OK - what's the story with this place? I'm embarrassed to say that I have never been there despite moving to GE in 2005. Last Saturday we were trying to find a place to eat with the kids. We had a bit of a late start and all of our usual suspects in the Danada area were packed. By the time we headed back up Roosevelt Rd (around 6:45), we were a bit frustrated and I said, let's try Alfie's - I hear they have good burgers.

I was shocked. The wait was an hour and twenty minutes and it looked like every family in GE was either (a) eating there or (b) waiting to eat there or (c) finishing up eating there.

I had no idea; is it really good, and when do you have to get there to not wait for dinner on a Saturday evening?

We ended up heading into Lombard and eating at Texan B-B-Q, which I really like, and best of all - they never have a wait

I would never go there other than around 6pm on a Monday. This place excels at one thing...a hamburger. Everything else creeps me out about the place. That said...we dutifully trudge their once or twice a year.

Original locale was a classic. My review will make even more people hate me...I loathe places like that. BUT...I'd rather go to Alfie's then go to Barone's. Any day of the week.

My rule still stands. There is no food worth waiting for. Period.

We only went there once in our 10-12 years in GE. I think it was on a Sunday afternoon, and the place was nearly empty. Our whole family was unimpressed. The burgers were okay, but we prefer what I grill up in our backyard. And we didn't see anything particularly interesting, entertaining, or otherwise impressive about the ambience, service, etc.

I can't imagine why anyone would go out to eat on a Sat evening without reservations. Apparently I'm the odd man out, because as you experienced, a ton of people do. But I just don't understand it.

We started doing the old man/woman thing a few years back. Eat at 5:30 in town then go to the 7:00 show. I have zero patience for overwhelming crowds at this point.

Apparently, you can also get robbed there mid-week at 8pm. It was in the police blotter of the GE News today...

I never got the Alfie's thing either... the one time I can remember being there, I remember getting a burned burger that was red inside, which is not really what I ordered.

IMHO, you can't beat the burgers the McChesney & Miller makes and sells, but I'd rather go without if my choices were Alfie's and nothing.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
We started doing the old man/woman thing a few years back.

Which is entirely fitting, since you are OLD!

Agreed.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
We started doing the old man/woman thing a few years back. Eat at 5:30 in town then go to the 7:00 show. I have zero patience for overwhelming crowds at this point.

So do we - in fact we joke that by the time we really are old (because we aren't yet!!) we'll be looking for dinner around 3:30 in the afternoon.

Come find the Fan family on most Friday nights,,,,err,,,,afternoons,,,,at Front Street around 5:15 pm.

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:
I can't imagine why anyone would go out to eat on a Sat evening without reservations. Apparently I'm the odd man out, because as you experienced, a ton of people do. But I just don't understand it.

I used to say the same. Sadly, my dining experiences have changed quite a bit since 2002, and it has been my experience that restaurants with crayons and kids menus don't take reservations.

quote:

Originally posted by Mamattorney:
I used to say the same. Sadly, my dining experiences have changed quite a bit since 2002, and it has been my experience that restaurants with crayons and kids menus don't take reservations.

When we were at that stage, I recall our idea of a fine dining experience being Denny's!

I should pretty much stay out of restaurant threads because I don't mind cooking, and am essentially too cheap and mean to go out much of anywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:

and am essentially too cheap and mean to go out much of anywhere.

I agree.

I've never understood the Alfie's love - we've only been three times, tops, and we've lived in GE almost 12 years now. And I was underwhelmed by the food each time. I'd rather go to Curly's for a burger, if that's what I'm after. Or even Red Robin.

In the last town we lived in, there was an Alfie's that was open for only a year, maybe. It was 3 blocks away from us, we went once. Seems like the rest of the town didn't take to it either, hence the short time it was open.

You lived in Oswego??? I just don't see that.

never mention that name again.

I noticed you couldn't even bring yourself to type the name. I should have been more sensitive.

Texan BBQ over Alfies? I would rather drive to Darien on a Friday night and eat at The Patio, then Texan BBQ. There is a reason that place is always empty....

Alfies burger is better than Curly's, hands down. Where else can you have a Russian chick just off the boat serve you a burger and fries? Ok, I am sure some of you will answer Heavenly Bodies in Elk Grove, but this is a family sight, please refrain.....

quote:

Originally posted by IMJ:
Ok, I am sure some of you will answer Heavenly Bodies in Elk Grove, but this is a family sight, please refrain.....

If it's a family sight, why refrain?

Yeah! You've been Fished!!!