We had the turkey meatloaf tonight. It was the WORST meatloaf we ever had. Not sure what spices were in the mix but it was horrible. Too much pepper was one ingredient! One bite for me and my husband and it was headed for the garbage!!! read more

I just moved to the area and noticed this sport right around the corner from my temporary housing. I've seen places like this I'm back home and had to try it. I was able to order 8 pre-assembled half meals for a very reasonable cost and pick them up right after work. First of all, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, explaining how to heat up the food and helping me carry it all to the car Second off, I got home, turned on the oven, popped in the crispy chicken tenders and tater tots while I was in the shower and by the time I was done, dinner was ready. One meal was enough food for me to split it in half so that I can make another entire meal later. The chicken was outstanding. Really flavorful and I loved the sweet and spicy sauce it came with. The tatertots were better than the ones I typically pick up from the grocery store. I was stuffed afterwards and can't wait to try another meal tonight. They also gave me a bag of their cookie dough to try. Omg. I ate five of them! This was a perfect solution for a busy professional like myself who currently lives alone. I foresee using this service for months to come - no mess, no extra ingredients I'll let go to waste, and no stress. It was awesome. read more

The Dinner Club - Do-It-Yourself Food Near Me - La Grange Park, Illinois

Great food for kids. Comes frozen so you don't have to rush to eat it. Simply warm up and follow directions on cards when you want to eat a meal for dinner. We use The Dinner Club for busy months when we don't have time to make a homemade meal. Better than eating out. The meals are not low calorie but this doesn't matter to us since we do t eat them every night. Plus our kids love the meals which is why we buy them. read more

We are working our way through our second month of meals from The Dinner Club and have been really impressed with the quality, taste, and customer service. I typically cook from scratch most nights but with a busy season at work I figured I'd give them a try. It's been a great way to get our kids to try new meals and flavors they wouldn't typically have and more importantly saves me the mental bandwidth of meal planning. We put the meals in the freezer and usually have 1-2 per week, cook from scratch some nights and do takeout others. It's been a nice change-up during COVID which I expect I'll continue after given the great value and quality. read more

Delicious meals that make the after work/school chaos SO much easier. I no longer have to worry about "what's for dinner" and look forward to easy, yummy meals. read more

I was a little skeptical when I decided to take the plunge and try out The Dinner Club. I mean, it was a little expensive for my liking, but hey, I figured you're paying more for the convenience of it all. I heard about The Dinner Club back on WGN morning news YEAAAAARS ago (ok, maybe about 2-3). Put it in the back of my mind and kinda forgot about it. Fast forward to Tuesday. I called my mom and asked her on a date. She decided to go with me. We first had to pre-pay, and select the meals we would be assembling when we got there on Thursday. (Please note, you have to sign up at least 48 hours in advance) When we arrived at the dinner club, it looked like someone's kitchen, with many different stations scattered around the room; complete with stainless steel refrigerators. There were step-by-step directions on how to assemble the meals, and EVERYTHING (from zip-lock bags, to foil trays, to all the veggies/meat you need!) is provided for you. I decided to "split" my meals in half, since I'm really only feeding my self at home. So, that took a little bit more time (not to mention math!) to complete my order. There are a variety of sodas, teas, coffees, and other non-alcoholic beverages that are free of charge when you are using their facility. The dinner club also provides light snacks, and killer cookies! (please note, I believe it's BYOB!) In all, it took my mom and I about 2 hours--from start to finish--to complete our 8 meals (keep in mind I split most of them). We had a great time chatting, assembling and hanging out with each other. I would HIGHLY recommend bringing a LARGE cooler, and making your reservation in the middle of the week, and in the middle of the month so it is not as crowded. read more

This place rocks! When you don't feel like making anything for dinner, you pop one of these bad boys into the oven and viola! Dinner is served! Not only is this a fun way to spend an evening, but you are being productive and making these yummy meals while you chat with your friends, drink wine (BYOB) and eat delicious complimentary appetizers. Considering that when I don't want to make anything for dinner, we usually order out (probably around $25-$30 each time) - getting 8 meals for $90 is not a lot of money! They have a variety of foods to chose from that changes every month - from grilled salmon to steak fajitas, lemon shrimp linguni, sun-dried tomato pasta, chicken manicotti, create your own calzones.....you'll definitely find something that you like! I am looking forward to going back next month! read more

I absolutely love this place. I have been going here for about a year and half. It's just my hubby and I at home, so I get my meals split, which is a little more work (and a few extra bucks) but totally worth it. For all of the meals I've had here, I've only felt so-so about 1 or 2. The rest have been absolutely wonderful. The Dinner Club uses such high-quality ingredients (especially the beef and pork), and you can totally tell. I even used a pork roast meal as my Christmas dinner this year and everyone loved it! It's fun to go here with a bunch of friends and make your meals all together--they have pop and water for you to drink, but you can also bring a bottle of wine. If you go in the evening, they make appetizers and cookies for you to munch on...which is nice, since I usually go straight from work and am starving by the time I get there! I went once in the morning while I was off, and they served scones and they have a Keurig coffee maker there for you to make coffee/tea, etc. The folks who work there are super-friendly. I seem to usually go when Joan is working. She is hysterical...I usually leave holding my side from laughing so much. I think they say that the cost works out to $4 a serving or something. It is more expensive than, say, grocery shopping, but you're paying for convenience. It's definitely cheaper than going out. For my husband and I, a set of 8 split meals lasts us about 6 weeks or so. The nice thing is, when you go here regularly, you start getting free meals after so many visits, and occasionally you get $20 off your next order if you order in a particular month. Totally worth it. I love going in and getting a surprise free meal every now and then. By the way, I have had food from some of the other "assemble your own dinner" places. The food here is ridiculously better than anywhere else out there. I swear, I will never get tired of this place. read more

I am a fan of someone else buying and cutting all of the ingredients I am a bigger fan of someone else doing the dishes! I have been here a couple of times with different friends as we split the meals because we both have 2 people in our houses. The staff is always helpful and nice, they have snacks provided and will even hold your dinners if you want to run and have dinner or a drink and come back before they close. As others have mentioned it's not cheaper then going to the store and doing it all yourself but it's certainly cheaper then eating out. read more

I had them prepare the food and we just picked it up from their LaGrange location. So far we have had three of the meals and they have all been fantastic! They are easy to make...either just pop them in the oven or the stovetop and let em go...all the prep work is done for you and you get a real, good for you, home cooked meal that didn't come from a box or the drive thru. We did 12 half portions since there are just the two of us and so far we have had enough leftovers with all the meals for my husband to have lunch the next day...not bad. Looking forward to trying more and the December menu looks like it has some great choices as well. read more

Genius. Go online, pick some dinners from their monthly-updated menu, then either pick them up pre-made or spend an hour doing it yourself. We've saved a ton of money on our grocery bill by doing this. My husband and I work crazy hours, so it's nice to come home to a quality homemade meal for the amount of effort it takes to make a frozen dinner. Food tastes great, there is enough variety, and the owners are super friendly. I will keep using this service! read more

Love, love, love this place. As another reviewer said, it is better than other meal preparation places in terms of food and taste. Their menus are innovative, they use really fresh ingredients (herbs, etc.) and good meat, they're super-friendly and nice, and it's a local, independent business. I've been using them for more than 6 months now, and it's totally cheaper than eating out. read more

Go to The Dinner Club. You will not be disappointed. It allows busy people to have healthy meals that are much more creative than you can do on your own during the limited time that those of us with jobs, kids, etc. have. I started to to go here after a friend gifted me meals after my second baby was born and I go every 4-6 weeks and take home anywhere from 16 to 20 1/2 meals. My husband and I only eat out when we have a sitter now and rarely order in because the meals are that easy to prepare at home and that good! This also makes it so much easier to have company over. I just thaw out two 1/2 meals to make a big meal and a nice dinner hits the table for guests. This is a big time money saver once you get in the groove of using it because you eliminate the meals from restaurants which are much pricier. I also think this is less expensive overall than buying the meat alone at the store. Get creative with this: Gift some of the meals you make to friend who just had a baby or to your widowed father-in-law or your friend whose husband has cancer. These are just a few examples of the many thankful people I have turned on to this business. The other nice perk is that you are supporting a family run business - and they are very nice families with multiple school-aged children so it's designed by the people who use it which is why it works! read more

I just made 8 dinners and, even though I have been there before, I was more impressed than ever. It is impeccably clean, the staff could not be nicer, and the menu was filled with so many yummy options. In no time at all, I had 8 meals assembled. I was able to tailor them when needed according to our family's tastes, such as less jalapenos or less dijon mustard. The staff were very helpful with any questions and they also magically cleaned the stations as we were moving along. Everything was laid out with whatever was needed to make the meal. If only I were this organized at home! I had forgotten that they have a freezer filled with pre-assembled meals. I am going to remember that the next time I have a great last minute idea to bring someone else a meal and I don't have time to make it. I love that they also sell cheesy breadsticks, additional sides, desserts, and breakfast items. The last time I had been there was for an outing with my daughter's Girl Scouts troop when they were about 12 years old. They loved assembling the meals and their families loved what they brought home. It was one of the favorite events that the girls did as Girl Scouts. The meals from the Dinner Club are tasty and easy. Will go again soon! read more

When it first opened up, I went by it and read what it was about. I thought who would do that? Well, come to find out---me! I love the place. It is amazing how you can make 24 (I split the meals) in 2 hours time! And best of all- no clean up! Also you don't have that unusual spice or sauce that you will never use again sitting on your shelf for which you paid for a full bottle. When you break it down, the prices are not bad. If you can get to 12 full meals or 24 half meals, it becomes $10 a meal which serves 2 to 3 people (sometimes 4). So for $5 or under you have a meal. The people working there are wonderful. They are cheerful, helpful and make you feel comfortable. They get your food out and into the car. The food is fabulous. Their meats are top quality and the sauces very flavorful. I do have to say there are some months that I like the menu more, and it is easy to find enough meals to make. I am not a fan of raw tomatoes or mustard so I tend to stay away from those dishes. But by making it myself, if I can eliminate those from the dish without altering the dish too much, I can do so. Another way is to go in with a friend to get the lowest price. That way you don't have to get 12 full meals. It is definitely worth going to Dinner Club. read more

We absolutely love The Dinner Club! There are 6 in our family, 4 boys eight and under. I go almost every month. It saves me so much time, energy, and money. It only costs $19.08 per meal! I get the 12 meal package. We spend more then that at McDonalds for lunch! Plus, we usually have left-overs that my husband can bring for lunch. What a deal. They also have a great rewards program, so every couple of months, I get a free meal, and I don't need to keep track of a thing. Oh yah, you don't need to be a member, you just sign up online and go. It really is a wonderful place, my family is eating much healthier because I have home cooked meals ready to go. Check them out, you'll enjoy it :) read more

My husband and I have been to the Dinner Club twice. Its such a wonderful idea. I think the price is just right too. Its about $180 for 8 meals that can feed up to about 4 people. You get everything you need and its all sealed up with cooking instructions. This is the only thing I can trust my husband to cook because its all there and its easy! All he has to do is read the label and follow the easy cooking directions. Thank you soo much.. its less headache for me when I have to work late. We will definitely be back. PS. I love the sides (purchase separately). The cheesy bread sticks, garlic mashed potatoes and the sesame asparagus are excellent.. and easy! Check out their website for the menu, it changes monthly. read more

I've been going to the Dinner Club nearly once a month (I've skipped only a couple, probably around vacations/holidays/illness) for a little over a year. I get a little evangelical when I talk to people about this place, because I do feel it's made a big positive change in my life. I'm going to refrain from repeating everything here that previous reviewers have already covered. I generally get at least 12 meals, sometimes a couple extra, plus a few sides. The food is great, the people are very nice & accommodating & helpful. I like the ability to customize some dishes if you know your family has certain food preferences. (It's occurred to me to bring my own onion powder to substitute onions when those are in a recipe because my kids have texture issues with onions, but I've never remembered to do so, so either I omit them when prepping or the kids pick them out. Not a big deal.) I consider this a great value for anyone who either doesn't love to cook or feels too busy to cook as often as one might like, and has decided to try to reduce the family's reliance on takeout or frozen/processed/convenience foods. No, it isn't cheap, but once you take into account all of the time and stress saved vs. planning/shopping for/preparing all this food yourself, I think you're likely to consider it well worth the cost. And my family definitely eats more healthy, well-balanced meals more often than we did before I discovered the Dinner Club. The one big change I would love to see them make would be to offer an upgrade option for those of us trying to cut back on our consumption of factory farmed animals. I'd consider this place virtually perfect if it were possible to substitute free-range/organic meat & poultry for the standard meats. However, they're obviously running a successful business doing things just the way they are, so I tend to assume they wouldn't be interested in taking on such complications and have never even spoken to them about this idea. That, along with my recognizing that this would likely affect the experience of a fairly small number of potential customers, would prevent my knocking off a star for the fact that they don't do this, as great an idea as I think it would be. read more

So happy to have found the Dinner Club! My friend introduced me to this place and I'm so glad I finally got to give it a try. I only wish I'd found out about it sooner! It is very nicely set up and clean, the ladies working the kitchen are so helpful, the assembly of meals is simple and fun. The meals are fresh and delicious. Having all these meals already assembled in the freezer has been a lifesaver with having a new baby, home improvements, unpredictable work schedules and other craziness. It is worth a try! Dinner Club is fun and helps simplify your life (especially with time spent with groceries and cooking considered). read more

So friendly, helpful and move efficiently yet willing to answer all questions. Best idea ever, pre made meals that go in the freezer with all the parts in one spot to make a delicious meal. With options for a family size of 2-6 worked out perfectly for me. Can't wait to go back and order more! read more

The recipes and menus are constantly changing and full of innovation. Only the finest and freshest ingredients that not only make the food look amazing, but also taste delicious. What is the best? That your whole family will EAT IT! Portions are large enough to feed the whole family and I have found that my kids are not as picky as I thought... Especially when you serve meals from The Dinner Club. Whether you want to get a group together and make an "event" out of preparing meals or would rather request their chef to put the meals together in advance, the food is worth every penny. It's more economical than you think ....if you consider that the food is high-quality, already prepped and ready to prepare and of course, consider the worth of your time! Eat nutritiously-designed meals from the experts. No brainer to utilize The Dinner Club. They Rock! read more

I was skeptical at first, but I've gone twice with girl friends and it is amazing! Every recipe is set up at each station and is fool proof! It's fun and delicious! Seemed a little pricey at first but after going twice, these meals last me a little over a month and my grocery bill is cut in half! I also learn to love flavors I'd never otherwise cook with! I typically do the eight meal plan and pay the $8 split fee, come home with almost 16 meals that never fail to please taste buds! Oh it's also BYOB which makes a great girls night out! So so worth it, especially if you love to cook and not quite sure what to cook or how to cook it! read more

I absolutely had to write a review--we had the best time ever at The Dinner Club!! I hosted a Baby Sprinkle last month, and it was absolutely perfect! I mean, what else does a new mother want... pre-cooked meals!! Scheduling and ordering the meals was easy peasy. A few of the guests had a tricky time understanding the concept, but once everyone understood the jist, it was a blast :) I came a few minutes early to set up and was very impressed with the upbeat, friendly, and funny vibe of the staff members. They were very patient with us while we gathered to have a few glasses of wine and snacks before we got started making meals. The instructions were very easy to follow- and my family has been enjoying the meals ever since!! I look forward to visiting again soon! MK read more

My friend from work introduced me to The Dinner Club. I scheduled an appointment online, picked the meals that I wanted to cook and went today. Was very impressed with the service. Since it was my first time I was a little confused in the beginning, but lady who works there was very helpful, she explained me everything and in one hour I was able to prepare two meals. You just have to follow instructions, mix all ingredients together and pack your stuff to take home. They even offer you some appetizers and wine. Great place to go with your friends for girls night out. Would definitely go back again. Thanks The Dinner Club for the great meals and outstanding service. read more

Am single person and I enjoy cooking a new recipe. But to have to buy some spice or other condiment is costly,especially if you use it only once.When I put together some meals at the Dinner Club, i can try something different and I find everything I have tried is very tasty. I have even served several meals to guests, much to their delight. The staff is very helpful and it's fun to put meals together with a friend or two. And I am thankful that I can split some of the entrees. The side dishes are also very good. And I go home to a clean kitchen! read more

I'm so glad I found this place!! I live alone, on a very tight budget, and it's been a lifesaver for me. Here are a few positives: * This place is run incredibly well. It's just no stress. When you step up to a station you have everything you need (ingredients, measuring utensils, bowls, etc). And when you're done the employees clean and re-set the station for the next person so fast so you're rarely standing there waiting. * Do the math. It really is cheaper than it seems and, if you're on a tight budget, it's a great way to eat meals with lots of ingredients and spices without buying them and then wasting the leftovers. * Its very clean! The owner is very mindful of keeping things clean throughout the process and I appreciate that. * It's a fun day! Bring some friends and make the most of it - both Dinner Club and downtown LaGrange. I've been going to Dinner Club regularly for about 6 months now and I have no desire to stop. It really is worth trying! read more

The Dinner Club is awesome. You sign up ahead of time with the meals that you want to take home and choose the time that works for you, assemble them in their kitchen, and in 2-2.5 hours' time, you walk away with a basket full of fresh, delicious freezer meals that are ready to cook when you need them. Every time I go, I'm impressed by the cleanliness and organization. The assembly instructions are easy to follow. All ingredients are chopped, labeled, and ready with the appropriate measuring cup/spoon. The employees do all of the clean up. It couldn't be easier! It's fun to make it a social event and bring someone with you. The only complaint I have is that their smallest meal package is 8 meals. Sometimes I wish I could select only 4-5 meals. I would recommend The Dinner Club to anyone! read more

The Dinner Club has been an absolute life safer! After going back to work full time, it's been a challenge to get good meals on the table. The meals are wonderful and I love the variety. The time I save by not having to plan meals, grocery shop or the do the prep work is priceless. Well worth the money. Highly recommend!! read more

Whether you're just grabbing one meal to go or making a dozen to keep in your freezer, The Dinner Club has got you covered. My favorite part of TDC is their online ordering where I can pick the day I want to come in, peruse the month's incredible menu and make my choices that will be prepped and ready for me to pick up! They have so many options, with delectable menus, great pricing options and excellent add-ons to round out your dinner. You can choose from family favorites, crockpot delights or gourmet cuisine, all are fresh and fabulous. TDC has been a staple in my home and the homes of my family and friends as it is the PERFECT gift! And if you have time, I highly recommend grabbing a girlfriend and spending an afternoon preparing the meals yourself. The store is beautifully crafted (and will make you dream of renovating your own kitchen), has a wine and beer bar and marvelously helpful staff. You move from station to station, preparing the meals and actually learning a bit about food prep along the way (this also allows you to edit the ingredients however you like). And the best part is you get to tell everyone YOU made the dinner, which they are sure to ooh and ahh over. My friends and family have never been disappointed and the food is so easy to make once you get it home, plus it all freezes perfectly. I rave about TDC and know you will too! (And no, nobody asked me to write this, I am actually this excited about the place.) read more

Last week I was reminded once again why I love The Dinner Club SO much! I've been getting meals here for a few years & have finally gotten over my kids excitement when they know the meal is from The Dinner Club as opposed to another new recipe I'm trying out on my own. They just know that the food is always consistently something they will like even if it's something different & new to try. I've taken Dinner Club meals with us the past 2 summers on our north woods cabin trip. My husband would be ok with eating burgers & hot dogs on the grill every night, but the rest of us would like something healthier some of the week with a little variety. What I don't want to do on a trip where you have to bring everything but the kitchen sink is also bring a recipe & every spice from the cabinet to enjoy a nice dinner. The Dinner Club meals have been perfect for that. I've also brought some of the sides with on weekends at my in-laws cottage as an adjunct to whatever my mother-in-law is already serving. They're always a big hit and so convenient. The Dinner Club meals help the most, though, during my normal, hectic days with three young children. Last Thursday was the perfect example. I had to drop 2 children at gymnastics & then 1 at ice skating, pick two of them back up and head home for less than two hours to make dinner, get the youngest a bath, serve & clean up dinner, get the youngest to bed, & then turn around to pick my middle daughter up at gymnastics. Instead of hitting a drive-through we had parmesan tilapia, green beans almondine, & couscous. It was delicious, and was prepared in the amount of time it took my husband to give our youngest a bath and read a story. Nights like that are not all that uncommon for us, so I'm always grateful for the ease of The Dinner Club meals. They're just such a great option for busy families who are looking to put a healthy meal on the table that everyone can enjoy! read more