Racetrack restaurants?

[jepstein]

Hello everybody,

My friend and I are visiting Chicago in a week and a half for some train watching. We are staying in the Naperville area and I am curious if there are any good sit-down restaurants with trackside views on the Racetrack? (i.e. Naperville, Downers Grove, etc) Nothing too expensive please haha!

Thanks,

Jay

[CShaveRR]

Can't recommend anything in Lisle or Naperville--places to eat, but not by the tracks.

You might have luck in Downers Grove--the one on the corner at Main Street north of the tracks has changed hands often, and I don't know whether it's even open.  If the weather is good, you could consider getting pizza from Aurelio's and taking it trackside (Aurelio's is on the north side of the tracks, a block east of Main Street, next to the theater).

Go east:  Hinsdale has a Corner Bakery.  There used to be a Cosi restaurant in the station itself, but that's outta there.

Western Springs:  Oberweis Dairy is a great place for a snack--richest ice cream you'll find anywhere.  We used to visit the Spaghetti Bowl there from time to time, but that's gone now, too.

There's a pizza place across the street from the tracks north of the Stone Avenue depot.  It comes recommended; we thought it was so-so.

Downtown LaGrange has a number of good restaurants.  Best view of the tracks is from Noodles and Company, east of LaGrange Road and south of the tracks.  Back Alley Burgers is right around the corner in the same building, and also has a good view.  North of the tracks, Smashburger is a short distance away, but if you get a window seat you're still good.

[OWTX]

Mexican joint in Westmont has a nice view from the front windows, food is run of the mill of taqueria. The restaraunt in the Lemon Tree in Downers has pretty good food, but just painful service. 

IMO Best food is the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. Sit along the northside windows (the bar has the more comfortable seating) for a nice view of the Metra locos coming and going, and freights up on the main.