Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Chicago / Illinois
  4. Chicago
  5. Lincoln Park
R J Grunt's, Chicago, IL

R J Grunt's

4.6
4.6
1985 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 49 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for groups
  • Lively
The first Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, Grunts still exudes the funky, devil-may-care lifestyle of the 70s in its style, décor, music, and menu. Happily for all of us, the best eating of that day continues to be some of the best today.

While there's a huge menu that's as much fun to eat your way through as it is to read, many of Grunts' old favorites spark return visits. The burgers are arguably the best in town. The new 'digital' salad bar boasts many of your favorite fresh ingredients daily. Giant malts and milkshakes are hand scooped and come in a rainbow of favors. Oh! Don't forget the barbecued baby back ribs, and sandwich specials.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–9:30 pm Sat 10:30 am–9:30 pm Sun 10:30 am–9:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (773) 929-5363
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

What 1,985 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
R J Grunt's offers a nostalgic dining experience with "absolutely delicious hamburgers" and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Located near Lincoln Park Zoo, it's a perfect spot for families and casual meet-ups. Service is often praised as "amazing," and their creative Digital Salad Bar is a modern twist on a classic favorite.

1,985 Reviews
  1. Amy

    VIP

    Chicago

    42 reviews

    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a great place across from Lincoln Park and close to the zoo! Get the chili in the winter. Actually, everything is good. Perfect Chicago vibe!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Hilary

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and energy in the room are amazing. Service was slow at times at the table but the bartender was amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Katie McCormick

    VIP

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best family restaurant in the city - has been a treasure to us for decades.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Nancy

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    2.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We have been here numerous times before, but not in the past year or so. We had reservations and were immediately seated. However, the whole experience felt very rushed. For instance, plates were removed before we were finished. There were four of us in our party, with each ordering something different (Patty Melt, French Dip, Tuna Melt, and Santa Fe Wrap). The entrée foods were just so so as they were not very flavorful. The portion size was fine. We also ordered Buffalo Nachos, which was the tastiest item we ordered. We had a pitcher of Gumball Head, which was flavorful, and one person in our party had a Spiteful Jingle, which was delicious (we all tried it). They added a 3.5% restaurant surcharge. We did not notice it until we returned home. It may have been on the menu, but the menu is chockfull of menu items so I cannot confirm either way. However, the 3.5% surcharge was calculated on all items ordered AND sales tax. I feel that is just wrong. I called RJ Grunts and talked with a very pleasant employee and said I didn’t see the surcharge on the menu, but it was on the bill. I asked what it was for. She said it is on the bottom of the receipt (it was) and it is to offset rising costs. I asked why they didn’t just increase the menu prices and she didn’t know. I told her the surcharge was also calculated on the sales tax and she expressed surprise. She offered to refund the surcharge and I took her up on her offer. The alcohol was fairly priced but with tax and tip, and minus the surcharge the bill was $170. I would try somewhere else for that price before I would go back to RJ Grunts.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Karen

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Good food and great service Have not been there in many years but still as enjoyable as in my “younger” days.

    Is this helpful?

  6. ELIZABETH

    VIP

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ordered the potato skins and onion rings as appetizers, and they were delicious! My Merry Popper burger was phenomenal. Our server was so sweet and checked on us regularly. Our visit was a nice respite from the cold Zoo lights.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Joel

    VIP

    Chicago

    33 reviews

    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Tasty Negroni. The chicken “french dip” was terrific. Ditto the cottage fries. The veggie burger was mushy and tasteless. We wished the food had been uniformly good!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Brian

    VIP

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    The service was quite poor as we only had an opportunity to order one drink when we sat down. The server never gave us a last call warning and was absent through most of the meal. When we asked for another drink, they told us the bar was closed. We were disappointed overall

    Is this helpful?

  9. Caroline

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My husband and I have been going to RJGrunts since 1975!! In fact it was one of our first dates. We enjoy going there for dinner snd then going to the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights after. We’ve made it our tradition for many years. We love RJ Grunts!! The food is so delicious and it’s so cozy in there… It’s a trip to the past!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Brittany

    Chicago

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 December 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    We were never given water, our server hardly came to our table. The monthly burger was sub par. The build your own salad was phenomenal.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

R J Grunt's offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (773) 929-5363.

R J Grunt's is rated 4.6 stars by 1985 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 49 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for R J Grunt's

2056 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Dickens
  • Area
    Lincoln Park
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–9:30 pm Sat 10:30 am–9:30 pm Sun 10:30 am–9:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    CTA Busses 22 / 36 / 151
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar Dining
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo