Trails End Lodge - Deer Lodge

I have to say, this was one of my best visits in a long time. The bison burger was simply amazing, and the drinks were top-notch. Our waitress was wonderful, and the weather couldn't have been better. I will definitely be coming back soon, and I'm looking forward to bringing some friends with me. It was a lovely date night with my partner of 23 years, and I couldn't have picked a better place or time to enjoy together.

Totally worth the journey! I ordered the Trail Special, which featured steak, pork chop, lamb chop, and sausage. The best part? You get to cook it on a lava stone right at your table, and it was amazing! I have to confess, I finished every single bite all by myself! I will definitely be coming back! Our bill was around $60, but if I had taken my time, there was enough food for multiple meals. Make the trip to Cobden, IL and check it out!

My wife and I dined at Trails End last Friday, which was a karaoke night. The mix of dinner and local regulars performing created a lively atmosphere. The lava stone cooking experience was a highlight, as it allowed us to prepare our steak exactly to our liking. I seasoned my steak with Montreal seasoning and placed it on the sizzling hot stone. My wife ordered a large portion of scallops, but she flipped them a bit too soon, leaving much of the seared crust behind on the stone. While it was a minor cooking mistake on her part, the scallops were still very tasty. Just a tip: if you join in with the crowd singing, you might find yourself encouraged to share your own go-to karaoke song! The entire staff was friendly and made us feel right at home.

Coolest dining experience I've had in a long time...and very unique to southern IL. Quaint place, hidden from the main road...very friendly staff, delicious food and gorgeous views from the back patio. Their specialty is you being able to cook your entree on hot lava stones right in front of you at your table. Very good prices for the large amount of food you get!!

I'll never go to this place again. Ten shrimp, a baked potato, a meager portion of veggies, and a tiny salad $22. Dinner for two with four tiny drinks $90 with tip. The four drinks added together would have barely made two. It was noisy, cluttered, and furniture needed to be cleaned (and then burned). We had to ask the waitress to clean off the table as we sat down. It was sticky and had crumbs on it. She happily did it and sprayed the cleaner in my direction so I could get a good whiff. The parking lot and surrounding area are poorly lit. I guess I'm too picky because the place was packed. It was the worst value for dollars I've been eaten in Southern Illinois. Pass it up.