Something near Waukegan Harbor?

It has fallen on my small but strong shoulders to find a destination in Waukegan. My department at work is doing an afternoon fishing excursion from Waukegan Harbor. My boss wants a place to go afterwards for a drink and a bite to eat and where he can present awards and we can continue our revelry. My knowledge base doesn't go that far north -- any suggestions for us?

Thanks.

The GP (Mary)

HI,

I contacted a friend who lives on the bluff in Waukegan overlooking the harbor. She offered the following:

Madison Avenue Restaraunt is on the bluff overlooking the harbor. Also, they will prepare any fresh catch brought in if it is a fishing excursion. You can contact Marilyn Eccles (owner) to speak with her further.

Madison Avenue Restaurant
34 North Sheridan Road
Waukegan, IL 60085-4307
847.662.6090

I don't know how soon your event or how many people. Bacci's (Genesee Street) will be doing a soft opening within the next few weeks, so might be risky.

Bacci's
30 N Genesee St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 623-3121

Another good choice would be the Waukegan Yacht club. Right at the Harbor. Good food and bar.

Waukegan Yacht Club
P.O. Box 75
Waukegan, IL 60079
Tel: 847.623.4188

There are also several Mexican seafood places, if that interests you.

Whatever you do, please let us know your experience.

Regards,

I second Madison Avenue... they often have daily specials. I personally like their prime rib dinners.

My only recollection of the Waukegan Yacht Club was from high school, when my senior prom post party was held there.

If you don't mind venturing off the shore, I would also suggest Louie's. Its a place for the locals, and was the place I had my first job. They are located in a residental area, a few blocks west of the lakefront. They have great pizza and other american favorites... and amazing homemade breadsticks. They have a back room sectioned off from the front of the restaurant that may accomodate your party comfortably. Ask for George, the owner or one of his sons who may be running the place nowadays.
Louie's Restaurant
(847) 244-0101
1009 North Ave
Waukegan, IL 60085

Thanks to Cathy2 and foodie1 for the tips. Louie's might just fit the bill. The other places seem too formal for our rag-tag group of 15. I'll report back after the outing.

-Mary

Cathy2 wrote:I don't know how soon your event or how many people. Bacci's (Genesee Street) will be doing a soft opening within the next few weeks, so might be risky.

Bacci's
30 N Genesee St
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 623-3121

Is that part of this Bacci or unrelated?

Also, has the Yacht club started opening for nonmembers in the evening? I thought it was open to the public only for lunch.

We had our boating outing yesterday. It was a beautiful day on the lake and the fish were biting for at least two of the three boats. Our boat got to enjoy each other's company. I wanted to report on our food finds.

For lunch, I ended up ordering sandwiches from Dockside Subs right at the Waukegan Harbor. Mike at Dockside Subs made up a three bags of sandwiches, chips, pickle spears and cookies (one bag for each boat.) I didn't go too exotic - ham & swiss, roast beef and american, turkey and provolone. Each sub had lettuce and tomato, and mustard and mayo packets were provided on the side. The rolls used for the subs were great. I don't know what they were, but everyone loved them. The meats in the sandwiches were good quality. The pickles were good and crispy. The chocolate chip cookies didn't seem "homemade" to me, but they were a nice finish after a sub and a beverage or two.

After the fishing expedition, we ventured over to Madison Avenue at the recommendation of our boat's first mate and mentioned by Cathy2 above. I learned we wouldn't be too casual. It is a white-tablecloth restaurant, but they get a lot of business from fishermen. We really only needed a place for another beverage or two and some appetizers. The appetizers were pretty standard: jalapeno poppers, potato skins, calamari, wings, mozzarella sticks, etc. Of those listed above, I sampled a popper, some calamari and a hot wing. I was surprised at how good the calamari was. The breading was light and the calamari was very tender. The hot wings were pretty good too. There was nothing left from what we ordered, but that was more an indicator of folks needing food to balance the many beverages consumed on the boat than of high good quality.

I regretted I didn't have time to stop at Dockside Ice Cream at the harbor. I could smell the waffle cones when I walked past with the bags of sandwiches and they smelled great!

Thanks again to C2 and foodie1 for your suggestions. I was intrigued by Louie's, but our group didn't have the focus to drive too far from the harbor. I'm just glad we didn't lose anyone getting to Madison Avenue!

If I ever get up to the Waukegan Harbor again, I know where to get a good sandwich. I'm glad there were some leftovers, because I didn't have an option for fresh-caught fish dinner that night!

Dockside Deli
847.623.2080
Sandwiches, cookies, & treats

Dockside Ice Cream
847.263.1846
Ice cream cones and tasty frozen treats.

Madison Avenue Restaurant
34 North Sheridan Road
Waukegan, IL 60085-4307
847.662.6090

Next time you're up there, let me know. I have a friend who owns a charter boat out of Waukegan, as well as up in Kenosha. What all did you catch? Any 15 lb. Kings or steelhead yet?

I believe the other boats caught a coho (10 pounds?) and a king salmon (12 pounds?). IIRC, two of the fish were kept, the others were thrown back. Since I was not on a boat that caught anything more than a slight sunburn, I don't know exactly what was caught.