International Eats During Lake County Restaurant Rally
By: Jonathan Jones 08/05/2020
Sometimes you can't make that big trip to Europe, that safari excursion in Africa or that relaxing beach setting in Southeast Asia, Central America and/or the Caribbean Islands to experience international eats first hand.
Lake County Restaurant Rally is approaching, and you can have the next best thing from the comfort of an Illinois eatery.
Lake County Restaurant Rally runs through August 9. It features over 100 restaurants for 10 days to savor (and come back for seconds) highlighted by a check-in challenge that can get you a gift card to a participating eatery.
Who says you can't stay land of lakes local to eat traditional, rustic, ethnic and divine bites like a seasoned traveler abroad?
Here is a list of Lake County Restaurant Rally participants that provide international eats (plus a few feature dishes to help you make your decision).
This Mexican joint proves to be a top-notch choice to dine during Lake County Restaurant Rally. Led by their fearless leader Chef Antonio Gutierrez, Authentico provides a delectable array of traditional flavors with a modern twist. The Lake Forest eatery has a jam-packed menu of appetizers, ensaladas, burritos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas and so much more. Authentico also offers vegeterian and gluten-free options.
The Lincolnshire eatery is an Italian cuisine restaurant. The deli and market serving lunch and dinner is highlighted by subs, soups, salads entrées, pastas, steaks, wood-burning brick oven pizza and calzone. The fare is prepared with fresh imported and local ingredients. The Italian eatery also makes their own ravioli and gnocchi from scratch. "Lincolnshire's hidden gem" also caters private events.
The Lincolnshire eatery is an Italian cuisine restaurant. The deli and market serving lunch and dinner is highlighted by subs, soups, salads entrées, pastas, steaks, wood-burning brick oven pizza and calzone. The fare is prepared with fresh imported and local ingredients. The Italian eatery also makes their own ravioli and gnocchi from scratch. "Lincolnshire's hidden gem" also caters private events.
Cafe Pomigliano is a breath of fresh air with a bright and modern take on authentic Italian dishes by Chef Eduardo Martinez in a stylish and cozy family-owned eatery. This Italian-inspired restaurant serves the classics in a warm contemporary space with a long bar and unique wine-bottle chandeliers. 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. You must check out their Sunday brunch.
Casa Bonita serves authentic homemade Mexican cuisine prepared daily and made with high-quality fresh ingredients from local markets. Casa Bonita offers a vacation-style atmosphere with indoor and heated outdoor seating and a spectacular Tequila Bar featuring several delicious fresh hand-squeezed Margaritas.
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 constantly while being mindful of the changing seasons and utilizing local ingredients to put out an exceptional product.
These Caribbean flavors that will blow your mind. The Latinx restaurant serves the most exquisite traditional dishes from Puerto Rico. From El Jibarito Sandwich to their Bistec Encebollado to their Chuleta "Kan Kan," and for dessert a Patanos Maduros, you could pick an item blindly and be in foodie euphoria.
This authentic Mexican restaurant has a beautiful scenic view and is located on Nippersink Lake, connected to the Chain O'Lakes. Watch a beautiful sunset on the Chain while enjoying the best Margarita in Lake County. The menu
includes Enchiladas, Chimichangas, sizzling fajitas, steak, seafood, burritos, combination platters and a variety of drinks, desserts and obviously tacos. Their three taco meal is served with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and your choice of ground beef, chicken or steak. The platter also comes with Mexican rice and beans. The Fox Lake Restaurant also serves taco salad with your choice of ground beef, chicken or steak topped with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole. The restaurant offers three indoor dining rooms, a seasonal outdoor patio and a full bar with unique homemade drinks. Come by land or boat. Come rain or shine, you will be able to sit out in the patio under the canopy.
Renowned for its flavorful and familiar Italian dishes, this nearly 20+-year-old neighborhood institution is going strong. The menu features the zesty, earthy cuisine of Rome and the surrounding areas of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. The piattis are highlighted by salads, paninis, seafoods, pizza and various pasta delights, located in the heart of the city's downtown area. You must try their desserts as they are to die for.
For nearly two decades, Gianni's Cafe has provided the land of lakes and the rest of the Chicagoland area with decadent seafood, pasta and a slew of other Italian entrees. The Kildeer cuisine makers also provide an extensive wine list and craft beer selection. Polish off a plate of your own or devour some tapas with your bestest buddies with exclusive shareables like sausage and peppers, eggplant involtini or Castroville artichoke.
The Waukegan eatery serves authentic Mexican cuisine. All dishes are served with handmade corn tortillas fresh of the griddle to the table. The Waukegan Main Street restaurant's highlighted eats include Pollo en Mole Estilo Guerrero (chicken in house-made mole sauce), Filete Gourmet (Bacon wrapped beef tenderloin filet with ham and chihuahua cheese), Chiles en Nogada (Poblano peppers stuffed with mincemeat, walnut cream and pomegranate), Cabrito Estilo Monterrey (grilled goat served with guacamole, cowboy beans and pasilla sauce), Filete Oaxaqueño (catfish filet in a banana leaf with zucchini squash blossom, chihuahua cheese and guajillo sauce), Platános Flameados (flamed bananas cooked with kahlúa, tequila Gran Manier and ice cream) and Nieve Frita (fried ice cream). Their two signature tacos include taco de cecina (guacamole, pico de gallo and beans) and taco de Lengua. La Cada de Samuel's antojitos can be served with steak, chicken, pork or squash blossoms.
With their handmade tortillas and their unbelievable spread, Las Monarcas Mexican Restaurant is just the place to be. This south of the border eatery just opened in 2020 and features the taste from the proprietor's hometown of Charo Michoacán. The menu is highlighted by tortillas, tacos, tortas, gorditas, burritos and a variety of other traditional Mexican eats.
