Another time-warp-walk-down memory-lane joint. The only only things I'd get here is the comp salad with their to die for dressings (garlic, thousand, and Russian) and the prime rib. The Greek chicken took too long and was way too lemony and the slab of ribs was on par with Chili's. Service was friendly and good to see them still in biz to take my kids here.
(3)
Vicky G.
The perfect supper club! Though it's a little outdated, this adds to Tom's charm. You know you're going to get what you pay for. Don't pass up the cheese mixture for the potatoes! It's to die for!
(5)
Gerry P.
We hadn't been there in a long time. Toms was as good as I remember it. Everything was delicious. The steaks were the best. Hot and juicy. we won't wait so long to go there again. No wonder it was crowded. The service was great
(5)
Marueen L.
A+ a Great ambiance the menus is that of a "Steak House" not complicated, variety of cuts of meat! The beef is aged wonderfully so you taste pure beef. Juicy and cooked to perfection( I love medium rare steaks, so it's a big deal to me). Waitress was personable and attentive. I will frequent. Nice gem in the area
(4)
Allen M.
We are regulars. That does not mean we eat here often - we try to eat healthier food which means not too much red meat. But when the urge hits us we go to Tom's. One visit was memorable just because of the date - our wedding day. We had a wedding in the morning and a reception in the early afternoon. After that we escaped to a local hotel. We got hungry and went out to Tom's. Is that memorable? You bet. That was over 27 years ago and I'm happy to say it's as good as ever. Yes both Tom's and the marriage. Reliable good service, good food, reasonable prices and easy parking. What more do you want? Went most recently two weeks ago and it is the same.
(4)
Jason B.
You are not going to find a better steak than at Toms. No gimmicks, no fancy decor, just amazing food at a fraction of the cost of other steakhouses. Definitely worth stopping by for dinner!
(5)
Paul H.
Valentines Day dinner. The place was crazy busy. Great job Kim, our waitress and the steaks were perfect. Last time we were here was 1979 for our rehearsal dinner. Great iconic establishment. Keep doing what ur doing!
(5)
Tina M.
Been to this place once for a birthday party. It definitely has an old school feel down to the very out dated furniture. I chose a 16 oz steak. I thought that it would be delicious, considering its cooked and brought out is a pot - so it much be tender and moist. NO! The steak tasted completely gross, hard, and overcooked. I have considered that my experience could just be due to being in a very large party of 12 and maybe the order was too much to handle. Based on the group I was with no one seemed to thrilled with there meal. Needless to say, I won't be returning.
(1)
Bev J.
Steak was ok. Good salad & soup
(3)
Timothy H.
Amazing food as it has been for the past 35 years. This place hasn't changed a bit. I love the food, service, and the entire package. This place is straight out of the movie Goodfellas. You wanna know what it feels like to be in the mafia and be waited on hand and foot.....eat here. You won't regret it.
(4)
Randy B.
Had lunch there for the first time yesterday. I chose the Ribeye steak sandwich......Yeah... Not a sandwich at all, more of an steak on open face rye bread. The steak was tender and had good flavor, I think I would order the prime rib if I ever return.
(3)
Jenny C.
This place has the best prime rib and the stiffest vodka martinis. I've long been going to Lawry's and I have to say the prime rib at Tom's was better. Their steaks have a nice char to it. I don't remember the sides much, but I definitely remember how delicious the meat and drinks were. I was born and raised in Chicago in the '80s, so this place felt nostalgic to me!
(4)
Karma K.
I love me some Tom's steakhouse! To the reviewers that say this place needs an update, I say that is part of Tom's charm. They haven't been in business for like 60 years because they keep up with the current trends/fads! You will NOT find canary tongues on toast points here! You will find some of the best steaks, chops and seafood, yes seafood served by professional waiters at a fraction of what you would pay at a downtown Chicago swanky restaurant. Enjoy the salad served with dressing on a thingy you can spin around! You will love it. My fav entree here is the filet of sole. It's always fresh tasting. Take a pic of the iconic sign out front and be happy hipsters haven't found about this place...yet.
(5)
Ellelean C.
The place can use an update. The wait staff is polite but lacks the polish of steak house servers and reminded me of Orange is the new black. All of the food lacked flavor. Their salad dressing flight was basically flavored mayo. Steaks were decent quality but lacked flavor. A little salt and pepper would have went a long way. The rolls were cold and hard. I don't plan to eat here again. It seems like the owner is old school and needs to update menu, food, and building.
(2)
Gerry P.
We hadn't been there in a long time. Toms was as good as I remember it. Everything was delicious. The steaks were the best. Hot and juicy. we won't wait so long to go there again. No wonder it was crowded. The service was great
(5)
Trina J.
My guy always talks about the steaks at this old school establishment.. So, we decided to stop in after picking up the truck from the detail shop/auto spa next door. After hearing so much about it, I wanted to see if this place still had the juice. We were in total grunge gear (spent the day skiing) and thought it was best to dine in the bar area with Andy, the world's best bartender. I ordered the bone in Ribeye, medium rare with a baked potato. The potato is served with cheese and chives. Needless to say, I am expecting a basic potato. It was very special. The cheese and chives were whipped up in a serving tray and brought to you to scoop at your leisure. It was unlike any flavor I have ever had. As for the Ribeye, it was very tender and prepared to perfection. There is definitely something unique about this place and the grill used to prepare the meat. .....The dinner salad on the other hand, was not worth chewing. It looked like the pre cut lettuce and carrots you can buy for $1.50 per bag at the Supermarket. Except it was older. You can add tomatoes for $1.50. I know the price of tomatoes have gone up but dang! How many tomatoes do I get for an additional $1.50? .....Outside of the old, jinky lettuce, I liked all three of the dressing options (French, Garlic and one other). They recommend mixing the dressings together. Recap: Ribeye - 3.5 stars Baked Potato - 2.5 stars Salad - 2 stars Salad Dressing - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Presentation and Ambience - 3 stars Andy - 5 stars * he makes a mean Midori Sour Two steak dinners were about $60 before gratuity.
(3)
Peter G.
this is a old place with great food and the pricing is very fair. If your looking for some great food it's a must try. The one problem I had was the waitress she was very stressed I think she was about 70 yrs old. try to find a younger one.
(5)
Mike J.
Great steaks, comfortable if a bit dated, unparalleled service and quality. Been going here for 30 years and keep going back. Great for a quiet dinner or family celebration. Don't miss it.
(4)
Michael M.
The place to go if you love stale bread, outdated decor, waitresses that resemble the inmates in "Orange is the new black". Went here last Saturday for a family members 80th birthday dinner. What an experience! First the wait staff was so unfriendly I thought there must a have been a round of layoffs that day. These people seemed more like "forced labor" than paid workers. The bread was so hard I worried I would break the plate underneath it after a successful chop of the log that resembled a dinner roll. Mmmm. Wet steak. I ordered the Bone In Rib Eye, it looked strange swimming in 1/2" of liquid (are these steaks frozen). I should have brought a fishing pole with! It was definitely under seasoned, needed a great deal of salt to improve the taste. Maybe all of the flavor was in the water it was swimming in. Felt completely ripped off for a $34 steak. Had much better steaks at the Longhorn, for a better price too. Waitress then proceeded to spill a tray of drinks on my wife! No I'm not making this up. While the waitress was apologetic, there was no compensation given other than a glass of free wine. Others in my party were also complaining about there food not cooked as ordered. Medium steaks arriving rare. Fish was especially "fishy", and flavorless. It was as if the owner just put a big heaping plate of F^(K Y@U in front of us all. Seriously, I felt insulted on our way out. All in all, a huge disappointment.
(1)
Lawrence D.
Sorry, it's really over rated. I'm a "child of the sixties" and I remember & love the traditional 'Chicago Steak Houses'. Tom's seems to fall short on the steak part. Appetizers, oysters, potato skins, etc. - great! All 3 salad dressings also great (...an extra $1.50 for sliced tomato on your salad??). The Steaks came out on their signature heated metal serving tray. All steaks were cooked perfectly to order, grill marks & all. Now all the steaks were placed on some of their jus' (natural sauce/gravy) and an additional mini ladle was poured on top. The problem? This combo of seasoned pan drippings (with a hint of their aged steak dripping flavor) made ALL the steaks taste alike. My fillet, my wife's strip, my friend's t-bone, etc. all became similar in flavor. Our server didn't ask if we wanted the jus', or wanted it on the side, she just ladled it on. Dinners seemed about $5 too high ($31.95 for bone in rib eye) and were lacking in menu weight/size info. Our server did know & share the weights with us when we asked the difference between King & Queen cuts. Our tab for four was $200 but, in my opinion, I didn't have a $50 meal.
(2)
Tim Y.
Tom's is not a trendy steakhouse. Let's just get this out of the way right now. You won't find a bar area with a live pianist tickling the ivories into the night as you enjoy $15-and-up cocktails with catchy names and more ingredients than a birthday cake. It is, however, the best place for steaks and a hidden gem in the suburbs. I hope that by profiling it a bit here I don't ruin its charm. Cost is average for a steakhouse - more than you'd spend at the Sizzler, typically less than you'd shell out at Gibson's or Sullivan's. When you walk through the side doors, you'll be greeted by late-70s decor, a faint smoke smell, and an uncommon sight these days - a pull-handle cigarette machine. True, it's not a glamorous introduction, but I like to think (pray) that people are going to restaurants for the food, not the decor (though I have to question it, lately) The clientele is not typical of trendy steakhouses downtown Chicago, either. 20-30 years old? Some of your fellow diners will have eaten steaks at Tom's while you were a toddler eating Gerber's finest. Enough of that. On to the food! Nothing bad on the menu here at all. I prefer the king or queen filet, and a charred potato skin. Both plated tableside with unlimited salad and several homemade dressings that are to die for. I've never had anything on the menu that hasn't been outstanding. Sometimes the bread basket is a bit dry, and I typically avoid it so as to not spoil the meal. Ask to be seated in Bessie's section. She has been there for years, and will take care of you like family and offer up some entertaining conversation. I mentioned earlier the smoke smell -- you won't smell it at your table, so no worries. Pro Tip: You'll note that the sweetener trays are all numbered... that's for good reason, too. Every night a number is drawn at random and announced... the winner gets a gift certificate...and as they say at Tom's, "the baaah is INCLUDED"
(5)
Natalie R.
I will second Tim right off the bat and say that if you are looking for a side of swank with your steak, this is not the place for you. Yes, it's dated, and that's because it's been around for longer than you have. But, if you want a place where you can get an exceptional dinner, have a drink, and get great service by someone who really enjoys giving it, this is the place to go. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. I had a chicken sandwich, Steve had the prime rib. Both were delicious. Appetizer, wine and dessert were also very good. The price for what you get is fantastic. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Emily L.
I've used Yelp many times, and I've never bothered to write a review until now. But Tom's deserves a good one. I went with a group of six. My steak was melt-in-mouth good. The burger was apparently terrific. Both came with delicious double-baked potatoes. For dessert, the coconut sorbet (to die for) was served in a coconut shell. The waitress felt we should try the tiramisu, too, (in addition to the cheesecake and canoli we also ordered) so she brought it out even though we hadn't ordered it. The prices, considering how good the food was, were extremely reasonable. The kicker: the yelp info for this says it opens at 11am on Sundays. That's not true. It opens at noon. We showed up at 11:20am, learned it was closed, and stood in the parking lot trying to figure out where else to go - there are few places in this neighborhood open for Sunday brunch. The owner saw us, opened the doors, and served us early and graciously. The service was great. I'm a huge fan and plan on going again soon.
(5)
Steven M.
I have been coming here since 1991. And they haven't changed a thing. Not even Rita. You have to eat in the bar area to get a Rita. She has been here for 26 years. You couldn't ask for a better server. O.K. on to the food. We both had a jack sour, or 6. Aces to the bartender. They were right on the money. The garlic dressing is from HELL! OMG! I had her leave it so I could dip everything into it. Bread, crackers, steak, forks, my tie. I had the prime rib end cut. It looked a little weird when it was brought out. They must have a scale in the back, because it was cut a few times? It was just warm. This thing didn't get a tan from being under the heat lamp. But it was still a great tasting hunk of meat. My friend had the same, just in the middle. He also loved it. The place was empty at 6 on saturday night though. The neighborhood has changed and I don't think it can support an old school eatery like this for much longer. Hop on now to get a flash from the past of how you should be treated when you go out to eat.
(4)
peter l.
The food was great (ribs and prime rib), the waitstaff nice, and there wasn't 20 TVs glaring into my eyes while I relaxed and enjoyed my meal. I don't drink so can't comment about the bar but the coffee was very good. This place is old school which I kind of liked. Will definately go again. A nice relaxing delicious experience.
(5)
D W.
02/28/2009 The taste of the food was great !! But the portions for the money you paid was not worth it. I ordered the large portion prime rib and a friend did also, when it was served I had to actually ask the waitress if "she was serious", this can't be Tom's Cut. She checked with the owner and said it was. I frequent many steak houses and out of all of them this is the steak house with SMALLEST king cut prime rib ever served. There are many other places to go with true "KING CUT" and actually better taste. Defintely not worth the money paid
(1)
Jane H.
Loved it. Old school 1950s decor, mauve, very comfortable chairs. Charming. Salads are simply lettuce (tomato is extra), but the 3 homemade salad dressings are perfect to make an Americana salad. I liked the Russian dressing the best. My party had a king filet mignon and the halibut special. The filet was the best steak I've ever had. Perfectly charbroiled over charcoal, the server brings the steak out on the metal pan with the glowing charcoals underneath. I got the steak medium and it was pink in the middle, incredibly tender and juicy. The server spooned the juices from the pan over the steak and the juices were so good, they don't even need to offer you steak sauce. Super yummy homemade sour cream and chives for the baked potato. The halibut was tender too, although the steak was understandably the standout, but the halibut was good to balance the steak. A little pricey, but average price for this kind of steakhouse. Highly recommended!
(5)
Rob W.
Old school steakhouse. While seated at the bar, another patron referred to the place as "fine dining" and that's exactly the description that fits. Problem is that no one relates to that term anymore because there just aren't any of the traditional "fine dining" places left. I was a little ticked when I went to order the prime rib special (at 7PM) and they were out of it. Really - at 7PM? And the place wasn't tremendously busy. So the waitress asked me to make another choice right after telling me the item I had just ordered was out. I told her I was going to have to take another look at the menu - I don't really think of the top 2-3 entrees that I'd want in case the one I really want is out. I kinda snapped at the bartender when he offered a suggestion. Probably shouldn't have done that - wasn't his fault that they had run out. But that was the only hiccup that night. I ordered a Riesling - their house Riesling, a BV brand. It was fair - I'm a big Hirschbeck fan when it comes to that kind of wine. Decided on a NY strip steak. Proved to be right on - medium rare as ordered. There was a little bit more tendon/gristle than I would have liked to see, but there was a fair and minimal amount of fat, so it balanced a bit. Too much au jus on the plate - next time I might ask for it "dry". Still serving the baked potato with their funky sour cream / cottage cheese type stuff, but I'm OK with that. Also have kept the three dressing option in which they encourage blending - those are alright too, but I'd really rather have a sweet Thousand Island dressing with my salad. Large amount of salad though - good value on that - and tomatoes on it are $2 extra. I like that because there's no chance of getting any unwanted tomatoes on my salad which happens at so many places I go to. Overall a good experience - it had been about 10-12 years since my last visit and the place hasn't really changed a bit. Wish there were more "fine dining" places like Tom's left - they're classic places with good food. I'll be back sooner this time.
(4)
Colleen D.
I really love this place. It's totally old school steak house. This is our 3rd visit - first we sat in bar area - second in dining room - this time bar area - I highly recommend bar area. Dining area way too bright. But LOVE the service in the bar area. We had the same server last time - wish I got her name. She is awesome! Knowledgable, funny, sweet - the best! Just a great place - great cocktail menu - excellent salad with lazy susan dressing bar - steak was amazing! Brought out on a sizzling platter and this time we also got the mushrooms and onion...OMG - see pic! We had dessert for my mans bday - delicious chocolate cake. Prices very fair. Solid place!
(5)
Mike L.
We arrived in Chicago in March from Phoenix, and spotted Tom's Steakhouse while driving on North Ave. My wife and I decided to try it one night back in March, and have frequented Tom's regularly ever since. We also have brought business associates to Tom's for dinner several times. My wife has purchased gift certificates that she has given out to employees on her sales team. Everyone is very impressed with the consistency of atmosphere, quality, and Tom's unparalleled service! We have been impressed with each employee having contact with us, and we're suprised to learn that the good folks working there have been there from 20-40 years!!! Now that's really impressive, and is proven by the outstanding service provided! We highly recommend Tom's Steak House to everyone! Thank you... Mike and Jan Larsen Phoenix, AZ/Chicago, IL
(5)
Aimee M.
If anyplace looks like they'd serve up an excellent Cosmo and a Kiddie Cocktail, this would be the place. Tom's oozes old school--charm and decor. Sure it's dated, Don Draper-esque types probably dined here once upon a time and probably still do now bringing their family instead of clients. My husband loves these types of places and that's how we ended up here on his birthday. I made reservations for a Friday night--and we really didn't have to as the dining room was less than half full. The lounge though--with the full bar-- was almost full. I guess that's where the action is. The menu is pretty basic. Some interesting appetizers like oysters rockefeller, shrimp de jonghe, chopped chicken livers. The main courses run from different cuts of steak, lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and fish. Each main comes with a choice of soup or salad. The salad is served with a trio of dressings you are encouraged to mix up on your salad plate. House French, House Russian (super sweet) and House Sweet and Sour (surprisingly very garlicky). Just a note-there is no childrens menu here. So you might have to think twice if your little one only wants chicken fingers when you dine out. My husband opted for the broiled lamb chops and I opted for the bone-in ribeye. Since we both were getting salads our server asked if we'd like a small bowl of soup for our kid--how sweet was that? It was Manhattan Clam Chowder--it was pretty tomato-ey but still very good. We both liked our entrees. They were cooked just as we liked them. But if I had to choose, I'd say the lamb chops was more flavorful than the steak. Our drinks were perfect. And my son proclaimed his Kiddie Cocktail "The best!". There isn't much of a wine list--just some reds and whites. But with a full bar--I think getting a martini or other classic cocktail is the way to go. Desserts were pretty basic. Cheesecake and chocolate cake for us. Service was excellent. Our server doted on all three of us, but especially on my son making sure he liked the steak too. Gotta love these old school places!
We used to live in Melrose Park but moved away about 18 years ago. My mom and I were in the area and decided to check this place out again. Such nostalgia! This place is still great! Love the carousel for the salad, the way the food comes out is so unique. We will definitely make it a point to come back again in the near future! Definitely recommended!
(4)
Eric S.
Old school place with old school items served by old school people. My mom treated me here as an early Valentine's gift (cue the 'awwww's'), and I got to experience what she referred to as an old timey "supper club". Tom's has existed for practically forever and was a destination back when this area was called simply 'Melrose'. Not Melrose Park, mind you, but 'Melrose'. So yep, there were mob ties-a-plenty back in the day, but do they still exist in 2015? Don't know, don't really care.....I also don't want to start asking questions and wind up wearing a pair of concrete shoes while enjoying the underwater scenery at the bottom of the Des Plaines river. Great, classic food all around. I was pleased with their saganaki (they used kefalogravaria cheese) that they flambeed tableside. Fortunately our server did it properly, but another waitress seemed almost scared to ignite the cheese and wound up waiting too long, which ruined the spectacle for their table. She must've been new, because our waitress had no such trepidations. The baked clams--although delicious--were priced too high for me to order again. They also featured oysters Rockefeller and shrimp de johnge. Tasty tomato basil soup; mi madre opted for the salad, which came with three homemade dressings. Their signature Russian cream is essentially just an amalgamation of french/western and ranch dressings, nothing too impressive. What IS impressive, however, are their cuts of beef. My prime rib was an inch thick (not an exaggeration) and cooked perfectly medium-rare. It was a gigantic slice of cow served with a baked potato and their signature sour cream/chive mix. Our waitress was as aged as the steaks we ate; she was attentive and polite, although perhaps a teensy bit hard-of-hearing, as I had to repeat myself a few times here and there. Very johnny-on-the-spot with water refills. For dessert we got their brandy ice, which is exactly what it sounds like. Think traditional ice cream with more ice chunks and (literally just) brandy poured on top. It was pretty boozy, to be honest, but eating what amounted to flavored ice cube chips didn't do much for me. For a place that I drive by twice daily, I very much enjoyed the overall dining experience. Dessert didn't wow me, but the prime rib was sublime and carried the rest of the meal towards a solid 4*. Would recommend.
(4)
Robert J.
This was my 1st visit to Tom's. Very nice place. Great atmosphere, great service, and a great meal. My server Diane was excellent. I had a Caesar salad to start. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. The dressing was tasty and you could really taste the fresh anchovies in it. I had the pork chops and applesauce entree. The pork chops were cooked perfectly. The baked potato was also good with a really tasty house chive cream sauce. I'll definitely be going back to get the bone in ribeye.
(5)
Jaime S.
You don't come here because it's fancy or daring; you come because it's traditional, old school, and kitschy to the point that hipsters will probably start a chain of Coffee shops in the same decor sometime in the next decade. I came here on Christmas Eve with a party of 10. The service was a tad slow when we first sat down, but quickly picked up. The waitstaff worked efficiently and quickly on what is always one of the busiest nights of the year, and were incredibly pleasant. I was the only person who did not order a steak but instead had a simple but tasty boiled orange roughy. The portion sizes are ample so be careful that you don't need to be rolled out of the restaurant
(4)
Kimberly S.
Okay, so if you are a "foodie" who judges a restaurant greatly on what it looks like.....this place let's you know what it is from the sign outside. Outdated? Check. Pink decor with triangular mirrors on the walls? Double check. Waitresses who have been around forever and have the same uniforms as the did in the 80s? Triple check. It is not minimalistic. It does not have foam on the steaks. There are not stark b&w photos on the walls. It does have really good meat. I stick to the cowboy ribeye or prime rib. The salad is served with three homemade thick dressings that come in a salad dressing caddy. If you roll your eyes at the idea of being served an iceberg salad with handmade dressings? Get over yourself. These dressings are dream worthy. And you can buy some to take home with you! The baked potato and grilled mushrooms are nice additions to finish the meal. The martinis are cold and refreshing. Good old school place that likely will never be hip....and that's part of it's charm.
(4)
Karen R.
Old school steak house. Great steaks always perfectly cooked. The liver pate is creamy and delicious. The prices are reasonable compared to big name steak houses and the quality is the same or better.Cocktails are superb as they are made by experienced bartenders. Old school lounge. Classy and classic.
(4)
Matt M.
I've driven by the this place for years and heard some good reviews so I let everyone know that I wanted to try it for my Birthday. I ate there last year for my Birthday and for Christmas my wife got me a Tom's Steak House gift certificate. I had the New York strip and the Au Jus was fantastic. One of my friends in the party who is a steak house coinsure agreed it was an outstanding steak. My wife got the crab legs and those were great too. The service was great and they gave me a free slice of cake for my B day. My wife and I are foodies so we hit up restaurants in the Oak Park area on a weekly basis. She is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian who eats sea food a couple times a year, so its obviously not on our go to list, but I can't wait to use my gift certificate. I want to try the Filet Mignon this time.
(5)
Alexander P.
This place is a class act. The steak and seafood are delicious but that isn't even the best part. Go to the bar and talk to the Greek bartender with black hair and ask him to tell you a joke. If you're squeamish maybe don't ask but if you like foul humor, he's the guy for you. P.S. The cheese cake, vanilla ice cream and spiked coffee are a must.
(5)
Eloise M.
A high-class place that has a very pricey steak. Their dining has this very nice decors, the lights were perfect. And the ambiance will totally blew you aways. I personally like their dining area. The food was fascinating. I had the Lamb Chops with Mint Jelly for the first time. It was quite the price, didn't expect it to be that pricey. I also ordered their Fresh Filet of Tilapia, the filet was magnificent. Loved how it becomes the best tasting tilapia.
(3)
Rita C.
Recently went to Tom's after many years. The salad is still the best by far. Their homemade dressings are to die for . We were a party of 10 everyone loved the steaks and chops. The bartender even made me a pink squirrel. Service was excellent. Not your up to date decor for steakhouse but we loved it. We will be back soon .
(5)
Alicia P.
I've been coming here since I was a baby, and my parents went on one of their first dates here. You'll definitely get a great steak! The filet is best in Chicago, in my opinion!
(5)
J S.
I was pretty surprised! Another couple invited us to dinner here and I admit I was very Aprehensive to give it a try! I drive past this place every day, twice a day and not once ever thought hm let me go here for dinner. Until our friends invited us. Of course I checked out there website and some yelp reviews before hand and I figured if this place has been in business for so long they must be doing something right! The ambiance was pretty old school but not in a bad way. Our server was very attentive even on a somewhat busy night. (Sweetest day) She took her time to tell us about the menu and even chatted with us about some our favorite tv shows! She noticed we were taking photos and even offered to take a group shot of us. Honestly I can't tell you the last time a server had been so friendly and attentive! Ok now for the food! Your at a steak house so what do you get?? Steak! For $30 or so you can get a good piece of meat served in their au ju, a baked potato and a side salad! Not bad! We also ordered the stuffed clams and they were delicious! If you want a nice steak dinner and don't feel like spending a lot, or going to a chain.. Then you should def try this place out!
(4)
Mark Z.
Hit the time machine and step back in time for an old school steak house. Been here a few times over the years for drinks and dinner. Nothimg that great to talk about. The Rush on Roosevelt
(2)
Moni K.
Ton's Steak house is a very large restaurant. It has that Goodfellas vibe which is very charming. The waitresses I hear have been working there for 20+ years. It is a lovely place but the food did not do it for me. My steak came out cold and chewy I could not eat it. Very disappointing. The creaming mash potatoes very very good and the horseradish sauce was good too. But the steak...I looked forward to the steak and oh ....I had not have steak in 5 years...I just wanted a good steak. Anyways the company was lovely and I enjoyed myself....but please Tom's Steak House improve on your steak.
(2)
Gus I.
great place a real steak house where the owner is there taking care of his customers and not a "manager" who gets payed to care.... hand cut steaks perfect... good crowd on a wed night no wait fast good service and a good ol stiff drink....
(5)
Alex A.
been here many times, great food and service. Had the salmon and was fantastic.
(5)
Ryan H.
Very friendly service but the food was just okay, ordered my steak medium-rare but it was much closer to well done than anything. Doubt I will return
(3)
Mike L.
Ate at the bar and had a Salad and Chicken last night - once again a 10! However, I wish the busboy didn't put his bare hands in the Ice bin to refill someone's coke - also, I wish the waitress who grabbed 2 olives with her her bare paws didn't place the olives on her service tray while waiting for the bartender to make her martini......what are these people thinking? And we wonder why there are outbreaks of Ecoli.....
(5)
Peter S.
Back again celebrating two birthdays with a party of 10 including a toddler and a baby. All the drinks, including vodka martinis, were excellent. We had shrimp, chicken livers and saganakii as appetizers which were all great.Salads are good although they could maybe use something besides lettuce and cabbage, but the dressings are very, very good. Our entrees included their beef tournedos special,chopped steak, T-bone steak, bone-in ribeye, butt steak, salmon and queen filet. All were outstanding. Our desserts included tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, and a sundae. All were excellent. This place is a real throwback to the 60's. From the decor to the staff. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Most restaurants have 30 year old servers. Theirs have 30 years on the job. Two small issues: the bread basket has great crackers, but the bread was cold like right out of the refrigerator. And it took the waitress a while to figure out our bill because they use order pads. Maybe get a POS system? But we will keep on coming back.
(4)
Peter K F.
Great value. When you've had enough of Outback (nothing wrong with Outback, by the way), try a real, old-fashioned steak house. I'm from out east (Long Island) and Tom's reminds me of McCluskey's on Sunrise Highway (and that's high praise). Local flavor, Chicago ambience, a bar full of character ( and characters). Excellent steaks, always, at a reasonable price. Fabulous salads with a dressing carousel of French, Russian, and Creamy Garlic. Fat baking potatoes or mashed available. Nice wine list. Service has always been cordial, prompt. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ed B.
I cannot say enough good about Tom's. Great food. Good drinks. Awesome service. They make you feel welcome the minute you walk in the door....almost like you are part of the family. Steaks...wow. Greek Chicken is mouthwatering. Lamb chops are out of this world.
(5)
Catherine P.
I have been here twice. Both times for dinner and both times kinda last minute. The service is so cute. Like an old, sweet dog. They have table side service. Almost everything is served to you via a rolling cart. Servers wear very classic, banquet type uniforms and they all have obviously been working here for-ev-er!! The atmosphere is totally old world Italian dated mid-60's I would guess. I can almost picture the crowds of people chain smoking, drinking and eating humongous steaks throughout this place with a line out the door. All before I was even a twinkle in my daddy's eye. I am pretty pathetic...I ordered their french dip on my first trip in and because it was quite possibly the most amazingly, fantastically, delicious sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of consuming, I ordered it on my second trip too. The only problem, that really isn't a problem, is that sandwiches do not come with the salad, so I have to add one for like $4. Couldn't care less what a salad costs, the lettuce isn't anything remotely special. It's their HOME MADE DRESSINGS they make in house. Oh, the dressing...I think we may have to go tonight....The creamy garlic is so garlicy and delectable and stupendous. I am impressed that they do not have a store front where they can sell this stuff. I would buy it and I'm sure I'm not the only one. They also make two other dressings. I have tasted each and they are good, but they are not the creamy garlic by any means. I believe that one is a French and I'm not sure about the other one. Getting refills on drinks is kinda a trick. But what do I want? Giant plastic tumblers that cheapen the place up, or glasses that make me feel like a grown up? I'll take the small bar glasses and make sure to order a glass of water too. The au jus is something that I feel like I could drink out of one of those giant tumblers....it's so good. The baked potatoes are probably the most popular potato option I see being served but like I said, table side service...they do not cut into it until at your table to ensure it's steaming hot when you put that butter on it. Yummmmmm. I'm pretty sure I was under dressed on our last trip, but no one asked me to leave, so I'm not too concerned. I feel like I can wear jeans, but should leave the tennis shoes at home. After dinner, the next time we go, I wanna sit in the bar and have a cocktail. It looks like a good time in there!
(5)
Chris M.
Tom's was an enjoyable dinner - though I don't think I'd ever return if I was the one footing the bill. The queen filet wasn't bad, definitely like the fact that it's served swimming its own delicous juice - with that said it was a bit over cooked and charred on the outside lending a bit of a burnt taste. Everything at Tom's seems to be served in abundance... even the salad dressing (a cup of dressing per salad is a bit excessive, but I suppose that's what places like this are for). That said, everything was pretty tasty. Beer selection is limited, though the wine list seems to fair better.
(3)
Jennifer S.
Review #200. Let's do the time warp agaaaaain!!! I want to go back to Tom's right now. But, it's snowing. And it would take me over an hour to get there. And I have no one to go with tonight. I visited Tom's for the second time a couple months ago. I didn't write a review when I first went because I thought that maybe I needed a second trip to really get a true feel for the place. I was right all along and should have written my review last year. From the time you pull into the parking lot until you head westbound on North Avenue to go back home, you know you came to the right place. I wish I could tell you how to dress here. I've gone in jeans and gym shoes both times. (when I called, they said it was casual) But, I kinda felt underdressed. But then, I didn't care. And other people's attire made me feel better. This place is about the food. Not the mirrored walls or the little old lady waitresses. I go for the food, but the ambiance keeps me chuckling throughout so it's a good thing. My only wish is for butter that is not rock hard. It's practically frozen which does not bode well for spreading on their delicious bread. Don't skip the bialy. It's yummy! It's even better dipped in the homemade garlic salad dressing that will arrive shortly. My sister and I knocked back way too much of that amazing dressing! It turns your simple salad into a sinful delight. Come on, do it! And don't forget to try the chicken filled cheesy potato skins (not well done). These are right up there with the homemade garlic dressing. Both times, my sister opted for a French Dip. It's thinly sliced prime rib that comes with the most amazing au jus and a baked potato! I will admit to trying a bite or many on both visits. I ordered the pork chops on my first visit. I am not usually a fan of any pork products other than bacon, but a neighboring table had these chops and I had to try them. They were juicy and delicious! Well seasoned porky goodness! This last time, my sister mentioned the chopped steak. I love onions and beef, so I ordered it first and it was another great choice! Covered in au jus, I ate more than my fair share. Both times we skipped dessert...maybe we should just take it to go next time. I'll be back and sooner rather than later. Maybe I should call my sister now...the snow has let up and we can make it there in forty five minutes. :-)
(5)
Steve G.
First of all, let's get something straight -- this is NOT the Tom's Steak House of the good old days: Full of Melrose Park connected guys and their girlfriends and hangers on. It was a fun joint, with valet parking for the Caddies and Lincolns, with people dressed to the nines, dripping with jewelry -- all enjoying their "new" money... No, today, this is an old restaurant, owned by Greek restaurateurs who know how to serve a great steak at a very good price. Sure there are hints of the good (bad) old days: The bar is frozen in a time warp, with it's thick padded armrests and 60's bar stools. The bartenders are as old as me (yikes!) and start talking to you (yikes!) as soon as you sit down. There's a jukebox (full of CDs, alas) but a healthy dose of Rat Pack singers are available. The TVs are not LCD or plasma, and they're only 19". Ask for a Zin in here and you'll get White Zinfandel (how quaint!). Ask for "Dewar's on the rocks with a water back" and you'll get what you ordered (yum!) and lots of it. Great crisp, cold salad, fluffy baked potato, generous "King cut" Filet Mignon, and don't forget the roasted onions -- $3 worth is enough for a table of 4. If you live in the area, stop by soon -- in this economy don't take this kind of place for granted!
(4)
Justin B.
Thank god for places like this. When you walk in you see men dressed in suites. You see a vintage sign out front. You drop your date off under a canopy. You see a parking lot full of Cadillac's. Then enter into a charming dining room that looks like it has not changed since the 80's. When you open the menu you see steaks, chops, seafood and chicken. That's it, nothing fancy. This is a steakhouse. Don't come here expecting infused items, fruit in salads, or anything experimental. The food is brought out on carts by very friendly servers. The steak I had was excellent. The chicken my wife had was great as well. You pay for the food and not the frills. Go to downtown Rosemont for that. If your looking for a great steak, this is the place.
I can apprecciate the whole time machine magic and all, but the management needs to be brought up to the times as far as the liquor laws go. Had to buy a bottle of wine because of the shit poor choice of selection by the glass. Didn't finish the whole thing and was told I couldn't carry it out. This law was passed several years ago stating the contrary. As long as it's in a transparent bag it is ok. Was told it had to be finished at the bar. Went home, looked up the law, called the establishment, had it staring me in the face when I did and was told a carry out license was required. Not true! Argued with someone over the phone who doesn't even know there is such a thing as an internet to prove him wrong(old stubborn Greek) to no avail. How can you operate a restaurant and be so worried about the police arresting you that you don't even know the latest laws? I've been here several times and enjoyed the whole 60's vibe which makes you overlook the dirty menus, ice cold bread and mediocre meal, but this latest mishap will never have me walking through those doors again and I'll be sure to spread the word. I did appreciate the seasoned bartender who wasn't afraid to pour a good drink and please the patrons. Too bad he has to work for such shitheads. Maybe someone in that family of clowns can look up the laws that should be known by anybody operating a restaurant. Totally disgusted and out a lot of cash!
(1)
Tessa G.
I've had better food, service, and ambiance at Denny's. I have also seen better dressed patrons at Denny's as well. I called ahead to see what the dress code was and was told "dress casual". I didn't know that dress casual meant flip flops and stained cargo shorts but the guy at the table next to me sure did. This place was quite the popular place back in the day and you can tell that not a penny has been sunk into maintaining or updating the decor since it was popular. Stained carpets and ceiling tiles were an eye sore to say the least but at least they matched the man's cargo shorts at the table next to me. I had to send back my $28 fillets because the artichoke hearts and bearnaise sauce that topped them were both rancid. My dish was inedible. When I brought this to their attention they copped an attitude and finally corrected the situation by giving me a cold prime rib, an ice berg lettuce salad, and stale bread. Worst $100 I've ever spent in my entire life. I feel absolutely cheated and am hoping that I do not get sick from the rancid sauce and vegetables. It is no wonder this place was almost empty on a Saturday night. Stay away! This place should've died a long long time ago.
(1)
Jesse W.
My bosses love this place. Perhaps because it's one of the only "nicer" sit-down places to go for lunch in Melrose Park. I, however, find the food flavorless or overcooked whenever I go. All of the food tastes like it was made by old folks who are losing their palette. I've had salmon (overcooked) and the Philly Cheesesteak (good, but definitely missing grease and flavor). Their baked potatoes are pretty good, but have you ever met an elder that didn't know how to bake a potato right? Their sour cream has chives pre-mixed in, which I enjoyed. But if a potato is the highlight of my two meals here, you're probably better off going elsewhere. Inevitably, we'll have another business lunch here, so I'll be sure to update you on their steak.
(2)
Chris M.
Tom's was an enjoyable dinner - though I don't think I'd ever return if I was the one footing the bill. The queen filet wasn't bad, definitely like the fact that it's served swimming its own delicous juice - with that said it was a bit over cooked and charred on the outside lending a bit of a burnt taste. Everything at Tom's seems to be served in abundance... even the salad dressing (a cup of dressing per salad is a bit excessive, but I suppose that's what places like this are for). That said, everything was pretty tasty. Beer selection is limited, though the wine list seems to fair better.
(3)
Andy M.
What else can you say about a place that always has its neaon lights working. They actually take care of the place and this place reminds me of the former stevens steakhouse in Elmhurst, which didn';t take care of its building. The steak is great here no matter what cut it is. One of the few places worth going to in melrose Park
(4)
Chris D.
I had really high hopes for Tom's and I have to say I feel really let down. They must have had an off night. My wife and I went for dinner on Valentines day. We ordered the oysters raw to start and for dinner she had the shrimp dejoghn (i think this is the way they spelled it) and I had the king fillet. I think the biggest issue we had was that our waitress lacked knowledge of the menu. When asked what Tom's was known for she couldn't make a suggestion. She said all the steaks were good and that the shrimp was garlicky. I ordered my fillet medium rare and it came to me medium well. I would have sent it back but it took nearly 45 minutes to get our original order. It was tender but very dry. The cook also charred the steak too much and it had a burnt taste to it. My wife was disappointed because her shrimp were overcooked. She described her shrimp as having the same texture that overcooked calamari has. She also got four pieces of shrimp (they looked like 21-20's) for 16.95. I felt after our dinner had our waitress made a proper suggestion on what Tom's is known for (their prime rib) I would have order that. I pains me to have to drop their rating but if you are a steak restaurant and you cannot do it right others should know about it.
(2)
Sarah S.
This place is like stepping into a time machine... Wow.. table side service 5 stars. Decor.. 3 stars for nostalgia... Food was 4 solid.... Creamy garlic dressing was to die for. Next time I'm bringing my own container to steal some
(4)
Maris W.
The ambiance was an old folks home. If you want to pay $30 for a steak, come to my house. The meat was flavorless and over priced. But a good note was we liked our waitress.
(1)
mike l.
Seeing all the other Cadillacs and Lincolns in the parking lot was definitely a good sign - I figured if old people can eat here and still live it's good for me. Entering this place was a time warp, complete with the wood paneling and waitresses that look like they've been working there for the past sixty years. A family of tourists walking in with shorts and t-shirts definitely didn't fit the atmosphere, but they sat us down anyway. Tom's was good. I think we actually saw Tom, or maybe it was his son or grandson. The steaks were amazing and cooked to absolute perfection. I had a prime rib myself, and it was extremely flavorful and appetizing. If I was ever back in Chicago I'd stop here again, and shy away from all the greasy heart-burn inducing deep-dish stuff the natives call pizza.
(5)
Marilyn K.
I don't have much more to add to previous reviewers except to agree and say don't let looks fool you. Last Saturday night we let our GPS guide us to a steakhouse we knew nothing about (always a crapshoot) and this is where we wound up. Tom's is great and once you're sitting there a while, the decor seems just right. OK, maybe the drinks help with that, but the food is truly awesome. I had a special with filet medallions, artichoke and amazing bernaise & bordelaise sauces (yes, both! when we go out we want it to be worth our while) My better half had the prime rib and loved it. Even the baked potatoes tasted better, though nothing special appeared to be done. Maybe it's just because we always microwave 'em at home. The people there were also great, both employees and guests. Everyone was having a good time. All I know is we'll be back!
(5)
Eat V.
I am so afraid to say Tom's is my favorite Prime Rib EVAH because it is only 12 minutes away from my house and I am afraid I may eat there everyday which is not good for my a** or thighs for that matter! Right off the bat, I notice it is fancier(70's fancy) than I expected. I felt like I had traveled back to the good ole days, this place must have, actually was the "IT" spot for the who's who in Chicago. The bar was lively with sports on TV a jukebox and longtime regulars that made me feel right at home for my 1st time visit. Appetizer must have: Saganaki. I am not usually into saganaki, it is kinda you've had 1 you've had them all. Not true in this case. (Right to the thighs!). It is rich, creamy and just the right amount of salt. Beef Potato Skins. I do not prefer Blue Cheese, however this must be on the mild side and they put it under the broiler to make it well done and it was mouth watering. Salad: Enough as a meal on its own! I could not decide which dressing I wanted so I ate them all individually and than mixed than separate again. Prime Rib. I kind of pride myself on a Prime Rib connoisseur. I also make a damn good one too. But Tom's blew everyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy single Prime Rib I have had out of the water! I was shocked. But why? Tom's has been around for years , that has to mean something, and it does! Service: The host/manager was actually young & handsome and had a good time with the regulars. It was nice to see. Felt like a 2nd home to many of these people. It was fun being a fly on the wall, but not for long, because from every corner people ask you questions, engage you in conversation and make you feel like family. The waitress must have been there her whole life. She was perfectly attentive, knowledgeable and sweet. You must go to Tom's. I am trying not to go tonight! May have to sneak in for a quick bite during the week!
(5)
Michael Z.
Went here based on some of the reviews. I wasn't impressed. I got the saganaki which was ok. My wife had the potato skins which also had steak and bleu cheese. I thought the bleu cheese was dry and more stinky than usual. We both also got the salad they brought out three different dressings. The garlic dressing was really garlicky and I love garlic. My wife liked it. We both got the prime rib. She got the queen cut and I got the bigger one. Needless to say they both looked the same size. It was just OK and for the money I spent I'd go elsewhere.
(2)
Beatrice K.
Been going to Tom's for years. Still make the best steaks around. As good as Morton's at half the price. And for desert, Brandy Ice. OMG! We live in North Carolina now, but come to Chicago two or three times a year and always make it to Tom's. One of the few places hubby will order a steak.
(5)
Mary P.
What can I say, last 2 times I've been to Tom's Steakhouse the food has been perfect. The King Filet was cooked to perfection (medium/rare) and swimming in its own juices. You get a salad and 3 dressings are brought to your table to put on as much or little as you like. Same with the potato. Its nice to be able to spoon your own amount of sour cream on it. Since it was my birthday dinner, it was a treat for a 6" cake with a single candle to be brought to the table. The atmosphere is from the supper club days, low lighting and just pleasant. The steaks are well worth the trip.
(5)
Tracey M.
Part of the charm surrounding Tom's Steak House is the dated environment, the push cart that your meal comes out on and the pull handle cigarette machines you'll find by the restrooms - however that's not why you go to Tom's. Hands down, Tom's serves the BEST fillet I've ever had! Make sure you come hungry because there is no shortage of food at Tom's. BTW - Did I mention the service is also OUTSTANDING!? If not, it is. We always see if we can be seated at Bessy's table. If not, that's fine because the other servers are great as well. One last thing I feel the need to mention - the "sugar bowl." The sugar bowls on each table have a number written on them. On Saturday evenings (this is the only night that I know they do this) around 6/7PM they call a number and if it's your table's number than your meal is complete FREE (my favorite four letter word) - including the bar! All in all, I would travel from afar to eat at Tom's with no hesitation.
(5)
Barry G.
Short and sweet: time warp, uninspired, overcooked, expensive, friendly.
(2)
Leang E.
This place reminds me of Black Ram, but the steak here is phenomenal! It was like butter. Yum, the right amount of juicy, tenderness, and temperature. I appreciated the potato skins, but the salad was kind of ruined despite the homemade dressing when the vegetables are wilted. I don't really want to see lightly orange or brown rims on my lettuce. I like my salad to be crisp. I'd say skip saving stuff that needs to be tossed out, especially if you are going to serve it to people - just because you might eat it like that doesn't mean that people should have to pay for it. I'd like to come back and try a dessert, but the 8 oz. filet mignon was filing with all the rest of the food.
(4)
Brian C.
My wife and I were in town for a weekend and wanted to go out for steak but were fed up with downtown parking and craziness, so I looked for somewhere outside the city with some parking. I was really unsure based upon the reviews, some 1 star and some 5 star, all over the place. As others have pointed out, Tom's is not a trendy place with tapas and high prices for the sake of having high prices, you won't find a parking lot full of BMWs and Mercs, this is one of the places that the locals go to off the tourist path when they want great service and a good steak. Seriously, the level of service here made us feel like royalty (without being too in your face or pretentious), they treat you like you're a guest in their home. The food was fantastic. Our steaks came out drowning in the most yummy juice, we wanted to soak our potatoes and everything in it. Even when our baked potatoes came out, the waitress cut them for us, I've never seen that before, nice touch! Ok, the interior is outdated, the chairs are straight out of the sixties as are the wood paneled walls, but you know what? I came here for the food and service and they scored 5 stars on both counts! Thanks Tom's for giving us exactly what we were looking for at exactly the right time! If we travel back to Chicago, we'll be back!
(5)
Jenny C.
This place has the best prime rib and the stiffest vodka martinis. I've long been going to Lawry's and I have to say the prime rib at Tom's was better. Their steaks have a nice char to it. I don't remember the sides much, but I definitely remember how delicious the meat and drinks were. I was born and raised in Chicago in the '80s, so this place felt nostalgic to me!
(4)
Randy B.
Had lunch there for the first time yesterday. I chose the Ribeye steak sandwich......Yeah... Not a sandwich at all, more of an steak on open face rye bread. The steak was tender and had good flavor, I think I would order the prime rib if I ever return.
(3)
Ellelean C.
The place can use an update. The wait staff is polite but lacks the polish of steak house servers and reminded me of Orange is the new black. All of the food lacked flavor. Their salad dressing flight was basically flavored mayo. Steaks were decent quality but lacked flavor. A little salt and pepper would have went a long way. The rolls were cold and hard. I don't plan to eat here again. It seems like the owner is old school and needs to update menu, food, and building.
(2)
Marueen L.
A+ a Great ambiance the menus is that of a "Steak House" not complicated, variety of cuts of meat! The beef is aged wonderfully so you taste pure beef. Juicy and cooked to perfection( I love medium rare steaks, so it's a big deal to me). Waitress was personable and attentive. I will frequent. Nice gem in the area
(4)
Kimberly S.
Okay, so if you are a "foodie" who judges a restaurant greatly on what it looks like.....this place let's you know what it is from the sign outside. Outdated? Check. Pink decor with triangular mirrors on the walls? Double check. Waitresses who have been around forever and have the same uniforms as the did in the 80s? Triple check. It is not minimalistic. It does not have foam on the steaks. There are not stark b&w photos on the walls. It does have really good meat. I stick to the cowboy ribeye or prime rib. The salad is served with three homemade thick dressings that come in a salad dressing caddy. If you roll your eyes at the idea of being served an iceberg salad with handmade dressings? Get over yourself. These dressings are dream worthy. And you can buy some to take home with you! The baked potato and grilled mushrooms are nice additions to finish the meal. The martinis are cold and refreshing. Good old school place that likely will never be hip....and that's part of it's charm.
(4)
Karen R.
Old school steak house. Great steaks always perfectly cooked. The liver pate is creamy and delicious. The prices are reasonable compared to big name steak houses and the quality is the same or better.Cocktails are superb as they are made by experienced bartenders. Old school lounge. Classy and classic.
(4)
Matt M.
I've driven by the this place for years and heard some good reviews so I let everyone know that I wanted to try it for my Birthday. I ate there last year for my Birthday and for Christmas my wife got me a Tom's Steak House gift certificate. I had the New York strip and the Au Jus was fantastic. One of my friends in the party who is a steak house coinsure agreed it was an outstanding steak. My wife got the crab legs and those were great too. The service was great and they gave me a free slice of cake for my B day. My wife and I are foodies so we hit up restaurants in the Oak Park area on a weekly basis. She is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian who eats sea food a couple times a year, so its obviously not on our go to list, but I can't wait to use my gift certificate. I want to try the Filet Mignon this time.
(5)
Mike J.
Great steaks, comfortable if a bit dated, unparalleled service and quality. Been going here for 30 years and keep going back. Great for a quiet dinner or family celebration. Don't miss it.
(4)
Trina J.
My guy always talks about the steaks at this old school establishment.. So, we decided to stop in after picking up the truck from the detail shop/auto spa next door. After hearing so much about it, I wanted to see if this place still had the juice. We were in total grunge gear (spent the day skiing) and thought it was best to dine in the bar area with Andy, the world's best bartender. I ordered the bone in Ribeye, medium rare with a baked potato. The potato is served with cheese and chives. Needless to say, I am expecting a basic potato. It was very special. The cheese and chives were whipped up in a serving tray and brought to you to scoop at your leisure. It was unlike any flavor I have ever had. As for the Ribeye, it was very tender and prepared to perfection. There is definitely something unique about this place and the grill used to prepare the meat. .....The dinner salad on the other hand, was not worth chewing. It looked like the pre cut lettuce and carrots you can buy for $1.50 per bag at the Supermarket. Except it was older. You can add tomatoes for $1.50. I know the price of tomatoes have gone up but dang! How many tomatoes do I get for an additional $1.50? .....Outside of the old, jinky lettuce, I liked all three of the dressing options (French, Garlic and one other). They recommend mixing the dressings together. Recap: Ribeye - 3.5 stars Baked Potato - 2.5 stars Salad - 2 stars Salad Dressing - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Presentation and Ambience - 3 stars Andy - 5 stars * he makes a mean Midori Sour Two steak dinners were about $60 before gratuity.
(3)
Michael M.
The place to go if you love stale bread, outdated decor, waitresses that resemble the inmates in "Orange is the new black". Went here last Saturday for a family members 80th birthday dinner. What an experience! First the wait staff was so unfriendly I thought there must a have been a round of layoffs that day. These people seemed more like "forced labor" than paid workers. The bread was so hard I worried I would break the plate underneath it after a successful chop of the log that resembled a dinner roll. Mmmm. Wet steak. I ordered the Bone In Rib Eye, it looked strange swimming in 1/2" of liquid (are these steaks frozen). I should have brought a fishing pole with! It was definitely under seasoned, needed a great deal of salt to improve the taste. Maybe all of the flavor was in the water it was swimming in. Felt completely ripped off for a $34 steak. Had much better steaks at the Longhorn, for a better price too. Waitress then proceeded to spill a tray of drinks on my wife! No I'm not making this up. While the waitress was apologetic, there was no compensation given other than a glass of free wine. Others in my party were also complaining about there food not cooked as ordered. Medium steaks arriving rare. Fish was especially "fishy", and flavorless. It was as if the owner just put a big heaping plate of F^(K Y@U in front of us all. Seriously, I felt insulted on our way out. All in all, a huge disappointment.
(1)
Alexander P.
This place is a class act. The steak and seafood are delicious but that isn't even the best part. Go to the bar and talk to the Greek bartender with black hair and ask him to tell you a joke. If you're squeamish maybe don't ask but if you like foul humor, he's the guy for you. P.S. The cheese cake, vanilla ice cream and spiked coffee are a must.
(5)
Peter G.
this is a old place with great food and the pricing is very fair. If your looking for some great food it's a must try. The one problem I had was the waitress she was very stressed I think she was about 70 yrs old. try to find a younger one.
(5)
Eloise M.
A high-class place that has a very pricey steak. Their dining has this very nice decors, the lights were perfect. And the ambiance will totally blew you aways. I personally like their dining area. The food was fascinating. I had the Lamb Chops with Mint Jelly for the first time. It was quite the price, didn't expect it to be that pricey. I also ordered their Fresh Filet of Tilapia, the filet was magnificent. Loved how it becomes the best tasting tilapia.
(3)
Chet M.
Another time-warp-walk-down memory-lane joint. The only only things I'd get here is the comp salad with their to die for dressings (garlic, thousand, and Russian) and the prime rib. The Greek chicken took too long and was way too lemony and the slab of ribs was on par with Chili's. Service was friendly and good to see them still in biz to take my kids here.
(3)
Vicky G.
The perfect supper club! Though it's a little outdated, this adds to Tom's charm. You know you're going to get what you pay for. Don't pass up the cheese mixture for the potatoes! It's to die for!
(5)
Ed B.
I cannot say enough good about Tom's. Great food. Good drinks. Awesome service. They make you feel welcome the minute you walk in the door....almost like you are part of the family. Steaks...wow. Greek Chicken is mouthwatering. Lamb chops are out of this world.
(5)
Rita C.
Recently went to Tom's after many years. The salad is still the best by far. Their homemade dressings are to die for . We were a party of 10 everyone loved the steaks and chops. The bartender even made me a pink squirrel. Service was excellent. Not your up to date decor for steakhouse but we loved it. We will be back soon .
(5)
Alicia P.
I've been coming here since I was a baby, and my parents went on one of their first dates here. You'll definitely get a great steak! The filet is best in Chicago, in my opinion!
(5)
Mike L.
Ate at the bar and had a Salad and Chicken last night - once again a 10! However, I wish the busboy didn't put his bare hands in the Ice bin to refill someone's coke - also, I wish the waitress who grabbed 2 olives with her her bare paws didn't place the olives on her service tray while waiting for the bartender to make her martini......what are these people thinking? And we wonder why there are outbreaks of Ecoli.....
(5)
Donna F.
I can apprecciate the whole time machine magic and all, but the management needs to be brought up to the times as far as the liquor laws go. Had to buy a bottle of wine because of the shit poor choice of selection by the glass. Didn't finish the whole thing and was told I couldn't carry it out. This law was passed several years ago stating the contrary. As long as it's in a transparent bag it is ok. Was told it had to be finished at the bar. Went home, looked up the law, called the establishment, had it staring me in the face when I did and was told a carry out license was required. Not true! Argued with someone over the phone who doesn't even know there is such a thing as an internet to prove him wrong(old stubborn Greek) to no avail. How can you operate a restaurant and be so worried about the police arresting you that you don't even know the latest laws? I've been here several times and enjoyed the whole 60's vibe which makes you overlook the dirty menus, ice cold bread and mediocre meal, but this latest mishap will never have me walking through those doors again and I'll be sure to spread the word. I did appreciate the seasoned bartender who wasn't afraid to pour a good drink and please the patrons. Too bad he has to work for such shitheads. Maybe someone in that family of clowns can look up the laws that should be known by anybody operating a restaurant. Totally disgusted and out a lot of cash!
(1)
Steve G.
First of all, let's get something straight -- this is NOT the Tom's Steak House of the good old days: Full of Melrose Park connected guys and their girlfriends and hangers on. It was a fun joint, with valet parking for the Caddies and Lincolns, with people dressed to the nines, dripping with jewelry -- all enjoying their "new" money... No, today, this is an old restaurant, owned by Greek restaurateurs who know how to serve a great steak at a very good price. Sure there are hints of the good (bad) old days: The bar is frozen in a time warp, with it's thick padded armrests and 60's bar stools. The bartenders are as old as me (yikes!) and start talking to you (yikes!) as soon as you sit down. There's a jukebox (full of CDs, alas) but a healthy dose of Rat Pack singers are available. The TVs are not LCD or plasma, and they're only 19". Ask for a Zin in here and you'll get White Zinfandel (how quaint!). Ask for "Dewar's on the rocks with a water back" and you'll get what you ordered (yum!) and lots of it. Great crisp, cold salad, fluffy baked potato, generous "King cut" Filet Mignon, and don't forget the roasted onions -- $3 worth is enough for a table of 4. If you live in the area, stop by soon -- in this economy don't take this kind of place for granted!
Review #200. Let's do the time warp agaaaaain!!! I want to go back to Tom's right now. But, it's snowing. And it would take me over an hour to get there. And I have no one to go with tonight. I visited Tom's for the second time a couple months ago. I didn't write a review when I first went because I thought that maybe I needed a second trip to really get a true feel for the place. I was right all along and should have written my review last year. From the time you pull into the parking lot until you head westbound on North Avenue to go back home, you know you came to the right place. I wish I could tell you how to dress here. I've gone in jeans and gym shoes both times. (when I called, they said it was casual) But, I kinda felt underdressed. But then, I didn't care. And other people's attire made me feel better. This place is about the food. Not the mirrored walls or the little old lady waitresses. I go for the food, but the ambiance keeps me chuckling throughout so it's a good thing. My only wish is for butter that is not rock hard. It's practically frozen which does not bode well for spreading on their delicious bread. Don't skip the bialy. It's yummy! It's even better dipped in the homemade garlic salad dressing that will arrive shortly. My sister and I knocked back way too much of that amazing dressing! It turns your simple salad into a sinful delight. Come on, do it! And don't forget to try the chicken filled cheesy potato skins (not well done). These are right up there with the homemade garlic dressing. Both times, my sister opted for a French Dip. It's thinly sliced prime rib that comes with the most amazing au jus and a baked potato! I will admit to trying a bite or many on both visits. I ordered the pork chops on my first visit. I am not usually a fan of any pork products other than bacon, but a neighboring table had these chops and I had to try them. They were juicy and delicious! Well seasoned porky goodness! This last time, my sister mentioned the chopped steak. I love onions and beef, so I ordered it first and it was another great choice! Covered in au jus, I ate more than my fair share. Both times we skipped dessert...maybe we should just take it to go next time. I'll be back and sooner rather than later. Maybe I should call my sister now...the snow has let up and we can make it there in forty five minutes. :-)
(5)
Tessa G.
I've had better food, service, and ambiance at Denny's. I have also seen better dressed patrons at Denny's as well. I called ahead to see what the dress code was and was told "dress casual". I didn't know that dress casual meant flip flops and stained cargo shorts but the guy at the table next to me sure did. This place was quite the popular place back in the day and you can tell that not a penny has been sunk into maintaining or updating the decor since it was popular. Stained carpets and ceiling tiles were an eye sore to say the least but at least they matched the man's cargo shorts at the table next to me. I had to send back my $28 fillets because the artichoke hearts and bearnaise sauce that topped them were both rancid. My dish was inedible. When I brought this to their attention they copped an attitude and finally corrected the situation by giving me a cold prime rib, an ice berg lettuce salad, and stale bread. Worst $100 I've ever spent in my entire life. I feel absolutely cheated and am hoping that I do not get sick from the rancid sauce and vegetables. It is no wonder this place was almost empty on a Saturday night. Stay away! This place should've died a long long time ago.
(1)
Jesse W.
My bosses love this place. Perhaps because it's one of the only "nicer" sit-down places to go for lunch in Melrose Park. I, however, find the food flavorless or overcooked whenever I go. All of the food tastes like it was made by old folks who are losing their palette. I've had salmon (overcooked) and the Philly Cheesesteak (good, but definitely missing grease and flavor). Their baked potatoes are pretty good, but have you ever met an elder that didn't know how to bake a potato right? Their sour cream has chives pre-mixed in, which I enjoyed. But if a potato is the highlight of my two meals here, you're probably better off going elsewhere. Inevitably, we'll have another business lunch here, so I'll be sure to update you on their steak.
(2)
Lawrence D.
Sorry, it's really over rated. I'm a "child of the sixties" and I remember & love the traditional 'Chicago Steak Houses'. Tom's seems to fall short on the steak part. Appetizers, oysters, potato skins, etc. - great! All 3 salad dressings also great (...an extra $1.50 for sliced tomato on your salad??). The Steaks came out on their signature heated metal serving tray. All steaks were cooked perfectly to order, grill marks & all. Now all the steaks were placed on some of their jus' (natural sauce/gravy) and an additional mini ladle was poured on top. The problem? This combo of seasoned pan drippings (with a hint of their aged steak dripping flavor) made ALL the steaks taste alike. My fillet, my wife's strip, my friend's t-bone, etc. all became similar in flavor. Our server didn't ask if we wanted the jus', or wanted it on the side, she just ladled it on. Dinners seemed about $5 too high ($31.95 for bone in rib eye) and were lacking in menu weight/size info. Our server did know & share the weights with us when we asked the difference between King & Queen cuts. Our tab for four was $200 but, in my opinion, I didn't have a $50 meal.
(2)
Allen M.
We are regulars. That does not mean we eat here often - we try to eat healthier food which means not too much red meat. But when the urge hits us we go to Tom's. One visit was memorable just because of the date - our wedding day. We had a wedding in the morning and a reception in the early afternoon. After that we escaped to a local hotel. We got hungry and went out to Tom's. Is that memorable? You bet. That was over 27 years ago and I'm happy to say it's as good as ever. Yes both Tom's and the marriage. Reliable good service, good food, reasonable prices and easy parking. What more do you want? Went most recently two weeks ago and it is the same.
(4)
Tina M.
Been to this place once for a birthday party. It definitely has an old school feel down to the very out dated furniture. I chose a 16 oz steak. I thought that it would be delicious, considering its cooked and brought out is a pot - so it much be tender and moist. NO! The steak tasted completely gross, hard, and overcooked. I have considered that my experience could just be due to being in a very large party of 12 and maybe the order was too much to handle. Based on the group I was with no one seemed to thrilled with there meal. Needless to say, I won't be returning.
(1)
Bev J.
Steak was ok. Good salad & soup
(3)
Beatrice K.
Been going to Tom's for years. Still make the best steaks around. As good as Morton's at half the price. And for desert, Brandy Ice. OMG! We live in North Carolina now, but come to Chicago two or three times a year and always make it to Tom's. One of the few places hubby will order a steak.
(5)
Mary P.
What can I say, last 2 times I've been to Tom's Steakhouse the food has been perfect. The King Filet was cooked to perfection (medium/rare) and swimming in its own juices. You get a salad and 3 dressings are brought to your table to put on as much or little as you like. Same with the potato. Its nice to be able to spoon your own amount of sour cream on it. Since it was my birthday dinner, it was a treat for a 6" cake with a single candle to be brought to the table. The atmosphere is from the supper club days, low lighting and just pleasant. The steaks are well worth the trip.
(5)
Tracey M.
Part of the charm surrounding Tom's Steak House is the dated environment, the push cart that your meal comes out on and the pull handle cigarette machines you'll find by the restrooms - however that's not why you go to Tom's. Hands down, Tom's serves the BEST fillet I've ever had! Make sure you come hungry because there is no shortage of food at Tom's. BTW - Did I mention the service is also OUTSTANDING!? If not, it is. We always see if we can be seated at Bessy's table. If not, that's fine because the other servers are great as well. One last thing I feel the need to mention - the "sugar bowl." The sugar bowls on each table have a number written on them. On Saturday evenings (this is the only night that I know they do this) around 6/7PM they call a number and if it's your table's number than your meal is complete FREE (my favorite four letter word) - including the bar! All in all, I would travel from afar to eat at Tom's with no hesitation.
(5)
Barry G.
Short and sweet: time warp, uninspired, overcooked, expensive, friendly.
(2)
Leang E.
This place reminds me of Black Ram, but the steak here is phenomenal! It was like butter. Yum, the right amount of juicy, tenderness, and temperature. I appreciated the potato skins, but the salad was kind of ruined despite the homemade dressing when the vegetables are wilted. I don't really want to see lightly orange or brown rims on my lettuce. I like my salad to be crisp. I'd say skip saving stuff that needs to be tossed out, especially if you are going to serve it to people - just because you might eat it like that doesn't mean that people should have to pay for it. I'd like to come back and try a dessert, but the 8 oz. filet mignon was filing with all the rest of the food.
(4)
Natalie R.
I will second Tim right off the bat and say that if you are looking for a side of swank with your steak, this is not the place for you. Yes, it's dated, and that's because it's been around for longer than you have. But, if you want a place where you can get an exceptional dinner, have a drink, and get great service by someone who really enjoys giving it, this is the place to go. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. I had a chicken sandwich, Steve had the prime rib. Both were delicious. Appetizer, wine and dessert were also very good. The price for what you get is fantastic. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Brian C.
My wife and I were in town for a weekend and wanted to go out for steak but were fed up with downtown parking and craziness, so I looked for somewhere outside the city with some parking. I was really unsure based upon the reviews, some 1 star and some 5 star, all over the place. As others have pointed out, Tom's is not a trendy place with tapas and high prices for the sake of having high prices, you won't find a parking lot full of BMWs and Mercs, this is one of the places that the locals go to off the tourist path when they want great service and a good steak. Seriously, the level of service here made us feel like royalty (without being too in your face or pretentious), they treat you like you're a guest in their home. The food was fantastic. Our steaks came out drowning in the most yummy juice, we wanted to soak our potatoes and everything in it. Even when our baked potatoes came out, the waitress cut them for us, I've never seen that before, nice touch! Ok, the interior is outdated, the chairs are straight out of the sixties as are the wood paneled walls, but you know what? I came here for the food and service and they scored 5 stars on both counts! Thanks Tom's for giving us exactly what we were looking for at exactly the right time! If we travel back to Chicago, we'll be back!
(5)
Andy M.
What else can you say about a place that always has its neaon lights working. They actually take care of the place and this place reminds me of the former stevens steakhouse in Elmhurst, which didn';t take care of its building. The steak is great here no matter what cut it is. One of the few places worth going to in melrose Park
(4)
Tim Y.
Tom's is not a trendy steakhouse. Let's just get this out of the way right now. You won't find a bar area with a live pianist tickling the ivories into the night as you enjoy $15-and-up cocktails with catchy names and more ingredients than a birthday cake. It is, however, the best place for steaks and a hidden gem in the suburbs. I hope that by profiling it a bit here I don't ruin its charm. Cost is average for a steakhouse - more than you'd spend at the Sizzler, typically less than you'd shell out at Gibson's or Sullivan's. When you walk through the side doors, you'll be greeted by late-70s decor, a faint smoke smell, and an uncommon sight these days - a pull-handle cigarette machine. True, it's not a glamorous introduction, but I like to think (pray) that people are going to restaurants for the food, not the decor (though I have to question it, lately) The clientele is not typical of trendy steakhouses downtown Chicago, either. 20-30 years old? Some of your fellow diners will have eaten steaks at Tom's while you were a toddler eating Gerber's finest. Enough of that. On to the food! Nothing bad on the menu here at all. I prefer the king or queen filet, and a charred potato skin. Both plated tableside with unlimited salad and several homemade dressings that are to die for. I've never had anything on the menu that hasn't been outstanding. Sometimes the bread basket is a bit dry, and I typically avoid it so as to not spoil the meal. Ask to be seated in Bessie's section. She has been there for years, and will take care of you like family and offer up some entertaining conversation. I mentioned earlier the smoke smell -- you won't smell it at your table, so no worries. Pro Tip: You'll note that the sweetener trays are all numbered... that's for good reason, too. Every night a number is drawn at random and announced... the winner gets a gift certificate...and as they say at Tom's, "the baaah is INCLUDED"
(5)
Emily L.
I've used Yelp many times, and I've never bothered to write a review until now. But Tom's deserves a good one. I went with a group of six. My steak was melt-in-mouth good. The burger was apparently terrific. Both came with delicious double-baked potatoes. For dessert, the coconut sorbet (to die for) was served in a coconut shell. The waitress felt we should try the tiramisu, too, (in addition to the cheesecake and canoli we also ordered) so she brought it out even though we hadn't ordered it. The prices, considering how good the food was, were extremely reasonable. The kicker: the yelp info for this says it opens at 11am on Sundays. That's not true. It opens at noon. We showed up at 11:20am, learned it was closed, and stood in the parking lot trying to figure out where else to go - there are few places in this neighborhood open for Sunday brunch. The owner saw us, opened the doors, and served us early and graciously. The service was great. I'm a huge fan and plan on going again soon.
(5)
Steven M.
I have been coming here since 1991. And they haven't changed a thing. Not even Rita. You have to eat in the bar area to get a Rita. She has been here for 26 years. You couldn't ask for a better server. O.K. on to the food. We both had a jack sour, or 6. Aces to the bartender. They were right on the money. The garlic dressing is from HELL! OMG! I had her leave it so I could dip everything into it. Bread, crackers, steak, forks, my tie. I had the prime rib end cut. It looked a little weird when it was brought out. They must have a scale in the back, because it was cut a few times? It was just warm. This thing didn't get a tan from being under the heat lamp. But it was still a great tasting hunk of meat. My friend had the same, just in the middle. He also loved it. The place was empty at 6 on saturday night though. The neighborhood has changed and I don't think it can support an old school eatery like this for much longer. Hop on now to get a flash from the past of how you should be treated when you go out to eat.
(4)
peter l.
The food was great (ribs and prime rib), the waitstaff nice, and there wasn't 20 TVs glaring into my eyes while I relaxed and enjoyed my meal. I don't drink so can't comment about the bar but the coffee was very good. This place is old school which I kind of liked. Will definately go again. A nice relaxing delicious experience.
(5)
D W.
02/28/2009 The taste of the food was great !! But the portions for the money you paid was not worth it. I ordered the large portion prime rib and a friend did also, when it was served I had to actually ask the waitress if "she was serious", this can't be Tom's Cut. She checked with the owner and said it was. I frequent many steak houses and out of all of them this is the steak house with SMALLEST king cut prime rib ever served. There are many other places to go with true "KING CUT" and actually better taste. Defintely not worth the money paid
(1)
Jane H.
Loved it. Old school 1950s decor, mauve, very comfortable chairs. Charming. Salads are simply lettuce (tomato is extra), but the 3 homemade salad dressings are perfect to make an Americana salad. I liked the Russian dressing the best. My party had a king filet mignon and the halibut special. The filet was the best steak I've ever had. Perfectly charbroiled over charcoal, the server brings the steak out on the metal pan with the glowing charcoals underneath. I got the steak medium and it was pink in the middle, incredibly tender and juicy. The server spooned the juices from the pan over the steak and the juices were so good, they don't even need to offer you steak sauce. Super yummy homemade sour cream and chives for the baked potato. The halibut was tender too, although the steak was understandably the standout, but the halibut was good to balance the steak. A little pricey, but average price for this kind of steakhouse. Highly recommended!
(5)
J S.
I was pretty surprised! Another couple invited us to dinner here and I admit I was very Aprehensive to give it a try! I drive past this place every day, twice a day and not once ever thought hm let me go here for dinner. Until our friends invited us. Of course I checked out there website and some yelp reviews before hand and I figured if this place has been in business for so long they must be doing something right! The ambiance was pretty old school but not in a bad way. Our server was very attentive even on a somewhat busy night. (Sweetest day) She took her time to tell us about the menu and even chatted with us about some our favorite tv shows! She noticed we were taking photos and even offered to take a group shot of us. Honestly I can't tell you the last time a server had been so friendly and attentive! Ok now for the food! Your at a steak house so what do you get?? Steak! For $30 or so you can get a good piece of meat served in their au ju, a baked potato and a side salad! Not bad! We also ordered the stuffed clams and they were delicious! If you want a nice steak dinner and don't feel like spending a lot, or going to a chain.. Then you should def try this place out!
(4)
Mark Z.
Hit the time machine and step back in time for an old school steak house. Been here a few times over the years for drinks and dinner. Nothimg that great to talk about. The Rush on Roosevelt
(2)
Moni K.
Ton's Steak house is a very large restaurant. It has that Goodfellas vibe which is very charming. The waitresses I hear have been working there for 20+ years. It is a lovely place but the food did not do it for me. My steak came out cold and chewy I could not eat it. Very disappointing. The creaming mash potatoes very very good and the horseradish sauce was good too. But the steak...I looked forward to the steak and oh ....I had not have steak in 5 years...I just wanted a good steak. Anyways the company was lovely and I enjoyed myself....but please Tom's Steak House improve on your steak.
(2)
Gus I.
great place a real steak house where the owner is there taking care of his customers and not a "manager" who gets payed to care.... hand cut steaks perfect... good crowd on a wed night no wait fast good service and a good ol stiff drink....
(5)
Alex A.
been here many times, great food and service. Had the salmon and was fantastic.
(5)
Peter S.
Back again celebrating two birthdays with a party of 10 including a toddler and a baby. All the drinks, including vodka martinis, were excellent. We had shrimp, chicken livers and saganakii as appetizers which were all great.Salads are good although they could maybe use something besides lettuce and cabbage, but the dressings are very, very good. Our entrees included their beef tournedos special,chopped steak, T-bone steak, bone-in ribeye, butt steak, salmon and queen filet. All were outstanding. Our desserts included tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, and a sundae. All were excellent. This place is a real throwback to the 60's. From the decor to the staff. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Most restaurants have 30 year old servers. Theirs have 30 years on the job. Two small issues: the bread basket has great crackers, but the bread was cold like right out of the refrigerator. And it took the waitress a while to figure out our bill because they use order pads. Maybe get a POS system? But we will keep on coming back.
(4)
Peter K F.
Great value. When you've had enough of Outback (nothing wrong with Outback, by the way), try a real, old-fashioned steak house. I'm from out east (Long Island) and Tom's reminds me of McCluskey's on Sunrise Highway (and that's high praise). Local flavor, Chicago ambience, a bar full of character ( and characters). Excellent steaks, always, at a reasonable price. Fabulous salads with a dressing carousel of French, Russian, and Creamy Garlic. Fat baking potatoes or mashed available. Nice wine list. Service has always been cordial, prompt. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Catherine P.
I have been here twice. Both times for dinner and both times kinda last minute. The service is so cute. Like an old, sweet dog. They have table side service. Almost everything is served to you via a rolling cart. Servers wear very classic, banquet type uniforms and they all have obviously been working here for-ev-er!! The atmosphere is totally old world Italian dated mid-60's I would guess. I can almost picture the crowds of people chain smoking, drinking and eating humongous steaks throughout this place with a line out the door. All before I was even a twinkle in my daddy's eye. I am pretty pathetic...I ordered their french dip on my first trip in and because it was quite possibly the most amazingly, fantastically, delicious sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of consuming, I ordered it on my second trip too. The only problem, that really isn't a problem, is that sandwiches do not come with the salad, so I have to add one for like $4. Couldn't care less what a salad costs, the lettuce isn't anything remotely special. It's their HOME MADE DRESSINGS they make in house. Oh, the dressing...I think we may have to go tonight....The creamy garlic is so garlicy and delectable and stupendous. I am impressed that they do not have a store front where they can sell this stuff. I would buy it and I'm sure I'm not the only one. They also make two other dressings. I have tasted each and they are good, but they are not the creamy garlic by any means. I believe that one is a French and I'm not sure about the other one. Getting refills on drinks is kinda a trick. But what do I want? Giant plastic tumblers that cheapen the place up, or glasses that make me feel like a grown up? I'll take the small bar glasses and make sure to order a glass of water too. The au jus is something that I feel like I could drink out of one of those giant tumblers....it's so good. The baked potatoes are probably the most popular potato option I see being served but like I said, table side service...they do not cut into it until at your table to ensure it's steaming hot when you put that butter on it. Yummmmmm. I'm pretty sure I was under dressed on our last trip, but no one asked me to leave, so I'm not too concerned. I feel like I can wear jeans, but should leave the tennis shoes at home. After dinner, the next time we go, I wanna sit in the bar and have a cocktail. It looks like a good time in there!
(5)
Ryan H.
Very friendly service but the food was just okay, ordered my steak medium-rare but it was much closer to well done than anything. Doubt I will return
(3)
Justin B.
Thank god for places like this. When you walk in you see men dressed in suites. You see a vintage sign out front. You drop your date off under a canopy. You see a parking lot full of Cadillac's. Then enter into a charming dining room that looks like it has not changed since the 80's. When you open the menu you see steaks, chops, seafood and chicken. That's it, nothing fancy. This is a steakhouse. Don't come here expecting infused items, fruit in salads, or anything experimental. The food is brought out on carts by very friendly servers. The steak I had was excellent. The chicken my wife had was great as well. You pay for the food and not the frills. Go to downtown Rosemont for that. If your looking for a great steak, this is the place.
(5)
Colleen D.
I really love this place. It's totally old school steak house. This is our 3rd visit - first we sat in bar area - second in dining room - this time bar area - I highly recommend bar area. Dining area way too bright. But LOVE the service in the bar area. We had the same server last time - wish I got her name. She is awesome! Knowledgable, funny, sweet - the best! Just a great place - great cocktail menu - excellent salad with lazy susan dressing bar - steak was amazing! Brought out on a sizzling platter and this time we also got the mushrooms and onion...OMG - see pic! We had dessert for my mans bday - delicious chocolate cake. Prices very fair. Solid place!
(5)
Karma K.
I love me some Tom's steakhouse! To the reviewers that say this place needs an update, I say that is part of Tom's charm. They haven't been in business for like 60 years because they keep up with the current trends/fads! You will NOT find canary tongues on toast points here! You will find some of the best steaks, chops and seafood, yes seafood served by professional waiters at a fraction of what you would pay at a downtown Chicago swanky restaurant. Enjoy the salad served with dressing on a thingy you can spin around! You will love it. My fav entree here is the filet of sole. It's always fresh tasting. Take a pic of the iconic sign out front and be happy hipsters haven't found about this place...yet.
(5)
Jason B.
You are not going to find a better steak than at Toms. No gimmicks, no fancy decor, just amazing food at a fraction of the cost of other steakhouses. Definitely worth stopping by for dinner!
(5)
Paul H.
Valentines Day dinner. The place was crazy busy. Great job Kim, our waitress and the steaks were perfect. Last time we were here was 1979 for our rehearsal dinner. Great iconic establishment. Keep doing what ur doing!
(5)
Timothy H.
Amazing food as it has been for the past 35 years. This place hasn't changed a bit. I love the food, service, and the entire package. This place is straight out of the movie Goodfellas. You wanna know what it feels like to be in the mafia and be waited on hand and foot.....eat here. You won't regret it.
(4)
Sarah S.
This place is like stepping into a time machine... Wow.. table side service 5 stars. Decor.. 3 stars for nostalgia... Food was 4 solid.... Creamy garlic dressing was to die for. Next time I'm bringing my own container to steal some
(4)
Maris W.
The ambiance was an old folks home. If you want to pay $30 for a steak, come to my house. The meat was flavorless and over priced. But a good note was we liked our waitress.
(1)
mike l.
Seeing all the other Cadillacs and Lincolns in the parking lot was definitely a good sign - I figured if old people can eat here and still live it's good for me. Entering this place was a time warp, complete with the wood paneling and waitresses that look like they've been working there for the past sixty years. A family of tourists walking in with shorts and t-shirts definitely didn't fit the atmosphere, but they sat us down anyway. Tom's was good. I think we actually saw Tom, or maybe it was his son or grandson. The steaks were amazing and cooked to absolute perfection. I had a prime rib myself, and it was extremely flavorful and appetizing. If I was ever back in Chicago I'd stop here again, and shy away from all the greasy heart-burn inducing deep-dish stuff the natives call pizza.
(5)
Chris D.
I had really high hopes for Tom's and I have to say I feel really let down. They must have had an off night. My wife and I went for dinner on Valentines day. We ordered the oysters raw to start and for dinner she had the shrimp dejoghn (i think this is the way they spelled it) and I had the king fillet. I think the biggest issue we had was that our waitress lacked knowledge of the menu. When asked what Tom's was known for she couldn't make a suggestion. She said all the steaks were good and that the shrimp was garlicky. I ordered my fillet medium rare and it came to me medium well. I would have sent it back but it took nearly 45 minutes to get our original order. It was tender but very dry. The cook also charred the steak too much and it had a burnt taste to it. My wife was disappointed because her shrimp were overcooked. She described her shrimp as having the same texture that overcooked calamari has. She also got four pieces of shrimp (they looked like 21-20's) for 16.95. I felt after our dinner had our waitress made a proper suggestion on what Tom's is known for (their prime rib) I would have order that. I pains me to have to drop their rating but if you are a steak restaurant and you cannot do it right others should know about it.
(2)
Marilyn K.
I don't have much more to add to previous reviewers except to agree and say don't let looks fool you. Last Saturday night we let our GPS guide us to a steakhouse we knew nothing about (always a crapshoot) and this is where we wound up. Tom's is great and once you're sitting there a while, the decor seems just right. OK, maybe the drinks help with that, but the food is truly awesome. I had a special with filet medallions, artichoke and amazing bernaise & bordelaise sauces (yes, both! when we go out we want it to be worth our while) My better half had the prime rib and loved it. Even the baked potatoes tasted better, though nothing special appeared to be done. Maybe it's just because we always microwave 'em at home. The people there were also great, both employees and guests. Everyone was having a good time. All I know is we'll be back!
(5)
Eat V.
I am so afraid to say Tom's is my favorite Prime Rib EVAH because it is only 12 minutes away from my house and I am afraid I may eat there everyday which is not good for my a** or thighs for that matter! Right off the bat, I notice it is fancier(70's fancy) than I expected. I felt like I had traveled back to the good ole days, this place must have, actually was the "IT" spot for the who's who in Chicago. The bar was lively with sports on TV a jukebox and longtime regulars that made me feel right at home for my 1st time visit. Appetizer must have: Saganaki. I am not usually into saganaki, it is kinda you've had 1 you've had them all. Not true in this case. (Right to the thighs!). It is rich, creamy and just the right amount of salt. Beef Potato Skins. I do not prefer Blue Cheese, however this must be on the mild side and they put it under the broiler to make it well done and it was mouth watering. Salad: Enough as a meal on its own! I could not decide which dressing I wanted so I ate them all individually and than mixed than separate again. Prime Rib. I kind of pride myself on a Prime Rib connoisseur. I also make a damn good one too. But Tom's blew everyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy single Prime Rib I have had out of the water! I was shocked. But why? Tom's has been around for years , that has to mean something, and it does! Service: The host/manager was actually young & handsome and had a good time with the regulars. It was nice to see. Felt like a 2nd home to many of these people. It was fun being a fly on the wall, but not for long, because from every corner people ask you questions, engage you in conversation and make you feel like family. The waitress must have been there her whole life. She was perfectly attentive, knowledgeable and sweet. You must go to Tom's. I am trying not to go tonight! May have to sneak in for a quick bite during the week!
(5)
Michael Z.
Went here based on some of the reviews. I wasn't impressed. I got the saganaki which was ok. My wife had the potato skins which also had steak and bleu cheese. I thought the bleu cheese was dry and more stinky than usual. We both also got the salad they brought out three different dressings. The garlic dressing was really garlicky and I love garlic. My wife liked it. We both got the prime rib. She got the queen cut and I got the bigger one. Needless to say they both looked the same size. It was just OK and for the money I spent I'd go elsewhere.
(2)
Mike L.
We arrived in Chicago in March from Phoenix, and spotted Tom's Steakhouse while driving on North Ave. My wife and I decided to try it one night back in March, and have frequented Tom's regularly ever since. We also have brought business associates to Tom's for dinner several times. My wife has purchased gift certificates that she has given out to employees on her sales team. Everyone is very impressed with the consistency of atmosphere, quality, and Tom's unparalleled service! We have been impressed with each employee having contact with us, and we're suprised to learn that the good folks working there have been there from 20-40 years!!! Now that's really impressive, and is proven by the outstanding service provided! We highly recommend Tom's Steak House to everyone! Thank you... Mike and Jan Larsen Phoenix, AZ/Chicago, IL
(5)
Rob W.
Old school steakhouse. While seated at the bar, another patron referred to the place as "fine dining" and that's exactly the description that fits. Problem is that no one relates to that term anymore because there just aren't any of the traditional "fine dining" places left. I was a little ticked when I went to order the prime rib special (at 7PM) and they were out of it. Really - at 7PM? And the place wasn't tremendously busy. So the waitress asked me to make another choice right after telling me the item I had just ordered was out. I told her I was going to have to take another look at the menu - I don't really think of the top 2-3 entrees that I'd want in case the one I really want is out. I kinda snapped at the bartender when he offered a suggestion. Probably shouldn't have done that - wasn't his fault that they had run out. But that was the only hiccup that night. I ordered a Riesling - their house Riesling, a BV brand. It was fair - I'm a big Hirschbeck fan when it comes to that kind of wine. Decided on a NY strip steak. Proved to be right on - medium rare as ordered. There was a little bit more tendon/gristle than I would have liked to see, but there was a fair and minimal amount of fat, so it balanced a bit. Too much au jus on the plate - next time I might ask for it "dry". Still serving the baked potato with their funky sour cream / cottage cheese type stuff, but I'm OK with that. Also have kept the three dressing option in which they encourage blending - those are alright too, but I'd really rather have a sweet Thousand Island dressing with my salad. Large amount of salad though - good value on that - and tomatoes on it are $2 extra. I like that because there's no chance of getting any unwanted tomatoes on my salad which happens at so many places I go to. Overall a good experience - it had been about 10-12 years since my last visit and the place hasn't really changed a bit. Wish there were more "fine dining" places like Tom's left - they're classic places with good food. I'll be back sooner this time.
(4)
Aimee M.
If anyplace looks like they'd serve up an excellent Cosmo and a Kiddie Cocktail, this would be the place. Tom's oozes old school--charm and decor. Sure it's dated, Don Draper-esque types probably dined here once upon a time and probably still do now bringing their family instead of clients. My husband loves these types of places and that's how we ended up here on his birthday. I made reservations for a Friday night--and we really didn't have to as the dining room was less than half full. The lounge though--with the full bar-- was almost full. I guess that's where the action is. The menu is pretty basic. Some interesting appetizers like oysters rockefeller, shrimp de jonghe, chopped chicken livers. The main courses run from different cuts of steak, lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and fish. Each main comes with a choice of soup or salad. The salad is served with a trio of dressings you are encouraged to mix up on your salad plate. House French, House Russian (super sweet) and House Sweet and Sour (surprisingly very garlicky). Just a note-there is no childrens menu here. So you might have to think twice if your little one only wants chicken fingers when you dine out. My husband opted for the broiled lamb chops and I opted for the bone-in ribeye. Since we both were getting salads our server asked if we'd like a small bowl of soup for our kid--how sweet was that? It was Manhattan Clam Chowder--it was pretty tomato-ey but still very good. We both liked our entrees. They were cooked just as we liked them. But if I had to choose, I'd say the lamb chops was more flavorful than the steak. Our drinks were perfect. And my son proclaimed his Kiddie Cocktail "The best!". There isn't much of a wine list--just some reds and whites. But with a full bar--I think getting a martini or other classic cocktail is the way to go. Desserts were pretty basic. Cheesecake and chocolate cake for us. Service was excellent. Our server doted on all three of us, but especially on my son making sure he liked the steak too. Gotta love these old school places!
We used to live in Melrose Park but moved away about 18 years ago. My mom and I were in the area and decided to check this place out again. Such nostalgia! This place is still great! Love the carousel for the salad, the way the food comes out is so unique. We will definitely make it a point to come back again in the near future! Definitely recommended!
(4)
Eric S.
Old school place with old school items served by old school people. My mom treated me here as an early Valentine's gift (cue the 'awwww's'), and I got to experience what she referred to as an old timey "supper club". Tom's has existed for practically forever and was a destination back when this area was called simply 'Melrose'. Not Melrose Park, mind you, but 'Melrose'. So yep, there were mob ties-a-plenty back in the day, but do they still exist in 2015? Don't know, don't really care.....I also don't want to start asking questions and wind up wearing a pair of concrete shoes while enjoying the underwater scenery at the bottom of the Des Plaines river. Great, classic food all around. I was pleased with their saganaki (they used kefalogravaria cheese) that they flambeed tableside. Fortunately our server did it properly, but another waitress seemed almost scared to ignite the cheese and wound up waiting too long, which ruined the spectacle for their table. She must've been new, because our waitress had no such trepidations. The baked clams--although delicious--were priced too high for me to order again. They also featured oysters Rockefeller and shrimp de johnge. Tasty tomato basil soup; mi madre opted for the salad, which came with three homemade dressings. Their signature Russian cream is essentially just an amalgamation of french/western and ranch dressings, nothing too impressive. What IS impressive, however, are their cuts of beef. My prime rib was an inch thick (not an exaggeration) and cooked perfectly medium-rare. It was a gigantic slice of cow served with a baked potato and their signature sour cream/chive mix. Our waitress was as aged as the steaks we ate; she was attentive and polite, although perhaps a teensy bit hard-of-hearing, as I had to repeat myself a few times here and there. Very johnny-on-the-spot with water refills. For dessert we got their brandy ice, which is exactly what it sounds like. Think traditional ice cream with more ice chunks and (literally just) brandy poured on top. It was pretty boozy, to be honest, but eating what amounted to flavored ice cube chips didn't do much for me. For a place that I drive by twice daily, I very much enjoyed the overall dining experience. Dessert didn't wow me, but the prime rib was sublime and carried the rest of the meal towards a solid 4*. Would recommend.
(4)
Robert J.
This was my 1st visit to Tom's. Very nice place. Great atmosphere, great service, and a great meal. My server Diane was excellent. I had a Caesar salad to start. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. The dressing was tasty and you could really taste the fresh anchovies in it. I had the pork chops and applesauce entree. The pork chops were cooked perfectly. The baked potato was also good with a really tasty house chive cream sauce. I'll definitely be going back to get the bone in ribeye.
(5)
Jaime S.
You don't come here because it's fancy or daring; you come because it's traditional, old school, and kitschy to the point that hipsters will probably start a chain of Coffee shops in the same decor sometime in the next decade. I came here on Christmas Eve with a party of 10. The service was a tad slow when we first sat down, but quickly picked up. The waitstaff worked efficiently and quickly on what is always one of the busiest nights of the year, and were incredibly pleasant. I was the only person who did not order a steak but instead had a simple but tasty boiled orange roughy. The portion sizes are ample so be careful that you don't need to be rolled out of the restaurant
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Chet M.
Another time-warp-walk-down memory-lane joint. The only only things I'd get here is the comp salad with their to die for dressings (garlic, thousand, and Russian) and the prime rib. The Greek chicken took too long and was way too lemony and the slab of ribs was on par with Chili's. Service was friendly and good to see them still in biz to take my kids here.
(3)Vicky G.
The perfect supper club! Though it's a little outdated, this adds to Tom's charm. You know you're going to get what you pay for. Don't pass up the cheese mixture for the potatoes! It's to die for!
(5)Gerry P.
We hadn't been there in a long time. Toms was as good as I remember it. Everything was delicious. The steaks were the best. Hot and juicy. we won't wait so long to go there again. No wonder it was crowded. The service was great
(5)Marueen L.
A+ a Great ambiance the menus is that of a "Steak House" not complicated, variety of cuts of meat! The beef is aged wonderfully so you taste pure beef. Juicy and cooked to perfection( I love medium rare steaks, so it's a big deal to me). Waitress was personable and attentive. I will frequent. Nice gem in the area
(4)Allen M.
We are regulars. That does not mean we eat here often - we try to eat healthier food which means not too much red meat. But when the urge hits us we go to Tom's. One visit was memorable just because of the date - our wedding day. We had a wedding in the morning and a reception in the early afternoon. After that we escaped to a local hotel. We got hungry and went out to Tom's. Is that memorable? You bet. That was over 27 years ago and I'm happy to say it's as good as ever. Yes both Tom's and the marriage. Reliable good service, good food, reasonable prices and easy parking. What more do you want? Went most recently two weeks ago and it is the same.
(4)Jason B.
You are not going to find a better steak than at Toms. No gimmicks, no fancy decor, just amazing food at a fraction of the cost of other steakhouses. Definitely worth stopping by for dinner!
(5)Paul H.
Valentines Day dinner. The place was crazy busy. Great job Kim, our waitress and the steaks were perfect. Last time we were here was 1979 for our rehearsal dinner. Great iconic establishment. Keep doing what ur doing!
(5)Tina M.
Been to this place once for a birthday party. It definitely has an old school feel down to the very out dated furniture. I chose a 16 oz steak. I thought that it would be delicious, considering its cooked and brought out is a pot - so it much be tender and moist. NO! The steak tasted completely gross, hard, and overcooked. I have considered that my experience could just be due to being in a very large party of 12 and maybe the order was too much to handle. Based on the group I was with no one seemed to thrilled with there meal. Needless to say, I won't be returning.
(1)Bev J.
Steak was ok. Good salad & soup
(3)Timothy H.
Amazing food as it has been for the past 35 years. This place hasn't changed a bit. I love the food, service, and the entire package. This place is straight out of the movie Goodfellas. You wanna know what it feels like to be in the mafia and be waited on hand and foot.....eat here. You won't regret it.
(4)Randy B.
Had lunch there for the first time yesterday. I chose the Ribeye steak sandwich......Yeah... Not a sandwich at all, more of an steak on open face rye bread. The steak was tender and had good flavor, I think I would order the prime rib if I ever return.
(3)Jenny C.
This place has the best prime rib and the stiffest vodka martinis. I've long been going to Lawry's and I have to say the prime rib at Tom's was better. Their steaks have a nice char to it. I don't remember the sides much, but I definitely remember how delicious the meat and drinks were. I was born and raised in Chicago in the '80s, so this place felt nostalgic to me!
(4)Karma K.
I love me some Tom's steakhouse! To the reviewers that say this place needs an update, I say that is part of Tom's charm. They haven't been in business for like 60 years because they keep up with the current trends/fads! You will NOT find canary tongues on toast points here! You will find some of the best steaks, chops and seafood, yes seafood served by professional waiters at a fraction of what you would pay at a downtown Chicago swanky restaurant. Enjoy the salad served with dressing on a thingy you can spin around! You will love it. My fav entree here is the filet of sole. It's always fresh tasting. Take a pic of the iconic sign out front and be happy hipsters haven't found about this place...yet.
(5)Ellelean C.
The place can use an update. The wait staff is polite but lacks the polish of steak house servers and reminded me of Orange is the new black. All of the food lacked flavor. Their salad dressing flight was basically flavored mayo. Steaks were decent quality but lacked flavor. A little salt and pepper would have went a long way. The rolls were cold and hard. I don't plan to eat here again. It seems like the owner is old school and needs to update menu, food, and building.
(2)Gerry P.
We hadn't been there in a long time. Toms was as good as I remember it. Everything was delicious. The steaks were the best. Hot and juicy. we won't wait so long to go there again. No wonder it was crowded. The service was great
(5)Trina J.
My guy always talks about the steaks at this old school establishment.. So, we decided to stop in after picking up the truck from the detail shop/auto spa next door. After hearing so much about it, I wanted to see if this place still had the juice. We were in total grunge gear (spent the day skiing) and thought it was best to dine in the bar area with Andy, the world's best bartender. I ordered the bone in Ribeye, medium rare with a baked potato. The potato is served with cheese and chives. Needless to say, I am expecting a basic potato. It was very special. The cheese and chives were whipped up in a serving tray and brought to you to scoop at your leisure. It was unlike any flavor I have ever had. As for the Ribeye, it was very tender and prepared to perfection. There is definitely something unique about this place and the grill used to prepare the meat. .....The dinner salad on the other hand, was not worth chewing. It looked like the pre cut lettuce and carrots you can buy for $1.50 per bag at the Supermarket. Except it was older. You can add tomatoes for $1.50. I know the price of tomatoes have gone up but dang! How many tomatoes do I get for an additional $1.50? .....Outside of the old, jinky lettuce, I liked all three of the dressing options (French, Garlic and one other). They recommend mixing the dressings together. Recap: Ribeye - 3.5 stars Baked Potato - 2.5 stars Salad - 2 stars Salad Dressing - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Presentation and Ambience - 3 stars Andy - 5 stars * he makes a mean Midori Sour Two steak dinners were about $60 before gratuity.
(3)Peter G.
this is a old place with great food and the pricing is very fair. If your looking for some great food it's a must try. The one problem I had was the waitress she was very stressed I think she was about 70 yrs old. try to find a younger one.
(5)Mike J.
Great steaks, comfortable if a bit dated, unparalleled service and quality. Been going here for 30 years and keep going back. Great for a quiet dinner or family celebration. Don't miss it.
(4)Michael M.
The place to go if you love stale bread, outdated decor, waitresses that resemble the inmates in "Orange is the new black". Went here last Saturday for a family members 80th birthday dinner. What an experience! First the wait staff was so unfriendly I thought there must a have been a round of layoffs that day. These people seemed more like "forced labor" than paid workers. The bread was so hard I worried I would break the plate underneath it after a successful chop of the log that resembled a dinner roll. Mmmm. Wet steak. I ordered the Bone In Rib Eye, it looked strange swimming in 1/2" of liquid (are these steaks frozen). I should have brought a fishing pole with! It was definitely under seasoned, needed a great deal of salt to improve the taste. Maybe all of the flavor was in the water it was swimming in. Felt completely ripped off for a $34 steak. Had much better steaks at the Longhorn, for a better price too. Waitress then proceeded to spill a tray of drinks on my wife! No I'm not making this up. While the waitress was apologetic, there was no compensation given other than a glass of free wine. Others in my party were also complaining about there food not cooked as ordered. Medium steaks arriving rare. Fish was especially "fishy", and flavorless. It was as if the owner just put a big heaping plate of F^(K Y@U in front of us all. Seriously, I felt insulted on our way out. All in all, a huge disappointment.
(1)Lawrence D.
Sorry, it's really over rated. I'm a "child of the sixties" and I remember & love the traditional 'Chicago Steak Houses'. Tom's seems to fall short on the steak part. Appetizers, oysters, potato skins, etc. - great! All 3 salad dressings also great (...an extra $1.50 for sliced tomato on your salad??). The Steaks came out on their signature heated metal serving tray. All steaks were cooked perfectly to order, grill marks & all. Now all the steaks were placed on some of their jus' (natural sauce/gravy) and an additional mini ladle was poured on top. The problem? This combo of seasoned pan drippings (with a hint of their aged steak dripping flavor) made ALL the steaks taste alike. My fillet, my wife's strip, my friend's t-bone, etc. all became similar in flavor. Our server didn't ask if we wanted the jus', or wanted it on the side, she just ladled it on. Dinners seemed about $5 too high ($31.95 for bone in rib eye) and were lacking in menu weight/size info. Our server did know & share the weights with us when we asked the difference between King & Queen cuts. Our tab for four was $200 but, in my opinion, I didn't have a $50 meal.
(2)Tim Y.
Tom's is not a trendy steakhouse. Let's just get this out of the way right now. You won't find a bar area with a live pianist tickling the ivories into the night as you enjoy $15-and-up cocktails with catchy names and more ingredients than a birthday cake. It is, however, the best place for steaks and a hidden gem in the suburbs. I hope that by profiling it a bit here I don't ruin its charm. Cost is average for a steakhouse - more than you'd spend at the Sizzler, typically less than you'd shell out at Gibson's or Sullivan's. When you walk through the side doors, you'll be greeted by late-70s decor, a faint smoke smell, and an uncommon sight these days - a pull-handle cigarette machine. True, it's not a glamorous introduction, but I like to think (pray) that people are going to restaurants for the food, not the decor (though I have to question it, lately) The clientele is not typical of trendy steakhouses downtown Chicago, either. 20-30 years old? Some of your fellow diners will have eaten steaks at Tom's while you were a toddler eating Gerber's finest. Enough of that. On to the food! Nothing bad on the menu here at all. I prefer the king or queen filet, and a charred potato skin. Both plated tableside with unlimited salad and several homemade dressings that are to die for. I've never had anything on the menu that hasn't been outstanding. Sometimes the bread basket is a bit dry, and I typically avoid it so as to not spoil the meal. Ask to be seated in Bessie's section. She has been there for years, and will take care of you like family and offer up some entertaining conversation. I mentioned earlier the smoke smell -- you won't smell it at your table, so no worries. Pro Tip: You'll note that the sweetener trays are all numbered... that's for good reason, too. Every night a number is drawn at random and announced... the winner gets a gift certificate...and as they say at Tom's, "the baaah is INCLUDED"
(5)Natalie R.
I will second Tim right off the bat and say that if you are looking for a side of swank with your steak, this is not the place for you. Yes, it's dated, and that's because it's been around for longer than you have. But, if you want a place where you can get an exceptional dinner, have a drink, and get great service by someone who really enjoys giving it, this is the place to go. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. I had a chicken sandwich, Steve had the prime rib. Both were delicious. Appetizer, wine and dessert were also very good. The price for what you get is fantastic. We will definitely be back.
(4)Emily L.
I've used Yelp many times, and I've never bothered to write a review until now. But Tom's deserves a good one. I went with a group of six. My steak was melt-in-mouth good. The burger was apparently terrific. Both came with delicious double-baked potatoes. For dessert, the coconut sorbet (to die for) was served in a coconut shell. The waitress felt we should try the tiramisu, too, (in addition to the cheesecake and canoli we also ordered) so she brought it out even though we hadn't ordered it. The prices, considering how good the food was, were extremely reasonable. The kicker: the yelp info for this says it opens at 11am on Sundays. That's not true. It opens at noon. We showed up at 11:20am, learned it was closed, and stood in the parking lot trying to figure out where else to go - there are few places in this neighborhood open for Sunday brunch. The owner saw us, opened the doors, and served us early and graciously. The service was great. I'm a huge fan and plan on going again soon.
(5)Steven M.
I have been coming here since 1991. And they haven't changed a thing. Not even Rita. You have to eat in the bar area to get a Rita. She has been here for 26 years. You couldn't ask for a better server. O.K. on to the food. We both had a jack sour, or 6. Aces to the bartender. They were right on the money. The garlic dressing is from HELL! OMG! I had her leave it so I could dip everything into it. Bread, crackers, steak, forks, my tie. I had the prime rib end cut. It looked a little weird when it was brought out. They must have a scale in the back, because it was cut a few times? It was just warm. This thing didn't get a tan from being under the heat lamp. But it was still a great tasting hunk of meat. My friend had the same, just in the middle. He also loved it. The place was empty at 6 on saturday night though. The neighborhood has changed and I don't think it can support an old school eatery like this for much longer. Hop on now to get a flash from the past of how you should be treated when you go out to eat.
(4)peter l.
The food was great (ribs and prime rib), the waitstaff nice, and there wasn't 20 TVs glaring into my eyes while I relaxed and enjoyed my meal. I don't drink so can't comment about the bar but the coffee was very good. This place is old school which I kind of liked. Will definately go again. A nice relaxing delicious experience.
(5)D W.
02/28/2009 The taste of the food was great !! But the portions for the money you paid was not worth it. I ordered the large portion prime rib and a friend did also, when it was served I had to actually ask the waitress if "she was serious", this can't be Tom's Cut. She checked with the owner and said it was. I frequent many steak houses and out of all of them this is the steak house with SMALLEST king cut prime rib ever served. There are many other places to go with true "KING CUT" and actually better taste. Defintely not worth the money paid
(1)Jane H.
Loved it. Old school 1950s decor, mauve, very comfortable chairs. Charming. Salads are simply lettuce (tomato is extra), but the 3 homemade salad dressings are perfect to make an Americana salad. I liked the Russian dressing the best. My party had a king filet mignon and the halibut special. The filet was the best steak I've ever had. Perfectly charbroiled over charcoal, the server brings the steak out on the metal pan with the glowing charcoals underneath. I got the steak medium and it was pink in the middle, incredibly tender and juicy. The server spooned the juices from the pan over the steak and the juices were so good, they don't even need to offer you steak sauce. Super yummy homemade sour cream and chives for the baked potato. The halibut was tender too, although the steak was understandably the standout, but the halibut was good to balance the steak. A little pricey, but average price for this kind of steakhouse. Highly recommended!
(5)Rob W.
Old school steakhouse. While seated at the bar, another patron referred to the place as "fine dining" and that's exactly the description that fits. Problem is that no one relates to that term anymore because there just aren't any of the traditional "fine dining" places left. I was a little ticked when I went to order the prime rib special (at 7PM) and they were out of it. Really - at 7PM? And the place wasn't tremendously busy. So the waitress asked me to make another choice right after telling me the item I had just ordered was out. I told her I was going to have to take another look at the menu - I don't really think of the top 2-3 entrees that I'd want in case the one I really want is out. I kinda snapped at the bartender when he offered a suggestion. Probably shouldn't have done that - wasn't his fault that they had run out. But that was the only hiccup that night. I ordered a Riesling - their house Riesling, a BV brand. It was fair - I'm a big Hirschbeck fan when it comes to that kind of wine. Decided on a NY strip steak. Proved to be right on - medium rare as ordered. There was a little bit more tendon/gristle than I would have liked to see, but there was a fair and minimal amount of fat, so it balanced a bit. Too much au jus on the plate - next time I might ask for it "dry". Still serving the baked potato with their funky sour cream / cottage cheese type stuff, but I'm OK with that. Also have kept the three dressing option in which they encourage blending - those are alright too, but I'd really rather have a sweet Thousand Island dressing with my salad. Large amount of salad though - good value on that - and tomatoes on it are $2 extra. I like that because there's no chance of getting any unwanted tomatoes on my salad which happens at so many places I go to. Overall a good experience - it had been about 10-12 years since my last visit and the place hasn't really changed a bit. Wish there were more "fine dining" places like Tom's left - they're classic places with good food. I'll be back sooner this time.
(4)Colleen D.
I really love this place. It's totally old school steak house. This is our 3rd visit - first we sat in bar area - second in dining room - this time bar area - I highly recommend bar area. Dining area way too bright. But LOVE the service in the bar area. We had the same server last time - wish I got her name. She is awesome! Knowledgable, funny, sweet - the best! Just a great place - great cocktail menu - excellent salad with lazy susan dressing bar - steak was amazing! Brought out on a sizzling platter and this time we also got the mushrooms and onion...OMG - see pic! We had dessert for my mans bday - delicious chocolate cake. Prices very fair. Solid place!
(5)Mike L.
We arrived in Chicago in March from Phoenix, and spotted Tom's Steakhouse while driving on North Ave. My wife and I decided to try it one night back in March, and have frequented Tom's regularly ever since. We also have brought business associates to Tom's for dinner several times. My wife has purchased gift certificates that she has given out to employees on her sales team. Everyone is very impressed with the consistency of atmosphere, quality, and Tom's unparalleled service! We have been impressed with each employee having contact with us, and we're suprised to learn that the good folks working there have been there from 20-40 years!!! Now that's really impressive, and is proven by the outstanding service provided! We highly recommend Tom's Steak House to everyone! Thank you... Mike and Jan Larsen Phoenix, AZ/Chicago, IL
(5)Aimee M.
If anyplace looks like they'd serve up an excellent Cosmo and a Kiddie Cocktail, this would be the place. Tom's oozes old school--charm and decor. Sure it's dated, Don Draper-esque types probably dined here once upon a time and probably still do now bringing their family instead of clients. My husband loves these types of places and that's how we ended up here on his birthday. I made reservations for a Friday night--and we really didn't have to as the dining room was less than half full. The lounge though--with the full bar-- was almost full. I guess that's where the action is. The menu is pretty basic. Some interesting appetizers like oysters rockefeller, shrimp de jonghe, chopped chicken livers. The main courses run from different cuts of steak, lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and fish. Each main comes with a choice of soup or salad. The salad is served with a trio of dressings you are encouraged to mix up on your salad plate. House French, House Russian (super sweet) and House Sweet and Sour (surprisingly very garlicky). Just a note-there is no childrens menu here. So you might have to think twice if your little one only wants chicken fingers when you dine out. My husband opted for the broiled lamb chops and I opted for the bone-in ribeye. Since we both were getting salads our server asked if we'd like a small bowl of soup for our kid--how sweet was that? It was Manhattan Clam Chowder--it was pretty tomato-ey but still very good. We both liked our entrees. They were cooked just as we liked them. But if I had to choose, I'd say the lamb chops was more flavorful than the steak. Our drinks were perfect. And my son proclaimed his Kiddie Cocktail "The best!". There isn't much of a wine list--just some reds and whites. But with a full bar--I think getting a martini or other classic cocktail is the way to go. Desserts were pretty basic. Cheesecake and chocolate cake for us. Service was excellent. Our server doted on all three of us, but especially on my son making sure he liked the steak too. Gotta love these old school places!
(4)Erika C.
Well dated is the theme here. Dated décor, dated menu, dated service and the highlight, dated pricing. We had a bone in ribeye, a king filet, salads baked potatoes, 2 martinis, a sody pop and a scoop of spumoni, yes spumoni thank you very much: $94 including, as my dear old granny used to say, "Uncle Sam". The steaks were cooked perfectly, the salad dressings were divine and the baked potatoes were served with a delicious sour cream cottage cheese and chive concoction. The waitresses wield carts around the dining room, large hospital looking carts that have large delicious looking meat riding on top of them, very 1970 haute service. I look past the shortcomings to see the prize, a meal that can claim another one of my granny's gems, "champagne tastes on a beer pocket book". Well if that doesn't epitomize my life nothing does!
(4)Laura M.
We used to live in Melrose Park but moved away about 18 years ago. My mom and I were in the area and decided to check this place out again. Such nostalgia! This place is still great! Love the carousel for the salad, the way the food comes out is so unique. We will definitely make it a point to come back again in the near future! Definitely recommended!
(4)Eric S.
Old school place with old school items served by old school people. My mom treated me here as an early Valentine's gift (cue the 'awwww's'), and I got to experience what she referred to as an old timey "supper club". Tom's has existed for practically forever and was a destination back when this area was called simply 'Melrose'. Not Melrose Park, mind you, but 'Melrose'. So yep, there were mob ties-a-plenty back in the day, but do they still exist in 2015? Don't know, don't really care.....I also don't want to start asking questions and wind up wearing a pair of concrete shoes while enjoying the underwater scenery at the bottom of the Des Plaines river. Great, classic food all around. I was pleased with their saganaki (they used kefalogravaria cheese) that they flambeed tableside. Fortunately our server did it properly, but another waitress seemed almost scared to ignite the cheese and wound up waiting too long, which ruined the spectacle for their table. She must've been new, because our waitress had no such trepidations. The baked clams--although delicious--were priced too high for me to order again. They also featured oysters Rockefeller and shrimp de johnge. Tasty tomato basil soup; mi madre opted for the salad, which came with three homemade dressings. Their signature Russian cream is essentially just an amalgamation of french/western and ranch dressings, nothing too impressive. What IS impressive, however, are their cuts of beef. My prime rib was an inch thick (not an exaggeration) and cooked perfectly medium-rare. It was a gigantic slice of cow served with a baked potato and their signature sour cream/chive mix. Our waitress was as aged as the steaks we ate; she was attentive and polite, although perhaps a teensy bit hard-of-hearing, as I had to repeat myself a few times here and there. Very johnny-on-the-spot with water refills. For dessert we got their brandy ice, which is exactly what it sounds like. Think traditional ice cream with more ice chunks and (literally just) brandy poured on top. It was pretty boozy, to be honest, but eating what amounted to flavored ice cube chips didn't do much for me. For a place that I drive by twice daily, I very much enjoyed the overall dining experience. Dessert didn't wow me, but the prime rib was sublime and carried the rest of the meal towards a solid 4*. Would recommend.
(4)Robert J.
This was my 1st visit to Tom's. Very nice place. Great atmosphere, great service, and a great meal. My server Diane was excellent. I had a Caesar salad to start. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. The dressing was tasty and you could really taste the fresh anchovies in it. I had the pork chops and applesauce entree. The pork chops were cooked perfectly. The baked potato was also good with a really tasty house chive cream sauce. I'll definitely be going back to get the bone in ribeye.
(5)Jaime S.
You don't come here because it's fancy or daring; you come because it's traditional, old school, and kitschy to the point that hipsters will probably start a chain of Coffee shops in the same decor sometime in the next decade. I came here on Christmas Eve with a party of 10. The service was a tad slow when we first sat down, but quickly picked up. The waitstaff worked efficiently and quickly on what is always one of the busiest nights of the year, and were incredibly pleasant. I was the only person who did not order a steak but instead had a simple but tasty boiled orange roughy. The portion sizes are ample so be careful that you don't need to be rolled out of the restaurant
(4)Kimberly S.
Okay, so if you are a "foodie" who judges a restaurant greatly on what it looks like.....this place let's you know what it is from the sign outside. Outdated? Check. Pink decor with triangular mirrors on the walls? Double check. Waitresses who have been around forever and have the same uniforms as the did in the 80s? Triple check. It is not minimalistic. It does not have foam on the steaks. There are not stark b&w photos on the walls. It does have really good meat. I stick to the cowboy ribeye or prime rib. The salad is served with three homemade thick dressings that come in a salad dressing caddy. If you roll your eyes at the idea of being served an iceberg salad with handmade dressings? Get over yourself. These dressings are dream worthy. And you can buy some to take home with you! The baked potato and grilled mushrooms are nice additions to finish the meal. The martinis are cold and refreshing. Good old school place that likely will never be hip....and that's part of it's charm.
(4)Karen R.
Old school steak house. Great steaks always perfectly cooked. The liver pate is creamy and delicious. The prices are reasonable compared to big name steak houses and the quality is the same or better.Cocktails are superb as they are made by experienced bartenders. Old school lounge. Classy and classic.
(4)Matt M.
I've driven by the this place for years and heard some good reviews so I let everyone know that I wanted to try it for my Birthday. I ate there last year for my Birthday and for Christmas my wife got me a Tom's Steak House gift certificate. I had the New York strip and the Au Jus was fantastic. One of my friends in the party who is a steak house coinsure agreed it was an outstanding steak. My wife got the crab legs and those were great too. The service was great and they gave me a free slice of cake for my B day. My wife and I are foodies so we hit up restaurants in the Oak Park area on a weekly basis. She is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian who eats sea food a couple times a year, so its obviously not on our go to list, but I can't wait to use my gift certificate. I want to try the Filet Mignon this time.
(5)Alexander P.
This place is a class act. The steak and seafood are delicious but that isn't even the best part. Go to the bar and talk to the Greek bartender with black hair and ask him to tell you a joke. If you're squeamish maybe don't ask but if you like foul humor, he's the guy for you. P.S. The cheese cake, vanilla ice cream and spiked coffee are a must.
(5)Eloise M.
A high-class place that has a very pricey steak. Their dining has this very nice decors, the lights were perfect. And the ambiance will totally blew you aways. I personally like their dining area. The food was fascinating. I had the Lamb Chops with Mint Jelly for the first time. It was quite the price, didn't expect it to be that pricey. I also ordered their Fresh Filet of Tilapia, the filet was magnificent. Loved how it becomes the best tasting tilapia.
(3)Rita C.
Recently went to Tom's after many years. The salad is still the best by far. Their homemade dressings are to die for . We were a party of 10 everyone loved the steaks and chops. The bartender even made me a pink squirrel. Service was excellent. Not your up to date decor for steakhouse but we loved it. We will be back soon .
(5)Alicia P.
I've been coming here since I was a baby, and my parents went on one of their first dates here. You'll definitely get a great steak! The filet is best in Chicago, in my opinion!
(5)J S.
I was pretty surprised! Another couple invited us to dinner here and I admit I was very Aprehensive to give it a try! I drive past this place every day, twice a day and not once ever thought hm let me go here for dinner. Until our friends invited us. Of course I checked out there website and some yelp reviews before hand and I figured if this place has been in business for so long they must be doing something right! The ambiance was pretty old school but not in a bad way. Our server was very attentive even on a somewhat busy night. (Sweetest day) She took her time to tell us about the menu and even chatted with us about some our favorite tv shows! She noticed we were taking photos and even offered to take a group shot of us. Honestly I can't tell you the last time a server had been so friendly and attentive! Ok now for the food! Your at a steak house so what do you get?? Steak! For $30 or so you can get a good piece of meat served in their au ju, a baked potato and a side salad! Not bad! We also ordered the stuffed clams and they were delicious! If you want a nice steak dinner and don't feel like spending a lot, or going to a chain.. Then you should def try this place out!
(4)Mark Z.
Hit the time machine and step back in time for an old school steak house. Been here a few times over the years for drinks and dinner. Nothimg that great to talk about. The Rush on Roosevelt
(2)Moni K.
Ton's Steak house is a very large restaurant. It has that Goodfellas vibe which is very charming. The waitresses I hear have been working there for 20+ years. It is a lovely place but the food did not do it for me. My steak came out cold and chewy I could not eat it. Very disappointing. The creaming mash potatoes very very good and the horseradish sauce was good too. But the steak...I looked forward to the steak and oh ....I had not have steak in 5 years...I just wanted a good steak. Anyways the company was lovely and I enjoyed myself....but please Tom's Steak House improve on your steak.
(2)Gus I.
great place a real steak house where the owner is there taking care of his customers and not a "manager" who gets payed to care.... hand cut steaks perfect... good crowd on a wed night no wait fast good service and a good ol stiff drink....
(5)Alex A.
been here many times, great food and service. Had the salmon and was fantastic.
(5)Ryan H.
Very friendly service but the food was just okay, ordered my steak medium-rare but it was much closer to well done than anything. Doubt I will return
(3)Mike L.
Ate at the bar and had a Salad and Chicken last night - once again a 10! However, I wish the busboy didn't put his bare hands in the Ice bin to refill someone's coke - also, I wish the waitress who grabbed 2 olives with her her bare paws didn't place the olives on her service tray while waiting for the bartender to make her martini......what are these people thinking? And we wonder why there are outbreaks of Ecoli.....
(5)Peter S.
Back again celebrating two birthdays with a party of 10 including a toddler and a baby. All the drinks, including vodka martinis, were excellent. We had shrimp, chicken livers and saganakii as appetizers which were all great.Salads are good although they could maybe use something besides lettuce and cabbage, but the dressings are very, very good. Our entrees included their beef tournedos special,chopped steak, T-bone steak, bone-in ribeye, butt steak, salmon and queen filet. All were outstanding. Our desserts included tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, and a sundae. All were excellent. This place is a real throwback to the 60's. From the decor to the staff. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Most restaurants have 30 year old servers. Theirs have 30 years on the job. Two small issues: the bread basket has great crackers, but the bread was cold like right out of the refrigerator. And it took the waitress a while to figure out our bill because they use order pads. Maybe get a POS system? But we will keep on coming back.
(4)Peter K F.
Great value. When you've had enough of Outback (nothing wrong with Outback, by the way), try a real, old-fashioned steak house. I'm from out east (Long Island) and Tom's reminds me of McCluskey's on Sunrise Highway (and that's high praise). Local flavor, Chicago ambience, a bar full of character ( and characters). Excellent steaks, always, at a reasonable price. Fabulous salads with a dressing carousel of French, Russian, and Creamy Garlic. Fat baking potatoes or mashed available. Nice wine list. Service has always been cordial, prompt. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Ed B.
I cannot say enough good about Tom's. Great food. Good drinks. Awesome service. They make you feel welcome the minute you walk in the door....almost like you are part of the family. Steaks...wow. Greek Chicken is mouthwatering. Lamb chops are out of this world.
(5)Catherine P.
I have been here twice. Both times for dinner and both times kinda last minute. The service is so cute. Like an old, sweet dog. They have table side service. Almost everything is served to you via a rolling cart. Servers wear very classic, banquet type uniforms and they all have obviously been working here for-ev-er!! The atmosphere is totally old world Italian dated mid-60's I would guess. I can almost picture the crowds of people chain smoking, drinking and eating humongous steaks throughout this place with a line out the door. All before I was even a twinkle in my daddy's eye. I am pretty pathetic...I ordered their french dip on my first trip in and because it was quite possibly the most amazingly, fantastically, delicious sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of consuming, I ordered it on my second trip too. The only problem, that really isn't a problem, is that sandwiches do not come with the salad, so I have to add one for like $4. Couldn't care less what a salad costs, the lettuce isn't anything remotely special. It's their HOME MADE DRESSINGS they make in house. Oh, the dressing...I think we may have to go tonight....The creamy garlic is so garlicy and delectable and stupendous. I am impressed that they do not have a store front where they can sell this stuff. I would buy it and I'm sure I'm not the only one. They also make two other dressings. I have tasted each and they are good, but they are not the creamy garlic by any means. I believe that one is a French and I'm not sure about the other one. Getting refills on drinks is kinda a trick. But what do I want? Giant plastic tumblers that cheapen the place up, or glasses that make me feel like a grown up? I'll take the small bar glasses and make sure to order a glass of water too. The au jus is something that I feel like I could drink out of one of those giant tumblers....it's so good. The baked potatoes are probably the most popular potato option I see being served but like I said, table side service...they do not cut into it until at your table to ensure it's steaming hot when you put that butter on it. Yummmmmm. I'm pretty sure I was under dressed on our last trip, but no one asked me to leave, so I'm not too concerned. I feel like I can wear jeans, but should leave the tennis shoes at home. After dinner, the next time we go, I wanna sit in the bar and have a cocktail. It looks like a good time in there!
(5)Chris M.
Tom's was an enjoyable dinner - though I don't think I'd ever return if I was the one footing the bill. The queen filet wasn't bad, definitely like the fact that it's served swimming its own delicous juice - with that said it was a bit over cooked and charred on the outside lending a bit of a burnt taste. Everything at Tom's seems to be served in abundance... even the salad dressing (a cup of dressing per salad is a bit excessive, but I suppose that's what places like this are for). That said, everything was pretty tasty. Beer selection is limited, though the wine list seems to fair better.
(3)Jennifer S.
Review #200. Let's do the time warp agaaaaain!!! I want to go back to Tom's right now. But, it's snowing. And it would take me over an hour to get there. And I have no one to go with tonight. I visited Tom's for the second time a couple months ago. I didn't write a review when I first went because I thought that maybe I needed a second trip to really get a true feel for the place. I was right all along and should have written my review last year. From the time you pull into the parking lot until you head westbound on North Avenue to go back home, you know you came to the right place. I wish I could tell you how to dress here. I've gone in jeans and gym shoes both times. (when I called, they said it was casual) But, I kinda felt underdressed. But then, I didn't care. And other people's attire made me feel better. This place is about the food. Not the mirrored walls or the little old lady waitresses. I go for the food, but the ambiance keeps me chuckling throughout so it's a good thing. My only wish is for butter that is not rock hard. It's practically frozen which does not bode well for spreading on their delicious bread. Don't skip the bialy. It's yummy! It's even better dipped in the homemade garlic salad dressing that will arrive shortly. My sister and I knocked back way too much of that amazing dressing! It turns your simple salad into a sinful delight. Come on, do it! And don't forget to try the chicken filled cheesy potato skins (not well done). These are right up there with the homemade garlic dressing. Both times, my sister opted for a French Dip. It's thinly sliced prime rib that comes with the most amazing au jus and a baked potato! I will admit to trying a bite or many on both visits. I ordered the pork chops on my first visit. I am not usually a fan of any pork products other than bacon, but a neighboring table had these chops and I had to try them. They were juicy and delicious! Well seasoned porky goodness! This last time, my sister mentioned the chopped steak. I love onions and beef, so I ordered it first and it was another great choice! Covered in au jus, I ate more than my fair share. Both times we skipped dessert...maybe we should just take it to go next time. I'll be back and sooner rather than later. Maybe I should call my sister now...the snow has let up and we can make it there in forty five minutes. :-)
(5)Steve G.
First of all, let's get something straight -- this is NOT the Tom's Steak House of the good old days: Full of Melrose Park connected guys and their girlfriends and hangers on. It was a fun joint, with valet parking for the Caddies and Lincolns, with people dressed to the nines, dripping with jewelry -- all enjoying their "new" money... No, today, this is an old restaurant, owned by Greek restaurateurs who know how to serve a great steak at a very good price. Sure there are hints of the good (bad) old days: The bar is frozen in a time warp, with it's thick padded armrests and 60's bar stools. The bartenders are as old as me (yikes!) and start talking to you (yikes!) as soon as you sit down. There's a jukebox (full of CDs, alas) but a healthy dose of Rat Pack singers are available. The TVs are not LCD or plasma, and they're only 19". Ask for a Zin in here and you'll get White Zinfandel (how quaint!). Ask for "Dewar's on the rocks with a water back" and you'll get what you ordered (yum!) and lots of it. Great crisp, cold salad, fluffy baked potato, generous "King cut" Filet Mignon, and don't forget the roasted onions -- $3 worth is enough for a table of 4. If you live in the area, stop by soon -- in this economy don't take this kind of place for granted!
(4)Justin B.
Thank god for places like this. When you walk in you see men dressed in suites. You see a vintage sign out front. You drop your date off under a canopy. You see a parking lot full of Cadillac's. Then enter into a charming dining room that looks like it has not changed since the 80's. When you open the menu you see steaks, chops, seafood and chicken. That's it, nothing fancy. This is a steakhouse. Don't come here expecting infused items, fruit in salads, or anything experimental. The food is brought out on carts by very friendly servers. The steak I had was excellent. The chicken my wife had was great as well. You pay for the food and not the frills. Go to downtown Rosemont for that. If your looking for a great steak, this is the place.
(5)Little D.
It's ALL ABOUT GEORGE! Hubby and I went here on Monday evening because we happened to stumble upon it. I had never been to Melrose before so we decided to take a drive and check it out. We saw Tom's old sign and we knew we had to take a look inside. We were instantly transported to the 1950s and it was fabulous! We weren't planning on eating at that time but we did have a look in the dining room. Old school décor, charming host, clean, candles - seems perfect. This place is just haunted with the fabulous spirits of the well-to-do and the glamorous parties of the past. We decided to check out the bar area and have a quick drink. Though there were some super casual patrons, the rich saturation of history and good 'ol times made me want to throw on a fascinator and giant cocktail ring. I am surprised that in all these reviews, nobody has mentioned George. George is a bartender that knows his stuff and is just so freaking charming! Not in the gregarious, in-your-face kind of way, but, more of a well-mannered and seasoned professional. You can tell he has seen it all. He is no-nonsense and makes his drinks STRONG. He was so kind to us and gave my husband a second drink on the house! Then, when I was almost done with my martini, I look up and there he is ready to refill me! He asks if I would like another and before I could even answer my glass was happy again! So, our quick drink turned into a lovely lingering couple of drinks. We introduced ourselves to him and I told him that in the short time we've known each other he is now my favorite person. Though we did not try the food, I am giving Tom's a solid 5 because of George. George has sealed the deal on where we're going to celebrate my birthday in a couple of weeks. If the food is anything like the bartender, we are in for a classic and excellent meal! George, you are wonderful. Thank you for making a couple of strangers feel special!
(5)Donna F.
I can apprecciate the whole time machine magic and all, but the management needs to be brought up to the times as far as the liquor laws go. Had to buy a bottle of wine because of the shit poor choice of selection by the glass. Didn't finish the whole thing and was told I couldn't carry it out. This law was passed several years ago stating the contrary. As long as it's in a transparent bag it is ok. Was told it had to be finished at the bar. Went home, looked up the law, called the establishment, had it staring me in the face when I did and was told a carry out license was required. Not true! Argued with someone over the phone who doesn't even know there is such a thing as an internet to prove him wrong(old stubborn Greek) to no avail. How can you operate a restaurant and be so worried about the police arresting you that you don't even know the latest laws? I've been here several times and enjoyed the whole 60's vibe which makes you overlook the dirty menus, ice cold bread and mediocre meal, but this latest mishap will never have me walking through those doors again and I'll be sure to spread the word. I did appreciate the seasoned bartender who wasn't afraid to pour a good drink and please the patrons. Too bad he has to work for such shitheads. Maybe someone in that family of clowns can look up the laws that should be known by anybody operating a restaurant. Totally disgusted and out a lot of cash!
(1)Tessa G.
I've had better food, service, and ambiance at Denny's. I have also seen better dressed patrons at Denny's as well. I called ahead to see what the dress code was and was told "dress casual". I didn't know that dress casual meant flip flops and stained cargo shorts but the guy at the table next to me sure did. This place was quite the popular place back in the day and you can tell that not a penny has been sunk into maintaining or updating the decor since it was popular. Stained carpets and ceiling tiles were an eye sore to say the least but at least they matched the man's cargo shorts at the table next to me. I had to send back my $28 fillets because the artichoke hearts and bearnaise sauce that topped them were both rancid. My dish was inedible. When I brought this to their attention they copped an attitude and finally corrected the situation by giving me a cold prime rib, an ice berg lettuce salad, and stale bread. Worst $100 I've ever spent in my entire life. I feel absolutely cheated and am hoping that I do not get sick from the rancid sauce and vegetables. It is no wonder this place was almost empty on a Saturday night. Stay away! This place should've died a long long time ago.
(1)Jesse W.
My bosses love this place. Perhaps because it's one of the only "nicer" sit-down places to go for lunch in Melrose Park. I, however, find the food flavorless or overcooked whenever I go. All of the food tastes like it was made by old folks who are losing their palette. I've had salmon (overcooked) and the Philly Cheesesteak (good, but definitely missing grease and flavor). Their baked potatoes are pretty good, but have you ever met an elder that didn't know how to bake a potato right? Their sour cream has chives pre-mixed in, which I enjoyed. But if a potato is the highlight of my two meals here, you're probably better off going elsewhere. Inevitably, we'll have another business lunch here, so I'll be sure to update you on their steak.
(2)Chris M.
Tom's was an enjoyable dinner - though I don't think I'd ever return if I was the one footing the bill. The queen filet wasn't bad, definitely like the fact that it's served swimming its own delicous juice - with that said it was a bit over cooked and charred on the outside lending a bit of a burnt taste. Everything at Tom's seems to be served in abundance... even the salad dressing (a cup of dressing per salad is a bit excessive, but I suppose that's what places like this are for). That said, everything was pretty tasty. Beer selection is limited, though the wine list seems to fair better.
(3)Andy M.
What else can you say about a place that always has its neaon lights working. They actually take care of the place and this place reminds me of the former stevens steakhouse in Elmhurst, which didn';t take care of its building. The steak is great here no matter what cut it is. One of the few places worth going to in melrose Park
(4)Chris D.
I had really high hopes for Tom's and I have to say I feel really let down. They must have had an off night. My wife and I went for dinner on Valentines day. We ordered the oysters raw to start and for dinner she had the shrimp dejoghn (i think this is the way they spelled it) and I had the king fillet. I think the biggest issue we had was that our waitress lacked knowledge of the menu. When asked what Tom's was known for she couldn't make a suggestion. She said all the steaks were good and that the shrimp was garlicky. I ordered my fillet medium rare and it came to me medium well. I would have sent it back but it took nearly 45 minutes to get our original order. It was tender but very dry. The cook also charred the steak too much and it had a burnt taste to it. My wife was disappointed because her shrimp were overcooked. She described her shrimp as having the same texture that overcooked calamari has. She also got four pieces of shrimp (they looked like 21-20's) for 16.95. I felt after our dinner had our waitress made a proper suggestion on what Tom's is known for (their prime rib) I would have order that. I pains me to have to drop their rating but if you are a steak restaurant and you cannot do it right others should know about it.
(2)Sarah S.
This place is like stepping into a time machine... Wow.. table side service 5 stars. Decor.. 3 stars for nostalgia... Food was 4 solid.... Creamy garlic dressing was to die for. Next time I'm bringing my own container to steal some
(4)Maris W.
The ambiance was an old folks home. If you want to pay $30 for a steak, come to my house. The meat was flavorless and over priced. But a good note was we liked our waitress.
(1)mike l.
Seeing all the other Cadillacs and Lincolns in the parking lot was definitely a good sign - I figured if old people can eat here and still live it's good for me. Entering this place was a time warp, complete with the wood paneling and waitresses that look like they've been working there for the past sixty years. A family of tourists walking in with shorts and t-shirts definitely didn't fit the atmosphere, but they sat us down anyway. Tom's was good. I think we actually saw Tom, or maybe it was his son or grandson. The steaks were amazing and cooked to absolute perfection. I had a prime rib myself, and it was extremely flavorful and appetizing. If I was ever back in Chicago I'd stop here again, and shy away from all the greasy heart-burn inducing deep-dish stuff the natives call pizza.
(5)Marilyn K.
I don't have much more to add to previous reviewers except to agree and say don't let looks fool you. Last Saturday night we let our GPS guide us to a steakhouse we knew nothing about (always a crapshoot) and this is where we wound up. Tom's is great and once you're sitting there a while, the decor seems just right. OK, maybe the drinks help with that, but the food is truly awesome. I had a special with filet medallions, artichoke and amazing bernaise & bordelaise sauces (yes, both! when we go out we want it to be worth our while) My better half had the prime rib and loved it. Even the baked potatoes tasted better, though nothing special appeared to be done. Maybe it's just because we always microwave 'em at home. The people there were also great, both employees and guests. Everyone was having a good time. All I know is we'll be back!
(5)Eat V.
I am so afraid to say Tom's is my favorite Prime Rib EVAH because it is only 12 minutes away from my house and I am afraid I may eat there everyday which is not good for my a** or thighs for that matter! Right off the bat, I notice it is fancier(70's fancy) than I expected. I felt like I had traveled back to the good ole days, this place must have, actually was the "IT" spot for the who's who in Chicago. The bar was lively with sports on TV a jukebox and longtime regulars that made me feel right at home for my 1st time visit. Appetizer must have: Saganaki. I am not usually into saganaki, it is kinda you've had 1 you've had them all. Not true in this case. (Right to the thighs!). It is rich, creamy and just the right amount of salt. Beef Potato Skins. I do not prefer Blue Cheese, however this must be on the mild side and they put it under the broiler to make it well done and it was mouth watering. Salad: Enough as a meal on its own! I could not decide which dressing I wanted so I ate them all individually and than mixed than separate again. Prime Rib. I kind of pride myself on a Prime Rib connoisseur. I also make a damn good one too. But Tom's blew everyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy single Prime Rib I have had out of the water! I was shocked. But why? Tom's has been around for years , that has to mean something, and it does! Service: The host/manager was actually young & handsome and had a good time with the regulars. It was nice to see. Felt like a 2nd home to many of these people. It was fun being a fly on the wall, but not for long, because from every corner people ask you questions, engage you in conversation and make you feel like family. The waitress must have been there her whole life. She was perfectly attentive, knowledgeable and sweet. You must go to Tom's. I am trying not to go tonight! May have to sneak in for a quick bite during the week!
(5)Michael Z.
Went here based on some of the reviews. I wasn't impressed. I got the saganaki which was ok. My wife had the potato skins which also had steak and bleu cheese. I thought the bleu cheese was dry and more stinky than usual. We both also got the salad they brought out three different dressings. The garlic dressing was really garlicky and I love garlic. My wife liked it. We both got the prime rib. She got the queen cut and I got the bigger one. Needless to say they both looked the same size. It was just OK and for the money I spent I'd go elsewhere.
(2)Beatrice K.
Been going to Tom's for years. Still make the best steaks around. As good as Morton's at half the price. And for desert, Brandy Ice. OMG! We live in North Carolina now, but come to Chicago two or three times a year and always make it to Tom's. One of the few places hubby will order a steak.
(5)Mary P.
What can I say, last 2 times I've been to Tom's Steakhouse the food has been perfect. The King Filet was cooked to perfection (medium/rare) and swimming in its own juices. You get a salad and 3 dressings are brought to your table to put on as much or little as you like. Same with the potato. Its nice to be able to spoon your own amount of sour cream on it. Since it was my birthday dinner, it was a treat for a 6" cake with a single candle to be brought to the table. The atmosphere is from the supper club days, low lighting and just pleasant. The steaks are well worth the trip.
(5)Tracey M.
Part of the charm surrounding Tom's Steak House is the dated environment, the push cart that your meal comes out on and the pull handle cigarette machines you'll find by the restrooms - however that's not why you go to Tom's. Hands down, Tom's serves the BEST fillet I've ever had! Make sure you come hungry because there is no shortage of food at Tom's. BTW - Did I mention the service is also OUTSTANDING!? If not, it is. We always see if we can be seated at Bessy's table. If not, that's fine because the other servers are great as well. One last thing I feel the need to mention - the "sugar bowl." The sugar bowls on each table have a number written on them. On Saturday evenings (this is the only night that I know they do this) around 6/7PM they call a number and if it's your table's number than your meal is complete FREE (my favorite four letter word) - including the bar! All in all, I would travel from afar to eat at Tom's with no hesitation.
(5)Barry G.
Short and sweet: time warp, uninspired, overcooked, expensive, friendly.
(2)Leang E.
This place reminds me of Black Ram, but the steak here is phenomenal! It was like butter. Yum, the right amount of juicy, tenderness, and temperature. I appreciated the potato skins, but the salad was kind of ruined despite the homemade dressing when the vegetables are wilted. I don't really want to see lightly orange or brown rims on my lettuce. I like my salad to be crisp. I'd say skip saving stuff that needs to be tossed out, especially if you are going to serve it to people - just because you might eat it like that doesn't mean that people should have to pay for it. I'd like to come back and try a dessert, but the 8 oz. filet mignon was filing with all the rest of the food.
(4)Brian C.
My wife and I were in town for a weekend and wanted to go out for steak but were fed up with downtown parking and craziness, so I looked for somewhere outside the city with some parking. I was really unsure based upon the reviews, some 1 star and some 5 star, all over the place. As others have pointed out, Tom's is not a trendy place with tapas and high prices for the sake of having high prices, you won't find a parking lot full of BMWs and Mercs, this is one of the places that the locals go to off the tourist path when they want great service and a good steak. Seriously, the level of service here made us feel like royalty (without being too in your face or pretentious), they treat you like you're a guest in their home. The food was fantastic. Our steaks came out drowning in the most yummy juice, we wanted to soak our potatoes and everything in it. Even when our baked potatoes came out, the waitress cut them for us, I've never seen that before, nice touch! Ok, the interior is outdated, the chairs are straight out of the sixties as are the wood paneled walls, but you know what? I came here for the food and service and they scored 5 stars on both counts! Thanks Tom's for giving us exactly what we were looking for at exactly the right time! If we travel back to Chicago, we'll be back!
(5)Jenny C.
This place has the best prime rib and the stiffest vodka martinis. I've long been going to Lawry's and I have to say the prime rib at Tom's was better. Their steaks have a nice char to it. I don't remember the sides much, but I definitely remember how delicious the meat and drinks were. I was born and raised in Chicago in the '80s, so this place felt nostalgic to me!
(4)Randy B.
Had lunch there for the first time yesterday. I chose the Ribeye steak sandwich......Yeah... Not a sandwich at all, more of an steak on open face rye bread. The steak was tender and had good flavor, I think I would order the prime rib if I ever return.
(3)Ellelean C.
The place can use an update. The wait staff is polite but lacks the polish of steak house servers and reminded me of Orange is the new black. All of the food lacked flavor. Their salad dressing flight was basically flavored mayo. Steaks were decent quality but lacked flavor. A little salt and pepper would have went a long way. The rolls were cold and hard. I don't plan to eat here again. It seems like the owner is old school and needs to update menu, food, and building.
(2)Marueen L.
A+ a Great ambiance the menus is that of a "Steak House" not complicated, variety of cuts of meat! The beef is aged wonderfully so you taste pure beef. Juicy and cooked to perfection( I love medium rare steaks, so it's a big deal to me). Waitress was personable and attentive. I will frequent. Nice gem in the area
(4)Kimberly S.
Okay, so if you are a "foodie" who judges a restaurant greatly on what it looks like.....this place let's you know what it is from the sign outside. Outdated? Check. Pink decor with triangular mirrors on the walls? Double check. Waitresses who have been around forever and have the same uniforms as the did in the 80s? Triple check. It is not minimalistic. It does not have foam on the steaks. There are not stark b&w photos on the walls. It does have really good meat. I stick to the cowboy ribeye or prime rib. The salad is served with three homemade thick dressings that come in a salad dressing caddy. If you roll your eyes at the idea of being served an iceberg salad with handmade dressings? Get over yourself. These dressings are dream worthy. And you can buy some to take home with you! The baked potato and grilled mushrooms are nice additions to finish the meal. The martinis are cold and refreshing. Good old school place that likely will never be hip....and that's part of it's charm.
(4)Karen R.
Old school steak house. Great steaks always perfectly cooked. The liver pate is creamy and delicious. The prices are reasonable compared to big name steak houses and the quality is the same or better.Cocktails are superb as they are made by experienced bartenders. Old school lounge. Classy and classic.
(4)Matt M.
I've driven by the this place for years and heard some good reviews so I let everyone know that I wanted to try it for my Birthday. I ate there last year for my Birthday and for Christmas my wife got me a Tom's Steak House gift certificate. I had the New York strip and the Au Jus was fantastic. One of my friends in the party who is a steak house coinsure agreed it was an outstanding steak. My wife got the crab legs and those were great too. The service was great and they gave me a free slice of cake for my B day. My wife and I are foodies so we hit up restaurants in the Oak Park area on a weekly basis. She is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian who eats sea food a couple times a year, so its obviously not on our go to list, but I can't wait to use my gift certificate. I want to try the Filet Mignon this time.
(5)Mike J.
Great steaks, comfortable if a bit dated, unparalleled service and quality. Been going here for 30 years and keep going back. Great for a quiet dinner or family celebration. Don't miss it.
(4)Trina J.
My guy always talks about the steaks at this old school establishment.. So, we decided to stop in after picking up the truck from the detail shop/auto spa next door. After hearing so much about it, I wanted to see if this place still had the juice. We were in total grunge gear (spent the day skiing) and thought it was best to dine in the bar area with Andy, the world's best bartender. I ordered the bone in Ribeye, medium rare with a baked potato. The potato is served with cheese and chives. Needless to say, I am expecting a basic potato. It was very special. The cheese and chives were whipped up in a serving tray and brought to you to scoop at your leisure. It was unlike any flavor I have ever had. As for the Ribeye, it was very tender and prepared to perfection. There is definitely something unique about this place and the grill used to prepare the meat. .....The dinner salad on the other hand, was not worth chewing. It looked like the pre cut lettuce and carrots you can buy for $1.50 per bag at the Supermarket. Except it was older. You can add tomatoes for $1.50. I know the price of tomatoes have gone up but dang! How many tomatoes do I get for an additional $1.50? .....Outside of the old, jinky lettuce, I liked all three of the dressing options (French, Garlic and one other). They recommend mixing the dressings together. Recap: Ribeye - 3.5 stars Baked Potato - 2.5 stars Salad - 2 stars Salad Dressing - 5 stars Service - 4 stars Presentation and Ambience - 3 stars Andy - 5 stars * he makes a mean Midori Sour Two steak dinners were about $60 before gratuity.
(3)Michael M.
The place to go if you love stale bread, outdated decor, waitresses that resemble the inmates in "Orange is the new black". Went here last Saturday for a family members 80th birthday dinner. What an experience! First the wait staff was so unfriendly I thought there must a have been a round of layoffs that day. These people seemed more like "forced labor" than paid workers. The bread was so hard I worried I would break the plate underneath it after a successful chop of the log that resembled a dinner roll. Mmmm. Wet steak. I ordered the Bone In Rib Eye, it looked strange swimming in 1/2" of liquid (are these steaks frozen). I should have brought a fishing pole with! It was definitely under seasoned, needed a great deal of salt to improve the taste. Maybe all of the flavor was in the water it was swimming in. Felt completely ripped off for a $34 steak. Had much better steaks at the Longhorn, for a better price too. Waitress then proceeded to spill a tray of drinks on my wife! No I'm not making this up. While the waitress was apologetic, there was no compensation given other than a glass of free wine. Others in my party were also complaining about there food not cooked as ordered. Medium steaks arriving rare. Fish was especially "fishy", and flavorless. It was as if the owner just put a big heaping plate of F^(K Y@U in front of us all. Seriously, I felt insulted on our way out. All in all, a huge disappointment.
(1)Alexander P.
This place is a class act. The steak and seafood are delicious but that isn't even the best part. Go to the bar and talk to the Greek bartender with black hair and ask him to tell you a joke. If you're squeamish maybe don't ask but if you like foul humor, he's the guy for you. P.S. The cheese cake, vanilla ice cream and spiked coffee are a must.
(5)Peter G.
this is a old place with great food and the pricing is very fair. If your looking for some great food it's a must try. The one problem I had was the waitress she was very stressed I think she was about 70 yrs old. try to find a younger one.
(5)Eloise M.
A high-class place that has a very pricey steak. Their dining has this very nice decors, the lights were perfect. And the ambiance will totally blew you aways. I personally like their dining area. The food was fascinating. I had the Lamb Chops with Mint Jelly for the first time. It was quite the price, didn't expect it to be that pricey. I also ordered their Fresh Filet of Tilapia, the filet was magnificent. Loved how it becomes the best tasting tilapia.
(3)Chet M.
Another time-warp-walk-down memory-lane joint. The only only things I'd get here is the comp salad with their to die for dressings (garlic, thousand, and Russian) and the prime rib. The Greek chicken took too long and was way too lemony and the slab of ribs was on par with Chili's. Service was friendly and good to see them still in biz to take my kids here.
(3)Vicky G.
The perfect supper club! Though it's a little outdated, this adds to Tom's charm. You know you're going to get what you pay for. Don't pass up the cheese mixture for the potatoes! It's to die for!
(5)Ed B.
I cannot say enough good about Tom's. Great food. Good drinks. Awesome service. They make you feel welcome the minute you walk in the door....almost like you are part of the family. Steaks...wow. Greek Chicken is mouthwatering. Lamb chops are out of this world.
(5)Rita C.
Recently went to Tom's after many years. The salad is still the best by far. Their homemade dressings are to die for . We were a party of 10 everyone loved the steaks and chops. The bartender even made me a pink squirrel. Service was excellent. Not your up to date decor for steakhouse but we loved it. We will be back soon .
(5)Alicia P.
I've been coming here since I was a baby, and my parents went on one of their first dates here. You'll definitely get a great steak! The filet is best in Chicago, in my opinion!
(5)Mike L.
Ate at the bar and had a Salad and Chicken last night - once again a 10! However, I wish the busboy didn't put his bare hands in the Ice bin to refill someone's coke - also, I wish the waitress who grabbed 2 olives with her her bare paws didn't place the olives on her service tray while waiting for the bartender to make her martini......what are these people thinking? And we wonder why there are outbreaks of Ecoli.....
(5)Donna F.
I can apprecciate the whole time machine magic and all, but the management needs to be brought up to the times as far as the liquor laws go. Had to buy a bottle of wine because of the shit poor choice of selection by the glass. Didn't finish the whole thing and was told I couldn't carry it out. This law was passed several years ago stating the contrary. As long as it's in a transparent bag it is ok. Was told it had to be finished at the bar. Went home, looked up the law, called the establishment, had it staring me in the face when I did and was told a carry out license was required. Not true! Argued with someone over the phone who doesn't even know there is such a thing as an internet to prove him wrong(old stubborn Greek) to no avail. How can you operate a restaurant and be so worried about the police arresting you that you don't even know the latest laws? I've been here several times and enjoyed the whole 60's vibe which makes you overlook the dirty menus, ice cold bread and mediocre meal, but this latest mishap will never have me walking through those doors again and I'll be sure to spread the word. I did appreciate the seasoned bartender who wasn't afraid to pour a good drink and please the patrons. Too bad he has to work for such shitheads. Maybe someone in that family of clowns can look up the laws that should be known by anybody operating a restaurant. Totally disgusted and out a lot of cash!
(1)Steve G.
First of all, let's get something straight -- this is NOT the Tom's Steak House of the good old days: Full of Melrose Park connected guys and their girlfriends and hangers on. It was a fun joint, with valet parking for the Caddies and Lincolns, with people dressed to the nines, dripping with jewelry -- all enjoying their "new" money... No, today, this is an old restaurant, owned by Greek restaurateurs who know how to serve a great steak at a very good price. Sure there are hints of the good (bad) old days: The bar is frozen in a time warp, with it's thick padded armrests and 60's bar stools. The bartenders are as old as me (yikes!) and start talking to you (yikes!) as soon as you sit down. There's a jukebox (full of CDs, alas) but a healthy dose of Rat Pack singers are available. The TVs are not LCD or plasma, and they're only 19". Ask for a Zin in here and you'll get White Zinfandel (how quaint!). Ask for "Dewar's on the rocks with a water back" and you'll get what you ordered (yum!) and lots of it. Great crisp, cold salad, fluffy baked potato, generous "King cut" Filet Mignon, and don't forget the roasted onions -- $3 worth is enough for a table of 4. If you live in the area, stop by soon -- in this economy don't take this kind of place for granted!
(4)Little D.
It's ALL ABOUT GEORGE! Hubby and I went here on Monday evening because we happened to stumble upon it. I had never been to Melrose before so we decided to take a drive and check it out. We saw Tom's old sign and we knew we had to take a look inside. We were instantly transported to the 1950s and it was fabulous! We weren't planning on eating at that time but we did have a look in the dining room. Old school décor, charming host, clean, candles - seems perfect. This place is just haunted with the fabulous spirits of the well-to-do and the glamorous parties of the past. We decided to check out the bar area and have a quick drink. Though there were some super casual patrons, the rich saturation of history and good 'ol times made me want to throw on a fascinator and giant cocktail ring. I am surprised that in all these reviews, nobody has mentioned George. George is a bartender that knows his stuff and is just so freaking charming! Not in the gregarious, in-your-face kind of way, but, more of a well-mannered and seasoned professional. You can tell he has seen it all. He is no-nonsense and makes his drinks STRONG. He was so kind to us and gave my husband a second drink on the house! Then, when I was almost done with my martini, I look up and there he is ready to refill me! He asks if I would like another and before I could even answer my glass was happy again! So, our quick drink turned into a lovely lingering couple of drinks. We introduced ourselves to him and I told him that in the short time we've known each other he is now my favorite person. Though we did not try the food, I am giving Tom's a solid 5 because of George. George has sealed the deal on where we're going to celebrate my birthday in a couple of weeks. If the food is anything like the bartender, we are in for a classic and excellent meal! George, you are wonderful. Thank you for making a couple of strangers feel special!
(5)Jennifer S.
Review #200. Let's do the time warp agaaaaain!!! I want to go back to Tom's right now. But, it's snowing. And it would take me over an hour to get there. And I have no one to go with tonight. I visited Tom's for the second time a couple months ago. I didn't write a review when I first went because I thought that maybe I needed a second trip to really get a true feel for the place. I was right all along and should have written my review last year. From the time you pull into the parking lot until you head westbound on North Avenue to go back home, you know you came to the right place. I wish I could tell you how to dress here. I've gone in jeans and gym shoes both times. (when I called, they said it was casual) But, I kinda felt underdressed. But then, I didn't care. And other people's attire made me feel better. This place is about the food. Not the mirrored walls or the little old lady waitresses. I go for the food, but the ambiance keeps me chuckling throughout so it's a good thing. My only wish is for butter that is not rock hard. It's practically frozen which does not bode well for spreading on their delicious bread. Don't skip the bialy. It's yummy! It's even better dipped in the homemade garlic salad dressing that will arrive shortly. My sister and I knocked back way too much of that amazing dressing! It turns your simple salad into a sinful delight. Come on, do it! And don't forget to try the chicken filled cheesy potato skins (not well done). These are right up there with the homemade garlic dressing. Both times, my sister opted for a French Dip. It's thinly sliced prime rib that comes with the most amazing au jus and a baked potato! I will admit to trying a bite or many on both visits. I ordered the pork chops on my first visit. I am not usually a fan of any pork products other than bacon, but a neighboring table had these chops and I had to try them. They were juicy and delicious! Well seasoned porky goodness! This last time, my sister mentioned the chopped steak. I love onions and beef, so I ordered it first and it was another great choice! Covered in au jus, I ate more than my fair share. Both times we skipped dessert...maybe we should just take it to go next time. I'll be back and sooner rather than later. Maybe I should call my sister now...the snow has let up and we can make it there in forty five minutes. :-)
(5)Tessa G.
I've had better food, service, and ambiance at Denny's. I have also seen better dressed patrons at Denny's as well. I called ahead to see what the dress code was and was told "dress casual". I didn't know that dress casual meant flip flops and stained cargo shorts but the guy at the table next to me sure did. This place was quite the popular place back in the day and you can tell that not a penny has been sunk into maintaining or updating the decor since it was popular. Stained carpets and ceiling tiles were an eye sore to say the least but at least they matched the man's cargo shorts at the table next to me. I had to send back my $28 fillets because the artichoke hearts and bearnaise sauce that topped them were both rancid. My dish was inedible. When I brought this to their attention they copped an attitude and finally corrected the situation by giving me a cold prime rib, an ice berg lettuce salad, and stale bread. Worst $100 I've ever spent in my entire life. I feel absolutely cheated and am hoping that I do not get sick from the rancid sauce and vegetables. It is no wonder this place was almost empty on a Saturday night. Stay away! This place should've died a long long time ago.
(1)Jesse W.
My bosses love this place. Perhaps because it's one of the only "nicer" sit-down places to go for lunch in Melrose Park. I, however, find the food flavorless or overcooked whenever I go. All of the food tastes like it was made by old folks who are losing their palette. I've had salmon (overcooked) and the Philly Cheesesteak (good, but definitely missing grease and flavor). Their baked potatoes are pretty good, but have you ever met an elder that didn't know how to bake a potato right? Their sour cream has chives pre-mixed in, which I enjoyed. But if a potato is the highlight of my two meals here, you're probably better off going elsewhere. Inevitably, we'll have another business lunch here, so I'll be sure to update you on their steak.
(2)Lawrence D.
Sorry, it's really over rated. I'm a "child of the sixties" and I remember & love the traditional 'Chicago Steak Houses'. Tom's seems to fall short on the steak part. Appetizers, oysters, potato skins, etc. - great! All 3 salad dressings also great (...an extra $1.50 for sliced tomato on your salad??). The Steaks came out on their signature heated metal serving tray. All steaks were cooked perfectly to order, grill marks & all. Now all the steaks were placed on some of their jus' (natural sauce/gravy) and an additional mini ladle was poured on top. The problem? This combo of seasoned pan drippings (with a hint of their aged steak dripping flavor) made ALL the steaks taste alike. My fillet, my wife's strip, my friend's t-bone, etc. all became similar in flavor. Our server didn't ask if we wanted the jus', or wanted it on the side, she just ladled it on. Dinners seemed about $5 too high ($31.95 for bone in rib eye) and were lacking in menu weight/size info. Our server did know & share the weights with us when we asked the difference between King & Queen cuts. Our tab for four was $200 but, in my opinion, I didn't have a $50 meal.
(2)Allen M.
We are regulars. That does not mean we eat here often - we try to eat healthier food which means not too much red meat. But when the urge hits us we go to Tom's. One visit was memorable just because of the date - our wedding day. We had a wedding in the morning and a reception in the early afternoon. After that we escaped to a local hotel. We got hungry and went out to Tom's. Is that memorable? You bet. That was over 27 years ago and I'm happy to say it's as good as ever. Yes both Tom's and the marriage. Reliable good service, good food, reasonable prices and easy parking. What more do you want? Went most recently two weeks ago and it is the same.
(4)Tina M.
Been to this place once for a birthday party. It definitely has an old school feel down to the very out dated furniture. I chose a 16 oz steak. I thought that it would be delicious, considering its cooked and brought out is a pot - so it much be tender and moist. NO! The steak tasted completely gross, hard, and overcooked. I have considered that my experience could just be due to being in a very large party of 12 and maybe the order was too much to handle. Based on the group I was with no one seemed to thrilled with there meal. Needless to say, I won't be returning.
(1)Bev J.
Steak was ok. Good salad & soup
(3)Beatrice K.
Been going to Tom's for years. Still make the best steaks around. As good as Morton's at half the price. And for desert, Brandy Ice. OMG! We live in North Carolina now, but come to Chicago two or three times a year and always make it to Tom's. One of the few places hubby will order a steak.
(5)Mary P.
What can I say, last 2 times I've been to Tom's Steakhouse the food has been perfect. The King Filet was cooked to perfection (medium/rare) and swimming in its own juices. You get a salad and 3 dressings are brought to your table to put on as much or little as you like. Same with the potato. Its nice to be able to spoon your own amount of sour cream on it. Since it was my birthday dinner, it was a treat for a 6" cake with a single candle to be brought to the table. The atmosphere is from the supper club days, low lighting and just pleasant. The steaks are well worth the trip.
(5)Tracey M.
Part of the charm surrounding Tom's Steak House is the dated environment, the push cart that your meal comes out on and the pull handle cigarette machines you'll find by the restrooms - however that's not why you go to Tom's. Hands down, Tom's serves the BEST fillet I've ever had! Make sure you come hungry because there is no shortage of food at Tom's. BTW - Did I mention the service is also OUTSTANDING!? If not, it is. We always see if we can be seated at Bessy's table. If not, that's fine because the other servers are great as well. One last thing I feel the need to mention - the "sugar bowl." The sugar bowls on each table have a number written on them. On Saturday evenings (this is the only night that I know they do this) around 6/7PM they call a number and if it's your table's number than your meal is complete FREE (my favorite four letter word) - including the bar! All in all, I would travel from afar to eat at Tom's with no hesitation.
(5)Barry G.
Short and sweet: time warp, uninspired, overcooked, expensive, friendly.
(2)Leang E.
This place reminds me of Black Ram, but the steak here is phenomenal! It was like butter. Yum, the right amount of juicy, tenderness, and temperature. I appreciated the potato skins, but the salad was kind of ruined despite the homemade dressing when the vegetables are wilted. I don't really want to see lightly orange or brown rims on my lettuce. I like my salad to be crisp. I'd say skip saving stuff that needs to be tossed out, especially if you are going to serve it to people - just because you might eat it like that doesn't mean that people should have to pay for it. I'd like to come back and try a dessert, but the 8 oz. filet mignon was filing with all the rest of the food.
(4)Natalie R.
I will second Tim right off the bat and say that if you are looking for a side of swank with your steak, this is not the place for you. Yes, it's dated, and that's because it's been around for longer than you have. But, if you want a place where you can get an exceptional dinner, have a drink, and get great service by someone who really enjoys giving it, this is the place to go. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. I had a chicken sandwich, Steve had the prime rib. Both were delicious. Appetizer, wine and dessert were also very good. The price for what you get is fantastic. We will definitely be back.
(4)Brian C.
My wife and I were in town for a weekend and wanted to go out for steak but were fed up with downtown parking and craziness, so I looked for somewhere outside the city with some parking. I was really unsure based upon the reviews, some 1 star and some 5 star, all over the place. As others have pointed out, Tom's is not a trendy place with tapas and high prices for the sake of having high prices, you won't find a parking lot full of BMWs and Mercs, this is one of the places that the locals go to off the tourist path when they want great service and a good steak. Seriously, the level of service here made us feel like royalty (without being too in your face or pretentious), they treat you like you're a guest in their home. The food was fantastic. Our steaks came out drowning in the most yummy juice, we wanted to soak our potatoes and everything in it. Even when our baked potatoes came out, the waitress cut them for us, I've never seen that before, nice touch! Ok, the interior is outdated, the chairs are straight out of the sixties as are the wood paneled walls, but you know what? I came here for the food and service and they scored 5 stars on both counts! Thanks Tom's for giving us exactly what we were looking for at exactly the right time! If we travel back to Chicago, we'll be back!
(5)Andy M.
What else can you say about a place that always has its neaon lights working. They actually take care of the place and this place reminds me of the former stevens steakhouse in Elmhurst, which didn';t take care of its building. The steak is great here no matter what cut it is. One of the few places worth going to in melrose Park
(4)Tim Y.
Tom's is not a trendy steakhouse. Let's just get this out of the way right now. You won't find a bar area with a live pianist tickling the ivories into the night as you enjoy $15-and-up cocktails with catchy names and more ingredients than a birthday cake. It is, however, the best place for steaks and a hidden gem in the suburbs. I hope that by profiling it a bit here I don't ruin its charm. Cost is average for a steakhouse - more than you'd spend at the Sizzler, typically less than you'd shell out at Gibson's or Sullivan's. When you walk through the side doors, you'll be greeted by late-70s decor, a faint smoke smell, and an uncommon sight these days - a pull-handle cigarette machine. True, it's not a glamorous introduction, but I like to think (pray) that people are going to restaurants for the food, not the decor (though I have to question it, lately) The clientele is not typical of trendy steakhouses downtown Chicago, either. 20-30 years old? Some of your fellow diners will have eaten steaks at Tom's while you were a toddler eating Gerber's finest. Enough of that. On to the food! Nothing bad on the menu here at all. I prefer the king or queen filet, and a charred potato skin. Both plated tableside with unlimited salad and several homemade dressings that are to die for. I've never had anything on the menu that hasn't been outstanding. Sometimes the bread basket is a bit dry, and I typically avoid it so as to not spoil the meal. Ask to be seated in Bessie's section. She has been there for years, and will take care of you like family and offer up some entertaining conversation. I mentioned earlier the smoke smell -- you won't smell it at your table, so no worries. Pro Tip: You'll note that the sweetener trays are all numbered... that's for good reason, too. Every night a number is drawn at random and announced... the winner gets a gift certificate...and as they say at Tom's, "the baaah is INCLUDED"
(5)Emily L.
I've used Yelp many times, and I've never bothered to write a review until now. But Tom's deserves a good one. I went with a group of six. My steak was melt-in-mouth good. The burger was apparently terrific. Both came with delicious double-baked potatoes. For dessert, the coconut sorbet (to die for) was served in a coconut shell. The waitress felt we should try the tiramisu, too, (in addition to the cheesecake and canoli we also ordered) so she brought it out even though we hadn't ordered it. The prices, considering how good the food was, were extremely reasonable. The kicker: the yelp info for this says it opens at 11am on Sundays. That's not true. It opens at noon. We showed up at 11:20am, learned it was closed, and stood in the parking lot trying to figure out where else to go - there are few places in this neighborhood open for Sunday brunch. The owner saw us, opened the doors, and served us early and graciously. The service was great. I'm a huge fan and plan on going again soon.
(5)Steven M.
I have been coming here since 1991. And they haven't changed a thing. Not even Rita. You have to eat in the bar area to get a Rita. She has been here for 26 years. You couldn't ask for a better server. O.K. on to the food. We both had a jack sour, or 6. Aces to the bartender. They were right on the money. The garlic dressing is from HELL! OMG! I had her leave it so I could dip everything into it. Bread, crackers, steak, forks, my tie. I had the prime rib end cut. It looked a little weird when it was brought out. They must have a scale in the back, because it was cut a few times? It was just warm. This thing didn't get a tan from being under the heat lamp. But it was still a great tasting hunk of meat. My friend had the same, just in the middle. He also loved it. The place was empty at 6 on saturday night though. The neighborhood has changed and I don't think it can support an old school eatery like this for much longer. Hop on now to get a flash from the past of how you should be treated when you go out to eat.
(4)peter l.
The food was great (ribs and prime rib), the waitstaff nice, and there wasn't 20 TVs glaring into my eyes while I relaxed and enjoyed my meal. I don't drink so can't comment about the bar but the coffee was very good. This place is old school which I kind of liked. Will definately go again. A nice relaxing delicious experience.
(5)D W.
02/28/2009 The taste of the food was great !! But the portions for the money you paid was not worth it. I ordered the large portion prime rib and a friend did also, when it was served I had to actually ask the waitress if "she was serious", this can't be Tom's Cut. She checked with the owner and said it was. I frequent many steak houses and out of all of them this is the steak house with SMALLEST king cut prime rib ever served. There are many other places to go with true "KING CUT" and actually better taste. Defintely not worth the money paid
(1)Jane H.
Loved it. Old school 1950s decor, mauve, very comfortable chairs. Charming. Salads are simply lettuce (tomato is extra), but the 3 homemade salad dressings are perfect to make an Americana salad. I liked the Russian dressing the best. My party had a king filet mignon and the halibut special. The filet was the best steak I've ever had. Perfectly charbroiled over charcoal, the server brings the steak out on the metal pan with the glowing charcoals underneath. I got the steak medium and it was pink in the middle, incredibly tender and juicy. The server spooned the juices from the pan over the steak and the juices were so good, they don't even need to offer you steak sauce. Super yummy homemade sour cream and chives for the baked potato. The halibut was tender too, although the steak was understandably the standout, but the halibut was good to balance the steak. A little pricey, but average price for this kind of steakhouse. Highly recommended!
(5)J S.
I was pretty surprised! Another couple invited us to dinner here and I admit I was very Aprehensive to give it a try! I drive past this place every day, twice a day and not once ever thought hm let me go here for dinner. Until our friends invited us. Of course I checked out there website and some yelp reviews before hand and I figured if this place has been in business for so long they must be doing something right! The ambiance was pretty old school but not in a bad way. Our server was very attentive even on a somewhat busy night. (Sweetest day) She took her time to tell us about the menu and even chatted with us about some our favorite tv shows! She noticed we were taking photos and even offered to take a group shot of us. Honestly I can't tell you the last time a server had been so friendly and attentive! Ok now for the food! Your at a steak house so what do you get?? Steak! For $30 or so you can get a good piece of meat served in their au ju, a baked potato and a side salad! Not bad! We also ordered the stuffed clams and they were delicious! If you want a nice steak dinner and don't feel like spending a lot, or going to a chain.. Then you should def try this place out!
(4)Mark Z.
Hit the time machine and step back in time for an old school steak house. Been here a few times over the years for drinks and dinner. Nothimg that great to talk about. The Rush on Roosevelt
(2)Moni K.
Ton's Steak house is a very large restaurant. It has that Goodfellas vibe which is very charming. The waitresses I hear have been working there for 20+ years. It is a lovely place but the food did not do it for me. My steak came out cold and chewy I could not eat it. Very disappointing. The creaming mash potatoes very very good and the horseradish sauce was good too. But the steak...I looked forward to the steak and oh ....I had not have steak in 5 years...I just wanted a good steak. Anyways the company was lovely and I enjoyed myself....but please Tom's Steak House improve on your steak.
(2)Gus I.
great place a real steak house where the owner is there taking care of his customers and not a "manager" who gets payed to care.... hand cut steaks perfect... good crowd on a wed night no wait fast good service and a good ol stiff drink....
(5)Alex A.
been here many times, great food and service. Had the salmon and was fantastic.
(5)Peter S.
Back again celebrating two birthdays with a party of 10 including a toddler and a baby. All the drinks, including vodka martinis, were excellent. We had shrimp, chicken livers and saganakii as appetizers which were all great.Salads are good although they could maybe use something besides lettuce and cabbage, but the dressings are very, very good. Our entrees included their beef tournedos special,chopped steak, T-bone steak, bone-in ribeye, butt steak, salmon and queen filet. All were outstanding. Our desserts included tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, and a sundae. All were excellent. This place is a real throwback to the 60's. From the decor to the staff. Our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Most restaurants have 30 year old servers. Theirs have 30 years on the job. Two small issues: the bread basket has great crackers, but the bread was cold like right out of the refrigerator. And it took the waitress a while to figure out our bill because they use order pads. Maybe get a POS system? But we will keep on coming back.
(4)Peter K F.
Great value. When you've had enough of Outback (nothing wrong with Outback, by the way), try a real, old-fashioned steak house. I'm from out east (Long Island) and Tom's reminds me of McCluskey's on Sunrise Highway (and that's high praise). Local flavor, Chicago ambience, a bar full of character ( and characters). Excellent steaks, always, at a reasonable price. Fabulous salads with a dressing carousel of French, Russian, and Creamy Garlic. Fat baking potatoes or mashed available. Nice wine list. Service has always been cordial, prompt. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Catherine P.
I have been here twice. Both times for dinner and both times kinda last minute. The service is so cute. Like an old, sweet dog. They have table side service. Almost everything is served to you via a rolling cart. Servers wear very classic, banquet type uniforms and they all have obviously been working here for-ev-er!! The atmosphere is totally old world Italian dated mid-60's I would guess. I can almost picture the crowds of people chain smoking, drinking and eating humongous steaks throughout this place with a line out the door. All before I was even a twinkle in my daddy's eye. I am pretty pathetic...I ordered their french dip on my first trip in and because it was quite possibly the most amazingly, fantastically, delicious sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of consuming, I ordered it on my second trip too. The only problem, that really isn't a problem, is that sandwiches do not come with the salad, so I have to add one for like $4. Couldn't care less what a salad costs, the lettuce isn't anything remotely special. It's their HOME MADE DRESSINGS they make in house. Oh, the dressing...I think we may have to go tonight....The creamy garlic is so garlicy and delectable and stupendous. I am impressed that they do not have a store front where they can sell this stuff. I would buy it and I'm sure I'm not the only one. They also make two other dressings. I have tasted each and they are good, but they are not the creamy garlic by any means. I believe that one is a French and I'm not sure about the other one. Getting refills on drinks is kinda a trick. But what do I want? Giant plastic tumblers that cheapen the place up, or glasses that make me feel like a grown up? I'll take the small bar glasses and make sure to order a glass of water too. The au jus is something that I feel like I could drink out of one of those giant tumblers....it's so good. The baked potatoes are probably the most popular potato option I see being served but like I said, table side service...they do not cut into it until at your table to ensure it's steaming hot when you put that butter on it. Yummmmmm. I'm pretty sure I was under dressed on our last trip, but no one asked me to leave, so I'm not too concerned. I feel like I can wear jeans, but should leave the tennis shoes at home. After dinner, the next time we go, I wanna sit in the bar and have a cocktail. It looks like a good time in there!
(5)Ryan H.
Very friendly service but the food was just okay, ordered my steak medium-rare but it was much closer to well done than anything. Doubt I will return
(3)Justin B.
Thank god for places like this. When you walk in you see men dressed in suites. You see a vintage sign out front. You drop your date off under a canopy. You see a parking lot full of Cadillac's. Then enter into a charming dining room that looks like it has not changed since the 80's. When you open the menu you see steaks, chops, seafood and chicken. That's it, nothing fancy. This is a steakhouse. Don't come here expecting infused items, fruit in salads, or anything experimental. The food is brought out on carts by very friendly servers. The steak I had was excellent. The chicken my wife had was great as well. You pay for the food and not the frills. Go to downtown Rosemont for that. If your looking for a great steak, this is the place.
(5)Colleen D.
I really love this place. It's totally old school steak house. This is our 3rd visit - first we sat in bar area - second in dining room - this time bar area - I highly recommend bar area. Dining area way too bright. But LOVE the service in the bar area. We had the same server last time - wish I got her name. She is awesome! Knowledgable, funny, sweet - the best! Just a great place - great cocktail menu - excellent salad with lazy susan dressing bar - steak was amazing! Brought out on a sizzling platter and this time we also got the mushrooms and onion...OMG - see pic! We had dessert for my mans bday - delicious chocolate cake. Prices very fair. Solid place!
(5)Karma K.
I love me some Tom's steakhouse! To the reviewers that say this place needs an update, I say that is part of Tom's charm. They haven't been in business for like 60 years because they keep up with the current trends/fads! You will NOT find canary tongues on toast points here! You will find some of the best steaks, chops and seafood, yes seafood served by professional waiters at a fraction of what you would pay at a downtown Chicago swanky restaurant. Enjoy the salad served with dressing on a thingy you can spin around! You will love it. My fav entree here is the filet of sole. It's always fresh tasting. Take a pic of the iconic sign out front and be happy hipsters haven't found about this place...yet.
(5)Jason B.
You are not going to find a better steak than at Toms. No gimmicks, no fancy decor, just amazing food at a fraction of the cost of other steakhouses. Definitely worth stopping by for dinner!
(5)Paul H.
Valentines Day dinner. The place was crazy busy. Great job Kim, our waitress and the steaks were perfect. Last time we were here was 1979 for our rehearsal dinner. Great iconic establishment. Keep doing what ur doing!
(5)Timothy H.
Amazing food as it has been for the past 35 years. This place hasn't changed a bit. I love the food, service, and the entire package. This place is straight out of the movie Goodfellas. You wanna know what it feels like to be in the mafia and be waited on hand and foot.....eat here. You won't regret it.
(4)Sarah S.
This place is like stepping into a time machine... Wow.. table side service 5 stars. Decor.. 3 stars for nostalgia... Food was 4 solid.... Creamy garlic dressing was to die for. Next time I'm bringing my own container to steal some
(4)Maris W.
The ambiance was an old folks home. If you want to pay $30 for a steak, come to my house. The meat was flavorless and over priced. But a good note was we liked our waitress.
(1)mike l.
Seeing all the other Cadillacs and Lincolns in the parking lot was definitely a good sign - I figured if old people can eat here and still live it's good for me. Entering this place was a time warp, complete with the wood paneling and waitresses that look like they've been working there for the past sixty years. A family of tourists walking in with shorts and t-shirts definitely didn't fit the atmosphere, but they sat us down anyway. Tom's was good. I think we actually saw Tom, or maybe it was his son or grandson. The steaks were amazing and cooked to absolute perfection. I had a prime rib myself, and it was extremely flavorful and appetizing. If I was ever back in Chicago I'd stop here again, and shy away from all the greasy heart-burn inducing deep-dish stuff the natives call pizza.
(5)Chris D.
I had really high hopes for Tom's and I have to say I feel really let down. They must have had an off night. My wife and I went for dinner on Valentines day. We ordered the oysters raw to start and for dinner she had the shrimp dejoghn (i think this is the way they spelled it) and I had the king fillet. I think the biggest issue we had was that our waitress lacked knowledge of the menu. When asked what Tom's was known for she couldn't make a suggestion. She said all the steaks were good and that the shrimp was garlicky. I ordered my fillet medium rare and it came to me medium well. I would have sent it back but it took nearly 45 minutes to get our original order. It was tender but very dry. The cook also charred the steak too much and it had a burnt taste to it. My wife was disappointed because her shrimp were overcooked. She described her shrimp as having the same texture that overcooked calamari has. She also got four pieces of shrimp (they looked like 21-20's) for 16.95. I felt after our dinner had our waitress made a proper suggestion on what Tom's is known for (their prime rib) I would have order that. I pains me to have to drop their rating but if you are a steak restaurant and you cannot do it right others should know about it.
(2)Marilyn K.
I don't have much more to add to previous reviewers except to agree and say don't let looks fool you. Last Saturday night we let our GPS guide us to a steakhouse we knew nothing about (always a crapshoot) and this is where we wound up. Tom's is great and once you're sitting there a while, the decor seems just right. OK, maybe the drinks help with that, but the food is truly awesome. I had a special with filet medallions, artichoke and amazing bernaise & bordelaise sauces (yes, both! when we go out we want it to be worth our while) My better half had the prime rib and loved it. Even the baked potatoes tasted better, though nothing special appeared to be done. Maybe it's just because we always microwave 'em at home. The people there were also great, both employees and guests. Everyone was having a good time. All I know is we'll be back!
(5)Eat V.
I am so afraid to say Tom's is my favorite Prime Rib EVAH because it is only 12 minutes away from my house and I am afraid I may eat there everyday which is not good for my a** or thighs for that matter! Right off the bat, I notice it is fancier(70's fancy) than I expected. I felt like I had traveled back to the good ole days, this place must have, actually was the "IT" spot for the who's who in Chicago. The bar was lively with sports on TV a jukebox and longtime regulars that made me feel right at home for my 1st time visit. Appetizer must have: Saganaki. I am not usually into saganaki, it is kinda you've had 1 you've had them all. Not true in this case. (Right to the thighs!). It is rich, creamy and just the right amount of salt. Beef Potato Skins. I do not prefer Blue Cheese, however this must be on the mild side and they put it under the broiler to make it well done and it was mouth watering. Salad: Enough as a meal on its own! I could not decide which dressing I wanted so I ate them all individually and than mixed than separate again. Prime Rib. I kind of pride myself on a Prime Rib connoisseur. I also make a damn good one too. But Tom's blew everyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy single Prime Rib I have had out of the water! I was shocked. But why? Tom's has been around for years , that has to mean something, and it does! Service: The host/manager was actually young & handsome and had a good time with the regulars. It was nice to see. Felt like a 2nd home to many of these people. It was fun being a fly on the wall, but not for long, because from every corner people ask you questions, engage you in conversation and make you feel like family. The waitress must have been there her whole life. She was perfectly attentive, knowledgeable and sweet. You must go to Tom's. I am trying not to go tonight! May have to sneak in for a quick bite during the week!
(5)Michael Z.
Went here based on some of the reviews. I wasn't impressed. I got the saganaki which was ok. My wife had the potato skins which also had steak and bleu cheese. I thought the bleu cheese was dry and more stinky than usual. We both also got the salad they brought out three different dressings. The garlic dressing was really garlicky and I love garlic. My wife liked it. We both got the prime rib. She got the queen cut and I got the bigger one. Needless to say they both looked the same size. It was just OK and for the money I spent I'd go elsewhere.
(2)Mike L.
We arrived in Chicago in March from Phoenix, and spotted Tom's Steakhouse while driving on North Ave. My wife and I decided to try it one night back in March, and have frequented Tom's regularly ever since. We also have brought business associates to Tom's for dinner several times. My wife has purchased gift certificates that she has given out to employees on her sales team. Everyone is very impressed with the consistency of atmosphere, quality, and Tom's unparalleled service! We have been impressed with each employee having contact with us, and we're suprised to learn that the good folks working there have been there from 20-40 years!!! Now that's really impressive, and is proven by the outstanding service provided! We highly recommend Tom's Steak House to everyone! Thank you... Mike and Jan Larsen Phoenix, AZ/Chicago, IL
(5)Rob W.
Old school steakhouse. While seated at the bar, another patron referred to the place as "fine dining" and that's exactly the description that fits. Problem is that no one relates to that term anymore because there just aren't any of the traditional "fine dining" places left. I was a little ticked when I went to order the prime rib special (at 7PM) and they were out of it. Really - at 7PM? And the place wasn't tremendously busy. So the waitress asked me to make another choice right after telling me the item I had just ordered was out. I told her I was going to have to take another look at the menu - I don't really think of the top 2-3 entrees that I'd want in case the one I really want is out. I kinda snapped at the bartender when he offered a suggestion. Probably shouldn't have done that - wasn't his fault that they had run out. But that was the only hiccup that night. I ordered a Riesling - their house Riesling, a BV brand. It was fair - I'm a big Hirschbeck fan when it comes to that kind of wine. Decided on a NY strip steak. Proved to be right on - medium rare as ordered. There was a little bit more tendon/gristle than I would have liked to see, but there was a fair and minimal amount of fat, so it balanced a bit. Too much au jus on the plate - next time I might ask for it "dry". Still serving the baked potato with their funky sour cream / cottage cheese type stuff, but I'm OK with that. Also have kept the three dressing option in which they encourage blending - those are alright too, but I'd really rather have a sweet Thousand Island dressing with my salad. Large amount of salad though - good value on that - and tomatoes on it are $2 extra. I like that because there's no chance of getting any unwanted tomatoes on my salad which happens at so many places I go to. Overall a good experience - it had been about 10-12 years since my last visit and the place hasn't really changed a bit. Wish there were more "fine dining" places like Tom's left - they're classic places with good food. I'll be back sooner this time.
(4)Aimee M.
If anyplace looks like they'd serve up an excellent Cosmo and a Kiddie Cocktail, this would be the place. Tom's oozes old school--charm and decor. Sure it's dated, Don Draper-esque types probably dined here once upon a time and probably still do now bringing their family instead of clients. My husband loves these types of places and that's how we ended up here on his birthday. I made reservations for a Friday night--and we really didn't have to as the dining room was less than half full. The lounge though--with the full bar-- was almost full. I guess that's where the action is. The menu is pretty basic. Some interesting appetizers like oysters rockefeller, shrimp de jonghe, chopped chicken livers. The main courses run from different cuts of steak, lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and fish. Each main comes with a choice of soup or salad. The salad is served with a trio of dressings you are encouraged to mix up on your salad plate. House French, House Russian (super sweet) and House Sweet and Sour (surprisingly very garlicky). Just a note-there is no childrens menu here. So you might have to think twice if your little one only wants chicken fingers when you dine out. My husband opted for the broiled lamb chops and I opted for the bone-in ribeye. Since we both were getting salads our server asked if we'd like a small bowl of soup for our kid--how sweet was that? It was Manhattan Clam Chowder--it was pretty tomato-ey but still very good. We both liked our entrees. They were cooked just as we liked them. But if I had to choose, I'd say the lamb chops was more flavorful than the steak. Our drinks were perfect. And my son proclaimed his Kiddie Cocktail "The best!". There isn't much of a wine list--just some reds and whites. But with a full bar--I think getting a martini or other classic cocktail is the way to go. Desserts were pretty basic. Cheesecake and chocolate cake for us. Service was excellent. Our server doted on all three of us, but especially on my son making sure he liked the steak too. Gotta love these old school places!
(4)Erika C.
Well dated is the theme here. Dated décor, dated menu, dated service and the highlight, dated pricing. We had a bone in ribeye, a king filet, salads baked potatoes, 2 martinis, a sody pop and a scoop of spumoni, yes spumoni thank you very much: $94 including, as my dear old granny used to say, "Uncle Sam". The steaks were cooked perfectly, the salad dressings were divine and the baked potatoes were served with a delicious sour cream cottage cheese and chive concoction. The waitresses wield carts around the dining room, large hospital looking carts that have large delicious looking meat riding on top of them, very 1970 haute service. I look past the shortcomings to see the prize, a meal that can claim another one of my granny's gems, "champagne tastes on a beer pocket book". Well if that doesn't epitomize my life nothing does!
(4)Laura M.
We used to live in Melrose Park but moved away about 18 years ago. My mom and I were in the area and decided to check this place out again. Such nostalgia! This place is still great! Love the carousel for the salad, the way the food comes out is so unique. We will definitely make it a point to come back again in the near future! Definitely recommended!
(4)Eric S.
Old school place with old school items served by old school people. My mom treated me here as an early Valentine's gift (cue the 'awwww's'), and I got to experience what she referred to as an old timey "supper club". Tom's has existed for practically forever and was a destination back when this area was called simply 'Melrose'. Not Melrose Park, mind you, but 'Melrose'. So yep, there were mob ties-a-plenty back in the day, but do they still exist in 2015? Don't know, don't really care.....I also don't want to start asking questions and wind up wearing a pair of concrete shoes while enjoying the underwater scenery at the bottom of the Des Plaines river. Great, classic food all around. I was pleased with their saganaki (they used kefalogravaria cheese) that they flambeed tableside. Fortunately our server did it properly, but another waitress seemed almost scared to ignite the cheese and wound up waiting too long, which ruined the spectacle for their table. She must've been new, because our waitress had no such trepidations. The baked clams--although delicious--were priced too high for me to order again. They also featured oysters Rockefeller and shrimp de johnge. Tasty tomato basil soup; mi madre opted for the salad, which came with three homemade dressings. Their signature Russian cream is essentially just an amalgamation of french/western and ranch dressings, nothing too impressive. What IS impressive, however, are their cuts of beef. My prime rib was an inch thick (not an exaggeration) and cooked perfectly medium-rare. It was a gigantic slice of cow served with a baked potato and their signature sour cream/chive mix. Our waitress was as aged as the steaks we ate; she was attentive and polite, although perhaps a teensy bit hard-of-hearing, as I had to repeat myself a few times here and there. Very johnny-on-the-spot with water refills. For dessert we got their brandy ice, which is exactly what it sounds like. Think traditional ice cream with more ice chunks and (literally just) brandy poured on top. It was pretty boozy, to be honest, but eating what amounted to flavored ice cube chips didn't do much for me. For a place that I drive by twice daily, I very much enjoyed the overall dining experience. Dessert didn't wow me, but the prime rib was sublime and carried the rest of the meal towards a solid 4*. Would recommend.
(4)Robert J.
This was my 1st visit to Tom's. Very nice place. Great atmosphere, great service, and a great meal. My server Diane was excellent. I had a Caesar salad to start. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. The dressing was tasty and you could really taste the fresh anchovies in it. I had the pork chops and applesauce entree. The pork chops were cooked perfectly. The baked potato was also good with a really tasty house chive cream sauce. I'll definitely be going back to get the bone in ribeye.
(5)Jaime S.
You don't come here because it's fancy or daring; you come because it's traditional, old school, and kitschy to the point that hipsters will probably start a chain of Coffee shops in the same decor sometime in the next decade. I came here on Christmas Eve with a party of 10. The service was a tad slow when we first sat down, but quickly picked up. The waitstaff worked efficiently and quickly on what is always one of the busiest nights of the year, and were incredibly pleasant. I was the only person who did not order a steak but instead had a simple but tasty boiled orange roughy. The portion sizes are ample so be careful that you don't need to be rolled out of the restaurant
(4)