Welcome to the Airport Steakhouse Mattoon, IL!

Home of the Elephant Ear Tenderloin and our famous hand-cut and breaded made to order Fried Mushrooms!

What do you know about the history of the city of Mattoon? Did you know that one of the main factors determining the settlement of Mattoon and Coles County, in general, was the topography? Coles County straddled a timberline in the southern half and prairie in the north. The forested areas were primarily fed by two major rivers: the Embarras River in the east and the Kaskaskia in the west. The prairie, known as the “Grand Prairie”, was generally wet and swampy. It was almost entirely prairie land in this part and was allowed to remain uncultivated until after the opening of the railroads.

In 1861, the town was officially named after William B. Mattoon, the chief construction engineer working for the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad and partner of the Massachusetts firm “Phelps, Mattoon, and Barnes.” The reason for the honor is unclear; some say he won the naming rights because his rail crew arrived first. Others say he beat other claimants in a card game, or that Pegtown residents hoped the wealthy Mattoon would invest in the town if they named it after him. With its combination of excellent transportation and remarkably fertile prairie soils, Mattoon expanded rapidly and continues to expand to this day.

Reviews

The mushrooms are fantastic, as were the onion strings.

April 28, 2025

Good, honest food. We over ordered, but it was totally worth it. The mushrooms are fantastic, as were the onion strings. Then the main course turned up, we had ordered the tenderloin, again fantastic and the chicken livers, yet again, fantastic. If you are anywhere near here and want some great honest food, give it a go.

Murman Gi

Great food!

February 25, 2022

Great food & friendly place. World’s largest ? Pork tenderloin sandwich is an eye popper !

Ron G

One of our local favorites

February 19, 2019

Love the airport anytime we can go. My children love to sit by the big windows and watch the planes coming in and out of the airport. Sometimes the pilots come in the ear and you can visit with them too. The staff is super friendly and great resources for the area. Many of them have worked there for years. The food is delicious. My favorites are the burgers, fish sandwich, fried mushrooms, and chicken livers. They are so flexible if you want to sibstitute something and always want to make my kids so happy! We appreciate the dish of ice cream they can get for super cheap too!

MamaB126

Best Hand Battered Onion Rings & Mushrooms

April 18, 2024

Ashley is my server and she is friendly and attentive. I’ve been coming here since a kid and the catfish is wonderful. Please note: THEY HAVE THE BEST HAND BATTERED ONION RINGS AND MUSHROOMS ON THE PLANET!

Nikki Buchanan

Super fun!

July 25, 2021

Super fun, friendly staff who always provide the best service! Love their B&G and hasbrowns (get them smothered in their homemade gravy!) If you’re a fried mushroom or country fried steak fanatic, you won’t be disappointed! I don’t know how they make them, but they’re the bomb BEST little mom and pop spot in Coles County!

Michelle Laue

Very Pleased!

August 19, 2023

It was a busy Friday night, so I can cut them some slack on service. The food was really good. My friend and I had the baby back BBQ ribs with a baked potato and coleslaw . Two other friends had the catfish and the walleye. We were all very pleased with our meals.

Jean Duffield

Always good

December 3, 2020

last posted in January of 2019.

As I mentioned in my previous review, I have been flying in to eat for over 25 years. The food has always been good and the staff, welcoming. My latest visit was the same, very good, moderately priced meal and friendly folks.

If you are on the interstate, it’s just an easy on and off. Try them out.

Jeff

Contact

ADDRESS

410 Airport Rd. Mattoon, IL 61938

Phone
+1 (217) 234-9433

Address
410 Airport Rd.
Mattoon, IL 61938

Hours
Tuesday – Saturday:
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday:
7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Monday:
Closed

Kitchen Closes:
15 Minutes Before Closing