Kankakee is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee county, Illinois, United States. The city of Kankakee is the residence of rich historic heritage, the Kankakee river, and a state park.
As of 2021, the city’s population was 23,922. Kankakee is creamy with agricultural history and, as a result, is one of the most profitable destinations for Agri-tourism in the entire state of Illinois.
As a result of its agricultural nature, the city is rich in excellent restaurants. Kankakee restaurants are ready to satisfy your hunger with truly delectable food from different regions of the world.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Kankakee, IL.
Best Restaurants in Kankakee, IL
1. Blue’s Café
Blue’s café is an American establishment in the city of Kankakee, IL. It is at an amiable location with good prices that are worth the drive.
It is a family-owned café that takes pride in offering great breakfast services, with nice portions. They are also known for their homemade pies.
The restaurant offers daily specials, menu items, and a small buffet bar. The diner is well taken care of and decorated in an old-fashioned way.
The ambiance is friendly and lively. It has a retro 50s diner vibe and is a famous spot for locals. The customer service is first class. The wait staff are friendly, experienced and efficient; they are always welcoming with a delicious dessert.
The unique atmosphere, homemade pies, nostalgic décor and even the matching style table and chairs are impressive.
Blue’s Café is open 24/7. They are available from Monday to Wednesday from 6:00 am-2:00 p, Friday and Saturday from 6:00 am-8:00 pm and Sunday from 7:00 am-2:00 pm.
Address: 1190 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901-3449. Phone: +1 81preference.
2. Rigo’s Place
Rigo’s place has proved to be an excellent preference for dinner with family. Resulting in it’s reputation as one of the excellent Kankakee restaurants.
It is a tremendous restaurant with an exceptional menu, excellent service and exquisite food. Their menu is solid and includes delicious crab cake, search bass, shrimp skewer and many more.
Rigo’s place is known for serving the best sauces and amazing food, with no arm-twisting on customers to finish up and vacate. Appetizers, as well as the food presentation, are a hit. The food is all homemade. Their food includes American, Mexican, and French options.
Rigo’s features upscale dining with a down-to-earth atmosphere. This is an ideal location for a business meeting or romantic meal. It has definitive décor, with a warm feeling, a full bar and a nice wine list.
The restaurant has amazing service. The servers are intriguing, attentive, and attractive, and also very knowledgeable about the menu.
If you want to eat healthy, you’ll find it at Rigo’s place. There are always new specials on offer.
They operate on Monday to Thursday from 3:00 am-9:00 pm and Friday to Saturday from 3:00 am-10:00 pm. It is closed on Sundays.
Address: 164 N Schuyler Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901. Phone: +1 815-802-1200.
3. Burgers & Beer
Are you in search of a place well known for its variety in taste and top-notch service? Then, Burgers & Beer is your destination. It is one of the best places to eat in Kankakee, IL.
Burgers & Beer is a magnificent spot to quench your hunger for a delicious hamburger along with chilled beer. They offer an extensive menu, incredible food and great wait staff.
Their menu selection of unique burger creations is overwhelming. They also have an extensive selection of non-burger dishes. The restaurant specializes in making freshly made burgers around. They are thick and juicy.
The restaurant is a clean place to visit with an easily incredible food prompt. Their service is exceptional, the staff is attentive and hardworking, and they make sure you go home fulfilled.
The restaurant is available every day between 11:00 am to 12:00 am.
Address: 756 W Jeffery St, Kankakee, IL 60901-4737. Phone: +1 815-523-7144.
4. Jr’s Chicken
Are you looking for a spot in the city of Kankakee to wrap up your day right with a delicious meal? Look no further than JR’s chicken.
Jr’s Chicken is a cozy little place near the railroad and the river. It is one of the best places to eat in Kankakee, IL. There is a bar and some gaming machines on the corner.
The restaurant makes the best-tasting chicken in the area. For lunch, they have an amazing little buffet, with unique items every day, and also a robust menu. They are prominent for their macaroni salad. It has a great mixture of sweet, creamy and cheesy.
JR’s chicken takes pride in offering incredibly amazing services. The staff is cheerful and helpful. Besides its appetizing food, they also offer catering services for events and parties.
The restaurant is closed on Wednesday and operates every other day between 10:30 am – 7:00 pm.
Address: 135 E Bourbonnais St., Kankakee, IL 60901. Phone: +1 815-933-3347.
5. El Mexicano Restaurant
El Mexicano restaurant is a Mexican and vegetarian-friendly restaurant that offers the best service and atmosphere to unwind in Kankakee IL. The restaurant is a must-go when you crave Mexican food. To get a perfectly served hot and delicious meal, their menu got you back.
El Mexicano restaurant is a great relaxing venue to enjoy reasonably priced good food and drinks alone with a partner or a group. Everything made here is fantastic.
The staff is nice and attentive and is available to serve daily. They are available from Monday to Thursday between 11:00 am-9:00 pm, Friday to Saturday between 11:00 am-10:00 pm and Sunday between 12:00 am-7:00 pm.
Address: 503 Riverstone Pkwy Suite 201, Kankakee, IL 60901. Phone: +1 815-933-5426.
6. Paul’s Place
Paul’s place is an American family-owned restaurant that has been proudly serving Kankakee since 2005 and hasn’t lost its worth. It is reputed one of the top restaurants in Kankakee, IL.
The restaurant is well known for serving delicious meals to everyone looking for a perfect dining experience that combines professional cooking in a fun-filled atmosphere. They offer delicious dinner salad and a bowl of soup, portioned generously.
Their menu contains a wide variety of breakfast items. The soup is the best, and the scrambler is delicious. They also serve tons of fresh beers to choose from.
Paul’s place is well ventilated; neatly arranged and conducive for everyone. Their customer service, however, is incredibly friendly and prompt.
The restaurant opens every day of the week between 6:30 am-2:00 am.
Address: 500 S Washington Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901-3746. Phone: +1 815-802-1090.
7. Martinez Tacos
Are you looking for a perfect place to visit for real Mexican food in an authentic Mexican atmosphere? Look no further, because Martinez Tacos is the sure deal.
Martinez Tacos is a family-owned restaurant that is well known for serving appetizing beans, meat, tacos, chips and salsa, and quesadillas for lunch and dinner. Their dishes are not sleazy, delicious and fresh with lots of choices on the buffet.
Their lunch buffet has so many entrees, appetizers, soups, salads and desserts. You immediately feel at home with their helpful service. The owner and her daughter are charming. You can equally talk with them about Mexican food and culture.
Fortunately, the restaurant is one of the few restaurants that opens daily from 8:00 am. However it closes by 7:00 pm.
Address: 348 E Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901-3907. Phone: + 1 815-939-7817.
8. Carlo’s Restaurant
Perched on west station street, is Carlo’s Restaurant which is famous for offering home-cooked meals for the whole day. They have a full menu at a good price.
Their full menu includes home-cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner daily specials. For breakfast and lunch, the restaurant offers sandwiches and chicken, with choices of light and tender jumbo hot cakes, depending on your cravings.
It is a landmark of the town known for its tenderloins. Carlos has the best pork tenderloin sandwich. The restaurant also has a serene environment and a lively atmosphere.
The restaurant is available daily. Their services are available from 6:00 am-9:00 pm on weekdays, and on Sunday from 7:00 am-2:00 pm.
Address: 2060 W Station, Kankakee, IL 60901. Phone: +1 815-932-2924.
Planning a trip to Illinois? Check out our guide on the Restaurants in Princeton, and Restaurants in Benton for a fun food memorable time.
9. Monical’s Pizza
Do you want to try something different in the city? Then, try Monical’s pizza and you won’t be disappointed. They serve succulent pizza with yummy toppings.
Monical’s portions are large, equating the value of your money, and the taste – sumptuous. They offer a variety of unique pizzas like the mighty meat, Italian special, and the famous BBQ chicken. The pizza is super cheesy, and the sauce is very balanced.
Monical’s pizza is one of the nicest places to hang out in the city and enjoy yourself a tasty pizza.
They offer the best service in a warm atmosphere and are available to serve daily. They are available on Sunday to Thursday between 11:00 am-10:30 pm, and Friday to Saturday between 11:00 am-11:00 pm.
Address: 1155 W Court St, Kankakee, IL 60901-3430. Phone: +1 815-928-8043.
10. Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
With the Great Wall, you get that authentic Chinese fare. It is one of the best restaurants in Kankakee, IL. This restaurant offers you run-of-the-mill Americanized Chinese food.
Their menu is your standard long list of familiar Chinese dishes with extremely reasonable prices for the quality and portion sizes.
They have great menu selections, generous serving sizes, and eat-in or takeout. Their takeout buffet is perfect after a busy day at work.
The restaurant offers many varieties of appetizers and soups, chicken, seafood and vegetable dishes. They serve excellent quality and a variety of traditional Cantonese and seafood. Their meals are fresh and nutritious for lunch or dinner.
The environment is super clean and organized alongside the fresh feeling atmosphere. Their service is outstanding, the staff is always delightful and fast.
However, the restaurant operates daily. They open on Sunday to Thursday from 10:30 am-10:00 pm and Friday to Saturday from 10:30 pm- 10:30 pm.
Address: 1545 W Court St, Kankakee, IL 60901-3214. Phone: +1 815-936-1888.
11. Sammy’s Pizza
Since 1953, Sammy’s Pizza has been serving Kankakee and has continued to provide the best food and the best pizza in the city.
Sammy’s pizza is the perfect location to gather with friends and family for a satisfying meal in a lovely atmosphere. They have a wonderful menu that features generous meal items such as appetizers, baskets, thin crust pizza, sandwiches, Italian favorites, fresh salads and soups, wraps and desserts.
You can get the best pizza, Italian beef, and jumbo wings ever for lunch and dinner. Nothing goes wrong with Sammy’s pizza- excellent food, excellent surroundings, and excellent service.
The restaurant is available every day of the week between 4:00 pm -12:00 am.
Address: 690 N 5th Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901. Phone: +1 815-937-9293.
12. Crazy Joe’s Diner
Crazy Joe’s is one of the outstanding Kankakee restaurants. It is a great place to relax after a busy day. It has an entertaining atmosphere with plenty of comfortable dishes.
You can enjoy yourself with tasty pancakes, waffles or biscuits and gravy. They also have a kids’ selection; kids can enjoy meal options like chicken fingers or bacon cheeseburgers.
The restaurant offers home cooking and friendly service. The customer service is always delightful and ready to help.
Crazy Joe’s Diner is available daily. They operate from Monday to Saturday between 6:00 am-8:00 pm, and Sunday between 6:00 am-2:00 pm.
Address: 907 S Washington Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901-5054. Phone: +1 815-802-8055.
13. Oliver’s Bar & Grill
Are you new in town? And looking for a great place to eat? Here at Oliver’s Bar and Grill, you get an extensive selection of American dishes in Kankakee, IL.
The restaurant is popular for serving American cuisine and bars. It is a friendly bar atmosphere with exceptional pub grub.
Oliver’s Bar and Grill are one of the favorite spots for locals and tourists who are on a hunt for American cuisine with tasty twists.
At the restaurant, you can grab a taste of chicken wings, quesadillas, authentic fajitas, and chicken pot pie from their fabulous menu for breakfast and dinner. They also offer great daily specials.
They have the fastest and most courteous staff. They are available from Sunday to Thursday between 11:00 am-9:00 p, and Friday to Saturday between 11:00 am-10:00 pm.
Address: 2122 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901-3065. Phone: +1 815-935-1900.
14. Poor Boy Restaurant
Poor Boy Restaurant is one of the top restaurants in Kankakee, IL. It specializes in serving delicious buffalo chicken salad, and Greek salad that would leave you wanting for more.
The restaurant takes pride in serving American and Greek cuisines, offering both familiar favorites and unique dishes. Their dishes are renowned for their gastronomic excellence and quick service. They are also popular for their gyros- the gyros are usually hot and tasty.
Poor Boys on the east court is one of the most economical and varied sandwich menus in Kankakee, from gyros to an ear of overloaded corn to beef and sausage; you can’t go away without gratifying your appetite.
They offer tasty meals in a cozy atmosphere and an outstanding that is prepared to serve you every day. They are available from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am-12:00 am, Friday to Saturday from 10:00 am-1:00 am, and Sunday from 11:00 am-10:00 pm.
Address: 1514 E Court St, Kankakee, IL 60901-4358. Phone: +1 815-939-1880.
15. Eddie’s Bar & Grill
Eddie’s Bar &Grill on west station street is the ideal spot for a business lunch, a date, a night out or a weekend party with friends or family. They offer American cuisine in a relaxed eating setting.
The restaurant is popular for offering the best pizza in the city. All the dishes are great, from the fresh salads offered on the grill menu. To add to its delicious meal, its bar service is amazing. The bartender serves the drinks in an unbelievably friendly atmosphere.
However, the restaurant operates daily. They are ready to satisfy your appetite with truly tasty meals from Sunday to Thursday between 11:00 am-10:00 pm, and Friday to Saturday between 11:00 am-12:00 am.
Address: 1875 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901-3133. Phone: +1 815-939-3972.
Map of the Best Restaurants in Kankakee, IL
To get around during your trip to Kankakee, here is a map of the best restaurants in Kankakee with markers of the top places to eat in Kankakee, IL.
Have more time in Illinois? Check out our guide on restaurants in Plainfield and restaurants in Gurnee for a memorable dining experience.
Plan A Trip to Kankakee
Kankakee, IL, is an ideal location for vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of an occupied year. The city has all it takes to put on you a pleasant holiday with lots of breathtaking tales and adventure.
Kankakee restaurants are filled up with many delicious meals. They offer fascinating environment perfectly set for you. Take your chance, plan a trip to Kankakee, IL, right now.