Location: Melrose Park
Top Restaurants in Melrose Park
Melrose Park Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Melrose Park
Melrose Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a suburb of Chicago,14 miles by road. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 25,411. Melrose Park had long been home to a large Italian-American population.
Things to do in Melrose Park
1. Emilio's Tapas Bar Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Thank you for your interest in Emilio’s Tapas. Emilio’s Tapas is an authentic Spanish Tapas Bar Restaurant conveniently located in West Suburban Hillside. Spanish cuisine can best be described as a mix of French and Italian influences; tapas are small dishes ideal for appetizers or when ordered in rounds build a complete meal. Our menu consists of regional Spanish specialties, original dishes created by Emilio offered in both the dining room and bar for dinner daily. The restaurant is casual with spacious dining rooms and an energetic atmosphere accentuated by colorful Spanish murals, music and tiles.
Reviewed By Geoff809 - Montclair, New Jersey
Fantastic tapas dishes. 4 of us had 8 tapas and not a bad one in the bunch. Nice wine, band and dancers gave a little slice of authentic Spain to the evening. Prices were very reasonable for this upscale restaurant in the heart of the...MoreGracias for your review and rating, we appreciate it. Please stop by soon, happy hour is M-F 4:30-6:30 and we have bar bites from $1.95 in our bar!
2. Great Escape
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By Becky W - Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
This is an environmentally sound restaurant that required many years of patience to get the approval to build the wind turbine that generates all the electricity for this restaurant.
As you enter into this restaurant it resonates the historical decor.
Just a fantastic place to eat and enjoy looking at all the features of the walls, ceiling, wood work.
Historians say that Al Capone was at this bar. A must read from their menu.
And the food... The blackened catfish had a very nice balance of spice. The salmon was encrusted with a nice crunch of walnuts and flaked perfectly into the fork.
Service was a tad slower on a Saturday night and was to be expected on a busy night.
We enjoyed sitting in the bar area where all the history was. Be patient for your service and food. The servers were making many steps to accommodate everyone as busy as it was. If you go on a busy night don't plan for anything after because it might take longer to get your food but well worth it. Not many restaurants run off their own power so it was fun just to hear the story and that they have the renewable mindset.
3. Johnnie's Beef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Allen21096 - Chicago, Illinois
Johnnie's Beef is located on the northwest corner of North Ave. and 75th Ave. Part of the reason that the beef is so good, is that Johnnie's Beef is competing with about six or seven restaurants within one city block. There is parking for Johnnie's Beef which does give it an edge. Though there is only a counter to stand at to eat inside, there are about eight picnic tables on the outside. Johnnie's Beef is cash only. We ordered two beef sandwiches. The first was just a regular beef with only sweet peppers. Mine was the beef with both types of peppers and dipped. I could not believe the amount of peppers on the sandwich of both types - sweet and giardiniera. But the beef, even with the extra peppers, really had a balanced taste. The peppers really did not overpower the sandwich. Johnnie's Beef is reasonably priced.
4. Gene & Jude's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By Adam P - Dallas, Texas
Flew into Chicago to meet a friend and drive back down to TX. We made one stop, and this was it. It just brings you back to the good old days. Great customer service with an equally great attitude. Sure the food is simple, but that’s the whole point. The hot dogs are on point just covered in fries and the few toppings they offer. Mustard, relish etc. Saddle up to the stand up counter and munch away. If you are looking for a good dog I highly recommend.
5. Stacy's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By jaackerberg - Chicago, Illinois
Old school supper club atmosphere, felt like I should be ordering a Martini or an Old Fashioned :) absolutely a hidden gem, have been here a number of times, every time great food and great service, love the burger and the filet mignon, all cooked to perfection, freshest crisp salad, can't wait to go back.
6. Gaetano's & Ristorantino Mediterraneo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Analyzing who Gaetano is, and where he comes from (Bagheria, Sicily), he decided to go back to his roots and the basic fundamentals of Mediterranean cuisine, honoring the chef’s who taught him, his parents, and his mentor, Francesco Paolo Sanmarco, the proprietor of A’Cuccagna in Palermo, Sicily. The Mediterranean diet is more about education and a cariety of simple, aromatic, healthy and organic ingredients. For centuries, Sicily (in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea) was invaded by Spain, Greece and the Normans, to name a few. Every invading country left their ‘mark’ on Sicily, by adding to and enhancing the cuisine. At Ristorantino Mediterraneo, you will find many flavors, more well known in other cultures, for instance, ‘sweet and sour’ flavor is more of an Arabic influence, however this is the flavor you will find in traditional Sicilian Caponata.
Reviewed By BK_overdrive - Chicago, Illinois
We have been to Gaetano's many times and always have a great meal and great service. This time was a little more special as the owner, who was doing a tasting menu for a table near us, was very willing to prepare a particularly interesting looking appetizer that went by on the way to 'the tasters'. It was wonderful (halibut and calamari) -- but more importantly what was wonderful was how happy Gaetano was to prepare it for us. Doesn't matter where you live in Chicagoland - you should make a trip to Gaetano's, at least once!
7. Zenwich
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By Marina C - Secaucus, New Jersey
The sandwiches are asian-inspired and very good with fresh and unique ingredients. There are choices such as Vietnamese Ban Mi and Thai Chicken Satay. Sandwiches comes with chips and are a good size that are sure to satisfy. Overall a very good lunch option!
8. Portillo's Hot Dogs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Home to America's favorite Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads, and chocolate cake.
Reviewed By Allen21096 - Chicago, Illinois
This Portillo's Hot Dogs is located at 170 W. North Ave., in Northlake. There is plenty of parking. It is like most other Portillo's. The staff is friendly and efficient. We ordered a beef sandwich with sweet peppers and giardiniera. More importantly, we ordered a piece of their great chocolate cake. From one hot dog cart in 1963, Portillo's Hot Dogs has expanded to about 41 locations, though sometimes it seems like there are many more. Besides the Chicago area, they open restaurants in areas where there are Chicago transplants. Come for the beef or the hot dog, but linger for that chocolate cake.
9. Tom's Steak House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By George S - Cincinnati, Ohio
Old time Steakhouse with white table clothes and fresh cut steaks on the premises.
I also had one of the best Greek salads in a long time. Service was excellent and the place was full of locate regular customers so you know the food is great. They also have a great bar area.
10. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Kevin H
If you’re not from Chicago and want the “chicago style pizza” This is the place. The food is always great. Hot and fresh. This location has something that sets it aside form other locations. THE STAFF IS AWESOME.
Our waiter, Dong(?), was great. Took our order with our writing down, got it right and was polite, funny and respectful. He treated us like family and didn’t see my kids as a nuisance but interacted with them. Something I didn’t realize was missing from today’s service until he showed us.The meal was timed perfectly and was just another in what is becoming a long line of successes at this location.
This is the place that has it all. Good atmosphere, cold beer, great staff and awesome deep dish pizza. A can’t miss experience.
