The Ultimate Guide To The Best Restaurants In Illinois — Pizzas, Tacos, Ice Cream, And More!
You’re never far from your next great meal in the Land of Lincoln. The state’s restaurants offer something for every taste. You’ll find fun and fast burger joints, iconic steakhouses, family run Italian spots, fresh sandwich places, delicious delis, roadside taco stands, and of course, places that deliver heaping slices of the state’s famous pizza. Relax at a waterfront restaurant, or dine on a rooftop patio at an eatery with a view. Consider your menu items with a tasting glass at one of the state’s craft wineries.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Illinois has you covered too. You’ll find some of the best bakeries, ice cream vendors, and donut shops around. Still hungry? Maybe you should head to one of the state’s expansive buffets to fill your plate. There’s a lot to love in Illinois restaurants. Here’s a look at some of the state’s best restaurants.
The Best Pizza In Illinois
There's probably no title more debatable than the best pizza place in Illinois. Just about everyone has their favorite spot. Here's ours. Napoli Pizza is a Chicagoland restaurant that's been around for more than 50 years. It's not a fancy place. It's located in a strip mall in Palatine, between a deli and a liquor store. You don't go to Napoli for the atmosphere. In fact, the place is carry-out only. When you taste their pizza, you'll be glad you placed the order. What pizza would you choose here?
The Most Delicious Tacos In Illinois
To find an unforgettable taco, head south. In tiny Cobden, a village tucked into the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, you'll find Taqueria Pequeña. This little house of tacos delivers flavor in a big way. You'll find fresh and delicious tacos and tamales. Arrive early because everything is made fresh daily, and they are so popular, Taqueria Pequeña has actually run out of food before. Have you ever tasted tacos this delicious?
The Oldest Italian Restaurant In Illinois
Take a delicious trip to the old country with a visit to Alongi's Italian Restaurant in Du Quoin. This iconic Illinois eatery is the state's oldest Italian restaurant. It was founded way back in 1933. So what's the secret to Alongi's success? As you might guess, the food is wonderful. The restaurants serves all the classics - pasta, lasagna, ravioli, penne alfredo, scampi, tilapia, veal, steak, and more. Everything is authentic and made with the freshest ingredients. Can you see why people love this place?
The Most Mouth Watering Donuts In Illinois
There's never a bad donut, or a bad time for a donut at County Donuts in Schaumburg. For more than 30 years, this family owned bakery has been a hidden gem in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. It's makes donuts fresh, twice daily, and offers all of the classic styles, whether you like a simple glazed donut or a hearty long john. It also has some wonderful seasonal options like apple cider and pumpkin donuts. Best of all, County Donuts is open 24 hours a day. What would you choose in their case?
The Most Amazing Ice Cream In Illinois
When you see the red barn, you'll know you're in the right place. Milk House Ice Cream in Pingree Grove is a shop (well, techically a barn) that serves some of the best hand-dipped homemade ice cream around. Everything is made on site, including flavors like snickerdoodle, maple bourbon, key lime, butter pecan, peach, strawberry, and more. The ice cream is amazing and on nice days, this shop draws a big crowd. Would you make your cone a double?
One Of The Best Bakeries In Illinois
When you step into a bakery that's been delighting customers for than a century, you know you're going to find something really good. Roeser's Bakery in Chicago is one of those places. It's been around since 1905 and has always been operated by the same family. They use the same tried-and-true recipes that were handed down through the generations. While they serve all kinds of sweet treats, the decadent cakes are the stars of the show. What flavor would you order?
One Of A Kind Sandwiches In Illinois
While you'll find lots of delicious tenderloin sandwiches in Illinois, head to the tiny town of London Mills to find some that are simply extraordinary. Spoonies Bar & Grill serves the best tenderloin sandwich in Illinois and they are as big as they are delicious. Their mammoth sandwiches are bigger than your head and take some skill to figure out how to eat. Are you ready for the challenge?
The Most Delicious Mexican Food In Illinois
There are a lot of fantasic Mexican restaurants in Illinois, but El Nuevo Mexicano in Chicago is hard to beat. The restaurant serves a mix of traditional and inventive dishes that will make you feel you’re in the heart of Mexico. They serve classics like fajitas, carnitas chipotle, and carnitas de puerco as well as chimichangas, tostados, and flautas. Save room for dessert. The restaurant's flan and sopadillas are wonderful. Would you have a hard time choosing on this menu?
