I'm sure the food is good. However, I can only vouch for the cheesecake, which is spectacular. The friendly and helpful staff only made my cheesecake taste that much better. The strawberry was almost gone and instead of being told there wasn't anymore, the young lady working tonight offered to make me more of it. What a kind gesture. A must try.
(5)
Sarita M.
I love this place. I have to admit when i get to Waukegan I always try to make it my first stop. The service is great, I've never had complaints but the food is what i go for. The steak and cheese is sooo mouth watering that I always wish i had two though 1 is more than enough. It's my go to cheese steak place and when I'm in Michigan i have dreams of it lol. Oh yea the cheesecake is a cute idea and they have some delicious flavors to choose from. I love this place i hope they open more of them. Can i suggest Detroit? ^_^
(5)
Mad I.
Torn on how many starts to give this place.... Food first: Fries- hot and fresh, made to order yummie. The sauce is a house special, but I'm pretty darn sure it's a ketchup mayo combo, which don't get me wrong is delish! Philly-loved the mayo sauce on the bun, cheese was decent but needed more melt, and the meat was a tad tough...all around good but the picture I saw made me think it was gonna be really great (the one where it is open faced and fabulous looking). My pic shows a bit of a different story... Drink-fountain coke products, free refills Service: Grilling/line cook guy was very nice, but the counter girl was not so great. We got there about 30 minutes before close and they were already mopping, so we felt awkward...hey, can you drop the mop and make my food? Wait until you are closed to mop.... When I asked if there were any onion or mushrooms for the Philly the girl said "nope, just cheese" Keep in mind I ordered hurriedly after I felt bad about coming in "late" at 8:30....well after I placed the order I read the menu more clearly and there most certainly is an onion /mushroom/ green pepper option, its called the Philly Deluxe. Thanks for nothing chic. Would maybe return for the cheesecake which I did sample and was amazing....
(4)
Tom Y.
This place is the BEST. The employees are very friendly and knowledgeable. The cheese steak and cake are the best I've ever had. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area.
(5)
Forrest R.
Great food, but coming from Chicago, THE SANDWICHES ARE TOO SMALL! Charge me ten bucks man and filler up! Those philly steaks are too damn good to be selling little 5-6 inch sandwiches. Throw her on a footlong! And the cheesecake is to die for as well. Great variety, great service. Would be five starts but those cheesesteaks need to be upsized
(4)
Nabeal H.
Lets start off with the positive. The cheesesteaks are good. Not really a fan of cheesecake so I've never tried it. The fries have a tasty seasoned salt tossed on them. Chicken strips are good as well. And the drinks have free refills @ dine in. Previous review covered negativity from employees but that has changed It's overall a nice little spot I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good steak sammich =]
(4)
Ashley J.
You will not be disappointed by anything! The food, cheesecake, and service were fantastic! Caitlin was very helpful in answering all of our questions. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Nate T.
The best philly so far I've found since moving here. The staff is extremely nice and the cheesecake is really awesome. It's a nice little place and it's unique to have your cheesecake served this way. They have a lot of toppings to add which is good for picky people. And if you're ordering a cheesesteak then go with the works! More toppings and more messy, just like a Philly should be!
(5)
Fred M.
I've been coming here for about 3 years. This is a great little fast food joint that doesn't get enough credit. Here is all you need to know: Awesome sandwiches Awesome cheesecake Clean restaurant Friendly staff As I walked in the door on my most recent visit (yesterday) I was greeted with "Hello would you like a free sample of cheesecake?" Of course I said yes. I had the caramel, and it was incredible! For my sandwich I ordered "The Works Philly Steak" with provolone, and it was one of the best steak sandwiches I've had. It was loaded with fresh veggies, and I love the rolls they use. This place is great. It isn't always convenient for me, but it is worth the drive!
(4)
Tinotenda S.
Love the cheesecake here, I always come in for that but end up getting a Philly cheesesteak too. You have different flavors to pick from and you can sample before making your choice. Fair prices and good food options on top of the cheesecake. Good service, and nice spot to stop by for lunch or quick meal.
(4)
Maria H.
I was craving something sweet and remembered I would be driving by CYOC and had been wanting to try it forever! I just had dinner but wanted to check out the cheesecake for dessert. After trying the pineapple upside down cake and the white chocolate raspberry, I made the very difficult decision to go with the latter. As I was handing over my money, the owner heard me talking about wanting to come in forever and gave it to me gratis! How sweet was that? I am going in full hungry next time to try a whole meal - can't wait! The cheesecake was awesome, like a soft serve cheesecake served on a graham cracker bottom in a cup. Big time yummy! Thanks CYOC!
Great unless you want a banana split or brownie sundae, was told that the ingredients to make either sundae were not available. So, summertime isn't the optimal time to carry sundae ingredients? Judging by the sandwich, they probably weren't going to be all that great anyway. Thanks for saving me money and disappointment!!
(1)
Adde B.
CYOC is simply amazing! Josh is so friendly and beyond helpful. The atmosphere is like family and the food is unparalleled. We made a last minute decision to detour off our original plan and give this place a try. Sooo glad we did!! Between the four of us we tried three different meals and an embarrassing amount of sample cheesecake bites- all of which were nothing short of delicious. We will for sure be back and of course recommend CYOC to any and all!!
(5)
Tehmi T.
I was in town with my sister for a soccer tournament. We we looking for a place to eat and one of the parents recommended C.Y.O.C. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious! I had the deluxe chicken cheese steak the chicken was very tender. I was very happy with my pineapple upside down cheesecake too ;)
(5)
Kendra W.
These people advertise delivery but NEVER have a driver.. I've called these people so many effin times for delivery that its ridiculous.. I officially give up! I'm no longer goingto waste my time TRYING to eat here.. Damn people.
(1)
Christina S.
I've never been to Philly, but I'm guessing this is the closest thing we are going to find to the real thing in the Chicago area. Everything was fantastic! CYOC, you can thank Jess A for her raving review, because that's what got me and my husband in here to try the delicious cheesesteaks and cheesecake desserts. This is such a great place. It's in Waukegan and I wouldn't call it the greatest area, but not the worst either, and the food, service, and prices were awesome. It's no joke that the owner Josh is there almost always and is probably cooking your food for you, and he is so friendly and is going to get your business with his confidence in his product- that's why everyone is so willing to let you sample. One taste and you are sold. The cheesesteaks were simply delicious. I'm salivating now just thinking about it. The fries were perfect, hot, fresh, crisp on the outside, tender on the inside- just like I like my men. Haha The house seasoning was good, but we also plan on trying it without it. When we went back up to order our dessert- creamy cheesecake with ingredients blended in and scooped into a cup, with additional toppings if you'd like, just like at a froyo place- Josh gave us our shared strawberry cheesecake complimentary since it was our first time.(Thank you, Josh!) It is an act that will pay off since the taste and texture was phenomenal and it guarantees our return- and our word of mouth. You may not want to drive out of your way to try CYOC, although we actually do, but it is without a doubt some great food, at a great price with even greater service. The dining room is extremely low key and casual, it's nothing fancy, but the food will surely win you over.
(5)
AJ W.
THAT TASTE! C.Y.O.C is by far my favorite place to eat. The cheese steaks have nothing but flavor! Everything is cooked in front of you so you know it's as fresh as it can get. Keep up the good work C.Y.C.O, you guys deserve more than 5 stars!
(5)
MarYtierra P.
Great Cheesesteak!!!! It was well seasoned and steak was tender. I loved the toppings on the deluxe!!! I also had fries which were also well seasoned. All together good food. I was however somewhat surprised/annoyed at the fact that they didn't have cheesecake!!! The lady who took my order didn't even bother to explain and or apologize for the lack there of. Like it was no big deal. I mean this place is all about Cheesesteak AND Cheesecake?!?! That's like Popeyes not having chicken!!!! I would have given it five stars otherwise....
(4)
Tom K.
Well, the gf was hungry and didn't know what she wanted (typical right). So I yelped around and stumbled upon CYOC. Read the reviews and gave it a chance. Did not disappoint. The Philly cheesesteaks we got were juicy, cheesy and just nom nom nom good. Fairly priced (Philly deluxe meal that comes with fries and a drink will pretty much fill you up and costs under $9). On to the cheesecake... I personally do not like cheesecake but the owner/manager (didn't catch his name) came out and offered us samples. Mind you two freakin samples would be enough to fill you up! Anyway, I read on here that the guy was really nice and friendly. And he sure is ! He started a conversation with us and found out we were first time costumers. With that he offered us a free single cup of the upside down pineapple cheesecake (like $3). Sure it's nothing crazy but its little gestures like these that attract loyal costumers. I'll definitely be coming back and I'll be bringing friends. Keep up the good work CYOC. P.S. To those that said the costumer service was not the best. I can see where your coming from because that lady at the register isn't the warmest nor most enthusiastic employee. However, have a convo with the owner, he'll win you over I promise.
(5)
Daniel M.
I found this place on Restaurant.com when browsing new restaurants in the area. As someone who grew up half their life in Philly, I was excited to see a new Cheesesteak in the area. Unfortunately, I am about 35 minutes away from this place but after eating here for the first time a week or so ago, I have been back three times since then. Let's just say this place is unbelievably good. As someone who knows a true cheesesteak, CYOC passes my cheesesteak inspection and that is not easy to do. Their food is to die for. And, I'm dead serious about that. I am actually ready to drive up there today to get a cheesesteak. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Prices are excellent as well. About $6 for a cheesesteak and another $2 for a big side of seasoned french fries and a drink. Their fries are amazing as well. Oh, and so is the cheesecake. I don't think there is anything on their menu that I don't absolutely love. Even their nachos is amazing! Not only is the food and pricing excellent but the service is always friendly and welcoming. This place is absolutely exceptional and I highly recommend CYOC to anyone within the general area. If you are a half hour out like me, I would still recommend you take the drive to experience this for yourself. You will not be disappointed. If I could, I would give this place a 6th star.
(5)
Kalley S.
GUILTY PLEASURE! Best Cheesesteak and Cheesecake EVER! My husband and I dine here quite frequently....I think we are addicted! The seasoning on the fries is beyond tasty! Chicken strips are handmade to order! There is not a bad thing on the menu. What sets this place over the top is the impeccable service! The owner Josh not only takes pride in his amazing food creations, but he goes the extra mile to really engage with his customers! Great guy and staff! This place is the whole package! A+++
(5)
Sagar S.
This place is wonderful. First off, as a former Philadelphian who's devoured many cheesesteaks, I have to say that I had a decent cheesesteak. It was a little saltier than it should be and the roll was softer than Amoroso's rolls in Philly, but overall it was good. It wasn't great, but it was bad either. It would be a middle-of-the-pack cheesesteak in Philly, which is good enough when you're in a cheesesteak desert like the Midwest. If all they served was cheesesteaks, I'd probably give this place 3 stars. But the crown jewel of this place is the cheesecakes. Oh. My. GOD. Their cheesecake game is on point. I sampled the Reeses, key lime, birthday cake, lemon, red velvet, pineapple upside down, oreo, and cookie dough. All were incredible. The flavor was rich, the texture luxurious, and consistency perfect. The cheesecake made me push my review up to a 5 star. It's THAT good. Just amazing. I live in Chicago but I will happily drive an hour north just to experience the cheesecake again. And I wont regret it one bit.
(5)
Rachel H.
I've been giving this place a quizzical sideeye for a while now but a trusted advisor and yelper's review steered me over there. Let's be clear, attempting to watch your diet here is pointless. They have scoopable cheesecake. Come on now. And that scoopable cheesecake is delicious, though too rich for me to even finish a small cup. I thought the Philly was respectable though it was no Philly's Best and the fries were also still good even doing carryout which can be kind of a wash sometimes. I do have to minus them a star for not remembering the cheese sauce I ordered and paid for to go with the fries and tragically they were out of mac and cheese bites for the kiddies (it was later when I ordered). I will say the sandwich didn't give me the raging indigestion that Philly's Best does but sometimes you just have to go there... I'd scoop myself up another gut-bomb here anytime. They also deliver. Pro-tip for Philly purists and mayo haters - they do put some kind of mayo/secret sauce on these so remember to just say no. I at least always ask if there's mayo on a sandwich because I have been burned one too many times.
(4)
John B.
We have never been disappointed with the service or the food here. I still say they have the best cheesesteak in town. Fries have an awesome seasoning salt on them. The chicken strips are hand breaded and fried to perfection. The staff is super friendly and always offer you a free sample of the cheese cake fillings. Do not miss this place.
(5)
Aaron L.
I have never eaten here before and after calling them today to find out if they deliver to my area i probably never will either. they told me that the delivery driver had already left for the day since it wasn't busy. shows how much they care about getting bussiness.
(1)
M P.
My husband heard of this place from a buddy at work but I was skeptical. So thankful we ended up here anyway! I didn't get any cheesecake but the other food... Holy hell it was good! If you're thinking about eating here you should. Seriously. Just go. The only reason this isn't getting five stars is because the two employees at the time were pretty terrible. Definitely bad at customer service but they made the food well so I guess I can't be too mad.
(4)
Adrienne M.
This was the GREATEST THING EVERRRR! I was debating whether or not to go to the Great Steak and Potato Company in the Gurnee Mills mall because I was craving a cheesesteak. Saw this on yelp, and I love sweets, so I was curious! I was expecting to just have a typical every day dinner with my boyfriend, but what I got was COMPLETELY unexpected!! They definitely know how to make loyal customers on the first go! It was a relaxed Sunday night near closing time and not extremely busy, so I can only assume they had some time to spend on us, but Josh and Katelyn were working, and were very patient with us. Josh was extremely excited to let us try whatever cheesecakes we wanted and explained almost everything on the menu for us. After my boyfriend got a delicious egg cheesesteak, I was a little disappointed with myself for not getting a full steak sandwich (my fault, I was curious to try the chicken so I ordered a mix of both, the "King") and I guess Josh overheard me. He offered to remake me a new The Works cheesesteak even though I had already eaten half of mine. Later on, he gave us their new nacho ranch cheese fries. It was delicious! And on top of all of it, he promised us free cheesecake when we first walked in for being first-time customers. I was greatly impressed with this place and not only was the service awesome (maybe I was lucky, but still!), but the philly cheesesteak was super fresh and delicious. I will DEFINITELY be coming back here and I hope you all check this place out! The environment is relaxed and seems like a great place for families, OR a chill place to hang out with friends. Loved it!
(5)
Lady B.
My family and I love this place, okay it's not super fancy but what they lack in decor they make up for in awesome food. The flavor of these cheeseteaks are delicious. We make it a point to eat here when we are in the area and especially when our out of state guests come to visit.
(5)
Emily C.
We found this place on Yelp while spending the day at Six Flags and popped by for lunch. The service and food here was EXCEPTIONAL! Everyone working was so attentive and personable and friendly. Everyone working seemed very interested and asked us if we had been there before and where we had heard about them. It was honestly premium service and we will be returning after every Six Flags trip from now on. Also the cheesecake is amazing. It comes by the scoop like ice cream and they offer a ton of flavors. And bonus points for spacious and clean bathrooms!
(5)
Danny B.
Cut to the chase- I'm in the "industry", so I know great customer care and quality food service. I met the owner, Josh, and we chatted a bit, until I discovered that he happens to work in the restaurant biz. Checked it out, and I'm quite impressed. I haven't picked a favorite cheesecake, but the sandwiches are dynamite! I'll definitely be back! And if you're a lover of Philly cheesesteak, you owe it to yourself to try them.
(5)
Big R.
We had to try this place as my hubby just adores cheesecakes. The cheesecakes were nothing to brag about as I've had better and he was really disappointed. The cost is extremely toooo high for the amount that is given so I really would like to give them a two star. The cheesesteaks were bland, not seasoned at all. Another disappointment! Fries were over cooked. The sauce for cheesesteak did not help either. Again too pricey for the taste. Maybe we were paying for the packaging. The inside looked a bit raggedy but we overlooked that because a lot of times good food comes from places that focus more on cooking. NOT!! They seem to miss their focus! This is one spot we will not be visiting again or even recommend. Not sure what these other reviewers ate but I guess we ate on an off day and that should not be the case. Yuck!
(1)
Phoebe W.
One time I thought I'd be the greatest friend ever and pick up food for my friend while she slaved away at work. When I asked for a suggestion, she slurred out "CYOC NOW!!!!" faster than I've ever heard her speak. What kind of food would elicit that kind of reaction from such a shy, docile being? Three words: cheese steak sandwiches. Now, I'm relatively sure that this is no typical Philly cheese steak kinda place but it has slowly become my guilty pleasure. The sandwiches are cooked right in front of you and there's an insane amount of combinations of meat, cheese, and toppings. When friend & I sat down for dinner, we didn't speak for a few minutes...only to make awkward eye contact over our nubs of our sandwiches. Yes, us ladies scarfed down those sandwiches like there was no tomorrow. Oh, and the cheesecake is the business too. Go get yourself the red velvet cheesecake, NOW.
(4)
Jess A.
First let me start by saying I am NOT a yelp'er. I signed up for yelp for the purpose of writing this review. Now, a little back story about me. I am an east coast girl who grew up on cheesesteaks! I met my husband who was in the military at the time while back east and I followed him here to his hometown (Chicago) about 8 years ago. Since then, having gone through 3 pregnancies there were MANY times I craved a cheesesteak. Sometimes to the point of tears (yeah, pregnancy makes ya crazy!) because I knew I could never get that craving satisifed. I've searched high and low for 8 years sampling just about every imposter "cheesesteak" this place had to offer. Luckily for me (and my whole family) I stumbled upon this little gem! First let me start by saying this company prides themselves on customer service! They strive to make sure that each guest has a wonderful experience. They focus on cleanliness, friendliness and over-all experience in addition to serving up fresh, wonderful "slap yo momma" kinda food! So, let me move on to that... If you crave thinly sliced steak, that's perfectly seasoned topped with tons of ooey gooey cheesey goodness then let me tell ya, this is THE place in the Chicagoland area! The steak is always juicy and tender, the cheese is always gooey and the fries always hot and crispy and perfectly seasoned! That's right everything is made FRESH after you order it is always hot and super delicious! I think my husband I may agree that a cheesesteak with Josh's secret recipe mayo only comes second to sex.... YES, it's THAT good! Now, let's move on to the cheeseCAKE! There's tons of different flavors, some of our favorites being the Red Velvet (come early if you want some or it may be gone!), Carrot Cake, Tres Leches, and the Lemon. Now, not only are these flavors AMAZING on their own but then if you choose you can add toppings/ mix-in's. Think Maggie Moo's or Coldstone Creamery, but with reamy delicious cheesecake instead of ice cream. It's scooped out with an ice cream scooper instead of sliced and it is to DIE for. You can even get a "Cheescake Split"! I am already planning how many cheescakes I'm going to be ordering for Thanksgiving and of course I'll be ordering a separate Red Velvet cheesecake to hide in the back of the fridge for when all our company leaves! =D So if you ever feel like stuffing yourself so full that you can barely move and you want to experience absolute food heaven then PLEASE give this place a try. I garauntee you will NOT regret it!
(5)
Kenny P.
I normally prefer my cheesesteak without mayo but this place does it the right way. Creamy, cheesey, gooey, greasy goodness. The french fries are also alittle thick but they were hot and fresh. Long story short, i liked it
(5)
Randy M.
Your garlic mayo is good but try just garlic powder instead of garlic salt it was just a bit salty and I love my salt shaker.
(4)
Rick Y.
Excellent cheesesteaks and chicken strips are hand made and top notch. Highly recommended.
(5)
Amelia I.
Stop. Drop whatever crappy food your thinking about eating, and go here NOW. The cheesesteak was soooo good. I probably could have eaten two sammiches however I restrained myself. The people working there were super nice, we didnt run into the rude person mentioned on the other reviews. I WANTED to try the cheesecake however the smell of meaty deliciousness won me over this time. The food was still piping how when we got home and the cheese was melted delicious. God I want another sammich right now! We almost went back after we finished eating for more...but it is in a bit of a headache plaza. You have to kinnda u-turn in there depending on which way your coming from. The gps had a mild aneurysm trying to get us into the area. But parking stress aside, I wouldnt mind seeing this place in schaumburg someday. Open up a chain! It wasn't that expensive either for what you get, which is heavenly! Ignore the bad reviews and give them a try!
(5)
Kristen H.
Yummmmmmm! Can't believe I actually found something better than average up here. Soooo good! My friend and I couldn't remember if it was create your own cheesecake or cheesesteak and were pleasantly surprised to see it was both. At first we were kinda confused because the cheesecake looks like it's ice cream. But Josh saw us looking confused and started telling us about it and offered us a taste. That was all she wrote. We were sold! We ordered cheesesteaks and they had so much flavor. Mmm mmm good! Tasted the pineapple upside down cheesecake and it was delicious. Brought the strawberry home and it was just as ridiculously good. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Haley M.
Good food with a good price. The cheesecake is interesting. It's served like ice cream and try can mix in tons of toppings. The flavors of the king cheese steak my husband and the chicken nachos I had we're so good. Well be back! They recently opened another store closers to the Navy base on Green Bay as well!
(5)
Adam F.
Not a fan... Not real cheesecake... Not real food... Just, not a good place in my opinion... Sorry :/
(1)
Jay S.
The place is pretty good. It is not a philly steak, but it is very good substitute. I have not had the cheesecake, but the samples have been good. It is not very expensive and it fills you.
(4)
Lauren N.
To begin with, I really really really wanted to like this place, but I didn't. First time in, walked in no one greeted us. I said hi to the girl at the counter, she just stared at me. Ok... So we ordered sandwiches and made them meals, $18.20 for 2 meals. No thank you, no oh ok great you order will be ready shortly, nothing. Just handed me my receipt. The food was freshly prepared. The bun was cold so that was a little disappointing, the filling in the sandwich was nothing to write home about, not particularly full, not meager either. Fries were really good, perfectly cooked and good flavor. I had a sample of the cookie dough cheesecake, was very good, ordered a single and couldn't finish it. Very rich and creamy, fresh tasting. Overall it was ok, wasn't impressed with the sandwich, fries and dessert was good, service needs some definite improvement. Might go back if I'm really hungry and right by, but certainly wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Laura O.
I'm sure the food is good. However, I can only vouch for the cheesecake, which is spectacular. The friendly and helpful staff only made my cheesecake taste that much better. The strawberry was almost gone and instead of being told there wasn't anymore, the young lady working tonight offered to make me more of it. What a kind gesture. A must try.
(5)Sarita M.
I love this place. I have to admit when i get to Waukegan I always try to make it my first stop. The service is great, I've never had complaints but the food is what i go for. The steak and cheese is sooo mouth watering that I always wish i had two though 1 is more than enough. It's my go to cheese steak place and when I'm in Michigan i have dreams of it lol. Oh yea the cheesecake is a cute idea and they have some delicious flavors to choose from. I love this place i hope they open more of them. Can i suggest Detroit? ^_^
(5)Mad I.
Torn on how many starts to give this place.... Food first: Fries- hot and fresh, made to order yummie. The sauce is a house special, but I'm pretty darn sure it's a ketchup mayo combo, which don't get me wrong is delish! Philly-loved the mayo sauce on the bun, cheese was decent but needed more melt, and the meat was a tad tough...all around good but the picture I saw made me think it was gonna be really great (the one where it is open faced and fabulous looking). My pic shows a bit of a different story... Drink-fountain coke products, free refills Service: Grilling/line cook guy was very nice, but the counter girl was not so great. We got there about 30 minutes before close and they were already mopping, so we felt awkward...hey, can you drop the mop and make my food? Wait until you are closed to mop.... When I asked if there were any onion or mushrooms for the Philly the girl said "nope, just cheese" Keep in mind I ordered hurriedly after I felt bad about coming in "late" at 8:30....well after I placed the order I read the menu more clearly and there most certainly is an onion /mushroom/ green pepper option, its called the Philly Deluxe. Thanks for nothing chic. Would maybe return for the cheesecake which I did sample and was amazing....
(4)Tom Y.
This place is the BEST. The employees are very friendly and knowledgeable. The cheese steak and cake are the best I've ever had. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area.
(5)Forrest R.
Great food, but coming from Chicago, THE SANDWICHES ARE TOO SMALL! Charge me ten bucks man and filler up! Those philly steaks are too damn good to be selling little 5-6 inch sandwiches. Throw her on a footlong! And the cheesecake is to die for as well. Great variety, great service. Would be five starts but those cheesesteaks need to be upsized
(4)Nabeal H.
Lets start off with the positive. The cheesesteaks are good. Not really a fan of cheesecake so I've never tried it. The fries have a tasty seasoned salt tossed on them. Chicken strips are good as well. And the drinks have free refills @ dine in. Previous review covered negativity from employees but that has changed It's overall a nice little spot I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good steak sammich =]
(4)Ashley J.
You will not be disappointed by anything! The food, cheesecake, and service were fantastic! Caitlin was very helpful in answering all of our questions. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)Nate T.
The best philly so far I've found since moving here. The staff is extremely nice and the cheesecake is really awesome. It's a nice little place and it's unique to have your cheesecake served this way. They have a lot of toppings to add which is good for picky people. And if you're ordering a cheesesteak then go with the works! More toppings and more messy, just like a Philly should be!
(5)Fred M.
I've been coming here for about 3 years. This is a great little fast food joint that doesn't get enough credit. Here is all you need to know: Awesome sandwiches Awesome cheesecake Clean restaurant Friendly staff As I walked in the door on my most recent visit (yesterday) I was greeted with "Hello would you like a free sample of cheesecake?" Of course I said yes. I had the caramel, and it was incredible! For my sandwich I ordered "The Works Philly Steak" with provolone, and it was one of the best steak sandwiches I've had. It was loaded with fresh veggies, and I love the rolls they use. This place is great. It isn't always convenient for me, but it is worth the drive!
(4)Tinotenda S.
Love the cheesecake here, I always come in for that but end up getting a Philly cheesesteak too. You have different flavors to pick from and you can sample before making your choice. Fair prices and good food options on top of the cheesecake. Good service, and nice spot to stop by for lunch or quick meal.
(4)Maria H.
I was craving something sweet and remembered I would be driving by CYOC and had been wanting to try it forever! I just had dinner but wanted to check out the cheesecake for dessert. After trying the pineapple upside down cake and the white chocolate raspberry, I made the very difficult decision to go with the latter. As I was handing over my money, the owner heard me talking about wanting to come in forever and gave it to me gratis! How sweet was that? I am going in full hungry next time to try a whole meal - can't wait! The cheesecake was awesome, like a soft serve cheesecake served on a graham cracker bottom in a cup. Big time yummy! Thanks CYOC!
(5)Mark R.
Today was the first time my fiancé and I ate here. Everything was great!!! Food was perfectly seasoned, cheesecake was awesome, and customer service was impeccable!!! We're looking forward to coming back. There goes our wedding figure!
(5)Brandon R.
Great unless you want a banana split or brownie sundae, was told that the ingredients to make either sundae were not available. So, summertime isn't the optimal time to carry sundae ingredients? Judging by the sandwich, they probably weren't going to be all that great anyway. Thanks for saving me money and disappointment!!
(1)Adde B.
CYOC is simply amazing! Josh is so friendly and beyond helpful. The atmosphere is like family and the food is unparalleled. We made a last minute decision to detour off our original plan and give this place a try. Sooo glad we did!! Between the four of us we tried three different meals and an embarrassing amount of sample cheesecake bites- all of which were nothing short of delicious. We will for sure be back and of course recommend CYOC to any and all!!
(5)Tehmi T.
I was in town with my sister for a soccer tournament. We we looking for a place to eat and one of the parents recommended C.Y.O.C. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious! I had the deluxe chicken cheese steak the chicken was very tender. I was very happy with my pineapple upside down cheesecake too ;)
(5)Kendra W.
These people advertise delivery but NEVER have a driver.. I've called these people so many effin times for delivery that its ridiculous.. I officially give up! I'm no longer goingto waste my time TRYING to eat here.. Damn people.
(1)Christina S.
I've never been to Philly, but I'm guessing this is the closest thing we are going to find to the real thing in the Chicago area. Everything was fantastic! CYOC, you can thank Jess A for her raving review, because that's what got me and my husband in here to try the delicious cheesesteaks and cheesecake desserts. This is such a great place. It's in Waukegan and I wouldn't call it the greatest area, but not the worst either, and the food, service, and prices were awesome. It's no joke that the owner Josh is there almost always and is probably cooking your food for you, and he is so friendly and is going to get your business with his confidence in his product- that's why everyone is so willing to let you sample. One taste and you are sold. The cheesesteaks were simply delicious. I'm salivating now just thinking about it. The fries were perfect, hot, fresh, crisp on the outside, tender on the inside- just like I like my men. Haha The house seasoning was good, but we also plan on trying it without it. When we went back up to order our dessert- creamy cheesecake with ingredients blended in and scooped into a cup, with additional toppings if you'd like, just like at a froyo place- Josh gave us our shared strawberry cheesecake complimentary since it was our first time.(Thank you, Josh!) It is an act that will pay off since the taste and texture was phenomenal and it guarantees our return- and our word of mouth. You may not want to drive out of your way to try CYOC, although we actually do, but it is without a doubt some great food, at a great price with even greater service. The dining room is extremely low key and casual, it's nothing fancy, but the food will surely win you over.
(5)AJ W.
THAT TASTE! C.Y.O.C is by far my favorite place to eat. The cheese steaks have nothing but flavor! Everything is cooked in front of you so you know it's as fresh as it can get. Keep up the good work C.Y.C.O, you guys deserve more than 5 stars!
(5)MarYtierra P.
Great Cheesesteak!!!! It was well seasoned and steak was tender. I loved the toppings on the deluxe!!! I also had fries which were also well seasoned. All together good food. I was however somewhat surprised/annoyed at the fact that they didn't have cheesecake!!! The lady who took my order didn't even bother to explain and or apologize for the lack there of. Like it was no big deal. I mean this place is all about Cheesesteak AND Cheesecake?!?! That's like Popeyes not having chicken!!!! I would have given it five stars otherwise....
(4)Tom K.
Well, the gf was hungry and didn't know what she wanted (typical right). So I yelped around and stumbled upon CYOC. Read the reviews and gave it a chance. Did not disappoint. The Philly cheesesteaks we got were juicy, cheesy and just nom nom nom good. Fairly priced (Philly deluxe meal that comes with fries and a drink will pretty much fill you up and costs under $9). On to the cheesecake... I personally do not like cheesecake but the owner/manager (didn't catch his name) came out and offered us samples. Mind you two freakin samples would be enough to fill you up! Anyway, I read on here that the guy was really nice and friendly. And he sure is ! He started a conversation with us and found out we were first time costumers. With that he offered us a free single cup of the upside down pineapple cheesecake (like $3). Sure it's nothing crazy but its little gestures like these that attract loyal costumers. I'll definitely be coming back and I'll be bringing friends. Keep up the good work CYOC. P.S. To those that said the costumer service was not the best. I can see where your coming from because that lady at the register isn't the warmest nor most enthusiastic employee. However, have a convo with the owner, he'll win you over I promise.
(5)Daniel M.
I found this place on Restaurant.com when browsing new restaurants in the area. As someone who grew up half their life in Philly, I was excited to see a new Cheesesteak in the area. Unfortunately, I am about 35 minutes away from this place but after eating here for the first time a week or so ago, I have been back three times since then. Let's just say this place is unbelievably good. As someone who knows a true cheesesteak, CYOC passes my cheesesteak inspection and that is not easy to do. Their food is to die for. And, I'm dead serious about that. I am actually ready to drive up there today to get a cheesesteak. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Prices are excellent as well. About $6 for a cheesesteak and another $2 for a big side of seasoned french fries and a drink. Their fries are amazing as well. Oh, and so is the cheesecake. I don't think there is anything on their menu that I don't absolutely love. Even their nachos is amazing! Not only is the food and pricing excellent but the service is always friendly and welcoming. This place is absolutely exceptional and I highly recommend CYOC to anyone within the general area. If you are a half hour out like me, I would still recommend you take the drive to experience this for yourself. You will not be disappointed. If I could, I would give this place a 6th star.
(5)Kalley S.
GUILTY PLEASURE! Best Cheesesteak and Cheesecake EVER! My husband and I dine here quite frequently....I think we are addicted! The seasoning on the fries is beyond tasty! Chicken strips are handmade to order! There is not a bad thing on the menu. What sets this place over the top is the impeccable service! The owner Josh not only takes pride in his amazing food creations, but he goes the extra mile to really engage with his customers! Great guy and staff! This place is the whole package! A+++
(5)Sagar S.
This place is wonderful. First off, as a former Philadelphian who's devoured many cheesesteaks, I have to say that I had a decent cheesesteak. It was a little saltier than it should be and the roll was softer than Amoroso's rolls in Philly, but overall it was good. It wasn't great, but it was bad either. It would be a middle-of-the-pack cheesesteak in Philly, which is good enough when you're in a cheesesteak desert like the Midwest. If all they served was cheesesteaks, I'd probably give this place 3 stars. But the crown jewel of this place is the cheesecakes. Oh. My. GOD. Their cheesecake game is on point. I sampled the Reeses, key lime, birthday cake, lemon, red velvet, pineapple upside down, oreo, and cookie dough. All were incredible. The flavor was rich, the texture luxurious, and consistency perfect. The cheesecake made me push my review up to a 5 star. It's THAT good. Just amazing. I live in Chicago but I will happily drive an hour north just to experience the cheesecake again. And I wont regret it one bit.
(5)Rachel H.
I've been giving this place a quizzical sideeye for a while now but a trusted advisor and yelper's review steered me over there. Let's be clear, attempting to watch your diet here is pointless. They have scoopable cheesecake. Come on now. And that scoopable cheesecake is delicious, though too rich for me to even finish a small cup. I thought the Philly was respectable though it was no Philly's Best and the fries were also still good even doing carryout which can be kind of a wash sometimes. I do have to minus them a star for not remembering the cheese sauce I ordered and paid for to go with the fries and tragically they were out of mac and cheese bites for the kiddies (it was later when I ordered). I will say the sandwich didn't give me the raging indigestion that Philly's Best does but sometimes you just have to go there... I'd scoop myself up another gut-bomb here anytime. They also deliver. Pro-tip for Philly purists and mayo haters - they do put some kind of mayo/secret sauce on these so remember to just say no. I at least always ask if there's mayo on a sandwich because I have been burned one too many times.
(4)John B.
We have never been disappointed with the service or the food here. I still say they have the best cheesesteak in town. Fries have an awesome seasoning salt on them. The chicken strips are hand breaded and fried to perfection. The staff is super friendly and always offer you a free sample of the cheese cake fillings. Do not miss this place.
(5)Aaron L.
I have never eaten here before and after calling them today to find out if they deliver to my area i probably never will either. they told me that the delivery driver had already left for the day since it wasn't busy. shows how much they care about getting bussiness.
(1)M P.
My husband heard of this place from a buddy at work but I was skeptical. So thankful we ended up here anyway! I didn't get any cheesecake but the other food... Holy hell it was good! If you're thinking about eating here you should. Seriously. Just go. The only reason this isn't getting five stars is because the two employees at the time were pretty terrible. Definitely bad at customer service but they made the food well so I guess I can't be too mad.
(4)Adrienne M.
This was the GREATEST THING EVERRRR! I was debating whether or not to go to the Great Steak and Potato Company in the Gurnee Mills mall because I was craving a cheesesteak. Saw this on yelp, and I love sweets, so I was curious! I was expecting to just have a typical every day dinner with my boyfriend, but what I got was COMPLETELY unexpected!! They definitely know how to make loyal customers on the first go! It was a relaxed Sunday night near closing time and not extremely busy, so I can only assume they had some time to spend on us, but Josh and Katelyn were working, and were very patient with us. Josh was extremely excited to let us try whatever cheesecakes we wanted and explained almost everything on the menu for us. After my boyfriend got a delicious egg cheesesteak, I was a little disappointed with myself for not getting a full steak sandwich (my fault, I was curious to try the chicken so I ordered a mix of both, the "King") and I guess Josh overheard me. He offered to remake me a new The Works cheesesteak even though I had already eaten half of mine. Later on, he gave us their new nacho ranch cheese fries. It was delicious! And on top of all of it, he promised us free cheesecake when we first walked in for being first-time customers. I was greatly impressed with this place and not only was the service awesome (maybe I was lucky, but still!), but the philly cheesesteak was super fresh and delicious. I will DEFINITELY be coming back here and I hope you all check this place out! The environment is relaxed and seems like a great place for families, OR a chill place to hang out with friends. Loved it!
(5)Lady B.
My family and I love this place, okay it's not super fancy but what they lack in decor they make up for in awesome food. The flavor of these cheeseteaks are delicious. We make it a point to eat here when we are in the area and especially when our out of state guests come to visit.
(5)Emily C.
We found this place on Yelp while spending the day at Six Flags and popped by for lunch. The service and food here was EXCEPTIONAL! Everyone working was so attentive and personable and friendly. Everyone working seemed very interested and asked us if we had been there before and where we had heard about them. It was honestly premium service and we will be returning after every Six Flags trip from now on. Also the cheesecake is amazing. It comes by the scoop like ice cream and they offer a ton of flavors. And bonus points for spacious and clean bathrooms!
(5)Danny B.
Cut to the chase- I'm in the "industry", so I know great customer care and quality food service. I met the owner, Josh, and we chatted a bit, until I discovered that he happens to work in the restaurant biz. Checked it out, and I'm quite impressed. I haven't picked a favorite cheesecake, but the sandwiches are dynamite! I'll definitely be back! And if you're a lover of Philly cheesesteak, you owe it to yourself to try them.
(5)Big R.
We had to try this place as my hubby just adores cheesecakes. The cheesecakes were nothing to brag about as I've had better and he was really disappointed. The cost is extremely toooo high for the amount that is given so I really would like to give them a two star. The cheesesteaks were bland, not seasoned at all. Another disappointment! Fries were over cooked. The sauce for cheesesteak did not help either. Again too pricey for the taste. Maybe we were paying for the packaging. The inside looked a bit raggedy but we overlooked that because a lot of times good food comes from places that focus more on cooking. NOT!! They seem to miss their focus! This is one spot we will not be visiting again or even recommend. Not sure what these other reviewers ate but I guess we ate on an off day and that should not be the case. Yuck!
(1)Phoebe W.
One time I thought I'd be the greatest friend ever and pick up food for my friend while she slaved away at work. When I asked for a suggestion, she slurred out "CYOC NOW!!!!" faster than I've ever heard her speak. What kind of food would elicit that kind of reaction from such a shy, docile being? Three words: cheese steak sandwiches. Now, I'm relatively sure that this is no typical Philly cheese steak kinda place but it has slowly become my guilty pleasure. The sandwiches are cooked right in front of you and there's an insane amount of combinations of meat, cheese, and toppings. When friend & I sat down for dinner, we didn't speak for a few minutes...only to make awkward eye contact over our nubs of our sandwiches. Yes, us ladies scarfed down those sandwiches like there was no tomorrow. Oh, and the cheesecake is the business too. Go get yourself the red velvet cheesecake, NOW.
(4)Jess A.
First let me start by saying I am NOT a yelp'er. I signed up for yelp for the purpose of writing this review. Now, a little back story about me. I am an east coast girl who grew up on cheesesteaks! I met my husband who was in the military at the time while back east and I followed him here to his hometown (Chicago) about 8 years ago. Since then, having gone through 3 pregnancies there were MANY times I craved a cheesesteak. Sometimes to the point of tears (yeah, pregnancy makes ya crazy!) because I knew I could never get that craving satisifed. I've searched high and low for 8 years sampling just about every imposter "cheesesteak" this place had to offer. Luckily for me (and my whole family) I stumbled upon this little gem! First let me start by saying this company prides themselves on customer service! They strive to make sure that each guest has a wonderful experience. They focus on cleanliness, friendliness and over-all experience in addition to serving up fresh, wonderful "slap yo momma" kinda food! So, let me move on to that... If you crave thinly sliced steak, that's perfectly seasoned topped with tons of ooey gooey cheesey goodness then let me tell ya, this is THE place in the Chicagoland area! The steak is always juicy and tender, the cheese is always gooey and the fries always hot and crispy and perfectly seasoned! That's right everything is made FRESH after you order it is always hot and super delicious! I think my husband I may agree that a cheesesteak with Josh's secret recipe mayo only comes second to sex.... YES, it's THAT good! Now, let's move on to the cheeseCAKE! There's tons of different flavors, some of our favorites being the Red Velvet (come early if you want some or it may be gone!), Carrot Cake, Tres Leches, and the Lemon. Now, not only are these flavors AMAZING on their own but then if you choose you can add toppings/ mix-in's. Think Maggie Moo's or Coldstone Creamery, but with reamy delicious cheesecake instead of ice cream. It's scooped out with an ice cream scooper instead of sliced and it is to DIE for. You can even get a "Cheescake Split"! I am already planning how many cheescakes I'm going to be ordering for Thanksgiving and of course I'll be ordering a separate Red Velvet cheesecake to hide in the back of the fridge for when all our company leaves! =D So if you ever feel like stuffing yourself so full that you can barely move and you want to experience absolute food heaven then PLEASE give this place a try. I garauntee you will NOT regret it!
(5)Kenny P.
I normally prefer my cheesesteak without mayo but this place does it the right way. Creamy, cheesey, gooey, greasy goodness. The french fries are also alittle thick but they were hot and fresh. Long story short, i liked it
(5)Randy M.
Your garlic mayo is good but try just garlic powder instead of garlic salt it was just a bit salty and I love my salt shaker.
(4)Rick Y.
Excellent cheesesteaks and chicken strips are hand made and top notch. Highly recommended.
(5)Amelia I.
Stop. Drop whatever crappy food your thinking about eating, and go here NOW. The cheesesteak was soooo good. I probably could have eaten two sammiches however I restrained myself. The people working there were super nice, we didnt run into the rude person mentioned on the other reviews. I WANTED to try the cheesecake however the smell of meaty deliciousness won me over this time. The food was still piping how when we got home and the cheese was melted delicious. God I want another sammich right now! We almost went back after we finished eating for more...but it is in a bit of a headache plaza. You have to kinnda u-turn in there depending on which way your coming from. The gps had a mild aneurysm trying to get us into the area. But parking stress aside, I wouldnt mind seeing this place in schaumburg someday. Open up a chain! It wasn't that expensive either for what you get, which is heavenly! Ignore the bad reviews and give them a try!
(5)Kristen H.
Yummmmmmm! Can't believe I actually found something better than average up here. Soooo good! My friend and I couldn't remember if it was create your own cheesecake or cheesesteak and were pleasantly surprised to see it was both. At first we were kinda confused because the cheesecake looks like it's ice cream. But Josh saw us looking confused and started telling us about it and offered us a taste. That was all she wrote. We were sold! We ordered cheesesteaks and they had so much flavor. Mmm mmm good! Tasted the pineapple upside down cheesecake and it was delicious. Brought the strawberry home and it was just as ridiculously good. I will definitely be back.
(5)Haley M.
Good food with a good price. The cheesecake is interesting. It's served like ice cream and try can mix in tons of toppings. The flavors of the king cheese steak my husband and the chicken nachos I had we're so good. Well be back! They recently opened another store closers to the Navy base on Green Bay as well!
(5)Adam F.
Not a fan... Not real cheesecake... Not real food... Just, not a good place in my opinion... Sorry :/
(1)Jay S.
The place is pretty good. It is not a philly steak, but it is very good substitute. I have not had the cheesecake, but the samples have been good. It is not very expensive and it fills you.
(4)Lauren N.
To begin with, I really really really wanted to like this place, but I didn't. First time in, walked in no one greeted us. I said hi to the girl at the counter, she just stared at me. Ok... So we ordered sandwiches and made them meals, $18.20 for 2 meals. No thank you, no oh ok great you order will be ready shortly, nothing. Just handed me my receipt. The food was freshly prepared. The bun was cold so that was a little disappointing, the filling in the sandwich was nothing to write home about, not particularly full, not meager either. Fries were really good, perfectly cooked and good flavor. I had a sample of the cookie dough cheesecake, was very good, ordered a single and couldn't finish it. Very rich and creamy, fresh tasting. Overall it was ok, wasn't impressed with the sandwich, fries and dessert was good, service needs some definite improvement. Might go back if I'm really hungry and right by, but certainly wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again.
(2)