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R.J. Grunts
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
R.J. Grunts
8.2
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Open since 1971 across from the Lincoln Park Zoo, R.J. Grunts is a Lettuce Entertain You original where cottage fries, French fries, and shoestring sweet potato fries anchor a retro burger-and-salad-bar menu. Families and longtime regulars treat the various fry options as required sides, often drenched in Merkts cheddar or paired with chili.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cottage Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Chili Cheese Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A 1970s-era institution where cottage fries and sweet potato fries are as iconic as the burgers.
Who should go: Families and nostalgia-seekers who want fries with history.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early dinners before zoo and weekend rush.
What to order: Cottage Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, chili cheese fries with a Gruntburger.
Insider tip: Order cottage fries and a side of Merkts cheddar to build your own loaded cheese fries.
R.J. Grunts
8.0
Opened in 1971 across from Lincoln Park Zoo, R.J. Grunts is the original Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, known for its chopped salad bar, burgers, and retro dining room. The small patio out front turns it into a convenient pre- or post-zoo stop where comfort food and milkshakes land in big portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Digital Chopped Salad Bar, Gruntburger or Cheeseburger, Hand-Spun Milkshake
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A 1970s-era institution by the zoo pairing burgers and a famous salad bar with a compact sidewalk patio.
Who should go: Families and nostalgia-seekers wanting burgers before or after the zoo.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner to avoid peak zoo and weekend crowds.
What to order: Digital chopped salad bar, a burger, a classic milkshake.
Insider tip: Time your meal around zoo hours and ask for an outside table facing the park for people-watching.
R.J. Grunts
8.7
R.J. Grunts is a retro burger-and-salad-bar original where late-night happy hour means $5 classic cocktails, beer, and wine alongside oversized burgers and fries. Locals use it as a post-zoo or neighborhood hangout when they want a fun, unfussy bar scene with real food instead of bar snacks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheeseburger with Fries, All-You-Can-Eat Salad Bar, Chocolate Milkshake
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A 1971-era Lettuce flagship with a late-night, $5 cocktail happy hour.
Who should go: Burger lovers wanting lively, throwback happy hour energy.
When to visit: Thu–Sat 8–10pm for $5 cocktails and beers.
What to order: Cheeseburger, salad bar, a $5 dirty martini.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar during happy hour for fastest drink refills.
R.J. Grunts
8.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Opened in 1971 as Lettuce Entertain You’s first restaurant, RJ Grunts is a throwback burger-and-salad-bar spot across from Lincoln Park Zoo where kids’ menus, crayons, and big booths make family meals easy. The food leans classic—burgers, nachos, shakes—but the combination of history, location, and all-ages friendliness keeps it a neighborhood standby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gruntburger with fries, Make-Your-Own Salad Bar, Hand-Spun Milkshake
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A long-running zoo-adjacent burger joint with a full kids menu and salad bar.
Who should go: Families pairing zoo visits with burgers, shakes, and nostalgia.
When to visit: Late lunches or early dinners after zoo or park time.
What to order: A classic burger, salad bar plate, and a thick milkshake.
Insider tip: Plan a late-morning zoo visit and book an early table to avoid peak family rush.