The best Rosemont restaurants for the whole family

The wood-paneled wall, hanging Christmas lights and copious neon bar signs lend a rustic feel to this Southern-inspired barbecue joint, which boasts a stage that hosts live performances six nights a week. Snack on an order of fried pickles while you wait for your barbecue platter to arrive, stacked with baby back ribs, smoked brisket and smoked chicken wings – and don’t forget to add a side of the classic mac and cheese.

This Rosemont mainstay has all the trappings of a classic Italian restaurant, down to the white tablecloths and expansive wine list. Once you’ve picked a glass (or bottle) of vino, you can carbo-load with a generous portion of housemade pasta, order a freshly-grilled steak or try some pan-seared fish. If you’re staying at a hotel in Rosemont, ask your concierge about Carlucci’s complimentary shuttle to score a free ride to dinner.

Come for the classic pub cuisine, stick around for the late-night dance parties. By day, Five Roses is a typical Irish pub, with Guinness aplenty and a menu that features burgers, fish and chips, bangers and mash, and French onion soup covered with a thick layer of cheese. Once the kitchen closes at 10pm each night, most of the tables and chairs get cleared out and the vibe gets considerably more club-y, with live music, DJs and dancing until 2am.

From the outside, Maharaja kind of looks like a convenience store, and even the inside is decorated in a fairly basic manner – but don’t be fooled, it’s the food that really shines here. If you’re there for lunch, order from the buffet, or go all out in the evening on the Maharaja Dinner Special, an epic combo of tandoori chicken, seekh kebab, shrimp, chicken tikka, rogan josh and dal makhani.

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If you’ve been to casual dining restaurants that put together your order on an assembly line, you know what to expect from Naf Naf Grill. Middle Eastern cuisine takes the spotlight here, with chicken shawarma, steak and falafel served in wraps, bowls or salads. Give this affordable regional chain a try and don’t forget to customize your toppings (extra pickles and garlic sauce for us, please) and add a side of the addictive Naf Fries.

It may not be as well-known as deep dish pizza, but the Italian beef sandwich is a Chicago delicacy worth indulging in. When in Rosemont, you can get one of the best renditions of the sandwich at Buona Beef, served alongside a menu of pizzas, salads, burgers and more. If you don’t mind eating some soggy bread that’s soaked with flavor, get your beef “baptized” in gravy (and grab some extra napkins).