Best Of Old LaGrange

New restaurants might be opening up in LaGrange left and right, but the town still has a few that have been around forever, and are still worth trying for the first time, or revisiting if you haven't in awhile. For all three meals, plus dessert, there are places to sit down, catch up with old friends and enjoy some good food in LaGrange.

Café Calbay

Café Calbay has been in LaGrange for years and even before it was Café Calbay, it was the same place but a different name. If you're looking for a place with a 1950's diner feel and very reasonably priced food for breakfast or brunch this is the spot to find it. It is a no-frills menu with your basic eggs, huge omelettes, pancakes and lunch options like a ½ sandwich and soup. Just a reminder, this family-owned restaurant takes cash only for your meal.

24 W. Burlington Ave.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: 708-352-2787
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Sunday: 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Blueberry Hill Breakfast Café

Lines are usually out the door here on weekends with families wanting to get a good breakfast. So get there early if you're looking for a breakfast that tastes like a home-cooked meal. They make their pancakes from scratch in the kitchen and they range from the good ole short stack or silver dollars to Pecan Banana Pancakes. Their French Toast selection is about as extensive as their pancakes. If either of those aren't your fancy, you can choose from two menu pages devoted just to eggs. And if you're past the breakfast hour, enjoy some lunch.

49 S. LaGrange Rd.
LaGrange, Il 60525
Phone: 708-352-4900
Fax: 708-352-4901
Website: www.blueberrybreakfastcafe.com

The Grapevine

In December 1994, The Grapevine, a family-owned restaurant, opened its doors and welcomed LaGrange patrons to enjoy its Mediterranean food. Choose from an assortment of hot or cold sandwiches, 10 pasta dishes, and a variety of Greek entrees. Or if you rather, try one of their brick oven gourmet pizzas.

9 W. Hillgrove Ave.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: 708-482-4774
Email: info@grapevinelagrange.com
Website: grapevinelagrange.com
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Palmer Place

Lovingly called Palmers by the locals, the restaurant and biergarten has been serving LaGrange since 1983. If you're looking to find a new beer to try, you've found your place. Palmers has 39 beers on tap, 211 different bottles and 10 in cans. They used to only sell beer but they have now expanded to liquor and wine. If you're looking for something to go with your new beer, try one of their 33 burgers. The restaurant portion is in the front and the bar with numerous TVs is in the back. You also have the option to sit outside in back in the huge biergarten or up on the roof when it's open. It's a go-to favorite for all the locals.

56 S. LaGrange Rd.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: 708-482-7127
Website: www.palmerplacebeer.com
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sunday: Noon – 11 p.m.

Tate's Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Whether you're just looking for a cool treat on a hot day or something sweet after dinner, try Tate's. Tate's makes their fresh, homemade ice cream on the premises, including my favorite from childhood, bubblegum ice cream with real gumballs in it. They offer their customers dozens of ice cream flavors to try, plus shakes, malts, sundaes and ice cream pies. You can either sit inside at the cute, old-fashioned tables or at one of the many benches outside.

25 S. Ashland Ave.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: 708-352-4848
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Rachel Azark is a writer, grew up in LaGrange and now lives on Chicago's northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.