Macushla Brewing Co.

Located on the northeast corner of Waukegan Road and Lake Avenue, next to the famous Hackney’s restaurant, this quaint brewery opened in 2017 and is owned and operated by Megan Welch, who is keeping alive the dream of her late husband, who passed away just short of the business’ first anniversary.

“Eclectic, warm and homey,” is how Megan describes Macushla’s cozy taproom, which was purposefully furnished with lamps, furniture and rugs from “a lot of different spots.”

The highlight for us is the spacious patio. Adorned with plants, string lights and plenty of communal seating — not to mention regular live music on the weekends — it’s like a little oasis that makes you forget you’re just a few steps away from one of the busier intersections in the north burbs. For the winter and spring, they add an enclosure between the taproom and patio that doubles the capacity.

Adorned with plants, string lights and plenty of communal seating — not to mention regular live music on the weekends — Macushla’s patio is like a little oasis that makes you forget you’re just a few steps away from a busy intersection.

For a smaller production space, head brewer Brad Pulver doesn’t shy away from churning out a wide variety of small-batch beers — everything from Vienna lagers and blonde ales and double IPAs and dark porters.

For food, look no further than the aforementioned Hackney’s across the parking lot. Known for their stellar burgers, Hackney’s now has a kiosk inside the taproom to make ordering food easier for Macushla guests. And they’ll deliver food right to your table.

“There’s a real family component to what we’re doing,” Megan tells us. “It’s such a small production, so our staff is super close, and we truly care about one another. And you can feel it in the energy and the vibe here. Most of the staff has been with us since the beginning, and I think that comes across when you visit.”

1516 E. Lake Ave. in Glenview. MacushlaBeer.com

— Trent Modglin

H Mart Korean food court

Sure, you may have driven past H Mart on your way to Home Depot or a car wash in the Civic Center plaza in Niles. Or maybe you’ve even swung into the large Korean supermarket to grab a few things. But if you’re a fan of fresh, authentic Asian food and haven’t eaten at the food court that lines the far right side of the store, you’re missing out.

Insider’s tip: You can get pre-made sushi trays for half price after 6 p.m. each day at the Sushi Tokyo Lunch Box inside H Mart.

A total of six small food stations offer everything from fresh dumplings and loaded bowls of steaming hot ramen to bento boxes, sushi, fried rice, kimchee and more. Our favorite thing to do is order dishes from several of the restaurants and share them at the table.

Insider’s tip: The food court tends to close early, usually around 7 p.m., but some of the stations often close even earlier than that. Also, you can get pre-made sushi trays for half price after 6 p.m. each day at the Sushi Tokyo Lunch Box. 801 Civic Center Drive in Niles.

— Trent Modglin

Rand Red Hots

On a recent drive home from Des Plaines, my friend and I were drawn in to Rand Red Hots and ended up being blown away by the unique, old timey style of the place. It truly looks like it’s right out of the 1950s and was packed with customers. Little did we know, there was a couple married right outside, with pictures framing the moment on the restaurant wall.

Overall, the classic double hot dogs were great, and the amazing fresh-cut fries were cooked perfectly and seasoned with just the right amount of salt. Insider’s tip: It’s a cashless business, so bring the credit card with you. 1441 Rand Road in Des Plaines. RandRedHots.com

— Max Dudek