One of the best steakhouses in Illinois just got one of the funniest monikers in internet history.

Family Destinations Guide put together a list of Nine Under-the-Radar Steakhouses in Illinois, and this Suburban Chicago Restaurant is at the top.

Under-the-Radar Steakhouses in Illinois We Need To Visit ASAP

The list covers more than Suburban Chicago steakhouses, with Forest Park, Galena, and L'Erbale entries.

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Getty Images
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Full disclosure: until today, I had never heard of L'Erable, but after further review, I discovered it's a small town about 100 minutes southwest of Chicago, 25 minutes from Kankakee.

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The Mullet of Steakhouses is Located in Gurnee

Up at the top of the list of steakhouses we need to try is The Backyard Steak Pit in Gurnee.

Cindi R. via Yelp
Cindi R. via Yelp
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Calling the restaurant the "mullet of steakhouses" might be a stretch, but after checking out some pics, The Backyard Steak Pit appears to be a vibe.

Keep Reading: Illinois’ Top-Ranked Restaurant on Yelp’s 2025 List Isn’t Where You’d Expect

One great reason is the big old 70s-style glowing neon sign that welcomes us like a delicious steak beacon, bringing hungry souls to a deliciously meaty heaven.

Cindi R. via Yelp
Cindi R. via Yelp
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What Do Customers Say About The Backyard Steak Pit?

Nearly 200 reviews on The Backyard Steak Pit are splashed on their Yelp page with mostly positive reviews where customers like Rhoda N. say, "The restaurant has the feel of the old steakhouses my parents took us to in the 70s."

Keep Reading: U.S. News Names Two Illinois Hotels Among America’s Top 25

Rebecca A. via Yelp
Rebecca A. via Yelp
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So if you're craving a steak with a side of nostalgia, The Backyard Pit is calling, business up front, party (and plenty of flavor) in the back.

The 25 Very Best Small-Town Illinois Restaurants

Looking for a great meal at a small-town restaurant in Illinois? Here are 25 of the very best. 

Gallery Credit: Sweet Lenny

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