Suggestions: Schaumberg, IL

Heading up to Schaumberg, IL this weekend.....looking for suggestions.....we won't have time to go to downtown Chicago, so close to Schaumberg if preferred, any ideas?

Ah, Schaumburg, aka the Land Beyond O'Hare.

In general, Schaumburg is more of a franchise/chain area, though you can find some local gems.

That's very near our old stomping grounds. It's been a few years since we've been in the area, but here are a few that I can speak to from personal experience:

• Milrose is a 15 minute drive west of the mall, but worth the trip. Known for their steaks, but something for everyone.
• Maggiano's is part of the local Lettuce Entertain You juggernaut and right by Woodfield mall. Yes, a chain, but a good one if you like Italian food.
• Nana's is a local hot dog and Italian beef joint and hand-cut fries, maybe 10 minutes west of the mall.
• Portillo's is the largest "local" hot dog chain, and does a good job of it.
• Wildberry Cafe does a dynamite breakfast and lunch. Local, but with 3 locations.
• Nancy's Pizza, with a caveat: They've turned themselves into a franchise since we lived there, but back in the day they did a dynamite stuffed pizza. There's one in Roselle, which is the next town over.

And if you're looking for "authentic" Chicago pizza, well there isn't just one style. I spent the first 40-odd years of my life there and my favorite was more akin to the thin crust you get at Clifton's here in Louisville. That said, there's a Lou Malnati's in Schaumburg if you like deep dish, but if you're really hungry go for the stuffed at Nancy's.

There is an aspect of pizza that's "Chicago", and it's the way a lot of places there cut square slices. I had to laugh when a Louisvillian who worked at Papa John's corporate told me they offer "Chicago cut" pies throughout the franchise.

Chain but its good italian beef..
http://www.buona.com/locations.php

Yu's Mandarin Restaurant in Schaumburg is consistently one of the top five Chinese restaurants in the city of Chicago - rated much higher than most in Chinatown! It's an independent, and as Schaumburg is the most Asian suburb in the Greater Chicago area the high rating is meaningful.

You should get reservations, and ask for a table facing the kitchen. What is unique here - aside from the authentic, spectacular food and the fact that the wait staff all speak English - is that the kitchen is totally open with a glass wall separating the diners from the wok line. Watching flames shooting up as a half-dozen woks go full bore is fascinating! Also, check the website, as on Friday and Saturday nights they put on a show and hand make noodles for dinner (possibly the only place that does it in full view of the diners!). Finally - unlike any of the Chinatown places we've visited - you're not afraid to eat there after seeing their kitchen!

Check out http://www.yusrestaurant.com/

As other options, and if you don't mind chains, Wildfire, Lou Malnoti's Pizza, Shaw's Crab (seafood), and Texas de Brazil (Brazilian steakhouse) are all fun and in the burb.

Finally, there's a very upscale Korean bbq place (Woo Lae Oak) technically in Rolling Meadows (but on the Schaumburg border) that is local and very good - more expensive than the hole-in-the-walls in Koreatown, but the food is very good and the decor actually nice. They have a fine selection of kim chee and side dishes, and are especially inexpensive for lunch. Check out http://woolaeoakchicago.com/

Awesome...thanks guys.....good ideas.