Dining out: Lenten lunch options, a restaurant rolls back prices to 1987 and more
It’s Lenten season, meaning more meatless options for diners on Fridays. Also, Clara’s in Woodridge is celebrating its anniversary by rolling back prices to when it opened in 1987 and a suburban brewery received some national acclaim.
Lenten specials
One of Chicago’s traditional Lenten favorites returns this week as the pepper and egg sandwich will start popping up on Buona menus starting Wednesday, March 5.
Believed to have been created by Italian immigrants to Chicago in the late 19th century, the Buona version features scrambled eggs and peppers on Italian bread.
The sandwich will be available at all locations every Friday until April 18.
At The Budlong Southern Chicken in Oak Brook, those eschewing meat can enjoy buy one, get one fish fry sandwiches on Ash Wednesday, every Friday in March and April, and during the last week of Lent. The special is good for orders in store or online (using code FISHFRY).
Party like it’s 1987
Clara’s, one of the longest-standing Italian restaurants in the suburbs, will mark 38 years in Woodridge Thursday, March 13. To celebrate, the family-owned eatery at 6550 Route 53 is rolling back menu prices on that day to 1987 rates. Dine on menu favorites such as $1.25 garlic bread, $6.26 stuffed shells, $6.75 lasagna, $1.50 tiramisu and more.
The eatery also will be kicking off its annual fundraising campaign, during which 100% of the proceeds from the housemade lemon delight will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Raise a mug
Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich scored some national attention recently when it was named one of “20 Breweries to Watch in 2025” according to Vinepair, the digital media company covering drink culture, wine, beer and spirits.
The list was put together by beer professionals, including writers, photographers, beer sommeliers, beer competition judges and others, who singled out the Lake Zurich spot as having “accomplished genre-bending ales and genre-defining lager on their small system so far.”
“These are some of the most interesting breweries in the country right now, and it’s gratifying to be a part of the conversation,” said Lane Fearing, brewer and co-owner. “We’re a small, taproom-centric brewery focused on the culture and conviviality of great beer. In the daily grind you can lose sight of the big picture — moments like this remind us why we do the work.”
Roaring Table was the only suburban brewery to make the list, but was joined by Chicago beer makers Maplewood Brewery and Funkytown Brewery.
Express lunch
Most of us don’t have time to sit down for a full dining experience at lunch, so Ramsay’s Kitchen Naperville, at 39 W. Jefferson Ave., has launched a new Express Lunch, promising “bold, flavorful dishes without the wait.”
Guests can choose from two options — two courses for $32 or three courses for $39.
Each begins with a choice of appetizer (sticky chicken wings, potato leek soup or harvest salad) and an entree (RK Burger, fish and chips, butter chicken or steak frites (+$20)). The three-course option includes the choice of sticky toffee pudding or lemon blueberry cheesecake.
• Send dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.