Local eats in Southern Illinois

The chopped pork sandwich at 17th Street in Murphysboro is a juicy treat.   ( Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )

Once a week, 17th Street smokes a whole hog, and the impossibly juicy meat tastes like concentrated pork essence. Make sure to visit on a Sunday for lunch, and don’t be late. By 3 p.m., the meat is usually gone.   ( Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )

If you’re in Southern Illinois for the upcoming eclipse, make a stop at 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro for some finger lickin’ good ribs.   ( Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )

17th Street Barbecue’s owner, Mike Mills, has racked up myriad awards along with his barbecue competition team, Apple City Barbecue.   ( Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )

A squeeze bottle of sauce in the humble confines of 17th Street Barbecue, where the meat is plenty tasty on its own.   (Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )

Scratch Brewing, 11 miles away from Murphysboro in the small town of Ava, prides itself on making beers with foraged ingredients.

Scratch Brewing uses ingredients foraged from the surrounding area to make its beers.   ( Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )

Mileur Orchard produces a bounty of fruit that goes into its fantastic pies.   (Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune)

Lard makes for an especially flaky crust for the delicious pies at Mileur Orchard.   ( Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune )