Best Local Market Finds at Lake Roots in Crystal Lake, IL
Our Favorite Lake Roots Market Finds and Why We Chose Them
At Lake Roots, our market is more than a collection of things to buy. It is an extension of what we value: thoughtfully made food, quality ingredients, community connections, and products with a story behind them.
We look for local and regional makers who care about how their products are sourced, prepared, and shared. Some are located right here in McHenry County, while others represent the best of the Midwest and beyond. Every item is selected because it brings something special to the table, whether that is small-batch craftsmanship, sustainable practices, time-honored recipes, or simply something delicious we could not wait to share.
Here are a few of our favorite Lake Roots Market finds and why they earned a place on our shelves.
The Pasta Bar
Handmade Pasta from McHenry, Illinois
The Pasta Bar makes its pasta by hand in McHenry using traditional bronze dies. This process gives the pasta a slightly rough, rustic texture that helps sauces cling to every bite.
Its pasta is made with non-GMO, no-spray semolina imported from Italy’s Paolo Mariani mill and organic durum wheat from Janie’s Mill in Central Illinois. The brand also creates fresh pasta, sauces, and meal kits without relying on seed oils or unnecessary shortcuts.
Why we chose it: The Pasta Bar combines traditional Italian pasta-making techniques with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to local production. It is the kind of pantry staple that can turn an ordinary weeknight dinner into something memorable.
Pair your favorite pasta shape with one of their sauces for an easy, thoughtfully made meal at home.
Heady Cup Coffee Roasters
Locally Roasted Coffee from McHenry, Illinois
Heady Cup Coffee Roasters carefully sources coffee from small farmers and uses a data-driven roasting process to develop the ideal flavor profile for each batch. Their collection includes signature blends, single-origin coffees, espresso, cold brew, and seasonal selections.
The company also gives back to coffee-growing communities. Heady Cup plants a tree in coffee-producing regions for every bag sold online and has supported thousands of plantings since launching the initiative.
Why we chose it: Heady Cup reflects the balance we love at Lake Roots: local craftsmanship with a global perspective. Their coffee is roasted just a few towns away, but their relationships with farmers and commitment to responsible sourcing reach much farther.
Pick up a bag from the market and enjoy a little bit of the Lake Roots coffee experience at home.
Zachi Chocolates
Organic Chocolate Made with Fine Aroma Ecuadorian Cacao
Zachi Chocolates is working to change the way people experience chocolate through premium products made with Fine Aroma Ecuadorian cacao.
The company works with small farms using fair-trade practices to support Ecuadorian farming communities while sourcing high-quality cacao. Zachi also uses EARTH PACT® certified packaging made from upcycled sugarcane fibers rather than trees.
Why we chose it: Zachi proves that an indulgent treat can also be thoughtfully sourced. We love its rich flavors, beautiful presentation, support of small farming communities, and attention to more sustainable packaging.
These chocolate bars make an easy gift, a thoughtful addition to a Lake Roots gift basket, or a well-deserved treat for yourself.
Wanda Farms
Pasture-Raised Farm-Fresh Eggs from Harvard, Illinois
Wanda Farms is a regenerative family farm located in Harvard, Illinois. Its hens are raised on pasture, where they can roam, forage, and supplement their diet with grasses, seeds, and insects.
The farm’s pasture-raised eggs are GMO-free, and Wanda Farms also produces grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken and pork. Its broader mission is to connect more families directly with the farmers producing their food.
Why we chose them: Wanda Farms offers the kind of direct farm-to-community connection that fits naturally with the Lake Roots philosophy. These eggs come from a nearby family farm that prioritizes animal care, responsible land management, and transparency.
Use them for a weekend breakfast, homemade baked goods, or any recipe where fresh, quality ingredients make a noticeable difference.
Julie Ann’s Frozen Custard
A Crystal Lake Favorite Since 1985
Julie Ann’s Frozen Custard has been serving handcrafted desserts in Crystal Lake since 1985. Its custard is made fresh throughout the day using quality dairy and dairy-free ingredients, real chocolate, house-made toppings, and creative seasonal flavors.
The family-owned business sources many of its ingredients within Illinois and has become a beloved part of the McHenry County community.
Why we chose it: Julie Ann’s is a true Crystal Lake classic. Carrying their products allows us to celebrate another local business that values fresh preparation, memorable flavors, and community connection.
Look for Julie Ann’s treats in our freezer when you need a quick dessert, a nostalgic local favorite, or something sweet to bring home.
Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria & Pub
Authentic Chicago-Style Pizza from Crystal Lake
Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria & Pub opened its first restaurant in Crystal Lake in 2002, but the family’s deep-dish recipe reaches back much further.
Founder Brian Coli learned the craft from his father, who learned from Alice Mae Redmond and Ruth Hadley, two influential figures in the early history of Chicago-style pizza. Today, Georgio’s is known throughout McHenry County for its authentic deep-dish and thin-crust pizzas.
Why we chose it: Georgio’s represents local history, family tradition, and a food that is unmistakably Chicago. Their market-ready pizzas make it easy to enjoy a beloved Crystal Lake restaurant from the comfort of home.
Keep one in the freezer for busy nights, casual gatherings, or those moments when only Chicago-style pizza will do.
Cheese Brothers
Artisan Cheese Spreads from Almena, Wisconsin
Cheese Brothers brings old-school Wisconsin cheesemaking together with playful, modern flavors. Its artisan cheese spreads are made in Almena, Wisconsin, using real cheese and natural ingredients.
The company focuses on straightforward recipes built around milk, salt, natural cultures, and thoughtfully selected seasonings rather than artificial flavors.
Why we chose them: No Midwest market would be complete without great Wisconsin cheese. Cheese Brothers offers approachable classics alongside unexpected flavors, making their spreads equally suited for everyday snacking, entertaining, and gifting.
Serve them with crackers, add them to a grazing board, or bring a few flavors to your next get-together.
More Than a Market
Each product in the Lake Roots Market has been chosen with intention. We want you to discover foods that taste good, feel good to support, and make everyday meals and gatherings a little more special.
Our selection changes throughout the year as we discover new makers, seasonal specialties, and community favorites. Stop in often to see what is new, build a locally inspired gift, or pick up something delicious for your next breakfast, picnic, dinner, or night at home.
Visit Lake Roots Café, Market & Bar in Crystal Lake to explore our current market selection. Come for coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktails, and leave with a few new favorites to enjoy later.
