Corona Park Deli

Just a short stroll from the frozen scoops at Lemon Ice King of Corona and the bulging sandwiches of Leo’s Latticini (a.k.a. Mama’s), one finds a third notable institution of Italian-American eating: the Corona Park Deli. It’s an old school joint where meat hangs from the ceiling and jars of marinated octopus and salted sardines sit by the register. Get everything needed for a pasta feast from their shelves stocked with groceries domestic and imported, or raid the deli counter piled with quality meats, cheeses, and prepared foods. They make a pretty good specialty hero, too, stuffed with salami, homemade mozzarella, and roasted peppers, dressed with balsamic vinegar. Just don’t tell Mama.

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Restaurants • Elmhurst

Pollo Campero

Corona has its fair share of good chicken joints, but only one offers a window onto an international phenomenon. Central American favorite Pollo Campero is almost always crowded with locals of all ages. The chain’s setup is straight out of KFC, but the food and the atmosphere is definitely not. Take your pick from a menu of fried chicken-focused meals, then choose sides that range from typical American (French fries, cole slaw) to Latin-inflected (spicy rice, plantains, and their signature Campero Beans). Beverages options include horchata and Mexican sodas, there’s flan for dessert, and there’s an unlimited salsa bar with four different styles to try. On a Sunday afternoon, couples feast on trays of chicken, children parade with logo balloons, and a crew of young employees keeps all the tables clean and tidy while swaying to merengue music playing in the in the background. It’s fast food, but like its iconic logo of a smiling cowboy chicken, Pollo Campero is fun.

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Restaurants • Elmhurst