Mystery Diner: Diner classics served up at Country Cupboard in Streator

By now, most locals know Country Cupboard in Streator is the place for pie.

The late Louise Sullivan served up tens of thousands of pies over three decades.

There was no pie on the menu when my dinner companion and I sought out a place to get breakfast food for lunchtime — and that was no problem.

We wanted the diner classics.

Between the two of us, we ordered omelets, hash browns, pancakes (syrup and butter were provided) and biscuits and gravy.

Each omelet is made with three eggs and served with a side of toast. I opted for the sausage and cheese omelet ($6) and my companion went for the philly steak omelet ($7.90). The philly steak omelet is served with steak, green peppers, onions and white cheese, making for a really creamy and flavorful combination. I was immediately jealous.

Hash browns can be added to omelet orders for $2 and Country’s Cupboard’s hash browns always have that perfect crispy top, which allows the potatoes not to dry out underneath.

The biscuits and gravy ($4.80 for a half order and $5.80 for a full order), with Country Cupboard’s homemade sausage gravy, is a must-try for anyone ordering from the breakfast menu.

Country Cupboard offers in-town delivery in Streator, but we opted for carryout. The dining room is closed for the statewide indoor dining restrictions. Carryout is really easy. Patrons walk in and a staff member is sitting at a table to greet you. Our food was ready — and still hot and fresh — on our arrival.

During non-pandemic times, the dining room is usually full and patrons can hear the clank of silverware and plates. Coffee cups are left upside and it’s seat yourself. Once you flip your cup right side up, their wait staff makes it a point your cup never goes empty, or your coffee never gets too cold.

There also is a traditional dining bar and newspapers from the region are typically scattered across it.

It’s everything you’d expect from a small-town, downtown diner.

The breakfast menu also features chipped beef over toast, haystacks (hash browns, sausage links, bacon, sausage gravy topped with two eggs), among other items.

They serve burgers and sandwiches, including hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy. Dinners include country fried steak, chicken fried steak, hot beef and fried cod, among others.

While dining in once it returns is the way to gain the full experience at Country Cupboard, the homemade food is good, it’s worth a carryout, especially on those days when an omelet and sausage and gravy sound good, even if it’s after noon.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at Shaw Media. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Country Cupboard

WHERE: 124 S. Vermillion St., Streator

PHONE: 815-672-5885

INFO: https://www.facebook.com/countrycupboardstreator