Lindy's Chili & Gertie's Ice Cream

My rating is based off the amazing banana split I had. I haven’t tried their food. Ice cream is great though!

Malts are still delicious. Best ice cream shop in Illinois. Service was extremely slow - 2 servers and 3 tables - took 30 minutes to get 2 milk shakes.

The old school diner interiors is fabulous. It feels just like the early 90s. Great service too. Very friendly and got asked how I was doing several times. I got the "ultimate meal" which consisted of a hamburger and fries, chili, and a soft drink. The burger was average, as were the fries. The chili to be honest was less than average and was nothing special as they boasted. They also charge $.89 for cheese on the chili, so watch out for that sneaky thing. Overall the food was a 3 star, but the service and the feel of it bumped it up.

Haven't been in since the newest new management took over. Despite seeing that they were now serving Mexican food we decided to give it a chance. We walked into an empty place. Again should have been a sign. Sat down to plastic covered tables and the floors were filthy. Noticed prices were higher then other Lindys. We got our food. Nice server. I ordered the polish meal. My chili mac had about 6 noodles in it and my cousins chili barely had a bean to be seen. The polish was way different. It was soft inside and didn't have that skin snap like the old style polish that use to be served there. It came with fries sort of because the plate had about 10 fries on it. Which by the way are still good. Asked for the bill, was told we don't give one you just pay upfront. He started ringing it up before we got to the counter and there is no way to see what is being rung up. You also don't get an itemized bill till you pay. Looking at it I was charged .39 cents because I wanted my onions grilled instead of raw. Seriously! Needless to say won't be going back.

Hasn't been the same since early 1980s. Really sad. My Dad LOVED the chili & the burgers n fries were GREAT. Gertie's Ice Cream the BEST. Went there mid/late 80s. Totally changed and NOT for the better.

I saw this on an Eater Chicago list and checked it out. I only had ice cream, not food, and was underwhelmed. I had a turtle sundae and there was a squirt of hot fudge on the bottom of the dish and an okay of drizzle on top of the ice cream. I would've been better off going to Dairy Queen but I wanted to support a local business. Nice staff though.

My family and I used to love coming to this place for food and ice cream. However over the years we have just seen the place go downhill. New management is terrible. They got rid of the bars old look when it was nicely painted and with lights. It had a really cool look to it. Now there’s Mexican food? I’m not sure what style they’re going for. Now everything is over priced and not good. We miss the old Gerties.

This place open and closes ever so often. They go in and out with their liquor license and the service can be way better.. I remember a waitress named Maria and she was awesome but she’s gone and now the younger girls took over and it’s not been as good. The food has changed but not that better. The marinara for the cheese sticks needs a desperate change among other things..