CITY GUIDES | ILLINOIS

Joliet Restaurant Guide: From Steakhouse Classics to Hidden Gems

By Kelly McMurtry | June 18, 2025

Joliet has always been a city that knows how to work with its hands. Once a bustling steel town nicknamed the City of Stone and Steel, it built an identity on factory floors and quarries. But as those industrial roots faded, Joliet reinvented itself as a Chicago suburb with its own unmistakable character.

Lately, that personality has extended to its dining scene, where steakhouses and burger spots turn out dishes that nod to Joliet’s blue-collar history while pushing boundaries in ways that make this city a surprising culinary destination. Here’s my ranking of the best restaurants in Joliet.

Cemenos Pizza Joliet

1. Cut 158 Chophouse

If you’re going to charge premium prices for a steak, it better deliver, and Cut 158 does just that. The bone-in ribeye is served without theatrics, which is the ultimate confidence move: no garnish, no fanfare, just a perfectly cooked steak with a well-salted crust. The industrial-chic space avoids the stuffy steakhouse clichés, making it feel like the kind of place you’d actually want to hang out.

2. Mousa Greek Taverna

Mousa isn’t trying to reinvent Greek food, and that’s exactly why it’s great. Their grilled octopus has just enough char to give it bite, while the lemon vinaigrette keeps it bright. It’s also the rare restaurant where the pita isn’t an afterthought—it’s warm, pillowy, and practically demands a second order.

3. Cemeno’s Pizza

Cemeno’s serves the kind of pizzas eaten in the Chicago area most by locals: thin-crust bar pies with sturdy under-carriages and loads of toppings. Oozing with cheese, these are decadent iterations of a pizza that just might rival deep dish, which is a reason Cemeno’s has been a favorite in Joliet since 1976.

4. Hamburgerseria

Hamburgerseria promises the best burgers in town made of prime cuts flame-grilled and piled with toppings. The jalapeño burger is stacked high with spicy peppers, melty cheese, and a smoky aioli that ties it all together. It’s a glorious mess, and you’ll love every bite.

5. Juliet’s Tavern

Juliet’s occupies one of those charming downtown buildings that speaks of this city’s historic past. Inside, it’s warm and inviting, with burgers and chicken sandwiches with sides of fries cut thicker than the Des Plaines River. It’s also one of the few places in town where the cocktails aren’t an afterthought and the beer list hits the local favorites.

Saveur Joliet Junior College Culinary Arts

6. Thrive and Saveur

Sister restaurants Thrive and Saveur aren’t just restaurants, they’re a stage where the next generation of chefs gets to flex their skills. Staffed by the culinary arts students at Joliet Junior College, Thrive and Saveur offer seasonal menus that are as ambitious as they are polished. Menus change regularly but expect dishes like seared duck breast with cranberry gastrique and a delicate pear tart that show a level of finesse, making it clear: these students mean business.

7. Azul Celeste Bar and Grill

This place is loud, in the best way. The dining room at Azul Celeste Bar and Grill buzzes with families, couples, and solo diners all working their way through plates of carnitas tacos or enchiladas verdes. The standout is their birria ramen—a bowl of spicy, rich broth filled with tender shredded beef and springy noodles. It’s messy, indulgent, and worth every slurp.

The Reserve Steakhouse Harrah's Joliet Casino and Hotel

8. The Reserve Steakhouse

Casino restaurants don’t always inspire confidence, but The Reserve at Harrah’s Joliet is the clear exception. Their Prime Rib is indulgent in a way that feels intentional, not excessive. The sides are straightforward but well-executed, especially the garlicky mashed potatoes. Just don’t be surprised if the clanging of slot machines drifts into the dining room.

Public Landing Restaurant Lockport Joliet IL

9. Public Landing

A short drive to Lockport takes you to Public Landing, which feels like stepping back in time. The prime rib is exactly what you hoped it would be: warm and deep red, paired with chunky mashed potatoes and seasonal veg that makes you feel less guilty about all the decisions.

10. Al’s Steakhouse

Al’s is old-school in a way that feels reassuring. The steaks are well seasoned and buttery, the ribs saucy and tender, just as you remembered it last time—because Al’s is a place where regulars have an order they’re sticking to for life. Al’s is not trying to be trendy, and thank goodness for that.

11. The Great American Bagel

The Great American Bagel is a chain that’s all about bagel sandwiches. The lox bagel, piled high with smoked salmon, capers, and cream cheese, hits every note of salty, creamy, and briny. Grab a coffee, and you’ve got one solid breakfast.