Bluffington&#x27;s Cafe

Great old school sub shop. Reminded me of the mom and pop sub shops I grew up with in Wisconsin…read more Had the classic sub. It's all about the bread and the bread was fanatics people working there were very friendly. Very tight but I would expect anything else from a place like this.

Best hoagies around. As good as anything from my hometown of Philly. Service is quick and friendly…read more It's my go to anytime I'm in Waukegan.

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How to continue the day

The Original Chicago Hoagie Hut

4.0(106 reviews)

6.4 mi

My first time having a Chicago style cheesesteak hoagie and I was very impressed! I've had Chicago…read morestyle hotdogs before (once went on a hunt for "the best") and cheesesteaks, but I've never had the 2 together. My hoagie was full of delicious and perfectly cooked steak, full of seasonings, oil and mayo making it slightly wet like I like (I love my sandwiches saucy). The bread was tender yet sturdy enough to hold all the wet goodness, and to my surprise, the onions weren't overpowering. I was tempted to save half of my sandwich for later that day, but it was so good I ate it all in one setting. Unfortunately my waffle fries were non-edible. They were all fried way too hard and crunchy like rocks which was disappointing. The service was quick and extremely friendly! Since they were out of curly fries they gave me a few extra waffle fries (just wished they weren't cooked extra hard!) and I was offered an iced water cup for the road on a 92 degree day!!! I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area and maybe even give the fries another try!

For what it looks like inside & out, the sandwiches will surprise you. I got the Chicago steak with…read morecheese & hot sauce, very delicious! The guy working the counter was nice & helpful. Just under $10 nowadays isn't bad. I'd definitely stop back in to try the sandwich I had or something else.

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Foodstuffs

4.1(73 reviews)

1.8 mi

LOVE this place. Came here for lunch with my mother in law. We each built our own salads - tons of…read moretoppings and dressing options. Everything was fresh! They have numerous soups, dips, cookies, baked goods. I had to get the viral dot cake - it did not disappoint. This place reminds me of an east coast grocery store. Everyone seems happy. Employees were ready to help. Seating indoors and out on the patio.

Foodstuffs is a great and interesting lunch option in Lake Forest. All of their offerings are very…read morefresh and high quality, including their bakery items (look closely in the display case for potential bargains!) Starting with the salads...for around $12...you pick from an excellent selection of fresh ingredients and they toss it up. You can have them chop it as well. Their dressings are custom made and the ginger dressing, in particular, is delightful. The sandwiches...also about $12...are large and also made to order. (If you order a Panini expect a wait of around 15 minutes.) Their bakery goods are to die for! Yes, you could run around the corner to Gerhards but you'll pay much less here at Foodstuffs for a larger, better dessert (and maybe even fresher). It's not all perfect, however. We recently took home one of their frozen Shepards Pies and while the crust was great and it had plenty of meat filling there was way, way too much salt in the recipe. Also, I've had soup here a few times and it was good, but not great. As an aside, the service here is definitely courteous but can be slightly standoffish at times so don't expect the kind of super friendly service you may experience elsewhere in Lake Forest.

Foodstuffs Catering Wedding Cakes

Chicken Caesar Wrap

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California Dreaming Salad

The Peanut Gallery

4.5(81 reviews)

2.0 mi

Literally the best burger and fries I have had in YEARS. I generally don't review and rarely eat…read morethis type of food but the next time I do, it will be from here

We came by for some ice cream after dinner and with it being our first time we weren't sure what to…read moreexpect. When we walked in it was total chaos with 4 different lines, some folks waiting to order food, some waiting on take out and others just not sure what to do. We had about 10 people cut in front of us to order ice cream because we weren't sure and they just kept helping people next to us. After about 20 minutes of waiting we finally got our orders only to be totally shocked that each cone with 1 small scoop of ice cream was about $7 each. When the ice cream didn't even fill the cone. We should've just gotten a point for that price since the pint was $8.50. The ice cream was really good, but perhaps we'll try an off time where it's not full of people to visit again.

Downstairs seating and games

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Seating and decor

Dockside Deli

4.4(8 reviews)

5.7 mi

Great value for around five bucks it gets you a loaf of really fresh bread and a bunch of lunchmeat…read morestuffed in with some onions, tomatoes, lettuce and some sort of dressing that reminds me of the dressing they use at Leno's on Grand av. Nice guy inside making the sandwich offered to go across the street to Dockside Dogs and get me some giardiniera for my sub which I declined. Nice deck outside with tables, chairs and umbrellas or sit by the boat ramp. Very limited menu offering just a few items. Just like the dog joint across the street the views are what you come here for but the sandwich was very fresh and tasty even without the giardiniera. These two places draw you to the harbor.

While in town to see my sailor graduate from boot camp we stopped here for lunch. The sandwiches…read morewere amazing and the company even better!! Being from out of town you never know what you will find- here we found a new friend! Thank you for the amazing food and making our trip even more memorable!!

Modest signage

Front entrance

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Subs were yum!

5 Points Restaurant

3.7(81 reviews)

2.6 mi

Great quality fast delivery excellent restaurant. Pretty…read moregood price ,......................

First time here and they have an extensive menu. Lots of choices of hot dogs, hamburgers, salads,…read moreItalian beef and sausage and ice cream. We ordered a double cheeseburger meal ($11.99) with perfectly prepared Krinkle cut fries and a Gyro meal ($12.49) with those same perfect Krinkle cut fries. These meals came with drinks and we ordered mozzarella sticks as an added side (4.99). The cheeseburger is pretty ok and the gyro was really tasty. Service is friendly and quick. The dining room is not big but has a combination of tables, booths and counter seating and there is also outdoor seating. The restaurant appears to be clean and in good repair. I want to return to try some of the other menu items.

Cheese burger

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Cantina Restaurant & Deli

3.5(2 reviews)

2.8 mi

I ordered the 3 carne molida tacos for the BOGO deal on DoorDash. It comes with 3 tacos, rice,…read morebeans, and chips. The rice tasted sweet, too sweet for my liking. The beans were great! The tacos are good but I'm not a big fan of how the tortillas were made. They tasted a bit greasy. Otherwise great presentation and good value with the DoorDash deal. I can't speak on the service or ambiance since I just got delivery.

I would give this place more of a 3.5, so I rounded up. It is connected to a gas station, so…read moreparking is limited. When you enter, it is a small place that has a few tables, the main counter/deli, and then a few slot machines. Depending on how many people are in line, it can take a while. There was only one lady working when I went, and there was one person ahead of me, and his order wasn't huge but took a while because of the variety of things they offer. I ordered an Italian beef quesadilla, 12 inch sub, and elotes. I like that you can choose any of their deli meats to put in your quesadilla, and they are not skimpy on the amount they put in, which is nice, especially for the price you pay for a quesadilla. The sub was my favorite. You can choose your deli meat and options to put on it. I've had the sub before because a place had gotten subs catered from there. That's why I went to see where this delicious sub came from. I should have stuck to the subs that was tasty. The elotes, on the other hand, were not. If I knew they didn't use roasted corn, I wouldn't even have ordered. The corn was soggy, and the toppings of mayo, butter, and chili powder didn't even have a great taste. The ingredients were there, but it tasted like nothing. Which is unfortunate. It's close to home, so I'd come back for another sub, but idk if I would get anything else. They do have horchata, but it's just the pre-packaged mix, so I didn't even bother to get one. They have the potential to be a good neighborhood spot

Inside counter with snacks

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Ferentino's Pizzeria East

4.3(181 reviews)

1.7 mi

My first time trying Ferentino's Pizzeria and it definitely won't be my last! It's a small, cozy…read moreneighborhood spot with such a welcoming atmosphere. The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, which made the experience even better. We tried the cheesy garlic bread on their fresh house made focaccia, the rigatoni vodka, the jalapeño pineapple pizza on the Roma crust, and the veggie pizza on the pan crust. The fresh focaccia was easily the star of the meal and made both the garlic bread and the Roma crust pizza so good. The rigatoni vodka was also a standout with a rich, flavorful sauce that I'd happily order again. The pan crust wasn't my favorite, but everything else was fresh, delicious, and made with quality ingredients. If you're looking for a hidden gem in the Chicago suburbs with great food and even better service, I'd definitely recommend giving Ferentino's Pizzeria a try!

The pizza is incredible. Slices available daily. A crust so crispy, crunchy, chewy, and tasty that…read moreyou should slap yourself and get in here!!! Thick or thin, the crust is amazing. The sauces are well put together with flavor and texture. Sausage covers the whole thing, it seems, but not in an over-reaching manner... the taste is superb. Fresh. Seasoned. Loved. Well-done, indeed. Clean places to sit for a bit, though it is super casual. The pizza is piping hot so don't worry about getting it to go or delivered. This place is one of Chicago's finest. I promise!!

View of windows

The salad with dressings

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Up the street view

Lake Forest Food & Wine

4.4(26 reviews)

1.9 mi

You can't go wrong with any of the menu items here! All the sandwich, wrap, soup and even salad…read moreoptions always taste fresh, flavorful and delicious. Super customizable too. Service is always amazing, the staff is very welcoming every time! Really great place to stop by for a quick bite. Nice spaces to sit down as well. Definitely recommend the Chicken Pesto sandwich and tomato soup!

Consistently wonderful sandwiches. I have been partial to the Italian for 25+ years. My companion…read morelast time had chicken salad on a croissant and remarked repeatedly on the flavor of the chicken salad and the crispness of the lettuce. This is emblematic of the care they take in preparing the food. Great to either eat in or to go.

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Sandwich shop

Tina's Italian Bake Shop

4.7(337 reviews)

7.2 mi

HEYYY I DIDN'T KNOW THEY CLOSEDD!! I have an amazing memory…read moreof this place I need to know if they just relocated or what happened :(

When I walked in I loved the smell of everything cooking and baking …read more The workers owners were so friendly and nice . I had soup . We bought cookies and dessert's The sparkling water San Benedetto was yummy! We will go again for lunch or a meal. We just came from the dentist next door! Yummy taste and smells Cute inside also .

Freshly baked and cheesy focaccia bread...sooooo good!

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7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Dana H.

6 years ago

Dear Local Restaurant Chefs/Owners, We thank you for your interest in participating in our Kiwanis PRO/AM (professional and amateur) cook book! We have already received numerous recipes from local restaurants so don't miss out on the opportunity to get your restaurant highlighted to the community!!! Remember, we do not want your restaurant's secret recipes! We would prefer a recipe that perhaps your family enjoys or one that inspired you to be chef/own a restaurant. Help us help the local children as all proceed will be donated to youth community needs. Thank you! Lake Bluff Lake Forest Kiwanis Dana Hansen, dhansen@lakebluffparkdistrict.org (847) 457-7352 read more

Dave V.

5 years ago

The food is great and the staff is the friendliest in town. This place is a local gem and it is highly recommended for breakfast and lunch!

Kelly M.

15 years ago

The best chicken salad sandwich I've had so far...great soups too...yes they are expensive but it's worth it!

Linda K.

7 years ago

This is the perfect place for breakfast or lunch in our lovely downtown area. Great food and friendly staff.

A R.

12 years ago

Great place....Eggs Bluffington is a wonderful breakfast sandwich!

Sally S.

4 years ago

Best Tuna Sandwich hands down. Loved and consistent all for years.

Ed P.

16 years ago

The Doug's Club is the best sandwich in Lake County.

Bluffington's Cafe - cafes - Updated September 2026

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