Kat chats about Windhills in McHenry IL

Open Daily 8-10PM

Windhill Pancake Parlor
McHenry, IL

815.385.1172

Windhills is a unique restaurant specializing in pancakes and whimsy. It is deocorated with nostaligic and fun decor. It's like eating at home without having to clean up. They also have an adjacent shop. For those of you out there who love Millie's in Delavan, Wi, Windhills should be added to the rotation. It is located in downtown McHenry, IL near the Fox River. There are many cute shops near it, and it is a fun way to spend a Saturday. For pancakes, I give Windhills four meows. Their other food doesn't quite live up the same level as the pankcakes, but...it is worth the trip. They serve an odd variety of food, and many of their dishes are unique. For example, the serve a skillet with the eggs scammbled in rather than served on top. This dish is called 'A Mess.' It is a nice change from the usual breakfast skillet, but it is not for everyone. They have a cinnimon fried french toast served with ice cream that is to die for. Consider it for dessert, rather than for a meal. Possibly split it with your companion. Overall I give Windhills 3 meows out of 5 ^..^ ^..^ ^..^, but I reccomend the pancakes, waffles and French toast and I reccomend making a day of touring the downtown McHenry area on foot. There are several shops worth seeing within walking distance of Windhills, including an resale/antique shop, a nursery/antique shop, a French themed gift shop, a wine shop, and a pet bakery. Many of these businesses are new, and you probably haven't seen them unless you've been to downtown McHenry recently.

Ray has to say about Fridays VS Fridays

Everyone likes a little TGIF from there nearest Fridays Restaurant but have you wonder if every Friday is the same as a chain .

Well I have here to tell you no. I did an experiment and ate at the Fridays in Deer Park IL and the one in Gurnee IL. I ordered the same items and compared the places and this is what I found.

The Gurnee Restaurant I gave one :)

The Deer Park Restaurant I gave 4 :) :) :) :)

The Gurnee Restaurant had poorer service
my cherry coke at Deer Park was with cherries and syrup theres was just alot of syrup and little coke taste horrible.
the flat iron steak was half the size at Gurnee
the potatoes at Deer Park were excellent the ones at Gurnee had no taste.
The appetizer was smaller at Gurnee
The server at Deer Park was excellent the one at Gurnee was fighting a hang over.
So a chain restaurant does not mean you are safe and going to get the same thing anymore. Choose wisely.
So if you are in the area of Gurnee and you need TGIF head to RT 12 and stop at the Deer Park IL one.

Have a good day says Ray

Kat chats about Tip Top Bistro Woodstock IL

Hours Lunch Mon-Sat 11am-2pm
Dinner Mon-Thur 5-9pm
Friday & Sat 5-10pm














I have eaten at almost every eating establishment in Woodstock, IL. By far, I would say that Tip Top Bistro is the best. It might even be the best in McHenry County. (I've said that about another restaurant, and both places are very good, but I now regret writing that about the other restaurant.) The Tip Top almost seemed like a cursed location. For many years this building laid empty on the ground floor with a legacy of failed business haunting its past. This location was used for filming the TIP TOP Cafe scene in the movie Ground Hog Day. I believe it was chosen for the movie, because it was empty then, as it often seemed to be over the years. So, someone tried to get a real business off of the ground with that name, Tip Top. It failed. Then an Italian restaurent and Pizza place failed at that location as well. I was pleased last Spring when I saw someone using this location for another go. I was also delighted that they were using the TIP TOP name once again. The food is excellent, but pricy by some standards. Chosing the daily specials will make your meal more affordable. Yet, affordable really isn't the issue. This is a nice place to go when affordable isn't your main concern. It would be a very appropriate location to take a date or spouse on a special occasion. The food is special and out of the ordinary compared to what you find around McHenry County. It is a restaurant that is worth taking a bit of a drive for. The food is fantastic. I won't even bother to describe it. The menu changes with the seasons. They have a lovely selection of wines, (but I am not a wine expert). The desserts are excellent. It is a small location, so reservations are reccomended. They also have special events going on. Check out their website at www.tiptopbistro.com
Kat gives the TIP TOP in Woodstock 5 plus meows. ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ +

Kat chats about Chris's Coach House Cary IL

6414 Hilly Way, Cary, IL 60013
Phone: (847) 639-9675

Chris's Coach House offers a nice dining experience at a reasonable price, especially if you order the evening's special. Fresh hot bread and butter are brought to your table. Oil and seasoning are also on the table to eat with your bread. They have a small salad bar with fresh ingredients. I wasn't sad that the salad bar was small with a limited number of items. Salad and soup were both included with the meal, rather than having to pick just one. I did not walk away from the table hungry. In fact I took half the main course home. The crab cakes were good. They came with a vegetable (broccoli on one night, cauliflower on another) and a baked potato. I could've chosen fries instead. The 1 lb chopped steak with sauteed onions was excellent also. When several people in our party ordered the chopped steak, they all had different requests. No onions, no au jus, gravy on the side, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, fries, etc. Each order was cooked as specified without any mix ups. The iced tea was smooth and refreshing, and not at all bitter. The service was lacking a slightly when the restaurant was extremely busy on a holiday. The service was excellent on another occasion, when it was just a normal weeknight. Chris's Coach house is straight forward restaurant food done well. The food is fresh and home made tasting, nearly gourmet, but not pretentious. I give Chris's coach house 3 1/2 meows out of 5. ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ ^.

Ray has to say about Salutos Gurnee IL

A few years back when I first tried this restaurant the food was amazing. The last couple times I have eaten there it has just been good. Last time I went to dinner the service was poor. Like she had forgotten about us. The last couple times for lunch the food does not have the same quality taste it used to have. I am sadden by this because again a few years back it was amazing. Service is hit or miss,the place is clean,turned off by being served in plastic bar cups as picture shows for a restaurant that is suppose to be a more quality place. I have to say I don't know if it is new management or what but it is hard to believe how this place has dropped in food quality. They still say everything is home made but the quality of their food now I think it means they heat it up. If you like Olive Garden quality chain food and your in Gurnee here is your place to go.

:):)Rays says 2 smiles out of 5

Ph 847-356-6900
7800 Grand Ave
Gurnee IL 60031
Hours Mon-Thur 11am-10Pm
Fri&Sat 11am-11pm
Sun 11am-9pm

Kat chats about Joes Crab Shack Gurnee IL

Kat loves seafood. Great seafood is hard to find in Southeast Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Joe's Crabshack in Gurnee, IL is an adequate substitute. It is superior to another seafood chain in the same town. But chain restaurants don't offer the best of the best, they just offer reliably mediocre or good food. So, you usually know what your getting. Joe's offers a nice array of seafood items, and a few non-seafood items incase your dining partner doesn't like seafood. It has a fun and festive atomosphere and reasonable prices. Kat gives Joe's 3 meows out of 5. ^..^ ^..^ ^..^























Hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-10pm.

Kat chats about Scott Dogs Lake Villa IL

Scott Dogs of Lake Villa isn't your average hot dog stand. It does have the standard American fare you'd expect like burgers, dogs, roast beef sandwiches and philly cheese steaks. It also has the standard European inspired fast food you might expect, like polish sausage, bratwurst, as well as Italian sausage and Italian beef. But...Scott Dogs has another twist on American food, Latino. Despite this twist Scott Dogs is NOT a taco stand, or taqueria, because mexican food doesn't dominate the menu. Scott Dogs is American food through and through. I might even be more specific and say it is "Chicago Style" food. Their two south of the border inspired goods are unique to anything I've seen at a hot dog stand. They have a Milanesa breaded steak sandwich which is very tender and tasty. The milanesa tastes very authentic, yet you choose your toppings. Which means it can be as Americanized as you like. They also serve Argentinean Empanadas. The milanesa and the empanada are excellent choices of Latin inpired food for this type of American restaurant, and they fit right in next to the Greek inspired gyros and the Itialian inspired meatball sandwich. Their menu is extensive with something for everyone, which makes it a great place to take your family, your friends, or your team after a big game. They have 9 different types of hot dogs in addition to the 'build it your way' option for dogs and burgers. They have chicken, ribs, salads, soups, pasta and shakes & floats. The Scott Dog is similar to a Chicago style hot dog and the Scotty's Chopped Salad is excellent and unique. The coffee is smooth and the pop is bubbly. Scott Dogs is the place to go whether you want the basic burger, or something different. Scott Dogs is probably the best hot dog stand in Lake County, IL., and possibly beyond. Keep in mind this isn't fine dining at a 5-star restaurant. But I still give Scott Dogs 3 1/2 meows out of 5. ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ ^.


Hours Mon-Sat 11am-8pm
Sun 11am-3pm
Phone (847)356-6600

895 E Grand
Lake Villa IL 60046

Kat chats about Binanti's Taste of Italy II Antioch IL

Binanti's in Antioch, IL is an Italian American treasure near the Wisconsin/Illinois border. It has simple but elegant Italian inspired dishes that are well done with a great balance of flavors. The service is good. The prices are reasonable and the portions are large. The pasta is cooked al dente and bathed in delicious sauces including a choice of a traditional red sauce or a garlic and oil sauce. There are other options with some specific dishes such as Carbonara and Alfredo. The minstrone was delicious and the bread was hot and fresh. They have daily specials as well as their regular line up of pasta basics such as Linguini, Manicotti and Chicken Parmasan. I have only two criticisms. They do not serve pizza, and they use plastic glassware. They are open 4 p.m. daily. Closed on Tuesdays. Kat gives Binanti's Taste of Italy 4 1/2 meows out of five. ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ ^.