Places to hang out along the Fox
The Fox River, once a resort area for weekend getaways, has become a hub for playing, eating, business meetings and quiet solitude.
With areas along the river, resembling the efforts to a Norman Rockwell painting, there are so many options, especially in the summer. If you're unfamiliar with the area, or perhaps looking to try something new, here are a few options.
Port Edward
Port Edward, a 52-year-old seafood restaurant on the banks of the Fox River in Algonquin, has proved to be a popular pick for Alaskan King crab legs, seafood and steaks.
The eatery's history, its food and nautical trinkets that owner Ed Wolowiecis, a world traveler, boater and former bandleader, discovered during his travels create a unique atmosphere.
Wolowiec bought the eatery, at 20 W. Algonquin Road, in 1964 when it was known as the Anchor Lounge, a restaurant that served pizza, meat and potatoes. He introduced a seafood menu, expanded the original building and introduced an area for diners to enjoy the river.
Wolowiec has done everything possible to make his riverfront restaurant a part of the ambience of the Fox River.
He introduced outdoor seating and built docks that allow his customers to pull up in their boats and enjoy a meal, even with their dogs in tow. He has brought a seemingly endless series of improvements to the venue.
The focus of the eatery changed from pizza and burgers to seafood. Foodies have been thankful ever since, as "Check, Please" and "Chicago's Best" have given the restaurant rave reviews on television.
The restaurant seats 420 diners and recently added 25 outdoor tables dockside along the Fox River. In doing so, Wolowiec capitalized on the beauty and serenity of Fox River. Boating access to the river ends right at his restaurant, forcing boaters to turn around and go back the way they came.
Chooch's Pizzeria
Brothers Dan and Mike Butirro opened Chooch's Pizzeria, 64 S. Grove Ave., in Elgin in December of 2012. In the heart of downtown Elgin, Chooch's Pizzeria is the only restaurant that offers outdoor dining on the river and is just a three-minute walk from Grand Victoria Casino.
For starters, the eatery is known for its popular homemade Bruschetta. Pizza has received rave online reviews, as well as several different focaccia sandwiches served on their homemade focaccia bread. The Italian beef is also a customer favorite.
An upstairs party room can accommodate up to 35 guests. Whether you want to take a break from the casino, enjoy a date night or hold a business meeting, Chooch's Pizzeria is an option with Italian fare.
Charleston on the River
After a career centered mostly on the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, Marwan Taib is now looking to St. Charles to embrace his restaurants.
Taib opened Charleston on the River, 1 W. Illinois St., on the success of his first restaurant in St. Charles, the Spotted Fox Ale House on the city's east side.
While the Spotted Fox specializes in craft beer and sports, his new establishment aims to create an ambience leveraging its Fox River views along with live entertainment on certain nights.
"You get a river view from almost every seat," Taib said. The patio seats 150 during the summer.
The menu includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood entrees as well as pasta and steak dishes. Popular items include the seared salmon, the steak merlot, the Cajun pasta and the chorizo cheese and Caribbean burgers, Taib said.
The location on the River has had many other suitors, dating back to Erik and Me in the 1980s, then Sage Bistro and most recently, Top Table.
Pal Joey's
The patio is picturesque at Pal Joey's Restaurant, 31 N. River St. in Batavia with bicyclists pedaling by and fishermen fishing in the river.
For some, the River walk is the lifeblood of the Batavia downtown scene. For others, it's a place to grab a great meal, or meet up with friends for a good time. In 2012, Pal Joey's opened its doors in downtown Batavia.
Restaurant owner John Hamel, an avid bicyclist, said he rode nearly daily past the restaurant space on the Fox River Trail, thinking, "I'd like to put a Pal Joey's there."
The eatery is best known for its pizza.
Herrington Plaza
Couples planning an outdoor wedding have a new option in Geneva, right along the Fox River. The Herrington Plaza is a new outdoor venue at The Herrington Inn and Spa.
Herrington Plaza is located on the Fox River between the Herrington Inn and Spa and its banquet facility. The property was purchased from the city of Geneva, and the site has been improved to showcase dramatic river views for a unique outdoor venue, said Cyndi Rohlf, director of sales for the Herrington. "It's just an awesome space for weddings and corporate events," she said.
"Herrington Plaza is unlike any other event facility in the Fox River Valley, with its combination of a spectacular outdoor riverfront setting and its expansive capacity to accommodate a 60 by 30-foot tent and serve up to 200 guests," Rohlf said.