Fast Eddie's Bon Air in Alton, Illinois
Fast Eddie’s is perhaps one of the hottest bars in the Midwest.
It has been noted as one of the best bars in the St. Louis area.
SIGNATURE DISH: ½ pound Fat Eddie Burger & Big Elwood on a Stick
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday - Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Address
1530 E. 4th St., Alton, Illinois 62002
Website
FastEddiesBonAir.com
Phone
(618) 462-5532
![trip advisor certificate of excellence 2015 for Fast Eddie's Bon Air](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/tripadvisor_d94663d3-fddd-4bcf-8ae5-8eacd5625e3d.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7a888a795d8bda9a1b5e2e2f5c31fb01 234w)
![yelp 5 star graphic for Fast Eddie's Bon Air](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/yelp_fbe5c584-51ba-4d93-ab7a-b5738714b315.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9347ec0a692b6d4a5961aea0de5e2984 165w)
On the weekends, it is standing room only at the busiest times. Fast Eddie’s Bon Air is known for the cheap food that tastes great. You can eat for under $5. They are famous for their ½ lb. Fat Eddie Burger. They also have peel and eat shrimp, homemade bratwurst, Big Elwood on a Stick (marinated tenderloin) and pork kabobs.
![food being cooked in the kitchen at Fast Eddie's Bon Air](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/fasteddies2_1_1361a2de-f260-4ea8-b19a-ea47a0a2ece6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=38a4b8c1ebca05b8def95a363b028d95 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/fasteddies2_1_1361a2de-f260-4ea8-b19a-ea47a0a2ece6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=01492418430eed3042f87f6ee726bd6f 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/fasteddies2_1_1361a2de-f260-4ea8-b19a-ea47a0a2ece6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=891441b25e2d941b3f2b419e22eec5eb 600w)
Fast Eddie’s Bon Air has a storied history that dates back to 1921 when beer giant Anheuser Busch decided to open a drinking establishment in the picturesque river town of Alton, Illinois. A few years later, Busch had to sell the tavern due to a change in the statutes, which prohibited breweries from owning drinking establishments. Sam Balaco, and later his son Lotteo, owned and operated the Bon Air for 50 years. Then in 1981, Eddie Sholar (alias Fast Eddie) purchased Bon Air. Over the past 30 years, Fast Eddie’s Bon Air has quadrupled in size going from 80 chairs (and a few beer cases) to over 400 chairs. Over 4,000 half barrels of beer and thousands of cases of cans, bottles and liquor quench the thirst of our patrons every year. The legendary food aspect, serves an assortment of grilled burgers, shish kabobs, bratwurst and boiled shrimp all sold at low prices.
Fast Eddie’s has won statewide praise and is a recipient of an “Enjoy Illinois: Delicious Destination” award. Fast Eddie’s Bon Air is among a select group of Illinois establishments to receive the unique designation.
![brick exterior of Fast Eddie's Bon Air illuminated with red neon signs](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/fasteddies_8aa7f349-cc51-4ca3-9fd1-42b89e1ab819.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5b250341e40940ac8b960f134657c3ef 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/fasteddies_8aa7f349-cc51-4ca3-9fd1-42b89e1ab819.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4bc64bfc599f30a967e4cd93feb44895 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/fasteddies_8aa7f349-cc51-4ca3-9fd1-42b89e1ab819.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ef4c1f9eb615a3267c6ab4ec9283a3ff 600w)
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