1. Rock Out With A Bomb Burger At Kuma’s Corner
Kuma’s Corner
2900 W Belmont Ave
Avondale, Chicago, IL
(773) 604-8769
Yelp: 4 Stars – 4377 Reviews
There are burgers and then there are burgers so good that you would drive across the country to sink your teeth into them. With burgers named “Led Zeppelin,” “Black Sabbath,” and “Metallica,” you know you’re going to be rocking out to some extra flavor. Don’t go without trying their famous Kuma Burger with bacon, cheddar and fried egg on a pretzel bun.
2. Grab A Shoe At D’arcy’s
D’arcy’s
661 W Stanford Ave
Springfield, IL
(217) 492-8800
Yelp: 4 Stars – 198 Reviews
Sometimes you’re so ravenous you could eat a shoe! Well, if it’s one of D’arcy’s famous shoes, you’re in luck: Texas toast piled high with your choice of meat or veggies and a truckload of fries with creamy cheese sauce.
Get a horseshoe if you’re famished and a pony if you aren’t. They also have all the traditional Irish dishes like Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie and Fish n’ Chips with either catfish or walleye.
3. Stuff Your Face At Schmaltz Deli
Schmaltz Deli
1512 N Naper Blvd, Ste 152
Naperville, IL
(630) 245-7595
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 249 Reviews
If you’re hungry, I mean really hungry, so hungry that you would swear a simple deli could not cure your hunger, then it’s time for Schmaltz. This not-your-average deli over-stuffs their sandwiches with ridiculously huge gobs of delicious meat.
For the maximum experience get one of their eight famous corned beef and pastrami sandwiches with a latke.
4. Get Adventurous At The Girl & The Goat
Girl & the Goat
809 W Randolph St
West Loop, Chicago
(312) 492-6262
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 3588 Reviews
Why are the fries at Girl & the Goat so good? Maybe it’s because the seasoning is dehydrated powdered ham. Is that seriously wood oven roasted pig face on the menu? Yup. Pig face hidden underneath a sunny side up egg and served with tamarind sauce.
Every bite here is layered with complicated, delicious flavors. Plus, you get to eat food cooked by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, and that’s something to brag about.
5. Get Seasonal And Inspired At Abreo
Abreo Restaurant
515 E State St
Rockford, IL
(815) 968-9463
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 60 Reviews
When you want to impress your friends who keep throwing around words like artisanal, local and seasonal, head straight to Abreo in Rockford. The menu is inspired by local ingredients and changes regularly depending on what’s in-season.
Everything is served in small plates, and the duck nachos, pork merguez and warm chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce come highly recommended.
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6. At’s A Nice Pizza On Your Plate
At’s A Nice Pizza & Pasta
334 N Independence Blvd, Ste A
Romeoville, IL
(815) 886-5200
Yelp: 4 Stars – 42 Reviews
The pizza gods of the world must have been born right here in Romeoville. At’s A Nice Pizza is more than ‘nice’ pizza, it’s phenomenal pizza. The sauce is rich, sweet and zesty, the ingredients are fresh and the cheese is melted to perfection. Add that to a hot, crispy, braided crust and you’ve got a fantastic pie. Yes, of course they have Chicago Deep Dish.
7. Khoury’s Cuisine Is Super Duper
Khoury’s Cuisine
3326 N University St
Peoria, IL
(309) 685-3000
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 40 Reviews
What you put in your pocket matters, especially if your pocket is a piping hot pita pocket. Khoury’s understands this dilemma better than anyone, and they don’t skimp. They know you want more gyro meat and that’s why they created the Super Duper Gyro with extra meat, feta and tzatziki.
They also know you need your creamy hummus and baba ghanoush swimming in olive oil and your baklava sticky.
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8. Happy Sushi Rolls Melt In Your Mouth
Happy Sushi
846 S Grand Ave E
Springfield, IL
(217) 528-9799
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 44 Reviews
Best name ever for this sushi bar, because you will be ridiculously happy (and full) after having their sushi. It might be hidden in a strip mall, but once you find it you’ll hope that no one else does. Try the French Kiss with shrimp tempura, avocado, salmon and lemon or the Hawaiian with tuna, salmon, yellowtail and mango.
9. Get Fala-Full At Naf Naf Grill
Naf Naf Grill
1739 Freedom Dr, Ste 109
Naperville, IL
(630) 904-7200
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 539 Reviews
If you’re craving creamy hummus, juicy chicken shawarma, fresh baked pitas and homemade tahini, get thee to Naf Naf. There are locations all over the Chicago metro area, but the original one in Naperville is, of course, the best.
The menu is easy: pick a pita or a bowl, falafel or chicken or steak shawarma and then go wild with garnishes and sauces. Get the s’khug sauce for a spicy kick that takes a pita to a whole new level.
10. Have A Mexican Meltdown At Maize
Maize Mexican Grill
60 E Green St
Champaign, IL
(217) 355-6400
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 238 Reviews
Remember that time you went to Mexico City and the food was the bomb? It’s like that at Maize. Maize has fresh ingredients, authentic Mexican cuisine and it’s affordable to boot. They’ve got a small menu that covers everything you need from nachos, burritos and tacos to flautas, sopes and tostadas.
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11. Get Fired Up At Black Dog Smoke & Ale
Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
201 N Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL
(217) 344-9334
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 469 Reviews
As soon as you walk into Black Dog Smoke & Ale House the smell of smoky meat and barbecue will push the ‘salivate’ button in your brain. Whether you choose the delicious brisket, the pulled pork, the ribs, or burnt ends sandwich…it’s all amazing. Get a flight of barbecue sauces and load up on sides.The Blackdog cornbread is not to be missed.
12. One World Cafe Does Chicken & Waffles Right
One World Cafe
1245 W Main St
Peoria, IL
(309) 672-1522
Yelp: 4 Stars – 192 Reviews
You know how at most cafe’s you have to choose between waffles and everything else on the menu? Or you can get the chicken and waffles, but nothing else comes with it?
Yeah, that’s not the case at One World in Peoria. You get a big, homemade waffle, crispy chicken tenders piled on top, 2 slices of bacon, a side of country sausage gravy and syrup.
13. Dine On Swine At The Purple Pig
The Purple Pig
500 N Michigan Ave
Near North Side, Chicago
(312) 464-1744
Yelp: 4 Stars – 2924 Reviews
Pull up a communal seat at The Purple Pig and order some pig ears, bone marrow or one of their delicious smears: meat-based spreads served with crostini bread. You will indeed write home about this restaurant.
It’s possible you will decide to make Chicago your home just so you can enjoy their small plates, cured meats, cheeses and delectable desserts on the regular.
14. Find Palatable Peace At Zenwich
Zenwich
416 N York St, Ste B
Elmhurst, IL
(630) 359-5234
Yelp: 4.5 Stars – 380 Reviews
Sandwiches aren’t typically described as ‘divine’ or ‘enlightening’–not unless you’ve had a sandwich at Zenwich. The crab cake sandwich, a homemade crab cake dusted in Japanese panko crumbs, topped with watercress and drenched in garlic-basil aioli is a thing of pure divinity.
In fact, all the sandwiches and salads are transcendental, especially the peanut salad. You may even experience satori while eating it.
15. Have A Flavor Experience At Thanh Linh Vietnamese
Thanh Linh Vietnamese
1223 W Main St
Peoria, IL
(309) 495-0179
Yelp: 4 Stars – 109 Reviews
And you thought that you had to go to Chicago to get great pho and Vietnamese dishes. Wrong. Peoria’s Thanh Linh’s pho, curry dishes, and the spicy lemongrass chicken are downright amazing. The portions are huge, the service is fantastic and there’s more than enough Sriracha for everyone.
What’s your go-to for great grub in Illinois? Tell us in the comments below!
