Southern Illinois, where the Coffman clan has its roots, has many a culinary gem hidden away in the hills of the Shawnee National Forest. One of these is The Blue Boar, down in Kratzinger Hollow between Cobden and Anna. (Local tip–the word “Hollow” is pronounced “holler,” even among the educated. That’s just the way it is. If you go down there and say, “Kratzinger Hollow,” people will look at you like this):
The Blue Boar sits next to the Great Boars of Fire Lodge, a banquet hall and catering facility known for its award-winning BBQ. The Great Boars and I go way back. Not only did they cater my wedding, but my uncle John was one of the original Great Boars back when they were “just” a competitive BBQ team.
Along with fellow Great Boars Dave Fombelle, Jerry McFadden, Bob Lyrla, Jim West, Sonny Beanland and Richard Sheeley, the Boars won 1st place in shoulders at the World Champion Barbeque Cook Off in Memphis. They also held the record for the highest points ever scored at the Jack Daniels’ World Champion Invitational. For four consecutive years the team was ranked in the top 10 in the World by Memphis in May. They also have won The Illinois and Missouri State Championship.
So yeah, they’re pretty good.
The Blue Boar builds on this legacy by adding a New Orleans vibe.
You can’t go wrong with anything coming off the grill or out of the smoker. They also have a variety of po-boy sandwiches, burgers, and of course, cajun-inspired dishes, like shrimp or crawfish etoufee. They add chicken to the smoked sausage in their red beans and rice. Come hungry so you can start off with a plate of the pulled pork nachos, which include my still-favorite-ever baked beans.
The highlight of their weekend brunch menu is the Bubba Benedict, which is a Southern Illinois version of what we would call a breakfast horseshoe up here in the 217.
The food is only half the experience at the Blue Boar, however.
Take some time to enjoy the peaceful down-in-the-holler setting. If the weather’s right, get a table on the large covered patio out back. After you eat, take a short stroll across the bridge behind the restaurant to the grotto.
You never know what you might see up in the trees!
So if you find yourself down in Southern Illinois orchard and vineyard country and have a hankerin’ for some really good BBQ, hop onto Kratzinger Hollow Rd. off old US 51 just on the outskirts of Anna and go GETCHA SOME!