Welcome to RJ Grunts, a beloved institution nestled in the heart of Lincoln Park, Chicago. Whether you’re craving a hearty burger, fresh salads, or a refreshing cocktail, RJ Grunts has something for everyone. Known for its diverse menu and vibrant atmosphere, this iconic restaurant delivers a perfect balance of classic comfort food with modern twists.
In this article, we’ll explore RJ Grunts’ unique offerings, customer favorites, and the reasons why it stands out as one of Chicago’s top dining spots.
RJ Grunts Menu With Prices
At RJ Grunts Restaurant, you can expect an extensive and varied menu that combines comfort food with contemporary dishes. The restaurant has long been a staple in Lincoln Park, attracting both locals and visitors alike with its unique blend of classic American dishes and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Lunch and Dinner Menu
| Item | Description | Price |
| Smash Burger | Two pressed all beef patties, American cheese, red onions, dijon aioli, pickles, and bacon on sesame seed bun. | 18.95 |
The Digital Chopped Salad Bar
| Item | Description | Price |
| Why I Re-Invented The Salad Bar by R.J. Grunt | Customize your own salad with a choice of greens, grains, protein, and dressing. Choose up to 10 Salad Bar ingredients! | 17.95 |
Sandwiches
(all burgers are char-broiled)
| Item | Description | Price |
| Hamburger | Beef patty served on a sesame bun. Served with cottage fries and a pickle. | 17.95 |
| Cheeseburger | Beef patty with your choice of American, Swiss, mozzarella, provolone, cheddar, pepper jack or bleu cheese. Served on a sesame bun with cottage fries and a pickle. | 17.95 |
| Gruntburger | Beef patty topped with bleu cheese dressing and fried onions on a toasted sesame bun. Served with cottage fries and a pickle. | 17.95 |
| Bacon Cheddarburger | Beef patty topped with two strips of bacon and cheddar cheese on a toasted sesame bun. Served with cottage fries and a pickle. | 17.95 |
| Turkey Burger | Turkey burger patty topped with tomato, lettuce, Swiss cheese and mayonnaise on a toasted sesame bun. Served with cottage fries and a pickle. | 17.95 |
| Patty Melt | Beef patty topped with American cheese and grilled onions. Served on toasted light rye bread with cottage fries. | 17.95 |
| Veggie Burger | Veggie patty topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato on a toasted honey and wheat oat bun. Served with a side of salsa and cottage chips. | 14.95 |
| Mr. Chicken | Sliced marinated chicken breast topped with provolone cheese and sautéed peppers. Served on toasted Italian garlic bread with cottage fries. | 15.95 |
| Improved & New Tuna Melt | Homemade tuna salad topped with tomato and a slice of melted cheddar cheese served on Challah bread. Served with cottage fries and pickles. | 14.95 |
| Grilled Cheese | Cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese griddled on toasted Challah bread. Served with cottage fries and pickles. | 10.95 |
| French Dip Enigma | Shaved roast beef tossed in beef au jus served on toasted Italian garlic bread. Served with a side of beef au jus, horseradish mayo, fried onions, and cottage fries. | 17.95 |
| Triple Decker Turkey Club | Turkey, bacon, lettuce, sliced tomato, and mayonnaise served on toasted brioche bread. Served with cottage fries and a pickle. | 17.95 |
All American Chicken Wraps, Baskets & Others
| Item | Description | Price |
| Chicken Tenders | Chicken tenders dipped in beer batter and deep fried. Served with cottage fries, BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. | 17.95 |
| R.J.’s Wings | 8 wings fried and tossed in your choice of buffalo, spicy buffalo or BBQ sauce. Served with ranch or blue cheese and celery. | 16.95 |
| California Wrap | Fried chicken breast, chopped bacon, lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing rolled in a flour tortilla. Served with cottage fries and pickles. | 16.95 |
| Santa Fe Wrap | Grilled Al Pastor marinated chicken breast rolled in a flour tortilla with pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, guacamole, and chipotle mayo. Served with cottage fries and a side of salsa. | 16.95 |
| Buffalo Wrap | Fried chicken breast tossed in buffalo sauce and rolled in a flour tortilla with bleu cheese dressing, lettuce and tomato. Served with cottage fries. | 16.95 |
Soup
| Item | Description | Price |
| French Onion Soup | Homemade onion soup covered with crunchy croutons & melted cheeses. | 8.50 |
| R.J.’s Famous Chili | Traditional pork and beef chili. Served with raw white onions, cheddar cheese and oyster crackers. Honored as Chicago’s Best Chili in 1979! | 7.95 |
| Vegetarian Chili | Bean-based veggie chili served with oyster crackers. | 7.95 |
Appetizers
| Item | Description | Price |
| Pickle Fries | Vienna pickles dipped in panko batter and deep fried to a golden brown. Served in a basket with a side of ranch. | 9.50 |
| Nachos Nirvana | Tortilla chips topped with chili, refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, melted pepper jack and cheddar cheese. Served with sides of salsa and sour cream. | 14.50 |
| Buffalo Nachos | Tortilla chips topped with melted pepper jack and cheddar cheese, buffalo sauce, chopped fried chicken breast tossed in buffalo sauce, and drizzled with ranch dressing. Topped with shredded lettuce and diced tomato. | 15.50 |
| Potato Skins | Fried potato skins served with a side of salsa and a bacon-sour cream dip. | 10.95 |
R.J. Style Entrees
| Item | Description | Price |
| Baby Back Ribs | Grilled pork ribs with BBQ sauce. Served with french fries and a side of coleslaw. | 27.95 |
| Fish & Chips | Three pieces of beer-battered fried Icelandic Cod. Served over a bed of cottage fries with sides of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. | 18.95 |
| Chicken Fajitas | Chicken is seasoned, grilled and sliced. Served with sautéed peppers and onions. Served with red rice, guacamole, salsa, and tortillas. | 21.95 |
| Cedar Planked Salmon | Grilled salmon brushed with maple-dijon glaze. Served with asparagus. | 23.95 |
Sides
| Item | Description | Price |
| Cottage Fries | R.J. Grunts housemade chips. | 4.50 |
| French Fries | 5.50 | |
| Sweet Potato Fries | Shoestring sweet potato fries. | 6.50 |
| Merkts Cheddar Cheese Sauce | A side of famous Merkt’s Cheddar Cheese. | 2.95 |
| Cole Slaw | Shredded cabbage and carrots topped with our homemade coleslaw dressing. | 3.95 |
| Mac & Cheese | Macaroni noodles with American cheese. | 6.95 |
Brunch Menu
Weekend Brunch Menu
| Item | Description | Price |
| Bacon & Egg Sandwich | Challah bread sandwich with American cheese, scrambled eggs, and bacon. | 13.95 |
| 3 Egg Breakfast | Guest’s choice of eggs with either bacon or chicken sausage, toast, and hash browns. | 13.95 |
| Ham & Cheese Omelette | Ham and American cheese folded into an omelette. Served with hash browns. | 12.95 |
| Spinach and Feta Omelette | Feta cheese and spinach folded into an omelette (egg whites only, +$1). Served with hash browns. | 12.95 |
| Thick-Cut Challah French Toast | Classic French toast griddled until golden. Served with maple syrup and whipped butter. | 13.95 |
| Breakfast Burrito Grande | Warm flour tortilla filled with eggs, bacon, American cheese, and pico de gallo. Served with hash browns. | 13.95 |
| Build Your Own Omelette | Choose up to 5 toppings for your omelette. | 12.95 |
| Pancake Breakfast Sandwich | 2 buttermilk pancakes as the bread with scrambled eggs, American cheese, and bacon in between. Served with maple syrup and hash browns. | 14.95 |
| Belgian Waffles | Mini Belgian waffles topped with powdered sugar and mixed berries. Served with maple syrup and whipped butter on the side. | 12.95 |
Brunch Sides
| Item | Description | Price |
| Grunts Bacon | 4 pieces of bacon. | 4.50 |
| Chicken Sausage | 4 pieces of chicken sausage. | 4.50 |
| Toast | Choice of English muffin, rye bread, sliced wheat, sliced challah, or sliced gluten-free bread (+$1.50). Served with whipped butter. | 3.50 |
| Hash Browns | Crispy hash browns. | 4.50 |
| Cheesy Buffalo Hash Browns | Hash browns topped with buffalo sauce, cheddar and pepper jack cheese, and pico de gallo. | 6.50 |
Dessert Menu
From The Fountain
| Item | Description | Price |
| The Black Cow | Classic Root Beer float with vanilla ice cream. | 9.00 |
| Hot Fudge Sundae | Vanilla ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry on top! | Small 6.50, Large 8.00 |
Giant Malts & Shakes
| Item | Description | Price |
| Giant Malts & Shakes | Choose from chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, pineapple, coconut, banana, raspberry, oreo, caramel, peanut butter, coffee, or dreamsicle, or mix up to two flavors! Topped with whipped cream. | 8.95 |
| Healthy Malts & Shakes | Made with low-fat yogurt and skim milk. Choose from chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, pineapple, coconut, banana, raspberry, oreo, caramel, peanut butter, coffee, or dreamsicle, or mix up to two flavors! Topped with whipped cream. | 8.95 |
Cookie In A Bowl
| Item | Description | Price |
| Cookie In A Bowl | A giant chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven, topped with vanilla ice cream & hot fudge. | Half 6.50, Full 11.00 |
| Cookie In A Bowl: The Sequel | A giant cinnamon sugar cookie right out of the oven, topped with vanilla ice cream & gooey caramel sauce. | Half 6.50, Full 11.00 |
Beverages Menu
| Item | Description | Price |
| Soda, Pop & Soda Pop | Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Perrier. | 3.25 |
| H2O | A.K.A. bottled water. | 2.00 |
| Grunts Grinds | We grind our own blend of the highest-end arabica coffee & filter the water to keep it from tasting crappy. | 2.75 |
Signature Dishes You Can’t Miss
When it comes to signature dishes, It stands out with a variety of options that keep guests coming back for more. Here are some must-try items:
- RJ Grunts Burger: This crowd favorite is a juicy, perfectly cooked burger, complemented by fresh toppings and served with crispy fries. It’s a classic for a reason!
- The Grilled Veggie Sandwich: A hearty choice for vegetarians and veggie-lovers alike, this sandwich combines perfectly grilled vegetables with savory condiments for a satisfying meal.
- Crispy Fried Chicken: Tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, this dish has become a local legend. It pairs wonderfully with their homemade mashed potatoes and gravy.
R.J. Grunts Reviews
Overall Rating: 4.9/5 (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) based on 66 reviews
i) Jim McCarthy: 1.5/5 (⭐⭐) (02-28-2025)
Takeaway | Lunch
Unfortunately, the service was quite impersonal, and there was a long wait for our food. The prices were on the higher end, but what stood out the most was the lack of attention from the staff. It felt like airport food, and not in a good way. I found a Chicago hot dog nearby for $6 less, which seems like a better option. I would suggest skipping R.J. Grunts if you’re looking for a more satisfying experience.
Food: 1/5 | Service: 1/5 | Atmosphere: 1/5
ii) Jennifer Lockhart: 2.5/5 (⭐⭐⭐) (01-28-205)
Takeaway | Lunch | $50–100
We initially hoped to enjoy a nice sit-down lunch, but were informed that the seating area was closed, even though two employees were eating there. We waited in line for takeaway while several other employees appeared to be just standing around, and two seemed to be supervising. It was frustrating to watch them casually chat and text on their phones while telling other customers they couldn’t sit down. With better service and a more welcoming atmosphere, this place could do much better. Unfortunately, despite spending $70 on burgers, waters, and sodas, the overall experience left much to be desired.
Food: 3/5 | Service: 1/5 | Atmosphere: 1/5
For more reviews and ratings, visit Google Reviews.
Quick Guide About R.J. Grunts
| Cuisine | American restaurant |
| Google Rating | 4.4 (2,641 reviews) |
| Price Range | $20–30 per person |
| Overview | Longtime eatery known for its massive salad bar, comfort-food classics, and nostalgic vibe. |
| Dine-in | ✅ Available |
| Takeaway | ✅ Available |
| No-contact Delivery | ✅ Available |
| Locations | 2056 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614, United States. Chicago Midway International Airport, S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638 |
| Phone Number | +1 773-929-5363 |
| Website | For the R.J. Grunt menu with prices, visit the official website here. |
| LGBTQ+ Friendly | ✅ Yes |
Operating Hours
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | 11 am – 8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am – 8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am – 8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am – 10 pm |
| Friday | 11 am – 10 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am – 10 pm |
| Sunday | 10:30 am – 8:30 pm |
Location on Map:
Seasonal Specials and Limited-Time Offerings
One of the most exciting features is its seasonal specials. The restaurant keeps its menu fresh by offering new dishes that take advantage of seasonal produce. During the summer months, you can expect light, refreshing salads and seafood options. In the winter, hearty comfort foods like roasted meats and baked casseroles take center stage.
Be sure to check their website for the latest limited-time offers and seasonal menus that showcase the best of what’s in season.
The Perfect Atmosphere: A Casual Dining Experience with Style
It prides itself on offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s casual yet vibrant ambiance makes it perfect for any occasion. With its contemporary decor, large windows letting in natural light, and comfortable seating arrangements, diners can enjoy a relaxed meal while soaking in the energy of Lincoln Park.
Whether you’re visiting during the bustling lunch rush or enjoying a quiet dinner, the atmosphere provides the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience.
Catering and Private Events: Make Your Next Celebration Special
RJ Grunts also offers catering services for special events. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, corporate event, or a wedding reception, the restaurant can cater your event with a variety of menu options to fit your needs. Their team will work with you to create a customized menu that will delight your guests and make your event unforgettable.
For those looking to host private events, they provide a private dining space that can accommodate groups of various sizes. The venue’s flexibility and excellent service ensure that your event will go off without a hitch.
Health-Conscious and Diet-Specific Options
For those with dietary restrictions, they offer a variety of options to suit all needs. From vegetarian and vegan dishes to gluten-free choices, there is something for everyone. The restaurant is committed to providing delicious and health-conscious options without compromising on flavor.
Be sure to explore their options if you have specific dietary needs, and don’t hesitate to ask your server for recommendations.
The RJ Grunts Experience: Why It’s More Than Just a Meal
At the heart of RJ Grunts is its dedication to providing a dining experience that goes beyond just food. It’s about creating moments that linger long after the meal is over. Whether it’s the exceptional service, the vibrant atmosphere, or the memorable dishes, it continues to earn its place as a top destination in Lincoln Park.
So, why wait? Visit today and see what makes it so special. Whether you’re a regular customer or a first-time visitor, you’ll leave with a smile on your face and a full belly.
FAQs
What type of food does RJ Grunts serve?
They offer a variety of classic American dishes, with an emphasis on comfort food, seasonal specials, and health-conscious options like vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
Does RJ Grunts have any vegan options?
Yes, offers a range of vegan dishes, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a satisfying meal regardless of dietary preferences.
Can I host a private event at RJ Grunts?
Yes, RJ Grunts offers private dining for events like birthdays, corporate gatherings, and other special occasions. They can customize the menu to suit your needs.
What are some of the signature dishes at RJ Grunts?
Some of the most popular dishes include the RJ Grunts Burger, Crispy Fried Chicken, and the Grilled Veggie Sandwich.
Is there a kids’ menu at RJ Grunts?
Yes, RJ Grunts offers a kids’ menu with family-friendly options like burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and chicken tenders.
Do I need a reservation?
While reservations are not required, it’s recommended, especially during peak dining times, to ensure you have a table.
Is parking available at RJ Grunts?
Yes, parking is available near the restaurant. However, during busy times, you may want to check for available spots.
Conclusion: A Chicago Dining Landmark
In conclusion, RJ Grunts is more than just a place to eat – it’s a culinary institution that has earned its spot in the hearts of Chicagoans. With its delicious menu, exceptional service, and inviting atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this restaurant has remained a favorite for so many years. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy an unforgettable meal at one of Lincoln Park’s most beloved dining spots.
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I’m Sada, the founder of TripGuiderz.com. Since 2019, I’ve been crafting travel guides and blog posts to help readers plan smarter adventures. Let’s explore the world together!
