Tok’s Auto Service

Ken is the best. He knows his stuff, his prices are very reasonable, he sometimes puts time in that he doesn’t charge for. Always explains what the problem was and what he did.

Update: It’s been awhile since I wrote this review, and we have continued using Tok’s. Just today I brought it in for an oil change and told him to check the belts because something sounded funny. Another mechanic, or even Jiffy Lube would have tried to sell me on a number of things I don’t really need but he did no such thing. Should someone get a good review just for being a decent human being? In most of life no — but I think we all know how mechanics can be. Great neighborhood place that can be trusted to do a good, honest job. He’ll also admonish you if you wait too long for an oil change — although he let it slide this time.

Ken is honest and a good mechanic that I trust. I do not go to other places at all.

I am of the belief that people as well as places deserve a second chance so we gave Tok’s a second chance to please us and now I am done.
Firstly, let me say that my mom used to take her car here years ago and stopped but I didn’t remember why so I figured it must have been because she just found someone else. but now I am thinking that she had a bad experience.
My reason for this is because our dealings with them have been an insight as to the way the way they do business and NOT a good one either!
We first took my husband’s car there for an oil change and to repair a hole in his tire. Firstly they told us they opened at 9:00am and no one was there until 9:15 and did not even apologize for being late. Then they took about 5 hours to do what should have been an hour maybe hour and a half job. Finally, when we picked up the car the price was ok so we could forgive the long wait,.
I then took my car there for the same thing (yes, I know, how did we both get nails in our tires?!) first they acted like it was a huge deal to do it even though I was dropping off first thing in the morning, I told them I would come back whenever they needed just to call me since they are so close to my house. They again took hours to do these simple repairs. When I cam back to pick up he told me that I needed new tires, which was fine, but he treated me like I was an idiot for not knowing. Sorry but bad tires aren’t really glaringly apparent until there is snow on the ground and this was the middle of November.
2 weeks later my husband and I pack up his car to go out of town, only to discover that the tire that had just been fixed 2 weeks ago is flat as a pancake! Thankfully, my car was working properly and had it’s new tires or we would have been in trouble.
Then today, less than 2 months after getting my oil change done, my check engine light goes on, something tells me to check my fluids and sure enough my antifreeze is super low! There is NO reason that you should be out of antifreeze 2 months after an oil change unless your fluids were not checked! To me this is a deal breaker for a mechanic because if I can’t trust you to do the little things how can I trust you to do the big repairs?
In summary: Definitely not the best shop in Chicago, definitely not the worst, just make sure you get and keep your receipt and take it back right away if you have problems.

Formely located at Damen & Belmont, and Foster and Pulaski, Tok’s Auto Service is currently located on Montrose just West of Pulaski Ave.
Not by choice mind you, but because the City of Chicago decided to put a «park» on the Foster Ave. location (see if you can find a «park» there today!)
I am a customer of Tok’s for over 35 years and have recommended Tok’s Auto Service to everyone who would listen. Thorough, committed and professional service come to mind when asked to describe this business. The original Tok (long Oh) was a transmission specialist at the old Grossinger Pontiac (Lawrence Ave.) dealership, and undertook to open his own business after an ethics dispute with the dealership. In other words, he wouldn’t pad the bill to suit the shop manager. First recommended to me in 1974, I have had my cars repaired for years at Tok’s Auto. All makes and models, fair prices, and willing to discuss options for budget reasons. It gets a little crowded during peak time slots, best to call ahead for an appointment. P. S. Ken does not know I am writing this review!