Cottage cheese, pickled beets, and kidney bean salad can still land on your table before the steak even gets a mention. That little lineup is the relish tray, and it refuses to retire.
Sometimes it comes with dinner, and sometimes it’s worth ordering separately. Either way, the old-school tradition is still alive.
I love that this tradition survived fancy appetizers and tiny plates. It feels like a handshake from the kitchen. Kids get something crunchy to nibble, and grown-ups get a reason to slow down.
I went looking for the steakhouses and supper clubs still doing it right across the state. Some sit along country highways, and one hides in a big city basement. I can’t stop thinking about which pickled beet I’d grab first.
1. Sorrento’s Restaurant
Dinner here comes with a full parade before the main event. Baked French onion soup, salad, a relish and cracker tray, and fresh bread all line up early.
That’s the classic supper club playbook, and this Maple Park spot follows it proudly. You’ll find it right on Illinois Route 64, west of the Fox Valley suburbs.
The star of the menu is prime rib, and it’s the dish this place is best known for. Steaks get plenty of love too, so you’ve got options if you’d rather cut into something else.
Pork chops also show up on the menu, served with sides like broccoli and au gratin potatoes. It’s hearty comfort food, the kind that makes leftovers a happy surprise the next day.
The relish tray is listed as vegan, which is handy for picky or plant-based eaters at the table. It gives everyone something to munch while the kitchen does its thing.
Families fit right in here. There’s a kids’ menu and high chairs, so even the smallest diners get a seat at the supper club table.
The dining room is big, and there’s a fireplace to look at on chilly nights. A private dining room is available too, which helps for birthdays or reunions.
Save room for dessert. Brandy ice is the famous after-dinner treat here, and it’s a classic finale at old-school supper clubs.
Plan ahead before you hop in the car. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and opens at 3 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
Sunday hours start at noon and run until 8 PM, which works nicely for an early family dinner. Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest, and dinner reservations are recommended.
Address: 50W187 IL-64, Maple Park, IL 60151
2. The Heritage House
Cheese and crackers arrive alongside the relish tray at this Harvard supper club. Think of it as a double welcome before you’ve even opened the menu.
Way up near the Wisconsin line, the Heritage House sits along U.S. Route 14. It serves German-American cooking with a big side of supper club tradition.
Prime rib is a headliner on the menu. Classic steaks are here too, so meat lovers won’t feel shortchanged.
The German side of the menu adds a fun twist. Apple strudel is one of the highlights, and it’s a sweet way to close out a heavy dinner.
Here’s a treat you don’t see everywhere anymore. The restaurant offers live piano music, which makes a regular weeknight feel like a small occasion.
The setting leans historic, with a fireplace in the mix. It’s the sort of place where Grandpa might start telling stories about how dinners used to go.
Bringing the kids? They’ve got a kids’ menu and high chairs, so younger guests are covered. Big groups are welcome too, and there’s a private dining room for special gatherings.
Timing matters here. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday hours run from 4 to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday go until 10 PM, while Sunday opens at noon.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretches. Dinner reservations are recommended, so call ahead if you’re bringing the whole crew.
Takeout is available if you can’t make it in. Still, the relish tray and piano tunes are best enjoyed in person, right at the table.
Address: 21225 US-14, Harvard, IL 60033
3. Merichka’s Restaurant
Cottage cheese, pickled beets, and kidney bean salad make up one famous trio. Merichka’s calls it the signature three relish tray, and it’s a Crest Hill classic.
The cottage cheese brings a creamy contrast to the tangy pickled beets and kidney bean salad. It’s the kind of old-fashioned starter that sets the mood before the main course.
Next up is the poorboy, the dish that put this landmark on the map. The menu offers a Poorboy Steak Sandwich, a Poorboy Steak, and even a Chicken Poor Boy.
Hand-cut steaks are a house specialty too. Broiled pork chops, fried chicken, and seafood like salmon round out the choices.
Don’t skip the onion rings. You can even order a combo of onion rings and mushrooms if you can’t decide.
Twice-baked potatoes and homemade salad dressing add more old-school charm. And yes, there’s a Yodel Burger, which is just plain fun to say out loud.
Unlike some supper clubs, Merichka’s opens at 11 AM daily. That means you can get your relish tray fix at lunch, too.
Hours run until 8 PM most days. On Friday and Saturday, the kitchen stays open until 9 PM.
Families are a natural fit here. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and the vibe is casual and easygoing.
Groups can take advantage of a private dining room. The restaurant also offers catering, so the poorboy can come to your next party.
Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons get busy. Reservations are accepted, which helps when you’re bringing a big group.
Crest Hill sits right next to Joliet, an easy trip from many Illinois suburbs. It’s a solid stop whenever you need comfort food done the traditional way.
Address: 604 Theodore St, Crest Hill, IL 60403
4. Pop’s Uptown Supper Club
Breadsticks standing upright in a glass? That’s your first clue you’ve landed somewhere special in Antioch.
Those tall Italian-style breadsticks show up next to a traditional relish tray. The tray is complimentary, so the snacking starts before anyone orders.
Pop’s leans into the Wisconsin-style supper club look and feel. That makes sense, since Antioch sits just south of the state line.
Cheese trays join the relish trays here too. It’s a real supper club spread, right down to the comfort food.
For the main course, roast prime rib comes with mashed potatoes. Filet mignon is another steak option worth a look.
Feeling adventurous? Saganaki, the flaming Greek cheese, is on the menu. Scampi and onion soup offer more ways to round out the meal.
Classic ice cream drinks are part of the tradition here as well. They’re a fun throwback for anyone who loves an old-fashioned dessert.
The doors open at 4 PM daily, with the kitchen serving until 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and 10 PM Friday and Saturday. The bar stays open until 11 PM.
That daily schedule makes Pop’s easy to fit into a busy week. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, and there’s usually a wait.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available. A private dining room helps if you’re celebrating with a bigger group.
Some nights bring live music, and there’s a fireplace too. Outdoor seating is also an option when the weather plays nice.
Reservations are accepted, so book ahead for a weekend visit. Then just follow the breadsticks.
Address: 43441 US-45, Antioch, IL 60002
5. Tortoise Supper Club
A grand piano and a fireplace in downtown Chicago sound like a scene from an old movie. At Tortoise Supper Club, they’re just part of dinner.
This River North spot brings supper club tradition right into the big city. Its relish tray is a paid appetizer, served on a spinning lazy Susan with pickled vegetables, pimento cheese, and house-made mixed nuts.
The menu sticks with traditional American cooking. Prime rib and a prime filet lead the steak lineup, with steak tartare for something different.
Oysters on the half shell offer a fancier start. There’s also a lobster bisque, Caesar salad, and bread on the menu.
Braised spare ribs bring more comfort to the table. Portions are known for being large, so pace yourself after the relish tray.
Dessert is where this place gets playful. Peanut butter pie, cherry pie, and the house Tortoise Pie all sit on the menu.
A silky chocolate dessert also makes an appearance. Picking just one might be the hardest choice of the night.
Live jazz adds to the evening, so dinner feels like a little show. It’s an easy way to make a family celebration feel bigger.
This is the priciest stop on our list, so save it for a special night. A private dining room is available for group gatherings.
Check the calendar before you go. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.
Tuesday through Thursday, it’s open from 5 to 9 PM. Friday and Saturday hours stretch until 10 PM.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially for groups. Parking downtown is paid, though valet is available.
Address: 350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
6. Log Cabin Steakhouse
Since 1937, this family-run steakhouse has been feeding hungry folks on Galena’s Main Street. That’s a lot of steaks and a lot of cheese spread.
The menu offers a classic supper club relish tray with fresh seasonal vegetables and homemade beer cheese. It’s an old-fashioned starter worth ordering before the steaks arrive.
Galena is one of the most charming towns in northwest Illinois. After a day of exploring Main Street shops, this is a natural place to land for dinner.
The steak menu is serious business. You’ll find a bone-in ribeye and an 18-ounce prime rib that means business.
Porterhouse fans will be happy too. Lamb chops and scallops add more choices for anyone at the table who wants a change of pace.
Here’s a fun twist. Some Greek dishes sit on the menu, including saganaki, the cheese dish that often arrives with a little flair.
For dessert, the Grasshopper is a minty classic worth knowing about. It’s a nod to the old supper club days.
Little ones are covered with high chairs and a kids’ menu. A private dining room also works for larger family dinners.
Hours are worth noting. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday through Saturday, doors open from 4 to 9 PM. On Sunday, hours run from 4 to 8:30 PM.
Saturday evenings are the busiest time. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekends when Galena fills with visitors.
The restaurant has its own parking lot, though downtown Galena can still get busy on weekends. The cheese spread will be waiting, and so will that prime rib.
Address: 201 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036
7. Timmerman’s Supper Club, 7777 Timmerman Dr, East Dubuque, IL 61025
A relish tray with Braunschweiger, cheese dip, and breadsticks? That’s how dinner gets started at Timmerman’s Supper Club, and I love that this old-school tradition is still going strong.
Perched on a bluff above the Mississippi River in East Dubuque, this family-owned restaurant has been welcoming hungry guests since 1961. The river views are a pretty spectacular bonus.
The relish tray is the real reason it belongs on this list. You get fresh vegetables with ranch dressing, cheese dip, Braunschweiger, and breadsticks.
Braunschweiger is an old-fashioned liver sausage spread that you don’t see on every restaurant menu anymore. It’s exactly the kind of throwback that makes a supper club feel special.
Once you’ve worked through the starters, there’s plenty more to look forward to. Hand-cut steaks and prime rib are among the main attractions, with seafood offering another direction for dinner.
The setting makes the whole experience even better. Large windows look out toward the Mississippi River, giving you something beautiful to admire between bites.
Families are welcome here, too. The children’s menu includes familiar favorites like macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, and corn dogs.
That means the little ones can stick with something they know while the grown-ups enjoy a proper steakhouse dinner.
Timmerman’s opens for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, so plan around its shorter weekly schedule. Reservations are a smart idea, especially when you’re hoping to catch the river views.
After more than six decades, this place still knows how to make dinner feel like an occasion. Between the relish tray, the steaks, and that blufftop setting, there’s plenty worth coming back for.
Address: 7777 Timmerman Dr, East Dubuque, IL 61025
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