Let’s be honest: sometimes you just want to be left alone with a perfect burger—no small talk, no judgment, just you and that glorious stack of beef and cheese. While any restaurant can serve a patty, few offer the quiet sanctuary where you can focus on the important things: the crunch of the pickle, the melt of the cheddar, and the pure, unadulterated joy of eating without interruption. For those blissfully antisocial moments, here are the spots that get it.
Bialy’s House of Pancakes
$ | (708) 444-7777 | WEBSITE
If one more morning of staring at your phone while waiting for a table at some trendy brunch spot is going to make you toss your avocado toast out the window, you might need a break from the usual. Head to Bialy’s House of Pancakes in Orland Park. It’s a family-owned diner that feels just like your grandma’s kitchen—warm and welcoming atmosphere included—but with impressive omelets and delightful pancakes instead of overpriced small plates.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
$ | (708) 645-8028 | WEBSITE
This Dairy Queen Grill & Chill imports a full fast-casual experience, complete with FlameThrower Burgers, Blizzards from the classic menu, and lots of bright lighting and clean surfaces. Grab a comfy booth in the spacious dining area and sip a Reese’s Blizzard while pretending to check your phone (when in fact you’re probably watching families enjoy their meals at the next table).
Or, sidle up to the counter where the friendly staff serves up hot, tasty food worth every dollar of its reasonable price, with ingredients so fresh you can taste the crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes in every bite.
Girl in the Park
$$ | (708) 226-0042 | WEBSITE
The cozy booths at this charming, intimate spot are often filled with all sorts of Orland Park folks: families celebrating birthdays, couples sharing a quiet dinner, and the occasional group of friends catching up over drinks. But besides the welcoming atmosphere (a friendly staff that remembers regulars helps), Girl in the Park has delicious American comfort food and an extensive selection of beers and mixed drinks to enjoy at the bar or with your meal.
It’s a nice change from grabbing fast food on the go surrounded by the usual chain restaurant crowds.
Culver’s
$ | (708) 590-6334 | WEBSITE
Culver’s has anchored Orland Park with fresh burgers and concrete mixers for years. It’s also a haven for families who want to sit at their tables and order using the new system while taking advantage of some solid fast service (which we saw no less than four tables doing on a Saturday during our last visit). Culver’s is also home to one of the best burgers in the area, in case you get hungry and don’t mind melted cheese staining your fingers.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
$$ | (312) 667-7620 | WEBSITE
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is a sprawling, welcoming spot in Orland Park, and there’s nothing this place doesn’t do well. Along with great burgers and a ton of indoor and outdoor seating to sprawl out at, BJ’s also has outstanding avocado egg rolls, friendly staff, a fantastic patio, and serves brewhouse specials starting at $13.99. Come to enjoy a lively lunch with the chicken sandwich during the day, then stay and meet your friends for drinks and pizookies at night.
Honestly, you might as well move in while you’re at it.
Burger King
$ | (708) 966-0671 | WEBSITE
Burger King in Palos Heights has reasonable prices and a comfortable dining area, which makes it a good spot for a quick lunch, a family meal, or grabbing a bite after work. Besides the standard counter service that anchors the front, there are plenty of clean tables, a bright and casual atmosphere, and a kitchen that serves freshly made meals like Whoppers and crispy fries until closing.
The overall great service and manager Nadeen’s friendly presence make every visit enjoyable, even if you have to wait a short while for your order.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
$ | (708) 873-9110 | WEBSITE
The spacious dining area and kid-friendly booths at Red Robin are good for many things. One is devouring a juicy Whiskey Burger. Another is enjoying bottomless fries with a cold brew from the bar. And another is watching your little ones color happily with the provided crayons. This burger joint sits in a quiet location with a large parking lot, which means you’ll be able to enjoy your onion ring tower and MadLove Burger in relative comfort, even on a busy weekend.
Smashburger
$ | (708) 942-6850 | WEBSITE
Smashburger is the fast-casual consolation prize for those who can’t commit to a full-service burger joint. Luckily, the straightforward but ‘we know what we’re doing’ approach makes this Orland Park spot a solid option for a quick, satisfying meal with a spicy jalapeño smash burger or some rosemary-seasoned smashfries. Just be prepared to adjust your expectations—and maybe your patience—when the service shifts from efficient weekday lunch pace to rushed, indifferent weekend dinner rush.
McDonald’s
$ | (708) 478-7126 | WEBSITE
Grabbing fast food isn’t usually a memorable experience—unless it’s at this McDonald’s. This spot in Orland Park has burgers, fries, and breakfast items, plus tons of quick-service efficiency. Which means the bright lighting, clean tables, and ample parking make the perfect backdrop for those of us craving a Big Mac who are less patiently inclined.
Submarine City
$ | (708) 349-4909 | WEBSITE
Submarine City is the type of classic sandwich shop that mostly exists in childhood memories and neighborhood lore (and probably your cravings). A reliable, local spot where families gather for Saturday lunch, friends meet up for quick gyros and fries, and regulars stop by for their usual sub fix. Lucky for you, Submarine City is real, and it’s on Lagrange Rd. Just know that it’s a cash-only zone so bring your wallet ahead of time.
White Castle
$ | (708) 532-3846 | WEBSITE
This Orland Park location serves up classic fast food with a focus on quick, friendly service. And between the efficient counter orders, the clean table setups, and the occasional Valentine’s Day decorations we’ve noticed, we can confidently say White Castle functions as a reliable go-to for a satisfying burger fix.
It’s also consistently praised for its courteous staff, with the night crew and manager Nancy getting special shout-outs, so there’s really no excuse to skip those tasty double cheeseburgers any longer.
Fatburger & Buffalo’s Express
$ | (708) 966-2076 | WEBSITE
Fatburger & Buffalo’s Express is a lively burger spot in Orland Park that’s like a classic American diner, with a straightforward setup of booths, counter seating, and a bustling open kitchen that’s calling you to dig into one of their juicy burgers and a thick shake. And while it can get busy and noisy depending on the hour, grabbing a seat at a quieter table is a reliable option.
