33 Best Fast Food Restaurants near Elwood

“NM is a lier she was told 3 times on the phone 32 sandwiches is a catering order and could not be made with 1hr notice during lunch time yet she still ordered 18 sandwiched on line ,then came in and ordered another 18 during lunch rush and expected everyone else in line to wait,,,,now wanted someone fired from their job because she screwed up her 's other people in congratulate the subway workers for not being bullied by this lying nm“

“They give generous potions and their food is always fresh“

“After a day at Lake Michigan, my girlfriend and I decided to take a drive over to Rax. We haven't had it in years and we were not disappointed. It tasted as good as I remembered. We really enjoyed our visit to Rax. I just wished we lived closer“

“I don't think I like Facebook's way of posting reviews. [Edit: no one else likes it, either. I'm the only reviewer in 2025, and it's almost 2026. They should also pay closer attention to the "not recommend" reviewers.] The review below this paragraph is just over 1,000 words, as if it appeared in a newspaper. I might just make any reviews of other restaurants and venues as regular posts. If you like Chicago-style fast food, eat here. Expect $15 per person unless you just order one hotdog and a glass of water. Portillo's is a chain with 94 restaurants and "drive-through-only" locations spread throughout ten states. Their greatest concentration is in the Chicagoland area. Founded by Dick Portillo in 1963 as a hot-dog trailer parked in Villa Park Illinois, the restaurant grew steadily over the years. It’s now a publicly traded company, and Dick Portillo no longer plays an active role in day-to-day operations. All Portillo's locations are company owned, with no franchisees. Portillo's sells Chicago-style fast food. They serve Italian Beef, which I’m reviewing here. They also serve Chicago-style all beef hotdogs, Italian and Maxwell Street Polish sausage sandwiches, barbecued pork ribs, grilled and deep-fried fish and chicken sandwiches, pepper-and-egg sandwiches during Lent, chili, and even char-grilled hamburgers. They also sell Chicago-style tamales, but only in the Chicagoland area or "ship to home." The location reviewed here is at 1155 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood IL. Their hours are 10 AM to 11:30 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 10 AM to Midnight Friday and Saturday. I visited the location in mid-evening on a Tuesday. The dining room was still roughly half occupied, and the double-column line for the drive through was still overflowing into the main parking lot. I've yet to see a Portillo's location not busy, but they might not be as popular outside of the Midwest. I ordered the "regular" Italian Beef wet with extra gravy on the side, sweet pepper garnish, small fries, and a fountain drink. Portillo's sells Coca-Cola products for fountain drinks. They are also famous for their milkshakes; particularly their "Chocolate Cake Shake." While it's incredibly good, it's exactly what it sounds like. Some, but not all Portillo's locations are licensed to sell beer and wine. The selection and availability vary by location. Italian Beef. The French Bread, like all bread products used by Portillo's was a Turano product. It was fresh, with just the right amount of toasting pre-service. The beef was perfectly sliced, very finely grained, and did not seem to have sat for an excessive period of time awaiting service. Portillo's gets their beef from Vienna Beef. However, they get it raw, and do their own seasoning, slow-roasting and slicing in their central commissary before repackaging and sending it to their restaurants. The French Bread Roll was properly filled with roast beef, not overflowing, but still quite full. The regular beef is more than enough for many diners. If you want more, the "Big Beef" sandwich is 50% larger. Both the regular and Big Beef sandwiches are also available as "combo" sandwiches with an appropriate length char-grilled Italian Sausage. The spice blend was properly Italianate, and at just the right strength to compliment the sandwich. When you eat this sandwich, you are eating Italian Beef, not "grandma's spice rack," or "store-brand-watery-Arby's." Gravy. Portillo's makes their own gravy while slow-roasting their beef. The gravy was a rich dark brown. Both the "au-jus" and the spices were in perfect balance, strength, and concentration. It was served properly hot. The flavor was perfect, with no hint of being scorched, burned, or overheated. The sauteed sweet peppers were cut "country style," which suited them well. The peppers were well sauteed, yet had enough slight to moderate firmness“

“Popped in here for my first lunch of Route 66 and it was a great decision. The atmosphere is fun and kitschy with statues outside, a 50s feel inside, and even bathrooms with fun theming. The food is reasonably priced and cooked to order. I thought the burger was decent, but the chili cheese fries were the highlight. Those are a must order. I also thought the shake was above average. If you start 66 in the morning, the Polk A Dot is perfectly placed to be your first lunch and I can't think of a better way to start your trip.“

“them steaks are pretty good, i recommend this place. The chicken California cheesesteak is pretty good“

“the food good! yes I recommend“

“WE GET FOOD FROM BABES SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND IT ALWAYS OUTSTANDING..NEVER DISSASPOINTED,, GREAT BURGERS,,WRAPS,CORNED BEEF, POT ROAST SANDWICH,, EVERYTHING EXCELLENT. WERE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT,LOCAL LUNCH SELECTION.. FORGET THE KING AND THE CLOWN, MORE CHOICES , FRIENDLY STAFF,FRESH MADE TO YOU,, FAST SERVICE. THANK YOU BABES“

“Let me tell you 10/10 experience!! Food was amazing, big portions, decently priced, and super delicious. The staff was super kind and patient with my picky indecisive self. If you’re in any of the surrounding hotels I’d 100% recommend you try this place. I cleaned my plate I lie to you not. Also get the churros!! I promise you won’t be mad i promise!!!!!!“

“Best place ❤️❤️ everything is so good 10/10“

“I rarely write reviews, but I had to share my experience at the Culver’s on Larkin.

From the moment my sister and I walked in, Julius at the counter treated us with exceptional kindness and respect. He deserves a raise! He asked for my name when I ordered and continued to address me by name throughout my entire visit, which made the experience feel so personal and welcoming.

I usually visit the Shorewood location, but I’ll definitely be coming back to the Joliet Culver’s just to see Julius again. Outstanding customer service like his is hard to find!

The food was amazing, as always, and the restaurant was clean and well-maintained. Overall, a fantastic experience from start to finish.“

“Ordered an off-menu item, a grilled cheese, and was very pleased with how it turned out for not be an item they serve every day.“

“Fresh, hot and very good !!“

“My daughters hosted a 65th birthday party for us at Old School Brewery with Nelly’s catering. We had an odd request, as we usually get their burgers when we go there. My daughters worked with Nelly’s and planned a Burger Bar complete with toppings, potato salad, baked beans, veggies, fruit and green salad! It was amazing! We really enjoyed it and everyone seemed to enjoy it! Thank you for working with us and for making that work! So anyone planning a party and are burger fans, check out their burger bar! Thanks again!!!“

“July 21 2026
I moved to shorewood il from Chicago 4 yrs ago I have been trying different restaurants for beefs I always pass by but never stop this time I did this place I give props too beef was excellent my husband said his gyro was better than greek islands in lombard il soft not dry
Better than pops beefs this place is the place“

“stopped in on my way back to Tennessee from wisconsin. I had to surprise the wife and bring home a couple beef rolls .She was so happy and so was I .lol .The service was great and the food was amazing!! thank you ! we will stop in on our next trip .👊❤️🇺🇲“

“Jacky front server at this pops made me return again from a previous day. Her customer service and knowledge of their menu 😋 made excellent choices for a nice meal. As a traveler and driving ten hours Jacky welcoming was warm and professionalism is at top.“

“Best and fav DQ of all time. I’m always greeted so kindly and provided top tier service. I’m always notably greeted and treated like a true guest by Montserrat, Sadie, Lexie, and Clara. Thank you so much for satisfying my late night ice cream cravings with so much bubbly energy, while maintaining a beyond cleanly store!!“

“J-Town Classic, if anyone is giving this place a lower than a 5 star..they’re a straight hattteeer. They’re always quick, I get everything I ordered. The parking lot can get a little crazy, but that just means everyone wants that MR SUB.“

“Usually I go thru the drive up. This time I had some time to burn, so we went inside. About 6:45 PM, while the drive had a line, the inside was empty. Our food was done quickly. The staff was great. And as always, the sliders were awesome.“

“I popped in this place for the first time just after leaving the library in joliet. Yes it was hot with door cracked one fan and yes there was tolerable bit of a wait time as would be with any newly starting establishment. The chicken, freshly baked biscuits, hot just right fries was well worth the wait. I will be back for sure even if I have to wait a bit because I know once he gets another cook to assist him and his son that Brown's Chicken location in time will grow by leaps and bounds.“

“It's clean. Super friendly staff. The ambiance is well thought out and appealing (mostly local vibes). Food is fried chicken fingers, fries, texas toast, etc. Very tasty. The sauce is a mild peppery flavor, not spicy and not overwhelming. Nice spot to sit amd eat.“

“Really good food. Highly recommended“

“Thoroughly impressed with the food and staff here. The woman up front did the best job and never lost her patience even though it was busy and she was up there alone. Doesn’t yet that the wings are the best I’ve ever had. All the people with me loved their food too. 10/10!!“

“Nice kids work there! Great menu!“

“Maria was great, I was having trouble with my card not working on the app. I came im and she told me (in a kind way) that the problem was the app itself. through the app I had used points to get a sandwich, and I was still able to receive my sandwich for the points (some locations will deny it as the points are already used). within 5 mintues I had walked in, received my food, and was able to walk out. best experience at a McDonald's I've had in a while.“

“Delicious food, made to order, always piping hot! Restaurant is very clean, freshly painted, and always simply decorated for each holiday. Staff is polite, knowledgable, and will explain an unfamiliar menu item to you. I have something different each time we visit, never disappointed. My husband is not as experimental as I am...he sticks to his tried and true favorites... tacos or a quesadilla. Pickled carrots and peppers are good too!“

“I eat at this location quite a bit due to driving for a company that does a lot of business with the warehouse down the street. The food is always cooked well and the service is usually relatively quick, given how busy they can get sometimes and how understaffed they seem to be most of the time! Gabby helped me with my order today and she was TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL!!! And i mean that in the most complimentary way possible!“

“DD
I like coming here due too, I always got a salad from here from working at my job I had at the moment. The fries are better due to the fries being gluten free. I have tried the lemonades (diet) but, sometimes homemade is best. The other items such as sandwiches I (unfortunately) can't have due to gluten allergy. The reason for the review is the Ice cream cones. THE BOMB 💣. On a hot day (once) me and my daughter wanted ice cream so, we took a drive to chik-fil-a and got some cones ! The best experience by far, the only thing I don't like or there could be more of is a way for employees to stay cool when it's hot out wearing a full uniform. I would recommend a company cooling shirt (just for hot days). I don't know just the humanity of having to do that on a very hot day must suck. Overall always a wonderful time coming here.“

“This is the way all restaurants should be! Clean, friendly, efficient, quick courteous service. My thanks to the management & crew!“

“This was by far the best Pizza Hut order I've ever had! Piping hot and delicious!“

“Gave 4 stars bc yall gave me 3 sauces for a 20 pc

But my fries are fresh 💪🏻

And the milkshake machine was done. Bummer. 😩

Oh and only one pie left so had to get one. 👎🏻

But the fries gave yall cool points so 🤷🏼‍♀️“

“I’ve gone to many Dunkin’s in my life and this one was by far my best experience in one. The 3 boys in there were on point, courteous and just the extra mile service by putting my gardinera in a lil bag incase it spilled. All w a smile. It’s clean. Whoever the boss is there make sure u acknowledge these guys, good job!👍“