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Yay! I'm a fan, indeed. Chipmunks has helped me through some rough mornings. As many of you many know, when I relocated to Chicago I moved in with two girls who were fresh out of college who I was introduced to by my "friend" Craig. As a result, I became reacquainted with beer pong and pre-drinking before going to bars, thus also becoming reacquainted with brutal hangovers that can only be cured with greasy, filling food.
Chipmunks is the perfect medicine for a hangover. I'm sure they would make a huge increase in profits if they stayed open late enough to accommodate the post-bar crowd that Duffy's would supply, but they are also smart and would rather not deal with all the douchery.
Chipmunks has a wide variety of meal choices. Once while eating my morning bacon cheeseburger, I watched them serve a very large fish of some sort and several lobsters to a family of six. That's not on the menu, but just a side note. Anyway, they have New York-style pizza, awesome Chicago-style hot dogs, chicken, spaghetti, lasagna, and gyros. I've only tried the gyro, hot dogs, pizza and BCBs, and they are all delish.
Also for the families that come in here often, I should note they have naked Greek women in framed photos and one of the Ketchup and Mustard bottle cartoons looks like he is "excited," if you know what I mean.
The 4 stars is in reference to fast cheap food!!! I have not been there in a few years but know this place has not changed and never will. Give it a try when you want to fill your tummy on little money!
I've always walked right past this place. My boyfriend suggested we try it when en route to Lincoln Park Market this week. I realized what a fool I've been. I *heart* this place. This is the slice of New York I've been missing!! I had the Gyro and Salad Plate. HUGE! So much food! My boyfriend had just the cheeseburger and he really enjoyed it. I was oogling the bachlava, but we had groceries to buy so I passed it up. I won't be so foolish next time; it looked delicious. I haven't had a chance to try their pizza yet, but i'm dubious. It's priced right (I refuse to pay more than $2 a slice for thin crust pie), but I haven't found a place in Chicago that has mastered or even come close to New York style pizza.... Don't get me wrong, Chicago deep dish is my fave, but sometimes a girl needs her thin crust! However, with how awesome their gyro was, they may just have what it takes.
If you're in need of that greasy deliciousness we all yearn for after a long night of drinking, this is the place to go. Obviously, this is exactly what the owners had in mind when they chose the locations down the street from 3 bars. But even when you're not drunk this isn't too bad, as there are some selections in there that are semi healthy. While they serve your typical greasy hamburger and hotdog with fries selection, you can also order a good-sized salad, or pasta, or even a nice greasy piece of pizza.
I don't know about eating there, and I've never tried it. From the looks of it, I can't say it looks like something I'd recommend doing. Go in, order your food, grab it, and go eat it at home or on the sidewalk.
I originally went in for a simple hot dog and fries, however then noticed they have much more! They have homemade lasanga, spaghetti, perch, half chicken, ham off the bone just to name a few. I was impressed with the dinner selections and depending on what you get is served with a small salad and garlic bread. The gyros combo plate is fantastic and that comes with a greek salad and feta cheese.
Plenty of seating available. I also like the fact you can watch your food being prepared in front of you. In my past reviews I always mention if the business owner is present during hours of operation and sure enough this owner is. He may even take your order too!
Good, fast, cheap food. Don't expect gourmet, but for the price, it is definitely one of the better diners in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. Service is always friendly.
Looks like one of those grease-holes that only rocks after you've had a few.
Gyros to make you gyrate. Srsly. Even sober.
Honestly, I only stopped into this place because of the picture in the window. How can you say no to a restaurant whose giant dancing hot dog has boobs?!
The food isn't terrible, but I'm really only rating this place based on the boobs.
A solid three stars.
If you're drunk, or broke, or just want something horribly greasy and bad for you, this place is a good bet.
I've had their grilled chicken burger (nothing special) and hot dogs. Their fries are okay, too. The people working there say 'hello', and 'thank you', which is more than I can say for some hot dog joints. The place does look as if it's not been remodeled since the seventies, but whatever. I wouldn't bring my parents here or anything, but it's solid fast food, and better than going to McDonalds any day.
Insanely amazing cheeseburgers, Italian beef, GYROS, hot dogs, bratwurst and of course fries.
I used to live upstairs from Chipmunks when it opened in 1996-ish, but I didn't eat meat at the time. Then I came back with a vengeance years later. Now I'm back to being a vegetarian so my fond memories are riddled with guilt.
Chipmunks deserves 4 stars just for putting up with our rowdy, drunken, pre-St. Patty's Day, been drinking since before noon party of 6. Decent pizza, yumtastic cheese fries (and I know my cheese fries), and everyone else scarfed down their food as well. Pretty cheap too!
This place feels like it's left over from the 1970's, and that's good.
However, the cooking oil tastes like it's left over from the 1970's, and that's bad.
The name of the place threw me at first. So, did the image of Alvin the Chipmunk of the fictional cartoon musical group Alvin and the Chipmunks on the sign. I walked by a couple of times and then one day I finally went in.
When I want fast food I prefer going here over McDonald's every time. I like the cheeseburger, fries and drink combo, the Chicago style hot dogs and when I'm in the mood for comfort food the spaghetti and meatball dinner.
I can't say that I have ever had a bad experience here but, I usually get my food to go. I'm a regular customer here and I'm usually greeted with a friendly "Hello". It's not the best food in the world but, it's cheap, filling and it usually satisfies my late night greasy food cravings.
Best lil hotdog/burger place in the neighborhood. Surprisingly the spaghetti and meatballs is delicious. Always have specials and a great Hotdog deal. You can go wrong here.
Greasy spoon hot dog stand, pizza parlor, chicken shack, gyro bar, etc.
Nothing great, but what do you expect for $2.91?
Love the orange drink and grape-ade though....
their italian combo beef with gardinera is the best i have tryed yet...
Well, the only bad thing about this place is that I live close to it, so I am there more often than I would like. It is a great hot dog/hamburger joint and has been around forever. Despite the cheap prices, I never worry about poor quality food/service. In fact, the owner (I like to refer to him as Mr. Chipmunk) must be really good to his employees b/c I see the same ones there every time I go. They are always friendly and seem to take pride in their work.
Now, it's a no-brainer to get the hot dog special when you are here (two hot dogs and fries) since it's a good deal. I'm also a big fan of their polish sausage sandwiches, and their hamburgers have a nice charred taste. I've actually recently tried their pizza slices, which are surprisingly good (a very unique crust).
I still can't figure out why the restaurant has a big cartoon hot dog with boobs, but I hope Chipmunk's doesn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon.
i'm probably biased because I live above this place but first of all they have a bit of everything, I like the gyros, and 5 bucks for 2 chicago dogs, fries and a drink is a great quick lunch or dinner, it's probably a good thing they're not open too late or I would go there everytime I was drunk. No its not gourmet and yes most of the items are fried but they do what they do pretty well.
Had a cheeseburger delivered from here. It tasted like they scraped the flaky burnt crap off of their grill, slapped it onto a bun and called it a day.
Don't eat here unless you have a death wish. The food is greasy and they haven't mastered the art of flash frying. The food tastes as if it's been soaking in oil all day long. The service is also far from desirable. The last time I was there, the cook said something vulgar in a language I barely understood. I have never felt more uncomfortable ordering take out. The pizza was old, the food was greasy, the gyros looked good, but I can't find good reason to eat here again. If you are really craving fast food, walk 5 minutes to Yangos on Broadway and Diversey.
c'mon guys it's not *that* greasy!!! there is a "healthy" portion of the menu (though it still consists of burgers.. weird).
true it looks like it's from the 70's.. kinda dirty looking but i bet it's as clean as your local fast food. the people also look as if they've been extracted from a time warp-- i always bump into a buncha elderly in their latest fashions (also from the 70's). but chili dog and fries for $2.95??? who can top that?
If your looking for a variety of foods to chose from this is the place. They have everything from burgers to pasta. My only complaint is that the food is a tad greasy but not bad.
Pretty mediocre junk food. It's cheap and it was close to my former apartment so it was a short crawl when I was hung over. Beef sandwich is good. Hot dogs are really cheap but not great. They have a pretty random assortment of other items like roasted chicken, lasagna, tamales.
I don't quite understand the name, and it made me a little nervous as I ate my gyro, but it was pretty good. Not Yango's good, but decent. The service was quick, but the place was empty so that should be a given.
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Delis
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