Illinois 2018: Part 4

Ho, ho, ho! The holidays are here and I finally have our last Illinois/USA post of the year for ya. This is part four of all the posts we did about Illinois, as we spent a ton of time in and out of there visiting family and watching our niece play softball.

So, let’s go!

On our way back to see the family once again, we stopped in Champaign for the night and hit up Destihl Brewery. They’re actually from Normal, but they have a great space in Champaign as well. Amazing food and beer are very present for your face hole, and we highly recommend you swing by. Thanks to Hunter and Dana for the hospitality!

Lish!

Back in Chicagoland, we stopped by the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, IL, to have lunch with our buddy, Joel. Always tasty food and bev, and always good times with that dude!

In August, we celebrated both Ang’s birthday and our anniversary, and went out with my parents for some amazing Italian food at Aliano’s in East Dundee, IL. *drool*

We also took a return trip to Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich, IL, with some family and friends. There’s always great drink to be had there…thanks to Beth and Lane, as always!

On the way back from our weekend in Oshkosh, WI, with Heidi and Ben, Ang and I made it a point to stop in Winthrop Harbor, IL, to check out the new-ish Harbor Brewing Co. They have a nice lil’ setup there, and make some good beers. Shouts out to Kyle, Joe, and Leah for the good times!

We got to see our buds, Pedi and Monica, as well as Monica’s brother, Mark, out in Palatine, IL at Tap House. Mark brews his own beer, and had some yums for us to try.

I also tried the Chicago staple malört for the first time. It’s terrible. Don’t do it. It’s pride in being gross and it’s pointless! =P

We naturally had to get our Balkan food fix once more before leaving the U.S., so that meant a trip to our favorite spot, Balkan Taste, in Mt. Prospect, IL. Our pal and Heidi’s coworker, Ron, came out with us as well. We love hanging out with this guy!

My awesome parents celebrated their 50th anniversary, and renewed their vows. We are so proud of them for being a great example of how a couple should be, and love them endlessly!!!

The annual celebration of Palatine Fest gave us a chance to get out and hang with all of Ben and Heidi’s friends, many of whom we get to consider friends, now, too! Woooooo!

Who wants American breakfast? This guy! Walker Bros. in Arlington Heights, IL. I couldn’t eat this every day, but it’s so freaking good every once in a while.

How about Indian food? Some great-tasting dishes at Indian Bistro in Palatine, IL.

We had to make it a point to spend some quality time with our friends, Kristen and Nick, before heading to Spain. So, we hit up a couple of breweries with them. Shocker, I know!

First up, it was nice beers at Church Street Brewing Co. in Itasca, IL. We definitely need to get back there and hang on their patio for hours on end. Thanks to Lynn for the hospitality!

Do you think we can park here?

We also made our first visit to Short Fuse Brewing Co. in Schiller Park, IL. Love the art on the walls, the beer is delicious, the food on-point, and many good times were had. The only thing I don’t like about this place is that they have set flights. Just let me pick what I want! Ah well. Still, good stuff. Thanks, Jenny!

Met this French bulldog. Ha! He has his own Instagram page. Because, of course he does.

Swung through Dry City Brew Works in Wheaton, IL, with Julie, Joel, and their kids before going out to dinner. Thanks, Oliver!

Then, dinner at The Burger Social. Love this space, and they make phenomenal burgs. It appears I have no pictures of it, so here’s a picture of all of us afterwards, bellies on FULL.

Louis!

Don’t worry, squirrel – I’m not going to take your whatever-that-is.

Random grilled meats during our visits, by Ben and my dad. Wooooo-weeeee!

More Louis!

Bumblebee!

Bentley!

After all that, it was time to head to the airport to catch our flight to Spain. It rained. A lot.

Because of all the storms, our flight was delayed for a couple hours. I got a beer, and Louis took all the naps.

And finally, we were off!

Check out our other Illinois posts right here. Also be sure to check out our Hopsmash project on Instagram and Facebook.

A very special thanks to our family and all the great people we hung out with and met during our time in Illinois this year. See you in 2019!

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Have you ever been to any of these places? If so, what’d you think? If not, what say ye? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!