Best Dinner Places to Eat in New Lenox

"This no-frills soul food diner is a South Side institution and the oldest restaurant in Chicago, opening in 1892 and becoming its current incarnation in 1918. Breakfast is served all day while the dinner menu includes fried chicken, jumbo shrimp, melt sandwiches, and burgers, all of which can be spiced up with the red pepper vinegar found on every table. Daley’s moved across the street in 2019."

"Nestled in the heart of the South Side, Daley’s has been serving residents homestyle fare since 1892. Generations upon generations of Chicagoans have grown up on its skillets, waffles, chicken wings, and patty melts. If that doesn’t whet the appetite, daily specials like boiled turkey necks, chicken and dumplings, and braised oxtail stew rise above the diner norm."

"The gimmick at this Hyde Park landmark is allowing customers to “see your food.” But for loyalists, Valois is no novelty the cafeteria-style restaurant has been an essential part of the community since 1921. This all-day restaurant switches out items depending on the time of day. Church groups assemble for breakfast and politicians make sure to be photographed here during election season."

"It's counter-service only but Hyde Park’s beloved institution has all the makings of a greasy spoon. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served cafeteria-style and customers should look forward to reliable omelets, a mean plate of steak and eggs, and daily specials like lamb shank spaghetti. Need more convincing?"

"This event space and community center—home to a tech incubator, podcast studio, art gallery, and more—now welcomes visitors to its new rooftop patio. Brothers’ on the Wall has taken up residence in the kitchen to whip up platters of rib tips, jerk chicken, catfish steaks and more. Share an order of fries with your friends and do a show-and-tell of what you’ve brought to drink at this BYOB-friendly spot."

"Enjoy rooftop dining in your own enclosed igloo at The Woodlawn. The clear domes seat up to five people for two hours and includes a customized three course meal with beer or wine. Make the evening extra special with romantic add-ons like roses or a live musician."

"A family-owned Mexican spot in Archer Heights that's the G.O.A.T. when it comes to goat meat. Why we love it: Thick handmade tortillas, salsas made to order, bright-pink agua fresca—you can get all of that to go. Their only purpose, however, is to accompany the restaurant’s signature platters of chopped goat meat."

"Head to the Southwest Side near Midway International Airport for goat that isn’t labeled as the latest food trend. There’s a simple menu packed with deep flavors here. The handmade tortillas and accouterments represents a signature Chicago meal at this family-run restaurant."

"Lem’s has been around since 1951, and is probably the barbecue restaurant your uncle who has visited here exactly once knows about. History aside, this iconic spot in Chatham makes some of our favorite barbecue in the city. The ribs are aquarium-smoked (a method unique to the South Side of Chicago) and the sweet, vinegary mild sauce (also unique to Chicago’s South Side) is a perfect counterpart to the fatty meat."

"Many Chicago food enthusiasts exalt Lem's rib tips as the best barbecue in town, and its longevity — opened in 1951 — only supports that claim. The meats are cooked in an aquarium smoker and topped with a thick, tomato-based sauce. Folks who don’t know Lem’s are missing out on true Chicago-style barbecue."

"Chicago’s legendary aquarium-style smokers are on display at Lem’s, underneath a giant lighted sign off 75th Street. This small shack specializes in sauced baby-back ribs and giant hot links. This is also the places to introduce newbies to rib tips."

"The gimmick at this Hyde Park landmark is allowing customers to “see your food.” But for loyalists, Valois is no novelty the cafeteria-style restaurant has been an essential part of the community since 1921. This all-day restaurant switches out items depending on the time of day. Church groups assemble for breakfast and politicians make sure to be photographed here during election season."

"It's counter-service only but Hyde Park’s beloved institution has all the makings of a greasy spoon. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served cafeteria-style and customers should look forward to reliable omelets, a mean plate of steak and eggs, and daily specials like lamb shank spaghetti. Need more convincing?"

"The Parrot Cage, steps from the picturesque South Shore Beach, is run by one of the most highly acclaimed culinary schools in the country. Students from Chicago’s Washburne Culinary Institute use the restaurant to hone their skills in the kitchen, where they create highly rated modern American cuisine. The Parrot Cage is housed inside the landmark South Shore Cultural Center that provides a refined setting for your waterfront meal."

"Locals still tell friends to meet them at “Jimmy’s” the name of the the bar’s former owner (Jimmy Wilson died in 1999). Regardless, this tried and true dive bar has provided a meeting point for generations of college students, professors, and Hyde Park residents. Pitchers of beer are popular here as are the burgers."

"A southside brewery that edges so far down, it’s hardly considered urban territory, Open Outcry is an unexpected oasis in this part of the city, encouraging you to quench your thirst in their garage-style taproom. Featuring a flight inspired by the colors of the original Rainbow Cone—Palmer House IPA, Strawberry Imperial Stout, Orange Milkshake IPA, Pistachio Brown Ale—Open Outcry promises that you can’t go wrong with any of their signature brews. And their blissful beer garden with yellow accents is the go-to lounge for the summer!"

"Though Chicago might be a major population center and port of call, it’s still hip deep in midwest agrarian culture. Homestead has a rooftop garden that reflects both the pastoral and the civilized, with drinks and food that clearly have taproots in natural flavoring and healthy living."

"A South Side institution, the old school Vito & Nick's restaurant has specialized in thin crust pizza for nearly a century. It's been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," among other shows. Recommended for Family Friendly because: It's a South Side institution, known for the best thin crust pizza in Chicago."

"Yes, deep dish is the type of pizza that Chicago is known for. But much like how Queen’s “We Will Rock You” was originally a B-side to “We Are The Champions”, Chicago’s legendary cracker-style thin crust can’t be ignored. And that’s what you’ll find at Vito and Nick’s in Ashburn."

"Thin-crust pizza may be blasphemy in Chicago, but the Original Vito & Nick's thin-crust pizza has been winning over locals since 1932 with toppings like Chicago-style Italian beef or runny egg. Watch the Video: Vito and Nick's Pizzeria"