A commoner dines at Fried Green Tomatoes, Galena, Ill.

When Midwesterners are looking for a romantic weekend getaway, Galena, Ill., often makes the short list of ideas.  Wedged in the northwestern tip of Illinois, Galena offers a superb blend of history (the town is full of sites related to its most famous resident, Ulysses S. Grant), shopping, outdoor activities and small-town charm.  With the surrounding area being unusually scenic and hilly for Illinois, Galena tends to be more popular in the fall and winter months (the only ski resort I know of in the state is nearby), but it truly is a year-round destination. 

It should be no surprise, then, that Punky and I try to make a trip to Galena every year at a minimum.  And whenever we go, we rarely miss an opportunity to dine at one of our favorite restaurants in the downtown area.  Its menu and décor might make you think of a modern Tuscan-style trattoria, but its namesake dish is a classic southern appetizer – Fried Green Tomatoes.

Located in the heart of Galena’s downtown, the storefront of Fried Green Tomatoes looks much like a majority of businesses on Main Street.  A modest sign hangs over the sidewalk – nothing gaudy, large or loud that would clash with the district’s historic charm.

The entrance is also relatively unassuming, providing a peek into the bare stone, brick and mortar interior that awaits.  As you can see, hours are limited, so during peak tourist season it’s wise to get reservations ahead of time. 

One you’re inside, though, the space opens up to reveal a much larger but still elegantly decorated multi-room restaurant.  You also get a sense of the pride and dedication the owners have in their renovations of a building that dates back to the 1850s – and obviously has a lot of life left in it. 

The best seats in the house, of course, in the main dining room, affording a view of the street full of shoppers regardless of the season.   

The menu leans heavily into Italian fare, to the point that it influences Fried Green Tomatoes’ namesake dish.  Their version is breaded and, fried of course, but then topped generously with melted cheese and surrounded by a zesty marinara sauce.  Eat this, and you may never want ordinary fried green tomatoes again.  

On this night, Punky and I splurged on a second appetizer and one of her go-to dishes whenever she sees it on a menu – the beef carpaccio.  And like the fried green tomatoes, this version is anything but ordinary.  Top-quality super-thin sliced raw tenderloin accompanied with capers, shaved cheese and a drizzle of balsamic comprise the dish.  Roll that on some crusty bread, and you’ll be in heaven.  

And what Tuscan-inspired meal would be complete without the complimentary loaf of bread paired with olive oil and Parmesan for dipping?  It comes along with the house salad that’s served with all entrees. 

It’s a little hard to believe that after all the warm-up dishes, Punky and I could have room for the main course.  But don’t underestimate our appetites as foodies.  Punky chose one of Fried Green Tomatoes’ classic comfort food dishes, the pork osso buco, and was rightfully impressed.  The pork shank alone was fork tender and paired perfectly with a bed of mashed potatoes and topped with an apple cider glaze.   

After a little customary hem-hawing about what to order for my main course, Punky convinced me to go with the seafood pasta aglio.  It stands out on its own on the menu, and I quickly found out why.   The portions were massive, and the linguine was completely overtaken with a mountain of shrimp, scallops and – as you can see on the top of the dish – a nice section of lobster tail, still in shell.  Every bit was swimming in a delicious spicy garlic olive oil sauce.  Somehow, I managed to leave none of it behind.    

Sadly, we had left no room for dessert … or even an extra glass of wine post-meal at Fried Green Tomatoes’ charming little wine bar near the front entrance.  I still recommend their bar for a quick break from shopping anytime you’re in Galena, though.  

In a town that always seems busy with tourist activity, Galena’s choices for finer dining are pretty limited.  But I think Fried Green Tomatoes stands out among the choice few.  Do yourself a favor and book an Open Table reservation before your arrival date in Galena.