Illinois has a lot more to offer other than Chicago! Less than an hour’s drive northwest of Chicago or a quick ride on the Metra, you’ll find Elgin, “The City in the Suburbs.” As the sixth-largest city in Illinois, Elgin is a little escape from the hustle and bustle of Chicago without neglecting your taste buds. Here are eight of the best restaurants to try the next time you visit Elgin.
Gabutto Burger
2502 Randall Rd. Elgin, IL 60123
Gabutto Burger is known for their burgers with Japanese twists. There’s a sandwich for everyone from beef, chicken, and pork to seafood and veggie. These aren’t your typical sandwiches either. Their special patties, sauces, and flavors and even rice buns make your trip to Gabutto Burger a truly unique experience. If you’re really hungry, channel your InnerWorkings competitive eater and try the Samurai Burger Challenge. You have only 30 minutes to eat this behemoth of a burger, packed with a smorgasbord of patties, sauces, meats, and everything in between. You get a samurai sword and the meal free if you’re victorious!
ZZA Factory
751 N State St. Elgin, IL 60123
When in doubt, pizza’s always a great choice. ZZA Factory prides itself in quality ingredients, from mozzarella from Wisconsin to the best meats from Chicago. A lot of ZZA’s ingredients are made fresh daily, like homemade pizza dough or fresh cut fries. The menu is vast and if you’re craving more than just pizza, ZZA also offers wings, sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and more.
Elgin Public House
219 E Chicago St. Elgin, IL 60120
Burgers and beer are always a great combination and Elgin Public House delivers. With a large selection of specialty burgers and plenty of ingredients to BYO, like duck bacon, you may have a hard time choosing what’s for lunch. The pub also has salads, sandwiches, entrees, and a signature mac and cheese. The drink menu is as diverse as the food menu with a rotating list of craft drafts and limited-time bottles and cans, an assortment of wines, and delicious signature cocktails. Having a late lunch? Indulge in happy hour specials Sunday through Thursday, 2-5 p.m.
Inches Tacos
1827 N La Fox St. South Elgin, IL 60177
Get your fix of Mexican street tacos fresh off this food truck. This quick and easy stop makes lunch a breeze. Fresh al pastor tacos, elotes, and horchata? Sign us up! Inches Tacos also offers burritos, tamales, torta, nachos, quesadillas, and more.
Cafe Roma
2175 Point Blvd. Elgin, IL 60123
Enjoy a contemporary dining experience at Cafe Roma from Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef/Owner Frank Redisi. For lunch, dig into Italian classics like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. If their homemade pasta sauces leave you wanting more, you can buy jars of their Vodka and Pomodoro sauces for your own culinary adventure.
Old Republic Kitchen + Bar
155 S Randall Rd. Elgin, IL 60123
Classic American fare like burgers, cheese curds, chicken sandwiches, and more pair well with Old Republic’s bar selection. Indulge in daily specials like half-price burgers on Mondays or half-price pizzas on Thursdays with beverage purchases. Old Republic’s menu features specialties from California, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, New England, Memphis, New Orleans, and Chicago.
Poke Bros
346 S Randall Rd. South Elgin, IL 60177
Get a little taste of Hawaii in Elgin with a delicious bowl of poké. Essentially sushi in a bowl, poké is a staple in Hawaiian cuisine. Choose from signature bowls or BYO with a wide selection of toppings, ingredients, and sauces. Poke Bros prides itself in fresh and authentic ingredients and has locations spanning the Midwest and East Coast.
Sweet Berry Cafe
720 N Mclean Blvd. South Elgin, IL 60177
If you’re itching for something sweet, look no further than Sweet Berry Cafe for classic brunch favorites, like crepes, pancakes, french toast, and waffles. Try their seasonal pumpkin pancakes for those #fallvibes. More of the savory type? Opt for a benny or omelet instead or chow down on a sandwich or wrap!
Featured Image Credit: Old Republic [Kitchen + Bar]
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