Best Al Fresco Dining In Algonquin, Lake In The Hills: Poll

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Several McHenry County restaurants and bars have upped their outdoor dining game and options in recent years. COVID-19 forced municipalities and businesses to think outside the box in order to keep drawing customers in as well as outside to their beer gardens and igloos during the winter and heated semi-enclosed decks.

While the rules have loosened regarding where and when we can dine — a welcome change for most — there are more outdoor dining options than pre-COVID and many businesses have invested in their outdoor spaces.

"Outdoor dining played a major role in buoying the restaurant industry over the last few years, and restaurants took note – whether adding, expanding, or elevating their offerings," Susan Lee, chief growth officer for OpenTable said in a news release. "Offering outdoor dining is now a key part of restaurants' business, and we're happy to see that diners continue to embrace it."

This past week, a pair of Illinois restaurants lauded for their outdoor dining spaces cracked OpenTable's Top 100 list. Piccolo Sogno in Chicago and Hardware in North Aurora got the nod from Open Table.

• 2 Illinois Restaurants Rank Among Top 100 In Nation For Outdoor Dining

And while no McHenry County businesses made this year's list, we know there are plenty that deserve a nod. So, tell us, which McHenry County outdoor dining areas are your favorite and why? NOTE: Poll results and feedback could be shared in future Patch.com article and will help us determine articles we'd like to write about McHenry County businesses.