It’s summer, and the living — and eating — is easy. Food trucks and mobile kitchens are rolling into festivals and farmers markets throughout Lake County, with selections of unique eats for everyone. Here’s a list of places to find the finest eats on wheels, or food truck feasts, in Lake County.
Grayslake Summer Farmers Market
Downtown Grayslake on Center Street
Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., now through September 20
Shop the farmers market and enjoy food from Pizzeria DeVille’s mobile, wood-fired brick oven, and treats and handcrafted beverages from Swirl Cafe.
Food Truck Wednesdays at the Fremont Public Library
1170 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein
Wednesdays through June 28, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy books and bites at the library with the following food truck lineup: June 7, Tony Cannoli, traditional and seasonal cannoli bites; June 14, A Taste of Paris, dinner and desserts with a French twist; June 21, Mario’s Cart,
Mexican, Italian, and classic street food; and June 28, Cheesie’s Food Truck, perfect grilled cheese sandwiches. This event is run in conjunction with Touch a Truck, and will also feature public works trucks and police and fire vehicles.
Highwood’s Evening Market
Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood
Wednesday evenings, June 14 through August 30, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Expect to find local food vendors and food trucks, in addition to a gourmet food marketplace. This year’s food trucks include Louie B. Fresh Mobile Kitchen & Catering, Best Truckin’ BBQ, Toasty Cheese and The Crave Bar.
Libertyville Farmers Market
Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
Thursdays, 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., June 1 and 8, then June 22 through October 19.
Grab a complimentary wagon, shop for flowers and farm fresh produce, but be sure to save room for a pizza, egg scramble, or breakfast sandwich from Libertyville’s own Pizzeria DeVille’s mobile oven. Dessert lovers will delight in a sweet treat or homemade beverage from Swirl Cafe.
Food Truck Thursdays in the Ravinia District of Highland Park
Located at Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues, Highland Park and in Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave, Highland Park.
Thursdays through September 14, 4:30 p.m. to dusk.
Delight in dinner from Beaver’s Coffee and Donuts, Da Lobster, The Fat Shallot, La Cocinita, Loop Juice, Louie B. FreshMobile Kitchen & Catering, Mike’s Revenge, Wheely’s Cafe, Yum Dum, and more. Two mobile fashion trucks, Deliciously Shoes and North and Hudson will also be on site with items for sale. In addition, Abigail’s and Ravinia Brewing Company will serve cocktails, wine and handcrafted beer. Enjoy live music performances in Jens Jensen park while you enjoy your meal and beverages.
Wauconda Summer Concert Series
Cook Park Picnic Shelter, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda — Thursdays, now through June 29.
Wauconda Area Library, 801 N. Main Street, Wauconda — Thursdays, July 6 through August 10.
Food sales begin at 5:30 p.m.; concerts begin at 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy “dinner and a show” in June in beautiful Cook Park in Wauconda, and in July, the show moves to the Wauconda Area Library. Toasty Cheese and Kona Ice have already made an appearance, which trucks will be next? Check the Facebook pages of the Wauconda Park District and the Wauconda Area Library for more details.
Lake Bluff Farmers Market
Village Green, One E. Scranton Ave., Lake Bluff
Fridays, June 9 through October 13, 2017, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy the freshly picked goodness of the farmers market produce and then choose a special treat from the Taste of Paris or Swirl Cafe food trucks.
Food Truck Fridays (Village of Lincolnshire)
Lincolnshire Corporate Center, 300 Knightsbridge Parkway (parking lot), Lincolnshire
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
June 16 and 30; July 14 and 28; August 11 and 25; September 8 and 22; and October 6, 2017.
Enjoy food truck cuisine from Louie B. Fresh Mobile Kitchen & Catering, Grill Chasers, The Happy Lobster Truck, Best Truckin’ BBQ, PIKO Street Kitchen, Killer Zombie Dogs, Mario’s Cart Race for the Taste, Toasty Cheese, Swirl Cafe and more.
Worth the Trip
Chicago Food Truck Fest
Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
South Loop, 1600 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago
Tickets are required for this mother of all midwest food truck events, which includes over 50 mobile vendors. According to the event hosts, there are plenty of outdoor restrooms and baby changing facilities available, making this event family friendly. At the time of publication, the free general admission tickets have been sold out, leaving only VIP-tickets available for purchase.
Arlington Park Food Truck Festival
2200 W. Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights
Arlington Park gates open at 12:00 p.m.
More than 20 food trucks will converge on Arlington Park for this fantastic food truck feast. There is no admission fee for the festival, but general admission rates apply to enter the racetrack. “Hungry as a Horse” VIP tickets are available for this event for $50, which includes admission, an Arlington Program, 12 food truck tickets and four domestic beer or house wine drink tickets. Expect to see trucks such as The Fat Shallot, Cheesie’s, Beavers Coffee & Donuts, Cajun Connoisseur, Chicago Pizza Boss, The Cookout on Wheels, Grumpy Gaucho, Izakaya Yume, Kona Ice, Lucy’s Flying Tacos, Mother Truck ‘N Good Food, Tropical Chill Ice Cream, CheSa’s Gluten Tootin Free Food Truck, Creme de la Crop, La Patrona, Pierogi Wagon, and The Slide Ride, among others.
Where do you find the best food trucks in Lake County? Don’t keep it a secret — tell us in the comments section below!
Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein has frequent food trucks, specifically Thurs nights Pizzeria DeVille has wood-fired pizza prepared fresh on the spot during Live Music Thursdays in the tap room.
Hi Erika, thanks for the information!