When we left the city I was nervous we were leaving behind amazing dining and nightlife experiences. Thankfully, I was wrong. The suburbs have taken note from the cool, swanky places in the city and are really coming into their own! After two years in the suburbs we’ve really found some awesome spots. This is a roundup of the best suburban Chicago restaurants as told by someone living in the Southwest Chicago suburbs.
Best All Around Bar Food
Three Corners NL
New Lenox, IL (three locations)
This is our go-to place when we’re looking for takeout because the food is amazing. However, it’s also my #1 preferred outdoor patio dining spot. Situated right on a large pond with a fountain, you have both ambiance and an extensive food and drink menu to enjoy.
Three Corners is a rare place for me, because while I have regular menu items I don’t necessarily have a go-to item. I’ve tried everything from the buffalo chicken wrap to the lobster roll to several of their burgers.
If you’re looking for an appetizer recommendation I suggest either Becky’s Buffalo Chicken Dip or the Spinach Artichoke Dip. The pitas they serve with the latter are SO good (pictured below).
Everything they serve is truly amazing, but a long-time favorite of mine is their sweet potato fries (pictured first). If you like sweet potato fries, you’ll love these. Their menu rotates regularly, so have a look before you go in case some of these favorite I’m touting happen to disappear from any of their three suburban Chicago restaurants. Read their full menu here.
Best Conveyer Belt Sushi
Kai Sushi
Lombard, IL
Located at 2820 S Highland Avenue in Lombard is a hidden strip mall gem: a conveyer belt sushi restaurant. Kevin and I had no idea this was here until we moved to New Lenox and decided to look into it. We’d wanted to try a conveyer belt sushi place when we lived in the city but never got to it. We thought we’d have to take the trek back to experience it but thankfully, this gem is just a quick 25 minutes away from us in the west suburbs.
The plates are different colors based on their prices. There’s signs all around so you know how much you’re spending as you go. Ever since COVID, they’ve done a great job of taking precautions so the experience is as sanitary and enjoyable as ever. Each plate is covered with a plastic dome (pictured on the belt above) as they rotate around so they’re not just out in the open. Servers will come around routinely to refill drinks or take orders off the menu as desired. It’s really a must-see if you like sushi. If your other half isn’t a fan they can always get something off the menu, there’s something for everyone! Read more about Kai Sushi on their website.
Best Overall Mexican Food
Uncle Julio’s
Orland Park, IL (cross country locations)
While Uncle Julio’s is a chain, it’s still what I’d call the best fajitas in the southwest suburbs (prove me wrong in the comments). We went here for our wedding anniversary last month because it’s one of our favorites and it’s been too long.
Pictured above are my shrimp and chicken fajitas from our anniversary dinner. We also got the queso blano (SO important that you get this queso if you go, it’s way better than the yellow cheese sauce) and I ate nearly the whole thing! Also had fresh guac and delicious salsa. They’re most known for their fajitas but have several other delicious menu options. Uncle Julio’s has locations in several different states, check out their website to find the nearest one.
Best Tacos
Fat Rosie’s
Frankfort, IL (four locations)
With four suburban Chicago restaurants, Fat Rosie’s is easily accessible no matter which ‘burb you live in. The original location is by me in Frankfort but they now also have locations in Naperville, Schaumburg and Lincolnshire. Reservations aren’t required but are a good idea during peak times or for special occasions.
My favorite tacos are the Camarones (shrimp) and the Carne de Res Rosie-Style (Mexican ground beef). The Rosie-style taco is an absolute must-try! The crema they make for that taco is out of this world and everyone who I’ve been there with loves it! Read their full menu here.
Best Hibachi and Sushi
Zuki
Mokena, IL
Kevin and I love a good hibachi and sushi combo place because while I can eat sushi literally every day, he sometimes like to mix it up. Not only do they have a great hibachi setup in-house, but they do it for takeout if you’re not big on going out to eat at the moment.
We got the sushi and hibachi for our early Christmas festivities last year and it was AMAZING! It’s also my treat to myself every time Kev goes out of town for work. Check out their full menu here.
Best Breakfast and Brunch Spot
Country Charm
New Lenox, IL
Truth be told we have a LOT of great breakfast and brunch spots all within 10 minutes of us, so this one was hard to pick. We seem to find ourselves at the Country Charm the most though, so it took the top spot. It’s another spot I find myself trying several different menu items there, most recently their BLT Club (because pregnancy has me eating all different kinds of foods lately).
Country Charm is a Lincolnway area institution. It’s just a few minute walk away from the local high school, situated right in the center of town, and always packed on the weekends. If you’re within driving distance it’s fully worth the trip. See the full, extensive menu here.
Best Italian Food
Gatto’s Italian Restaurant & Bar
New Lenox, IL (three locations)
Gatto’s has three suburban Chicago restaurants: Tinley Park, Downer’s Grove and New Lenox. We’re regulars at New Lenox, but Tinley Park location was their original location opening in November 2000. They’re family owned and operated, and have been a popular spot for gatherings like bridal showers and luncheons for decades at all their locations.
You’re served delicious homemade bread and olive oil upon seating. I always ask for balsamic and mix it in with the olive oil and parmesan cheese, it’s the best! My absolute favorite dish is their Linguine Clam Sauce (white). It’s so perfectly cooked and seasoned, and their linguine, along with all of their pasta, is homemade from scratch in-house. Kevin has tried several dishes but his favorite is their chicken parmesan. He says no one does it better! Read the full menu here.
Best Pizza in the Southwest Suburbs
Pizza Mia
New Lenox, IL (two locations)
This one took some honest to goodness deliberation because we truly live in the pizza capital of the world. Anyone who has pizza in Chicagoland understands, it’s just not the same anywhere else in the country. Maybe the Southwest suburbs aren’t the exact epicenter, but we’re still in the thick of the goodness, so calling a single top dog out is hard.
I ultimately landed on Pizza Mia in New Lenox, IL because it’s been more consistent than our other top favorite, Aurelio’s lately. Don’t get me wrong, we love Aurelio’s so much that we had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Naperville, IL location, but Pizza Mia has been crushing it lately and is technically more local. Their thin crust is our favorite, and while I’m a cheese only kind of gal, Kev will tell you the sausage and mushroom combo is the way to go. Read about their full menu plus catering here.
Have you visited any of my top suburban Chicago restaurants? Share what you ordered and what you thought in the comments! I’d love to hear your full review (especially if it includes food recs!). If there’s anywhere I’ve missed I’d also love to hear about those restaurants, let me know!
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