Live in the Chicago area and want to support local restaurants but don’t want to eat indoors? I’ve polled local mom’s groups to discover the best restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs that are offering carryout and/or delivery. Plus, these moms share what they recommend ordering so you know what to get when you go!
The list is below in alphabetical order. If there are only 1-3 locations I’ve listed the part of Chicago or the suburb they are in. The list is heavy on Southwest Burbs suggestions since that’s where I live but I am actively seeking more city and Western/Northern Suburban restaurants and will add them as I come upon recommendations from moms I trust or try them myself.
Amigos Mexican Restaurant (Frankfort)
Colleen S. says, “they have Authentic Mexican and it is the best around! I won’t go anywhere else.” And Kim L. agrees saying, “absolutely! I tell everyone about Amigos! So good and they are so nice!”
B’Gabs Goodies (Chicago)
B’Gabs offers vegan cooked + raw soul food along with a cold press juice bar and smoothies. Emily L. says she typically orders the smoothies, juices, and avocado toast so it sounds perfect health-concious spot for breakfast or lunch.
Bacchanalia (Chicago- Little Italy)
This is the longest single-family owned Italian Restaurant of all the places situated in the Heart of Chicago’s Heart of Italy area and Victoria T. recommended it saying she loves their Chicken Vesuvio and cannoli.
Baked Apple Breakfast Co. (Downer’s Grove)
Lauren B. recommended this restaurant and said it was “super yummy!” One look at the menu had me wanting to try everything on it!
Bella Mia (Midlothian)
Miss fine dining? Get it delivered or do carry out! Trishy B. says Bella Mia is “delish.”
Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering (Berwyn)
I had carryout from this ghost kitchen last month and all the food was amazing! My favorite was their lasagna that had pieces of hard-boiled eggs in it, which I had never seen done before, but it was so good! My boys favorite was the Rigatoni Marinara that even got my picky eater to go back for seconds. Then of course there was dessert which we all made room for! Their tiramisu is delicious.
Bill’s Place (LaGrange Park)
Adelina R. said “the Greek chicken dinner (it comes with rice or fries), gyros, ribs, and their broasted chicken are all YUMMY!”
Bonefish Grill (Skokie, Algonquin, Schaumburg & Orland Park)
If you are craving seafood, Bonefish Grill is a great choice. Ann O. says that their take out is as good as their dine-in and loves their bang bang shrimp tacos and the bread with dipping oil.
Buenas Nachos (Frankfort)
Lisa L. recommends Buenas Nachos and says “it’s not fancy, but it’s Chicago-style authentic Mexican food and it’s THE BEST.”
Chuck’s Cafe (Darien & Burbank)
Jennifer C says, “Love their wings, BBQ nachos, Cream of Poblano soup, and New Orleans Etouffee.”
Cultivate Community Table (Frankfort)
A couple people recommended Cultivate in Frankfort. Looking at their Facebook page I can see why…everything looks delicious! I also love that they have a “benefit burger” program where each month they have a special burger creation and donate a portion of each sale to a charity or cause that is close to their hearts. Lauren G. suggests this restaurant for brunch/lunch and orders the Veganomicon or Breakfast Bowl.
Dancing Marlin (Frankfort)
Dancing Marlin got a few recommendations and Lauren G. said for dinner she likes their General Tso’s Cauliflower and the Beet Salad while her husband loves their steaks.
Dan’s Soul Food & Cafe (Chicago)
Kristina B. recommends this restaurant and if you are craving comfort food this looks like the place to go! The website says everyday is like Thanksgiving there.
Enzo’s Pizza (Countryside)
Victoria T. says they have amazing pizza and the”‘2020 sensation”: The Beef Roll! She also shared that the owner, Enzo, and his team are pillars of the community and have worked to give back by providing meals to first responders and hospital teams through the pandemic.
Gatto’s Italian Restaurant (Tinley Park, New Lenox, Downer’s Grove)
Anytime people are looking for restaurant reccomendations this restaurant is always mentioned so I think I need to try it soon! Erin K. recommends ordering the garbage salad and chicken pinoli.
Gina’s Teardrop Cafe (New Lenox)
Gina F. (who made it clear she is not the Gina who owns the restaurant lol) said they are “very accommodating and offer gluten free options as well!!”
Girl in the Park (Orland Park)
Are you gluten-free? Erin N. said Girl in the Park is “very friendly for gluten free” and Michelle L. said, “not gonna lie, the GF brownie is delicious!” Personally, I loved their candied bacon!
Hog Wild (Midlothian & Mokena)
Two moms recommended this barbecue restaurant. One said she’d been going to the Midlothian location for 15 years and never had a bad experience there. I had Hog Wild years ago in another state and wrote the following on Facebook after my visit: “Best BBQ I have ever had. Their corn cakes are amazing as well. A must try.”
Irazu (Chicago)
This Costa Rican restaurant was suggested by Lauren B. who loves their veggie burritos.
Italian Village (Chicago- Downtown)
Lauren B. says Italian Village “has the best pizza I’ve ever had!!!”
Jamaican Jerk Spice (Chicago- Cottage Grove)
The brown stew chicken is a must-try here according to Emily L.
Kefi Greek Cuisine (Palos Heights)
Erin K. suggested this restaurant and says that everything she’s had from there is amazing!
Lassen’s Tap (Homewood)
Carol H. says, “I love the build your own burger menu and the garlic and herb fries!”
Majani Restaurant (Chicago- South Shore & Pullman)
This restaurant focuses on plant-based cuisine and was recommended by Emily L. who gets the bbq cauliflower, fried grits, and sorrell.”
Medici on 57th (Chicago- Hyde Park)
Christy B. says this Hyde Park staple is worth the drive back to HP since she now lives too far for them to deliver.
Mother’s Day Restaurant (North Riverside)
Adelina R. loves this breakfast spot. She says, “My favorite item on the menu is the Bananas Foster Blintzes. The first time I ordered it (YEARS ago), the server described it as “heaven on a plate.” She wasn’t wrong. It is amazing.”
Mo’s Philly Steak & Potato (Bridgeview)
Linda H. says, “I love the fried shrimp and hubby loves the original Philly.” Someone else said “Amazing PhillySteaks and Gyros and jumbo fried shrimp are my favorites.”
Nancy’s Pizzeria (Multiple locations)
Nancy’s Pizza has been my favorite pizza place since childhood. I typically order their thin crust pizza but their stuffed pizza is amazing as well! I also like their garbage salad which is chock full of goodness!
Next Restaurant (Chicago- Fulton Market)
This restaurant offers global cuisine and has won some pretty amazing culinary awards. Marcee G. says her family has “LOVED the meal kids from NEXT. They are very reasonably priced and a ton of delicious food is included.”
Ottimo (Orland Park)
Erin K. suggests ordering the Caprese salad, breaded zucchini, Chicken Milanese, and Pizza Bianca.
Oy’s Thai Cuisine (New Lenox)
If you are in the mood for Thai food, a few people recommended Oy’s. Carley M. says, “Their pad Thai is delicious. We also like the chicken satay egg rolls and the crab Rangoon.” and Stacy K. says, “Love Oy’s” and suggests ordering “the Tom yum soup (creamy and medium spicy) with shrimp”. Amy R. says, “We usually order Penang curry. Pad Thai noodles, egg rolls and Tom yum soup. They are able to accommodate gluten free for most items (not egg rolls). It is delicious!”
Paisano’s (New Lenox)
If you are in the mood for Italian food, Lys R. says, “Paisano’s in New Lenox has awesome Italian food….not super well known but it’s delicious.”
Papa Joe’s (Orland Park & Lockport)
My extended family had many celebrations at Papa Joe’s as I was growing up. I don’t remember the food much but everyone in my family loved it obviously. Kathi S. says they have “the best Chicken Parm.”
Pekoe & Bean (Tinley Park)
Aileen D. suggests this small coffee shop and says they have “great coffee, lattes, and tea, awesome soup and salad.” I went there once and had an amazing iced coffee drink and delicious quiche.
Phil’s Pizza (Chicago- Bridgeport)
Crystal A. suggests this old-school pizza place!
Phlavz (Chicago- University Village & Orland Park)
Artisha H. recommends the jerk burger, salmon rolls, and loaded jerk fries at this Caribbean cuisine restaurant.
Plant Based Junkie (Chicago)
Kristina B. recommended this restaurant for people looking for a vegetarian/vegan option in the city. I am not a vegetarian but looking at their website I want to try everything on it so I think that says a lot :)
Rosebud (Multiple Locations)
When I lived in Bolingbrook and Plainfield in my 20’s the Naperville Rosebud location seemed to be the most popular romantic restaurant in the area. Rosebud for Italian seems to still be a popular choice from many looking for Italian, including Mary A. and Gail S. who recommend the Lemont location. Mary says they have “melt in your mouth steak.”
Siri Thai 2 (Palatine)
This thai restaurant was suggested by two of my blogging friends, Michelle and Brandie. Michelle raved about it saying there are so many good things there that she’s a fan of and that it’s owned by the sweetest people. She said, “I LOVE their nam sod, which they make super spicy for me (on request). I order their Mussamun Curry almost every time, and it’s fantastic. My daughter loves the volcano fried rice with shrimp, and my husband orders the pad Thai every time and swears by it.” She also mentioned that they do allergies well, which is huge if you have gluten/dairy/vegan dietary restrictions.
Soundgrowler Brewery (Tinley Park)
Jill H. suggested this restaurant because it “has awesome takeout and delivery options for Mexican street food and some of the best craft beer!”
Tandoori House Restaurant (Tinley Park)
If you are in the mood for Indian, Lydia G. says they have the “Best butter and tandoori chicken!”
Taqueria La Penca (North Riverside)
Adelina P: loves this restaurant’s steak tacos and their cheese enchiladas, too.
The Pit Rib House (Hickory Hills)
Two moms recommended this barbecue restaurant. Edyta J. says they have “amazing burgers and ribs.”
The Shack (Lockport)
Jennifer C. says, “New BBQ place. Love their ribs and brisket.”
The Snail (Chicago- Hyde Park)
Emily L. recommends this thai restaurant in Hyde Park and suggests ordering their lemon chicken.
Tokyo Steak House (Tinley Park)
If you are craving hibachi or sushi, Sue M. recommends Tokyo Steak House. She says, “it’s delicious and they do a great job packaging it up perfectly with very generous portions.” She also says that she feels the takeout process is very safe and that they have a designated area (with shields) for pickup.
Trails Edge Brewing Co (Frankfort)
Victoria T. recommended this restaurant and says that they have amazing burgers. She also said that she is “obsessed with their Fried Portobello Mushrooms and the Apple salad.”
Wooden Paddle (Lemont)
This pizza place got a couple of recommendations. Melissa W. suggests ordering the “Gettin Figgy With It pizza and the meatball appetizer” and Mary A. believes you can’t go wrong with any of their pizzas.
YiaYia’s Pancake House and Restaurant (North Riverside)
This breakfast/brunch spot was recommended by Adelina R. who says that their stuffed french toast is really good. Her family also likes the burgers and fries. She says that she and her son love the jalapeno cheddar bacon burger.
What restaurants would you recommend? Share your suggestions with me on social! :)
