Ed Debevic's

Pros: it's fun.
Cons: those who don't know what to expect may be a bit disturbed.

I might snap my gum loudly while talking with you. I might throw a handful of straws at you, rather than bothering to count out the proper amount. I might make you scoot over so I can take a load off while taking your order. And I will definitely...

Pros: Fun. Great 50's-70's music. Usual soda fountain food presented in an unique, fun environment.
Cons: Busy. The unsuspecting tourist may not get it--at first.

Ed Debevic's was portrayed on t.v. in a documentary of interesting restaurants a few years back. I paid little attention, except to note that the wait staff is insulting and that it was in Chicago. On a recent trip to Chicago earlier this summer, on a ...

Pros: Funky, you can't find this in your home town atmosphere
Cons: Funky, you don't want to find this in your home town cooking

My family and I drive the two hours to Chicago at least twice per year to take-in an increasing share of what this great city has to offer. Whether it's live theater, museums, sporting events, restaurants, or cultural events, there is a diversity of...

Pros: Good food, fun atmosphere
Cons: Not recommended for the easily insulted or those with no sense of humor

On my many trips to Chicago, I'd heard about Ed Debevics, but never had the chance to go there. So last summer, when my daughter's volleyball team went to Chicago for a tournament, we decided to stop by their downtown location because we were just sure...

Pros: Unique Atmosphere.
Cons: Nothing Else is Spectacular.

Imagine someone recommending a restaurant to you, where the service is bad and the waitresses are rude...well, that is the whole idea behind Ed DeBevic's. Ed DeBevic's is a Chicago Restaurant, with a campy 50's style atmosphere. The waitresses chomp on...

Pros: kids love it
Cons: nothing novel for the over 55 age group

My children and grandchildren love this place. It's nostalgic and briefly allows those over 55 to return to their teen age years. But I don't think it's especially novel to older people who lived through the "Happy Days" and Elvis era.
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Pros: fun, inexpensive
Cons: none

We're regulars at the Deerfield Ed Debevic's, it is just much easier to park there than the downtown location. This is an excellent family restaurant, serving great burgers, generous orders of fries, many kinds of sandwiches, homestyle dinners and...

Pros: Fun atmosphere
Cons: Crowded, food is so-so

Ed Debivic's is the most fun if you're with little kids, especially your own kids. The impromptu floor shows where the performers (your waiters and waitresses) jump on the tables or soda fountain counters are a delight. One of my favorites is when they...

Pros: Great atmosphere, fun, good food, huge portions, for VERY affordable prices
Cons: Long wait, not for the light-hearted, ill-tempered or humor-impaired

Remember the TV show Alice? Well, this ain't exactly Mel's Diner, but it would definitely give him a run for his money.

Located on the outskirts of downtown Chicago, Ed Debevics is a bonafide tourist attraction in itself. In a town...

Pros: Campy and fun
Cons: Generic - right down to the food.

When Ed Debevic's opened in Chicago many years ago (let's put it this way...I was in high school), eating there was all the rage.

With it's "Happy Days" decor, 1950's jukebox music, homestyle food and an offbeat, sassy and irreverent...

Pros: Good food, fun atmosphere
Cons: Sometimes a long wait

Ed Debevic's is a Chicago institution. If you are looking for somewhere fun to go and eat, this is the place to be.

The decor is that of a 1950s diner, complete with poodle skirt wearing waitresses and nerdy waiters. Ed's is pretty big,...

Pros: Entertaining, great atmosphere
Cons: food is average

When you go to this restaurant be prepared to be entertained...at your expense. Waiters and Waitresses will insult, pick on, and drive you mad by their rudeness, but I think it's in their job description.

I'll just start from the entrance....

Pros: Brownie Sundae; Fun Atmosphere
Cons: Often very crowded

What makes me brave the long lines and faux rudeness of the staff at Ed Debevic's is their incredible brownie sundae. I do not remember having a better dessert anywhere. Now I like to think myself a connoisseur of brownie sundaes. If there's one on...

Pros: hilarious waiters
Cons: food is pretty average

The first time I ate at Ed's, was many years ago, and my dad and I were on vacation in Chicago. Before leaving home, a friend of my dad had told us about Ed's, and how fantastic it was(he failed to mention the waiters, and their constant rudeness). We...

Pros: Good food, fun atmosphere.
Cons: Crowded. Need a sense of humor.

Ed Debevic's is the sort of place that kids want to be taken to all the time. This may or may not have something to do with the milkshakes as big as your head. (They're covered with whipped cream and a cherry, and come in a giant fountain glass and the...