Location: Elmwood Park
Top Restaurants in Elmwood Park
Top Things to do in Elmwood Park
Countries
Top 10 restaurants in Elmwood Park, United States
Elmwood Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 24,883 at the 2010 census. The community has long maintained a large Italian-American population, with a more recent influx of Polish-American and Hispanic residents.
Things to do in Elmwood Park
1. Gene & Jude's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By Adam P - Dallas, Texas
Flew into Chicago to meet a friend and drive back down to TX. We made one stop, and this was it. It just brings you back to the good old days. Great customer service with an equally great attitude. Sure the food is simple, but that’s the whole point. The hot dogs are on point just covered in fries and the few toppings they offer. Mustard, relish etc. Saddle up to the stand up counter and munch away. If you are looking for a good dog I highly recommend.
2. Johnnie's Beef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Allen21096 - Chicago, Illinois
Johnnie's Beef is located on the northwest corner of North Ave. and 75th Ave. Part of the reason that the beef is so good, is that Johnnie's Beef is competing with about six or seven restaurants within one city block. There is parking for Johnnie's Beef which does give it an edge. Though there is only a counter to stand at to eat inside, there are about eight picnic tables on the outside. Johnnie's Beef is cash only. We ordered two beef sandwiches. The first was just a regular beef with only sweet peppers. Mine was the beef with both types of peppers and dipped. I could not believe the amount of peppers on the sandwich of both types - sweet and giardiniera. But the beef, even with the extra peppers, really had a balanced taste. The peppers really did not overpower the sandwich. Johnnie's Beef is reasonably priced.
3. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Kevin H
If you’re not from Chicago and want the “chicago style pizza” This is the place. The food is always great. Hot and fresh. This location has something that sets it aside form other locations. THE STAFF IS AWESOME.
Our waiter, Dong(?), was great. Took our order with our writing down, got it right and was polite, funny and respectful. He treated us like family and didn’t see my kids as a nuisance but interacted with them. Something I didn’t realize was missing from today’s service until he showed us.The meal was timed perfectly and was just another in what is becoming a long line of successes at this location.
This is the place that has it all. Good atmosphere, cold beer, great staff and awesome deep dish pizza. A can’t miss experience.
4. Great Escape
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By Becky W - Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
This is an environmentally sound restaurant that required many years of patience to get the approval to build the wind turbine that generates all the electricity for this restaurant.
As you enter into this restaurant it resonates the historical decor.
Just a fantastic place to eat and enjoy looking at all the features of the walls, ceiling, wood work.
Historians say that Al Capone was at this bar. A must read from their menu.
And the food... The blackened catfish had a very nice balance of spice. The salmon was encrusted with a nice crunch of walnuts and flaked perfectly into the fork.
Service was a tad slower on a Saturday night and was to be expected on a busy night.
We enjoyed sitting in the bar area where all the history was. Be patient for your service and food. The servers were making many steps to accommodate everyone as busy as it was. If you go on a busy night don't plan for anything after because it might take longer to get your food but well worth it. Not many restaurants run off their own power so it was fun just to hear the story and that they have the renewable mindset.
5. Carlucci Rosemont
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 713 reviews
Consistently among Chicago's top Italian dining destinations and a Chicagoland area hot spot, Carlucci proudly celebrates over 25 years in the restaurant and private dining industry. With close proximity to O'Hare airport, area hotels, and Rosemont's thriving Convention and Theater district, Carlucci has mastered the dining experience, enabling guests to dine and entertain deliciously within their schedule. Experience dining rooms with gracious Tuscan ambiance featuring white linen tablecloths, painted murals and rich wood trim. Served with utmost precision by seasoned wait staff, the menu is equally refined whether business lunch or social dinner. Fresh greens, simmered sauces, pasta al dente and masterful main courses celebrate flavors that embody Italian tradition. Complement the meal with a celebration of wine from Carlucci's Wine award-winning wine list by Wine Spectator featuring labels from both Italy's and California's finest vineyards. A comfortable full-service bar features lively entertainment on select Friday and Saturday nights. Seasonal Alfresco outdoor dining, beautiful dining rooms and an exceptional wait staff make Carlucci a destination not to be missed. Valet parking is complimentary and a Courtesy Shuttle is available upon request to and from area hotels and venues. PRIVATE DINING DESTINATION FOR PERSONAL OR BUSINESS: Private rooms are available for impeccable events for 10-300 guests, perfect for business or personal affairs with experienced private dining managers to assist in planning every detail. Our theater-style auditorium featuring state of the art sound system with AV equipment and WIFI can accommodate groups as large as 300, the perfect setting for your next corporate meeting. Offsite catering is also available.
Reviewed By llpupa - Beaufort, South Carolina
I never mind an Old School Italian eatery as after I moved from Chicago I have rarely got to experience this kind of nostalgic type of dining. I was ready for some carb overload so I ordered the campanelle pasta, but instead of shrimp, I asked for chicken. Why? Living in SC, where we get these crustaceans fresh from local waters minutes after being harvested, I didn’t dare order them here. The pasta came with fresh spinach in a tomato chive cream sauce.
The dish certainly had potential but in the end it was just too heavy. Italians never drown their pasta in sauce, but know how to expertly dress the noodles to reach the right balance. This dish suffered from too much liquid and as a result became a mish mash rather than a coherent symphony of ingredients. The pasta became gummy and eventually completely unappetizing. Would we return? Doubtful.
6. The Blossom Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By wandurlust1 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Blossom Cafe is our "go to" place whenever we're in the "hood". The breakfast is always great and the service is always fantastic. I always have some variation of a Greek omelette but everyone else chooses skillets, lunch and dinner entrees with nary a complaint. I hear the soups are good,too. My parents were regulars way back before the renovation and things have vastly improved since then. The coffee is better now and that makes this reviewer happy. Holidays are tricky as tables are packed a bit too tightly for some in our party but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Blossom Cafe. Be prepared for a wait on Sunday's, especially but it's worth the wait for me.
7. The Original Nottoli & Son Sausage Shop & Deli
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Claude P - Rapid City, South Dakota
There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to describe how truly great the sausage and food is at Nottoli. I know a little about good Italian sausage too. I have lived in NYC, Jersey, Boston and Baltimore. None compare to Nottoli. Freshly made every day and exceptionally DELICIOUS. Mild, Garlic, Hot or my favorite, Extra hot. They are all incomparable. Great Italian Beef too! Be aware, not open on Tuesday or Sunday. Get there early! This sausage is so good they often sell out before closing ! Do yourself a favor, stop in and have one of the friendly people at Nottoli make you a sandwich to order or take some raw sausage home to cook later. Bellissimo!
8. Gaetano's & Ristorantino Mediterraneo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Analyzing who Gaetano is, and where he comes from (Bagheria, Sicily), he decided to go back to his roots and the basic fundamentals of Mediterranean cuisine, honoring the chef’s who taught him, his parents, and his mentor, Francesco Paolo Sanmarco, the proprietor of A’Cuccagna in Palermo, Sicily. The Mediterranean diet is more about education and a cariety of simple, aromatic, healthy and organic ingredients. For centuries, Sicily (in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea) was invaded by Spain, Greece and the Normans, to name a few. Every invading country left their ‘mark’ on Sicily, by adding to and enhancing the cuisine. At Ristorantino Mediterraneo, you will find many flavors, more well known in other cultures, for instance, ‘sweet and sour’ flavor is more of an Arabic influence, however this is the flavor you will find in traditional Sicilian Caponata.
Reviewed By BK_overdrive - Chicago, Illinois
We have been to Gaetano's many times and always have a great meal and great service. This time was a little more special as the owner, who was doing a tasting menu for a table near us, was very willing to prepare a particularly interesting looking appetizer that went by on the way to 'the tasters'. It was wonderful (halibut and calamari) -- but more importantly what was wonderful was how happy Gaetano was to prepare it for us. Doesn't matter where you live in Chicagoland - you should make a trip to Gaetano's, at least once!
9. Alpine Food Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Chickenhawk12 - Chicago, Illinois
I have been to this popular sandwich shop several times and realized after the most recent visit why I do not frequent this place. I ordered a Turkey sandwich with everything excepting all the flavors offered... I was underwhelmed. Essentially, there is no "WOW" factor to their sandwiches. Perhaps they can begin by changing the bread or creating a sandwich exclusive to Alpine.
10. Maya Del Sol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Located in Oak Park, Maya Del Sol is just minutes away from the city and surrounding suburbs of Chicago. Prepare to be whisked away by the exciting flavors and tastes from some of Latin America's most vibrant countries. The unique menu is complemented by an inventive cocktail menu and extensive wine list. Relax on one of the best patios in the Chicago area when weather permits or dine in one of our two comfortable dining rooms. If you prefer, pull up a stool in the lively bar area, which has live music on some Friday nights from 9pm - midnight. Join us in celebrating numerous special occasions throughout the year, including Mother's & Father's Day, Cinco de Maya, Day of the Dead and many more. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Maya is also available for private parties - on or off-site - perfect for weddings, rehearsals and showers.
Reviewed By klynnkitto - Oak Park
One of our favorites. (in fact -- have I really never reviewed this place before??) I'll give a specific review from our meal this past Sunday, rather than try to roll our years of dining at Maya into one long review. We started with the...MoreHello! Just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to leave this wonderful review! We are so pleased that you have enjoyed your visits over the years! Hope to see you again soon. Cheers!
