a must-taste in Decatur. only burger I’ll eat before 10 a.m. it will cure any hangover.
Jason S.
Place rating: 5 Denver, CO
Hell Yeah! Best Burger in the business.
Angelus L.
Place rating: 5 Decatur, IL
I love this restaurant! There is only one down side as far as I am concerned, They don’t expect credit cards and I hate carrying cash. However I stop by the ATM so I can eat here! So worth it!!!
Rachel T.
Place rating: 5 Decatur, IL
Oh my goodness! Krekel’s is heavenly! The best fattening food money can buy! I enjoy the food immensely and only limit myself because if I didn’t, I would put on weight really fast. Really a great place to get good food and enjoy good friends. If you are in Decatur, even for a day, you have to stop here! Keep in mind, some locations only take cash.
Willie S.
Place rating: 5 Carmel, IN
Great burgers and shakes. Don’t just guess — fight thru the line any weekend. Decatur is not the cuisine capital of the world but it has Krekels and Monicals are the bomb. Go early and go often.
Timothy H.
Place rating: 5 New Lenox, IL
Awesome burgers! It has been said in previous reviews, when in Decatur, a must stop. You can taste the tradition of this place with every bite. Burgers the way they used to be before the invasion of the«food police!» ;)
Sara S.
Place rating: 5 Nashville, TN
I have yet to find a better greasy burger joint than this one. I always try to make a point to get Krekel burger on my trips home– and MAYYYYBE some lemon custard with red sprinkles!!! I can’t say much that hasn’t already been said– but for what it’s worth I have been searching all over Nashville for something even close to the deliciousness that is Krekel’s and after 5 ½ years am still searching.
Colleen B.
Place rating: 5 Chicago, IL
Smooshed burgers! How have I not reviewed this place? Major oversight. I don’t know what they do to these burgers to make them all crunchy on the edges and so ridiculously delicious(I sense a fair amount of butter is involved), but Krekel’s holds a very special place in my heart… and belly. No trip to/through Decatur is complete without a meal at Krekel’ss. Also quite tasty are the lemon shakes. It’s probably a good thing I don’t live in Decatur, because I’d likely end up eating a double hamburger and a lemon shake once a week… I’d be so happy, but very very fat. I love you, Krekel’s, keep on doin what you do.
Krystle C.
Place rating: 5 Decatur, IL
Not a huge burger fan but I love visiting for a cool treat! It is a must stop if you are in Decatur. Everything in generous portions! Everyone I know loves their burgers and the rest of the menu is good too!
Abby S.
Place rating: 5 Denver, CO
Still my favorite burger in the entire U.S. of A! That’s saying a lot too, since I have quite the extensive cheeseburger list on Unilocal.Grew up eating Krekel’s and, if I’m lucky, this will be my last meal on Earth, complete with a lemon ice cream. For those of you who haven’t ever tried this Decatur delicacy, it’s pretty simple: small balls of beef, smashed on to a griddle. They might add a little butter, but I cannot confirm. The end result? A thin, crispy patty that tastes like perfection. It’s not unusual to order a double or even triple, since the burger itself comes out very thin. My regular order: double cheese, ketchup and mustard. This time? I added pickles. All that Bay Area living has made me a fancy pants :) Fries are so-so, but if you’re dining in just go ahead and get them. Add lots of salt ’cause at this point we know no one’s going for healthy. The highlight of your Krekel’s experience has to be their ice cream. Vanilla, chocolate, Lemon and a few other flavors unbeknownst to me since those are the only ones I order. Soft serve in a cone or a shake, either way is a mouthful of heaven. Oh, Krekels! I miss you… But when I go visit the ‘rents in Decatur(which isn’t often anymore), a greasy bag of goodness to-go is the highlight of the trip!
Tracey a.
Place rating: 5 Castro Valley, CA
This is my favorite burger stand. We have In N Out and Five Guys burger joints in Northern California, but I can’t wait to go back home to enjoy Krekel’s burgers on a regular basis. They are crispy and absolutely delicious! And I love their banana splits.
Julissa C.
Place rating: 4 Decatur, IL
Super delicious! One of my favorites in town. I do however prefer the crinkle cut fries of the one on mound, other than that one of the best ways to spend $ 8 in town. The lemon custard is awesome!
Jeff F.
Place rating: 5 Decatur, IL
Great little hole in the wall place to eat. All the Krekel locations are a Decatur tradition. Best known for their thin slightly crispy burgers and shakes. Love the thin crisp fries too. Lots of food for little money. When former residents return to town they always seem to stop a Krekels.
Ron R.
Place rating: 5 Milwaukee, WI
Smashed Burger. Smashed Burger.Smashed BURGER! Krekel’s has some of the best Midwest Smashed Burgers around. Steak and Shake aint got NOTHING on this place! You can view your beefy-heavenly work in progress through the large window by the grill. And if you stare? Don’t worry, the grill master is used to it. Just try not to drool on the window– that’s gross. The burgers are 2 oz of meat, pounded thin, and cooked until crispy on a hot griddle. They are then scraped off and placed onto a soft bun. By the time they reach your eager hands, the juices and steam from the burger have turned the cheese into a molten goo of yumminess. The steam perfectly moistens the bun. Yum– Yum-YUM! And the fries are GREAT also!
Jennifer M.
Place rating: 5 Decatur, IL
For burgers and milkshakes — you can never go wrong at Krekel’s. I was introduced in Springfield, but I’m told Decatur is where it all started. Crisp burgers and fries, and milkshakes made from real ingredients like strawberries and pineapple.
Julie c.
Place rating: 4 Redondo Beach, CA
I can’t believe no one has reviewed Krekel’s. It’s a Decatur institution! This small town chain has the best burnt smushed burgers in Illinois., It’s a walk up stand(except the location on Oakland near Millikin) where you place your order for a Krekel burger and a shake. It’s a great hangout on a summer night after chillin at Nelson Park. The ice cream rocks, too. I have fond fond memories of nights with my family at Krekel’s. The guy who owns it has a funny car with a chicken that he drives around town. Update: I just googled and it sounds like the guy that owned Krekels and drove the car passed away recently :( I miss Krekels. Nothin’ like that in So cali where I live now.