Restaurants

On this page, I will list the restaurants we have tried in Elgin. If the restaurant is not listed, we have not yet been there.

Downtown Elgin – Dine In

The Elgin Public House – Housed in a beautiful, restored vintage building, The Elgin Public House has the finest hamburger I have ever tasted. Mike had a blue cheese and bacon burger and I had a blue cheese and horseradish burger (The Blue Horse). It sure beat Red Robin….We will definitely return for more of the wonderful, friendly service in a rustic, pubby atmosphere…..to say nothing of the delicious food.

El Rincon De Pastigel, 154 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL – (847) 429-1969 - in the basement of the Pastigel Bakery.  El Rincon de Pastigel Restaurant is like a Mexican version of your average American coffee shop. It is simple, friendly and clean and the basement with it’s brickwork and arched doorways and Mexican decor is charming as was our waiter.

At El Rincon de Pastigel, there were no tacos or burritos on the menu, but several types of sandwich style items that we did not recognize. Our waiter did not speak English so we couldn’t ask anything about any of the offerings but we were there for a culinary adventure so that didn’t matter so much.

We decided to get three different types of sandwiches just to check out a variety and share between us.

We ordered a shredded beef Quesadilla, a shredded beef Gordito, and a Hurrache, a large puffy thick, plate sized tortilla, open faced, spread with beans and the most delicious salsa verde I have ever had. It can also be ordered with a variety of meats. It was love at first bite and I’m going back there for another one one of these days.  The Quesadilla and Gordito were also outstanding.  Each sandwich was HUGE!!!!! There were no tortilla chips on the table and no rice and bean side dishes but the food was plenty and we walked out of there very satisfied…so satisfied that we decided to put off checking out the bakery for another day.

If you are looking for some authentic Mexican cuisine in a very casual but charming place, El Rincon de Pastigel Restaurant is an excellent choice.

La Puesta Del Sol, 165 E. Highland, Elgin, IL 847-458-1416 – La Puesta Del Sol was a charming little restaurant filled with cute little knick knacks and the friendliest, folksy waitresses I have ever had the pleasure of being served by. The place was 3/4 full of dining patrons and lively conversation filled the air. I got the impression from the way the waitresses were interacting with the customers that it was the type of neiborhoody place that friends and neighbors returned to often. It seemed like the wait staff knew everyone. It was a fun and pleasant dining experience and the food was good, plenty and modestly priced. Mike got to have his tacos. I had a combination plate of a tostada, enchilada and flauta. This was the type of place with the traditional tortilla chips and salsa on the table and beans and rice on the side.

Prairie Rock Brewing Company – Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups, Salads, Pasta, Seafood, Steaks. Microbrew beer and excellent wines.

Moderately priced, excellent service, food is average, tastes good but is nothing special or out of the ordinary. Nice atmosphere in an old theater building right across the street from Festival Park.

Carry-Out Restaurants

Chinese Food

Chinese Wok, 840 Summit St. Elgin, IL – No Web Site – Cantonese and Szechuan Carry out
No dining facilities, great food at a great price. Fast friendly service.

Pizza

Chicago Pizza Authority – Pizza, Sandwiches, Salads, Pasta, Appetizers and more.

Good Pizza, friendly, reliable service, average price. Also has an eat in restaurant with a good buffet.

Geno Nottolini’s – Pizza, Sandwiches, Salads, Pasta, Appetizers and more.

Our favorite Pizza, friendly, reliable service, great price. A few eat in tables but not a great atmosphere for dining.

Sandwiches and More

Beef Villa – Hot dogs, burgers, Italian Beef and Sausage and more.

The best for hot sandwiches, fries, onion rings etc. Excellent food. Fast friendly service.