Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
Horror of horrors!!! Jim’s worst nightmare has become a reality. The only TV in our house finally broke after ten years. He will be missing his favorite shows: My 600 Pound Life, Hoarders, and Dr. Pimple Popper. I prefer more intellectual shows like the soap opera The Young and the Restless. With nothing to occupy our time, we would have to actually talk to each other, meaning we would wind-up in a big argument. So, the decision was unanimous, we had to get a new TV and we had to get it now!!! No “loafing” around. Into the Mini-Mobile we went and sped off to that large appliance store in Glenview. After finalizing our purchase, we were hungry and broke. We remembered a nearby restaurant that has been in business for 85 years. They were known for their burgers and the ever popular “loaf” of onion rings. Can you guess which venue we are talking about? If you think it’s Hackney’s, you are correct.
Hackney’s
1514 E. Lake Avenue
Glenview 60025
(847) 724-7171
hackneys.net
Directions: Take Rte. 47 South to I-90 East to I-294 North to US 14 East to Waukegan Road, North to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 51 minutes
The hostess greeted us and took us past several rooms of different sizes until we reached the room with our table. The seating in our room was close together and would have been a problem if you have mobility issues. A woman came to our room with a walker and told the hostess she would not be able to get to the table, so they took her to another room. The dark wooden décor definitely reflected the restaurants age.
Of course, we had to start off with their signature appetizer, the loaf of French-fried onion rings. They do offer three sizes, large $13, medium $10, and small $7. We chose the medium and couldn’t wait for them to arrive. We can’t remember the last time we were at a Hackney’s. It was eons ago and the onion strings were just as good as we remembered. Yes, they are a bit greasy, but that’s what antacids are for. Remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
On to the burgers. Jim ordered the Big Patty Melt ($19). This was a half-pound burger on grilled dark rye with American cheese and grilled onions. The burger was huge and the grilled dark rye was delicious. He took half his burger home in a doggie box.
Nancy chose the Hack Smash ($18). This was a double beef patty with grilled onions between the patties, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their Hak Sauce (?) on a brioche bun. She asked for her burger to be cooked well done, but that is not how it arrived. A smash burger should have crispy edges and this did not. She was disappointed with her burger.
All burgers came with coleslaw and your choice of sides. There were fries, steamed broccoli, and russet potatoes. Jim thought the coleslaw needed more dressing, but I thought it was just right.
Since we both ordered fries, we got a huge plate full of them to share. Jim liked the fries and I liked them also, but the corn starch coating set my allergies off.
FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.
This classic restaurant is still the same after all these years. You can’t come here and not order the onion loaf. They were the star of our dinner.
The price for our “TV Dinner” was $60.65, not “loafing” around, priceless…
Jim’s take: My burger was good, but I checked the bill, and $5 for an iced tea? Really???
Nancy’s take: That onion loaf brought back a lot of memories from when we took our kids and their friends to the Lake Zurich Hackney’s.
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