Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in Greater Chicago
Start New ThreadHey all,
I will be in the Chicago area this weekend and am looking for some good eats in places near Joliet for some good, traditional Chicogo-style food. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I'm willing to try pretty much anything so just shout out your favorite places. My past travel to the Chicago area is limited so I don't know how far I'll be able to range...
Cheers!
By ekarlsso
on Jan 29, 2009 03:45 AM
Video
How to Make a Crazy Striped Omelet
Story
The Dark Side of Backyard Chickens
Story
Fried Food Won't Kill You—Maybe
Story
Does Capital Grille Discriminate?
Video
How to Quickly Cook Pasta in a Frying Pan
Story
KFC Double Down Threatens Tokyo!
Recipe
Ramos Gin Fizz Jelly Shots
View »
Nothing's more traditional Chicago-style than our famous deep-dish pizza. There are two main styles: double-crust "stuffed" pizza and single-crust "pizza in the pan". My favorite pizza of all is the delicious stuffed pizza at Giordano's, which has locations in Joliet, Plainfield, and Minooka in that area. Stuffed pizza from Giordano's - yum!!! Phone ahead with your pizza order to avoid waiting 30-45 minutes while seated for your pizza to bake. www.giordanos.com
Two other Chicago specialties are Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs. Portillo's is always a good bet for either (or both!), and they have a location in Shorewood. www.portillos.com
If you enjoy finer dining, Tallgrass in Lockport is one of the very best restaurants in the entire Chicago area. I posted a detailed report on a dinner I ate there, at
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/403032 The restaurant's website is at www.tallgrassrestaurant.com
I've heard good things about Amanecer Tapatio, a Mexican restaurant in Joliet, but I have yet to try it - it's still on my list...
Permalink | Reply
This is where I would go for pizza:
The Original Vito & Nick's Lemont Lanes
1015 South State Street
Lemont, IL 60439
1-630-257-5426
http://www.vitoandnick.com
It's about a 15 minute drive from downtown Joliet.
Permalink | Reply
Not Chicago style, but you need to go to Amanecer Tapatio in Joliet. You can find more about it here by searching, or searching at LTHForum.com.
Amanacer Tapatio
573 Collins St
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-4001
Permalink | Reply
Amanacer Tapatio has closed.
Permalink | Reply
Located just north of Joliet, in Plainfield, is Baby Back Blues BBQ (16200 S.W. Lincoln Highway). This is perhaps the best BBQ institution outside of the Chicago city limits, and it would be a convenient visit for you from Joliet. Ribs are the star. They are smoked in large vertical smokers just behind the counter. Also available are sandwiches (brisket, pulled pork, and chicken), beef brisket, and pulled pork entrees. You have baked beans, green beans, cole slaw, and fries to choose from to accompany your sandwich or entree orders. The fries, cut fresh with the skins on, and beans are delicious, but the thin slaw and bland green beans are forgetable.
Permalink | Reply
It's a little outside Joliet, but if you want really good Chicago Deep Dish Pizza go to Lou Malnati's. I think the closest one to Joliet is in Naperville.
Permalink | Reply
For good beef sandwiches and the like, Mickeys on Larkin in Crest hill is really good. Wonderful fries my favorite actually for a non-chain. The also have great hotdogs.
Permalink | Reply
Best restaurant in Joliet is a little dive on Chicago Street downtown called Chicken-N-Spice. I went to school in Joliet and ate there three times a week. Love the chicken. Love the Italian beef. Any time I'm close to Joliet now, I'll make a detour in to town to get chicken....
http://midmichigandining.com/2008/12/18/chicken-n-spice-joliet-il/ <---review of a recent visit
I would also second Vito and Nick's. We ate at the Chicago location not too long ago. Service was awful, but pizza was great. Get two Chicago favorites in one dish...and Italian Beef Pizza
http://midmichigandining.com/2009/02/... <---recent review
Permalink | Reply
A little north of Joliet , but White Fence Farm is pretty much a south suburb institution. Family style fried chicken with sides. Joliet Road just south of Rte 55, Lemont Il.
Permalink | Reply
You MUST go to Barolo (http://www.barolofinedining.com/
)This food is phenomenal. It's not your typical pizza/pasta Italian restaurant. It's more gourmet but they have a variety of dishes and appetizers to please anyone's palette. Great for a date or a nice night out for delicious food w/ friends. Great wine selection & specialty martinis too!
Permalink | Reply
MARICHKA'S on Theodore St. in Crest Hill is a Joliet area institution. Garlic poor boys are killer. Old school decor and menu. Straight out of "Rudy"
Permalink | Reply