This is the only Checkers that I know of in the city. It's located on the southwest corner of two 'strip malls' off 55th street on the south side. It's easy enough to get to, as the train stops less than a block from it, and it's right off the 55th street exit on the Dan Ryan. You can see the sign from the highway, which is great, so you won't get lost.
Some people say this area is dangerous but seriously, in Chicago, what areas aren't? If you look scared, people will take advantage. I look people directly in their face, don't hold my cash out as if I'm looking to get it snatched and I make sure to speak to every single person that says hello to me.
However, I've never waited inside the place for my food, it's always been drive in. Mainly because I decide at the last minute that I want to indulge in fries. I don't know much about their menu anymore (years ago, they had great fish sandwiches that reminded me of Dock's) but I know that people rave about the milkshakes and the fries. The fries.....O.M.G.
The fries are greasy. The grease will lightly saturate your mouth, lips and even your decolletage if you allow it. If you're a 'wipe your face with your sleeve' kinda person, your sleeve will smell like hot grease. But your tummy and your mouth will thank you ever so kindly. Always hot, with sizes from slightly big to enormous, they are worth the drive, possible long lines and the hassle of the panhandlers, 'salesmen' and overall nonchalant attitude of the random worker you may or may not encounter. Â
I don't know about the banana milkshake, which I hear is epically wonderful, but that vanilla one often calls to me in my dreams...and now my mouth isn't saturated with grease, but drool....
Bar none the best fast food chain out there. These fries are to die for, but this place takes the fast out of fast food. If you're running late don't stop here.
#1 tip beyond the food, Â don't buy crap from the people in the parking lot and for the love of god don't give money to the pan handlers. It just keeps them coming back.
I have not been to a Checkers since the one by me closed many years ago, I could never understand them closing they did a fantastic business
So I went to the only one left, on the south side of Chicago, It's just like the other posters said, kinda run down, the sock guy was still there, so was the pirate DVD guy, and the moocher was there also begging for change so she could get a hamburger.
I pulled in and no one answered so I thought the speaker was not working so I waited my turn and got to the window to order and was told I would have to pull back around and order at the speaker,
The wait was worth it , The burger was good and the fries were as greasy as I remembered them to be,
Last night I journeyed to the 2nd most dangerous neighborhood in America in pursuit of Checkers French fries. Â After hearing that Checkers fries are basically the second coming of Christ morphed into a fried potato, I knew I had to make the trip to check out what all the fuss was about.
One quick call to the only person I know who'd been brave enough to make it down to Checkers, Mandi G., kicked off our own little South Side adventure. Â As we were driving down there, I was like, "This is totally like Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Â We're going way the hell out of our way for fast food." Â She was like, "Dude, I know. Â You're Harold. Â I'm Kumar." Â Without missing a beat I said, "Yeah." Â Quote for truth, dude.
FINALLY we make it Checkers. Â It's in a strip mall plaza area right off the highway. Â There are a lot of random people hanging out in the parking lot and at the drive through. Â There's trash all over the parking lot. Â It's not a pretty sight.
But there is a double drive through. Â Cool. Â However, I think the drive through gal forgot about us because we waited for a good several minutes at the squawk box waiting to place our order. Â I'll take a burger and the biggest order of fries you have, thanks. Â We pull up to the payment window and waited again for what seemed like an absurdly long time. Â Conclusion? Â There's absolutely no sense of urgency at Checkers.
We grabbed our bag of French fried deliciousness, parked in the lot and dove into our burgers and fries. Â While the burgers are meh side of okay, the fries are awesome. Â They're perfectly crispy, spicy, hot and greasy: In other words, everything you want in a French fry. Â Now, I don't know if I'd make a habit out of traveling to Washington Park anytime soon for them, but I definitely wasn't let down by the fries.
As nightfall approached and the sun started setting, Mandi and I decided it was time to get out of Dodge. Â So we road off into the sunset with full bellies and a sense of accomplishment at having survived the most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago, all in the name of getting yummy fries.
When was the last time fast food was an 'experience'? Â I'll be honest, I usually don't make it past 24th Street for anything so getting here is a bit of a pain. But thanks to Mr. Dan Ryan and the oh so convenient 54th exit, it isn't so bad.
When you enter the strip mall, you need to make a you-ee and head for the exit, to get to Checkers. Â It is what it is, deal with it. Â After you select your drive-in lane, you are warmly greeted by the beautiful red menu board with the delectable pictures of the cajun french fries, chili dogs, spicy chicken sandwiches and the triple cheeseburger NASCAR meal.
Once you order through the busted microphone/speaker leaning against the half-dead evergreen, drive toward the window where you will then be greeted by (1) mobile white crew socks salesman (2) gentleman that needs X cents for the Red Line  (3) fellow Checkers lover that is a few shekels short of a Champ burger.
If I get #1, I show him the package of white socks that I have already prepared in advance of my trip, thus saving me from buying more white socks.
If I get #2, I give him my CTA card with usually three or more trips left. Â It's a bitch when you need money and all you have is $17 in the ATM. Â I understand, brohime.
If I get #3, fellow Checkers lover better hope that I get some change back. Â
After thanking the drive thru woman (they seriously are polite), stick your right hand in the bag for fries, drive with your left and make sure you don't hit anyone as you leave Checkers property. Â Do not mix hands with fries! Â The oil will render both of your hands unusable and you will not be able to turn the wheel.
That is all.
Coming back from the Southside St. Patrick's Day Parade we had to find this place. Â We must have gotten on and off 5 different exits before we finally got to this place. Â FYI, you have to get off the Garfield Exit (Exit 57) on 90/94. Â It's truly in the ghetto. Â A guy was trying to sell us pirated movies. Â It was so busy, even with the 2 drive thrus. Â The prices are comparative to other burger joints, but this place really isn't as filling. Â They have plenty of different burger options, shakes, chicken tenders, and they have seasoned fries. Â The medium sized drinks are huge! Â There was too much hype for me, and I was kind of disappointed. Â My friend said that there were steakburgers here and there aren't. Â The burgers are also much bigger in the picture. Â I had the 1/4 lb. bacon cheeseburger, ate all the fries, and still was hungry. Â I can't say I'm going to be quick to drive all the way back to still be hungry...
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