Hidden gems: Retro diners offer a trip back in time
Step back in time and pull up a stool at the counter at one of the suburbs’ classic American diners.
These restaurants not only bring the nostalgia but also serve up generous portions of comfort food with vintage charm.
They have been ensconced in the American psyche because they’re clean and pleasant and are often family-owned businesses, who cook for you as if you were family, too. Diners dig in to their homemade breakfast or lunch served by warm and friendly waitstaff.
Daddio’s Diner in Batavia is that kind of place.
“It is truly one of Batavia’s hidden gems, although locals might say it is no secret at all,” said Margaret Perreault, president & CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.
She and all of its fans think it’s a special place.
“Daddio’s Diner captures the heart of classic Americana with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, fun decor and a menu full of comfort-food favorites,” Perreault said. “The friendly staff, great food and nostalgic vibe make it a go-to spot for both regulars and first-time visitors. Regulars are greeted by name, and newcomers are made to feel right at home. Owner Scott Beltran has created more than just a diner. He has built a community gathering place where people connect over pancakes and paninis. In fact, I highly recommend the Breakfast Panini and the Pot Roast Panini. They are both delicious!”
Once you’ve experienced Daddio’s, spread out across the suburbs and try a few more diners.
Paul’s Family Restaurant in Elgin has mastered the art of providing fresh breakfasts, healthy salads, hearty soups, dinner favorites like pot roast, meat loaf, roast beef and pork — just to start.
When entering Paul’s, diners will immediately see a case full of enticing desserts. In the summer, the staff plucks fresh tomatoes, zucchini and other vegetables in the nearby garden.
Owner Elaine Paul has a knack for decorating the restaurant with fun antique and vintage items that celebrate the seasons. The current entry display is all about strawberries. There’s even a bookshelf before you enter, where you can take a book home to read. Customers can load the book shelves up with more.
Paul gets her loyal customers involved in other ways, too. In February she brought in some small canvases and gave them to customers who were willing to create original works of art with a valentine theme.
“They were all beautiful, and it became a friendly competition as we lined them all up in the restaurant and customers voted for their favorites,” Paul said.
State Street Diner is an authentic American and Mexican breakfast and lunch restaurant in downtown Geneva. Its menu is filled with pancake and egg favorites, plus added specialties like Huevos a la Mexicana, Chorizo Scrambler, Breakfast Bacon Cheeseburger and more.
Allen’s Corner Diner in Hampshire has a comforting throwback feel. The menu is more than generous with appealing choices. There are freshly prepared egg dishes, sandwiches, stir-frys, skillets, hash, and the homemade biscuits and gravy. The breakfast and lunch menu is filled with a variety of choices with fun names and vintage sepia photos.
Take a tour south to Elburn for Rise N Dine on Main Street. The diner’s logo says it all: “Enter as Guests, Leave as Friends.” Dine on breakfast, lunch or dinner at this quaint restaurant serving up breakfast skillets and fluffy pancakes with fruit toppings, hearty meals, soups, sandwiches, salads and specials for the kiddos.
If you circle back east there’s Harner’s Bakery and Restaurant in North Aurora. All of the food is made from scratch in an old-fashioned way. Its unique location along the Fox River might make diners want to pause and enjoy nature.
Other great places to check out around the suburbs include:
The long-standing old-school diner serves breakfast and lunch with a side of sass in the heart of downtown Grayslake at 225 Center St. Be prepared, it’s cash only.
The ’50s-style diner at 920 Busse Hwy. in Park Ridge is open for breakfast and lunch and features vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options in addition to all the classics.
Mr. Allison’s Restaurant opened in Arlington Heights in the 1960s and moved to its current location at 1711 E. Central Road in 1971. Known for its home cooking, the restaurant specializes in tender ham, which is slow cooked in-house. In addition to being featured on the menu, the ham can be purchased whole or half to go. During the peak season, the restaurant bakes about three tons of ham a week.
The Wheaton diner has been open since the 1950s, which is apparent when you see their iconic sign at 917 E. Roosevelt Road. The classic family restaurant, which is adorned with fairy tale decor, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fun fact: Both John and Jim Belushi worked at the restaurant in their younger days.
Another classic ’50s-style breakfast and lunch diner, Teddy’s Diner consistently ranks in the top five restaurants in Elk Grove Village on TripAdvisor. It’s located at 1065 Rohlwing Road and is a convenient stop before a flight at O’Hare.
Uncle Bill’s has been a friendly place to eat in Roselle since 1993. Located at 845 N. Roselle Road, you can grab a booth or sit at the counter and watch the classic diner action.
• With additional reporting by Daily Herald dining writer Rick West.