The Lantern Of Lake Forest

We go here once a week it feels like. The salads are GREAT for a bar, they are extremely kid friendly, and the trains on the ceiling are always a hit. As a parent, I really appreciate having something else beyond pizza and burgers on the menu. And while the burgers here are awesome — I love the variety of other (healthier) options too. Big big fan of the lantern

Just getting worse. Balloon lady on Sunday was a big draw for my kids. Only reason we go here. Been sitting in the dining room for 90 minutes waiting on the ballon lady. They used to have a number system. It was very organized and orderly. Now that we can’t get ballon lady I’d have to say this is our last visit. The food certainly isn’t good enough to warrant future stops. Much better options like The Silo (trains included), Egg Harbor for lunch, Chiefs, Market House. This Lake Forest institution is done. Stick a fork in it.

Love the service and casual food. The new milkshakes are a complete rip off! Watery and $ 9!!! Go for the Reuben or the most yummy thing… The Buffalo chicken wrap. Now that is delicious!

The staff and price are great! My two year old loves the train and the staff is very good with children. The food isn’t amazing, but it’s a good value and I’ve never not had a good time. The southwestern wrap is a favorite.

Absolutely love this local neighborhood super casual best burgers in town joint! The bartender Costas only works Monday through Friday, but he totally remembers you and what you like to drink. The Ambiance is local dive bar the popcorn is fresh and hot and free! The daily specials are seasonal and delicious. I’ve absolutely loved everything I’ve tried from the pear goat cheese salad to the steak sandwich! Staff is super friendly. I must admit it does kind of remind me of «Cheers». All the locals frequent this place.

They have Sprecher Rootbeer, need I say more… Awesome grub and very cool staff and service. Ownership is usually there for lunch and could not be more nice and friendly. Best burgers in LF hands down!!! Been going here since 1980’s… Great joint!!!

Wow. I thought this was at least an okay place to get an okay burger once in a while, but my recent experience here has changed all that. The place was practically empty, which really made me realize how run down this local joint was becoming. I heard the phone ringing and it was the 60’s asking for their décor back. I sat down nonetheless and noticed the most repulsive smell. I don’t know what it was, but it smelled like throw up mixed with a gas station toilet. I noticed some popcorn was on the table, but still couldn’t get over how I was practically eating in a bathroom. I promptly got my coat and left.

Decent food and a place the entire family can enjoy. My son loved watching the train go around the ceiling and the onion rings his and pretzels are tasty. You can’t beat the price and we received great service. The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because it’s kind of a whole in the wall.

Consistent and fun and great for all family members. We have never been disappointed here. The train going around the upper portion of the room is fun for the kids to see.

I promised my favorite little train lover that I’d take him back to the Choo Choo Restaurant* on his his 3^rd bday. The night before I happened to notice that the Choo Choo restaurant closed by 3pm on Saturdays. Oops. And so I turned to Unilocal to find a nearbyish restaurant with trains. While the Lantern didn’t actually have trains deliver food to your table like the Choo Choo, I figured he’d be a fan of trains along the ceilings.
And the bday boy was a fan! We arrived around 5:15pm and had our choice of many tables. By 6pmish most of the restaurant was full so we got there just in time. The trains kept the attention of my son during what seemed like a long wait for our food… then again any wait at a restaurant with a 5 and 3 yr old feels long. The kids coloring menu and complimentary popcorn helped too. Speaking of the kids menu my daughter went for the hot dog while my son ordered the cheeseburger. Both came with smiley fries (huge hit!) and cake pops for dessert. That took care of bday dessert!
My husband was also a fan mentioning that he loved the atmosphere (even outside of the trains). He really liked his cup of chili and cheeseburger. I ordered the mediterranean flat bread, which was just so so. I’d opt for something else next time.
Overall, a success and we declared on the way home that atmosphere and food was actually better than the originally planned Choo Choo Restaurant. During a warmer time of year I’d love to take my kids again, but there and back on the metra since The Lantern is conveniently located next to the metra stop.
*

This food is terrible. Basically, they have location, location, location.
It’s a nice meetup spot for friends, etc. It was half empty on a Saturday night. The waitress was terribly satisfactory. I was told that she introduced herself, but I didn’t remember it at all. She was literally the most boring person in the world. Like, she could have blended into the wall. I had to ask for a few things because she walked past us without checking in.
The menu is huge and Unilocal recommended nothing. I wouldn’t either.

Great food and great service! We ordered the pear and goat cheese salad, strawberry salad, Cobb salad and the sriracha chicken potato skins. The salads were amazing! Highly recommended!

Not recommended. Had Sunday dinner here with my family, but the service was very slow. For example, we got our appetizers delivered before the waitress bothered to bring us our drinks. When the food finally came, my fish and chips were soggy and poorly fried. Only redeeming factor is the very talented balloon lady, holly. Of course, she was in high demand and her art required time. A talented serving staff would help her arrive during the meal but we had to wait for that as well.
Pro:
Balloon lady for kids
Cons:
Poor, slow service
Poorly cooked food.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What?!
$ 1.50 domestic bottles in Lake Forest?!
Awesome!
Relaxing, home-​y, dive bar kinda place!
We just drank but the food looked good! :)

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.