El Rodeo
Looking out the window and feeling a little blue? Only a month to spring break and no chance of getting away? No worries, Lake County offers lots of options for celebrating the end of winter, even if it’s still snowing outside!
Wish you were in sunny Mexico? There are many good Mexican eateries in Lake County but the one that cheers me up as soon as I walk in the door is El Rodeo. Here you will find a friendly welcome and a large menu of Mexican specialties and drinks. The entrees are generously sized and are perfect with a citrusy Margarita or sweet Sangria. The brightly painted walls and brilliantly colored chairs and tables will make you feel like you have traveled south of the border. This is also a kid friendly place. You might even catch a performance by a Mariachi band!
Wish you were on a Caribbean beach? Cabana’s Island Restaurant will take you there. Order an Electric Blue-Rita and Beach Bread topped with sweet langostino lobster, Alfredo sauce, and pineapple and you will think you are in the islands. Head over for a late night cocktail or brew, sit in the Tiki themed bar and hear some hot tunes by a local band. Your cares will melt away like the snow!
Do you have a craving for Southern Barbecue? At Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ, the smell alone will transport your senses to the pit BBQ shacks of the Carolinas. Tender pulled pork with the “crispy bits” mixed in comes sans sauce. You choose from the sauce menu. Jimmy’s original is sweet tangy style. Sara’s Spicy is very hot! Jimmy’s also offers White BBQ, Mooney’s Mustard and Slap Yo’ Mama sauces along with a variety of sides including flavorful baked beans and creamy cole slaw.
Missing all the fun of bar hopping? Hop through downtown Willoughby! You won’t be hopping in shorts and flip flops but you will find a warm welcome, delicious food and bartenders ready to fill your glass. Pop into Willoughby Brewing Company and try their Last Stop Stout and Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos – three flour tortillas stuffed with crispy fried shrimp, asian slaw, and Bang Bang sauce. At The Wild Goose, be sure to try the Sullivan Pizza, a crispy wood-fired crust covered lightly with red sauce, cheese, roasted eggplant, tomato, spinach, and ricotta, along with a pint, or two, of Smithwick’s. Unusual pizza toppings but one taste and you will be hooked.
These are just a few of the many locales in Lake County that can help you soldier through the dark and snow until true spring arrives. Pull on your boots and fuzzy hat, get out there and have some spring break fun right here in Lake County!
Follow the links in this story for location, hours and menus for these featured restaurants and bars. The Lake County Visitors Bureau also has a page dedicated to dining out in Lake County.
