McAlister's Deli — Restaurant in Gurnee

We went on a Friday night and there were maybe 3 other families/groups (2-4 people/group) *not busy. We ordered a 12” French dip w/ side salad, 2 bowls of soup (chicken and dumplings and broccoli cheddar) and 2 kids meals (toasty cheese and Mac N’ cheese) both fruit. The kids meals and French dip came out but no soup. Kids meals were ok but they didn’t eat more than 2 bites. The French dip was completely over cooked but somehow cold so the beef was cold and hard. The cheese was burnt so much you didn’t know there was any on. Still no soup. The salad had really mushy lettuce that smelled bad. Didn’t eat that either. Finally got our soup after asking AND needing to show receipt. Broccoli cheddar was good, but the chicken and dumpling looked lumpy with scorched pieces. It was DEFINITELY not soup consistency. When I talked to the staff about it, they kept looking at the “soup” like that was completely normal and how it’s made. (I’ve been coming here since they opened and also other McAllisters as well. I know what it’s supposed to look like) I finally said I wanted to just switch it to the other soup and they reluctantly agreed. Then I waited another 10 minutes to get it. When I spend $50+ on a shared meal and 2 $3 kids meals it shouldn’t be worse than fast food. I can’t believe I chose here over Charlie’s at...

My husband and I went here for dinner on a Friday night looking for something different from the norm. There were two other families there finishing up their meals. By the time we received our food, we were the only guests there.

I ordered a Pick Two but was charged for and received a whole sandwich with a side of soup instead of a half sandwich. It ended up working out okay because the sandwich was good and the soup was not.

I ordered their tomato soup which came out thick and dark red, almost brown in color. It tasted like burnt marinara sauce. Not pleasant at all. I also ordered a cheese melt which was surprisingly good. The bread was warm and soft. Paired with the cheese it was a sandwich I'd order again. My husband ordered a ham and cheese melt and really liked it. He ordered mac'n'cheese as his side and said it was mediocre, at best. He said it tasted like it was sitting around for a while.

We both decided if we give this place a try again, it will be during lunch when its busy and the...

Cheap Mac & Cheese kids meal, the sweet tea, and the employees were the only positives. The southwest cobb salad did not taste fresh. It had rubbery chicken that tasted a bit off. The roasted corn and peppers had the same flavor\texture as what you'd get in a bag from the freezer isle. Dressing was ok, but was on par with something cheap from the grocery store too. Good avocados, but only had 2 slices. I'd save $2 and get a better, freher salad at Noodles or spend a few dollars more for a Panera salad. Roasted vegetable soup tastes like something out of a can. Mac & cheese was ok for kids but I'd be disappointed if I had chosen it as a side for my meal. Ordering went quickly but service was slow and took 20 minutes for 2 salads, soup and a kids meal. Register and server employees were nice and working as fast as they could but they are either understaffed or the kitchen is slow. Overall you'd be better off at the soup\salad bar at Jewel...