EatingTheBurbs.com

The family and I went to Hackney’s for lunch on a Saturday afternoon.  It was about 15 years since I had last visited Hackney’s and had fond memories of getting carry out with my dad.  The highlight back then was the french fried onion “brick”.  They take thinly sliced onions and deep fry them and combine them together to form this wonderfully huge mas of fried onions that resemble a brick.

I  was reminded about Hackney’s when I watched a program on the Food Network which Hackney’s was one of the places they visited.  My wife had never been there so I thought why not.  She is always excited about trying out new places just as much as I do.

But, unfortunately all the good memories I had about Hackney’s were all in the past and did not get relived.  The afternoon started well…we got there early for lunch and had no problem getting seated immediately.  Atmosphere is very cozy and has a very intimate feel with the subdued lighting.  We, of course, had to start with the french fried onions.  They must have changed the recipe because it was no longer in the shape of a brick and was a bit on the burnt side.

We ordered my 1 year old son Mac and cheese and my wife and I both had burgers, of course.  Both medium-well.   After we placed our orders it took quite some time for our onion appetizer to come out and for the burgers as well.  When they finally did come out,I was very disappointed in the presentation.  Not that I expected elegant veggie carvings and such, but the burger bun looked like the kind of low quality generic buns you get at the grocery store.  Also, the burger garnishes (lettuce, tomato, and onions) looked simple and put on as an after thought.  I mention all this because the price on the menu for my burger was $10.  And for $10 for a burger I expect it to be worth $10.  Not the same thing I could have done at home for a third of the cost.

Well, I pressed forward hoping that the burger itself would redeem everything else on the plate.  So I took a bite of my burger and immediately realized that it was cooked rare.  But I use the term cooked loosely because I looked at burger and saw that it almosted didn’t even seemed cooked through.  I had the waitress take it back.

My wife’s burger turned out alright but we were both very disappointed in my son’s mac and cheese.  It was basically the same mac and cheese that you get out of the box.  Same fake cheese consistency and tiny noodles.  Price for this, $5.  That’s right $5 for something I can buy at the grocery store for 50 cents.

I could go on but I think you get the picture.  Here’s how I break down Hackney’s:

THE GOOD:
Comfortable Atmosphere

THE BAD:
Way overpriced
Overrated burgers
Slow service

AVERAGE COST PER PERSON:
$11 – $20

DINING OPTIONS:
Dine-in and Carry-out

LOCATIONS:
2 in Glenview
Wheeling
Lake Zurich
Chicago
Palos Heights
http://www.hackneys.net/