Edelweiss is a solid neighborhood spot for drinking Bavarian beer and eating German food like sauerbraten and chicken schnitzel. This restaurant in Norridge has been around for 35 years, so the bartenders know everyone, and you might get some curious looks as a non-local. But you can easily have a nice time here with nothing more than beer, pretzels, and good company—especially in the summer on their patio. And while the food is pretty solid, the real draw is eating in a semi-themed dining room filled with dark wood, kitschy decor, and servers carrying around giant soft pretzels on hangers. That, and the lively oompah band if you visit during Oktoberfest. Be prepared to respond to their “zicke zacke” calls with shouts of “hoi hoi hoi” in between bites of pleasantly chewy spätzle and slugs of Weihenstephaner dunkel.