Mystery Diner

We applaud Freedom Brothers Pizzeria & Alehouse in Plainfield for creativity in designing signature dishes with rock fans in mind.

Moto Imōto stands out from the crowd of traditional sushi restaurants with a contemporary American atmosphere.

At Backroads Burger & Bar in Plainfield, customers choose from 17 different burger designs, seven different protein choices and seven different buns.

Sam’s Fish, Chicken & Sandwiches in DeKalb does home cooking better than most people are capable of doing in their own homes. And they do it at prices that would have been affordable pre-pandemic, let alone now.

The restaurant is “a mix of good home cooking and a dash of culinary genius,” according to its Facebook page.

Perched not far from the Fox River, the restaurant is a welcoming destination for breakfast and lunch.

Village Vintner may be known for its house-made wines and beers, but the menu of upgraded bar food is certainly a reason to visit all on its own.

The new restaurant is home to fine hospitality in both the elegant interior and expansive outdoor patio known for its musical offerings.

Whatever the time of day, you are sure to find a meal to satisfy your hankering at Sweet Basil Cafe.

Formerly operated as a food truck, Marichuy’s Taqueria in Spring Valley stands out for homemade Mexican favorites at reasonable prices.

An inviting spot to dine on something out of the ordinary awaits at Bocaditos Cafe, where Argentinean empanadas are the stars.

The Assembly, a longtime staple in Hoffman Estates, has expanded to a second location in West Dundee, serving up the burgers for which the restaurant is known.

Where pizza is concerned, Illinois Valley residents don’t have to travel far. The region abounds with great options close to home. But sometimes it’s worth traveling for a different kind of slice.

Tapa La Luna in DeKalb takes a worldwide approach to its creative fare, and also serves up live music.

A secluded patio is a flowery oasis behind the restaurant known for its smoked meats and other fare.

When going out to eat, I don’t expect to taste mom’s home cooking, but a recent visit to Softails Bar and Grill in Ladd delivered an unexpected flavor of childhood.

White Fence Farm has multiple locations, including Joliet and Romeoville.

Duke’s Northwoods is the perfect place to grab a drink with friends or to watch a game – just don’t wear a Bears jersey.

The new restaurant features a perfect date-night spot enhanced by a rotary sushi belt offering enticing dishes.

Blue Margaritas, which opened recently in Oglesby where the KFC/Taco Bell had long resided, offers Mexican favorites but also more exotic dishes that show a little creativity in the kitchen.

A quick glance at Google reviews for downtown Sycamore’s The Village, an authentic Greek restaurant, shows it described by many patrons as a “hidden gem.” I couldn’t agree more, as I gobbled up the last honey-drizzled loukoumades sprinkled with chopped walnuts.

One of the newer dining destinations in downtown Batavia, the full-service restaurant and bar, has added outdoor dining just to the east of its building.

Highly recommended, the Guzman y Gomez Mexican Kitchen in Crystal Lake is just the third of its kind in North America.

It didn’t really matter what we ordered at PJ’s Courthouse Tavern and Grille. Kids meals or spicy food, appetizer or entree, basic or complex, the options all exceeded expectations.

Imagine opening a plain cardboard box and finding a 2-carat diamond inside. That’s how I describe my first experience with Ryan’s Eatery in Marseilles.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Lumes Pancake House and Restaurant in Batavia is a longtime favorite destination for breakfast and lunch.

Opened in April 2023, Bella’s Wood Fire Pizzeria is the second restaurant for Cucina Bella co-owners Tony and Brittany Colatorti. It is across the street from the establishment they have operated since 2005.

O-9ers’ Pub’s Mac Bomb Burger is the perfect example of making a good thing even better.

All that’s missing is a picturesque wharf, because E & S Fish Company in St. Charles not only offers a tempting array of seafood in its display cases, but has created a dine-in restaurant off the retail portion of the space for its ultra-fresh catch.

The restaurant makes its bones through local farms, serving fresh fare described as “good food for the soul.”

Believe it or not, some of the best barbecue I’ve had in La Salle County was at Mr. Salsa's in Oglesby.

A bowl of pho from Pho Ly will warm the soul. The owners have made great use of their space, creating a comfortable, modern environment that’s home to elevated Vietnamese cuisine.

It’s not often you’re truly blown away by a new restaurant. That was the case, though, when I grabbed lunch with a co-worker recently at Susie Sushi, a new sushi place that opened late last year in Fox River Grove.

In delivering consistent quality and fast service to patrons, the Four Star Family Restaurant in Peru doesn’t have many peers.

The restaurant is the latest creation of chef-turned-restaurateur Brian Goewey, whose other Italian-focused enterprises in Geneva and St. Charles are Gia Mia and Livia.

This Mystery Diner was looking for a new, tasty place with a fresh atmosphere to go for breakfast one recent Sunday. A friend suggested Maple & Hash in Pingree Grove, and am I sure glad she did.

What's going on in the kitchen makes Ren's Chinese Restaurant in Sycamore a perfect takeout or delivery choice. There also are several tables for diners.

Bianchi's Pizza in Ottawa lives up to its "world famous" title.

The downtown Batavia restaurant is open three days a week to serve lunch and dinner, and makes its space available to other culinary enterprises on other days.

Whether you are looking for a lunch location or somewhere to go with friends on the weekend, The Metalwood Grille at the McHenry Country Club will hit the right spot.

Brennan’s Bar and Grill in downtown Oglesby had me at hello.

From burgers to wraps to chicken sandwiches, Craft'd Plainfield has entrees to please all diners.

The recently reimagined restaurant features fresh twists to the menu, paired with an old-school, welcoming warmth.

Thoughtful attention to cooking and presentation is evident at Vine & Plate, a wine bar that prides itself on the shared experience of wine and food.

Showcasing another facet of Asian cuisine, the Vietnamese restaurant Pho Xich Lo is part of Geneva's Third Street dining district.

Once you try the food at Antigua Mexican Brunch and Grill in Algonquin, it's no wonder the owner is on track to add a third location – as soon as this fall – to Huntley.

From our first step through the door of the Morris restaurant, it was clear the menu still is a comfort-food favorite among locals.

A thoughtfully curated collection of artisan brews is one of the things Gammon is known for – the other is its food.

Our experience was enjoyable, unique and memorable.

La Salle's competitive dining scene has added a new Mexican restaurant. Jorge's Margaritas & Grill has taken up residence in the former Monari's 101 Club, and still offers local staples such as fried chicken, rib-eye and pork tenderloin sandwiches in addition to Mexican cuisine.