This location is permanently closed.
Donny's Diner image

Donny's Diner

Restaurant

😠 Went yesterday for a late lunch. Woman at the register kept inappropriately calling my fiancé “baby.” Ordered our food which took 30 minutes. Chicken strips were so burnt they were black and she said the cook can make us more which we did ask for new ones. My sons Mac and cheese came out 5 minutes a... People often mention chicken, cheese, good, nice, cook, time, potato,


Address

36725 US-41 Ste B, Gurnee, IL 60031

Contact

(847) 672-6468

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

3.70 (54 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

Permanently closed.

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: chicken (18) cheese (8) good (8) nice (7) cook (6) time (6) potato (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Amber M. 1 year ago on Google
    Went yesterday for a late lunch. Woman at the register kept inappropriately calling my fiancé “baby.” Ordered our food which took 30 minutes. Chicken strips were so burnt they were black and she said the cook can make us more which we did ask for new ones. My sons Mac and cheese came out 5 minutes after my burger with the most stale dry bun I have ever ate. Fried chicken was decent. The cook brings out the chicken strips and says, “here’s your chicken nuggets or whatever the heck they’re called.” He then explains that he’s not too experienced at cooking chicken strips. Tried the chicken strips… COMPLETELY RAW this time. We continue to eat what we can tolerate of our other food and he brings out 3 chicken strips that are completely rubber. Then 5 minutes later brings out another three. We never ate them. We’ll never be back.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kelly G. 3 years ago on Google
    Tried their breakfast.. (sausage gravy over a sausage biscuit).. it was excellent!! And reasonably priced. The placed looked pretty new, and the people were really nice. Don't understand why it wasn't crowded for breakfast. 🤔. I'll be back when I'm in the area.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Riley N. 2 years ago on Google
    I ordered a burger and it was disgusting. It taste like the meat had gone bad. The whole meal taste off and the fries were cold and mushy. The mashed potatoes with gravy was also disgusting and inedible, it was either sour or over seasoned with cloves. Not a good first impression at all.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 ashley a. 2 years ago on Google
    Only giving 2 stars because of REBA ( She is great! )Not sure who the " chef "was on Tuesday but clearly this person has no basic culinary training. Mcd's makes better breakfast. I ordered the breakfast biscuit sandwich that came with hashbrowns. I was brought 2 small biscuit sandwiches where both biscuits were soggy and both the eggs and bacon were cold and the person cooking put a piece of cold kraft cheese right out of the fridge on both of them. I took one bite and spit it out. Didnt touch the hashbrowns which did not have ANY color on them. It looks like she stuck them in the microwave to warm. Chicken was very mediocre for being "broasted". The breading tasted like old oil and the chicken was a little slimey. Very disappointing. The potato wedges were also slightly raw. I know its hard to find people to work but for the love of god please hire someone with basic culinary knowledge.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Knight M. 2 years ago on Google
    I am a regular customer here breakfast, lunch and dinner but the evening cook has brought the company's name to life with his unique style and flavors and seasoning. The food is perfect and seasoned perfectly to the point i didn't have to use salt and pepper on any of the food here.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Shammah “Tours with Google Maps” T. 1 year ago on Google
    Well, hmm I’m torn between 1.5 and zero stars. I came here after a business trip near the Great Wolf Lodge I was hungry and thought of a spot that would work out and we would get to support a local business…. Let me tell you I was amiss and sad that I spent time in this location. I ordered a simple grilled cheese sandwich one of my favorite things. I used to run a grilled cheese place in fact so I know what a grilled cheese looks like This is not something we take lightly. When the sandwich came out I immediately noticed it was not grilled at all the cheese was not close to temperature to melt :( the sandwich was extremely wet in the center and the 4 cheeses they touted was very strange to look at not melted and had tomato in between. I don’t recall seeing that in the menu as an item on it could be mistaken. You cannot grill a sandwich with tomato inside the science does not work out… I took zero bites as it smelled off and appeared to be a gag gift the established comped the Sammy I was greatful for that although I didn’t ask for anything free. It was not worth free if I’m being honest and fair as to what I was served. I also had cheese curds that were such a miss on taste flavor and sodium it was not worth frying I actually felt sick from the taste not to sound like a jerk but listen do not I repeat DO NOT waste your money on these two items. I hear the breasted chicken is delicious and it take some time to cook but I did not want to wait for the chicken. After I was done not eating the manager did not even ask if I was done or was there something g wrong when I asked for a throw away box Togo that in and of itself is why this review is a zero stars. I was blown away by the nice frame of mind she had but at the end she did not want food feedback or a send back to kitchen or anything overall just disappointed in a fellow food person not caring about its food or customers. Yikes hope this helps the next customer. Try the chicken! I think I’ll try that the next visit for a second shot if Tours with Google Maps and Apps allows it…
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 TETENO 1 year ago on Google
    Really delicious the skillet of Donny’s diner, one dish should try
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jeremiah D. 2 years ago on Google
    Ordered the 16-piece family dinner. The chicken was very good and easily the star of the show. However, the potato wedges were hard and undercooked, the gravy for the mashed potatoes had the consistency of water and was unusable, and the slaw was absolutely disgusting. Biscuits were good. If I order from here again I'll just get the chicken. Staff was super friendly. 3 stars only because the chicken was so good and staff was nice, otherwise it would be a 1 star review.

  • 5/5 Kathy L. 1 year ago on Google
    The employees were so friendly talking to me while I was waiting for my takeout order

  • 2/5 Louis B. 2 years ago on Google
    Ordered the 16 pc family meal. Got 3 potato wedges. Yes 3. Not even a whole potato. Chicken was soooooo dry. Had no flavor. Nothing. Just tasted like crispy grease. Thought we would try it because of the good reviews but first time, last time. I really wanted to like it but I wasted a lot of money for something we cant really eat. Cant chew it or swallow it without a drink. Not worth the hassle of going in the parking lot.

  • 5/5 Mary C. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic broasted chicken dinner. Last week my husband and I stopped in to try the broasted chicken, which is one of my favorite things and I'm very picky. Everything was fresh and hot. The chicken was perfect. I asked them to cook the potato wedges 2mins longer than usual since several reviews said they were undercooked for them, and they were perfect. Cole slaw was great. I was surprised I could get a nice glass of Pinot Grigio with dinner, since this is a really small diner/gaming place. The service was great. A customer service experience always has a lot to do with the individuals who are working. We had Reeba on the register, Karey, the manager, Pete, the cook, and another person who was friendly and waved from behind the counter. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Also, the bathroom was nice and clean. This was a really nice experience. Thank you!

  • 2/5 Thomas P. 11 months ago on Google
    You know it looks really good, but it's not open when it says it is, you got to fix your Google man. I probably would have come back if I liked it which I would have

  • 1/5 B M. 8 months ago on Google
    Been here twice now and it's just terrible on every single level. No matter what you get the food just tastes off...It seems like a place that only buys the absolute cheapest ingredients and charges top dollar. The cheese on my burger was partially melted and tasted like it came from the dollar store, the bun looked like they went next door and grabbed it off the shelf. It's a shame that places don't actually TRY to do good business anymore. Anyways, that's it for me, I won't be back again.

  • 5/5 Donna L. 3 years ago on Google
    Picked up broasted chicken for dinner tonight - it was amazing! I don't think I've ever had chicken this good - it was crispy & tender. The potato wedges were excellent too. It took only 20 minutes from the time I called in the order to when it was ready, super quick and was still hot when I got it home. I can't wait to order from Donny's Diner again! They said they will be offering delivery in the near future.


Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

Trends



Last updated:

Similar places



Similar Restaurants nearby

Great Wolf Lodge | Illinois image
1
Great Wolf Lodge | Illinois
Resort hotel
Warmly decorated suites in a down-to-earth hotel offering a water park, restaurants & a bar.
4.20 (7.1K reviews)
Portillo's Gurnee image
2
Portillo's Gurnee
Fast food restaurant
Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.
$ $$$
4.20 (5.6K reviews)
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill image
3
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
Buffet restaurant
Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.
$$ $$
3.80 (3.9K reviews)
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store image
4
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
American restaurant
Homey chain restaurant serving American comfort food, with an on-site general store.
$$ $$
4.20 (3.8K reviews)
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant image
5
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Italian restaurant
Lively, family-friendly chain featuring Italian standards such as pastas & salads.
$$ $$
4.30 (3K reviews)
Last updated:
()