Nostalgia overload: Wind through the hills of northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin, from Scales Mound to Lead Mine, and there are scenic views and a time warp back to life – in the form of old-time stores and taverns – from many decades ago.

Check out these restaurants where you can find the best breakfast and brunch in the Illinois Valley.

Oberweis and Giordano’s announced Monday that they’ll be teaming up in downtown Naperville, with the dairy opening its first scoop shop inside the iconic pizza chain’s restaurant at 119 S. Main St.

The wood-fired pizza restaurant and its Moo Joe’s ice cream shop is opening in a vacant building at 5 S. Madison St., next door to Freddie’s Off the Chain restaurant and across Jefferson Street from the Oswego Public Library.

The Oregon Lions Club will host a pork chop drive-thru event Saturday, May 2, in the Supervalu parking lot.

The restaurant opened in the former Crab Boil 59 space at 15507 S. Illinois Route 59 in 2023. It had previously been located in Oswego.

Granddaughter Jennifer (daughter of Susan and Ervin) wrote the column for me while she was at our daughter Verena’s.

The patriotic-themed venue in New Lenox features comfort food, cold drinks and live music.

The winner of the inaugural Joliet Chamber Premier Raffle will win two monthly prizes.

BG Hospitality Group’s new restaurant elevates the local dining experience in Fox Haven Square, located at Main Street and Kirk Road.

Sterling Main Street is excited to kick off a season of engines, entertainment and community connection with the Sterling Main Street Car Show on Sunday, May 3, at the Sterling Marketplace in the city’s downtown.

Spring and the return of baseball bring hot dogs back to the forefront. So here are 10 places to get a legit, Chicago-style hot dog in the suburbs.

The next time you're exploring Starved Rock State Park or one of other state parks, check out these delectable dining destinations in the area.

Meals will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Larry’s Diner, located at 24522 W. Lockport Street, closed its doors in May 2023 after being in business for 23 years.

The Q Center in St. Charles has welcomed a new executive chef. Around 26,000 people from all over the world visit Q Center annually for events, banquets, conferences and other affairs.

DuPage Township has announced it will break ground on its new food pantry facility on April 13 as demand for services continues to grow.

Restaurants that want to survive in 2026 need plenty of “creativity and adaptability,” according to the National Restaurant Association.

Verena fills in for her mother with stories of a busy week spent cleaning with her sisters, playing games with young nieces and nephews, hosting a family brunch, and sharing a deviled egg recipe.

According to USDA, the national average price for conventional hard-shell eggs in mid-March was $1.43 a dozen.

Pancheros Mexican Grill is expected to open the Princeton location this summer and the Sterling location in the fall.

Easter is Sunday, April 5.

The Rotary Club of Carol Stream will collect nonperishable food and non-food items needed by local food pantries through Friday, April 12 at a number of locations throughout the Carol Stream community as part of its annual communitywide food drive.

The Extension’s work spans youth development, agriculture education, community wellness, and horticulture programming.

Explore Kankakee's history this weekend at the Kankakee County Museum or B. Harley Bradley House.

Last year, village trustees unanimously approved plans for a 12,500-square-foot grocery store at the site. Benderson Development Company LLC. is building the store along with another building.

The Great American Bagel, which closed in 2023, recently reopened at 1101 Essington Road in Joliet under a new owner.

Lovina reflects on her family's move from Indiana to Michigan 22 years ago, sharing memories of early spring 2004 when they loaded hay, unloaded lumber, and nearly lost their barn to a grassfire in their first weeks as neighbors.

Billy Bricks Pizza and Moo Joe’s ice cream plan to open in a vacant building at 5 S. Madison St., next door to Freddie’s Off the Chain restaurant and across Jefferson Street from the Oswego Public Library.

From Capitol News Illinois: House Bill 5507 would ban “ultraprocessed” foods in schools. The bill passed out of a public health committee on a partisan 6-2 vote

Youths ages 14 to 18 can register for the 4-H ServSafe Manager Certification Course. The course teaches food safety principles, proper food handling and sanitation, food-borne illness prevention and leadership in food service environments.

Streator native Seth Ragusa is the personality behind Grazing Guse, a restaurant review channel on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

DuPage County Board members have approved $4.8 million in funding to continue a fresh produce program for food pantries, to boost a farm-to-pantry pipeline of vegetables and to help the largest of them expand a food distribution hub

Nearly 50% of Meals on Wheels clients screen at high nutritional risk due to the compounded effects of chronic illness, medication use, food insecurity, and social isolation, according to the Illinois Department on Aging.

The Kankakee Valley Park District's Egg Hunt After Dark is Friday, March 27 and Manteno's Easter Egg Dash is Saturday, March 28.

Crews are moving materials in place on the site of a future Chipotle Mexican Grill on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Ottawa. The Ottawa City Council approved the project last June, and the construction has been ramping up this month. It is located on Etna Road next to Thorntons.

Despite spring's late arrival, Lovina finds reasons to be grateful – from home organizing to helping her son reclaim mobility.

Northern Illinois offers a vibrant international food scene ready to tantalize your taste buds.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois food producers and businesses can apply for a share of $3.6 million through the Illinois Department of Agriculture as part of a grant program to support local food infrastructure systems

This event is The Conservation Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year and features dinner, a silent auction and live entertainment.

The city this week approved a drive-thru for a Culver's near the interchange serving the Rock Run Collection development

University of Illinois Extension in Lake County will host a hands-on professional development session, “Find Food. Share Support” on March 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Extension Auditorium, located at 100 S US Highway 45, Grayslake.

Wright In Kankakee will host a Floral Tea Party from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at the B. Harley Bradley House.

Check out the Favorite Breakfast and Favorite Brunch winners in the Sauk Valley Favorites contest!

The Beach House matches the flavors, décor, and relaxed feeling people may remember from their coastal vacations – and that’s exactly how owner John Mathias designed it to be.

The NCAA basketball tournament kicks off Thursday, March 19. Watch all the action at these northern Illinois bars.

Beyond the local favorites and hidden gems, a handful of suburban restaurants offer a touch of celebrity.

Lovina shares how she spent a busy weekend spoiling grandchildren, cooking family meals, and making memories with loved ones.

The city of Yorkville held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The festivities began with a 5K run followed by the Lucky Leprechaun Hunt, the Brass Band procession and then the Irish Parade. Food and live music was also a big part of the fun.