The Vault Cafe on the Square

Cafe · Marion

The Vault Cafe on the Square

Cafe · Marion

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504 Tower Square Plaza Floor 1, Marion, IL 62959

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The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null
The Vault Cafe on the Square by null

Highlights

Nestled in a charming historic bank, The Vault Cafe serves up delicious breakfast and lunch fare with warm service and a unique dining experience in the actual vault.  

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504 Tower Square Plaza Floor 1, Marion, IL 62959 Get directions

the-vault-cafe-on-the-square.placeid.site
@the.vault.cafe.marion

$10–20

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504 Tower Square Plaza Floor 1, Marion, IL 62959 Get directions

+1 618 993 9010
the-vault-cafe-on-the-square.placeid.site
@the.vault.cafe.marion

$10–20

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Last updated

Jul 24, 2025

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In an old bank -- a fun place for breakfast or lunch.

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View Postcard for The Vault Cafe on the Square

Rodney Groff

Google
We got online and looked up restaurants in Marion, Illinois. I thought we'd try The Vault. Of course, the name gives it away, it's in an old bank built in 1904, I believe. Two men greeted us at the door. At least one of them was the owner, maybe both, but they were a lot of fun. Started joking around with us right away. We had to wait for a table for about 10 minutes. The place is not big, not a lot of seating, but it was fun. It was so much fun. John, the owner, came by our table a couple of times joking and having fun, and at the end of the meal, he brought us a couple of gold coins. Of course, it was wrapped up chocolate. If you have seen my reviews, you know I don't give five stars out very often. My wife ordered a Vault Burger with cheese and a small bag of chips. I ordered a Patty Melt with swiss cheese and mushrooms and a side order of their homemade pasta salad. Everything was great. The pasta was wonderful. The bag of chips was a little small, and they didn't give me much mustard, just a little packet. You could get more if you asked for it. The only negative thing I could say is that the prices were high. Of course prices are high everywhere but we ordered two, basically, hamburgers with small sides and drinks and it cost us $40 almost 50 with tip. I would normally give a restaurant four stars because of the price but this place was so much fun and the atmosphere was great that I just couldn't give four stars. Five stars is the way to go for me. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they don't serve french fries. We were there at about 1:00 and they were still serving breakfast. I don't know if breakfast is all day or not, but they were serving it at 1:00. The owner told us why they don't serve french fries: because he doesn't want to serve deep-fried foods, and honestly, insurance companies don't like deep fryers because they catch on fire. Go check this place out, it's great. If this review is helpful, please give me an indication of that.

Sam S

Google
This is an awesome restaurant. We stopped here for breakfast on a Sunday. There was about a 10-15 minute wait, but well worth it. The staff were super friendly! Our food came out quick and was excellent. As a bonus, they have one table in the old bank vault…pretty neat!!

Will Dee

Google
This building was a pleasant and unique surprise. welcoming staff and great food. The cafe is in a remodeled Bank with its "vault" still in place, you can even still ear your sandwiches inside the vault if you want, there is a table in there for the more adventurous of you. The place is spotless, the food was outstanding and the people were great. make sure you experience this wonderful establishment in this architecturally rich building. More of these places please.

Diana Annable

Google
First time visitor from Missouri. The Vault was a delight! We were met at the door by the friendly owner. Felt welcome from the first moment we walked in. Our server, Candice, was absolutely the sweetest and most attentive (my sister said she’s so sweet I want to call her “Candy”.) I ordered the cream cheese stuffed French toast topped with strawberries (an off-menu item recommended by our server). It was definitely a 10/10. Would order again, for sure. They have exceptional coffee, if you’re a brewed coffee drinker. Can’t wait to come back one day.

Vicki Kaffenberger

Google
We have driven through Marion, IL while traveling numerous times. This is our first time stopping for lunch but it won’t be the last. The Vault Cafe is an amazingly unique breakfast/lunch spot. Our server knew the history well and eagerly answered our questions. We had lunch there but can’t wait to try breakfast next visit. My husband loved the chili and I had the grilled chicken on a pretzel bun. Yum. It was beautifully decked out for the holidays.

Gabrielle Carlton

Google
Loved this gem! Traveled for Christmas and decided to stop by for a late breakfast. We got to sit in the vault, which was so fun! One gentleman, we didn’t catch his name, explained some of the history and the wishing well. We got to throw some money into the security box wishing well and check out the cool old door with all of its locking mechanism. The food is all breakfast/lunch items but several things sounded amazing! We settled on the hash brown Philly cheesesteak breakfast and “the money” which is all the works on biscuits and gravy. Our server was quick, and almost immediately brought it all out. We devoured everything and actually argued over who got the last bite of waffle! The bill was very reasonable and as we got up to leave the same gentleman from earlier chatted with us a bit, and even took a few pictures of us in the vault. Everyone there was super sweet! And the location is cool. It’s smack dab in the historic area so there was the cutest manger scene and lights out for Christmas. Next time we visit we’ll definitely stop by!

Amy Liske

Google
Amazing food, people and unique building. We enjoyed everything but especially the biscuits and gravy! It was our first time eating here, looking forward to coming back!! Service was exceptional!

Sonia Pulliam

Google
Very unique place. Our order came out fast. Food was hot and fresh. Great prices. Love our server Sandy! Manager was nice as well and checked on us.
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Shelby S.

Yelp
The vault is truly wonderful. It is in an old bank which explains "the vault" super cool and unique concept. The service was excellent our waitress was super sweet and attentive. They have an abundent menu. The French toast was so delicious! I loved my experience here as well as my boyfriend. Would recommend for anyone local to the area or stopping in.
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Margaret S.

Yelp
I haven't been to Marion in years, though I grew up in a town nearby. We were heading up to STL from Kentucky and driving straight through, decided to stop for lunch. So happy we did! The Vault Cafe is right on the main town square, but parking was easy to find, even with ongoing construction (forming a roundabout). Loved the high ceilings and how they kept parts of the bank. The service is fantastic - prompt and helpful. We ordered our daughter's lunch prior to ours and it arrived super fast! Also important, they provided a whole cup full of crayons instead of the regular 3-4 pack of crayons. It might have been a small thing for most, but it was a great surprise for my daughter. I had the special of the day, which was great - grilled cheese with cream of tomato soup (with homemade crutons). Everything was tasty.

Debora K.

Yelp
Beautiful building. Old bank vault with nice Christmas decor. Just okay , overpriced food. "The hash stack " with ham was greasy, the ham was minuscule. I found about two mushrooms, in the vegetables and it was a small portion on melamine plates. Don't forget to order hash browns when you order your eggs because they don't automatically come with your meal.
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Jenny R.

Yelp
If you're ever visiting Shawnee National Forest, you should make a stop for an amazing breakfast here! The staff was so friendly and easily accommodated our large group of 9. We loved the fact that it was an old bank and still had all the details too! The food was amazing - most of us tried one of their specialties like "Good as Gold" and "The Bank Roll". It was a good amount of food, so make sure you're hungry when you visit.
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Thomas K.

Yelp
Food was excellent, service pleasantly expedient in a uniquely attractive environment
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Wanda H.

Yelp
The best part of this place was how they changed it from a bank into a restaurant. You can even get a table IN the vault. Couldn't ask for better ambiance! My breakfast was quite tasty and well cooked. The service was good and the prices seemed reasonable to us. Hubs didn't like his special of Chili Mac. His taste buds thought the chili was canned. Might not have been, but tasted that way to him. Would have knocked up to five stars if they'd had more breakfast drink offerings.

Cheryl F.

Yelp
Ambiance is nice & the service was great. The food we chose was just O.K. The hamburger was tough & the pretzel bun not very fresh. The potato salad was heavy with bacon, but the coleslaw was tasty.

Allyssa A.

Yelp
Food is great, but the service is even better!! We sat in the Vault and it was such a cool experience. Plenty of "cuppys" to go around.

Leigh M.

Yelp
I love going here. The service is friendly and efficient. The food is tasty. There is something really welcoming here.
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Jason B.

Yelp
Outstanding. Traveling through and stopped by to have some Philly hash in the bank vault. Service was excellent as well as the food. We will definitely be back when traveling through!
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Ted G.

Yelp
The service was excellent with friendly staff as you enter and great wait staff. Unfortunately however, the food was very average. The building is an old bank which was pretty cool.
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Elton H.

Yelp
The Vault is Money in the Bank !! This small town cafe is has everything from its early morning old man group, fast and friendly service, local historical decor and last but nothing least great food !! I enjoyed the eggs Benedict and Hawaiian French toast.. both are full of flavor and good portions. If you have the time take a little detour and make a deposit or withdraw ....

Kelly T.

Yelp
The absolute best breakfast and the staff is the most attentive and just incredibly friendly! It was a 20 minute wait to get in but the food was out SO fast that it is actually quicker than a lot of other places. I cannot say enough good things about this place and I'm very picky!
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Sara L.

Yelp
"The Money" was average at best. The crispy hash browns were the best part. Standard tasting biscuits and gravy. The portion was massive! I'd love if restaurants would have half sizes as this was so big and there was a bunch of food waste as I couldn't eat even half of it. Service was good. Didn't have wifi access which is a negative for me. When I travel for work, I like to send emails while waiting, especially in a cafe like atmosphere.
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St D.

Yelp
First off, this place is in the town square(or circle). Many of the surrounding buildings have murals and are architecturally interesting. The Vault is no exception. It's in an old bank and even has one table in the old safe. We arrived around 1 pm on a Sunday( they close at 2). We waited about five minutes when owner let us know the "vault" table was available, if we wanted it. We happily accepted and were seated. Our waitress showed up quickly and took our drink orders( a sweet tea for me and a water for wifey). Both breakfast and lunch foods were available. The wife chose "The Money" (eggs, hash browns, and biscuits and gravy) and I asked for one of the "Egg Combinations "(eggs, toast(subbed biscuit) and fried potatoes). Meal arrived within 10 minutes and tasted exactly as it should. Excellent! Owner did come back around and shared history of building and restaurant. We will definitely return when taking this route. Side note: We enjoy a walk after eating and spent a little time enjoying the rest of the buildings and even found a local coffee shop (Crown Coffee).
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Danielle F.

Yelp
Service was friendly and quick: ordered take out (called it in while driving) and arrived right at the time it had been estimated to be ready, and it was! Food was freshly made & still warm - I ordered The Money which is biscuits and gravy with a fried egg and hash browns, and pick up was easy. I drive this route a lot for work and this was one of my better food stops. Nice to have an easy option (just a couple minutes from the highway too) aside from fast food chains that is still quick and freshly prepared with better ingredients.

H P.

Yelp
Cute area of town! Cute location with an actual vault and the people were so kind. They welcomed you at the door. We enjoyed our breakfast and will be back soon.
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Michael S.

Yelp
Summary: Terrific service and great food in an architectural gem of a building. The Vault Cafe, located in Marion's town square, feels like a decades old eatery: The kind of place that diners have enjoyed for generations. However, it's not 10 years old though the former bank and hotel building is more than 100. That old architecture is part of the cafe's charm. So is the service: friendly...and quick. I blinked and my 1/2 and 1/2 salad and soup combo were set before me. The 1/2 Chef salad was ample. Two or three could have split it as side salads. And the ingredients leaned heavily to toppings--egg, ham, bacon, chicken, cheese, tomatoes--than Romaine lettuce. The Thousand Island dressing was a creamy complement. Tasty chili had plenty of hamburger and chunky tomatoes with just a few red beans thrown in. Clearly, the Vault Cafe wasn't skimping on ingredients and hoping no one noticed. That made the entire meal at about $10 a real value. If no one else has it, a four person table inside the old bank vault is available for dining.

Cierra S.

Yelp
Always friendly, the owner is so nice! Food is always good and hot. Sitting in the vault itself is a whole different experience!!! Overall LOVE this place!

Jimi S.

Yelp
Though due to recent health issues, I haven't eaten here recently. If you "Yelp" Best Breakfast in Marion, IL...it comes up as #1...that's how I found it 5 years ago. Staff is friendly, owner is almost always there and very nice to chat with. Food is delicious! If you want to make changes to an item, they have no quibble about accommodating your taste. If you're traveling through the area, and have a little extra time...don't hit the fast food / truck stops at the exit ramp! Explore a little and find this gem! As long as you're not driving an 18-wheeler, you'll find parking, and it's worth it!

Deborah G.

Yelp
This is such a great place to eat. You are welcomed in and seated in this inviting and spotless bank. I dined on the BLT chicken wrap and potato salad. It was so delicious. Undoubtedly one of the best potato salads I have ever eaten. Totally homemade! The wrap was delicious and full of freshly cooked chicken . My husband got the most beautiful pancake ever. It was EPIC! Light, fluffy, and perfectly browned. Just luscious ! Our wait staff was friendly and efficient. We lacked for nothing. Thanks for a superior meal and an enjoyable one!
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Dan S.

Yelp
Best breakfast in town.. clean with a great staff and of course.. awesome food. Highly recommended.
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Kory G.

Yelp
The food is incredible, the staff is friendly, it's in an great location right on the Marion square, the breakfast will hit the spot even at 11:30am. If you're visiting Marion Illinois or just driving threw off the interstate this place is the best to go to! Great atmosphere, the theme is great too looks like your in an old bank from like 1920
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Samantha K.

Yelp
Super yummy. A little gem of a place in small town Illinois. Cool atmosphere and excellent wait staff! Biscuits and gravy was fantastic!
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Barry P.

Yelp
A great little place to visit. We had a late lunch closer to 2:00, around their closing time but everything was perfect no issue with being late. Ambience was incredible, it's an old bank and you can walk in and out of the vault and then look at the hundreds of dollar bills floating all around on the floor and on the counters. And of course the food was very tasty. I highly recommend the Ruben. That was my choice
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Dennis A.

Yelp
This place has hands down the best food and service for Breakfast or Brunch. Always loved this place. Will always go here.
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Betsy N.

Yelp
Friendliest place ever! The host met us at the door, made sure we were seated, came back, then came back again to check on us. He was awesome! Next, this is an old bank and it was very interesting and unique inside. Did you ever sit inside a bank vault to eat? Me neither. This is your chance! The food was great too. Nice choices on the menu. I would definitely stop again.
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Brenda F.

Yelp
Very unique restaurant--a former bank. Owner is very friendly and shared a little about the building and history. Food and service were excellent. Definitely will return when we are in the area.
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Linda R.

Yelp
4 stars for unique experience and employees. Adorable little eatery with long history as bank (3 years), hotel, possibly barber and beauty salons at one time. But what really makes the place is the friendliness of the employees. I really appreciate the limited menu, too many choices can be overwhelming and anyway do what your good at... I also appreciate the vegetarian options. The food was honestly unremarkable but the place is roomy and clean and it's about the people and the experience.

Valerie L.

Yelp
This place was amazing! We had breakfast, and everybody loved their food. All employees were super sweet. Be sure to check it out on your way through town.
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Tina S.

Yelp
This is an old bank that is converted into a restaurant. Apparently they are know for their breakfast. We had lunch in the vault for our meeting. My chicken wrap was good. The coleslaw (creamy) was even better. Can't wait to go again.
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Michael W.

Yelp
The Vault Cafe has a very unique location. It exists in a former bank and they have one table in the bank vault. Other than that, the food is average diner food. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with hash browns. The eggs weren't poached very well, the hollandaise sauce was not fluffy and light in texture. The ham was a generic thinly sliced deli ham you would find in a kids lunch sandwich. Hash browns were not crispy on one side, but pretty much more on the soggy side. If you eat at The Vault Cafe, expect average diner food in a cool location.
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Aaron H.

Yelp
Great place to stop in for a bite and a break from traveling. Delicious and friendly.

Liz G.

Yelp
We had been on the road all day without eating and decided to stop. Found this gem on yelp! Who doesn't want to eat in the old bank building? Very good ambience and architecture! It was a busy Sunday early afternoon so we had a bit of a wait to be seated. No big deal though. Every person we came in to contact with was super friendly and welcoming! Our food was fresh and tasty. The waitress didn't even bat an eye when I asked for the items on my salad to come separate! All good! A very nice place to enjoy good food.
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Aaron D.

Yelp
Love, love, love this place. This is definitely a great little place to stop in and eat. The owner and staff are crazy friendly and always welcome you with a smile. The food is always great and I never leave hungry. They serve breakfast and lunch and don't forget the sweet treats up by the cash register. The atmosphere is a nice quite and unique place to eat since it is in an old bank. The only problem I have is that they are so far away from my new home. I highly recommended giving this place a try.
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D G.

Yelp
The owner, atmosphere, food, and service are all wonderful! We had a fantastic brunch and they were able to accommodate all six of us pretty rapidly on a Saturday morning. They were completely sweet and patient with my two toddlers and had plenty of crayons and coloring sheets to keep them happy until the food arrived. The Hawaiian French toast and the hash with corned beef are amazing.

Barb D.

Yelp
Excellent food and service. Cool vibe being in a renovated bank. We would definitely go back.
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Deborah K.

Yelp
Good food and wonderful, friendly service. Enjoyed our stop at this unusual cafe. Highly recommend the stop!
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Kathy F.

Yelp
Just the idea of eating in an old bank makes the experience worth it. We were given a chance to eat inside the actual vault. The service was excellent from the very start you can tell each dish was created from the heart
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Bon V.

Yelp
Incredibly underwhelming and pedestrian breakfast, brunch and diner food. Mediocre-cooked omelet, undercooked, flabby toast, and soft, unevenly-fried hash browns. Staff was friendly and attentive, but unfortunately did not make up for the lackluster food. Do not know how this restaurant has been going with the degree of following it has had in downtown Marion for the last ten years. Some serious work needs to be done.
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Kyli W.

Yelp
Stopped in on my way through and was not disappointed. Their cinnamon rolls came highly recommended by a friend - I can say that anytime I'm passing through I will definitely have to make a stop for these delicious fresh made cinnamon rolls and extremely fresh cream cheese icing!!!
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Larissa J.

Yelp
One of my favorite things about my hometown. The breakfast is spectacular especially the Hawaiian French toast! The environment is always friendly not to mention the building used to be an old Bank and you can sit in the vault to eat your breakfast. We always invite friends and family to eat at the vault when they're here to visit, it is a must! Thank you for being here in Marion and being one of the best breakfast places in town!!
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Brandon B.

Yelp
The service was fantastic. From the greeting to the seating. We are contemplating a move to Marion, and they were very welcoming and full of advice. The food was excellent. Made to order fresh with stellar ingredients. This will definitely become a staple of our breakfast options. The atmosphere inside the old bank was done very well. I commend them on the overall experience.
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Clint F.

Yelp
Nice little place with a unique ambiance having once been a bank. Street parking is free and appears to be plentiful. For a party of six we had about a 20 minute wait, but they were very friendly. We had a variety of dishes. I had the eggs Benedict, which was quite good. The waffle was great. The "Good as Gold" was interesting yet delicious take on a French toast sandwich. We also tried the "Bank Roll" which was good too. The sweet tea wasn't on par with any southern style tea I've had, sit sweeter was on the table, so we doctored it up as needed. For 5 entrees a kids meal and 6 drinks we spent about $90. I would recommend, staff was prompt, and extremely friendly. Bathrooms were clean and attractive as well.
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Kevin S.

Yelp
Great service. Eggs Benedict were top notch. Good family owned business. I highly recommend The vault.
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Beth R.

Yelp
Talk about a great breakfast find, this is it. Tucked away on the city's town center, it's an old bank building. Our breakfast service was fast and friendly and the food delivered piping hot. ?
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Bobby M.

Yelp
Located on the square in Marion IL, the breakfast here is amazing. It's been nothing short of amazing and consistent each and every time we visit. Whether you're a local or passing through, be sure you visit The Vault and you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend the strawberry stuffed French Toast
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Lou Ann E.

Yelp
Friendly staff, fast service, good food. The old bank vault is really attractive. The Ruben sandwich was really tasty.
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Monica W.

Yelp
Cute place with good food. I ordered breakfast. It was hard to choose because there were several tempting options. I chose the eggs Benedict. My friends had chicken salad and said it was very good.