El Paisano – A Slice of Southern Illinois

I hope you enjoy this random photo dump representing a little slice of 2025 in Southern Illinois. May you have a wonderful and blessed New Year.

Yummy steak Hibachi from Kaizen Hibachi in Marion

Food Works Winter Farmer’s Market, Spring 2025

Jerk Chicken Nachos from Caribbean Hut of Cambria at Carbondale Juneteenth

Food Works Winter Farmer’s Market at Carbondale, December 2025

Cold Blooded Coffee at Food Works Winter Farmer’s Market at Carbondale, Spring 2025

Glacier’s End Pickle Fest in Marion and some awesome Mexican street corn by Garza’s Grill

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Delicious Cinnamon Sugar Donuts from The Botanical Orchards

My favorite charm necklace (Watermelon Falls by A Slice of Southern Illinois)

Delectable Green Tea Thai Sugar Cookie from Sweet Luca Bakery

Amethyst Druzy Pendant on Fluoride and Czech Glass Chain (Watermelon Falls by A Slice of Southern Illinois)

Wonderful Szechuan Chicken From New Kahala in Carbondale

Schwartz Orchards at Centralia during Strawberry Season

Quatro’s in Carbondale, Home of the Famous Yellow Cup

One of My Favorite Bracelets-Mookaite with a Czech Glass Coffee Bean (Watermelon Falls by A Slice of Southern Illinois)

Spring Craft Fair at Anne West Lindsey Library in Carterville

“Junk Journal” Kit (Watermelon Falls by A Slice of Southern Illinois)

A Few of My Favorite Rings (Watermelon Falls by A Slice of Southern Illinois)

Food Works Winter Farmer’s Market at Carbondale, Spring 2025

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Cornerstone Church, Marion

Chicken and rice sounds like a specific meal request, right? In Southern Illinois, we are blessed with so many wonderful food choices that you may need to clarify your choice. Between brick and mortar sights and food trucks/carts, there are many ethnic variances on this classic dish.

It seems pretty much every culture has some version of the meal. They may vary by cooking methods, sauces, spices, and sides. Below, you will see just a sampling of some of the wonderful local options for chicken and rice. What are your favorites?

As this is by far not a comprehensive list, I know there are other mouth-watering options out there. Please comment and let the rest of us know about them! Give your favorite locally-owned Southern Illinois eatery a shout out…