50 Best American Restaurants near Riverside

“I had the pork chop cooked medium well with broccolini. The chop was moist and flavorful with an apple/raisin sauce. Very good. Broccolini was fresh and crisp. I also had the Red Head cocktail; much like a Cosmopolitan. Very good with just enough vodka. Topped it off with brownie sundae. Definitely will be back. Highly recommended.“

“Great fried chicken! Chicken falls right off the bone and is super juicy. The skin is very crispy and is not overly seasoned. The French fries had the perfect crunch on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I'm not a fan of Cole slaw at all, but the Cole slaw here is good! Lastly the fritters, I had no idea what a fritter was, but man it was good. I see why they are sold buy the dozens. If you haven't tried this place yet, do yourself a favor and try it. You will not be disappointed.“

“This place has a cool, hip vibe and it’s fun to eat at the communal tables. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great variety of beer and creative craft cocktails. Food is beautifully plated and delicious - make sure to try the potatoes, baby gem salad and hanger steak.“

“First time at The Whale for a friend's birthday, we ended up there during happy hour (a happy accident) and the drinks and food options were inexpensive and delicious! Emily our waitress was fantastic as well, super bubbly and sweet, thank you Emily!“

“The staff at Lula Cafe was incredibly accommodating to our almost 2-year-old toddler. After we met the owner, another server came over and even addressed our son by his first name! It was such a small but thoughtful touch. In addition, the owner knew we were traveling home the next day so she took the liberty to make our last dish a little smaller so we didn't have leftovers that would go to waste. I was just blown away by the attention to details and hospitality. As a huge bonus, the food and cocktails were incredible! Will definitely go back when we find ourselves in Chicago again.“

“Great location to grab lunch. Solid variety of cocktails and beers to choose from. The short rib sandwich was absolutely perfect with a soft fresh bun and the perfect amount of onions and peppers. Great service, be sure to make a reservation in advance though (there is space to eat at the bar though).“

“A limited menu with decent food. Had the winter squash which was delish, especially the flavor combinations and goat cheese puree. Our table shared a baguette which was nice with the herbed butter and tiny anchovy. I would say this is a stellar place for whisky and bourbon selections if that's your thing. It's not your place if you're on a budget as the prices were a bit steep. Noisy atmosphere. Cute woodsy inn theme.“

“I haven’t been impressed with Italian food here in Chicago until now. This place is seriously good. The appetizers recommended by our server were outstanding. Superb flavors. Handmade pasta dishes were very, very good. The final course of pork collar was phenomenal. I would definitely recommend this place over others.“

“My guy and I dined there last night and I can only say that every aspect of this visit was, on a scale from 1 to 5, a 10. Atmosphere, service, cleanliness, promptly being seated AND served with a reservation, courteous waitstaff, and last but not least...every dish we tasted was superbly plated and tasted amazing. We had the restaurant week special with 3 entrees. We chose the pot roast, blackened salmon w/creamed spinach, honey chicken with fried pound cake, short ribs /mashed potatoes, shrimp n grits. Well done! We will be coming back!“

“A not so hidden gem as of late now that reviews are catching up with the imaginative menu and exceptional dining experience Community Tavern has been consistently providing over the past several years. Menu is full of unique dishes… elevated dumpling and noodles are a signature. Beautifully plated and generous- but not overly. Cocktail menu is fun, with zero proof options that are spot on. Save room for baked Alaska. Oh, and ambiance is chic but allows the focus to be where it belongs. On the food. Upscale West Loop experience in modest Portage Park for a lot less and no pretense.“

“We loved our experience at Giant! We’ve been wanting to eat here for a while and thought what better time than to go out for my birthday. My wife and I can’t say enough great things about the food, our server Bailey and the whole experience. Bailey was the best server ever! We love her and will definitely be back.“

“Ivonne was a fantastic waitress and the food was immaculately put together. The flavors and textures were incredible and I'm glad to have ventured out of the downtown area to explore. I loved that they attempt to do farm-to-fork on a micro scale... how cool and clever.“

“HandleBar exceeded our expectations! Amazing food, exceptional service, and a wide variety of options for vegetarians and vegans. Don't miss the black bean tostadas, fried avocado grilled cheese, and Pie, Pie My Darling Cake. The Lavender Rosemary Latte is a must-try. Overall, HandleBar is the perfect place for those seeking amazing vegetarian and vegan cuisine.“

“Gather is simply my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Every dish is incredible: the ricotta-honey spread and buttery toast, citrus cured salmon with fried egg, carmelized brussels sprouts with aioli...and that's before you even get to the entrees. Truth be told, I've never actually made it to dessert here because I'm already so stuffed from everything else.The decor is classy but comfortable; you'll dine by candlelight with a list of appealing cocktails ready to hand. If you're lucky, you can sit with a direct view of the kitchen where you can watch the magic happen.Incredible spot--if this place ever closes, you can rest assured that I will weep bitter tears for it. Please go eat here so that doesn't happen.“

“My wife and I have never been to a Michelin star restaurant and now that we live in Chicago, we had plenty of options. For our second baby moon we decided to treat ourselves to an experience at El Ideas. The whole experience was amazing! The location is really unassuming and not in some pretentious building or area. It was such a laid back yet exquisite experience. Guests were allowed to wonder the space and take in the food preparation. You could ask questions of the chefs. It was really neat and nothing like I've ever experienced. Since there are a limited number of reservations the entire staff is really attune to guests needs. I have no complaints about any of the dishes. Some of the standout dishes were the shrimp dish which was an ode to the history of Chicago fried shrimp. The Swedish style meatball cooked in smoked beef tallow with gnocchi was so well balanced. The smoked duck bahn mi and smoke duck pho was amazing . The Lamb dish was out of this world! I'm still in awe of the vanilla shake and fries dessert. It was truly a work of art. The vanilla with the crunchy potato bits and potato and leak soup just worked. I could take one of those every day. This experience is definitely worth it! I hope to be back in the future!“

“I recommend this Denys, the attention received by Sandy is very cordial, a kind, friendly person, she is always aware of what we need and what we order, she tries to ensure that we are given the best attention that the food arrives hot and that it is what we One ordered correctly, Sandy is a person who always has a smile for us, she gives her best, she makes us feel like we are with family, her kindness makes us return to this same restaurant. I recommend her, a very good person, her contagious smile, it makes her happy. the day to anyone“

“Diana made our anniversary dinner special. Seasons 52 holds a special place in our heart as the last place we had dinner with one of our beloved grandparents who passed. Our food was delicious and the service made us feel cared for. Thank you for making our night exquisiteDietary restrictions: We’re dairy intolerant and they were accommodating“

“Very kind and careful staff cared about our experience from the moment we booked all the way till we left feeling happy and fat. My beautiful bride and I enjoyed their tasting menu with obvious tweaks to her vegetarian diet. Everything was delicious, surprising, and fun. The NA drink pairings were wonderfully inspired and amazing. 11/10.“

“It was cool. Met some friends on St. Paddy's Day for a happy hour drink. My beer was $6, and her ranch water was $9 (not sure what the happy hour special was), but it was a one and done with no issues. It's super dark inside even on a bright day, so if you are a day drinker, this might be your vibe. Not so much for me.“

“TL;DR - If you’re even slightly thinking about coming here, just do it. Revolution has the best beer in the city, fantastic food, and incredible staff.A lot of breweries in Chicago excel in making their one or two specialty styles of beer, and that’s it. Revolution, on the other hand, is able to guarantee high quality and incredibly drinkable beer across just about every style you can think of. I normally hate those dark, boozy, 15+% ABV beers, yet I drink every single one that Rev puts out and I love it. Their “Hero”-series IPAs will make even the biggest IPA hater second guess their hatred. And their sours (usually released during the summer) are so good, you will question how something this good can be alcoholic. Revolution doesn’t put out a beer that isn’t incredible, so you can pick a beer at random and be sure to enjoy it.Recently, the Brewpub renovated their space and, with it, re-did a lot of their menu. The space is cozy, yet upscale (the seating is significantly comfier than it once was with new plush seating). The new food is also really high quality - much higher than you would expect from a brewery. A lot of detail is put into plating and presentation (Mushrooms & Tofu, for example, looks like a piece of art), and still it tastes somehow even better than it looks. In addition to more upscale menu items, you’re also able to get a lot of that “typical” bar food here that fully delivers (pretzel, cheese curds, fries, etc.). The only gripe I could possibly have here is on the pricing of some of the food. This does not apply to the whole menu though, just some items that feel like they are priced higher than they should be (e.g. Lion’s Mane mushrooms, a starter, costs the same as the Mushrooms & Tofu, an entree, despite being significantly less food and sharing some similar ingredients. Why?!). If you can view this less as a bar and more like a nicer restaurant (which, with the renovation completed, is easy to do), then the pricing is a lot more palatable.The ambiance, food, and drinks are all great, but it’s the staff at Revolution that keeps me coming back though. They’re all so friendly, personable, passionate, and professional - they are the kind of people that make your night out feel special. My fiancé and I have celebrated birthdays, engagements, job offers, anniversaries, and so much more here because of how wonderful the staff are in celebrating and creating such a fun environment to be in. They make Revolution a place we want to go whenever we want to have a good time out. There are just too many people to name (Magnolia, Drake, Erwin, Makenna, Amy, Matt, just to name a few) - but rest assured that we love just about everyone who has served us here. So much so, that my fiancé and I are getting married here later this year!This is the easiest 5 stars I have ever handed out. I have so little to say about places that are “meh”, so the length of this review should show how much I love it here. I’ve come here at least every week for the last 2+ years, and I don’t have any intention of slowing down anytime soon. If you’re still reading this, please stop reading and start drinking, and do it at the Brewpub! You won’t regret it!Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here. Standouts include the veggie burger (vegan by default), Mushrooms & Tofu (vegan), and a delicious pretzel with beer cheese (vegetarian and oh so good).“

“Always incredible - one of the best breakfast sandwiches in the city (I get the pablano/veggie and add sausage ? - which was a staff suggestion). Everyone who works there is friendly and engaging! If they had a yearbook, I would write, "have a cool summer - don't ever change".“

“Since moving to Cicero in 2020 this has been our spot. Food is always on point, service is super friendly and they have an outdoor patio that we can bring our pup pup.Vegetarian options: There's always something vegan or vegetarian friendly.“

“Tony’s pulls no punches when it comes to late night or early morning dining. I’ve never seen such a variety of options from a 24hr restaurant which makes it the clear choice as they have little something for everyone. This is where I’d put a photo of one of my meals…but I ate it too fast to get the chance.“

“I went today…I did not get the name of the person who attended us. I believe he is the owner, he is very nice and welcoming. The chefs are kind with good vibes too. Overall Good vibes. The chicken is not dry, and the friendly fire fries are very well served and delicious. I know a lot of food places get promoted in the city, but I am happy to know that there is a good chicken place here in Forest Park, IL. The food is well priced, and not expensive. To anyone who wants a delicious chicken sandwich and amazing fries please go here. - Ramiro“

“I recently visited Volo Wine Bar and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations! The ambiance of the patio was simply amazing, providing a perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine. The happy hour deals were fantastic, offering a wide selection of wines at great prices. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend Volo Wine Bar for anyone looking for a cozy and inviting spot to unwind and enjoy quality wine. A definite 5-star experience!“

“A latin style brunch place with delicious food. Chilaquiles are spicy, hearty. The rice and black beans are good, also different compared to most Mexican restaurants. The maduros and orange slice cuts are notable and unique. Also, don't confuse the leafs 'veins' for a hair, as I freaked out pulling one from the eggs. Restaurant decor is modern, food was ready quick, and the server was nice This place also serves pumpkin spice coffee year round.“

“This was our first time in as we just moved to the neighborhood and we loved it! We had come from dinner but decided we wanted some snacks. We had the fried pickles, pretzels, & ice cream with churros-- I was surprised but oh so happy they had some kind of dessert. The bartender was a super nice guy-- very friendly. He checked on us often and never left us waiting for anything. The interior was really cute and about what you expect for a corner/ neighborhood bar. We will for sure be back-- so glad we gave it a try!“

“This is an absolutely spectacular spot to stop. Quick service, terrific food and incredibly great prices. I wanted to get myself an italian beef while I was here in Chicago and Frannies helped me accomplish that goal in the best way possible. Thank you for the terrific experience and I will certainly be back.“

“Great place and a great addition to the neighborhood. I’ve been here a few times now and enjoyed everything I’ve had. Great cocktails too. The couple that opened it are wonderful people. The staff and owners are super friendly and attentive.“

“Oh ATN, you have turned my husband and I into bad people. We bought snacks for the weekend and they looked so good we dug into them tonight. The smoked trout and meat and cheese tray are absolutely amazing! I've never had anything there that wasn't top notch. I'm looking forward to the day we can enjoy the ambiance again.“

“This is by far the best Denny's I've been to in Chicago land area I go to Denny's every morning for breakfast before work and the chef Caesar is on top of his game 100% Foods always cooked perfectly and right when he sees that I come in he automatically puts my order in best Denny's and staff in this area...“

“First impression when I walked in was wow very clean place for a small restaurant like this. The ower was behind the register and was super nice. Told me about some of the favorites and how it's made. The burger was amazing. Top quality bacon on the burger. Didn't take long for my food. If your hungry and in the area check it out.“

“Recently found Mary's thanks to my sister & Brother in-law and I love it! Only been there 2x but both times the food has been great!, I had the same server and she was very attentive and friendly, but not "annoyingly" attentive. Haven't had to wait more than 10.15vminutes for food, but I was also there during slow periods both times. The interior is ...Fun! And colorful!, BTW, the Jalapeno Bacon is awesome!“

“The first thing that I noticed about Amerikas was the super lively and bright ambiance. I went I on a Saturday night with my wife, so I wasn't surprised by all of the people dining and having a good time, and as I ate my dinner I definitely learned why. The decor is bright and fun. The walls are lined by mutuals, mostly yellow, with big splashes of color. I liked how then kept the lights on to keep the atmosphere bright and fun. The food was delicious too. My wife and ordered the pulpo, barbacoa, tacos (shrimp and pork shoulder), tostada de pescado, ceviche and the dragon fruit cheesecake for dessert. I enjoyed all of the dishes, my favorites were the barbacoa and the pulpo. The barbacoa was super flavorful and fell right off the bone, no knife was need. The pulpo was cooked to perfection and was tender and delicious. The risk with pulpo is that it can be chewy and tough, definitely not the case here. One note, the tostada for the tostada de pescado seem a bit too dry, but the flavor of fresh seafood made up for it. If you want a fun show with your food, order the ceviche, it comes out with a cool smoke effect. Overall, the service was fast and friendly, and the overall experience at the restaurant was enjoyable. While they don't have a parking lot, street parking is cheap (at least compared to Chicago) and plentiful. Amerikas is a must visit in Oak Park.“

“I went to Mother's Ruin with a group of my coworkers, and Keith the bartender took the best care of us. He really made all of our nights special. I have also gone to Mother's Ruin for my birthday and graduation, and each time the service is always spectacular. I can't recommend this place enough! I highly recommend the nachos, and the specialty cocktails they have are all delicious.“

“Great theater, orchestra and talented cast, singing and dancing. The actresses including the burlesque dance scenes were perfectly cast. Couldn't relate to the story line of this play (guys and dolls) well enough to recommend it, but would love to see the actors in another play to showcase their substantial talents.And hope drury can pick more timely subject matter.“

“My dining experience here was great, our server was Matt, he was very attentive, made sure our experience was great. The food didn't take too long considering they had a big party going on while we were seated. Definitely recommend coming in here ! And ask for Matt he won't disappoint!“

“This is a newer spot near me that I recently discovered, it overs a different variety of food to the area. Will fulfill that middle eastern craving close to home and they offer other menu items for those not brave enough to venture. Have been here a few times and it doesn't disappoint.“

“I loved this place! From the moment you walk in, you get an amazing cozy vibe. The waitresses are very loving and welcoming. The food was very good. I would say it’s the best I’ve tried around the area. We got the combo special number 1, banana and Nutella crepes (with right amount of sweetness) and cheese blintzes (a little too sweet side). We also ordered biscuits and gravy (that didn’t make it to the picture), which were surprisingly good.“

“Everything about this place has a classic feel, but not like a played-out classic. It's more nostalgic with a twist. The food has an old-school feel that will make your inner child sing while satisfying your adult taste buds and sensibilities. The product is consistently delicious. Pop in if you're in the neighborhood.“

“We recently held our daughter's Birthday party at Logan 11. Everything from start to finish was delightful. Clint and his Staff did an amazing job with every detail. The food and drink selection they created was the perfect fit for our party!Vegetarian options: Good vege options“

“Service was great even though we came 10 minutes before closing, additionally we got absolutely great recommendations from supporting staff. The drinks were superb. Food was delicious. Favorite was the octopus! -Overhead lighting was a minus though. Bring sunglasses.“

“Ravenswood Breakfast House is a cute and quite small breakfast and brunch place. Good coffee, great breakfast dishes. My favorite is their Basil Omelette, but everything I have had on their menu has been delicious! Service is fast and friendly. Remember, the dining area is small. Not a place for large groups, but a great breakfast place nonetheless.Kid-friendliness: From my observations, Ravenswood Breakfast House welcomes children of any age. This is a small restaurant with a small dining area, so it's not great for kids who like to get out of the chair and run around, but they are otherwise accommodating for families with kids.“

“enjoyed a delicious meal and caught a fabulous show by brooklyn charmers -- excellent space for live music. FAIR WARNING: there is a small room to the left of the front door from which you cannot see the band (there are video monitors though), so call ahead to make your reservation and ensure you are seated in the main room if you want to see the band.“

“Its a great restaurant, been here many of times, upon my last visit our waitress was an older white woman with bleached blond hair! She was mad because the customers were done eating but hadn't gotten up from the table! Complaining about she's tired and ready to go home. I thought it was unprofessional! And!!!!! She didn't even get our order correct. I enjoy the restaurant, but I definitely don't want her to serve me anymore!“

“Bergen went above and beyond. She was super helpful and empathetic. My order wasn’t processed correctly online. She didn’t have to take my order, but she did. She is amazing. Every time I come in she is polite and helpful. Thank you Bergen.“

“The food and drinks were amazing but the service was even better. Our server Nicole made amazing recommendations, all of which we went with and had a great time. We recently moved to the area and will be making this one of our frequent spots because of her amazing service. Get this girl a raise, her level of hospitality was unreal.“

“Attended the Mondavi wine tasting event at Topaz. The food paired beautifully with the wines. Our entire table agreed that the short rib and smoked butternut squash dish was simply delightful. We kicked off our meal with the Salmon Tartare, a light yet flavorful starter that left me wanting more. The Mahi Mahi, with its coconut curry, was rich and satisfying--I'm crossing my fingers that it becomes a permanent menu item. And the pappardelle with lamb ragu tasted like it was made fresh to order. Overall, it was a memorable dining experience, and I can't wait to return.“

“Had an impromptu cocktail party with important clients and prospects. Shelley the event planner was extremely easy to work with, quick and communicative throughout the process. My company loved the service, food, atmosphere and proximity to the conference at the hotel across the street.“

“Wow, this place is AMAZING? Great service, hopping atmosphere, and every single one of our dishes were delicious. We will be making this establishment a regular breakfast place during our Chicago visits! Food ordered was: Breakfast burrito Croissant Sandwich Buttermilk pancakes with a side of crispy bacon!“