Big Norm’s

this rating is for the gyro — heard and read good things about Norm’s gyro. they trim the meat off the standard rotisserie, then toss it on the grill. The meat is nothing special — not home made, in fact, probably 60% of the gyro meat in the chicagoland area comes from the same provider — so hard to separate one gyro from another.
It comes down to the pita, quantity of meat, the tzatziki and toppings — and i did not feel anything special about the gyro that Big Norm’s serves — but that is okay… you get a gyro that serves its purpose… no frills. The cost breakdown is: Gyro ($ 5.50), fry ($ 2), and extra pita ($ 2). There is enough meat for two sandwiches. Asked for crispy fries… and they were NOT… not sure Norm was listening to my order.

After living on the East coast for 20 years and then relocating to Chicago-​land, I’ve spent 10 years wandering in Chicago’s «Italian Beef» wasteland. After too many dead-​ends and false-​starts, Big Norm’s has become my Philly Cheese Steak oasis.
Piles of very good properly shaved beef (Rib Eye, perhaps) cooked on the grill with pre-​sautéed onions and green (bell) peppers. All piled on a good quality Italian roll. Usually comes with cheez-​whiz sauce (al a Pat’s and Geno’s in Philly), but (lacking provolone) I go with Mozzarella (with a tip of the hat to John’s Roast Pork and Leo’s Steak Shop).
The sandwich with a pile of very good French fries, and all-​you-​drink fountain Coke, is a modest $ 10.03. There is also a Thursday Special with a reduced price – you’ll find me there about 5:30 on Thursdays.
Maybe one of these days I’ll try something else on Big Norm’s extensive menu, but it may take years to undo the trauma of wandering in the desert for some many years.
The place is clean. The owner is often in the place and engaged with his business. The employees are mostly non-​teenagers who appear to have worked there for years. Stable, friendly, and accommodating. There is outside seating with comfortable tables and chairs.

Decent enough, but nothing special. The 2-​dog special was $ 8 — an OK price but I’ve had much better for much less.
Was surprised that a hot dog joint wouldn’t have a hot dog on the kids menu — just toasted cheese, chicken fingers, and a burger.
Sorry, just nothing I’d go out of my way for.

It’s a decent joint. The hot dogs are pretty good. They have a great deal on two dogs, fries and a soda that I would usually get.
Once we got home after ordering some food to go, we found that my significant others dog was ice cold. While mine was warm. I enjoyed my dog but she couldn’t eat hers without warning it up in the microwave.
They okay Italian beefs. I find that the au jus isn’t anything special. Not as flavorful as I’ve had in other places. The hot peppers that they throw on are really hot, which I like.
Overall, I’d go back to Norm’s for a quick bite but if I can I’ll try and find something else.

My mom said it was the best Italian beef sandwich she has every had.

When it comes to making a gyros sandwich the meat is supposed to be shaved fresh off the spit not precooked and cut in big chunks to warm. I thought the worst gyros sandwich I ever had was in New York but I think this one top that for being the worst

I had a combo beef and sausage and it was absolutely divine. One of the best I’ve had outside of the city!

I still can not find a better gyro than the ones i get from Big Norms, they are better than the other places that claim to have the best gyro in lake county.

best italian beef i’ve had in the northern suburbs. fries are great too. eat here.

I don’t think I understand Chicago food… I got the Chicago style hot dogs but it was just OK to me. I think the bacon wrapped street hot dogs you can get at 2am outside of any given nightclub in California is comparable.
Over-​processed for my tastebuds, but I mean sometimes you’re just in the mood for fast, greasy, and processed food. I had a giant salad the next day.

Best Philly cheese steak I have ever had in my life! Always treated like a valued customer with each and every visit. Lightning fast and have never messed up my order!

This place advertises itself as «the best place you have never been to». I have to say that I was intrigued and checked it out. I tried it and won’t be back .I found it to be VERY EXPENSIVE for what I got and was overcharged to boot. My grilled chicken sandwich tasted like it was grilled earlier in the day and just heated up until it turned into a piece of chicken jerky.
Also, this place could use a good cleaning. There are way better places to go and eat in the area.

I like Big Norm’s because they have good food there and I remember the first day they opened up and I liked the place and when me and my friend that I known for 39 Years go there for lunch and the owner says my friend is a nice guy.

I can only comment on one item, Egg & Pepper Sandwich.
My gym, X-​sport Fitness, orders them for special catered events. I have always thought of Egg & Pepper Sandwiches as a weird combination, outdated and only eaten at Lent. Given a free tasting I discovered it is tasty goodness. I cant compare it to any others, but personally I am hooked to theirs and I crave it. I love when my gyms has specials events.

For Chicago Style Hot Dog’s Big Norms is the place to go. Tucked right in between Waukegan and Gurnee you will find this little charm that has a Chicago theme all over the walls. Signed photos of the Chicago Bears and a feel like you are smack dab in the middle of Chicago. Food is prepared in front of you with nothing to hide. I grew up on the Northwest side near Jimmy’s and Wally’s and I have to say we have our own right here in Lake County. They create a hot dog like it should be. Chicago Style with the fries on the side. Give them a try…

it’s a decent place, just, nothing spectacular (in terms of the food). The owner and staff is really friendly, but the rest of the place is just not special in my opinion. There are very limited diet friendly items and it’s not the cleanest place around. There are better places in the area, but Big Norms is okay if you’re in a hurry.

Norm’s is right on par for the traditional Chicago style hot dog joint. You’ve got your choice of hot dogs, burgers, Italian beefs, tamales, etc etc. The difference is that it’s in the far northern burbs of Waukegan.
The hot dogs come with all the trimmings (sport peppers are the must accompaniment), the gyros are cooked right with great tzaziki sauce and the refills are endless and refreshing. The giardiniera is sweet and very mild.
Norm (I think it’s him) is usually at the register taking orders and telling his cooks what to do. The meals are cooked right as you order and are pretty quick. Norm is a nice guy and so are the cooks.
I usually get the hot dog meal or gyros. Prices are a little higher than some other local spots, but the food is better so I don’t really mind paying a little extra. The fries are cooked just right. That also sets them apart, most places in the area always have undercooked fries. Gross!

Horrible! Unfresh! Ordered a gyro and instead of them cutting fresh off the spit they took an open bucket of cold old meat out of their cooler and heated it on the griddle next to grilled onions and a burger, nasty!!! Took one bite of thegyro and the meat was charred crisp on the outside and so thick and old it was cold in the center! Nasty, i didnt even eat any more of it i was so disgusted! Also witnessed the owner take my money then without washing his hands start helping the cook prep other orders… just a severe display of lack of pride in ones business! Sad! Save your hard earned money and go to another gyro, hotdog restaurant!

Meh. Decent dog and fries — but overpriced for what you get.

Being new to the area and have a 7 yr old w me we stopped for a bite.
looking at the place it reminded me of an old greasy hot dog stand found in Chicago. I ordered a gyro w no tomatoes, got the gyro plain! do i returned to the counter for some sauce, After taking a bite i saw i had no
onions either but did not want to get up. was a long day! lol then i tried to help my little one cut up her chicken tenders, there was still raw meat in the middle and i mean RAW CHICKEN MEAT!!! one of the cooks took the basket from me as i complained and pulled the chicken apart to show him.
he cooked the chicken longer but offered us nothing for the staffs huge error, free desert, free food to go, free coupon …
offered nothing to make us want to retyrn.
so i will not be returning.