I was scheduled 9-16-2023 to attend a performance at Theater at the Center, and needed someplace to have lunch. A friend from Munster, IN recommended the Commander Restaurant (I believe the sign on Ridge Road says Commander Family Restaurant). He was right; I was made welcome from the minute I came in the door, was seated immediately and given their (huge!) menu. This is what we in the Chicago metro area would call a diner. Service was reasonable, the waitstaff was efficient and friendly, and I headed for TATC with ample time for the show. For those attending a performance at Theatre at the Center, Commander Family Restaurant is on the north side of Ridge Road, and TATC is a short drive away, on the south side of Ridge Road. There is a water tank being repainted nearby, and TATC shares a parking area with it. Definitely recommended, and I will be back. read more

Website sucks. Menu prices are covered up by item name, no description of item, "Contact" takes you right back to menu. Food and service might be good, but not if your website is dismal. read more

This place is really turned to shit. Terrible food terrible service ridiculous prices don't bother go somewhere else.

I ordered pancakes and eggs with sausage, and for three orders, it cost me over $50. While I understand inflation is a factor, I really believe that's a bit excessive. It would be great if we could find a way to make these meals more affordable for everyone. read more

The Commander Skillet had dried out bacon and hash browns. Coffee tasted watery. Mentioned to waitperson and she didnt answer and Never came back to table. Cashier said no refunds per owner. We paid and left. We would not recommend. read more

Staff was rude. Complained about when I asked for a refill of water. My pork chop meal only came with the pork chop and no sides. Nice lil place but it was the staff. Might have been an off day just saying. read more

On our trip to visit family in Chicago, we stopped at this place. Great service and delicious food. Our family's favorite was the lemon rice soup. We are a family of six. They had something for everyone. We wish we didn't live 2300 miles away we would eat here more often. We will visit again and we highly recommend it. read more

I've eaten here several times and each time something has been amiss. I've had a long black hair on my plate, filthy silverware and mismade food. I've tried to look past these issues because their ingredients are fresh and the atmosphere is homey and inviting. This time my vegetarian omelette was chalky, presumably from the mushrooms. Never had that happen before. I can't ignore it any more. They simply don't do the little things well. I can't recommend this establishment. It's too inconsistent. read more

Best lemon rice soup you'll ever have and their food is pretty delicious! Unfortunately they have a severe fly problem and the manager didn't seem to care at all.. we left 1/3 into our meal because the flies were EVERYWHERE I mean like 15/20 constantly at our table. Flying all over our food. We were so uncomfortable that we left shortly after our food arrived. When the waitress asked why we left so soon, we mentioned the flies and she didn't seem surprised at all. She understood and said she'd tell the manager. When we checked out we were hoping the manager would've discounted a little something if not our entire meal since we barely ate but she turned the other way and acted like she knew nothing. Will never return. So sad because their food was soo good! But they definitely have some serious hygiene issues to address. read more

Of all the local Greek style restaurants, this is my least favorite. I find the food bland and the servers to be disinterested if not outright unfriendly. read more

The wife n i love this place all food is home made and delicious prices are reasonable service is always fantastic they keep a very clean place read more

It's appalling to see an owner this out of touch with customer service. Why anybody would come here just to get hair in their food, with flies all around the restaurant is abysmal and beyond me. Don't eat here, let the owner go bankrupt and learn their lesson. Worthless owner read more

Great family restaurant. Exceptionally clean! Hospitality, service, food and selection can't be beat! Home cooked just like mom used to make. I had one of the Monday specials of beef tips and noodles. It was excellent! The lemon rice soup is an absolute must have. You don't find many like this one anymore...give it a try, it beats any chain It's the next day, we are in a major city of the U.S. and we chose to eat our LemonRice soup that we took to go tonight...yummy! read more

Commander Restaurant - Lemon Rice Soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Munster, Indiana

I would come back just for the chairs! My family took me there for the first time tonight - Mother's Day 2023. Server Elizabeth was outstanding. Everyone's food was awesome. Sis had the lemon rice soup with her chicken fried steak, so I tasted that. Loved it. Niece had broasted chicken and nephew had the Monte Cristo sandwich. I had the fish and chips. Table bread was soft rolls. No complaints. Servings were ample and we all brought home leftovers. Now, about those chairs.....they roll and were not heavy to move around to get seated. They were cushy and comfortable. I would love to have one at my desk instead of my desk chair. I want to go back. read more

Stumbled on this gem while in town for a swim meet. The service/people working were very friendly and accommodating to our large party. Breakfast & food items were all delicious! read more

The level of service was terrible, food was cold and staff and management. I voiced my opinion to cashier and the person who waited on us chimed in with negativity. We spent 80+ and I felt we deserved better and I hate to say it but I detected a hint of racism but it rendered its ugly head before all was said and done. ​ read more

Warning: This review is only about the Lemon Rice Soup (LRS). LRS is the type of soup you dream about from the Commander. It's the type of soup you only wish you can find in other cities. It makes me feel warm when I am sick, comforted when I am upset, and full when I am starving. I usually try it with black pepper for taste and that never does me wrong. Now that I don't live in the area, I don't take this soup for granted. It is unique and quite the talk of the town. This soup is made fresh and might not always be there when you want it. Let me tell you, it is worth the wait! Come back or call ahead to make sure you can walk away with a satisfying meal. Reflecting on my LRS experiences, there's one thing in common, good food with great company. I don't think that will ever change. read more

Commander Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Munster, Indiana

Very good classic Greek style diner. And despite that my group came in on an early Sunday afternoon despite crowds, we were able to find a seat quickly. I ordered the Cincinnati Style Chili Omelette, and it was a good choice to get. The food I tried from others I was eating with, was pretty good too. And they even accommodated my friend's very young daughter, by giving her a special paper cup and straw to drink out of, which was great! I got a strong sense that most waitresses here must've worked here for many years, and that the owner did a good job in hiring the ones they do have. If you sit close enough to the bar/counter area(we sat in a booth across from the stools by the counter), there's a chance you can watch the Bears game, while you eat. :) Like we were able to do, while here! Finally, all the other reviews are ABSOLUTELY correct that you should order lemon rice soup, if you eat here. I had a few bites of my friend's soup, and immediately realized I should've ordered a cup of that myself! Next time here, I probably will get that though. I did also order rice pudding just before I left, and it was good stuff. NOTE that if you use a card here, that they require a $12 minimum to use one here. read more

The service has changed, I have come to have breakfast and every time I come it's worse. The last time I came I got sick from the food and I asked for chicken soup and they gave me bean soup and of course I threw it away. I will not plan on going to Commanders ever again! read more

Region stable. Their deluxe burger is incredible. Couldn't recommend it enough to anyone.

The one star is for the servers and the oxygen inside the establishment, oh yeah.. the silverware and plates and chairs and tables also get a star. The cooks need help with the ingredients and the originality of the "cuisine". Their microwave is very, very strong and their freezer is dependable. The breakfast is above average but they CAN NOT MAKE an omelette without browning it. Soup is trash and from a can. Their dinners are a sin. Good luck with this nightmare restaurant. I just read a review from someone who was served saganaki WITH CRACKERS???!!!!!!! Wow!!! When my wife and I go to the Greek Islands on Halsted they serve it with Greek olive oil and fresh pita. Commander sounds like an authentic Greek owned place. read more

Great food. I stopped there on my way out of town on the 4th of July. Prompt service and very tasty!

Been here a few times I went there really early in the morning I got steak and eggs and the food was all right but then I had some gnats flying around me but I took a shower that morning it wasn't me they don't know how to (or are too lazy) clean their restaurant to keep the gnats out I guess and if I'm not mistaken this is the restaurant where the waitresses were stabbing each other with a knife so you might want to take caution in going there read more

I tried this establishment twice and both times they were on point. The food was good; served timely, well plated etc. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting excepting their mask mandate. The coffee was okay. Both times the veggies for the egg dishes were very fresh, which I appreciated. It's very good for what it is and I would recommend trying this restaurant. Nothing exceptional here but a solid performance both visits. read more

Unfortunately the rating on the food does not matter to this point. My family and friends and I have been patronizing this restaurant for more years than I can count. Tonight turned our stomach to a point of no return. From the time the 6 of us walked in to the time we left we kept hoping things would get better. The owner made it abundantly clear that our business doesn't matter. We had to get our own menu's, ask for drinks (first round of drinks) multiple times. The waitress who seemed nice lost our empathy at the end. One of our dinners was not even cooked until after the rest were served. The owner walked by several times and we had empty glasses, obviously waitress responsibility however, if she is failing who else is responsible? Six customers. When soups were brought one was not had to be asked for, had to ask for water (multiple times), and at the end when we asked about the last dinner plate were told it had not even been plated. Now this is after it was actually put in finally. When we asked for containers to go our waitress didn't like the fact that we needed 3 containers for the 4 meals to go. And snarled when she stepped over four feet to grab one. The positive note they didn't charge us for the meal that was cooked an hour later, the negative after the details above and more. The owner gave us a dirty look and told the hostess that's it. Brushed off the receipt toward the hostess and said no more they pay the rest. I witnessed this behavior as he was so busy sitting at the counter watching TV that he couldn't even bother to try and smooth over any of these issues. Commander restaurant I hope more people speak up and boycott your restaurant. Friends who haven't seen one another and spend time together in a long time chose you for dinner and will never step foot in there again. Oh and by the way, we may not look like much but our tips usually set up a waitress for an entire day. Because we pay for great service. 20% is a base for a coffee date. To the hostess at the front. Thank you for trying and I pray you are well taken care of. If not I hope you have a great opportunity in another location. read more

I love Commander! The peopleare so nice and the food is great! I recommend their lemon rice soup because it is so good! Also their tuna doesnt taste like the store brand gross tuna. Their tuna tastes like a fresh catch! read more

Commander Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Munster, Indiana

Went with a friend for a quick lunch.....We had so many Gnats flying around our food...We showed the waitress and she stated the owner doesn't believe them.She sent him over and I showed him and explained that this was overwhelming...his flippant response was I don't know what to tell you we have pest control here every two weeks and laughingly passed it off. It was always just an ok place to stop in for a bowl of soup but that was it for us! read more

I used to like this restaurant for their liver and onions. We always called in our order.A few monthhs ago after taking my goddaughters out for a spa day after church, we decided to take the girls ages 7-10 out to dinner. After placing our order, we received our salads within 20 mnutes. I then began to notice that everyone around us was being served but us. People who had come in 45 minutes after us had their meals. After waiting an hour and 15 minutes, but I asked the waitress where was our food and how long we have to wait. She said that someone else was supposed to wait on us. But, found out that wasn't true. We approached the manager, he wasn't even apologetic. He was so irate and it was so obvious that this was a racist move Bible the waitress and the manager. He told us if we didn't like the service there's plenty of other restaurants that we can go to. I couldn't believe my ears. He was like, what do you want me to do? I was so upset but I remain calm paid for my salads and the manager still continue to say cruel things to my husband. I had to be an example to my little goddaughters who were experiencing this terrible man and his horrible remarks. All they had to do was apologize. Never again will I set foot in this place. There was a lot more that happened. I also called the manager at least five times left several messages through Facebook. Nothing...no calls. I hate that the children had to experience such racist remarks from this man. A couple of women confronted my husband and myself in the parking lot. They told me of their issues with this manager as well. Never again! read more

Commander is clean, safe & great food!! I should know I've been there since 1984!! Lemon rice soup is the best around....

When you have a butcher right next door to your restaurant there is zero excuse to use frozen meat. My turkey sausage patties were so rubbery I dropped them to the floor and they bounced higher than a super ball. The potato pancakes could've just been hash browns from McDonald's. The hash browns were so bland water had more flavor. Never will recommend never will eat here again. And $9 for 2 eggs hash browns and a side of toast is robbery. read more

I used to eat here back in the day it wasn't anything special back then and now it is even worse. If you ask for napkins they will only give you one because the server said the owner only allows one napkin per customer. Last time I was there only because my Mom wanted to try their soup there were fruit flies or some sort of lil flying things. If you're desperate, hungry and everywhere else is busy take a gamble. read more

I don't know why, but EVERY time I come here, they always mess up my order. About once or twice a week, we'll place a pick-up order & I'll repeat the order to them and they have it correct. However, I've come back (along with my coworker who also picks up our stuff) because they forgot something we ordered. Once or twice, I understand, but this is ridiculous. It's nice I work down the street so I can easily drive back, but I shouldn't have to drive back at all! Their food is good, but the customer service and communication is lacking because they're clearly not placing the orders correctly. Their menu is also huge, so I understand it's hard to always remember what's on there, however, multiple times of driving back for a messed up order is more than enough. read more

It's ok, just had serval not so great experiences there in the last few years. Not such great food anymore, the last time I was in the restaurant there was a bug in my food, they had to comp my meal, because I would not eat it in or anything else. The restaurant needs to be updated and often it looks like it needs to be cleaned. One visit when we ate breakfast there, the server put her thumb in my daughters syrups for her pancakes and licked it off off her thumb in fro t of us! We were absolutely disgusted. The service is OK, the prices are all right, but I think that the food has not as good of quality as it used to be. Sorry it's changed so much. read more

Just picked up carry out for dinner at Commander and it was fantastic! Plenty and delicious - don't know why I don't do it more often. read more

I really enjoy getting the French toast.. one of the few places if not the only place I like to get my French toast from. Reason, the bread is thick!!! You don't get these soggy bread like other places. And the Baked Ham!! Yum!! Reasonably priced as well. My go to place when I want French toast. The Mr likes to get Ham Cheese Omelette. read more

Their food has absolutely no flavor. Can someone tell them it's okay to use seasoning? There is a cake display in the middle of the restaurant and I saw the triple layer chocolate cake looked good. I ordered a slice and that cake was very dry, it must have been sitting all day or over cooked. Either way I won't be back again. read more

Worst breakfast ever. The scrambled eggs tasted powdered, not fresh. The sausage gravy was bland and tasted more like flour than anything else. If I could give this place no stars, I would. We will not be going back. read more

Okay we had a first today! Never before have we been the people to receive food with hair in it. The waitress was polite about it and apologized. But the hair was just the cherry on top. The hostesses were like "O.M.G Becky can you believe what she did last night" and had to finish there few minute conversation before acknowledging us. The wife ordered an turkey sandwich that was still frozen. I got the commander skillet, wasn't bad at all but nothing special. Prices were average and the place seemed clean. But having the hair experience means there's no way we can eat here again. read more

If you are looking for fancy, keep driving. The Commander is an old-school, unapologetic NWI staple. The waitresses? Been there for-ev-er. Seriously. If you came to the Commander in your youth, they probably waited on you. I suppose that could be good or bad. Depends on what they remember about you. The food here is Greek diner usual. Good soup, good club sandwiches, decent enough omelet and yummy fried mozzarella sticks and onion rings. Exactly the kind of grub you tend to crave when you hit up such an establishment. The clincher, for me, has always been the lemon rice soup. It's amazing. Not in a Michelin star rating way, but in a homey, heart-warming, coming home sort of way. It isn't unusual for my daughter and I to sneak in for a soup-for-dinner night out when it is just the two of us. The apple and the proverbial tree and all that. Other reviewers noted that there is still a smoking section and that the Commander is a cash only joint. Both of those things are no longer in effect. The Commander now accepts credit cards and there is no longer a smoking section (the times are a'changin' in the NWI). One word of warning: the wait staff at the Commander still total checks by hand. Make sure to give your check the once over as math is not always one's strongest suit. I've found that I've been over and under-charged at times. Nothing nefarious in the works, just some computational errors. Overall, the Commander is your average been-there-forever hole-in-the-wall Greek diner. Keep your expectations real and order accordingly and you will be A-OK. read more

This place is ok. The food is decent and fairly priced. Only reason it gets two stars is the owners are crazy. They are mean old Greeks that treat employees unfairly and in turn we get bad service. I won't go here any more but if your gonna go get lemon rice soup. read more