Illinois' 'Best' Steakhouse is Nestled in a 19th Century Barn

Using the website Cheapism, I've spent the last couple weeks writing about the best steakhouse in Iowa and the best in Wisconsin. Finally, I look to complete the Tri-State trifecta by profiling what the website bills as the best of its kind in the state of Illinois.

I purposefully saved Illinois for last for a few reasons. For one, there are a deluge of steakhouses in the Chicago area alone. I was sure Cheapism would pick a place like RPM Steak in River North, or Shula's on North Water Street. However, they went with a more low-key gem, one you can find in Evanston, not too far off Lake Shore Drive.

Illinois' best steakhouse — according to Cheapism — is a place called The Barn Steakhouse, located on Church Street in Evanston. Billed as a "modern-throwback to days gone by," The Barn serves as an homage to Arnold J. Morton, owner Amy's father as a hat-tip to her "dear old dad." It's a beautiful tribute to family.

Famous for their Heritage Black Angus steaks from Meats by Linz, a local purveyor, Cheapism's description of their offerings is liable to make your mouth water:

Steaks include prime Heritage Angus steaks served with red wine demi-glace and marrow-butterball potatoes and sides such as roasted asparagus. An extensive selection of Old and New World wines makes this steakhouse a great reason to get to Evanston. - per Cheapism's website

One of the coolest offerings from The Barn is not a food item, however. It's their "blackened lemonade," which The Barn bills as "a little detox before [you] retox." It's lemonade sweetened with maple syrup and activated charcoal. It's non-alcoholic, looks vantablack in color, and looks oddly delicious. I'm a fan of all things maple syrup, so I'd be willing to suck down a couple of those like water.

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Archie's Waeside Café (commonly shortened to Archie's Waeside) was the Iowa restaurant highlighted by Cheapism. Located in Le Mars, IA (nearly five hours from Dubuque) and in business since 1949, the restaurant was founded by owner Bob Rand's grandfather, Archie Jackson, and has since been revered for top-of-the-line steaks.

For Wisconsin, specifically Milwaukee, Cheapism highlighted The Five O'Clock Steakhouse. Billed as a supper club, this is a steakhouse predicated on timeless and time-honored tradition. Legend has it the restaurant got its name from an alarm clock, located behind the restaurant, which blared at 5pm each day to signal free drinks for thirsty patrons.