10 Best American Restaurants in Wilmette

“We visited Pizza by Sal for the first time yesterday after hearing great things from our neighbors, and overall, it was a positive experience. The food was good, and we’d definitely order from here again.

We started with the chicken tenders, which were indeed tender—we could have gone for seconds. For the pizza, we opted for cheese, sausage, and mushrooms. It was enjoyable, though we think calling it NY style is a bit of a stretch; most wouldn’t notice unless they’re from NY like us. The pie was tasty, but it felt a bit salty, possibly due to the cheese or sauce. The crust was thin and foldable, striking a balance between crispy and soft.

We’re giving 4 stars for a couple of reasons. While the service was quick at first, it slowed down significantly when we waited about 20-30 minutes for our pizza. Our waiter seemed to forget about us, so we had to remind him.

Additionally, the prices felt high—$29 for a 16" pie with two toppings seemed steep, likely due to the "Wilmette effect." They claim to use high-quality ingredients, but inflation plays a role as well.

Lastly, the noise level increased significantly once families arrived with kids running around and using the arcade machines. We suggest the owners consider adding sound-absorbing materials to improve the dining experience. It doesn’t need to be silent, but a quieter atmosphere would be nice. Overall, it’s a place we’d return to, especially if they address these issues.

Parking: Park on the street, where you can find a spot. Double-check the signs.“

“Grilled cheese with gyro meat was amazing!! There were 11 of us in our group! Service was super friendly and extremely fast! We will be back on our next trip!“

“First time at Valley Lodge Tavern and it was an outstanding experience. Cozy atmosphere, great service, top notch management, impressive menu and food. Thank you!“

“Wagyu Meatballs & Pasta by Fabio Viviani were really delicious, but the Shrimp and Orso actually tasted fishy, which surprised us. Mac and Cheese was pretty good-- could use more flavor. We will try again, but will have to do delivery next time-- parking next to the location is difficult.“

“Back in 2012....we went to our beloved Hotcakes. The most happenin' thing was homemade tamale corn cakes. They were made with frozen corn, black beans, cumin..... topped with melted cheddar cheese. And they were served with salsa and sour cream. I looked forward to my weekly treat of utter deliciousness...with passionate desire. My husband had a bunch of favs.It was just a tiny place owned by a wonderful lady. Does anyone remember these?

Vegetarian options: Unfortunately, this was long ago. I would be more familiar with the menu if still in the area.“

“Friendly staff. Excellent farm to table food. THE BEST in the village. Convenient. Casual.“

“Best place in town. Would love to visit it again ❤️“

“food is great and consistently good quality. Coffee is the best in the city is a Kona blend.“

“Finally tried Convito Cafe and it did not disappoint. The restaurant has a cute European atmosphere and welcoming vibe. Overall, our food was delicious. Stand-outs include the Spinach and Blue Cheese salad, mussels and Bolognese. Service was also very good. Will definitely go back!“

“Wonderful server. Beautiful view outdoors overlooking golf course. Very tasty food.

Parking: Lots of spaces in private free lot at night. Don't know how crowded it is during the daytime when golfers using it too.

Wheelchair accessibility: We had wheelchair in our party and we're seated at table with easy access.“