Southern Illinois is a favorite travel destination for many as it is the home to the Shawnee National Forest. There are also many small communities in the region surrounding the metro areas of Carbondale and Harrisburg. Southern Illinois boasts traditional locally owned restaurants that focus on plate lunches and dinners along with short-order items. International food is also very popular, with offerings that include authentic Chinese, Mexican and Italian cuisine incorporated into the typical selection of national chain restaurants. Barbecue and fish options can be found at traditional, iconic smokehouses and seafood specialists that are interspersed with numerous bar-and-grill combination establishments offering unique in-house menus. Finding something great to eat is no problem for travelers and residents in Southern Illinois!