Wheaton near fairgrounds?

Headed to the Dupage Co fairgrounds in Wheaton this Saturday and looking for an inexpensive place for lunch pre-cat show. Somewhere nearby or not too far into downtown Wheaton. Open to ideas tho probably not too ethnic, as going with a picky cousin. Thoughts?

Well, there's always The Verdict on County Farm Road, just North of Roosevelt on the west side of the street. Diner food, big lunches.

600 S County Farm Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 871-0699

There are a few FF outlets at County Farm and Roosevelt (the Fairgrounds are on County Farm) and there is one indie restaurant in the strip immediately to the west of that intersection called the Barrister or something legal related. Downtown Wheaton has a number of places along Front Street, this spring I reported here on Caponata's Ristorante which is on the second floor of a building on Front and Hale and recently I found out about but have not yet tried, The Bank at 121 West Front I believe. Wheaton has a concentration of eating places around Danada which is South Naperville Road and Butterfield Road, quite a ways south of the Fairgrounds.

John's Buffet at Winfield Road and Jewell Road is great. It's not a buffet, just had that name for 50 years. It's a bar/restaurant that is an institution in Winfield.

If Irish is "not too ethnic," Muldoon's in downtown Wheaton might fit the bill.

Muldoon's
133 W. Front St.
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-668-8866

Diannie wrote:Well, there's always The Verdict on County Farm Road, just North of Roosevelt on the west side of the street. Diner food, big lunches.

600 S County Farm Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 871-0699

That's the place I was thinking of, I knew the name had something to do with law.

I will second Muldoon's. The one time I tried the Verdict I did not like it. More like a lunch place catering to the court crowd. Downtown Wheaton is not far.

I've tried Muldoon's a few times and have never been impressed with either the service or the quality of food. If it's a non-drinking lunch (they don't serve alcohol), I'd highly recommend Egglectic on Hale in Wheaton. It's only open from 6-3 daily and their food is fresh & high-quality. Great selection of creative sandwiches, salads, soups and some entrees. We've been regulars at the downtown location for years and now go to their new location in Town Square in South Wheaton.

Although I've never eaten there, The Bank does look very good with an interesting menu.

If you decide to try ethnic, Lu Luong on Main Street is a great BYO vietnamese/chinese restaurant and has some great lunch specials, including Saturdays.

Hope this helps!

Or alternatively for ethnic, try Mai Tai Cafe. Everything is cooked to order and they will moderate spices accordingly. Outstanding food.

We moved out of the area six months ago and really miss their food. They are located at the corner of Main and another street (never remember the name....darned Old Timer's) in a little mall with a cleaner.

Mai Tai Cafe
140 N. Main
Wheaton, IL
630-510-3680

The Verdict is fine for a quick lunch and is the closest to the Fairgrounds (main entrance off Manchester, not County Farm). Don't expect a lot but you won't starve.

It's Wesley, Dees.

If you're in downtown Wheaton, the options are endless. Egg Harbor has a location on Hale...I prefer that to Egglectic. The Bank and Cellar Bistro are also open for lunch. There's also Genghis Grill...that would be great for a picky eater. Oh, there's also Shane's Deli. Can't go wrong with a sandwich.

I second the recommendation for Egg Harbor. We have only been to Egglectic once, when Egg Harbor was closed, and we won't be returning any time soon.

sigh...never mind, cousin has decided to skip lunch and meet at the show...oh well, will keep all the good suggestions in mind for next trip to the area. Thanks, folks.

Well we ended up eating out anyway, after the show. We went to Verdict, because it was so close. Exactly your typical "Greek" diner. Cousin got the cabbage soup, which was pretty good. Everything tried was perfectly acceptable and reasonably priced. I asked for my fries crispy, which they were to an extreme, and they crisped up the other 2 orders as well, tho that hadn't been requested...hmmm... The waitress was borderline unpleasant.

Anyway, it was fine if that's what you're looking for. On County Farm, the n/w corner at Rt 38.

Just bumping this to see if there are any new recommendations. I'm going to have myself a little Winfield adventure this Sunday. I can't stray too far because of time and because I'll be depending on a non-foodie friend to drive me around, but I'd like to eat whatever delicious things I can while I'm out that way. Any other suggestions?

Muldoons, Egg Harbor or Egglectic in downtown Wheaton. I like all three of these for a lunch or breakfast. Also Suzette and Sushimono. There are other places but they are more for dinner such as the Bank, etc. Not too impressed with the Verdict. There are a couple Mexican places too in downtown Wheaton such as Front Street Cocina. Other places in south Wheaton but they are chains but some have some good stuff. Macaroni Grill, Red Robin, Potbelly, Chick a fil, Chili's, Houlihans, etc.

Just a bit further west of Winfield is Pal Joey's on Roosevelt (rte. 38) It used to be known as a semi dive but a few years ago they built a new building and are in a pleasant, open space. It's a popular spot that has been around for 30 years, great for pizza but good for all things Italian as well.

http://www.paljoeys.com/

If you are willing to drive a little west of Winfield, there's always Mexican food:

El Tesoro
129 W. Roosevelt Rd.
West Chicago
630-293-0129

In downtown Wheaton, other options include Luong Loi (Chinese/Vietnamese) and the aforementioned Mai Tai Cafe (Thai)

Mai Tai Cafe
140 N. Main
Wheaton, IL
630-510-3680

Luong Loi
110 N. Main St.
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-653-8250

I truly dislike Suzette's. Mediocre French cuisine, overpriced for what you get, followed by lousy crepes, their supposed specialty. At a similar price, but better quality, there is Adelle's. I am not exactly a fan of Adelle's (my post should be out here somewhere), but it was good enough that I plan to go back (maybe even tonight) and I want to like what they do.

On the other hand, I find Luong Loi serviceable (not great, but definitely good) and really enjoy El Tesoro. Happy to go to either of those places any time. There also is an Indian place that I have not tried, but have not heard anything negative about and a good Pho/Banh Mi place that Diannie reviewed up on Geneva Road. India Palace, 242 E Geneva. Diannie on Pho Le.

Thanks for all of the near-Winfield suggestions. My friends ended up cooking, so we stayed in and pretended to care about football, even enjoyed some cheese from the Brat Stop.



I'll surely be returning to Winfield, so will revisit the restaurant recommendations then.