The Diver Down in Golconda Serves Up Delicious Food and Personal Service

For a taste of local flavor to dazzle the senses, locals and tourists alike have been flocking to The Diver Down for more than 15 years. For owner Lesia Burns, this Golconda establishment allows her to carry on a family legacy of owning restaurants that began with her grandmother. With a long history in the area, Burns has customers and employees who have been with her from the start.

“I grew up in this business,” Burns says. “That’s my favorite part: the people.”

Diners From Near and Far

Just blocks away from the Ohio River, The Diver Down serves up a tried-and-true array of hamburgers, seafood, steak and more, with a full bar to complement the menu. For customers, the fried mushrooms, fried mozzarella, steaks and fish have long been local favorites.

When creating the menu, Burns intentionally included foods that she, too, would enjoy. Her favorite dish is the cheddar barbecue chicken, smothered in Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce, with onion rings and bacon.

“You can’t beat it,” she says.

True to its nautical theme, The Diver Down promises all-you-can-eat fish on Fridays and is a popular destination during Golconda’s annual Shrimp Festival, held in September. With so many outdoor and tourism opportunities in the area, from the Garden of the Gods and Bell Smith Springs in the Shawnee National Forest to the Illinois River to River Relay, Burns frequently entertains customers from out of state in addition to loyal locals.

“That’s kind of a big thing for me, that people would come from that far away just to eat at our little restaurant here,” Burns says.

See more: Whimsical Novelties Lure Visitors to the Chocolate Factory in Golconda (VIDEO)

Cozy Cuisine

Along with word of mouth, The Diver Down has official accolades to back up its delicious menu. The Illinois Tourism Board designated the restaurant as one of 10 Illinois Delicious Destinations, making it the southernmost Illinois restaurant to be awarded.

For Burns, The Diver Down continues to be about serving up quality food to customers and creating a cozy, welcoming environment.

“I just want them to be happy when they leave,” she says.

As she finds herself catching up on local news with longtime customers while bussing tables or working alongside employees who have been there from the start, it’s safe to say Burns has created a local hub that keeps people coming back.

See more: Fall in Love With the Charming Town of Golconda, Illinois