Firefly Grill

The entire experience was special. Upon arrival you are immediately taken to another world, with a stunning exterior and incredible outdoor seating areas that frankly were breathtaking at sunset.

Once you enter the restaurant you can see where your food is prepared and large dining area with guests. Every seat was full and we would soon find out exactly why Firefly Grill is a must visit restaurant in the area.

Our server was amazing. Friendly and when she learned my wife was vegetarian she carefully shared numerous options with her, including a special dish for that day with veggies and noodles.

We got the bread service, which includes a pretzel bread and beer cheese. It was delicious and hard not to spoil our meals by eating every single bite of it.

The special veggie dish had a slight kick to it but every ingredient in this dish added flavor or texture or both. Very intentionally created dish that is rare to find anywhere.

I decided on the American Burger and it was cooked to perfection. Easily a top five burger I've had ever, anywhere. This is served in a pretzel bun that is fresh with a slight crunch to it that you expect. The beef was high quality, juicy, flavorful and seasoned to perfection. You couldn't make a burger like this at home.

We didn't have room for dessert but we saw several tempting dishes go past us while we ate that made it difficult to skip.

100/100 experience for us.

This was our last stop on our anniversary! We had an early dinner reservation and was able to sit on the water side. It was such a great view and the food, drinks, and service we impeccable. We ordered the truffle fries and 14oz ribeye to share with the whipped potatoes. The fries were so fresh and the ribeye was in the top 5 I have eaten. So tasty and filling! We enjoyed one of their April drinks and Elouan 2021 Oregon wine. Great place and a great experience.

Stopped here to charge my car and it was such a surprise. Food was delicious. The restaurant is beautiful. I had the Nashville Chicken Sandwich and it was heavenly

This place is really great! Awesome staff and out of this world food! I highly recommend Firefly Grill!

We visited the Firefly Grill twice while we were down for the Total Solar Eclipse. Each time we sat at the bar and were served by Allison. She was most delightful and one of the reasons we returned the 2nd time. The food and drinks were amazing. The wine list was awesome! We can’t recommend The Firefly Grill enough!

I absolutely love this place. Firefly is mine and my wife's favorite place to eat. We are foodies and travel all over eating at different types of restaurants. We spend roughly $175-$225 for my wife & I. We spend $300-$400 for 3-5 people. Some of our favorites are fried green tomatoes, New York strip, ribeye, beef wellington, seafood or clam chowders w/chabada bread, the soups, the salads, mushroom ravioli...and the list goes on. We've been too many times to count. The food is amazing, you will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is great. The service is normally fantastic. My only complaints are the chairs not scooting under the tables, & one of the waitresses not so good anymore (she used to be my favorite). The chairs don't seem like an issue unless you have a bad back. My last visit, three tables around me, and I were stretching our backs due to the pain. The chairs not scooting up require you to bend over to reach the table while eating. If the table legs were charged, this wouldn't be a problem. The chairs are actually very nice and so are the tables. The wait staff are normally on top of it, and GREAT. One of the waitresses that has worked for Firefly (over a year, if not longer) has gone down with her service. The last two times I've had her as a waitresses she was horrible. She forgot we were there and didn't return to our table for 45 minutes. We had eaten the apps and soup. We sat waiting for our main course. She forgot to put the main course in (we found out after). The man I stopped asked us if we still wanted the steak. I said yes but told them to get it to go due to us waiting too long and it was late. It wasn't busy. We were the only table in the main dining area. She apologized and laughed it off. The next time she forgot to put in parts of our order, having the soups come out without the bread ordered with them. She didn't put in our main course on time and we waited much too long for it. I believe it's important to mention this as it causes the customer to wait and a table to be unavailable for the next reservation.

We were on our way from Carbondale to Chicago and decided to give it a try since it had chargers for out EV. This place is amazing! Tucked away in Effingham, off the beaten path. Large dining area with indoor and outdoor seating. Food was just wonderful. Service also wonderful. Huge bar. A little pricey, but worth it. Definitely keeping this place on our list of places to stop next time we go back down south. It is a MUST!

My wife and I stopped here while traveling back to Texas. It was definitely an excellent choice! Samuel met our needs with attention, engaged in personable conversation, knew the menu well, and contributed to our overall delightful outdoor dining experience.
We enjoyed a margherita pizza and caprese soup with sweet potato pie for dessert. We will absolutely visit this establishment again while traveling.

Our dinners were very good. My wife had the salmon, the fish was very good but the Brussels sprouts were way over cooked. I had the sea bass, it was excellent. Our waitress was fantastic, very attentive and had a wonderful personality.

Everything on the plate was intentional and added to the overall taste. Absolutely balanced and delicious! It's a great atmosphere, and the servers were well trained. I wish it had been 25% cheaper because the cost will prevent me from visiting as often as I'd like to. It seems like the kind of place you'll have a fantastic experience with every visit.

Firefly Grill has a great selection of farm-fresh food. Everything is prepared to perfection. We have lunch or dinner there every chance we can when driving along I-57. The menu changes over time, so we hope to see their awesome Reuben sandwich back some day, but the fish & chips and poke bowl were very welcome alternatives. The waitstaff have excellent recommendations and are always friendly and helpful.

Our visits this year did not find that the poke bowls had returned, but the maple-bourbon french toast was absolutely stunning! The Mediterranean salad and fish tacos were also excellent.

Firefly Grill was an amazing experience. The food was delicious, the service was outstanding, and the atmosphere was beautiful. We ate from the lunch menu. The fish tacos were really really good, fresh veggie toppings and delicious salmon. The side of whipped potatoes tasted incredible. I could eat them every day. I also highly recommend the mushroom soup and Cesar salad. We ordered an appetizer of the pretzel and beer cheese, it was the best soft pretzel I have ever tasted. All the food on other guests tables looked outstanding. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a beautiful bar area. There was a cute seating area out back by the pond, they had fish food for the kids to feed the giant koi in the pond. We used opentable to make a reservation. The staff was very knowledgeable about the food, they made great suggestions and they were very nice. It looked like a great place to plan for a large party. The AC was kicking so maybe bring a sweater.

I almost don't want to write a review because I may never be able to get another reservation again. The food is absolutely outstanding! The service was dead on. Everyone made sure my experience was the best. Nicole, my server, was a gem. Whether you sit inside or outside, the atmosphere is gorgeous. I drove 1.5 hours to get there and it was well worth it. The next time I go, I'll be bringing friends.

One of the best restaurants in this area. Never had a bad bite. The staff are nice, as is the owner. The atmosphere is great and the coy pond out back tops it all off. Highly recommend.

This restaurant was a suggestion I was given to at work and I’m glad I gave it a chance seeing as it was a little drive to get to from where I was staying. I went during dinner time and from the looks of it this place is popular, and people were coming and going. I was seated right away at the bar and was greeted and served by this lovely staff. I know some of the food I might talk about isn’t on their menu anymore but there might be some rendition of it that tastes just as good. I ordered crab cakes which thankfully was served hot because don’t you just hate a cold crab cake? I also had a steamed bun with pork belly which was just awesome and I do love my pork belly. I couldn’t stop there, and I also ordered their pork chop which was cooked perfectly, served with whipped potatoes and with this sort of apple puree topping which I don’t know what it was but it was a nice balance with the saltiness of the pork chop. I had the rest of the pork chop to go because by that time I was ready for dessert and needed the room. Finishing off my whiskey and devouring a warm brownie topped with vanilla ice cream was a good way to call it a night.

Title: A Culinary Oasis: Cori at Firefly Grill

Nestled amidst the serene ambiance of Firefly Grill, Cori's culinary mastery illuminates the dining experience with unparalleled excellence. From the first bite to the last, each dish is a symphony of flavors crafted with precision and passion.

The menu, a fusion of contemporary flair and timeless classics, offers a delightful journey through gastronomic delights. Whether savoring the tender succulence of the steak or indulging in the vibrant freshness of locally sourced produce, every plate tells a story of culinary craftsmanship.

Yet, it's not just the food that captivates; the atmosphere itself is enchanting. The warm glow of flickering candles, coupled with the gentle rustle of leaves in the outdoor patio, creates an ambiance that transcends mere dining—it's an experience to be savored.

The attentive staff, guided by Cori's vision for impeccable service, ensures every guest feels not just welcomed, but cherished. Their knowledge and passion for the menu elevate the dining experience, adding a personal touch to every interaction.

In sum, Cori at Firefly Grill is more than just a restaurant; it's a sanctuary for food enthusiasts seeking exceptional cuisine in a captivating setting. Whether for a romantic dinner, a celebratory gathering, or a culinary adventure, Cori's culinary haven never fails to impress.

When in Effingham! Hands down the best restaurant in town. Must try if you're visiting or a local looking for a great meal or date night place. Try the fish selection or any of the specials. Cocktails need some hard work to improve, but the wine selection is solid. The best part is that this place really is farm to table. Great local greens!

Lovely break in our drive from west to east coast. Food was fresh and farm to table, as local as possible, which is always refreshing and encouraging. I'm pregnant and was really hoping for a mocktail, but unfortunately no options there. My toddler loved the Mac&cheese and green beans.

Great food! A little expensive but definitely worth it.

Firefly Grill is absolutely amazing! We couldn’t decide on what to order so we ordered everything that sounded good and were not disappointed. The flavors were so wonderful and crisp! The atmosphere was comfortable and refreshing. The staff were helpful and brought out our dishes in stages so we could enjoy them all. I am already planning on bringing family and friends. This is a 2 hour drive from my home but well worth it!