Stash’s Restaurant & Grill

Some of my fondest memories are of growing up on the North Shore and working in Highland Park at the Forest Bootery. The job was okay, but the best part was going across the street to Stash’s and demolishing an order of cheddar fries with an awesome burger! I loved it so much I introduced my kids to the place in the 90’s and finally let Mom and Sis in on my favorite spot too.
Having moved to San Diego in 2004 but still traveling back for work up until 2011, I’d still go by to relish (had to say it) the glory days! Just found out that they closed in 2012 tonight and well… all I can say at this point is… thanks to Stash’s for keeping it real!
Sincerely,
The Breakfast Club

We had lunch at Stash’s last Sunday, because the BF wanted lunch food.
I’ve heard for awhile now that there are two places to go for burgers in HP, Michael’s, and Stash’s. Michael’s was slammed on Sunday around lunchtime. Stash’s was… not so much.
It’s a quaint place, but a little all over the place. Brick oven Neapolitan style pizza and burgers? Something just doesn’t add up.
The burgers were tasty, and their cheese sauce is better than Michael’s. The fries were also really good, but the BF said that the portion size had decreased.
Lunch was pricey though. For 3 burgers (with fries) and 2 drinks, the bill came to over $ 30. If I’m going to eat a $ 10 hamburger, it’s going to be at a place better than Stash’s. Sorry.

It is nothing like the original Stash’s in Highland Park. There move to the new spot near Michael’s was a mistake!
my brother and I ordered a double dog and a italian sausage. the restaurant was not busy but the manager was chatting away with two customers near the line while my brother and I waited for our food to be cooked. Then my double dog came out with fries and my brothers food was not ready yet. He asked my brother how to prepare the italian sausage. Clearly nobody had started cooking it yet! anyways i sat down and started to eat my hot dogs. Which were really not that great under cheesed compared to what i remember in the past. The amount of fries on the plate was also light. My brothers food came out and I looked at it and recognized that the italian sausage was taken out of its casing to cook faster. It looked terrible and my brother said that it was dry and lacking in flavor due the way it was cooked. At that pinnacle moment I knew that we would never go to this place ever again.
Go To Michaels its managed right! Also there menu makes sense and wont confuse you!!!

The one star is for nostalgia we ordered an order for pickup and they said it would be ready in 15 min. I arrived 35 minutes later and they still had not started the order. The place was practically empty and there were 7 people working there. Then while we waited for the order we watched them carelessly make our salads with veggies drenched in water. There was a full cup of water at the bottom of each of the 2 salads I ordered. I used to love this place growing up, now it just sucks. How does it stay in business?

Love this place. I pretty much order the same things every time because they never disappoint. Gyros are out of this world, the Gyros burger is awesome, and their hot dogs are great too. Also a great addition that fries come with everything now. The management and employees are very personable, helpful, and have never caused a single problem in all my visits. I have probably been here 250+ times in my life, so this review is very overdue.

I was really pleasantly surprised with this place.
We chose Stash’s for a quick lunch because it was conveniently located in the center of all the downtown Highland Park shopping.
It was a step up from your stereotypically greasy fast-​food.
They have so many different options here: brick oven pizzas, pastas, salads, sandwiches, etc. all served on hefty ceramic plates (I was so expecting plastic, red woven baskets).
I was very happy with my perfectly grilled chicken sandwich on a PRETZEL bun! yum. The chicken breast was really pretty big and was served with a hefty portion of yummy fries all for a pretty good deal at just $ 8.

They have everything here from brick oven pizza to chicago style hot dogs. I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid and I have not been disappointed yet. The fries here are some of the best you can get. They are hand cut and made fresh to order.

I have been here a couple of times and I am never disappointed. My favorite is the cheddar cheese sauce you can order to dip your fries in. This is not your typical nacho cheese sauce, this is real melted cheddar cheese! I also enjoy the Buffalo Bill Sandwich with Chicken. Another great item is the BBQ Chicken quesadillas. I have yet to try their staple items: burgers or hot dogs. I will be back soon!

My buddy hardly ever comes up with suggestions for dining destinations, so when it does come round, I’m open to trying. The destination chosen is a BBQ spot down the street from here, I just happened to have a Groupon expiring soon and came along for the taste adventure. Highland Park or this area, the «nice» side is a strange place I don’t often venture to.
The place was a quarter packed and mostly with families with kids running the spot, it was a weekend. I mean there were parents that tried to parent their children, but obviously these kids were in control and took full advantage running amuck of the place.
Stiff backed chairs which were uncomfortable but fine. Flimsy, shiny aluminum table tops that are cute to look at and may entice your young child to sit at but if you’ve got a boisterous kid that loves to play while eating, that kid will flip that table over in a heartbeat. Two adults sitting at the table with an arm extended should keep the table stable. Maybe I’m being too pissy about their tables, or maybe I leaned on it and felt it start to tip.
Not a typical restaurant with servers and wait staff. When you enter, find their menu fixed onto the wall, then step over to the counter and place it. Take your receipt and number, then go, sit and wait as patiently as possible till you hear someone yell it. Locals may know the drill, but for a newbie we were lost wondering when the «appetizer» would arrive. Nothing was explained, no idea as to how long a pizza could take, whether the appetizer would arrive as an appetizer before the pie, etc. The restaurant is run by staff that are hardly engaging. Looking around at other tables, most were here for burgers. Stash serves up a 10 ounce burger which the locals tend to like quite a bit. Their other highlights are their wraps and per the counter gal «we serve a really good pizza». Hardly, I thought.
Brick-​oven, handcrafted Napoletana style hand tossed pizzas is how it’s served. I’m guessing we waited about twenty plus minutes for our pie and appetizer, pizza fondue. Pizza fondue consisted of a baked bread with faint elements of garlic in its bottom crust. This is served alongside a dipping sauce which to us tasted like Ragu out of the bottle with an addition of too much cream. The dipping sauce was terribly mild and neglected taste. The pizza was a 10 — 12″ round quartered, we got the Salsiccia which is a pie with mozzarella, sauce and spicy sausage cut into cubes. Like the appetizer, both items lacked any taste. My buddy equated the pie to that of bowling alley pizza. I wouldn’t go there, bowling alley stuff is frozen pizza usually. Hand tossed out of a brick oven and priced around 8.95 — 12.95 isn’t bad. Since it seemed to me that their constant customer may be the family type, this crowd would dig this sort of menu. Their sauces are more rustic or Ragu-​like than sweet, so that’s a plus for you parents. (Less or no sugar)
Appetizer, pie and two fountain drinks ran roughly $ 25 dollars and change, tax included. Parking is hard to come by at any time, so you may walk a few blocks, but there are ample amounts of free parking found around. Almost no diversity, blech! One thing that was off putting was how many people were passing long glances. I know that look, that who are these guys? We were the color, ha, other than the Mexican Americans working in the kitchen that is. My buddy, Asian also and familiar with HP. We weren’t digging the vibe or the food and motivated soon after. If Unilocal allowed it, I’d go 2.5 stars, but instead I’ll give three. I don’t think their food is worthy of traveling out for, obviously those that love it most grew up on it and love the scene. Check out their other reviews and you’ll see.

I’ve been going to Stash’s for 30 years, and I’m not too picky when it comes to Chicago-​style hot dog and burger joints.
I hadn’t dined at the recently relocated Stash’s though, and my mother had purchased a Groupon-​style «$ 20 worth of food for $ 10», so we went. In thinking about it, why they chose to open up literally right next to long-​time competitor Michael’s seems silly to me, especially when it is already very difficult to park in that area.
The new location took over a former site of Cosi and is quite large. In my opinion, it lacks character and could be livened up a bit, maybe more pictures and some music?
Also, it was bitter cold when we went, and as we looked over the menu and ordered, a gust of uncomfortably chilly air would hit us (and the patrons in line behind us) every time the door opened. You have to stand in a hallway and read the extensive menu while people try and get by you to come in/​leave. Pretty annoying.
My mother ordered what she thought was going to be a «gourmet cheese sandwich» (#10 on the menu) and a side of baby carrots to replace the fries. I ordered eggplant parmesan.
When the food came, we first noticed that we had gotten fries instead of the baby carrots that we ordered. Also, that «#10» cheese sandwich somehow turned into a hamburger. I went back and looked at the menu, and if you look carefully, you have a choice of a burger, chicken, veggie pattie, etc. But it is definitely not clear, and no one asked my mother what kind of meat she would like.
The eggplant parmesan was tasty, but was drenched in marinara sauce. I didn’t mind so much, but it was a little too much.
We ended up keeping the fries, which were mediocre and unsalted. Good for those who would like the option, but still, they were lacking.
All in all, the new Stash’s experience was disappointing. It is quite expensive for a hot dog joint and you ain’t getting anything special. Also, the outdoor seating is gone with the new location, which was a bonus in the summer months.
But keep in mind that Michael’s is just as expensive, if not pricier.

We used a Groupon for Stash’s and Guido’s on a Tuesday night. There was some breast cancer event going on and even though we called ahead for our order, there was a line fifteen people deep and no way for carry-​out orders to get in a special line to pick up their food. So I, along with other frustrated carry-​out orders, waited and waited and waited. I’m a bit impatient when we’re eating out because the point is to eat NOW and SAVE time.
Brian ordered Chicken Parmesean. The sauce tasted canned and the chicken was flavorless and overcooked. Brian specifically asked for the bread (i.e. don’t forget it) and it was forgotten.
I came home with the worst salad I’ve ever had! It was 10.00 but came in a small container. The lettuce was wilted and soggy. The couple pieces of mandarin were water-​logged and not from syrup, but from sitting in tepid water for eight hours.
There were a few soaking wet snap peas and the chicken was in cubes and had been microwaved about twenty times. It was like rock-​hard pieces of flavorless tofu cubes passed off as chicken. I was disgusted and I went back to the restaurant to get a new salad and Brian’s bread.
I arrived, waited in line for a while and decided to approach the man by the deli counter. He just left me waiting for a long time and then said, «what’s up». I showed him the salad and told him that I paid ten dollars and there wasn’t one edible bite. He made a new one with basically lettuce and wontons, nothing else. I just paid ten dollars for TWO NASTY salads. He took his Sweet time getting bread for Brian and left me going back home with another crappy salad, crappy frozen rolls, and a crappy experience altogether. He offered no coupon and no apology.
I will NEVER be back.
Blech!!!

If you go to Michael’s or Stash’s in Highland Park you are a moron who does not give a crap about food or what you put in your body… or your KIDS!!!
All you highland Park people who rave about this place must be UNCULTURED!!!
Cirque de So Lame!!!
the only thing these establishments care about is $$$ in their wallet.
French fries are FROZEN… what a joke!!! its 2010
stop wasting your money there so a good place can open up!!!

I grew up in the Chicago area, so Stash’s has been on my radar for decades. After moving back to the area with my wife, we ate there while they were in temporary quarters next to the train tracks. After they moved back to their original location (in the new building), they were one of our regular weekend hang-​outs, and would have garnered 4 – 5 stars from me. Now, having moved to central Illinois, we don’t get back so often. On this trip, we found them in a new location, where they have been for three months.
They have a wide-​ranging menu, one that has grown over the years, especially with the addition of salads to the mainly burgers, dogs, and fries place it started out as. Frankly, I could never understand the point of going to a terrific burger joint to have a salad, but to each his own. The latest addition to the menu is pizza, and there is a nice-​looking pizza oven behind the cashier.
One of the most fun parts of ordering Stash’s burgers and dogs was looking through the glass at the wide array of toppings and getting to choose what you wanted on the sandwich. Toppings were (and continue to be) really good. Unfortunately, this part of the move was not thought through properly, as there is now a hunk of stainless steel blocking the customer’s view of the toppings, the view replaced by a hand-​scrawled piece of paper taped to the glass. sigh. My wife is pretty minimalist with burger toppings (onions, with banana pepper and pickle slices served on the side). (Those are really good pickle slices, by the way.) I’m more of a «throw everything on the sandwich» person, including hot giardiniera.
I regret to say that they have made «improvements» to their burgers. My wife and I would always each order a Char Cheddar Burger, a hamburger patty cooked on the grill (rather than fried on a griddle), with a thick shmear of a thick cheddar cheese spread that’s similar in flavor to the delicious cheddar sauce served with the (still-​great) Cheddar Fries. The Burgers are now Angus Beef, and 10 oz, up from 8. Sounds like a big improvement, so why the «regrets»?
First, while Angus Beef is a nice lean beef, one of the great things about a Stash’s burger used to be that it actually had enough fat content to drip from the sandwich, and the fat that did not drip off carried an immense amount of flavor into the mouth. It was heaven. Now, with the «better» beef, you don’t get that. It’s just a burger. It’s probably better for you this way. It just doesn’t *taste* better.
Second, the «more is better» myth. An 8 oz burger really is a pretty darn big burger, but when it was a fabulous burger, I never had a problem eating the whole thing. Now, at 10 oz, it’s just too big. Since my wife and I don’t like the same toppings, we can’t really share one. I hate wasting food, but the new «just a burger» wasn’t worth taking home for leftovers (if we had been still living in the area).
At the previous location, there were a number of more unusual soft drinks, available by the can or bottle, prominently displayed. If they are still available, they are a secret. Now, pretty much just a normal assortment of fountain soda pop, and good iced tea.
«You Can Never Go Home Again», but we’ll probably go back the next time we’re in town, but next time for a hot dog, instead of a burger.

The rival to Michaels Red hots in HP. If those in your group don’t want grease and don’t want salad (Michaels has lots of salads) and prefer a good pasta dish instead, hit up Stashs. The food in my opinion is fairly similar– standard HP grease. I have a hard time picking between Michaels and Stashs but can go with either one off a coin toss.

Ok, Highland Park and Hot Dogs. Yes, you have a choice, Michael’s or Stash’s. And, for those that I know that grew up in the area, you are a fan of either one. Hey, kinda like a Cubs Sox thing over a hot dog stand in Highland Park.
Stash’s is not like the circus atmosphere of Michael’s, but still has all the subtle and straight out cheesiness of your typical hot dog stand. Wait, they call themselves a restaurant and grill. Yes, they will sell you everything except the kitchen sink. If you really want to go to a real restaurant or grill in the area, this certainly is not the place to go considering all the alternatives. Basically, this is fast food mostly done right. All the other crap on the menu is diversity in taste buds. You want a dog or burger and your coworker wants to watch their figure, both of you don’t want to spend an arm and leg and want to get in and out faster then a regular sit down place.

I found my wiener at Stash’s when I was about 10 years old, maybe younger. I found it again today: char-​broiled Polish. MMMMMM.
The faces and buildings have changed over the years. The same old guys who worked at Stash’s for so many years when we were kids are long gone; the ownership is different.
But the food was — for what it is — great. Problem is, who wants to go to Homogeneous Park to find your wiener? Not I. I was here on family biz. Indeed, Stash’s was an afterthought — but a happy one.

Take a dirty little Chicago hot dog stand. Sanitize it. Expand the menu beyond dogs and burgers. What?!! Pasta? Salads? They did have the essential Dr. Browns Cream Soda, which yay. It takes so little to make me happy. Oh, and some sauerkraut on my dog, YES, you know what I like.
There was an ersatz «kids lemonade stand» outside that I thought was corporate sponsored (they start ‘em early here in the Great White North), but on closer inspection it turned out to be a charity fundraiser. Yeah, I know it has nothing to do with my review of Stash’s (STAAAAAAAAAASH’s), but this was right out front. Deal.
I guess I’d have liked this place better if I’d grown up in the suburb (never lived in one) of Highn’mighty Park (I didn’t), or even GET the appeal of suburbs in general. I was completely happy to take a short stroll down a memory path with my darling companion, but I don’t think he even found this place to be as cool as he left it. And it was kind of expensive (what?! fries are not included?).
I think this is one of those places that was magical years ago, but now has been sanded and sanitized and strip mall’d down. But still, if you’re in the area, it’s a good place for a quick wiener. And who doesn’t love a quick wiener on a Saturday? OH!

Growing up in HP until I was 14, Stash’s was my hang out. We used to head there after little league to get a bag of fries after games and practice. It has changed a lot in the almost thirty years since I was in little league. Back then Stash’s was just a little shack. Now is an almost full service fast casual restaurant. It’s perfectly located in Port Clinton Square.
My wife (eight months pregnant) was craving a hot dog. We made the original mistake of going to Michael’s during lunch time. With an ancy three year old, we bolted M’s when the almost out the door line wasn’t moving. Thankfully I remembered Stash’s being literally down the street.
It was as good as I remembered. The Hot Dogs and Polish we ordered were perfectly charred. The only mistake was that my wife loves fries well done. Stash’s fries are so good that they should never be altered and ordered how they want to cook them. It’s right up there with Michael’s and it’s not as busy. If you need a quick quality meal made to order, Stash’s is perfect in downtown HP!!!

Heres the deal, I grew up on this place ever since it was a small hot dog stand way before Port Clinton Square was built. They must be under new ownership cause my last experience failed me, now Stash doesn’t own it anymore its a shame the new management let it slip.

I’m a recent Stash’s convert. Growing up we always went to Michael’s. I’m a huge cheese fries fan, seriously, it’s abnormal. The cheese is great and the fries are super crispy. I usually order chicken fingers or a turkey burger, both are good. I’ve had a chicken Caesar wrap twice and both times after I finished eating my stomach was not happy with me. The line usually isn’t too bad. The murals on the wall are fun to read while you wait for your food. The have a pasta menu as well, but like Jordan, I haven’t tried it. In my mind, pasta and Stash’s don’t mix.