When a new fast-food restaurant comes to the LT area, it’s all anyone can talk about. Jack in the Box, located at 5656 LaGrange Rd. in Countryside, opened its doors in July. The location is one of seven locations being opened in the Chicagoland area from August to September. 

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the restaurant in early September was the constant complaints. Screams of 40-minute waits and cheers when someone got their food overpowered the music. Similarly, it seemed like there was a large wait in the drive-thru, as it backed up onto LaGrange Road, creating a traffic jam and blocking restaurant parking. People were walking in and hearing complaints and then immediately walking out.

Additionally, almost every order was getting messed up. They gave people the wrong item or forgot items. The self-order kiosks weren’t working; they didn’t take cash and had 30-minute periods when they stopped taking orders. The ground and tables were sticky and dirty.

Despite extremely poor service, the menu had lots of options, all very cheap. I tried four items: Sauced and Loaded Tiny Tacos, Oreo Shake, Seasoned Curly Fries, and the Smashed Jack Burger. 

The Sauced and Loaded Tiny Tacos ($4.50) were served in a small box. Opening the box, it looked very unappealing. The toppings filled the top so you could not see the taco base. The tacos were crunchy with a little bit of spice. The flavor was very similar to that of Taco Bell. However, they were extremely messy and needed to be eaten with a fork. 

The Oreo shake ($4.69) was creamy and delicious. There was a perfect ratio of Oreos to ice cream. It was definitely one of the best shakes I have ever had. Despite this, they ran out of whipped cream and cherries, leaving me disappointed. 

Next, I had the Smashed Jack Combo ($12.28). This included curly fries, a burger, and a fountain drink. The burger was overall very good. In addition to it being large, there were lots of pickles and cheese. On the burger, they put their “Boss Sauce,” adding more flavor. When I got my curly fries, there were surprises of their classic fries and even an onion ring mixed in. While I found this kind of exciting, I can see how this would be frustrating to an average customer. After picking out the unexpected onion ring and fries, I tried the curly fries, which were seasoned well and crispy. 

Overall, I was not happy with my experience. The poor service and chaotic atmosphere overshadowed the food. 

Jack in the Box is open seven days a week, 7 a.m. – 12 a.m. 

2/5 paws