Location: Vernon Hills
Top Restaurants in Vernon Hills
Top Things to do in Vernon Hills
- 1. Marriott Theatre
- 2. Independence Grove Forest Preserve
- 3. Tighthead Brewing Company
- 4. Ma & Pa's Candy
- 5. Beerhead Bar & Eatery
- 6. Regal Cinemas Lincolnshire Stadium 21 & IMAX
- 7. Lake County Forest Preserves
- 8. Rockin' Jump Buffalo Grove
- 9. Marytown - The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe
- 10. Par-King Skill Golf
Vernon Hills Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills is an affluent suburb north of Chicago, Illinois in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 20,120 at the 2000 census, and 25,113 in 2010. Vernon Hills serves as a retail hub for its surrounding area (Libertyville, Lake Forest, Long Grove, Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove).
Things to do in Vernon Hills
1. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 384 reviews
With a name like Buffalo Grove, it's only fitting that we have a giant buffalo overlooking our main dining room! This location is a full service restaurant and bar, with carry-out and delivery serving Buffalo Grove and parts of Long Grove, Lincolnshire, and Wheeling. We offer catering and have private event spaces available for up to 80 people. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is the home of the best pizza in Chicago. Our signature Chicago-style deep dish pizza is made using a recipe that has been handed down through the generations. Today, Lou Malnati's is recognized as one of the most iconic and best restaurants in Chicago.
Reviewed By TravelerJim
Lou Malnati's serves authentic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. The pizzas do take about 45 minutes to cook, so don't be in a hurry. Start off with their wonderful Lou's salad while you are waiting. Service is almost always friendly and...MoreThank you for your feedback! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your deep dish pizza and had a great experience while dining in with us. We look forward to serving you again soon!
2. Walker Brothers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
Reviewed By Mamatenz - Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Long lines. Overcrowded tables. Poorly cooked food. I have come several times before, food is usually very good and fresh.
Today the potato pancakes that came with my spinach crepes tasted like they precooked and reheated. The bottoms were burnt and the consistency was heavy and in appetizing. People were shoved in at the ends of tables and moving around was extremely difficult. I kept thinking that if there was a fire people would not be able to get out. I would come at an off time Not
On a Sunday.
3. Portillo's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Home to America's favorite Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads, and chocolate cake.
Reviewed By Walkaboutfar - Barrie, Canada
Portillo's ... many in Chicago rave about the restaurant. The drive-through line-ups are always long. The food: lots of its and made fresh and hot. The food was too greasy for my taste but this certainly comfort food.
4. Lauretta's Italian Bakeshop Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By Mary R - Mundelein, Illinois
Laurie is great and so is the food she presents. Always a nice experience. Quaint. Welcoming. Cozy. Fresh, homemade pasta dishes. We are long time customers.
Outside eating area too when weather permits. Wine. I like the linguine and clams. Lasagna is good, too. Love love love her cookies and cannolis.
5. Wildfire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 463 reviews
Step back in time to when going out for dinner meant something really special. From the decor to the jazz music, Wildfire has the style and warmth that makes it perfect for celebrating with friends or a quiet evening for two. The extensive menu features broiled steaks and chops, wood-roasted seafood and roasted meats, all prepared in an open kitchen. Signature dishes include Horseradish Crusted Filet Mignon, Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut, Wildfire Chopped Salad and Cedar Planked Salmon. So order a signature martini or one of our many wines by the glass, then sit back and enjoy the 1940s supper club experience of Wildfire.
Reviewed By LCL-travels - Chicago, Illinois
Happily for us, Wildfire in Lincolnshire was open Christmas Eve and we had a lovely dinner. The enticing bread basket offers small onion rolls, black bread rolls, and corn bread. We had to ask for a refill. Three of us shared the small chopped salad. I had an open-faced Mediterranean salmon sandwich, which included avocado, arugula, tomatoes, cucumber and yogurt sauce. Really excellent. For my side dish, I had the roasted vegetables, also very tasty. We shared a sampler plate of three delicious dessert selections. A great meal!
6. Mambo Italiano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
Reviewed By LCL-travels - Chicago, Illinois
Based on recommendations from friends, we had dinner at Mambo Italiano. The menu features traditional Italian entrees. The bread was average. Three of us had pasta dinners and one had the fish special. All entrees come with soup or salad. The minestrone soup was good. One criticism is that we were not offered freshly grated Parmesan cheese. We all enjoyed our entrees. The marinara sauce was very flavorful. The tiramisu dessert was excellent.
7. Real Urban Barbecue
Overall Ratings
4 based on 184 reviews
Real Urban Barbecue has four Chicagoland locations in Downtown Highland Park (610 Central Ave. #177), Vernon Hills (1260 S. Milwaukee Ave.), Oak Brook (2119 Clearwater Drive) and Skokie, IL (5328 W. Touhy Ave). Real Urban Barbecue specializes in dine in, carryout, and private or corporate catering. Their menu features homemade BBQ sauce and slow-smoked items like their famous burnt ends, award winning ribs, pulled pork, Turkey, brisket and chicken, all slowly rotated on 11 Cookshack smokers capable of smoking 12,000 pounds of meat daily. RUB also offers sandwiches, fresh salads, comfort sides… And come for the barbecue, stay for the dessert! Real Urban Barbecue has recently expanded their spread of baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth courtesy of the Real Urban Bakery.
Reviewed By Randall L - Waukee, Iowa
Been here several times during family visits. The BBQ, particularly the burnt ends, ribs, brisket and chicken are good, and the many sides to pick from are good as well. The drawbacks are the long lines, cafeteria style ordering, pick up, and wait to pay, all make it frustrating when your food is cooled by the time you get to the table when you can find a seat. A bit over priced in my opinion for the portion and quality of the food. Our son and grandkids love the place so we'll be going back many times.
8. Elly's Pancake House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 150 reviews
Founded in Chicago over 20 years ago, Elly's has offered a friendly, casual and contemporary dining atmosphere. Making all our dishes from scratch using only quality ingredients and serving them fresh and fast to our guests. In 2017, Elly's has expanded outside the Chicagoland area to Phoenix & Kansas City known as Elly's Brunch & Cafe.
Reviewed By Suzysme
Elly’s is a terrific, casual breakfast place. Prices are fair, food is good quality and dependable. Weekends tend to get crowded, but staff does good job keeping things moving. Weekdays are usually less crowded with fast, friendly service. Delicious omelettes are my favorite, typical diner menu here with good atmosphere. Try the fresh squeezed orange juice.
9. Tsukasa Of Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By betona - Ohio
Came here for the hibachi meal with some associates, and the meal was made as expected, fresh and quick. If you've been to this type of place, you know the drill with the speedy knives, flying shrimp pieces and flambé demonstrations. I'd say that the pricing was reasonable for the location and type of food.
10. Bonta Italian Market and Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Richard W - Duncanville, Texas
First the positives. The service was attentive, friendly, and fast. The food was delicious, and quite reasonably priced.The atmosphere, although not at all fancy, was nice and homey. Now for the negatives. The spinach and cheese pizza, although very good, would have probably been a bit better if it had a little less cheese so that the spinach stood out more. That's it. Sound like a picky thing to complain about? Can't argue, but that's the only thing even vaguely come up with as a negative, and that's the reason it got a five star review. This place really is that good. The cold plate of mixed grilled vegetables, Italian meats and cheeses was worth the visit all by itself. Both the vegetable sandwich and the caprisi sandwich were excellent.We were in the Chicago area for a few days during our vacation, and ate at this place twice. Since it's several hundred miles from home I'm not going to claim I'm going to become a regular, but I will say that it was the best meal I had in the Chicago area, as well as one of the least expensive.
