50 Best American Restaurants near Long Grove

“You can’t beat the ambiance of Lake County’s oldest, continuously running bar and restaurant! A Midwest classic and the menu has something for everyone. Surround yourself with antiques and wonderful staff and patrons and leave with a full belly and a smile on your face.“

“Good customer service is rare these days, but not at Joanie’s Pizza. Isabella our server was amazing! She treated us like we were family coming through the door. The pizza was also delicious as always. Joanie’s pizza keep up the good work!“

“Awesome vibe! Love this cute town!“

“Went there on 6/22/22. We ate outside and were pleased to have a musician playing on the patio. The food was excellent as was the service. Bring your appetite and still expect to take home leftovers. Classic menu of steaks, chops, sandwiches and top notch BBQ. This will be a mainstay for us moving forward. Can't recommend this place enough!“

“Super…Great service from Ashley!!“

“Amazing service ! Bar tender Jimmy was absolutely great. My boyfriend and I stopped by for a quick drink and soup before the movies and had a Good time thanks to him!“

“Food was very good. Server was pleasant and available whenever we needed. Very nice atmosphere. Beer selection is fantastic.“

“The service and food were awesome! I'd definitely recommend to friends and family!“

“Atmosphere is cute, good and the salmon tastes fresh we got it on a bagel and egg Benedict but the flavor overall was a bit lacking. The service checks on you a great amount but the bathroom has toilet paper that is the thinnest I’ve ever seen. I do like that the coffee is refilled! I’d say 4.5 stars but that’s not an option“

“The food was great and the service excellent. Don’t judge this place by the outside it is very nice inside. Check it out for yourself your will glad you did.“

“This was our first visit and won’t be our last. We shared the charcuterie board, bao buns, and the cookie skillet. All were very good. Our server was helpful and appropriately attentive. Bar service was very good. 100% recommend. Would be particularly fun for a group (lots of items for sharing). We will go back and work our way through the menu! We watched a few groups enjoy many items and one looked better than the next.“

“Delicious! I always stop by whenever I’m in town.“

“Visited again in march 2022 again perfect service perfect meal the atmosphere the food the service is a 5 star you need to go it will be a perfect meal !!“

“Amazing as always! 🤘🏼burgers mac n beers“

“The staff is very friendly. The food was good. The atmosphere was wonderful. I recommend you guys to get the hamburger there they have different ones.“

“Excellent food and relaxed atmosphere…our new favorite place!“

“Great place! Chicken nachos were amazing! Burgers are fantastic!“

“Drinks and dinner was spot on! Joy, Colton and team nailed it. Never a disappointment.“

“I have dreamed of going for as long as I can remember. I love this time period and was so excited to go. This not only checked one bucket list item, but checked 2, as I was able to see a Friesian in real life, my favorite breed, for the first time! I was overcome to tears several times by the beauty, pageantry and joy I witnessed! Everyone should see this at least once in their lives!“

“great service!!! the hostess was very polite and professional 👍“

“Great service, dinner choices and the wine is amazing! Will definitely be back!“

“Went here for Thanksgiving brunch. The staff is so nice and the food was great. There was a T-Day menu to order from, or just off the everyday menu l. My party did both and everyone was happy“

“We enjoyed another great evening at Coopers Hawk Kildeer. We choose Coopers Hawk not only for their great drinks, food preparation and portions, but also because they have substantial Gluten-Free options and dedicated fryers so everyone can enjoy. They take allergy consciousness seriously. While Kyle our server was prompt, courteous, and engaging I have to say the entire staff gave us a feeling they truly appreciated our choice dining with them. Everyone we spoke with or even passed in the hallway smiled and made eye contact. The Pretzel bread (including Gluten-Free bread) along with appetizers (Calamari & Brussel Sprouts) were the perfect size for our party of five(5) to share. We enjoyed a variety of dishes (Chicken, Pretzel-Crusted Pork Chops, Spaghetti w/Meatballs, Gnocchi Alla Vodka, and Salad w/Chicken & Avocado), all delicious. Flourless cake and two other desserts were shared and delicious. Overall highly recommended as we have had consistent high quality food and service at this location.“

“Always outstanding!! Fresh and delicious!“

“Their chicken tortilla soup is amazing and the bartender was very nice. 🙂“

“Went with family for the Friday night fish special. Was pretty good, but the gem was the variety of sizes that came with the platter. Everything could have used a bit more seasoning, except the veggies provided with it were done well. Typical decor for this type of establishment.“

“Absolutely delicious. Great staff. Great cocktails“

“Food is always good as usual“

“Still the best burger around“

“People were just as amazing as the food!“

“Delicious burgers, fried chicken, ice cream, etc.“

“A must try. Many options. Affordable. Great comfortable seating. Nice decor. Full bar.“

“This was the perfect place for my daughter's baby shower. The room was lovely. The staff was excellent and the food was so good! We opted for the buffet. There was plenty of food. The ice cream sundae bar was a hit. All around? The perfect place. I cannot say enough good things.“

“Never judge a book by its cover. When I arrived, the empty parking lot and the restaurant being inside a hotel initially raised red flags. However, with limited options and an open mind, I decided to give it a try—and was blown away. The cuisine and customer service were exceptional! They even fresh squeezed lemonade for me!

Oaken Bar + Bistro: A Taste of Elegance in Every Bite

Beef Tenderloin Empanadas
The empanadas set the tone with their flaky crust and tender, perfectly seasoned beef filling. Accompanied by vibrant chimichurri and a zesty lemon tomato sauce, this starter balances richness and brightness with precision. Each bite feels indulgent yet fresh, leaving you eager for more.

Oaken Salad
This salad takes simplicity to an elevated level. A mix of fresh greens pairs unexpectedly well with juicy orange segments and velvety whipped ricotta. The lavender vanilla vinaigrette adds a subtle floral sweetness, tying the dish together beautifully. A sourdough crostini provides the perfect crunch, making this a standout plate for anyone craving a sophisticated yet light option.

Atlantic Salmon
A dish that seamlessly combines comforting and refined elements. The salmon, cooked to perfection, sits atop a silky potato purée that practically melts on the tongue. Earthy wild mushrooms add depth, while the buerre rouge sauce lends a rich, tangy finish. Every element works in harmony, creating a dish that’s both comforting and memorable.

And of course, my signature cappuccino…

Oaken Bar + Bistro shows its mastery in weaving together thoughtful ingredients with elevated techniques, making each plate a well-orchestrated delight.

Here’s a bit about the venue:
Oaken Bistro + Bar is a modern, upscale American bistro located in Lake Forest, Illinois. It offers all-day dining with a menu that blends elevated American classics, such as burgers and salads, with globally influenced dishes like Beef Tenderloin Empanadas and the Cubano sandwich.

The restaurant features a sleek lounge serving craft cocktails, including signature herbal-infused options, alongside an eclectic wine list and local beers. Guests can enjoy their meals in a contemporary dining room, a 25-seat outdoor patio, or opt for take-out and delivery services.

Executive Chef Christian Alejandro leads the culinary team, offering a diverse American menu with international influences from Latin America, Italy, and Creole cuisines. Chef Alejandro was recently inducted into the Disciples Escoffier organization, highlighting his culinary expertise.“

“Loved my meal here. Had a girls’ night dinner gathering. Food was excellent! Prime rib was so tasty…. And appetizers rocked. Bartender made a specialty cocktail that our friend loved! Can’t wait to come back to this place.“

“Celebrated my Son's Bday there for brunch and Everyone loved their food! Great Atmosphere and Staff 🥰 The new Management made awesome changes“

“First time at Firkins and we will definitely be back. I hardly drink beer with my meal but Duvel on tap was hard to pass up. My wife and I were in agreement that our burger was one of the best in recent memory. Friendly service and fun ambience.the other couple we were with were equally happy.“

“Best people work here Food is great Pride in ownership Known Peter for years“

“Great staff and delicious reasonably priced menu. If you are looking to support a small local business, start here. You will not be sorry. Oh, did I say they have the BEST tuna salad in town? SnarfOn!“

“A mix of a rotisserie chicken place and a Mexican restaurant. Got a whole chicken and sides. The chicken had very good flavor and smoke. It was a little dry as if it was kept in the heating box for a while or just overcooked a bit. The sides were not memorable. I’d go back again and just skip the sides. The Mexican food looked good.“

“Culver’s at mount prospect is a really nice and friendly place specially one employee...!!! I dont know his name but he makes every guest feels welcome..!!! And the food is really good..!! My daughters love chicken tenders and ice cream 🍨“

“My wife and I enjoyed the Spring menu when we visited Seasons 52, the keyword being 'enjoyed.' It's always a treat to dine at Seasons 52, and this time was no exception. From the Tuna Tartare appetizer, to the entrees of Carmelized Scallops and Shrimp and Grits, to the shot glass-sized Turtle Cheesecake and Oatmeal Cookie desserts, everything was delicious. And Valentyna, our server, did a great job taking care of us. It had been over a year since the last time we visited Seasons 52. We won't wait that long next time.“

“Reasonable prices, Good food“

“I literally had the best pancakes I’ve ever had“

“The squirrel and his wife went there for lunch. The dining room wasn't open sat in a bar area. The bar is a bar suitable for evening snacks and bar food. seating is very limited they don't take reservations The food was good, not great, but good for the price.“

“Amazing establishment. The workers were kind, talkative and friendly. They made great recommendations and everything I tried was amazing. I did enjoy the aesthetic and the stained glass, but the food was amazing. I would recommend the Braised Lamb, French onion soup, and sorbet. Can't wait to return. Wonderful wine/bourbon selection as well.“

“I ordered a small request of chicken tenders and cheese curds (that's it!!) And it took almost 30 minutes for them to get it to me. So much for fast food. The worst part was I ordered takeout, so by the time I got home, both the chicken and the curds were cold. But every other time has been no problem, with really good food.

Parking: Lots of spots

Kid-friendliness: Really nice to children- they have special bags that kids meals come in, and prizes behind the counter for frequent visitors, not to mention the number of booths which we all know kids love for some reason...“

“This was by far a great experience amazing food friendly staff and not to mention even winning a few times on the machines . I mean who don’t like to like to win money 💰. A group of us visited this fine establishment and from beginnng to end a great experience I will definitely be returning again and have put out the word for people to try this place .“

“Loved the Voodoo Kings Car Show 07/16/2023. The Elks Club always does such a great job at organizing and hosting a variety of events for the community!“