Fulton-Desplaines Garage and Service

Chicago, United States

4.4

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 312-263-9872
Website:
www.fultondesplainesgarage.com
Address:
225 N Desplaines St, Chicago, IL, 60661
at Fulton St
Near West Side, West Loop
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
160 ftFulton & Desplaines
180 ftDesplaines & Fulton
460 ftDesplaines & Lake
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes

Today

Today 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Chicago) 23:20 Friday, 6 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Fulton-​Desplaines Garage is your «one stop shop» for all of your automotive needs. In addition to routine maintence, we offer service in the following areas:

–Oil Changes

–Brakes

–Steering and Suspension

–Transmission and Engine repair and replacement

–Heating and Air Conditioning repair

–Electrical Systems

–Complete Computerized Diagnostic services (check engine lights, ABS lights, etc)

We are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified.

PLUS, we are a gas station open to the public. We offer 87 octane regular, 93 octane permium, and low sulfur Diesel.

History

Established in 1953.

Started in 1953, Fulton-​Desplaines Garage is a now on its 3rd generation of family management. Currently owned and operated by Matt Tefka, son of Ed Tefka, and grandson of Morrie Tefka, Fulton-​Desplaines Garage has survived the West Loop’s ever changing people and scenery. We have grown our business to excel at repairs on our customer’s personal vehicles in addition to the commercial trucks that the business was built on 65 years ago.

We have learned through the years to treat people in the same way that you would like to be treated if the tables were turned. We have learned that honesty, quality service, and fair pricing goes a lot futher than a «one time hit» that a lot of shops have in their mind. We are very proud of the business we have grown, and look forward to many years to come of providing great service to the people of the West Loop.

Meet the Business Owner

Matt T.

Business Owner

What am I supposed to put in a bio on Yelp?

–Born: 9÷30÷78 (I wear a small or medium if you’re sending a gift)

–Married with twin girls (Addison and Paige) born May 29, 2009 and a son (Ryan) born May 30, 2011

–Graduated from University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes) school of Business Management in May 2000

–ASE Certified Master Auto Technician

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20 reviews of Fulton-Desplaines Garage and Service

No registration required
Place rating: 5
SoMa, San Francisco, CA
Really love how they like to help people out — I haven’t drove my car for months and it is out of battery and out of gas. The only solution is get some gas in gas can and then jump start. They lend the gas can with a deposit so I don’t have to buy one myself and never use it again. This helping attitude goes a long way for the appreciation from customers!!! I recommend!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Great service and fair prices. Got my job done promptly on short notice. They are my new, go-​to garage!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Excellent service. Prompt, fair, and reasonable. Will definitely return for future work.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Love this place and they are as honest as it gets. Just realized they were a body shop too, so that’s an added bonus.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Brought my car in here when I suspected Firestone was trying to sell me on things I didn’t need. I was right. Matt and his team took great care of my car, were transparent and honest, and went above and beyond to find a discontinued part for my older vehicle. I never do Unilocal reviews but I can’t recommend this place enough. Will be bringing my car here from now on!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Great place to have your car checked out whether it be for emissions testing or if you are just worried. I went in a few months back and spoke with Matt and one of his mechanics about a problem i was having with my jeeps water pump and radiator. They confirmed my suspicions and were more than happy to help in any way. Their driver there Ed is very knowledgable he is the guy that will test drive your vehicle if you are having suspicions as i was. Extremely nice guy and very caring of your vehicle. One of the only gas stations i know of in the area with a garage and someone to man the pump. Amazing all around service. Hard to find honest people in this area in this field of service but here they are at Fulton Desplaines Garage.
Place rating: 5
Woonsocket, RI
Matt did a great job. Honest guy. I needed new tires and he got the right product and installed in a timely manner. Car drives perfectly now. Plan on coming back again.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I haven’t had work done here, but I would like to thank Matt for his honest, straight forward approach to business. I asked him to do a job (repaint a Humvee) that many would have accepted even though it would be outside of his shop’s capabilities, but instead he gave me a very honest answer that I would be better served elsewhere with a specialty restoration shop that’s better equipped for the job. He also advised me to be wary of those that say they can do the job. Matt, thanks for your honesty and refreshing straight forward approach. I’ll keep you in mind for other work in the future.
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
Can’t comment on their work because I didn’t use them.
I went here for an estimate to repair my bumper that was bent when someone ran into me in a parking lot. He told me he couldn’t give me an estimate because he would need to take the bumper off and see how much damage there was. He didn’t want to give me an estimate that was lower than what it ended up being. I thought that was reasonable but next he suggested that I tell the person who hit my car that it was going to cost $ 1000 and then if it ended up being less I «could pocket the rest of the money». And I quote, «then if it’s only $ 200, you’ve got $ 800 for yourself.» Now that is really sleazy. If he is willing to rip off some stranger on my behalf, I’m positive he’s willing to rip me or anyone else off.
Took my car to 2 other locations for an estimate. One quoted me $ 100 and the other $ 150. I’ll go there…
I strongly suggest you get multiple estimates before using these guys.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I don’t typically write reviews, but felt I needed to pay it forward. I don’t drive my vehicle often and as a result, the battery tends to drain. I gave the garage a call for a jump and an inspection. I’m a resident of the neighborhood and the location is super convenient. This was my second time talking with Matt about my issue and he couldn’t have been more accommodating, helpful and amiable. I was in and out, no fuss. I don’t ever feel taken advantage of here and I’m always treated well. Fulton-​Desplaines Garage will always get my business. Thanks guys!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Matt is the man. Very fair, straightforward, always gives you the correct diagnosis and options, very reasonable rates and they do great work. I have been a customer for several years now (with 2 of our older cars) and Fulton-​Desplaines will continue to be my «go to» auto repair shop for anything and everything from headlights to struts to electrical, etc, etc. Matt has even given me the benefit of his knowledge and experience BY PHONE at times sight unseen, which I very much appreciated (and I trust him– he’s always been a straight shooter and seemingly always correct in his diagnosis and competitive estimates).
I can see why this shop has been in business for generations. These guys know their stuff and are very aboveboard. If anything at all is wrong with your car, bring in here. No-​brainer.
Place rating: 3
Chicago, IL
Friendly competent staff, but a synthetic oil change is $ 85. I could head over to my dealer and spend $ 60 and get a free a car wash.
I was really shocked. Seems like a shop for urgent repair needs and not regular maintenance.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Just had a tire repair done here as it is right around the corner from my apartment. The repair was done quickly and the team was awesome. Wanted to leave a good review as I found them on Unilocal withought noticing the shop before. Will be recommending to friends.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Alright. I’m not much of a review writer, but my experience with this garage was so good I just want to shout it from the rooftops. I have never had such a great experience with a garage! They were so fast and so friendly. And, yea, I’m a stereotype; I’m a girl who knows next to nothing about cars. Fulton-​Desplaines didn’t take advantage of that and they treated me with tons of respect and honesty.
They just gained a customer as long as I’m in Chicago – and many more because I can’t stop talking about how great they were!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Matt and his team at FD garage were great. Matt was very honest with what my car needed and understood my tight budget. Out of his control, my car needed more repairs than I had planned but he was understanding in keeping me within my budget and ensuring my car was fully repaired. It drives better now than ever. I came in for front wheel barrings but ended up needing a rear barring switched as well.
Thanks Matt!
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
I just called them to come out and help with a tire issue. I was quoted $ 35 on the phone for the call out. They came exactly when they said would. However he seemed to be a little upset when I said I did not need new tires.
They fixed the tire and charged me $ 75, $ 45 for the call out and $ 30 for the tire with the nail in it. He actually wrote down $ 35 for the call out first and then scribbled it to $ 45. Not very trustworthy!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
They were very helpful here. I had body work for an insurance claim as well as an exhaust issue and thermostat issue to fix. I brought my car back from Pennsylvania and it hadn’t been inspected nor registered for years, so it was very illegal. They got my car body fixed, my inspection issues cleared, and took my car up to get it inspected for me. Sure, it was a little more than I would have liked to pay, but I looked up the work online and it seemed about on par. Also, they drove my car to get it inspected for me, which could have been a big ticket had I been pulled over. They’re prompt and honest.
Place rating: 3
Evanston, IL
I cannot comment on the services since I never used their services, but I do think this place is overpriced. My car has some body damage and since this place is right next to my apartment, I brought my car here for an estimate. I was told that I would be spending thousands to get them fixed! Soon after I brought my car to a smaller shop called M&G auto body shop on Devon Ave up north. They gave me an estimate for a 1⁄3 of what I was quoated before for the same work! This place might be good but for someone who is paying out of her own pocket, this is just not the right place for me.
And for people out there who are worried about having to pay a lot for body work, I suggest comparing a couple of different places before you make your final decision. There are a tons of auto shops up north in rogers park area, and they tend to be cheaper than places in the city. And it seems like estimates can vary a lot.
Place rating: 5
Palatine, IL
We just visited unexpectedly because our car was making a weird sound. We stopped in with no appointment and all the people who helped us were extremely friendly and helpful. Changed our oil within 30 minutes and called us right when the car was ready. Super friendly staff. Really couldn’t have had a nicer, less stressful experience.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
My dependable Scion just hit the 100k mark, so I took it in for routine maintenance, along with a couple of the dealer recommendations, from a visit to my dealer’s autoshop a while back.
Matt let me know which of their recommendations needed to be done, and which ones were just money makers. He also looked up service recommendations on the Scion website, to make sure we weren’t missing anything from the 90k and 100k milestones.
Very dependable shop that won’t fleece you! Oh, and they’re closing the shop now around 5pm, so there’s the added bonus of having to leave work early to pick up your car! Gotta go!