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
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 FestivalYou 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