Old School Eats

When you’re hungry, sometimes you can’t wait to make your way to a trendy new spot, but other times you just want to head to a cozy eatery that feels more old-school - one that has been around for decades and serving up comforting cuisine in a place that feels and maybe even looks a little retro.

Dating back to 1922, Jack Gibbons Gardens in Oak Forest is a traditional steakhouse that was a speakeasy in its early days. Premium cuts of meat and handmade sides along with a trip down memory lane have kept people coming back for 95 years. Little has changed, including the decor, and a meal there is like a journey back through time.

Aurelio’s has become synonymous with pizza in the Chicago area and beyond, but it all started in a little storefront with four tables in Homewood back in 1959. It has grown to have more than 40 locations in six states, but there’s just something about enjoying a pizza (made in the “old oven” by request) in the original location that makes it taste better.

Now in its fifth decade of serving up steaks, seafood and other upscale dishes, the Princess Cafe in Beecher is located in an 1863 building that was a stagecoach stop for those traveling between Kankakee and Chicago, as it was roughly half-way between the two. Run by the Dousias family since 1977, the restaurant features frog legs, scallops, rack of lamb, chateaubriand, roast duck and chicken Oscar among its entrees along with daily specials.

Established in 1974, Glenwood Oaks Rib and Chop House in Glenwood is housed in a building that has a long history as a restaurant, dating back to 1925. Offering an elegant menu in an unpretentious setting, you’ll feel right at home as you enjoy ribs, steak, seafood or one of the nightly specials.