Gurnee ??

We're having some work done at the house tomorrow, and rather than trying to control the kids and keep them away from any danger...we're leaving for a short overnight in Gurnee. We're headed to Key Lime Cove (I love my kids) water-park. I am going to be forced to eat "freezer to fryer" food at least once while we're there - but I refuse to take an entire trip staying at a generic faux-jungle themed hotel AND eating at Applebee's (or worse, at Key Lime Cove).

Usually, when out of the city - pizza is the easiest thing to find a good mom n pop version of - and it's a kid/family friendly food. We're also suckers for good ice cream. Any cool pizza and / or ice cream shops out that way? Beer helps keep me calm when in these situations, so if there's beer at said establishment - EVEN BETTER!

For me it would be Wholly Frijoles and Culvers, although I think WF is closed on Mondays, so I can't think of a second choice.

I like WF, but live not too far from the original in Chicago...and Culver's I do enjoy when traveling and forced to eat fast food - they are one of the only places I'll go that has a drive thru...

I was looking for more of a "locals gem"..there may not be one, just throwing it out there.

When we visit my brother in Gurnee, we will occasionally get carryout pizza from Jimano's. Not destination-worthy, but usually a decent rendition. I believe that they have dine-in also.
http://www.jimanos.com/locations/

we will occasionally get carryout pizza from Jimano's

Even if we don't make it there on our trip, I'm definitely signing up for this:


Pizza in my mailbox!! Yes please...I'll insulate it like a hot-box, and have hot pizza waiting for me everyday when I get home!

If you don't mind driving 20-30 minutes further, Wells Brothers Pizza in Racine is well worth a visit. viewtopic.php?p=50630#p50630. Call first to make sure they are open. Also just across the border at Hwy 50 is the Brat Stop.

You are 10 minutes from Captain Porkys and The Shanty.

Local pizza option - http://www.kaiserspub.com/

The Paragon has great broasted chicken and is only five miles east:
Paragon Restaurant
2101 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL, 60085
contact@eatparagon.com
847-623-6820

hope i'm not too late:

aside from kaiser's (which is the only "sit down" pizza place) and jimanos, there is Mike's Pizza, which is a waukegan place with a gurnee branch in a very obscure strip mall.

nothing fantastic but i would describe the pizza as "scarfable". party cut, thin crust, ok sauce and greasy, see through the bag kind of melted cheese.

mike's pizza
34409 N Old Walnut Cir
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 548-9200

Also there is Bill's Pizza/Pub with two locations slightly west of gurnee. I've only been to the mundelein one but found the pizza acceptable. crackery thin crust, but the double-decker is very filling. might be interesting for the kids, the decor is hunter's lodge with quite a bit stuffed/mounted animals.

note that they offer free peanuts and you can throw the shells on the floor. if you or your family has peanut allergies, do not go here.

http://www.billspizzapub.com/