Eddie's Gourmet — Restaurant in Oak Park

I heard about this place and I thought, the next time I’m on that side of town, I’m gonna try it. We went it sat down at the counter. Place was 50% full. Server took our drink order then disappeared. We sat there, waited for her to come back, meanwhile one of the other servers was busy talking to a customer about her boyfriend and how he races motorcycles, etc. he was on my left. The gentleman on our right had to finally interrupt her and as for a refill on his water. Meanwhile our server was still missing. It was going on 10 minutes now, and I was worried. Finally another server, who was talking to a regular about his coke bottle that he was drinking decided to take our order. FINALLY! She took our order and for starters I got the lemon rice soup and a side salad with ranch. Server immediately brings me my salad bowl and a side of ranch. The lettuce is all Romaine, which is fine, but there is about 4-6 ounces of water at the bottom of the bowl, so when I add my dressing, it immediately turns into a watery mess. As for my soup, I wish I could comment on it. I never got it. My substitute server was too busy talking to a couple regulars that were sitting at the booth at the end of the counter. Meanwhile motor cycle girl was struggling with the TVs and trying to put on some motocross racing event. Our original server finally reappeared! Thank God. I was worried about her. My chicken Marsala came out. It was two big pieces of chicken on a tiny plate. The plate was almost the same size as ONE of the chicken breasts. My side of rice came out like 4 minutes later. It was just white rice. No seasoning. No flavor. Nothing. Just wet. White. Rice. We ate our food, and then had to wait for our bill. Keep in mind, I never got my soup, or a refill on my coke. Got tired of waiting for my bill and went and stood by the register. Finally got it.

Would I ever come here again? I don’t know. Maybe. But I would make sure I came in with a regular or some guy who only sat by the register with a glass bottle of Coca Cola, because that’s the only way I guess you can get good...

Sigh, I didn't want to write a review, bad reviews hurt so needed business to our food service, and I always respect that. I had high hopes for this place (gourmet food in a casual not pretentious environment), to be fair I cook myself, and my standards for food are pretty high, but I am always fair, when I criticize food: fast food, expect fast food results, diner, expect diner food, luxury restaurant, expect luxury food. I saw some raving reviews, a youtube video with also raving reviews. So I was excited to try, gourmet food (prices certainly are) with a casual diner atmosphere, count me in!!! (I am not a ritzy person, and I hate to attend a fancy restaurant where I can't be accommodated because I don't shower in money every day, I am certainly not rich, and I don't dress as I am visiting the queen/king). my soup was average diner bland, ok, not big deal, next Hawaiian fries, these were good, I liked the the Hawaiian fries, then it was my Palomino Pasta, bland, unless I am expected to soak it with the Parmesan (please tell me is not the green jar one) and chili flakes to make it enjoyable. Also I had chicken with my pasta, I think the ratio is 1:100, barely can find any chicken, all chicken I found (similar to a cheap NOT GOURMET restaurant, was over cooked, barely noticeable, and if there was more than a 1/4 breast chicken in the whole plate then I was lucky). Redeeming point is that there is A TON of pasta, so I will be able to add my own sauce at home and add actually chicken to it. 3 stars because the food was not actually bad, service was friendly, but please, either remove the Gourmet from your restaurant's name or review what you are serving. This is just average diner food. Not necessarily a bad thing if that is what you are...

Tiny! Not good for parties of three or more. It's almost guaranteed that you will be sitting at the counter.

The food is basic. It's certainly tasty enough for what it is, but it lacks the gourmet flourish. They are closed on Sunday and Monday, and they aren't open for breakfast. But for lunch and dinner, there you go.

Three of us went for dinner. I got the chicken zip, which came with a sad little salad that was barely a tiny bed of iceberg with a single slice of tomato and a couple shreds of onion. The stuffed pepper soup was the star of the show, very hearty! The chicken was dry, and the mushrooms seemed like basic canned mushrooms. The sauce was alright, but way too salty. My dining partners got a burger, a gyro, and fries. They both said, "it's food." Nothing really stood out positive or negative. The fries were pretty good though! They deep fried them, then pan fried them too. Nice touch!

The service had heart, but a lack of communication. They are prone to being very busy, which means that it's very easy to get forgotten. If you're willing to be assertive, they'll absolutely take care of you. But if you're shy, they are going to leave you be. Maybe that's preferable for some, but I felt basically ignored in favor of regulars. Again, fair, but it certainly doesn't make me want to return.

Worth trying, but don't go expecting a high customer experience or attentive service. But for a leveled up diner, it's worth...