Lake Forest Academy students frequently travel to Vernon Hills to grab a quick snack or meal. The Spectator review crew visited some of the Caxy’s favorite spots in Vernon Hills, and here’s our take.
Invicto is a Mexican restaurant that offers a variety of tacos and burrito plates. Included are drinks and a cart filled with an array of sauces, ranging from guacamole to chipotle cream. This, along with its aesthetic decor and quick service, makes it one of the best places for a sit-down meal or quick snack. “Invicto is one of my favorite places to go after school. The horchata cold brew is amazing,” Christina Quiroz ‘26 said. Many LFA students frequently run into each other there. We recommend the taco plate with refried beans, guacamole sauce and the cold brew horchata. Overall, we give Invicto a 9/10, as the rice can sometimes be a bit dry.
Another LFA favorite is Bibibop, an Asian Grill originally from Columbus, Ohio. Known for its fresh and delicious offerings, the restaurant offers salads and bowls that can be ordered as pre-curated signature dishes or fully customized dishes to suit individual tastes. All food at Bibibop is gluten-free and healthy, making the restaurant an excellent choice for students with dietary restrictions. Various bases – rice, greens, and sweet potato noodles – can first be selected to build a bowl. Then, proteins, toppings, and an assortment of sauces can be added to finish the dish. With the ability to create countless variations of meals, it is difficult to get bored of Bibibop. We recommend building a bowl with either chicken or steak, as both types of meat are flavorful and can complement any combination of toppings. The roasted sesame broccoli and potatoes are excellent items to include. Bibibop has great service, and its assembly-line-style preparation makes it an ideal place for a fast and easy meal. Due to its fantastic flavors, quick service, and customizable meals, we rate Bibibop a 10/10.
Although not a restaurant, the Whole Foods buffet is a must-go for a quick meal. With food ranging from wings to Indian food to sushi, Whole Foods has everything someone would want to eat. The buffet is efficient and convenient; with no big line or wait, you can be in and out in less than five minutes. Our favorite items are the desserts. They offer various mochi flavors and macarons, along with cookies and any pastry one could think of. However, the food can be quite pricey, especially for being buffet style, as items are charged by the pound. In general, we give the Whole Foods buffet an 8 out of 10, with points being deducted due to the pricing and food quality (the food sits out all day).
Cava has quickly become a favorite for LFA students. Cava was developed around the ideas of a Mediterranean upbringing, encouraging a connection around food with fulfilling ingredients. That being said, if you do not like Mediterranean food, this is definitely not the place for you. Cava’s ordering system is similar to Chipotle’s; you may create your own bowl (with salad and/or grains) or a pita. Bowls and Pitas may include protein, vegetables, dairy, dips, dressings and spices. It is important to note that Cava is not gluten-free, and there is a chance of cross-contamination. However, Cava has made an online, accessible document containing all ingredients’ dietary and nutritional information. We recommend making a salad bowl containing super greens, harissa honey chicken, tomatoes, Persian cucumbers and avocados, with lemon herb tahini dressing. Despite Cava being quick and having fulfilling ingredients, it is a more expensive meal and has a risk of contamination, bringing our rating down to a 7/10.
In addition to the restaurants we have reviewed, there are plenty of other options in Vernon Hills that offer delicious food and excellent service. Portillo’s, Chick-fil-A, Noodles & Company and SLYCE are just a few popular spots we encourage you to visit.
