With this thread back in play, I thought I'd share my list of solid to excellent spots west of 355:
Downer’s GroveMojo’s East Coast Eats (okay, just East of 355) Philly roast pork is my order. Good skinny hand cut fries.
LisleApolis Greek Street Food– dig the crispy pork gyros, don't love the Chipotlean format. More great hand cut fries.
Glen EllynA Toda Madre– we usually hit Bien Trucha, but similar menu.
2Toots– kid’s burger joint with toy trains that deliver food. They make a really good lacy edged smash burger with Tallgrass beef though!
NapervilleAllegory- new-ish spot in old Heaven on Seven space. Going for city upscale pub vibe, which is working. Have only been once, but loved the chilaquiles.
Gujju’s Chaat House- h/t JimTheBeerGuy for the intro to their vada pav, fried potato cutlet sliders popping with spice. Introducing me to the wide world of chaat!
JK Kabab– solid Pakistani BBQ, there's one on Devon as well. Can't beat their lunch specials.
Minghin Cuisine– I think it's the most elegant dining room of the empire.
Naf Naf– still dig it.
SanguCHE– Peruvian sandwiches. Kinda dig the chaufa & salchipapas sides the most. Again with the amazing hand cut fries in the area.
Schmaltz– I'm not really a deli aficionado, but the pastrami is good. Sandwiches seem a little under-stuffed.
WheatonPa Lian– all the love for Illinois' only Burmese
here.
Carol StreamHong Ning– Filipino that brings a bit more funk than any I've had in the city.
WinfieldBerger Bros.– not destination-worthy, dated "small plates" bar food, but very good option in walking distance. Burger is great if the right cook is in back.
Gnarly Knots– better-than-they-have-to-be take out soft pretzels stuffed with unorthodox fillings (the Italian beef is good!)
Warrenville Al’s Pizza– my favorite tavern style pizza anywhere, too bad new management is not friendly.
Masala– solid pan-Indian. Northern/Pakistani better than Southern though.
West ChicagoCocina de Maria– CDMX style antojitos. The Schmidt family is the best.
Kindred Coffee Roasters– next door to Maria's, run by another expceptionally sweet family who are my close friends. Though I'm not a coffee drinker, they clearly make a product unrivaled in quality for the area. Good paninis + super legit house made bagels on Wed. & Sat.
Las Tias– very good birrieria with a tight menu of comida Jalisciense including tortas ahogadas & birria tacos dorados.
Quebrada– brand new branch from owner of the Aurora outpost. I ate here last night and the cecina tacos were much fresher than anything I've had in Cicero lately. Great tortillas hecho a mano.
GenevaAtlas Chicken Shack– solid hipster fried chicken sandwiches & tenders.
Bien Trucha– needs no intro.
St CharlesBeef Shack– fave IB in the area. And best hand cut fries in a zone rich in them.
ElginWhite Pearl & Lao and Thai Spicy Noodle– two Lao owned spots with Thai heavy menus. Limited Lao options are explosively spicy & sensational at both.