Best Restaurants in Will County: A Local Dining Guide
Will County's restaurant scene has grown far beyond the chain restaurants along I-55. You'll find scratch-made pasta in Frankfort, authentic birria tacos in Joliet, and some of the best Indian food in the Chicago suburbs tucked into Bolingbrook strip malls. Here's where locals actually eat.
The Will County Food Scene in 2026
Something's been happening across Will County over the past few years. Downtown Joliet keeps adding new restaurants to its revitalized blocks. Frankfort's village square has turned into a genuine dining destination. And Bolingbrook's international food corridor along Route 53 rivals anything you'd find in the city.
What makes the dining here different from, say, Naperville or Oak Brook? Prices tend to run 15-20% lower, portions are generous, and many spots are family-owned operations that have been around for decades. You won't find a lot of Instagram-bait concept restaurants, but you will find people who genuinely care about feeding you well.
We've organized this guide by cuisine so you can jump straight to whatever you're craving. Price ranges use the standard scale: $ (under $15 per person), $$ ($15-30), $$$ ($30-50), and $$$$ ($50+).
Fine Dining and Special Occasions
When you need a place that'll impress -- anniversary dinner, closing a deal, or just treating yourself -- Will County has several spots that punch well above their weight class.
Merichka's
Location: Crest Hill (Route 30 corridor)
Price: $$ - $$$
Best For: Date night, special occasions
Reservations: Strongly recommended on weekends
A Will County institution since 1933. Merichka's doesn't try to be trendy, and that's exactly why it works. The poor boy sandwich is legendary -- a breaded tenderloin the size of a dinner plate -- but the steaks and seafood hold their own against any white-tablecloth place downtown. Three generations of the same family have run this spot, and they haven't cut corners once.
Jacqueline's Cafe & Gourmet
Location: Downtown Frankfort Village Square
Price: $$$ - $$$$
Best For: Anniversary dinners, brunch
Reservations: Required for dinner
Tucked into Frankfort's charming downtown, Jacqueline's offers a refined French-American menu that rotates seasonally. The weekend brunch draws crowds from across the south suburbs. If you're visiting Frankfort's village square for the first time, this is the place to anchor your evening. The patio seating during summer months is particularly worth reserving ahead.
Sette Stelle
Location: Downtown Joliet
Price: $$$ - $$$$
Best For: Upscale Italian, pre-theater dinner
Reservations: Recommended
One of the restaurants leading downtown Joliet's dining revival. Sette Stelle brings upscale Italian cooking to the historic district, making it a natural pairing with a show at the Rialto Square Theatre just blocks away. Handmade pasta, quality imported ingredients, and a wine list that goes beyond the usual Chianti suspects.
Italian
Will County has deep Italian-American roots -- Joliet's east side has been home to Italian families since the early 1900s -- and the restaurant scene reflects that heritage. You won't have trouble finding good red sauce here.
Al's Steak House
Location: Joliet (East Side)
Price: $$ - $$$
Best For: Families, hearty Italian-American
Don't let the name fool you -- Al's is as much an Italian joint as it is a steakhouse. The lasagna is built in thick layers, the garlic bread comes out dripping with butter, and the portions are sized for people who actually work for a living. Cash only, which should tell you something about how long they've been doing this.
Giordano's & Lou Malnati's
Location: Multiple Will County locations
Price: $$
Best For: Families, casual dining
Yes, they're chains. But these are Chicago-born chains, and when you want deep-dish pizza, there's no substitute. Giordano's has locations in Joliet and Bolingbrook. Lou Malnati's has steadily expanded into the south suburbs. Both deliver exactly what you'd expect -- buttery crust, quality mozzarella, and sauce that tastes like it came from somebody's nonna.
Cemeno's Pizza
Location: Joliet
Price: $
Best For: Takeout, casual
Thin crust, tavern-cut, and unapologetically Joliet. Cemeno's has been the go-to neighborhood pizza spot for locals who grew up on this stuff. Order the sausage pizza and you'll understand why people drive across town for it. No frills, no pretense, just solid pizza at honest prices.
Mexican and Latin American
Will County's growing Latino community has brought an incredible range of Mexican and Central American food to the area. Joliet's east side and the neighborhoods around Chicago Street have become a destination for authentic regional cooking.
Taqueria El Potosino
Location: Joliet
Price: $
Best For: Authentic tacos, quick lunch
Walk past the modest exterior and you'll find some of the most authentic tacos in the south suburbs. The al pastor comes off a proper trompo, the birria is rich and deeply spiced, and the handmade tortillas are the real deal. Weekend mornings bring out the menudo and pozole. Don't skip the aguas frescas.
Casa Maya Mexican Restaurant
Location: Plainfield
Price: $$
Best For: Families, weekend dinners
Casa Maya bridges the gap between authentic and approachable. The menu covers familiar favorites alongside more traditional dishes you won't find at your typical Tex-Mex chain. The mole is made in-house, the margaritas are properly strong, and the weekend specials often feature regional Mexican dishes that rotate with the seasons. Kid-friendly but still interesting enough for adults who know their way around a menu.
Los Burritos Tapatios
Location: Multiple locations (Joliet, Plainfield)
Price: $
Best For: Quick, affordable, everyday Mexican
A local mini-chain that consistently delivers. The steak burrito is massive and well-seasoned, the tortas are properly pressed, and you can feed a family of four for under $40. There's a reason the lunch line stretches out the door on Saturdays.
Asian Cuisine
Bolingbrook's international dining scene is one of Will County's best-kept secrets. The stretch along Route 53 near The Promenade Bolingbrook has become a corridor for Indian, Thai, Filipino, Chinese, and Korean restaurants that rival anything you'd drive to Devon Avenue or Chinatown for.
Royal Indian Kitchen
Location: Bolingbrook (The Promenade area)
Price: $$
Best For: Indian food enthusiasts, lunch buffet
Bolingbrook has quietly become one of the best places in the Chicago suburbs for Indian food, and Royal Indian Kitchen is a big reason why. The lunch buffet is one of the best deals in Will County -- fresh naan, well-spiced curries, and a tandoori selection that rotates daily. Dinner service lets you dig deeper into the menu with specialties from multiple Indian regions. Vegetarian options here are genuinely excellent, not afterthoughts.
Thai Bowl
Location: Bolingbrook
Price: $-$$
Best For: Weeknight dinner, spice lovers
When you want Thai food that's actually spicy -- not suburban-spicy, but properly spicy -- Thai Bowl delivers. The pad kra pao (basil stir-fry) has real heat and wok char. The green curry uses fresh herbs. And if you ask for Thai-hot, they'll actually give it to you Thai-hot. Lunch specials make this a great midday stop.
Max's Restaurant
Location: Bolingbrook
Price: $$
Best For: Filipino food, family gatherings
Filipino restaurants are still relatively rare in the suburbs, which makes Max's a genuine find. The crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckle) is a showstopper -- crackling skin, tender meat, served with a vinegar dipping sauce. The chicken adobo, sinigang, and pancit are all done right. If you've never tried Filipino food, this is an excellent place to start.
BBQ and American Comfort Food
Sometimes you want smoked meat and a cold beer. Will County has you covered, with a mix of dedicated BBQ joints and American restaurants that do comfort food without overthinking it.
Smiley's BBQ & Catering
Location: Lockport
Price: $$
Best For: BBQ lovers, casual groups
Lockport keeps things straightforward, and Smiley's fits right in. Ribs that fall off the bone, pulled pork with just the right bark, and sides that taste homemade because they are. The sauce leans sweet with a vinegar kick -- Illinois-style BBQ that doesn't try to be Texas or Carolina. Just good smoked meat at fair prices. Grab a picnic table when the weather cooperates.
Rivals Sports Bar & Grill
Location: Plainfield
Price: $$
Best For: Game day, groups, families
Not just another sports bar. Rivals actually puts care into its kitchen, turning out burgers that are hand-pattied, wings that are properly sauced, and a fish fry on Fridays that packs the place. During football season, the atmosphere is electric. The patio fills up fast during warm months, so plan ahead.
Ace's Place
Location: New Lenox
Price: $$
Best For: Comfort food, locals' hangout
A New Lenox staple that does bar food better than it needs to. The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is thick and crispy. The loaded tots are dangerously good. And the daily specials usually offer a solid reason to come back midweek. Nothing fancy, everything satisfying.
Breakfast and Brunch
Will County takes its morning meals seriously. Whether you need a quick diner breakfast before work or a leisurely weekend brunch with the family, you've got plenty of choices.
Tasty Waffle
Location: Romeoville
Price: $
Best For: Classic diner breakfast, families
Old-school diner vibes with prices that feel like a time warp. The waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. The omelets are stuffed. And the coffee keeps coming without anyone asking. Weekend mornings get busy by 9 a.m., so early birds get the best seats.
Egg'Lectic Cafe
Location: Plainfield
Price: $$
Best For: Weekend brunch, creative breakfast
A step up from your average diner without being pretentious about it. Egg'Lectic does creative spins on breakfast classics -- think stuffed French toast, chorizo skillets, and eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise. The menu is big enough that you could eat here every weekend for a month and not repeat yourself. Portions are generous, and they don't rush you.
Toast & Co.
Location: Frankfort
Price: $$
Best For: Brunch dates, coffee lovers
Frankfort's downtown keeps expanding its breakfast options, and Toast & Co. brings a modern brunch sensibility to the village square area. Avocado toast done right, quality espresso drinks, and seasonal specials that use local produce when available. The vibe is relaxed and the staff seems to genuinely enjoy being there. Pair a meal here with a walk through downtown Frankfort's shops.
Pizza Worth Driving For
Beyond the big Chicago chains, Will County has a handful of independent pizza spots that locals fiercely defend as "the best." Arguments about who makes the best pizza are practically a county tradition.
Jimano's Pizzeria
Location: Multiple Will County locations
Price: $-$$
Best For: Delivery, family dinner
A south suburbs favorite with locations scattered across Will County. Jimano's does thin crust and stuffed pizza equally well, which is rare. The stuffed spinach pizza has developed something of a cult following. Delivery is reliable and the pizza travels well -- it still tastes great 20 minutes after it leaves the oven.
Eddie's Pizza
Location: Joliet
Price: $
Best For: Late night, takeout
Ask somebody from Joliet where to get pizza, and you'll probably hear Eddie's within the first three names. Thin, crispy, tavern-cut squares with a sauce that has just enough sweetness. The sausage is made locally, and they don't go light on the cheese. Simple and consistent -- two qualities that matter more than anything in pizza.
Breweries and Taprooms
The craft beer wave has definitely reached Will County. Several local breweries have opened taprooms where you can drink fresh beer and often grab solid food too.
Werk Force Brewing Co.
Location: Plainfield
Price: $$
Best For: Craft beer fans, casual hangout
Plainfield's homegrown brewery has built a loyal following with creative beers and a laid-back taproom. The rotating selection keeps regulars coming back, and they frequently feature collaborations with other Illinois breweries. Food trucks rotate through on weekends. The outdoor patio area is a genuine community gathering spot during warmer months.
Joliet Brewing Company
Location: Downtown Joliet
Price: $$
Best For: Pre-event drinks, groups
Part of downtown Joliet's ongoing revival, the brewing company occupies a renovated space that feels appropriately industrial. The flagship lager is clean and approachable, while seasonal releases get more adventurous. Located close enough to the Rialto and other downtown venues that it makes a natural first stop before a show. Bar food is solid -- nothing revolutionary, but well-executed pub standards.
Tribes Beer Company
Location: Mokena
Price: $$
Best For: Beer enthusiasts, weekend afternoons
Tucked into an industrial park, Tribes has earned a strong reputation among south suburban beer drinkers. Their IPAs consistently rank among the best in the area, and the taproom has a no-nonsense atmosphere that beer people tend to appreciate. They also distribute to local bars and restaurants, so you might recognize their brews from elsewhere around the county.
Dining Districts Worth Exploring
If you'd rather wander and decide on the spot, these areas have enough restaurants clustered together to give you real options.
Downtown Joliet
The ongoing revitalization of downtown Joliet has brought a wave of new restaurants to the blocks surrounding the Rialto Square Theatre and the old courthouse. You can park once and walk between upscale Italian, Mexican, brewery taprooms, and classic American spots. The food scene here has changed more in the past five years than in the previous twenty.
Downtown Frankfort Village Square
Frankfort's village square might be the most charming dining destination in Will County. The walkable downtown area clusters restaurants, cafes, and bakeries within a few blocks. It's especially good for brunch and dinner dates. Seasonal events like the Fall Festival and holiday markets bring out food vendors that complement the permanent restaurants.
The Promenade Bolingbrook
The Promenade and surrounding area in Bolingbrook anchors the town's international dining corridor. Within a short drive, you can find Indian, Thai, Filipino, Korean, and Chinese restaurants -- many of them family-owned and operated by first-generation immigrants cooking the food they grew up with. This is where Will County's diversity shines brightest on a plate.
Route 30 Corridor
Running through Crest Hill and New Lenox, the Route 30 corridor is home to several long-established restaurants that have been feeding Will County families for decades. It's not the flashiest dining strip, but the restaurants here have survived by being reliably good. Merichka's alone is worth the drive.
Practical Tips for Dining Out in Will County
Reservations
Most casual spots don't take reservations, and you won't need them on weeknights. For fine dining in Frankfort or downtown Joliet on Friday and Saturday evenings, booking ahead saves you a wait. Sunday brunch at popular spots fills up fast -- arriving before 10 a.m. or after 1 p.m. usually means shorter waits.
Family-Friendly vs. Date Night
Nearly every restaurant on this list welcomes families, but some are better suited to different occasions:
- Best for families with kids: Giordano's, Casa Maya, Tasty Waffle, Rivals, Jimano's
- Best for date night: Jacqueline's, Sette Stelle, Merichka's, Toast & Co. for brunch
- Best for groups: Joliet Brewing Company, Werk Force, Smiley's BBQ
Price Expectations
One of the nice things about dining in Will County is that your dollar stretches further than it would in Chicago or the north suburbs. A solid dinner for two with drinks typically runs $50-80 at mid-range restaurants. Fine dining spots land in the $100-150 range for two, which is still well below comparable quality in the city. The taco shops and pizza joints? You can eat like a king for under $15.
Best Times to Go
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest across the board. For the best experience at popular spots, consider Thursday night dinners or weekend lunches. Many restaurants along the Route 30 corridor and in Bolingbrook run weekday lunch specials that offer serious value -- the Indian buffets in particular are standout deals between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Will County Food Scene Keeps Growing
New restaurants continue to open across the county, and the overall quality keeps climbing. Downtown Joliet alone has added several new dining options in the past couple of years, and Plainfield's restaurant scene is maturing alongside the town's continued growth. The international dining in Bolingbrook gets deeper every year as new families bring their culinary traditions to the area.
What hasn't changed is the character of Will County dining: generous portions, fair prices, and cooks who take pride in feeding their neighbors well. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just moved here, there's always a new restaurant worth trying -- and a longtime favorite worth revisiting.
Explore More of Will County -- Check out our Things to Do Guide for entertainment, parks, and attractions beyond the dining table. Thinking about making Will County home? Browse our Living Here section for community profiles and practical info.