Restaurants in South Elgin

Though the name suggests they only serve one dish, the cooks at Simply Kabobs in fact have a wide culinary range. They take the robust flavors of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and infuse them with American flourishes, from the intricacies of individual ingredients to discerning dessert pairings. And while kebabs paired with fluffy pitas, hummus, feta cheese, or eggplant dip may rule the menu, a selection of gyros, italian-beef sandwiches, polish sausages, and fresh wraps tempt taste buds equally. International desserts such as baklava give diners a sugary treat to end their meals or hand to a customs officer in lieu of a passport.

Since he came to the U.S. three decades ago, chef-owner Vittorio DiBenedetto has opened a few restaurants, but the Trattoria remains dear to him. Intimate even though it stretches across three dining rooms, the restaurant’s layout mirrors the chefs' commitment to friendly togetherness. That feeling of camaraderie extends to the circular cherrywood-and-granite bar, where pours of 40 different wines loosen up tongues in need of free-wheeling conversation or a reminder of what grapes taste like. Crisply contrasting black accents stripe the light yellow interior, where guests await house favorites including giant scallops and gorgonzola-topped steak.

The dough wizards at Papa John's hand toss circular masterpieces with original and thin crusts made from high-protein flour to support warm bouquets of toppings. Hand-cut produce crowns all of Papa John's pizzas, mingling with the sun-soaked sweetness of sauce made from fresh, California-grown tomatoes. By adhering to its brand promise of "better ingredients, better pizza," Papa John's grew from a back-tavern pizzeria into more than 3,500 restaurants within three decades' time, or the amount of time it takes to grow a single pizzeria from a small seed.

At Raffi's on 5th, chef Silverio Rodriguez alchemizes the cuisines of France, Italy, Spain, and other Mediterranean countries into a one-of-a-kind menu. A chandelier illuminates the exposed-brick walls and Middle Eastern rugs that feed eyes, while fork tines dive into steak, pasta, and seafood dishes. By marrying the cuisines of different cultures, chef Silverio paves the way for unique food pairings—meals may travel from an appetizer of goat-cheese fondue to an entree of lamb kebabs or a daily rotating pasta entree complemented by a sprawling wine list and periodic passport checks. The restaurant also presents catering options for feeding up to 500 people.

At Sergio’s Cantina, family recipes from Mexico envelop pork, steak, chicken, and tilapia joined by an array of margaritas and mojitos. Blue-backed booths support diners, and deep-fried quesadillas sing stomachs to sleep with crispy lullabies. The fresh flavors of pico de gallo, poblano peppers, and mango salsa dance atop platters of tacos, tamales, and enchiladas. Colorful umbrellas sprout to shade outdoor patio seating, and waiters emerge from the dining room’s ocean murals and potted palms with mix drinks in hand.

There must have been considerable coordination between the head chef and interior decorator at Montri Thai; the walls vary in color from red and green to lemon yellow––a fitting homage to the kitchen's use of red, green, and yellow curries in its traditional Thai recipes. Artistic plating of braided noodles garnished with wisps of green chives parallels the dining room's floral bouquets, and intricate sauce designs succeed in making the plates hungry for themselves. A full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and blue neon lights illuminate the bright ginger and orange notes in beef, chicken, and tofu dishes. An elephant motif drives the sophisticated Eastern vibe home with bronze statues, framed photographs, and loud stomps resonating from the peanut room.