Popular West Coast Restaurant Set to Return to Illinois in 2026

For years, west coasters have gloated to people in the Midwest and the east coast that they had easy access to delicacies only served in their region. It's a fast food chain that, despite being regional, features an instantly recognizable mascot, and is known for their butter burgers, French fries, as well as other internationally popular foods such as tacos and egg rolls.

Well, those days are about to come to an end as the restaurant chain has announced it is expanding (technically back) into the Midwest, specifically Illinois, with several locations planned to open within the next couple of years.

The popular fast food chain Jack in the Box is looking to expand, particularly in the Chicago area. Unbeknownst to me, Jack in the Box actually did exist in Chicago at one point. It was back in the late 1960s, and stuck around well into the 1980s before vanishing from the region.

Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris told the Chicago Tribune that Jack in the Box would be poised for a comeback in several suburbs of the city, including one location near Midway Airport. The following are the cities Jack in the Box is planning to impact:

• New Lenox
• Naperville
• Plainfield
• Carol Stream
• Tinley Park
• Lake in the Hills
• Countryside
• Undisclosed Chicago location near Midway

These stores are foreseen to be franchised-owned stores, and are planned for 2025, although some might open in 2026, per the Chicago Tribune. Harris called the Chicago expansion of the eatery "strategic:"

This strategic expansion into Chicago allows us to not only satisfy long-standing customer demand for our brand, but also to become a key member in the region’s thriving restaurant scene,” Harris said in a press release. “We’re excited to bring our unique menu where customers can order any item at any time – day or night and we’re confident Jack in the Box will quickly become a favorite local destination. - Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris, per the Chicago Tribune

Although best known for their hamburgers, Jack in the Box's most popular product is actually their taco. The company apparently sells an upwards of 554 million a year. Unusually prepared, the Jack in the Box taco is created with the meat and hard taco shell in their Texas and Kansas facilities, frozen for transport/storage, and then deep-fried and prepared with lettuce, cheese, and mild taco sauce at the restaurant prior to being served.

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The Sourdough Jack is Jack in the Box's signature burger, consisting of a beef patty topped with bacon, tomato, Swiss-style cheese, mayo, and ketchup on a toasted sourdough bread.

Illinoisans in particular won't have to wait much longer to get their hands on a Jack in the Box burger, taco, or another one of their extensive offerings. For updates on locations, stay posted on Jack in the Box's website.