The Lantern
768 N Western Ave, Lake Forest, IL, 60045
The Lantern Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Lake Forest for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Forest for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Forest for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
768 N Western Ave
Lake Forest, IL, 60045 - Phone (847) 234-9844
- Website https://www.thelanternoflakeforest.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Rebecca R.
I have been here twice and both times I left feeling satisfied. The first time I ordered a patty melt and seasoned fries. Eh, sometimes pub food just fills the void. The second time I ordered the classic lantern burger with regular fries. Eh, it was just a middle of the road burger. The sign on the door says 'best burger in town'. Well, I now know that when you are in a smaller town with only two pubs, that doesn't mean very much at all. If I was craving a burger like a crazy person and had a time crunch, I would consider heading down the street to this place, but if I had more than 15 extra minutes, I would drive down the street into Highwood for Tap House Grill. A bit of a bummer, but not totally gross. The atmosphere was also a little strange. If you are hoping to see a smiling face and chat with someone new at the bar, look elsewhere. If you are with a friend or want to watch a game in the bar area, this could be a chill place to hang out for an hour or so. Just depends on what you are looking for.
(3)Mick B.
The Lantern is the go-to casual place in downtown Lake Forest and for good reason. The Lantern has maintained a neighborhood feel in spite of the untimely death of owner Don Tiffany in 2007. Don's "news-letters" that were printed and put on each table are greatly missed for their insight and entertainment value. Don was a great host (In spite of his conservative leanings in a land of apparently self-absorbed liberals) and he made sure that everyone who he came in contact with felt that they were welcomed. Don believed very strongly in "the customer is king" motto which I found refreshing. Thankfully the friendly service and good food for a fair price is just the same at The Lantern as when Don went from table to table for 30 years to make sure that their signature Lantern Burger was to your liking. I am a particular fan of the "Tuna Mac" sandwich and their "Onion Straws" which are very thinly cut crispy onion rings coated with a light beer batter. I always open the menu vowing to order something different- but it usually comes down to Mac, a Beer and Straws. Don't limit yourself to what you see on the menu- substitutions are usually possible if you care to ask. I have never tried their steaks but a sailor that I sat next to on the Metra swears that they are the best for the price that he has ever eaten. Of course The Lantern of Lake Forest is just steps from the Lake Forest Metra Station if you use the Metra as a means of transport. Please note that this is not a fast food "joint" and meals are prepared to order. Don't be surprised if the service seems to be slow because of this. My advice is to relax and have another drink with your companions; the meal will be in front of you soon enough. Luckily the Lantern has a good list of imported and domestic beer on tap and by the bottle. Recently they were able to upgrade to a full bar in addition to beer and wine which is a plus. Three cheers for the management not tolerating misbehaving and loud children. We need more establishments that expect civil behavior from their young patrons. Please feel free to take your offspring to Chuck E Cheese if you want them to run around and scream. In summary- if you are looking for solid American fare at a good price with better than average service, give The Lantern of Lake Forest a try.
(4)Michelle S.
Worst Cubano sandwich I've ever had. Stick to the American dishes.
(1)Eric S.
I always love to come to this restaurant. Attentive and courteous wait staff, great food, low prices and you get that small town restaurant feel when you're inside. The trains on the ceiling are another cool old school touch.
(5)Jake T.
Love this place. Monday night is wing night. Best. Wings. Ever. But only go for them on Mondays because they are a steal. Atmosphere is grand and its semi affordable for college kids.
(5)Nafeesah A.
I came to this restaurant a few years ago when a college friend recommended the place to me. It was actually not that bad the food was pretty good and it was one of the hot spots frequented by students who attended Lake Forest College and the now defunct Barat College. It's not one of these trendy eateries, but just a small local spot frequented by locals and those who pass through the area. It's just a fun little spot to get a bite to eat nothing spectacular. I would like to see them have unlimited refills on the soft drinks. If they had this it would be a hit big time.
(3)Steph U.
This place has some good food deals and their burgers are pretty bomb. There are some seasonal dishes right now too, like jambalaya which was so good. They have daily drink deals, like $4 bloody marys on Sundays, which is an added plus. The servers are all very friendly and helpful. Overall, a great place. I came here twice over the past weekend because I really enjoyed eating here. I will definitely be back.
(4)Jacqueline H.
What?! $1.50 domestic bottles in Lake Forest?! Awesome! Relaxing, home-y, dive bar kinda place! We just drank but the food looked good! :)
(4)Lauren K.
Although The Lantern is a local phenomenon that all of the students at the College flock to, it falls short in comparison to other local bars I've visited. It's not uncommon for people in the area to suggest trekking over to The Lantern for a beer or two so when you go you will most likely be completely surrounded by college students (which may not bother you). There are also non-college aged people that wander in, but oftentimes you will walk into the bar being mostly or completely empty unless seats are filled by college students. This bar is in a good location, situated right to the side of the metra line so if you want a quick drink and a burger once you're off the train then this could be a decent go-to. And speaking of the burgers, they are, by far, the best burgers in town. I think it's pretty much agreed upon that the burgers are great here. When sitting down you automatically get served with popcorn which is actually is a pretty good idea, but I've found that, typically, the popcorn is pretty stale. The menu is pretty large, but I would play it safe and order a burger and fries because they are the best item. They have many appetizers to choose from and if you want a large appetizer to share then get the onion rings - it's a huge plate of them! Other than the food, it is sort of dingy in there which actually makes me a little depressed and the bartenders are always rude. Although the waiters are usually polite, I've never had a good experience with the bartenders - they tend to be dismisive. If you are over 21 years of age and are with someone under the age of 21 it is likely that the bartender won't serve alcohol to you, even if your under-age friend doesn't order alcohol. It's sort of weird. Finally, if you are with a group and want a stress free check-out then I suggest you bring cash or you find a different watering hole. They oftentimes make a big stink about splitting checks which can be a huge headache. Save yourself the trouble.
(2)Jason F.
Great place, great service. Ok beer list, good daily drink specials. I had the bacon wrapped hot dog and the lady had the sloppy joe, both were excellent.
(4)Jack J.
The lantern is a pretty cool place. It has trains that ride around the ceiling which is a fun touch. I wasn't expecting it but the ribs for me are their best thing to eat. The meat practically falls right off the bone and the sauce is great. If you go I would definitely give them a try. Oh! The free popcorn appetizer is definitely a nice touch.
(3)Sharon C.
I had the Jr. Lantern burger with mushrooms, swiss cheese and bacon, and an appetizer of cheese curds. The free bowl of popcorn was some of the worst popcorn I've ever had - stale and overly buttered. I would honestly have preferred to have gotten nothing at all than been given that popcorn. The cheese curds were good - good texture, good flavor, and a pretty decently sized portion size. The burger was honestly more than sufficient in size for me (admittedly I had snacked on a quarter of a cantaloupe before heading out for dinner), and it was okay - a little on the dry, flavorless side, but a decent burger. I probably wouldn't eat here again, but I wouldn't say that it was a terrible experience.
(3)Ornela Z.
We went here not too long ago and didn't have a good experience. They seemed under staffed and it felt like our server was frustrated and rushing the whole time. We won't be going back. But the indoor train was cool and the food was decent.
(3)Amy S.
Cute ambiance, friendly service, but mediocre food. Overpriced for a flavorless wrap and dry piece of salmon, but the chicken dinner was good and generous portion. Kids meals overpriced for a burnt hot dog with four smiley fries and my sons motz sticks were way over cooked. $86.00 for lunch not worth the money and that was without tip!
(3)Brie S.
Love this place! They have icicle lights strung across the ceiling and a train track running on on the ceiling of the restaurant. So cute. They provide popcorn for free, instead of chips like many restaurants. Each of my many visits, the popcorn has been fresh and delicious. We've tried many of their burgers and have loved them all! You can ask for seasoned fries (or sweet potato fries) instead of their typical fries at no extra cost---and the seasoned fries are AMAZING. Our waiters have always been attentive and polite. Definitely recommend this place. Can get a bit loud during trivia nights, however.
(5)Bryan B.
Good basic food like hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. they also have some great soups that are made from scratch!
(2)The G.
Get a burger - the lantern chips are awsome.
(4)Mathias K.
It is just a good suburb diner. Burgers and pulled pork are great. The monster wings and $1.25 beers always lead to a good time when I go there. Watch out for Karaoke night. The place is PACKED. However, the local flavor of the mic is pretty priceless.
(4)Manda F.
This is a hot spot for Lake Forest College students. I don't blame them. Bar, burgers, seasonal specials on their menu, and unlimited popcorn in place of bread. I have only been disappointed with one of their special menu items which was the Guinness Stew. Having just visited Dublin, and falling in LOVE with this tasty dish I was happy to finally find it in the states. Sadly this was a disappointment, but that is comparing it to where it was meant to be eaten. Aside from that I have loved the food there. Burgers are great, and beer/spirit selection is pretty good. It's not a ritzy place by any means, but for some decent bar food near the college it is perfect.
(4)Sean P.
Cool place, good beer selection and food. But the service sucked during lunch. Bartender / server was rude and acted like we were waisting his time. I want to check it out on a weekend night in hopes it better.
(3)Jimmy M.
My wife and I stopped in after a nice bike ride up to Lake Forest for some lunch. The decor is pretty dated and the restroom was disgusting, luckily I just went in to wash my hands. We had the fried cheese curds to start, then I had a Tiffany burger and my wife had the chicken parmagna flatbread. The cheese curds were pretty good and my burger was solid. Note: They have signs all over stating that they have the best burger in town...they are pretty lucky that Lake Forest is a pretty small town. My wife said her flatbread had a tinge of "dishwater flavor". All in all, I'm not rushing to go back, but they haven't completely scared me away either. I'm sure we will try some place different on our next bike ride.
(2)Sandra D.
My husband brought me here for lunch. I tried their meatloaf and it was delicious. The meat practically melted in my mouth. I only gave it 4 stars because customer service wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. The only time the server smiled and said "thank you very much for coming" was when he handed us the check.
(4)J L.
Had dinner here last night with my son. What a disappointment. He had a junior burger and unlike other reviewers, we were charged more because he wanted regular french fries (soggy, byt the way), not the silly smiley fries for kids. Why getting a different type of deep fried potato should cost more is beyond me. Then they had the audacity to charge $2.50 for a kids drink. It came in a tiny cup - total ripoff. Finally, i ordered the tuna melt and had to send it back. the tuna salad tasted old and was so visually unappealing. I replaced it with a turkey ruben which was marginally better. Place was quiet and service was OK. not great. There are much better choices in town. Don't waste your time or money at this place.
(1)Luke C.
Good burger and beer pub located in the heart of downtown Lakeforest. Sunday nights kids eat free.
(3)Mit M.
Place is a dump. Locals like it since it's the only dive in LF. Food is marginal along with short shot drinks. It has that dumpy bar feel so the locals think they are relating with the real world while staying in the bubble. Take a pass
(1)Allan M.
When in Rome, and you're enticed by a sign stating 'best burgers in town' on the front door, one might wonder how this place really stacks up. And since I narrowly missed a southbound train due to the fact the middle platform crossing was bizarrely removed(boo Union Pacific), and knew I'd be stuck for 3 more hours, figured I'd give this place a try. Never mind I incorrectly thought at the time I'd be stuck for 31/2 more hours, till I realized I misread the schedule and saw the last southbound Metra train on the UP-North line runs 30 minutes earlier than on Saturdays. Don't expect prompt or the friendliest service in the world, but the food totally surpassed my expectations(and heh I did worry slightly, when I saw a 69% rating on Urbanspoon, and yelp was failing to load up on my not quite smartphone that crappily loads up internet sites). Food hit the spot, the bathroom wasn't unbelievably dirty(as sometimes these bars can unfortunately end up being like), and my medium rare Lantern Burger was very enjoyable. The chips that come with it are good as well. And it did give me a place to watch the 2nd half of game 6 of the just completed Hawks/Wings series to its conclusion, so I can't complain. Since I've always gotten the impression Lake Forest doesn't have a lot of selection beyond upscale restaurants and very limited fast food chains(and I didn't want the latter that day), I'll give it a 4th star. Also, the 4th star is deserved for their beer specials, and their best ones appear to be the $1-1.50 beer specials on Thursday and Sunday from glancing at their alcohol menu. I'd go back if I find myself in LF again, though it isn't often that I do obviously.
(4)Tanya K.
Came in for burgers and got the shepherds pie and Guinness stew. Was not disappointed. Soooo good!! A new favorite place for us.
(5)nancy c.
Great Place- was here 15 years ago and was in the area so I thought I would go in and see if was as good as it was back then. Ordered the Lantern burger with fries and it was just as good like I remembered it 15 years ago. My wife had the burger with chips - she loved it too! Homemade chips are awesome. Keep up the good work!
(5)William L.
I came to the Lantern with some new coworkers for a welcome lunch. I must say, for a local bar-type restaurant, I was VERY impressed. The prices are REALLY good! Most sandwiches and burgers were $6 or less (at least for lunch). Adding fries or a side was only $1.50 or something like that! Most places charge like $3 for that. The beer specials looked great too, but I didn't think ordering some hooch at lunch would make a good first impression. We had a couple baskets of fried-onion-string-circle-straw dealies for appetizers. So good...and so bad for you! I had the patty melt with raw onions and seasoned fries. Both were excellent, although my only recommendation would be to "beef" up the burger a little...it seemed a touch small. That's just the fat kid in me talking. Service was fast (smack dab in the middle of lunch) and the waitress was courteous and refilled our drinks as needed. I'll definitely be back here.
(4)Alex K.
Ohhh the Lantern. I've been going here since I was but a wee lad. To be honest, there is no alternative to the Lantern in Lake Forest which is probably the main reason it sill exists (anyone remember Frank's that used to be next door back in the day?). The food is bland at best. You go here because you don't want to eat fancy in LF (like Francesca's, the Grill on Laurel, etc). I have to say that the Lantern does make me feel like I'm home between the model trains and the signed Chicago sports memorabilia on the walls. I still go here for drinks when I'm visiting my parents but I prefer not to eat here. Its more or less truck stop food. $1 drafts lend themselves to binging. I seem to manage this every night I end up at the Lantern.
(3)Tom A.
My short and sweet review: I lived in Lake Forest for a long time and, due to lack of options, I was relegated to eating at The Lantern for many years. The burgers are decent, the atmosphere is decent, the drink selection is...decent. Notice a pattern? THE SCOOP: Look for other pub food, unless you're wanting to overpay and eat mediocre food.
(2)Elyse C.
I came here for a work lunch my posse and I were dressed in our cami uniforms and I hate getting stared at. But this place made us welcome we got fast and quick service! I had a jr. Burger with pepperjack and jalapeños! You can pick and choose your condiments! It's the perfect size for me but i felt i could make it at home too. I had sweet potato fries they were hot but I felt like they should have some spicy seasoning or something. Overall everyone liked the burgers I'm not sure the prices cause my Masterchief picked up the tab. I would probably come back.
(3)Mike R.
Was great. Will take my family to this great place again. Service was great and the food. Can't beat the train for the kids!
(4)Vivi W.
A nice neighborhood gem. The clientes are mostly older people; but if you just want to grab some good drinks and beer for a bargain after work, it's the place to be. For example, I want an long island iced tea and the bar tender just charged me $4 as the special even though it's a different drink. Domestic beers can be $1.50!
(4)Tuyen T.
I always have a great time here, but that is because of the company, not so much the experience at the restaurant itself. The food is nothing special, but the price adds up. $8 for the junior burger with a side of sweet potato fries? You've got to be kidding me. Was here last Wednesday and there was karaoke and drink specials for Cinco de Mayo. It was packed (last day of classes at Lake Forest College). They stopped taking plastic and it took almost 20 minutes to get the waiter's attention.
(3)Vicki B.
Had some great chili cheese fries at this casual local restaurant!
(4)David W.
I love this place. Whenever I crave a good chicken dinner, which is often since I pratically grew up in the south, I go to The Lantern. Toy model trains runs above head, though it is a bar advertising/warning parents to curb their children or be refused service. Love the feeling I get when I step inside though, transported back through time to an era pre mega-mansion Lake Forest Days...... They have a great broiled half chicken plate decently priced under 10 bucks with 2 sides and a roll. Wish they had sweet tea to go with it but a beer or two is good also.
(4)Ryan K.
This place is showing its age. Food is still good, but the place just screams, "OLD" and going there after dinner for a night on the town is just not fun unless you are there on a Wednesday night for Karaoke...then it is packed with Lake forest College kids all the way up to the random grandpa types.
(3)Emily C.
I was here last night with a rather large group of family and friends. This is a family friendly, small town bar/restaurant that caters to many Lake Forest College students. The clientele is similar to the town: high SES and slightly snooty. There is this great special they offer of dollar draft beers. I think it's like 8 or 10 ounces or so of Miller Lite but still a good deal. The food is a notch up from bar food. Pulled pork is great, as is the burger, santa fe chicken salad and the "strings" which are great deep fried onion strings. The servers are good. The place was shit packed and these kids really hustled for us which was nice. The manager (heavy set woman, short brown hair) was about to flip her shit as the night got busier and busier. I was really amazed that she was speaking to customers in that manner. She may do better tending in the kitchen where she won't misdirect her frustrations at paying customers. All in all, great night of dinner and drinks.
(4)John W.
Nice pub atmosphere. Tasty burgers.
(4)CYNDI A.
Great, casual, family place. Trains run the ceiling tracks, and burgers are great! It can be crowded, but worth the wait. Cyndi Anderson
(4)Jessica T.
Since I left after waiting at least 30 minutes for my food, only to be told it would be another 15-20 more, I can't talk about the food. If it is anything like the service, it could use some work. The place needs to improve their service if they want people to visit it! I know I won't be trying it again!
(1)Scott H.
A fun and very reasonably-priced bar and grill smack dab in the epicenter of North Shore excess. Barkeeps are down-to-earth and keep it real as the bluetooth-packing soccer moms cruise by in their European SUVs just a few yards away. The last time I was here on a Friday night, a basket of complimentary homemade potato chips, a big cheeseburger with grilled onions and all the fixings, fries, slaw and a big craft beer set me back about $11 and change. A-OK in my book. The crowd is very diverse with the local college set co-mingling with the local professionals and older folks alike. I'll be back again!
(4)George D.
It's pretty much just the basics at the Lantern. It's a local favorite in Lake Forest, and that's probably because it's the least expensive restaurant in town. You can get great burgers and sandwiches for a very reasonable price. The service is attentive. The atmosphere is your basic bar/tavern scene... pretty much what you'd expect from a place that's charging you around 7 bucks for your patty melt and fries. The train track running around the ceiling is a big hit with my nephews, which would make you think it's a great place for kids (and it probably is at lunchtime), but....... It is a bar. And it is in Lake Forest, where pretty much any restaurant without a good bar closes within a year. So you may want to watch out for the groups of saucy middle-agers who are getting into their cups. When I was there last night, my girlfriend and I were next to a noisy table of fifty-something moms and dads who were yukking it up about "happy ending massages" and at one point definitely started talking about the two of us. Icky poo!
(4)Jonathan F.
Family-friendly. Reasonably priced with a decent pub+ menu and familiar (if a bit worn) atmosphere. Went here tonight with Lukas, Natalie and Jill for dinner. The burgers were tasty*, hot and handmade. Natalie's smiley fries were a little creepy but she liked them. Everyone was friendly and helpful and patient when Lukas decided to scream like a Man United fan. The caesar salad was so-so, but this is not the place you'd expect a world-class caesar. It was passable (and pass it shall). I would like to go back for happy hour and check out the specials. *NB - we are very picky about our beef since we have the farm-fresh connection.
(3)Milton J.
I am here to defend the burgers. There are good marks mostly, it makes them look OK, but I must tell you they are in the top 5 for me, totally delicious. I just had to throw that in there. Not number #1, but very close. It's also fun to see all the autographed pictures of the Chicago Bears, who used to frequent the place when they practiced in Lake Forest-If the burgers are good 'nuff for those hungry carnivores, I can hack it. Sure, it's the only place in town, but the Bears had limos. Cheers.
(4)Lauren L.
This is the only bar in lake Forest, and it is definitely just an over priced dive. They do make a mean burger, I'll give them that. However, the service isn't good, the crowd is all families with children (even late night at the bar) and they just charge too much for the food. if you are in lake Forest and need to find a pub, this is it, but other than that, i would try a different town.
(3)Timothy W.
Not a bad little bar/restaurant, the location is nice - it's in downtown Lake Forrest amongst the nice shopping center. I've been here twice and had a variety of typical bar food (burgers, nachos, etc) and it's always been a decent experience. The wait staff isn't the best but they are polite when they do come around. I really only go here when I need to kill time before the train arrives, but its a solid restaurant. Nothing special, nothing bad either.
(3)Margaret T.
This place is decent... as a former Forester, I came here quite a bit with a fake ID but this place quickly lost its appeal. Watch out of happy hour nights, or you'll spend the night watching drunk college students blowing their trust funds. Good salad though.
(3)Brandon H.
Awesome burgers, even cooler interior. One of the only places around I've seen with the little train sets running around the ceilings.. This is a great place to come after walking around shopping or just grabbing lunch.
(5)gnat c.
The Lantern...a Lake Forest favorite. The best part about Wednesday, other than it being hump day is $2 jumbos. The food is great...I love a good burger (even if it's a veggie) and fries. The smilely fries rock. This is a great place to watch a big game, hang out with friends, and put back some beers.
(4)Marissa D.
for what it is (a divey bar/restaurant), the lantern gets 4 stars. good burgers, grilled cheese, fries...your basic american food. the funny part about this place is that all the lake forest parents come here at night to drink. i will come back here, if just to listen in on their semi-inappropriate, drunken conversations.
(4)R. S.
Food was fair. Service was horrible. Waited 45 minutes to get our food (soup, salad and a burger) and the place was empty at 4:30 when we got there, and at 5:45 when we left. Won't be back any time soon.
(1)Adriane P.
I've been here about 513 times and I'd recommend it for myriad reasons. First and most importantly, the service is consistently good; servers, bartenders, expeditors, and busses. The owners are usually on site. Second, the atmosphere. On a stretch of hoity toity businesses, this is just a breath of fresh air. Down home, inviting, and fun. The crowd is diverse: old timer locals who've been going for forever, college kids, and families. While it's verrry family and kid friendly they do have joking signs about trouble making kids. On that note though, on Sundays they have a balloon artist go around and there's model trains that dart across the ceilings. Weekly they have a broasted chicken dinner special that's a hit. Others love the weekly fish fry (perch, cod, grouper, ect). Theres other random specials and many beer specials which are cheap and enticing. Every December they serve Glogg a hot spiced wine daily. The burgers are the most popular. The Tiff a big burger, the Lantern burger an average one, the Beth a patty melt, and a mini Lantern burger. The cool thing is they modify each one to order and have lots of choices of toppings and cheese. My favorites on the menu are the seasoned fries with ranch, wedge salad, deep fried cheese cake, soups (especially the lobster bisque). I mainly like it due to the mixed friendly patrons, good service, and Iove seeing a local family do so well so long in an age of big business. It's also conveniently located across from the Metra station and on the main street of Lake Forest's residential district so perfect for a stop in after work, a trip, or shopping.
(4)Kevin N.
The Lantern is a Lake Forest institution. A popular sports bar for locals, the atmosphere is no frills and features a charming model train which runs along the ceiling of the dining room. Foodwise, it's an unpretentious local American tavern with excellent burgers (probably the best in town), including vegan patties, walnut, bison and salmon varieties. The signature Tiffany burger is 10oz. of high quality char grilled beef. Other highlights include excellent Reuben sandwiches, homemade potato chips and tasty spinach salads. The service is friendly, fast and efficient. Daily specials and a Yelp! check in discount make it a great value.
(3)Jim M.
A Tiffany burger with onion rings... an annual treat that I get when visiting my hometown for Christmas. Each Holiday season the guys in my family, from around the country, gather here for lunch. This was our response to the women in my family having an annual lunch themselves. Take that, womens! Anyway, locals know the Lantern has always been a warm place to have a drink or get some good food. Their menu looked a little bigger than I remember, so there is more that I want to try. I've never left the Lantern wishing I hadn't stopped by.
(4)Jennifer H.
Dark. Depressing. Lower than average quality food. I wonder if people go there because for a long time there wasn't anywhere else to go in Lake Forest. The bar area seems to be a popular place but I have no desire to go have dinner there myself. On the upside, the trains that run around the room entertain my young kids, but I'd just rather skip the whole atmosphere and food and trot on down the street to Chief's.
(1)Michael N.
I've loved The Lantern since the first time I came here. It was a freeeeeezing February day, back in 2008. I had just started working at Coyote Logistics and one of the sales managers took us out to lunch. I couldn't believe such a neighborhoody place existed in such an affluent town. The food (burger, what else?) was delicious, and the bar made you feel the same as the person next to you, even if he was paying with an American Express Black Card and I was scrounging pennies together. Either The Lantern just started doing trivia, or we never knew about it. Nonetheless, Ashley and I went to trivia on Saturday night before New Years and won! It was the first time we had ever won trivia, just the two of us against all these other big teams. We won a gift certificate for The Lantern and plan on coming back for more in the future. There are also great drink and food specials every night of the week.
(5)Ashley S.
Nice little local bar to grab a quick beer at! We stopped in on Friday night after a high school football game....primarily to drown our emotions from feeling so old.....and the Green Line's hit the spot. They have Goose Island specials...pints for $4.00, which I think is a great deal! Really cool atmosphere too, kind of like one of those bars you see in the movies where everyone knows your name....
(5)Jennie E.
Best Burgers in town is correct! I am still thinking about my burger and the best ever artichoke dip! Their homemade chips are excellent when they haven't been sitting. I have gotten them obviously fresh and when they may have been made for someone else before me and I can tell the difference. They have Chicago sports, trivia night on Saturdays at 8PM and a jukebox that I have yet to hear. The crowd has its locals and they are pretty friendly. I have looked over the dinner menu and I must say, the prices are very good, especially for the area. I will be back for dinner and drinks soon!
(4)Andrew D.
Typical bar food, fried and fatty. Great scene though, electronic train choo chooing all throughout the place.
(3)Andrew M.
The food is great. Their burgers are a can't miss. Also the deep fried macaroni and pepper jack cheese is a delicious appetizer. I love going for trivia. There are always great specials on drinks, and they bring you popcorn while you look over the menu. The Lantern is a Lake Forest staple for anyone looking for some good grub and/or a beer.
(4)Jody B.
Hubby and I went to The Lantern last night (Monday) because we had a coupon that was about to expire. We had a pleasant evening. We sat in the bar by the window. Not many folks there... Just enough to be a low buzz without a crowd. Service was attentive. They have a great busboy that checks on the tables quite often. I had broasted chicken. It was good enough... But it was a bit dry. Go to Rita's in Lake Bluff for the best fried chicken! (see my review). Hubby had all you can eat fall off the bone ribs. Officially, I shouldn't have had any (no sharing), but I just HAD to have a taste so I could give all the Yelpers the scoop. They were fantastic. Very juicy. Some people would think they were too fatty, but I like them that way. Hubby had a 20oz draft leinie for $3.50! I had a huge glass of house wine for $6.50. All in all,it was a good meal and a good deal!
(3)Holly W.
Oh, The Lantern. How we used to come here almost weekly- and how downhill you have gone recently. The food was never great (and believe me, I'm not picky or a gourmet eater) but it was always decent cafe type food. Recently though, it's just gotten bad. I couldn't even eat my salad, it tasted so watery and tasteless. The service has been awful..Slow and they frequently get orders wrong. Not at all friendly liked they used to be! What happened, guys? We won't be back, sadly.
(2)Christine L.
I was told that when I was in LF, this was the place to visit. After three visits to The Lantern, I have had enough! Each experience was unpleasant, and worse than the one before. I will never go back again or recommend this place to anyone. Positives: They have good drinks specials and large HD TVs for watching sports game Negatives: This place has the worst service ever. I never had to put so much effort in getting the waiter to take an order and refill drinks. After finally getting my table's order in, the kitchen was out of half of the things my friends and I ordered! It was a very frustrating time. I don't even remember what we ordered anymore, because it was not impressive at all. Do not waste your time or money at The Lantern.
(1)Lori T.
I have not been here for lunch in a really long time. I was actually a nice treat. I was on a lunch break from work and stopped in for a quick bite. I ordered the sloppy joe. It was awesome. When i sat down, they also served popcorn. That was a nice surprise. I also really liked the new menus. They offer a wide variety of food choices. Many healthy too.
(5)Sean H.
Cool atmosphere, tiny burgers, monster houses in the Unibombers favorite neighborhood!
(3)Elle J.
Sure, Julia, Matt, Brad & George all ate here while in Lake Forest filming Ocean's 12 (or so it's rumored) - it's a great hole-in-the-wall hangout. Perfect for families - but don't let you kid run wild or be obnoxiously loud. You and your wild child WILL be asked to leave! That aside, The Lantern has some of the best food around. It's mostly the basics, burgers, reubens, chicken sandwiches, etc, but something about this place is very comforting. CEO's and blue-collared folks enjoy each others company and the service is usually prompt and friendly. The bar is a bit smoky, but always crowded with people who seem to be having a good time. I love this place, and think of it as "old reliable". Good pick if you're in the area.
(4)Duncan M.
Great pub food as well as daily specials! The wait staff is super friendly and attentative and the owner always makes you feel at home. The Chicago and local memorabilia makes it worth the trip alone. Known for being one of the oldest bars on Chicago's north shore - it houses a bar with many TVs and stools as well as a family seating area that is quiet and comfortable. Some of the best drink specials around...$1 beers yum. The burgers are really good and the rest of the food is decent. A good place to catch a game or grab a quick bite.
(4)Mark A.
The Lantern is LEGIT. Heart of downtown LF, I can get off the train and walk right in for a Cold brew and good food. I am a wing fanatic, and they have JUMBO breaded wings that hit the spot. I've had it all on this menu - which recently just changed and is better than ever. Burgers are great, wraps (southwest and buffalo) are as good as I've had from anywhere, and the francheesy (bacon wrapped, deep fried hot dog) is something that you've got to try at least once. I've had the sunday brunch once and got the breakfast burrito which did not disappoint. Draft domestic beers are ridiculously cheap every day, and they have the 23oz tallboy mugs as well which are my favorite. Bartenders and management/owners are super nice and always go out of their way to talk to you and make sure you are having a good time. Karaoke night on Wednesday is something to be witnessed first hand, and they just got a popcorn machine for the late night salty bar snack !
(5)Danielle G.
It's not just the fact that The Lantern is the ONLY bar in Lake Forest that keeps me coming back here when I'm in town, it's the glorious old-timey vibe I get when I walk in. Or maybe it's the $3 vodka sodas? Or the cadre of hard drinkers? Or getting the chance to get a drink with my best friend who lives 2,000 miles from LA? Alas, it could be any one of these fabulous reasons....But one thing is for sure, if this LA girl is in Lake Forest, she can be found at The Lantern.
(4)Phil P.
The Lantern is a great place. $1 Bud and Bud Lights all day every day is pretty tough to beat! A great local place. The food is all very good, especially the burgers. The atmosphere is the best part though. This is a place that everyone has to go to at least once.
(5)Robert W.
If it's 5:30 and you've just gotten off work and you're not quite ready to go home to the wife and kids, this is an ideal spot. Alternatively, if you want to take the wife and kids out for some good food and clean family fun, this is an ideal spot as well. The cheese curds are sublime and at just 4 George Washingtons + tax they're a steal. Great drink specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays, good grub, and a charming ambiance make this place a hub for any and all.
(5)Leslie G.
local bar food go to with american staples great service fun and classic ambience a must go to!
(3)Emily B.
This is the most reasonable and most casual place in the town! The food is far above the standards I would've expected for what looks like a bar. In fact, I would say that the place is more restaurant than bar with the bar being nearly in a different room from diners. I LOVE their mac and cheese and sweet potato fries. They have also been really awesome with making sure all of my food was vegetarian. Oh yeah, did i mention their salads? They are cheap and really large, I love their spinach, walnut and dried cherry with poppyseed dressing. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone :)
(5)Julia D.
The foods always been consistently good, nothing out of the ordinary for bar food but still good. I enjoy the atmosphere too...I little dive bar-ish, and not what you'd expect in Lake Forest. It's also great for happy hour if you work in the area, or are taking the train.
(4)Sharon C.
I had the Jr. Lantern burger with mushrooms, swiss cheese and bacon, and an appetizer of cheese curds. The free bowl of popcorn was some of the worst popcorn I've ever had - stale and overly buttered. I would honestly have preferred to have gotten nothing at all than been given that popcorn. The cheese curds were good - good texture, good flavor, and a pretty decently sized portion size. The burger was honestly more than sufficient in size for me (admittedly I had snacked on a quarter of a cantaloupe before heading out for dinner), and it was okay - a little on the dry, flavorless side, but a decent burger. I probably wouldn't eat here again, but I wouldn't say that it was a terrible experience.
(3)Steph U.
This place has some good food deals and their burgers are pretty bomb. There are some seasonal dishes right now too, like jambalaya which was so good. They have daily drink deals, like $4 bloody marys on Sundays, which is an added plus. The servers are all very friendly and helpful. Overall, a great place. I came here twice over the past weekend because I really enjoyed eating here. I will definitely be back.
(4)Jacqueline H.
What?! $1.50 domestic bottles in Lake Forest?! Awesome! Relaxing, home-y, dive bar kinda place! We just drank but the food looked good! :)
(4)Amy S.
Cute ambiance, friendly service, but mediocre food. Overpriced for a flavorless wrap and dry piece of salmon, but the chicken dinner was good and generous portion. Kids meals overpriced for a burnt hot dog with four smiley fries and my sons motz sticks were way over cooked. $86.00 for lunch not worth the money and that was without tip!
(3)Eric S.
I always love to come to this restaurant. Attentive and courteous wait staff, great food, low prices and you get that small town restaurant feel when you're inside. The trains on the ceiling are another cool old school touch.
(5)Ornela Z.
We went here not too long ago and didn't have a good experience. They seemed under staffed and it felt like our server was frustrated and rushing the whole time. We won't be going back. But the indoor train was cool and the food was decent.
(3)Jake T.
Love this place. Monday night is wing night. Best. Wings. Ever. But only go for them on Mondays because they are a steal. Atmosphere is grand and its semi affordable for college kids.
(5)Nafeesah A.
I came to this restaurant a few years ago when a college friend recommended the place to me. It was actually not that bad the food was pretty good and it was one of the hot spots frequented by students who attended Lake Forest College and the now defunct Barat College. It's not one of these trendy eateries, but just a small local spot frequented by locals and those who pass through the area. It's just a fun little spot to get a bite to eat nothing spectacular. I would like to see them have unlimited refills on the soft drinks. If they had this it would be a hit big time.
(3)Lauren K.
Although The Lantern is a local phenomenon that all of the students at the College flock to, it falls short in comparison to other local bars I've visited. It's not uncommon for people in the area to suggest trekking over to The Lantern for a beer or two so when you go you will most likely be completely surrounded by college students (which may not bother you). There are also non-college aged people that wander in, but oftentimes you will walk into the bar being mostly or completely empty unless seats are filled by college students. This bar is in a good location, situated right to the side of the metra line so if you want a quick drink and a burger once you're off the train then this could be a decent go-to. And speaking of the burgers, they are, by far, the best burgers in town. I think it's pretty much agreed upon that the burgers are great here. When sitting down you automatically get served with popcorn which is actually is a pretty good idea, but I've found that, typically, the popcorn is pretty stale. The menu is pretty large, but I would play it safe and order a burger and fries because they are the best item. They have many appetizers to choose from and if you want a large appetizer to share then get the onion rings - it's a huge plate of them! Other than the food, it is sort of dingy in there which actually makes me a little depressed and the bartenders are always rude. Although the waiters are usually polite, I've never had a good experience with the bartenders - they tend to be dismisive. If you are over 21 years of age and are with someone under the age of 21 it is likely that the bartender won't serve alcohol to you, even if your under-age friend doesn't order alcohol. It's sort of weird. Finally, if you are with a group and want a stress free check-out then I suggest you bring cash or you find a different watering hole. They oftentimes make a big stink about splitting checks which can be a huge headache. Save yourself the trouble.
(2)Jason F.
Great place, great service. Ok beer list, good daily drink specials. I had the bacon wrapped hot dog and the lady had the sloppy joe, both were excellent.
(4)Jack J.
The lantern is a pretty cool place. It has trains that ride around the ceiling which is a fun touch. I wasn't expecting it but the ribs for me are their best thing to eat. The meat practically falls right off the bone and the sauce is great. If you go I would definitely give them a try. Oh! The free popcorn appetizer is definitely a nice touch.
(3)Bryan B.
Good basic food like hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. they also have some great soups that are made from scratch!
(2)Manda F.
This is a hot spot for Lake Forest College students. I don't blame them. Bar, burgers, seasonal specials on their menu, and unlimited popcorn in place of bread. I have only been disappointed with one of their special menu items which was the Guinness Stew. Having just visited Dublin, and falling in LOVE with this tasty dish I was happy to finally find it in the states. Sadly this was a disappointment, but that is comparing it to where it was meant to be eaten. Aside from that I have loved the food there. Burgers are great, and beer/spirit selection is pretty good. It's not a ritzy place by any means, but for some decent bar food near the college it is perfect.
(4)Sean P.
Cool place, good beer selection and food. But the service sucked during lunch. Bartender / server was rude and acted like we were waisting his time. I want to check it out on a weekend night in hopes it better.
(3)Adriane P.
I've been here about 513 times and I'd recommend it for myriad reasons. First and most importantly, the service is consistently good; servers, bartenders, expeditors, and busses. The owners are usually on site. Second, the atmosphere. On a stretch of hoity toity businesses, this is just a breath of fresh air. Down home, inviting, and fun. The crowd is diverse: old timer locals who've been going for forever, college kids, and families. While it's verrry family and kid friendly they do have joking signs about trouble making kids. On that note though, on Sundays they have a balloon artist go around and there's model trains that dart across the ceilings. Weekly they have a broasted chicken dinner special that's a hit. Others love the weekly fish fry (perch, cod, grouper, ect). Theres other random specials and many beer specials which are cheap and enticing. Every December they serve Glogg a hot spiced wine daily. The burgers are the most popular. The Tiff a big burger, the Lantern burger an average one, the Beth a patty melt, and a mini Lantern burger. The cool thing is they modify each one to order and have lots of choices of toppings and cheese. My favorites on the menu are the seasoned fries with ranch, wedge salad, deep fried cheese cake, soups (especially the lobster bisque). I mainly like it due to the mixed friendly patrons, good service, and Iove seeing a local family do so well so long in an age of big business. It's also conveniently located across from the Metra station and on the main street of Lake Forest's residential district so perfect for a stop in after work, a trip, or shopping.
(4)Jim M.
A Tiffany burger with onion rings... an annual treat that I get when visiting my hometown for Christmas. Each Holiday season the guys in my family, from around the country, gather here for lunch. This was our response to the women in my family having an annual lunch themselves. Take that, womens! Anyway, locals know the Lantern has always been a warm place to have a drink or get some good food. Their menu looked a little bigger than I remember, so there is more that I want to try. I've never left the Lantern wishing I hadn't stopped by.
(4)Julia D.
The foods always been consistently good, nothing out of the ordinary for bar food but still good. I enjoy the atmosphere too...I little dive bar-ish, and not what you'd expect in Lake Forest. It's also great for happy hour if you work in the area, or are taking the train.
(4)Jennie E.
Best Burgers in town is correct! I am still thinking about my burger and the best ever artichoke dip! Their homemade chips are excellent when they haven't been sitting. I have gotten them obviously fresh and when they may have been made for someone else before me and I can tell the difference. They have Chicago sports, trivia night on Saturdays at 8PM and a jukebox that I have yet to hear. The crowd has its locals and they are pretty friendly. I have looked over the dinner menu and I must say, the prices are very good, especially for the area. I will be back for dinner and drinks soon!
(4)Andrew D.
Typical bar food, fried and fatty. Great scene though, electronic train choo chooing all throughout the place.
(3)Andrew M.
The food is great. Their burgers are a can't miss. Also the deep fried macaroni and pepper jack cheese is a delicious appetizer. I love going for trivia. There are always great specials on drinks, and they bring you popcorn while you look over the menu. The Lantern is a Lake Forest staple for anyone looking for some good grub and/or a beer.
(4)Jody B.
Hubby and I went to The Lantern last night (Monday) because we had a coupon that was about to expire. We had a pleasant evening. We sat in the bar by the window. Not many folks there... Just enough to be a low buzz without a crowd. Service was attentive. They have a great busboy that checks on the tables quite often. I had broasted chicken. It was good enough... But it was a bit dry. Go to Rita's in Lake Bluff for the best fried chicken! (see my review). Hubby had all you can eat fall off the bone ribs. Officially, I shouldn't have had any (no sharing), but I just HAD to have a taste so I could give all the Yelpers the scoop. They were fantastic. Very juicy. Some people would think they were too fatty, but I like them that way. Hubby had a 20oz draft leinie for $3.50! I had a huge glass of house wine for $6.50. All in all,it was a good meal and a good deal!
(3)Rebecca R.
I have been here twice and both times I left feeling satisfied. The first time I ordered a patty melt and seasoned fries. Eh, sometimes pub food just fills the void. The second time I ordered the classic lantern burger with regular fries. Eh, it was just a middle of the road burger. The sign on the door says 'best burger in town'. Well, I now know that when you are in a smaller town with only two pubs, that doesn't mean very much at all. If I was craving a burger like a crazy person and had a time crunch, I would consider heading down the street to this place, but if I had more than 15 extra minutes, I would drive down the street into Highwood for Tap House Grill. A bit of a bummer, but not totally gross. The atmosphere was also a little strange. If you are hoping to see a smiling face and chat with someone new at the bar, look elsewhere. If you are with a friend or want to watch a game in the bar area, this could be a chill place to hang out for an hour or so. Just depends on what you are looking for.
(3)Emily B.
This is the most reasonable and most casual place in the town! The food is far above the standards I would've expected for what looks like a bar. In fact, I would say that the place is more restaurant than bar with the bar being nearly in a different room from diners. I LOVE their mac and cheese and sweet potato fries. They have also been really awesome with making sure all of my food was vegetarian. Oh yeah, did i mention their salads? They are cheap and really large, I love their spinach, walnut and dried cherry with poppyseed dressing. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone :)
(5)Allan M.
When in Rome, and you're enticed by a sign stating 'best burgers in town' on the front door, one might wonder how this place really stacks up. And since I narrowly missed a southbound train due to the fact the middle platform crossing was bizarrely removed(boo Union Pacific), and knew I'd be stuck for 3 more hours, figured I'd give this place a try. Never mind I incorrectly thought at the time I'd be stuck for 31/2 more hours, till I realized I misread the schedule and saw the last southbound Metra train on the UP-North line runs 30 minutes earlier than on Saturdays. Don't expect prompt or the friendliest service in the world, but the food totally surpassed my expectations(and heh I did worry slightly, when I saw a 69% rating on Urbanspoon, and yelp was failing to load up on my not quite smartphone that crappily loads up internet sites). Food hit the spot, the bathroom wasn't unbelievably dirty(as sometimes these bars can unfortunately end up being like), and my medium rare Lantern Burger was very enjoyable. The chips that come with it are good as well. And it did give me a place to watch the 2nd half of game 6 of the just completed Hawks/Wings series to its conclusion, so I can't complain. Since I've always gotten the impression Lake Forest doesn't have a lot of selection beyond upscale restaurants and very limited fast food chains(and I didn't want the latter that day), I'll give it a 4th star. Also, the 4th star is deserved for their beer specials, and their best ones appear to be the $1-1.50 beer specials on Thursday and Sunday from glancing at their alcohol menu. I'd go back if I find myself in LF again, though it isn't often that I do obviously.
(4)Tanya K.
Came in for burgers and got the shepherds pie and Guinness stew. Was not disappointed. Soooo good!! A new favorite place for us.
(5)nancy c.
Great Place- was here 15 years ago and was in the area so I thought I would go in and see if was as good as it was back then. Ordered the Lantern burger with fries and it was just as good like I remembered it 15 years ago. My wife had the burger with chips - she loved it too! Homemade chips are awesome. Keep up the good work!
(5)Holly W.
Oh, The Lantern. How we used to come here almost weekly- and how downhill you have gone recently. The food was never great (and believe me, I'm not picky or a gourmet eater) but it was always decent cafe type food. Recently though, it's just gotten bad. I couldn't even eat my salad, it tasted so watery and tasteless. The service has been awful..Slow and they frequently get orders wrong. Not at all friendly liked they used to be! What happened, guys? We won't be back, sadly.
(2)Christine L.
I was told that when I was in LF, this was the place to visit. After three visits to The Lantern, I have had enough! Each experience was unpleasant, and worse than the one before. I will never go back again or recommend this place to anyone. Positives: They have good drinks specials and large HD TVs for watching sports game Negatives: This place has the worst service ever. I never had to put so much effort in getting the waiter to take an order and refill drinks. After finally getting my table's order in, the kitchen was out of half of the things my friends and I ordered! It was a very frustrating time. I don't even remember what we ordered anymore, because it was not impressive at all. Do not waste your time or money at The Lantern.
(1)Jimmy M.
My wife and I stopped in after a nice bike ride up to Lake Forest for some lunch. The decor is pretty dated and the restroom was disgusting, luckily I just went in to wash my hands. We had the fried cheese curds to start, then I had a Tiffany burger and my wife had the chicken parmagna flatbread. The cheese curds were pretty good and my burger was solid. Note: They have signs all over stating that they have the best burger in town...they are pretty lucky that Lake Forest is a pretty small town. My wife said her flatbread had a tinge of "dishwater flavor". All in all, I'm not rushing to go back, but they haven't completely scared me away either. I'm sure we will try some place different on our next bike ride.
(2)Sandra D.
My husband brought me here for lunch. I tried their meatloaf and it was delicious. The meat practically melted in my mouth. I only gave it 4 stars because customer service wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. The only time the server smiled and said "thank you very much for coming" was when he handed us the check.
(4)J L.
Had dinner here last night with my son. What a disappointment. He had a junior burger and unlike other reviewers, we were charged more because he wanted regular french fries (soggy, byt the way), not the silly smiley fries for kids. Why getting a different type of deep fried potato should cost more is beyond me. Then they had the audacity to charge $2.50 for a kids drink. It came in a tiny cup - total ripoff. Finally, i ordered the tuna melt and had to send it back. the tuna salad tasted old and was so visually unappealing. I replaced it with a turkey ruben which was marginally better. Place was quiet and service was OK. not great. There are much better choices in town. Don't waste your time or money at this place.
(1)Luke C.
Good burger and beer pub located in the heart of downtown Lakeforest. Sunday nights kids eat free.
(3)Mit M.
Place is a dump. Locals like it since it's the only dive in LF. Food is marginal along with short shot drinks. It has that dumpy bar feel so the locals think they are relating with the real world while staying in the bubble. Take a pass
(1)Jennifer H.
Dark. Depressing. Lower than average quality food. I wonder if people go there because for a long time there wasn't anywhere else to go in Lake Forest. The bar area seems to be a popular place but I have no desire to go have dinner there myself. On the upside, the trains that run around the room entertain my young kids, but I'd just rather skip the whole atmosphere and food and trot on down the street to Chief's.
(1)Brie S.
Love this place! They have icicle lights strung across the ceiling and a train track running on on the ceiling of the restaurant. So cute. They provide popcorn for free, instead of chips like many restaurants. Each of my many visits, the popcorn has been fresh and delicious. We've tried many of their burgers and have loved them all! You can ask for seasoned fries (or sweet potato fries) instead of their typical fries at no extra cost---and the seasoned fries are AMAZING. Our waiters have always been attentive and polite. Definitely recommend this place. Can get a bit loud during trivia nights, however.
(5)Kevin N.
The Lantern is a Lake Forest institution. A popular sports bar for locals, the atmosphere is no frills and features a charming model train which runs along the ceiling of the dining room. Foodwise, it's an unpretentious local American tavern with excellent burgers (probably the best in town), including vegan patties, walnut, bison and salmon varieties. The signature Tiffany burger is 10oz. of high quality char grilled beef. Other highlights include excellent Reuben sandwiches, homemade potato chips and tasty spinach salads. The service is friendly, fast and efficient. Daily specials and a Yelp! check in discount make it a great value.
(3)R. S.
Food was fair. Service was horrible. Waited 45 minutes to get our food (soup, salad and a burger) and the place was empty at 4:30 when we got there, and at 5:45 when we left. Won't be back any time soon.
(1)Michael N.
I've loved The Lantern since the first time I came here. It was a freeeeeezing February day, back in 2008. I had just started working at Coyote Logistics and one of the sales managers took us out to lunch. I couldn't believe such a neighborhoody place existed in such an affluent town. The food (burger, what else?) was delicious, and the bar made you feel the same as the person next to you, even if he was paying with an American Express Black Card and I was scrounging pennies together. Either The Lantern just started doing trivia, or we never knew about it. Nonetheless, Ashley and I went to trivia on Saturday night before New Years and won! It was the first time we had ever won trivia, just the two of us against all these other big teams. We won a gift certificate for The Lantern and plan on coming back for more in the future. There are also great drink and food specials every night of the week.
(5)Ashley S.
Nice little local bar to grab a quick beer at! We stopped in on Friday night after a high school football game....primarily to drown our emotions from feeling so old.....and the Green Line's hit the spot. They have Goose Island specials...pints for $4.00, which I think is a great deal! Really cool atmosphere too, kind of like one of those bars you see in the movies where everyone knows your name....
(5)Mick B.
The Lantern is the go-to casual place in downtown Lake Forest and for good reason. The Lantern has maintained a neighborhood feel in spite of the untimely death of owner Don Tiffany in 2007. Don's "news-letters" that were printed and put on each table are greatly missed for their insight and entertainment value. Don was a great host (In spite of his conservative leanings in a land of apparently self-absorbed liberals) and he made sure that everyone who he came in contact with felt that they were welcomed. Don believed very strongly in "the customer is king" motto which I found refreshing. Thankfully the friendly service and good food for a fair price is just the same at The Lantern as when Don went from table to table for 30 years to make sure that their signature Lantern Burger was to your liking. I am a particular fan of the "Tuna Mac" sandwich and their "Onion Straws" which are very thinly cut crispy onion rings coated with a light beer batter. I always open the menu vowing to order something different- but it usually comes down to Mac, a Beer and Straws. Don't limit yourself to what you see on the menu- substitutions are usually possible if you care to ask. I have never tried their steaks but a sailor that I sat next to on the Metra swears that they are the best for the price that he has ever eaten. Of course The Lantern of Lake Forest is just steps from the Lake Forest Metra Station if you use the Metra as a means of transport. Please note that this is not a fast food "joint" and meals are prepared to order. Don't be surprised if the service seems to be slow because of this. My advice is to relax and have another drink with your companions; the meal will be in front of you soon enough. Luckily the Lantern has a good list of imported and domestic beer on tap and by the bottle. Recently they were able to upgrade to a full bar in addition to beer and wine which is a plus. Three cheers for the management not tolerating misbehaving and loud children. We need more establishments that expect civil behavior from their young patrons. Please feel free to take your offspring to Chuck E Cheese if you want them to run around and scream. In summary- if you are looking for solid American fare at a good price with better than average service, give The Lantern of Lake Forest a try.
(4)Robert W.
If it's 5:30 and you've just gotten off work and you're not quite ready to go home to the wife and kids, this is an ideal spot. Alternatively, if you want to take the wife and kids out for some good food and clean family fun, this is an ideal spot as well. The cheese curds are sublime and at just 4 George Washingtons + tax they're a steal. Great drink specials on Wednesdays and Thursdays, good grub, and a charming ambiance make this place a hub for any and all.
(5)Leslie G.
local bar food go to with american staples great service fun and classic ambience a must go to!
(3)William L.
I came to the Lantern with some new coworkers for a welcome lunch. I must say, for a local bar-type restaurant, I was VERY impressed. The prices are REALLY good! Most sandwiches and burgers were $6 or less (at least for lunch). Adding fries or a side was only $1.50 or something like that! Most places charge like $3 for that. The beer specials looked great too, but I didn't think ordering some hooch at lunch would make a good first impression. We had a couple baskets of fried-onion-string-circle-straw dealies for appetizers. So good...and so bad for you! I had the patty melt with raw onions and seasoned fries. Both were excellent, although my only recommendation would be to "beef" up the burger a little...it seemed a touch small. That's just the fat kid in me talking. Service was fast (smack dab in the middle of lunch) and the waitress was courteous and refilled our drinks as needed. I'll definitely be back here.
(4)The G.
Get a burger - the lantern chips are awsome.
(4)Mathias K.
It is just a good suburb diner. Burgers and pulled pork are great. The monster wings and $1.25 beers always lead to a good time when I go there. Watch out for Karaoke night. The place is PACKED. However, the local flavor of the mic is pretty priceless.
(4)Michelle S.
Worst Cubano sandwich I've ever had. Stick to the American dishes.
(1)Lori T.
I have not been here for lunch in a really long time. I was actually a nice treat. I was on a lunch break from work and stopped in for a quick bite. I ordered the sloppy joe. It was awesome. When i sat down, they also served popcorn. That was a nice surprise. I also really liked the new menus. They offer a wide variety of food choices. Many healthy too.
(5)Sean H.
Cool atmosphere, tiny burgers, monster houses in the Unibombers favorite neighborhood!
(3)Alex K.
Ohhh the Lantern. I've been going here since I was but a wee lad. To be honest, there is no alternative to the Lantern in Lake Forest which is probably the main reason it sill exists (anyone remember Frank's that used to be next door back in the day?). The food is bland at best. You go here because you don't want to eat fancy in LF (like Francesca's, the Grill on Laurel, etc). I have to say that the Lantern does make me feel like I'm home between the model trains and the signed Chicago sports memorabilia on the walls. I still go here for drinks when I'm visiting my parents but I prefer not to eat here. Its more or less truck stop food. $1 drafts lend themselves to binging. I seem to manage this every night I end up at the Lantern.
(3)Tom A.
My short and sweet review: I lived in Lake Forest for a long time and, due to lack of options, I was relegated to eating at The Lantern for many years. The burgers are decent, the atmosphere is decent, the drink selection is...decent. Notice a pattern? THE SCOOP: Look for other pub food, unless you're wanting to overpay and eat mediocre food.
(2)Elyse C.
I came here for a work lunch my posse and I were dressed in our cami uniforms and I hate getting stared at. But this place made us welcome we got fast and quick service! I had a jr. Burger with pepperjack and jalapeños! You can pick and choose your condiments! It's the perfect size for me but i felt i could make it at home too. I had sweet potato fries they were hot but I felt like they should have some spicy seasoning or something. Overall everyone liked the burgers I'm not sure the prices cause my Masterchief picked up the tab. I would probably come back.
(3)Mike R.
Was great. Will take my family to this great place again. Service was great and the food. Can't beat the train for the kids!
(4)Vivi W.
A nice neighborhood gem. The clientes are mostly older people; but if you just want to grab some good drinks and beer for a bargain after work, it's the place to be. For example, I want an long island iced tea and the bar tender just charged me $4 as the special even though it's a different drink. Domestic beers can be $1.50!
(4)Tuyen T.
I always have a great time here, but that is because of the company, not so much the experience at the restaurant itself. The food is nothing special, but the price adds up. $8 for the junior burger with a side of sweet potato fries? You've got to be kidding me. Was here last Wednesday and there was karaoke and drink specials for Cinco de Mayo. It was packed (last day of classes at Lake Forest College). They stopped taking plastic and it took almost 20 minutes to get the waiter's attention.
(3)Vicki B.
Had some great chili cheese fries at this casual local restaurant!
(4)David W.
I love this place. Whenever I crave a good chicken dinner, which is often since I pratically grew up in the south, I go to The Lantern. Toy model trains runs above head, though it is a bar advertising/warning parents to curb their children or be refused service. Love the feeling I get when I step inside though, transported back through time to an era pre mega-mansion Lake Forest Days...... They have a great broiled half chicken plate decently priced under 10 bucks with 2 sides and a roll. Wish they had sweet tea to go with it but a beer or two is good also.
(4)Ryan K.
This place is showing its age. Food is still good, but the place just screams, "OLD" and going there after dinner for a night on the town is just not fun unless you are there on a Wednesday night for Karaoke...then it is packed with Lake forest College kids all the way up to the random grandpa types.
(3)Emily C.
I was here last night with a rather large group of family and friends. This is a family friendly, small town bar/restaurant that caters to many Lake Forest College students. The clientele is similar to the town: high SES and slightly snooty. There is this great special they offer of dollar draft beers. I think it's like 8 or 10 ounces or so of Miller Lite but still a good deal. The food is a notch up from bar food. Pulled pork is great, as is the burger, santa fe chicken salad and the "strings" which are great deep fried onion strings. The servers are good. The place was shit packed and these kids really hustled for us which was nice. The manager (heavy set woman, short brown hair) was about to flip her shit as the night got busier and busier. I was really amazed that she was speaking to customers in that manner. She may do better tending in the kitchen where she won't misdirect her frustrations at paying customers. All in all, great night of dinner and drinks.
(4)John W.
Nice pub atmosphere. Tasty burgers.
(4)CYNDI A.
Great, casual, family place. Trains run the ceiling tracks, and burgers are great! It can be crowded, but worth the wait. Cyndi Anderson
(4)Jessica T.
Since I left after waiting at least 30 minutes for my food, only to be told it would be another 15-20 more, I can't talk about the food. If it is anything like the service, it could use some work. The place needs to improve their service if they want people to visit it! I know I won't be trying it again!
(1)Scott H.
A fun and very reasonably-priced bar and grill smack dab in the epicenter of North Shore excess. Barkeeps are down-to-earth and keep it real as the bluetooth-packing soccer moms cruise by in their European SUVs just a few yards away. The last time I was here on a Friday night, a basket of complimentary homemade potato chips, a big cheeseburger with grilled onions and all the fixings, fries, slaw and a big craft beer set me back about $11 and change. A-OK in my book. The crowd is very diverse with the local college set co-mingling with the local professionals and older folks alike. I'll be back again!
(4)George D.
It's pretty much just the basics at the Lantern. It's a local favorite in Lake Forest, and that's probably because it's the least expensive restaurant in town. You can get great burgers and sandwiches for a very reasonable price. The service is attentive. The atmosphere is your basic bar/tavern scene... pretty much what you'd expect from a place that's charging you around 7 bucks for your patty melt and fries. The train track running around the ceiling is a big hit with my nephews, which would make you think it's a great place for kids (and it probably is at lunchtime), but....... It is a bar. And it is in Lake Forest, where pretty much any restaurant without a good bar closes within a year. So you may want to watch out for the groups of saucy middle-agers who are getting into their cups. When I was there last night, my girlfriend and I were next to a noisy table of fifty-something moms and dads who were yukking it up about "happy ending massages" and at one point definitely started talking about the two of us. Icky poo!
(4)Jonathan F.
Family-friendly. Reasonably priced with a decent pub+ menu and familiar (if a bit worn) atmosphere. Went here tonight with Lukas, Natalie and Jill for dinner. The burgers were tasty*, hot and handmade. Natalie's smiley fries were a little creepy but she liked them. Everyone was friendly and helpful and patient when Lukas decided to scream like a Man United fan. The caesar salad was so-so, but this is not the place you'd expect a world-class caesar. It was passable (and pass it shall). I would like to go back for happy hour and check out the specials. *NB - we are very picky about our beef since we have the farm-fresh connection.
(3)Milton J.
I am here to defend the burgers. There are good marks mostly, it makes them look OK, but I must tell you they are in the top 5 for me, totally delicious. I just had to throw that in there. Not number #1, but very close. It's also fun to see all the autographed pictures of the Chicago Bears, who used to frequent the place when they practiced in Lake Forest-If the burgers are good 'nuff for those hungry carnivores, I can hack it. Sure, it's the only place in town, but the Bears had limos. Cheers.
(4)Elle J.
Sure, Julia, Matt, Brad & George all ate here while in Lake Forest filming Ocean's 12 (or so it's rumored) - it's a great hole-in-the-wall hangout. Perfect for families - but don't let you kid run wild or be obnoxiously loud. You and your wild child WILL be asked to leave! That aside, The Lantern has some of the best food around. It's mostly the basics, burgers, reubens, chicken sandwiches, etc, but something about this place is very comforting. CEO's and blue-collared folks enjoy each others company and the service is usually prompt and friendly. The bar is a bit smoky, but always crowded with people who seem to be having a good time. I love this place, and think of it as "old reliable". Good pick if you're in the area.
(4)Duncan M.
Great pub food as well as daily specials! The wait staff is super friendly and attentative and the owner always makes you feel at home. The Chicago and local memorabilia makes it worth the trip alone. Known for being one of the oldest bars on Chicago's north shore - it houses a bar with many TVs and stools as well as a family seating area that is quiet and comfortable. Some of the best drink specials around...$1 beers yum. The burgers are really good and the rest of the food is decent. A good place to catch a game or grab a quick bite.
(4)Mark A.
The Lantern is LEGIT. Heart of downtown LF, I can get off the train and walk right in for a Cold brew and good food. I am a wing fanatic, and they have JUMBO breaded wings that hit the spot. I've had it all on this menu - which recently just changed and is better than ever. Burgers are great, wraps (southwest and buffalo) are as good as I've had from anywhere, and the francheesy (bacon wrapped, deep fried hot dog) is something that you've got to try at least once. I've had the sunday brunch once and got the breakfast burrito which did not disappoint. Draft domestic beers are ridiculously cheap every day, and they have the 23oz tallboy mugs as well which are my favorite. Bartenders and management/owners are super nice and always go out of their way to talk to you and make sure you are having a good time. Karaoke night on Wednesday is something to be witnessed first hand, and they just got a popcorn machine for the late night salty bar snack !
(5)Danielle G.
It's not just the fact that The Lantern is the ONLY bar in Lake Forest that keeps me coming back here when I'm in town, it's the glorious old-timey vibe I get when I walk in. Or maybe it's the $3 vodka sodas? Or the cadre of hard drinkers? Or getting the chance to get a drink with my best friend who lives 2,000 miles from LA? Alas, it could be any one of these fabulous reasons....But one thing is for sure, if this LA girl is in Lake Forest, she can be found at The Lantern.
(4)Phil P.
The Lantern is a great place. $1 Bud and Bud Lights all day every day is pretty tough to beat! A great local place. The food is all very good, especially the burgers. The atmosphere is the best part though. This is a place that everyone has to go to at least once.
(5)Lauren L.
This is the only bar in lake Forest, and it is definitely just an over priced dive. They do make a mean burger, I'll give them that. However, the service isn't good, the crowd is all families with children (even late night at the bar) and they just charge too much for the food. if you are in lake Forest and need to find a pub, this is it, but other than that, i would try a different town.
(3)Timothy W.
Not a bad little bar/restaurant, the location is nice - it's in downtown Lake Forrest amongst the nice shopping center. I've been here twice and had a variety of typical bar food (burgers, nachos, etc) and it's always been a decent experience. The wait staff isn't the best but they are polite when they do come around. I really only go here when I need to kill time before the train arrives, but its a solid restaurant. Nothing special, nothing bad either.
(3)Margaret T.
This place is decent... as a former Forester, I came here quite a bit with a fake ID but this place quickly lost its appeal. Watch out of happy hour nights, or you'll spend the night watching drunk college students blowing their trust funds. Good salad though.
(3)Brandon H.
Awesome burgers, even cooler interior. One of the only places around I've seen with the little train sets running around the ceilings.. This is a great place to come after walking around shopping or just grabbing lunch.
(5)gnat c.
The Lantern...a Lake Forest favorite. The best part about Wednesday, other than it being hump day is $2 jumbos. The food is great...I love a good burger (even if it's a veggie) and fries. The smilely fries rock. This is a great place to watch a big game, hang out with friends, and put back some beers.
(4)Marissa D.
for what it is (a divey bar/restaurant), the lantern gets 4 stars. good burgers, grilled cheese, fries...your basic american food. the funny part about this place is that all the lake forest parents come here at night to drink. i will come back here, if just to listen in on their semi-inappropriate, drunken conversations.
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