Get a deal while you Dine-In Elmwood Park

Cooking is an art, but dining is too. So do your best during Restaurant Week in Elmwood Park which runs Feb. 16-25. 

This annual showcase of some of the best tastes in town offers a combination of great food at prices that please. The 10 days of “Dine-In Elmwood Park” are the best opportunity to try something new or revisit an old favorite.

Many restaurants in Elmwood Park participate. You can choose from North Avenue’s famed Restaurant Row: Café Cubano, Massa, New Star, Spizzico and Blue Fire. Others on North Avenue have deals as well: Armand’s Pizzeria, Jim and Pete’s, Donny G’s, Gringo & Blondie, Red Bottle and The Great American Bagel.

Along Grand Avenue, there are great dining offers at: The Sportz Nook, Tacos 2 Go and Culver’s.

And in the Conti Parkway “Circle” Circle Tavern and Union Tap are ready to welcome you.

Russell’s Barbeque and Tony D’s round out the festivities.

“We’ve got something for everyone,” said Angelo “Skip” Saviano, Elmwood Park’s village president. “Whether you want a white tablecloth experience with a nice bottle of wine or classic tavern atmosphere with appetizers and beer, you’ll find it at Dine-In Elmwood Park.”

Elmwood Park’s thriving food scene represents a striking diversity of flavors. You can travel the world by using your fork. Italy, Cuba, Thailand, Mexico, China, Japan and more are all on the itinerary.

“Elmwood Park is a dining destination for a reason,” said Saviano. “Our restaurants are pillars of this community. They work hard to serve up the best food in the region. They keep us fed, they keep us happy, and they keep us together.”

Union Tap

7707 Westwood Dr.

At this classic tavern even the awning promises: Good Food, Good Friends and Good Times. Their prix fixe offer invites you dive into a burger, sandwich or pizza along with a cup of soup or chili, then polish it off with a slice of cheesecake for only $18.

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The Sportz Nook

7841 W. Grand Ave.

With 48 TV screens covering 360 degrees, playing all the most important games, it would be easy to think that’s where the amazing stops at The Sportz Nook. But think again, the food rivals that dedication to detail. It’s a point of pride that customers say they are a restaurant disguised as a bar. These deals will convince you too: $10 mussels in wine and garlic sauce and $12 spaghetti and meatballs.

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Red Bottle Bar

7438 W. North Ave.

This intimate bar bills itself as a speakeasy cocktail bar with comfort food and a wide selection of whiskey. Choose between two $15 combos: a cheese or meat board and a glass of wine, burger and a beer, or pizza and a glass of wine.

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Tacos 2 Go

7530 W. Grand Ave.

This fresh Mexican joint will keep your tastebuds hopping. Combo specials will fill you up for just $12.50 each: taco salad nestled in a fried tortilla shell choice of protein, lettuce, tomato, pico de gallo, black beans, rice, cheese, guacamole and sour cream) and a Jarrito or medium horchata; or a taco bowl sitting on a bed of steamed rice with all the offering in the salad and drinks options.

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Tony D’s

7725 W. Belmont Ave.

This premiere sports bar is under new management and has a renewed zest for everything fun. During restaurant week buy one appetizer and get one free, get half off any of Tony D’s signature burgers, or order $1 wings. And who can resist half off on deep fried Oreos?

Everywhere you go, remember to mention the Dine-In Elmwood Park promotion to ensure the best deals. Check out the full list of participating restaurants and delicious deals, then make a plan to visit several of Elmwood Park’s eateries during this annual dining celebration. Your wallet and tastebuds will thank you.

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New Star

7444 W. North Ave.

Travel by menu across Asia and take a stop off in the Pacific for a favorite, yet exotic Tiki drink. Freshness is the most important element in New Star’s success, according to owner Jinny Zhao.

When she bought the restaurant almost a decade ago, Zhao transformed the kitchen to follow that rule. As she updated the restaurant space and menu, she wanted to attract a new generation of customers.

“I was thinking that the young people, they do love sushi,” Zhao noted.

So, she added a sushi bar and an extensive Thai menu. To celebrate that during restaurant week she is offering a sushi roll dinner special, buy one get one free.

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Armand’s Pizza

7650 W. North Ave.

This Elmwood Park staple has been dedicated to top-quality ingredients and a personal touch since it was established in 1956 as Armand’s Victory Tap. They’ve kept the fires going ever since serving up pan or thin style pizza, and an array of sandwiches. Their specials for Dine-In focus on menu favorites. For lunch, grab a slice (cheese, sausage or pepperoni) and soup or salad, pair that with a drink for $7. In the evening you can try one of their beef, sausage or meatball sandwiches with soup or salad and a drink for $9.

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Gringo & Blondie

7514 W. North Ave.

Mexican street food’s bold flavors and fresh ingredients are at the core of the menu at Gringo & Blondie. The extensive menu offers choices and choices. Eight types of tacos. Six different cemitas (sandwiches on sesame seed rolls, slathered with avocado spread, and piled up with meats or roasted veggies, with cheese, lettuce, pickle, onion). Quesadillas, burritos, appetizers aplenty and an array of side dishes fill out the offerings. On Saturdays and Sundays brunch starts at 10 a.m. with traditional items like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros, and nuevo takes like French toast a la Mexicana. Toast your brunch with mimosas and micheladas. The full bar offers up margarita deals all week.

Other deals during restaurant week are: 15% off any appetizer or kids meal and half off flan, horchata, horchata shakes or aqua fresca. Prix fixe for $10 gets you two tacos of your choice with rice and beans.