Blue Springs Cafe

Blue Springs Cafe, nestled conveniently at 3505 George St in Highland, IL, is a charming roadside gem that warmly beckons travelers and locals alike with its hearty, home-style American cuisine. This inviting restaurant and cafe brandishes an old-fashioned diner atmosphere, where the friendly staff and generous portions immediately make you feel at home. The moment you step inside, you sense this is a place built on tradition, comfort, and a genuine passion for quality food.

The menu is a celebration of classic Midwestern favorites, boasting a delightful range of offerings from savory lunch sandwiches to comforting dinner plates. Notable lunch selections include the Blue Springs 1/2 lb Burger, the robust Reuben sandwich, and a tempting Fried Walleye option that perfectly balances crispy, flaky textures with fresh flavors. Side dishes like homemade pickled beets, buttery mashed potatoes, and crisp onion rings round out the meal, satisfying a craving for true comfort food.

When it comes to dinner, Blue Springs Cafe shines with its standout dishes like Chicken Fried Steak, tender Meatloaf Dinner, and the humble yet flavorful homemade Pork Sausage. Weekend specials such as Chicken & Dumplings and Baked Chicken showcase the kitchen's dedication to authentic, from-scratch cooking. Each plate arrives with thoughtful sides—green beans, mashed potatoes with rich gravy, or a fresh Blue Springs Salad—ensuring a well-rounded dining experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Perhaps the crown jewel of the Blue Springs Cafe is their renowned pies, a heavenly indulgence that has customers coming back time and again. Their signature Foot High Pies—Mile High Pies, if you will—are legendary, with irresistible varieties like Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Meringue Pie, and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie that capture the essence of homemade goodness. These pies are thick, luscious, and layered with intense flavors that delight the palate and comfort the soul, whether enjoyed Ala Mode or straight from the plate.

Clients consistently rave about the exceptional quality and authenticity here. Eric Mills highlights the “delicious home style food” and the ease of access from the freeway, a perfect quick stop with “ample portions” and, of course, those must-try pies. Amanda Vandike paints a vivid picture of Sunday family-style dining, where fresh vinegar slaw, pickled beets, and warm rolls precede mains served with creamy mashed potatoes and hearty green beans—a true feast of familiar, satisfying flavors. Others, like Hanna Ama, praise the “homemade” nature of each pie and the generous serving sizes, though she notes a personal quirk with the lemon meringue’s texture.

What sets Blue Springs Cafe apart is its warm, unpretentious charm paired with a menu that honors local, hearty American traditions. Whether you’re stopping for a comforting loaf of meatloaf, indulging in fried shrimp, or succumbing to a towering piece of chocolate pecan pie, this local treasure leaves a lasting impression on both your taste buds and your heart. Perfectly positioned just off the highway, it’s the kind of place where every bite feels like a genuine, comforting hug—memories waiting to be made with each visit.