McHenry County’s foodies elect the 2025 Insider Guide readers’ favorites

Written on October 22, 2024.

Voters choose this year’s McHenry County dining Insider favorites!

The people have spoken!

No, we’re not talking about the election (make sure you get out and vote)! McHenry County’s foodies have chosen which of their favorite eateries will be featured in Naturally McHenry County’s annual Insider Guide.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Paw-fect Pet-Friendly Patio: Cullom Knoll
Ultimate Bloody Mary: Ye Olde Corner Tap
Best Dessert Spot: Riverside Chocolate Factory
Go-To Coffee or Tea Shop: Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters
Hottest New Restaurant: Duke’s Inferno
Best Outdoor Dining: Bimbos Italian Kitchen
Top Date Night Restaurant: Paisanos on Broadway
Best Sports Bar Hangout: Sideouts Sports Tavern
Best Bakery: Riverside Bake Shop

You can learn more about this year’s winners by clicking here. Also check out the current 2024 Insider Guide, a glitzy and information-packed guide to McHenry County’s year-round fun, by clicking here. This year’s Insider Guide was the first to include reader-chosen food favorites.

Manufacturing Month proclaimed in McHenry County

Manufacturing is a vital component of McHenry County’s economy, and the County Board recognized this with a proclamation naming October as National Manufacturing Month.

Here in McHenry County, though, we back our words with action. Through its Advance McHenry County initiative, the County Board has invested millions of federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars into projects such as the new Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation at MCC, a summer internship program that has introduced hundreds of county high school kids to careers in manufacturing, a grant program to help manufacturers innovate, and more!

You can read the proclamation by clicking here. And stay tuned in the coming weeks for a new video in the ongoing McHenry County EDC Rise and Thrive series that spotlights manufacturing!

Looking for spooky Halloween fun? Your search is over!

Are you searching for Halloween fun and excitement? Once again, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have a one-stop page to find what you need.

They’ve put together lists of Halloween parties and events for all ages, from trunk-or-treats to grown-up parties, a guide to the best decorated houses, and of course, a list of every municipality’s trick-or-treat hours.

Click here to get started planning your perfect Halloween adventure!

Early voting expands to a dozen McHenry County locations

Twelve early voting locations for the Nov. 5 presidential election have opened across McHenry County.

You can find a complete list of locations and hours by clicking here. You can cast your ballot at any of them, regardless of where in McHenry County you live.

Voting early puts your vote in the bank, waiting to be counted – no worries about Election Day lines, weather, getting off of work, or life’s little surprises getting in the way.

If you want to vote by mail, you still have time to apply for a ballot, as long as the County Clerk’s Office receives the request by Oct. 31. If you want to sign up for a vote-by-mail ballot, double-check where your polling place is if you prefer to vote on Election Day, or generate a copy of your ballot to see what races are on it, click here.

McHenry County reviewing its Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

McHenry County governments and public safety agencies will be conducting their annual review of the county Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan next month.

The plan exists to assess natural and man-made hazards that may affect local communities, and to identify strategies to reduce their impact. You can review the meeting agenda and read the current version of the plan by clicking here.

Having a mitigation plan allows local governments to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to help cover mitigation measures to lessen the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters.

The McHenry County Emergency Management Agency will host the review starting at 2:30pm Thursday, Nov. 21 at the McHenry County Regional Training Center, 655 Village Hall Drive, Cary.

Time is running out to complete the Craft Beverage Trail!

The second iteration of the popular McHenry County Craft Beverage Trail ends on Halloween!

The rules are simple – through Naturally McHenry County’s app, check in at the 12 participating breweries, wineries and distilleries to collect an exclusive t-shirt.

Participating local businesses are Cary Ale House & Brewing Company, Crystal Lake Brewing, Hempstock Pharms, Holzlager Brewing Company, Kishwaukee Brewing Company, McHenry Brewing Company, MobCraft Beer Woodstock, More Brewing Co., Rush Creek Distilling, Scorched Earth Brewing Company, Sew Hop’d, and Spirit Water.

Download the app, visit these locations, and enjoy some fantastic local drinks. Time’s running out, so don’t miss your chance – but please do so responsibly!

We hope you found this newsletter informative. If you’re not a subscriber, click here to join the McHenry County Government Constant Contact list.

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What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.