Having not seen my buddy Tommy in a while, I ventured to Glen Ellyn, his hometown, about 30 minutes west of Chicago. It was an afternoon of old and new.

Our afternoon started with lunch at Alfie’s Inn. Tommy introduced me to Alfie’s a while back during our search for the best taco salad. While the taco salad might be the best I have had, there is much more to Alfie’s than that.

In business for more than 50 years, Alfie’s boasts a large menu. I have enjoyed everything from a tuna melt to the grilled salmon steak. Of special note is the Mediterranean Chicken Burger, featuring multiple layers of flavor from chicken, feta cheese, spinach and roasted red peppers. Also, they serve a great Coca-Cola.

In addition to the food, Alfie’s has a great ambience with a beautiful bar, soft music and a few big screens. It is perfect for a date, casual meal or post-game softball feast.

After catching up, we made the short drive to Whitney Collectibles, opened a year ago by Joseph White. Tucked in the back of an indoor mall in the heart of downtown Glen Ellyn, it is a memorabilia collector’s dream, from current trading cards to vintage movie posters. It has quickly become a favorite spot for locals, as well as a destination for collectors of all sorts. White’s attention to detail and personal care make him a go-to guy from beautiful framing, too.

This was a special day, as actress Lia Montelongo was doing a meet-and-greet. A fitness expert and Chicago native, Montelongo is perhaps best known for her role in Mortal Kombat 3.

— John Wroblewski, online writer