I'm heading to Sycamore tomorrow evening for a speaking engagement. In order to beat rush hour on construction-heavy I90, I figure I'll head out around 3:30 or 4, and just grab dinner out there before I have to show up at 5:30. Looks like there are some good options, but I figured I should probably ask if anything has changed -- for better or for worse -- that might affect my decision.

Okay -- wasn't sure of Taxco status, since when I did a search, it showed up as having been destroyed by a truck a few months ago, but I figured I'd at least drive past, since it was really close to my destination. Glad I did, as it was fully repaired and open. Charming, attractive place with friendly, efficient service.. Really excellent food. Some of the best salsa I can remember having had -- fiery and loaded with cilantro. Great corn chips (as mentioned by OP). Really felt the need for beef, but wanted to try at least one enchilada, given the enthusiasm of the OP -- so got carne a la tampiqueña, which gave me skirt steak and a cheese enchilada, plus a blob of guacamole (and the usual beans and rice). Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked/prepared. If I lived in the area, I'd be a regular.

As a bonus -- the parking meters in front of the restaurant cost only 5 cents per hour -- and even take pennies, if you want less time.

Another terrific dinner at Bea's Wok and Roll. Great version of Crab Rangoon, love the addition of mozzarella. I had the spicy chicken salad and my wife had Bea's version of Pad Thai. As usual everything was super fresh, tons of veggies. I left feeling that I did something great not only for my taste buds but also my body.

I don't what you would call her cooking; Vietnamese, Thai, etc. i love her riff on Asian cuisine and will absolutely be returning much soon than later.

1402 Sycamore Rd
Dekalb, IL 60115

OK Cathy2...there is the photo of the Ollie's Turtle Sundae.

Hi,

I may be going to DeKalb with a crowd who likes to eat at a table. Is there a sit down place for good fried chicken in or near DeKalb?

How does Inboden's meat market compare to Elburn's?

Is there someplace in DeKalb where you can get a good pork tenderloin or butterfly sandwich? Perhaps chicken noodles (or dumplings) over mashed potatoes and a piece of pie? Where the next table over may be some farmer's discussing their crops and their hopes for next year?

Thanks!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I may be going to DeKalb with a crowd who likes to eat at a table. Is there a sit down place for good fried chicken in or near DeKalb?

How does Inboden's meat market compare to Elburn's?

Is there someplace in DeKalb where you can get a good pork tenderloin or butterfly sandwich? Perhaps chicken noodles (or dumplings) over mashed potatoes and a piece of pie? Where the next table over may be some farmer's discussing their crops and their hopes for next year?

Thanks!

Regards,

As I'm sure you've seen upthread, Lothson's really seems to be the spot for the best fried chicken and historical quaintness in Dekalb proper.

Though I have not been, my colleagues at NIU frequent The Junction for lunch. They may or may not know any better, but they swear the gravy's home made and love the open face turkey and beef sandwiches. Taking a look at their menu it looks as though they serve a sort of catch all Greek diner fare (Bandito Platter?!). They do offer two tenderloin sandwiches and a pork chop sandwich. My wife also recommends The Hillside Restaurant, which does German and more newfangled offerings (Steak and Bleu Cheese Quesadilla Salad ?!). Their website has great kitsch value! It looks like they offer seasonal pies, with apple raisin as one of the fall specials. Good luck, it can be slim picking out there!

The Junction
816 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-5441

The Hillside Restaurant
121 N 2nd St, DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 756-4749

Hi,

The two places I really want to hit open around 4 PM; Lothson's and Pizza Villa.

It's a lot to ask people meeting at 11 am to wait until 4 pm for a meal. Is there a good hot dog and hamburger drive-in, which people can recommend? I want them to eat enough to tide them over.

From reading through this thread, it seems the best bet may be:

Tom & Jerry's
215 W Lincoln Hwy Dekalb IL 60115
815-758-1675
They claim to have a homemade tenderloin, which always peaks my interest. Up thread people seemed to like their gyro, too.


Lukulo's Restaurant
890 Pappas Drive DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 758-2452
While they have they have the beer nuggets and sauce going for them, it seems more like a sit down place. Are these beer nuggets something unique to DeKalb or have I not been paying attention? I have read several mentions of these at several locations in the DeKalb area, though seemingly not anywhere else. Inquisitive minds want to know!

Thanks!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:




While they have they have the beer nuggets and sauce going for them, it seems more like a sit down place. Are these beer nuggets something unique to DeKalb or have I not been paying attention? I have read several mentions of these at several locations in the DeKalb area, though seemingly not anywhere else. Inquisitive minds want to know!

Cathy2,

Beer nuggets are standard fair at all DeKalb pizza joints (at least they were in the 90s) and mainly are a way for drunk students to fill their stomachs with carbohydrates. I'm sure somebody has a profound story about their creation, but they are still just deep-fried bits of pizza dough served with sauce for dipping. I remember them fondly along with the $5.99 lg jalepeno pizza from pagliais while studying on Monday nights.

Flip

Flip wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:While they have they have the beer nuggets and sauce going for them, it seems more like a sit down place. Are these beer nuggets something unique to DeKalb or have I not been paying attention? I have read several mentions of these at several locations in the DeKalb area, though seemingly not anywhere else. Inquisitive minds want to know!

Beer nuggets are standard fair at all DeKalb pizza joints (at least they were in the 90s) and mainly are a way for drunk students to fill their stomachs with carbohydrates. I'm sure somebody has a profound story about their creation, but they are still just deep-fried bits of pizza dough served with sauce for dipping. I remember them fondly along with the $5.99 lg jalepeno pizza from pagliais while studying on Monday nights.

Here's a (not so) profound story about their creation: Beer nuggets a tasty DeKalb tradition.

My NIU experience was partly defined by beer nuggets. I can't tell you how many weekends I spent drinking beer and dipping Lukulo's beer nuggets in marinara sauce and cheese sauce. Oh so delicious!! This thread has got me craving them now.

It's been 21 years since I've graduated from NIU. About 10 years ago, a friend of mine made the trip up to DeKalb to grab a few bags of beer nuggets and brought them to a camping trip we all took. He was the most popular guy on the camping trip once he busted out the bags of beer nuggets. Truly an NIU tradition!!

Cathy2 wrote:The two places I really want to hit open around 4 PM; Lothson's and Pizza Villa.

I can't speak to beer nuggets, Lukulo's, or Tom & Jerry's (though I drive past it every commute), but I did recently have a pie from Pizza Villa and left not impressed. They serve thin, square cut tavern style, which I do prefer, though the crust had a fakey preservative laden quality of an industrial product. And not always a deal breaker, but the jalapeños were of the canned variety. I'd certainly eat this pizza again after a long night out, but I much preferred the cheese bomb pies at Annex Lord Stanley's down the strip. The Annex is a divey bar and keeps late hours, fyi.

Annex The Lord Stanley's
142 E Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
(815) 754-9031

Just a couple updates and comments. Villa Verone in Sycamore has closed. In its place is a new (to the area) restaurant called Acquaviva. It is a offshoot from its mother restaurant and winery located in Maple Park IL. I can only vouch for the one meal I've eaten there, but it was one of the best meals I've ever eaten in the area. "Stuffed" salmon/salmon resting on a stuffing mix of crab meat and shrimp. It was the special of the night...and it was special. I also indulged in one of their house white wines called, Brianna. The whole experience just tripped my trigger. Up thread Cynthia mentioned that she tried Taxco restaurant in Sycamore. Cynthia, I hope you got the enchilada with mole. I love that mole. Cathy2, if you are looking for a local place with chicken, noodles, dumpling, scratch cooking and house made pie, that would be The Parkway, 605 E State St., Sycamore, IL. It's one of my favorite places to eat. Now if you want a place with a LOT of local character, as in farmers sitting around "their" table discussing issues of the day, go to Kirkland Family Restaurant, 507 West Main St, Kirkland IL. I guarantee you, that when you walk in, all heads will swivel to see who that stranger is that just walked in. I kind of like the attention. Now they just know me as that crazy raspberry lady. I dig it. The best offering is their Friday night fish fry. I don't usually like or do fish fry's, but the batter they use is thin and crisp. Don't be surprised if you have to stand in line (if you don't get there early). Stop in and enjoy the local experience.

One of many reasons I love LTH -- I have speaking engagements all over the state, but I can almost always find a dining recommendation here -- and in this case, a lot of recommendations--headed for Sycamore tonight, and I'm almost sorry I'm just going to be there for one night. Fortunately, there's still the Steam Power Show coming up in August.

Opted for Nat's on Maple, since it was within a block of where I was speaking. Good choice. Handsome interior, imaginative menu. I was in a hurry, so I just went with a dinner salad -- but it was lovely: Maple Street Salad=fresh greens / marinated grilled chicken / mandarin oranges / dried cranberries / crumbled bleu cheese candied pecans / roma tomato / balsamic vinaigrette.

All very nice, but the chicken was the real surprise -- so juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked that it was a standout.

Saw a few desserts go by and heard someone comment on how outstanding the coffee was. But had to dash.

But if you're in Sycamore, this is one more restaurant I can recommend (went to Taxco a couple of years ago, and thought that was outstanding as well). So some good food out there in farm country.

http://natsonmaple.com/