Burger at White Hart Pub (Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest)

It's been awhile since I visited the White Hart Pub inside the Deer Path Inn up in Lake Forest, but I think I'm ready for a cruise up Sheridan Road for a second visit. I think Deer Path Inn is known primarily for their award-winning English Room restaurant, but I'm here to talk about a great burger and beer I enjoyed in their pub. A stately English Tudor-style building, the Deer Path Inn follows the "North Shore" stereotype at first glance. I was only the slightest bit intimidated strolling into their main lobby with my similarly jeans-clad brother-in-law assuring me that "It's cool, I've been here in my motorcycle leather a million times."

Anyway, we dashed downstairs past several guests in formal evening wear and were greeted by the cozy White Hart Pub. Having been to a few true English country public houses, this place stands up pretty darn well to my recollection. I was relieved to see that most of the clientele in the pub were casually-dressed and not nearly as concerned with keeping up appearances as those upstairs.

The pub had a fairly nice selection of English beers. I believe I had one of their Samuel Smith's varieties. The White Hart Pub Burger is a bit pricey at $12, but included a generous helping of crispy shoestring fries. The burger itself was likely advertised as 1/2 lb., but might have been pushing a little north of that. Nice flavor, perfectly-done to my medium specification and adorned by a quality bakery bun. There's plenty more on the pub menu that sounded wonderful. I mean, could this place honestly mess up fish & chips? Not bloody likely.

Try it out and tell me what you think if you're up Lake County way.

Deer Path Inn
White Hart Pub
255 East Illinois Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

White Hart Pub hours: M-Sa 11-9, Su 5-9

HI,

Thank you for the report. While I don't far from there, I haven't been to the Deer Path Inn for a meal since I was 10 years old. I ordered King Crab au gratin that I still remember. The Deer Path Inn is on a street parallel and just south of Deer Path Road, which is probably one reason I never think to go there.

Again, thank you for reporting in and the inspiration for a visit in the very near future.

Regards,

When I lived in the northern suburbs, I used to go to the pub a lot. I liked the atmosphere of the pub, loved the building it was in, and I remember the food was pretty good. They had a nice selection of single malts too. This is going back to the '90s though so I'd be interested to hear more recent reviews as well. Thanks for putting it back in my mind.

A group of us are going out to dinner in Lake Forest before a play at Gorton and I was thinking this might be a good spot. Anyone been in the last decade+?