By Bob Glaze
I love finding new delis and diners in the city. Here is a list of my favorites that I wanted to share with all of you.
Nookies on Wells is a fun diner, since 1973, for all-day breakfast at 1746 N. Wells St.. I have always enjoyed it. I just went back again and loved my yummy frittata on the outdoor patio. The portions are huge!! They also have a full lunch menu with sandwiches, salads and entrees. I also liked the newly remodeled interior.
Kitsch’n on Roscoe: Opened in 1998 at 2005 W. Roscoe St., this is a casual neighborhood spot offering brunch and a comfort food menu. It has a retro design with featured vintage lunchboxes, action figures, beer cans, lava lamps and other fun items. It has been featured on The Food Network, WGN and The Travel Channel.
Lou Mitchell’s: This popular breakfast and lunch spot has been a Chicago institution since 1923. It is located along the original Route 66 that started in 1926 in Chicago. You can find a large number of egg and pancake dishes along with salads, burgers and sandwiches. 565 W. Jackson Blvd.
Located at 3107 N. Broadway, The Bagel Restaurant and Deli. This is a classic Jewish deli/diner, started over 70 years ago, with an extensive menu of traditional favorites from salads, sandwiches, blintzes, soups, burgers, fish dishes, omelettes, breakfast dishes, fountain treats and desserts. According to owner Danny Wolf, “at our Chicago location we will continue our tradition of home-style cooking and hospitality established by my parents and grandparents when they brought their recipes and kitchen skills from Europe.”
I was very pleased to have found it and really enjoyed the diner atmosphere and the avocado toast with lox.
Nearby is Stella’s Diner at 3042 N. Broadway. Having seen it several times, I made a point to go with a local friend for lunch last month. Opened in 1962, it is a casual family owned and operated restaurant serving American diner classics. The menu features a large selection of breakfast and other food items, from salads, soups, sandwiches, entrees, pasta, burgers, milk shakes, malts and more. I enjoyed a great Reuben sandwich. It has a fun vibe and a nice staff.
I also recommend Manny’s Deli at 1141 S. Jefferson. This is a classic Jewish deli and diner in Chicago’s South Loop dating from 1942. It is cafeteria-style, where you go through the line to pick your massive and delicious pastrami or meat sandwiches or an array of other hot dishes from the steam tables. It was recently redone but still retains its old charm along with its decades-old newspaper clippings, photographs and letters from Chicago luminaries that line the walls. The space also now houses a new deli expansion for bagels, sweets, coffee, and food to go. You certainly won’t leave hungry!
The Original Pancake House: At 22 E. Bellevue Place, this is a local hangout that is great for breakfast. I have been many times over the years and recently went back and enjoyed a great eggs benedict on their outdoor terrace on a beautiful spring day in May. They have eight locations in Chicago and the suburbs.
Lincoln Park Corner Kitchen, formerly CornerStone Café, is located at 2200 N. Clybourn Ave. Opened for over seven years, I went for the first time even though I live a few blocks away. It is casual cafe/diner offering breakfast and lunch dishes. The menu is quite extensive including omelettes, eggs benedicts, Belgian waffles, pancakes, crepes and coffee drinks. I really enjoyed the eggs benedict for brunch. They also have a lunch menu of salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, plus dinner entrees. I look forward to going back to try the BBQ pulled pork sandwich or the turkey burger.
Located in Lincoln Park is Jam ‘n Honey, a classic diner at 958 W Webster Ave. It is one of my favorite spots for brunch in the neighborhood. Open for breakfast and lunch, they have a classic diner menu. It is open daily except for Monday and Tuesday. I was just back a week ago and enjoyed the eggs benedict.
Further east is Dash of Salt and Pepper Diner at 2201 N. Lincoln. It is like an old-school Chicago-style diner with a large menu of breakfast and lunch items. I thought my omelette was very good.
The Brunchery: Originally Frances’ Deli, I have been a fan since I moved to the neighborhood in 1980. They moved two blocks north to 2552 North Clark several years ago. It is a perfect spot for breakfast and lunch. It has been a local institution since 1938 that serves traditional comfort food in a diner setting. I went back a few years ago and enjoyed a great Reuben sandwich. It has recently been remodeled and it is very attractive.
Svea Restaurant: This is a casual Swedish cafe or diner in Andersonville that dishes up a number of omelettes, hot sandwiches and meatballs for breakfast and lunch. I went with a friend to celebrate her birthday and enjoyed the smoked salmon omelette with breakfast potatoes. I enjoyed the staff as well. 5236 N Clark St.
Another new find that I recently went to is Dollop Diner at 5060 N. Clark St. This is a fun, casual neighborhood diner owned by Dollop Coffee that has table and counter seating along with a spacious outdoor patio in back. They have a large menu of coffee drinks, breakfast dishes as well as sandwiches and salads. I went with a local friend for lunch last month and enjoyed a great omelette and lattes on the patio. The staff was very attentive and nice.
On the east side of the Wicker Park neighborhood at 1601 W. North Ave. at the corner of Ashland Ave. is the Hollywood Grill. This is a popular diner since 1995. I have driven by it many times, and it always caught my eye, so I made a point to go for brunch. It has colorful interior and a large menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night items, from pancakes, omelettes, and egg dishes to burgers, chicken, and steak. I enjoyed my The Goat omelette with spinach, tomatoes and goat cheese and some creamy grits. My server was fun, and I enjoyed talking to some of the other diners next to me.
After many years, I went back to Eleven City Diner at 1112 S Wabash Ave. They have an extensive menu of classic American diner meals and delis standards in a colorful retro-style restaurant. They have excellent omelets, bagels, pancakes, waffles, soups, sandwiches including grilled cheese and Rueben’s, mac & cheese, salads and hamburgers along with pies, cakes and ice cream. It was a fun experience.
Located at 2748 N. Lincoln Ave. is Batter & Berries. This is a Black-owned restaurant that was established in 2012 by Dr. Tanya & Craig Richardson with a goal of supporting the community and local businesses. They have a focus on breakfast, lunch and brunch. I had been wanting to go for a while, but the lines have been very long. I chose to go on a Wednesday for lunch to make sure that I got a table. This is a casual spot with a very friendly staff. I really enjoyed the spinach omelet made with spinach, mushrooms, a sundried tomato and spinach puree and Asiago cheese along with cheese crusted hash brown potatoes. The smoked salmon eggs benedict and the shrimp frittata specials also looked great.
Located near Printer’s Row at 500 S. Dearborn is Meli Cafe. This is a popular neighborhood cafe and restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. They have a large menu of omelettes, breakfast bowls, benedicts, waffles, pancakes and crepes along with wraps, sandwiches and salads. I went for the first time and enjoyed the food. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was a great choice.
Made famous by Saturday Night Live, “Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger! No Coke! Pepsi! No Fries! Chips!”, the Billy Goat Tavern is located below 430 N. Michigan Ave. Walk down the stairs to the lower level and stop in for a burger in this fun, casual spot. I also like the ham and cheese sandwich!
Another recent find is Windy City Cafe at 1062 W. Chicago Ave., just east of Noble Sq. Open for breakfast and lunch they feature a large selection of breakfast items from omelettes, benedicts, skillets, frittatas, pancakes, egg specialties and sides. The smoked salmon benedict was excellent.
Valois is located at 1518 E 53rd St.in Hyde Park. It is a counter-service/cafeteria-style restaurant featuring comfort food, BBQ, breakfast items and desserts. It was reportedly President Barack O’Bama’s go-to place when he was living in Hyde Park. They even have a menu on the wall listing his favorite dishes. I loved the casual atmosphere! I popped in for dessert after my brunch down the street and thought the coconut pie and the rice pudding were great.
Peach’s Restaurant at 4652 S. King Drive, is located just west of Hyde Park in Grand Boulevard/Bronzeville. Open for 10 years, it features biscuits, pancakes, waffles, omelettes and Southern specialties. It is a great place for breakfast or brunch.
The Spinning J Bakery & Soda Fountain at 1000 N. California Ave. features pies, scones, coffee, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, ice cream and homemade sodas. It has a very vintage diner feel.
The Flying Saucer at 1123 N. California is a casual diner, open for breakfast and lunch, with a large made-from-scratch menu. I enjoyed the Flying Saucer benedict, an English muffin with ham, baby spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, two poached eggs and roasted red pepper sauce. served with one side. It has been open since 2000 and features mostly organic and locally sourced ingredients.
On my way to Mart Anthony’s for lunch I was drawn to The Breakfast Club and Grill at 1381 W. Hubbard St. that is in a transformed cottage. So, I went back earlier this month and enjoyed the experience. Opened in 1985, it has a large menu of breakfast and lunch specialties from omelettes, pancakes, waffles, benedicts, skillets, coffee and breakfast sandwiches, to burgers, soups, salads, chili and sandwiches. There is also a bar with wine, beer and cocktails. I enjoyed the crab cake benedict with breakfast potatoes and the friendly staff!!
I hope you enjoy my recommendations!!
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