Best Southern American Restaurants in Lake Forest

Briny Swine: The Best BBQ & Oysters in Chicagoland! If you're craving an authentic taste of the Carolinas right here in Chicago, look no further than Briny Swine. This place is an absolute gem, bringing Southern charm, bold flavors, and top-tier hospitality to the heart of the Midwest. First and foremost, the BBQ is hands-down the best in Chicagoland. Whether you're diving into their perfectly smoked brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, or tender pulled pork, every bite is packed with rich, smoky goodness. The portion sizes? Incredible for the price—you'll leave satisfied and then some. And let's talk about the oysters. Fresh, briny, and expertly shucked, they bring a true taste of the coast. Whether you like them raw, grilled, or topped with creative garnishes, Briny Swine delivers a seafood experience that pairs perfectly with their hearty BBQ offerings. The service here is top-notch. The staff is welcoming, attentive, and always ready with great recommendations. Add in a solid selection of beers and an electric live entertainment lineup on Saturdays, and you’ve got the perfect spot to kick back and enjoy some Southern hospitality. Briny Swine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re hosting a party, event, or just grabbing a meal with friends, this is the place to be. If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and get ready for a finger-lickin' good time, y’all

We tried a few different food items and YUM! The berry French toast was as you’d expect, soft and sweet. So good! The tamales were pretty good. I preferred without the salsa provided but my husband liked it better with salsa. I had delta breakfast sammich and that was delish and filling. Served with hash brown potatoes which I don’t eat. Only thing is the dj starts at 2pm on Saturday, which is cool, but we met up with someone we hadn’t seen in a while and it’s hard to catch up over extremely loud music lol Thta was our mistake though. Fun vibe l, if you didn’t go there to talk, for sure.

Good food and friendly service. Tables are close together so if you are looking for a private intimate setting, this isn’t it. That being said the restaurant was decorated cute for Mardi Gras and the whole experience was very good! Would highly recommend.

Great food. Service was lacking, which is a change from several months ago. Music was not consistent and volume went from good volume for dinner conversation to extremely loud.