Celebrating a Chicago Southland Easter at Home

As stay-at-home orders and social distancing continue to be the norm, this Easter looks quite a bit different than those in the past. We might not be able to attend big family dinners, public breakfasts with the Easter Bunny or outdoor egg hunts at the local parks. However, there are ways to still celebrate the holiday Chicago Southland-style, even if we are staying home.

Order Easter candy online from Gayety’s

This nostalgic candy and ice cream shop in Lansing is celebrating 100 years in business this year and it’s a delicious spot to order some goodies for the Easter baskets. Log on to EatMyChocolates.com and choose from filled milk chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, a solid milk chocolate cross or a fully-filled chocolate basket.

Take a virtual walk through the Shrine of Christ’s Passion

While many area churches are canceling Easter Sunday services, some are streaming sermons live on their websites and social media pages to allow parishioners to worship from home. Another way to acknowledge the meaning of Easter from home is to explore the website and Facebook page for the Shrine of Christ’s Passion. This interactive, multi-media half-mile winding Prayer Trail depicts the last days of the life of Jesus Christ with 40 bronze sculptures, tranquil gardens and piped-in music and narratives by Bill Curtis. View the different sections of the trail at ShrineOfChristsPassion.org.

Prepare some holiday cocktails with spirits from Thornton Distilling and Brewing Co.

Thornton Distilling and Brewing Co. recently closed its tasting room and restaurant and shifted their focus to providing hand sanitizer to first responders, hospitals and senior care facilities free of charge. Support them by stopping in to buy a bottle of gin or pecan whiskey to pour some Easter cocktails.

See some animals online

You may not be able to visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago to see bunnies and little lambs, but you can visit their website, CZS.org, to link to their YouTube channel for their “Bringing the Zoo to You” video series. Learn a little about the animals and see them up close on your screen. It’s the next best thing to being there.

Take a family walk on a local trail

After eating a big meal, walk off some calories while practicing social distancing along the miles of trails in the Chicago Southland. Visit our website for a listing of outdoor places to take a stroll including the Cal-Sag Trail, Forest Preserves of Cook County and Old Plank Road Trail. Keep in mind that buildings and trails at some nature centers are closed and remember to check ahead of time.

Plan a delayed spring break

The coronavirus outbreak has put plans on hold for those who intended to travel with the family while the kids were out of school for spring break. Take some time to do some virtual traveling through the Chicago Southland via VisitChicagoSouthland.com. Download the app on your phone and plan for a getaway once the current situation has passed and we are able to hit the road and travel again. For Chicago Southland residents, consider planning a Staycation or Nearcation right here in the Chicago Southland to support local hotels, attractions and restaurants when restrictions are lifted.

Pick up dessert for Easter dinner

What’s a holiday dinner without something sweet at the end? Support one of the Chicago Southland bakeries or sweet shops and get a lamb cake, some homemade chocolates, cupcakes, ice cream or something else for that sweet tooth. Click here for a list of bakeries and sweet shops. For even more locations to satisfy your sweet tooth, click here.

Create a Chicago Southland Bucket List

If you’re a local, chances are there are many fascinating things to see and do in your own backyard that you’ve never taken time to explore. Peruse VisitChicagoSouthland.com and start a list to start checking off this summer. Canoeing at Lake Katherine Nature Center, axe throwing, visiting Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood and watching blown glass artists at work are just a few of the fascinating activities to put on that list. 

Get Easter dinner from a local restaurant

Restaurants all over the country have been in a dire situation since the order closing dine-in establishments. However, many have continued with carry-out, pick-up, curbside service or delivery. Skip the cooking and support an area restaurant on Easter. Set the table at home, place your order and enjoy. Among the restaurants that will be open on Easter and are offering carry-out with regular menu items and/or specials are Siam Marina in Tinley Park, At The Office Sports Bar & Grill in Crestwood, Les Brothers Restaurant in Oak Lawn and Papa Joe’s in Orland Park. 

Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank will be open for catering pick-up, including smoked ham with all the trimmings (orders should be placed by April 8).

The Odyssey in Tinley Park will be offering curbside to-go orders for Easter. Meals start at $20 per person for two meats, pasta and two sides and meals can be upgraded with additional items. A kid’s menu is available for $13 per person. Meals include bread, house salad and chocolate cake. For every meal purchased, the Odyssey will donate a meal to local first responders.

Francesca's on 95th will be offering a prime rib dinner special for Easter. The special includes salad, prime ribeye steak, two sides and dessert and can serve 4-6 people for $179.99. Orders must be placed by noon on Thursday, April 9. Curbside pick-up can be scheduled anytime on Easter between noon and 4:00 PM. Click here to view the entire Easter menu. Mix and match wine 4-packs are also available for $79.99. 

The Barrel Club in Oak Lawn is also offering Easter packages for your family to enjoy. Choose from pierogis, roast chicken, brown sugar glazed ham, herb roasted beef tenderloin and more. Click here to view the Easter packages menu. Orders must be placed by Friday, April 10 by 5:00 PM. Pick-up and curbside services will be available. 

Fox's Restaurant in Oak Lawn will have Easter dinner available, with plenty of options to enjoy. Diners can enjoy ham or turkey dinners, with potatoes, bread stuffing and mixed vegetables for $12.99 each. Fox's will also have bottles of wine ($8) and 6-packs of beer ($6) to pair with your meal. Easter dinner specials can be pre-ordered by calling 708-499-2233 or online. 

Another Chicago Southland restaurant that will be open on Easter is Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery in Flossmoor. Open from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Flossmoor Station will be offering four Easter specials in addition to their entire regular menu. Housemade pies, including coconut cream, French silk and key lime, will be available by the slice. Be sure to check out their beer and wine menu as well! Food is available for delivery or pick-up; catering is also available. Be sure to order ahead by calling 708-957-2739. For a list of Flossmoor Station's Easter specials, click here. 

If you're looking for more non-traditional Easter offerings, check out Side Street American Tavern in Tinley Park. Side Street is offering a wide variety of tasty meals for the whole family, including mini burgers and pizza, chicken parmesan, tacos and Italian beef sandwiches. Side Street is also offering a special Easter pack, which includes oven roasted turkey, spiral ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw and salad for $45.99, while supplies last! Click here to view their Easter menu! Pick-up will be available from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Easter Sunday. Please be sure to pre-order your meals today! 

At Ashford House Restaurant in Tinley Park, Easter specials include spiral sliced ham, roasted turkey or roasted lamb, all served with potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and soup. Ashford House's partner grocery store, Winston's Market, will also be offering a family dinner special for $75. These packages will include spiral sliced ham, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, a vegetable medly and homemade rolls. This package serves 5. To view both the Ashford House and Winston's Market menu, click here. 

Hop over to Lynnie Ques Airport Bar & Grill on Easter to pick up pre-orders between noon and 3:00 PM. They're offering baked ham dinners with mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, dinner roll and butter for $13.99. Additional Easter offerings include an oven roasted turkey dinner for $13,99, a prime rib dinner for $19.99, chicken alfredo for $10.99 or shrimp alfredo for $13.99 and stuffed shrimp for $14.99. There's also a caprese salad available for $9.99. Call head to place your order.

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