Aurora recommendations

We're planning on going to the new outlet mall in Aurora next weekend. Any suggestions for dinner. Hubby follows low carb so I need a meat place between Aurora and downtown Chicago.
Paulette

I'm not sure that you should listen to my dining ideas because I'm not a huge meat lover. Gionotti's is an Italian-style steakhouse in Oakbrook off of 22nd street. Weber Grill is on the same street but further west. There is a Sullivan's steakhouse in Naperville, but I haven't tried that one. The real reason I wanted to respond is to suggest you research traffic and the best way to get into this mall. I drove by last weekend on the way to the bike path in St. Charles and traffic was backed up onto 88. It looked like cars were waiting hours in traffic just to get in and it looked like cars were parked on the roads leading up to the mall. People in uniforms were trying to direct the traffic flow, but it looked like a disaster. We had burgers at the Country House in Geneva and I asked the staff if this shopping place just opened. They said it had been open for a few weeks. Maybe by the time you go it won't be so bad, but it looked scary

Gionotti's is an Italian-style steakhouse in Oakbrook off of 22nd street. Weber Grill is on the same street but further west.

To be a little more specific on your return trip exit I-88 at Highland and turn left. then it's a quick right on to Butterfield Rd / 22nd St / Rt 56. About a mile up you'll pass the complex with the Weber then another 1/2 mile Gionotti's.

On your trip out I would recommend exiting I-88 at Rt 59 and go north to Butterfield Road (about 1/2 mile). Go west on Butterfield to Farnsworth Ave and then backtrack south. Only about 2/3 of the stores are currently open with new ones opening about avery couple of weeks over the next few months, but the traffic has been backed up almost all the way to Rt 59 during some periods of the day the past few weekends.

Flip

Edit: btw I would consider Aurora part of Chicagoland.

Living in the area, I agree it is the best bet to take Butterfield Road and approach the mall from the opposite direction of the I-88 traffic. There is not much in the way of good eats along Butterfield which has about every chain represented from the intersection of Naperville Road all the way east towards Oak Brook. Whenever I do go that far east, I like the Braxton and Stir Crazy, both on the outter edge of Oak Brook mall. It is my understanding that there isn't much open yet in the way of food at the Aurora mall but I think they have a unit of either Nick & Tony's or Red Star Tavern. Both are a small regional chain run by the same people and have excellant food. Nick & Tonys leans more to a steakhouse while Red Star has some steaks and a wider variety of a menu.

I second the Braxtons suggestion. I love the complimentary biscuits. Good seafood too.

I have 2 tips for you - first, skip the outlet mall. I cannot imagine the point in going. Crowded, prices are not that great, etc. Just my opinion, though.

For meat, go to La Quebrada in Aurora. Mexican grilled meats. Not a fancy place, but very good. It is about 15 minutes south and a little west, of the mall. There also is a pretty decent Mexican seafood place nearer, whose name escapes me, but I can find it if you are interested.

Nothing wrong with the places in Oak Brook, but the places in Aurora are better, much cheaper, and more interesting than stopping at a different mall on your way to a mall.

Lastly, are we really sure Aurora is Beyond Chicagoland?

La Quebrada
723 S Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 896-2535

Sorry about putting Aurora beyond Chicagoland, but I keep thinking of it 30 years ago when I used to travel to Dixon on a weekly basis and very little was between it and Lombard or Highland Ave. I forget how the suburbs have grown.
Thanks for the suggestion of La Quebrada, we've been going with VI for a long time to the Cicero location and its one of our favorites. Will give this one a try.
Paulette