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Alex's
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Burgers American (New), Burgers [Edit]
3125 W Irving Park Rd(between Albany Ave & Troy St)
Chicago, IL 60618
Neighborhood: Irving Park
(773) 463-0133
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Alex's
12 reviews in English
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Review from Frank W.
Chicago, IL
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love this place. The owners are great people. They know you even if you just walk by. Just wave. Great food. I keep blowing my diet here.
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Review from I B.
Chicago, IL
4/9/2011
What if your nice older neighbors ran a hot dog joint? It would be Alex's. What if that place inexplicably had the storage freezers blocking the hallway to the back door? Ehhh, there probably won't be a fire..
The fries are original sin. Before man invented cheese, chili, seasoned salt or shapes not found in nature, there were these fries and they were good. Everything else was excellent, fresh and cooked to order. Sure, the place is a little quirky, but I'm pretty sure it cost me less than twenty bucks to feed the family. -
Review from Amanda I.
Chicago, IL
4/3/2011
I had a gyro and fries. DELICIOUS! The little lady behind the counter melted my heart. I couldn't help but over tip her either.
I love to see Mom and Pop shops thriving in this economy and in a world where everything is commercialized. Makes me want to eat here that much more. Now, when I want a gyro, I can just walk a few blocks vs having to cruise to Greek Town.
The decor may be outdated but the American vibe, gyros and warm greetings make it obsolete. -
Review from Jim M.
Chicago, IL
5/20/2010
The food here is generally pretty good. The gyros are actually very good. But it's the couple that own this old fashioned corner burger shop that are wonderful. I find them fascinating to watch.
I've read the reviews about ketchup being given rather than marinara with the cheese sticks and I'll admit they occasionally make mistakes. Once I ended up with a pizza puff that I didn't order. There were 3 other people waiting... it must have been the rush. And yes sometimes they can be a little slow. But how often do you get to see a couple in their late sixties/ early seventies still obviously so in love?
I live just a few blocks away so I've been in maybe 12-15 times over the last three years. It was on my 2nd or third visit that I noticed the husband, working on my order, extend his hand and lightly brush the lower back of his wife as he passed. She turned slightly, looking at him, and smiled just a bit. It was a great real moment and I felt priviledged to have seen it.
Now each time I go in I watch closely. It makes me smile to see them alone in the back booth talking over the mussed pile of newspapers or when I hear them happily resume talking as I walk out with my food. I know couples together less than a decade with nothing to talk about. I don't see them making much money but there are many ways to be rich and they've got it going on. How many couples on their way to the next hot tasting menu in a luxury sedan are paupers compared to these two?
So they don't have a steam table for the hot dog buns... I'll deal. The place is an anachronism and will eventually be a Starbucks. Stop in and if you're observant enough maybe you'll walk out with a smile to go with your occasional unexpected pizza puff.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Brett K.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 12/26/2008
Best gyros ever.
Yep I said it, and after my 30th or so Gyros from here, I have decided it. The Christmas music did start before thanksgiving, and that certainly annoys the mistletoe right out of my bottom.... but the gyros are fantastic.
Sure they take about 15-20 mins to make it, but that is because they care what they are doing. Infact I have never seen more care put into the preperation of any other dish in and other "greasy diner type place."
I think we often have a hard time appreciating establishments like these. Nothing inventive on the menu, nothing unique, nothing out of this world... save the gyros which I do not believe could be made better.
Things to think about before coming:
A. One Gyros is enough if you get everything on it, I don't care how big of an appetite you have.
B. The owners are older, they go at their own pace, relax, this isn't mcdons these folks take extreme pride in their greasy food.
C. A bum might hit you up for change there... so what.
D. If you smoke, place your order and step out for one... you can finish the whole thing before your food is done.
E. When you bite into the gyro attempt to get the meat, pita, onion, tomatoe, and sauce all in your mouth at once for total satasfaction.Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/30/2008
One of my favorite Gyros in the city. The couple takes extra care to make them, so expecet a bit of… Read more »
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Review from Lisa A.
Chicago, IL
6/6/2010
Good Gyros.
Ok Fries.
Tasty tsatziki.
$3.90
Greek-owned. Efelesto!!
Cash Only. -
Review from Abe D.
Cook, IL
8/3/2009
Wow, this place was dead, I mean really dead. All by herself this little old lady was just sitting in one of the booths reading. Here I come in wanting a hot dog and she was excited at the change of pace, a customer.
On the way to Wrigley and taking Irving? This corner stand is just after Kedzie with Char-Broiled prominently displayed below the name, followed by Hamburgers with the font larger than the postceding Hot Dogs.
I was expecting the worse, shriveled dog, crummy toppings, stale bun. Through the Garden, Chicago Seven toppings with a julienne pickle slice, I was pleasantly surprised. She asked if I wanted a sport pepper and I had to ask for celery salt. Other than the bun which wasn't steamed, not bad considering the price was less than $1.75. Sorry, no fries included.
The last time this place was remodeled, Carter, maybe Nixon was in office. Amongst the faded laminated, some psychedelic mirror strips. I'm guessing that this place will be remodeled before it turns into a taqueria. Second thought, no necessary need to remodel for a taqueria and I hope that it never becomes one. Long live this little Vienna alternative. -
Review from Eenie J.
Chicago, IL
10/24/2008
A really great mom & pop shop for quick and tasty food.
My husband loves their steak sandwich and I just order their grilled cheese sandwiches. My husband also likes their burgers, but I feel like it is a bit dry. -
Review from Christine D.
Chicago, IL
4/7/2009
Definitely the best gyros ever. That's all I ever have when I come here.
Yes, it does take a while for the adorable woman to make the gyros, but wtf get the eff over it. Go out and conversate with the local bums while you wait. Or read the papers on the counter. Or stroll over to walgreens and buy yourself some diapers.
Anyways, great place, the couple that run the place are fantastic, cute, wonderful people. Gyros are the best I've ever had. -
Review from JP P.
Chicago, IL
7/12/2007
You're probably not gonna go here for a good meal -- in fact, the food is pretty average (and, with caution, you'll smell like Alex's the rest of the day), with its menu of gyros, hot dogs, and hamburgers. But, you're charmed by the cute, older Eastern European couple who man the grill (Office debate: Which one's Alex? The husband or the wife?). The interior probably hasn't changed since the 70s, and it seems like inflation hasn't settled in either -- I can usually find enough change in my desk drawer to buy a grilled cheese and fries.
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Review from Jackie O.
Chicago, IL
2/22/2010 1 photo
I was amazed to see good reviews of this place. The little old woman behind the counter served me moz sticks with ketchup. My hot dog was cold. When the person I was with asked for his hot dog with melted cheese, she put a cold slice of american on the bun and handed it to him. This place smelled so good outside... but.... well, I don't have anything good to say about it.
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Review from Casey C.
Chicago, IL
7/7/2009
Have to agree with the previous comments, that they definitely have the best gyros.....hands down!!! They also have a great grilled chicken breast sandwich, which can be a bit messy. Love Love Love their fries, they are thick cut and delicious.
This place has been in the neighborhood forever, we grew up together. Consistently good food and a caring couple that runs the place. The restaurant is actually named after their child and not one of them. It was also remodeled in the late 80s/early 90s. Preferred the previous decor with the spinning stools and counter seats myself.
Here is a tip.....phone in your order and it will be ready for pickup usually.
