Restaurant options are big in this small town
From authentic Italian and Polish cuisine to sports bars, from wedding receptions with white tablecloths to dining outdoors on a deck next to a golf course, Wood Dale’s restaurants offer something that appeals to anyone with a stomach.
At Marino’s Pizzeria and Cafe, Wood-Fired Pizza is a signature dish. But the menu also includes a cavalcade of other authentic Italian fare in what owner Tony Selvaggi describes as “a casual Italian eatery serving brick-oven pizzas and other traditional dishes in a rustic setting.” Established in 1982, Marino’s is right in the center of the town’s business district, along Irving Park Road between Wood Dale Road and the Metra line.
Besides its dining-in tables, Marino’s offers carry-out service, delivery and catering. There also are daily specials. Wednesdays, for example, is Boneless Vesuvio with Roasted Potatoes and Salad for $12.50. Call (630) 350-7560 or visit www.marinosonline.com.
A block away, at 200 E. Irving Park Rd., Gus Frentzos has been dishing up more traditionally American food for 34 years at Christy’s Restaurant and Pancake House. He named the eatery for his late Aunt Christy, who provided recipes for many of the restaurant’s dishes.
“Our atmosphere is casual and family-oriented,” Frentzos said. Besides a huge breakfast menu (Christy’s offers 21 types of omelettes alone), diners can choose from a variety of burgers, melts and hot and cold sandwiches. In the Age of Convenience, he adds, delivery is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the business. Diners who don’t want to dine in can order a delivery through www.grubhub.com or they can call ahead and have their order ready for carry-out. Christy’s also offers catering. Call (630) 595-4845 or visit www.christyspancakehouse.com
Farther up Wood Dale Road, White Cottage Pizzeria and the adjoining La Dolce Vita Italian restaurant are a longstanding Wood Dale institution. Italian immigrant Tony Uroni, who owns the eateries with his brother Tom Scianna, said the restaurant was in business for 32 years even before he and Scianna took over – 33 years ago.
“We’re a happy place where people can come and relax,” Uroni said. It includes a full bar and patio tables outside.
Delivery and carry-out are available. “Catering is a big part of our carry-out business,” Uroni added. “We have prepared food for 400 people, for 75, for 40. In the dining room we don’t do banquets or weddings but we can handle rehearsal dinners and small parties for up to 70 people.” For menus and information, visit www.whitecottagepizzas.com or call (630) 766-7617.
Even Wood Dale’s golf courses offer food. At the 18-hole Maple Meadows Golf Club, the Maple Grill is open to the public seven days a week during golf season (unless there is a private event), said Business Manager Tom Sheppard. The headline item is the third-pound, never-frozen, black Angus burger. But the grill also offers a 7-inch Vienna hot dog on an Alpha Bakery bun, Johnsonville Stadium brats plus various wraps, melts and salads. The bar features a variety of craft beers made right here in DuPage County.
Maple golfers can order ahead on their cellphones and pick up their order mid-game. Sheppard joked that “we know how fast each golfer is and how long it will take them to get here from whatever hole they called from.” Visit www.dupagegolf.com or call (630) 616-8424.
At Salt Creek Golf Club, the Salt Creek Bar and Grille not only attracts golfers but also draws a lunch crowd from workers in nearby businesses who like to eat in a country club atmosphere – and perhaps wish they were going to follow up lunch with 18 holes instead of returning to work. The menu includes wraps, sandwiches and a variety of salads. Salt Creek also offers wedding-reception packages. Visit www.saltcreekgolfclub.com or call (630) 773-0184.
Fans of pro sports – or anyone throwing a party – may stop at Crossroads Sports Bar & Restaurant at 396 W. Irving Park Rd. Fans can catch the big game on TV while enjoying wings, 10-ounce burgers, a variety of other sandwiches and beer. The staff can cater private parties at the customer’s home or organize a private party at the restaurant. Video gaming also is available. Visit www.crossroadseatery.com or call (630) 860-0055.