The Dining Duo’s best of 2018

Another year and 23 restaurants bite the dust. This was a tough year to review restaurants since we had a run of mediocre venues. Jim and I sat down, locked ourselves in our office, and tried to pick the best 10 restaurants by pondering over the reviews we did last year. “Pondering” is such an understatement; it was more like yelling, screaming, biting, and kicking. This was going on while the citizens of Del Webb waited and watched for the puffs of white or black smoke to come out of our chimney signifying that a decision was reached. (They do this when they elect a Pope in Rome, get it?) So sit back with a hot toddy, put your feet up, pop an antacid, and take a calorie-laden trip with us down memory lane.

NOTE: All these restaurants are handicap accessible.

#10 CHUY’S (Schaumburg)

We were very impressed with their homemade tortilla chips; they were absolutely the best chips we have ever had. Nancy’s Shrimp and Cheese Chile Rellenos ($11.89) were awesome!

#9 GRUMPY GOAT (Elgin)

Try their Jalapeno Corn Bread Muffins ($1.50), they are excellent. Nancy won with her “CBB Burger” ($12). The bourbon-candied bacon put it over the top. Their mini desserts ($1) are a deal, especially the beignets with caramel sauce.

#8 GOOD TEQUILA (Elk Grove Village)

Jim had the granddaddy of all burritos, namely the Burrito Loco ($7.25), which is one of their lunch specials. This 10-inch monster burrito was filled with beans, rice, beef, and chicken with beef tips on the side. This restaurant is #1 in the beautiful dećor category.

#7 PORKIES (Woodstock)

This unassuming little shack in the Harley Davidson parking lot has some of the best barbecue around. My little piggy liked their Porkie Wings. Jim didn’t know pigs could fly. Our opinions differed on who won. I loved the pulled pork, and he loved the brisket.

#6 CHINA BISTRO (Algonquin)

The chef is very accommodating, and he will make anything you want, within reason. He was even able to keep fussy Nancy happy. Their egg rolls are a nice start before dinner. The Sweet and Sour King ($10.95) was the winner.

#5 RICCARDO’S (Schaumburg)

An abundance of great Italian food at reasonable prices. Check out their “Dinner for Two” specials for $35 TOTAL. We both won at this restaurant, except maybe for Jim. I did have a lot of garlic that night!!!

#4 YU’S (Schaumburg)

Oh no, we have a taste for Chinese food again!!! They offer consistently good Chinese food, especially their Mongolian Beef. We tried the “Mandarin Dinner for Two” ($18.95 each), which gives you everything from soup to the ever popular Poo-Poo Platter. Their lunch specials, which include soup or salad, egg roll, wonton, fried rice, and entree, are also a good deal.

#3 MILLER’S ALE HOUSE (Schaumburg)

Nancy won at this restaurant with the Zinger’s Mountain Melt ($11.99), which was out of this world. Just make sure you ask for extra crispy fries since they hold up better under all the goop. Don’t pass up Captain Jack’s Buried Treasure ($5.95) for dessert, you’ll be sorry if you do…

#2 BAVARIAN LODGE (Lisle)

Winner of the “Best Potato Pancake” award for this year. This is Nancy’s favorite German restaurant since they have the best combo plate ever. The sauerkraut was to die for, the giant Thuringer was a meal in itself, and the Pork Schnitzel was crispy and wonderful. It’s worth the ride if you like what’s in this combo plate ($15.95).

#1 ADDISON’S STEAKHOUSE (McHenry)

This restaurant is a hidden gem. It may not look or have the quiet ambiance of high-end steakhouses, but Jim would put their steaks up against the best of them. I had a wonderful seafood trio that would knock your socks off. Who wouldn’t like lobster, scallops and crab stuffed shrimp ($54)? It was awesome. Their calamari appetizer ($13) was to die for! And to top it all off, our dessert, the Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae ($7.50) was out of this world. BEST RESTAURANT OF 2018, hands down!

For more details on any of these restaurants, just go to www.mysundaynews.com and rummage through the Dining Duo archives, they are all there.

Watch for our reviews next year, but until then…From our table to yours, we wish you happy holidays with good times, good friends, and good food.

Happy New Year,
Jim & Nancy Eggers

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.

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