Moss and Ink local

Location: 110 E Hickory Street, Streator, IL 61364

We recently stopped in at Forge21 Bar and Grill for an early dinner around 4:30 PM on a Sunday, and overall had a solid experience with some standout menu items.

One of the first things worth mentioning is their $9 lunch specials—an incredible value and, honestly, a much better option than typical fast food in the area. It’s always nice to see a local spot offering quality meals at a reasonable price point.

When we arrived, it was quiet, but the dining room did begin to fill up as we worked through our meal, which is always a good sign. We started with the onion ring tower (which was intended as an entrée but accidentally came out as a starter). Despite the mix-up, it was a great way to kick things off. The onion slices were impressively thick, coated in a well-seasoned batter and fried to a perfect golden brown. They had a very subtle sweetness that paired nicely with the house-made ranch—thick, flavorful, and slightly tangy.

For entrées, we tried the Vodka Rigatoni. The sauce was a highlight—smooth, mild, and lightly sweet, making it approachable and comforting. It was topped with shaved parmesan and served with a breadstick, which was a nice touch. While the flavor was enjoyable, the pasta itself was just a bit overcooked and tended to fall apart when eaten. The parmesan added flavor, though a few of the shavings were slightly on the dry side.

We also ordered wings, and these were definitely a standout. The portions were generous—the wings were large and meaty. We tried both the Parmesan Garlic and their house-made Forge21 signature sauce. The signature sauce in particular was unique—a white, mildly smoky BBQ-style sauce that brought something different to the table while still being very approachable and flavorful.

Overall, Forge21 Bar and Grill offers great value, especially with their lunch specials, and delivers on flavor in several key areas like their onion rings, wings, and house-made sauces. While there were a couple minor inconsistencies with the pasta and timing of dishes, the experience was still enjoyable, and it’s a spot worth checking out if you’re in the Streator area.

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-Willow Moss