Need a restaurant for 30 in Palos Heights (159th and Harlem)

A group of hiking friends and I will be needing a place to have a meal and socialize for a few hours after a long day of hiking in two weeks on Saturday.

I really had my heart set on Hog Wild but after talking with the owner he is unable to accommodate us as Saturday is his busiest night and he cannot tie up tables for that long.

I have already done my search and this is what I have come up with...

Steve's Shish Kabob
Chef Klaus
Francesca's Vicinato
Isabella Cafe
Little Egypt

Hackney's seems like a good choice but they insist on a buffet style. We would prefer to order off of the menu (limited menu OK).

Seating available? I would prefer a nice sitdown restaurant but in a pinch...

Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage
Ricobene's On 159th
Top Notch Beefburgers
Nick's Barbecue

I will be heading out to talk with some of these owners later tonight and any other recommendations would be more than welcome!

Thanks in advance

Not too far away (107th and Roberts) is GNR Winner Steve's Shish Kebob. I'd go there, or make the drive to GNR Winner Chuck's Southern Comfort Café in Burbank.

Steve's Shish Kebab
10719 S Roberts Rd
Palos Hills, IL 60465
708-974-3530

Chuck's Southern Comfort Café
5557 W 79th St
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 229-8700

Panther,

First of all are you looking for Palos Heights (123rd and Harlem), or 159th and Harlem which is on the Tinley Park/Orland Park border?

From the list you posted, Little Egypt closed a couple of years ago. Steve's is an excellent choice. Isabella is a great place, but is probably much too small to accomodate 30. For a party that size, Gatto's isn't that far away and can easily handle it, they are at about 183rd and 80th ave. Pops is too small, Nick's is just terrible, Ricobene's is average, Top Notch is nice but the one in Tinley at 159th closed down last year. Flossmoor station is another nice casual possibility.

Glenn

Thanks for the rec's!

I have narrowed it down to (listed by distance)...

Ricobene's On 159th (3.1 mi, 5 min)
(still on the list as they are eager to accommodate us and is sooo close)

Chef Klaus (Orland Park) (4.0 mi, 8 min)
Not much posted on this. Sounds good! Beer and German food. I will check this afternoon.

Tin Fish (4.3 mi, 8 min)
I am not a big fish fan and it sounds fancy/pricy?

Gatto's Restaurant & Bar (4.7 mi, 8 min)
Not much posted on this.

Francesca's Vicinato (5.4 mi, 9 min)
Sounds good. Pricy? I will check this afternoon.

Steve's will be our destination for June as it is close to where we will be. I Love Steve's. (a bit far for this outing. 6.9 mi, 14 min)

glennpan wrote:Panther,

First of all are you looking for Palos Heights (123rd and Harlem), or 159th and Harlem which is on the Tinley Park/Orland Park border?

Glenn

I am not too familiar with the boundaries in the area. Thanks!

Chef Klaus (Orland Park) - No good. Just a breakfast/lunch cozy diner type of place with a few german sandwiches..

Francesca's Vicinato - No Good. They are busy on Saturday nights and we would be constrained to a time schedule in a private room with a minimum overall order.

Just for grins I stopped at Hackney's while I was in the area and since it isn't the busy holiday season and they were more agreeable with the smaller number (30 instead of 50). No reserved room (min 35) and they will reserve a section of the dining room. We might be able to be seated in the fireplace room next to the bar if it is not being used.

I will be checking out Gatto's and Tin Fish tomorrow.

It is looking like Ricobene's or Hackney's so far...

Panther,

Chef Klaus Bier Stube is in Frankfort, and more suitable for a lunch or dinner gathering if you have your heart set on German.

Tin Fish is a very strange choice if you dont like fish.

Gatto's has the space, but can be rather noisy.

Dionysos is not bad for Greek at about 107th and Harlem.

Do you have a preferred type of food you are looking for?

Harrison's has some good microbrews, and decent steaks at 159th and LaGrange. Though I am not a big fan.

Glenn

Gatto's has a room you may be able to reserve. We eat there regularly. They are related to the family that owns Vernon Park Tap in Chicago and the food is similar.

Tin Fish is pricey, and I don't think it is at all what you are looking for.

I would call Flossmoor Station -- they have a couple of different rooms and may be able to save one for you. It's not difficult to find.

If you like Chinese, you might also try Hong Min in Palos, although I haven't been there in many years. We were big fans of their restaurant in Chinatown before the fire.

Suzy

Hi,

Thanks to all for the rec's!

After a few visits and a bit of soul searching I have decided to have our event at Hackney's.

Good burgers with a few better menu items and a nice place (if the fireplace room next to the bar isn't booked that evening) to knock back a few after a long day of hiking in the woods.