Restaurants in Mundelein

The chefs at Zapatista cull tantalizing dishes from across the culinary regions of Mexico and spice them with piquant sauces and marinades. Diners nosh on fresh meats and veggies inside the vibrant yellow-, green-, and red-walled dining rooms, which teem with wooden tables reposing under hanging star lanterns and candelabra chandeliers. The spacious interior's rounded archways separate the dining areas, and rough-hewn-stone arches stand guard over myriad liqueurs at the bar like Rumpelstiltskin stands guard over firstborns.

Benjamin Brasserie’s sleek, elegant dining room is staggering, hosting dark tables basking in the warm glow of chandeliers, which reflect off opulent mirrors. Beneath high ceilings, guests slide onto plush seats in the main dining room, or snuggle into private animal-print booths on the mezzanine, serenaded by a combination of blues, jazz, and alternative music, which compliments the restaurant's urban stylized decor. Professional servers adorn tabletops with seasonal plates piled with fresh, local produce and meats from Midwest farms. Local whitefish, bacon from Jones Farm, and greenhouse tomatoes comprise executive chef Benjamin Brittsan’s innovative meals, which are artfully plated to stun both eyes and taste buds.

Just off the Illinois Beach State Park, the mascot of Franks & Fries—an anthropomorphic hot dog—greets passersby with a wave of his cane and a tip of his hat. Perched on the restaurant’s red-and-yellow sign above a few outdoor tables, the mascot serves as an ambassador for the menu of cooked-to-order bites such as Chicago-style hot dogs made with 100% Vienna Beef. Along with burgers, cheesesteaks, and baskets of seasoned curly fries, cooks prepare desserts such as fried twinkies, fried Snickers bars, and fried Oreos.