Check out what pizzerias Illinois Valley residents love the most!

Restaurant Weeks are the perfect time to try something new at a special price.

The Idle Hour, a new cigar lounge, and RILY, a raw bar and live jazz venue, are expected to open later this year.

More than 40 years ago, Jack in the Box had a restaurant on Chicago Street in downtown Joliet from 1968 until the late 1970s.

The 2,842 square foot one-story drive-thru restaurant a .72 acre parcel on Larkin Avenue is for sale and is “in move-in-ready condition,” according to LoopNet.

Aurora's second annual Restaurant Week is Jan. 20 through Feb. 3.

The longtime owner of Terrace Inn Lounge in Joliet closed the bar at the end of 2025 to spend more time with his family. 

Not going to Soldier Field for the big game? Check out these sports bars in northern Illinois where you can catch all the action and enjoy food and drink specials.

Wendy’s plans to reward the first 50 customers on Friday when it opens its new location at 16556 W. 159th St., Lockport.

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

Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani will join executive chef Noah Gümüstekin for an unforgettable culinary event Jan. 31-Feb. 1 to benefit the James Beard Foundation.

The Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority's board of directors on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve a resolution determining the intent to issue revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $50 million.

Poopy’s, billed as “the largest biker bar in Illinois,” is for sale.  The biker bar, restaurant and event venue in Savanna made the announcement Tuesday, Jan. 13, via its Facebook page. 

These events will have a six-course meal with 2-ounce wine pairings.

In the past, Brown’s Chicken had Joliet locations on Jefferson Street and South Larkin Avenue.

The former schoolhouse in the tiny southwest Stephenson County town of Loran finds new life as the Slurp 'n Burp – serving hearty plates, cold pints and community spirit much larger than the small burg itself, keeping stories and beer flowing.

In January 2025, The Curator’s Cafe moved to American Legion Post 1080 in Joliet, reopening in the American Legion kitchens.

2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

Oswego police officers responded about 5:54 a.m. to a report of a burglary that had already occurred in the 2300 block of U.S. Route 34.

Casa Catrina will replace the MyGrain Brewery brewpub, which closed in August 2023.

New restaurants include Fire + Wine and Rosebud Steakhouse in St. Charles, Uzu Revolving Sushi in Lombard and The Grand Social House & Tavern in Wauconda.

Kendall County Judge Jody Gleason on Tuesday made the decision after reading a doctor’s evaluation of Darryl Lee Jr., 19, who is charged with killing a man using a hammer and knife and injuring another person Oct. 22 at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Oswego.

If you’re practicing Dry January, or a dry 2026 and beyond, myriad suburban restaurants have sophisticated and crafted takes on nonalcoholic drinks.

A Rock Falls father and daughter have teamed up to bring back local favorite Arnie’s Happy Spot and its original chicken recipe. Owners Dave and Maddie Cochran held a soft opening for the restaurant at 1667 Hoover Road in Deer Grove, now called The Happy Spot, on Dec. 11.

Visit these delicious restaurants in Yorkville and Plano on your next pizza night.

Popular restaurant The Happy Spot in Deer Grove is back serving up their original chicken.

Check out these three restaurants that Kendall County audiences voted as being the best places for breakfast.

The only constant in life is change and in 2025, like most years, there were plenty of changes which took place in Kankakee County.

Will County welcomed a lot of new businesses in 2025 – and saw a few long-time ones close their doors. The restaurant and coffee scene is bustling.

Rochelle Apple Roasted Cafe & Family Restaurant opened in mid-December at 134 May Mart Drive in Rochelle at the former site of Dog Hub.

Celebrate the new year at these elegant holiday brunches.

The Feathered Fork restaurant recently opened at 20631 Renwick Road.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

El Molino has been a staple in Carpentersville, just over the border from Algonquin, for 40 years, reopening after a six month remodel. The new owners have long run an Elgin taqueria.

For nearly 30 years, ye olde pub in Stockton has rolled out a welcome mat that gives people the Red-carpet treatment, with friends and hospitality from people on both sides of the bar.

Storybook Cafe offers authentic matcha lattes made with premium Japanese green tea, artisan pastries baked fresh daily and more.

Hilldale Cafe in Lanark combines creativity and comfort to craft dishes that surprise and delight.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

Here are the winners for the best coffee shops in the Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley, DeKalb County's Finest and Sauk Valley Favorites contest.

The Dixon City Fire Department, Dixon Rural Fire Department and Advance EMS responded Tuesday, Dec. 23, to a report of a grill fire at McDonald’s, 207 N. Galena Ave., Dixon.

Leave the cooking and clean up to someone else on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

A grill fire broke out at Dixon's McDonald's early Tuesday afternoon. The restaurant is expected to be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, before reopening Friday after Christmas.

The new New Year's Eve party will have a late-night food menu, hand-crafted cocktails, DJs and more.

State Rep. Haas recently toured Chicago Dough and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation, citing the restaurant’s history and community involvement.

The Village Greek restaurant in downtown Sycamore will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve, said owner Makie Maratos, who also owns Sycamore State Theater next door.

Margaret Mary Gillespie purchased the assets of the former Thayer Bros. in 2023 and then opened Magpie’s Joy of Eating in that space in January 2024.

Bring the kids to see Santa Sunday, Dec. 21 at Hank's Farm in Ottawa.

Dixon American Legion Post 12 will serve plain or barbecued pork ribs, cheesy potatoes, roll, vegetable, salad and dessert from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

The restaurant, also known by its former name – Babe’s Hot Dogs – serves a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps and its legendary Daisy Brand hot dogs, which Babe’s owner Tim Reilly said he’s used “from day one.”

This new location at 1351 Shale Road in Joliet, will feature Chipotlane, a drive-thru pick-up lane where customers can pick up their digital orders.