Hello hello, my lovely foodies! As you can tell by the title, I've got another AMAZING food tour to share with you all and this this time, we're headed to the midwest y'all--and yes, my family is actually from here so I'm allowed to say "y'all" without criticism LOL #haters. 💁

In all seriousness though, I'm going to introduce you to some of my absolute FAVORITE food spots I've acquired over the years. Since most of my extended family lives in Illinois, I've been fortunate enough to spend pretty much every summer there for as long as I can remember...I'm 21 now, so you can say it's been a long time coming for this foodie post. 😂

Like I tell everyone, Illinois will forever be my home away from home and my favorite place in the whole entire world--even though "everywhere" is still on my travel bucket list, I'm pretty confident that these statements will never change.

Perhaps it's because I just love being surrounded by family or maybe it was the never-ending corn fields and rolling hills that stole my heart. I couldn't really give you one reason why I love this place so much, but I just knew it would be fitting to kick off the Best of the Midwest Food Tour in my favorite state of Illinois. ❤️🌾

First Stop: Shang Hai Chinese Restaurant

After spending over 12 summers in Illinois, a trip back to the good 'ole prairie state wouldn't be the same without eating at Shang Hai. My family and I have been eating here for years and we just adore the owner.

She treats us like family every time we see her and so it's no surprise that the minute we arrive in Illinois, this is the restaurant we go to first--it's sort of become our family tradition and I am deff not complaining. 😍

Ugh you guys, these babies are legit heaven on earth. Crab Rangoons (crispy fried wontons stuffed with cream cheese and crab) will be your greatest addiction as it's pretty much impossible to just eat one! If you're ever in the area, I recommend you get two orders. 👍 Although not pictured, crab rangoons are served best with this amazing sweet red sauce. I have zero clue what this sauce is called or what's in it but oh man... #lifechanging.

On to the main course which in my case has always been the Garlic Chicken which comes with mushrooms and water chestnuts. Although it's not crazy garlic-y in flavor, the flavor it does have is pretty close to spectacular. I've been ordering this for so many years, you could definitely say I have a "usual." 💁

Since we love to come at lunchtime, Shang Hai has this awesome deal where you get fried rice, an egg roll, AND an extra crab rangoon with your meal. It's seriously the perfect medley and I almost always have leftovers--score!

Let me just talk about that egg roll though for a second...not only does it have these itty bitty super cool clear noodles in it, it is without a doubt the most flavorful egg roll I've ever had in my entire life.

Side Note: spring rolls and egg rolls are NOT the same. A lot of times, spring rolls contain lighter ingredients like veggies whereas egg rolls are dense and contain heavier ingredients like meat.

I promise I am not exaggerating when I say that I never eat Chinese food (like never🙅) but Shang Hai Chinese Restaurant is my one and only exception. Maybe it's because I'm spoiled, having had the best, but no restaurant in Orlando has ever been able to top this place LOL. So, if you are an Orlando local and think you've got a hidden Chinese gem on your hands, please please send recommendations my way!

Foodie Fast Facts:

Service: Sit-down

Type of Food: Chinese

Price Range: ~$10 (GREAT lunch deals)

Location: 305 10th Ave W, Milan, IL 61264

Overall Foodie Girl Rating: 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜 out of 5

Next Up: Lavender Crest Winery

This next restaurant has a bit of a sentimental place in my heart. Lavender Crest Winery is this beautiful vineyard and bistro my family and I have been visiting for years. I used to joke as a little girl that this would be the venue of my future wedding...fast forward 12 years and the dream is still a dream. I sort of need a ring first...and a proposal...and a boyfriend LOL. #minordetails.

Any-who, I used to come here with my Grandma and my aunt after church many Sundays ago. Sadly, since my Grandma's passing a little over two years ago, I realized I haven't had the heart to come back. Although I knew it wouldn't be the same, last week I decided I needed to make a trip back out before heading home to Orlando.

Now that I'm 21, I could even participate in a wine tasting which--not gonna lie--made me feel so grown-up hehe. 🙈 After so many years of coming here as a child and watching all of the "adults" drink wine, I just had one of those "momma I made it" moments...at the bar LOL. I'm so classy, I know. 😂

On to the food! Like Shang Hai, I have my "usual" over at Lavender Crest as well. I really like their "you pick two" deal and do half of their Chicken Caesar Salad (romaine lettuce, shredded parmesan cheese, croutons--pretty standard but always tasty with the perfect amount of dressing always) and half of their Roast Beef Panini which was slow roasted beef, cream cheese, provolone cheese, caramelized onions (not on mine though!🙅), and horseradish dijon sauce all served on a toasted ciabatta roll with au Jus for dipping.

All was delicious just like I remember. Although, I have to admit that it was my Grandma who first got me hooked on the roast beef panini. I like to think I get a lot of my food spotting skills and overall love for food from her. After all, I'm pretty sure it's because of my Grandma that I now have to plan my entire day around my meals. 😂 What can you do though, right? A girl's gotta eat!! LOL.

I'll admit, I was a tad disappointed when the dessert menu came around and lacked Lavender Crest's typical assortment of fruit pies. I just remember always being in love with their coconut cream pie. 😋 SO GOOD. And so, this time, I had to settle for their Italian Creme Cake. Boy was I wrong to be disappointed and happy was I ever to have "settled" with this beaut.

This cake was a legit dream! I've never had anything like it but man do I now have a new favorite! Light, yet still super moist, this vanilla cake was layered around a lemon pudding-like center, all dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with a tart raspberry sauce.

BONUS: the top of the cake had this streusel-like texture as well which is straight up culinary perfection. 😍 Can I just say, whoever thought to put lemon and raspberry together is a GENIUS?! Hands down, the best conclusion to a wonderful lunch out with my family.

Clearly Lavender Crest Winery has a lot of sentimental value to me, on top of it's delicious menu. There's just this certain charm about it that I can't seem to find anywhere else. Their staff is always accommodating and so friendly, I truly look forward to the next time I return. I hope to continue those Sunday lunches of summer again, in my Grandma's memory. ❤️

Foodie Fast Facts:

Service: Sit-down (Indoor/Outdoor) + Wine Tastings

Type of Food: Soups, Sandwiches, and Salads

Price Range: ~$10

Location: 5401 US-6, Colona, IL 61241

Menu: click here!

Overall Foodie Girl Rating: 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 out of 5

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my Best of the Midwest Food Tour!! Until then,

xoxo FoodieGirl💕