As part of our #WhySI campaign on why Southern Illinois is a great place to live, work, and do business, we spoke with Tara Davis, the owner of The Iron Whisk.

The Iron Whisk is an upscale, modern-casual brunch bistro serving from-scratch breakfast and lunch options, as well as exceptional cocktails, to both people across the Southern Illinois region and outside tourists from all over the world. The restaurant began in a transformed former auto garage in Cobden, IL, located in the southernmost tip of Illinois along the Shawnee Wine Trail, near the Shawnee National Forest, and just a short drive away from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Tara Davis founded The Iron Whisk driven by her deep family roots in the region that span generations. Southern Illinois has always held a special place in her heart, and she is passionate about fostering healthy growth in the area. She saw Cobden, with its charming rural character, as the perfect location to introduce a standout dining experience that adds something unique to the town and gives visitors another reason to explore the area.

Recognizing that food is often a defining memory of a place—one that draws travelers back or even inspires visits—Tara saw an opportunity to bring a great brunch restaurant to Cobden. She had long believed that Southern Illinois needed more brunch options and, drawing on her years of experience in the restaurant industry, was determined to bring her vision to life. The idea that The Iron Whisk might be the reason someone visits Cobden for the first time—or that it becomes a cherished part of their experience in Southern Illinois—continues to inspire her work.

How do the Southern Illinois people, community, culture, and/or resources contribute to your success in running a business here?

The love and support we receive from the Southern Illinois community and beyond continues, each day, to give us the push to keep going and striving for bigger things. Our customer base is extremely diverse. We have customers from all ages and all walks of life. The nearby university alone provides a kaleidoscope of different people. And the locals are another significant dimension of our patrons. We receive so much love across the board from all of them. Of course, without our customers, there wouldn’t be much point in doing what we do.

In addition to our diverse customer demographic, there is such a wide array of local businesses, artisans, farmers, and artists. We feel it’s important to support this local business ecosystem. We source locally crafted and farmed food ingredients for many of our menu and various seasonal food and cocktail specials; eggs, dairy and cheese, meats, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, flowers, grains, syrups, hot sauces, and jellies, just to name a few! This collaborative work strengthens the local economy and allows our offering to be truly unique.

Why do you love running a business in Southern Illinois?

The grassroots element of running a business here is something that really inspires me. This area is made up of small towns. We know each other’s names. We know the farmers that grow our food. And we all have a vested interest in supporting one another and sharing memorable experiences. At the same time, being a business that stands out among the crowd in a very rural community that often lacks the abundance of big city offerings and luxuries is also something that drives me.

The Iron Whisk has a foot in both worlds, and we love being that place that feels both like a small-town diner but also that hip, big city brunch spot that people feel cool knowing about. Southern Illinois is a melting pot in a lot of ways. I stay centered in the idea that despite all our differences, there are basic things that we all have in common. I want my business to be a place that brings people together because tasty food and drink is a language we all share.

Why do you love living in Southern Illinois?

It’s beautiful here. My roots are here. My business was born here. I’ve both struggled and overcome here. Southern Illinois is often the part of the state that people are unaware of since much of the state sort of lives in Chicago’s shadow. I love being part of this hidden gem and doing what I can to make it a piece of nostalgia for the region I call home.