Good old dingy neighborhood bar. It's a place to hang out and watch a game. Frank & Mary's looks like it has been here quite awhile. Has about the cheapest drinks and food you can get around here. There's not too many people here at any time because this bar isn't that easy to find or get to, which is a good thing. As many people have said, this is a hidden gem. It's certainly hidden. This is located at Elston and George a few blocks from Western. Basically there's not much around it. This is why people come to this area, because there's no other reason to. Has quite a few beers. It's about $6 a pint. There's a few on tap. Many more in bottles and cans. There's a good selection of craft too. It's about $7 a cocktail. The food is pretty basic dive bar stuff. It can have $3 soft pretzels, or even chili. This depends on the time and events. For sure it looks old and kind of crappy. It's a classic that has been around a long time by providing simple drinks and fun. This is a good spot for watching a game or for whatever. read more

Frank and Mary's Tavern - a glass of iced tea and a basket of donuts - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great meatloaf on Wednesday's. Friendly environment. Would definitely go to Frank and Mary's again!

This bar was great for years, but has gone way downhill with new bartenders. Boomer and Sue were the heart and soul of this bar. It used to be a great darts bar. But now you have to move tables to play darts and the young snotty bartender won't turn on the lights for the dartboards because they're "too bright" for him. We were in at a time when 6 of the 11 people in the bar were there to throw darts and he wouldn't turn on the lights for the dartboards. Then he got all butt hurt when we played some songs that had "light" in the title as a joke to razz him and he shut off the jukebox. I went to this bar for years, as did many friends, but never again. We would've been a $50+ tab, but left after one beer. read more

Best bartenders and good ol' chicago neighborhood vibes. Tommy is the greatest. Always a great time at Frank and Mary's 10/10

If you are like Dave D. and want to play Shots at a neighborhood dive bar, then you probably can't read a room and should seek another bar to go to. Frank and Mary's has my 3 favorite things all in one place; cold/cheap beer, world-class meatloaf, and great company. What more could someone want from a bar, other than maybe being able to smoke a lung dart indoors. read more

During our recent visit we witnessed a bartender yelling disrespectful at a patron all about his option on her dog.y husband and I were so turned off at this behavior and were surprised that a manager didn't feel the need to intervene. Plus the food is less than mediocre.2 thumbs way down read more

5-stars! The place seems closed up. Just open the steel door & be greeted by the regulars. I had a $2 PBR & a full meatloaf dinner that was damn good for $8. Place is filled with the good ole boys & a few bar flies. Young bucks walked in loudly exclaiming a need for liquor with smiles as they chose a specific poison preference. Don't bring a nice date here. Bring your best friends & a $20. Enjoy! read more

Frank and Mary's Tavern - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So, ok, gosh, oh heck where do I start? Let's just say if I could hide a cot and a sleeping bag in this place I would....you know what I mean? Chili? Check, good body, just right spice. Ham sammie? Check, fresh bread, meat wasn't frozen, dijon had zip. Darts? CHECK!!! You wanna come here and do your best Michael Van Gerwen impression? By all means, this is your home away from home for slammin those trip 20s and nailin that double 12 to beat your friend and force them to buy you a $4 shot of Kabanes. Lunch is served, it's good, order it. Dinner is served, I've never had it but it's the same as lunch, I usually just get the beer. Barmen and Barwomen are top notch good folks. Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Frank bought us all pizza just for being us, so that was nice. Yet to meet local legend, Boomer, but I can't hardly wait. read more

This place started off good, then turned bad. My group had a few rounds and then we decided to play the song Shots by LMFAO and Lil' John at which point the off duty bar tender pointed me out and said, "he requested the song and to skip it", after it had played for eight seconds. We decided to cash out. I asked the on duty bartender why the song was skipped and he said, "because we aren't in college anymore". Very rude service to be pointed out by the staff and be denied something we spent money on. read more

Mi casa :) Boomer is the best bartender in the world. If I could bottle his sweat and drink it I would every night. He gets me very excited...I think I may be in love read more

Stoped in for first time on Wednesday they have the best meatloaf. Will be back.I hear they have daily specials look forward to trying them all. read more

Frank and Marys is a whole in the wall great spot for a cheap drink and to grab lunch or watch a game. Always friendly staff and I miss going there for lunch daily. read more

Good taxidermy is hard to find in this side of Chicago, but if you're strong enough to force open the dysfunctional front door, you'll find yourself looking eye-to-eye with a pair of stuffed bucks. This welcoming neighborhood bar is frequented by an eclectic mix of folks. Young Latinos, friendly neighbors keeping their drinking habits steady into middle-age, and one guy who looked like he just swam in from the Elston River, which is what I call the nearby Chicago River after I've had a few drinks. The jukebox has something for all of these rascals, from classic rock to old soul to hip hop. If you stop by at lunchtime, there's a deal with home cooked food, which could be meat and potato dishes, sandwiches, and/or pasta. Mixed drinks are served long and tall, beers are dirt cheap. read more

Frank and Mary's Tavern - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place will become part of a future list of "Places which make you feel you've gone to Green Bay." (And I mean that in a most loving and supportive way.) I had lunch there Friday for the second time ever. The Green Bay or Wisconsin thing, really, is the lack of a sign except for the large Old Style one sticking out of the front of the building. (In Green Bay, you can find rows of bars on one street with only beer signs, but usually these are "Pabst" vs.Old Style). The other Wisconsin thing, besides the stuffed deer heads, is the ease and friendliness and camaraderie, which I think is a most uncommon thing in Chicago bars. Both times I've been there, both patrons and owners are eager to chat you up and editorialize on anything from what's on TV to Iceland, head cheese, the character of French Canadians, or that airline that's now charging to use its airplane bathrooms. We touched upon all of these yesterday. And watched that program on TV where that guy travels the world seeking out strange foods. Not the most appetizing lunch entertainment, but a great source of chit-chat. They serve lunch from 11AM-2PM weekdays only, and usually just a couple of dishes and a couple of homemade soups. My friend James had roast pork, with mashed potatoes and vegetables. I thought I would try their perch fry. Well, I wish I'd had the roast pork. It appeared to be very generous and juicy portion. My pan-fried perch was cold and tasteless. Last year I had a fantastic plate of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes which was wunderbar, but the perch, along with the "frozen veggie medley" was disappointing. So, if you can go there for a weekday lunch, its best to stick with the roasted meats and potatoes, but skip the veggies unless they making something fresh. Great deal, though. $13.00 each for "big comfort food" lunch and two Dog ..er Old Styles apiece. And the camaraderie and conversation... priceless! read more

Dreadful looking on the outside, but fantastic on the inside. Great friendly bartenders, amazing jukebox and great prices. It's a little out of the way for me to make it my neighborhood bar, which is kind of a shame. I really enjoyed my night here. read more

Love this place! I went here for the first time today (on a friend's recommendation) to try the meatloaf. Amazing! It's just like mom used to make (only better...but don't tell MY mom that!) The slice was nice & thick and it was juicy and full of perfect flavor. The mashed potatoes & gravy were delicious, too. Mary, you do a wonderful job in the kitchen :) Lunch is only served 11-2, I think and there are one or two offerings on rotation throughout the week. Next time, I want to try the chicken schnitzel (I think that's on Tuesdays). When I walked in, I felt a little awkward at first because the place was full of regulars, but they all gave us such a warm welcome--one regular even brought us our drinks--2 RC Colas (When is the last time you've had an RC Cola?!) Since it was lunchtime, parking was super-easy for us...I am not sure how parking would be at night. I want to go back on a Saturday night for Bingo and cocktails, so I'll report back then :) read more

So, where do you think old doods who used to be asskickers in their prime go to to have a drink? I think they'd come here and continue to kick other old dood's asses while they're drinking. Frank and Mary's Tavern is a nice little hidden away place that's only identifiable by it's Old Style sign outside. We went here for their lunch (only served between 11A and 2P) and my it was superb. I had meatloaf and some chicken dish that i forgot the name. The mashed potatoes, green beans and beets were wonderfully done. Reminded me of all my friends' grandmothers' (mine didn't cook American food) dinners. Everyone there was friendly and nice. I did notice some serious Dart trophies...(steeltips, ftw). Anyway, great food, wonderful people and a nice place to hide. Fonzy thumbs up to Frank and Mary. read more

Oh I had my first "Frank and Mary's" experience today...The broccoli cheddar soup was nothing short of fantastic. It was green and cheesy, a truly wonderful porridge. They only serve this soup on a Friday, but I told Mary as she hovered over me (like a mighty Lioness eyeing a wounded diseased gazelle) while I ate, that the gospel of the green leafy soup-like substance must be spread to the masses. While porridge didn't need the five separate dustings of salt and pepper, it sure bolstered both the appearance and the zing factor. The other individual who partook in this feast guzzled down this mixture of milk, water, mushy greenish brown cubes (From stumps of the broccoli plant), and full on clumps of cheese (dancing around the bowl) faster than I could swirl my spoon around the ghoulish mixture. I could go on and on about how savory this soup was, but one should read no longer and head to the Tavern instead. Stay tuned more reviews on this fare because this little jewel of a restaurant cannot be muted by the nay sayers... My only regret was not being able to dine on the Goulash. Mary ran out of just moments before our arrival. I could only imagine what this woman could do with double minus "canner" grade beef (these are the cows who die of old age in the fields before being butchered and turned into catfish feed) and a dash of paprika... read more

Spur of moment stop by after parking in front and heading to Pete's for a haircut. An amazing old school, gem of a bar - and that's exactly what it is. A bar for fans of bars. Late afternoon, some regulars hanging out. Friendly and willing to shoot the shit with a stranger. Food was amazing! Chicken schnitzel w mashed potatoes and some corn. Not pretentious. Servers in styrofoam container which might be due to me catching lunch at the very end..and which doesn't bother me at all. It was SO good! The guys there weren't shy about sharing how good everything else was. Meatloaf on Thursday? There was laughter after someone described it as an old man bar. Perfect. Makes fun of itself. So go and be yourself and enjoy. read more

Mmmm, the food. Interesting beers - the first time I had Leinenkugel's was here. The bartender was so sweet, I had already had a couple beers and was really tired of them. I wanted something yummy... she suggested a Berry Leinenkugel. Yum. I appreciated the suggestion and her great demeanor. She was tipped well ;) Parking is rough, it's all street parking. Pretty cool little almost-dive type bar. Great people though. Don't pick up the "cougars" here though.... I've heard some accounts from some close friends. Don't do it. read more

Great for lunches 11am - 2pm Mon thru Fri. ON TAP Three Floyd's & Revolution BBK & Kutscher Alt read more

Came here a few times while my hubby played in a few dart tournaments. It's a really cozy place. The owners are very friendly. I wouldn't mind coming back! read more

I just opened a Barber Shop down the street from Frank & Mary's, and I saw a bar a couple doors down from me, so I decided to take a peek, because after work, I sometimes like to have a cocktail after a long day. The staff there are awesome and very welcoming. Nice prices, nice drinks, old school neighborhood tavern, regulars from the neighborhood. My kind of place. The lunch time specials are great as well. Get there early to get some comfort food, cause it goes fast. I am in for the long haul at Frank & Mary's. Keep up the good work folks. read more

This is a great dive bar that supports softball teams in the community. They always ask how the game is and spends time with the team. Very friendly staff so don't get scared off by the appearance, this dive bar is a hidden gem. read more

One of the best kept lunch secrets (not really a secret, but if you know, YOU KNOW). The ambience is old school Chicago neighborhood, the people are real, and it is not a scene, nor does it intend to be. The food is from the heart, the prices are more than fair, and you can always find good conversation in here. read more

My young friend Jenny and I (her mom is the sister of my best friend from HS) went for a delicious Friday lunch today at Frank and Mary's Tavern, at 2905 North Elston. As others have pointed out, look for the Old Style sign outside. Jenny and I usually met downtown for lunch, but after Chicago Mag had an article on the decline of the Chicago tavern, we wanted to go to Frank and Mary's. I met Mary at the "beauty shop" Mary and I both frequent, and I wanted to go there after hearing about the wonderful lunch offerings. Today being Friday, there were myriad fish offerings (cod, perch and one other) and roast pork. You could get a half and half, which I did of fish and pork, rounded out by wonderful homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, home made so good cole slaw, delish tartar sauce and icy cold beer or pop. I also enjoyed a cup of tasty home made chicken noodle soup. And Mary is the great cook and such a nice gracious lady. We perched up at the bar for our lunch, like pretty much everybody else. Mary is very personable and fun. Frank was also very kind and gracious, I was having so much fun I had two beers with my lunch. The very affordable tab was $15, with lunch and the brewskis. Please keep in mind you could also order a smaller plate. I took some of my great lunch home. I am an older gal and am a Chicago native, and I know a winner when I see it - I really like Mary and Frank and their clientele, and their enjoyable food, old - time feel and just a great lunch and time. I will be back, for sure!!!!! Jenny is brilliant and such great company, and she loved it too! read more

Only for those in the 'know' there are no signs (Other than Old Style Cold Beer) on this great lunch spot. Home cooked meals by Mary herself. Each day is a different home cooked special, with a potato and vegetable. Half or full order options. Simple, home cooked American comfort food. Frank and Mary are great people. Lunch starts at about 11:30 and food may run out by 1pm, so get there early. read more

Just got home from the Frank and Mary's chili cook off! It was my first time there and I really had a great time! I really enjoyed the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Frank was a wonderful, gracious host and Rosa, the bartender, was great. The chili cook off was a lot of fun! I loved trying all the chilis! I will definitely be back! read more

Great neighborhood place. Home cooked lunches are a great alternative to fast food. Great for a road warrior!

Had a great time here last night! Great service and atmosphere. "Dive bar" but one of the best out there. I'm making this one of my regular spots from now on We played darts, banged away on the bongo drums and tambourine and also switched up the jukebox (digital) tunes. We came in later in the night so the kitchen was most likely closed (didn't ask either way since we were there to drink) but definitely want to try the food next time! read more

Great little place to enjoy a cold beer and have a hearty bowl of chili. Good prices and good people.

This is a great hidden gem. Mary makes home cooked meals for lunch every weekday and it is like the food your grandmother used to make, it is just an unbelievable treat. Frank her brother bartends. It is a very nice family affair with inexpensive drinks and unbelievable food. read more

Hidden gem. Friendly staff, great food. My favorite place to watch a game or just hang for a bit on the weekend.

Nice old school neighborhood bar. The go to place if you want a homemade lunch! I will definitely be back in to try the meatloaf.

Best bar in Chicago with little competition. Frank and Mary's is the my go to spot for cheap drinks, Great people and home style cooking!

This place is an awesome , laid back neighborhood bar, and Mary is the best. Totally not pretentious, just come in for a great time and of you are here early enough, excellent home made food. They even have darts in the back! read more

On a weird dive bar tour Friday night, we ended up here. Very mixed crowd where everyone clearly was free to be themselves. Thumbs up! Cheap beers served by a super sweet Susan. Thumbs up! One thing.....for the love of god, dim the lights. It was so painfully bright, you couldn't look at each other without shielding your eyes. The overhead lights are like a Mac truck was hung on the ceiling. We couldn't finish our beers fast enough. Sorry Frank and Mary. read more

5 words: Meatloaf Wednesday, Corned Beef Thursday!!!! Call ahead for these - or all the city workers will have eaten it all! Meatloaf as good as my mom's. Corned beef as good as any Jewish deli, except Frank and Mary make corned beef and cabbage, sliced thick and very tender. Home made mashed potatoes every day. Home made soups and the best chili ever (made by Frank). And, of course, everything comes in HUGE portions, with lots of bread and gravy - just like mom served. 22 oz. tap German beers - $4.00! And if you want the same Light-Hearted abuse you would get if you go back home for a visit . . . . . . ask for Mary. And don't even think about NOT finishing your plate. Only members of "The Clean Plate Club" welcome. LOL! Check it out. You will be surprised. This little bar is barely visible from the street. Look for one small beer sign near the corner. Where everybody knows your name. . read more

If you're cool, you'll have lunch at Frank and Mary's. You will never be disappointed !

First off, I 've known about this place as a dart player for many years. just recently, I've had the opportunity to enjoy the food there for lunch. I go on Thursdays for the best corned beef and cabbage dinner west of Manny's Deli. Frank and Mary , the brother/sister combo are the most down home friendliest people you will ever meet. And import bottles are $3 on Thursday!! Great place to go get started of a 3 day weekend or just to treat yourself a little early. read more