My friends and neighbors agree that the best restaurant within a reasonable distance is Cafe Pyrenees at Rts 21 and 137. Their Express Lunch Menu (on the back of the menu) offers excellent value. For $11 you get soup or salad, unlimited ice tea or soda and your choice of:
Sliced Roast Beef Sandwich on a French baguette with sautéed onions, swiss cheese and a side of au jus
Grilled & Marinated Chicken Sandwich on tomato Focaccia bread with caramalized onions, sautéed peppers and Brie cheese
Garden Salad, mixed greens tossed in a Dijon mustard vinaigrette and topped with avacado, marinated artichoke, grilled asparagus, vine ripe tomato and diced red onion
All with either homemade chips, fries or seasonal fruit. (They have excellent fries.)
The beef sandwich may be the best I've ever had. It's not to be missed. The chicken sandwich is also terrific. An out-of-town guest called it the best she's ever had.
There is always a fish of the day lunch special for $13. If available, grilled salmon with a merlot reduction sauce is excellent although my preference is with their lobster sauce. (The chef will sometimes make the substitution.)
The terrific lunches alone, served Tue through Fri, 11 AM - 3:30 PM, make this a Great Neighborhood Restaurant.
Cafe Pyrenees
1762 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-362-2233
http://www.cafepyrenees.com Another place of great value for lunch is Tang's Chinese in Grayslake. From 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Tue - Sat, you get soup, eggroll, hot tea and a choice of 27 entrees for $5.60. I love their beef chop suey but don't miss the Empress Chicken. Lightly breaded white meat mixed with broccoli, green pepper, water chestnuts and carrot in a barbeque sweet & sour sauce. (While listed as a hot & spicy dish, you can ask for it to be made mild.)
Tang's
111 S. Hwy 45 (Just North of Rt 120)
Grayslake, IL 60030
847-548-8882
EddieK