 Vinny Vanucchi's "Little Italy", Galena by deecat | Reviews and photos of Illinois restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Illinois dining. Map |
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If you enjoy "local lore" as I do, you will love going to the Kitch-Inn in Mendota, Illinois. This restaurant has been in the same family since 1909, when Ted Troupis bought the Mendota Candy Kitchen from a fellow Greek immigrant, James Stasinos. Ted son's Andrew and his wife Genevieve own and run the place today. Genevieve worked as a waitress there when she was in high school! This quaint place seats about fifty people in seven orange booths, two tables and eleven diner stools. The fountain behind the counter has a vintage pink 1940s malt dispenser and a 60-year-old Hamilton juicer.
This business evolved from a candy store into a restaurant in 1953 when all the large ice cream companies began squeezing out the local ma & pa shops. They used to make 20,000 gallons of ice cream a year, and when andrew quit making ice cream in about 1966, he was down to only 1,2000 gallons a year. Today, Andrew buys his ice cream from Valley Maid ice cream company in Aurora, but he makes his own syrups of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
Although Andrew and Genevieve have four children, none of them are involved in the business. So, they will have to sell the restaurant some day. How sad.
Better stop by soon; I don't know how much longer they will be in business.
Andrew still makes homemade candy, but it is only available from October through April He works from a basement candy kitchen that is filled with copper kettles and marble tables. He makes peanut and coconut brittle, peanut and pecan clusters, and cashews and caramel. He's been offered lots of money for his secret recipe for pure cream caramel. He has not sold yet.
The menu offers daily luncheon plates and delightful specials such as the nutty carrot muffin with chunks of walnuts, slivered carrots, pineapple and raisins. YUM! Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 710 Washington street, Mendota, IllinoisPhone: 815-539-9206
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The Country Squire was originally built as the residence of Wesley Sears who started the Chicago based mail order firm. The house was completed in 1938 and regarded ten years ahead of its time.
The front door hardware of wrought brass and the hand-carved woodwork on the ceilings of some rooms of the house are still there. This is a great restaurant because of the delicious cuisine and the setting . There are huge windows you look out of and see 13 acres of woods and varieties of native and transplanted trees. The existing gardens were rejuvenating and are continually expanding. In 1954 the residence was turned into a restaurant; the family dining room is used as a lounge now. The living room is the fireside reception area, and the original library is the Library Bar. Upstairs, the two bedrooms are now connected and used for private banquets. A dining porch was added to the south and east exteriors of the building. Such people as Carl Sandberg, Marlon Brando, Esther Williams, Peggy Lee, Mike Ditka, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many Illinois Governors have eaten here.
The Govas Family own and run the restaurant, and they treat you as though you were a guest in their own home.
The Country Squire is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am-10 pm; Saturday from 11 am-11 pm; Sunday from 10 am-9 pm. They are closed on Mondays.
They serve lunch and dinner and on Sundays they offer a unique champagne sit down brunch menu as well as dinner.
Allan and I love the Mediterranean Bruschetta, Shrimp DeJonghe, and Fried Calamari as examples of appetizers.
We enjoy Filet Mignon, Steak au Polvre, Lamb Chops, Deep Sea Scallops, Broiled Lobster Tail, Lake Superior White Fish, Salmon Balsomico, Roast Duck, and Veal Oscar for the entree.
For Salads we prefer the Mesclyn Mixed Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette.
All dinner come with a Country Squire Lazy Susan Tray, salad, Potato, and Vegetable
They have an Early Bird Special (Two dollars off an entree before 6:00 p.m.
Desserts are also excellent. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 19133 W. Route 120, Grayslake, Illinois 60030Phone: 847 22300121Directions: Just west of the Intersection of Routes 120 & 45; 4 miles west of I-94
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First off, I want to make it clear that I really don't eat "Fast Food" with the exception of food from Steak N' Shake Restaurants! As I kid, I loved going to the Normal, Illinois, area where I could have a steakburger and milk shake from the Steak and Shake Restaurant (1219 S. Main Street on old Route 66 was the location then).
Sadly, that Original Steak and Shake Restaurant in the Nation has become a Monical's Pizza Parlor as of a couple of years ago.
Gus and Edith Belt started Steak 'n Shake way back in the 1930s. Today, there are almost 400 Steak 'n Shakes in six states.
But the chain's hometown, Normal, Illinois, is still my favorite place to eat the famous steakburgers because of all the history that accompanies it.
Gus and Edith 's first restaurant was called The Shell Inn, and beer and chicken were served (there was also a Shell gas station on the property). When Prohibition came, they started to sell steak hamburgers and shakes.! Gus would bring in steaks and grind them into burgers while customers sat at the counter and watched. Thus, the restaurant's slogan became, "In sight it must be right".
In about 1934, Gus renamed his restaurant "Steak 'n Shake" and served butter-grilled steak hamburger for 25 cents, which came with home baked beans and potatoes. Edith's specialties included homemade chili.* The restaurant still serves that same chili today!
What I like about Steak N' Shake:
a. They slice pickles the long way.
b. You can order from the drive-up window,
seat at a table or booth inside, sit at the
counter and watch them cook, or you can
Takhomasak (take home a
sack) For the longest time, I
did not understand that at all.
c. The hamburgers are made of steak and
thin and good well, the way I like them.
d. The shakes and malts are made with
handpacked real ice cream.
e. They use real China to serve the food.
g They are open 24 hours a day.
h. The french fries and very "thin" (the way I
prefer them. They are the only potatoes
that I ever eat!!
You can eat at Steak N' Shakes in several midwestern states, especially the state where it all began....ILLINOIS! Leave a Comment Theme: AmericanPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 614 W. Raab Rd, NHormal, IllinoisDirections: Just west of Main Street in Normal.
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While in Galena, Illinois, Allan and I ate at Vinny Vanucchi's "Little Italy" on Main Street. We were told by the locals that this was the place to eat. It's always good to listen to the locals, as we found out.
This restaurant is an old world Italian neighborhood kind of place that is located up the cobblestones where Washington Street meets Main Street. There's an old fashioned deli and import store, which you walk through to get to the restaurant. The restaurant has lots of beautiful wood, a fireplace, imported artifacts and signs, and the tables are covered with checkered tablecloths. There is an outdoor Cappuccino Garden for warm summer days and evenings.
There are many house specialties and supposedly the Meat Lasagna is the best because it is an old recipe from Vinny's Nana Lu who is about 88 and lives on the northwest side of Chicago. A picture of her on Taylor street at age 16 hangs on the wall. Also Auntie Nancy's manicotti recipe is still used as well as Uncle Paulie's baked mostaccioli and Tortellini Carbonara.
The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Allan loved the Fried Calamari, Garlic Bread and Veal Picatta. I loved the Garlic Bread, Italian Salad, and Uncle Paulie's Baked Mostaccioli!
The whole experience was delightful with super service, warmth, Italian friendliness...we thought we were back in Italy. Leave a Comment Theme: ItalianPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 201 S. Main Street, Galena, ILPhone: 815-777-8100 or 815-777-8140
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For my birthday this summer in July, 2004, Allan took me to one of my very favorite restaurants in Chicago, Wildfire.
It is a restuarant that strives to be a 1940s dinner club and succeeds! They have a large Martini Lounge that features your choice of hand-stuffed olvies, full wine list, and tantalizing classic cocktails.
The service is incredible and the food is "to die for!"
It is open nightly for dinner, and all rooms are non-smoking! (Yea!) We sat in a comfortable leather booth facing the open hearth where the steaks are grilled. Speaking of steaks. Wow is the operative word to describe them.
Besides wonderful steaks, they offer lots of fish dishes and Roasted Prime Rib of Beef.
1940s music plays; there is candlelight, and the ambience is quite romantic.
I love the Filet Medallions, the Wilfire Chopped Salad, and the decadent desserts. Allan loved the Cheese crusted Steak (I forget which one), the salad, and, of course, the desserts.
Our waiter was quite kind, friendly, and so funny. He made a special effort because it was my birthday.
For any special time in my life, I always love to spend it at Wildfire. Leave a Comment Theme: SteakhousePrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 159 West Erie, ChicagoPhone: 312-787-9000
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When we started starving, we found this restaurant to be conveniently located in the beautifully designed portion of the building. This portion of the building itself seemed like StarTrek's Enterprise and Voyager's interior. It was a spacious area offering dazzling views of Chicago highrises and the lake (see pictures). Once you are halfway through the planetarium your body will certainly crave for food and drinks and this is the best place at hand. It can also provide catering services for 15 or more people.
Along the walls facing Chicago highrises, there were telescopes that we used to watch the activities in the city :-)
Fresh salads, soups, sandwitches, hot dogs, and burgers. Leave a Comment Theme: Fast FoodPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Adler Planetarium
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I must admit that if it wasn't for our local friends I would probably hadn't been to this place if not after spending a much longer time in Chicago. Well, good friends always choose the best despite I suspect they also love this place for the stunning beauty of waitresses!
Namely, this is a Japanese and sushi place but personnel is Korean and they propose a good selection of Korean dishes and sushi. Nevertheless, I spend a good portion of my time in Korea and I felt "at home" here.
Friendly and professional service.
Soju, the most popular Korean booze is served here.
A "special" drink was given to us, don't know if this is a standard or it was given to us as something nice to my friends who are addicted customers of this restaurant.
After pouring half a mug of beer, a couple of chopsticks were laid on top of it, and a small cup full of soju was put steady over these. It was then all ready for the waitress to slam her fist on the bar table, this causing the soju cup to drop into the beer and ready to be quickly guzzed down. Leave a Comment Theme: Japanese/SushiPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averagePhone: (773) 506-2978Directions: Hama Matsu 5143 N. Clark Chicago, IL
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One of the most popular and romantic restaurants in Chicago is The Signature Room at the 95th. Located on the 95th floor of the 100-story, 1,127-foot (344-meter) John Hancock Center, it offers fine dining with incomparable views of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan.
The best time to dine at The Signature Room at the 95th is in the evening, as the sun sets over Chicago. As dusk falls, lights twinkle and glimmer all over the city, turning the entire metropolitan area into a sea of light. As the darkness deepens, the waters of Lake Michigan turn from bright blue to deep purple to inky black.
The Signature Room at the 95th has an award-winning contemporary American menu. The entrees are among the most expensive in Chicago, but the food is excellent, the service is impeccable, and the view is worth the extra expense. Leave a Comment Theme: AmericanComparison: most expensiveDirections: The John Hancock Center is located at 875 North Michigan Avenue.
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A fun place to have lunch is at Ed Debevic's. This restaurant is in the style of a 1950s diner, with 1950s memorabilia on the walls, and music from the 1950s playing on the old-fashioned juke box.
The waiters and waitresses are dressed in 1950s-style clothing, and interact with customers in a sassy and sarcastic manner.
Ed Debevic's features such American classics as hamburgers, fries, sodas, and chocolate malteds. Leave a Comment Theme: DinerComparison: less expensive than averageDirections: Ed Debevic's is located at 640 North Wells Street, in the River North area of downtown Chicago.
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Chef Wolfgang Puck became internationally renowned with the opening of his Spago restaurant in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Nowadays, he runs an exclusive and expensive chain of elegant restaurants, including Spago in Chicago.
Spago contains a multi-level dining room, along with a bar and upper-level club/cigar area. Reservations are required, and jackets and ties are strongly recommended for men.
Spago offers a menu of American cuisine, which is heavily influenced by the cuisines of Europe and Asia. The dishes are prepared by Executive Chef François Kwaku-Dongo using recipes invented by Wolfgang Puck. Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalComparison: most expensiveDirections: Spago is located at 520 North Dearborn Street, in the River North area of downtown Chicago.
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on September 29, 2004
on April 2, 2007
on July 5, 2005
on March 26, 2005
