Best of Lake County

In light of my last post, allow me to present: My favorites! This list has my faves of Lake County, IL with the town listed after it. I tried to avoid putting chains on there in the interests of buying local. So without further ado...

Sandwich: Tina's Italian Bake Shop (Gurnee)
Place to take the parents: The Vine (Grayslake)
Salad: Tina's Italian Bake Shop (Gurnee)
Park: West Park (Lake Forest)
Ambience: Firkin (Libertyville), in particular on Thursdays because that's BLUES NIGHT with a large live band!
Ice Cream: Shirl's (Waukegan)
Burger: Mickey Finn's (Libertyville)
Fries: Mickey Finn's (Libertyville)
Place to snore in public: Anywhere your crush isn't
Politician: Terry Link (The man is super-progressive and super-nice to speak to as well. One of the good guys.) or Susan Garrett (met her and she's got some great ideas)
Pancakes: Wildberry (Libertyville)
Fine dining: 545 North (Libertyville). Or if you want to be really, really kitschy and over-the-top, then choose Night 'N Gale (Highwood)
Diner: Paragon (Waukegan). Love Greek greasy spoons? You'll love this one!
Barbecue: Main Street Smokehouse (Libertyville)
Vintage: Horsefeathers is the United Nations of vintage shops, and it's open 368 days out of the year (says so on their sign!). (Waukegan)
Used store: Thrifty Couture (Gurnee) for clothes, The Chaplaincy (Waukegan) for books. Sadly, there aren't many used CD stores around. May Dog Ear and Music Recyclery's memories be eternal!
Stir fry: AHA Sushi (Gurnee)
Mexican food: Jerry's Tacos (Waukegan)
Asian food: Sushi Thai (Libertyville) or Kori (Highwood)
Bookstore: Original bookstores? Oh, what wouldn't I give for more of them in the county! I guess I would say The Chaplaincy (Waukegan), though I do want to check out This Old Book (Grayslake) sometime.
Fast food: Morgan's (Libertyville)
First date location: Firkin (Libertyville). Come on Thursday when it is blues night and watch your date be impressed. No extra cover for the music, and it's all ages too!
Makeout spot in public: Making out in public is just plain rude. Get a room!
Place to bowl: The Alley! (Highwood) Bowling, billiards, live music, and a bar? All this rock 'n' bowl goodness is located in a microscopically little town, but when you've got all this entertainment at the ready, who cares?
Place to watch the Sunrise: On the Metra train when you're half asleep and half pissed off that you have to be in Springfield by 9 AM and wondering who comes up with the schedule for your conference anyway. Okay, I am done venting, for now...:P
Chicken wings: Mama K's (Gurnee)
Milkshake: Exmoor Country Club (Highland Park). They can make even milkshakes fancy!
Pizza: Jimano's (Gurnee)
T-shirts: Anything bought at Horsefeathers! (Waukegan) What did you think I was going to say?
Grocery Store: Mariano's (Libertyville). Sunset Foods, watch ya back.
Band to watch at a bar: Shoot! I've seen way too many good bands at bars. I like Vance Kelly and his Backstreet Blues Band who play at the Firkin (Libertyville), most of the acts at Mickey Finn's (also Libertyville), most of the acts at Green Town Tavern (Waukegan) and the Fuel Room (Libertyville) also books some mid-size acts. Highwood's Alley and Backstage Lounge also have some diverse performers, but their acts are sort of hit-or-miss. Maggie Speaks (Gurnee) is also very good and they perform almost anywhere.
Concert venue: The gorgeous, restored Genesee Theater (Waukegan)
Dive bar: Island Tap (Libertyville)
Classy bar: Mickey Finn's (Libertyville) or Green Town Tavern (Waukegan)
Place to buy music: My favorite used CD store, Dog Ear, closed. May its memory be eternal!
Drink selection: Firkin (Libertyville)
Chill bar: Gabe's Backstage Lounge (Highwood)
DJ bar: McCarthy's (Vernon Hills)
Bar food: Mickey Finn's (Libertyville)
Concert venue: Highdive and Krannert Center
After-hours food: The only place for that is Avalon (Gurnee). Not the best, but it will do if you need someplace that's open 24 hours and offering you coffee the minute you step in the door.
Coffee shop: Something's Brewing (Grayslake)
Art gallery: Hmmm....any of the venues that magically turn into galleries during ArtWauk (Waukegan)
Local website: http://www.findhelplakecounty.org
Radio Station: The best known one of these is 102.3 XLC.