Lily's - Round Lake, Illinois

Deplorable R.

This past April literally marked the first time in over 30 years that I've eaten here. I lived in RL from May '89- Nov '02 but the whole time I lived here, only came here like maybe 3 times.

Sadly I didn't start driving to school till my senior year but the whole time during my sophomore and junior years in high school, I walked by the local favorite 5 days/wk to school but only stopped in 2x that whole time. The very 1st time was shortly after we moved in during the summer of '89 with my dad.

I guess once I started driving, my friends and I typically liked leaving town and exploring everywhere else. I guess in my much older age now, took me this long to realize what a gem Lily's really is.

When I first walked in this past spring, I immediately recognized the guy in glasses behind the counter. Once I was ready to order after stepping up to the counter, when the guy (owner) walked up and greeted me I was like "are you the same guy I saw roughly 35 years that took my dad & I's order?" He smiled and said that probably was him and that he recognized me.

The RL area has a few local favorite spots and Lily's is truly a shining example. The owner/staff are friendly here, the dining area is relatively small but kept clean and the prices towards the wonderful Chicago style grub are still reasonable despite the craziness that started in the spring of 2020 and got worse.

The cash-only venue boasts some really good food and the gyros mountain was some of the most delicious I've had in a while. Before we left, I spoke with the owner and promised that I wouldn't take nearly as long to stop in again and he smiled and said "ok, I'll be waitin' for ya!"

Although I was never popular in school, wasn't a jock or anything and may not have had the most fond memories growing up in the area; Lily's will definitely always have a place in my heart and goes down as one of the very best Chicago grills in the county. I always try my best to support local and hope for continued success & prosperity for the owner.

Darlene N.

Read all the reviews recently about the beef sandwiches. So I stopped in to place an order. I wasn't disappointed. Just the right amount of beef and cheese on a generous Italian bread roll. It didn't come with a side of au jou but it wasn't needed. It was a good sandwich at a really good price.

DENNS K.

Came here for hot dogs and they were out of buns on a Saturday afternoon. staff was not accomodating and didn't seem to care. I ordered a burger and fries. The burger was burnt to a crisp way past well done. Fries were mnot much better. I was in a hurry ended up telling the owner on the way out that it was way overcooked. He barely acknowledged me and walked away. Rude service and bad food....go elsewhere..

Tashona

The service was good and the restaurant is clean. However, we did not get what we ordered. We asked for an Italian beef with cheese and ended up with a Philly with cheese. Wouldn’t have really cared but we paid quite a bit for the wrong food. Unfortunately, it also was not very tasty. We try to support locally and was disappointed with our experience.

Brad H.

Very clean on the inside, tables cleared and no visible garbage.

Still not a fan of thin fries, there just are better fry shapes and proportions. Cheese isn't so bad but could be better. Cheese fries were fine but depending on how you feel about fry thickness might make the $5 not worth it.

This is a $6 beef for preface, and as such mentally I try to compare it to others of a similar range. Nice beef presentation, good wrapping paper and an individual bag. Dissapointing beef, dry crumbly steak, very reminiscent of Subway brand Steak that they have in those paper baskets to put on sandwichs. Red and yellow peppers are an interesting choice for beef.
The Roll had minimal taste, even when wet.

Always appreciate when a place will give you juice from the beef on the side.

Good Mt dew choices, only cans currently for all drinks, there are other drink choices but they were not as impressive as the Mt. Dew choices. $1 a can isn't horrible, better than $1.25 or $1.75 places where they only have basic flavors.

Good prices if you just want to stop somewhere or if you are hanging out at Brass City Games across the street!

I would be interested in trying the burger or something else off the menu another day. Certainly if you aren't a picky reviewer and wanna save a buck compared to some other places then come visit!

Martina

I dont always write reviews so when I do, there was an impact made. I couldn't believe I was able to buy an Italian beef three Junior burgers and a large cheese fry for only $20. I'm never going to Portillo's again. Not only that but the service was great too, and a Cool vibe inside. I just moved here from about an hour away and I'm glad I found this joint.

Aldi R.

Great place with awesome food,and the best prices in the all lake county. Can't forget the service top tier.
Cash only.

darian K.

Amazing little hole in the wall. Had a classic Chicago style hotdog that tasted like home. Great food and atmosphere! Love the art on the walls by Chevy Chevere. Will come out of my way to stop at this gem any time I’m in town!