Rising Sun specializes in Cantonese and Mandarin cuisine offering such classics as General Tso’s Chicken, shrimp broccoli, tangerine chicken, Mongolian beef and several types of Kung Pao and lo mein options, says Manager Paul Lo.
Its Mokena location offers dine-in and carryout while the Frankfort and New Lenox restaurants are carryout only.
Open for lunch and dinner, Lo says Rising Sun prides itself on fast and friendly service and a large menu.
“We’ve been in business for 32 years,” he continues. “And we have many of the same customers; they keep coming.”
A staple since the late 1960s, Orland Park Bakery was founded on a commitment to traditional scratch made baking, President Tom Major of the family-owned business says. The bakery features European pastries, cakes, breads and cookies as well as American favorites.
“In an era of mass production, our bakers continue to work around the clock, using flour, eggs, butter, sugar, etc. to create your products fresh daily using original time-tested recipes,” he says.
That includes such best sellers as it signature Atomic Cake, a Chicago area tradition featuring layers of banana, yellow and chocolate cake separated by fresh bananas and custard, fresh strawberries, chocolate fudge and whipped cream. From early January until Easter, they also feature 17 flavors of paczkis daily in the bakery and year-round in their café.
“We are a team of nearly hundred, dedicated to providing our customers with the absolute best,” says Major. “We love doing what we do.”
“We have some customers that come in three to four times a week, even five days a week,” says Daniel Serna, manager at Lumes Pancake House in Orland Park. “They come for the food, the service, the locations and because we treat everyone like family.”
In business since 1991, Lumes offers a varied breakfast, lunch and brunch menu ranging from traditional items such as oatmeal, Eggs Benedict and Belgian waffles to specialties such as an Aloha omelet stuffed with bacon, ham, jack cheese and pineapple and Symphony crepes filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, strawberries, bananas and a house made cream cheese filling.
“We have a lot of people try everything we have, because it’s all good” says Serna.
A family-owned business, Joey’s is known for high quality Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dogs as well as a wide variety of other menu items. The list is long, including pizzas, calzones, tacos, gyros, and both beef and chicken Philly cheesesteaks, ensuring there’s something for every taste.
Their brightly colored food trucks can be found at festivals around the area as well as neighborhood parties and events. Their numerous locations and easy online ordering and quick turnaround time make for great carryout meals with little to no fuss.
“We promised my dad we wouldn’t fight, and we’d get along and work together,” says Connie Shander whose parents, Benny and Joy Leonardo, opened Mr. Benny’s in 1967. Now, their four children run the restaurant that Shander describes as an “old school steakhouse.”
In the kitchen, brother Larry Leonardo uses the recipes that date back to his dad and grandmother while Nicky Leonardo is in the bar and Shander and her sister, Vicky Bilhler, wait tables.
“We started working here when we were young and we still do everything the same way as my folks taught us,” continues Shandler. “Everything is cooked to order, and all the ingredients are fresh. It’s like family here, not only for our staff some of whom have been here for 20 years or more, but also for customers. We have their kids now and their grandkids.”
Mr. Benny’s also was voted Best Family-Owned Restaurant, Best Seafood, Best Steakhouse and Best Waitstaff.
Since 1978, Hienie’s McCarthy’s has been known for scrumptious fried food, including seafood and its famous fried chicken and unique hot sauce. The restaurant remains a family-run operation with the same classic chicken recipe that has been drawing customers for decades.
“We’ve been using that recipe as long as we’ve been here.” said Denise Dal Santo, who owns the business with her sister, Tami Johns. She also noted that the customers appreciate the employees who serve them. “We have friendly staff and try to accommodate everyone,” she said.
Chicken is the top seller with the shrimp a close second. Both are hand breaded. Dal Santo said they have a lot of longtime repeat customers and new ones who discover them through word of mouth.
“What makes Drew's Dogs stand out is our focus. We don't try to be everything to everyone,” owner Drew Coltman says of the popular food truck. “You won't find burgers, Italian beef or other items on the menu. We focus on gourmet hot dogs and sausages and put a lot of thought into doing them well. Our hot dogs are unique to our business. We use a natural casing all beef 8:1 hot dog made in small batches at a small meat packing company in Chicago. The natural casing is key to providing the signature snap of a great hot dog.”
Drew's offers the classic toppings for a Chicago style hot dogs. Specialties include a Wagyu sausage topped with chipotle creme and tortilla strips, Gyro lamb sausage topped with tzatziki, cucumber, tomato and feta, and Drew's Dog with remoulade, sweet mustard, ketchup and raw and fried onions.
Drew’s Dogs are a popular catering option, too. Giving back is also part of their business philosophy. In 2025 they donated over $6,000 back to schools, churches and local organizations.
The Original Plush Horse Ice Cream has been a sweet tooth staple in Palos Park since 1937.
“What really sets us apart is the sense of nostalgia and tradition that comes with visiting The Plush Horse,” said operations manager Nicole Chiappetti King. “We’ve been fortunate to be part of the community for generations, and one of the most special things for us is hearing customers share stories about coming here as kids and now bringing their own children and grandchildren in for ice cream. There’s something really meaningful about being a place that becomes part of a family’s traditions and memories.”
According to King, the most popular flavors are chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream and Chicago Pot Hole.
“We also take a lot of pride in our customer service,” she said. “We want every person who walks through our doors to feel welcomed and have a great experience from the moment they come in.”
Enrico's is a family-owned, casual Italian restaurant that has been in business for more than a half-century and continues to wow guests with traditional Italian dishes and more.
“Our guests tell us that they like the variety of our menu, our warm casual atmosphere, the friendly service from our staff and the quality and consistency of our food,” says owner Harry D’Ercole.
“Guest favorites include our minestrone soup, lasagna, chicken Parmesan, pepper steak, garlic shrimp, Italian beef sandwiches and our homemade pies,” he added. The baked mostaccioli is the top seller.
Its longevity stems from service and commitment of “taking care of our guests and a team that is committed to our mission of quality food, superior service and good value,” says D’Ercole.
There’s so much to love about the Dancing Marlin — from the atmosphere to the service to the cuisine.
“The eclectic menu means that there’s something for everyone to enjoy from shareable to full plated entrées,” said Managing Owner Jackie Gabriel. “Everything is made from scratch and fast. You can dine quickly if you’re on a lunch break with a tight schedule or you can spend a leisurely afternoon with us.
Customer favorites include the beet salad, General Tso’s cauliflower, the DM Burger with hand-cut fries and crab cakes.
“Our culinary team makes everything from scratch and between service and the back of the house, I have a team I can proudly say cares about the guest experience and what they’re serving them,” said Gabriel.
Dancing Marlin was also voted Best Brunch and Best Cocktails.
Offering a fresh, modern take on Mexican classics and a wide selection of refreshing cocktails, Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar is a perfect place to celebrate, unwind or indulge. Fat Rosie’s first opened in Frankfort in 2015, and it has grown to eight locations — seven in the Chicagoland area and one in East Orlando.
“What makes Fat Rosie’s special is the care we put into both the food and the experience. There’s so much heart behind our menu, from scratch-made Mexican flavors and authentic regional tacos to our handcrafted margaritas, but what I love most is the energy you feel when you walk through our doors,” said Hannah Robinson, director of marketing for Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar. "Being ‘Fluent in Fiesta’ is all about making all of life’s small moments worth celebrating, whether our guests are coming together for a birthday, date night or just dinner on a Tuesday.”
Since 2018, Trail’s Edge has been making an impact in downtown Frankfort.
It took over for the Smokey Barque in a building built in 1885.
“Being recognized for our burgers and outdoor seating is a tremendous honor, but what means the most to us is knowing our community enjoys coming here,” Trail's Edge General Manager Stephanie Tracz says. “Trail's Edge was built to be a place where friends and families could gather, enjoy a great meal and a locally brewed beer, and make memories. These awards are a wonderful reminder that we’re doing what we set out to do.”
Trail’s Edge also was voted Best Burger and Best Beer Garden.
Run by a third generation, Fox’s Pizza and Irish Pub has been delighting diners for 50 years.
Three things really set Fox’s apart according to Kendall Stachniak, part of the management team: Consistency, fresh, homemade ingredients and a crispy thin crust.
“What’s kept us thriving is keeping the same original recipe,” she said.
One of its most popular pizzas is the Fox's Special with sausage, green pepper, onion and mushrooms. Other favorites are the prime rib sandwich, Reuben sandwich, fish and chips and Famous Fox's Chicken. A seasonal lunch menu is available until 3 p.m. Tuesdays - Saturdays at the Orland Park and Mokena locations.
John Koliopoulos grew up working in the Chicago breakfast place his father owned.
“He wanted a place of his own,” says his wife, Janet Koliopoulos. “We were in our early 20s when we opened The Patio in 1977.”
Now, the couple, who are in business with their sons, Matthew and Steven Koliopoulos, and niece Maria Tagler, have six locations and are building a new one in New Lenox.
“I think we’ve stayed in business this long because of our ability to always deliver great food and great service,” continues Koliopoulos. “We make our ribs in ovens we had specially built, and we have our own barbeque sauce that we make here as well.”
Besides ribs, the barbecue chicken is a big seller and soups made fresh daily are big sellers.
Shawna Casey has owned Rosati’s in New Lenox since 2012. In 2021, it expanded to a sports pub where guests can enjoy the lively space for good food, drinks and sports viewing.
“We are proud of the welcoming neighborhood atmosphere we have created. Whether someone is joining us to watch a big game, enjoy dinner with the family or relax with friends, we want everyone to feel comfortable and appreciated,” said Casey. “Our amazing employees are the heart of our business. Their friendly service, combined with our excitement for sports, daily specials and happy hour, creates a fun experience that keeps our customers coming back.”
Customer favorites are the signature Cheef Sandwich, Dough Nuggets, Jumbo Wings and their popular pizza. Casey also owns a Rosati’s location in Lockport.
