Parking: Limited parking out front, but plenty of parking in back.Kid-friendliness: Very exciting and fun atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay H.
First off the service was great. They were very nice people. There are more tables than you'd expect but I imagine at busytimes might be more of a take out destination. And it seemed clean and bright inside which is good. The best food was the burger, juicy...it was a good solid burger. Kids weren't as big fans of the chicken gyro (would've gotten the real gyro but there wasn't much left, which probably means it's popular, when I got there, so would try that in the future). Fries were decent. They make the shakes from scratch (just probably need to clean the blenders (and/or ice cream scoopers) more btw uses as the plain chocolate shake had a strong minty note (also I wasn't paying attention but chocolate shakes gotta still have added choc syrup, I dunno if it did, which prolly means no). Oh and gotta use fresh bananas for banana shakes, syrup or powder, to quote the bard Mando, just isn't the way. And that might be my biggest gripe with an otherwise really solid diner-like joint.
BettyBoop 1422
First time here and the service and smoothies were delicious! The worker Garrett was very nice and great at w explaining and helping me choose the perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter S.
I've enjoyed Dear Franks a number of times over the years, but I don't go as often as other similar restaurants in the area that are a little bit closer or more convenient for me. That said, I've never had a bad meal here, and I'm finally able to explore their menu a little more (I'm in Deerfield more often this season). Their Chicago-style hot dogs are very good, their gyros are excellent, I enjoyed their burgers & sandwiches, and I'm a big fan of their banana milkshake. Not my favorite fries originally, but they've gotten much better in the last year (consistently crispier). I can pretty much always count on a quality lunch every time I hit Dear Franks. Their parking lot is behind the store, and easily accessible from Northbound Waukegan at either the entrance with the US Bank sign (the lots connect to the south) or the entrance near the American Legion (across from the Town Hall entrance) which has a turn lane for Southbound Waukegan traffic. It can get a little crowded at lunchtime, but they seem to manage the lunch rush fast enough. After a little league game or event at the High School, though, you might want to go somewhere else unless you don't mind waiting a bit. They're fast, but sometimes there's a line out the door after games. It's a small place, so you might have to grab your food to go (I love getting food at Dear Franks and then eating at Jewett Park's picnic area or a little further west at Maplewood Park).My personal favorites are their burgers (my partner LOVES their mushroom swiss burger), the teriyaki vegetable stir fry on a pita, and their grilled chicken on a pita with either teriyaki or tzatziki sauce. Their breaded fried mushrooms are my partner and my favorite mushrooms in the neighborhood (even better than Bill's Pizza). Great stuff!
Miley Doran (MD)
Bruh the taro has a hint of fish and it’s too sweet along with the coconut
Food: 1
John M.
Very greasy tasting food and fries were soggy. Many better places around. We've tried the hot dogs and gyros with the same result. Just funky tasting period.
Kevin R.
What can I say - it was really really good. I ordered the two hotdog special with their infamous fresh cut fries. If I had any complaints, which I really don't, but if I did, it would be that a few more french fries added to the two hotdog special would be ideal but that's hardly a complaint. Other from that very tasty, etc. etc..
Saunnie B.
We're in town for my hubby's class reunion and I always want try local favorites! When you're in Chicago, hot dogs are a big deal. So for my first Chicago style hot dog, we go to Dear Frank's.. and let me tell you this was no ordinary hot dog! No sir, No ma'am! Delicious beef hot dog with tomato, relish, onions, peppers , mustard and ketchup.. apparently you're not supposed to break convention but call me a rule breaker because I had to have ketchup. And those fries! Fresh cut. The whole meal was made fresh and piping hot. Great customer service and the place was super clean. We arrived just after they opened. Would love to visit again!
FAZEHYPEROD
We love this place and ALL its hospitality too. They are so nice and it’s so delicious. We will choose them over other ice cream places any day.
Michelle M.
Just ok. Wasn't hot and fresh, just warm. Didn't get the onion and tomato on it. Green "relish" was odd and seemed like it had food coloring.
I grew up on Dear Franks. Probably grew out some too if ya know what I mean. I grew up here, went to school here, and worked here. Ironically I hadn't been back to Dear Franks in over 30 years. In fact, the last time I was here, it was just Dear Franks. No ice cream at that time. A bunch of us planned to meet at Dear Franks for lunch and relive the old times. Still located in the same place, the inside still looked somewhat similar with a few renovations over the past 30 plus years. My usual order was a char dog and a bag of fries. I used to love those fries. So I ordered the same. Well that's where the reality started. While the char dog was decent, I felt it was a bit overcooked and a bit dry. The fries, while they were still good, just didn't taste quite as good as I remembered. And I do know my fries! It was still a decent meal, just not quite as good as I remembered. Maybe my memories were better or maybe my taste buds have changed. Maybe a bit of both? Maybe next time we're in town, we'll try it again. Maybe,
John Doe
The best ice cream, best smoothies, best service and best atmosphere. A home away from home. Family friendly and welcoming.
brian marcin
Amazing people and an amazing place. Everything on the menu is delicious and so well priced. Great for families and friends to go
Theresa R.
Typical fast food joint, except it really needs a deep clean. Chairs need to be wiped, floor needs to be swept/mopped under tables to rid of grime, etc. It's one of those places where you can write on the walls so with smudged/sticky hand prints everywhere it looks even dirtier, unfortunately. We were able to order right away, which was good, although the cook started prep without gloves (placing frozen patties on grill and taking the pita out of the bag) but afterwards he put gloves on. The ice cream side was closed--there was a "help wanted" sign so maybe they can't get help, like a lot of places.
Rose Haage
Love it the go to place fir a refreshing drink or ice cream
Parking: Limited parking out front, but plenty of parking in back.Kid-friendliness: Very exciting and fun atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First off the service was great. They were very nice people. There are more tables than you'd expect but I imagine at busytimes might be more of a take out destination. And it seemed clean and bright inside which is good. The best food was the burger, juicy...it was a good solid burger. Kids weren't as big fans of the chicken gyro (would've gotten the real gyro but there wasn't much left, which probably means it's popular, when I got there, so would try that in the future). Fries were decent. They make the shakes from scratch (just probably need to clean the blenders (and/or ice cream scoopers) more btw uses as the plain chocolate shake had a strong minty note (also I wasn't paying attention but chocolate shakes gotta still have added choc syrup, I dunno if it did, which prolly means no). Oh and gotta use fresh bananas for banana shakes, syrup or powder, to quote the bard Mando, just isn't the way. And that might be my biggest gripe with an otherwise really solid diner-like joint.
First time here and the service and smoothies were delicious! The worker Garrett was very nice and great at w explaining and helping me choose the perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've enjoyed Dear Franks a number of times over the years, but I don't go as often as other similar restaurants in the area that are a little bit closer or more convenient for me. That said, I've never had a bad meal here, and I'm finally able to explore their menu a little more (I'm in Deerfield more often this season). Their Chicago-style hot dogs are very good, their gyros are excellent, I enjoyed their burgers & sandwiches, and I'm a big fan of their banana milkshake. Not my favorite fries originally, but they've gotten much better in the last year (consistently crispier). I can pretty much always count on a quality lunch every time I hit Dear Franks. Their parking lot is behind the store, and easily accessible from Northbound Waukegan at either the entrance with the US Bank sign (the lots connect to the south) or the entrance near the American Legion (across from the Town Hall entrance) which has a turn lane for Southbound Waukegan traffic. It can get a little crowded at lunchtime, but they seem to manage the lunch rush fast enough. After a little league game or event at the High School, though, you might want to go somewhere else unless you don't mind waiting a bit. They're fast, but sometimes there's a line out the door after games. It's a small place, so you might have to grab your food to go (I love getting food at Dear Franks and then eating at Jewett Park's picnic area or a little further west at Maplewood Park).My personal favorites are their burgers (my partner LOVES their mushroom swiss burger), the teriyaki vegetable stir fry on a pita, and their grilled chicken on a pita with either teriyaki or tzatziki sauce. Their breaded fried mushrooms are my partner and my favorite mushrooms in the neighborhood (even better than Bill's Pizza). Great stuff!
Bruh the taro has a hint of fish and it’s too sweet along with the coconut
Food: 1
Very greasy tasting food and fries were soggy. Many better places around. We've tried the hot dogs and gyros with the same result. Just funky tasting period.
What can I say - it was really really good. I ordered the two hotdog special with their infamous fresh cut fries. If I had any complaints, which I really don't, but if I did, it would be that a few more french fries added to the two hotdog special would be ideal but that's hardly a complaint. Other from that very tasty, etc. etc..
We're in town for my hubby's class reunion and I always want try local favorites! When you're in Chicago, hot dogs are a big deal. So for my first Chicago style hot dog, we go to Dear Frank's.. and let me tell you this was no ordinary hot dog! No sir, No ma'am! Delicious beef hot dog with tomato, relish, onions, peppers , mustard and ketchup.. apparently you're not supposed to break convention but call me a rule breaker because I had to have ketchup. And those fries! Fresh cut. The whole meal was made fresh and piping hot. Great customer service and the place was super clean. We arrived just after they opened. Would love to visit again!
We love this place and ALL its hospitality too. They are so nice and it’s so delicious. We will choose them over other ice cream places any day.
Just ok. Wasn't hot and fresh, just warm. Didn't get the onion and tomato on it. Green "relish" was odd and seemed like it had food coloring.
Restaurantji Recommends
I grew up on Dear Franks. Probably grew out some too if ya know what I mean. I grew up here, went to school here, and worked here. Ironically I hadn't been back to Dear Franks in over 30 years. In fact, the last time I was here, it was just Dear Franks. No ice cream at that time. A bunch of us planned to meet at Dear Franks for lunch and relive the old times. Still located in the same place, the inside still looked somewhat similar with a few renovations over the past 30 plus years. My usual order was a char dog and a bag of fries. I used to love those fries. So I ordered the same. Well that's where the reality started. While the char dog was decent, I felt it was a bit overcooked and a bit dry. The fries, while they were still good, just didn't taste quite as good as I remembered. And I do know my fries! It was still a decent meal, just not quite as good as I remembered. Maybe my memories were better or maybe my taste buds have changed. Maybe a bit of both? Maybe next time we're in town, we'll try it again. Maybe,
The best ice cream, best smoothies, best service and best atmosphere. A home away from home. Family friendly and welcoming.
Amazing people and an amazing place. Everything on the menu is delicious and so well priced. Great for families and friends to go
Typical fast food joint, except it really needs a deep clean. Chairs need to be wiped, floor needs to be swept/mopped under tables to rid of grime, etc. It's one of those places where you can write on the walls so with smudged/sticky hand prints everywhere it looks even dirtier, unfortunately. We were able to order right away, which was good, although the cook started prep without gloves (placing frozen patties on grill and taking the pita out of the bag) but afterwards he put gloves on. The ice cream side was closed--there was a "help wanted" sign so maybe they can't get help, like a lot of places.
Love it the go to place fir a refreshing drink or ice cream