Beef Villa — Restaurant in Elgin

Good food it isn't always as fast as you would expect but. The wait just means that it's fresh. if you can get the chicken fresh out the grease, it'll be the best meal you've had.........

so in response to the owner I had given it 3 stars because as I had mentioned if it was fresh it was the best meal you can eat. and I haven't been back since then I figured I would try it out today and I think after today's experience if I do come back. it definitely wont be for what could be the best chicken meal around. But when you receive burnt potatoe wedges the were either fried twice or cooked in bad oil but I'm leaning on bad oil because the chicken had an old oil flavor as well and I know its cooked together. It leaves a bad taste in you mouth. And if it was cooked twice I'm confused how I got it cold, and it wasnt because of my drive home I live about 4 mins away. And the box was not wet from steam of fresh food the box was still in perfect form. Please dont think I'm one to bash I just really hope that they get there chicken meal together because as a person who cooks in the restaurant industry. I dont like to cook food all the time at home and since my kids for some strange reason wont stop begging for McDonald's my only close choices are hot dogs and soy meat burgers from wienerville or food from beef villa. But I just cant justify saying I enjoyed spending 10 dollars on old, over cooked food. Sorry if I do come back maybe I'll try chili and tom Tom's tamales. Again because I had that once...

Went in for lunch never having been to a Beef Villa before. While it was fairly busy, the place still seems tired with everyone just sort of pumping out the orders. I decided to have their broasted chicken, which normally brings back childhood memories -- but not here. The chicken pieces were VERY tiny (the drumstick just over 3") and overcooked as a result (broasting is frying under pressure for a preset number of minutes; too small, the chicken overcooks). The frying oil needed to be changed; because of that, the chicken did not have a clean or fresh taste. But far worse was what the oil did to the potato wedges or whatever they call the awful excuse for potatoes being served with the fried chicken; they were so off-putting that I had to try several just to make sure it wasn't a bad potato. (This is especially odd because, of course, they fry normal french fries to accompany the dogs, burgers, etc they serve.) On top of all that, the tab with a large drink ran just under $12; I did not feel like I got my money's worth. They DO do a fairly consistent business, so I'll try a burger or beef the next time; but do yourself a favor and avoid the...

If you went by memories I would have given B.V. 10 stars. Back in the day--some 48 years ago--I went to high school across the street at Larkin Highschool. The high school was overcrowded so to help with the situation we had an open campus. This allowed the students to leave the grounds.

One of the hottest spots for us was Beef Villa. At the time french fries were as popular as the beef--short for Italian beef. The hot and sweet peppers were free and looked like peppers. Today the peppers cost extra but I believe they are still worth the price.

The fries would be equivalent to two or three large McDonald's fries. They would last as long as the beef's. The best part--there was only one size.

In the present day the fries come in a paper cup. If you want more you need to buy a medium or large size.

Those old enough to remember back then drinks never had free refills. You needed to make sure you had enough money to buy a second drink otherwise you'd have to settle for water. This is something I had to do more times than I'd prefer to mention. Today drink's have free refills.

When it comes to atmosphere it could use a redo. ...