Dear Franks of Deerfield

I come here on lunch for the cheeseburgers. They are my favorite in the area. The staff is great and nice and the food is always prepared quickly.

Love the food here. The fries are the best! Sometimes it gets loud when the TV remote ends up in the hands of a customer but there is always run in the ice cream parlor to hide from the noise

I grew up in Deerfield and returned after starting a family. «Dear Franks» has been in this location for as long as I can remember. The ownership has changed over time.
As of more recent years the place is pretty much as other have described it.
Great hand cut fries with Merkts cheese
Good hot dogs (they just open the package and steam them), with fresh toppings
Good polish
Very good chicken pita
I don’t get much else here
A bit over priced, but not awful.
The place could probably use a good scrub down.

Dear Franks– good dogs but missing the mark in several areas. Rating for Food 4, Dining 2, Service 2, Value 2. Overall — 2 stars at best. There is no reason for me to go back.
THE GOOD:
The CHAR-​DOG was delicious — good bread, well cooked split end charred dog, mustard, pickle, onions, and hot peppers. It looks great. The wilted and droopy tomatoes were well past their prime and approaching the slimy stage.
FRIES– good and crispy! Sizable portion. Ordered a side of cheese sauce which was a little cool and clumpy but above average sharp cheedar flavor as opposed to cheap and flavorless cheese sauces.
THE BAD:
VALUE: 10.50 incl tax for a chardog, cheese fries, and a drink? Dear Franks prices are 1 – 2 dollars too high (comparatively) causing them to nip at the heels of newer fast casual places with better food, dining, and service. Think Portillos, Potbellys, Meatheads, and many other local places. I came in with low expectations but not low enough.
SERVICE:
Walk up to the counter and cook who is also the cashier says what can I get for you (appearing slightly annoyed and indifferent). An unkept greasy cook doesn’t show well for a business but I’m cool with it and can’t judge too harshly. After all, I’m buying a hot dog, not a filet mignon.
Ok, the wise guy customer came up to the counter and said I need my food now, my parents just landed 40 minutes early at O’Hare and I need to go pick them up? You could have said, ok — I’ll do my best to get your food ready as quickly as possible. Instead showing visible frustration, you responded by sarcastically snarling at the customer «so do you want your food now RAW or cooked in a few minutes?». CLASSY! I get better service buying «dirty dogs» in downtown Manhattan
DINING AREA
Well worn dining area, tacky formica booths, dingy yellow fluorescent lighting and faded reader boards. Pictures of kids and people eating the food gives a little local flare but also looks messy and chintzy. I didn’t find myself wanting hang out there any longer then what it took to get my food. Depressing and uninviting vibe.

I’ve lived in the area for my entire life and am convinced this is the best hot dog place around. Great food, and the employees have been the same ever since I can remember.
My one complaint is that it’s a bit expensive, but I guess that’s what you get from the area — similar places are just as much.