New American Restaurants near Waukegan, IL

“I love gojos!! been coming here for years. Nicole is the best server.“

“My first visit to Inovasi and it did not disappoint! Our server Lucia was fantastic- knowledgeable friendly and she helped me find just the right cocktail! We started with their delicious bread, and then had the crispy pork belly for appetizer. For entree we had a filet with shaved truffles and a blackened cod with lime and whipped edamame. Both were superb as was the dessert of flourless chocolate cake with raspberry purée and shipped goats cheese, and a pumpkin cheesecake. All was delicious, and the ambiance and decor was warm and inviting. We will be back!“

“I’ve been on their first customers from the reopening after Covid . Brought a lot of people there . The entire of the USS NEW JERSEY got to know about this place because the jersey is directly next to it . It became me go to hang out spot . Great patio. View of Lake Michigan especially during fall and winter. Sorry to hear the food truck is gone but Patrice does a great job with the limited menu specials . Always a great experience with her . Today I leave Great Lakes permanently and I will miss it and the people I’ve gotten to know there . A more mature crowd , more peaceful and less annoying environment a as we all huddled to this place for the same reason after a long and possibly stressful day on“

“Loved everything about this location! I received a warm welcome from the host stand, but what really stood out to me was the extraordinary service from Samone. She provided suggestions for my beverage, appetizer, entree, & dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 course meal thanks to Samone pointing me in the right direction. She’s truly a professional. Will be back to sit in her section!“

“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 !!“

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

“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!“

“My Aunt Marcia Hoffman turned 90 and is a rehab center where she is confined to her room . We wanted to do something special so we call Scotty’s and the made a meal to order for pick up. It worked out great and she loved it . Thank you Scott and the entire staff for making her 90th as special as it could be under the circumstances !“

“We’ve dined here a number of times over the years, and it’s always managed to deliver that satisfying, slow-smoked comfort that keeps regulars coming back. But this latest visit stood out—worthy of a fresh review and renewed praise. Service, which in past visits could occasionally feel uneven, hit all the right notes this time. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, moving with a quiet confidence that set the tone for the evening. It’s a small but important improvement that elevated the experience considerably. As for the food—the heart of any smokehouse—the kitchen was clearly in fine form. I opted for both the ribs and smoked turkey, and each showcased why this spot has earned its loyal following. The ribs arrived perfectly glazed, with that balance of bark and tenderness that only comes from skill and patience. The smoked turkey, too often an afterthought at lesser establishments, was moist, flavorful, and subtly infused with smoke—no small feat. Cocktails rounded out the evening, each one thoughtfully mixed and balanced, adding a polished touch to the rustic fare. If there’s one shortcoming, it’s the setting. The restaurant occupies a strip mall space that, while perfectly functional, lacks the atmosphere its food deserves. The interior and seating are serviceable but uninspired—a missed opportunity to extend the warmth and authenticity of the menu into the design. A bit more “smokehouse soul” in the decor would bring the full experience together. Still, those quibbles fade with the first bite of those ribs. BBQ'd Productions remains one of the best spots around for great smoked meats and hearty, satisfying meals—now with service that finally matches the kitchen’s skill.“

“Always a fun time at Oak Trail.“

“Cool dive bar & grill! Check out the Rondout pics on the walls“

“Great food, family owned love to go there for breakfast and support local business“

“We’re coming back!

I don’t have to go to Wisconsin for awful Thai anymore!

Thank you making real chicken soup/broth

The curry is PERFECT

Oh my goodness they serve homemade soft bread

The chicken drop dumplings soup was delicious

The veal pasta oh my goodness“

“Fantastic experience! Awesome game room, bar, tacos, and Jenna is the very best at what she does 👏“

“Best place ever“

“As a frequent guest, familiarity with a restaurant can sharpen both appreciation and critique, and my most recent visit offered a bit of both. Despite a typically packed Friday evening, our reservation was honored immediately—an efficiency that regulars have come to value at this always-busy establishment. The evening’s only notable drawback began with the seating. As a party of two, we were placed near the bar in a high-traffic area, which, combined with the restaurant’s characteristically high noise level, made for a less intimate dining experience. Service was prompt and capable, though somewhat impersonal. Culinarily, the meal was uneven but largely successful. The walleye fish fry, a dish I had been anticipating, was merely average and carried a slightly fishy note that raised questions about freshness. In contrast, the eggplant and shrimp dishes were well executed and thoroughly enjoyable, reminding us why we return so often. Taken as a whole, this visit reflected the restaurant’s usual strengths with a few minor missteps. While not a standout evening, it was still a solid experience and, consistent with most visits, earns a respectable 4 out of 5.“

“Best gastropub in the area. The ambiance is absolutely perfect in the Firkin. The lighting, decor and staff makes every visit memorable. They have a great selections of beer and cocktails they offer. Their calamari is delicious and they have a good selection of shareable plates. As for dinner, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. I've never had a bad meal. It is very obvious the owners put a lot of thought every aspect, from every dish served down to the beautiful artwork on the walls.“

“We picked Maevery last minute for our son's navy graduation dinner and it didn't dissapoint. They accommodated a last minute reservation and put us in a corner great table for easy catching up. Service was great (which we didn't experience in multiple fine dining restaurants downtown) and food was yummy and a good selection. .. they had awesome recommendations and treated us wonderfully! Didn't rush us and from 5-6pm we nearly had the place to ourselves before the dinner rush! Highly recommended by this out of town visiting family! Thank You (from Southern CA) We will be back if we are in Chicago again!“

“Everything is amazing, and we love the outdoor seating.“

“what a great place food is delicious and atmosphere is good to have to say the chef is the best“

“😀Tracy's is a great place to play some slots; have a beverage or two; and plenty of snacks. The attendants here are awesome!!“

“The atmosphere at the English Room in Lake Forest is very nice calm, classic, and a beautiful setting. The drink presentation was gorgeous. But the food itself was just okay, nothing special. I went to see what the hype was about, but overall I wasn’t very impressed.“

“😀Tracy's is a great place to play some slots; have a beverage or two; and plenty of snacks. The attendants here are awesome!!“

“Them hush puppies! 🤤 delicious!“

“Always have great food and service here. Only reason for 4 stars is the rude wet blanket of a manager that sat my daughter and I. Obviously filling in for the goat that had no yet come in. Barely acknowledged us, did not greet us as all. I've had better interactions with DMV employees. Terrible scowl on his face and didn't change the entire time we were there. Not a great example for the staff on customer service“

“The beer and atmosphere are fabulous“

“We visited for the first time on a Monday in December for our holiday luncheon. It was after the lunchtime so we were well served and were able to hear each other. Appetizers were delicious and so was my fish n chips (and they even had malt vinegar!) Loved the swanky decor. I will return again.“

“MOST DEFINITELY AN ALL 10/10/10/10 FOR DINING AND THE ATMOSPHERE IS AMAZING AS WELL AS ALL THE STAFF !!!!!!!!!“