The suburbs are not a culinary wasteland [index]

Having had a bellyful of snobbish city dwellers dissing the 'burbs lately, I decided to compile a list of worthwhile restaurants throughout the suburbs: Not "OK for the 'burbs but you could do better in the city" places, but eateries genuinely worth visiting.

The posts that follow index places LTHers have recommended. While I tried to avoid including places anyone said were awful, I don't assert that those listed are all perfect restaurants or "destination" restaurants, worth driving miles out of your way to visit, nor do I mean to imply there is universal agreement on these places, anymore than there is universal agreement on restaurants in the city. I'm just presenting them as evidence that there's plenty of good food in the suburbs.

I have not worked hard to find the most recent, representative or substantive posts for these restaurants. Do your own due diligence and search for other posts besides those I've linked to.

These lists are not definitive. Please do add more links to LTH discussions -- I've collected just a representative sample of restaurant recommendations for the North Shore, Lake County, Chicago's Southland, NWI, Greater Woodfield, the Land Beyond O'Hare, DuPage County, McHenry County and elsewhere in the Chicagoland suburbs. There are many others.

If you want to add places not yet discussed, please create separate threads telling us what you like about the eateries and then provide links in this thread. There are worthy restaurants I did not list because I couldn't find any LTH discussion of them. Just keep in mind that the idea is to not to showcase "good suburban restaurants" but restaurants that are good for anywhere.

If you have opinions on any of the restaurants on these lists, good or ill, please add them to the linked restaurant thread or start a new thread, rather than discussing their merits here. I don't mean these lists to stop discussion about these or other suburban Chicago restaurants -- they're just meant as a starting point for folks looking for good meals and something to point to for those of us tired of hearing urban snobs pick on where we live.

Thanks to VI and sdritz for vetting the lists.
Edited to emphasize the instructions.

North suburbs
1. Amici Ristorante, Italian, Niles
1. Annette's Italian Ice, dessert, Glenview
2. Annie's Pancake House, breakfast, Skokie
3. Assi Plaza food court, pan-Asian, Niles
4. Bank Lane Bistro, contemporary American, Lake Forest
5. Barnaby's Family Inn, pizza and burgers, Niles, Northbrook More info
6. Basha, Middle Eastern, Skokie
7. Big Ka Hoo Na, Hawaiian, Evanston
8. Burt's Place, pizza, Morton Grove
9. Cafe Lucci, Italian, Glenview
10. Campagnola, Italian, Evanston
11. Captain Porky's, barbecue and seafood, Zion
12. Charcoal Oven, steaks/seafood, Skokie
13. Charlie Beinlich's, tavern, Northbrook
14. Chef's Station, contemporary American, Evanston More info
15. China Chef, Chinese-American/Filipino, Morton Grove More info
16. Cho Jung Restaurant, Korean, Glenview
17. Cookers, hot dogs, Deerfield
18. Cross Rhodes, Greek, Evanston More info
19. Dave's Italian Kitchen, Italian-American, Evanston
20. Dengeo's, Greek fast food, Skokie
21. Edwardo's, pizza, Skokie
22. El Tipico, Mexican, Skokie
23. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar, American/eclectic, Glenview
24. Francesco's Hole in the Wall, Italian, Northbrook
25. fRedhots & Fries, hot dogs, Glenview
26. Gusto Ristorante Italiano, Italian, Glenview
27. Hackney's, tavern, Glenview
28. Happi Sushi, Japanese, Highland Park
29. Haussmann Brasserie, French, Northfield
30. Himalayan, Nepali/Indian, Niles
31. Herm's Hot Dog Palace, fast food, Skokie
32. Hub's, gyros, Skokie More info
33. Il Mulino/Maria's Bakery, Italian bakery, Highwood
34. Jack's, diner, Skokie
35. Jacky's Bistro, French, Evanston More info More info closed
36. Jolane's, American/Austrian, Glenview
37. Joy Yee's, Asian, Evanston
38. Kabul House, Afghan, Skokie closed, but relocating
39. Ko Chi Jip, Korean, Glenview
40. Kow Kow, Chinese-American, Lincolnwood
41. La Casa de Isaac, Mexican, Highland Park
42. Lake Forest Lantern, tavern, Lake Forest More info
43. Larsa's, Middle Eastern, Skokie More info
44. Little Red Hen, chicken, Glencoe
45. Max's, delicatessen, Highland Park
46. McCormick's, tavern, Lake Bluff
47. Michael, French, Winnetka
48. Michael's, fast food, Highland Park More info
49. Mitchell's, seafood, Glenview More info
50. Mizrahi Grill, Israeli, Highland Park
51. Myron & Phil's, Jewish steakhouse, Lincolnwood
52. The Noodle, Italian, Glenview and Wilmette
53. Oceanique, seafood, Evanston
54. Omega, diner, Niles
55. Papillon, French, Skokie
56. Patty's Diner, breakfast, Skokie
57. Penny's Noodle Shop, pan-Asian, Northfield More info
58. Pequod's, pizza, Morton Grove
59. Periyali, Greek, Glenview
60. Players Grill, tavern, Highland Park
61. Pine Garden, Korean, Riverwoods
62. Pita Inn, Jordanian, Glenview and Skokie
63. Poochie's, fast food, Skokie More info
64. Prairie Grass Cafe, American, Northbrook
65. Prairie Joe's, diner, Evanston More info More info
66. Quince, contemporary American, Evanston
67. Renga-Tei, Japanese, Lincolnwood
68. Ron of Japan, teppanyaki, Northbrook
69. Rita's, American, Lake Bluff
70. Rossini's, Italian, Niles
71. Royal Malabar Catering, Indian take-out, Glenview
72. Ruby of Siam, Thai, Skokie
73. Sander's, diner, Skokie
74. Sh. Rustaveli, Georgian, Skokie
75. Shrimp Walk, seafood, Highwood
76. Siam Pasta, Thai, Evanston
77. Siam's House, Thai, Niles
78. Smokin' T's, barbecue, Long Grove
79. The Stained Glass Wine Bar, Bistro & Cellar, American, Evanston
80. Super H Mart food court, pan-Asian, Niles
81. Sushi Kushi Toyo and Sushi Kushi Too, Japanese, Lake Forest and Highland Park
82. Sweet Dreams, dessert, Glenview
83. Szechwan Kingdom, Chinese, Northbrook
84. Tandoor India, Indian, Park Ridge
85. Trattoria Belluno, Italian, Glenview
86. Ttowa Dumpling House, Korean, Morton Grove
87. Tub Tim Thai, Thai, Skokie
88. UBAA/Old Crawford Inn, tavern, Skokie
89. Union Pizzeria, pizza, Evanston
90. Va Pensiero, Italian, Evanston
91. Village Creamery, ice cream, Niles and Skokie More info
92. Wholly Frijoles, upscale Mexican, Lincolnwood
93. Wiener and Still Champion, fast food, Evanston
94. Wilmette Chuck Wagon, gyros, Wilmette More info
95. Wok's Cooking, Chinese, Deerfield
96. Wonton Express, Chinese, Riverwoods More info
97. The Works, fast food, Glenview
98. The Yumbus Station, sandwiches, Skokie closed
99. Zin Mi, Japanese, Morton Grove
100. Zoba the Noodle Bar, Asian, Evanston

Northwest suburbs
1. Algonquin Sub Shop, sandwiches, Algonquin
2. altThai, Thai, Arlington Heights
3. Amore info Mio, Italian, Hoffman Estates More info More info
4. Arnie Salerno's, pizza, Mount Prospect
5. Asian Bistro, Chinese, Arlington Heights
6. Asian Noodle House, pan-Asian, Hoffman Estates
7. Bangkok Cafe, Thai, Arlington Heights
8. Barnaby's, pizza and burgers, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines and Schaumburg More info
9. Bavaria Hof, German, Schaumburg
10. Best Hunan, Chinese, Vernon Hills
11. Bob Chinn's, seafood, Wheeling More info
12. The Buffalo, diner, Buffalo Grove
13. Cafe Pyrenees, French/eclectic, Libertyville
14. Carnicerias Jimenez taqueria, Mexican, Wheeling
15. Chaihanna, Uzbek, Buffalo Grove
16. Chicago Bagel & Bialy, bagel bakery/deli, Wheeling More info
17. Chinese Munch In, Chinese-American, Arlington Heights
18. Cho Dang Tofu, Korean, Mount Prospect
19. C'mon Inn, Polish tavern, Grayslake
20. Cooper's Hawk Winery, American winery-restaurant, Wheeling
21. Dengeo's, Greek fast food, Buffalo Grove
22. Daruma, Japanese, Schaumburg
23. Dockers, Greek-American, Fox Lake More info
24. The Dog Walk, fast food, Prospect Heights
25. Don Roth's Blackhawk, American, Wheeling closed
26. Dover Straits, seafood, Hoffman Estates and Mundelein
27. Dung Gia, Vietnamese, Des Plaines
28. Durty Nellie's, tavern, Palatine
29. Edwardo's, pizza, Wheeling
30. Egg Harbor, breakfast, Arlington Heights
31. Entourage, American, Schaumburg
32. Five O'Clock Steak House, steaks, Fox River Grove
33. Flamingo's Seafood, upscale Mexican, Mount Prospect closed, now El Veneno
34. Frankies, fast food, Mount Prospect
35. Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine, Indian, Schaumburg More info
36. Giacomo's, Italian, Des Plaines
37. Golden Chef, Chinese, Wheeling
38. Hackney's, tavern, Lake Zurich and Wheeling
39. Hanakawa Japanese Steakhouse, Japanese, Libertyville
40. Hong Kong Cafe, Chinese, Palatine
41. Hot Wok Village, Chinese/Indian, Hoffman Estates
42. Hunan Beijing, Chinese, Schamburg
43. India House, Indian, Buffalo Grove and Schaumburg More info More info
44. Irish Mill, Irish-American tavern, Mundelein
45. Izakaya Sankyu, Japanese, Mount Prospect
46. Jockey Wok 'n' Rolls, Chinese, Hoffman Estates
47. Joe & Giuseppe, Italian, Arlington Heights
48. Joe's Pizza, Italian beef, Schaumburg
49. Johnnie's Beef, Italian beef, Arlington Heights More info
50. Kitakata, Japanese, Arlington Heights More info
51. Kosta's, gyros, Palatine
52. Kurumaya, Japanese, Elk Grove Village More info
53. L & L Snack Shop, diner, Des Plaines
54. Las Asadas, Mexican, Des Plaines
55. Little America, diner, Mount Prospect
56. Manpasand, Indian take-out, Arlington Heights
57. Market Square, diner, Wheeling
58. Michael's, fast food, Buffalo Grove
59. Milan Chat & Sweets, Indian, Schaumburg
60. Mitsuwa Market food court, pan-Asian, Arlington Heights
61. Mr. Allison's, diner, Arlington Heights
62. Mrs. V's, diner, Des Plaines
63. Nobu's, Japanese, Schaumburg
64. New Seoul, Korean, Des Plaines
65. Opa Estiatorio, Greek, Vernon Hills
66. Osteria di Tramonto, Italian, Wheeling
67. Pad Thai, Thai, Mount Prospect
68. Pancakes Eggcetera, breakfast, Rosemont
69. Paradise, Pakistani, Hoffman Estates
70. Paradise Pup, fast food, Des Plaines
71. The Peacock, Indian, Vernon Hills
72. Penang, Malaysian, Arlington Heights
73. Pepper & Salt, Pakistani, Schaumburg
74. Pierogi Place, Polish, Rolling Meadows
75. Pita Inn, Jordanian, Wheeling
76. Pusan, Korean, Mount Prospect
77. Regina's Ristorante, Italian, Arlington Heights
78. Rinconcito Hispano, Salvadorean, Des Plaines
79. St. Roger Abbey Gourmet and Bakery Shop, French, Algonquin
80. Sakura, Japanese, Rolling Meadows
81. Sam & Harry's, steak, Schaumburg
82. Shtram's Deli, Eastern European, Wheeling
83. Silk Mandarin, Chinese, Vernon Hills
84. Sizzle India, Indian/Chinese, Schaumburg More info
85. Skipper's, gyros, Wheeling
86. Solliphana Korean BBQ, Korean, Schaumburg
87. Sunrise Grill, breakfast, Des Plaines
88. Sushi Para, Japanese, Palatine
89. Sweet Baby Ray's, Cajun/Creole, Elk Grove Village
90. Tandoori Restaurant, Pakistani, Des Plaines More info
91. Tensuke Market, Japanese, Elk Grove Village
92. Thai D-Lite, Thai, Palatine
93. Tramonto's Steak and Seafood, American, Wheeling
94. Torishin, Japanese, Mount Prospect
95. Vernon Hills area, including Burt's Deli, Irae 60 and others
96. Village Tavern of Long Grove, tavern, Long Grove
97. Village Tavern & Grill, tavern, Schaumburg
98. Yanni's, Greek, Arlington Heights More info
99. Yu's Mandarin, Chinese, Schaumburg
100. Zed451, American, Schaumburg closed

South suburbs, southwest suburbs and northwest Indiana
1. 7 Mares, Mexican seafood, Blue Island
2. Angelino's Ristorante, Italian, Mokena
3. Anthony's, Italian, Highland, Ind
4. Ameer, Palestinian, Worth
5. Asanka, Ghanaian, Romeoville
6. Ashford House, Irish/American, Tinley Park
7. Atotonilco, Mexican, Worth More info
8. Aurelio's, pizza, Homewood
9. Bamboo Blue, eclectic, Homewood
10. Barraco's, Italian, Evergreen Park More info
11. Beggars Pizza, pizza, Blue Island; Crown Point, Ind; Dyer, Ind; Lansing; Merrionette Park; Mokena; New Lenox; Oak Forest; Oak Lawn; Plainfield; and Richton Park More info
12. Bluestone Bar and Grill, American, New Lenox
13. Bogart's Charhouse, steak, Tinley Park
14. Bottoms Up, tavern, Lansing
15. Buenas Nachas, Mexican, Frankfort
16. Burgundy Bistro, eclectic, Olympia Fields
17. Burrito Loco, Mexican, New Lenox
18. Cafe 444, American, Miller Beach, Ind.
19. Cafe Borgia, Italian, Munster, Ind.
20. Cavalier Inn, Polish tavern, Hammond, Ind.
21. Chef Klaus Bier Stube, German, Frankfort
22. Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe, Southern, Burbank
23. Cooper's Hawk Winery, American winery-restaurant, Burr Ridge and Orland Park
24. Courtyard Bistro, European, Frankfort
25. Cunis Candies, ice cream, South Holland
26. Dan McGee's, American, Frankfort
27. Dell Rhea's, chicken, Willowbrook More info
28. Dick's Restaurant & Tap, tavern, St. John, Ind.
29. Dionysos, Greek, Worth
30. Duke's Eatery & Deli, Lithuanian, Summit
31. Edwardo's, pizza, Munster, Ind.
32. Egg-cetra Cafe, breakfast, Mokena
33. Eggman's, breakfast, Alsip and Romeoville
34. El Taco Real, Mexican, Hammond, Ind.
35. Flossmoor Brewing Station, brewpub, Flossmoor
36. Freddy's Steak House, steak, Hammond, Ind.
37. Fresh Starts, American, Flossmoor
38. Fuji Japanese Steak House, Japanese, Orland Park
39. G-In Sushi, Japanese, Tinley Park (scroll to end of post)
40. The Galway Tribes, Irish/American, Frankfort More info
41. Gamba, Italian, Merrillville, Ind.
42. Gatto's, Italian, New Lenox and Tinley Park More info
43. Gayety's, ice cream, Lansing
44. George's Rib House, barbecue, Harvey
45. Gino's Steak House, Dyer, Ind.
46. Giovanni's, Italian, Munster, Ind. More info
47. Hackney's, tavern, Palos Park
48. Hamada of Japan, Japanese, Tinley Park
49. Hog Wild, pork, Midlothian
50. Hong Min, Chinese, Palos Hills
51. Isabella Cafe, Italian, Tinley Park
52. Jack Gibbons Gardens, American, Oak Forest More info
53. John's Restaurant, pizza, Whiting, Ind.
54. Johnsen's Blue Top Drive-In, drive-in, Highland, Ind.
55. Krapils, steak, Worth
56. La Dolce Vita, pizza, Miller Beach, Ind. closed
57. Lincoln's O, sandwiches, Highland, Ind.
58. Louisa's, pizza, Midlothian
59. Lucrezia, Italian, Chesterton, Ind., and Crown Point, Ind.
60. Lumes Pancake House, breakfast, Orland Park
61. Mabenka, Polish/Lithuanian, Burbank
62. Madvek's Doghouse, fast food, Hammond, Ind. More info More info More info
63. Maple Tree Inn, Cajun/Creole, Blue Island
64. Mario's Tacos, Mexican, Blue Island
65. Mediterranean Cafe, Mediterranean, Blue Island
66. Miller Bakery Cafe, American, Miller Beach, Ind.
67. Millie's Ice Cream & Coffee, ice cream, Oak Lawn
68. Miner-Dunn Hamburgers, burgers, Highland, Ind. More info
69. Mr. Benny's Steak and Lobster House, steak, Matteson and Mokena
70. Mitchell's Ice Cream, ice cream, Homewood
71. Mulchrone's, steak, Evergreen Park
72. Palermo's, pizza, Oak Lawn
73. Paisano's Pizza, pizza and Italian beef, New Lenox
74. Peppo's Dili-Deli, sandwiches, Palos Hills More info
75. Petey's Bungalow, tavern, Oak Lawn
76. The Plush Horse, ice cream, Palos Park
77. Pop's, Italian beef, Homewood and Palos Heights More info
78. Ranch Frostie, hot dogs and ice cream, New Lenox
79. Rising Sun, Chinese, Frankfort
80. Royal Buffet, Asian, Darien More info
81. Sanfrantello's, pizza, Glenwood More info
82. Schererville Lounge, tavern, Schererville, Ind.
83. Siam Marina, Thai, Calumet City
84. Stefanelli & Sons, Italian, Blue Island
85. Steve's Shish Kabob, Middle Eastern, Palos Hills More info
86. Stop 50 Woodfired Pizzeria, pizza, Michiana Shores, Ind.
87. T & G Gyros, gyros, Blue Island
88. Tallgrass, contemporary American, Lockport
89. Three Floyds Brewery, brewpub, Munster, Ind.
90. Tiebel's, American, Schererville, Ind.
91. Tin Fish, seafood, Tinley Park More info
92. Top-Notch Beefburgers, fast food, Oak Lawn
93. Traditions, American, Highland, Ind.
94. Traverso's, pizza, Orland Park
95. Vito & Nick's, pizza, Lemont
96. Vito & Nick's II, pizza, Hickory Hills
97. Wheatfield's, breakfast, Tinley Park closed
98. White Fence Farm, American, Lemont
99. Wojo's, fast food, Evergreen Park
100. Zarlengo's, ice cream, Chicago Heights

West suburbs
1. Abashiri, Japanese, Bloomingdale More info
2. Adelle's, contemporary American, Wheaton
3. Al & Joe's Delicatessen, deli, Franklin Park
4. Alfie's Inn, tavern, Glen Ellyn
5. Bien Trucha, Mexican, Geneva
6. Bistro Maisonnette, French, Bloomingdale
7. Bistro Nami, Japanese, Clarendon Hills
8. Butler's BBQ & Grill, barbecue, Wheaton More info
9. Byby's, Mexican, West Chicago
10. Cafe Buonaro, Italian, Naperville
11. Caponata's Ristorante, Italian, Wheaton
12. Catch 35, seafood, Naperville
13. Cebu, Euro-Asian, Downers Grove closed
14. Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair, contemporary American, Aurora
15. Chef Paul's Bavarian Lodge, German/Czech, Lisle More info
16. Chinese Kitchen, Chinese, Westmont
17. Chinn's 34th St. Fishery, seafood, Lisle
18. Cho Dang Tofu, Korean, Naperville
19. Cinco de Mayo, Mexican, Lombard
20. Costa's, Greek, Oakbrook Terrace
21. Cuisine of India, Indian, Naperville More info More info
22. Danny's Cafe & Deli, Italian, Melrose Park
23. Desi Grill & Pizza, Pakistani, Lombard More info
24. Drury Lane, brunch, Oakbrook Terrace More info
25. Edwardo's, pizza, Oak Park
26. Egg Harbor, breakfast, Naperville
27. Egg'lectic Cafe, breakfast, Wheaton
28. El Duranguito, Mexican, Maywood More info
29. El Fogon, Mexican, Aurora
30. El Pollo Giro, Latin chicken, Aurora
31. Emilio's, Spanish, Hillside and Wheaton More info
32. The Epicurean, Hungarian, Hillside
33. Every Day's a Sundae, ice cream, Downers Grove
34. Fabulous Noodles, Chinese, Lisle
35. Fisherman's Inn, seafood, Elburn
36. Frankie's Deli, delicatessen, Lombard
37. Freddy's Pizza, Italian, Cicero
38. Gaetano's, Italian, Forest Park
39. Gene & Jude's, hot dogs, River Grove
40. Gemato's, Greek grill, Naperville
41. Geppetto's, pizza, Oak Park
42. Graham's Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream, ice cream, Geneva and Wheaton
43. Greek Islands, Greek, Lombard More info
44. Gyros King, gyros, Downers Grove
45. Harner's Bakery Restaurant & Catering, North Aurora, American
46. House of Tokyo, Japanese, St. Charles
47. H.P. Schmaltz & Co., Jewish delicatessen, Naperville
48. Isabella's Estiatorio, Mediterranean, Geneva
49. Johnnie's Beef, Italian beef, Elmwood Park
50. Joy Yee's, Asian, Naperville
51. Katy's Dumpling House, Chinese, Westmont
52. Klas, Czech, Cicero
53. Knead Marketplace, American, LaGrange
54. Kohinoor, homestyle Indian, Downers Grove
55. La Quebrada, Aurora and Cicero
56. Lao Sze Chuan, Chinese, Downers Grove
57. Las Asadas, Mexican, Brookfield
58. Mai Thai Cafe, Thai, Wheaton
59. Mapo, Chinese, Naperville
60. Memphis Jack's, barbecue, Hillside closed
61. Miga59, Korean, Aurora
62. Momoya, Japanese, Aurora
63. Momotaro, Japanese, Lombard
64. Muldoon's, Irish/American, Wheaton
65. Nagano, Japanese, Lombard More info
66. Niche, contemporary American, Geneva
67. Old Warsaw, Polish, Norridge
68. Pho Ha, Vietnamese, Glendale Heights
69. Pho Le, Vietnamese, Carol Stream
70. Praga, Bohemian/French, Lombard
71. Priscilla's Ultimate Soul Food, Southern, Hillside
72. Raffi's on 5th, Mediterranean, Naperville
73. Red Apple Pancake House, breakfast, Carol Stream
74. Smokin' M's, barbecue, Forest Park
75. Sri Ganesh, Indian, Lombard
76. Strat's, fast food, Villa Park
77. Sushi House, Japanese, Wheaton
78. Sushi Nest, Japanese, Elmhurst
79. Suzette's Creperie, French, Wheaton
80. Taco Express, Mexican, Westmont
81. Taco Grill, Mexican, Westmont
82. Taqueria Los Cabritos, Mexican, Aurora
83. Tango, Latin, Naperville More info
84. Tapas Valencia, Spanish, Bloomingdale
85. Tasty World, Bulgarian, Norridge
86. Tony's Steamers of Winfield, fast food, Winfield
87. TVF African Cuisine, West African, Bolingbrook
88. Uncle Remus, fried chicken, Broadview
89. Venuti's, Italian/pizza, Villa Park
90. The Verdict, diner, Wheaton
91. Vie, contemporary American, Western Springs
92. Villa Verone, Italian, Geneva
93. Vitorio's Ristorante, Italian, Glen Ellyn
94. Volare, Italian, Oakbrook Terrace
95. Walter Payton's Roundhouse, brewpub, Aurora
96. West Side Gyros, fast food, Aurora
97. Wildwood, American, Geneva
98. Xni-Pec, regional Mexican, Cicero
99. Yamado, Japanese, Naperville
100. Zed451, American, Downers Grove closed

WOW!!! I thought I've eaten at alot of suburban restaurants! That's one hell of a list.
But I agree 100% that the 'burbs have great dining options and that many city dwellers won't give a suburban place the time of day. While I visit restaurants in the city as well, I'm also trying to get the word out in regards to suburban dining. Nice job.

Pretty comprehensive list, nothing west of Route 47 though, here is a couple that I would add:


Ron's Cajun Connection - the best cajun food in Chicagoland
Utica, IL.
http://www.ronscajunconnection.com

Rip's Chicken and Tavern-some of the best fried chicken in Chicagoland
Ladd, IL.
http://www.ripstavern.com


Al Capones Hideaway & Steakhouse-neat steakhouse
St. Charles, IL.
http://www.al-capone.com

also no Amanacer Tapatio in Joliet?

Wow, LAZ - your indexing and research skills continue to amaze me! What a great resource!

LAZ wrote:Having had a bellyful of snobbish city dwellers dissing the 'burbs lately, I decided to compile a list of worthwhile restaurants throughout the suburbs: Not "OK for the 'burbs but you could do better in the city" places, but eateries genuinely worth visiting.

LAZ,

As a "snobbish city dweller" I offer sincere thanks for the suburban lists you compiled and will surely make good use of them.

Enjoy,
Gary

germuska wrote:I think LAZ's point was that the links in her posts are specifically to LTH discussions of places, so "ought to be on the list" isn't true if they haven't been discussed on LTH.

That's not to say that they don't belong on your list, or someone else's list, but that's not what this thread is trying to do.

I think you (and LAZ too, apparently, based on the rather nasty private message I received from her) are missing MY point. My point was that almost all of the places I listed HAVE BEEN discussed on LTH. They belong on the list, and presenting a list as an "index" that is supposed to be comprehensive, but omits them, does a disservice. The above list should really be updated to include those places. Here are links to LTH topics where the restaurants I posted above have been discussed.

North
Al's Deli, Sandwiches (lunch only), Evanston (More info)
Bat 17, Deli, Evanston (More info)
Blind Faith, Vegetarian, Evanston (More info) (More info)
Cafe Central, French Bistro, Highland Park (More info)
Carlos, French, Highland Park (More info)
Curry Hut, Indian, Highwood (More info)
Davis Street Fishmarket, Seafood, Evanston (More info) (More info) (More info)
Gabriel's, Italian-French, Highwood (More info)
Jilly's Cafe, Contemporary American, Evanston (More info) (More info) (More info)
Koi, Chinese, Evanston (More info)
Lucky Platter, Eclectic, Evanston (More info)
Lulu's Dim Sum, Pan-Asian, Evanston (More info)
Lupita's, Mexican, Evanston (More info)
Merle's, Barbecue, Evanston (More info)
Miramar, French Bistro, Highwood (More info)
Mount Everest, Indian, Evanston (More info)
Pete Miller's, Steak, Evanston and Wheeling (More info)
Stoney River, Steak, Deerfield and Deer Park (More info)
Tapas Barcelona, Tapas, Evanston (More info)
The Tavern, American, Libertyville (More info)
Thai Sookdee, Thai, Evanston (More info) (More info)
Trattoria D.O.C., Italian, Evanston (More info) (More info)
Walker Brothers Original Pancake House, breakfast, multiple locations (More info) (More info) (More info) (More info)

Northwest
Bistro 22, contemporary American, Lake Zurich (More info)
Black Ram, Steak, Des Plaines (More info) (More info) (More info)
Fuego, creative Mexican, Arlington Heights (More info)
La Chicanita, Mexican, Arlington Heights (More info) (More info)
Le Titi de Paris, French, Arlington Heights (More info) (More info) (More info) (More info) (More info)

West
Hugo's Frog Bar, Seafood, Naperville (More info)
Parker's Ocean Grill, Seafood, Downers Grove (More info) (More info)

Impressive lists! It's almost like people could live out there.

jimswside wrote:Pretty comprehensive list, nothing west of Route 47 though, here is a couple that I would add:

Ron's Cajun Connection - the best cajun food in Chicagoland
Utica, IL.
http://www.ronscajunconnection.com

Rip's Chicken and Tavern-some of the best fried chicken in Chicagoland
Ladd, IL.
http://www.ripstavern.com

Al Capones Hideaway & Steakhouse-neat steakhouse
St. Charles, IL.
http://www.al-capone.com

also no Amanacer Tapatio in Joliet?

I guess what's a suburb is in the eye of the beholder. I think of Joliet as a city in its own right, not a Chicago suburb. (Then again, by some standards, Evanston is practically part of the city. ) I limited my search to the "Eating Out in Chicagoland" board, so I did not see these posts on "Beyond Chicagoland":
Ron's Cajun Connection
Rip's Chicken and Tavern

The post on Capone's I found called it "pretty average."

nsxtasy wrote:I think you (and LAZ too, apparently, based on the rather nasty private message I received from her) are missing MY point. My point was that almost all of the places I listed HAVE BEEN discussed on LTH. They belong on the list, and presenting a list as an "index" that is supposed to be comprehensive, but omits them, does a disservice.

Since my pm merely pointed out that I had asked people to do what you've just done, which is to provide links to LTH discussions of restaurants they think worth including, I thank you for complying.

If you read my original post, I said explicitly that my lists were not comprehensive: "These lists are not definitive. Please do add more links to LTH discussions -- I've collected just a representative sample...." I figured 100 restaurants in each region was a reasonable stopping point and hoped that others would add more. If listing links to LTHers' recommendations of 400 restaurants was a disservice, I apologize.

However, I did deliberately leave out some of the places that appear on your list, since I avoided places that had evoked significant controversy or dislike. For example, several people have been unhappy with Davis Street Fishmarket since it remodeled, and while all three of the Thai Sookdee posts you've linked to are your own recommendations, others have had quite negative comments. On that principle, I also left out failed GNR nominees, such as Le Titi.

And La Chicanita is exactly the kind of "good enough for the suburbs" place that damns suburban dining -- as JoelF described it, "very typical mexican-american food, nothing to go wow about" -- so I'm glad you have now posted the link so that people can read that for themselves.

nsxtasy wrote:

LAZ wrote:the link for Hugo's Frog Bar is to a thread about hangover pills that doesn't mention the restaurant at all.

That must have been a simple error on my part. Link fixed.

Could you put the link to the hangover pill back up? I think I need one after reading this thread.

But seriously, as a city dweller and suburb employee and sometime visitor, I appreciate all these lists. It's very helpful to have them in one place.

What a wonderful gift to us suburbanites. Thank you!

I don't intend to make maintaining this my life's work -- everyone is invited to pitch in -- but here are a few additional links to recent recommendations of north suburban pubs:

Bridie McKenna's, Irish pub, Highwood
The Celtic Knot, Irish pub, Evanston
White Hart Pub, English pub, Lake Forest

Great work Laz. Too bad that this work had to become the source of an argument about what should and should not be included. No surprise that I would take the most inclusive view, I suppose, that if someone thinks it should be included, they should feel free to do the work to add it.

I always thought the first rule of volunteer organizations was they he/she who does the work gets to make the rules.

Thanks again.

Once again LTHForum has come to my rescue. I am having dinner with friends on Thursday and was looking for someplace new to try in the Western Suburbs. I headed to LTHForum only to find the Holy Grail of restaurant lists expertly compiled with links to everything we need to know to make informed choices. Yay! Thank you, thank you!

I did want to add one of my favorites to the list.. Tribella's in Batavia. And I'd add a link but that's not my strong suit.

Can't wait to try some of these spots and also venture into other burbs based on the other lists!

Yogimom wrote:I did want to add one of my favorites to the list.. Tribella's in Batavia. And I'd add a link but that's not my strong suit.

Hear hear! Tribella's is one of my favorites too!

Tribellas
1900 Mill Street
Batavia, Il
630-406-9696

http://www.tribellagrill.com/

Here is a link to the only previous LTH mention of Tribella's, which basically just says it's an Italian steakhouse.

I hope those of you who like it will start a thread telling us more about it, because there's not a lot to go on here.

I have edited to note a closure in the west suburbs. Here are a couple more links to west suburban recs:

Citizen Kane, American, Geneva
El Pollo Regio, Latin chicken, Melrose Park

Thank you very much for compiling and posting this suburban list together, LAZ. At least now it'll be a little easier for me to find certain suburban restaurants with this list, even if some(for now) still are missed, and may have to do a search for some and/or start a thread on them.

Cheers!

LAZ wrote:Vernon Hills area, including Burt's Deli, Irae 60 and others

Here's a more readily searchable list:

545 North, American, Libertyville
Bill's Pizza & Pub, pizza, Mundelein
Burt's Deli, Jewish deli, Libertyville
Eloise's, sandwiches, Vernon Hills
Firkin, tavern, Libertyville
Green Basil, Thai, Vernon Hills More info
Irae 60, French and Japanese, Vernon Hills
Picnic Basket, sandwiches, Libertyville
Ristorante Bottaio, Italian, Libertyville
The Tavern, steakhouse, Libertyville
Tsukasa of Tokyo, Japanese, Vernon Hills

Laz, I appreciate your efforts in compiling these lists.
I don't know how difficult they are to edit, but Cebu (West Suburb list) has closed.
I don't want you to have to spend time having to edit every time there is a change. So I'll just add this note as an FYI for readers using your helpful lists.

janeyb wrote:Laz, I appreciate your efforts in compiling these lists.
I don't know how difficult they are to edit, but Cebu (West Suburb list) has closed.
I don't want you to have to spend time having to edit every time there is a change. So I'll just add this note as an FYI for readers using your helpful lists.

Thanks for the heads-up. I will note closures when I happen to hear of them. Too bad about Cebu; it was highly rated.

Here are a few more west suburban recs:

West suburbs
Bohemian Crystal, Bohemian, Westmont More info More info
Boston Blackie's, American, Naperville
El Paisita, Mexican, Berwyn
El Tesoro, Mexican, Glendale Heights and West Chicago
Honey Fluff, doughnuts, Countryside
Little Joe's, Italian beef, Countryside
Marion Street Cheese Market Cafe, American, Oak Park
Novi's Beef, fast food, Berwyn
Paciugo Gelato, ice cream, Forest Park
Schnitzel Platz, German, Glendale Heights
Submarine Tender, sandwiches, Forest Park
That Pita Place, gyros, Naperville

LAZ wrote:Boston Blackie's, American, Naperville

Boston Blackie's also has locations in the north (Deerfield, Glencoe) and northwest (Arlington Heights) 'burbs, as well as in the city.

I understand there's a Boston Blackie's about to open in Skokie, too.

I LOVE THIS POST!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ! ! !

jleblanc05 wrote:I LOVE THIS POST!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ! ! !

You are most welcome. You can help by starting some threads about restaurants near where you live.

I'd guess that half the people on this board have no clue as to where Lake in the Hills is.

LAZ wrote:I'd guess that half the people on this board have no clue as to where Lake in the Hills is.

Near a lake, and some hills?

LAZ wrote:You are most welcome. You can help by starting some threads about restaurants near where you live.

I'd guess that half the people on this board have no clue as to where Lake in the Hills is.

Immediately south of Crystal Lake, west of the village of Algonquin. Home of some pretty good options, most off of Algonquin Rd., fewer on Randall Rd.