It’s not often that a reader tells me about a restaurant I haven’t heard of before, but that was the case recently when I spoke to a reader named Rich about Nelly’s Restaurant on Route 66 in Wilmington.

Rich told me that it was a “neat little place” with an “awesome” pulled pork sandwich. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, Nelly’s also serves “awesome specialty burgers (all made from 100% Angus Beef), Vienna dogs, and other specialty sandwiches, all served on buns made from a local bakery, Milano Breads. We serve hand-cut fresh French fries, and awesome fresh-cut onion rings.”

I can confirm that both the pulled pork and onion rings are very good. I actually tried them together, with the onions atop the pork in my sandwich, as the menu said I could. The onions were cut super thin and had a light breading. They were like a fresh version of the French’s onions that you’ve probably had in green been casserole. The salty crunch was an excellent compliment to the juicy pork.

The lengthy menu also features wraps, wings, kids’ items and appetizers, including fried dill pickles and green beans. The casual decor features Route 66 memorabilia and chalkboards, some of which customers can write on. There are also TVs and free Wifi.

Nelly’s is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The address is 140 Bridge St. in Wilmington. To get there from the Bourbonnais area, take Illinois 102 into downtown Wilmington. Turn left at the stoplight, which is Bridge Street, go over the bridge and the restaurant is on your right. The phone is 815-476-9590.

Thanks to a reader named Gina for this recommendation:

“I just wanted to pass along the name of a great little place in Bourbonnais. Pup-N-Pop is on Main Street (The old Mocha Island), across from Starbucks. This is a great little place if you are wanting awesome Chicago style hot dogs, excellent BBQ pork & Italian beef sandwiches. All of their food is homemade. The soups are excellent, especially the beef barley soup, (which is) the best I have ever had. The owner just told us they will start serving french fries and assured us they will be the best and like nothing we have ever had before.

My 13-year-old son cannot get enough of this place.  It’s his favorite place to eat, hands down. The food is very reasonably priced and the service is super quick. The owners are super nice and always there to serve you with a smile. Very, very nice place. I am hoping you can pass this along to your readers. I would love for everyone to give them a try. I don’t think they would be sorry.”

I agree with everything you said, Gina!

Pup-N-Pop is at 415 Main St. NW in Bourbonnais. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. They’re closed on Sunday. There’s a drive-up window, so you can order without getting out of your car.

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A reader named Tom also left this comment on my blog post about Pup-N-Pop last week:

“Pup and Pops has very good food. They have all-beef Vienna hot dogs, homemade baked beans, potato salad and a great choice of other things. Everything I have had from there has been very good. It is a family-run buisiness and they are very friendly and will talk to you and make you feel welcome.”

I’ve received several recommendations from readers recently. Here’s a rundown:

• Carlo’s Family Restaurant is now serving gourmet cupcakes. Jocelyn Robinson, daughter of Carlo’s owner Jackie, has started making the cupcakes under the business name BabyCakes. Flavors change daily but have included Boston Cream, Mint Melt-away and Mocha-Chocolate Caramel Surprise. It’s a good idea to get there early, as I’m told they sell out quickly. Carlo’s is at 2060 W. Station St. in Kankakee. The phone is (815) 932-2924. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. (Thanks to a reader named Tracey for that tip.)

• A reader named Doris left me this via voicemail: “You must try cake through Cakes and Pastries by Jorie. It’s the best birthday cake and frosting that I’ve ever eaten. Absolutely delicious.” Cakes and Pastries by Jorie is at 119 N. Main St. in Manteno. To make an appointment for a consultation, call 815-468-7700. Jorie bakes cakes of all kinds, plus cupcakes, cookies, pastries and other desserts.

• A reader named Sonja sent me this via Facebook: “Tried the Station Street Pub in St. Anne. They have a new cook. Great tilapia and smelt. Good steaks and unique garlic sauce pizza. Great wait staff and bartender. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a try. … It is worth the short drive.” Station Street Pub is at 101 W. Station St. It’s open from 11 a.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday & Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday & Monday.

Thanks to a reader named Bill for this recommendation: “(I) had the Octoberfest specials from the Country Mansion in Dwight twice this season, once on their outdoor patio and once as a carryout. Both were great. … (Try) the Ukraine sausage.”

A reader named Dorothy called me to ask for help satisfying her “terrible craving” for deep-fried oysters. If you know where she can find them, please email me 0r call me at (815) 937-3374.

Thanks to a reader named Vicki for this recommendation:

“Last Friday my husband and I had dinner at The Club Cafe in The Watseka Theatre. … It is a very intimate dining experience. The owner, Deb, greats you and explains every dish. She grows the herbs in her own garden and everything is done very natural style. The menu is very varied, from Italian dishes to Ahi tuna and steak. The theater owner, Chuck, grills the steaks personally and they’re done to perfection. My husband had the beef shish-kebobs; (it was a) very large portion and the preparation was excellent. I had the ahi tuna and (it was) absolutely wonderful. The vegetable side dish and the roasted potatoes with herbs were to die for. I loved them so much I actually decided not to have dessert and had a second helping of the vegetables and potatoes … and I was in heaven. The salad was meticulously and beautifully prepared. The dressing was poppyseed and it was absolutely wonderful.

I think the restaurant is going for a Bogart kind of cafe experience. They have music while you’re dining. It’s local music and is very intimate. It’s a wonderful place for an anniversary or for intimate dining.  The prices were moderate. (We were) very, very happy with it. … Everything is done with love and with … natural things in mind, so I was very, very impressed. … It’s a wonderful experience.”

The Club Cafe is part of The Watseka Theatre, which is at 218 E. Walnut St. in Watseka. The cafe is open every Friday for lunch and dinner. Call 815-993-6585 for more information.

In last week’s column I asked readers to share their favorite places for gyros. A reader name Allan responded with this via email: “Dos Amigo’s in Kankakee really has the best I’ve had in the area and I’ve tried them all. Very inexpensive, too!”

Dos Amigos is at 533 E. River St. The phone is (815) 802-9840.

Thanks to a reader named Merry Lou for this tip:

“For those of you with a German heritage or if you’re just one of those people who like to try new things, Cliff’s Market in Aroma Park is now offering an old-fashioned beef & oatmeal sausage called rinderwurst. Their variation is very similar to the kind my grandmother used to prepare when I was a child. I loved it then, and still do today! It’s great for any meal, including breakfast. Try it with scrambled eggs or drizzle some maple syrup over the top of some crisply fried patties for a real taste treat! While you’re at Cliff’s, pick up some of their delicious seasoned pork burgers, too. I guarantee you’ll be back for more. (You may want to call ahead to make sure the rinderwurst is still available. It’s been selling quickly.)”

Cliff’s is at 200 S. Bridge St. in Aroma Park. The phone number is (815) 933-1333.

I received this from a reader named Ron regarding Cheezers Pizza & Buffet in Bourbonnais, which has new owners:

“It was really an impressive and noticeable difference for the better. The food is more tasty, and the staff and owner truly show they care about the level of quality there. I think we should all support this business.”

For more information, including coupons, go to Let’s Eat Out on i57life.com.

A reader named Dee called me last week to recommend Dwight Pizza. I hadn’t heard of it, but Dee told me that “the pizza was outstanding, and so is all his food.”

She was referring to owner John Nakashima, who prepares everything there — from the signature pizzas to the long list of appetizers and sandwiches — from scratch. I’m always excited to find a new restaurant, especially a good one, so a colleague and I made the drive out there to check it out. We discovered that Dee was right.

If you like thin-crust pizza, I bet you’ll love John’s version, which features a cracker-thin, homemade crust. The sauce, which is also homemade, is rich and flavorful. There’s no hint of the sweetness that, in my opinion, ruins many other pizza sauces. For fans of deep dish pizza, there’s also a pan-style crust that John says is crispy on the outside but tender on the inside, much like Gino’s in Chicago.

John prides himself on using only the highest quality ingredients in everything he prepares. For example, the mozzarella is hand-shredded daily, which makes for a much better texture when melted, and the sausage is ground fresh by a local meat locker.

Specialty pizzas include the barbecue beef, BLT, fireball and taco pizza. The latter starts with a sauce made of refried beans and salsa, which is topped with real taco meat and cheese before being cooked, and is then loaded with your choice of onions, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, tortilla chips and more cheese.

Other highlights of the large menu include Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dogs and Polish sausages, a chicken breast sandwich topped with melted cheese and a special house sauce, a portabella mushroom sandwich, a hot sub called “The Lesliola”, and beef, ham or barbecue rolls. I had never tried a beef roll before, but I’m now a fan.

Most of the recipes originate with John’s mother, who began preparing the pizzas 63 years ago in Joliet. John, who has been cooking since he was 10, has kept the tradition going, first at a location in downtown Dwight from 1976 to 1982, and at his current location since 2007. In both 2007 and 2008, he took home the title of “Best Pizza in the County” at the Odell Days Festival.

Most orders at Dwight Pizza are for carry-out, but there are also a half-dozen tables for dine-in customers. It’s bright and clean inside, with colorful tablecloths.

John likes to see families come in to enjoy a meal together. That’s one of the reasons he gives several $10 gift certificates to area schools each week and invites the schools to give them to deserving students. Also once a week, John caters to busy moms. Every Monday, all mothers who order a large pizza can either take $4 off their order or receive a free chef’s salad. They also receive two free quarts of soda.

A full menu is online at www.DwightPizza.com. John tells me that special requests are welcome, so don’t be shy about asking for a pizza just the way you like it.

You’ll find Dwight Pizza near the Interstate 55 and state Route 47 interchange. It sits at one end of a small plaza behind the Burger King. The address is 20 Burback Drive in Dwight.

Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. on Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information or to place an order, call (815) 584-9100.