Top Best American Restaurants in Calumet Park

"Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise’s all-day eatery is now up to three locations, and that’s because it pleases on many fronts. Whether folks are looking for quick and casual, healthy, or vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of choices. On the lunch menu, the mushroom and quinoa burger with Swiss cheese and baby kale is a standout."

"I know this was on my list of Favorite Healthy Spots too – but it’s just so good!. All of their coffee drinks are awesome, but I especially love their matcha (both hot and cold) because it’s not too sweet!. They also have fresh juices, spicy Bloody Marys, and other fun brunch cocktails!"

"American , Bakery/Cafe"

"Housed in a light-filled room with high ceilings and hanging ferns, Summer House recreates the magic of Southern California even in the dead of a Chicago winter. Using seasonal and local ingredients, trained chefs create fare that’s inspired by California but with a Midwestern heart. Kids can choose from quesadillas, burgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, or the ever-popular Breakfast for Dinner option."

"Even in the depths of winter this Lincoln Park restaurant is full of sunshine and joy. Channeling its inner Cali, the food here is light and bright – ahi tuna and watermelon tostadas, handmade local burrata and fresh salads. The kids’ menu mirrors that with fresh berries accompanying most dishes."

"Get a taste of California without leaving the city or even having to sit down through dinner. These cookies are always available alongside other sweets at their Market counter."

"West LoopFad foods come and go, but this West Loop haunt’s multi-award-winning cheeseburger—a scrumptiously sloppy pile of prime W.W. Johnson Farms beef griddled to greasy perfection, goopy American cheese, housemade pickles, a runny fried egg, thick-cut bacon, and a dollop of tangy Dijonnaise spread stuffed into a buttery double-toasted bun—is undoubtedly forever. Pair it with a frosty $3 tallboy and a Dr. Devon’s Pickleback shot for the full experience."

"Restaurants Contemporary American West Loop. You practically trip over all the perfectly executed, endlessly cravable food at Brendan Sodikoff’s “diner”: the exemplary matzah ball soup. The devastatingly delicious chopped chicken liver."

"The only indication Au Cheval is a diner is the bologna sandwich and root beer float on the menu. The space itself, however, looks more like Hemingway’s favorite watering hole. With dim lighting and dark leather booths, it’s a place well suited for cocktails called Horse’s Neck and Bee’s Knees."

"Dozens of IPAs, porters, Belgian-style ales, pilsners and the like are made regularly at Revolution, the state’s largest independently-owned brewery. The Brewpub in Logan Square has a huge draft list, which includes favorites like Every Day Hero, Fist City, Anti-Hero, and the double oatmeal stout Café Deth. A pub menu—baked pretzels, cheese curds, wings, pizza, salads, and burgers—is also available to soak up all of that beer."

"Nestled in the West Loop, Smyth is part of a dual concept with its sister restaurant, The Loyalist. Named after the chefs’ time spent in the farmlands of Smyth County, Virginia, the tasting menu changes daily to incorporate new, fresh local produce. Sophisticated with a comfortable, tavern-like vibe, Robin Spann says Smyth has received two stars for the third year in a row."

"Before the pandemic, the Smyth was poised to improve up on its two-Michelin-star status, as John and Karen Shields had successfully brought the farm to the big city. The tasting menu restaurant combined creativity, skill, and deliciousness. In the basement, the Loyalist is a bar for regulars with one of Chicago’s best burgers."

"When the husband and wife team of Sam Barron and Sarah Weitz kicked off the Fat Shallot in 2013, City Hall had not quite warmed to the idea of a food truck revolution. One of the first trucks to get licensed by the city, these culinary school graduates have since earned praise from foodies city-wide. Taste buds water at the first sighting of the fire-engine-red truck as it makes its daily stops."

"You’ve probably done your research about the best restaurants in Chicago and stumbled upon Au Cheval in your findings. Au Cheval has been acclaimed as one of the best burgers in the world by the press for years, but its sister spin-off location is giving it a run for its money (while saving your dollars and patience). Small Cheval offers their version of the single two-patty cheeseburger for $9.95."

"Sometimes fewer choices for kids are better, so the unfussy menu at Small Cheval leaves little room for argument. They’ll find one burger — similar to the famed Au Cheval burger — crispy fries and, if they are good, a delicious milkshake. The patio, when the weather allows, is a fun neighborhood hangout."

"Aside from bearing the name behind one of Chicago’s legendary steakhouses, Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse in Oak Brook boasts a beautiful outdoor patio landscape. Guests enjoy the waterfall that blocks out city noise and aligns nicely with the restaurant’s assortment of fresh seafood dishes."

"Tasty banh mi sandwiches are the draw at this beloved Vietnamese bakery and restaurant. The house special is filled with paté, headcheese, ham, pork roll, and a medley of veggies, while other sandwich options include lemongrass chicken, meatballs, and roasted pork. They’re all served on fresh and crusty bread that’s made in-house."

"The Smart Museum of Art has impressive collections of European, American and Asian art|© Andre Jenny / Alamy Stock Photo. Located on the University of Chicago campus, the Smart Museum of Art bills itself as “an intimate museum for bold encounters with art.” The collection – which includes pieces by Edgar Degas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso – is renowned for its extensive array of fine art and objects representing a plethora of eras, continents and genres."

"Plan ahead to pack a few stops in the surrounding area of this museum. You could explore the beautiful campus setting (University of Chicago in the leafy Hyde Park neighborhood) as well as other Museum Campus South attractions — like DuSable Museum of African American History — with budget-friendly admission prices. At the Smart Museum, everything is free."

"Founded in 1974, the Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago and is home to acclaimed special exhibitions and a permanent collection that spans five thousand years of artistic creation."

"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."

"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."

"With more than a dozen locations in Illinois, including Evanston, Naperville, Mount Prospect, and Bolingbrook, Andy’s is spreading the love of frozen custard throughout Chicagoland. Frozen custard is creamier than traditional ice cream, with more butterfat and less air. At Andy’s the slow-churned custard is made fresh hourly to maintain the rich texture."

"With five Chicago-land locations, Andy’s is very accessible. The Jackhammer is one of many flavors of concretes. Choose from a list of over 25 seasonal toppings to add to a frozen custard of your choice."

"Classic chocolate and vanilla custard with all the fun mix-ins one could possibly want. From concretes to malts to sundaes, Andy’s offers every possible way for you to enjoy your custard."