The original Drive-in. But it's actually a car hop. The girls come to your car or there are picnic benches right next to the street. I sat at table 2 that was closest to the parking lot. The food came pretty quick but my root beer was all over the tray. But it was in a frosted mug. What was left of it. And the beef poor boy that I had. Umm, are you kidding me? It was an italian beef on a toasted bun. And the prices are way over the top for what little food you get. The fries were pretty good. But again. For $8.70 and the tip you have to give them. It is NOT worth it.
(2)
Johnny T.
As much as I don't want to admit it, I wasn't too impressed with this place. I mean sure, its got nostalgic charm with the young girls bringing you the food to you while you're in the car but, I would of felt more comfortable walking 15-20 steps each way to get my own food then have someone else do that for me, but that's just me. Not to mention I wouldn't feel guilty to tip. I hope I don't sound too grouchy saying that. Got a double cheeseburger ($3.80) with fries ($1.50) which were just o.k.. The burger didn't taste any different from the one you grilled in your backyard. But, for the price, not too bad. They're supposedly known for making their own root beer so I got a half gallon ($4.50) of it, which came in a milk container. I was surprised how muted the flavor was. Since they supposedly make it there, I was expecting it to taste better than the ones from the store but, it tasted like I was drinking A&W instead. Their cash only policy didn't help either. In a nut shell, I was surprisingly disappointed but, I give them an OK rating since there prices were reasonable.
(3)
Rachael W.
The root beer is fantastic, the food is decent. Not too expensive and fun place to go. The onion rings are good, but the burgers remind me of high school cafeteria food.....
(3)
Shannon M.
This place is great for the nostalgia factor alone, but their food is good too. Burgers are serviceable, good chicken sandwich, and they make a mean root beer float -- creamy and delicious, mm mmm. Makes me wish it was summer. Oh wait, it is. No time to lose, then: Ace is only open during the warmer months (so the carhops don't turn into carhop-sicles in the IL winters), so get while the gettin's good. For a better-than-fast-food burger meal with a turn-back-the-clock feel, Ace is definitely the place.
(4)
Tammy P.
Went there for the first time the other night. We were surprise on how well priced and good the food was. Only down side was you don't get any of the "extras" on your burger. We were at least expecting lettuce and tomato. Next time I guess we'll ask what everything entails.
(4)
Christopher R.
I really like this place. The food quality is good and the root bear is amazing. It's nice to eat on a picnic bench every now and than, too.
(5)
Luke M.
This place is disgusting. I don't care what drive ins were suppose to be but if the food isn't good, the nostalgia means nothing and that is the big problem with this place. Root beer tastes like its been watered down. The burger is nothing special. I could go to sonic and get the same type of burger. The fries are an extreme ripoff. You get like 20 fries and they aren't ever really cooked all the way. If you wanted to go up and order yourself so you do not feel obligated to tip, think again. They won't let you do that there. If you don't eat the food there and just go look at it then this place might be right up your alley. If you want to eat their food, well then I'm sorry.
(1)
Terry D.
Fries and O rings are the best. Not nearly as salty or greasy as Joes Hot Dogs down the street. Eat in your car or at the picnic tables. In Joliet, you look forward to Ace Drive-In in the summer and Dan's caramel apples in the fall. Other than the occasional highlight at the Rialto Theater or high crime drama at the Will County Courthouse, that's about it.
(3)
Adri R.
I love this place. Ive been coming here my whole life. Yummy garlic butter hoagie (cubesteak) better than merichikahs (spelling?). Delicious icy mugged root beers and piping hot fries served right to your car on a little tray that attaches to your window. Seasonal. Its closed all winter for obvious reasons
(4)
Lauren P.
Ace is awesome. Best beef bbq,chili cheese dogs, and onion rings ever. They also have the best fried pork tenderloin!!
(5)
Courtney H.
Been coming here for years and stopped in for lunch yesterday. Some things to note: -They ONLY take cash -You can eat outside or in your car -Always ask what comes on your food or what your options are We were a group of 3 and the waitress asked if we wanted separate checks so we said yes. We all ordered, food came out pretty quick. The server brought a small AND a large root beer for my friend. When my friend said she only ordered the large, the waitress was very confused. Why would anyone order that way? She said she would take it back but wasn't happy about it. We paid and the same friend was waiting for her change as she paid with a $20. The waitress said she did not remember her paying with a $20, she paid with a $10. The waitress went back to the kitchen and asked if anyone else knew what the change was supposed to be which they didn't. So then she returned to our table and told my friend "No one remembers you paying with a $20 but here's your change". The whole ordeal was sloppy and unprofessional-if you can't remember things then write them down. Food was good, burgers come with the basics but if you ask for extras such as lettuce and tomato they can add it. I didn't check to see if they charged for it. Fries are basic, nothing special. Root beer is always good and delicious! My friend got a Brown Cow and she liked it a lot. I know I will be back because it's a local staple and it's nice to eat outside once in awhile, I just hope their servers are better trained on professionalism.
(3)
TR M.
We love this place and are so happy it is oen for the season. A sure sign that summer is here. The servers are always friendly and its so chaming to be waited on in your car. The food is greasy and not for the health conscious, but it can be a lot of fun once in a while.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No
Steven M.
The original Drive-in. But it's actually a car hop. The girls come to your car or there are picnic benches right next to the street. I sat at table 2 that was closest to the parking lot. The food came pretty quick but my root beer was all over the tray. But it was in a frosted mug. What was left of it. And the beef poor boy that I had. Umm, are you kidding me? It was an italian beef on a toasted bun. And the prices are way over the top for what little food you get. The fries were pretty good. But again. For $8.70 and the tip you have to give them. It is NOT worth it.
(2)Johnny T.
As much as I don't want to admit it, I wasn't too impressed with this place. I mean sure, its got nostalgic charm with the young girls bringing you the food to you while you're in the car but, I would of felt more comfortable walking 15-20 steps each way to get my own food then have someone else do that for me, but that's just me. Not to mention I wouldn't feel guilty to tip. I hope I don't sound too grouchy saying that. Got a double cheeseburger ($3.80) with fries ($1.50) which were just o.k.. The burger didn't taste any different from the one you grilled in your backyard. But, for the price, not too bad. They're supposedly known for making their own root beer so I got a half gallon ($4.50) of it, which came in a milk container. I was surprised how muted the flavor was. Since they supposedly make it there, I was expecting it to taste better than the ones from the store but, it tasted like I was drinking A&W instead. Their cash only policy didn't help either. In a nut shell, I was surprisingly disappointed but, I give them an OK rating since there prices were reasonable.
(3)Rachael W.
The root beer is fantastic, the food is decent. Not too expensive and fun place to go. The onion rings are good, but the burgers remind me of high school cafeteria food.....
(3)Shannon M.
This place is great for the nostalgia factor alone, but their food is good too. Burgers are serviceable, good chicken sandwich, and they make a mean root beer float -- creamy and delicious, mm mmm. Makes me wish it was summer. Oh wait, it is. No time to lose, then: Ace is only open during the warmer months (so the carhops don't turn into carhop-sicles in the IL winters), so get while the gettin's good. For a better-than-fast-food burger meal with a turn-back-the-clock feel, Ace is definitely the place.
(4)Tammy P.
Went there for the first time the other night. We were surprise on how well priced and good the food was. Only down side was you don't get any of the "extras" on your burger. We were at least expecting lettuce and tomato. Next time I guess we'll ask what everything entails.
(4)Christopher R.
I really like this place. The food quality is good and the root bear is amazing. It's nice to eat on a picnic bench every now and than, too.
(5)Luke M.
This place is disgusting. I don't care what drive ins were suppose to be but if the food isn't good, the nostalgia means nothing and that is the big problem with this place. Root beer tastes like its been watered down. The burger is nothing special. I could go to sonic and get the same type of burger. The fries are an extreme ripoff. You get like 20 fries and they aren't ever really cooked all the way. If you wanted to go up and order yourself so you do not feel obligated to tip, think again. They won't let you do that there. If you don't eat the food there and just go look at it then this place might be right up your alley. If you want to eat their food, well then I'm sorry.
(1)Terry D.
Fries and O rings are the best. Not nearly as salty or greasy as Joes Hot Dogs down the street. Eat in your car or at the picnic tables. In Joliet, you look forward to Ace Drive-In in the summer and Dan's caramel apples in the fall. Other than the occasional highlight at the Rialto Theater or high crime drama at the Will County Courthouse, that's about it.
(3)Adri R.
I love this place. Ive been coming here my whole life. Yummy garlic butter hoagie (cubesteak) better than merichikahs (spelling?). Delicious icy mugged root beers and piping hot fries served right to your car on a little tray that attaches to your window. Seasonal. Its closed all winter for obvious reasons
(4)Lauren P.
Ace is awesome. Best beef bbq,chili cheese dogs, and onion rings ever. They also have the best fried pork tenderloin!!
(5)Courtney H.
Been coming here for years and stopped in for lunch yesterday. Some things to note: -They ONLY take cash -You can eat outside or in your car -Always ask what comes on your food or what your options are We were a group of 3 and the waitress asked if we wanted separate checks so we said yes. We all ordered, food came out pretty quick. The server brought a small AND a large root beer for my friend. When my friend said she only ordered the large, the waitress was very confused. Why would anyone order that way? She said she would take it back but wasn't happy about it. We paid and the same friend was waiting for her change as she paid with a $20. The waitress said she did not remember her paying with a $20, she paid with a $10. The waitress went back to the kitchen and asked if anyone else knew what the change was supposed to be which they didn't. So then she returned to our table and told my friend "No one remembers you paying with a $20 but here's your change". The whole ordeal was sloppy and unprofessional-if you can't remember things then write them down. Food was good, burgers come with the basics but if you ask for extras such as lettuce and tomato they can add it. I didn't check to see if they charged for it. Fries are basic, nothing special. Root beer is always good and delicious! My friend got a Brown Cow and she liked it a lot. I know I will be back because it's a local staple and it's nice to eat outside once in awhile, I just hope their servers are better trained on professionalism.
(3)TR M.
We love this place and are so happy it is oen for the season. A sure sign that summer is here. The servers are always friendly and its so chaming to be waited on in your car. The food is greasy and not for the health conscious, but it can be a lot of fun once in a while.
(5)