10 Must-Try Dishes at St. Charles Restaurant Week

St. Charles Restaurant Week is finally here, and with 40+ participating restaurants, there's a lot to be excited about. With the exemplary culinary scene that this town has to offer, patrons will have a tough time narrowing down where they want to spend their evening to dine. To help make this decision easier, we have put together a list of some must-try dishes you have to get before the conclusion of Restaurant Week.

Alexander's Cafe - Berry Good Pancakes

Photo Courtesy of Alexander's Cafe

Start off your day on the right foot, and swing by Alexander's Cafe during Restaurant Week for their Berry Good Pancakes. These flapjacks are available in your choice of buttermilk, multi-grain, or gluten-free, and are topped with berry mascarpone, raspberry coulis, vanilla crème anglaise, and finally, finished with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Alter Brewing + Kitchen - Diced Chicken Salad

Photo Courtesy of Alter Brewing + Kitchen

Add a bit of freshness to your St. Charles Restaurant Week and head to Alter Brewing + Kitchen for their Diced Chicken Salad. Made with Romaine Lettuce, Grilled Chicken, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Avocado, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cucumber, and House Dressing, this dish is a bit on the lighter side, but still packs an incredible flavor in each and every bite.

Billy Bricks - BBQ Chicken & Smoked Gouda Pizza

Photo Courtesy of Billy Bricks

If you're craving a delicious pizza, you can't go wrong with Billy Bricks - one of the first Neapolitan wood-fired brick oven pizza spots in all of Chicagoland. They have a variety of unique pizzas to savor, but if you're looking for something a little unique, try out their BBQ Chicken & Smoked Gouda Pizza. This pie has a sweet BBQ sauce at the base, oven-roasted chicken breast, smoked gouda and their house cheese blend, and shaved red onions on the top.

Brown Butter Cafe & Bakery - Vegan OG Donuts

Photo Courtesy of Brown Butter Cafe & Bakery

We "donut" know what we would do without Brown Butter Cafe & Bakery's Vegan OG Donuts. These donuts are gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free, and are a wonderful treat to start your day, whether you have food allergies or not. Trust us, you will not be able to eat just one.

Chum's Shrimp Shack - Lobster Rolls

Photo Courtesy of Chum's Shrimp Shack

Take a deep dive into the sea and stop by Chum's Shrimp Shack for their wide array of delectable seafood. Indulge in one of their classic handhelds: the Lobster Roll. Their Lobster Rolls are made up of fresh Maine Lobster mixed with chopped celery and red onions, and is served on a buttery, garlic brioche bun with their homemade seafood dressing.

Gia Mia - Prosciutto + Fig Bruschetta

Photo Courtesy of Gia Mia

The perfect start to any Italian meal is to order a plate of bruschetta. At Gia Mia, they take this dish to another level with their Prosciutto and Fig Bruschetta. Laying on crispy toast, is ricotta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, prosciutto that has been aged 720 days, and topped with sea salt, basil, and balsamic dressing.

Moto iMoto - Tuna Tower

Photo Courtesy of Moto iMoto

Moto iMoto's elevates Asian Street food with their Tuna Tower. This dish is beautifully presented, but trust us, it tastes even better than it looks. The Tuna Tower starts with a bed of sushi rice, and then layered with avocado, spicy crab, ahi tuna, crispy wontons, and drizzled with an Asian vinaigrette.

Riverside Pizza Pub & Grill - Giant Pretzel

Photo Courtesy of Riverside Pizza Pub & Grill

Always a fan-favorite appetizer to get when one goes out is the soft pretzel. What's there not to love? A warm, soft, salty dish that you can dip in either honey mustard or cheese. When we tell you that Riverside Pizza Pub & Grill's giant pretzel is above and beyond - we mean it. This pretzel is ginormous, and can easily be split between few people. Or, keep it all for yourself! We wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to share.

Rookies All-American Pub & Grill - Monster of the Midway Burger

Photo Courtesy of Rookies All-American Pub & Grill

"Bear Down" this Restaurant Week and feast on the Monster of the Midway Burger at Rookies All-American Pub & Grill. This burger is big enough for any NFL player with two beef patties, double American Velvetta cheese, and a double helping of bacon. One bite of this and you'll be ready to jump on the gridiron.

Urban Counter - 1/2 Pound Burgers

Photo Courtesy of Urban Counter

We hope that you brought your appetite, because at Urban Counter, they are serving up 1/2 pound burgers cooked to order just the way you like, and with five beef varieties to choose from. They offer a variety of these 1/2 pound burgers, like their Bacon Burger with cheddar cheese, onion rings, roasted jalapeno, and grilled bacon BBQ sauce, or their Blue Cheese Burger with a blue cheese and bacon spread and arugula.

Important Reminder!

Before you head out the door to dine, make sure to download the Travel St. Charles App to take part in the Restaurant Week Challenge where you can be entered in to win a $25 gift card to a participating restaurant when you "Check-In" to one or more restaurants. For more information on this Challenge, please click here.

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, so join in on all the festivities at this year's St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade on March 9th! To view the schedule of activities, please click here. Don't forget to wear your green!