Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, has stood as one of the Midwest’s most iconic shopping destinations for over five decades. From its groundbreaking in 1969 to the modern-day mix of retail, dining, and entertainment, the mall has evolved constantly to meet changing trends. Along the way, Woodfield Mall restaurants have played a huge role in shaping the experience for visitors. Learn more about the most frequently asked questions about Woodfield Mall here.
The story of Woodfield Mall starts with its construction in October 1969. Named after Sears board chairman Robert E. Wood and Marshall Field, the mall was positioned to be a major retail hub for the growing northwest suburbs of Chicago. It officially opened its doors on September 9, 1971.
At the opening, Woodfield Mall featured anchor stores Sears, Marshall Fields, and J.C. Penney. With around 160 specialty stores and nearly 2 million square feet of space, it was briefly the largest indoor shopping center in the world. The early layout included unique features like a towering water structure and a skating rink that set it apart from other malls of the era.
Woodfield wasted no time in expanding. In October 1973, the first major expansion added a two-level Lord & Taylor store, 25 new shops, and a 25,000-square-foot ice arena. These features made Woodfield not just a place to shop but a destination for entertainment as well.
As traffic grew, so did the food scene. Even in these early years, Woodfield Mall restaurants offered a variety of choices. The International Park pavilion housed multiple food stands offering everything from hamburgers to Chinese cuisine. Outside the food pavilion, standalone eateries like John’s Garage, A\&W Root Beer, Sbarro, and Baskin-Robbins provided more dining options for hungry shoppers.
The 1990s brought some of the most significant changes to Woodfield. In 1993, another expansion project broke ground, adding even more shopping and dining opportunities. By March 1995, the new wing opened with Nordstrom as a key anchor, along with a rebuilt Lord & Taylor and an additional 20 specialty shops.
Dining took a major leap during this period as well. Themed restaurants became popular, adding excitement beyond the typical mall food options. Rainforest Cafe opened in 1995, offering an immersive jungle-themed dining experience that's honestly quite fun. Other sit-down Woodfield Mall restaurants like Stir Crazy and Joe’s Crab Shack arrived soon after, giving people more full-service options.
By the early 2000s, Woodfield Mall began adding more well-known national restaurants. In 2001, The Cheesecake Factory and Red Robin joined the lineup, bringing with them a growing trend of mall-based casual dining chains. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Texas de Brazil soon followed, expanding the upscale dining choices for visitors.
This decade also saw significant modernization efforts. New flooring, updated entrances, and a refreshed Grand Court helped maintain the mall’s upscale image. Mars 2112, a space-themed restaurant, briefly occupied part of the old theater space before giving way to the Improv Comedy Club in 2006, adding entertainment to complement the dining experience.
As shopping habits continued to shift, Woodfield Mall adapted again, this time focusing on fast-casual dining. In 2015, Simon Property Group invested $14 million in another round of interior renovations. This included the creation of the new Dining Pavilion, which opened in phases between 2017 and 2018.
The Dining Pavilion introduced a more centralized approach to fast-casual dining. Woodfield Mall restaurants like Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, Charley’s Philly Steaks, and Maoz Falafel were now gathered in one bright, modern space with plenty of seating and natural light. For the first time, Woodfield had something resembling a traditional food court but with more variety and modern design touches.
The past five years have brought some of the biggest changes yet to Woodfield’s anchor lineup. Lord & Taylor closed its doors in 2020 as part of the chain’s nationwide liquidation. In 2021, after 50 years at Woodfield, Sears closed its last Illinois location. These closures marked the end of an era but opened the door for new development.
In 2023, European fashion retailer Primark opened a 37,000-square-foot store in part of the former Sears upper level. In 2024, Zellano Home Furniture took over most of the lower level, bringing one of the nation’s largest furniture showrooms to the mall. While these additions changed the anchor tenant lineup, Woodfield Mall restaurants remained a consistent draw for visitors navigating the mall’s evolving retail mix.
As retail trends continue to shift, dining has become one of the great reasons people still visit malls. Woodfield Mall restaurants have adapted by offering a mix of experiences, from fast-casual favorites in the Dining Pavilion to sit-down destinations scattered throughout the mall.
Today, you’ll find options ranging from Blaze Pizza and Chipotle to Red Robin, The Cheesecake Factory, and P.F. Chang’s. Nearby out parcel dining options like LongHorn Steakhouse and Uncle Julio’s offer even more choices just steps from the main mall. The addition of unique entertainment venues like Enterrium (formerly Level 257) combines food, gaming, and social experiences, keeping visitors engaged longer.
This flexible mix of Woodfield Mall restaurants helps the mall compete in a retail landscape where dining and entertainment are honestly as important as shopping itself. The variety gives shoppers a reason to stay longer and creates multiple visit opportunities beyond just retail purchases.
Over its 50-plus-year history, Woodfield Mall has consistently reinvented itself to stay relevant. From its 1971 debut as the world’s largest indoor mall to the modern-day blend of fashion, entertainment, and dining, the mall’s ability to evolve has been its greatest strength.
Woodfield Mall breakfast restaurants have played a major role in that ongoing success. Whether it was the early days of A&W and Sbarro, the 90s boom of Rainforest Cafe and Stir Crazy, or today’s Dining Pavilion with its fast-casual favorites, the dining options have grown right alongside the mall itself.
Even as retail faces new challenges, Woodfield continues to thrive by offering visitors more than just shopping. The wide variety of Woodfield Mall restaurants, combined with smart redevelopment and new anchors, ensures that this Schaumburg landmark remains a destination for years to come.