Restaurants in Woodridge

The chefs at The Best Windy City Hot Dogs have the classic Chicago dog down to an art. With each order, they carefully ensconce a single oversized frank in a poppy-seed bun before layering on pickle spears, sport peppers, tomatoes, relish onions, and a thin line of mustard. The all-natural casings of their classic and Polish dogs allow the complementary flavors of the condiments to shine through, creating a savory balance with the aromas of chili- and cheese-soaked fries and the sounds of neglected ketchup bottles pounding at the door. Not to be defined by its hot-dog offerings, the menu spans a range of dishes that showcase America’s melting-pot history, offering Italian-beef sandwiches alongside tzatziki-drizzled lamb gyros and locally made tamales. A range of cool drinks and ice-cream treats wash down the hearty meals, and delivery or dine-in service allows guests to enjoy their treats wherever they wish without installing a franchise in the back of their car.

For more than 15 years, Via Bella has piled plates high with authentic Southern Italian cuisine in a friendly, romantic atmosphere. Guests in the separate dining room lift forks laden with housemade lobster ravioli or grasp slices of thin-crust pizza. Nearby, guests in the spacious bar room can share littleneck clams or shrimp bruschetta at the Brunswick back bar, which dates back to the turn of the 20th century.