50 Best American Restaurants near Island Lake

“Usually great service and people, but you guys missed the mark tonight. The delivery person outside tried to give me at least 3 different orders that weren’t ours, and when we got home the chicken nuggets were missing the sauce, and the chili was missing the toppings and sour cream. Not a great outing tonight.“

“Sideouts is an awesome place to eat, drink, bowl or watch live music! Huge outdoor patio with tvs, music, baggo, violleyball and so much more. The food is excellent, the pizza is some of the best around! Summertime they have car shows, bands in the sand concerts, and many other events. You gotta check this place out!“

“My wife planned my surprise 40th birthday at Region. From start to finish the night was perfect. The food was impeccable and very well cooked. The staff was amazing, extremely helpful and just pleasant throughout the entire night. Everything went perfect and i would recommend anyone to have their private event at Region.“

“We were looking for a breakfast place in Volo while waiting for the museum to open and this place didn't disappoint.its not much looking from the outside but the food was excellent.. we had ham off the bone ,my friend had egg pizza of some sort and it was amazing..the waitress was very friendly and accommodating. Food portion was more than enough but we finished it all. The place was very clean. There's gaming too and a good size bar.. we will definitely come back for lunch next time and see what they offer..“

“I came here for me date night and goodness gracious me. The date was bland and basic, poor conversationalist while being way to into themselves. Like bro...who talks in 3rd person about fishing with your bros? Not even the tasty Moscow mule could fix it. Pretty sure he even told me 6 times about his crypto coins. It's 2024 like what are you doing bro. The food was also delicious.“

“This was a truly special meal. From start to finish, the service was excellent. The food was delicious and incredibly well-presented. Bonus points for being a fully gluten-free restaurant. We had someone GF in our group, and she had not had cheese curds in 9 years. She enjoyed the GF cheese curds immensely. It is a small but lovely and restaurant. I can't wait to go back.“

“Wasn't to excited about going there with friends, that was a mistake. We are there now at least once a week. Where can you get 2 delicious pizza's and 4 beers for under $30 on 1/2 price Thursday. Wait staff are always friendly and accommodating. I always highly recommend this place to family and friends. The Friday fish fry is always good also.“

“Mountain of praise for Montarra The experience was very pleasant. This was our second time here and, to be honest, we only returned because we had a gift certificate. But we were pleasantly surprised and delighted. Service: Excellent. Both wait staff and hostess team seemed very engaged, from when I made the reservation to when we stepped into the restaurant and even when we left. Our waitperson was efficient, polite, and knowledgable. Food: was really outstanding (we had bouillabaisse and a special risotto dish with scallops). The menu was varied and interesting - I often gauge a restaurant by looking at the menu and having a difficult time making a selection because many items looked good. I liked that they had a quality menu with several selections that seemed creative. The quantity of items was also just right. Not too many, not too few. Other: When they took my reservation, they asked if it was a special occasion. I said it was for my husband's birthday. They asked his name - I didn't really know why but told them. When we were seated, I realized why. They had printed a special version of the menu with a happy birthday note to my husband. It was a very inexpensive, clever, and simple, yet meaningful step. We were impressed. We would definitely return - even without the gift certificate.“

“I brought my mom here today and we both had Reshmi Curry with Eggplant-She had it with the chickpea noodles and I had it with rice. They were absolutely delicious, savory meals. We both cleaned our plates. And I’m a child-sized person, so that’s saying something.I certainly can’t complain about the service or the price either. I was also happy to find a restaurant that didn’t have any steps, since my mom uses a walker.“

“No wake is great. The servers and bartenders are really friendly. The prices at this bar are always reasonable. I always enjoy the food when I visit. Atmosphere is fun too. This bar is popular but gets more crowded in the summer months. Located on the Fox River it's always fun to stop while boating. They also have gas for refueling boats. There are also a lot machines and there is outdoor seating in the summer months. I would highly recommend visiting no wake.“

“Due to the superb quality of the food and the outstanding service this has quickly become my wife and I's favorite spot to eat. We will probably be returning weekly and will be regular customers. The young man who does the serving is very attentive and more polite than anyone else I've ever seen in a restaurant. They always greet you when you walk in and say goodbye when you leave. All around excellent.“

“The service was fantastic at this cute place. The atmosphere and menu were wonderful. The food was pricey and ok. I ordered an extra egg which didn't come and was charged 3 dollars. One child's food came and the other came 8 minutes later.... doesn't seemlike a lot but it's a lot when you are with hungry kids. I am not sure if this would be my first choice for brunchI will go back for a drink though“

“Great local brewery with their own line and several options from other local breweries. The atmosphere was comfortable and the service was awesome (thank you Garrett). We stopped here as part of the McHenry County Brewery Trail Challenge and we'll definitely be back. Also, the cheese curds were really good!“

“My kids and I love this place! It’s the only place in town where my dairy free family has zero issues eating great food. It makes my life so easy! Plus, the outdoor seating is perfectly situated so that toddlers can eat and watch trains…it’s perfect for us! The food is great! The staff is just awesome! We’re big big fans and will be. Ack again and again.“

“The menu and taplist are great! Something for everyone! Plenty of vegetarian and carnivore options, most beer styles well-represented. Lots of local gems on the tap list, amazing selection of bottles and top shelf whiskey wall, and superb specialty cocktails. Great service-Real good people.“

“Stopped in quick for some pizza and to watch the game. Staff was friendly and helpful. Loved their tater tots. Pizza wasn't our style, but hit the spot after a long drive. Great place to watch the game.Parking: Lot is pretty small and a little difficult to get in and out of, but there was parking available.“

“Stop here a couple times a month. This is 100% dive bar. Overall it’s pretty worn down but kept pretty clean. The locals are friendly and typically interact with others. Food is pretty good and they have daily specials. There seems to be enough parking at least during the day. Bar tenders are friendly and do a good job with the service. Pool table, darts and gambling machines. A few tvs are typically playing some sports.“

“Super cute and cozy! I got to enjoy Easter brunch here and the breakfast menu is amazing. The breakfast is definitely more home style and I got large portions. If you have a sweet tooth, try the fruit crepes. I believe I had the rhapsody. Mouth watering goodness!!“

“The food was so delicious that we when back the next day. On Friday night we went in for the fish fry and Saturday we went out for the prime rib special. Both days were delicious. The salad bar was amazing both days. I will definitely be back.“

“Well, been passing by this place forever and this time we decided to stop in. Very sparse parking so we asked where to park and immediately the female bartender came outside and pointed to a few locations. She must have been an owner because it is rare and doubtful an employee would be so accommodating. Moving on..... We were seated, by the very nice and conscientious female bartender. She asked for our drink order and gave us menus........ So far so good......The food..... Corn Beef and Cabbage Dinner-Outstanding Monster Burger-Incredible Ruben-Great Patty Melt- Delicious Absolutely excellent all around. Not a single negative comment from anyone in our party. Oh, yeah! There was a gentleman talking to some people at the bar and was showing the coolest DUCK model to his friends. Said his buddy made them and was selling them for $5. My buddy immediately jumped up and bought it and asked for another one. Well the gentleman left the bar. Damn... no duck for me....... Hold on...... He returned with another duck in hand. I snapped it up and thanked him. That doesn't happen nowadays. How cool is that. The entire experience of that bar/grille was that of a typical Chicago old neighborhood tavern. Great people. Great food. special nod to the female bartender. Awesome lady who "gets it." We'll be back.....again and again.“

“It's been awhile since I've been in the area. Had to stop out. Layout is the same. The place remains under the same owner as far back as I can remember. Staff is very friendly. The food is delivered quickly, the portions are above average in size, and they even do stuff like serve full pickle spears instead of cheap thin slices. Overall a solid entry into a pretty competitive market (Lake Zurich). I'll be back soon.“

“This place is really awesome they specialize in hamburgers. Next to the railroad tracks lots of TVs good place to watch sports services good their beer wine liquor selection is very good. We'll be going back to this place many times if possible. Parking is a bit of a hassle but the food is worth “

“Great food and staff. Love going here! Kosta is an amazing server! He is on top of everything no matter how busy it is. He makes you feel like you're the only table he has. Friday and Saturdays are busy but if you get there at the perfect time, there's no wait!“

“Nice place. Turkey sandwich was good a long with soup. Had steak enchiladas and that were great. Sent side salad back along with the fly buried in my salad. Other than that great place. Service was good. Just didn't care for being bombarded all at once with lunch first. Soup , salad second.“

“Excellent food and service with gluten free options. They prepare your salad at your table which was a nice surprise and have an "adult" dessert cart, nice old school touch.Dietary restrictions: They were attentive to our gluten free needs“

“My husband has been coming here since high school in the 1990’s - always raved about it. We’ve been coming together since we met 11 years ago. The food never disappoints and portions are huge! Our server, Sammie, has been here forever and is WONDERFUL!!! My husband travels to New York often for work and says the Canteen corned beef is even better than the famous Katz’s Deli in NYC!!! It’s amazing! You won’t be disappointed ever with anything you order!!! I can’t give enough stars!!!!! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Love this place for the fish fry. Went for lunch with mom (91 in a wheelchair). We were just before the lunch crowd so getting a table was easy. Not sure what the accommodations are for people with mobility issues. I'll Have to ask the next time we go. Luckily there was a low table available to accommodate the wheelchair. It was even nicer that right next where we sat and an arm reach away were the slots. $20 in and $68 out. Not a bad day. Oh yea..... We both enjoyed the lunch fish special, the potato pancakes were very tasty. Can I get the recipe? Our server Rory made our visit enjoyable. Just an FYI they like many others add a "CC Surcharge" (4.25%) to the bill. Pay with cash and that charge goes away.“

“We love the Roost 59! The other day I accidentally ordered the "mack attack". After a long day I didn't read I just pointed.. I didn't know Mac and cheese was on it. I just thought grilled chicken and the works. It was DELICIOUS! Roost 59 never disappoints! ??“

“Kudos to the Little Chef!!! Your takeout St Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner was spot on! Generous portions (!) and cooked perfectly - I had to post this before I dive into the dessert because I probably will die and go to heaven!“

“First time at this location for Cooper's Hawk, & it was a wonderful experience! I went to Cooper's Hawk for lunch with my youngest brother & mother for Easter Lunch. We were greeted with such a warm & welcoming atmosphere & presence from the staff in attendance. I got the Crab, Shrimp & Lobster Bisque as an appetizer, & it was my very first time trying it, & it was delicious! I also tried the Brussels sprouts dish they had as an appetizer & they were really good. As my meal I had the Baked Parmesan Shrimp Scampi, absolutely amazing! The only thing was that it was slightly swimming in the oil/sauce, but otherwise it was delicious!! Would HIGHLY recommend this location to friends & family, & would definitely come back!!!“

“We were just dashing and ubering along. We picked up an order. Told my wife that it smelled really good. So we went back to check the place out. The restaurant is ran by the husband and wife very cute couple. Love the vibes that they bring to the restaurant. We ordered two soda cans and mozzarella sticks, fries with the side of BBQ. My wife ordered Chicago style hot dog. All the food was on top notch. It was served hot and well cooked fries it has skin on them. I love homemade fries. Will we go there again yes we will. Oh there is a dollar beer too and a gambling room. Kid friendly too. They got pictures to color on and they post it on the wall too so you know they are very appreciative when it comes to guest regardless if they are adults and children. All people are welcome. Well I am off now but catch me on kitchen conversations where my kitchen is your kitchen. Bye now“

“Excellent atmosphere!! From the food, to the service, and soft music. Was a perfect date night. It’s a nice quaint place and very unassuming. Not very fancy but the food is AMAZING!! Can’t wait to come back. If you’re adventurous & like exotic meats, whatever the special is, GET IT!! Family owned business and extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. Put this one on your list!“

“Beyond AWESOME!!!! I just found this place online and the reviews looked good so we thought we would try it. The menu is very appetizing. We ordered delivery and it was fast, the food was hot and the delivery guy was great. The food was SO fresh! The pizza was delicious, sausage is home made and it has great crispy crust ! We also ordered the Fettuccini Alfredo with sausage and shrimp and it was out of this world. The portions are big. We can’t wait to go there and dine in. You will not be disappointed!!“

“Absolute BEST FRIES! The Taste is one of a kind EVERYTHING IS FRESH MADE TO ORDER! The Hotdogs,burgers and beef are AMAZING! One of the last gems that has Truely good,unique soul food.Wheelchair accessibility: Floor is level with the parking lot!“

“The gentlemen at the counter were courteous, enthusiastic about their products, and very entertaining. I could have stayed all day! They had a sample platter with turkey and ham salad, bread slices, and pimento cheese spread. It was delectable. I can't wait to go back with my girlfriends and enjoy a quaint lunch in their café.“

“Visited again today and once again enjoyed the quaint atmosphere. Food was good as always and I found out that they air fry a lot of their food including their fries. Everything was crispy although that would explain why the salt didn't stick to the fries! Tried their ice cream and the french silk was oh so good!“

“WOW-ZAH! The Blue Heron Cafe!!have been craving a good burger - for weeks. So I decided to try a place nearby with a great word-of-mouth following & reputation.WHAT A FIND ( ok, NEW= To Me)This was the most amazing Char grilled-hand made Burger I've had in YEARS!! All topped with sweet grilled onions & the freshest butter lettuce, ripe juicy tomatoes, & BBQ sauce (on the side)......this level of burger was totally unexpected! I got a lovely fresh salad on the side- Yum!The Blue Heron Cafe = is WAY more than a local sports bar! ☆☆☆☆☆ Cheers to the Chef! And to your sweet bartenders!“

“Today we were in the area and decided to stop in for lunch. It has been a year since we left a review. The dining room is the same and very clean! The person who took our order was really nice and professional as always! I ordered the 1/2 slab of ribs it came with a side salad, a 6" piece of corn on the cob, and fries which I upgraded to the baked potato for $1 more. The baked potato was quartered and a huge potion size so definitely worth the extra $1. The 1/2 slab of ribs had about 7 bones... so you got a decent amount! My husband ordered the Italian beef and added Provolone cheese for 65 cents which was well worth it! I posted a video for each of our food items. We loved our food and would definitely order it again!“

“Love coming here. Their food is good, wait wait patient and friendly. Its like being with family. We have eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. Everything is good even down to their burgers. We love coming in for variety of soup and even the desserts. It would be very sad if the restaurant ever closed. So, please always stay open. :) Whether you eat alone or with company the staff is caring and make u feel like your home.“

“We always have great service here. The food is pretty good also. It is nice to pop in for lunch or dinner and be able to sit at a table with the kids.The wings are really awesome. The burgers are good too and everything is decently priced.The bathrooms are always clean also which is a nice perk!“

“Zin is a place that we don't visit often. The food is decent enough, but an extremely limited menu. The service was slow on a night where it wasn't very crowded, and I would say our meals were above average but definitely not something that I would recommend as a must go to. It's a decent place to meet friends for a cocktail maybe a couple of appetizers really more than anything else.“

“I've attended and hosted many events at The Quarry over the years. It's a beautiful space where I've made many memories and met new friends. Several years ago I hosted a surprise party for my sister's birthday and the Quarry staff made everything so seamless so all I had to do was show up with the guest of honor. They are so thoughtful and accommodating and really know how to throw a good party! I HIGHLY recommend this venue. I've also been here for drinks after SUP yoga or a nice longe bike ride in the summer. It's so fun to enjoy a nice drink in the sand and the fire pit is such a nice touch. The prices are a little high, but it's to be expected with such a unique venue with tons of free amenities like live music, sand volleyball, and baggo. Totally worth it in my opinion. Also, their themed events are always so much fun with awesome decor, live entertainment, pop-up booths, and delicious themed drinks. My favorites are the Galentines event, the Speakeasy, and the Mother's Day event.“

“Celebrated my fiancé 30th birthday there and it was the best. Kenny made sure we had everything set days before the party, showed up to the party to help out and make sure everything was great. He would keep up with checking in every so often which was nice to have the owner involved and actually care how it was all going. The bartenders were super awesome and made sure to check on everyone who was in the golf simulator on drinks and food. Overall I’m so thrilled we did his party there. Would 100% recommend lulu’s to anyone who is looking for a nice, clean, laidback vibe and overall fun. Thank you guys for being so awesome!“

“This is a great breakfast and brunch restaurant!The service was a bit slow even though they weren't very busy; looked like there wasn't enough staff. The food was delicious! Everything was cooked well and tasted great! We will be going back again.Kid-friendliness: They had high chairs and laminated kids menus. The high chairs could use a good cleaning. No kids coloring stuff.“

“A hometown jewel for casual dining! A supper club vibe with excellent food and classic cocktails, you can't go wrong at the Fox. Note that it's extremely busy in the warm weather evenings and weekends as it's a must stop while cruising on the river.“

“If you can imagine a Wisconsin Supper Club (good food all around) married to a classic sports bar (TVs and good drinks with decent pours) right on a nice-sized lake, you'll get an idea of what Fairmont Shores is like. The first thing that strikes you when you enter is the crowded and noisy large single room with a square bar dominating the center, all with a pleasant welcoming neighborhood feel. This restaurant had unbeatable ambiance: inside with a wall of windows looking out over Fox Lake with the sun setting in the evening, and outside with a lakeside patio deck available when the weather co-operates. We started with cocktails and beer, all nicely brought off - routinely 4 star stuff. For appetizers we tried the Mozzarella Sticks (5 star cheese sticks nicely breaded and done just enough to get the cheese softened) and the Bruschetta (a 4 star offering with a nice baguette with all the toppings and a nice balsamic glaze). For mains, and since we were here on Friday: two of our party had the all-you-can-eat fish fry with a choice of fish (our selection was 4 star stuff, nicely fried white fish); another in our party had the grilled salmon (a nice 3 star offering of salmon - a hair overdone - served with hushpuppies, and fries or a baked potato): and what the last in our party had was probably a wrap (?). Service was on point: they had lots of servers, quick food preparation and delivery from the kitchen, and an active full-service bar. You may want to make reservations so you are not disappointed ... this place gets crowded fast, especially on weekends. And don't forget the standouts here: all-you-can eat Fish Fry Fridays, and Sunday Brunch from Easter to Labor Day. If you are out this way, you have to give this place a try.“

“I was stuck at work and my daughter forgot to bring snacks to dance class. 30 minutes prior to closing I ordered delivery to her at the local community center! Thanks to the girl I spoke with who made it happen and quickly! Great food great service!“

“It's a small bar on the corner of Berkshire and Virginia Rd. Cutoff. I didn't get the chance to order food. Good place to grab a drink. It has a patio/deck for outside seating. Limited seating at bar, some table seating offered. When I went, the place was full in the parking lot and full inside. I remember this place being the old Frank N Stein. Its interesting what they did to the place and from what I remembered of business that use to be in there. Stop in and have a drink or nibble... It's a small interesting place. Update 03/08/2023 - Had Italian Beef, Fries and tatter tots... Excellent. Long Island ice teas are a great finisher. ?“

“I moved from the Midwest a long time ago and haven't found a decent olive burger since. This place is pure nostalgia for me, retro drive in, amazing fries and olive burgers and fun menu. Definitely a hidden gem I'd return to if given the opportunity.“

“A wonderful bar to grab drinks at. We have always wanted to stop in here, and we were not disappointed! The service was fantastic. We were blessed enough to meet the owner who is a complete gem! They have pool, darts, and a beautiful beer garden. Can't wait to spend more time here!“