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Is there anything decent to eat in Joliet?

Is there anything decent to eat in Joliet?
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  • Is there anything decent to eat in Joliet?

    Post #1 - July 6th, 2011, 9:12 pm
    Post #1 - July 6th, 2011, 9:12 pm Post #1 - July 6th, 2011, 9:12 pm
    Hello LTH!

    A very good friend of mine is taking his lady love to the lovely paradise of Joliet so that she can take high performance driving lessons. Yes...he's a good man.

    BUT...he wondered where the heck they could go to get their appetite sated after a day of driving around in circles at high speeds -- and I said I'd see what I could find out from my peeps. But...there's not much here other than old reports of Amancer Tapatio, which I believe is no more.

    Anyone have any recent intel of a good place to eat? Does NOT have to be fancy schmancy -- excellent diner food beats a badly cooked overpriced steak any day. We're really not tied down by price or cuisine -- he'd like to go to what's good.

    Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers!

    Shannon
  • Post #2 - July 7th, 2011, 6:55 am
    Post #2 - July 7th, 2011, 6:55 am Post #2 - July 7th, 2011, 6:55 am
    I think you'll get more help in you post in the main forum rather than the "Beyond Chicagoland" forum. Joliet is (barely) within Chicagoland proper.

    You'll find a few places if you do the Google search "Joliet site:lthforum.com"
    Hue Palace sounds like decent Vietnamese
  • Post #3 - July 7th, 2011, 7:21 am
    Post #3 - July 7th, 2011, 7:21 am Post #3 - July 7th, 2011, 7:21 am
    Carnitas Don Rafa
    2224 Plainfield Rd
    Crest Hill, IL 60403
    (815) 741-2222
    http://www.donrafarestaurants.com/main.html
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #4 - July 7th, 2011, 9:01 am
    Post #4 - July 7th, 2011, 9:01 am Post #4 - July 7th, 2011, 9:01 am
    There's a White Castle!
    Visit my new website at http://www.splatteredpages.com or my old one at www.eatwisconsin.com
  • Post #5 - January 5th, 2012, 11:05 am
    Post #5 - January 5th, 2012, 11:05 am Post #5 - January 5th, 2012, 11:05 am
    Id definitely go back to the Atotonilco location in Joliet. Some pretty good al pastor tacos.

    Tacquerias Atotonilco
    500 E. Cass
    Joliet, IL.
  • Post #6 - February 26th, 2021, 4:50 pm
    Post #6 - February 26th, 2021, 4:50 pm Post #6 - February 26th, 2021, 4:50 pm
    Family and I have to spend a night in Joliet soon. I’ve never been. Can anyone recommend a place we could carry out dinner from? My daughter is not a big fan of Mexican food but anything else works. In non-COVID times we’d be willing to venture further out. As we will just be bringing the food to the hotel we’d like something in Joliet proper.
  • Post #7 - February 26th, 2021, 5:15 pm
    Post #7 - February 26th, 2021, 5:15 pm Post #7 - February 26th, 2021, 5:15 pm
    Where at, approximately, in Joliet?

    Behind Aurora and Rockford, I think (?) its the fourth largest city in IL.

    Depending on where you are going to be..... many options.

    Chicken Spice for Chicken Chunks, Cemeno's Pizza for tavern style pizza that rivals some of the South Side pizza I grew up on (including Little Joe's and Vito/Nicks), there's Craft'd, MyGrain Brewing, Burger Theory and Hamburgerseria for designer burgers, but since you are asking for carry out I'd want to direct you to something close to where you'd be

    Is the hotel near the mall, near 80? I can narrow the suggestions depending
    Bill-Plainfield
  • Post #8 - February 26th, 2021, 5:52 pm
    Post #8 - February 26th, 2021, 5:52 pm Post #8 - February 26th, 2021, 5:52 pm
    Hi,

    We will be @ Harrah’s because we have an event @ Rialto the following morning with a 7:20 a.m. call time. I am the only “morning person” in my family. Proximity is key. Thanks for your help!
  • Post #9 - February 26th, 2021, 6:16 pm
    Post #9 - February 26th, 2021, 6:16 pm Post #9 - February 26th, 2021, 6:16 pm
    Soul Food Cafe, aka Nate's Deli

    - Dry white toast, nothing on it.
    - Four fried chickens and a coke.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #10 - February 26th, 2021, 7:13 pm
    Post #10 - February 26th, 2021, 7:13 pm Post #10 - February 26th, 2021, 7:13 pm
    G Wiv wrote:Soul Food Cafe, aka Nate's Deli

    - Dry white toast, nothing on it.
    - Four fried chickens and a coke.

    LMAO, yes! That really brings back some memories. :)

    I guess, based on the parameters, that Merichka's (<thread) isn't under consideration but if I were in the area, I think I'd really want to try it. It's about 2.5 miles from Harrah's.

    =R=

    Merichka's
    604 Theodore St
    Crest Hill, IL 60403
    (815) 723-9371
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #11 - February 26th, 2021, 7:28 pm
    Post #11 - February 26th, 2021, 7:28 pm Post #11 - February 26th, 2021, 7:28 pm
    Lynn,

    Since its right there, maybe the Chicken Chunk is calling you?

    http://www.chicken-n-spicejoliet.com/

    I have a few other suggestions, but you mentioned no mexican food. You will be in the heart of some awesome mexican food in the area.

    If you intend on traveling outside of the downtown area, the other places I mentioned are within about 15 minutes of your hotel. MyGrain, you could walk to it as its 2-3 blocks from you, tops. Railroad tracks are in your way.
    Bill-Plainfield
  • Post #12 - February 27th, 2021, 12:14 pm
    Post #12 - February 27th, 2021, 12:14 pm Post #12 - February 27th, 2021, 12:14 pm
    Willkat98 wrote:Since its right there, maybe the Chicken Chunk is calling you?

    It's been quite a while, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Chunks. Just don't have unrealistic expectations.

    ronnie_suburban wrote:I guess, based on the parameters, that Merichka's (<thread) isn't under consideration but if I were in the area, I think I'd really want to try it. It's about 2.5 miles from Harrah's.

    I like Merichka's, but the old-fashioned atmosphere is a very important part of the experience, for me at least. I'm sure you could do far worse than take-out from Merichka's, but I'm not sure I'd bother. Even if you don't stop, try to admire their monumental sign.

    Willkat98 wrote:. . . Cemeno's Pizza for tavern style pizza that rivals some of the South Side pizza I grew up on (including Little Joe's and Vito/Nicks) . . .

    Noted!

    Willkat98 wrote:I have a few other suggestions, but you mentioned no mexican food. You will be in the heart of some awesome mexican food in the area.

    While we're talking about Joliet, a quick Mexican list would be appreciated. It'll probably be a while before I get to any though.
  • Post #13 - February 27th, 2021, 12:16 pm
    Post #13 - February 27th, 2021, 12:16 pm Post #13 - February 27th, 2021, 12:16 pm
    Chicken-n-Spice is a definite possibility.

    Doesn’t have to be within walking distance. A 15 minute drive or so would be fine. If Mexican is the best Joliet has to offer, then tell me about it. Daughter can have a quesadilla for dinner - wouldn’t be the first time.

    I feel like Merichka’s would best be experienced dine-in. Would want a cocktail and to hang out. Personally, we’re not there yet. Perhaps another time...
  • Post #14 - March 14th, 2021, 3:02 pm
    Post #14 - March 14th, 2021, 3:02 pm Post #14 - March 14th, 2021, 3:02 pm
    Just circling back to report that Chicken-n-Spice worked out well for us last night. Very convenient, friendly staff, everything freshly fried and still piping hot when we got back to the hotel. We sampled the chunks, shrimp, spiced rice, pepper jack mac-n-cheese bites (daughter’s request), biscuits and coleslaw.

    I laughed when I saw how many Mexican restaurants we passed on our way in to the hotel. I’m sure there are some gems. My kid will eat sushi, snails, blue cheese, caviar, and more...but is somehow highly opposed to anything with raw onion, salsa of any type, and/or cilantro.
  • Post #15 - March 17th, 2021, 3:16 pm
    Post #15 - March 17th, 2021, 3:16 pm Post #15 - March 17th, 2021, 3:16 pm
    It is frustrating now. Almost 100% certain they will love those foods in 5 years, though that doesn't do you any good.
  • Post #16 - April 17th, 2021, 5:52 pm
    Post #16 - April 17th, 2021, 5:52 pm Post #16 - April 17th, 2021, 5:52 pm
    Headed to Joliet tomorrow for a vaccine and I have no grudge against Mexican food. What are the top two places (since I’ll have to get the second dose too) in Joliet that I shouldn’t miss?
  • Post #17 - April 17th, 2021, 10:22 pm
    Post #17 - April 17th, 2021, 10:22 pm Post #17 - April 17th, 2021, 10:22 pm
    The second time I've eaten inside since last March was today, I was in Joliet to catch up with an old friend, he picked the restaurant and suggested a place he and his family love, Mariscos La Laguna. They gave us a gratis serving of very good ceviche when we sat down and individually wrapped tostados, my favorite dish was the Langostinos a la diablo, plump head on shrimp with a wonderful sauce I spooned onto the rice, then just used a spoon to finish it. The huachinango nayarit was a whole fish with crispy garlic beautifully done and perfectly cooked. They were doing a steady takeout business if you didn't want to eat in, the servers and clientele were masked and they were very through cleaning any surface customers or staff touched. It felt both strange and a step forward to eat inside, I'd come back here in a minute.

    Mariscos La Laguna
    601 N Eastern
    Joliet IL 60432
    For what we choose is what we are. He should not miss this second opportunity to re-create himself with food. Jim Crace "The Devil's Larder"
  • Post #18 - April 18th, 2021, 8:49 am
    Post #18 - April 18th, 2021, 8:49 am Post #18 - April 18th, 2021, 8:49 am
    Als steak house on Jefferson is an old time standbye. Marichkas always reminded me of a Wisconsin supperclub.Good food and a wide menu.
  • Post #19 - August 17th, 2023, 7:20 pm
    Post #19 - August 17th, 2023, 7:20 pm Post #19 - August 17th, 2023, 7:20 pm
    MyGrain Brewing In Joliet Closing After 6 Years Of Drinks, Food

    https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/mygra ... rinks-food
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard

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