You just crushed a double shift, the kids are finally asleep, and your stomach is staging a full-scale rebellion. The last thing you want is another debate over what’s for dinner. Keep the momentum going and point the family minivan toward one of these Orland Park legends.
Widen’s Hot Dogs
$ | (708) 403-4800 | WEBSITE
You told yourself you weren’t getting into the cheese fries today, but one whiff of that melty goodness later and you’re elbow deep in chili-cheese. The craving is with you for the whole meal at this point, and the good news is nobody at Widen’s Hot Dogs gives a sh*t.
This is Orland Park’s best family-run spot, where the prices are reasonable, the staff is friendly, and the Chicago-style vibe is straight out of a nostalgic memory involving that perfect cheese you’ve been searching for since Jrs closed.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
$ | (224) 347-3998 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of fast food joints around Orland Park, but Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is the one you want to hit. The spot serves up fantastic chicken tenders, a standout sweet tea that really makes the meal, and that unique sauce everyone raves about. Not to mention the crispy crinkle cut fries and the nice touch of garlic toast.
While the drive-thru wait times can test your patience and parking might be a bit of a challenge, the overall vibe remains positive, and it’s still a good spot for a satisfying meal at a fair price.
Auntie Anne’s
$ | (708) 349-4526 | WEBSITE
At first glance, Auntie Anne’s seems like it would be too basic to get excited about, but then you remember you’re deep in a shopping mall and sometimes you just need something warm and delicious to keep the shopping momentum going. This pretzel stand right in the Orland Park Mall is one of those reliable spots that’s been around forever, and has the steady stream of happy customers to prove it.
But stop by on a cold, rainy afternoon and you’ll find fresh pretzels, tasty dipping sauces, and service that’ll definitely keep your spirits up. Their signature is the cinnamon sugar pretzel nuggets served with that sweet glaze dipping sauce. Hello from the other side of the food court.
Buona
$ | (708) 274-8770 | WEBSITE
When the chain burger joints around Orland Park feel a little too generic for your craving, head over to Buona. This local favorite has been serving consistently great food for years and is the kind of place you go in for a quick sandwich and walk out satisfied and maybe with a new favorite weekly special. There’s excellent service, a casual atmosphere, reasonable prices, and an absolutely legendary beef sandwich.
If you’re looking for a reliable spot to grab a delicious meal amongst people who appreciate home-cooked Italian-style food, Buona is your spot. They even remember your rewards number.
Kismet of Orland Park
$ | (708) 349-2205 | WEBSITE
You and everybody else with a craving for fast food knows all about the big chains. But tucked away in Orland Park sits another spot with half the crowds and twice the flavor. The clean, cheerful space is open for lunch and dinner daily, with generous portions, free drink refills, and $12 gyro plates that easily feed two. Also, if you aren’t feeling the dine-in experience that day, carry-out orders are ready in ten minutes when you call ahead.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
$ | (708) 645-8028 | WEBSITE
The last true fast-food joint amongst the designer burger spots and people who think they just discovered flavor with their artisanal Instagram posts, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in Orland Park has been serving up classics for decades and offers an absolutely killer FlameThrower Burger with its seasoned beef patty, FlameThrower sauce, and jalapeno bacon. The place definitely gets busy during peak hours, but if you’re swinging by before the dinner rush, you’ll be fine.
The onion rings are a standout with their awesome breading and no greasiness, and the Oreo Blizzard is absolutely amazing. The restaurant is clean, spacious, and enjoyable, with employees who are always polite and friendly, even when service slows down. The ingredients taste fresh—the bun, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion on the burger make it worth the price. Overall, it’s a great dining experience that keeps customers coming back.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (708) 460-4663 | WEBSITE
Fast food joints are everywhere in Orland Park, so grabbing a quick bite is never a problem. But nothing beats the efficiency (and the chicken) happening over at Chick-fil-A. Located right in the heart of town, Chick-fil-A looks like every other fast food spot in the suburbs, but its secret is service that rivals any in the area (and staff who know what they’re doing). Their dragonfruit drink is pretty damn good too.
Pop’s
$ | (708) 460-3000 | WEBSITE
If you looked up “fast food joint” in the dictionary, you’d probably find Pop’s. The Orland Park staple is straightforward and satisfying and exactly what you want after a day of not eating as many vegetables as your doctor recommends. And despite being on a main road, the little strip of businesses Pop’s lives on is largely bypassed by the chain-seeking drivers cruising for familiar logos. Meaning this mostly-indoor spot stays surprisingly neighborhood.
The food is fresh, the fries are legendary, and the milkshakes are second to none.
Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage
$ | (708) 403-9070 | WEBSITE
When it comes to fast food in Orland Park, your options tend to be one of the generic chain spots some people call restaurants, or settling for whatever’s closest to the highway. But thankfully, there’s Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage. The no-frills local favorite that stands apart from the cookie-cutter (and very bland) franchises that dot the area, Pop’s has its own distinct charm with plentiful parking, a steady stream of regulars, and Italian beef sandwiches that come in under $12.
That’s a win in Orland Park.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
$ | (464) 888-3002 | WEBSITE
Dave’s Hot Chicken delivers exactly what you want from a fast food spot: flavorful fried chicken that’s consistently crunchy, juicy, and packed with delicious taste. The helpful staff makes choosing your heat level a breeze, explaining the menu with genuine enthusiasm. While the mild option offers barely any heat, it still delivers excellent flavor, and the hot variety really brings the excitement.
The fresh kale slaw is a perfect complement, and despite the loud music, the overall experience leaves you eager to return and try different heat levels next time.
McDonald’s
$ | (708) 478-7126 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a true fast food staple in Orland Park with dirt cheap burgers and a high probability of getting your order in under three minutes, this McDonald’s is your spot. The classic fast-food chain is a local landmark and one of the most reliable spots in town that’s actually consistent. This is the kind of place where the quicker you get your food the better, and where a $1.49 McDouble is the go-to quick bite.
If you get there early, take advantage of the breakfast menu as well (it stops at 10:30am).
Culver’s
$ | (708) 590-6334 | WEBSITE
Culver’s, or Culver’s as the regulars call it, is the essential fast food spot in Orland Park and your one and only burger stop after a long day, a.k.a. the best quick meal in town. There’s absolutely nothing fancy about this reliable chain, and that’s why we (and everyone else) loves it. Easy parking that’s always clean, tables where you can order with the new system, and probably some friendly staff like Dan helping out who’s been smiling since before you walked in.
If you get hungry, the double cheeseburger always does the job.
