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frankfortstation.com dining out
the frankfort station | March 1, 2018 | 27
The Dish
Freddy’s fueled by sense of fast-casual nostalgia
New Orland Park
spot specializes
in frozen custard,
steakburgers
Bill Jones, Managing Editor
The Freddy’s all-beef hot dog ($3.29 solo, $5.69 in a combo)
plays to the Chicago-area market but puts its own stamp on
the delicacy with Freddy’s signature bun.
It is hard to accurately describe
the feeling of walking
into a Freddy’s Frozen
Custard & Steakburgers for
the first time.
The primary reds pop
from the booths, the lamps,
the tiles and more, offering
a feeling of nostalgia while
not quite looking retro. It is
an old-school concept with
a modern vibe.
It is, at the same time,
exactly what one would expect
of a fast-casual burger
joint and something slightly
different.
“We would consider ourselves
a modern diner,” said
Ben Simon, grandson of the
Freddy behind the Wichita,
Kansas-based franchise
and vice president of operations
for Freddy’s, which
launched in 2002 and finds
itself fast approaching 300
locations.
Simon was in town Feb.
20 for the first day of business
for the company’s Orland
Park location. As he
sat in one of those booths,
he said everything from the
decor inside the new store
to the drive-thru to the patio
play to the “full experience
of what a Freddy’s feels
like,” noting that across the
country it has proven to be a
popular spot for dates, aftermovie
meals and postgame
treats. He said his grandfather
built the business on
principles of hospitality,
service, kindness and authenticity.
It also was built,
of course, on the food.
“Freddy’s is all about
quality steakburgers, craveable
frozen custard, addicting
shoestring fries with
special seasoning,” Simon
said.
The Orland Park spot
marks Freddy’s first venture
into the Chicago-area market,
but Simon said it already
feels like home. One
of the stores run by the company
itself, rather than franchisees,
Orland Park is to
be joined by a Homewood
spot in the next six months,
if all goes according
to plan.
“It feels exciting, as always,”
Simon said of being
in town for an opening, noting
he sees Orland as having
similar hard-working,
family-oriented values as
the restaurant. “We really
love this community. We’re
happy to be bringing the
product to the people.
“The [Village] and community
of Orland Park was
very good to work with — a
lot better than the snow to
work with.”
The company wasted no
time in its community outreach,
immediately naming
The Bridge Teen Center as
a beneficiary of Freddy’s
charitable efforts. Through
Freddy’s Frozen
Custard & Steakburgers
7402 W. 159th St. in
Orland Park
Hours
• 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday-Thursday
• 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Friday-Saturday
For more information ...
Web: freddysusa.com/
store/orland-park
Phone: (708) 407-8222
March 6, the Orland Park
nonprofit is to receive 10
percent of all frozen custard
treat sales at the new spot.
“We’re just excited to
make that connection and
help out,” Simon said.
As with any restaurant,
the menu still has to deliver.
And Simon said Freddy’s
is all about fresh food. The
business does not precook
its burgers or fries, and frozen
custard treats are never
prepared until people ask
for them.
“We cook everything to
order,” Simon said.
The company partners
with Vienna Beef for its
hot dogs and Meadowvale
The Freddy’s Original Double ($4.89) is the new Orland Park restaurant’s must-try item,
sitting at No. 1 ($7.79) on the list of combos. Photos by Bill Jones/22nd Century Media
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers features the primary pop of red, with a nostalgic
diner feel, updated for modern times.
for frozen custard. Everything
on the menu also is
customizable, but Simon is
more than happy to recommend
first-timers start with
the Freddy’s Original Double
($4.89 solo, $7.79 for a
combo) and signature turtle
sundae (prizes vary by size).
“You’re going to be a
happy person if you go for
those two items,” he said.