Deerfield Patch Readers Share Their Favorite Local Businesses

DEERFIELD, IL — The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, forcing small businesses across Illinois to shutter. However, in a show of exemplary community spirit, Deerfield residents are supporting small businesses with the hope that a new year will help turn things around.

As we turn the page on 2020, it is now more important than ever to frequent local businesses. What the next 12 months have in store for the local business community is anyone's guess, but residents are thankful that many have made it through a rough year and believe 2021 will be much better.

We asked Patch readers to nominate some of their favorite businesses as part of our year-end coverage. Here we showcase some of the best:

Rhapsody Cafe

833 Deerfield Road C, Deerfield
847-267-1700

Rhapsody Cafe offers a wide variety of delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Diners often say, "there's no stopping after that first bite!" The restaurant is open 6 a.m.-2 p.m. every day.

READER COMMENTS

• "Delicious food and service."
• "Family-owned. Nice people. Very accommodating. Great tasty food. All employees make you feel special and will even make meals special for your requests. I would feel terrible if they would have to close due to COVID-19 and financial issues."
• "Great staff, great coffee, tasty food and friendly owners."

Deerfield Italian Kitchen

648 Deerfield Road, Deerfield
847-945-2727

Since 1962, Deerfield Italian Kitchen has been serving the community. The casual dining and family restaurant is offering take-out and curbside pickup during the pandemic. The restaurant is open 3-8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays.

READER COMMENT

• "It’s family-owned. They could not be nicer and the food is great homemade, they will accommodate you with any order."

Cherry Pit Cafe

808 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
224-515-8262

A new ownership team of Fredy Flores, Carmen Vargas and Albertico Banuelos brought back the Cherry Pit Cafe, known by many local residents during the 90s. Exceptional service and high quality food are among the restaurant's recipes for success. Cherry Pit Cafe is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Family-owned business with great food, service and atmosphere."

Bobby's Deerfield

695 Deerfield Road, Deerfield
847-607-9104

Bobby's Deerfield prides itself on being an American bistro with influences from all over the world. The neighborhood spot provides a quality, consistently-good product that is accessible to all. Bobby's Deerfield offers curbside pickup, delivery, outdoor bubbles and patio (weather dependent) and even an outdoor ski bar.

READER COMMENT

• "Bobby’s has the best staff! They have managed to keep service at a top-notch level since the pandemic started. Special shout out to Neal, Damien, Juan, Joel and Maui!!"

Deerfield Youth Baseball and Softball Association

Contact the Board of Directors for more information here.

The mission of the Deerfield Youth Baseball and Softball Association "shall be to help promote and maintain high moral character as well as good mental and physical health in the young people" involved in the baseball and softball programs.

READER COMMENT

• "Although not technically a business, DYBA/DYSBA went to great lengths in 2020 to serve the best interests of the young girls and boys of the greater Deerfield community. As the COVID-19 pandemic led to multiple challenges for our children, such as abrupt school closures, activities being canceled, and social lives being restricted, DYBA/DYSBA worked hard to be a positive outlet for the kids; one activity that they could rely on and feel "normal" doing during COVID-19. The leadership of DYBA/DYSBA worked tirelessly to navigate the State's fluid COVID-19 restrictions, all the local protocols, and ever-changing safety measures."

Walgreens

Deerfield Square, 780 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-945-0611

The parent company of Walgreens — Walgreens Boots Alliance — is based in Deerfield. The company oversees 9,277 Walgreens and Duane Reade stores in the United States.

READER COMMENT

• "I have been able to pick up many sundries through the drive-thru. The staff is almost always happy to help, as I am high risk and not able to come into the store. It has made a big difference to my life."

Carson's Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue of Deerfield

200 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-374-8500

The popular barbecue spot is family-owned and has been in operation since 1977 with locations in Deerfield, River East and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The simple goal, according to Carson's, is to serve large portions of great food at an honest price. The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Great food at fair price. Excellent on-line ordering app, and prompt well-run curb side pickup."

Upper Crust Bagel

835 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-405-0805

More than 7,000 bagels roll off the assembly line in advance of a typical Sunday at Upper Crust Bagels in Deerfield, according to owners Ronnie and John Rayyan. They have owned and operated the bakery and full service deli for eight years. The bakery itself has been at 835 Waukegan Road, in the heart of Deerfield right across from Village Hall, for almost two decades. Upper Crust Bagel is open 6 a.m.-4 p.m. every day.

READER COMMENT

• "The staff is friendly and welcoming, the bagels and other food is delicious. Always a treat to walk in."

Planet Fitness

35 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-236-0922

Planet Fitness strives to create a workout environment where everyone feels accepted and respected. The owners work to ensure the club is "clean and welcoming, staff is friendly, and the certified trainers are ready to help." The gym is open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Friendliest staff in the world. They opened a low cost, wonderfully clean exercise facility and have adjusted to the pandemic to survive. The other fitness facilities in the area don’t provide the value Planet Fitness does. The staff is always cleaning something when you go there to make sure members stay safe."

Deerfield Auto & Tire Clinic

663 Waukegan Road, Deerfield
847-945-0896

Deerfield Auto & Tire Clinic is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Call for an appointment or email dago663@comcast.net. Ask for Ted or Rich.

READER COMMENT

• "The kindest, thoughtful, courteous, honest mechanics in all of the world."

Jimmy Thai

Deerfield Park Plaza, 405 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield
224-235-4650

Jimmy Thai offers fresh, authentic Thai food, made to order with casual dine-in and carry-out services with carry-out, curbside service and delivery during the pandemic. The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Exceptional service, fantastic food, owner is wonderful."

Patch Editor Abhinanda Datta contributed to this story.