Orland Park may be just one Chicago suburb, but its culinary ambitions stretch across 3.8 million square miles of American tradition. We know labeling a single ‘American’ cuisine oversimplifies our nation’s vast regional flavors, yet readers keep asking where to find the best all-American meals here. So we’ve gathered our favorite spots—from classic steakhouses and modern diners to barbecue joints and farm-to-table bistros—united by one truth: they serve exceptional American food.
Fox’s Pizza & Irish Pub Orland Park
$ | (708) 349-2111 | WEBSITE
When it comes to great pizza in Orland Park, it doesn’t get more classic than Fox’s Pizza & Irish Pub. The family-friendly, old-supper-club-style spot has been operating for decades. Both the Fox’s special and the fennel sausage pizza are equally good in our book, so just do what we do and get one of each. Be sure to throw in some fried chicken and a chicken pot pie, too—both are excellent.
Bialy’s House of Pancakes
$ | (708) 444-7777 | WEBSITE
Bialy’s House of Pancakes hits all the marks of a dependable community diner and then some. This family-owned spot serves a generous mix of dishes, including impressive omelets, tender ribeye steak, and delightful pancakes in a cozy neighborhood setting. The portions are huge, which means you can easily share most plates with a friend. Plus, aside from the ribeye steak, nothing on the menu tops $18.
The atmosphere is welcoming and casual, with comfortable booths and warm lighting, making it a solid choice for a relaxed weekend breakfast or a hearty dinner after work.
Blissful Banana Cafe
$ | (708) 349-9600 | WEBSITE
Blissful Banana Cafe is a popular brunch spot in Orland Park that offers an amazing dining experience. The bright, welcoming dining room is strikingly cheerful and ideal for impressing somebody whose entire personality is not being impressed. Plus, the menu is full of food that even the pickiest eater at your table will enjoy. The highlight is the blissful banana’s brunch special banana bread french toast, which arrives beautifully presented, topped with fresh fruit and maple syrup.
It’s more than enough food for one, but if you want to explore the entrees, go for the portobello mushroom burger or the Snarf’s Vegan Scramble.
Miller’s Ale House
$$ | (708) 292-0335 | WEBSITE
Miller’s Ale House—with its casual bar and grill atmosphere and friendly service—is a reliable spot for a laid-back dinner that’s especially family-friendly. Specifically, very satisfying, very well-executed bar classics that you can order as shareable starters or as hearty mains with sides of crisp fries, zesty ranch, and creamy blue cheese. It’s one of our go-to’s for a relaxed weeknight meal that involves a lot of sharing because the portions are generous and the vibe is welcoming.
Prioritize the amazing wings and nachos, but the dessert Captain Jacks is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
$$ | (708) 532-7850 | WEBSITE
While most people visit Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que for heaping plates of smoky barbecue, this Orland Park staple isn’t afraid to deliver some unexpected highlights—just look at their perfectly seasoned fries or that addictive crunchy chicken skin that crackles with flavor. But the most surprising twist on the menu is the inconsistency of the meat dishes. The beef brisket and ribs sometimes arrive tender and falling off the bone, while other visits leave them disappointingly dry or lukewarm.
There’s a warm welcome from the waitstaff and friendly service throughout, but the occasional cleanliness concerns and uneven food temperature can detract from the experience. Bring a group for a casual, laid-back meal in the adequate seating area, or stop by for a quick bite when those craveable sides call your name.
Dave & Buster’s Orland Park
$$ | (708) 428-2100 | WEBSITE
Dave & Buster’s Orland Park is an entertainment hub, a lively American spot with crispy chicken sandwiches on soft potato buns, and (our preferred description) a fun place to play games and grab drinks with the family. Located in a bustling suburban plaza, this weekend destination has decent food and drink quality and newly renovated games that you should enjoy during their popular happy hour.
The professional photography services capture the lively atmosphere, and a classic bar menu is boosted by appealing drink options. We like the sharable appetizers, too, including the crispy chicken sandwich, which tastes like comfort food and casual dining had a love child. Just make sure your visit takes place with patience—Dave & Buster’s can get busy, especially on weekends, so you’ll trade smooth service for a close-up of some games out of order and occasional order mix-ups.
Fatties Pub
$ | (708) 645-4901 | WEBSITE
Is a pub too casual for phenomenal service? The answer is no, especially if you’re at Fatties Pub. Every visit to this family-friendly American spot in Orland Park feels welcoming and joyful, including that absolute Heaven on earth atmosphere. The prices are minimal, the service effortlessly makes you feel at home, and it comes with a friendly staff, consistent quality food, and amazing bartenders like Steve, to name a few.
If you’re here with a younger crowd and find the low prices to be a bit surprising, you can’t go wrong with the reliable fun night out.
Southfork Family Restaurant
$ | (708) 460-9999 | WEBSITE
Navigating the family-friendly bustle of Orland Park isn’t always simple, but Southfork Family Restaurant makes it worthwhile. This cozy spot serves homemade-style meals with a welcoming, helpful staff that includes one standout server who provides exceptional service. The liver and onions comes highly recommended, the Greek chicken is packed with flavor, and the vegetarian options—like the freshly made Greek salad and the garden salad—are just as satisfying.
You might leave with a bit of saganaki flaming cheese aroma on your clothes, but the kid-friendly atmosphere and its front-row view of comforting cooking make Southfork one of the most enjoyable family outings in the area.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
$ | (708) 873-9110 | WEBSITE
Red Robin might appear to be just another suburban burger chain, but families flock to this Orland Park location for a reason—there’s not one miss on the burger menu. That includes their juicy Whiskey Burger, towering onion ring stacks, bottomless fries, and their pièce de résistance: the MadLove Burger, which is easily one of the best in the area.
The space is essentially a spacious dining hall, but if you want to enjoy your American feast, there’s a large parking lot and kid-friendly tables where everybody lingers.
Culver’s
$ | (708) 590-6334 | WEBSITE
Even if there’s a line at the counter, meals at Culver’s in Orland Park happen at lightning speed—we’ve never spent more than 15 minutes inside this order-at-your-table spot. The straightforward menu starts and ends with a double cheeseburger, fries, and concrete mixers. Skip past the malt during Happy Hour (the $5 price feels steep for what is essentially a poorly mixed drink).
Instead, if you’re by yourself, focus on the burger with fresh beef, cheese, and all the fixings, plus a side of crispy fries. It’ll keep you satisfied well past lunch.
The Cheesecake Factory
$$ | (708) 873-3747 | WEBSITE
Open since 1978, The Cheesecake Factory is one of the most recognizable American restaurant chains in the country and a staple of suburban dining. It’s also one of the best places to eat cheesecake in the region, but The Cheesecake Factory’s real appeal lies in its massive menu.
Bring as many friends as possible, maybe even invite your coworker, and order generously because it all stands out here: creamy-sweet original cheesecake, rich four cheese pasta, and a plate-sized portion of avocado eggrolls overflowing with dipping sauce.
Buffalo Wild Wings
$$ | (708) 364-9464 | WEBSITE
Buffalo Wild Wings is an American sports bar with all the ingredients for a lively, borderline celebratory meal. There’s tons of big-screen TVs, a well-equipped bar area perfect for watching games, and a family-friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy classic dishes: desert heat rubbed wings with a pleasant heat level, piping hot potato wedges with shredded cheese, and cold draft beers that hit the spot.
Portions are generous so we like coming here with a group to share as much as possible, including those consistently cheesy wedges everyone loves.
Chili’s Grill & Bar
$ | (708) 342-1626 | WEBSITE
In a perfect world where every meal felt like a celebration, and we lived in stretchy pants, we’d feast on loaded nachos with a frosty margarita every day. That’s sadly still a distant reality, but at least we can taste the joy at Chili’s Grill & Bar. This spacious, bustling American spot in Orland Park sets up a lively dining room with concrete floors that echo with laughter, so you can walk in with a hearty appetite.
The extensive menu is full of combos, platters, and shareables, including the Triple Dipper with three different appetizers and the Molten Chocolate Cake that we devour with spoons. Because we love Chili’s friendly service, we opt for the fajita trio (they’re more like sizzling platters with peppers and onions) as a meal with helpful assistance from well-trained servers who know the menu inside out.
