Firefly Grill is a modern roadhouse restaurant located on the shores of Kristie Lake. Chef Niall Campbell and his wife Kristie own and operate this oasis of American fresh cuisine in the heart of the Midwest. Firefly's menu changes daily and boasts fresh seafood, oak fired steaks and brick oven pizzas. Firefly uses local ingredients whenever possible and fresh herbs and vegetables straight from their very own garden!
"We went for Father's Day, and had a great time. The brunch menu was varied and every dish looked great. The chicken and waffles with gravy was excellent. I really look forward to coming back."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Firefly continues to provide the most amazing dishes. We are truly blessed to have the establishment in the area. The food is ALWAYS good, the service is good, it's a fun and uplifting place. Before you even walk in your are engulfed in great aromas. It is about a 45 minute drive for us and it never, ever disappoints."
Dined on 6/13/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"My husband and I love this restaurant. The food is always impeccably seasoned and fresh. The dishes are modern and creative without being over- the-top or inaccessible. The quality justifies the prices. Table service is always excellent but the bartender was a bit impatient on our last visit."
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, scenic view, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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"I love bringing my 1 year old daughter here. She loves the food, feeding the fish and the staff, they are so friendly. The menu is so diverse and the food is amazing. I take her for walks in the garden where they grow their food. We come at least once a week and wish we had time for more!"
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Four years ago a friend recommended that we take the time to stop at the firefly on our way to St. Louis for our son's wedding. He told us that it was better than any of our Chicagoland restaurants. We were not disappointed. We have been making the 3 hour drive a couple of times a year ever since. Whenever we hear that our friends are going close to Effingham we recommend that they stop and experience the Firefly. Keep up the fantastic work that you do."
Dined on 5/31/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"We had a light meal before a show at the Effingham Performance Center which is just down the street from Firefly Grill. We chose a wild mushroom pizza to share and I had a Caesar salad and my husband had a spinach salad. The food was all excellent and very tasty. We topped it off with a bottle of wine, Whitehaven Sauvagon Blanc. A very nice evening."
Dined on 5/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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"We live about an hour away but make the Firefly a destination for a great evening or afternoon meal. The menu is constantly changing but they keep a regular menu that never disappoints. Seasonal fare is great and wonderfully fresh. Unique items and great combinations with high end prices (worth every penny) down to a $10 burger plate that is wonderful. Thanks for a great dining experience and we'll definitely be back every chance we get."
Dined on 5/29/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Don't miss dining at this gem in downstate Illinois. We make the 75 minute drive from Champaign (Univ of IL) when we want a special dinner. Food is locally sourced when possible, and fresh seafood is flown in twice a week. The fish and seafood specials are always excellent. Flavors are complex, presentations are pleasing, and portion sizes are just right. Desserts are creative and mostly suited for one person. Ice creams are made in house and are delicious, but the scoop is tiny and leaves you wanting more. The setting is lovely with porch seating looking out at a small lake, and restaurant gardens to the side of the building. Service is very good, especially for it's location far from a big city. A delightful experience."
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Firefly is an exceptionally fine restaurant for a relatively small town,. The food is locally sourced and delicious. The restaurant is casual with a lovely setting on a lake. Definitely worth a detour if you are in downstate Illinois,"
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"This place has a very cool atmosphere, the have a great menue with several off menu specials. everything from the app. to the desert was top notch. Was a great find will deffinatly go back."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, scenic view, special occasion
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"Firefly is one of my favorite restaurants! The food is always wonderful! The service is very attentive. The menu is always varied, but with some constants. The atmosphere is casual, but special! Anyone would enjoy dining here. It is a hidden gem, and I'm so happy that we have been able to enjoy it!"
Dined on 04/28/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"Stopped for lunch while on a road trip heading west on interstate 70 after reading great reviews on the internet. Wedge salad was high quality, lobster stew was best I'd had in years, even the hot tea was high quality. My husband had the roasted chicken and we both commented on how high quality the chicken was; it had true flavor. Even the peas in the roasted chicken dish were exceptional, we speculated that they were fresh rather than frozen. Great meal and the restaurant would be a perfect setting for a wedding or party."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"I would highly recommend going to the Firefly!.....This is the third year in a row that my husband and I have looked forward to celebrating our Anniversary at the Firefly Grill....We loved the Cheese Board!....the wine pairing that our server suggested was perfect.....In addition , my three sisters and I have started our "Sisters Weekend" at the Firefly for the last 5 years....to say the least we really enjoy the excellent food and relaxing atmosphere!!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"This was my first time eating at the Firefly. I ate there for prom and both my girlfriend and I enjoyed it. A friend recommended it to us and we are glad! We will definitely be coming back in the future."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Firefly Grill has an innovative menu and great food. Service is very friendly."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Food is outstanding - one of our very favorite restaurants and hoped that we could convince them to open another restaurant in Chicago area but do not think this will happen. This restaurant always serves a wind variety of extremely tasty food that is seasoned well with great presentation."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"return. Always enjoy the seasonal changes. Firefly offers tempting dishes and I often wait to see others food arrive to see what visual tempts me as much as the menu listing tempts me.
I have never been disappointed and very thankful for such a gem in my home town.
Always my choice for a special treat or gathering place for my friends to share time."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"This restaurant has it all-gorgeous sunset over the little lake deck, locally sustainable food prepared in the manner of creative top shelf chefs, and excellent service. The only disconnect--this place was in Effingham, IL and we got there because of a giant bill board off of the highway. What the heck? This place would do great in Chicago, and I wish we had it there. From the crusty round loaf of fresh bread to exceptional salads, entrees and desserts, this place was a gourmet find in the corn fields. A wedge salad, that I had with strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, was a full small HEAD of lettuce. My Indian curry inspired swordfish with lentils was perfectly spiced. It was so good we time our trip to also stop on the way back home, too!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We were very impressed by this big city type restaurant in rural Illinois. The menu was unique and everything we had was delicious. The service was excellent and friendly. We are now looking for an excuse to travel down state so we can dine at Firefly again!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"Food was superb. Two couples going out on Saturday night for a good meal. Steak – cooked exactly as requested. Pork Shank x 2 – fall of the bone tender. Brussels sprouts to die for! Chicken Meal – fork tender and wonderful. Asparagus cooked not overcooked and very tasty. Service – could not be better. There when we needed them, out of the way to allow us to enjoy the dinner amongst friends. Only slight negative – we ate in the back room overlooking the frozen pond. Room too sunny and chairs not comfortable."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, great for lunch
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"The Firefly Grill was a welcome surprise when we first went there in February for my wife's birthday. We didn't have reservations, but the hostess seated us anyway.The food was outstanding, and the service was exceptional. We had Brittany for our server in February, and she asked us to come back. We decided we didn't want to wait for my birthday in April, so we went back this past weekend. Brittany was bartending, so we had Elise (? spelling). She was also exceptional, a real gem. The young girl filling water glasses was very nice, and Elise introduced us to another exceptional staffer, Shellie (again, ? spelling). The Firefly Grill excels in every area, whether it's ambience/atmosphere, staff, presentation and quality of food."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"One of the best retaurants ever discovered! Wish there was a location closer to where I live, in Columbia, MO. Amazing creative dishes, flavorful and beautifully presented. Great atmosphere. Even Chef Gordon Ramsey would love Firefly Grill, I am sure! Worth the special trip."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"What a surprise to find such an outstanding, sophisticated restaurant in a town the size of Effingham! The menu was very broad, from sole muniere and top-drawer steaks to wood-fired pizzas and more casual dishes. They supplement their menu with sasonal dishes that are inventive and enticing. But everything they do was first class. For example, the chicken in their green salad was as delicious as you could find anywhere. And their raspberry sorbet snaps your head back with the deliciously intense flavor of the fruit. We will go out of our way to stop there anytime we take I-70 or I-57."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Although the food was good, two things almost ruined the esperience. First heat must have been turned up to at least 80 degrees, so it was uncomftable. Second, our waitress had zero knowledge of the wine list, and just said in front of my customers, maybe you would like to pick this more expensive bottle as she pointed to it on the list in front of my customers.."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We went to the bar for awhile before we were seated. The bar tender was awesome!! The wine selection was great! We ordered a pizza for the two of us. There was an aged cheese on it that was awful. Nowhere on the menu did it state that it was different than a normal pizza. We were terribly disappointed. I loved the atmosphere though. I would recommend it, but next time I would ask more questions before ordering. The service was great and the atmosphere was awesome, but we weren't impressed with the food. It is a more pricey restaurant so keep that in mind when choosing it."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"My boyfriend and I went to Firefly for their Valentine's Day Tasting. The restaurant looked beautiful and it was really romantic. It was also very busy. Our waitress forgot to bring our wine for the first course, but another waitress came behind her and gave us the wine for our last course for the first course...which made our original waitress mad. The entire meal was rushed. Our wines never matched our course and we had to "chug" the wine in order to keep up with the pace of service. In addition, our food was cold because they kept bringing out plates before were were finished. Plates and wine glasses were piling up on our very small 2 person table. It was still a lovely experience, but I wouldn't go back."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"Although we had a reservation, we still had to wait, STANDING at the bar (no room to sit) for 20 minutes past our time. Still, this is the first time we EVER had to wait here, and we love this place, so it was hard to complain. We were there for my birthday, but I imagine the extra crowd was also Valentine's Day (the day before) overflow."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, great for lunch
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"As always the Firefly Grill is superb! Excellent fresh seafood is a real find in central Illinois. The Chilean sea bass and steelhead were beyond our expectations not to forget the PEI mussels. Great service, friendly staff and wonderful seasonal, fresh, sustainable food prepared with care and expertise...Awesome!!"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"first time there. very nice experience. sevice excellent, with a very freindly atmosphere. great to have something this nice, & unique without having to travel to indy or st louis."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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