MURPHYSBORO — Mike Mills, the champion pitmaster behind 17th Street Barbecue affectionately known as “The Legend,” has died.
His daughter, Amy Mills, said in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon that Mills passed away Tuesday morning of non-COVID-related health issues.
10 foods that say Southern Illinois
Pink Cookies
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In Southern Illinois, sugar cookies with pink icing are a sweet staple. Find them at Larry's House of Cakes and Cristaudo's Bakery in Carbondale, and at Davis Pastry in Anna.
Murphysboro barbecue
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Murphysboro now holds the designation of Barbecue Capital of Illinois, thanks to its many barbecue-centric festivals, its award-winning hometown culinary heroes, and its year-round delicious barbecue joints, including 17th Street Barbecue, Pat's Barbecue and Catering and Southern Que.
Fried chicken
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OK, we didn't invent fried chicken, but the crunchy, greasy goodness served at a couple of Southern Illinois restaurants is more than a meal for us. Bottom's Up in Jacob — which almost acts as a community center for the Mississippi Bottoms — has incredible deals on fried chicken and sides on Wednesdays, and Giant City Lodge's family-style all-you-can-eat chicken and sides is the first stop on any tour for an out-of-towner.
Peach Cobbler
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Peaches are plentiful in the summer in Southern Illinois. And where there are peaches, there is peach cobbler. And hopefully ice cream. If you're on U.S. 51 between Carbondale and Cobden, stop at Flamm's for a quick cobbler with ice cream.
Craft beer
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Scratch Brewing Co. uses ingredients in its beer that are foraged from the land surrounding the brewery. There's a piece of Southern Illinois in every beer served in the Ava taproom. And there are several other locally brewed beers on the 'Southern Illinois Ale Trail,' including St. Nicholas Brewing Co., Big Muddy Brewing and more.
Winston's Bagels
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The infamous Winston and his bagel stand have fed many late-night revelers in Carbondale over the years. Winston himself has retired, but the cart is still going under new ownership, and with the new name Winston's Bagels by B-Rad.
Golconda Shrimp
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Pope County celebrates its local prawn farm Tanglefoot Ranch each year at the Shrimp Festival in Golconda, along the Ohio River. The festival began in 2000, the same year the ranch started raising shrimp, and has drawn thousands of people to the small town.
Italian food
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Herrin is famous for its Italian heritage (the town was built around Italian immigrants who came to Southern Illinois to work in the coal mines). An integral part of the annual HerrinFesta Italiana is the pasta sauce contest. Louie's P&R, another Herrin staple, serves up Italian meats and cheeses. Louie's Seasoning Co., which makes a killer Italian Beef seasoning packet (among many other delectable seasoning mixes) is based in Johnston City. Each Southern Illinois town has its own Italian joint, from Alongi's in Du Quoin to Cummare's in Murphysboro, from Italian Village in Carbondale to Bennie's in Marion.
Shawnee Hills wine
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Yes, Southern Illinois has its own American Viticultural Area: The Shawnee Hills AVA includes Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union and Williamson counties. The Shawnee Hills wine trail is a draw for visitors and locals alike, with more than a dozen wineries nestled among the gorgeous scenery of the Shawnee National Forest.
Biscuits & Gravy
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At Southern Illinois breakfast joints, it's not uncommon to hear: "Do you want biscuits and gravy with that?"