SVM_The Taste_123025

THE

TASTE

Your Guide to Dining Locally A

PUBLICATION

Carnitas Skillet from Mom’s Restaurant in Dixon

Chance to win your share of over $1,100 in local restaurant gift cards!

Details on Page 5 & 6.

“A Little Bit of Irish...

A Whole Lot of Fun”

Featuring Fine Mexican Food & American Favorites

SERVING LUNCH & DINNER

A

• Burgers • Bu • Potato Soup

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218 Locust, Sterling, IL Restaurant Hours: Tues - Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sat 10amBar Hours: Tues - Sat 10am-11pm 2

The Taste 2026

A Few of Kelly’s Specialties:

gers • Buffalo Wings • Appetizer Combo Platter • Guacanachos ato Soup • Flauta • Enchiladas • Mexican Style Shrimp Cocktail

Don’t Forget To Try An Award Winning

Kelly’s Margarita

We feature Guinness, Harp & Craft Beers on Tap. Also serving Specialty Cocktails

at 10am-10pm

For Carryout call 815-625-9720 or 815-625-7969 www.kellysinc.com The Taste 2026

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Local Drinks & Dining • FRESH BURGERS • CHICKEN • CHOPS • PHILLY’S • WINGS & MORE

BAR HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-1am Sun 9am-10pm GRILL HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm Sun 9am-8pm 216 Locust St. Sterling • (815) 590-LISA (5472)

216 LOCUST ST, STERLING, IL (815) 590-5472

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @LISASBRICKHOUSE

Players Won Over $39,000 in November!

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The Taste 2026

THE

TASTE

Gift Card Giveaway

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Dine in at 5 participating restaurants and you can be entered into a monthly drawing to win a share of $1,100 in local restaurant gift cards.

Take the Taste Passport (found on page 6) to a participating Taste restaurant and have a member of management staff sign to verify you dined in at their restaurant.

Once you have 5 signatures, return your completed Taste Passport to: The Telegraph, Attn: Jill Reyna 113 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, IL 61021 Winners will be drawn monthly from January - December 2026. Winner will be contacted by phone. Participant can only win once. Entries will remain in the drawing for the entire year. No copies or forgeries accepted.

Photos on the cover & this page provided by Mom’s Restaurant in Dixon.

The Taste 2026

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THE

TASTE Passport to Dining Locally

NAME: ______________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________ PHONE: _____________________________________________________________ Visit 5 establishments, receive a management signature then mail this page back to: The Telegraph, Attn: Jill Reyna, 113 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, IL 61021

RESTAURANT NAME .

PAGE MANAGEMENT SIGNATURE

ALLEY LOOP SALOON & DELI . . . . . . . . . . PG. 20 ______________________________ DON’S SEAFOOD & CHICKEN & MORE . . PG. 21 ______________________________ FRESCO ON FIRST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PG. 17, 24 ______________________________ HARVEST BAKERY & MORE . . . . . . . . . . . . PG. 12 ______________________________ KELLY’S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PG. 2 & 3 ______________________________ LIL’ SMOKED BAR & GRILL . . . . . . . . . . PG. 7, 16 ______________________________ LISA’S BRICK HOUSE BAR & GRILL . . . . PG. 4, 13 ______________________________ MOM’S RESTAURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PG. 8 & 9 ______________________________ NORTH END LIQUOR . . . . . . . . . . . . PG. 18 & 19 ______________________________ PRIME QUARTER STEAKHOUSE . . . . . . . . PG. 14 ______________________________ THE PRECINCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PG. 22 & 23 ______________________________ THE RAILSIDE BAR & GRILL . . . . . . . PG. 10 & 11 ______________________________ WILLY’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT . . . . . . . . PG. 15 ______________________________ 6

The Taste 2026

ENJOY LOCAL, CASUAL DINING At your Neighborhood Bar & Grill!

Dine in • Carry Out • Drive thru • Curbside

NOW AVAILABLE! YOUR FAVORITE BULK FOODS PERFECT FOR

PARTIES, MEETINGS, FAMILY GATHERINGS & HOLIDAYS! EMAIL DANNYLILSMOKED@GMAIL.COM OR CALL (815) 677-9867 FOR MORE INFORMAITON

SM-ST2292127

609 Depot Ave. • Dixon • (815) 677-9867 • lilsmokedbarandgrill.com Monday - Thursday 4pm-8pm • Friday - Sunday 11am-8pm

$

5 MATCH PLAY

Offer valid for the first 50 customers. Must be 21 or older to game. No purchase necessary. One coupon per person per day. Management reserves all rights. No copies accepted. Redeem this coupon to receive $5 Match Play at Lil’ Smoked. Match Play must be played in video gaming terminals and is offered and provided exclusively by Lil’ Smoked. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Expires 5/31/26

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The Taste 2026

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• Eggs Benedict • Omelettes • Skillets • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice • Soups • Salad Bar • Burgers • Steaks • Pasta • Seafood • Chicken

Friday & Saturday Stuffed Flound

Daily Specials 8

The Taste 2026

Full Bar | Banquet F

1101 N Galena Ave • Dixon | (81

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ounder | Saturdays only Prime Rib

uet Facility seating up to 55

n | (815) 622-9007 | momsrestaurant.menu The Taste 2026

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207 S BUTLER ST, NELSON, IL

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FOLLOW W US ON FACEBOOK @therailside

WE 10 The Taste 2026

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WE ARE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP! Taco Tuesdays Are Back!

4 PM - 8 PM Corn or Flour Tacos – $3.50/taco Nachos – $7.00 • Domestic Cans & Bottles – $2 Modelo & Corona-$3 • Rail Margaritas – $4 Famous Fried Chicken • Burgers • Sandwiches Appetizers & Soups • Steak & Seafood

Now booking our back room for your next event!

FREE

Hand battered/ deep fried appetizer with the purchase of 2 sandwiches or entrees.

207 S Butler • Nelson (815) 251-4633

One coupon per table.

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Exp 12/31/26.

KITCHEN HOURS

WEDNESDAY: 11 AM TO 7:45PM | THURSDAY & FRIDAY: 11AM TO 8:45PM SATURDAY: 11AM TO 8:45PM | SUNDAY: 9AM TO 7:45PM The Taste 2026 11

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216 LOCUST ST, STERLING, IL (815) 590-5472

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @LISASBRICKHOUSE

Players Won Over $39,000 in November!

BAR HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-1am Sun 9am-10pm GRILL HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm Sun 9am-8pm

Simply Exceptional Food!

• FRESH BURGERS • CHICKEN • CHOPS • PHILLY’S • WINGS & MORE 216 Locust St. Sterling (815) 590-LISA (5472)

5 FREE WINGS

with purchase of a basket.

Dine in only. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 12/31/26

The Taste 2026 13

Princeton

250 Backbone Road East (815) 872-3500 Major credit cards welcome

www.primequarter.com

Find us on

Facebook 14 The Taste 2026

Great Steak!

Great Fun! Share the fun of turning your choice of one of our nine cuts of USDA Choice Beef- or our fresh Daily Seafood Selection - into the mouthwatering masterpiece only you can prepare.

Every Prime Quarter entree comes with our generous All You Can Eat Salad Bar, Baked Potato and our famous Texas Toast.

This is how great fun, food and friends come together!

“Grill your own” ...tonight!

DRIVE THRU AVAILABLE FOR CARRYOUT

WILLY’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials Open daily at 11am Closed Wednesdays 3210 W. 4th Sterling, IL 61081

(815) 626-0401

$5 OFF

$25 PURCHASE Excludes alcohol EXP. 12/31/26 WILLY’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Authentic Mexican Cuisine

The Taste 2026 15

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ENJOY LOCAL, CASUAL DINING At your Neighborhood Bar & Grill!

5 OFF

$

25 PURCHASE

$

Dine in or to-go. One coupon per order. Cannot be combined with any other offer for food. Excludes alcohol. Exp. 5/31/26

609 Depot Ave., Dixon (815) 677-9867

5 MATCH PLAY

$

Locally Owned and Operated Monday thru Thursday 4pm-8pm Friday thru Sunday 11am-8pm

www.lilsmokedbarandgrill.com

16 The Taste 2026

Offer valid for the first 50 customers. Must be 21 or older to game. No purchase necessary.

One coupon per person per day. Management reserves all rights. No copies accepted.

Redeem this coupon to receive $5 Match Play at Lil’ Smoked. Match Play must be played in video gaming terminals and is offered and provided exclusively by Lil’ Smoked. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling, and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Expires 5/31/26

FRESH, SAVORY & HEALTHY!

We are dedicated to only fresh & natural ingredients!

Daily Specials

Offering a large variety of distinctive drinks, including fresh smoothies & boba tea

Enjoy a made-from-scratch menu of delicious grilled meats, fresh salads and spreads, savory wraps, vegetarian meals and authentic desserts!

Sunday & Monday 7am-2pm • Tuesday & Thursday 7am-3pm Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7am-8pm

216 W 1st St. • Dixon • (815) 677-9044 The Taste 2026 17

DRIVE-UP WINDOW Hours: Mon - Thur 9am - 10pm | Fri. & Sat 9am - 1am | Sun 12pm - 10pm

DAILY

CRAFT BEER - ON TAP OR CHOOSE DRINK SPECIALS FROM OVER 20 CRAFT BOTTLES

Lunch Served MONDAY FRIDAY 11AM - 2PM

2 0 8 W M i l l e r Ro a d • St e r l i n g (815) 626-2979 • (815) 626-2726

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DRIVE-UP WINDOW

Hours: Mon - Thur 9am - 10pm | Fri. & Sat 9am - 1am | Sun 12pm - 10pm

Daily Specials & Homemade Soups Birria Tacos

SERVED 1ST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

208 W Miller Road • Sterling

(815) 626-2979 • (815) 626-2726 The Taste 2026 19

80 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL (815) 288-9335

Players Won Over $57,500 in November 2025

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: ALLEYLOOPDIXONIL.COM

Great Food..

Great Value..

Great Service!

Voted One of the Top Delis in The Sauk Valley Area!

Sandwiches • Burgers • Soups Beer • Wine • Cocktails 20 The Taste 2026

Every Meal Cooked Fresh To Order F E E D YO U R W H O L E FA M I LY F O R $ 2 5 Locally Owned and Operated Since 1992

0 Over 10 Menu Items

Appetizers • Chicken Strips • Chicken Dinners Seafood Dinners • Over 20 Sandwiches 7 Different types Of Fish • & Much More

Voted one of The Top Places for • Seafood • Chicken • Catering in The Sauk Valley Area!

DON’S SEAFOOD & CHICKEN & MORE 1501 W. 4TH ST., STERLING • PHONE: 815-622-0258 HOURS: MONDAY THRU THURSDAY 10:30 AM - 8 PM FRIDAY 10:30 AM - 8 PM, SATURDAY 2 PM - 8 PM, CLOSED SUNDAY

The Taste 2026 21

rved Lunch Se Mon-Fri 11am-2pm

Daily Lunch Specials

113 East 3rd Street >> Sterling, IL 815.622.4078

G

Se Mo

SM-ST2289947

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GAMING Serving Lunch Monday-Friday 11-2

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS

MONDAY Chef’s Special TUESDAY Tacos & Tostadas WEDNESDAY Chicken strip basket w/ fries THURSDAY Chef’s Special FRIDAY Chef’s Special Fresh Soups

113 East 3rd Street • Sterling, IL

815.622.4078

The Taste 2026 23

Make It A Great Day! We take pride in delivering great food, value and service to our friends and neighbors here in the community.

Daily Specials • Delicious Grilled Meats • Fresh Salads & Spreads • Savory Wraps • Vegetarian Meals • Authentic Desserts

Monday Closed Tuesday & Thursday 7am-3pm Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7am-8pm Sunday 7am-2pm

216 W 1st St. • Dixon (815) 677-9044 SM-ST2292123

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