Back April 30, 2019
Travel Blog

Molly’s Kitchen & Bar | Fresh ingredients and cocktails

Restaurant + Bakery + Inn = Perfection

Molly’s in Mount Carroll, Illinois is known for their fresh ingredients, hand-crafted cocktails, beautiful ambiance, and top-notch customer service.

benandmolly

Husband and wife team, Ben Johnson and Molly McDonough, met in college in New York and married eight years later in Los Angeles. Molly worked as a pastry chef at Mozza Osteria and Pizzeria before leaving Los Angeles and traveling to play music with Ben. They decided to spend a winter in Ben’s home town of Mount Carroll. After exploring the country, they decided to stay and open Molly’s Kitchen and Bar. Open for almost 5 years, Molly’s restaurant has evolved into a staple for so many people in the area.

Molly grew up cooking and has always loved to entertain. She is always trying to push herself to make more complex dishes and utilize ingredients in a different way to achieve the flavors and presentations that make dining at Molly’s so memorable. They focus on a small, evolving menu that allows great care to be taken with every dish.

They think out of the box

The restaurant came together one piece at a time. Ben and Molly knew they wanted to try a different seating system not normally seen in this area. They wanted their customers to have a shared experience and introduced a community aspect of bench seating that allows you to sit close and converse with tables next to you. Repurposed materials were used when designing the space. Old wooden gates are displayed near the kitchen that came from the Field Museum in Chicago. A local woodworker made all of the tables.

edit2

Ben and Molly believe that the community is the dynamic of the restaurant. When they first opened it was very low-key and full of local foodies. Slowly it started earning a following and has since become one of Northwest Illinois’ best restaurants. A large percentage drive around 45 minutes to get to Molly’s for a weekend dinner. Many die-hard customers don’t miss a weekend meal. They also have a back patio that is open seasonally. 

Molly’s Kitchen & Bar is open Wednesday – Saturday 4:30pm – 9:00pm.

The Bakery

36413978 2100775783539230 7156631111139852288 o

The bakery is located just a few doors down from the restaurant. It originally started as prep-space for the restaurant, but soon turned into a popular lunch and coffee spot. A friend and previous co-worker, Elizabeth, from Los Angles, moved to Mount Carroll for over a year to help open and implement staple recipes at the Bakery. It started with bagels, muffins, and coffee and has since grown to serving lunch and a wide range of amazing baked goods. Kadina is the smiling front-face of Molly’s Bakery. She does an amazing job of ensuring that she and the staff make you feel welcome. The Bakery has its own following of loyal customers who don’t miss their daily coffees and scones.

Molly’s Bakery is open Tuesday – Saturday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

The Inn at Molly’s

The Inn at Molly’s was opened two years later. The restored 1865 building features two 600 square-foot suites that combine rural charm with contemporary amenities and style. One of the sun-flooded suites overlooks Mount Carrol’s historic, brick market streets. The second suite features a private deck.

Guests will find fresh fruit, yogurt, home-made granola, coffee, and tea, as well as fruit juice in the kitchen.

Screen Shot 2019 04 30 at 9.10.49 AM

Molly’s Kitchen & Bar 
110 W Market St
Mt Carroll, IL 61053 
(815) 906-0052

Restaurant website: https://www.mollysmountcarroll.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollysmountcarroll

Book the Inn: https://www.book-it-now.com/mollysmountcarroll

For any other inquiries, please email:
or call, 815-684-5411.

#HIKING in #LeeCountyIL!👉 https://link.vnwil.com/Werd  This is just one of our 4 counties of hiking possibilities. Do you have any favorites?

#enjoyillinois
#middleofeverything
#VisitNWIllinois 
@enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois 
@visitleecountyil Visit Lee County 
@nachusa
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
It's never too late to go #hiking in #LeeCountyIL! https://link.vnwil.com/Werd

#enjoyillinois
#middleofeverything
#VisitNWIllinois 
@enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois 
@visitleecountyil Visit Lee County 
@nachusa
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
It's close--the season opening of the John Deere Historic Site in #GrandDetourIL! The perfect family-friendly outing from April 1 through Oct. 31. Live #blacksmith demos, archeological site, gift shop, beautiful grounds, and more. The best part...it's #FREE! 👉 https://link.vnwil.com/Wd5n

#VISITnwillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything John Deere #historicsites
It's the first day of #SPRING! Before long, the gray and brown tones will disappear, and the vibrant colors of spring will be everywhere, from forest floors, prairies, and backyard gardens!

#VisitNWillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois #middleofeverything #illinoisspringtime Visit Carroll County IL @viistcarrollcountyil Visit Lee County @visitleecountyil Visit Rock Falls @visitrockfalls Explore Savanna @exploresavanna
ROAD TRIP! Take your pick of a raucous 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢 night, a hilarious 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗬 event, a 2-day 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪, & 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 to welcome in #Spring! Go to our EVENTS calendar 👉👉 https://swiy.co/OTAe to see what's happening.

#VisitNWillinois Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois Visit Rock Falls @visitrockfalls Discover Dixon @discoverdixon #middleofeverything #livemusic #comedy #antique #Collectibles
Travel silently through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and experience the beauty only the refuge can bring. From May to September, the Golf Cart Wildlife and Birding Tours take visitors on their own up-close adventure. 

The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreation. Your next adventure awaits in Thomson, IL.

#VisitNWillinois Visit Carroll County IL @visitcarrollcountyil Enjoy Illinois @enjoyillinois Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge #familyfriendly #wildlife #birding
🕰️✨ Step back in time at the 𝟳𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 & 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄
! ✨🕰️

It's a treasure hunter's dream weekend on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟯, 2025, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon, IL! With 𝟰𝟬+ 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀, you’ll find stunning antiques, vintage collectibles, furniture, jewelry, textiles, and more! 🏺🪑💎

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹? Bring your small treasures on Sunday from 10 AM - 2 PM for expert evaluations by Hack’s Auction ($5 per item). 

📍 Blackhawk Center, Oregon, IL
🎟️ $8 admission covers the whole weekend!
⏳ Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM | Sunday: 10 AM - 3 PM

Tag your favorite vintage-loving friends and mark your calendars! 🛍️✨ 

#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois  Enjoy Illinois #middleofeverythVisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois #middleofeverything Oregon IL Area Chamber of Commerce #OregonILAntiqueShow #VintageTreasureHunt #OregonIL #antiques
A little birdy 🤣 tells us that the American White Pelicans are making their way back to our region in #NWillinois! Have any of you seen them yet? 

#VisitNWillinois @enjoyillinois Enjoy Illinois #whitepelican #middleofeverything #birding #illinoisbirdingphotography #illinoisbirding #migratorybirds

TRAVEL GUIDE

Request a free copy or view our latest guide online.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ideas and resources to help plan your next real getaway in NW Illinois.