Hidden Gem Eatery Serves the Absolute Best Cornbread in Illinois

When was the last time you had a great piece of cornbread?

I know what you’re thinking, “Cornbread is usually only part of the meal and mostly the thrown away ‘part’ of the meal.”

That might be because, like me, you’ve only had bad to decent cornbread.

Let me tell you, I had a cornbread experience that completely changed the way I look at the stuff going forward.

Last week, I was in Lena, Illinois running a few errands. It was lunchtime so my wife and I stopped at a place called The Rafters.

If you’ve never been, this restaurant is next door to the Lena Brewing Company.

I wrote about this place a few years ago, when I was stunned by how brilliant their bathrooms look. I know, weird, right? Then again, they have keg handles for water faucets on the sink.

If you thought it would be impossible for lighting to strike twice, think again.

As we’re seated at The Rafters, a restaurant that looks like it was placed inside a big red barn, my wife and I order our food and drinks.

Before that arrived, the helpful server dropped off a “slice?” of cornbread for both of us.

I’ve got to tell you, I am not sure if I was hungry or what, but I’ll be, that was the best dang cornbread I have ever had. So buttery, so smooth, and just so tasty.

I’m not alone either. Adam H. on Yelp called the cornbread at The Rafters “a winner” and JJ T. said, “The soups are great and so is the free cornbread.”

On the other hand, Lynne. H. referred to their cornbread as “funky” so your mileage may vary.

Check it out yourself. The Rafters is at 9426 West Wagner Road in Lena.