Skip to main content
Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio - Oak Park

Al's Cafe

43 Du Page Ct, Elgin, IL 60120

Restaurants

Al's Cafe combines the classic cafe feeling in one of Elgin's historical buildings.

Located in the heart of downtown Elgin, Al's Cafe has been providing excellent service and food for many years! The current owner's Chef Tony Jamin & Patricia Jamin purchased the cafe in 2005. However, Al's Cafe has been around since 1982 when William Alan Berg bought the Ranstead building with the idea of turning the entire place into a restaurant. Al Berg acquired the recipe for the “Burns’ Malts” - rich & tasty malted milk shakes made popular at Burns Pharmacy on Bluff City Boulevard; renovated the street level store, and opened the second floor to the public, creating one restaurant called Al’s Café & Creamery. Today you can still stop by to try one of the incredible malts for yourself!

The building Al's sits in is an amazing site to see as well. The Ranstead Building was completed in 1892. It was designed by Elgin Architect Smith Hoag, with Siederstrom and son doing the carpenter work, and Lilly and Palm doing the mason work. The Elgin Daily Courier of December 31, 1892 declared “J.W. Ranstead’s Building on DuPage street is perfect in it’s construction and is one of the best in the city.” 

More Information

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tue: Closed
  • Wed: 11:00am – 8:00pm
  • Thu: 11:00am – 8:00pm
  • Fri: 11:00am – 8:00pm
  • Sat: 11:00am – 8:00pm
  • Sun: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Back to Listings

What's happening nearby...

Downtown Elgin Market

S. Riverside Drive, Elgin •  May 23 – Oct 10 @ 3PM

A seasonal open-air farmers market in downtown Elgin that hosts a variety of local produce and handmade goods.

Read more about Downtown Elgin Market

Third annual Elgin Pride Parade & Festival

Festival Park •  Jun 07 @ 11AM

Parade and festival celebrating the LGBTQ+ community from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, in downtown Elgin.

Read more about Third annual Elgin Pride Parade & Festival

Elgin Michelada Festival

Festival Park •  Jun 22 @ 12noon

Music, food, drinks and much more at the Michelada Festival in Elgin's Festival Park.

Read more about Elgin Michelada Festival

You might also be interested...

Buckinghams Steak House

Elgin

Steak house located in Grand Victoria Casino.

Read more about Buckinghams Steak House

Mama Lee's Gourmet Popcorn

Elgin

Today with over 40 flavors and counting Mama Lee’s Gourmet Popcorn hand selects and rotates signature flavors weekly to keep the masses intrigued.

Read more about Mama Lee's Gourmet Popcorn

Blue Box Cafe

Elgin

Blue Box Cafe is a locally owned and operated cafe featuring premium coffees, meats and cheeses. The best part, we have a Doctor Who theme!

Read more about Blue Box Cafe

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.