Super good little hole in the wall. Very friendly staff that welcomes you as soon as you walk in…read more They provide coat rack in the winter which is helpful. It's an old school diner feel - box cereal, pies in a cooler, cooks busting out great meal after meal. Takes you right back to the 90's. My first time here and brought my parents. We all loved it. Dined for $115 with tip and we all had an omelette with a protein, side of bacon, and coffees. I got the Spartan omelette. It was recommended and right up my alley with mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, and feta cheese. I also added bacon and it was delicious! I was able to get it with a cut banana and it was perfectly ripe. My husband got the Denver omelette which is also know as a Western- ham, onion, bell pepper, and American cheese. He really liked his as well as my parents who ordered Corned Beef Hash omelette and Spartan. I will definitely be back! It was so good, we didn't even take a second to snap a pic!

Picked up my partner at O'Hare and decided to have a birthday breakfast! We get in the old diner…read morestyle restaurant, get seated at the bar and our waitress is ALREADY there with water and ready to take our order. I was impressed by that alone. We order eggs Benedict and the Mac wrap. They are out in less than 10 minutes. I give her and the cook props for the timing and the cook jokes, "all out of a microwave." HA! We knew that was not true. Looking at the menu, the ham off the bone looks like their specialty so we both were sure to get meals with that! We split the burrito and the Benedict. Both were lacking salt in my opinion but I understand under salting for the masses so us salt lovers can add our own with reckless abandon. Please note this is CASH ONLY! Which I missed despite the sign in the front. They do have an ATM with $2.75 fee. Pricing for the food did seem steep for a diner but it's 2025 and nothing is cheap. The food came out so fast I didn't get pics besides the rest of my burrito I ate at home.

I eat chicken noodle soup at most restaurants and found that Elly's has the best around. Their…read moreburgers are the bomb!

Great spot with a lot of space for seating! It's colorful and nicely decorated with a lot of…read moretables, a lot of space, and a lot of food options. We went on a Saturday for late breakfast and was trying to determine what we wanted from all the options. I ordered the corned beef hash (CBH) skillet and a side of pancakes. A country fried steak (CFS) was also ordered on the table, with a side of toast. The CBH was homemade, not from the can. You can see it and taste it. It was very delicious, well made, and wonderfully seasoned. The CFS was covered in sausage gravy, sitting on a bed of hashbrowns and eggs on top. I was told it was delicious. We ordered coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice to drink. The coffee was great. The orange juice had a taste that I wasn't accustomed to, which is odd because I love fresh squeezed juices. Service was attentative and our server was nice. Everyone ensured we were ok and our coffee mugs were full. Glad I went to Elly's. It's one of my favorite places to go.

Seriously ... this place rocks…read more I'm talking old school, flavor packed diner! I wish we had a place like this back in South Florida. You must check out if in the area.

Visited Blondies on a recommendation from a neighbor. Upon arriving there is plenty of off street…read moreparking in the lot next door to the relatively quaint establishment. The interior is decked out in old school decor with many memorabilia of comic/animation characters from a bygone era. The staff is friendly and direct, the cooks move competently and for food they have all of the expected classics at good prices, while also offering a rotating monthly specials with unique items that do really feel "special". The bathroom could use some updating and the space is a bit tight and warm from the kitchen. But overall the food is solid, the prices are fair, and the staff are friendly. If your local or visiting and looking for a classic diner , I would highly recommend you visit this unique and timeless establishment.

I look at the clock. It's 2:15 a.m…read more This is a dangerous time to be hungry. You're no longer choosing where to eat. You're finding out what society is willing to feed you. I'm still learning Chicago and its suburbs, so I spend about 15 minutes on Maps and kept consulting ChatGPT on where to eat. To my surprise nothing worthy was suggested. I reluctantly drive to my usual spot, which I won't name because they've done nothing wrong and don't deserve to be involved in this story. I walk in. Look at the menu. Get ready to order. Then something inside me says, "No." I walk back out. Now I'm sitting in my car at 2:30 in the morning like a divorced man outside a casino, staring at Google Maps one last time. Then I see it. Johnnie's Grill. 17 minutes away. I've never been there. Immediately, I start thinking about every Johnnie I've ever met. Do Johnnies know how to cook? Is Johnnie still alive? Is there even a Johnnie? Maybe Johnnie sold the place in 1987 and some guy named Steve has been benefiting from his reputation ever since. Most importantly: can Johnnie be trusted with my hunger? While entertaining these bullshit scenarios, I somehow arrive. As I'm getting out of the car, four young guys are walking out. Perfect. I need intelligence from the field. I ask, "What's good to get here, guys?" One of them looks at me and says: "Everything, bruh. Anything you get is gonna be fire." That's all I needed to hear. I walk inside and meet Julie, who is genuinely one of the warmest people you could hope to encounter at this ungodly hour. She patiently walks me through the menu while I study it like I'm choosing a mortgage. Eventually, I order the Big Boy. And goddamn it, the boys were right. The Big Boy was delicious. Nothing fancy. Nothing pretentious. Nobody back there is reducing a balsamic glaze or explaining where the cow went to college. It's just a damn good burger. Oddly enough, it reminded me of the burgers my parents make at home, which might sound like an insult to a restaurant, but I mean it as one of the highest compliments I can give. It tasted familiar. Like somebody actually made you food instead of assembling a product. At 2:15 in the morning, I thought Chicago had abandoned me. Johnnie had not. I don't know who Johnnie is. I don't know if Johnnie is alive. I don't even know if Johnnie has ever stepped foot inside Johnnie's Grill. But Johnnie, wherever you are: I'll be back.

This spot is consistent! Great that is! Ole stool! Dont come here for frills.but if you want good…read moreol skool cooking? Good service and a full belly, this is the spot! The diner is small but does what is needed. I think its brighter since the last time. They have slots in the front but the counter is expansive and a few tables and chairs... This ain't the place you come and ask if they have maple syrup!!! Yea....i did that......and the looks i got.......oh my goodness.....made my day. Lololololol! My gurl said really??? Snob! Lolololol hilarious #dinerslove #greasenspoon #olschool #holenthewall #

Your patience will be rewarded. This is an excellent restaurant with old-school charm. Elegant and…read morefriendly. Casual enough for brunch, and fancy enough for a date. The services is top notch, attentive, and helpful. You may have to drive around to find a parking spot, but it is worth the second trip around the parking lot. This is a gem of a restaurant. I had a cup of creamy of broccoli and the Ruben sandwich. This place got everything right. It is what Cooper's Hawk aspires to be, and this place nails it. I wish I lived closer.

A solid non chain breakfast spot. They actually serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but it seems…read morethey are most popular during the AM. They even have a banquet hall space too. A group of 20+ of us came in for brunch on a Sunday and everything went well. We thought we were getting placed in a private room since this event was coordinated ahead of time. We ended up in the maiming dining room, which made it hard for us to catch up with everyone. We were here for an annual family reunion, but it's fine. Service throughout was great, we were in and out within an hour and 15 mins. Staff members were on top of their game. I had the garden omelette and added cheddar cheese to it. It was pretty good. I had some skin from the onion which was off putting, but other than that it was OK. The portion was generous and I had leftovers for the following morning.

Great food- honey mustard pecan salad a standout. Sandwiches are big and perfect. Juices are…read moreoutstanding! Good service. Decent prices for the portions.

This meal was so filling and delicious! After traveling into the area, first watch is a convenient…read moreplace to dine before/after the airport. The meal was healthy, filling, and so pretty on the plate. BARBACOA CHILAQUILES BREAKFAST BOWL Seasoned braised Beef Barbacoa tossed with Cheddar and Monterey Jack, salsa roja, crispy corn tortilla chips, fresh avocado, lime crema, Cotija cheese and scallions. Served with cheesy scrambled cage-free eggs and seasoned black beans with housemade pico de gallo. Ambiance is just like the other First Watch locations, and service was quick

My husband and I came here for the first time recently because we needed to fill some time before a…read moredoctor's appointment, and overall, we were content with the experience. The diner has a classic, retro feel with a checkerboard aesthetic that gives it a traditional diner vibe. It is not very modern or trendy, but it is clean and well-kept, which is really what matters. The space feels simple and comfortable, making it a place someone can visit regularly for a quick, reliable meal. The menu is very straightforward and features typical diner staples. The food was pretty good, but the dishes were very basic with nothing particularly unique about them. It felt like the kind of food you might make at home, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't especially memorable either. I ordered an egg sandwich with cheese and sausage ($9.95). I also ordered bacon on the side (3 for $4.25). The egg sandwich was okay, but the bagel tasted like those cheap bagels you would get at a hotel during their complimentary breakfast that come from a bag. The sandwich didn't have anything on it other than exactly what they called it on the menu: a bagel, sausage links cut in half, an egg, and cheese. Nothing on the sandwich was seasoned or flavorful. My husband enjoyed his food much more than I did, and he ordered the Big Texas Breakfast ($12.95). This came with country-fried steak with sausage gravy on top, 2 eggs your way, and hash brown potatoes. He also ordered sausage links on the side (3 for $4.25). The service was friendly, and everything came out in a reasonable amount of time, which worked well for us since we were on a bit of a tight schedule. Overall, Lola's Diner delivered a simple diner experience with homemade-style food. I would come here again, but it wouldn't be my first choice for breakfast.

I don't typically stop at this location due to credit card fees added - but that seems like a norm…read morethese days. My son enjoyed his first Philly steak sandwich while I had my go to eggs and corned beef hash. Tasty I would definitely give it a try if in the area

date of review: 6/26/26…read more Met up with a friend here for dinner yesterday. We sat down, noticing that we were the only customers in the cafe (*awkward), but the awkwardness was quickly alleviated with our server (owner?) and cook -both guys were great! Food was very good! On the way out, I just noted to our server that my water cup had a crack in it -nbd though, it was plastic. Good experience overall.

I am a meat eater however I do eat Vegetarian meals twice per week…read more I placed my order to go and felt welcome the second I stepped into restaurant! Staff was super nice. Private parking lot with plenty of spots. Easy access into the restaurant. I opened the container and immediately smiled. The smell of the dishes were amazing! Falafel bites were the star of the show. The place is not close to home, however I'd travel to get another dish. Cheers!~

Received the wrong order. Called to reconcile and the "server" was beyond rude, wouldn't let me…read morespeak, kept telling me he was "busy". Didn't have a supervisor and couldn't tell me the name of his boss because he "doesn't work during the day".

Let me just start by saying that I am a food snob. So it takes a special kind of yummy to make me…read morewant to order again, let alone write a review. I was not sure if this would be just another place that you get some mediocre sandwich that was just meh. Most places that I've ordered from are just meh, I feel. But this place...I ordered the Hot Mess Melt Combo and EVERYTHING was really dang yummy. The meat was so tender, the bread was toasted perfectly with a crunch and a softness and a bit of garlic butter. The caramelized onions were just the perfect amount. The fries were absolutely fantastic with such a tasty flavor and thickness. For traveling I was expecting something much less and I was so happy to get a good meal that was so delicious. And they are open 24 hours so this is a bonus for those late-night munchies!

I had three meals while I was in Chicago. My Hotel is on the same lot as Spark by Hilton. After…read moresampling their free breakfast, I decided I needed to pay for it. My first breakfast was ham and eggs with hash browns and whole wheat toast. My second meal was supper. I had a cheeseburger, fries, and their to-die-for chicken noodle soup. (While steak remains strong as my last meal on earth, soup is making a strong argument.) My last meal was breakfast again; this time I had their pork loin, eggs, whole wheat toast, and hash browns. In two of the three visits, I had the same server. She never let my coffee go empty and really paid attention to me. My server for supper was err an issue. In the end, I got my food late.

The ambience here is one that is quickly disappearing in Chicagoland - the Old School American…read morediner :(. All of the older diners have been remodeled or renovated, and the new ones are, well, brand new. The service from Sophia was beyond compared as well as the food (I had my usual strawberry and pineapple vegan bowl as always) We shall definitely return when we are in the area