River Grove, IL

As the oldest incorporated village in Leyden Township, River Grove takes its historical roots seriously, and it retains the small-town charm that has marked it since its founding. Not much has changed over the years, and it continues to be a neighborhood made up of families, some that commute to Chicago for work.

Named for the famous ash trees and the shallow muddy rivers that run throughout the neighborhood, and occasionally overflow, River Grove remains a quiet suburb amidst the changing landscape of many Chicago neighborhoods.

A quirky trait of this neighborhood features in the Guinness Book of World Records. River Grove holds the record for having more deceased residents than live ones because the neighborhood contains both the St. Joseph’s and Elmwood cemeteries.

River Grove is home to several chain restaurants and some local gems where you are greeted by name and given your special order without even having to look at a menu. Restaurants are scattered throughout the neighborhood, and finding these spots is worth it.

Chicago locals know there are very few places to find an authentic Chicago style hot dog, and River Grove offers one of these stands. Gene’s & Jude’s on Grand Avenue serves up traditional, Chicago style dogs and its own, more inventive creations. This stand used to be a neighborhood secret, but in 2011, the magazine Every Day with Rachel Ray proclaimed it served the best hot dog in America.

For something a little more trendy, River Grove took the opportunity to get in on the gluten-free movement at Da Luciano’s Pizza, Pasta and Catering. This classic, family-run Italian restaurant serves up Italian food staples, such as pizza, and freshly cooked items such grigliata di pesce. The eatery has also become well-known in the area, and nationally, for crafting many gluten-free versions of their classic Italian dishes and has been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune.

If you’re in need of a local breakfast spot, River Grove’s Blondie’s Diner has you covered. This local establishment takes on traditional diner fare and serves up small-town charm, evident in the lax ordering rules. Feel free to add off-menu items to dishes to customize your meal, or go with an old favorite such as the kitchen sink omelette.

After dinner, you may think that this quiet neighborhood shuts down, but head over to To Tu Café where it is evident the night is just beginning. This club offers theme nights where you can dance to hits of the 80s or show off your disco moves with a rotating set of DJs, a dance floor and a full bar. Located near Triton College, this spot is popular with the college crowd.

Even though River Grove seems like a rural oasis, it’s actually easy to get into downtown Chicago. Just 30 to 40 minutes away by car or public transportation, this neighborhood is a quick trip away from the bustle of the Chicago metro area. River Grove has an easily accessible train station from which you can take a commuter train on Metra’s North Central Service and Milwaukee District/West lines, which provide service to Chicago’s Union Station.

This neighborhood is also close enough to Chicago that tech-savvy residents and visitors can order up a car service through the phone app Uber and take a taxi to many nearby neighborhoods and destinations.

Because the neighborhood itself is only 2.3 square miles, there is plenty of walking to be done, although most residents choose to drive. Bicycling is possible through much of the area, but some of the narrower roads don’t have designated bike lanes.

While River Grove doesn’t have designated parks like many other neighborhoods, its forests filled with different species of ash trees offer the opportunity for impromptu nature walks with the family, including the pets. There are also numerous state parks just minutes away by car or train in surrounding neighborhoods.

As a suburb of Chicago, River Grove offers a quaint reprise from the city, and that does lead to a higher-than-average cost of living due to its popularity. An apartment in this neighborhood will cost you about $837 on average per month in rent. River Grove is a great option for families that work in Chicago and want to plant their roots away from the city. \

River Grove offers a mix of well-known chain stores and a few local spots that sell everything from textbooks for the college crowd to framed sports memorabilia at the local gallery and framing store. The neighborhood doesn’t have much in the way of local retailers, but there are plenty of local businesses that operate there, including plumbers, roofers and even a pet grooming salon.

The majority of shopping in River Grove lies in the Thatcher Woods Center, a shopping center located on the corner of Belmont and Thatcher Avenues. The center provides a one-stop mecca of well-known chain stores where you can buy some clothes, get a haircut and grab a slice of pizza.

For the essentials, head to Ada’s European Market and Deli and put an international spin in your grocery shopping. This local business is known for its smoked meats, superb liquor selection and an array of European food items that you won’t find at a chain grocery.

Although River Grove doesn’t have its own farmer's market, there are several within five miles that can supplement your shopping with locally grown products and an afternoon of browsing the various stalls.