Scott Dogs in Lake Villa

I'll be in LV at lunchtime tomorrow, and I'm planning to check Scott Dogs out. Cool website touting everything homemade. I've got my eyes on either the charburger or the fishfry if it's available at lunchtime. If anyone who has been there has recommendations, please share. Anyone who happens to be in the same area tomorrow at 12:15 is welcome to join me.

Scott Dogs
895 E. Grand Ave.
Lake Villa, IL 60046
(847) 356-6600

Can't make it then, but please do report back on things there. My in-laws live up in Antioch, and whenever I drive up there we end up taking Grand west from the expressway, and then heading north on Deep Lake Rd for a bit, and Scott Dogs just past that intersection is the landmark I use for myself and provide to others when directions are needed.

Haven't been able to make a stop there since going to the in-laws' involves being fed roughly 200% of the time but if there's something particularly worthwhile I'll make an effort to do so at some point.

I had my inaugural visit there last summer. I found it completely by accident. I think I had a polish and fries. I remembered making a mental note to visit again when I'm in the neighborhood. Lake Villa dining options are fairly limited.

ucjames wrote:...if there's something particularly worthwhile I'll make an effort to do so at some point.

There is, and you should. "Chef Scotty", as his staff and friends call him with just a hint of irony in their voices, is cooking up some tasty stuff with plenty of love. Hand cut, skin-on fries, meat cooked perfectly to order, and a few interesting menu twists add up to a fun and tasty lunch.

Chef Scotty's big charburger is cooked to order and served on a fresh bun that doesn't stand a chance of holding up through more than a bite or two. Expect beef-juice laden fingers throughout this meal.

Charburger photo, overexposed but not overcooked:


Post burger bloodbath:



Eaten in a comfortable room with plenty of seating and some video games:




I also tried the "Argentinean empanada," ho-hum gray meat filled inside flaky pastry and flash-refried. Served with fresh, zesty, and very garlicky chimichurri. I didn't get to try beer-battered cod, which Scotty says is the best in town, or some of the more interesting-sounding dogs ("beer-battered slaw dog" and "bacon-fried dog" sounded most appealing). I certainly will if I'm back in the area, and would encourage others to do some additional menu exploration.

Scotty also roasts one of the best IB's in northern lake county, not that says much, but I swear by the cajun sausage and the Carrot cake.

I was happy to see the website, the last couple summers, I used to go on a regular basis when taking the dog to the dog park down the road, but their hours were weird on Saturdays, closing at 4. The website and new menu say they are open 11-8 Mon-Sat and now 8-7 on Sundays (breakfast 8-1).