Whenever I travel, I look for smaller, locally owned and sometimes out-of-the-ordinary places to dine, avoiding chain restaurants whenever possible. This had led me to some amazing meals here in the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. At home in Chicago, I try to follow this more European style of dining (aside from the occasional trips to Portillo’s!); however it can be quite a challenge. Although Chicago has numerous top-notch restaurants, the suburbs of the Windy City are dominated by chain restaurants that offer the same food and same predictable atmosphere. However, every once in a while, I find a place that offers something beyond your standard ambience but still offers good food that doesn’t cost a fortune. For example, I would have never known or even considered dining at Big Chef Burger in Schaumburg (30 minutes north of Chicago), but decided to give it a try upon receiving an invitation from the restaurant.
Big Chef is what you get when you cross classic comfort food with a 6’6” tall Italian Chef. From brick oven pizzas, to huge gourmet burgers and gooey desserts, Big Chef (no doubt named for the Big Chef himself, Cristiano), is a quaint, full service, Italian-style bistro that offers large, homemade specialties (try the real potato chips) to local patrons, all while enjoying a perfect view of the open kitchen. You could easily feel comfortable going here for a casual lunch with friends or out for pizza with the family. And the cloth napkins, hard wood tables, card-stock table menus, and friendly staff all add to the bistro-like experience.
Places like Big Chef Burger are not easy to find in major metropolitan suburbs that cater to time-pressed, hardworking families. But when you do find them, they are welcomed with open arms and BIG appetites.
Discover more from Bistro Chic
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
