Food wise, this place is awesome! Never had a bad meal here. My favorites include the Ceasar wrap, Oriental Chicken wrap and the french fries. Salads look great too! I've heard good things about their frozen yogurt too. Other than that, parking is OK and the lines at lunch are a bit long.
(4)
Shelly D.
O STARS! Terrible customer service. I should call the cops and report this restaurant.
(1)
Margie S.
I ordered a chicken wrap. The lettuce was brown and wilted . Gross. . This was not the first time that this has happened. I had ordered Greek salad, hamburgers and wraps before and for some reason they all had wilted brown lettuce. Not coming back anymore.
(1)
George J.
I've given this place 3 chances now and not one good experience. The cashiers rush you wether it's busy or slow and they're never friendly or helpful. I'm a huge fan of gyros and their gyros was terrible, their chicken was average at best. My friend had their new style cheese burger since they recently changed their burgers and said it was good. I will not be going back.
(2)
Fireman Y.
Rude staff, , ok food, .. prices average. Ok have been back Im guessing someone showed the cashier the review because he has been much nicer to all the customers. I appriate that, the food is decent im going to give you guys 2 more stars.
(3)
Kinan A.
My wife and I both got food poisoning from the chicken kabob plate. Thank god my 2 year old was a brat that day and refused to eat her meal. I live in the neighborhood and II like this place a lot but they really need to make some changes before I go back there ever again.
(1)
Matt G.
For what I had.. this was solid. I went in with a mixed set of expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Basically a "no frills" operation with a broad grill-type menu. I ordered the Chicken Philly and a drink. A tad expensive in the $8.25 range for that, so I thought. However, after seeing the produced sandwich, I think I got the value and was glad I didn't order a side with it... that would have been too much. Nice juicy chunks of seasoned chicken, onions and peppers with a generous amount of tasty cheese. My only complaint, and it's a small one, was that it seemed to take a long time to produce it. But upon consuming it, I'll wait for it again.
(4)
K G.
Receipt ticket #........699 or 999 tonight. I stopped in on my way home. I learned of this place during a visit to Foremost on Lincoln & Peterson a couple months ago. The wings smelled so good, I had to ask where they were bought. Finally today was the day. Full of anticipation, that I might have a new place when I need a wing fix. I got the 1/2 lb cheeseburger and the 12 piece wings (HOT!!!!!). I was sorely disappointed. The celery was old, and I swear it looked like booger had been smeared on the foil the celery had been wrapped in. The wings that were suppose to be HOT!!!! had no flavor. I could almost swear the wings had been rinsed off. They were bad. I wish I was exaggerating this experience but it is true. The wings did not even seem to have been warmed up, but they were supposedly fried and made fresh. Not as far as I could tell. They were room temperature, BUT I WAITED THE FULL TIME AS THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN MADE TO ORDER. The burger was alright. However, seeing my dissatisfaction with the main reason for stopping in the restaurant (FOR THE FIRST TIME), I just ate the burger cause it was dinner. The meal was shared, I advised the other person the wings were HORRIBLE, they needed to be put in the oven and had no taste. Needless to say, this was the first and last time BYB will see me.
(1)
Keith H.
Greek? Sure, it has Greek food, but a whole bunch of other stuff. This is a staple of lunch hours for our work staff, so this review is a bit biased. My coworkers always get salads and sausages and chicken sandwiches, but the burgers, IMO are good. Really good for quick service. Gourmet? Nope. As good as what you make in your backyard - yeah probably. The staff isn't rude - they just don't care about you as a person. They want you to order, give them money, and they give you food. Don't expect them to bend over backwards - this is a no nonsense place. If you want to make your life easy, call ahead and order. The food is always ready within 10 minutes.
(4)
David M.
I've been going here for a while. I really like their subs! There have been a lot of posts about the rude service. I must admit that they used to have some stand-offish people working there. They must have gotten the message because they've been really nice lately. I'm addicted to their turkey sub.
(5)
Mike I.
Ordered the 1/2 burger combo. I loved the burger. Fries were ok. Great interior. Food took a little longer than most places. Prolly cause i ordered a well done cheese burger. Thats ok though since the burger itself was awesome. Decent amount of parking.
(4)
Dwain M.
Reasonable priced food, and it's really good. Well worth it.
(4)
Kristina K.
It's ok wouldn't go back since I have had better. Ordered the shrimp appetizer and along came a mini fish bone. The carcass was small so I wasn't sure what type offish was included in the shrimp appetizers. It was weird, they brought us a new one but still charged us which I thought was not the best thing for customer service. I won't be back not because of this but it wasn't all that!
(2)
Jean Z.
Always fresh lettuce and veg. Great for a Greek plate (gyros, spinach pie, kabobs, grilled chicken) They even make me feta lemon fries. Yum Self serve pop the parking is a total drag for a car that's not a compact. ..skinniest spots I've ever seen.
(5)
Linh L.
Got the Mediterranean style chicken dinner and the BBQ ribs. The food was ok, nothing memorable.
(3)
Andria A.
We've been going to Backyard Grill for a few years now. It's a favorite we return to over and over. For myself, it's the array of salads with actually fresh mixed greens that I go for. Imagine, a reasonably priced place that has something beyond iceberg lettuce. The rest of my family prefers the sandwiches and dinner plates. We love the large quantity (great for leftovers) but ti's the tasty food that keeps us coming back.
(5)
Madilyn A.
3 Stars For The Food, But The Females At The Register Have A Bad Attitude! Took Them 5 Minutes To Acknowledge Me, Then The Cashier Kept Asking What I Wanted As If I Wasn't Speaking English!
(3)
Flo P.
I pretty much go here once or two a week when i do not bring my lunch to work. My favorite is grilled chicken salad,turkey sub,sweet potato fries,also their chicken sandwiches are good. If you are dining in or pick up call ahead it can get really crazy up in there. I know some of you mention the staff is rude, i haven't experience that , i been there in the past year over 50+ times and they always been nice to me.
(4)
Michael O.
Backyard Grill has the best roasted chicken I have ever tasted in a place like this. Always moist, tender and flavorful, it comes with a generous portion of rice and oven brown potatoes. I also like the salads here a lot and the housemade soups. The burgers here have always been good but they recently improved them with fresh meat, nicer buns and leaf lettuce instead of chopped and now they're even better! With plenty of clean, comfortable seating, endlessly refillable sodas, reasonable prices, and free wi-fi, it's one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)
Suzy S.
I love their gyros and pitas. We always order a few extra pitas on the side because the kids love them and I like 2 smaller gyros better than one big one. Their kebabs are good, my daughter likes the chicken strips. Everybody talks about the cashier. He's so funny, yeah a big crab but he's trying harder now and he's actually smiled at us and asks how we're doing. People are so critical these days, trying to get back at these mom and pop places because they've been slighted. Who cares? What counter type restaurant gives unbelievable service? I notice it more when someone is nice than not anymore. I like the place, I like the guy.
(4)
Natalie S.
I doubt we're patronizing this place again. I should have known from the minute I placed my order. The guy who answered the phone did so in such a way that I wasn't even sure I had the right number. He muttered something that sounded like, "HHHmanjhahanhja". I said, "um, hi, I'd like to place an order for pickup". I guess I had the right place because he said, "yeah... ? Hello? Go ahead!"... in a not-so-nice-guy-voice. When I ordered my club in a sub, he asked if I wanted everything. I said no, and he SIGHED a deep, audible sigh. Clearly, he hates his life and his job if the fact that I don't want tomatoes and vinegar on my sub makes him so sad. The rest of my order (2 cheese fries and an Italian combo) were not sigh worthy, apparently. I was barked at, "10 minutes!" and given a number. My dude comes home... and instead of 2 orders of cheese fries, we have one. Fantastic. My sandwich was good. I appreciated that there weren't any tomatoes or vinegar. My dude's Italian combo was awful. They cut the sausage in half when they cook it which makes it incredibly dry. The beef was chewy. He didn't finish it. If you know my dude, you know this is a BIG DEAL. Nothing goes uneaten on his plate unless it's seriously gross. Booo! Why go back when East of Edens is super close too?
(2)
Hey U.
Don't let the lack of curb appeal fool you... the food is very good. Especially the chicken kabobs with rice, gyro, greek salad and lots more. The interior layout is in desperate need of a makeover. The two tier dining room is unnecessary and somewhat strange. If they EVER remodel like Dengeo's did in Skokie, they'd have huge business. (Sometimes you have to spend money to make money...) Aside from that, the food is great.
(5)
Ronald K.
RIP OFF JOINT. I ordered a Chicken Breast Plate with a salad instead of their customary High Carb rice and potatoes salad was about 2oz and about 6oz of chicken breast. They sold me about $1.25 worth of food for $10.00 Total RIP OFF JOINT. so little food for a high price, JUNK. The chicken tasted like rubber. Horrible place!
(1)
Lauren P.
I LOVE THE FILET MIGNON KABOBS and the CHICKEN KABOBS here! Complete with rice pilaf and potatoes and tomatoes and onions! I was intimidated one day for i saw many police officers in the middle of the restaurant ha. Oh and they have this rib and chicken combo for $17 enough to share for FOUR people! Their greek chicken is definitely NOT dry, which is a PLUS in my book. Garlic bread is lovely. And you know what? The ribs were pretty up to par with our family favorite "HUBS" . Still torn though on the ribs factor. All in all this place is awesome and definitely a place to check out.
(4)
Jennifer E.
I come here probably 2 -3 times a month because it's close to my work. Food is alright, portions are huge so if you're hungry on a budget then its a good place to go. I recommend calling your order in if you want to come for lunch because between 11am - 1pm it's crazy busy and you'd be waiting for your food for a while. Take a menu next time you come in and keep it on your work desk and call in ahead of time :)
(4)
Jinx T.
Hits the spot! Was driving by - was hungry - stopped in - ordered a cheese burger with everything - and fries. Service was good and wow was that cheese burger tasty! Recommended!
(4)
Katrina M.
Love the chicken kabob plate...the chicken was so juicy and tender. Customer service has improved significantly from my other reviews as well. The young woman at the counter was so sweet!
(4)
Brandon B.
Had the chopped chicken salad after a week long bender which required some roughage. While I am not a salad guy this thing was great, packed with bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, feta, etc. I have heard a lot about the grumpy guy behind the counter from yelpers.....who cares. He took my order, got it right and I moved on with my life. If I wanted to spend time at an establishment where the employees thought I was awesome I would have eaten at a strip club. Get over it.
(4)
James D.
I got turned on to this place by my boss, we loved the Barbecued Chicken dinner. Out of this world garlic mashed. We order all the time now. And I've tried different things on the menu, filet kabobs are great! chicken kabobs are fantastic. I highly recommend this resterant.
(4)
Oliver S.
Honestly, It's a joke reading a bad review about this Restaurant. The food here is beyond amazing, the workers are extremely nice (especially the cashier guy ), the atmosphere and layout is great, the restrooms are clean... what else can a valued customer want? The Chicken Sandwiches are number #1 in town, I've tried chicken sandwiches from Portillos to Chilies, and nothing can be compared to Backyard Grill. 5-stars!
(5)
Sammi L.
Customer service can be improved. They have great chilli and that works for me. The four stars is for the chilli.
(4)
Yoon P.
First and last time I'll ever go there. Ordered a Gyro but got something that looked like jerky cause it was so overcooked with no flavor. Never knew a gyro could taste like a frozen hamburger. After looking at some of the reviews, these guys are probably slipping cause the guy who took the order had a huge chip on his shoulder... Can't even finish it, the worst I've ever had in Chicago for more than thirty years
(1)
Ronson S.
Your ordinary nice restaurant with great salads and burgers
(4)
Jack P.
Now here is the type of self-service char house I don't enjoy. I came for lunch recently because an authentic Greek who used to own a gyros place told me this was the BEST gyros in town. So I give it three stars and two squad cars: one grey unmarked Chicago and the other The Illinois State Police. Always a good harbinger in a char house parking lot. We were only missing the Cook County Sheriff. (They were probably busy evicting someone.) You walk into a pretty spacious (and busy) place, give your order to an impatient grumpy guy. Take a number. Wait 20-30 minutes (they provide chairs), then the Marisa Tomei look-a-like, who hates the fact that she works at her uncle's restaurant hands you your tray. You maneuver through the other unfriendly patrons to find a spot of your own, chow down, then try to bus your table and get those red plastic baskets in the right place, after squeezing past the other patrons at those high bar tables. You hope they don't knock you as they gesture and your tray flies into some stranger's head. The gyros was OK. I could not tell that it didn't have filler or that it was made there. The yogurt sauce was that thin shiney variety that has the consistency of hair conditioner. The sweet potato fries were really tasty, though. Crispy as all get-out and nicely spiced. The menu is extensive and the food I watched fly by me while I waited for my sandwich all looked good. Big, Chicago-worthy portions. if I worked around here or found myself in the neighborhood, maybe returning from O'Hare at an off-time, I would come back. But not a new gyros destination, unfortunately.
(3)
Shelby G.
The food is ok. But the staff. The staff if horrible. SO rude. I would give zero stars if I could, because of their terrible staff. Such a shame.
(1)
patty o.
Just ok, food made to order but somehow my fries were cold and seemed like they were probably made ahead and they drop in fryer again not good. Ladies room was gross, the 1 toilet didn't flush & toilet fill w toilet paper in the bowl the other stall had dirty female product in it.Gross! Not there fault that some women r pigs in the bathroom but as a restaurant u need to stay on top off the restroom to make sure they r clean & maintain. Probably wont go back again since ladies room gross me out & also guys who seem to always be there @ register must be the owners r like other reviews said are dry and not really service oriented. The shorter guy sometimes will acknowledge as u r leaving sometimes, but the tall dark hair 1 is never friendly.
(1)
Ash A.
Always have and always will order the Steak sandwich here. One of the better ones I've had at a local restaurant. Prices on all menu items are def. fair. Big Guy at register is flat out weird. One day he is extra chill and cool and the next he is grouchy and just unpleasant to deal with. He's the reason for the 4 stars and not the five...
(4)
Tom Z.
Cheese Burger with fries. The burger was juicy with good flavor. The toppings were fresh. The fries were cooked just right. They have a nice potato flavor. Clean and friendly. I will be returning
(4)
Jay P.
The food is really good one of my favorites in the area. They give you enough for two meals at least. My favorite is the chicken salad and the bakalava is always a treat. But that dude at the front register (the short fat guy) is a arse. He could use a bit of understanding on how ambience and service are a part of the experience even in a $ restaurant. Kick him out or adjust his attitude.
(3)
Jacob J.
Decent char house. Though if you aren't used to Char prices, you may find the prices high. Most combo's are $6.50+, a double cheeseburger combo can cost almost $10.70 with tax! Its very filling. Its a nice clean place, TV's, free refills! But like A.w.'s review. Nothing that really pulls you back again and again. I miss the place that was once here, Nick's. That was a really great char house.
(3)
Angelo C.
Cool owner/manager onsite most of the time, he doesn't smile much but he's a good guy and he'll chat you up while you are waiting for your food. They also have great food and fair pricing. Given the huge portions, I think they could charge more if they chose to do so. The salads are all great! All the produce appears to be super fresh, never brown, saggy or soft, always crisp, I love it! One time I got stuck in the place while riding my bike when a thunderstorm broke out, I kept ordering stuff. Been a fan ever since!
(5)
Erika F.
I really like this place I've had them cater my children's parties, I really enjoy their Greek chicken potatoes and rice my biggest problem is their service. I'm placing huge orders! Please smile at me a little gratitude goes a long way.
(3)
Jason B.
I live down the street and may be bias, but this is an overall great All-American establishment. This place carries everything flavorful, from the chicken carbonara, gyros!, polish sausage, salads (for the "vegetarian" in you ha!), amazing shakes (only 3.00!), chicken ka bob, philly chicken, and MORE. I suggest the chicken ka-bob plate. The chicken is so tender and soft coming off the skewer, and it comes with this nice creamy sauce for the dips. This is also complemented by a bed of rice pilaf, a pita bread, and large servings of sliced potatoes. If you're ever in this neighborhood and are looking for a sure-thing, BYG is the place to be!
(5)
April P.
Driving around the neighborhood, me and my brother were looking for a reasonable spot with fairly healthy food. If you YELP cheap eats, you are bound to have a selection of Mexican and fast food joints populate. Eh...not today, I can't stomach some greasy food. So we were pretty happy when we drove and found Backyard Grill. It looked fairly empty, which was an okay thing since we weren't in the mood to wait in line. There was no line, and maybe about 10 people in the place, mostly off duty cops. Guess they like this place better than the Dunkin Donuts across the street The guy at the counter was less than helpful when we were choosing of our orders in front of the gigantic board , even less enthusiastic and friendly when we actually chose them. I chose the filet mignon shish kabobs dinner, while brother dear chose the half Grecian chicken. My dinner came with 2 skewers, with onion and peppers laced with the tender beef. The skewers were done tastefully, grilled to perfection, leaving them juicy and tender, even as I had the 2nd skewer for lunch the next day. The sides were a let down though. The rice was oily and the potatoes were just a slop of chunkiness slopped on my plate. Sure, they gave a huge helping of it, but not appreciate since they were not that great. Garlic bread was good, yay, one good carb out of the bunch. Slightly crunchy, but with a softness in the inside, it had great flavoring. A bite out of the Grecian chicken had me convinced that their sides weren't their star components. The Grecian chicken was tender and flavorful. The sitting area was pretty messy when we sat to eat. That knocked off some stars. They did have a nice selection of pastas, burgers and other items as well as a huge crepe bar in the back, that I unfortunately didn't try. I'd be willing to come back and try the other items and the crepe bar, and hope they have cleaned the sitting area on my next visit.
(3)
Jamie G.
Best Chicken Salad I've had yet so far.. Place was clean and the lettuce was so crisp and clean. The wifey ordered the Steak Caprese Salad and that was Bomb Diggity as well.. Yeah Son! Don't sleep on the Spinach Pie.. It is one of the staples! P.S. Yeah I said it! "Bomb Diggity"......
(4)
Nano J.
The food is ok, but the service is on the rude side. Not a greeting by the guy in front of the door, not even a fake smile to greet the customer, floors are dirty tables are not clean. Whoever is in charge of cleaning is behind the counter talking too each other, just take it to go!
(2)
Janie F.
I agree with the other Yelpers that say the one man who works the cashier sometimes seems to be in a bad mood quite frequently and acts like he is annoyed by everything, but you only have to deal with him for less than a minute so not a big deal to me. The young girls that work there are always smiling and sweet and they have a great grilled cheese sandwich, they give you soo much cheese and the bread is Delicious!
(4)
Gerry D.
GREAT FOOD!!! I used to smash everytime I went here while I was in college. This place would get a 5 except for the fact that they dont have hot water in the restroom and the guy who works the register told me a confusing 5 minute joke that doesnt funny!
(4)
eve r.
It was fine. My chicken kabob was tasty and not dried out. Overall a good experience. I'd go back if it was convenient. LOTS of choices on the menu.
(3)
Todd S.
I am not a salad kind of guy but their Chopped Chicken Salad is incredible. I work in the area and everytime i have ordered food from this place i have been extremely satisfied. I order here at least 2 times a week. The employees are friendly, the food comes out fast and delicious. Its hard to complain about anything here. Great restaurant
(5)
Oly G.
I absolutely LOVE this restaurant ( I live 45 mins away so if I'm willing to travel that far, it goes to say alot.) I am a raving fan of the tuna salad with house dressing. The portion is enough for 2 people and it comes with a free cheese roll (omg! heaven in my mouth). I've also tried the chicken nuggets (they're all right), the grilled chicken sandwich basket (grilled chicken sandwich with fries and a pop), and the chicken philly. They have an extensive menu from burgers, salads, pastas, steak dinners, roasted/grill chicken, to shrimp.
(5)
Duke B.
I work in Skokie and I have probably had lunch from every establishment in the area in the last 2 years. Their chopped chicken salad with house dressing is phenominal. When I place an order, which is atleast twice a week, I have 3-4 people order this salad as well. Give it a try.
(5)
Kimberly A.
I work right across the street from BYG so i eat here mostly because it is convenient for me. There are so many options to choose from and their menu has everything you could think of which makes ordering for me so much harder! Their Greek salad is really good. I could eat this everyday if i could. I've had the following: gyros (which are huge!!), grilled chicken plate (the rice pilaf is tasty), the cheeseburger (just OK), spaghetti (actually very good), shrimp carbonara (definitely disliked!), cheese dog (must get two cause it is that good) BBQ wings (I've had better, but I'll still eat it) skirt steak sandwich (HUGE) sweet potato fries and corn on the cob (My favorites!!) Overall, pretty decent place! It is always busy when i go in, so they must be doing something right. Has anyone every seen the guy that takes the order smile? I swear every time i go there (which is a lot) he always looks so sad. Mr. cash register guy... your face won't break if you cracked a smile every so often.
(3)
Rita P.
The food here is really good. But what makes this a five star place is that the salads are delicious, fresh, huge, and made to order. This is something that you don't see in a lot of fast food places. I recommend the shrimp. Cute decor also.
(5)
Kamil D.
I work a couple miles for Backyard Grill and visit for lunch about once a week with three of my co-workers. What we love about this place is the extensive menu and the amount of food you get for the price. I could honestly say I usually dont finish everything I get when ordering a chicken breast plate, gyro plate or kabob plate. The food good and for the price I would recommend it to anyone.
(4)
D E.
Always great salads.Huge portions at a reasonable price.
(3)
Amy U.
I work close to here and often call in with multiple orders. The orders are always correct, very fast service, fresh food, and great customer service. They have a great selection of salads when you're looking for healthy food as well as an excellent selection of grilled meats and sandwiches. This place has something for everyone!
(4)
mick e.
very disappointing - used to be a good gyros place here bad service (except for the nice girls doing the cleanup!) mediocre gyros - bland italian beef- small order of sweet potato fries not going back
(1)
Jaz P.
Backyard Grill replaced a prior fast food place that was here for several years. But they revamped the space and made it 10 times more attractive. One side of the seating area is elevated and cutesy. Somehow, it doesn't feel quite so fast-food. Gyros plate has an authentic strong lamb flavor and significant in size (leftovers produced 2 more meals).. With so many items on the menu, ie burgers, grilled shrimp, salads, I can keep coming back.
(5)
Joseph O.
Typical Greek fast food joint; not particularly better or worse from a food standpoint. The reason they get the one star treatment (and they really don't deserve that) is the owners. What a couple of lazy a**holes. Just because the girl who buses the tables is out of the restaurant doesn't mean that THEY can't do it. The place wasn't filthy, but how about clearing what little is still on the table and straightening the chairs? Is that too much to ask? I don't need to be fawned over, but how about showing some appreciation to your customers for coming in? A simple "Thank you." How about a look that doesn't say, "I'm talking to my buddy; make it quick."? My brother refused to let his kids use the bathrooms. 'Nuff said about that. I wasn't a big fan of this place when it was Nick's #2. (Come to think of it, #2 is still an appropriate numeral for this joint.) It took them two years to remodel. The actual remodeling looks like it took two weeks. The only reason I went back every now and then is because of the girls they hire to bus the tables. I'll admit it, I go for the eye candy. They're not dressed provocatively, but they are gorgeous. However, it's reached the point where nothing could make me want to give the owners any more of my money under any circumstances. If you want the same kind of food, go to East of Edens or Hub's. Heck, go to BK on Lincoln or Taco Bell on Devon. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere but here.
(1)
Thuc N.
I only had the gyros since I read Steve P. review about their in-store gyros. I tried their gyros twice and it was good but I still think Hellas Gyros tasted better to me. The onion used for the gyros here had a very strong taste which is not to my liking. The staffs were nice to carry on a conversation with me while I was placing my order.
(3)
Lisa D.
Oh dear. Guess I'm not the only one who noticed that the counter guy is miserable and rude. Don't work in customer service if you hate life! Other personnel not much better. Had to beg for the correct silverware. Ultimately ended up with food poisoning from bad shrimp. I used to like this place. What happened?
(2)
Jacqueline S.
I really like the gyros from here and it looks like they have lots of other good stuff on their menu. The place had plenty of seating and was nice and clean. I wish I live closer - I would go much more often. I want to try the chicken and rice and potatoes - it looked so good!
(5)
Crystal K.
I called for a lunch pickup and ordered a BLT with avocado and cheese fries. The guy said 10 minutes and i got there in about 5 and it was already ready- even though the place was packed!! I wish they would've had other bread (like multi-grain) instead of just sour-dough but I'm not that picky. The sandwich was excellent and the cheese fries were average (no better or worse than most places like this). I'd go back for sure. The special on the menu board was pulled pork sandwiches.. I need to get on that!
(3)
Joan A.
I love this place. I've been going here for over 5 years now and the food is always great. I won't lie though, sometimes placing an order by phone is not so fun (sometimes they forget about you and keep you on hold for like 5 minutes). They have a wide variety of food and everything that i've tried has always been delicious (gyros, chopped salad, souvlaki, burgers, you name it and i've probably tried it). They have changed their menu a bit in the last 2 years which included a slight price markup =/ but I don't care I still go.
(5)
Steve P.
I think Backyard Grill has the best tasting Gyros on the North-side. It's homemade and is very tender. Most Gyros is pre-made from a factory. Not Backyard Grill. They blend the meat on-site. Some people might think this place is expensive probably because they're used to dollar menus and drive-thrus. This is not typical "fast food" Their salads are big and good too. You order your food, find a seat, and listen for your number. Enjoy!
(5)
tessa c.
I live by this place. Sometimes if my mom doesn't feel like cooking we get the chicken with rice and potatoes and it's always amazing. The hot wings also equally amazing :) Portions are huge and cheap prices! The only complaint I have, and it's not really a complaint is that I need to find my .10 cent wings in Chicago. My boyfriend and I used to get some every thursday at Joe's in Champaign and I've yet to get decent wings for that price.
(4)
Skazoo M.
Reasonably clean and OK service - although not at all quick... it usually takes 15 - 20 minutes for me to get my order. I agree with the "eh" ratings for the cheeseburgers - you're better off going to Charcoal Delights on Foster for a char experience. I've had the best luck (but just 2 1/2 stars worth) with the subs. I usually get the italian (although I prefer the italian sub at Potbelly's or Jimmy John's), have had the roast beef, and have been meaning to try to steak. I've considered trying one of their gyros but haven't been brave enough. I can eat a lousy burger but a lousy gyro is truly a horror. Why do I eat here? It is conveniently located when I have to run out and hit Kinko's over lunch hour (which isn't often).
(3)
Mike O.
Good food, beautiful wall & ceiling paintings, and a nice seating arrangement. It gets a bit crowded by the order pickup area, especially by the drink fountain. It takes about 10-15 minutes for a lunch order to be ready, which is slow by fast food standards, even for a fancier place like this. Still, I come here on occasion and like it. I stick to the specials, as things are pricy.
(3)
maggie j.
Terrific food, and that's what counts. Not a lot of seating, but comfortable enough. Portions are huge (caprese salad to die for and would be at least two meals). Opening soon - expresso/crepes/soft serve ice cream bar ~ does it get any better than this! Restrooms are spotless. All that, and very congenial hosts as well.
(5)
janice l.
What more could you want from your neighborhood burger / gyros / chicken joint?! It's always good food and they have a large menu that is sure to please everyone in your group. A great option if you're in the mood for something quick and filling.
(4)
a w.
I've been here a few times for lunch. Its a decent place to get a filling meal. I had a cheeseburger and fries. It was filling and fresh, but certainly nothing to bring me back again and again. Give it a try if you're in the area -- you might find something you like!
(3)
Dominic R.
I have never had anything bad here..........love the beef and fries. the service is pretty quick and why wouldn't you love sitting in a plastic lawn chair to eat your meal?
(4)
Dionna R.
I can't believe the reviews I'm reading. I have never had anything bad here. The guys from work order from here a few times a week and say the same thing. They have great meatballs, fantastic gyros and truly yummy salads. Their salads are huge and delicious
(5)
John F.
Nice place for fast food at reasonable prices, with some good specials everyday. Very tasty and well-prepared salads. Beverage choices leave a bit to be desired and the place is hot inside sometimes.
(4)
A B.
Excellent skirt steak and Greek salad and great friendly staff every time!! Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Melissa R.
The gyros plate is amazing! Their sauce is the reason why I love the gyros! Huge portions, and I have yet to have a complaint about their food. Their seating area is cool like a backyard party on a deck. Worth it!
(4)
Ninweh Y.
Been coming here since I was young . I love this place as well as the owners are very nice . Awesome food . You can never go wrong with anything on the Menu .
(5)
E. C.
Burgers were good. Sort of greasy but hey without the grease it wouldn't be a burger but too much grease just didn't taste right. Got fries with the burgers. Fries are hand cut or machine cut at the restaurant. They got my order mixed up. Ordered 1/2lb burger and 1/3lb cheeseburger. Burgers got reversed, got 1/2lb cheeseburger and 1/3lb burger. Order was input right but the cooks got it mixed up. Whatever!!! Also, ordered a turkey sub, mediocre at best. I thought I would get real turkey carvings or shavings like the turkey just got cooked and it's ready for carving or shavings but nope just got regular turkey slices that looks like it came out of a store packaging. Maybe some melted swiss cheese would of help the sub get more of a apealing taste and look, but it wasn't offered to me. Oh well. The restaurant was clean for restaurant standards. Table and chairs were greasy and looks like the place overall needed a good scrubbing down. Overall, place was busy and got busier when we sat to eat. But, I always get a feeling when I come into a restaurant it is not as busy but after I order or walk into a place people start coming in. My wife calls it a blessing and I am blessing the restaurant making money for them. However, I want to come back to place and try their chicken wings (jumbo) and gyros plate. Not sure if they have chicken gyros. Hopefully they do but I didn't ask. Would give this place 3.5 stars but not an option. Food: 3 stars Staff Friendliness: 5 stars Restaurant Cleaniness: 2.5 stars
(3)
Terry T.
First visit here today. Good burger, and the bun was great. Had some of the best onion rings I've had in while. I'll be going back for sure.
(5)
Tobin h.
Service was friendly and fun but when the food came and had to eat it...awful. Beef was greasy and nasty that led into the soup with a layer of grease and serious heartburn. I really wanted this place to be good because some wonderful personality dishing out beef and plates but the food was super sub-standered. I hoped I caught it on a bad day but 2nd chance got me nasty attitudes and same poor tasting food. How do you have a "beef stand" and not be good more than just a one time go? No reason EVER for me to go back...like it was my fault their food sucked. And the service staff some how blamed me? Don't go!
(1)
Katie K.
I have eaten at backyard grill many times and I have to say they are pretty consistent. I have had everything from salads to burgers. I also am a huge fan of their onion rings and chicken caesar wrap. My only dislike would be they are a little more pricey so I can't stop there as often as I would like.
(4)
Evelina L.
Shouldn't the place that calls itself backyard grill have outside seating? Just sayin'... For some reason my coworkers love this place for its salads, but the portions are usually so huge and the protein so oily...that it probably defeats the purpose of having a salad. I tried the hamburger last time around and it was just a-ok...not sure why they ask if you want it done medium when they can only make them well done. Too many things on the menu, which backyard grill has = not being able to do anything that well. This simple law definitely holds true at this place!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Martha C.
Food wise, this place is awesome! Never had a bad meal here. My favorites include the Ceasar wrap, Oriental Chicken wrap and the french fries. Salads look great too! I've heard good things about their frozen yogurt too. Other than that, parking is OK and the lines at lunch are a bit long.
(4)Shelly D.
O STARS! Terrible customer service. I should call the cops and report this restaurant.
(1)Margie S.
I ordered a chicken wrap. The lettuce was brown and wilted . Gross. . This was not the first time that this has happened. I had ordered Greek salad, hamburgers and wraps before and for some reason they all had wilted brown lettuce. Not coming back anymore.
(1)George J.
I've given this place 3 chances now and not one good experience. The cashiers rush you wether it's busy or slow and they're never friendly or helpful. I'm a huge fan of gyros and their gyros was terrible, their chicken was average at best. My friend had their new style cheese burger since they recently changed their burgers and said it was good. I will not be going back.
(2)Fireman Y.
Rude staff, , ok food, .. prices average. Ok have been back Im guessing someone showed the cashier the review because he has been much nicer to all the customers. I appriate that, the food is decent im going to give you guys 2 more stars.
(3)Kinan A.
My wife and I both got food poisoning from the chicken kabob plate. Thank god my 2 year old was a brat that day and refused to eat her meal. I live in the neighborhood and II like this place a lot but they really need to make some changes before I go back there ever again.
(1)Matt G.
For what I had.. this was solid. I went in with a mixed set of expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Basically a "no frills" operation with a broad grill-type menu. I ordered the Chicken Philly and a drink. A tad expensive in the $8.25 range for that, so I thought. However, after seeing the produced sandwich, I think I got the value and was glad I didn't order a side with it... that would have been too much. Nice juicy chunks of seasoned chicken, onions and peppers with a generous amount of tasty cheese. My only complaint, and it's a small one, was that it seemed to take a long time to produce it. But upon consuming it, I'll wait for it again.
(4)K G.
Receipt ticket #........699 or 999 tonight. I stopped in on my way home. I learned of this place during a visit to Foremost on Lincoln & Peterson a couple months ago. The wings smelled so good, I had to ask where they were bought. Finally today was the day. Full of anticipation, that I might have a new place when I need a wing fix. I got the 1/2 lb cheeseburger and the 12 piece wings (HOT!!!!!). I was sorely disappointed. The celery was old, and I swear it looked like booger had been smeared on the foil the celery had been wrapped in. The wings that were suppose to be HOT!!!! had no flavor. I could almost swear the wings had been rinsed off. They were bad. I wish I was exaggerating this experience but it is true. The wings did not even seem to have been warmed up, but they were supposedly fried and made fresh. Not as far as I could tell. They were room temperature, BUT I WAITED THE FULL TIME AS THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN MADE TO ORDER. The burger was alright. However, seeing my dissatisfaction with the main reason for stopping in the restaurant (FOR THE FIRST TIME), I just ate the burger cause it was dinner. The meal was shared, I advised the other person the wings were HORRIBLE, they needed to be put in the oven and had no taste. Needless to say, this was the first and last time BYB will see me.
(1)Keith H.
Greek? Sure, it has Greek food, but a whole bunch of other stuff. This is a staple of lunch hours for our work staff, so this review is a bit biased. My coworkers always get salads and sausages and chicken sandwiches, but the burgers, IMO are good. Really good for quick service. Gourmet? Nope. As good as what you make in your backyard - yeah probably. The staff isn't rude - they just don't care about you as a person. They want you to order, give them money, and they give you food. Don't expect them to bend over backwards - this is a no nonsense place. If you want to make your life easy, call ahead and order. The food is always ready within 10 minutes.
(4)David M.
I've been going here for a while. I really like their subs! There have been a lot of posts about the rude service. I must admit that they used to have some stand-offish people working there. They must have gotten the message because they've been really nice lately. I'm addicted to their turkey sub.
(5)Mike I.
Ordered the 1/2 burger combo. I loved the burger. Fries were ok. Great interior. Food took a little longer than most places. Prolly cause i ordered a well done cheese burger. Thats ok though since the burger itself was awesome. Decent amount of parking.
(4)Dwain M.
Reasonable priced food, and it's really good. Well worth it.
(4)Kristina K.
It's ok wouldn't go back since I have had better. Ordered the shrimp appetizer and along came a mini fish bone. The carcass was small so I wasn't sure what type offish was included in the shrimp appetizers. It was weird, they brought us a new one but still charged us which I thought was not the best thing for customer service. I won't be back not because of this but it wasn't all that!
(2)Jean Z.
Always fresh lettuce and veg. Great for a Greek plate (gyros, spinach pie, kabobs, grilled chicken) They even make me feta lemon fries. Yum Self serve pop the parking is a total drag for a car that's not a compact. ..skinniest spots I've ever seen.
(5)Linh L.
Got the Mediterranean style chicken dinner and the BBQ ribs. The food was ok, nothing memorable.
(3)Andria A.
We've been going to Backyard Grill for a few years now. It's a favorite we return to over and over. For myself, it's the array of salads with actually fresh mixed greens that I go for. Imagine, a reasonably priced place that has something beyond iceberg lettuce. The rest of my family prefers the sandwiches and dinner plates. We love the large quantity (great for leftovers) but ti's the tasty food that keeps us coming back.
(5)Madilyn A.
3 Stars For The Food, But The Females At The Register Have A Bad Attitude! Took Them 5 Minutes To Acknowledge Me, Then The Cashier Kept Asking What I Wanted As If I Wasn't Speaking English!
(3)Flo P.
I pretty much go here once or two a week when i do not bring my lunch to work. My favorite is grilled chicken salad,turkey sub,sweet potato fries,also their chicken sandwiches are good. If you are dining in or pick up call ahead it can get really crazy up in there. I know some of you mention the staff is rude, i haven't experience that , i been there in the past year over 50+ times and they always been nice to me.
(4)Michael O.
Backyard Grill has the best roasted chicken I have ever tasted in a place like this. Always moist, tender and flavorful, it comes with a generous portion of rice and oven brown potatoes. I also like the salads here a lot and the housemade soups. The burgers here have always been good but they recently improved them with fresh meat, nicer buns and leaf lettuce instead of chopped and now they're even better! With plenty of clean, comfortable seating, endlessly refillable sodas, reasonable prices, and free wi-fi, it's one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Suzy S.
I love their gyros and pitas. We always order a few extra pitas on the side because the kids love them and I like 2 smaller gyros better than one big one. Their kebabs are good, my daughter likes the chicken strips. Everybody talks about the cashier. He's so funny, yeah a big crab but he's trying harder now and he's actually smiled at us and asks how we're doing. People are so critical these days, trying to get back at these mom and pop places because they've been slighted. Who cares? What counter type restaurant gives unbelievable service? I notice it more when someone is nice than not anymore. I like the place, I like the guy.
(4)Natalie S.
I doubt we're patronizing this place again. I should have known from the minute I placed my order. The guy who answered the phone did so in such a way that I wasn't even sure I had the right number. He muttered something that sounded like, "HHHmanjhahanhja". I said, "um, hi, I'd like to place an order for pickup". I guess I had the right place because he said, "yeah... ? Hello? Go ahead!"... in a not-so-nice-guy-voice. When I ordered my club in a sub, he asked if I wanted everything. I said no, and he SIGHED a deep, audible sigh. Clearly, he hates his life and his job if the fact that I don't want tomatoes and vinegar on my sub makes him so sad. The rest of my order (2 cheese fries and an Italian combo) were not sigh worthy, apparently. I was barked at, "10 minutes!" and given a number. My dude comes home... and instead of 2 orders of cheese fries, we have one. Fantastic. My sandwich was good. I appreciated that there weren't any tomatoes or vinegar. My dude's Italian combo was awful. They cut the sausage in half when they cook it which makes it incredibly dry. The beef was chewy. He didn't finish it. If you know my dude, you know this is a BIG DEAL. Nothing goes uneaten on his plate unless it's seriously gross. Booo! Why go back when East of Edens is super close too?
(2)Hey U.
Don't let the lack of curb appeal fool you... the food is very good. Especially the chicken kabobs with rice, gyro, greek salad and lots more. The interior layout is in desperate need of a makeover. The two tier dining room is unnecessary and somewhat strange. If they EVER remodel like Dengeo's did in Skokie, they'd have huge business. (Sometimes you have to spend money to make money...) Aside from that, the food is great.
(5)Ronald K.
RIP OFF JOINT. I ordered a Chicken Breast Plate with a salad instead of their customary High Carb rice and potatoes salad was about 2oz and about 6oz of chicken breast. They sold me about $1.25 worth of food for $10.00 Total RIP OFF JOINT. so little food for a high price, JUNK. The chicken tasted like rubber. Horrible place!
(1)Lauren P.
I LOVE THE FILET MIGNON KABOBS and the CHICKEN KABOBS here! Complete with rice pilaf and potatoes and tomatoes and onions! I was intimidated one day for i saw many police officers in the middle of the restaurant ha. Oh and they have this rib and chicken combo for $17 enough to share for FOUR people! Their greek chicken is definitely NOT dry, which is a PLUS in my book. Garlic bread is lovely. And you know what? The ribs were pretty up to par with our family favorite "HUBS" . Still torn though on the ribs factor. All in all this place is awesome and definitely a place to check out.
(4)Jennifer E.
I come here probably 2 -3 times a month because it's close to my work. Food is alright, portions are huge so if you're hungry on a budget then its a good place to go. I recommend calling your order in if you want to come for lunch because between 11am - 1pm it's crazy busy and you'd be waiting for your food for a while. Take a menu next time you come in and keep it on your work desk and call in ahead of time :)
(4)Jinx T.
Hits the spot! Was driving by - was hungry - stopped in - ordered a cheese burger with everything - and fries. Service was good and wow was that cheese burger tasty! Recommended!
(4)Katrina M.
Love the chicken kabob plate...the chicken was so juicy and tender. Customer service has improved significantly from my other reviews as well. The young woman at the counter was so sweet!
(4)Brandon B.
Had the chopped chicken salad after a week long bender which required some roughage. While I am not a salad guy this thing was great, packed with bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, feta, etc. I have heard a lot about the grumpy guy behind the counter from yelpers.....who cares. He took my order, got it right and I moved on with my life. If I wanted to spend time at an establishment where the employees thought I was awesome I would have eaten at a strip club. Get over it.
(4)James D.
I got turned on to this place by my boss, we loved the Barbecued Chicken dinner. Out of this world garlic mashed. We order all the time now. And I've tried different things on the menu, filet kabobs are great! chicken kabobs are fantastic. I highly recommend this resterant.
(4)Oliver S.
Honestly, It's a joke reading a bad review about this Restaurant. The food here is beyond amazing, the workers are extremely nice (especially the cashier guy ), the atmosphere and layout is great, the restrooms are clean... what else can a valued customer want? The Chicken Sandwiches are number #1 in town, I've tried chicken sandwiches from Portillos to Chilies, and nothing can be compared to Backyard Grill. 5-stars!
(5)Sammi L.
Customer service can be improved. They have great chilli and that works for me. The four stars is for the chilli.
(4)Yoon P.
First and last time I'll ever go there. Ordered a Gyro but got something that looked like jerky cause it was so overcooked with no flavor. Never knew a gyro could taste like a frozen hamburger. After looking at some of the reviews, these guys are probably slipping cause the guy who took the order had a huge chip on his shoulder... Can't even finish it, the worst I've ever had in Chicago for more than thirty years
(1)Ronson S.
Your ordinary nice restaurant with great salads and burgers
(4)Jack P.
Now here is the type of self-service char house I don't enjoy. I came for lunch recently because an authentic Greek who used to own a gyros place told me this was the BEST gyros in town. So I give it three stars and two squad cars: one grey unmarked Chicago and the other The Illinois State Police. Always a good harbinger in a char house parking lot. We were only missing the Cook County Sheriff. (They were probably busy evicting someone.) You walk into a pretty spacious (and busy) place, give your order to an impatient grumpy guy. Take a number. Wait 20-30 minutes (they provide chairs), then the Marisa Tomei look-a-like, who hates the fact that she works at her uncle's restaurant hands you your tray. You maneuver through the other unfriendly patrons to find a spot of your own, chow down, then try to bus your table and get those red plastic baskets in the right place, after squeezing past the other patrons at those high bar tables. You hope they don't knock you as they gesture and your tray flies into some stranger's head. The gyros was OK. I could not tell that it didn't have filler or that it was made there. The yogurt sauce was that thin shiney variety that has the consistency of hair conditioner. The sweet potato fries were really tasty, though. Crispy as all get-out and nicely spiced. The menu is extensive and the food I watched fly by me while I waited for my sandwich all looked good. Big, Chicago-worthy portions. if I worked around here or found myself in the neighborhood, maybe returning from O'Hare at an off-time, I would come back. But not a new gyros destination, unfortunately.
(3)Shelby G.
The food is ok. But the staff. The staff if horrible. SO rude. I would give zero stars if I could, because of their terrible staff. Such a shame.
(1)patty o.
Just ok, food made to order but somehow my fries were cold and seemed like they were probably made ahead and they drop in fryer again not good. Ladies room was gross, the 1 toilet didn't flush & toilet fill w toilet paper in the bowl the other stall had dirty female product in it.Gross! Not there fault that some women r pigs in the bathroom but as a restaurant u need to stay on top off the restroom to make sure they r clean & maintain. Probably wont go back again since ladies room gross me out & also guys who seem to always be there @ register must be the owners r like other reviews said are dry and not really service oriented. The shorter guy sometimes will acknowledge as u r leaving sometimes, but the tall dark hair 1 is never friendly.
(1)Ash A.
Always have and always will order the Steak sandwich here. One of the better ones I've had at a local restaurant. Prices on all menu items are def. fair. Big Guy at register is flat out weird. One day he is extra chill and cool and the next he is grouchy and just unpleasant to deal with. He's the reason for the 4 stars and not the five...
(4)Tom Z.
Cheese Burger with fries. The burger was juicy with good flavor. The toppings were fresh. The fries were cooked just right. They have a nice potato flavor. Clean and friendly. I will be returning
(4)Jay P.
The food is really good one of my favorites in the area. They give you enough for two meals at least. My favorite is the chicken salad and the bakalava is always a treat. But that dude at the front register (the short fat guy) is a arse. He could use a bit of understanding on how ambience and service are a part of the experience even in a $ restaurant. Kick him out or adjust his attitude.
(3)Jacob J.
Decent char house. Though if you aren't used to Char prices, you may find the prices high. Most combo's are $6.50+, a double cheeseburger combo can cost almost $10.70 with tax! Its very filling. Its a nice clean place, TV's, free refills! But like A.w.'s review. Nothing that really pulls you back again and again. I miss the place that was once here, Nick's. That was a really great char house.
(3)Angelo C.
Cool owner/manager onsite most of the time, he doesn't smile much but he's a good guy and he'll chat you up while you are waiting for your food. They also have great food and fair pricing. Given the huge portions, I think they could charge more if they chose to do so. The salads are all great! All the produce appears to be super fresh, never brown, saggy or soft, always crisp, I love it! One time I got stuck in the place while riding my bike when a thunderstorm broke out, I kept ordering stuff. Been a fan ever since!
(5)Erika F.
I really like this place I've had them cater my children's parties, I really enjoy their Greek chicken potatoes and rice my biggest problem is their service. I'm placing huge orders! Please smile at me a little gratitude goes a long way.
(3)Jason B.
I live down the street and may be bias, but this is an overall great All-American establishment. This place carries everything flavorful, from the chicken carbonara, gyros!, polish sausage, salads (for the "vegetarian" in you ha!), amazing shakes (only 3.00!), chicken ka bob, philly chicken, and MORE. I suggest the chicken ka-bob plate. The chicken is so tender and soft coming off the skewer, and it comes with this nice creamy sauce for the dips. This is also complemented by a bed of rice pilaf, a pita bread, and large servings of sliced potatoes. If you're ever in this neighborhood and are looking for a sure-thing, BYG is the place to be!
(5)April P.
Driving around the neighborhood, me and my brother were looking for a reasonable spot with fairly healthy food. If you YELP cheap eats, you are bound to have a selection of Mexican and fast food joints populate. Eh...not today, I can't stomach some greasy food. So we were pretty happy when we drove and found Backyard Grill. It looked fairly empty, which was an okay thing since we weren't in the mood to wait in line. There was no line, and maybe about 10 people in the place, mostly off duty cops. Guess they like this place better than the Dunkin Donuts across the street The guy at the counter was less than helpful when we were choosing of our orders in front of the gigantic board , even less enthusiastic and friendly when we actually chose them. I chose the filet mignon shish kabobs dinner, while brother dear chose the half Grecian chicken. My dinner came with 2 skewers, with onion and peppers laced with the tender beef. The skewers were done tastefully, grilled to perfection, leaving them juicy and tender, even as I had the 2nd skewer for lunch the next day. The sides were a let down though. The rice was oily and the potatoes were just a slop of chunkiness slopped on my plate. Sure, they gave a huge helping of it, but not appreciate since they were not that great. Garlic bread was good, yay, one good carb out of the bunch. Slightly crunchy, but with a softness in the inside, it had great flavoring. A bite out of the Grecian chicken had me convinced that their sides weren't their star components. The Grecian chicken was tender and flavorful. The sitting area was pretty messy when we sat to eat. That knocked off some stars. They did have a nice selection of pastas, burgers and other items as well as a huge crepe bar in the back, that I unfortunately didn't try. I'd be willing to come back and try the other items and the crepe bar, and hope they have cleaned the sitting area on my next visit.
(3)Jamie G.
Best Chicken Salad I've had yet so far.. Place was clean and the lettuce was so crisp and clean. The wifey ordered the Steak Caprese Salad and that was Bomb Diggity as well.. Yeah Son! Don't sleep on the Spinach Pie.. It is one of the staples! P.S. Yeah I said it! "Bomb Diggity"......
(4)Nano J.
The food is ok, but the service is on the rude side. Not a greeting by the guy in front of the door, not even a fake smile to greet the customer, floors are dirty tables are not clean. Whoever is in charge of cleaning is behind the counter talking too each other, just take it to go!
(2)Janie F.
I agree with the other Yelpers that say the one man who works the cashier sometimes seems to be in a bad mood quite frequently and acts like he is annoyed by everything, but you only have to deal with him for less than a minute so not a big deal to me. The young girls that work there are always smiling and sweet and they have a great grilled cheese sandwich, they give you soo much cheese and the bread is Delicious!
(4)Gerry D.
GREAT FOOD!!! I used to smash everytime I went here while I was in college. This place would get a 5 except for the fact that they dont have hot water in the restroom and the guy who works the register told me a confusing 5 minute joke that doesnt funny!
(4)eve r.
It was fine. My chicken kabob was tasty and not dried out. Overall a good experience. I'd go back if it was convenient. LOTS of choices on the menu.
(3)Todd S.
I am not a salad kind of guy but their Chopped Chicken Salad is incredible. I work in the area and everytime i have ordered food from this place i have been extremely satisfied. I order here at least 2 times a week. The employees are friendly, the food comes out fast and delicious. Its hard to complain about anything here. Great restaurant
(5)Oly G.
I absolutely LOVE this restaurant ( I live 45 mins away so if I'm willing to travel that far, it goes to say alot.) I am a raving fan of the tuna salad with house dressing. The portion is enough for 2 people and it comes with a free cheese roll (omg! heaven in my mouth). I've also tried the chicken nuggets (they're all right), the grilled chicken sandwich basket (grilled chicken sandwich with fries and a pop), and the chicken philly. They have an extensive menu from burgers, salads, pastas, steak dinners, roasted/grill chicken, to shrimp.
(5)Duke B.
I work in Skokie and I have probably had lunch from every establishment in the area in the last 2 years. Their chopped chicken salad with house dressing is phenominal. When I place an order, which is atleast twice a week, I have 3-4 people order this salad as well. Give it a try.
(5)Kimberly A.
I work right across the street from BYG so i eat here mostly because it is convenient for me. There are so many options to choose from and their menu has everything you could think of which makes ordering for me so much harder! Their Greek salad is really good. I could eat this everyday if i could. I've had the following: gyros (which are huge!!), grilled chicken plate (the rice pilaf is tasty), the cheeseburger (just OK), spaghetti (actually very good), shrimp carbonara (definitely disliked!), cheese dog (must get two cause it is that good) BBQ wings (I've had better, but I'll still eat it) skirt steak sandwich (HUGE) sweet potato fries and corn on the cob (My favorites!!) Overall, pretty decent place! It is always busy when i go in, so they must be doing something right. Has anyone every seen the guy that takes the order smile? I swear every time i go there (which is a lot) he always looks so sad. Mr. cash register guy... your face won't break if you cracked a smile every so often.
(3)Rita P.
The food here is really good. But what makes this a five star place is that the salads are delicious, fresh, huge, and made to order. This is something that you don't see in a lot of fast food places. I recommend the shrimp. Cute decor also.
(5)Kamil D.
I work a couple miles for Backyard Grill and visit for lunch about once a week with three of my co-workers. What we love about this place is the extensive menu and the amount of food you get for the price. I could honestly say I usually dont finish everything I get when ordering a chicken breast plate, gyro plate or kabob plate. The food good and for the price I would recommend it to anyone.
(4)D E.
Always great salads.Huge portions at a reasonable price.
(3)Amy U.
I work close to here and often call in with multiple orders. The orders are always correct, very fast service, fresh food, and great customer service. They have a great selection of salads when you're looking for healthy food as well as an excellent selection of grilled meats and sandwiches. This place has something for everyone!
(4)mick e.
very disappointing - used to be a good gyros place here bad service (except for the nice girls doing the cleanup!) mediocre gyros - bland italian beef- small order of sweet potato fries not going back
(1)Jaz P.
Backyard Grill replaced a prior fast food place that was here for several years. But they revamped the space and made it 10 times more attractive. One side of the seating area is elevated and cutesy. Somehow, it doesn't feel quite so fast-food. Gyros plate has an authentic strong lamb flavor and significant in size (leftovers produced 2 more meals).. With so many items on the menu, ie burgers, grilled shrimp, salads, I can keep coming back.
(5)Joseph O.
Typical Greek fast food joint; not particularly better or worse from a food standpoint. The reason they get the one star treatment (and they really don't deserve that) is the owners. What a couple of lazy a**holes. Just because the girl who buses the tables is out of the restaurant doesn't mean that THEY can't do it. The place wasn't filthy, but how about clearing what little is still on the table and straightening the chairs? Is that too much to ask? I don't need to be fawned over, but how about showing some appreciation to your customers for coming in? A simple "Thank you." How about a look that doesn't say, "I'm talking to my buddy; make it quick."? My brother refused to let his kids use the bathrooms. 'Nuff said about that. I wasn't a big fan of this place when it was Nick's #2. (Come to think of it, #2 is still an appropriate numeral for this joint.) It took them two years to remodel. The actual remodeling looks like it took two weeks. The only reason I went back every now and then is because of the girls they hire to bus the tables. I'll admit it, I go for the eye candy. They're not dressed provocatively, but they are gorgeous. However, it's reached the point where nothing could make me want to give the owners any more of my money under any circumstances. If you want the same kind of food, go to East of Edens or Hub's. Heck, go to BK on Lincoln or Taco Bell on Devon. Do yourself a favor and go anywhere but here.
(1)Thuc N.
I only had the gyros since I read Steve P. review about their in-store gyros. I tried their gyros twice and it was good but I still think Hellas Gyros tasted better to me. The onion used for the gyros here had a very strong taste which is not to my liking. The staffs were nice to carry on a conversation with me while I was placing my order.
(3)Lisa D.
Oh dear. Guess I'm not the only one who noticed that the counter guy is miserable and rude. Don't work in customer service if you hate life! Other personnel not much better. Had to beg for the correct silverware. Ultimately ended up with food poisoning from bad shrimp. I used to like this place. What happened?
(2)Jacqueline S.
I really like the gyros from here and it looks like they have lots of other good stuff on their menu. The place had plenty of seating and was nice and clean. I wish I live closer - I would go much more often. I want to try the chicken and rice and potatoes - it looked so good!
(5)Crystal K.
I called for a lunch pickup and ordered a BLT with avocado and cheese fries. The guy said 10 minutes and i got there in about 5 and it was already ready- even though the place was packed!! I wish they would've had other bread (like multi-grain) instead of just sour-dough but I'm not that picky. The sandwich was excellent and the cheese fries were average (no better or worse than most places like this). I'd go back for sure. The special on the menu board was pulled pork sandwiches.. I need to get on that!
(3)Joan A.
I love this place. I've been going here for over 5 years now and the food is always great. I won't lie though, sometimes placing an order by phone is not so fun (sometimes they forget about you and keep you on hold for like 5 minutes). They have a wide variety of food and everything that i've tried has always been delicious (gyros, chopped salad, souvlaki, burgers, you name it and i've probably tried it). They have changed their menu a bit in the last 2 years which included a slight price markup =/ but I don't care I still go.
(5)Steve P.
I think Backyard Grill has the best tasting Gyros on the North-side. It's homemade and is very tender. Most Gyros is pre-made from a factory. Not Backyard Grill. They blend the meat on-site. Some people might think this place is expensive probably because they're used to dollar menus and drive-thrus. This is not typical "fast food" Their salads are big and good too. You order your food, find a seat, and listen for your number. Enjoy!
(5)tessa c.
I live by this place. Sometimes if my mom doesn't feel like cooking we get the chicken with rice and potatoes and it's always amazing. The hot wings also equally amazing :) Portions are huge and cheap prices! The only complaint I have, and it's not really a complaint is that I need to find my .10 cent wings in Chicago. My boyfriend and I used to get some every thursday at Joe's in Champaign and I've yet to get decent wings for that price.
(4)Skazoo M.
Reasonably clean and OK service - although not at all quick... it usually takes 15 - 20 minutes for me to get my order. I agree with the "eh" ratings for the cheeseburgers - you're better off going to Charcoal Delights on Foster for a char experience. I've had the best luck (but just 2 1/2 stars worth) with the subs. I usually get the italian (although I prefer the italian sub at Potbelly's or Jimmy John's), have had the roast beef, and have been meaning to try to steak. I've considered trying one of their gyros but haven't been brave enough. I can eat a lousy burger but a lousy gyro is truly a horror. Why do I eat here? It is conveniently located when I have to run out and hit Kinko's over lunch hour (which isn't often).
(3)Mike O.
Good food, beautiful wall & ceiling paintings, and a nice seating arrangement. It gets a bit crowded by the order pickup area, especially by the drink fountain. It takes about 10-15 minutes for a lunch order to be ready, which is slow by fast food standards, even for a fancier place like this. Still, I come here on occasion and like it. I stick to the specials, as things are pricy.
(3)maggie j.
Terrific food, and that's what counts. Not a lot of seating, but comfortable enough. Portions are huge (caprese salad to die for and would be at least two meals). Opening soon - expresso/crepes/soft serve ice cream bar ~ does it get any better than this! Restrooms are spotless. All that, and very congenial hosts as well.
(5)janice l.
What more could you want from your neighborhood burger / gyros / chicken joint?! It's always good food and they have a large menu that is sure to please everyone in your group. A great option if you're in the mood for something quick and filling.
(4)a w.
I've been here a few times for lunch. Its a decent place to get a filling meal. I had a cheeseburger and fries. It was filling and fresh, but certainly nothing to bring me back again and again. Give it a try if you're in the area -- you might find something you like!
(3)Dominic R.
I have never had anything bad here..........love the beef and fries. the service is pretty quick and why wouldn't you love sitting in a plastic lawn chair to eat your meal?
(4)Dionna R.
I can't believe the reviews I'm reading. I have never had anything bad here. The guys from work order from here a few times a week and say the same thing. They have great meatballs, fantastic gyros and truly yummy salads. Their salads are huge and delicious
(5)John F.
Nice place for fast food at reasonable prices, with some good specials everyday. Very tasty and well-prepared salads. Beverage choices leave a bit to be desired and the place is hot inside sometimes.
(4)A B.
Excellent skirt steak and Greek salad and great friendly staff every time!! Highly recommend!!!
(5)Melissa R.
The gyros plate is amazing! Their sauce is the reason why I love the gyros! Huge portions, and I have yet to have a complaint about their food. Their seating area is cool like a backyard party on a deck. Worth it!
(4)Ninweh Y.
Been coming here since I was young . I love this place as well as the owners are very nice . Awesome food . You can never go wrong with anything on the Menu .
(5)E. C.
Burgers were good. Sort of greasy but hey without the grease it wouldn't be a burger but too much grease just didn't taste right. Got fries with the burgers. Fries are hand cut or machine cut at the restaurant. They got my order mixed up. Ordered 1/2lb burger and 1/3lb cheeseburger. Burgers got reversed, got 1/2lb cheeseburger and 1/3lb burger. Order was input right but the cooks got it mixed up. Whatever!!! Also, ordered a turkey sub, mediocre at best. I thought I would get real turkey carvings or shavings like the turkey just got cooked and it's ready for carving or shavings but nope just got regular turkey slices that looks like it came out of a store packaging. Maybe some melted swiss cheese would of help the sub get more of a apealing taste and look, but it wasn't offered to me. Oh well. The restaurant was clean for restaurant standards. Table and chairs were greasy and looks like the place overall needed a good scrubbing down. Overall, place was busy and got busier when we sat to eat. But, I always get a feeling when I come into a restaurant it is not as busy but after I order or walk into a place people start coming in. My wife calls it a blessing and I am blessing the restaurant making money for them. However, I want to come back to place and try their chicken wings (jumbo) and gyros plate. Not sure if they have chicken gyros. Hopefully they do but I didn't ask. Would give this place 3.5 stars but not an option. Food: 3 stars Staff Friendliness: 5 stars Restaurant Cleaniness: 2.5 stars
(3)Terry T.
First visit here today. Good burger, and the bun was great. Had some of the best onion rings I've had in while. I'll be going back for sure.
(5)Tobin h.
Service was friendly and fun but when the food came and had to eat it...awful. Beef was greasy and nasty that led into the soup with a layer of grease and serious heartburn. I really wanted this place to be good because some wonderful personality dishing out beef and plates but the food was super sub-standered. I hoped I caught it on a bad day but 2nd chance got me nasty attitudes and same poor tasting food. How do you have a "beef stand" and not be good more than just a one time go? No reason EVER for me to go back...like it was my fault their food sucked. And the service staff some how blamed me? Don't go!
(1)Katie K.
I have eaten at backyard grill many times and I have to say they are pretty consistent. I have had everything from salads to burgers. I also am a huge fan of their onion rings and chicken caesar wrap. My only dislike would be they are a little more pricey so I can't stop there as often as I would like.
(4)Evelina L.
Shouldn't the place that calls itself backyard grill have outside seating? Just sayin'... For some reason my coworkers love this place for its salads, but the portions are usually so huge and the protein so oily...that it probably defeats the purpose of having a salad. I tried the hamburger last time around and it was just a-ok...not sure why they ask if you want it done medium when they can only make them well done. Too many things on the menu, which backyard grill has = not being able to do anything that well. This simple law definitely holds true at this place!
(3)