Frank’s Karma Cafe
203 S Main St, Wauconda, IL, 60084
Frank’s Karma Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Wauconda for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Wauconda for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
203 S Main St
Wauconda, IL, 60084 - Phone (847) 487-2037
- Website https://www.frankskarma.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 4:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Therese D.
I had the Petr Brady sandwich - roasted pork with sauerkraut and apples on a delicious roll. Great iced tea - hibiscus. Also brought home 4 slices of sweet potato pie. Was soooo good. I keep thinking about it and can't wait to go back, though it will be hard to choose between great soup selections, main dishes, and vegetarian. Great food, nice atmosphere, friendly service - this is my kind of place!
(5)Jordan G.
yum yum! homemade lemonade, and a sandwich with ham, apples and walnuts all while eating at a picnic table on main street. this place is amazing!!!
(5)Brian S.
4 stars based on the brownies alone. Pies and sweets are great and very well known in the county. Sandwiches are supermarket deli-esqe. The owner and workers are extremely cordial. The location is cute according to my wife.
(4)Jack S.
The anti-drive through! With at least 40 days of sandwiches to sample, we've got our work cut out for us. It will be pure pleasure and then we can start over. Fresh sandwiches on good breads. Crisp salads. Soup. And, pie, did we mention the pies! We walked in one evening and they were closed but baking pies. Big pies, little pies -- all savory and tempting. These folks are the hardest working in this business and, way out in Wauconda, way better than any city joints. Alert the Food Network!
(5)Val A.
Came back recently and even though the sandwich I ordered was supposed to be a "customer favorite" I honestly hated it. I don't know why I listen to popular opinion! I always seem to have different taste buds than everyone else. I'm going to come back and keep ordering my favorite, the #23.
(3)Oliver P.
I had the turkey reuben with kraut on rye. It was good, nothing special imo. Basically something I could do at home for 1/3 the price. It was my first time there and it was packed on a tuesday at 1130. I got there right before a gaggle of what seemed to be 15 teachers showed up. Its a very small place, and their dining room is cramped. I was looking at what others were getting and it seemed to be soup & sandwich. I didnt try their soup, but it looked like all the sandwiches were very basic. Some sort of deli meat or tuna salad on white with tomato, lettuce with the option of avocado. Not very creative imo...The whole place seemed that way. But with a trendy name and some homestyle sandwiches and soup its right up your alley if youre a housewife looking to get together with other housewives for lunch and want to eat what you could easily make in your own kitchen at home minus the breathing room. Oh and yes you should order by number, cause if you dont they will mishear you and make something totally different which happened to another lady sitting right in front of me. I give it a very generous 4 stars.
(4)Rich B.
The greatest pies and sandwiches. Over 30 off the menu, you can't go wrong.
(5)James T.
Great pie! If you are in the market for fresh pies, go to Franks!
(5)Catherine S.
I *love* everything about this place - from the freshly prepared, delicious daily specials to the giant handwritten menu board, to the homemade tea & cookies, to the dining soundtrack (today: Andrew Bird). I even love coming in the back door, passing the smokin smokey joes outside and the staff busy in the kitchen who all pause and say hi even though they're busy. Felt like a regular the first time I walked in. Perfect in every way.
(5)Gary E.
Rarely does a week go by when I don't have lunch at Frank's, and usually it's multiple times per week. If you like fresh, creative, delicious sandwiches and soup, this is the place for you. They also have amazing deserts. Through the years I have tried nearly everything on their menu and have yet to be anything other than impressed. Some of my favorites include: --Stacked Torte: both the meat and veggie versions are excellent. --Flank Steak Wrap w/Tequila Pesto Sauce: this has a perfect zip to it! --Any of their Chicken Wraps (Asian, Mojo, etc.): the chicken is cooked outside on a charcoal grill which seems to make the difference. --Tomato Basil Soup: intense tomato and basil flavors; I can't find anything that compares. --Cream of Asparagus Soup: simply incredible. Wauconda is lucky to have such a great place to eat!
(5)Brad G.
I could write a book about how great this place is, but for time and convenience, I'll touch on the highlights and WHY you should eat here. Amazing hospitality, combined with excellent food and atmosphere make Frank's a rare oasis in the desert of suburbia. I would say, hands down, some of the best eating in Lake County. Not only was I blown away by the amazing food, but the service was incredible. I've never met a more personable business owner that not only "just interacts" with his patrons, but gets to know them. He even handed us a plate of cookies in good faith that we'd return the plate. But let's talk food...AMAZING! Every bite of every sandwich or wrap leaves me wanting more and more until you get to that point where the sandwich/wrap ends and it's bitter sweet; You just ate the best sandwich you've ever had, but unfortunately, there's no sandwich left! You get the sense, and it's easily confirmed that the food is fresh and handmade. Their menu is INSANE! It's so comprehensive and their sandwich-master is an artist! Always experimenting and working on new combinations of delicious fair. I could go on and on forever on this place. By far one of my favorite places to eat...great food and great hospitality...the 2 things I always look for!!
(5)Trixey F.
I do not live in Illinois but I get there often and we do not consider the trip complete without at least one stop at Frank's Karma. The varied menu and the excellent quality has never disappointed us. Every time we go, usually there is no place to sit...but not a problem..just let the staff know you will be next door at Bliss wine..and the great Karma staff are happy to deliver your order there. Bliss is so gracious about accommodating Frank's overflow...Wauconda is so fortunate to have such great non-chain businesses..Frank's karma, Bliss wine, Honey hill coffee and now Moddleton''s. So fun to see a thriving downtown.
(5)Renato P.
Gotta lova a restaurant named after a dog. The sandwich selection in this place is dizzying. If you can cram it between two slices of bread, it's probably here. I tried one of the specials of the day, their version of the Cuban sandwich. I thought it was absolutely great. I will definitely be back here.
(4)Cathy O.
I LOOOOVE Frank's! I work in Wauconda and if Frank's wasn't here I would have to bring my lunch every day (which I try to do anyway, but when I receive the email from Frank's about the Daily Specials, I can't resist!). Where else can you go in the area to get freshly prepared homemade delicious food??? The regular menu is extensive and has so many great choices, but I rarely order from it because there is always something awesome on the Specials Menu! Also, I am vegetarian - and I love that I get choices other than salad. I would say that pretty much every day, there is at least one vegetarian special and the regular menu also has vegetarian choices every day. Cliff, Andrew and staff are creative with the menu and the service is friendly. Oh and be sure to check out the desserts - YUM!!!!
(5)Christine Y.
Love it! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Sean H.
I lived in Wauconda 3 years before someone told me about this little Gem. I go there 1-2 times a week now. They have a LARGE selection of sandwiches(Over 20) to choose from. Best quality meats/cheeses/breads you can imagine. And the desserts....OH MY! Mini Pies, Cookies, Brownies, Cheesecake...all super yummy! The owners and staff are all super friendly which adds to fact that I keep going back. Every time I go I get something different and have yet to be disappointed. This is by far my favorite place to eat anytime!!!
(5)nicole h.
I loooooove this place. You can tell that the owner does too. Everything is super fresh, evidenced by the ever-changing menu. Specials are often so good they run out so be sure to get there early. If the special's all gone, you can be confident that whatever you order will be fantastic. But perhaps what I love most about this place might be its local, earthy feel... or the fact that it's named after a dog :)
(5)betsy z.
love love love the food very delicious homemade great specials every day!! owners and servers could be a bit friendlier .... they are not unfriendly but not exceptionally pleasant either
(4)Jessica H.
This is one of my favorite suburban finds! The food is amazing and the staff are always warm and friendly. We have dined here at least 20 times in the last few years and have never been disappointed. The specials are always a safe bet, as are the reuben sandwich and the vegetarian sandwich. The staff is always working on new recipes, so its fun to stop in and see what's new.
(5)April H.
I love this place. I love the confusing amount of sandwiches available! It's too much! I usually get the tuna melt, which is huge and awesome. It's 2 meals! Yes, they're a little pricey...but it's 2 meals! All of their sandwiches are 2 meals. The specials are usually sold out by the time I go down there, but that's okay. There's a brazillion other great things to choose from. The desserts are to die for. When it's busy, the owner/manager can be a bit brusque. That's the only fault I can find. I also like their no substitution policy, and their adult friendly atmosphere, i.e., unruly children are not tolerated. Yay!
(5)chris s.
Funky little place with great food and baked goods. Salads and soups are great. Daily specials that tend to run out early. All the food is very fresh. Service is ok - could be a little more charming. Worth a stop if you are in the area.
(4)Abraham P.
This place is very good for real home made sandwiches. All of their food is delicious and I love the feeling it gives off as being at home. The managers are very nice people as well.
(5)Brian B.
Far above average deli sandwiches with daily specials which are awesome. The specials need to be pre-ordered in the morning as they usually sell out by noon time. They have a large menu if the specials are gone and have daily homemade soups also. Prices are above average but you get a premium level of quality which is worth it. This place seems to get more and more popular as time goes on. Limited seating available inside so arrive before or after the lunch rush to insure a table. There are a few tables outside if the weather is decent.
(5)Diane Z.
We had a wonderful lunch here, super fresh and quick. It is a cute place, kids loved it too! The owner is very friendly as well.
(5)Jeanne Y.
Frank's Karma is perfect. My girlfriends and I went there for lunch and it was the nicest experience. We were a fairly big group so they told us we could order there at Franks and then we went next door to the wine bar, "Bliss". We did a free wine tasting and then Frank's brought our lunches over to us at Bliss. The food is five stars. The menu is enormous and the food is fresh and healthy. I had a grilled chicken, mango and avocado salad which was excellent. We all noticed the desserts but we almost all on diets so we didn't order any. The owner brought out two compementary pies for us to share, apple and blueberry and wow, they were delicious. I ended up buying a cherry pie to take home for my husband and a sugar cookie for my daughter who said it was the best sugar cooke she had ever tasted. They are about 1/2" thick and have real homemade frosting on top. The atmosphere at the wine bar was really nice and we all enjoyed Bliss, too, which had nice employees, tons of interesting wines and wine gifts. Frank's and Bliss were both very reasonably priced. This really is as good as it gets.
(5)Joe B.
I just finished my first experience with Frank's, and already plan on having many more. We split two of the daily specials, the cubano nuevo and the pretzel brat, and they were both delicious. I kind of just wanted to eat the pretzel roll by itself because it was amazing. The pork on the cubano stood out, and it was worth the few minutes we had to wait. Most importantly, the oatmeal cherry coconut cookie was epic... I could literally see myself going back specifically for another cookie. As with most local sandwich shops, Frank's is going to cost you a few bucks more than your average chain, but if you really "get what you pay for" I'd rather pay a little more. There are plenty of other menu items I want to try, so I'll be back soon enough.
(4)Robert P.
Really great find. Saw the reviews on Yelp and had to give it a try. Come early they believe in fresh foods which means if the special you want is a hot seller it may be out by if you come late. Small place, but the ordering moves pretty fast. The pies are a stellar choice for afterwards, I was hoping to try one of their bars as well, but they were sold out by the time we got there.
(4)Michael P.
Always forget about this place, but kinda forget about Wauconda too. Good grub
(4)Roger E.
Excellent and tasty food. My favorite spot. Nice people and fast service. Nice atmosphere. Good karma.
(5)Kevin D.
Excellent sandwiches and soup. Extremely well done recipes and execution. Reminds me of the saying "sometimes less well done is more". Not much room to sit.
(5)Shawn B.
Amazing gem in the heart of Wauconda. Fresh ingredients, creative menu and a great vibe from the minute you come in until the minute you leave. Kudos to Cliff and Andrew for maintaing such a great establishment. In a town with so little options for good eats, this place rises well above the rest. Try the flank steak sandwich anytime they have it on special. The peanut sauce is to die for.
(5)Melanie R.
I ate here again today, along with my mother. We were really disappointed with the food this time. We both had one of the specials: I had the grilled chicken avocado mango salad and my mom had the Siracha Foccacia Club. My salad was a plate full of dark green lettuce (romaine?) - and that was it as far as the salad part. No mixed greens, which would've been nice. The lettuce was topped on one side with a few chunks of thick cubed chicken. Definitely not grilled as the description says. This was like the middle of a thick, chewy chicken breast (gross). On the other side of the greens was a bunch of cubed mango pieces. That was the best part of this "salad". It was served on the side with some kind of dressing that I have no idea what it was. Had no flavor whatsoever. It was a little dish of oil with some herbs floating around in it. Franks - please, please at least learn the proper way to make a vinaigrette! This salad was NOT worth $11. My mom's sandwich was mostly thick focaccia. There was one thin slice of deli turkey meat, as far as the turkey portion of the sandwich went. We were surprised that it wasn't "real" turkey. Anyone can put a piece of cheap, crappy deli meat on bread. And what was with the one measly slice? The only good thing about this sandwich was the bread and the aioli sauce. One more negative: we got to Franks at 11:30. We wanted to beat the lunch crowd. They were already sold out of the egg salad (a special). So, word to the wise: if there's a menu item on the daily special that you REALLY have your heart set on, pre-order it over the phone or online. The only positive: My mom got a blueberry pie and she had a piece after lunch and said it was delicious. She would know - she's been an expert homemade pie maker for 50 years.
(2)Kristin H.
Call it Karma, but after a rough weekend with family, found this welcoming and local shop on Main Street in lakeside Wauconda. Unimpressive and humble front entrance lead to an even more unassuming space filled with a scattering of tables and chairs. Orders are taken at the counter and food is then delivered table side. I arrived at around 2:15 pm on a Tuesday and as I asked what was good, the guy said, "our daily specials" but then informed me many were sold out as he wiped the specials off the dry erase board. Bummer. So I asked "what else is good.". He talked me into the Reuben, one of my go to sandwich orders. He assured me that the bread was homemade, the corned beef slow cooked insight, and the coleslaw made in house. Cool. I could have added a mini homemade pie to my order, but I resisted despite the lovely strawberry rhubarb pie that was looking at me from the counter by the register. Sandwich came quick. Good crust on the grilled bread. Good ratio of meat, sauerkraut, cheese, and bread. Only complaint was the sandwich was a bit too salty. Others here on Yelp have remarked the same and I concur. I was glad I had the side of slaw as it's sweetness and creaminess balanced off the salt. Perhaps they should serve the slaw alongside the Reuben all the time (it cost me an extra $1.50). I was checked on a few times and appreciated the attention. I would come back, for sure. But would get here earlier and before those specials were wiped off the board. Update: I broke down and bought a pie when I went to get a box for my left over.
(4)Samantha K.
I was a little worried when I decided to stop to eat in Wauconda for lunch and now after eating here I wish this place was closer to where I live. They make their own bread for their sandwiches and they have a crazy amount of pies. The guy behind the counter is probably the nicest guy in the hospitality industry. If you find yourself in Wauconda go out of your way to check this place out.
(5)Corey M.
Food here is home made and amazing, they have an awesome drink selection, try the limeade, it's incredible. It's a small quaint place and gets very busy during the weekend and can be hard to find a seat, but that is part of its charm.
(5)Steve M.
DELICIOUS, BUT WHERE'S THE BEEF? I want to get the one negative out of the way. WHERE'S THE BEEF in this sandwich? I guess I am more use to a deli sandwich where the corned beef is piled high and covering every possible inch of bread. Now the good about Frank's Karma Café. This was my first time coming to Frank's. It is literally a tiny little deli shop in between other stores. I actually passed by it once because I didn't see it at first. Tip #1: I then went around the block and parked in the free parking lot on the side street. Once I stepped inside immediately I noticed how small this place is. It was but packed with people already eating their lunches. Tip #2: They have only so many tables and chairs to seat 18 people inside as well as a couple of tables outside in front of the place. I looked at the menu board and they have a large selection of sandwiches to choose from. I decided to go with the #3 which is a corned beef with horseradish on a dark rye. Tip #3: They prefer that you order your sandwich by # rather than name. This makes sense since they have multiple sandwich's with similar meet choices. I received my sandwich and took it home. I have to say that the flavor was awesome. The beef was very tender and lean, the horseradish was fresh and tangy and the bread was so fresh that you would swear that they just made it today. It also came with a dill pickle on the side which was good for a pickle. Overall I thought that the sandwich was very good. I guess if anything, it left me wanting more. I will go back again to try another sandwich. Just bring the beef.
(3)Scott G.
A MUST EAT PLACE! There is no reason to eat anywhere else in the world. Homemade goodness in every bite, whatever you choose. They are people who really care what they are serving. Thanks Andrew and Cliff!!
(5)Chris R.
Horrible customer service. I called to place an order lady told me to call back after I looked at the menu online. Just for that I will never send anyone or have any business associated with franks. Horrible just horrible.
(1)Reneé K.
What can I say besides "Delicious!" I guess I could be wordy and say a lot more, but trust me, delicious sums it up. I got the #27 today, hot roast beef and cheddar with giardiniera on a sub roll. My mouth loves me so much it swears it will never leave me.
(5)Angela B.
The food is great and the place is quaint. It is definitley a place to stop in for lunch.
(4)Tiffany A.
This is my new favorite place! Great customer service and the people are soooo friendly! I love this place and the people that work there! The food that they serve is AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! It's always so fresh and it tastes like it was made with love! They buy everything locally which is so rare for restaurants to do and they bake all their own bread. Best bread I have ever had! Also their tea and pie is to die for!
(5)Brian V.
Great place, small but great unique food. The staff and owner are very friendly and hospitable.
(5)Paul N.
This place is a real gem! Been there twice now and we have been really pleased. My wife loves there soup and found out she can do a half sandwich with the soup. I have tried the chicken wrap Wednesday special and the on the menu club. Both filling and their bread is excellent. The real item that puts this place over the top is their pies. First time we took home an apple and a banana cream. The crust is outstanding. Today we brought home a tart cherry and same results. Place is small with a limited seating area. Also today we were there by noon and 1 of the 2 soup choices was already gone and so was 1 of the specials.
(5)Chuck H.
My wife and I went to Frank's for the first time on Saturday and it will not be the last. Everything we had was great. It is a small place but do not let that stop you from trying Frank's.
(5)Phyllis D.
Frank's has a wide variety of interesting sandwiches, salads, and soups. Everything is fresh and tasty. Don't miss the pies, which are outstanding! My favorite is the triple berry.
(4)Andrew E.
I thought this place was great, small little bistro style seating area, fresh baked breads, and wonderful homemade soups. They also make little homemade pies which I'll have to come back and try. Fair prices, and the staff is very friendly and helpful when making suggestions. I will definitely be back. The siracha focaccia club on Saturdays is AMAZING
(5)Victoria R.
We weren't impressed. My grilled ham and cheese was really salty, and although the bread was good bread, it was too greasy from the cooking process. My husband's sandwich was okay, but his bread wasn't very fresh. Panera prices for puny portions. Lemonade was really good but not redeeming.
(2)Alyssa K.
When I forget my lunch for work, this is my go to place. Of course I also can't resist tagging along when a coworker suggests going to Frank's for pulled pork on Wednesday or mushroom lentil burgers on Friday. Can you tell I love the daily specials? The food here is always fresh and unlike many dining out options, is actually pretty healthy too. Andrew (one of the owners) is so kind and courteous. He takes the time to get to know his customer's by name and you can tell he puts his heart into the business. I'm not usually one to splurge on a non-alcoholic drink, but for this place, an exception is well worth it. House made freshly made drinks with whatever is in season, yes please! Some highlights include blueberry limeade and hibiscus lemonade, but I haven't disliked one yet. You should also think ahead and save room for dessert or grab a mini pie to take home. The kitchen sink cookies are amazing, but again, I've yet to have a undelicious dessert. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area!
(5)Ryan C.
Very good sandwiches and their daily soup selection is great! Highly recommend for a low key lunch!
(5)Amykate C.
The sandwiches we got were great, however they are a bit too expensive for me. Panera pricing but you only get the sandwich and a pickle if it comes with. Bread was different and really good, meat was great and I really did like the sandwich. It was also super crowded when I went and I learned if I go there again i need to call in my order. I heard they have really good dessert so maybe I'll try one of those sometime.
(4)Brent Z.
Passed it 100 times and never knew it was there. Always saw the pie shop sign and thought that's all it was. This place has quite the selection for being such a small place. Specials change daily. I had the cherry chicken salad which tasted great and was very fresh. Both people I was with also thought their meals were excellent. Staff is very friendly and food came out quick. Definitely a place worth checking out.
(5)Margaret D.
Great staff! Super small family business but has anything you could want in a deli! They will custom make any order and suggest other items that go with it . Seating is limited so make sure you go early or take out. We had family in from over seas and had to pack it up to go bc it was to crowded- not a bad thing- just know seating is hard to find
(5)Laurence K.
nice spot great sandwiches and pies a must try when in town everything pretty good!!
(4)Erin F.
Franks Karma Café is really, really special!!! Their menu is huge, with plenty of great options for vegetarians. Their daily specials are fabulous!! It is smart to call ahead as they can sell out. The lentil- mushroom burger and stacked torte(spinach, cheese, peppers, artichokes, olives all baked in a delicious homemade crust) are just two of my favorites. Their soup is homemade and really spectacular. Lots of flavor, but not salty at all. And their bread made fresh by them and so tasty. And lets not forget about the delicious desserts....everything that I have ever tried has been great!! It is very obvious that Cliff and Andrew really care about the food they make. They use fresh, local ingredients and that really shows in the quality of the food. I drive 45 minutes(one way) several times a month to eat at Franks. And all my friends and family that I have ever brought there always want to return. Don't pass this place up!!!
(5)Trisha G.
OH My Goodness! I just ate some of the Banana Cream Pie that Franks serves! we met the pie guy, Cliff at the Bliss Wine place next door.... He brought some over and even gave us a fork. I saved it till home, and it is unbelievable! The crust is perfect, like made from home, and the pie has the perfect sweetness! YUM! I have never been to Karma Cafe, but plan to visit ASAP! Thanks for the pie Cliff! Keep up the excellent work!
(5)Holly K.
If you're anywhere near Wauconda and in need of lunch this is THE place to go. Incredibly tasty and creative food. The staff is always super friendly and accommodating. They're in business because they love food, not just making money off of food. Sitting down here you get the idea that everyone in the place frequents it about once a week, and with good reason. BUT i haven't mentioned the best part yet. Frank's is home to M. Belle's pies which are hands down the BEST pies I have ever tried. We love them so much that we had them at our wedding instead of cake. Andrew was incredibly easy to work with and even talked me down from the number of pies I wanted since I wouldn't need that many for the number of people I was inviting. You've got to love that.
(5)Deb H.
Had a great experience here. Vegan and vegetarian options, delicious and creative meal choices. I had split pea soup and it was hearty and good. Pies are legendary. Something here for everyone
(5)Louise K.
Frank's is my favorite place for sandwiches in Wauconda! But the real treat are the mini-pies the cafe offers; especially the mini-chocolate pies. The food is always delicious and the service is always friendly-- even when the cafe is busy (weekends/weekday lunch). I highly recommend it!
(5)Mick B.
It seems as if most of what can be said has been said by other reviewers, however I do want to praise Frank's sandwiches which I have to compare favorably to my favorite place in Los Angeles "Sunset Grill" (as immortalized by Don Henley). Having worked in a similar sandwich shop in College, the policy on substitutions is probably in place because they are trying for a certain texture or taste with a particular menu item. Let's face it- the only reason Burger King has "have it your way" is to bring in parents of petulant children. Frank's is a Cafe geared more to adults- and BK certainly doesn't have 30+ sandwiches on their board of fare. Also worth mentioning is the drink menu; Frank's is one of the few deli-sandwich shops that I know of that offers an "Arnold Palmer" (which is half lemonade and half iced tea). One of the people in our group ordered a raspberry smoothie and declared it "yumlicious". Miss Vickie's chips are one of my favorite brands and Frank's has them in several flavors. I'd encourage you to try the vinegar and sea salt chips... I didn't try their desserts but they certainly looked tempting- next visit I will splurge and get something sweet. The only possible negative that I can give is that there is only one (inside) table that seats 4, the others all being for 2. I feel that this is balanced in good weather by the two picnic tables provided outside for those who prefer al fresco or are smokers. Even though parking is listed as "street", Frank's is steps from a good-sized municipal parking lot. I'd encourage people who like freshly prepared and tasty sandwiches, salads and home-style soups to give Frank's a try.
(4)Casey T.
Love the Karma Cafe! The sandwiches are so good (well sandwich since I get the same one) and the bread is incredible! Everyone there is so nice and it's just refreshing to have healthy, simple vegetarian option in the suburbs. I haven't tried the desserts yet but I drool every time I see them sitting in their little case. Try this place, it's amazing!
(5)Audrey M.
Yep, I am giving Karma Cafe a perfect rating after only one visit. We will definitely go back. I had a Chicken Tahini Wrap and it was fabulous. My husband had a grilled eggplant with red pepper sandwich and a cold carrot soup. The vegetarian options were impressive for a tiny cafe in Wauconda. Plus my son had the breakfast sandwich on a homemade English muffin with a potato bacon soup. All of the food was superb. In fact it was so good that none of us had room for pie. I can't wait to go back and try the pie.
(5)Troy B.
Awesome! Amazing selection, awesome selection, fresh mades drinks, homemade pies, local ingredient, great customer service, everything you could want. Prices are higher than our average sandwich shop, but you're paying for a wonderful menu with a lot of selection.
(5)Thomas S.
Wide variety of tasty sandwiches, delicious specials, great homemade baked goods. One of my favorite specials is the herb egg salad sandwich...very refreshing! We like the mini pies--perfect for two, and lots of choices. Last time I was there I had to choose between at least three different kinds of cream pies (chocolate, banana, coconut and more), several different fruit pies, pumpkin, and sweet potato too. All homemade. Not bad for a small deli-sandwich shop! And don't forget the homemade soup... And the welcoming owners & employees! Gotta stop, running out of battery. Love this place!
(5)Mark R.
This is the best place in Wauconda to eat, and my favorite in all of Lake County, if not Illinois or the continental US. I would give this 6 stars if Yelp would let me and in my opinion Cliff & Andrew (the owners) should have 3 michelin stars. Their menu is absolutely massive and I've had almost everything on it over the years, and their specials are killer, and the desserts are top shelf. On top of that is the fact that they are great business owners and it shows because their product is always improving. These guys have a love for food and what they do and it shows because every time I'm in there they've got something new they are trying or telling me about or experimenting with and it's usually always good if not outstanding. I have Never and I mean never been disappointed after ordering something here and I've probably gotten food here at least 100 times in the last few years, unless you count me being disappointed when I skip dessert which I do sometimes because their pies and pastries are down right DANGEROUS!!! When family or friends come to visit more of them ask now about going here or picking up a pie than anywhere else, and we're talking about all of CHICAGOLAND!! They don't want deep dish, or italian beefs, chicago style dogs, they want Franks!!! Any criticisms that I've read or negative reviews have related to portion sizes or rude service or lack of substitutions are just baseless. If you can't find something you like on a menu with over 40 regular sandwiches then the fact that you can't substitute an ingredient is the least of your problems. The fact is these guys are top shelf and really do like their customers, they even sent food for my wife pro-bono after giving birth. This place is an absolute must, for lunch, or dessert. My only negative would be that they aren't open for dinner or on Sundays, but that's a small price to pay for greatness the other six days of the week.
(5)Roberta H.
Always delish!! Andrew and Cliff have turned this into a treasure. Everything is fresh and flavorful. The daily specials are a culinary adventure and of course, who can knock Andrew's homemade pie crusts. The best has to be the Bread Pudding - too yummy for words!!
(5)Krista D.
What a great place in a surprising location. Everything is super fresh, homemade and delicious. Everything I have tried has been outstanding, most notably the English muffins, focaccia and other baked goodies. I've grabbed lunch here 4-5 times and the specials are usually the way to go. Planning on taking advantage of delivery service while home with my newborn! Just go there. It's awesome!
(5)Scotty J.
Hands down my favorite place in the area for lunch. There's always vegetarian options. Their sandwiches are delicious! My dad loves their pies also. Almost everything they make is from scratch and of high quality. So delicious and fresh! Very friendly service and delicious food. The owners are great guys. There's limited seating but they'll send you over to Bliss and you can enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.
(5)Marie F.
The perfect place for lunch! I'll be honest, this was my very first time there, but I was overstimulated by the selection, blown away by the environment and tantalized by the texture and flavor of my seemingly simple sandwich. The menu is super diverse for a sandwich shop. There were a handful of specials as well as a wall full of regulars. I suggest taking a look at the menu online if it's your first time. I was overwhelmed by the selection and found it difficult to read the smudgy chalk on the wall, but the owner helped me pick a fabulous sandwich; I wasn't sorry. Their pies, I'm told, are fabulous. Everyday they have mini-pies and larger pies can be special ordered. I have a mini apple pie sitting in my car right now, awaiting consumption! I see several return trips in my future. Enjoy!
(5)Mark A.
Franks is pretty cool. Small, so not alot of room to sit. But the food is pretty neat. and they upsell upsell upsell their delicious baked goods. I'm not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing
(4)Monica R.
Franks is a tiny hole in the wall restaurant with awesome food. Far above other sandwich shops. The owners have done a great job keeping the place alive and serving great food. Defiantly the place to stop for lunch. I work across the street and we usually order from them once a month. Their daily specials are great, but order early so you are able to get whatever is on their daily special menu. A good example: their special pulled pork is served in Wednesdays and is so delicious!!! If you don't get your order in before noon, its likely you won't get one!
(5)Dayna F.
This place is a hidden gem in Wauconda. Homemade good made from local ingredients. They gave us a honeypot that my husband and I were blown away by. My avocado, chicken, tahini wrap was out of this world. My husband loved his meatloaf sandwich. Here is the thing, when the owner sits and shoots the breeze with you, and brings over a before the meal treat "because it took too long to get your food" and you were not even bothered by the five minutes it took - this is the kind of place I want to come back to time and time again.
(5)Adriana V.
Absolutely amazing. Frank's is the go-to place for us when we're anywhere near the Wauconda area. They offer several vegetarian choices plus the most heavenly pies for dessert. The menu is vast but they also have great day-to-day specials. Be quick though, those tend to sell out by mid-lunchtime! The only negative here is the tiny dining area.
(5)Liesl O.
If you want an array of pies for your wedding, this is THE place to go in the North-West Chicagoland area. Their pies are so good that my husband and I plan to travel up to their place just for pies in the future. Quick note about the pies: they are all fresh, home made, filling, and just absolutely amazing. Seriously. Baker's Square has nothing on a place like this. The owners, Cliff and Andrew, are great. They worked with me and my husband via phone, email, and in person, getting everything right. The pies are all home made and their recommendations of pies per season should be paid attention to--we wanted 2 pumpkin pies, but since pumpkin is not in season in April, they recommend sweet potato and no one knew the difference. We had 13 pies and 2 cheesecakes for 134 guests and every bite was eaten! There was no waste and just enough. One phenomenal note about their service: Cliff called me the morning on the day before the wedding (my mom was going to pick up the pies later that day), and he offered, at no additional cost, to bake the pies the next morning, the day of the wedding, and to drop them off at the venue itself on the wedding day so the pies would be fresh that day, instead of 1 day old. Phenomenal!! I was so pleased with their services and their prices that I highly recommend all Chicago-based brides who want pies at their wedding to go to this place. You will honestly find no place better than this. I promise.
(5)Jill M.
Check out the menu and specials online if you're visiting this place for the first time because the huge number of choices on the menu can be overwhelming -- and they're all fantastic. Andrew and Cliff have created a really special place with Frank's and Wauconda is much better for it. My favorite off the regular menu is the turkey reuben with cole slaw. But I can almost always find a special to tempt me. The cookies, pies and other desserts are hard to resist and I love how they've partnered with Bliss Wine and Gifts for dinners and "take out" (delivered to your table at Bliss).
(5)Robert P.
Really great find. Saw the reviews on Yelp and had to give it a try. Come early they believe in fresh foods which means if the special you want is a hot seller it may be out by if you come late. Small place, but the ordering moves pretty fast. The pies are a stellar choice for afterwards, I was hoping to try one of their bars as well, but they were sold out by the time we got there.
(4)Paul N.
This place is a real gem! Been there twice now and we have been really pleased. My wife loves there soup and found out she can do a half sandwich with the soup. I have tried the chicken wrap Wednesday special and the on the menu club. Both filling and their bread is excellent. The real item that puts this place over the top is their pies. First time we took home an apple and a banana cream. The crust is outstanding. Today we brought home a tart cherry and same results. Place is small with a limited seating area. Also today we were there by noon and 1 of the 2 soup choices was already gone and so was 1 of the specials.
(5)Margaret D.
Great staff! Super small family business but has anything you could want in a deli! They will custom make any order and suggest other items that go with it . Seating is limited so make sure you go early or take out. We had family in from over seas and had to pack it up to go bc it was to crowded- not a bad thing- just know seating is hard to find
(5)Chuck H.
My wife and I went to Frank's for the first time on Saturday and it will not be the last. Everything we had was great. It is a small place but do not let that stop you from trying Frank's.
(5)Roger E.
Excellent and tasty food. My favorite spot. Nice people and fast service. Nice atmosphere. Good karma.
(5)Kevin D.
Excellent sandwiches and soup. Extremely well done recipes and execution. Reminds me of the saying "sometimes less well done is more". Not much room to sit.
(5)Corey M.
Food here is home made and amazing, they have an awesome drink selection, try the limeade, it's incredible. It's a small quaint place and gets very busy during the weekend and can be hard to find a seat, but that is part of its charm.
(5)Melanie R.
I ate here again today, along with my mother. We were really disappointed with the food this time. We both had one of the specials: I had the grilled chicken avocado mango salad and my mom had the Siracha Foccacia Club. My salad was a plate full of dark green lettuce (romaine?) - and that was it as far as the salad part. No mixed greens, which would've been nice. The lettuce was topped on one side with a few chunks of thick cubed chicken. Definitely not grilled as the description says. This was like the middle of a thick, chewy chicken breast (gross). On the other side of the greens was a bunch of cubed mango pieces. That was the best part of this "salad". It was served on the side with some kind of dressing that I have no idea what it was. Had no flavor whatsoever. It was a little dish of oil with some herbs floating around in it. Franks - please, please at least learn the proper way to make a vinaigrette! This salad was NOT worth $11. My mom's sandwich was mostly thick focaccia. There was one thin slice of deli turkey meat, as far as the turkey portion of the sandwich went. We were surprised that it wasn't "real" turkey. Anyone can put a piece of cheap, crappy deli meat on bread. And what was with the one measly slice? The only good thing about this sandwich was the bread and the aioli sauce. One more negative: we got to Franks at 11:30. We wanted to beat the lunch crowd. They were already sold out of the egg salad (a special). So, word to the wise: if there's a menu item on the daily special that you REALLY have your heart set on, pre-order it over the phone or online. The only positive: My mom got a blueberry pie and she had a piece after lunch and said it was delicious. She would know - she's been an expert homemade pie maker for 50 years.
(2)Kristin H.
Call it Karma, but after a rough weekend with family, found this welcoming and local shop on Main Street in lakeside Wauconda. Unimpressive and humble front entrance lead to an even more unassuming space filled with a scattering of tables and chairs. Orders are taken at the counter and food is then delivered table side. I arrived at around 2:15 pm on a Tuesday and as I asked what was good, the guy said, "our daily specials" but then informed me many were sold out as he wiped the specials off the dry erase board. Bummer. So I asked "what else is good.". He talked me into the Reuben, one of my go to sandwich orders. He assured me that the bread was homemade, the corned beef slow cooked insight, and the coleslaw made in house. Cool. I could have added a mini homemade pie to my order, but I resisted despite the lovely strawberry rhubarb pie that was looking at me from the counter by the register. Sandwich came quick. Good crust on the grilled bread. Good ratio of meat, sauerkraut, cheese, and bread. Only complaint was the sandwich was a bit too salty. Others here on Yelp have remarked the same and I concur. I was glad I had the side of slaw as it's sweetness and creaminess balanced off the salt. Perhaps they should serve the slaw alongside the Reuben all the time (it cost me an extra $1.50). I was checked on a few times and appreciated the attention. I would come back, for sure. But would get here earlier and before those specials were wiped off the board. Update: I broke down and bought a pie when I went to get a box for my left over.
(4)Michael P.
Always forget about this place, but kinda forget about Wauconda too. Good grub
(4)Steve M.
DELICIOUS, BUT WHERE'S THE BEEF? I want to get the one negative out of the way. WHERE'S THE BEEF in this sandwich? I guess I am more use to a deli sandwich where the corned beef is piled high and covering every possible inch of bread. Now the good about Frank's Karma Café. This was my first time coming to Frank's. It is literally a tiny little deli shop in between other stores. I actually passed by it once because I didn't see it at first. Tip #1: I then went around the block and parked in the free parking lot on the side street. Once I stepped inside immediately I noticed how small this place is. It was but packed with people already eating their lunches. Tip #2: They have only so many tables and chairs to seat 18 people inside as well as a couple of tables outside in front of the place. I looked at the menu board and they have a large selection of sandwiches to choose from. I decided to go with the #3 which is a corned beef with horseradish on a dark rye. Tip #3: They prefer that you order your sandwich by # rather than name. This makes sense since they have multiple sandwich's with similar meet choices. I received my sandwich and took it home. I have to say that the flavor was awesome. The beef was very tender and lean, the horseradish was fresh and tangy and the bread was so fresh that you would swear that they just made it today. It also came with a dill pickle on the side which was good for a pickle. Overall I thought that the sandwich was very good. I guess if anything, it left me wanting more. I will go back again to try another sandwich. Just bring the beef.
(3)Scott G.
A MUST EAT PLACE! There is no reason to eat anywhere else in the world. Homemade goodness in every bite, whatever you choose. They are people who really care what they are serving. Thanks Andrew and Cliff!!
(5)Chris R.
Horrible customer service. I called to place an order lady told me to call back after I looked at the menu online. Just for that I will never send anyone or have any business associated with franks. Horrible just horrible.
(1)Reneé K.
What can I say besides "Delicious!" I guess I could be wordy and say a lot more, but trust me, delicious sums it up. I got the #27 today, hot roast beef and cheddar with giardiniera on a sub roll. My mouth loves me so much it swears it will never leave me.
(5)Angela B.
The food is great and the place is quaint. It is definitley a place to stop in for lunch.
(4)Tiffany A.
This is my new favorite place! Great customer service and the people are soooo friendly! I love this place and the people that work there! The food that they serve is AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! It's always so fresh and it tastes like it was made with love! They buy everything locally which is so rare for restaurants to do and they bake all their own bread. Best bread I have ever had! Also their tea and pie is to die for!
(5)Brian V.
Great place, small but great unique food. The staff and owner are very friendly and hospitable.
(5)Phyllis D.
Frank's has a wide variety of interesting sandwiches, salads, and soups. Everything is fresh and tasty. Don't miss the pies, which are outstanding! My favorite is the triple berry.
(4)Andrew E.
I thought this place was great, small little bistro style seating area, fresh baked breads, and wonderful homemade soups. They also make little homemade pies which I'll have to come back and try. Fair prices, and the staff is very friendly and helpful when making suggestions. I will definitely be back. The siracha focaccia club on Saturdays is AMAZING
(5)Victoria R.
We weren't impressed. My grilled ham and cheese was really salty, and although the bread was good bread, it was too greasy from the cooking process. My husband's sandwich was okay, but his bread wasn't very fresh. Panera prices for puny portions. Lemonade was really good but not redeeming.
(2)Alyssa K.
When I forget my lunch for work, this is my go to place. Of course I also can't resist tagging along when a coworker suggests going to Frank's for pulled pork on Wednesday or mushroom lentil burgers on Friday. Can you tell I love the daily specials? The food here is always fresh and unlike many dining out options, is actually pretty healthy too. Andrew (one of the owners) is so kind and courteous. He takes the time to get to know his customer's by name and you can tell he puts his heart into the business. I'm not usually one to splurge on a non-alcoholic drink, but for this place, an exception is well worth it. House made freshly made drinks with whatever is in season, yes please! Some highlights include blueberry limeade and hibiscus lemonade, but I haven't disliked one yet. You should also think ahead and save room for dessert or grab a mini pie to take home. The kitchen sink cookies are amazing, but again, I've yet to have a undelicious dessert. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area!
(5)Ryan C.
Very good sandwiches and their daily soup selection is great! Highly recommend for a low key lunch!
(5)Amykate C.
The sandwiches we got were great, however they are a bit too expensive for me. Panera pricing but you only get the sandwich and a pickle if it comes with. Bread was different and really good, meat was great and I really did like the sandwich. It was also super crowded when I went and I learned if I go there again i need to call in my order. I heard they have really good dessert so maybe I'll try one of those sometime.
(4)Brent Z.
Passed it 100 times and never knew it was there. Always saw the pie shop sign and thought that's all it was. This place has quite the selection for being such a small place. Specials change daily. I had the cherry chicken salad which tasted great and was very fresh. Both people I was with also thought their meals were excellent. Staff is very friendly and food came out quick. Definitely a place worth checking out.
(5)Erin F.
Franks Karma Café is really, really special!!! Their menu is huge, with plenty of great options for vegetarians. Their daily specials are fabulous!! It is smart to call ahead as they can sell out. The lentil- mushroom burger and stacked torte(spinach, cheese, peppers, artichokes, olives all baked in a delicious homemade crust) are just two of my favorites. Their soup is homemade and really spectacular. Lots of flavor, but not salty at all. And their bread made fresh by them and so tasty. And lets not forget about the delicious desserts....everything that I have ever tried has been great!! It is very obvious that Cliff and Andrew really care about the food they make. They use fresh, local ingredients and that really shows in the quality of the food. I drive 45 minutes(one way) several times a month to eat at Franks. And all my friends and family that I have ever brought there always want to return. Don't pass this place up!!!
(5)Trisha G.
OH My Goodness! I just ate some of the Banana Cream Pie that Franks serves! we met the pie guy, Cliff at the Bliss Wine place next door.... He brought some over and even gave us a fork. I saved it till home, and it is unbelievable! The crust is perfect, like made from home, and the pie has the perfect sweetness! YUM! I have never been to Karma Cafe, but plan to visit ASAP! Thanks for the pie Cliff! Keep up the excellent work!
(5)Holly K.
If you're anywhere near Wauconda and in need of lunch this is THE place to go. Incredibly tasty and creative food. The staff is always super friendly and accommodating. They're in business because they love food, not just making money off of food. Sitting down here you get the idea that everyone in the place frequents it about once a week, and with good reason. BUT i haven't mentioned the best part yet. Frank's is home to M. Belle's pies which are hands down the BEST pies I have ever tried. We love them so much that we had them at our wedding instead of cake. Andrew was incredibly easy to work with and even talked me down from the number of pies I wanted since I wouldn't need that many for the number of people I was inviting. You've got to love that.
(5)Jack S.
The anti-drive through! With at least 40 days of sandwiches to sample, we've got our work cut out for us. It will be pure pleasure and then we can start over. Fresh sandwiches on good breads. Crisp salads. Soup. And, pie, did we mention the pies! We walked in one evening and they were closed but baking pies. Big pies, little pies -- all savory and tempting. These folks are the hardest working in this business and, way out in Wauconda, way better than any city joints. Alert the Food Network!
(5)Deb H.
Had a great experience here. Vegan and vegetarian options, delicious and creative meal choices. I had split pea soup and it was hearty and good. Pies are legendary. Something here for everyone
(5)Louise K.
Frank's is my favorite place for sandwiches in Wauconda! But the real treat are the mini-pies the cafe offers; especially the mini-chocolate pies. The food is always delicious and the service is always friendly-- even when the cafe is busy (weekends/weekday lunch). I highly recommend it!
(5)Mick B.
It seems as if most of what can be said has been said by other reviewers, however I do want to praise Frank's sandwiches which I have to compare favorably to my favorite place in Los Angeles "Sunset Grill" (as immortalized by Don Henley). Having worked in a similar sandwich shop in College, the policy on substitutions is probably in place because they are trying for a certain texture or taste with a particular menu item. Let's face it- the only reason Burger King has "have it your way" is to bring in parents of petulant children. Frank's is a Cafe geared more to adults- and BK certainly doesn't have 30+ sandwiches on their board of fare. Also worth mentioning is the drink menu; Frank's is one of the few deli-sandwich shops that I know of that offers an "Arnold Palmer" (which is half lemonade and half iced tea). One of the people in our group ordered a raspberry smoothie and declared it "yumlicious". Miss Vickie's chips are one of my favorite brands and Frank's has them in several flavors. I'd encourage you to try the vinegar and sea salt chips... I didn't try their desserts but they certainly looked tempting- next visit I will splurge and get something sweet. The only possible negative that I can give is that there is only one (inside) table that seats 4, the others all being for 2. I feel that this is balanced in good weather by the two picnic tables provided outside for those who prefer al fresco or are smokers. Even though parking is listed as "street", Frank's is steps from a good-sized municipal parking lot. I'd encourage people who like freshly prepared and tasty sandwiches, salads and home-style soups to give Frank's a try.
(4)Casey T.
Love the Karma Cafe! The sandwiches are so good (well sandwich since I get the same one) and the bread is incredible! Everyone there is so nice and it's just refreshing to have healthy, simple vegetarian option in the suburbs. I haven't tried the desserts yet but I drool every time I see them sitting in their little case. Try this place, it's amazing!
(5)Audrey M.
Yep, I am giving Karma Cafe a perfect rating after only one visit. We will definitely go back. I had a Chicken Tahini Wrap and it was fabulous. My husband had a grilled eggplant with red pepper sandwich and a cold carrot soup. The vegetarian options were impressive for a tiny cafe in Wauconda. Plus my son had the breakfast sandwich on a homemade English muffin with a potato bacon soup. All of the food was superb. In fact it was so good that none of us had room for pie. I can't wait to go back and try the pie.
(5)Troy B.
Awesome! Amazing selection, awesome selection, fresh mades drinks, homemade pies, local ingredient, great customer service, everything you could want. Prices are higher than our average sandwich shop, but you're paying for a wonderful menu with a lot of selection.
(5)Thomas S.
Wide variety of tasty sandwiches, delicious specials, great homemade baked goods. One of my favorite specials is the herb egg salad sandwich...very refreshing! We like the mini pies--perfect for two, and lots of choices. Last time I was there I had to choose between at least three different kinds of cream pies (chocolate, banana, coconut and more), several different fruit pies, pumpkin, and sweet potato too. All homemade. Not bad for a small deli-sandwich shop! And don't forget the homemade soup... And the welcoming owners & employees! Gotta stop, running out of battery. Love this place!
(5)Laurence K.
nice spot great sandwiches and pies a must try when in town everything pretty good!!
(4)Shawn B.
Amazing gem in the heart of Wauconda. Fresh ingredients, creative menu and a great vibe from the minute you come in until the minute you leave. Kudos to Cliff and Andrew for maintaing such a great establishment. In a town with so little options for good eats, this place rises well above the rest. Try the flank steak sandwich anytime they have it on special. The peanut sauce is to die for.
(5)Samantha K.
I was a little worried when I decided to stop to eat in Wauconda for lunch and now after eating here I wish this place was closer to where I live. They make their own bread for their sandwiches and they have a crazy amount of pies. The guy behind the counter is probably the nicest guy in the hospitality industry. If you find yourself in Wauconda go out of your way to check this place out.
(5)Marie F.
The perfect place for lunch! I'll be honest, this was my very first time there, but I was overstimulated by the selection, blown away by the environment and tantalized by the texture and flavor of my seemingly simple sandwich. The menu is super diverse for a sandwich shop. There were a handful of specials as well as a wall full of regulars. I suggest taking a look at the menu online if it's your first time. I was overwhelmed by the selection and found it difficult to read the smudgy chalk on the wall, but the owner helped me pick a fabulous sandwich; I wasn't sorry. Their pies, I'm told, are fabulous. Everyday they have mini-pies and larger pies can be special ordered. I have a mini apple pie sitting in my car right now, awaiting consumption! I see several return trips in my future. Enjoy!
(5)Mark A.
Franks is pretty cool. Small, so not alot of room to sit. But the food is pretty neat. and they upsell upsell upsell their delicious baked goods. I'm not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing
(4)Monica R.
Franks is a tiny hole in the wall restaurant with awesome food. Far above other sandwich shops. The owners have done a great job keeping the place alive and serving great food. Defiantly the place to stop for lunch. I work across the street and we usually order from them once a month. Their daily specials are great, but order early so you are able to get whatever is on their daily special menu. A good example: their special pulled pork is served in Wednesdays and is so delicious!!! If you don't get your order in before noon, its likely you won't get one!
(5)Dayna F.
This place is a hidden gem in Wauconda. Homemade good made from local ingredients. They gave us a honeypot that my husband and I were blown away by. My avocado, chicken, tahini wrap was out of this world. My husband loved his meatloaf sandwich. Here is the thing, when the owner sits and shoots the breeze with you, and brings over a before the meal treat "because it took too long to get your food" and you were not even bothered by the five minutes it took - this is the kind of place I want to come back to time and time again.
(5)Adriana V.
Absolutely amazing. Frank's is the go-to place for us when we're anywhere near the Wauconda area. They offer several vegetarian choices plus the most heavenly pies for dessert. The menu is vast but they also have great day-to-day specials. Be quick though, those tend to sell out by mid-lunchtime! The only negative here is the tiny dining area.
(5)Brian S.
4 stars based on the brownies alone. Pies and sweets are great and very well known in the county. Sandwiches are supermarket deli-esqe. The owner and workers are extremely cordial. The location is cute according to my wife.
(4)nicole h.
I loooooove this place. You can tell that the owner does too. Everything is super fresh, evidenced by the ever-changing menu. Specials are often so good they run out so be sure to get there early. If the special's all gone, you can be confident that whatever you order will be fantastic. But perhaps what I love most about this place might be its local, earthy feel... or the fact that it's named after a dog :)
(5)betsy z.
love love love the food very delicious homemade great specials every day!! owners and servers could be a bit friendlier .... they are not unfriendly but not exceptionally pleasant either
(4)Cathy O.
I LOOOOVE Frank's! I work in Wauconda and if Frank's wasn't here I would have to bring my lunch every day (which I try to do anyway, but when I receive the email from Frank's about the Daily Specials, I can't resist!). Where else can you go in the area to get freshly prepared homemade delicious food??? The regular menu is extensive and has so many great choices, but I rarely order from it because there is always something awesome on the Specials Menu! Also, I am vegetarian - and I love that I get choices other than salad. I would say that pretty much every day, there is at least one vegetarian special and the regular menu also has vegetarian choices every day. Cliff, Andrew and staff are creative with the menu and the service is friendly. Oh and be sure to check out the desserts - YUM!!!!
(5)Christine Y.
Love it! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Jessica H.
This is one of my favorite suburban finds! The food is amazing and the staff are always warm and friendly. We have dined here at least 20 times in the last few years and have never been disappointed. The specials are always a safe bet, as are the reuben sandwich and the vegetarian sandwich. The staff is always working on new recipes, so its fun to stop in and see what's new.
(5)April H.
I love this place. I love the confusing amount of sandwiches available! It's too much! I usually get the tuna melt, which is huge and awesome. It's 2 meals! Yes, they're a little pricey...but it's 2 meals! All of their sandwiches are 2 meals. The specials are usually sold out by the time I go down there, but that's okay. There's a brazillion other great things to choose from. The desserts are to die for. When it's busy, the owner/manager can be a bit brusque. That's the only fault I can find. I also like their no substitution policy, and their adult friendly atmosphere, i.e., unruly children are not tolerated. Yay!
(5)chris s.
Funky little place with great food and baked goods. Salads and soups are great. Daily specials that tend to run out early. All the food is very fresh. Service is ok - could be a little more charming. Worth a stop if you are in the area.
(4)Abraham P.
This place is very good for real home made sandwiches. All of their food is delicious and I love the feeling it gives off as being at home. The managers are very nice people as well.
(5)Val A.
Came back recently and even though the sandwich I ordered was supposed to be a "customer favorite" I honestly hated it. I don't know why I listen to popular opinion! I always seem to have different taste buds than everyone else. I'm going to come back and keep ordering my favorite, the #23.
(3)Mark R.
This is the best place in Wauconda to eat, and my favorite in all of Lake County, if not Illinois or the continental US. I would give this 6 stars if Yelp would let me and in my opinion Cliff & Andrew (the owners) should have 3 michelin stars. Their menu is absolutely massive and I've had almost everything on it over the years, and their specials are killer, and the desserts are top shelf. On top of that is the fact that they are great business owners and it shows because their product is always improving. These guys have a love for food and what they do and it shows because every time I'm in there they've got something new they are trying or telling me about or experimenting with and it's usually always good if not outstanding. I have Never and I mean never been disappointed after ordering something here and I've probably gotten food here at least 100 times in the last few years, unless you count me being disappointed when I skip dessert which I do sometimes because their pies and pastries are down right DANGEROUS!!! When family or friends come to visit more of them ask now about going here or picking up a pie than anywhere else, and we're talking about all of CHICAGOLAND!! They don't want deep dish, or italian beefs, chicago style dogs, they want Franks!!! Any criticisms that I've read or negative reviews have related to portion sizes or rude service or lack of substitutions are just baseless. If you can't find something you like on a menu with over 40 regular sandwiches then the fact that you can't substitute an ingredient is the least of your problems. The fact is these guys are top shelf and really do like their customers, they even sent food for my wife pro-bono after giving birth. This place is an absolute must, for lunch, or dessert. My only negative would be that they aren't open for dinner or on Sundays, but that's a small price to pay for greatness the other six days of the week.
(5)Roberta H.
Always delish!! Andrew and Cliff have turned this into a treasure. Everything is fresh and flavorful. The daily specials are a culinary adventure and of course, who can knock Andrew's homemade pie crusts. The best has to be the Bread Pudding - too yummy for words!!
(5)Krista D.
What a great place in a surprising location. Everything is super fresh, homemade and delicious. Everything I have tried has been outstanding, most notably the English muffins, focaccia and other baked goodies. I've grabbed lunch here 4-5 times and the specials are usually the way to go. Planning on taking advantage of delivery service while home with my newborn! Just go there. It's awesome!
(5)Scotty J.
Hands down my favorite place in the area for lunch. There's always vegetarian options. Their sandwiches are delicious! My dad loves their pies also. Almost everything they make is from scratch and of high quality. So delicious and fresh! Very friendly service and delicious food. The owners are great guys. There's limited seating but they'll send you over to Bliss and you can enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.
(5)Liesl O.
If you want an array of pies for your wedding, this is THE place to go in the North-West Chicagoland area. Their pies are so good that my husband and I plan to travel up to their place just for pies in the future. Quick note about the pies: they are all fresh, home made, filling, and just absolutely amazing. Seriously. Baker's Square has nothing on a place like this. The owners, Cliff and Andrew, are great. They worked with me and my husband via phone, email, and in person, getting everything right. The pies are all home made and their recommendations of pies per season should be paid attention to--we wanted 2 pumpkin pies, but since pumpkin is not in season in April, they recommend sweet potato and no one knew the difference. We had 13 pies and 2 cheesecakes for 134 guests and every bite was eaten! There was no waste and just enough. One phenomenal note about their service: Cliff called me the morning on the day before the wedding (my mom was going to pick up the pies later that day), and he offered, at no additional cost, to bake the pies the next morning, the day of the wedding, and to drop them off at the venue itself on the wedding day so the pies would be fresh that day, instead of 1 day old. Phenomenal!! I was so pleased with their services and their prices that I highly recommend all Chicago-based brides who want pies at their wedding to go to this place. You will honestly find no place better than this. I promise.
(5)Jill M.
Check out the menu and specials online if you're visiting this place for the first time because the huge number of choices on the menu can be overwhelming -- and they're all fantastic. Andrew and Cliff have created a really special place with Frank's and Wauconda is much better for it. My favorite off the regular menu is the turkey reuben with cole slaw. But I can almost always find a special to tempt me. The cookies, pies and other desserts are hard to resist and I love how they've partnered with Bliss Wine and Gifts for dinners and "take out" (delivered to your table at Bliss).
(5)Joe B.
I just finished my first experience with Frank's, and already plan on having many more. We split two of the daily specials, the cubano nuevo and the pretzel brat, and they were both delicious. I kind of just wanted to eat the pretzel roll by itself because it was amazing. The pork on the cubano stood out, and it was worth the few minutes we had to wait. Most importantly, the oatmeal cherry coconut cookie was epic... I could literally see myself going back specifically for another cookie. As with most local sandwich shops, Frank's is going to cost you a few bucks more than your average chain, but if you really "get what you pay for" I'd rather pay a little more. There are plenty of other menu items I want to try, so I'll be back soon enough.
(4)Therese D.
I had the Petr Brady sandwich - roasted pork with sauerkraut and apples on a delicious roll. Great iced tea - hibiscus. Also brought home 4 slices of sweet potato pie. Was soooo good. I keep thinking about it and can't wait to go back, though it will be hard to choose between great soup selections, main dishes, and vegetarian. Great food, nice atmosphere, friendly service - this is my kind of place!
(5)Jordan G.
yum yum! homemade lemonade, and a sandwich with ham, apples and walnuts all while eating at a picnic table on main street. this place is amazing!!!
(5)Oliver P.
I had the turkey reuben with kraut on rye. It was good, nothing special imo. Basically something I could do at home for 1/3 the price. It was my first time there and it was packed on a tuesday at 1130. I got there right before a gaggle of what seemed to be 15 teachers showed up. Its a very small place, and their dining room is cramped. I was looking at what others were getting and it seemed to be soup & sandwich. I didnt try their soup, but it looked like all the sandwiches were very basic. Some sort of deli meat or tuna salad on white with tomato, lettuce with the option of avocado. Not very creative imo...The whole place seemed that way. But with a trendy name and some homestyle sandwiches and soup its right up your alley if youre a housewife looking to get together with other housewives for lunch and want to eat what you could easily make in your own kitchen at home minus the breathing room. Oh and yes you should order by number, cause if you dont they will mishear you and make something totally different which happened to another lady sitting right in front of me. I give it a very generous 4 stars.
(4)Rich B.
The greatest pies and sandwiches. Over 30 off the menu, you can't go wrong.
(5)James T.
Great pie! If you are in the market for fresh pies, go to Franks!
(5)Catherine S.
I *love* everything about this place - from the freshly prepared, delicious daily specials to the giant handwritten menu board, to the homemade tea & cookies, to the dining soundtrack (today: Andrew Bird). I even love coming in the back door, passing the smokin smokey joes outside and the staff busy in the kitchen who all pause and say hi even though they're busy. Felt like a regular the first time I walked in. Perfect in every way.
(5)Gary E.
Rarely does a week go by when I don't have lunch at Frank's, and usually it's multiple times per week. If you like fresh, creative, delicious sandwiches and soup, this is the place for you. They also have amazing deserts. Through the years I have tried nearly everything on their menu and have yet to be anything other than impressed. Some of my favorites include: --Stacked Torte: both the meat and veggie versions are excellent. --Flank Steak Wrap w/Tequila Pesto Sauce: this has a perfect zip to it! --Any of their Chicken Wraps (Asian, Mojo, etc.): the chicken is cooked outside on a charcoal grill which seems to make the difference. --Tomato Basil Soup: intense tomato and basil flavors; I can't find anything that compares. --Cream of Asparagus Soup: simply incredible. Wauconda is lucky to have such a great place to eat!
(5)Sean H.
I lived in Wauconda 3 years before someone told me about this little Gem. I go there 1-2 times a week now. They have a LARGE selection of sandwiches(Over 20) to choose from. Best quality meats/cheeses/breads you can imagine. And the desserts....OH MY! Mini Pies, Cookies, Brownies, Cheesecake...all super yummy! The owners and staff are all super friendly which adds to fact that I keep going back. Every time I go I get something different and have yet to be disappointed. This is by far my favorite place to eat anytime!!!
(5)Brad G.
I could write a book about how great this place is, but for time and convenience, I'll touch on the highlights and WHY you should eat here. Amazing hospitality, combined with excellent food and atmosphere make Frank's a rare oasis in the desert of suburbia. I would say, hands down, some of the best eating in Lake County. Not only was I blown away by the amazing food, but the service was incredible. I've never met a more personable business owner that not only "just interacts" with his patrons, but gets to know them. He even handed us a plate of cookies in good faith that we'd return the plate. But let's talk food...AMAZING! Every bite of every sandwich or wrap leaves me wanting more and more until you get to that point where the sandwich/wrap ends and it's bitter sweet; You just ate the best sandwich you've ever had, but unfortunately, there's no sandwich left! You get the sense, and it's easily confirmed that the food is fresh and handmade. Their menu is INSANE! It's so comprehensive and their sandwich-master is an artist! Always experimenting and working on new combinations of delicious fair. I could go on and on forever on this place. By far one of my favorite places to eat...great food and great hospitality...the 2 things I always look for!!
(5)Trixey F.
I do not live in Illinois but I get there often and we do not consider the trip complete without at least one stop at Frank's Karma. The varied menu and the excellent quality has never disappointed us. Every time we go, usually there is no place to sit...but not a problem..just let the staff know you will be next door at Bliss wine..and the great Karma staff are happy to deliver your order there. Bliss is so gracious about accommodating Frank's overflow...Wauconda is so fortunate to have such great non-chain businesses..Frank's karma, Bliss wine, Honey hill coffee and now Moddleton''s. So fun to see a thriving downtown.
(5)Renato P.
Gotta lova a restaurant named after a dog. The sandwich selection in this place is dizzying. If you can cram it between two slices of bread, it's probably here. I tried one of the specials of the day, their version of the Cuban sandwich. I thought it was absolutely great. I will definitely be back here.
(4)Brian B.
Far above average deli sandwiches with daily specials which are awesome. The specials need to be pre-ordered in the morning as they usually sell out by noon time. They have a large menu if the specials are gone and have daily homemade soups also. Prices are above average but you get a premium level of quality which is worth it. This place seems to get more and more popular as time goes on. Limited seating available inside so arrive before or after the lunch rush to insure a table. There are a few tables outside if the weather is decent.
(5)Diane Z.
We had a wonderful lunch here, super fresh and quick. It is a cute place, kids loved it too! The owner is very friendly as well.
(5)Jeanne Y.
Frank's Karma is perfect. My girlfriends and I went there for lunch and it was the nicest experience. We were a fairly big group so they told us we could order there at Franks and then we went next door to the wine bar, "Bliss". We did a free wine tasting and then Frank's brought our lunches over to us at Bliss. The food is five stars. The menu is enormous and the food is fresh and healthy. I had a grilled chicken, mango and avocado salad which was excellent. We all noticed the desserts but we almost all on diets so we didn't order any. The owner brought out two compementary pies for us to share, apple and blueberry and wow, they were delicious. I ended up buying a cherry pie to take home for my husband and a sugar cookie for my daughter who said it was the best sugar cooke she had ever tasted. They are about 1/2" thick and have real homemade frosting on top. The atmosphere at the wine bar was really nice and we all enjoyed Bliss, too, which had nice employees, tons of interesting wines and wine gifts. Frank's and Bliss were both very reasonably priced. This really is as good as it gets.
(5)