Oscar-Nominated Actor Spotted Dining at Illinois Steakhouse

An Oscar-nominated actor and household name brought some excitement to a small yet cozy town located in North Central Illinois, an area commonly known as the Illinois Valley, much to the delight of residents and those who happened to be dining at a particular steakhouse.

Anytime I can write about the Illinois Valley is a treat. I lived in/worked there for about three-and-a-half years. It's where I started my professional career right out of college. Beyond serving me perfectly in my very young radio career, it was also a town in which I learned to live on my own. The memories are plentiful, and I'm proud to still have many friends in that neck of the woods. If only something as cool as this occurred during my stint.

John Travolta and Ella Bleu. Photo Credit: Emma McIntyre, Getty Images

Actor John Travolta, star of films like Grease and Pulp Fiction, was passing through LaSalle, IL on Saturday, October 26th and decided to dine at Uptown Grill, one of the area's go-to places for fine dining. The folks at Uptown Grill confirmed the celebrity dined at the restaurant via their Facebook page alongside his flight instructor:

For those of you hearing rumblings of an A-list actor making an appearance here in our very own Lasalle, IL wondering if what you heard was just ‘Pulp Fiction’… we are happy to report that it was a real ‘Phenomenon!' - per Uptown Grill's Facebook page

The post added that Travolta complimented the meal and the staff, and even opted to take photos with patrons as well as the restaurant staff. Such an event must be a common occurrence for a recognizable actor like Travolta, so it's nice to see he's still willing to entertain his fans with a photo request.

Per Central Illinois Proud, Travolta was working to renew his pilot license. He landed at the nearby Illinois Valley Regional Airport before suggesting him and his flight instructor go somewhere for a meal. Uptown Grill was suggested, presumably by the instructor:

Ryan and I spoke with Mr. Travolta on his way out and expressed our gratitude for dining with us. He told us we have a great restaurant and that his meal was delicious. He kindly obliged when we asked to take a photo with him as he also did with a handful of other customers. - per Uptown Grill's Facebook page

Uptown Grill is highly regarded in the Illinois Valley as one of the best places to get steaks and delicious cocktails. The restaurant also serves burgers, pasta, and sandwiches. I ate there a few times when I lived in LaSalle. The food, like the hospitality, was always on point.

The somehow-70-year-old star of Saturday Night Fever has been a low-key presence in the film world compared to his output in the 1980s and 1990s. Travolta's biggest theatrical release as of late was probably Gotti, where he played the mobster nicknamed the "Teflon Don," in 2018. He also starred in the Roku Channel action series Die Hart alongside comedian Kevin Hart.