Plainfield, IL has a lot of pubs – and delicious pub food. This list of the 16 best restaurants in Plainfield reflects that.
From tacos and bingo at Backroads Burger & Bar to craft whiskey cocktails at Next Whiskey Bar, to private events hosted at Hopscotch & Vine to an authentic-feeling 1920s speakeasy at Opera House Steak and Seafood, Plainfield IL knows how to pub.
Don’t be fooled, though, pubs aren’t all the city has to offer in terms of restaurants! Many places focus on the cuisine AND the atmosphere: Sovereign cooks up a mix of Vietnamese, Mexican and Mediterranean, for starters. Chop’d has pizzas to go with its heated outdoor patio; Craft’d uses in-house smoked meats with tons of “bacon candy,” otherwise known as bacon!
Chai Thai has bubble milk tea with its authentic Thai foods, and Big Sammy’s has gelato and Italian ice to go with its old-neighborhood feel. Not to leave out the rest of this list, but you’re just going to have to read it yourself … and try each restaurant one by one!
1. SOVEREIGN
$$ | 815-556-8577 | WEBSITE
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Sovereign is part of the Minor Threat Restaurant Group, established in 2014. The establishment offers a variety of cuisines in one location: Vietnamese, Mexican, Mediterranean, and more.
Try the bahn mi, the falafel, or the cemitas (and these are just types of sandwiches!) Plates to share include avocado tostones, beef cheek bruschetta, truffle fries and lengua tacos (with apple, peanut sauce, and jalapeno jelly.)
2. BACKROADS BURGER & BAR
$$ | 815-733-6054 | WEBSITE
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Backroads is a place for a party! It has a party/catering menu and a room called “the party room.” Specials are daily, like a $5.50 hamburger and fries for lunch or $12 for 10 hard shell beef tacos. Every Tuesday is Bar Bingo at 6:30 pm!
Also, every Wednesday at 6:30 is “singo” night, billed as “bingo with a beat!” At the same address is Axe Factor Throwing, so sign up to book a lane or watch while you eat!
3. NWB (NEXT WHISKEY BAR) PLAINFIELD
$$ | 779-234-9191 | WEBSITE
NWB might be founded on craft whiskey cocktails, but it also has a line of chef crafted burgers made only from certified Angus beef. Try the crispy pork belly mac and cheese, the Asian peanut salad, the shrimp po’boy sandwich or the suribachi burger for food, and the Manhattan, the Whiskey Sour and the Vieux Carre for drinks.
4. CHOP’D
$$ | 815-782-8599 | WEBSITE
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The motto for Chop’d restaurant is “Culinary Rebels – Social Aficionado.” It may be a steakhouse, but there’s a little something for everyone – including burgers, salads, and pizzas.
Another whiskey stalwart, Chop’d’s full bar includes a large whiskey selection with 20 beers and ciders on tap. It offers catering and also has a heated outdoor patio.
5. CRAFT’D
$$ | 815-782-8832 | WEBSITE
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Craft’d is a fan of using what it calls “pig candy” in its dishes – otherwise known as chopped, crispy bacon! The venue says its cuisine is a genre called “American Craft.” They specialize in “large, oversized portions” that catch your eye, using meats that are smoked in house.
The chefs who created Craft’d have a collective 40 years of experience in high volume restaurants and bars.
6. STATION ONE SMOKEHOUSE
$$ | 815-271-6328 | WEBSITE
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Station One Smokehouse has won The Herald-News’ Readers’ Choice Award for the Best of Will County three years in a row, from 2019-2021. The founder got his start in BBQing while running his family’s butcher shop growing up. He graduated from Scottsale Culinary Institute in 2002, and is a huge fan and participant in Central Texas BBQ.
7. CHAI THAI MODERN THAI CUISINE
$$ | 815-782-5454 | WEBSITE
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Chai Thai clearly focuses on Southeastern cuisine, particularly Thai food. The family-friendly restaurant values extremely high Thai food service traditions, “as [the] Thai culture is very serious about sharing and enjoying food.” “Chai” means “yes” in the Thai language, so make sure you are thinking, “yes Thai!” when you head into the restaurant! They also serve bubble milk tea!
8. BIG SAMMY’S ITALIAN EATERY
$ | 815-782-6266 | WEBSITE
Sammy’s has unbeatable low prices for quality food. It is family owned and operated, and prides itself on its “old neighborhood” feel and atmosphere. They serve pizza, gnocchi in vodka sauce, eggplant parmesan, and both gelato and Italian ice!
9. STEVE BURESH’S CHEESECAKE STORE & SANDWICH SHOP
$$ | 815-267-6785 | WEBSITE
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Home of the famous “cheesecake jar” is this venue’s slogan – think of special order mason jar cheesecakes! The cheesecake is made fresh to order.
You can order cheesecakes that are layered, stuffed with pie, sugar free, gluten free, cupcake size, OR made in a jar – you can’t miss this place. There’s also a seasonal outdoor patio, and a line of delicious Panini sandwiches.
10. CAPRI SOGNO
$$$ | 815-733-5815 | WEBSITE
Opened in 1988, the original staff of Capri Sogno was a family who immigrated from Cosenza, Italy. The family feel has been maintained at Capri Sogno ever since.
Try Chicago Sun Times’ legendary restaurant critic Pat Bruno’s dishes that he reviewed here and gave awards to: the linguini con vongole, the eggplant parmesan, or the pollo vesuvio.
11. MORA ASIAN FUSION
$$$ | 815-782-5340 | WEBSITE
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Mora Asian fusion melds Asian fusion sushi with Robatayaki cuisine, all with a Chicago flair. The indoor decoration itself has what one might call nouveau chic decor, where no two walls are matching. Fresh sushi and sashimi are on the menu along with several small grilled plates (the Robatayaki.) There is also an outdoor patio!
12. BIG PAULY’S WOOD FIRED PIZZA
$$ | 815-267-6155 | WEBSITE
The pizza and smoked wings at Big Pauly’s have won the Best of Will County award four times! The venue offers catering and hosts your private events. Try the sea salt caramel gelato, the baked lasagna, the cinque formaggi (five cheese) pizza, or the pizza alla vodka!
13. HOPSCOTCH & VINE FOOD & SPIRITS
$$$ | 815-230-5609 | WEBSITE
Hopscotch & Vine has a full private dining room for hosting events, including corporate events, bridal showers, baby showers or birthday parties. Hopscotch has its own Events Coordinator to make all your planning wind up perfect! It also offers catering.
14. OPERA HOUSE STEAK AND SEAFOOD
$$$ | 815-782-5916 | WEBSITE
Opera House prides itself on offering an authentic 1920s speakeasy experience! They offer special deals such as half off white wine bottles on Wednesdays, and select entrees for $15 from 3-6 when you’re dining at the bar. They also have live music such as Billy Joel tributes.
15. EL BARRIO II
$$ | 815-782-7500 | WEBSITE
El Barrio focuses on authentic Mexican cuisine while keeping a modern ambiance. Besides dine-in and pick-up, they offer delivery now through Grubhub and Uber Eats! They also have special deals like Tasty Taco Tuesday.
16. MOE JOE’S CAJUN & CARIBBEAN CUISINE
$$ | 815-230-2790 | WEBSITE
Moe Joe’s exterior looks like something from Bourbon St. in New Orleans, LA. The false building fronts have balconies with wrought iron and street lanterns, and the indoors have Mardi Gras music and decor, giving off a look as authentic as the cuisine you’ll find inside!
There is even a lower level called “The French Quarter Subterranean Speakeasy.” Special events for holidays such as Halloween feature live DJs, themed cocktails, and prizes thrown from the bar. The venue has an outdoor patio and is dog-friendly.
In Summary
Now that you’ve read through the 16 Best Restaurants in Plainfield, IL you know all about the variety of cuisines and classic pub feels! Make sure to bring this list with you when you visit …
