Red, White & Local: Celebrate with a Taste of the Southland

The Chicago area was built on the determination and ingenuity of immigrants and just as it was in the beginning, it remains a melting pot of nationalities and cultures, which shines through in the cuisine available today. Prepare your taste buds for a mash-up of modern and classic, inspired by the flavors of those who came before us.

Soul Food Roots

The Great Migration of Black people from the south to the Chicago area starting in the early 20th century brought the introduction of soul food to the city and suburbs. Craving a good plate of southern comfort food? Here are some places to fill your belly - from soul food standards to N’Awlins Creole and Cajun grub - with some of the most delicious creations that have originated from the southern states:

Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe - 6501 West 79th Street, Burbank 708-229-8700 

Dixie Kitchen - 17940 Torrence Avenue, Lansing 708-474-1378 

Hidden Manna Cafe - 3613 216th Street, Suite 1, Matteson 708-248-5571 

Maple Tree Inn - 18849 Dixie Highway, Homewood 708-388-3461 

Miss Dee’s Inc. Soul Food Restaurant - 12401 South Ashland Avenue, Calumet Park 708-385-3100

Soul to Go Express - 933 East 142nd Street, South Holland 708-825-9366 

Cooking Cultural Cuisine

Everyone who is here came from somewhere. And sometimes you want a taste of something familiar that harkens back to your heritage. Wherever your ancestors originated from, you’ll find a place to get a taste of it in the Chicago Southland. Or if you’re simply a foodie who loves to broaden your cultural surroundings, there’s so much to explore in our suburban food scene. Here is a sampling of spots to explore to get a taste of the melting pot that is Chicagoland:

Asian

A. Fusion - 4601 Lincoln Highway, Matteson 708-748-9893 

Chinese

Eat Rice - 18065 Dixie Highway, Homewood 708-798-8838 

German

Chef Klaus’ Bier Stube - 20827 South LaGrange Road, Frankfort 815-469-0940 ChefKlausGermanRestaurants.com

Greek

OPA! Modern Greek Cuisine - 10235 West Lincoln Highway, Frankfort 815-806-7303

OPA! Modern Greek Cuisine - 8801 West 163^rd Street, Orland Park 708-966-4571

Indian

Priya’s Kitchen Orland Park - 8600 West 159th Street, #4B, Orland Park 708-966-0713

Irish

The Carraig Irish Pub at Chicago Gaelic Park - 6119 West 147th Street, Oak Forest 708-687-9323

Italian

Balagio Ristorante - 17501 Dixie Highway, Homewood 708-957-1650

Japanese

Senso - 3 North White Street, Frankfort 815-554-4080

Jewish

Bergstein NY Deli - 18064 Martin Avenue, Homewood 708-754-6400

Mexican

Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar - 28 Kansas Street, Frankfort815-534-1640

Mediterranean

Yalla Middle Eastern Cuisine - 11400 West Lincoln Highway, Mokena 779-900-8386

Palestinian

Al Bawadi Grill - 7216 West 87th Street, Bridgeview 708-599-1999

Polish

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant - 25812 South Governors Highway, Monee 708-885-5092

And if you are looking for American fare, consider visiting:

Gastropub

Franklins Public House - 12306 South Harlem Avenue, Palos Heights 708-671-8959

Upscale American Bar & Grill

HMD Bar & Grill - 10339 Ridgeland, Chicago Ridge 708-857-7910

Vintage-Style Diner

Grady’s Snack & Dine - 18147 Harwood Avenue, Homewood 708-799-4700

Craft Brews & Backyard BBQ

The Chicago Southland boasted a number of independent breweries in its early days, including the oldest standing brewery building in the state, which now houses Thornton Distilling Co. Businesses came to a halt during Prohibition (although some of the area is rumored to have fallen within Al Capone’s territory where the beer kept flowing on the down low). Late in the 20th century, beer brewing began to thrive in the Chicago Southland with the emergence of several craft breweries. Today, you’ll find a thriving craft beer scene in the south suburbs where you can find just about any style you could wish to enjoy.

The oldest craft brewery in the area is the award-winning Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery. Located in a former train station in downtown Flossmoor, this microbrewery opened in 1996 and has been carrying on the public house vibes ever since. You’ll find a full menu of creative starters and entrees and a lovely outdoor patio area where dogs are welcome.

For a list of breweries, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Breweries.

As the big birthday bash approaches on the 4th of July, barbecue is a genre of food that just goes together perfectly with summertime and backyard cookouts. If you’re looking to add some barbecue bites to your celebrations, a few local joints you’ll want to check out are:

Exsenator BBQ, Markham - 3349 West 159^th Street 708-333-1211

Lynnie Que’s Airport Bar & Grill - 3249 Airport Drive/Glenwood Lansing Road, Lansing 708 474-7837

The Patio Restaurant - 9100 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview 708-598-2099

The Patio Restaurant - 7830 West 159th Street, Orland Park (708) 429-7575

Wilma’s Famous BBQ - 1223 Sibley Boulevard, Dolton 708-896-6009

Wilma’s Famous BBQ - 4433 211^th Street, Matteson 708-555-5555