Hackney’s
880 N Old Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL, 60047
Hackney’s Menu
-
Starters
-
Salads
-
Burgers
-
Sandwiches
-
Entrees
-
Vegetarian
-
Carb Watchers
Healthy Meal suggestions for Hackney’s
-
Starters
-
Salads
-
Burgers
-
Sandwiches
-
Entrees
-
Vegetarian
-
Carb Watchers
Visit below restaurant in Lake Zurich for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Zurich for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
880 N Old Rand Rd
Lake Zurich, IL, 60047 - Phone (847) 438-2103
- Website https://www.hackneys.net
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Chris T.
Hackney's hasn't changed. At all. It's the only place left where you can order a ridiculously rare burger without first signing a legal document assuming liability. The food is the same, the service the same and the building the same. As far as I know, all of these have been the same since this location opened in 1969 -- previously it was Poppe's Alpine House, by the way. The only difference I can tell from when I was a kid is that smoking is no longer allowed. To some that's a turnoff, but for someone who only eats there once every year or two, it's a nice nostalgic meal. The burger is a good solid burger -- always cooked on the more rare side of what you ask for. Even a medium burger will have a juice-soaked bun. Seriously, who else does that? The onion loaf is still a tasty, unique appetizer that you only rarely see anywhere else. If you have no other reason to try Hackney's, stop in to have that and a beer. Service is as good as I remember. Friendly, and they seem to always staff Hackney's with just the right amount of people to make you wait just a minute or two longer than you might expect. That can be annoying but, again, it hasn't changed. I erred on the high side for nostalgia, though I agree with other reviewers -- the building could use some renovation. The "Poppe's Alpine House" ambiance is great but maybe just tear out all of the furniture, redo the floors, ceilings (there are water stains) and walls. An updated Hackney's building with a slightly updated menu (of course, keep the classics) could bring in new customers. Anyway, I started off saying that Hackney's hasn't changed -- I'll add that what's changed about Hackney's is everything around it. There are 100 restaurants within 5 miles of Hackney's when there used to be about 10. All the sit-down restaurants have tablecloths, and those that don't, don't have full table service. And we've changed. We expect a good burger to be on ciabatta with gruyere, not an egg roll with american. Tastes change, and through it all, Hackney's stays exactly the same. But if Hackney's throwback food and ambiance doesn't sound good, don't worry, every chain restaurant imaginable is conveniently a few miles down Rand in Deer Park. Those places will happily serve you focus-tested delicious ground beef goodness that's cheaper and more modern than Hackney's... and if you ask, they can leave it a little pink in the middle.
(4)Kevin D.
Living off a 30yr + old reputation. Nothing has changed including the bland food and ancient decor. Service is hit or miss as well.
(2)Gerry A.
I suppose I have been an irregular regular here for almost thirty years, but I can't really recommend it anymore until the ownership flips. If you insist on trying it, I suggest you check the specials as they are usually good. The corned beef is good enuf if you crave that, and Friday night fish, particularly the walleye pike is usually excellent. The last few years we have experienced unusually irregular service as the new normal from the high school/college help and you really need to be paying attention to your food as these people are NOT trained. That on top of the dingy, dark interior adds to what can be a really depressing eating experience. The grounds in the summer and the screened in porch ARE worth catching on nice nights and Sunday breakfasts but I realize I really can't recommend Hackney's anymore. We did have the inside out burger tonight, which WAS better than my black and blue burger but I don't really see it winning any awards and they have to cook it done, because of the bacon, which is not my preference. They are running a special during bears games for half price burgers, and on Monday nights wine is half price so we double dipped tonight with two burgers and a bottle of average chianti (OUT of the CotesDuRhone) for $31.00 tip included with half a burger and 1/2 a bottle of wine as a leftover. But it wasn't that great, and the only reason I chose the Chianti was because I didn't know the label and thought I would try it. On the plus side the fries were good and not an inedible salt bomb, and same for the burgers and I appreciate them letting ME add the seasoning. The dark rye used to be better and why EVER serve a largely green tomato? I think I'm being pretty kind here tonight because not only were they OUT of Tootsie Pops, shocking, but I spotted that the mens' bathroom on the North side was flooded, so did they clean it up? Nope just put an out of order sign on the door. THAT's one reason it always smells musty in there, that and the 50 year old dust mites. So, check the specials particularly Friday nights and I would say otherwise STAY AWAY unless it is a gorgeous day OUTDOORS until this fabulous location flips to somebody that is going to clean it up, remodel and train their younger staff particularly. My guess is they are living on their conference/wedding income and borrowed time. Move on.
(2)janeen j.
We have been going to Hackneys since I was 13 years old. Being that I am now almost 59, that is a long time. Was very disappointed on father's day. Not only did they jack up the prices, but the food was mediocre at best, and service very slow. I have noticed a slow deterioration in the over the last few years. Don't think I will be going back. Love the onion rings, but even they have become way more expensive than they are worth.
(2)Catherine S.
I have to guess the people who pack Hackney's in Lake Zurich every weekend are the same folks who have been doing so since the 60s. Dad would pull the family station wagon over for a pitstop on the way back home to the northwest side after a day at Chain O'Lakes, and the relief of peeling their gritty, sunburned little legs from the vinyl back seat cemented this place in their minds as a magical oasis. And look, it HASN'T CHANGED A BIT in thirty years! Not the menu (complete with Green River soda), not the decor, not the waitresses, not nothin! It has to be that a magical aura of nostalgic reverie causes them to overlook the dated and grimy atmosphere while waiting 45 minutes for a table and the right to plunk down more-than-average cash for a completely average meal. This is the same sort of psychosis that makes people ride It's A Small World. The Hackneyburger is fine. It's as good as any patty you molded yourself by hand from fresh ground beef, fried in a pan, and slapped between two slices of Jewel pumpernickel. If you only eat fast food burgers anymore, it's probably amazing. The onionloaf is fine. It's not life-changing. It's a loaf, not rings. If that's enough to tickle your fancy, then order it. Aaaannnd ... that's about it. If you don't want to wait for a table, eat there on a Tuesday at 4 pm. Or just wait another 10 years.
(2)B Z.
We went there twice for drinks on the back patio and split the onion log the first time there. Can't imagine eating inside.... The smell is awful, floors feel sticky. Place needs to have a major clean up, airing out, and a bit of brightening. Until such time we will go in, halt breathing until we get to the outside patio and simply order a couple of glasses of wine and admire the outside. Truly a shame as the ambiance outside is lovely. If they only took care of the inside too...
(2)Karen L.
We read the reviews and almost didn't go to a restaurant we've enjoyed in the past. Contrary to the reviews, we found the food to be as enjoyable as we remembered. The onion loaf was great as were the burgers. Don't give up on this place.
(4)Frank A.
Great place. Sure it is old and a little dark inside but I think the burgers are still some of the best. Ordered mine medium and the cooked it to medium. My other three guests also were pleased with the burger. Also the onion rings are also awesome. Got a large order for an appetizer and it was gone goon. I think the low Yelp rating has more to do with the crybaby reviews than the fact that this is an old school place that does not attract the typical younger Yelp crowd. Overall a great place with great food.
(5)Anne S.
Just don't. I've eaten at other Hackney's for years (mostly Glenview, but I've been to their Printer's Row location and used to like the Wheeling location for work outings) so I was expecting much more from the LZ location. The service was great, but the food was disappointing. We split the french fried onions, which were decent enough. But the burgers... if your business is based on your award winning burgers, it'd be helpful to have people who know how to cook burgers working for you. I ordered mine medium-well and it was raw in the middle. They cut the burgers open prior to serving (which is kind of annoying, honestly), presumably, to make sure they're cooked to order, so no idea how no one noticed mine was red and totally under-cooked. My husband's, while cooked properly, was nothing special. Very disappointing for a nearly $50 meal.
(1)David S.
Overrated. The two stars is for the good service. First of all, the place mats were old. They still listed the specials that they had on St. Patrick's day. The cover of the menu still listed the closed Wheeling location. Now for the food. We haven't had an onion loaf for a while.so we ordered one to share with the rest of the table. Man, was it greasy. My wife and I both had the Inside-Out Burger. It had no flavor and probably was unseasoned. There was no cheese, and not that much bacon on the inside. It must have leaked out during cooking if much was there to begin with, The cheese that was on top, by the way it melted, looked like one of those plastic processed cheeses. The only real highlight were the desserts. We had the Snickers Pie and Butterscotch Sundae. The Snickers pie was to die for. And to think, I drove 18 miles down the construction on Rand Road to get there.
(2)S A.
I've been going to all the Hackney's since childhood. I was saddened when the Wheeling location shut down. Still, I live fairly close to the one in Lake Zurich. I decided to place a take out order today on the way home. The workers were nice, so that is not my issue. My issue is the disappointed shock I received when I got home and unpacked my order. I ordered a hamburger, medium-rare (and it was close to medium-rare, and I did travel a ways to get home, and meat does continue cooking off the grill, so this is not my complaint either). My shock came when I went to put my burger together (I'd asked for everything on the side so the bread wouldn't get soggy). These burgers used to cover the size of the bread, but this burger was HALF the size of the bread. Even one year ago this burger was bigger. I understand that the cost of things increases over time, but to cut a burger size in HALF, and still have the nerve to charge TWELVE dollars for it??? I also ordered a quarter onion loaf. Again, very dismayed at what I received. The onion loaf USED to be COATED with a crispy batter, but what I got was a pile of soggy onions with barely any coating at all. This cost me $4.45. Hackney's used to be known for these WONDERFUL onion loaves, but something is obviously off. The icing on the cake, so to speak, was the equally soggy fries. They should have been crisp, but they were soggy, and floppy. I don't care about the old decor. I love that about Hackney's. What I don't love is being charged a near fortune for a burger, fries, and onion loaf and receive what I listed above. All in all, this experience was a complete let down, and I have lost my love for Hackney's. It is highly doubtful I will be back.
(2)Erika S.
I hadn't gone here in about 15 years until this weekend, when I decided to have my birthday dinner here due to its proximity to my house. I was worried that it may have lost some of its charm, but was very pleasantly surprised. Waitress was a perfectly nice older gal who probably has worked there for 20 years. Fairly quick with the drink refills. Anyone who knows me knows I love Sam Adams Seasonals (except White Ale), and Hackney's happily had Summer Ale on tap. The bar area looked cozy, with a bigscreen tv and a square bar setup. I ordered the 4 oz. patty melt. I'm glad I didn't order the 8 oz. because the 4 was plenty! I got it on the dark rye (Hackney's signature) with cheddar cheese. It was really good! I of course smothered it in ketchup and thought it was a really tasty burger. The rye added a little something extra. Fries are served family-style, so you basically get a couple big bowls of fries for the table for everyone to share. Fries are pretty unseasoned, so keep the salt and pepper handy. Everyone else in my party seemed to enjoy their meal. In addition to being tasty, the price is also right. My dinner plus several beers only set me back about $20. I'd definitely go back for a casual lunch or dinner.
(4)Cris J.
Hackney's can and very probably will surprise you. Upon first entering this rather bleak building the typical individual will most likely feel slightly overtaken by the general tackiness of this establishment. I say general tackiness because unlike some restaurants that thrive on their tackiness and ooze it with a badge pin. Hackney's seems somewhat oblivious of their condition. Relatively "off" paint, worn out carpeting and most notably the notorious fireplace. The waitresses for the most part of past their prime but they are sweet enough, it's apparent that this job is quite routine for them. They seem to enjoy it but they also seem to be on autopilot half the time. And just when you are about to say "screw this let's just go to Friday's", you're order comes up. It looks good, it smells good.. by God! It is good. It's really good. Ladies and gentlemen Hackney's has survived this long because their food is off the hook! The food network has listed Hackney's burgers as some of the best in the country (quote me.) for a reason. Give it a try look past the worn out carpet close your eyes bite enjoy
(4)Scott H.
The food was so-so, and the service could have been a little friendlier. I'm just saying.
(2)Joe J.
The Lake Zurich location of Hackney's is exactly as I remember it as a wide-eyed 12 year old. Unfortunately, that's a bad thing, as I'm now almost 30. Same carpet, same paneling, same seating arrangement (place smells like they've had mildew since 1988), same menu, and same plaque of of the '94 little league LZ team valiantly displayed in a closed secondary bar area adjacent to an equally vacant aracade area that houses the same exact cabinets from when I was 12. Bottomless fries are a plus, and I love that it's one of the only places around to get a Green River, or that it even offers the option to have a burger on rye bread, but anytime I've strayed from a hackneyburger on rye, I've been severely disappointed. Once a hometown staple, if there's ever a restaurant in need of a complete overhaul of aesthetic, menu, and cooking, this is it. Only go here if you're looking to relive childhood nostalgia, which might be why other reviews suggest the clientele is mostly elderly.
(2)Peter T.
Rolled into here today, last visit was, er....maybe thirty years ago. On the shores of suburban Lake Zurich (Chicago) and adjacent to the hoity-toity burb I used to live in, Hackney's is a local "mini-chain" of casual dining. Bar and banquet facility, too. Their story is they have been selling beers and burgers since prohibition. They are supposed to be so 'famous' for their burgers, they'll even ship them to you to enjoy at home. The menu contains a half dozen burgers, maybe as many sandwiches, a few salads and entrees. It's a little spendy, with the top burger tipping fifteen bucks. Started with their onion rings (straws) which come in three difference sizes, full order, half, or quarter. The quarter size serving (pictured below) was about four bucks. These are some tasty rings straws. I went with the Inside Out Burger, Hackney's version of the Minneapolis invention of the Jucy Lucy (sic). The Hackney version has cheddar AND bacon inside. Comes with fries and salad, but there are other sides you can substitute for no additional charge. The burger was good enough, prepared medium rare, the bacon flavor was very evident, the cheese content not as prevalent as other versions. The meat had a great flavor and a nice little char going. I really liked the slaw, which was diced in tiny bits. Fries were A-OK as well. One burger, 1/4 order rings, coffee, bloody mary, $25 not including tip.
(3)Heath S.
I grew up eating at Hackney's, the original one...and I love the Hackney burger and the onion loaf. So, now living in Buffalo Grove, we figure let's go to the one in Lake Zurich, it's close. WTF? We were seated (as the youngest people in the place...is this where the old folk go to die?) with the wife and kids...and we waited, and waited, and waited. I had to go to the host/manager and ask for a server...seriously? As we sat there, there were 5 servers sitting around, and even looked at us. They could clearly see nobody was coming over...did they think "oh crap, a table with 2 kids", my kids aren't babies. Also, you would think that they would be happy to have a table with 2 adults that were in their 40's rather than 70's or 80's, at least we know how to tip. So, the waiter finally appears...spewing all kind of excuses...I hate that, just apologize and move forward. The burgers came out wrong, and timing sucked. They could have seasoned them with salt and pepper too, since they were flavorless. We received an onion loaf as an apology, again, love the onion loaf...but come on, when it comes out of the fryer, hit it with a little salt...when did restaurants forget how to season things? just a bad experience that killed something that I loved since I was a kid.
(1)Tony R.
Food was not good and the place kind of smelled moldy. They got two stars cause our waitress was nice
(2)Alexandria M.
Hackney's has good food. Great service. Get the fries with the creamy garlic dressing to dunk them in you won't be disappointed. The leprechaun pie is seasonal but really delicious. We had a young waitress who was very attentive.
(5)Nat Z.
Looking for a case study in heart disease, or an ethnographic study of overweight suburbanites? Whether you come for the space, which looks like a Bavarian hunting lodge that hasn't been renovated since the end of the Great War, the supposedly famous burgers, which are up to $15 apiece and made from the finest industrially produced Angus, or the "bread," which is fortified by the finest in hydrogenated, genetically-modified vegetable oils and featuring the freshest not only mono but also diglycerides, Hackney's will not disappoint. One silver lining was that I often have self-esteem issues thinking I could stand to lose ten or fifteen pounds, and I was pleased to be at least twenty to fifty pounds lighter than many of the folks seated at adjacent tables, who were also twenty to fifty years older than me. Try a "brick" of the crisp, thin onion rings, dripping in soybean oil that helped make the place famous and that we devoured faster than you can say "vascular occlusion." NB: I'm not one to demand on every sandwich micro-arugula grown by a well-educated bearded man who rides a fixed-gear bike, but I'd prefer something a little bit more imaginative than a thin slice of iceberg. Maybe a slice of red onion to add some vitamin C, at least? Relish? If the prices had been halved, I really might have given this place five stars. But you can't in good conscience charge $15 for a burger on Sara Lee bread that comes par-baked off the back of a Sysco truck. Apparently they do.
(1)Richard R.
This is one of those places that was an "icon" for you as a kid. You have tremendous memories of going there with your family, or for a friend's birthday party, etc. What you tend to forget is that as a kid you were a lot less discriminating about the quality of the food, the service, or the location. We had moved away from the Chicago area for a couple of years. When we moved back, it was not long before I had a hankering to bring my kids to Hackney's and relive those childhood memories. What a let down. The food was awful, the service indifferent, and the decor was right out of a medieval dungeon. The place hasn't been updated since the 1970s, and I don't think the floor has been cleaned since then either. It seemed that every step I took my foot was coming up "sticky" from some long-spilled drink. The place was so gross that we almost turned around and left. After experiencing the food and the service, I really wish we had.
(1)Persimmon V.
My octogenarian parents lurv this place. And now I get why. We used to go here with them when we were kids and now there are only 3 of the original 5 children left. Memories. Plus, they make a fine burger. Super fine. And, the ambiance is sort of German Brew Haus with a massive fireplace. The servers are really nice people who treat my old folks gently. They make a crazy "rueben egg roll" appetizer that makes me, as a bona fide rueben lover, excited. But to no avail. It's deep fried "meh". In any case -- when I fly to Chicago to visit the old peeps, I bring them here and they are happy. Pharrell happy. Oh yeah.
(4)Jenna J.
I thought this meal was a joke. First of all, the interior is so old and dirty. The menus had crumbs in them, ugh. I got a cheeseburger because I was told they are known for their burgers. I still can't believe I wasn't being punked!! So dry and looked like a hockey puck. A child could make a better hamburger at home. I have absolutely nothing good to say about that meal. Wow, just wow.
(1)T B.
My goodness why do people go here. The place smells like mold and the staff is inattentive. My dinner was almost warm maybe left on the shelf for a while, it some time to get out to me. I don't think I'll be returning sorry.
(1)Ralph P.
Have lived in Lake Zurich for several years and used to love Hackneys......not anymore. Yes, there is the smell of mold throughout, and its dark and dirty. The food isn't as good as it used to be and the service is mediocre at best. Definitely over priced! I kind of get the impression that the owners just dont care anymore.
(2)Bob T.
Really greasy deep-fried food with high prices and small portions. The smallest portion cup of coleslaw? These are the same cups hospitals use to get give you a pill. How much does 4 ounces of cole slaw cost? A small batch of fries as if potatoes were expensive like fish. Not a value at all. The burgers are loaded with grease and are deep- fried. That is not cooking! A char or flat top grill is the way to go on burgers. The building is old and needed a remodel 10 years ago. For the same $20 I have gone to Gibson's steakhouse for lunch and have really gotten a great meal, the finest service, and a top notch dining area.
(1)Mercedes H.
This place is an institution. You don't go for the food or the ambiance or the service. You go because it's been there forever and nothing has changed. Can you get a better burger elsewhere? Sure. Can you get a crispier "onion loaf" elsewhere? Of course. But it's Hackney's. You go because it reminds you of simpler times in your life. And that's it!
(2)Ross P.
Hackney's has pretty good burgers, the onion string loaf is awesome, and some of the specials are solid. Joke as you like but I like the Wisconsin supper club look. Problem is the place is depressing, you feel like a child if you under 50. They should just bus all the retirement homes right on in. Its also musty, probably needs some work. Prices are so so.
(3)Sarah W.
Very disapointing after all the hype I heard. I've had far better burgers! The service and atmosphere were not great either. I will not be going back.
(1)James M.
This a great hamburger place. I ordered my burger raw and it actually came raw. The onion straws were good as usual. Kathy had soup and salad and no soup was left. I like the knotty pine walls. It is like you are up north on vacation .
(4)Melissa G.
The food here is very good! Well known for their onion bricks. Burgers are good, that seems to be what most people get. Servers are always friendly. When the weather is nice there is patio seating. The only drawback is that it's kind of dark and aging inside. Although that kind of gives the restaurant some ambience.
(4)Mike H.
The service here was very friendly and efficient, so I feel a bit bad giving a one star review. But, the kitchen staff can take a lesson from the locations in Glenview, which we have enjoyed in the past. The burgers were not seasoned at all and extremely bland. It also seemed that they worked the patty way too much, as the meat was very compact and not juicy. For a place known for the "famous Hackney's burger" one would hope that the burgers are equally good at all locations. This wasn't even close to the quality of Hackney's on Lake or Hackney's on Harms.
(1)Mike L.
Walking into Hackney's is like stepping back in time, well perhaps a museum basement where they store all their artifacts because that is what it smelled like. There are parts of this place where a vampire could live without ever being close to daylight. You walk in and to the left is a seating area that is in complete shadow and the only reason I knew someone was there was they were talking, I never saw them. There is a bar with no seats around it. It has reached a stage where I am sure a contractor would say "It would be cheaper to completely demolish the place" rather than trying to renovate it. Now the food, I had the burger, 8oz. with fries. The fries are straight up GFS, frozen and no color when you fry them, Yum. The burger, which I ordered medium, came out more mid-rare. I could tell right away what temp it was at because they cut it in half, I did not ask them to, but there it was. Now the very odd part about that is they cut the burger and bun in half, not the lettuce, tomato, or onion that come with it and with no knife to cut them with eating the burger was messy and challenging. The burger itself was very good, it was juicy and had good flavor. It is not $11 good nor is it worth driving out of your way for. To sum it up, I would go to the bar and order a gin & tonic, for some reason I always think that is the drink they drunk back in the day, look around, and try to convince yourself that this place had nothing to do with The Shining.
(2)Brenda L.
We haven't been to hackneys in a very very long time. So my cousin is in from California and has fond memories of the huge beautiful Hackney burgers that are served on the pumpernickel bread. My uncle used to rave about how wonderful the burgers are so my cousin couldn't wait to get back here and try them. Well, I guess that was back in the day. Because our visit tonight was less than stellar. From the waitstaff that felt inconvenienced by our presence to the sub par food that was served. And on top of that, we were one of maybe three tables in the restaurant. We had to send the fries back because they were still raw, and we couldn't get the bread off of our buns to put condiments on it. I'm pretty sure that our food sat under a heat lamp because my mom's meatloaf already had that "old "look to it when it was served her. It was even hard to get refills on our drinks. And remember we were only three tables in the restaurant. To bad.
(1)Caroline P.
Just because the name is Hackney's doesn't mean it needs to smell like a barn! Every time I have gone here I instantly lose my appetite when I get a whiff of that mysterious pungent musk. The service and food here are underwhelming. Compared to other locations, this must be the ugly sister of them all. I'm not sure if its all the locations that seem to be going downhill, but this location is definitely not representative of the reasons Hackney's became famous.
(2)michael w.
Giving three stars but have not experienced enough to really say yet. Will tell you what i do know. Atmosphere, kind of old, and creaky with pine paneling. Mixed crowd of old, and family. The onion loaf was a hit. I am told the burgers are good as well, but I have not tried yet. The cheese, tomato, avocado sandwhich sounded yummy. The clam chowder was a bust in my opinion. The Guiness was good :-) I had a visual of the asparagus salad and it looked good. Kids dug the complimentary tootsie pops. The bar area looked like it would be conducive to hanging out and chatting, so I could easily see working through a couple slow pours there
(3)Meghan H.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: I finally got meself a Hackney Burger!! I could never bring myself to abandon my usual order of the corned beef sandwich on dark rye, but I finally decided to go nuts and order THE burger! So I went with just the 4oz burger with swiss on their classic dark rye with grilled onions. First bite...fell flat. Second bite...really?? Third bite...utter disappointment. Sad to say it, but THE famous Hackneyburger was just alright. After all the hype, the patty just couldn't live up to its name for me; I found that the actual meat was rather dull-flavored and boring, making for just an average burger, nothing to speak of, sadly. One thing I should point out about this Lake Zurich site, is that the place kinda gives you the heeby geebies...because it seems so old and the wood paneling has "rotted" in a way that gives the place a super musty, dusty smell... :/ not quite so appetizing... Good service at this location, I must say. Everyone working here was quite accommodating and nice enough. Overall, if you are looking for a place to eat in the area. I wouldn't rule Hackney's out. I am normally a HUGE fan of this restaurant and its other locations. I'd just warn you about making any first impressions of the business simply based off of this location...the two Hackneys' in Glenview and the one in Chicago are of relatively higher quality in comparison..
(3)Matt R.
I haven't been to hackneys in years boy it did not disappoint. The onion loaf was just like I remember as a kid so crispy and good. I got the in and out burger on dark rye it was very very good. The dark rye is the only way to eat a burger at hackneys.
(4)Lisa W.
Never go here. Ever. There -- you've been warned. Wish we would have been. We should have turned around and left the moment we walked in and smelled the place. Other reviewers are not exaggerating -- it has an offensive wet-carpet/musty smell that permeates the place. The "famous" onion loaf? A pile of oil-sodden french fried onions with no flavor. The "famous" burger? A small hunk of grey, over cooked, flavorless beef. I'm not kidding when I say it was the worst burger I've ever had. And it was 13 dollars! ouch! The Swiss cheese on it was even bad -- Pasteurized "cheese food" that added nothing to the burger but a sliimey texture. The final blow-- beers were 6 bucks. Didn't know that til we got our bill because they had no actual liquor menu. My husband and I agreed that we should have listened to our 6-year-old and gone to McDonald's for dinner. Lesson learned.
(1)Skip A.
Friday specials were good. Avoid the hamburgers! The burgers are ground very fine. Taste like filler. Yuk! Fries are sort of OK but not great. Onion loaf is great!
(3)Mary G.
Yum yum yum yum! On Tuesdays they have Thanksgiving dinner and it is so amazing. The onion loaf (If love greasy food like i do) is the best! My family has been coming here since before I was born & whenever I come here 90% of the time I get in inside out burger on a regular burger bun with blue cheese, grilled onions & grilled mushrooms it is amazing whenever I get it & the other 10% of the time I get the Thanksgiving dinner if it's Tuesday! The service is, great, the food is great , everythings great, I love Hackney!!!!!!!!
(5)Michele S.
I have visited this hackneys several times over the last few years. First and foremost they need someone to come in and get that moldy smell out of the place. It has lost its charm! My girlfriend and I decided to order the four ounce burger. It came and the bun was no bigger than a slider from white castle. I took the top off my bun and it was an 8 ounce burger that was literally cut in half! The bun was round the meat was not! Couldn't believe it. I brought it to the attention of a waitress and made a remark about how displeased we were with our burgers. She explained that she had never seen anything like it before. We never heard from a manager after she said she was going into the kitchen to check it out. Not a penny off of our bill. Nothing. An apology would have sufficed. Obviously I am not going to say it was unremarkable because surely it was and I have had many remarks! Will never ever go back
(1)Laurence K.
good burger and onion rings love the patio in summer
(3)Jason M.
Heading southbound on route 12 after work? Annoyed with 5 o'clock traffic? Tired of dodging those irksome teenagers texting while driving? Need a cocktail? Stop in at Hackney's, order a Bloody Marry (request Bev's magic mixing skillz), and enjoy a burger in their bar while you hold off on that evening commute. While it typically caters to families and the older crowd of dedicated patrons, I find the bar to be as inviting as stepping into an episode of Cheers, minus Norm's slap-you-in-the-face sense of humor. The food is decent, but a little pricey.
(3)Fast T.
i recently was part of a group that watched the Clash of the Titans remake. I thought it was mostly a farce, and nothing compared to the old version with Harry Hamlin. So sure as anything, I dialed in the DVD of the ' old classic', complete with the o-so-realistic medusa. Then, about ten minutes into the screening, I realized I was ashamed, alone, and completely bamboozled. This thing I had gotten myself involved in was a complete mess and why did I remember it to be so much better? Such must be the situation with the countless people who return to this place, fondly recalling a yesteryear when they could get a 'real' hamburger with an honest to goodness onion loaf. Snap out of it people. It's 2011. Demand more from the food you put in your mouth. We aren't considering Swanson TV dinners as a special friday night treat anymore, are we? For christsakes, a crumbly beef patty on stale rye bread with a sad pickle....and soggy ore-ida fries? This is dinner out?!? Also, news flash! The SMELL of mold in the air usually indicates the PRESENCE of.....oh never mind. The only, and i mean only reason this is not one star is you can get a beer out on the very nice patio in the warm months before your dinner somewhere else. Bottom line, dumpster fire. The management put this place on autopilot on their way out to see E.T. at the drive in.
(2)Rick M.
Hackneys in lake Zurich is like a trip back in time to a Wisconsin supper club. They really need to do something with the musty odor that grata visitors at the door. Beyond that they have indoor, screened porch and outdoor seating. Outdoor has a great view of their little private park with a pond waterfall and geese. As for the food, the famous burgers are mediocre at best. The rings are still good. But at 10.00 for a burger that's just ok, I'd pick the Tracks in Cary or Bulldogs in Wauconda.
(2)Kristen T.
Delicious lunch spot! Quick and friendly service.
(4)Juliana R.
The food is ok. They have a beautiful outdoor dining area which is probably the only reason why I would come back.
(3)Bob N.
I have loved Hackneys for years. Haven't been to this location until recently. Food is good especially the broasted chicken and the burgers, but the burgers are not as good as they used to be. Why 2 stars? The place stinks and feels dirty. On a recent visit we ate outside the inside smelled so bad. There is some serious mildew,mold or worse going on there. (smelled like a foul barn)They should close down for a month and clean this place . We will not be going back. It just smells and feels unhealthy
(2)John M.
I have to say, Hackney's has really gone downhill in the 4+ years we've lived in Lake Zurich. On our most recent visit, about 2 weeks ago, the place was completely empty at 7pm on a weeknight, save 2 tables of seniors. Our burgers arrived a bit overcooked and pretty flavorless, on a bun that seemed to be from a plastic bag at Jewel, and really just looked sad on the plate all alone with a scrap of lettuce and a paper-thin slice of tasteless tomato. The onion loaf was good, if a bit greasier than I remembered. Service was a bit slow and inattentive, given the 2 other tables that were occupied. I think we'll look elsewhere next time a burger crave hits. Culvers is right up the street...
(2)Tiffany T.
You know, I love Hackney's - I really do. When I first moved to Chicago, I used to live in Northbrook and we frequented Hackney's on Harms quite a bit. Now I live in Barrington, so the LZ location is the closest for when I crave it. The problem with this location is the lassez-faire attitude of the bartending/wait staff (we usually eat in the bar since there is just two of us.) The last three times I have been in there I have been amazed how my hackney burger on rye comes out completely raw no matter how I order it. It reminds me of the old "any color as long as it's black" ditty. I like my burgers medium, and somehow this in an impossibility with the Hackney kitchen staff - as many burgers as they pump out per day, you'd think this wouldn't be so hard. Also, if you aren't a "regular" (meaning "in there several times a week at the bar" from what I can gather) you are definitely last on the list as far as getting a drink, a drink refill, or a menu is concerned. Also, the regular lady bartender is slower than molasses and gets a little freaked out if asked to do more than one thing at a time and/or stop gossiping about regulars to the other regulars to, you know, do her job. I miss the Hackney's on Harms - they seem to have it a little bit more together and the food and drinks were always served quickly, correct and with a friendly smile. Hackneys is a great Chicago institution, and it's too bad that the staff at this location doesn't seem to care much about that.
(2)Tim P.
I went after seeing Hackney's featured as having the best burgers in Chicagoland, and boy was I disappointed. First off the smell in the dining room was putrid - so bad that I would have left without eating if my wife hadn't had her heart set on trying the burgers. The onion log appetizer was good - definitely the highlight of the meal. The famous inside out burger was supposed to have cheese and bacon cooked inside the burger, but i could find none. When I pointed that fact out to my waitress, she claimed it was in there. It was not. The meal was overpriced for what we got, and not good at all. I will never go to Hackney's again.
(1)John D.
Wow, so many mixed and bad reviews! I get a lot of the points others make, but it's still 5 stars in my book (and I'm only pushing 30). The smell in the lobby is mold? I always thought it smelled familiar, like grandma's house or something! I live right down the street and walk there when the weather is good. This is a place where you really have to know how to order or you will end up very disappointed. They consider how a burger is cooked the same way many high end steak houses consider a steak cooked. Rare is cold red center. Medium rare is warm red center. Medium is hot pink center. Medium well is cooked through but still tender (what many consider "medium" for a burger). Well done is darker (or burnt to a crisp because you pissed off the cook by ordering it, depending on the cook). Anything pink with ground meat will have some red, errr, "juices" left in it, so if you are only comfortable with the fast food type cooking you should just order medium well and send it back if it is to juicy or burnt. I prefer mine "mooing" at a nice, Hackney's medium. The fries are endless, so abuse I it with reckless abandon. Better yet, order the home made chips as a free substitution. Either is bottomless, so order your burger 1 level less than you like it cooked so you can fill up on sides and take half of it (and a full basket of fried taters of your choice) home with you. If they have something on special that isn't a burger, then by all means try it if it sounds good. I tried the Guinness potato soup around St. Patrick's day and wish they had it all year long. The view of the outside from the screened patio or outdoor area reminds me of a country club. Kind of snooty for no reason but still pretty. From the grommeted leather chairs to the stone fireplaces to the clean cut high school bus boys in polo shirts sneaking cigarettes during breaks the place just wreaks of old money and upper middle class/preppy-ness. It's almost creepy, really, how much it reminds me of my grandpa even though I don't know if he ever even went there.
(5)Pamela B.
It has been several years since my last visit and I'm not being redundant when I say things have changed and yet again nothing has changed. The decor has not changed one iota. The musty smell in the lobby was very strong and discomfiting. I asked my sister if we should go somewhere else but we decided to stay. It was high noon and the place was practically deserted yet by the service we got from our waitress you'd think it was a full house. We ordered the Hackney burger medium rare on rye with the onion loaf. Our burgers were dry and overcooked, no hand formed patty here. Also we ordered swiss cheese and got cheddar. The onion loaf was overcooked and needed seasoning badly. All in all I was very disappointed to see how far Hackneys has fallen.
(2)Michelle I.
Always in Chicago's Top 5 places for Top Burgers. Excellent burgers! My favorite of course is the classic Hackney Burger, the Bleu Cheese Burger is a close second. You have to get the onion loaf, very yummy! I love the summer cottage feel you get while at this location! Very rustic and comfortable. I feel like I'm a kid on vacation in upper Wisconsin while there. There are 6 Hackney's locations in the Chicagoland area, this is a must do place! Get your Tootsie Roll Pop on your way out ;-)
(5)Picky C.
Big Disappointment in a Little Town City Prices, Cafeteria Quality I really wanted a decent reuben and my friend really wanted a good, juicy burger. Saturday night, 8pm. Closing time is 11pm and the place was empty. A good eatery should always entice your olfactory senses and make your mouth water before you sit down at your table. When you walk into this place, it does smell like old, mildewy house and it makes your stomach turn. I usually deduct 10 points right away for this type of smell. I was starting to remember why it's been 10+ years since I've eaten here, even if it's a fairly close drive. That 'old house' smell always makes me wonder "How clean is the kitchen?" The bathrooms seem to need a re-sizing for normal height people. Washing your hands at a sink where your knees are is not fun. We decided to stay and give it a chance. I ordered the reuben, my friend got the Hackney burger. We both have eaten burgers all over the country and paid top dollar for excellent burgers in Chicago. We are also ok with cheap street food as long as it's fresh, well-made and tastes good. Hackney's should be really embarassed to be serving their name-sake burger that is that underwhelming...it was smaller than a simple Sonic burger and looked less appetizing. I would venture to say, the Angus burger at McD's seems more appealing. It would have been ok if the price wasn't close to $10.00 for a cafeteria burger. My reuben was ok tasting, the bread was crispy, but not flavorful, the size of an $11.00 sandwich was tiny and there wasn't a lot of meat. The side pickle was slimy and the plastic condiment size of coleslaw was disgusting...gluey and tasteless. The kitchen seemed to forget to put the Russian dressing on my sandwich or ran out. The table right in front of me also ordered the reuben and they had the sauce dripping out of the sandwich. The bowl of fries were old and the little pieces and crispy reject ends. We asked for a refill and it looked like they fried up about 20 new pieces of regular sized fries in new oil and dumped them into the bowl. It was tasteless, unseasoned and I felt like I got shortchanged with the first basket of fries, as well as the second. We ordered one beer each and the total for the most unsatisfying meal was $20.00 each. In Lake Zurich? Total scam. The Hackney's franchise should really re-vamp how they do the food business if they want to stay competitive. You can only rest on your historic laurels for so long when you serve over-priced crappy food. I don't think I'll give them another chance. I do not recommend this place.
(1)Brenda M.
Very accommodating. This is where "have it your way" probably REALLY originated. Burgers actually taste like a hamburger instead of something brownish-gray between bread. Don't miss this place.
(4)Kimberly B.
This has to be my favorite dinner place... (plus one of the only places left that the smokers in your party won't bitch about) My daughter can eat her fill of onion loaf, pumpernickel bread with butter and their mac n cheese while the grown ups feast on awesome burgers.. that actually TASTE LIKE MEAT... no fillers or anything.. just yummy charred meat on great bread, nothing fancy.. Great beer, draft and bottles... always try the special.. this month is Anchor Summer... real good, I suggest an orange wedge (ala Blue Moon) but only 3.25! The other huge plus is that its 1 block from the Lake... I know its not Lake Michigan.. but this is the lake I call home...
(4)David P.
Came here for lunch and had a great experience. The service was fast and the food was great. We had an onion loaf within 5 minutes of ordering it, and our burgers were out 10 minutes after that. The food itself was great as well, cooked as ordered and very tasty. There's really no reason not to try the food here.
(4)Steve S.
This is the place to go if you are looking for the best burger in Chicagoland. The Bleu cheese Hackneyburger is the best. Don't forget to order the onion loaf ...it's a brick of deep fried onions that are out of this world. The potato skins are also the best I've ever had. This is one of the few places where you can order a Chicago classic....a Green River soda! This location has an old world cabin feel, and is really cozy during the winter when the fireplace is on. There are 6 locations in Chicagoland, with Glenview being the original location on Harms road.
(5)Andy A.
The guys at my work were looking for a new place to eat for lunch. Came across the website for Hackney's. Looked appealing so we gave it a try. This turned out to be a huge mistake! Horrible horrible horrible! The minute we walked in, I noticed the place was dark, dirty and smelled bad. Were seated without anyone to greet us for over 10 minutes. One of the guys in our group had to go find the waitress. Food is over priced and comes in small portions. Taste is bland. 6 new customers at Hackney's never to return again. If you are over the age of 70, have a small appetite, have a numb pallete, and a thick wallet - you will love Hackney's. Not sure how this place is still in business... i suppose the senior citizens keep coming back. Come to think of it, the food tastes exactly like my great-grandmother's nursing home dinning hall.
(1)