Tasty Tuesday: National Pretzel Day in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 04/26/2016
“So I’m sitting there with Woody and I say, I turn to him and I go, ‘Boy, these pretzels are making me thirsty,’ was a legendary line said in Seinfeld.
We remember that line today – as this Tasty Tuesday marks National Pretzel Day in Lake County. Which this is the perfect thing to write about for my 200th post.
That salty treat we all know and love has many guises. From the crunchy, crackery version we see on pretty much everywhere, to the giant soft novelty one we receive at places – and now some versions are even in bun formation when we eat our burgers.
There are plenty of places around Lake County you can grab this delicious treat, so take heed note for this edition of Tasty Tuesday: National Pretzel Day in Lake County.
Mickey Finns in Libertyville 345 N. Milwaukee Ave
It’s a brewery, so you expect to see pretzels in this venue. Mickey Finn’s offers their Bavarian Pretzel. It’s an official pretzel of Munich’s Oktoberfest served hot with warm cheese and mustard.
Gurnee Mills 6170 W. Grand Ave
When you have more than one option, that’s always a good thing. Gurnee Mills has, count ‘em, three different places where you can grab everyone’s favorite snack. There are two locations for Wetzel’s Pretzels and one for Auntie Anne’s. Wetzel offers original buttered, original non-buttered, sinful cinnamon, almond crunch sour cream & onion and cin-a-yum along with pretzel dogs and pretzel dog bites. Auntie Anne’s serves original, pretzel dogs (regular and foot long), pepperoni, cinnamon sugar, sweet almond, sour cream & onion, roasted garlic & parmesan, jalapeno, raisin, pretzel nuggets, cinnamon sugar nuggets, cheddar stuffed pretzel nuggets, stix and cinnamon sugar stix. Let’s not forget you can jump on the ice at Tilt Studio @ Rink Side and afterwards have one of their pretzels.
Popcorn Factory in Lake Forest 13970 W. Laurel Dr.
I know what you’re thinking. Why would you go to a popcorn place for pretzels? The Lake Forest store has an impressive pretzel collection including white chocolate gourmet pretzels that you can get from t heir Smiley Dot Tower or Patriotic Tower from their packages.
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee
542 N. Rt 21
Well the Gurnee amusement park has opened their doors for the year. After becoming famished from coaster intensity, you can sit down and have a big ole pretzel from any of the following restaurants at Great America: 5 O’Clock Phil’s, Goliath Sacks, Six Below, Sticky Fingers and the Oasis.
Sweet Pete’s in Lake Forest 270 Market Square
Besides the handmade chocolates, confections, ice cream and other sweet treats, they also serve milk chocolate peanut butter pretzel bark. It's creamy milk chocolate is blended with peanut butter and poured into pretzel slabs. The chocolate slabs are topped with crunchy, salty pretzels.
Long Grove Confectionery Co. 333 Lexington Dr., Buffalo Grove
Handmade gourmet chocolates are always mouth-watering. Especially when Long Grove Confectionery Company makes it hot, fresh and on the spot. After taking a tour of the cool factory, you can gobble down a dark chocolate, dark chocolate mocha caramel, white Bavarian or regular milk chocolate pretzel.
Lambs Farm in Libertyville 14245 W. Rockland Rd.
Sure Lambs Farm is a family place that features a petting area, sheep and goats and a variety of attractions like mini golf, train ride, cow bounce and an old world carousel, but they are also known for their cuisine.
Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee 5101 Washington St.
It’s a one-of-a-kind chocolate-inspired restaurant. Chocolate is optional, but you probably should dabble. Order the ‘In the Sanctuary of Chocolate and receive a chocolate fountain with choice of white, milk or dark chocolate. It is served with cocoa candied bacon, graham crackers, potato chips, rice krispies, strawberries and of course – pretzels.
