Snagging a seat at some of Illinois’s best and most popular restaurants can be surprisingly difficult. The same goes for tiny, but delicious spots – they are hard to get into because they fill up so quickly. It isn’t always clear whether a restaurant is worth waiting for, so this list should help guide you. Bring along an iPad or a good book and settle in; these restaurants are worthy of the wait!
- Schwa (Chicago)
Tricia M/Yelp
Frederick R/Yelp Reservations for this hot spot can only be made via telephone, and it rarely gets answered. But if you are one of the lucky ones who snag a reservation, you’ll enjoy one of the best meals available in Chicago.
1466 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago
- Original Pancake House (Champaign)
Amanda O/Yelp
Rosa Z/Yelp Don’t miss one of the most beloved breakfast restaurants in Champaign, but expect a long wait on weekends.
1909 W. Springfield Avenue, Champaign
- Kuma’s Corner (Schaumburg)
Hiram C/Yelp
Iraim S/Yelp People go wild over the burgers at this place, so naturally, it’s tough to get a seat.
1570 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg
- Fort Jesse Cafe (Normal)
Fort Jesse Cafe/Facebook
Fort Jesse Cafe/Facebook Brunch is the best time to visit this amazing restaurant - but it’s also the busiest!
1531 Fort Jesse Road, Normal
- Girl and the Goat (Chicago)
Girl and the Goat/Yelp
Girl and the Goat/Facebook Any restaurant owned by a celebrity chef is bound to be both amazing and jam-packed!
809 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
- Gebby’s Family Restaurant (Peoria Heights)
Stephanie R/Yelp
Jane W/Yelp This spot is a destination for great breakfast dishes, so expect a wait for greatness!
726 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria Heights
- Log Cabin Steakhouse (Galena)
Kenneth B/Yelp
Log Cabin Steakhouse Meat lovers won’t mind the wait for a table at this hopping spot.
201 N. Main Street, Galena
- Cafe Moxo (Springfield)
Cafe Moxo/Facebook
Cafe Moxo/Facebook This popular restaurant is the go-to place in Springfield for a great lunch; squeeze in close with your fellow diners and you might get in!
411 E. Adams Street, Springfield
- 1818 Chophouse (Edwardsville)
1818 Chophouse/Facebook
818 Chophouse/Yelp Expect a wait at this delicious restaurant - it’s worth it!
210 S. Buchanan Street, Edwardsville
- Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf (Chicago)
Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf/Facebook
Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf/Facebook This French steakhouse is trendy and busy, but it has amazing food that is worth the hassle!
218 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago
- Fuji Japanese Steakhouse (Decatur)
Jenni K/Yelp
Qiao Z/Yelp Locals love this restaurant, which means you may have some trouble getting in - but the food is amazing!
4292 N. Prospect Street, Decatur
Have you visited any of these restaurants? Let us know what you think about them in the comments.
Tricia M/Yelp
Frederick R/Yelp
Reservations for this hot spot can only be made via telephone, and it rarely gets answered. But if you are one of the lucky ones who snag a reservation, you’ll enjoy one of the best meals available in Chicago.
1466 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago
Amanda O/Yelp
Rosa Z/Yelp
Don’t miss one of the most beloved breakfast restaurants in Champaign, but expect a long wait on weekends.
1909 W. Springfield Avenue, Champaign
Hiram C/Yelp
Iraim S/Yelp
People go wild over the burgers at this place, so naturally, it’s tough to get a seat.
1570 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg
Fort Jesse Cafe/Facebook
Brunch is the best time to visit this amazing restaurant - but it’s also the busiest!
1531 Fort Jesse Road, Normal
Girl and the Goat/Yelp
Girl and the Goat/Facebook
Any restaurant owned by a celebrity chef is bound to be both amazing and jam-packed!
809 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
Stephanie R/Yelp
Jane W/Yelp
This spot is a destination for great breakfast dishes, so expect a wait for greatness!
726 E. War Memorial Drive, Peoria Heights
Kenneth B/Yelp
Log Cabin Steakhouse
Meat lovers won’t mind the wait for a table at this hopping spot.
201 N. Main Street, Galena
Cafe Moxo/Facebook
This popular restaurant is the go-to place in Springfield for a great lunch; squeeze in close with your fellow diners and you might get in!
411 E. Adams Street, Springfield
1818 Chophouse/Facebook
818 Chophouse/Yelp
Expect a wait at this delicious restaurant - it’s worth it!
210 S. Buchanan Street, Edwardsville
Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf/Facebook
This French steakhouse is trendy and busy, but it has amazing food that is worth the hassle!
218 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago
Jenni K/Yelp
Qiao Z/Yelp
Locals love this restaurant, which means you may have some trouble getting in - but the food is amazing!
4292 N. Prospect Street, Decatur
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