We've been here several times with decent experiences. The service wasn't always the best, but the food was good. I regret to say that we will never eat here again. We were seated in a booth by a window...which was full of dead and decaying bugs. I couldn't stop looking at them. It was so gross, but our dining experience doesn't end there. Oh no...flies kept buzzing our table. It made me wonder in what condition they kept the kitchen. The final straw was a long, light colored hair that accompanied my husband's dinner. Unfortunately for him he didn't see it before he started chewing the forkful he served himself. After pulling the seemingly never ending hair out of the mouth, he almost got sick. It's really hard to say anything good about this place after our last experience.
(1)
Junio D.
I have since been back to this restaurant, not on a major holiday, but on a regular week night. Service was great, food was up to par, and food came out fast. Granted the restaurant only had a handful of people in it, I am happy to report, I will be back again, this next time on a weekend for breakfast.
(3)
Blair S.
Not bad, not good either. Ten minutes after you leave you"ll forget what you ate. Typical place with too many things on the menu, all of which are forgettable. Try something else....Red Apple is just down the street, go there!
(2)
Sonia B.
This is such a great family place! I haven't had anything I didn't like on the menu. Breakfast is probably my favorite. I highly recommend any of the skillets (yum). Lunch and dinner options are also really good, and the prices are very modest. I have had nice servers most times I have gone, but there were a few that were a little moody, so I took off a star. Nothing to be worried about though, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Tony P.
I came here with some of my coworkers and must say I really enjoyed my experience. This is a great restaurant with a lot of great options. Although I always enjoy a good breakfast any time of the day. So my review is usually limited to their breakfast offerings. The banana bread french toast was pretty awesome. I picked the "eggcellent" combo which I created my own skillet which came with a slice of banana bread and a side of fruit, actual fruit not fruit cocktail mind you. I would definitely go again.
(4)
Barry F.
Since the owners son was so nice my wife and I gave this place another try. Did not like the pea soup but the breakfast was ok. My wife said her sandwich was good. The service was also much better. Probably not going back, but I wanted to update the review to be fair.
(2)
J M.
Crappy service. Got yelled at by a waitress over something I regularly order...nice start. The someone in my party has a problem with the drink and just wants water.....HOLY HELL, you'd think I tried to case the joint----the manager on duty at the time TOLD THE WAITRESS TO COME GET THE DRINK IN QUESTION BACK off our table, like we were trying to scam him out of a $1.00 drink. Want refills? Forget it? Ketchup for your fries? Forget it....the waitresses disappear. And the food ain't that great. I despise crappy service. Especially if I give you regular business......I have better things to do than to "try to scam a soft drink". I also told my waitress to tell her boss, nice way to lose customers. In this day and age, not a bright move. But then again, all the waitresses are huddled around talking....guess that's when I should've "left with the drink", that we HADN'T TOUCHED. Give me a break!
(1)
Marie K.
I love diners and was hoping that my experience here would be a good one. Unfortunately, it was a let down and it is probably more due to the service provided. My waitress was not very attentive and had a poor attitude. The way she presented herself and spoke to us, it was apparent that she didn't care to serve us. Food quality was average. It was nothing spectacular but it wasn't bad either. The best part of my dining experience was when I grabbed the chocolate mints on the way out.
(2)
Suze B.
I've been coming to carols garden for as long as I can remember. It's your typical local Greek diner. Their food never disappoints. Some of my favourites are their large salads, skillets, and the sweet and sour cabbage soup. Plus this last time I visited, it looks like they have updated the interior decor.
(4)
Jen R.
Seriously awful. The owner is a piece of work. My husband and I had dined here a total of 3x. The first time was great, the second time was meh (and I ended up getting a gallbladder attack from their french fries, but that's a cool story bro for another time), and the third time clinched it that we'd never go back. I ordered a wrap, I forget which, and my husband ordered a salad with chicken. They obviously cooked the chicken well before they made the wrap because when it got to us, it was dry and tough. The eggs that came with his salad were boiled so long that they turned green. Hubs didn't want to make a fuss but I insisted that we say something, this wasn't edible. At all. We went to talk to the owner and he tried to blame us for it since we said something after the fact and asked what he wanted us to do. At that point, we didn't really want a refund, we just wanted someone to acknowledge that they messed up. NOPE. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. He just argued with us in circles for 10 mins and then finally offered us a free dessert. Ugh. My inner fat kid was like, "Well, hold on a minute, desserts DO make everything better" but my outward mature lady self said no and refused to ever eat there again. There are better places in the area to get a family dining experience. I'm glad we moved away from Carol Stream so we never have to even drive past this place anymore. Boooooo.
(1)
Sam P.
After a couple changes of plans left us dinner-less, my family ordered breakfast take-out tonight for dinner. Having dined at Carol's once before, we thought it would be okay, at least. I should have taken it as a warning when I placed our order over the phone, and the girl did not ask how our eggs should be cook or volunteer a window of time when our food would be ready (of course, I facilitated the exchange of both points of information and left the house quickly when she told me "10 to 15 minutes ") When I went in to the restaurant about 20 minutes after placing the order, I was casually informed it wasn't ready yet. Someone who knew what they were doing probably would have had me pay while I was waiting, but this particular employee did not. Instead, when the food was ready about five minutes later and it would have been convenient for me to head out, she had to ring up my order in the midst of several dine-in parties paying their bills. I was not all that frustrated though, until I realized the $ amount I was being charged was about $15 too high. When I asked for an itemized copy of my bill, the girl needed assistance in printing it out. Over came the man who I will assume is the manager, and he had a friendly, apologetic way about him that made the situation only a little less frustrating. I explained that I had been overcharged, but it took him several tries and about 10 minutes of my family's dinner getting cold and soggy to correct the transaction. When I did finally get the food home, we were missing an egg and an order of bacon. My pancakes were soggy, and the "stuffed" French toast was not stuffed, but rather smeared with pink cream cheese. The breakfast meats we did receive were dry, and I realized my pancakes were overcooked once I got passed the odd presentation of the rest of our food. Not so appetizing. If I can get it together to call and complain, I will. I realize take-out is not necessarily reflective of what the dining experience at Carol's would be like, but this dinner was too much of a failure not to share.
(1)
Do F.
I had my daughter's baptism lunch here and I would have to say I was seriously disappointed. We made a reservation for 26 people 2weeks in advance for 2pm. Then we arrived at 1:45pm and the restaurant was unable to seat us until 2:40pm using the excuse of they weren't ready. Then we were given one waitress for all of us Most of our entrees were wrong and didn't arrive until 4:30pm we had to hunt down the owner and ask for the waitress to get some help and refill our drinks. Sadly we were very disappointed. The food was okay but only 7 of the 26 entrees were correct and we had to remind the staff that this entree should have this side per your menu! The restaurant owner blamed everything on the kitchen but offered no compensation for the mess-up. Food was good but came out cold most of the time. I would not recommend this restaurant for any larger party over 8 people.
(2)
Christina B.
Who ever said no to Red Apple and yes to Carols must be going to a different restaurant. Honestly, nothing too special here. If you're a vegetarian, you'll have basically no luck here besides for breakfast. Lunch and dinner options all have meat in them basically. I had a Greek salad and ordered it without the anchovies. It was pretty good. Large portion. Nothing special. The rest of my party's order didn't seem too special either. Didn't look bad of course, but still nothing special. Service was okay. Pacing was fine. Nothing really stood out to me that much. Meh. To each their own?
(3)
Dan B.
Carol's Garden is a typical family restaurant found in the suburbs. There is plenty of seating and they have a fairly diverse menu. Having not stopped here in literally fifteen or so years I decided to give this place another try for breakfast. Shortly after walking in the door, I was greeted and seated at a booth. After looking over the menu thoroughly I made my selections and within around 10 minutes my food was ready. As I often do at breakfast places I ordered a skillet with pancakes. The skillet had nice crisp potatoes in it, a lot of egg, a lot of cheese and a good mix of other ingredients. Usually when I get pancakes with skillets, it's a plate of two or three thin flapjacks and some syrup. Carol's Garden does things a little differently with one monster sized pancake. The syrup provided was nice and thick and provided a good overall pancake experience. Overall the food was good, the insides were clean unlike some other reviews I had read of this place. The only negative thing I have to say is the gentleman who took my check when I paid seemed rather irritated and/or disgusted for some reason. Overall I'd say the food and service was above average and this place was riding a four star review up until the checkout. With that said for now I'll give Carol's Garden three stars for being A-Ok.
(3)
Truth M.
Wow Wow Wow! Where to start, Booth's need repair, Our wait staff seemed bummed out. Soup was bland and not hot, Beef vegetable soup with no beef OK. Don't ever get there stuffing it was gross like wet baby throw up. The vegetables look like they came out of a large bag of frozen mix vegetable. The meat was just as poor .All that for $10.95 Mind blower. I could of got a frozen TV dinner that taste the same but better. Unreal and Gross. Never again. Good place to throw your money away. Nasty I wish more people would Yelp. We work hard for our money!
(1)
AJ B.
Go here from time to time for breakfast. Pretty standard breakfast food. Scramblers are always pretty good. The place isn't going to impress you overly with anything in particular - service, food, atmosphere all average. I wouldn't go back but my wife likes this place for some reason.
(3)
Gregg S.
I have taken MANY people here, lunches, breakfast, church meetings. The food is good. HOWEVER, the owner, Ray I think, who has seen me PAY for at least 20 meals, has the gall to tell me off after a meal, as I had brought in my own cup to PURCHASE a coffee to go...i.e. it cost Ray NOTHING. IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE I HAD JUST TREATED TO BREAKFAST, he yells at me and says " ...And next time don't bring your own drink.....can't you read the sign that says "No outside food or drink"?" At this point, embarrassed in front of my guests, I politely tell him that I brought in a solo coffee cup to PURCHASE a cup to go, I didn't even have coffee with my meal. He CURTLY apologized and I vowed at that moment to NEVER GO HERE AGAIN. I will spend my hard earned dollars where people appreciate them and at least give their regular customers the benefit of the doubt.
(1)
Tina L.
Everything was great!!..food, service, deserts, very friendly manager made us feel very welcomed, I
(5)
Jim H.
We ate dinner there this evening. The food was fine and the service was excellent. My wife is lactose intolerant and they made every effort to be accommodating. In lieu of butter we requested Olive oil for her to use with her bread. When I received the bill, we were charged $1.99 for the olive oil. About a dollar a tablespoon. Seems pretty tacky to me. They have lost a customer over an unnecessary and foolish little charge.
(2)
Alessandra J.
My boyfriend, daughter, niece l, and I went to Carols Garden for breakfast for the first time. I thought that the food itself was average but my boyfriend thought it was great. The best thing about this restaurant is the loaf of fresh bread that comes to your table after you've been seated. I would definitely try it again
(3)
Katie C.
I had a Starbucks coffee with me that I was finishing from the morning. Hostess said I couldn't bring it in. I said I was almost done with it and still planned on ordering a drink but she said the manager won't allow it. I said good to know this will probably be my first and last time here. She said he wouldn't care and that its better she tells me rather than him because he is mean. I threw my drink away and only drank water on principle. Food was average and service was worse. I will never come back here knowing the owner doesn't care about my business and doesn't know how to treat his customers. No wonder this place was empty on a Saturday morning.
(1)
Andrea L.
This place is terrible all around. My mother in law ordered the rib eye steak. What a chinzy piece of meat for 20 bucks! She had a couple of pieces and I tried one. The steak was bland and it just didn't taste right. The waitress told her the cook was not here. How are you operating with no cook?! But they gladly changed her order to the london broil ( which was cheaper) when we went to go pay, the owner said he wouldn't change the price cuz she ate half of the steak! My mother in law told him she had a piece and that was it. He still refused. She told him we were not coming back and he said don't!!! My husband went to pay and the owner thur his credit card back at him and told him to sign the receipt. Very unprofessional! I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone!!!
(1)
Joe E.
I like Carol's Garden. It's not great, but it's not terrible either. They have everything that you could want. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've had all 3, and they are all decent. They also have homemade desserts, which are good to end a meal. Prices are fair. I would agree that this is geared towards an older crowd. Restaurant staff is very nice; the place is quiet, at least when I've gone, but can get busy at peak times. My favorites? The smashed califlower side dish and the chocolate eclairs. I'm more inclined to head to Red Apple for a meal, but if I wanted a cheap, laid back dinner, I would probably head here.
(3)
Mary J.
I walked in at 10:30am on Wednesday September 17. 2014. No welcome no greeting not one word. A man walked up and waved a menu at me to follow. He threw the menu on the table and walked away. The restaurant was empty but it took a while for someone to come to my table, again no greeting. The food was good but I felt so out of place. No, enjoy your meal, no hi or hello, I received my bill and no thanks for coming or have a good day. It was a very depressed atmosphere. I won't be back. This was my third try. Same service each time.
(2)
Angela P.
We went here for a Sunday breakfast with the kids after reading that some Facebook friends of mine go here regularly. Big mistake! This is a typical Greek owned family restaurant. The atmosphere is what you would expect but the rest is seriously lacking. First off, they give you a menu, your family restaurant basics but when I go to order a salad and some fries for the kids she tells me that you can't order lunch items until after 11. Seriously!?!? Then why don't you have two menus!?!? So misleading for this style of restaurant! So anyways, we placed our order with our friendly waitress (only perk of the place) and the food came out super fast. I ordered some kind of Latin omelet and added mushrooms and get this...they were canned!!! Sick! And they added $1 for those little pieces of nastiness. Yeah. No bueno. The prices are okay, service friendly but that food is seriously lacking. And the whole menu thing was annoying enough for me to never return. Sorry Carol but I will eat elsewhere.
(2)
Laura Jo D.
Very rude staff. Management is a joke. Over charged me on my bill and when I complained they said they would remove the charges and never did. They reversed my credit card charge and then tried to run my card again 4 times. Including a 20% gratuity which wasn't even close to the tip I left due to the poor service and cold food. My family will never go here again! The manager called me stupid and said I didn't know what I was talking about.
(1)
Kara Z.
I used to work right down the street from Carol's Garden and would meet friends for lunch here quite often. Sometimes it was hard to get in and out within an hour for lunch. They are willing to do separate checks if you go with a group, which we really appreciated. My favorite part of Carol's Garden is their chicken noodle soup that they have almost every day- very simple but delicious. They used to offer a bread basket at lunch time but now offer a warm loaf of bread with is tasty but you have to slice it yourself. Carol's Garden is a typical family restaurant but is very comfortable with a pleasant atmosphere. It is very popular at lunchtime. They have a very large menu with many choices. I enjoy their salads but have not enjoyed their sandwiches. You do get good sized portions and the prices are fair.
(4)
Marie N.
We've driven past this restaurant many, many times but frankly, from the outside appearance there was nothing to draw us in. Yesterday we decided to give it a try for a late Saturday afternoon (1:30pm) lunch. We loved it! The interior is very, very nice. Comfy booths, nice chairs on wheels. They have a selection of 5 soups everyday. Lunch started out with a small loaf of warm bread. It was fabulous. My husband had the chicken stir fry. It was a very large plate and there was enough there that he brought half home. I had the chicken breast with cheddar and monterey jack cheese. I loved it, also. Service was impeccable. Drinks were refilled throughout the meal and she checked on us often to be sure everything was ok. I asked that the soup that comes with my meal be packed to go. She included 3 rolls and crackers with the soup. Nice touch. I was happy to leave a generous tip. The menu is extensive so there should be something for everyone. We are looking forward to returning soon.
(5)
Jessie W.
I went there for dinner a couple of weeks ago with a friend. I agree with a lot of the post that the place looks dirty. The carpet needs a good cleaning or replacement. I did not get a good feeling walking in there however stayed. The food was not very good and the menu very old fashion. I love coffee shops but not this one. I wont be back.
(2)
Amey K.
Their bread is awesome and the crab cakes are real!
(5)
Sergey S.
I go here often for weekday brunch. The food is better than red apple and they are not as busy. Huge downfall though: you can't bring your own coffee and they brew average garbage breakfast coffee
(4)
Kate M.
It's your typical sprawling family restaurant. The menu is huge, HUGE, which I'm not a fan of. I can't make decisions with that many choices, so please don't make me. The food is always good, the service is quick and friendly, and the chairs and benches are comfy. Why would you wait in line for 30 minutes across the street when a lovely table at Carol's Garden is waiting for you?
(4)
Lena W.
Average for the price. Probably best for breakfast. Everything is cooked in the same oil. So, if you order scrambled eggs or french toast, it all tastes the same, like it sat next to a gyros. Ambience is more for an older crowd. Kids run rampant as the parents are oblivious to home-training, so be prepared.
(2)
Brandon F.
The prices are reasonable and the portions good, but it is the only place I've been that consistently cannot cook a decent meal. I even gave Carol's Garden three visits to prove me wrong. Steak was filled with gristle and flavorless. Fried chicken was so dry that it took multiple glasses of water to help get it down. On my final visit, I figured that nobody could ruin a simple breakfast meal of bacon and eggs. Wrong. The eggs were like rubber and the bacon charred to a crisp. Carol's Garden rates as one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to.
(1)
Nicole B.
Really rude managers/ owners. Rather spend my money elsewhere. Even if the food was ok.
(2)
Janna J.
I think I used to visit this place at least once a week but have definitely tapered off. I'm a fan of the breakfast menu myself which is great and offers huge portions! This is definitely a Senior haunt but I don't mind that as much, they know a good deal when they see one! But I think because of that fact they sparingly use or don't use salt when they cook which can lead to bland food. The homemade bread is fantastic! They changed the recipe or something a while back and it didn't taste right...but after a recent trip i'm happy to report it's gotten back to almost top shape. All in all this is a nice cozy family restaurant that may not have a Top Chef menu but it's a nice place to break away from the chain restaurants.
(4)
Tyler L.
I ate lunch at this place for the first time yesterday. I ordered the Chicken Piccata which was not good at all. The sauce was sour and bitter. That might be my fault for ordering an Italian dish at a restaurant that specializes in breakfast. The bathrooms are old and run down. I will give Carol's Garden one more chance to win me over.
(2)
Bob W.
We go to Carol's Garden often, more so since Spring Garden in nearby Hanover Park changed owners. Food at Carol's Garden is always fresh and flavorful. Servers are all very polite.
(5)
Georgia K.
this is your typical Greek American Restaurant but the Soup kicks ass and so does the service LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!!!
(4)
Marianne E.
Have been be carols garden several times. Not recently though. So when we were in the area, thought it would be a great stop. Loved the French onion soup in the past. So that is what i ordered as my dinner. When my daughter was eating hers she tells me it is not good. Sure wasn't ... so salty or burnt it was not edible. Fine ordered a salad instead. Then when my husband "14 oz new york strip" came it looked like an 8oz ribeye. Veggies overcooked. UCK. returned that and got a Prime rib with freshly cooked broccoli. Decent but not great. Unfortuntly this is one place we will be taking off the list of places to go.
(1)
Vodka Sauce C.
One of the best skillets around ! A real enjoyable place ! I say no to red apple , yes to carol's !! Great service and staff. Real good food ! Great prices !
(5)
Nicole L.
I visited Carol's Garden a year ago for the first and last time. I found their food bland and the atmosphere lacking. The restaurant didn't give me a good vibe.
(1)
M J.
I've always wondered how a restaurant could ruin breakfast, Carol's Garden answered that question. Terrible, thin, tasteless, dry potato pancakes, burnt sausages, overcooked scrambled eggs. The fresh baked bread smells good, tastes terrible. It makes me wonder if it's an old family recipe they're emotionally attached to or provided by the cheapest supplier.
(1)
Jennifer W.
Went to Carol's twice in the past week. Service was good overall and the food was ok. They have remodeled since the smoking ban so it is much more open and sunny than it was before. Good food, relatively cheap.
(4)
Jennifer B.
It's not that this place is bad, per se, it's just boring. Nothing stands out about the food or the atmosphere. The food is on the bland side, but you do get huge portions, so that's a plus.
(2)
Ruby G.
Have been going here for many years, there lunch and dinner food is awesome. They change their menu alot to keep up with what is popular. There Sweet and Sour cabbage soup is addicting too.
(4)
T D.
I have been here for breakfast at least a handful of times over the past year. It is not usually that crowded on the weekends when I have gone. The only big complaint is that at least twice, the food served wasn't warm enough and had to go back. I thought it was odd, because we didn't wait long to get our food. Service has been good, the portions are big and my cup of coffee receives good attention. The Eggs Benedict is usually my preferred choice here. My southern friend who I have gone with to this restaurant, always orders their biscuits and gravy, and they seem to pass the test here. Worth checking out, if your in the neighborhood.
(3)
Karl S.
I've eaten here a number of times over the years. It's a pleasant, family style restaurant, particularly good for lunch. You won't find anything exotic on the menu, but the food is tasty with large portions and reasonable prices.
(3)
Angie R.
I visited this restaurant on a Sunday. We were seated right away and orders were taken quickly. I went with the eggs benedict and my boyfriend had a waffle covered in berries. We were both very pleased with our meals but we weren't impressed. It is your typical diner with OK food. It is right around the corner from me so I like the convenience, and I will be checking them out for sure for dinner. Sometimes I carve diner food and having this so close is great. They also have a bar so you enjoy a cocktail with your food. I did not get dessert but their pies looked very tasty. 3 stars for OK food and for their friendly staff.
(3)
Magge M.
We went here for a late breakfast one day, and were very disappointed. I ordered scrambled eggs with toast and a side of fresh fruit. As I was eating the fruit I saw a hair on the bowl. I'm sure the rest of my food would have been good, but I couldn't continue to eat anything. I didn't say anything to our waitress because you could tell she gets complaints all day. We paid our bill and were happy to leave. We won't be trying this place again.
(1)
Pat E.
Good, but not great! Prices are def. fair, and the atmosphere is geared more towards the older crowd. Great smashed califlower! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I would recommend, but if you want the best breakfast and it is 6am-3pm you might as well go a few blocks down to Red Apple, but for a cheap, very good lunch/dinner option..CG is good!
(2)
Booda B.
The breakfast menu is nearly identical to Egg Harbor Cafe, right down to the egg skillet/banana bread French toast/fresh fruit combo, except everything is $.50 to $1 cheaper. Tasty food, huge portions, quick and friendly service, frequent refills on coffee and water... I've got no complaints. OK, the menus were a bit worn around the edges, but who cares about that? I don't understand why this place is half empty on a Sunday morning when the line across the street for Red Apple is out the door and into the parking lot. Maybe some people are OK with waiting 1.5 hours for an omelet, but I'm not one of them.
(4)
Val M.
Crazy big portions for an excellent price. Love their egg lemon soup.
(4)
Steve G.
Typical Greek-owned family restaurant -- soup with every sandwich, Salads are huge, sandwiches are great - entrees are hit or miss. Great spot for lunch...
(4)
Derek B.
Warning warning this place it's terrible especially the service And by service I mean management and I'm saying this because when I order my food it was so bad I wanted my money back and the owner refused to give me to moneyback said the food is fine and I said it's making me sick and he said I "I hope you get sick that's with the owner said to customer !!!save yourself and your family don't go there!!! PS you will get better service and better food in McDonald's!!!
(1)
Justin G.
If you're passing through, this is a decent place to get a meal. It's your usual Greek diner type of place, though i may have seen more Italian items on the menu now that i think about it. Good sized menu, nice people.
(4)
Ivy L.
My family and I love Carols Garden!!! It's just a feel good family restaurant with great food! I love how there's plenty of choices for us to choose from to satisfy our cravings and moods. Wether it's something healthy or something indulgent - I've never been disappointed! Kid friendly and unpretentious :)
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Amanda H.
We've been here several times with decent experiences. The service wasn't always the best, but the food was good. I regret to say that we will never eat here again. We were seated in a booth by a window...which was full of dead and decaying bugs. I couldn't stop looking at them. It was so gross, but our dining experience doesn't end there. Oh no...flies kept buzzing our table. It made me wonder in what condition they kept the kitchen. The final straw was a long, light colored hair that accompanied my husband's dinner. Unfortunately for him he didn't see it before he started chewing the forkful he served himself. After pulling the seemingly never ending hair out of the mouth, he almost got sick. It's really hard to say anything good about this place after our last experience.
(1)Junio D.
I have since been back to this restaurant, not on a major holiday, but on a regular week night. Service was great, food was up to par, and food came out fast. Granted the restaurant only had a handful of people in it, I am happy to report, I will be back again, this next time on a weekend for breakfast.
(3)Blair S.
Not bad, not good either. Ten minutes after you leave you"ll forget what you ate. Typical place with too many things on the menu, all of which are forgettable. Try something else....Red Apple is just down the street, go there!
(2)Sonia B.
This is such a great family place! I haven't had anything I didn't like on the menu. Breakfast is probably my favorite. I highly recommend any of the skillets (yum). Lunch and dinner options are also really good, and the prices are very modest. I have had nice servers most times I have gone, but there were a few that were a little moody, so I took off a star. Nothing to be worried about though, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
(4)Tony P.
I came here with some of my coworkers and must say I really enjoyed my experience. This is a great restaurant with a lot of great options. Although I always enjoy a good breakfast any time of the day. So my review is usually limited to their breakfast offerings. The banana bread french toast was pretty awesome. I picked the "eggcellent" combo which I created my own skillet which came with a slice of banana bread and a side of fruit, actual fruit not fruit cocktail mind you. I would definitely go again.
(4)Barry F.
Since the owners son was so nice my wife and I gave this place another try. Did not like the pea soup but the breakfast was ok. My wife said her sandwich was good. The service was also much better. Probably not going back, but I wanted to update the review to be fair.
(2)J M.
Crappy service. Got yelled at by a waitress over something I regularly order...nice start. The someone in my party has a problem with the drink and just wants water.....HOLY HELL, you'd think I tried to case the joint----the manager on duty at the time TOLD THE WAITRESS TO COME GET THE DRINK IN QUESTION BACK off our table, like we were trying to scam him out of a $1.00 drink. Want refills? Forget it? Ketchup for your fries? Forget it....the waitresses disappear. And the food ain't that great. I despise crappy service. Especially if I give you regular business......I have better things to do than to "try to scam a soft drink". I also told my waitress to tell her boss, nice way to lose customers. In this day and age, not a bright move. But then again, all the waitresses are huddled around talking....guess that's when I should've "left with the drink", that we HADN'T TOUCHED. Give me a break!
(1)Marie K.
I love diners and was hoping that my experience here would be a good one. Unfortunately, it was a let down and it is probably more due to the service provided. My waitress was not very attentive and had a poor attitude. The way she presented herself and spoke to us, it was apparent that she didn't care to serve us. Food quality was average. It was nothing spectacular but it wasn't bad either. The best part of my dining experience was when I grabbed the chocolate mints on the way out.
(2)Suze B.
I've been coming to carols garden for as long as I can remember. It's your typical local Greek diner. Their food never disappoints. Some of my favourites are their large salads, skillets, and the sweet and sour cabbage soup. Plus this last time I visited, it looks like they have updated the interior decor.
(4)Jen R.
Seriously awful. The owner is a piece of work. My husband and I had dined here a total of 3x. The first time was great, the second time was meh (and I ended up getting a gallbladder attack from their french fries, but that's a cool story bro for another time), and the third time clinched it that we'd never go back. I ordered a wrap, I forget which, and my husband ordered a salad with chicken. They obviously cooked the chicken well before they made the wrap because when it got to us, it was dry and tough. The eggs that came with his salad were boiled so long that they turned green. Hubs didn't want to make a fuss but I insisted that we say something, this wasn't edible. At all. We went to talk to the owner and he tried to blame us for it since we said something after the fact and asked what he wanted us to do. At that point, we didn't really want a refund, we just wanted someone to acknowledge that they messed up. NOPE. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. He just argued with us in circles for 10 mins and then finally offered us a free dessert. Ugh. My inner fat kid was like, "Well, hold on a minute, desserts DO make everything better" but my outward mature lady self said no and refused to ever eat there again. There are better places in the area to get a family dining experience. I'm glad we moved away from Carol Stream so we never have to even drive past this place anymore. Boooooo.
(1)Sam P.
After a couple changes of plans left us dinner-less, my family ordered breakfast take-out tonight for dinner. Having dined at Carol's once before, we thought it would be okay, at least. I should have taken it as a warning when I placed our order over the phone, and the girl did not ask how our eggs should be cook or volunteer a window of time when our food would be ready (of course, I facilitated the exchange of both points of information and left the house quickly when she told me "10 to 15 minutes ") When I went in to the restaurant about 20 minutes after placing the order, I was casually informed it wasn't ready yet. Someone who knew what they were doing probably would have had me pay while I was waiting, but this particular employee did not. Instead, when the food was ready about five minutes later and it would have been convenient for me to head out, she had to ring up my order in the midst of several dine-in parties paying their bills. I was not all that frustrated though, until I realized the $ amount I was being charged was about $15 too high. When I asked for an itemized copy of my bill, the girl needed assistance in printing it out. Over came the man who I will assume is the manager, and he had a friendly, apologetic way about him that made the situation only a little less frustrating. I explained that I had been overcharged, but it took him several tries and about 10 minutes of my family's dinner getting cold and soggy to correct the transaction. When I did finally get the food home, we were missing an egg and an order of bacon. My pancakes were soggy, and the "stuffed" French toast was not stuffed, but rather smeared with pink cream cheese. The breakfast meats we did receive were dry, and I realized my pancakes were overcooked once I got passed the odd presentation of the rest of our food. Not so appetizing. If I can get it together to call and complain, I will. I realize take-out is not necessarily reflective of what the dining experience at Carol's would be like, but this dinner was too much of a failure not to share.
(1)Do F.
I had my daughter's baptism lunch here and I would have to say I was seriously disappointed. We made a reservation for 26 people 2weeks in advance for 2pm. Then we arrived at 1:45pm and the restaurant was unable to seat us until 2:40pm using the excuse of they weren't ready. Then we were given one waitress for all of us Most of our entrees were wrong and didn't arrive until 4:30pm we had to hunt down the owner and ask for the waitress to get some help and refill our drinks. Sadly we were very disappointed. The food was okay but only 7 of the 26 entrees were correct and we had to remind the staff that this entree should have this side per your menu! The restaurant owner blamed everything on the kitchen but offered no compensation for the mess-up. Food was good but came out cold most of the time. I would not recommend this restaurant for any larger party over 8 people.
(2)Christina B.
Who ever said no to Red Apple and yes to Carols must be going to a different restaurant. Honestly, nothing too special here. If you're a vegetarian, you'll have basically no luck here besides for breakfast. Lunch and dinner options all have meat in them basically. I had a Greek salad and ordered it without the anchovies. It was pretty good. Large portion. Nothing special. The rest of my party's order didn't seem too special either. Didn't look bad of course, but still nothing special. Service was okay. Pacing was fine. Nothing really stood out to me that much. Meh. To each their own?
(3)Dan B.
Carol's Garden is a typical family restaurant found in the suburbs. There is plenty of seating and they have a fairly diverse menu. Having not stopped here in literally fifteen or so years I decided to give this place another try for breakfast. Shortly after walking in the door, I was greeted and seated at a booth. After looking over the menu thoroughly I made my selections and within around 10 minutes my food was ready. As I often do at breakfast places I ordered a skillet with pancakes. The skillet had nice crisp potatoes in it, a lot of egg, a lot of cheese and a good mix of other ingredients. Usually when I get pancakes with skillets, it's a plate of two or three thin flapjacks and some syrup. Carol's Garden does things a little differently with one monster sized pancake. The syrup provided was nice and thick and provided a good overall pancake experience. Overall the food was good, the insides were clean unlike some other reviews I had read of this place. The only negative thing I have to say is the gentleman who took my check when I paid seemed rather irritated and/or disgusted for some reason. Overall I'd say the food and service was above average and this place was riding a four star review up until the checkout. With that said for now I'll give Carol's Garden three stars for being A-Ok.
(3)Truth M.
Wow Wow Wow! Where to start, Booth's need repair, Our wait staff seemed bummed out. Soup was bland and not hot, Beef vegetable soup with no beef OK. Don't ever get there stuffing it was gross like wet baby throw up. The vegetables look like they came out of a large bag of frozen mix vegetable. The meat was just as poor .All that for $10.95 Mind blower. I could of got a frozen TV dinner that taste the same but better. Unreal and Gross. Never again. Good place to throw your money away. Nasty I wish more people would Yelp. We work hard for our money!
(1)AJ B.
Go here from time to time for breakfast. Pretty standard breakfast food. Scramblers are always pretty good. The place isn't going to impress you overly with anything in particular - service, food, atmosphere all average. I wouldn't go back but my wife likes this place for some reason.
(3)Gregg S.
I have taken MANY people here, lunches, breakfast, church meetings. The food is good. HOWEVER, the owner, Ray I think, who has seen me PAY for at least 20 meals, has the gall to tell me off after a meal, as I had brought in my own cup to PURCHASE a coffee to go...i.e. it cost Ray NOTHING. IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE I HAD JUST TREATED TO BREAKFAST, he yells at me and says " ...And next time don't bring your own drink.....can't you read the sign that says "No outside food or drink"?" At this point, embarrassed in front of my guests, I politely tell him that I brought in a solo coffee cup to PURCHASE a cup to go, I didn't even have coffee with my meal. He CURTLY apologized and I vowed at that moment to NEVER GO HERE AGAIN. I will spend my hard earned dollars where people appreciate them and at least give their regular customers the benefit of the doubt.
(1)Tina L.
Everything was great!!..food, service, deserts, very friendly manager made us feel very welcomed, I
(5)Jim H.
We ate dinner there this evening. The food was fine and the service was excellent. My wife is lactose intolerant and they made every effort to be accommodating. In lieu of butter we requested Olive oil for her to use with her bread. When I received the bill, we were charged $1.99 for the olive oil. About a dollar a tablespoon. Seems pretty tacky to me. They have lost a customer over an unnecessary and foolish little charge.
(2)Alessandra J.
My boyfriend, daughter, niece l, and I went to Carols Garden for breakfast for the first time. I thought that the food itself was average but my boyfriend thought it was great. The best thing about this restaurant is the loaf of fresh bread that comes to your table after you've been seated. I would definitely try it again
(3)Katie C.
I had a Starbucks coffee with me that I was finishing from the morning. Hostess said I couldn't bring it in. I said I was almost done with it and still planned on ordering a drink but she said the manager won't allow it. I said good to know this will probably be my first and last time here. She said he wouldn't care and that its better she tells me rather than him because he is mean. I threw my drink away and only drank water on principle. Food was average and service was worse. I will never come back here knowing the owner doesn't care about my business and doesn't know how to treat his customers. No wonder this place was empty on a Saturday morning.
(1)Andrea L.
This place is terrible all around. My mother in law ordered the rib eye steak. What a chinzy piece of meat for 20 bucks! She had a couple of pieces and I tried one. The steak was bland and it just didn't taste right. The waitress told her the cook was not here. How are you operating with no cook?! But they gladly changed her order to the london broil ( which was cheaper) when we went to go pay, the owner said he wouldn't change the price cuz she ate half of the steak! My mother in law told him she had a piece and that was it. He still refused. She told him we were not coming back and he said don't!!! My husband went to pay and the owner thur his credit card back at him and told him to sign the receipt. Very unprofessional! I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone!!!
(1)Joe E.
I like Carol's Garden. It's not great, but it's not terrible either. They have everything that you could want. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've had all 3, and they are all decent. They also have homemade desserts, which are good to end a meal. Prices are fair. I would agree that this is geared towards an older crowd. Restaurant staff is very nice; the place is quiet, at least when I've gone, but can get busy at peak times. My favorites? The smashed califlower side dish and the chocolate eclairs. I'm more inclined to head to Red Apple for a meal, but if I wanted a cheap, laid back dinner, I would probably head here.
(3)Mary J.
I walked in at 10:30am on Wednesday September 17. 2014. No welcome no greeting not one word. A man walked up and waved a menu at me to follow. He threw the menu on the table and walked away. The restaurant was empty but it took a while for someone to come to my table, again no greeting. The food was good but I felt so out of place. No, enjoy your meal, no hi or hello, I received my bill and no thanks for coming or have a good day. It was a very depressed atmosphere. I won't be back. This was my third try. Same service each time.
(2)Angela P.
We went here for a Sunday breakfast with the kids after reading that some Facebook friends of mine go here regularly. Big mistake! This is a typical Greek owned family restaurant. The atmosphere is what you would expect but the rest is seriously lacking. First off, they give you a menu, your family restaurant basics but when I go to order a salad and some fries for the kids she tells me that you can't order lunch items until after 11. Seriously!?!? Then why don't you have two menus!?!? So misleading for this style of restaurant! So anyways, we placed our order with our friendly waitress (only perk of the place) and the food came out super fast. I ordered some kind of Latin omelet and added mushrooms and get this...they were canned!!! Sick! And they added $1 for those little pieces of nastiness. Yeah. No bueno. The prices are okay, service friendly but that food is seriously lacking. And the whole menu thing was annoying enough for me to never return. Sorry Carol but I will eat elsewhere.
(2)Laura Jo D.
Very rude staff. Management is a joke. Over charged me on my bill and when I complained they said they would remove the charges and never did. They reversed my credit card charge and then tried to run my card again 4 times. Including a 20% gratuity which wasn't even close to the tip I left due to the poor service and cold food. My family will never go here again! The manager called me stupid and said I didn't know what I was talking about.
(1)Kara Z.
I used to work right down the street from Carol's Garden and would meet friends for lunch here quite often. Sometimes it was hard to get in and out within an hour for lunch. They are willing to do separate checks if you go with a group, which we really appreciated. My favorite part of Carol's Garden is their chicken noodle soup that they have almost every day- very simple but delicious. They used to offer a bread basket at lunch time but now offer a warm loaf of bread with is tasty but you have to slice it yourself. Carol's Garden is a typical family restaurant but is very comfortable with a pleasant atmosphere. It is very popular at lunchtime. They have a very large menu with many choices. I enjoy their salads but have not enjoyed their sandwiches. You do get good sized portions and the prices are fair.
(4)Marie N.
We've driven past this restaurant many, many times but frankly, from the outside appearance there was nothing to draw us in. Yesterday we decided to give it a try for a late Saturday afternoon (1:30pm) lunch. We loved it! The interior is very, very nice. Comfy booths, nice chairs on wheels. They have a selection of 5 soups everyday. Lunch started out with a small loaf of warm bread. It was fabulous. My husband had the chicken stir fry. It was a very large plate and there was enough there that he brought half home. I had the chicken breast with cheddar and monterey jack cheese. I loved it, also. Service was impeccable. Drinks were refilled throughout the meal and she checked on us often to be sure everything was ok. I asked that the soup that comes with my meal be packed to go. She included 3 rolls and crackers with the soup. Nice touch. I was happy to leave a generous tip. The menu is extensive so there should be something for everyone. We are looking forward to returning soon.
(5)Jessie W.
I went there for dinner a couple of weeks ago with a friend. I agree with a lot of the post that the place looks dirty. The carpet needs a good cleaning or replacement. I did not get a good feeling walking in there however stayed. The food was not very good and the menu very old fashion. I love coffee shops but not this one. I wont be back.
(2)Amey K.
Their bread is awesome and the crab cakes are real!
(5)Sergey S.
I go here often for weekday brunch. The food is better than red apple and they are not as busy. Huge downfall though: you can't bring your own coffee and they brew average garbage breakfast coffee
(4)Kate M.
It's your typical sprawling family restaurant. The menu is huge, HUGE, which I'm not a fan of. I can't make decisions with that many choices, so please don't make me. The food is always good, the service is quick and friendly, and the chairs and benches are comfy. Why would you wait in line for 30 minutes across the street when a lovely table at Carol's Garden is waiting for you?
(4)Lena W.
Average for the price. Probably best for breakfast. Everything is cooked in the same oil. So, if you order scrambled eggs or french toast, it all tastes the same, like it sat next to a gyros. Ambience is more for an older crowd. Kids run rampant as the parents are oblivious to home-training, so be prepared.
(2)Brandon F.
The prices are reasonable and the portions good, but it is the only place I've been that consistently cannot cook a decent meal. I even gave Carol's Garden three visits to prove me wrong. Steak was filled with gristle and flavorless. Fried chicken was so dry that it took multiple glasses of water to help get it down. On my final visit, I figured that nobody could ruin a simple breakfast meal of bacon and eggs. Wrong. The eggs were like rubber and the bacon charred to a crisp. Carol's Garden rates as one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to.
(1)Nicole B.
Really rude managers/ owners. Rather spend my money elsewhere. Even if the food was ok.
(2)Janna J.
I think I used to visit this place at least once a week but have definitely tapered off. I'm a fan of the breakfast menu myself which is great and offers huge portions! This is definitely a Senior haunt but I don't mind that as much, they know a good deal when they see one! But I think because of that fact they sparingly use or don't use salt when they cook which can lead to bland food. The homemade bread is fantastic! They changed the recipe or something a while back and it didn't taste right...but after a recent trip i'm happy to report it's gotten back to almost top shape. All in all this is a nice cozy family restaurant that may not have a Top Chef menu but it's a nice place to break away from the chain restaurants.
(4)Tyler L.
I ate lunch at this place for the first time yesterday. I ordered the Chicken Piccata which was not good at all. The sauce was sour and bitter. That might be my fault for ordering an Italian dish at a restaurant that specializes in breakfast. The bathrooms are old and run down. I will give Carol's Garden one more chance to win me over.
(2)Bob W.
We go to Carol's Garden often, more so since Spring Garden in nearby Hanover Park changed owners. Food at Carol's Garden is always fresh and flavorful. Servers are all very polite.
(5)Georgia K.
this is your typical Greek American Restaurant but the Soup kicks ass and so does the service LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!!!
(4)Marianne E.
Have been be carols garden several times. Not recently though. So when we were in the area, thought it would be a great stop. Loved the French onion soup in the past. So that is what i ordered as my dinner. When my daughter was eating hers she tells me it is not good. Sure wasn't ... so salty or burnt it was not edible. Fine ordered a salad instead. Then when my husband "14 oz new york strip" came it looked like an 8oz ribeye. Veggies overcooked. UCK. returned that and got a Prime rib with freshly cooked broccoli. Decent but not great. Unfortuntly this is one place we will be taking off the list of places to go.
(1)Vodka Sauce C.
One of the best skillets around ! A real enjoyable place ! I say no to red apple , yes to carol's !! Great service and staff. Real good food ! Great prices !
(5)Nicole L.
I visited Carol's Garden a year ago for the first and last time. I found their food bland and the atmosphere lacking. The restaurant didn't give me a good vibe.
(1)M J.
I've always wondered how a restaurant could ruin breakfast, Carol's Garden answered that question. Terrible, thin, tasteless, dry potato pancakes, burnt sausages, overcooked scrambled eggs. The fresh baked bread smells good, tastes terrible. It makes me wonder if it's an old family recipe they're emotionally attached to or provided by the cheapest supplier.
(1)Jennifer W.
Went to Carol's twice in the past week. Service was good overall and the food was ok. They have remodeled since the smoking ban so it is much more open and sunny than it was before. Good food, relatively cheap.
(4)Jennifer B.
It's not that this place is bad, per se, it's just boring. Nothing stands out about the food or the atmosphere. The food is on the bland side, but you do get huge portions, so that's a plus.
(2)Ruby G.
Have been going here for many years, there lunch and dinner food is awesome. They change their menu alot to keep up with what is popular. There Sweet and Sour cabbage soup is addicting too.
(4)T D.
I have been here for breakfast at least a handful of times over the past year. It is not usually that crowded on the weekends when I have gone. The only big complaint is that at least twice, the food served wasn't warm enough and had to go back. I thought it was odd, because we didn't wait long to get our food. Service has been good, the portions are big and my cup of coffee receives good attention. The Eggs Benedict is usually my preferred choice here. My southern friend who I have gone with to this restaurant, always orders their biscuits and gravy, and they seem to pass the test here. Worth checking out, if your in the neighborhood.
(3)Karl S.
I've eaten here a number of times over the years. It's a pleasant, family style restaurant, particularly good for lunch. You won't find anything exotic on the menu, but the food is tasty with large portions and reasonable prices.
(3)Angie R.
I visited this restaurant on a Sunday. We were seated right away and orders were taken quickly. I went with the eggs benedict and my boyfriend had a waffle covered in berries. We were both very pleased with our meals but we weren't impressed. It is your typical diner with OK food. It is right around the corner from me so I like the convenience, and I will be checking them out for sure for dinner. Sometimes I carve diner food and having this so close is great. They also have a bar so you enjoy a cocktail with your food. I did not get dessert but their pies looked very tasty. 3 stars for OK food and for their friendly staff.
(3)Magge M.
We went here for a late breakfast one day, and were very disappointed. I ordered scrambled eggs with toast and a side of fresh fruit. As I was eating the fruit I saw a hair on the bowl. I'm sure the rest of my food would have been good, but I couldn't continue to eat anything. I didn't say anything to our waitress because you could tell she gets complaints all day. We paid our bill and were happy to leave. We won't be trying this place again.
(1)Pat E.
Good, but not great! Prices are def. fair, and the atmosphere is geared more towards the older crowd. Great smashed califlower! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I would recommend, but if you want the best breakfast and it is 6am-3pm you might as well go a few blocks down to Red Apple, but for a cheap, very good lunch/dinner option..CG is good!
(2)Booda B.
The breakfast menu is nearly identical to Egg Harbor Cafe, right down to the egg skillet/banana bread French toast/fresh fruit combo, except everything is $.50 to $1 cheaper. Tasty food, huge portions, quick and friendly service, frequent refills on coffee and water... I've got no complaints. OK, the menus were a bit worn around the edges, but who cares about that? I don't understand why this place is half empty on a Sunday morning when the line across the street for Red Apple is out the door and into the parking lot. Maybe some people are OK with waiting 1.5 hours for an omelet, but I'm not one of them.
(4)Val M.
Crazy big portions for an excellent price. Love their egg lemon soup.
(4)Steve G.
Typical Greek-owned family restaurant -- soup with every sandwich, Salads are huge, sandwiches are great - entrees are hit or miss. Great spot for lunch...
(4)Derek B.
Warning warning this place it's terrible especially the service And by service I mean management and I'm saying this because when I order my food it was so bad I wanted my money back and the owner refused to give me to moneyback said the food is fine and I said it's making me sick and he said I "I hope you get sick that's with the owner said to customer !!!save yourself and your family don't go there!!! PS you will get better service and better food in McDonald's!!!
(1)Justin G.
If you're passing through, this is a decent place to get a meal. It's your usual Greek diner type of place, though i may have seen more Italian items on the menu now that i think about it. Good sized menu, nice people.
(4)Ivy L.
My family and I love Carols Garden!!! It's just a feel good family restaurant with great food! I love how there's plenty of choices for us to choose from to satisfy our cravings and moods. Wether it's something healthy or something indulgent - I've never been disappointed! Kid friendly and unpretentious :)
(5)