You might think a salad is just a salad until you’ve had one at State Street on LaSalle in Elsah. The freshest vegetables, purchased daily, finely chopped and tossed so that you get a taste of everything in each bite, drizzled with a house-made dressing created by the owners, offer the perfect blend of flavors, regardless of which salad you choose.
Of course, that’s just the beginning. From the Bourbon-Peppercorn Filet and Moroccan Salmon to the Chicken Saltimbocca Roulade (available depending on both the season and the time of day), the options are original and seemingly endless. A meal isn’t complete without dessert — the refreshing Key Lime Pie or a slice of the Ultimate Chocolate Cake are both great options.
State Street on LaSalle, a cozy restaurant and bar in the historic village of Elsah, is owned by Terri and Glenn “Beau” Beaubien. The ambience is both chic and warm. Originally State Street Market in Alton, the Beaubiens moved their restaurant to Elsah in spring 2025, after purchasing and renovating the entire building.
The dining area is defined by soft earth tones, a charming mantel with rustic decor, and tables spaced to allow both a sense of community and personal space. The bar is a lively area with additional seating that serves regular menu items as well as a variety of imaginative cocktails and other drinks.
After early careers in food service (Beau) and marketing/business development (Terri), the couple purchased State Street Market in Alton in 2015. For the first few years they operated as a casual lunch spot, then developed and added a dinner menu and a bar.
Unforeseen circumstances forced them to leave their location in Alton in late fall 2024, and the Beaubiens weren’t sure what they were going to do. As the couple searched for their next step, Terri learned of a vacant space in Elsah and talks began with Mayor Mike Pitchford, who was excited about the possibility of the Beaubiens purchasing the building and moving their restaurant to Elsah.
For two months following the purchase, Terri and Beau put in countless hours renovating the space to accommodate their restaurant, and most of the work they did themselves. They installed a kitchen, upgraded the bathrooms and remodeled the upstairs area to serve as their living space. They brought the bar, tables and a few other items from their Alton restaurant.
Both Terri and Beau love to experiment with new dishes. Some of their menu items, such as their Elote Corn Dip, Terri came up with when she was experimenting with a new snack for her and Beau. Other menu items the couple devised while planning private parties or cooking for themselves. If it’s a hit, then it may become part of the restaurant’s menu.
Consistency, however, is very important, Terri says. Many customers have their favorite dishes, and it would be an unwelcome surprise to find that it tastes different on subsequent visits.
On the other hand, Terri explains that food is subjective. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. With that in mind, the staff makes each dish fresh so ingredients can be adjusted according to the customer’s requests.
“Our veggie sandwich is truly unique, because we toss our greens the same way we do our salads so the flavors all meld together,” Terri says. “But if a guest dislikes something on it, we’re happy to accommodate them whenever possible.”
It’s no surprise that State Street on LaSalle has won so many awards: Favorite Lunch Spot, Small Business of the Month and Favorite Wine Selection, to name a few.
Terri is thrilled that they’ve never had to take out a single ad because word of mouth keeps their restaurant growing and thriving, with new customers coming in every week. One couple, says Terri, is trying to work their way through every item on the menu, which changes throughout the year.
While the lunch menu is consistent, the dinner menu changes seasonally and is served beginning at 5 p.m. Brunch is available on the weekends.
She also credits the restaurant’s success to the dedicated staff. “They are honest and loyal, and our guests love them,” she says, and it’s clear she isn’t just being nice. The warmth of the entire staff is evident the moment you walk through the door. They’re attentive and enthusiastic about the food, which is prepared fresh and beautifully laid out on the table.
Terri often strolls through the dining room, checking on guests and chatting with patrons who spot her making the rounds between courses. As she moves from table to table, the room fills with the same response again and again: “Perfect, perfect, perfect.”
State Street on LaSalle
