Hamburger King

 

7

29

Gary B.

Chicago, IL

Oh how I do love the King.  They use to have a restaurant up in Andersonville called Gold Coast/ North something cafe which is now the His Stuff store.  While disappointed that they were closing the daughters that use to work there told us they owned Hamburger King as well.  So when ever we get the urge we hop on the 22 and head to HK.  To be honest I have not had any of the Asian food there.  I have had the American style breakfast with eggs and all kinds of breakfast meats.  I have also had the burgers and chili which are your typical diner tastes.  I have always enjoyed my food and as someone else mentioned Sonia is great.  My best experience with her was when she had to reprimand Ronnie Woo Woo for Woo Wooing to loudly.  Seems to be a neighborhood crowd and does get busy.  We tend to go during off breakfast/lunch hours, sit at the counter read the paper and stuff my face with great food.

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Elite '08

14

121

Lindsay K.

Chicago, IL

Yum, if someone hadn't have told me to go here and brought me with him I wouldn't have ever set foot in this place.  I mean, for breakfast, Chicken teriyaki with scrambled eggs and rice with gravy!?  Waaahh??  Makes no sense to this girl...but oh wow is it good!  That rice and gravy is the best!!!  I love coming here with good company - it's too much fun and so out of the norm.  I can't wait to scare friends/family from Texas by bringing them here!!  Thanks HK!  Esp. for being right around the corner from me!!!

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Elite '08

5

69

Tom F.

Chicago, IL

This is my go-to greasy breakfast joint when I neither feel like, nor have the ability to, walk more than a block or two from my home, and I just want to grab some eggs and read the Sunday Times.  The omelettes are very much to my liking (cooked on a griddle, so nice and thin), and the hashbrowns are great (i.e., crispy).  I've never tried the Korean breakfast options - what the place is best known for - so I can't comment on them, but they sure look good.  The prices are ridiculously low - I usually get out of there for about $8, including tip.  Perhaps best yet, I have never waited for a table, even at "prime time" on the weekends.

The lone negative is that the coffee is atrocious.  I mean, gas station quality, if not worse.  So if you are an unabashed coffee snob, I might suggest that you head elsewhere for breakfast.

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2

63

Kevin S.

Chicago, IL

My family has a long history here and I thought I would politely correct some of the information made in previous reviews.

First of all, my grandfather opened Hamburger King originally and it used to be in between Sheffield and Clark, where the Einstein Bagels place is now. He moved it to its current location when he needed more room (the Einstein's building used to be much much smaller). He eventually sold it, sometime in the 80's I think, to Sonia, the current owner.

Akutagawa is NOT a Korean dish. It was a custom meal that a Japanese man with the last name of Akutagawa asked my grandpa to make him. Another customer, after seeing it, said, "I'll have what he's having." It became pretty popular so he added it to the menu and named it "Akutagawa". Don't believe me? Google "Akutagawa". Nothing Korean comes up, just pages referencing Japanese names.

Anyway, now that the history is cleared up a little, on to the eating experience. It's a great place to go if you're in the area and want a quick simple meal. Since it's so close to Wrigley Field, you can go there before a game to avoid the huge crowds usually found in the places in that area.

I always get the Akutagawa. Definitely give it a try when you go there, I doubt you'll be able to find it anywhere else. I usually get it with the potatoes since I think that it goes better with it (especially as a breakfast) with a side order of rice and gravy. Amazing.

I am pretty sure it's cash only, but I could be wrong. I'll check next time I go there.

If you are in Wrigleyville and want to go somewhere other than the typical loud sports bar, why not give Hamburger King a shot? You'll get home style cooking in a quiet comfortable atmosphere for an exceptional price.

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Elite '08

77

108

James S.

Los Angeles, CA

Note to Josh: Though called Hamburger King, one does not get a hamburger here.

I practically lived here for several years. Breakfast or lunch: Akutagawa. The owner would pronounce it: Octagawa.

What's that? It's a Korean dish with American stuff in it. Scrambled eggs,  hamburger (yes hamburger), onions, green peppers all scrambled together.  When asked hash browns or rice and gravy, go with the latter. I like the gravy on the side, just because I like to control the gravy quotient. Plus rye toast, dry.

If your tongue can handle it, ask for  'Spices,'  a sort of colorful crystal mixture, which diners spoon on themselves. They give off a creeping hot, unlike the bottled Tabasco et al. experience.   Add coffee, and you are set for awhile.

Great people watching. Great paper-reading place. Great place to catch up with a friend, or to recharge with your honey.  It's right by Wrigley, so you may want to check the Cubs' sked.

Big menu with lots of typical diner stuff as well as a bunch of interesting Korean dishes. Lots to choose from.

Haven't been in awhile, as I moved west over a year ago. But it was fun to try to get curmudgeonly owner/head waitress Sonia to smile. And also nice when, even if I hadn't been there in months and months upon re-entering the diner, Sonia would look up, nonchalant as always and ask, "The usual?"    And I knew the world was alright.

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3

43

Ryan Y.

Chicago, IL

Hamburger King is seriously awesome...  Well, their breakfast is damn good at least, I couldn't say a single thing about their lunch, as I've never been during lunch time.  Its cheap, quick and friendly...  Well, not unfriendly at least, the lady behind the counter is the hardest working woman in food service.  Every time I've been there I don't think she's stopped moving between the tables and the kitchen.  

Definitely a great place if you find yourself in the unfortunate, yet common, situation of having to be awake before noon.  But, with breakfast this good and cheap, I'm sure there lunch is just as good!

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Elite '08

49

371

Joshua M.

Chicago, IL

Someone needs to overthrow the monarchy... when it comes to hamburgers this place is junior high cafeteria quality at best.

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Elite '08

28

194

Aaron S.

Chicago, IL

Went to this very strange place for lunch today and had chap chae with pork.  It was quite good, and though I would have liked some Korean chili  sauce to go with it the granuated chili pepper was just fine.  Definitely a unique experience, especially for the neighborhood, with its sports bars and Einstein's Bagels...

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23

35

Ron S.

IL

An acquired taste for sure, but for those who have acquired it. Nothing else like it. Stop by one morning and have the beef teriyaki with eggs and rice and gravy. Coffee is weak and service...well it's not why you go there.

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1

12

Rahsaan A.

Chicago, IL

I love this place.  My parents used to take me there when I was a kid.  It used to be called Chester's but I guess the Husband took off and the wife,  Sonia changed it to Hamburger King.  Their burgers, pork chops, and anything with gravy on it, definitely takes the cake.  There is also this huge noodle soup called Yet Ca Mein.  It consists of  rice noodles, your choice of beef, chicken, or pork and a hard boiled egg.  Sounds kind of  weird  but trust me it is delicious.

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59

1224

Ren H.

Chicago, IL

Its not just hamburgers here, but the hamburgers are really good.. this place doesn't look like much from the outside but the prices are reaonsable and their teriyaki is great as well.  its perfect sometimes after a cubs game or night of drinking!

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