Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Local Businesses and Hotspots
19
items I’ve lived, worked, eaten, or explored my way through various areas, and I’ve got strong opinions on what’s worth your time (and what’s not). This list isn’t just a bunch of random Google reviews—it’s curated by someone who loves to enjoy good food. ...
Map
Sections
4
Illinois
New Orleans
New Hampshire
Wisconsin
Illinois
Local business in Naperville, IL serving authentic ramen, stir fry, apps and more. Not only was this place delicious but super affordable- $12 to $16 for a full entree! The vibes are calm and overall great place to eat after a long day!
Ichiddo ramen
I may grow up but I'll never stop eating cookie dough. This place serves both ice cream & safe-to-eat cookie dough in a variety of flavors. They also have ice cream sandwiches and other treats all made in house!
Cookie Dough Creations
A family owned business that makes the best gourmet grilled cheeses. Think mac and cheese or gyro or caprese grilled cheese. A little pricey but worth every penny.
Everdine's Grilled Cheese Co.
*Temporarily Closed* the only place in IL that comes close to replicating New Orleans poboys.
Surf's Up Aurora
Expensive and tries to capture the trendy/young crowd but I'd pay $5 for their shrimp tacos any day. Their chips are the crispness and not too salty. Delicious.
TacoRio Chicago
My favorite food truck! The best empanadas in IL. And it doesn't get more local- you have to follow them to find out where they'll be popping up.
Grumpy Gaucho
I go here almost every time I visit Broadway in Chicago. Yeah its "fast food" fare but it's quick service, affordable and filling. Great when looking for that typical Chicago food.
Jimmy's Gyros & Grill
The only "bar" I bring people too. An unbeatable selection of drinks, restaurant quality food, and never feel pressured or rushed to leave.
Bottle Theory
Listen I won't lie and say this place has the best food ive ever tasted, but it's decent l. What I love about this place? When you're craving a little bit of everything, this place has a little bit of everything: nachoes, pizza puff, fish, burgers, e...
Best Sandwiches in Naperville, IL | Baba's Famous Steak & Lemonade ...
If you can't tell, il like gryo place. This one's right around the corner from me and their food is GREAT. they have pretty decent meal prices too.
Gyro Pit
Did this for a bachorlette group activity and it was so much fine! They let us bring wine, and the quality of items is extremely high.
Board & Brush Creative Studio - Oswego
I'm not sure if this counts as local anymore since it's been on tik tok & lines have grown... but when it first opened up it was local to me and I remember the business almost closed due to lack of sales. I think it's a great water park, with fun...
Raging Waves Waterpark
Yes this can be great family fun but as a childless adult, I love this place because it has a variety of actives like bowling, ping pong, pool and karaoke. It's open late too so the young kids disperse after 10pm or so
Round1 Bowling & Arcade Fox Valley Mall
New Orleans
I have a top NO list but this place def makes the local Hotspot list. They're located at the end of Bourbon street & have a variety of authentic poboys.
NOLA POBOYS - Updated July 2025 - 2099 Photos & 1827 Reviews
This place is a little ways away from the tourist "hubs" so it's smaller and has a more local feel. Has the classics but a few different cuisines like alligator bites.
Streetcar Cafe
New Hampshire
The menu changes but when I was here the chorizo tacos & green beans were possibly the best meal I'd ever tasted. I dream about this place 2 years later.
River Road Tavern
Wisconsin
This may be in the middle of the dells but we spent a whole night enjoying great food and chilling to the nights musical performance. I'd drive the 4 hours to visit this place anytime.
Grateful Shed
100% a tourist trap but simultaneously 100% a local business? Just 2 guys who collected rootbeer items and make living showing it off. It's kinda cool. They also have 4 different rootbeers on tap!
Museum of Root Beer
Featured in the dells coupons books so why does it deserve a spot here? Because it felt local- they paced out the timings and gave you plenty of time to try and escape. Their themes were also unique. If I lived in Wisconsin I'd visit multiple times.
Elusive Escape Rooms