It has been serving Skokie since 1976, and owner Ken Hechtman, who also ran the Kosher City restaurant in town, built the room around the Big Boy-style diners he grew up with in Milwaukee: neon, chrome and a menu of burgers, beef and shakes. Everything is CRC kosher-certified. That means a meat kitchen, so the shakes are made with non-dairy ice cream, and the Sabbath sets the schedule: Ken's is closed Friday and Saturday and on Jewish holidays. The order is the Burger Buddy ($18), a half-pound kosher beef patty with grilled onions, pickles and the house sauce, and the menu's flagship. The house favorite is the Bay Ken Mushroom Burger ($24), which stacks beef fry (kosher 'bacon') and mushrooms on top.
The wild card is the Rib-o-witz ($26): flame-grilled BBQ riblets with Papa Stu's sauce on toasted garlic French bread. Italian beef, a combo, corned beef and pastrami, a chili bowl and a full vegan section (with its own fryer) round it out. Open Sunday through Thursday from 11AM; the kitchen takes pickup orders until 7:45PM. Order online or call for takeout and catering.
No photos yet — be the first to add one.
Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.
Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.
to suggest a special.
Think Ken's Diner & Grill deserves Iconic/Notable or Super Gem status? Tell us why.
to nominate a gem.
Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.
The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.
Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.
Chicago
