Hidden gems: American restaurants in Chicago

Discover the city's hidden treasures—remarkable spots that are relatively undiscovered but offer exceptional experiences. Our selection criteria? A rating of 4.5 or higher with fewer than 150 reviews. Explore these lesser-known yet outstanding places that promise a delightful visit in Chicago. This list contains 32 places from American restaurant category.

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New Era Restaurant image
1
New Era Restaurant
Mexican restaurant
5.00 (10 reviews) (~17.83 km from centre)
Good Eats Group image
2
Good Eats Group
American restaurant
5.00 (5 reviews) (~0.68 km from centre)
Chubby’s Hot Chicken image
3
Chubby’s Hot Chicken
American restaurant
👍👍 This place is a GEM! It's one of those small local places that is so good that you don't tell tourists about so you don't add to the already long line out the door. The menu is small, but that is a sign of a restaurant that sticks to its roots and doesn't try to be something it's not. This placenis...
4.90 (149 reviews) (~15.5 km from centre)
No Vacancy image
4
No Vacancy
Restaurant
$$ $$
4.90 (125 reviews) (~1.9 km from centre)
Cluckers Charcoal Chicken TO GO image
5
Cluckers Charcoal Chicken TO GO
American restaurant
$$ $$
4.90 (102 reviews) (~24.38 km from centre)
Blended Health & Smoothie Bar image
6
Blended Health & Smoothie Bar
Health food restaurant
😐 I ordered the açaí bowl with strawberry, banana, granola and PB drizzle as well as a pina colada with blueberries, chocolate chip, granola and chocolate drizzle. the açaí bowl was great, it was refreshing and fruity with the toppings I chose. as for the pina colada, it was not as refreshing as it wa...
$$ $$
4.80 (92 reviews) (~26.5 km from centre)
Atelier Restaurant image
7
Atelier Restaurant
Fine dining restaurant
👍👍 Deserving a Michelin star fine upscale dining in the old Elizabeth place. Excellent tasting menu that offered great variety of excellent small dishes. They were innovative and fun plays on favorites. Better than some of other Michelin restaurants I've been to in Chicago in the past year. The ambian...
4.80 (62 reviews) (~11.72 km from centre)
3M Restaurant American Buffet image
8
3M Restaurant American Buffet
American restaurant
$ $$$
4.80 (62 reviews) (~13.15 km from centre)
The Fat Shallot Evanston image
9
The Fat Shallot Evanston
American restaurant
👍👍 It feels a bit odd giving this the same rating I've given some places with Michelin stars, but calibrate expectations. This is a neighborhood restaurant/bar, and it's one I am incredibly happy to have in my neighborhood. The sandwiches and cheese curds are great. The staff - and particularly the ow...
$$ $$
4.80 (45 reviews) (~22.27 km from centre)
Spice Restaurant image
10
Spice Restaurant
Jamaican restaurant
👍👍 The jerk chicken is exceptional! The chicken is very tender and she makes her own jerk sauce with tons of flavor and a little kick at the end. The plantains were sweet and had a rich flavor. She added a little oxtail broth to our rice and beans which took them over the top! The owner is incredibly...
4.80 (31 reviews) (~20.21 km from centre)
Jonny Cab's image
11
Jonny Cab's
American restaurant
👍👍 What a neighborhood gem! Jonny Cab’s has live music, great vibes, delicious food, and friendly staff. There’s an adorable patio with string lights for outdoor seating, as well as a spacious inside with booths, tables, and high tops. They are knowledgeable when it comes to dietary restrictions and t...
$$ $$
4.70 (141 reviews) (~27.58 km from centre)
Pizza 750 image
12
Pizza 750
Pizza restaurant
👍👍 We celebrated my husband’s 50th birthday at Imperial Oak Brewery. Pizza 750 was our food of choice. The pizza is awesome. We had 5 different kind of pizza. Our guests devoured them! Everyone from the young lady that took our catering order to the owner were incredibly nice and helpful. THANKS A BUNC...
$ $$$
4.70 (128 reviews) (~26.37 km from centre)
Little Honeycomb image
13
Little Honeycomb
Restaurant
👍👍 Odd little restaurant. The menu covers a variety of cuisines with a slight focus in mexican. The food was tasty(nachos, burger, fries). The staff were a little stretched but it was packed and labor day. Would go back. Only annoyance is the very bass-driven music inside.
$$ $$
4.70 (125 reviews) (~27.15 km from centre)
Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings image
14
Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings
Sandwich shop
👍👍 I was happy that this place was open on Thanksgiving day. I travel for work, and I was gonna make some smothered turkey in the ol crockpot, but it stopped working halfway through a separate meal the day before. So, everything was closed, and this was one of the few places open where I could get a m...
$ $$$
4.70 (110 reviews) (~29.81 km from centre)
All Too Well Armitage image
15
All Too Well Armitage
Sandwich shop
👍👍 If you are a fan of Evette’s next door, this is a must-try (as it’s the same owner)! Amazing selection of sandwiches and grab-and-go items and groceries. They offer Lebanese food and we tried the I Make You Lamb panini, The Niff Jen (turkey panini), and the pasta salad - all were great. Friendly sta...
$ $$$
4.70 (110 reviews) (~4.91 km from centre)
Bootsma Bookstore Cafe image
16
Bootsma Bookstore Cafe
Cafe
👍👍 Great coffee in a beautiful setting. And the staff is the best.
$ $$$
4.70 (69 reviews) (~26.53 km from centre)
To Be Served image
17
To Be Served
American restaurant
4.70 (29 reviews) (~16.01 km from centre)
Devil Dawgs Evanston image
18
Devil Dawgs Evanston
Fast food restaurant
$ $$$
4.70 (26 reviews) (~19.87 km from centre)
EAT image
19
EAT
American restaurant
Counter-serve outlet for breakfast and coffee, sandwiches, soups and salads.
4.70 (25 reviews) (~29.77 km from centre)
Ben's Fast Food image
20
Ben's Fast Food
Health food restaurant
4.70 (13 reviews) (~3.07 km from centre)
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