Duke's Beef - Bridgeview

This was on my list of must try Beefs in Chicago. I went in skeptical having tried many places and still only finding Al 's and Johnny 's as my go-to places outside of the obscure Italian Deli 's. Duke 's did not disappoint and blew past my expectations. I was a Johnny 's number 1 in the Chi until I met the Duke! Killer Package on First Visit 1. One beef (typical which is semiwet I believe) 2. One order of French Fries (crispy as heck awesome) 3. One Milkshake That is the combo that drives it home. The salty sweet combo with an amazing beef is ridiculously good. Tip: embrace the ambiance and eat outside. Tip: talk to the ladies about Chicago Southside. They are a hoot and offer great history as well as places to see. Tip: sample a fry to ensure they are crispy. An expert dukie showed me this and said 9 out of 10 times they are perfect but still check

AAAAAAARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Duke 's!!!!!! yum yum yum yum yum yum yum !!!!!! Good lord, there Italian beef is the best in the country! I can say it safely, 'cause you can 't get real Italian beef outside Chicago (and a few burbs). I first discovered the beauty of these beefs when my dad worked at a steel mill down the street. I think Duke 's is what makes me visit my folks more often. There meat is tender, cut thin as paper, and full of flavor. Their sandwiches are so big, you shouldn 't eat 1 alone. I suggest you order it dry though, 'cause otherwise it will be dripping through the bag. If you order fries, order with about 3 other people. The order is THAT BIG! Be careful sitting outside in the summer, there 's always a swarm of bees when you sit on their benches. Don 't believe the hype of the franchises and chain beef stands. Although Portillo 's, Al 's and Buona are good, they are not anywhere as good as Duke 's.

I really wanted to like this place more than I did. The hot dogs seemed small, the beef was soggy, and everything is run down. Place wasn't very busy the night we went...maybe it is better on busy nights. I'm guessing this was a super cool place in the 50's with girls on skates, big old cars pulling up to see friends, and generally a place where people hung out. Now it just seems lonely. I'd love to try it again, and maybe I will We went there on the same night as a Chicago Fire game...and it was pretty easy to get to and then get to the game. I'd they ever had an old card night, that might be the event to go to.

I want to love this place, I really do. Been coming here probably 25 years but the service/quality is just plain sloppy. Rarely is the occasion that my order is correct. Update : 10/9/17 they're charging the Cook County Soda Tax on unsweetened drinks. And when I confronted them about about it two of the lady's there got real defensive and tried telling me every drink gets the tax added to it per the county. Clearly they need to look into what drinks they're serving. I don't understand how the words unsweet ice tea could mean anything else.

Just went to Dukes (6:00pm) as I have for over 40 years, was met with a guy who clearly didn't want to be there who took my order. 3 other customers followed me ordering. The orders of the folks that came in after me were filled as I sat waiting then finally I got my order and the fries were half cooked and soggy. After waiting that long I would have expected at least the fries would be cooked. First time I've ever been disappointed at Dukes. Let me know when the folks who give a **** are working and I'll be back.