Where To Eat Around Downer's Grove (Chicago, Aurora: house, live, restaurants)

[Dementius88]

Hello Folks,
I am travelling up to Downer's Grove for the weekend. Unfortunately, it is a work trip so there will be very little sightseeing. When I am this type of situation I don't like to travel late just because it is hard to find my way around. I was hoping for some food recommendations while I am in town. I am from South Texas and have heard nothing but good things about food in Chicago. In fact a friend has stated that hotdogs and pizza anywhere else, really are not hotdogs or pizza. I have been told about Jakes Pizza, Portillo's, and Giordano's. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thank You!

[Steve-o]

Shoot right down Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove and head West until you get into Naperville (about a 15 minute drive). At Washington, make a left (South). Make a right on Jefferson and head into downtown. Right after you pass the GAP on the SW corner, find a place to park. There is a Lou Malnati's pizza joint right there, which is one of my personal faves. There are also tons of other restaurants downtown, but if you want a good Chicago pizza, I recommend it. You could also continue on Jefferson past downtown and head back out to Ogden Avenue (it wraps around really weird, but yes, its Ogden Avenue (US34) again waaaay over there---dont freak out) which you can take north (right) to North Aurora Rd. Take that West (left) for a short distance until you hit Rt. 59. Take a left (South) and drive about a 1/2 mile, there is a Portillos on the left hand side of Rt. 59 (past the Key Wester). If you go to Portillos and like beef, get the Italian Beef with hot peppers and a nice side of cheese fries.

Dammit. Now Im hungry.

[aragx6]

There's a Portillo's much closer on Butterfield Rd. in Downers Grove. You can google directions to here: 1500 Butterfield
Downers Grove IL 60515

[irish setter girl]

At Portillos you need to get the Italian Beef, the Chicago dog, the fries AND the chocolate cake. Fabulous!

Ginos East and Lou Malnati's serve great Chicago style pizza.

[Dementius88]

thank you all for your responses...i have already planned on portillos for two meals.....the dogs and the italian beef....i will add the cheese fries for sure....

THank you

[BRU67]

Ballydoyle Irish Pub in downtown Downers Grove has pretty decent food. And they have live music starting at 9 p.m. on the weekends with a $5 cover charge, as well as a good beer selection and a fun crowd.

[irish setter girl]

Emmets Ale House is in downtown Downers Grove if you want to walk around downtown.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Dementius88

thank you all for your responses...i have already planned on portillos for two meals.....the dogs and the italian beef....i will add the cheese fries for sure....

THank you

The hot-dog stand on Ogden a block west of Main is better than Portillos, the guy makes fresh cut fries instead of that frozen Ora-Ida junk like Portillos.

For a good beef skip Portillos and go to Bouna's, there's one at 22nd St and Finley and another at 75th and Cass.

The Omega on Ogden is a good Greek diner. We take such restaurants for granted in Chicago but down here in Kentucky such places don't exist; just Dennys and the Waffle House.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

The hot-dog stand on Ogden a block west of Main is better than Portillos, the guy makes fresh cut fries instead of that frozen Ora-Ida junk like Portillos.

For a good beef skip Portillos and go to Bouna's, there's one at 22nd St and Finley and another at 75th and Cass.

The Omega on Ogden is a good Greek diner. We take such restaurants for granted in Chicago but down here in Kentucky such places don't exist; just Dennys and the Waffle House.

Good advice! And Italian Beef from Buona Beef is better than Portillo's, hands down. But if you can't find a unique local place, Portillo's is at least consistently good.

[Irishtom29]

Oh yeah LK, Portillo's is good.

If there was one in Kentucky it would be the best place in the state. Then Waffle House would drop to second.