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.
A land of lakes global feast during Lake County Flavor Festival is the next best thing running throughout February. Who says you can’t stay land of lakes local to eat traditional, rustic, ethnic and divine bites like a seasoned traveler abroad? The global cuisine is right at your fingertips.
Visitors can win various foodie prizes like a $50 gift card to a participating restaurant, a cooking class at The Joyful Gourmet in Libertyville and a chance to win an overnight stay at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort which includes a dinner/theatre package at Wright's Brew & Bistro or Three Embers Restaurant and Marriott Theatre, a family overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois in Gurnee and more. Here is your guide to international cuisine during Lake County Flavor Festival.
"Eat clean. Stay fit and have a bibimbop to stay sane." The Lincolnshire restaurant renowned for their homeade sauces provides visitors with delectable Korean fusion food with a hint of a American flavors. Experience their customizable bowls of rice, veggies and meat brining the delicious taste of bibimbap as they put it on the Illinois map for fast-casual dining.
Craving a real-deal Mexican fare joint in Fox Lake? Mijo's makes you forget about the Tex-Mex chains as they serve authentic and delicious eats. From sizzling fajitas to mouthwatering tacos, their menu is stacked with myriad tasty items. The portions are generous and you'l leave unfamished.
"Scusami, but you see back in old Napoli, that's amore." Wauconda brings their Nonna Rosa's beloved family recipe to life with their signature melt-in-your-mouth-knots. There's a perfect knot for every craving with flavors like lemon, almond and more. Stop in for sweet treats, sandwiches, coffee and experience a taste of italian tradition.
The Deerfield cuisine makers are one of the world's fastest-growing fast-food businesses. Experience their made-to-order authentic Mexican burritos, bowls, nachos, tacos and more. This Flavor Festival, GYG offers their two for $22 meal which includes two mini chicken burrito bowls, two soft or hard tacos and fries.
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.
The Mexican restaurant serves up homemade family recipes, fresh ingredients and weekly specials. Known for their award-winning customer service, owners Sergio and Oscar go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels like family. During Flavor Festival month, foodies can receive 20% off any Dos Amigos specialty on their regular menu.
The warm, homey environment where patrons can enjoy divine Italian dishes.Whether you're dining in, or enjoying their patio al fresco in the summertime, Galati's provides a year-round welcoming experience. During Flavor Festival, check out the culinary delights like bruschetta and lasagna!
One of Gurnee's newest restaurant provides a wonderful experience for you and the fam. The restaurant offers a variety of Italian dishes, appetizers, pizzas, wings, salads and Japanese items. You can truly enjoy "la vita bella" in every culinary sense.
The store and eatery offers delicious stacked sandwiches on homemade bread, fresh Polish delicacies and a variety of Baltic amber jewlery and Polska pottery. Visit during Flavor Festival and beyond for their soup and sandwich special.
Holy moly! If you can only check out this cannoli from Tony! The Mundelein confectioner creates traditional and unconventional cannolis for customers to indulge their sweet tooth. Tony Cannoli Specialty Pastries also conducts classes to teach visitors how to make the sweet Italian treat. The Mundelein maker also makes cakes, donuts, cookies, chips and more.
Singh in Punjabi means lion, the animal that the Libertyville eatery takes pride in associating itself with. A little bit Indian, a little bit American, Singh’s kitchen is the ultimate dining experience for those who want to feel the history behind their meal. Their menu features bowls, surf and turf, rolls, tacos, wings and more innovative dishes.
Primo Italian American Cuisine is Lake County’s dining hot spot with five-star ratings across the board. The Gurnee establishment’s menu includes salads and sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steaks and much more. The Gurnee establishment boasts an array of Daily Herald Reader’s Choice Awards. The jam-packed menu is complemented by a wine list of 100+ flavors.
"Pixca" means "harvest" in Mayan, so get ready for a tastebud exploration! Their chefs weave global influences into every dish, creating a culinary fiesta that's ¡muy bueno. Pixca champions fresh, local ingredients, so each bite bursts with farm-fresh goodness. Picture sun-kissed tomatoes, plump asparagus, and herbs so fragrant, they'll practically serenade you. The Highland Park eatery features seafood, pasta, salads, steak, tapas-style veggies, desserts and a brunch menu.
Oliverii North is a 37-year family tradition and the fourth installment of founder Guido Oliverii's restaurant. The Antioch, Italian-inspired eatery features pasta, pizza, soups, salads, seafood and more
Independently owned and operated Main Street Social opened in 2017. The restaurant, located in downtown Libertyville is a restaurant and bar that puts a twist on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Their menu features housemade portions of pasta, 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 Italian-American kitchen, is a second-generation, family-owned gem and has been serving authentic cuisine for nearly 40 years. Known for its pasta, pizza and seafood, this cozy spot combines old-world charm with modern Italian flavors.
The most accurate La Mera Mera Taqueria translation that comes to mind is "The One and Only," The menu is unique for its elite tacos which pull original recipes from the southeast Pacific side of Mexico and central and northern regions' cuisine from the aforementioned country. The menu also features tortas, burritos, enchiladas and more.
A Chicago staple, the stuffed deep-dish pizza makers, are offering no contact delivery and curbside pickup. Giordano’s has received acclaim as “Chicago’s Best Pizza” by NBC, CBS Chicago, the New York Times, Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Tribune and more. The delectable Windy City restaurant has been a staple in the Land of Lincoln for nearly a half century.
The Vernon Hills restaurant and pub lives by the credo "fine wine is our native language." Owner Purvi Damani-Patel dreamed of owning an establishment like this after traveling the Land of Lincoln and other areas tasting wine. Its menu features brunch, dinner and plates like charcuteries, salads, seafood, steaks, and other international cuisines.
The inception of the Fat Rosie started when Chef and proprietor of the Lincolnshire restaurant became acquainted with an agave farmer and his trusty donkey steed south of the border. The gentleman’s donkey had worked alongside this ground grower for over two decades. The heavy horse’s John Hancock is that of the one that’s named for this LCRW eatery – Fat Rosie. The festive Mexican taqueria serves a modern take on traditional cuisine and craft cocktails. Their menu is highlighted by soups, seafoods, enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, burritos and so much more.
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.
"Laughter is brightest where food is best." - Irish proverb. The Libertyville eatery offers carefully crafted fare, specialty coffee and cocktails in a welcoming setting. Embracing its Gaelic name meaning "soul friend," the café fosters connection and community for all who visit. Be sure to check out their deep dish quiche!
You just can’t get enough of Big Bowl. The chain eatery continues to wow foodies across the country. The Lincolnshire location is no different. Whether it’s sweet or spicy, rice or noodles, Chinese or Thai that you are craving, Big Bowl’s menu has it all. Culinary aficionados experience the bold flavors from every dish from the homemade curries to the dipping sauces. Big Bowl serves delectable dishes like Panang curry chicken (sliced chicken in peanut coconut curry sauce, peas, Fresno peppers and snow peas), shrimp Shanghai noodles (brussel sprouts, red and yellow peppers, spinach, scallions and sesame seeds), Mongolian beef (shiitake and button mushrooms, green and red onions) and more.
This Mundelein seafood staple and one of the land of lake’s eldest nautical fare establishments is Dover Straits. Famous extensive menu of seafood flown in daily, Dover Straits also offers premium steaks, pasta dishes and other excellent selections for the most discerning diner. Since 1978, the starboard restaurant is satisfied bellies across the Land of Lincoln.
It’s like being transported to another place and time in Highwood. This restaurant, reminiscent of vintage Italy, has a menu that includes pizza fruit dishes, salads, pasta, Piatti, contorni and a slew of other delectable items. The scent of these delicious dishes permeates throughout the walls of this rustic and vintage Italian establishment. The carbonara is just an eye-opening dish. In this instance of the fuel noodles, it’s spaghetti with pecorino, bacon, egg yolk and black pepper. You must visit Disotto for their divine brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
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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. For a portion of the winter, they transform to a pop-up vibe restaurant called West Side Ramen. Besides ramen, the kitchen serves burgers and sushi through March.
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 perfect blend of Asian and Latin cuisine, dramatically presented, and brought to the table ready to be shared. Like in most cultures, the sharing of food breaks down barriers and creates a sense of belonging. The menu features innovative and authentic menu including tacos, lo mein, Thai curry dishes, ramen noodles, empanadas, fried yuca and more.
For more options on the global cuisine tip, continue here. To learn more about all the participants in Lake County Flavor Festival, click here.
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