Best Dinner Places to Eat in Mokena

"John Daley, an Irish ironworker who came to Chicago to work on building the elevated line, saw a need for a restaurant to feed all the men constructing the University of Chicago, The World's Columbian Exposition and the Rapid Transit Line. More than 100 years later, hungry diners are delighting the "famous" club breakfast ordered by the number. The Number 1 is an egg with your choice of meat (including sausage, bacon, salt pork, chopped steak, hot links, smoked ham or a well-seasoned salmon patty) plus toast or biscuits."

"Nestled in the heart of the South Side, Daley’s has been serving residents homestyle fare since 1892. Generations upon generations of Chicagoans have grown up on its skillets, waffles, chicken wings, and patty melts. If that doesn’t whet the appetite, daily specials like boiled turkey necks, chicken and dumplings, and braised oxtail stew rise above the diner norm."

"This cafeteria-style establishment is known for their comfortable atmosphere and even more comforting food: mashed potatoes and gravy, patty melts, barbecue chicken, meatloaf, short rib, and more, all scooped up and piled high on your tray. You can also order one of President Obama’s favorites, like the steak and eggs with hashbrowns. Expect to stand in line with neighborhood regulars, students from the nearby university, and visitors who flock to this Hyde Park institution."

"The gimmick at this Hyde Park landmark is allowing customers to “see your food.” But for loyalists, Valois is no novelty the cafeteria-style restaurant has been an essential part of the community since 1921. This all-day restaurant switches out items depending on the time of day. Church groups assemble for breakfast and politicians make sure to be photographed here during election season."

"President Obama cites Valois, a cafeteria-style restaurant, as one of his favorite spots in the city. He likes their breakfast, specifically the eggs and turkey sausage. Open since 1921 (making its home in a few locations over the years), the open kitchen churns out daily specials like prime rib, corned beef and cabbage, patty melts, rice pudding, and peach cobbler."

"This event space and community center—home to a tech incubator, podcast studio, art gallery, and more—now welcomes visitors to its new rooftop patio. Brothers’ on the Wall has taken up residence in the kitchen to whip up platters of rib tips, jerk chicken, catfish steaks and more. Share an order of fries with your friends and do a show-and-tell of what you’ve brought to drink at this BYOB-friendly spot."

"Enjoy a fresh selection of traditional and modern dishes at this South Side gem. The Woodlawn is a modern and upbeat Internet cafe with a patio and rooftop for a unique outdoor dining experience. They offer coffee from a local South Side roaster by day and a pop-up experience by night."

"A family-owned Mexican spot in Archer Heights that's the G.O.A.T. when it comes to goat meat. Why we love it: Thick handmade tortillas, salsas made to order, bright-pink agua fresca—you can get all of that to go. Their only purpose, however, is to accompany the restaurant’s signature platters of chopped goat meat."

"Head to the Southwest Side near Midway International Airport for goat that isn’t labeled as the latest food trend. There’s a simple menu packed with deep flavors here. The handmade tortillas and accouterments represents a signature Chicago meal at this family-run restaurant."

"Hyde ParkTucked away behind the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street Beach was designed by renowned landscape architects Olmsted and Vaux as part of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Parking is fairly easy west of Lake Shore Drive, and the beach is accessible via the pedestrian underpass. Once the sun goes down, head on over to nearby Promontory Point and gather around a bonfire pit (reservations needed).What to know: While the criminally underrated Promontory Point is worth a visit to this beach alone, nearby (and always bumping) neighborhood music venue The Promontory makes the trip even more appealing."

"57th Street Beach is one of Chicago's most popular swimming beaches, located within Jackson Park at 57th Street's terminus at the Lake Michigan shoreline. Though developed beachfront has existed at the site since the park's original landscaping by famed park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1871, it was not renovated into a swimming beach until 1899, following the completion of Chicago's Drainage Canal. Today, it offers unprecedented views of the Chicago skyline for swimmers, along with a long-distance swimming area spanning between 55th Street and the beach's ADA-accessible pier."

"Calumet Beach is a lovely public beach within Chicago's Calumet Park, which was originally developed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1905 as an urban oasis for the city's crowded immigrant neighborhoods. The park, which was not completed until the 1930s, is named for the Norman-French term chamulet, or pipe, a reference to peace pipes traded between French traders and indigenous Great Lakes tribes. Today, its beach is open to the public daily between 6:00am and 11:00pm, with lifeguards staffed on duty during peak hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day."

"East SideLocated a stone’s throw away from the Indiana border, you'll find the delicious seafood spot Calumet Fisheries just a short 5-minute drive from here. Given that it’s not the most populated beach in Chicago, this stretch of shoreline is ideal for large gatherings. As part of the 200-acre Calumet Park, the area features a boat launch, softball and soccer fields, a playground, and several different concession stands."

"Nestled just steps away from the Indiana border, Calumet Beach is one beach in Chicago that’s least populated. The name of the beach is named as a way of tribute to the region of Calumet. This region is surrounded by several communities from the south side and the Calumet River."

"A southside brewery that edges so far down, it’s hardly considered urban territory, Open Outcry is an unexpected oasis in this part of the city, encouraging you to quench your thirst in their garage-style taproom. Featuring a flight inspired by the colors of the original Rainbow Cone—Palmer House IPA, Strawberry Imperial Stout, Orange Milkshake IPA, Pistachio Brown Ale—Open Outcry promises that you can’t go wrong with any of their signature brews. And their blissful beer garden with yellow accents is the go-to lounge for the summer!"

"Although the Blue Island Beer Company taproom is located in the Historical District of Blue Island, you can find their classically-influenced beer on menus throughout Chicago, including at South Side Social Neighborhood Kitchen & Tap. At South Side Social, Blue Island Beer is paired with dishes that accentuate everything you love about beer, like brisket nachos with beer cheese. Blue Island Beer Company’s taproom menu features a variety of styles, including IPA, sour ale, imperial stout and more."