominations could gather for worship and during their walk, they noticed the Bald Knob which rises 1,000 feet above sea level. The Knob is part of the Illinois Ozark Mountains of Southern Illinois. This turned out to be the perfect place for the amazing Bald Knob Cross.
Oh, the beauty of the Shawnee Hills! Annie and I had to pull over and enjoy the view.
The Big Muddy Monster!
Annie and I were intrigued with the Big Muddy Monster lore. You will find references all over town. A statue, pictures and items named after the monster as well.
Murphysboro is famous for monster lore dating back to 1973. The monster is named after the Big Muddy River, and sightings were documented by eyewitnesses that filed police reports. The events have lingered, and the beast is described as a type of albino Big Foot with red glowing eyes and a terrible stench. The monster has spawned its own festival, a Big Muddy Monster Festival which takes place every June.
The John Logan story.
John A. Logan was born in Murphysboro, Illinois. This famous Civil War General has a museum in his honor in his hometown. Short on time, we made a quick visit and learned a lot. Museum Director, Laura Varner gave us a takeaway that she thought was the most important lesson from the museum. At that place in time, Logan along with other compatriots joined the Union not to stop slavery, but because they were grandchildren of men that fought in the Revolutionary War. They felt that succession was unthinkable. However, as time went on during the war, Laura said, “They saw things, and several things came to light.”
Seeing the true nature of slavery, Logan changed parties joining Lincoln’s Republican party and he became a strong abolitionist. After the war he ran for Vice President, and he is credited with the establishment of Memorial Day. Perhaps one of the most telling things I saw at the museum was a quote from Frederick Douglas saying, if Logan could change, anyone could
This is but a slice of thing to do in Southernmost Illinois, head that way and make your own memories.
