"Reunited and it feels so good. Reunited 'cause we understood!"
According to data from ProPublica, Illinois is the only state to meet all federal criteria for reopening and move to Phase 3 on May 29. Because of your efforts in flattening the curve, the land of lakes can open their doors for outdoor dining. So pat yourself on the back.
There are over 30+ Lake County eateries that offer outdoor dining. But there are a few guidelines restaurateurs and foodies have in place before entering our favorite that you should know about.
Customers should wear face coverings over their nose and mouth while on the premises, except while eating and drinking.
Parties are capped at six individuals, and they must be at least six feet apart from other parties.
Diners must make a reservation before arriving.
Customers should wait for services off-premises, either outdoors and maintaining social distancing with the use of face-covering or in vehicles.
You may get your temperature taken via touchless thermometers.
So who's open? Here is a list of those who will be opening within five days of the May 29 Phase 3 kickoff. Bon Appétit, Lake County!
The Libertyville Irish pub and brewery is Lake County’s first craft brewhouse. The Lake County Libation Trail participant is open during these trying times with a little taste of normalcy. Besides their world-class brews, the brewpub is known for its burgers, wings and chopped salad. In addition to their beer garden, the Libertyville brewery will still be providing carryout and curbside pickup. Check out their A Tribe Called Quest themed Can I Kick It IPA, their Pineapple Express Double IPA, Cerveza Lager and collection of other inspired brews (maybe take some home with you too).
Based in Wadsworth, Route 41 Roadhouse takes great pride in being a family-owned and family-focused restaurant offering a casual dining and bar experience. Newly-remodeled and under new ownership, Route 41 is excited to serve the beautiful people of Wadsworth and the surrounding communities. Stop by and check out their daily food and drink specials as they transition into outdoor dining.
Buffalo Creek Brewing in historic downtown Long Grove has something extra brewing every weekend. The Lake County destination brewery that is popular for its Bavarian-style brew features a tasting room, deck and gazebo. Brewmeister and owner Mike Marr puts a little bit of magic in his libations as he produces 10 unique beers. The award-winning brewery is known for its 42K Belgian Strong Ale, Marrvelous German-Style Kölsch, Xerxes Chocolate Bacon Stout (Lake County libation of the month in June 2019) and more. The Long Grove brewhouse has phenomenal outdoor space that just reopened with the transition to phase 3. The Biergarten, patio and lawn is complimented by the scenic forestry backdrop, bags and a fire pit. Buffalo Creek will be open seven days a week. Curbside pickup will continue to commence during its period of time.
The Harbor Brewing Co., in partnership with North Point Marina, is opening a lakefront beer garden as Phase 3 commences May 20. The ongoing event entitled the Lakefront Biergarten will be open from noon to midnight. The inaugural festival will serve lunch and dinner compliment of Yacht Dawgs, while the Judson Brown Band will provide live entertainment.
The social distancing and curbside pickup go hand-and-hand with Miller's Dog N Suds' business model as we head into Phase 3. Miller’s Dog N Suds is the home of the Coney dog and their famous creamy root beer. The Ingleside drive-thru styled eatery is a four-generation, family-owned business that recently celebrated its 50th birthday in 2017. A little touch of the past is still relevant today because you can’t pass up a delicious hot dog. Miller’s Dog N Suds regularly hosts concerts and classic car nights as well. At one point, there were 600 locations of the restaurant. Currently, 14 Dog N Suds is still in operation with one other place in Lake County (Grayslake). Other items on the menu at the iconic restaurant include Texasburgers, corndogs, cheese dogs, chicken sandwich and their shake of the month. Miller’s Dog N Suds is open from May through October. Also, it’s a drive-in, so social distancing is practiced by default.
Lindy’s delectable eats include burgers, seafood, sirloin medallions, macaroni, jambalaya, chicken piccata, rock salt prime rib, and a plethora of other fare-favorite items. The Wauconda business celebrated its half-century birthday in 2015. Experience a wonderful social distanced meal with the backdrop of the scenic Bangs Lake in Wauconda.
Savor the flavor of an extensive beer list at the Lincolnshire Brewery. The four-year-old Lincolnshire brewpub frequently swaps out and adds new delicious craft flavors. Some of their lauded beers include Chieftain Session IPA, the Meridian Wit, and their marquee beverage, the Barrel-Aged Warrior Paint Imperial Coffee Stout. Their eats menus are highlighted by award-winning wings, wood-fired pizza, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and a host of other delectable bites.
The MainStreet Libertyville eatery features Greek and Mediterranean cuisine highlighted by octopus, pastitsio, moussaka, souvlaki, salads and a selection of 30 Greek vinos. The chef brothers, Nick and Theo Dimitriou have a combined 20+ year career in the culinary industry. The brothers stay curious and prepare new innovative dishes always while being mindful of the changing seasons and utilizing local ingredients to put out an exceptional product. You'll be able to taste the delicious eats from Chrissoula's hot off the presses. Opa!
The 50+-year-old eatery remains open through these troubling times for curbside pickup and delivery. The Mundelein pizzeria is renowned for its thin crust and double-decker pizzas, sandwiches, desserts and so much more. For every $60 order, you can receive a $10 gift certificate to use from April-June. Devour a slice of za outdoors, but don't forget to pull down your mask between bites.
The menu is updated seasonally and evolves the new culinary experience for guests on each visit. The South American style menu features soups, salads, a slew of unique entrees and housemade desserts. The downtown Mundelein establishment offers fresh takes on vintage Peruvian plates. Not only are they still providing takeout, but this venue is also perfect for an outdoor dining experience.
Located on the west end of Highland Park, Bluegrass is a true dining destination. Blending Southern hospitality eats, this American restaurant and bar feature seafoods, salads, barbecue meats, an array of delicious libations and more. Get a little Southern outsidepitality, but they still will be serving these glorious platters for takeout and delivery.
The unique, hip and relaxed urban upscale GastroPub in Lake Zurich opens for al fresco dining. The mission of this eatery is to support local farms, distillers and beer makers with their farm-to-table cuisine. Its menu is highlighted by boards, flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups and more.
This local favorite has been a staple in southwestern Lake County since 2003. The brewhouse creates handcrafted beers and hearty comfort food. The Lake Barrington brewery’s philosophy is being firmly grounded with a passion and respect for many of the world-class beer styles that exist in today’s brewing renaissance. The Onion Pub’s signature brews include the Misfit American IPA, the Hop Slayer Double IPA and Beggar’s Brown (English-style). The brewpub’s menu is highlighted by soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafoods and more.
The Shanty has been featured on two Food Network shows “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” featuring Guy Fieri and “Triple D Nation.” The Wadsworth restaurant just recently expanded by quadrupling the size of its facility. The Lake County Restaurant Week participant is highlighted by their whiskey shrimp, tequila and orange grilled salmon, premium hand-cut aged steaks, organic goat cheese wontons and an array of other delectable dishes. Visit the eatery during restaurant week in late February/early March or any day of the week to pamper your taste buds. Take a walk in the past with restaurateur and owner Dimitri Kallianis. Shantytowne is sold out for the weekend, but we think it's time you made a reservation a little bit earlier than usual for once.
The patio is open in the downtown Libertyville Irish-themed pub. O'Toole's Libertyville is a staple in the community for nearly 30 years. This Irish-style pub is famous for its award-winning wings, burgers, fish & chips and a slew of different beers on tap.
The Libertyville eatery specializes in the craft of silver dollars. Wildberry was ranked no. 21 in Thrillist.com’s article noting best-rated flapjacks in the country. Buttermilk pancakes are the restaurant’s bread and proverbial butter; however, they have a variety of flavors that they offer inspired by the breakfast treat. Wildberry’s menu features blueberries in a glaze, strawberries in a glaze, gluten-free honeycakes, their staple flavor wildberry, fig and walnut grain, their signature berry bliss, banana cream pie and a whole bunch more. Upgrade your brunch with the outdoor format until we reach the next phase.
The tradition that began in 2005 in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood has been gracing visitors in Vernon Hills for a while now. The heavy metal-themed bar and restaurant features burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, salads and a rotating craft beer tap. Introduce your tastebuds to bliss with burgers and brews as they open for outdoor dining.
It’s like being ‘transported to another place and time’ in Highwood. This restaurant, reminiscent of vintage Italy, has a menu that includes fruit dishes, breakfast, salads, pastas, piatti, contorni and a slew of other delectable items. The Highwood restaurant offers curbside pickup and delivery throughout this time. Keep calm and carry out Italian comfort fare. Dine with the Disotto al fresco.
This American pub and restaurant with a Northwoods-theme serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with an array of mouth-watering dishes. The Lodge of Antioch's delectable menu features hearty salads, seafood, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, ribs, homemade cheese curds and more.
The Highland Park brewery features a variety of beers in addition to Mexican street fare like tacos, burritos, salads and more. Your tasty Tuesday is now paired with brew and southwest cuisine. The brewpub was recognized for the “Best Beer Garden” by the North Shore Choice Awards. A collection of their trademark libations includes the Flight of the Rooster Saison, the Steep Ravine IPA and the Baldwin Porter. Carryout, curbside and delivery are available at the Highland Park brewhouse.
Eat. Drink. Lounge at this Wauconda mainstay. Side Lot is known for its small plates of locally-sourced eats as well as their microbrews and craft spirits. The brewery also crafts an array of delectable sandwiches. The Wauconda brewhouse offers delivery and pick up during this time as well as their garden is open for business.
Named after storied-Waukeganite Ray Bradbury’s fictional town, Green Town Tavern is the city’s local hang out spot that distributes an exceptional array of drinkables and fare. Green Town is open for pick up through lunch and dinner time.
Slyce Coal Fired Pizza is located in Wauconda and Highwood, IL. The menu is steeped in age-old traditions, cooking methods, as well as the best quality ingredients possible. Their passion for food, coupled with recipes made from scratch daily, offers their guests a truly unique dining experience each and every time. Slyce invites you to sit back, relax and experience the real authentic taste of coal-fired za. Experience the storied pizza outdoors at the Wauconda pizza place, and can enjoy the brews next door from Side Lot Brewery
This Lake Zurich exceptional dining venue features locally raised cuts of beef and pork from the family’s prized stock. Their menu also features slow-roasted prime rib, fresh seafood and locally-sourced produce. There's nothing more spring/summer than eating a juicy slab os steak outside. The Lake Zurich steakhouse will open their outside dining beginning Tuesday, June 2, and will be offering curbside pickup and delivery.
Cafe Pomigliano is a breath of fresh air with a bright and modern take on authentic Italian dishes by Chef Eduardo Martinez in the family-owned eatery. This Italian-inspired restaurant serves the classics. The Pomigliano family, for a fourth of a century, has prided itself on making daily, mouth-watering homemade dishes. The eats are prepared by recipes that originate from the small community right outside Naples, Italy.
Main Street Social, located in downtown Libertyville is a restaurant and bar that puts a twist on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Their menu features housemade pastas, fresh seafood, bountiful salads, meat and cheese boards, delectable desserts and more. Besides the innovative dishes made from scratch, the MainStreet Libertyville eatery provides fine wines and craft libations.
The rustic Highwood staple is a combination of traditional French bistro and Cuban cuisine. The family-owned eatery named after a Havana, Cuba suburb provides a delectable menu and delightful experience. The menu features divine appetizers, pasta, seafood (known for their oysters) burgers and more. Miramar Bistro is open for al fresco dining.
To learn more about outdoor dining in Lake County, continue here. To see everything going on in the land of lakes visit our Lake County @Home page. For restaurants participating in curbside pickup, takeout and delivery, click here.
