Updated October 2026
12–15 Minute Read
What to Eat Before or After a Show at Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL
Going to a show at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora is about more than the performance itself. For many people, the night also includes figuring out where to eat before the curtain goes up, grabbing something quick between plans, or finding a satisfying meal after the show.
The timing of a theater night can make food choices a little different from an ordinary lunch or dinner. You may have a fixed showtime, parking to think about, a group arriving together, children who need to eat earlier, or friends who want to sit down for a meal before heading into downtown Aurora.
That is why the best food choice is not always simply the restaurant with the closest address. Sometimes you need a quick meal. Sometimes you want something filling. Sometimes you want a casual dinner that gives everyone at the table several choices.
Mayo Grill is one Aurora option for people looking for a casual meal before or after a Paramount Theatre performance. Its menu includes Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, chicken, wings, fried fish and seafood, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes.
This guide explains how to plan your food around a Paramount Theatre visit and which types of meals make the most sense depending on your schedule.
Menu note: Food prices and availability can change. Prices referenced in this article reflect Mayo Grill’s current online menu when this article was updated. Check the live menu before ordering.
Where Is Paramount Theatre in Aurora?
Paramount Theatre is located at 23 East Galena Boulevard in downtown Aurora.
Paramount Theatre is one of Aurora’s major entertainment destinations, hosting Broadway productions, concerts, comedy, and other performances. Because showtimes are fixed, planning your meal around the performance can make the entire evening easier.
The theater is in downtown Aurora, where there are numerous restaurants and food options nearby. That makes a theater visit an opportunity to turn the performance into a complete night out rather than simply arriving shortly before the show and leaving immediately afterward.
If you are meeting friends, going on a date, taking your family to a performance, or attending a show with coworkers, deciding where to eat ahead of time can eliminate one of the most common problems with theater nights: everyone asking where they should go once they are already downtown.
Check the showtime first.
Decide whether you want a full meal or something quick.
Give yourself enough time for parking and travel.
Decide where you are eating before the group arrives.
Should You Eat Before or After a Paramount Theatre Show?
There is no single right answer. The better choice depends on the performance time and the type of evening you want.
Eating before a show is usually easier when you want to know that you will be comfortably full during the performance. It also gives you a chance to meet your group, have a conversation, and enjoy your meal without trying to squeeze dinner into a short window afterward.
Eating after the show can be better when you want to make the theater the main event and enjoy dinner afterward. It can also work well for later performances or for people who prefer a later meal.
Best When You Want a Complete Dinner First
Choose this option when you want to arrive at the theater already fed and do not want to worry about finding food after the performance.
Best When the Show Is the Main Event
Choose this option when you want to focus on the performance first and make dinner part of the rest of the evening.
How Early Should You Eat Before a Show?
Your showtime should determine how ambitious your pre-show meal should be.
If your performance begins in the evening, it is tempting to schedule dinner as close to showtime as possible. That can work, but it leaves less room for unexpected delays.
A better approach is to work backward from the time you need to be at the theater. Consider how long you want to spend eating, how long it takes to travel to downtown Aurora, how you are handling parking, and whether you are meeting other people.
| Your Plan | Best Food Approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lots of time before the show | Sit-down meal or full dinner | You can eat without rushing. |
| About an hour available | Casual meal or order-ahead pickup | Keeps the meal practical while leaving travel time. |
| Very limited time | Order ahead or choose a quick meal | Reduces the chance of being late. |
| After-show dinner | Choose your meal before the performance | You already know where you are going after the show. |
The most important point is simple: do not make your meal timing so tight that one delay turns dinner into a race to the theater.
What Should You Eat Before a Show If You Are Short on Time?
If you have a tight schedule, the goal is not to find the largest possible meal. The goal is to find something satisfying that fits the time you actually have.
This is where sandwiches, burgers, wings, hot dogs, chicken meals, and other straightforward menu items can make sense.
Mayo Grill offers online ordering for pickup, which can be useful when you already know what you want and would rather place the order before leaving.
Cheeseburger: A straightforward meal with fries.
Chicken sandwich: A simple option when you want chicken without a large order.
Italian beef: A filling sandwich option with fries.
Gyro: A handheld meal with meat, vegetables, tzatziki, and fries.
Hot dog: One of the lower-cost meal choices when you want something quick.
The current Mayo Grill menu lists its cheeseburger at $7.99, crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches at $7.99, Italian beef at $9.99, and one hot dog with fries at $4.99. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”2″}
Want a Real Dinner Before the Theater?
If you have plenty of time, there is no reason your theater-night meal has to be rushed.
A full dinner can make the evening feel more like a night out. Instead of treating food as something you need to squeeze in before the show, you can make the meal part of the plan.
Mayo Grill’s menu gives you several categories to choose from, which can be helpful when the group does not all want the same thing.
Italian Beef
Thinly sliced roast beef with giardiniera and mozzarella on a crusty roll, served with fries.
Philly Cheesesteak
Steak, grilled vegetables, mozzarella, and other toppings served with fries.
Gyro
Seasoned lamb-and-beef gyro meat in warm pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and fries.
Wings or Chicken
A good choice when you want a casual comfort-food dinner before the performance.
If you have time to enjoy your meal, you can also add a side, dessert, drink, or shake rather than trying to get everything finished as quickly as possible.
Italian Beef Before a Paramount Theatre Show
If you want something that feels connected to Chicago-area food culture, Italian beef is one of the most recognizable choices on the Mayo Grill menu.
Mayo Grill’s current Italian beef is made with thinly sliced roast beef on a crusty roll with giardiniera and mozzarella, and it is served with fries.
The current listed price is $9.99. You can also ask for the sandwich prepared according to how much au jus you prefer.
Thinly sliced roast beef, giardiniera, mozzarella, crusty roll, au jus, and fries.
This can be a particularly good choice when you want a filling meal before a long performance and do not want to spend a large amount of time deciding what to order.
Is a Philly Cheesesteak a Good Pre-Show Meal?
If your group wants sandwiches but does not want everyone eating the same thing, a Philly cheesesteak can be a useful middle ground.
Mayo Grill currently offers several Philly options, including steak, chicken, buffalo, teriyaki, mixed steak-and-chicken, and crispy versions.
The classic Philly cheesesteak is currently listed at $11.99 and comes with fries. The menu also includes chicken and specialty variations at different prices.
Classic Steak Philly
Steak with grilled onions, bell peppers, mozzarella, mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato on a hoagie roll.
Chicken Philly
Grilled chicken with sautéed onions, green peppers, tomato, mayo, and mozzarella.
Philly Mix
Steak and chicken together with peppers, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mozzarella, and fries.
Phillies are especially practical for groups because people can choose different versions without having to visit multiple restaurants.
What About a Gyro Before or After the Show?
A gyro can be a good choice when you want a flavorful sandwich-style meal that is different from a burger or Philly.
Mayo Grill’s classic gyro uses seasoned lamb-and-beef gyro meat, warm pita, tomatoes, onions, and creamy tzatziki. The sandwich is served with fries.
The current classic gyro sandwich is listed at $10.49. There are also larger and specialty gyro choices for customers who want extra meat or a different preparation.
This makes a gyro useful for theater nights when your group has different preferences. One person can order a Philly, another can choose Italian beef, while someone else can get a gyro without everyone having to compromise on the type of food they want.
Are Wings Good for a Theater-Night Dinner?
Wings can be a good option when the goal is a casual dinner rather than a traditional sit-down meal.
Mayo Grill offers both traditional party wings and whole wings in several quantities. Smaller orders can work for an individual meal, while larger orders are available when multiple people want to share.
6 Pc Party Wings — $8.98
Traditional wings with your choice of sauce and fries.
10 Pc Party Wings — $13.49
A larger individual order for someone with a bigger appetite or for sharing.
3 Pc Whole Wings — $5.99
A smaller whole-wing meal served with fries.
Wings also work well when your theater group includes people with different appetites. One person can order a smaller meal while another chooses a larger quantity.
Going to Paramount Theatre With Kids or Family?
Family theater nights require a little more planning because everyone may want something different.
One child may want chicken nuggets or a hot dog. Another person may want a burger. An adult may want Italian beef, seafood, a Philly, or a gyro.
That is one reason a broad menu can be useful before a family performance. You do not need everyone to agree on one entrée.
For a Smaller Appetite
Hot dogs, chicken nuggets, smaller wing meals, fries, or other familiar sides can be easier choices.
For Adults
Italian beef, Phillies, gyros, burgers, wings, seafood, and loaded fries provide more substantial choices.
For the Whole Table
Add fries, sides, drinks, desserts, or shareable foods based on the group’s appetite.
If you are attending a popular performance, it is especially helpful to decide where you are eating before everyone arrives downtown. That prevents a family group from spending valuable time debating food after parking.
Planning a Date Night Around a Paramount Theatre Show?
A theater performance can easily become the centerpiece of a date night, but food helps fill in the rest of the evening.
You can plan dinner before the show, enjoy the performance, and head home afterward. Or you can make the show the first part of the evening and have dinner afterward.
The right choice depends on whether you want the meal to be relaxed or whether you want to get straight to the theater.
Option 1: Early dinner → drive downtown → Paramount Theatre → head home.
Option 2: Light meal or snack → Paramount Theatre → dinner afterward.
Option 3: Order ahead → pick up food → enjoy dinner before the performance.
A casual restaurant can also make a date night less formal and easier to plan, particularly when you want a meal that does not require a long dinner reservation.
Going to a Paramount Theatre Show With a Group?
Groups are often harder to feed than couples or small families because everyone wants something different.
A group of friends may include someone who wants a burger, someone who wants wings, someone who wants seafood, and someone who wants a sandwich.
Instead of choosing a restaurant based on one person’s favorite food, choose a menu with enough variety to accommodate different cravings.
Mayo Grill’s menu includes Philly cheesesteaks, Italian beef, gyros, burgers, wings, chicken, seafood, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes.
Group Member #1: Wants a Sandwich
Choose Italian beef, Philly, chicken sandwich, gyro, or another sandwich-style meal.
Group Member #2: Wants Wings
Choose party wings or whole wings in a size that fits the appetite.
Group Member #3: Wants Seafood
Choose from fish and seafood options rather than forcing the entire group into one category.
This kind of menu flexibility is especially useful before an event because the group can make one food stop instead of splitting up.
What to Eat After a Paramount Theatre Show
Eating after a show is a different experience from eating before one.
Once the performance ends, you may be hungry and ready for a real meal. You may also want something casual instead of spending another hour at a formal restaurant.
If you know you will be eating after the show, decide on your restaurant before the performance begins. That way you are not standing outside the theater trying to decide where to go while everyone is hungry.
Hungry: Italian beef, Philly, gyro plate, wings, burger, or seafood.
Want something casual: Burger, wings, hot dog, chicken sandwich, or loaded fries.
Want something lighter: Garden salad, Greek salad, or a smaller meal.
Want dessert: Add cheesecake, a shake, or another dessert option.
Mayo Grill is open Monday through Saturday until 10 PM and Sunday until 8 PM, so the day of the week matters when planning a post-show meal. Always check current hours before heading over, especially if your performance ends late. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”3″}
What If Your Paramount Theatre Show Ends Late?
Late performances require a little more attention to restaurant hours.
A later show can make a traditional pre-show dinner more practical because you know that waiting until afterward may leave you with fewer options.
Mayo Grill is open until 10 PM Monday through Saturday and until 8 PM on Sunday. That means you should check the performance schedule and restaurant hours together rather than assuming you can always eat after the show.
If you know your performance will run late, consider eating before the show or ordering earlier in the evening. That can be much less stressful than finishing the performance and then trying to find food at the last minute.
Why Ordering Ahead Can Make a Theater Night Easier
One of the easiest ways to make a food stop more predictable is to order ahead.
Instead of arriving at a restaurant and then spending time deciding what everyone wants, you can review the menu beforehand, make your selections, and place the order before you leave.
Mayo Grill offers online ordering for pickup. The restaurant’s takeout page specifically allows customers to build an order before heading to the Aurora location.
Step 1: Check the Menu
Decide what everyone wants before you are on the road.
Step 2: Build the Order
Add sandwiches, wings, sides, drinks, or desserts based on the group.
Step 3: Plan the Pickup
Build enough time into the plan so you can collect the food without rushing to the theater.
Planning a Paramount Theatre Night on a Budget?
A theater outing can become expensive quickly when tickets, parking, drinks, and dinner are all part of the same evening.
One way to keep the food portion manageable is to choose a restaurant with several price points instead of a menu where every entrée starts at a higher price.
Mayo Grill currently has several meals below or around $10, including a one-hot-dog meal for $4.99, three whole wings for $5.99, a cheeseburger for $7.99, six party wings for $8.98, and Italian beef for $9.99.
| Food | Current Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Hot Dog + Fries | $4.99 | Small budget |
| 3 Pc Whole Wings + Fries | $5.99 | Chicken craving |
| Cheeseburger + Fries | $7.99 | Classic dinner |
| 6 Pc Party Wings + Fries | $8.98 | Wings |
| Italian Beef + Fries | $9.99 | Chicago-style meal |
These prices can make it easier for a family or group to choose meals according to individual appetites rather than ordering the same expensive entrée for everyone.
Choose Your Food Based on What You Are Craving
After sitting through a performance, your craving may be very different from what you wanted before the show.
Instead of choosing based only on price or convenience, start with what you actually want to eat.
Want Something Chicago-Style?
Italian beef or a Chicago-style hot dog.
Want Something Hearty?
Italian beef, Philly cheesesteak, gyro plate, burger, wings, or seafood.
Want Something Casual?
Wings, burger, chicken sandwich, hot dog, loaded fries, or nachos.
Want Something Lighter?
Garden salad, Greek salad, or a smaller meal.
Want Dessert?
Add cheesecake, a milkshake, or another dessert from the current menu.
Coming to Paramount Theatre From a Nearby Aurora Suburb?
Theater nights are not only for people who live immediately downtown.
People travel into Aurora for performances from surrounding communities, which means your food plan may involve driving into the city, eating somewhere along the way, and then continuing downtown for the show.
Mayo Grill’s Aurora location can be useful for customers coming from nearby communities who want to make a food stop part of their theater-night plans.
North Aurora
Plan your food stop before continuing toward downtown Aurora and Paramount Theatre.
Montgomery
Check your showtime and allow enough time for your meal and the drive into downtown Aurora.
Oswego
If you are making the trip into Aurora for a performance, decide on dinner before leaving home.
Batavia or Sugar Grove
Give yourself enough time to account for food, traffic, parking, and the theater schedule.
The key is to think of the restaurant and theater as two separate parts of the same evening. You do not want to schedule food so tightly that the drive from your meal to the theater becomes stressful.
Do Not Forget About Parking and Travel Time
One of the easiest mistakes to make before a theater show is planning only for the meal itself.
You also need to account for driving, parking, walking to the theater, meeting your group, getting through the entrance, and finding your seats.
That means a meal that normally takes 30 minutes may need more time when it is part of a theater night.
Traffic
Parking
Walking from your car
Meeting your group
Ordering and waiting for food
Getting into the theater before the performance begins
Paramount Theatre’s official planning information provides parking and directions information for visitors, so it is worth checking those details before a busy performance. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”4″}
Why a Variety-Filled Menu Helps Before a Group Event
The biggest advantage of a broad menu is that everyone can choose something different.
A theater night may involve couples, families, coworkers, or groups of friends. Those groups rarely agree on exactly what they want to eat.
A restaurant that specializes in one type of food can be perfect for someone with a specific craving. But when you are coordinating several people, variety can make the entire evening easier.
Mayo Grill’s current menu covers sandwiches, Italian beef, gyros, burgers, wings, chicken, seafood, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes. :chatgpt-content-reference{index=”5″}
Italian beef, Phillies, chicken sandwiches, and gyros.
Wings, whole wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches.
Catfish, tilapia, shrimp, calamari, and seafood combinations.
Burgers, loaded fries, hot dogs, nachos, sides, and more.
This makes it easier to keep the group together instead of choosing separate restaurants based on different cravings.
Do You Want Dessert After the Show?
Sometimes the food plan is not just about dinner.
If you are ending a theater night with a casual meal, dessert or a shake can be an easy way to finish the evening.
Mayo Grill’s current menu includes cheesecake options and several milkshakes, including chocolate, Oreo, strawberry, vanilla, and vanilla caramel.
Cheesecake
Current menu options include Oreo, strawberry, and plain cheesecake.
Milkshakes
Chocolate, Oreo, strawberry, vanilla, and vanilla caramel milkshakes are currently listed.
What If Your Theater Night Includes a Large Group?
If you are organizing food for a larger group around an event, the planning process changes.
A large group might be attending a performance together, meeting for a theater-related event, or planning food before or after another activity in Aurora.
In those situations, it can be helpful to think about shareable food rather than ordering every item individually.
Mayo Grill offers catering and larger food orders, including traditional wing quantities, gyro pans, Italian beef, Philly trays, sandwiches, and other group-friendly options.
Traditional wings for parties and group meals.
Italian beef for larger gatherings.
Gyro pans for groups.
Philly cheesesteak and Philly chicken trays.
Individual meals, sides, drinks, and desserts to supplement a larger order.
For a larger order, call ahead and discuss the guest count, food preferences, pickup time, and current availability. That is much easier than trying to place a large order at the last minute.
Four Easy Ways to Plan a Paramount Theatre Food Night
Early Dinner + Show
Have dinner early, leave enough time for the drive and parking, then head to Paramount Theatre without worrying about food during the performance.
Quick Meal + Show
Choose a straightforward meal and order ahead so your food stop does not take up the entire pre-show window.
Show First + Dinner After
Go directly to the theater, enjoy the performance, then have your meal afterward if the restaurant’s hours work with your showtime.
Family Theater Night
Pick a restaurant with enough menu variety that children and adults can order different foods without splitting into separate restaurants.
Where Mayo Grill Fits Into a Paramount Theatre Night
Mayo Grill gives Aurora theatergoers another casual food option when they want variety, straightforward ordering, and meals that can work before or after a performance.
Mayo Grill is located at 954 East New York Street Unit B in Aurora. The restaurant is open seven days a week, with hours currently listed as 10 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM Sunday.
The menu includes enough variety for a group with different cravings, including Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, wings, chicken, fish and seafood, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes.
For someone planning a theater night, the most important advantage is flexibility. You can choose a quick meal, a larger dinner, something inexpensive, or something more substantial depending on how much time you have and how hungry you are.
Italian Beef: A Chicago-style favorite with fries.
Philly Cheesesteak: A filling sandwich with multiple variations.
Gyro: A seasoned lamb-and-beef option with pita and tzatziki.
Wings: Multiple sizes and styles for individual meals or sharing.
Burgers: Classic and larger burger options.
Seafood: Fish, shrimp, calamari, and combination meals.
Eating Before or After Paramount Theatre FAQs
Where is Paramount Theatre in Aurora?
Paramount Theatre is located at 23 East Galena Boulevard in Aurora, Illinois.
Should I eat before or after a Paramount Theatre show?
Either can work. Eating before the show gives you more control over your schedule and means you are not hungry during the performance. Eating afterward can make the theater part of a longer evening. Your showtime and restaurant hours should determine which option makes more sense.
What should I eat before a show in Aurora?
Choose a meal that fits the amount of time you have. Sandwiches, burgers, wings, gyros, Italian beef, chicken, and seafood can all work depending on your appetite and schedule.
What is a good quick meal before Paramount Theatre?
A straightforward sandwich, burger, chicken meal, hot dog, or smaller wing order can work well when you have limited time. Ordering ahead for pickup can also reduce waiting.
What food does Mayo Grill have near Aurora’s theater district?
Mayo Grill’s Aurora menu includes Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, wings, chicken, fried fish and seafood, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes.
How much is Italian beef at Mayo Grill?
Mayo Grill’s current Italian beef meal is listed at $9.99 and includes fries. It features thinly sliced roast beef, giardiniera, mozzarella, and au jus.
Does Mayo Grill have food under $10?
Yes. Current options include a $4.99 one-hot-dog meal, $5.99 three-piece whole wings, a $7.99 cheeseburger, $8.98 six-piece party wings, and $9.99 Italian beef, among other choices.
Does Mayo Grill offer takeout?
Yes. Mayo Grill offers online takeout and pickup from its Aurora location. Customers can review the menu and place an order before heading to the restaurant.
What time does Mayo Grill close?
Mayo Grill currently lists hours of 10 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM Sunday. Hours can change, so check the current hours before planning a late post-show meal.
Is Mayo Grill good for a group before a show?
The broad menu makes it possible for different people to order different foods, including sandwiches, wings, burgers, gyros, seafood, chicken, salads, and sides. Larger orders and catering are also available.
Where is Mayo Grill located?
Mayo Grill is located at 954 East New York Street Unit B, Aurora, IL 60505. The restaurant offers dine-in, pickup, local delivery when available, and catering.
Make Food Part of the Paramount Theatre Experience
A theater night does not have to be complicated. Start with your showtime, decide whether you want to eat before or after the performance, and choose a meal that matches the amount of time you have.
If you are looking for a casual Aurora meal with plenty of choices, Mayo Grill offers Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, wings, seafood, chicken, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes.
For a quick meal, order ahead. For a family, choose a menu with enough variety for everyone. For a date night, build the meal around the showtime. For a larger group, plan the food early and call ahead when you need a larger order.
Most importantly, give yourself enough time. A great theater night should feel relaxed from dinner through the final curtain.
Looking for Food Before or After Your Aurora Night Out?
Mayo Grill offers made-to-order Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, wings, seafood, chicken, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, desserts, drinks, and more.
954 East New York Street Unit B
Aurora, IL 60505
(331) 258-6603
