FOX'S RESTAURANT & PUB Fox's has been a fixture on Chicago's South Side and in the southwestern suburbs since the 1960s, and it's making its first foray into the western burbs with this new Plainfield restaurant. Known for its pizza, it also offers a full soup-to-nuts menu with a wide array of salads, sandwiches, steaks, seafood and lots of Irish favorites. Appearance/atmosphere: This freestanding, strip mall restaurant was built to Fox's specifications. Its high-ceilinged interior offers lots of natural light thanks to awning-covered windows and its layout has tables and booths surrounding a…
BD's MONGOLIAN GRILL OK, I admit I’ve never been to bd’s Mongolian Grill, despite it’s having been in Naperville for years and years. And, further, I confess that part of me assumed they served barbecue, aka something similar to American barbecue, because for years and years the name had been bd’s Mongolian Barbecue. I couldn’t have been further off the mark, and I’m kicking myself for not having checked it out long before now. This is a stir-fry place -- a really good one -- and it’s the ideal location for someone who’s trying to eat healthy or meat free. Location/atmosphere: If you’ve been …
SWEET PEPPERS THAI CUISINE There’s a tendency for some to want to lump Thai food in with all of the other Asian cuisines out there -- Schezuan, Hunan, Catonese, even Japanese. And it’s easy to see why when Thai restaurants add items such as egg rolls and pot stickers and chicken teriyaki to their menus, essentially muddying the waters. But to write off Thai as a been-there-done-that deal would be to deprive yourself of flavors, textures and combinations you’ve likely never sampled elsewhere. Sweet Peppers in Plainfield is a good case in point. Décor/atmosphere: This is a simple restaurant …
MICKEY’S GRILLE & PUB Unless you’re a local, you probably don’t know about Mickey’s. Tucked away in a strip mall surrounded by subdivisions, it looks and feels more like the neighborhood hangout that it probably is. Yes, “grille” is included in the name, but it’s a safe bet most are coming for the “pub.” Décor/atmosphere: Nothing fancy here. A simple green awning hangs over a bank of windows adorned with beer signs. Inside, the first thing you see are pool tables behind which sits a large, three-sided bar. On each side of the room are two- and four-seat bar tables with stools that can easily …
IKEA RESTAURANT The folks at Ikea take their Swedish roots very seriously, as if you couldn’t tell from the bright yellow and brilliant blue hues of the store’s façade – the colors of the flag of Sweden. But what you find inside this big box is more than just ultra-modern furniture at ultra-low prices with ultra-unpronounceable names. A large portion of their second floor is devoted to a dining court and if you’ve not considered sampling their fare, we humbly suggest you give it a try. It’s a bit like a mini-excursion to Scandanavia and a bargain to boot. Who needs a dollar menu when you can …
GRUBEN’S UPTOWN TAP & GRILL Don’t let the appearance of this place fool you. Yes, it’s definitely a bar setting and at night, no doubt about it, it’s a hopping joint, but you’d be making a mistake if that you kept that from grabbing a meal here. There are no menu surprises – the usual array of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and pizza – but it’s above-average grub, especially for what you’ll find in similar places. Plus, it’s in a great location on Plainfield’s downtown Lockport Street. Decor: The opposite of fancy. It’s a fairly utilitarian space – one half of the room devoted to a more …
You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:VITO & NICK'S II RESTAURANT -- A cozy place that makes up for its lack of fancy decor with surprisingly good fare. You won't go wrong ordering pizza, which is what they're known for, but there are some real gems on the menu, including artichoke dip with garlic bread and the pasta tossed with garlic, olive oil and broccoli. 12443 S. Route 59, Plainfield, 815-254-…
AODAKE JAPANESE SUSHI AND STEAK HOUSE Location: 462 N. Weber Road, Romeoville Information: 815-886-9888, www.aodake.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday; noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday I would describe my recent trip to the Aodake Japanese Sushi and Steak House as an exercise in delicious awkwardness. It's a spot for sushi and other Japanese dishes, yes, but they also have hibachi-style dining, where chefs cook food on a grill at your table. While I have been to hibachi-style …
MOEJOE'S CAJUN AND CARIBBEAN CUISINE 510 Lockport St., Plainfield 815-230-2790, www.eatmoejoes.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to midnight Sunday Forget about booking a flight to New Orleans. With a menu that features alligator fricassee, turtle soup, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and Southern-fried frog legs, MoeJoe's Cajun and Caribbean Cuisine is a lot closer to home and just as good as anything you'll find in the French Quarter. And if you decide to experience this downtown Plainfield eatery, save room for a final …
Fiesta Mexicana Grill and Cantina 24136 W. Lockport St., Plainfield www.fiestamexgrill.com, 815-609-4444 Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Downtown Plainfield’s restaurant scene is moving in a great direction, and one of the newest additions, Fiesta Mexicana Grill and Cantina, celebrates its one-year anniversary Feb. 1. What was once the Plainfield Supper Club has been transformed into a lively, brightly colored dining spot. Owner Dave Lopez is no stranger to the restaurant business; he owns three similar eateries in central …
Gordon Biersch Brewery/Restaurant Location: 639 E. Boughton Road, Promenade Shopping Mall, Bolingbrook Information: 630-739-6036, www.gordonbiersch.com Hours: 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday In April 2007, I was invited to attend a soft opening for the then-new Gordon Biersch Brewery/Restaurant restaurant in the Promenade Shopping Center in Bolingbrook. I’ve attended many restaurant openings in the past and am always pleased to do so, but the invite always comes with an expectation -- to make constructive …
Red Robin Location: 12646 Route 59, Plainfield Information: 815-230-3056, www.redrobin.com Red Robin has a lot more to chirp about than just their famous gourmet burgers. In fact, we were surprised by how much we enjoyed other things on their menu, such as the chicken tortilla soup and the spinach wrap. Even their catchy name channels the upbeat song, Rockin' Robin, which I began humming subconsciously while viewing the menu. No doubt a subliminal message to make you think fun, fun, fun! The restaurant is brightly colored and lavishly decorated Americana. You're greeted by the Statue of …
Panera Bread Location: 12632 S. Route 59, Plainfield Information: 815-254-0022, http://www.panera-chicago.com Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday There's something distinctly inviting about Panera Bread, the part-restaurant/part-bakery chain that seems to be thriving despite the rocky economic times in which we find ourselves. Basked in a golden glow cast by orange-tinted lamps and goldenrod-colored walls, it really is the perfect place for early morning coffee and a freshly baked muffin, a quick soup-and-sandwich combo, or a hearty panini, maybe …
La Adelita Mexican Restaurant Location: 15732 S. Route 59, Plainfield Information: 815-577-6101, http://www.laadelitamexrest.com/main.html Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1o a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Attention to detail is important at La Adelita. You can tell from the white tablecloths, which offer a sharp contrast to the brown wood chairs, and the vivid hand-painted murals, all of which create an inviting dining atmosphere. It's hard to believe that just a couple of years ago this was once a Wendy's fast-food restaurant. Most Mexican…
Route 59 Grill Location: 15521 S. Route 59, Plainfield Information: 815-609-5100 Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1o:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday Route 59 Grill is the new kid on block or, to be exact, the new kid on the highway. But we predict it won't be long before it becomes the old family favorite. We stopped by just only one week after it opened and were very pleased with both the food and the family-friendly atmosphere. Route 59 Grill owner George Tsakanikas has been in the restaurant business more than 10 years, running Steve's Place located on Franklin Street in …
Taste of China Location: 13530 S. Route 59, Plainfield Information: 815-609-8888, http://www.3tasteofchina.com/index.html Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Taste of China is the perfect place when you're in the mood for Chinese but don't feel like going to a restaurant or cooking. Their business is pick-up and delivery, and they seem to be filling a niche given that their Plainfield location is their third since opening in Naperville in 1990. Owners Jane and Tony Chow have found a recipe for success that's worked well for 20 years. …
Baby Back Blues BBQ Location: 16200 S. Lincoln Highway, Plainfield Information: 815-254-6939, http://www.babybackblues.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday If you didn't know you were in suburban Plainfield, you could easily surmise that Baby Back Blues was an authentic barbecue smokehouse in southern Mississippi. The stainless steel smoker ovens behind the main counter are blackened from a dozen years of use and stoked with hickory logs to provide that much-loved smoky flavor. Baby Back Blues is the real deal, and the barbecue that's …
Laughter-filled moments with good friends while enjoying a common experience is considered priceless to some. And dining at a Japanese steakhouse can, indeed, fill that bill, as a chef entertains while cooking your groups' meal table-side; you simply sit back, relax and enjoy. Unfortunately, while Sapporo has plenty of hibachi grills and does aim to please, it wasn't the experience we were anticipating. When you call to make a reservation for dinner, you can select the sushi side of the restaurant or the hibachi side. The sushi side was described as quieter; the hibachi side is where a chef …
Entering this lavishly autumn-themed restaurant one can't help but get in the mood to dance an Irish jig right into fall, and its season-based menu is the perfect match. Located at the corner of Lockport and Des Plaines streets in downtown Plainfield, Finnegan's Irish Pub is a convenient dining spot for before or after running those endless errands and you won't have a problem finding a parking space. To begin with, how about a pumpkin pie martini? They can't be serious -- in a pub? They are at Finnegan's, and their specialty drink was a big hit with me. It's not easy to distinguish all of …
Looking for a good value in these trying times? Larry's Diner is easy on the wallet and will more than satisfy your appetite, as the prices are low and the portions are big. Located at 24522 W. Lockport Road, this three-room restaurant serves up just about everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks, chicken, lamb, pork and traditional Greek fare. Breakfast is popular mainstay all day long and choices run the gamut from omelets to French toast, crepes and waffles. We stopped in for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by the service, food and portions. The cheddar cheese-and-bacon baked …
