I am starting to see a trend: about me writing articles that have to do with eating, booze, being outside, and/or dragging the children along. To be fair, I signed on for this but I don’t want you to think that is all that I write about.
Occasionally I write about 100 things to do in the area this summer! In which 29 of those things had to do with food. Or five things to do with kids on the Union Pacific North Metra line! In which three of the five had to do with eating. I am getting better though because my Five Things to do on the Milwaukee North Metra line had only four food related activities.
I’m branching out as a writer.
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Here’s another post about booze!
Family-Friendly Beer Gardens in Lake County
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Mickey Finn’s
345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville | (847) 362-6688
I told you all about “Finn’s” back in June when I shared some great places to enjoy Happy Hour with the kids. To be clear, not Happy Hour WITH the kids, rather with the kids in tow. Mickey Finn’s has a great kids menu as well as an adult menu, beer, outdoor seating and is in a central Lake County location. It also is just up the street from Lovin’ Oven, which as you know is my gauge for a really good family friendly establishment.
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El Puerto Mexican Restaurant
200 Forest Ave., Fox Lake | (847) 973-1370
One of my favorite Lake County Mexican restaurants for two reasons: the view on the patio and the margaritas. Bring the kids to watch the boats sail by on Nippersink Lake as you stuff your face with chips and salsa and sip your drinks. I first told you about El Puerto last summer when I wrote about Where to Eat Outdoors in Lake County but the locals have known about this place for years and locals are never wrong. But seriously, this patio:
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Middleton’s on Main
110 S. Main St., Wauconda | (847) 526-6433
I first wrote about Middleton’s back in March when I wrote about the Best Irish Restaurants in Lake County (ARE WE FINALLY SEEING THE TREND??). I love their Irish food and they have an amazing beer selection, but I really love this place because they have open-air porches on two levels. Reminiscent of something you would see in the trendy neighborhoods of our city to the south, this place is a local gem. They don’t have a kids menu but with items like burgers, mac and cheese, and nachos, kids will be able to find something to eat. Tip — we split with the kids when there isn’t a kids’ menu so the portions aren’t too large.
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Worth the trip
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Fire Pitt Restaurant
12417 Antioch Rd., Trevor, WI | (262) 862-9886
If you have never experienced a Door County fish boil, I urge you to. The kids will love the experience of seeing the massive fire, and the parents will love the price (starting at $6.99 for kids for a three course meal). If you can’t get up to Door County, go right over the border to eat some great fish, drink some good beer and sit on the patio and wonder why you’ve never done this before.
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Sideouts Bar and Eatery
4018 Roberts Rd., Island Lake | (847) 526-7174
With concerts (can you say Brett Michaels?), sand volleyball, a huge booze selection and much more, you’d think children wouldn’t be welcome at an establishment such as this. You’d be wrong. Sideouts offers a $5 kids menu and a great outdoor eating area. It was even voted Best Outdoor Eatery and Sports Bar by another media source that will remain nameless but rhymes with Maily Merold. This is the first time Sideouts has been mentioned on Little Lake County so see? BRANCHING OUT.
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I know I must be missing some other great beer gardens in the area. Tell us all about them in the comments!
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