You Can Still Get A Relish Plate With Your Prime Rib At This Old School Eatery In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published April 24, 2023
×
Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
A new restaurant with creative themes and new takes on food is always exciting, but there’s also something to be said for those who do simple, traditional foods — and do it well. Classic foods, like perfectly cooked steaks, fish, and pasta transcend the eras with timeless tastes, giving you and your grandparents each a familiar taste and memory. In fact, the best prime rib in Maple Park, Illinois has been wowing diners since it began serving up thick cuts of the delectable meat nearly 50 years ago.
Sorrento's Restaurant is located at 50 W. 187 Route 64 just outside Sycamore, Illinois. The beloved family business has been serving up classic American and Italian dishes supper club-style since opening in 1974.
Original owner Vince Palazzolo bought the restaurant, then known as Kendall's Ranch, after wanting to leave the pizza business and move to a smaller town. Kendall's had already been running for more than 30 years, but Palazzolo thought it suited his vision perfectly.
The restaurant changed its name to Sorrento's and began offering Italian dishes and pastas, though business was slow at first. After realizing prime rib was its biggest seller, the diner pivoted toward an Italian steakhouse theme, complete with a blend of Western and Italian decor.
One detail that keeps customers happy and sets Sorrento's apart is its relish trays — small dishes of fresh-cut vegetables like carrots, celery, and green onion meant to be munched on while you wait for your dinner. The snack is a staple in traditional Midwestern supper clubs and restaurants.
All dinners come with a relish tray, as well as a basket with crackers and bread, plus butter and cheese spread. It's the perfect time to order a glass (or bottle...) of wine and begin enjoying your dinner before the full meal arrives.
Of course, real ones know to start off with Sorrento's locally-famous French onion soup — baked to perfection and smothered in perfectly melted, gooey cheese.
The star of the show is the mouthwatering prime rib, available in a full cut or petite cut. On Wednesdays and Sundays, the favorite dish is on special for a few dollars less (but packed with just as much deliciousness). The succulent cut of meat is served with flavorful au jus for extra tenderness, a choice of soup or juice, a dinner salad or cottage cheese, and a side. Pro tip: A baked potato makes a great side to help sop up the extra juices — though you could also go with veggies, rice, or another potato variety.
Make sure to save room for dessert — the Green Frog is a house specialty made of creme de mint liquor blended with French vanilla ice cream. It's a local take on the Grasshopper, a supper club classic!
Have you ever been to Sorrento’s Restaurant? Do you think it serves the best prime rib in Maple Park, Illinois? What’s your favorite thing to order there? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip by checking out the Sorrento’s Restaurant website, as well as the Sorrento’s Facebook page for regular updates. You may also want to consider making a weekend out of your visit — nearby Sycamore, Illinois is the perfect getaway with plenty of local shopping and entertainment (like the Sycamore Speedway, just down the street from Sorrento’s!). Plan your trip in the fall and you’ll even get to see the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Parade!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
