Palos's 10 Favorite Restaurants: Businesses of the Year

PALOS, IL — Excellent customer service, friendly staff and great food are among the reasons why Palos Patch readers love these 10 local hot spots nominated as “Local Businesses of the Year.”

Here are the businesses that rose to the top, according to Patch readers:

Thai Smile
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday
Address: 12241 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights
Phone: 708-448-9888
From the nominators: “The always smiling face of the hostess and the delicious meals served dine-in and carryout."

Capri Ristorante
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch), 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Address: 12307 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights
Phone: 708-671-1657
From the nominators: “Capri was a great source of comfort to us during this pandemic. We ordered take out service several times. Their food is always delicious and everyone is always really nice to you no matter how busy they are!”

“When Capri pizza opened the young owner came out and asked me what I thought of the food and thanked me for our business and gave me a free bottle of wine.”

“The delicious food, professional and efficient staff, and ongoing efforts to abide by the CDC guidelines put forth to protect us during this pandemic make this the Winner for me!”

Mid Villa
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday
Address: 12226 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights
Phone: 708-827-5565
From the nominators: “Great food Great Service.”

“They truly care about the community. Have wonderful owners and amazing food. Have helped families throughout the past months.”

“As an aside, I’m not sure it is right to simply select the one best business during this time. All those who remained open and supported the community should be winners.”

The Highlander Restaurant
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday; Monday closed.
Address: 12333 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights
Phone: 708-942-3688
From the nominators: "The food is great and plentiful. The staff is always pleasant and accommodating. The atmosphere makes you feel at home and happy. They have done a great job during the pandemic to work very hard to stay open safely. And the lemon vodka is to die for!”

“Delicious food, great pricing, welcoming environment, friendly patrons.”

Franklin’s Grill
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Phone: 708-671-8959
Address: 12306 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights
From the nominators: “Franklin’s has maintained a consistently high quality menu, has smart and prompt servers, chef is innovative and outstanding. Friends and relatives from distant suburbs also come to Franklin’s because it beats places closer to their homes.”

Royalberry
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
Address: 6417 W. 127th St., Palos Heights
Phone: 708-388-6200
From the nominators: “Good food. Friendly staff.”

Simple Taste
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Address: 12246 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights
Phone: 708-827-5520
From the nominators: “Wonderful food and amazing service!”

Valley Inn
Hours: 11 a.n. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Address: 8300 W. 107th St., Palos Hills
Phone: 708-974-0509
From the nominators: “Quality food and great prices. Top-notch owners!”

Strange Brew Cage
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Address: 8650 W. 103rd St., Palos Hills
Phone: 708-634-3452
From the nominators: “Awesome Atmosphere, super kind staff/ very personable with customers always working hard and have smiles on faces through all this. Great place for
Coffee, smoothies, toast and especially smoothie bowls which are absolutely delicious!!!! Stop
By and try it out!!!”

Francesca’s Vicinato
Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 9 p.m.
Address: 12960 S. LaGrange Road, Palos Park
Phone: 708-671-1600
From the nominators: “Service and food are always top-notch. During the pandemic, they took employee and customer safety very seriously, doing temperature scans on the way in and asking patrons to wait in their car until informed that their table is ready to avoid a crowd at the entrance.”