Joliet Restaurant Guide

Merichkas
4.1 stars (16 ratings)

(815) 723-9371

604 Theodore St, Joliet, IL 60435

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Dining Specials

El Primo Mexican Restaurant
Jet's Pizza
American, Pizzeria Restaurant in
Joliet

February 14, 2014 @ 9:02 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Flint, Michigan
The is one of the world's greatest place to dine. I kid you not. I have been around the world; I love Merichkas. My late parents would take us from Naperville to Merichlas every so often; what a treat; the Pooboy is still great (steak sandwich on a roll with garlic sauce).

One of the best reasons to dine in, is because of the atmosphere; they have kept like it was; a classic retro feeling. The old wood paneling and old carpet style are so refreshing; it is a very romantic place to take a date.

You feel back in the 60s and 70s; I hope they never change the interior; the atmosphere is a quarter of the experience.

Try this place before you die.

I only wish Johnny's Pizza was still around there.

Merichkas was pure quality; it still is. When I made my Indie movie, "Sisters Go Ye trailer 2" on youtube, I tried to emulate the high quality of Merichkas.
March 23, 2013 @ 11:20 PM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from Lockport
Used to eat here 7.to 10 times a year. Quality is way down and I propably will never return. My steak was grayish in color when cutting into it, the manager agreed. I think I could buy this quality of meat from the trucks that drive around in the neighborhoods.
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Read More: Joliet Restaurant Reviews

Avg Rating: 4  out of 5 stars

Number of Reviews: 16

February 14, 2014 @ 9:02 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Flint, Michigan
The is one of the world's greatest place to dine. I kid you not. I have been around the world; I love Merichkas. My late parents would take us from Naperville to Merichlas every so often; what a treat; the Pooboy is still great (steak sandwich on a roll with garlic sauce).

One of the best reasons to dine in, is because of the atmosphere; they have kept like it was; a classic retro feeling. The old wood paneling and old carpet style are so refreshing; it is a very romantic place to take a date.

You feel back in the 60s and 70s; I hope they never change the interior; the atmosphere is a quarter of the experience.

Try this place before you die.

I only wish Johnny's Pizza was still around there.

Merichkas was pure quality; it still is. When I made my Indie movie, "Sisters Go Ye trailer 2" on youtube, I tried to emulate the high quality of Merichkas.
March 23, 2013 @ 11:20 PM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from Lockport
Used to eat here 7.to 10 times a year. Quality is way down and I propably will never return. My steak was grayish in color when cutting into it, the manager agreed. I think I could buy this quality of meat from the trucks that drive around in the neighborhoods.
March 13, 2011 @ 8:07 PM
3  out of 5 stars
a diner from JOLIET ,IL
Ok,my experience left me wondering why did i come here. waitress kim was absolutely adorable a pleasant suprise versus the overpriced foods
January 13, 2009 @ 9:29 PM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from Plainfield, IL
Wow - I was really surprised here. Growing up, my dad brought home Marichkas' poorboy sandwiches, fries and pickles at least every coule of weeks. I remembered the sandwiches to big....tender cube steak grilled just right, awesome garlic butter sauce. I was really disappointed. The sandwich seems a lot smaller...the meat used to hang over the bun, and now it's smaller than the bun. The bun itself was chewy...not what I remembered. This place really needs an upgrade, I really didn't even want to give it a 2 for Ambiance, but I felt bad because I used to absolutely love the food. Maybe I just hit them on a bad night?
January 2, 2009 @ 4:35 PM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from Joliet, IL
My wife and I each had a poorboy sandwich, dinner salad, ice tea, and double baked potato. The poor boys were cold and the bun cold and soggy. I was surprised how tiny the sandwiches were as the price was $14.50 each for the poorboy plate! The house salad was good. Our waitress was pleasant. The decor was something from the 1970's. What restaurant has paneling on the wall and old stained carpet? I dropped over $50 with a tip and felt that I had not been this ripped off in a long time. Very dissatisfied and will not go back.
September 18, 2008 @ 5:20 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Phoenix, Az.
Grew up in Joliet eating these "Poor Boys" and don't get back often enough. 1st one in over 8 years.Merichkas is still on of my must stops when back in town. Place is old but it goes with what they do and that is great food with outstanding service.
Don't change a thing "It Works"
GBales
April 24, 2008 @ 11:15 AM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Lemont, Il.
Love Love the poorboys!! Onion rings are the best too!!
January 16, 2008 @ 12:04 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Bolingbrook, ill
Best Long Island ice tea's in the area. Poor boy's good, too.
December 29, 2007 @ 12:45 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from worth il
awesome food best poorboys you will ever eat. not good if your on a diet, but a great meal
August 18, 2007 @ 12:22 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Chicopee, Massachusetts
I was just recently back in the area after being gone for a number of years for a family reunion. We all met at Merichka's for our famous poorboy sandwiches, and they are still the best in the world. Nothing can compare to them, I would give anything to have that recipe. Everytime I have ever thought of them, my mouth still waters needing to have one. Only thing I would do different, is not have it be so expensive or make the sandwich bigger. Pickles on it, top it off.
August 13, 2007 @ 8:45 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Redondo Beach, Ca
I am 50 and ate there as a kid prior to leaving the area at the age of 18. I've travelled around the world and nothing compares to the tasty poor boy sandwich. I only wish they could send me one.
November 30, 2005 @ 3:47 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
I moved from Joliet when i was eleven years old so I have not had a Merichkas Poorboy for thirty plus years, but my mouth still waters when I think of them. I would love to get their exact recipe.
March 20, 2003 @ 12:03 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Romeoville IL
Great Food! The building could use some modernization & they defintely need to add a
kids menu.
October 2, 2002 @ 6:19 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from New York, New York
Merichka's is the best restaurant in the Will County area. Not only does it have the best poorboy's I or anyone I know has ever had, but their steaks are tops also. The overall quality is awesome. I will always be a regular whenever I come home and vist!!!
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Chicago, Illinois
This restaurant has the best poorboys I have ever had! I have lived many different places (including Chicago) and I still savor the delectable taste of their poorboys. Being in the health feild I am quite particular with what I eat -- but even I say having one of these artery cloggers once a year is a must.
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Pennsylvania
If you have never had a steak sandwich on garlic bread - You MUST go here! It's called a PoorBoy and boy is it good! Order with extra garlic juice, melted cheese and an order of the BEST onion rings you'll ever have! I can remember eating at this restaurant since I was a child and now that I am married and living in PA, it becomes a sure stop when I visit home!
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Merichkas Map

Recent Merichkas Reviews

February 14, 2014 @ 9:02 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Flint, Michigan
The is one of the world's greatest place to dine. I kid you not. I have been around the world; I love Merichkas. My late parents would take us from Naperville to Merichlas every so often; what a treat; the Pooboy is still great (steak sandwich on a roll with garlic sauce).

One of the best reasons to dine in, is because of the atmosphere; they have kept like it was; a classic retro feeling. The old wood paneling and old carpet style are so refreshing; it is a very romantic place to take a date.

You feel back in the 60s and 70s; I hope they never change the interior; the atmosphere is a quarter of the experience.

Try this place before you die.

I only wish Johnny's Pizza was still around there.

Merichkas was pure quality; it still is. When I made my Indie movie, "Sisters Go Ye trailer 2" on youtube, I tried to emulate the high quality of Merichkas.
March 23, 2013 @ 11:20 PM
2  out of 5 stars
a diner from Lockport
Used to eat here 7.to 10 times a year. Quality is way down and I propably will never return. My steak was grayish in color when cutting into it, the manager agreed. I think I could buy this quality of meat from the trucks that drive around in the neighborhoods.