The Best Local Restaurants in Joliet, Illinois

One of the oldest high-end restaurants in Joliet, Al’s Steakhouse was established in 1964. Once a famed nightclub, with various bands playing to guests late into the night, the restaurant’s focus has shifted over the years to serving high-quality, memorable dishes in a luxurious, upscale environment. Plush red leather corner seats, crisp white tablecloths and warm ambient lighting add to the chic, inviting atmosphere, while antique gates from a Joliet landmark – the Joliet Citizens Brewery – affixed to the wall, pay homage to Al’s Steakhouse’s local heritage. The food is as enjoyable as the surroundings – char-grilled, Grecian-style steaks with double baked potatoes are a specialty, while the seafood is delivered fresh every day.

Specializing in Italian cuisine, Barolo promises an authentic Mediterranean experience to all its guests, from the old-fashioned, European atmosphere, to the emphasis on slow-dining and culinary appreciation. Chef Gaetano Turi is an Italian native and received his formal training at Rome’s prestigious Italian Culinary School. He now directs his passion for Italian cooking into creating unique, imaginative twists on classic Italian dishes, such as the Rotollo, a contemporary cousin of lasagna, featuring spinach, ricotta and pasta rolled together and baked in rich Alfredo and Roma sauces. The dessert menu is equally impressive and includes the signature chocolate cheeseburger, served with pineapple fries and strawberry ketchup.

A cosy, friendly diner, the Old-Fashioned Pancake House is a one-stop venue for all your dining needs. Although they specialise in breakfasts, offering an enormous variety of eggs, skillets and fluffy pancakes soaked in syrup and served with fruit, their lunch and dinner options are as equally varied and impressive. From seafood to Italian, Asian to Greek, all types of palates and cuisines are catered for, with high quality and freshness maintained in all of the dishes. Portion sizes are incredibly generous and for those who still have some room left, the restaurant features a tempting dessert counter, with a number of homemade cakes and pies on display.

Bringing an abundance of old-school class and elegance to the Joliet dining scene, Syl’s Restaurant and Lounge has been a Joliet institution since 1946. Stepping inside, guests are met with an oriental-style carpet and sconces and elegant drapery fill the room with charm. Diners can either eat at tables covered with pressed white tablecloths, or at the chic wraparound bar. The dishes are equally elegant, while still remaining generously portioned and full of satisfying flavours – steaks and chops are carefully aged and barbequed or broiled to perfection and can be served alongside fresh scallops or lobster tails as a luxurious treat.

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