Francesca’s at the Promenade: Bites Nearby

Take a promenade over to Bolingbrook for a rustic Italian meal.

For almost 20 years, Francesca’s has been wooing the Chicago area with its consistent reputation for creating authentic Italian dishes. Francesca’s at the Promenade in Bolingbrook is the 19th location for the chain, which has received praise from Chicago Magazine, WGN,Check Please! and Janet Davies from 190 North. The restaurant and bar environment is open with high ceilings and a mix of warm wood, impressive stonework and neutral colors. Owner and Chef Scott Harris changes the handwritten menu every two weeks. Popular dishes include Lenticchie e spinachi (warm lentils with spinach and goat cheese), Quattro staginoi (homemade pizza with prosciutto, artichoke, mushroom, olive and egg) and Pesce bianco con asparagi (whitefish with wild …

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The Local Dish

Mickey's a Nice Spot to Meet a Friend and Grab a Beer

The menu's a bit uneven, but you won't go wrong with a burger and you'll feel at home in the comforting bar atmosphere.

MICKEY’S GRILLE & PUB Unless you’re a local, you probably don’t know about Mickey’s. Tucked away in a strip mall surrounded by subdivisions, it looks and feels more like the neighborhood hangout that it probably is. Yes, “grille” is included in the name, but it’s a safe bet most are coming for the “pub.” Décor/atmosphere: Nothing fancy here. A simple green awning hangs over a bank of windows adorned with beer signs. Inside, the first thing you see are pool tables behind which sits a large, three-sided bar. On each side of the room are two- and four-seat bar tables with stools that can easily be pulled together for large parties. A couple of electronic dart boards fill one corner. All-in-all, it makes for a comfortable space where you won’t…

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Pepe's Tacos Are Good, But So Are the Fajitas, Flautas and Enchiladas

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each Thursday, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out.

PEPE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT If you're old enough to remember Pepe's old, less-than-inspired commercial jingle, "Pepe's tacos are very good tacos," you already know why this chain has been in business for 43 years. It's a solid restaurant, relatively new to Romeoville, with a menu featuring everything from soup to nuts (sopa a frutos secos?) served in generous portions that will leave you needing a doggie bag. No need to ask for drink refills; the waitress has you covered. Decor: Bright and brightly colored but also comfortable and intimate. Done in shades of gold and orange, the restaurant is divided into a large dining room on one side and series of booths on the other. A large expanse of windows along the front brings in lots of natural …

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