Basically 3 restaurants here, though we've only eaten at one. Brass Rail is a bar, never seen it open - maybe only at night?. Then there is the salad bar room where you get an extensive salad bar with your meal. We've only eaten in the main dining room, which is kind of a diner. Service has always been prompt and attentive. On our last visit we both got the daily fried chicken special. You get 2 pieces of fried chicken and two other items, which can include your drink, a side salad, cup of soup or normal sides. I got a drink and chili, which I thought was very good. Chicken here is very good. Not greasy and the coating is just right. My white meat order came with 2 breasts and I could only eat 1. At lunch there is always a good crowd so it is pretty popular.

Food was great - we ate on the diner side of the house and it was packed!!! Picked this place at random driving through Effingham on a road trip and was glad that we did. We decided we had to try some of the homemade pies too - I got peach and wasn't that impressed (it was very bland) but my friend got the peanut butter pie and said it was amazing. Would recommend a stop if you're passing through, just skip the peach pie and get something different.

One of the best diners I've ever eaten. Biscuits and sausage gravy is a showstopper. It does get busy, so come off-peak for the best service.

Is Niemerg's perfect? No. Does it try? Yes. The food and service can be really good or mediocre. (Or phenomenal and please keep feeding me the chicken fried chicken.) But especially in this post-pandemic world, it is a literal institution, decades old, open late, clean, reasonably priced, friendly, full of local families-- and for my partner and me, a great place to get together with his family for dinner. We come down from Chicago and stay in Effingham. They come over from Saint Elmo or Louisville. And Niemerg's feeds us well. (Sure did last weekend.) I feel like some reviewers passing through have no understanding of what the food scene is like in South Central Illinois. You could be eating at that awful Cracker Barrel by Avenue of Mid-America. Or that dodgy Spill The Tea in Louisville. Or any number of fast casual places in the surrounding area that don't really care. (Hey Taco Bell in Flora, could you please mop your floor once a month?) Niemerg's really cares. We care back. We go down every month or two and we're very happy Niemerg's is there.

Great Food! Come in and loosen up your belt! Bread , pies , cookies ! Steaks ! buffet! Note - This restaurant is split up into a breakfast side and dinner side! Both are great! Service is nice and friendly! This is a mom and pop place with the mid west feel!

5-25-24 12:42 Lunch for two. Ambiance - Pleasantly pleasing and packed with customers. Small town excellence. Parking - Very adequate off street private parking. Service - Efficient, fast, & polite. Waitress - Kaylee B. Very helpful & polite. Full bakery - Excellent pies, cookies, rolls, & etc. Dining rooms (2) - 1. Quick service counter, tables, & booths. 2. More relaxed formal dining. Food - Philly sandwiches....Large and delicious. Onion rings - Very good. Iced tea - Large and very tasty. Soda - Large Large cookies are excellent too. I've enjoyed eating here for 54 years. I love it. Yes, I do recommend Niemerg's. Hometown excellence.

My wife and I stop at Effingham on our trip from our daughter's in Alabama for a night's rest and an excellent meal at Niemerg's. My wife always gets the Prime Rib and I wonder through the menu for something to try - steak, ribs, or catfish) all have been very good. I had the slab of ribs this trip which were very tender and flavorful. One more of the highlight of this night was Taylor for our server and she was vey attentive. On our way out we get a pie to take home with us. They are beyond delicious. Only reason not a 5 star was that many of the labels on the salad bar was missing had no idea wha some of the dressing were on one side and soups had no labels. Wondered how many people had a cup full of nacho cheese instead of a cheese soup.