Konak Pizza and Grill

IF YOU ARE DISABLED, READ THIS REVIEW.
It is with sadness that I must only extend one star to this otherwise charming establishment. However, after last night, I feel I have no choice, and furthermore, that it is my obligation to speak on behalf of all disabled people who get refused service as I did last night.
While I have not been in there frequently, I have enjoyed every single time I am there, and that is largely due to Ali, the sweet bartender who many mistake as owner. I have gone in there with my husband, and I have gone in there with my TRAINED AND REGISTERED service dog. On the occasions that I have been there without my service dog, I have had my husband by my side. Both know of my epileptic condition, and both serve the purpose of keeping me calm in order to avoid a seizure. Last night, I was in there with my daughter, and my service dog. My dog wears his Service Vest whenever he is working, mind you. (Not that he is required to wear this, but as a healthy looking person with no obvious disabilities, I find it makes my life easer when needing people to understand my legal rights to enter any establishment with him.)
Everything was moving along nicely, my daughter had found a compatible conversationalist, and Ali and I were having our own stimulating conversation, as always. My service dog was curled up by my side throughout. He knows this place well enough, and when he is working, he also knows to sit still and stay. Before I knew it, Ali was telling me that the owner had been eyeing us via the security cameras and had told him to make me leave with my dog. I explained that I would do this when I was ready, because, as I encouraged him to tell his seemingly clueless owner, I have a legal right to be there with my service dog. He said he’d already told owner this, to which owner actually replied, «I don’t give a shit.» I further encouraged him to use the words «American Disabilities Act» and «Department of Justice.» I don’t know if he did, but shortly after that, he was on the phone again, and this time, he began, for lack of a better term, barking at us, «Go! Get out now! Go! Take your dog and get out of here!» I have never seen such hostility coming from an otherwise very sweet man, so all I can assume is that his boss was on the other end of the line and threatening him or something. Needless to say, we left feeling that we had no choice. My husband later returned to speak with Ali about this. It seems Ali is aware of the laws, but his employer is not.
We intend to make him aware.
We live in this neighbourhood, are never turned down from anyone or any other business on Clark street or Chicago at large, and we are regular patrons of many establishments in Andersonville. We had hoped that Konak would become one of them. It is still fresh, and so far, this reviews is as far as I have taken this matter, but if Konak owner does not comply according to the laws of this entire nation, I will be forced to take it higher up, and in the meantime, I also intend to spread the word of this discrimination to all the other establishments I frequent, as well as those with whom I speak. I will remove it from my list of places to which I refer my many guests, as well.
I’m sorry, Ali, but unfortunately, you are not Konak. I’m sure if you were, this place would be a five-​star rated one,

Overall, experience was unsettling and awkward.
Service: The bartenders didn’t have their hearts in it.
Food: My chicken tenders were actually two frozen chicken patties cut into strips (ha, ha…)
The ranch and the bbq were some low grade kind I’ve never had before. I know it’s just condiments, but if you’re like me, yea, I like to dip my food in tasty condiments, can you blame me?
Ambiance: place was silent, no music playing. The bartender went to put on some music, played one song and then let the place go silent again.
Bill was $ 30 and I truly feel like I got ripped off.
Two stars because my boyfriends burger wasn’t gross.
Never coming back.

There’s something very unsettling about a restaurant or bar that serves you water in a cheap styrofoam cup. I looked around and everyone else was drinking out of a glass. Anyway, I ordered a thin crust cheese pizza. It was acceptable for the price I paid. But truth be told, it’s the kind of pizza you’d expect from a low class pool hall or truck stop. Made with industrial grade, corn oil based cheese.

The food tastes like it should, and the bar service is good. The servers are good too from what I recall. But it’s kind of a weird setup, with an awkward looking VIP section and what seems like an attempt to be a «bar club». Keep up the food and beer and no more VIP stuff.

For too many years I’ve never taken Konak seriously enough. With Hopleaf next door, Simon’s down the road, and so many other places to eat and drink nearby, one could wonder why anyone would ever go in to Konak at all. What do people see in this place? How are they still in business?
Best answer I can come up with: This bar is the easiest place to be in Andersonville.
While other establishments nearby are crowded, overpriced, gimmicky, or endangered by newer developments, Konak suffers from none of these complications. You can always get a table here, no matter what day or time. The menu for food and beer is very uncomplicated, and reasonably priced. The beer list, for example, covers whatever mood (and financial circumstance) you happen to be in.
Konak is also distinguished for being one of the very last Turkish bars in a neighborhood that used to have more of them. But unlike some other past and present Turkish spots in Chicago, Konak doesn’t go overboard. They keep it subtle. You may notice some Turkish decorations on the wall and Turkish beer on the menu, but that’s really it. No cheesy fabric on the wall or cushions on the floor. It’s just a regular place where you can meet your budies and drink.
The food is sometimes a disappointment. I wish it was better. But there’s plenty to choose from, and I plan to explore their food menu further. They are famous for their «chicken chop,» which I haven’t tried yet. The pizza could definitely be better. However Konak is still a good place to catch dinner if you want to avoid paying so much more at other places nearby. They are one of the last bars on Clark street where you can eat dinner for under $ 10.
The servers and clientele are all friendly, and I’ve never had a bad time here. If I were basing this review on sentiment alone, I would have to give four stars. But in objectively comparing to other places, Konak is only average. And as Andersonville changes, I’ll come to appreciate that «average» even more.

This has become our go-​to sports bar! There are always seats open during the games, and it’s never uncomfortably packed. The menu is a little blah though. The pizza is really good, but they don’t really have any «meat lovers, veggie lovers etc.» so if you want toppings, the price can climb pretty quickly. ($ 2 per topping for a large! Ouch!) We do enjoy the nachos and the drinks are a great value though. They don’t have dessert… that continues to upset me. Lol overall though, the atmosphere and service here is great and I’ll be coming here for any and all Chicago games.

This place is special for me. Not only because it is a nice dive bar, it also is one of few places carrying my favorite beer, Efes (Turkish beer).
Them having a pool table is a bonus!

Good food, staff and patrons.

I will say the food was not great. We got the appetizer platter, pretty Blah — except the chicken fingers, those were actually good! Also, the hot sauce — just some regular stuff — was great! I would not come and eat here again, but I would come for drinks. Super cheap daily special $ 2.50 Sam Adams on a Saturday night!

So much more than «the place you go to when Hopleaf is full.» Let’s get real, folks, Hopleaf ain’t all that. Sure, gobs of rich white people go there and drink their $ 50 beers, but it has no color, and it has no soul. Konak, with its bizarre portrait wall, Moe’s Tavern vibe, and cheap-​looking Turkish lamps, is for the Hopleaf outcasts. Mixed drinks are stiff and cheap, the owner is drunk, and the pizza is legit. ‘Nuff said.

Nice dive bar. Decent menu, not huge, but really good at what they do have. Staff is so very nice and genuine. Love love love the atmosphere. Great lighting (you’ll see what I mean when you go in) and all around great atmosphere. Frequent stomping grounds of mine.

I come here quite often and enjoy it every time. Now that summer is coming around it is warm inside though. I enjoy the food, the pool and the staff.
I’ve had the pizza a couple of times and have enjoyed it but have to say it isn’t anything special and for the price along with being in the area, it’s good. The fries and cheese sauce is a must and they have Louisiana hot sauce to top with. The Chicken Arturo for $ 9.95 (Lightly broiled chicken breast, accompanied with pan sauteed mushrooms, onions and green peppers, topped with blend of cheeses and melted in the oven.) was my favorite I’ve tried there.
The music isn’t always on point but have been able to play some songs off of my phone before which was cool.
If you are looking for cheap drinks and food with an inviting staff that serves you promptly, this is the place to go especially if you like to play pool.

Wow, to have pizza as part of your name and serve this… In Chicago… sad. Besides that, came here for a few beers, very minimal service. It appeared that the owner was sitting at the bar and the whole bar revolved around him. In my opinion, you’re better off at hopleaf next door.

*Update, have to increase stars from 3 to 4 after trying their thin crust pizza. Delicious, better than Ranallis and Pizzeria Aroma which are similarly priced and serve similar style pizzas in the area. Delicious and inexpensive, not overly greasy, homemade thin crust, sausage had good flavor. The pizza was sturdy, as in the crust was crispy and not floppy or weighed down by excessive cheese or toppings. I really like Ranallis pizza because it’s cheap and tasty but it’s obvious Konak uses higher quality ingredients and are the same price point. When I need cheap pizza night Konak will be my go to over Ranallis now. I shouldn’t have waited this long to try it!*
Konak is a nice neighborhood bar and grill that isn’t divvy. Tables aren’t sticky and dirty but no one is putting on airs either. They have very good bar food. Their fries are excellent, well battered and crispy. Really good in cheese sauce. This is a good spot for a nice juicy simple cheese burger too. In an age of too thick burgers topped with the kitchen sink you can get a normal and tasty burger here without all the fuss. You can also get the Konak Special burger with sauteed peppers, mushrooms and onion. That = yum. The Konak Special #1 burger is my favorite burger in Andersonville.
They have a few Turkish offerings on the menu too that I’m determined to try but haven’t. I like that I have the option of something more special than typical pub food should I venture outside the box someday.
A huge draw are their generous drink and food specials. They have a daily meal special which is really impressively cheap and always have a few beer specials, usually coupled with a shot. Cool!
It’s a chill place to relax and throw a few back.

Had the hummus plate on special one evening and enjoyed it. It was filling along with a beer to wash it down.
The bread on the plate was a tad dry, but the hummus and spinach made up for it.
I have also had a boat another time and thought it was pretty good.

After having lived in Andersonville for over a year I finally got around to checking out Konak. The space is bigger than I imagined and the secluded pool table area in the back is a nice touch. The beer list is definitely sub par, but the prices are really good for the beers they have.
The wife and I were there on a Friday night so we got to split the $ 7 doughboat special which was a great price for how big the thing was (see pic in gallery). The flavor wasn’t jumping off the plate by any means, but it was still tasty and something that you can’t get anywhere else in the neighborhood.
I’m excited to get back to Konak and play a game of pool soon!

Awesome beer-​no one is ever here and they have a pool table. Super trashy but worth the regrets.
Order pizza, it’s great.

Review for pizza only.
I tried their thin crust on our moving day, and honestly it was pretty bland. Nothing special, but I’m sure it would go okay with wings and a beer. I was pretty disappointed, as there wasn’t much flavor to it. Wouldn’t try their pizza again.

Konak is my favorite place to go after seeing Too Much Light at the Neofuturists or just in Andersonville when I don’t wanna spend a lot of money. They always have a $ 2.50 special which is usually a cheap type of pilsner, or I’ve even seen Sam Adams Boston Lager. They don’t have a huge selection, but you really don’t need it here. The kitchen is open late, and they have the best cheese fries.
I’m not kidding… get the cheese fries.

Konak’s is…
Fine.
The pizzas are pretty bland, but if you’re hungry they’re fine. They don’t have much on tap, but the Hopleaf is right next door, so I guess trying to out-​craft them on crafts would be silly.
And the service is fine. I guess. I did have one issue where the waitress basically refused to split the bill for roughly 15 minutes and some people in our party had to go run out and get cash when she finally agreed to because there’s a $ 10 minimum on cards which was not communicated beforehand. And on the whole the servers seem uninterested. But hey, they’re not doing cutting edge research… they’re taking your order so I don’t mind the whole uninterested part as much.
My favorite part about Konaks is that when the Neo-​Futurists sell out. They order a pizza for the audience from here. Awesome.