Quality and value have slipped over the last few years. Saturday afternoon lunch, 1pm. Hardly anyone there. Had a beef stroganoff, which was mostly gravy and noodles garnished with mushrooms and bits of meat; takeaway for evening was a hot pot roast sammie; this was two slices of mostly beef suet over white bread served with mashed taters and gravy. The veggies were out of a freezer bag or can. Sad, really. Can you believe these were the specials? Today was the last straw for me; had a bad skirt steak, bad hot beef sandwich, and, well, today. Go elsewhere for lunch. read more

Food was ok, service excellent. I was disappointed though, I made a special trip back for the Leprechaun Pancakes (green pancakes with Trix cereal and marshmallow Fluff. About five minutes after I ordered they came and told me they didn't have the ingredients to make it. The Trix magically appeared but no fluff and that was what really would have made it. They were very apologetic and it was conveniently located. read more

First time here and just loved it Had to stop and get a bite to eat and decided to try their breakfast.So many choices I could barely make up my mind. My wife decided on the tiramisu pancakes and I had the caprese benedict. We got to sample each others breakfast. Both were great. Plan on coming back soon. read more

Food was great hot, big portion great flavors. There was a big miss up on wait list. Told wait time starts time you come in hour wait told them 15 people when called you think that would be a good ring in cash register. Lol took forever to get seated and waited forever to get food. Probably no return read more

Wow! Havent been on yelp in a while, but this place deserves it. Service was outstanding and the food was incredible. Fresh ingredients and large portions! I have no clue how this joint only has 3 stars. If you are across the street at the Holiday Inn, you should definitely walk here. AND they have alcohol! read more

The service was great. A very friendly server. However the food was just ok. The soups were super small and everything seemed to be creamy the dressings the soups when they really shouldn't be. Like a vinaigrette dressing that's creamy? Odd right? read more

Great service and great food. Homemade pies are to die for. It reminds me of Baker's Square. I love the bathrooms have lotion and mouthwash for freshening up after your meal. read more

Before Alexanders was renovated my wife and I never would have considered eating here. It used to be a very outdated diner with very poor quality food. Now the atmosphere is very artsy and modern and the food is fantastic! They have added many unique options that you can't get anywhere in the area. With the combination of a great environment, good food, and friendly service this is definitely one of my favorite go to locations read more

3 of us were seated in a corner booth where our waiter took so long that they had to send over a temporary waiter to take our drink/appetizer orders. After finally getting our designated waiter, we placed our 3 orders and the sides came out on time, but we waited over 30 mins and did not receive our food. I had to walk to the bar to ask where the food was and apparently the order was lost at some point. The restaurant was not as packed as the dinner rush had left at this point, so not sure how that happened. After receiving our food, it was somewhat cold and not at all appealing. For a $100 dollar dinner, we only received a 10% discount. I will not be coming back. read more

Ok what?? You don't serve biscuits and gravy? What breakfast place doesn't serve biscuits and gravy? I came here for the first time since the 'grand' reopening and found the place MUCH improved...everything that is but the menu. The new decor is very clean and modern. Gone are the uncomfortable booths with saggy-bottomed chairs. Now are more comfortable booths, but I did have trouble getting my 6'1" body in. A little more room please?? Next, the menus are...different. Gone is the epic menu and in it's place is a plastic poster. And apparently...gone are the things that made this place good to me. The waitress, who I have had several times before the remodel, informed me that the lemon-blueberry French toast was good. When I inquired about the changed menu she stated that this made them different and there was "no place like it in the area." Darn right there's not. Everyone else serves biscuits and gravy. So, much to my chagrin, I ordered the recommended French toast. To her credit, it was delicious. Hot, not too sweet and great texture. The coffee was hot, fresh and my cup never got past half empty. Oh...did I mention prices have definitely increased?? I get it...you have to upgrade to survive. However, I hope they recover their lost ways with their menu. Disappointed with a changed menu, and hoping they return classic items to their proper place. read more

My wife loved the prime Rib and the food was good. I am not sure this is a family restaurant, as it seems like a much older crowd were eating here. My kids had the corn dogs and Mac & cheese. The Mac & cheese looked awesome. I had the Greek chicken salad. I liked it, but I would have preferred a better dressing. Otherwise, all was good, but again, I would not say it is a family restaurant. read more

I live minuets away from this restaurant and it is so amazing. They recently had a renovation and the restaurant looks amazing! They have very good food, great staff, and a cozy environment. It is a great place to go for all meals and I absolutely love it here. read more

It's been well over a year since I had been to Alexander's. And I had no idea they had underdone a *major* interior and menu upgrade. These changes make Alexander's a top breakfast and dining spot in the area. The new menu is great; modern, creative takes on breakfast classics. The fresh squeezed orange juice and properly made caffe latte were great. We had the bananas foster French toast and chilaquiles with chicken. Both were delightful. The bananas foster was rich and creamy - very true to the name. Not overly sweet or syrupy, and every bite a treat. The chilaquiles were layered well with crispy tortilla, tasty grilled chicken, fresh sliced avocado, cilantro, scrambled egg and salsa verde. The food presentation, plates, and silverware were attractive. The service attentive, pleasant and professional. The interior is bright and clean with hard wood floors, great woodwork, a pleasant waiting area with a fireplace, a breakfast and coffee bar offering caffè lattes, espresso, etc. Much thought and pride is apparent. This is a wonderful spot and the makeover better than anything from TV. A real gem that I am glad to have been reintroduced. read more

Great restaurant for breakfast, a wide selection on the menu and delicious skillets! Totally recommend the southwest skillet with chorizo

I feel the need to update my review. We used to go to Alexander's at least once a month, my kids love it and the food is very good. But after last night I'm not sure we'll be back. The service could not have been slower. My kids waited 45 minutes for their food, which is far too long. It's not the first time this has happened as we hadn't been there in a few months because the same thing happened the last few times. read more

I get that they wanted to rebrand. And it doesn't matter that we've been going there for years. But I don't get how they have lost the simplest things. The salad, for instance. They always knew how to make a good salad with iceberg lettuce. All those years, that salad was fresh and crispy, with ranch dressing which my grown children still use as their standard to measure all other ranch dressings. No more. My salad was full of brown and pale greens, and the ranch dressing was thin, watery and tasteless. And there's no way those brown pieces of lettuce were any other ingredient than lettuce. Then there's the bar, which is now the centerpiece of the restaurant. When it was Alexanders, there was a martini list, and behind that diner counter, they made a good raspberry martini, among others. Now that the place has a real bar .... No martini list. Not only that, no one even knew how to make one. I felt bad for our server, who tried so hard to make this a good dinner. Not his fault. Another server? bar guy? came to our table and said he could make me whatever I wanted. So I said I'd like their raspberry martini. It came clear, not pink. Raspberry vodka and vermouth. Not even close. He had no idea, and I had to send it back. How does an experienced establishment lose their ability to mix a simple cocktail? The irony of moving from a family-style diner, with drinks listed on a somewhat-worn piece of paper, to a cafe with full bar, and no fun drinks list, is not lost on me. We've tried the place a few times, but I think our Alexander days are over. The remodel is well done, albeit a bit stark in the dining areas. Any ambience of warmth is only found in the waiting area, where there is some texture to the decor. The flatbread pizzas were very good. Might try it one more time for breakfast. But as the owners have intended, Alexanders is no more. read more

Had a great breakfast experience. Place is clean and cozy. Food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious. The staff was so kind and attentive. Ask for Chris, she'll give you great service! Definitely coming back! read more

Do not be fooled by the outside looks or the name! I am such a huge fan!!! I go to college at Judson University, which is right down the road! It is a great place for late night desert, Sunday brunch, or drinks! Speaking of drinks, their Chai tea is the best! I suggest their breakfast foods over anything! It is just the right price and quality! read more

Best Mac 'n cheese in the area! Super cheesy, and you can add protein (shredded pork is my favorite). Great prime rib as well! Great service, reasonably priced. read more

This is our go to dinner spot since it is super close to home. We love the fish fry, the meatloaf!!!, the breakfast, and I adore the man that they have singing and playing piano. It seems like he's always there and he's so sincere. The service is generally good, though we have servers we prefer due to a few who aren't terribly attentive. The price is moderate, the food is good, it's convenient, and the atmosphere is cozy. What's not to like? read more

They've really improved the atmosphere of this place with the upgrades. Our party was 5 on a Sunday morning around 10am and the wait was approx 10 min. I got a skillet with eggs and hash browns on the side, everyone else has good meals. There's one major down side... They seriously need to spend some time working on the HASH BROWNS. I understand it's Sunday morning and and hash browns take a little while to get crispy, but we even heard the table next to us saying the hash browns were sh**. The waitress was awesome and acknowledged the has browns were poorly cooked. Rest of the food was pretty good, pancakes had a cinnamon butter which was great. Great prices, but fix the darn hash browns. read more

I was on a business trip and my hotel was in the same parking lot as this restaurant. It had all kinds of food options and choices. I went here 3 different times and service was just "Ok" each time. The owner was there each time and was very rude to an employee cleaning during one of my visits. The chicken tenders are better than you would expect. The chicken parmigiana was pretty good as well. Lastly, the raspberry ice tea is delicious. Prices were alittle high for just a diner. read more

Went for breakfast on a Sunday around 8am. New interior and architecture. Good coffee and latte (intelligentsia). Nice bathrooms with mouthwash and hand lotion. My skillet was very good, perfectly cooked, just the right amount of oil (light) and the right mix of veggies, meat and hash browns (not loaded with hash browns like most). Good spot. read more

Stopped for breakfast. They have a small menu, but interesting. The cappuccino I ordered was awful! Old black coffee with froth. Steak and eggs were average, biscuits and gravy salty. Would I return? Probably not. read more

Well what happened to this place? We have been going to Alexander's since the late 80"s. When they said that they were going to go through a major renovation we wondered what that would entail. After all, sprucing up a place after 25 years is only good business. What we hadn't counted on was a complete remake of the place replacing a cozy, friendly restaurant with a cold, stark décor of a empty boardroom. There is nothing there. Nothing on the walls, no color or warmth at all. It makes you feel very uncomfortable. In the past Alexander's would celebrate the seasons with cute indoor decorations. And then there was the outside painted windows. We looked forward to their window changes every season; spring flowers, fireworks, scarecrows and all the winter themes that they would showcase. Now there is nothing, not even a plant. What you will get are 3 TV's all touting the sports channel, (do they think they are a sports bar?) and then we have the very loud, dare I say, music? The prices have gone up considerably, the portions are a little less than before. Well of course that's to be expected, who else is going to pay for this dismal redecorating? The service was fine but there are only a few of the old staff left. I suspect that things have changed behind the scenes too. Such a shame, we won't be regulars anymore. I don't know how anyone could say that this place is inviting. We so miss all the amenities that made Alexander's a family friendly restaurant. They would have done a lot better if their new vision would have had the customer's comfort in mind. read more

Everytime I'm in town I love this place it's always good great service it's very nice inside never a dull moment..

This is my go to place. The staff is great, the food is incredible. If you're looking for a good breakfast place the farmhouse skillets are super good. If you're looking for a good dinner spot, their burgers and fish tacos are incredible! Alexanders literally does it all! read more

I enjoy going for Sunday after church breakfast! The pancakes are the best, I wish they were bigger! Great fish tacos!

Excellent updates to the restaurant! Interior is modern and food is way better than a regular diner without the trendy prices.

Alexander's is a typical family diner. Food and service is pretty good. This place is not too far away from I-90 or Route 72.

My boyfriend and I were in Elgin to get his oil changed and thought it would only be an hour wait but ended up having more problems with his car that we were told it was going to take a few hours. So we decided to kill some time by going to this breakfast place. We are not from the area but thanks to the awesome reviews on this restaurant, we decided to check it out for ourselves. Let me just say it was amazing. Not only was the food five stars but as well as the service! The banana bread French toast with strawberries is highly recommended. They by far had the biggest breakfast menu I've ever seen. We will be back again! read more

My husband and I have been coming to Alexanders's for years now, both old and new. The food is continuously outstanding. Whether we come for dinner and have the most flavorful meatloaf or breakfast food. Everything is always fresh and on point. The have specialties such as Strawberry Banana Bread French Toast. When they say "Specialties" they mean it, from the freshest strawberries to the home made whipped cream. The coffee is always fresh, no matter what time of day you come. It doesn't hurt that they serve Intelligentsia coffee. Best coffee in Chicago! I would like to point out that the staff here is top notch. From the friendly welcome from the hostess, to the friendly and attentive wait staff. We have had Alanna several times and she is always kind, courteous and very attentive. We have been coming here for many years and the staff treats us like family. Especially the manager Liz. No matter how busy Liz is she always manages to stop by and say hello and takes time to catch up. She does this with so many of the other guests I feel like it's part of the great vibe of Alexanders's. Not only do we highly recommend this restaurant, we will continue to come hopefully for years to come. read more

We usually stop at this place for breakfast when taking a car trip starting early morning to Wisconsin or points northwest. Generally fast service and good good for a formula type restaurant. Easy on/off location convenient to I-90, but you will get stuck for another local toll. read more

Great food and great service. My only complaint is I wish the dumplings were bigger. But the food every time I go is great. Especially the Saganaki. read more

I love Alexanders. They always add a special touch to everything they serve. I had the veggie burger tonight and it was amazing, moist and flavorful. Was smothered in veggies. Never have had a bad meal their. Had a great server Lisset. Very friendly and attentive. read more

Alexander's is excellent, the people, the waitresses, the environment on the inside is very relaxing. Plus, there food is really good. I highly recommend going, they're also kid friendly too. read more

Amazing menu! Love the counter seating for us business travelers dining solo. Watched all the great meals coming out of the kitchen. Great service! Will definitely be back ! Also got a homemade dessert to go. read more

Call it 3.5 stars. Took five people for lunch and bill was $60. No when went home hungry. If your looking for good food at an affordable price, this is the place to go. read more

I'm really glad I don't live near Elgin because I would be a regular at Alexanders. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and they do no disappoint. I ate here two days in a row this weekend - I sat at the bar both times as I was eating alone. First off, very updated restaurant and people are not crammed together as many places will do. The first day I had the Butcher Block skillet meal. My eggs were slightly more done than I ordered but not enough to send it back. Very tasty dish. Day two I had their basic egg dish with sausage - it was delicious. They also have screwdrivers with fresh squeezed OJ so I was able to get plenty of vitamin C this weekend. ;-) Also, I came at rush hour and the service fast and friendly. Sunday's meal had a nice pianist playing as an accompaniment - nice touch Alexander's! read more

My fiancé and I ate here a couple of times. The food is great, service is great, and has a nice atmosphere. We will be back!!