French Onion Soup at Coach’s Corner
Sports grills are known for having pizza, wings and cheese sticks on their menu and Coach’s Corner is no different. The Elk Grove Village eatery is widely popular for its signature mozzarella cheese sticks and award-winning pizza. Most would be surprised that in addition to those bar favorites, another classic, savory dish is also worth noting – Coach’s Corner knocks french onion soup out of the park. The restaurant’s owners knew they wanted to include their beloved family recipe within their offerings. You’ll find a glistening blanket of melted cheese, I couldn’t resist a cheese pull with my spoon. I think it’s safe to say that nothing keeps us warm quite like a bowl of soup during the winter months.
Off-the-Bone Ham at Mr. Allison’s
With its rich and savory flavor, off-the-bone ham is the perfect ingredient to create comforting dishes that not only fill your stomach but also warm your soul. Mr. Allison’s in Arlington Heights prides itself in the tradition of good home cooking. For decades, the diner has hand-selected its ham from local farms to ensure freshness. The hams are smoked using a special blend of hardwoods and are baked in-house at Mr. Allison’s. Many of the menu items feature the famous slow cooked meat and most that come to dine are there to enjoy the tender and juicy ham.
‘World Famous’ Pot Roast at Pilot Pete’s
A savory and hearty meal, pot roast is the ultimate winter comfort food. Packed with chunks of beef, root vegetables, and a flavorful broth, it's sure to warm you up. Lucky for us in Chicago Northwest, Pilot Pete’s in Schaumburg knows how to make a mean pot roast. Tucked inside the Schaumburg Regional Airport, Pilot Pete’s creates a unique dining experience. The restaurant is popular for quite a few signature items among them is its ‘World Famous’ Pot Roast. It’s hard not to smile when the plate of slow roasted Black Angus Beef, topped with brown gravy on a bed of garlic-horseradish mashed potatoes is served in front of you. Although popular year-round, the cold months are the perfect time to indulge in this dish.
Hot Chicken Sandwich at Phoenix Flame
If ‘flame’ is in the name of a restaurant, I think it’s safe to say they most likely have hot and tasty entrees among its menu. Phoenix Flame’s fusion of Latin & Mediterranean tastes executes entrees with absolutely unique flavors. The eatery originally started as a food truck and expanded to the Chicago Northwest after years of growth. To celebrate the move, owners created the Rolling Meadows Hot Chicken Sandwich. The handheld is a crispy fried chicken thigh, dipped in a honey sriracha sauce and topped with its signature slaw. The honey sriracha sauce has a fiery touch but is balanced by the coolness of the slaw and is just absolutely delicious. Phoenix Flame has also received recognition for it’s Ultimate Steak Sandwich, landing #6 on Yelp’s list of 10 Most "Unusual, Over-The-Top Sammies You Can Sink Your Teeth Into."
Penne Arrabbiata at Marino’s Wood Dale
One obvious way of warming up is eating spicy foods. For those that are pasta lovers, the arrabbiata sauce at Marino’s Pizzeria & Cafe in Wood Dale is sure to satisfy those winter chills and your tastebuds. This Italian restaurant has been serving up its spicy tomato sauce, among many other authentic dishes, for decades. Diners have the choice of eight different pastas to pair with the arrabbiata. The simple yet explosive dish, is known for its intense spiciness and bold flavors and is a must-try for those who love a culinary adventure. Brave eaters could even turn up the heat by adding red pepper flakes to their pasta on those below freezing days.
