Delicious breakfast with a humble interior. I liked their patio area, but the inside also has a charm of its own. The benedict with grits was much better than I expected and absolutely filled me up before I could even think about the pancake. Still I took my leftovers home because it was that tasty :) Best part of all? Intelligentsia coffee to go with everything. Thanks for the great service! -AT read more

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This was one of the worst Breakfast restaurants that I've eaten at. The atmosphere was absolutely dead - place looks like it hasn't been updated in 15 years. The service was mortifying. Our waitress, "Yellecsi" had a total attitude and acted burdened by our mere presence. She kept gossiping with the other waitress, (my insecure self thinks it was about us). I got a Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap, it was terrible. The tortilla was freezer-burnt and the fries were cold on the inside. I asked for a side of ranch and received a large portion of likely expired Hidden Valley, and then I realized they charged me almost $2 for a side sauce. My Dad's meal was a tad better, he got the Farmers Breakfast. He said the eggs were good but the sausage was old. Apparently this place is permanently closing or has already closed since our visit a couple months ago, but even if it was still open we would NEVER, EVER return. read more

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Just called again, just now - Friday 9-8-2025 at 12:55 pm - and also twice this past Monday/Labor Day 2025!!I keep getting an automated greeting which says their number is "out of service." It looks like they've gone out of business/permanently closed! So bummed out by this!!! read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Salmon Platter (I had an Everything Bagel with it, which is in my other picture)! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

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Not the first time but have been at Eggshells the last 2 Sundays. It was an OK experience. The server acted like it was game playing time. Are you ready.. and we told her we are ready, and yet 10 min later she is now free to take our order. Our food order was correct yet the grits seemed to be warmed up, not fresh that day. They looked grey and clumpy. Each time our water glass or tea glass got near empty, she would ask, would you like more, vs. filling them without asking. The food was great. The service... less than mediocre..sad to say. read more

It was not too busy, our family of eight came in to have breakfast. We loved it! Such nice people working there. Our food was really tasty and generous. We will be going back soon. It's so much more reasonable than one of chain breakfast establishments. Ask nicely and they will give you donuts for a side!! read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

Gave it another try and it's okay. Nothing special but food and coffee both good. Parking is close and safe. Not my regular place but I'll continue to go back maybe just not as often. read more

This place has really deteriorated since the move from the old spot. Service is awful, especially the front counter. Can't even get a response when trying to be friendly, seat 5 people at a table for 4 when the place is half empty and you want me to add a separate gratuity to your "hostess loves tips too jar" when you're already killing me with the tip calculation rate amounts that include tax, yeah right! Place is overpriced and dirty, id have been better off going next door and grabbing some pet food. And yeah, my experience a few months back was similar and I gave it another chance because I used to really like this place. I regret giving out so many recommendations over the years to go here! read more

I love or loved this place but the servers and the service is so bad, visible atitudes, zero eye contact, never asking for refills, always something forgot or missing. My last 3 visits were with the same server (the worst server), it so uncomfortable to be near her, she so unhappy. This is the closest breakfast place to me so I end up going there more than I should, my kid loves the place they always forget to bring my coffee and something I've ordered for my child making the experience difficult. I'm writing this because I give up I'm going to drive an extra mile or two to place I don't like because strangely i'll be happier doing that. PS: And why is it always so hot in there, please turn on the AC or put up some shades when the sun is out, it is alway like an oven very uncomfortable. That might be why the servers are unhappy? read more

I came back here for the 4th time on Friday 6/21! Had the Maximo Skillet, Salmon Platter with whole wheat bagel , and sides of bacon and corned beef! Everything tasted great! My server, Sandra, took good care of me that day! I came back today, for my 5th time (Friday 7/26)! This time around, I ordered the Country Fried Steak with Sausage Gravy, the Salmon Platter with an Everything Bagel, cream cheese, sides of their famous Corned Beef Hash and crispy bacon, plus orange juice and coffee!!! Everything tasted great!! And luckily - unlike one of the recent customers - I did NOT experience any problems whatsoever with my Country Fried Steak order! My server, Sandra, was very pleasant, professional and very efficient! The restaurant itself was - as always - very welcoming and clean inside! I'll definitely be back again! read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Specials Menu, page 1 of 2. These are available every day, according to my server, Sandra! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

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They are Closed. Use to like to go on Sundays for breakfast but last Sunday there was a sign stating not open on the door.

Right off, clean the windows on you doors. Front of the place was cool, sat towards the rear-hot! Owner stated a/c broke down. Reading previous review, that's not true. Table next to us was left trashed ( maybe a Mom w/Kids?). Clean it up, I shouldn't have to look at that the entire meal. We went outside. Rained the night prior. Couldn't wipe down the tables and chairs? Food came. Very greasy breaKfast burrito. Coffee was brown water. Sent it back. Never refilled water and had to continue asking for condiments. Sorry, not clean enough for me. Won't be back. read more

We had a wonderful breakfast at our favorite spot. First time we had Tracy as a server. She was super sweet and very patient with our toddler. We've will always request her. She was great. We're here very often on the weekends and the server that usually is there on the weekends isn't very welcoming and never smiles or checks back with the table. Tracy was amazing. Looks like they have a new staff, which is always great to see restaurants grow the food is always on point. Very fresh and clean. They also have a donut shop and don't forget to try their homemade corned beef hash. read more

Food was decent, not too greasy. We ordered and our waitress brought our food and we didn't see her again. There were several people there but not working and we were the only people in the restaurant and they were on their phones. Bad service, never brought out part of our meals. Would get the food again but would go to different location. read more

Got a (4% upcharge) because my purchase was under 10 dollars... why the hell am I being charged for eating alone. Never going back. Also worst hash browns I've ever had. read more

I just ordered from here for the first time and it'll definitely be my last. Food was bland, hash browns were weird, like rubbery, and the sausage gravy was worse than something you'd find at a truck stop. Also there was a big sign in the vestibule saying customers aren't allowed to share.?. I feel like if I spend $20 on some food, I can do whatever I want with it. Super strange flex imo. There's also several little notes by the cash register speaking about tipping. That's cringy and weird read more

The staff is very nice. The food is tasty and prepared quickly. The restaurant is clean and nice. Kudos to the friendly hard working staff. If I have one complaint it would be that management needs to turn up the heat. It was quite chilly and that can't be comfortable to staff and definitely not us customers. Missing one star for heat! read more

We walked here from our hotel for breakfast while in town for the day. Breakfast was good, they have a lot of options - I wish we were going to be around to try more. Today, I had the two eggs with hash browns, bng, and crispy bacon - he had the avocado today. Both were really good. The avocado toast was so good and the bacon was some of the best I've had in a while. I also really enjoyed how crispy the biscuit was under the gravy. We would definitely come back if we were ever in town again. read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Avocado Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

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Two people in our party spent HOURS in the bathroom after they both eat the Country Steak and Gravy. I called within 2 hours of leaving and was told the Manager/Owner was not in. I told the girl to STOP serving the dish. She asked me for my information, I gave her the exact time I paid the bill, she knew everything we ordered. I said, it would be horrible if more than just my two guys got sick. I expected a phone call back but have not heard a word from them. We are always looking for a breakfast place to stop on the way to the lake. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE! read more

I love this place. The bagels come fresh daily my fav is the everything bagel they close at 2 but they took us being a party of 5 at 1:35 pm with smiles. I really appreciate the homely vibe and feel great service and fun things they have for kids like paint the pumpkin! Great place to come and enjoy! read more

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I visited today with family. I was embarrassed of the food quality. I complained about the bacon I ordered crispy, but served flimsy. They brought them back cooked more, but they were still sub-par. I ordered the Farmstyle Breakfast: Eggs sunny-side up, which were served runny and hardly cooked. Oh, and the sausage sucked, tasted gross and was hardly even warm. The only halfway decent item on the plate was the pancakes. But even they were not very good. This was the absolute worst breakfast I had at this place and I know I will not return to have my taste buds tortured again. Egg Shells belong in in the compost pile. read more

Delicious brisket skillet, my current favorite. Very flavorful dish, and staff who do something extra. They also have tasty donuts, and the pumpkin pecan pancakes are delicious! read more

filthy ! the tables have egg crusted to them. staff is rude! don't bother. quality has gone so downhill I honestly dont know how they remain in business read more

Food was good, server not so much. Not friendly or attentive. Forgot part of what was ordered and came with it after we had to ask.

food mainly issue, ambience is nice with a nice patio and great location to be a local staple . but, you gotta get the food right. read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - chicken and waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

Good food, but ignoring mask mandate today. Not one of the staff, front or in the kitchen were wearing masks, until we asked our waitress to, and she complied. I faced the door and 3-4 couples walked in without masks on as well. I do understand that you take your masks off to eat and drink, these folks didn't have masks on to remove. We had Farmers Breakfast, which was quite tasty, but will wait a while before coming back. Voting with our feet, we'll go elsewhere where it feels like they're trying to keep customers safe. read more

I usually order the same 2-3 things so my review is kind of bias. Country Bennie is awesome. Chopped salad is great and the chicken sandwich. Donuts are good especially the apple fritters. read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Country Bennie (drop of Cholua hot sauce)with potatoes and side of cheese grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

Food is decent. Unfortunately, their own web site hosts their online menu, and the prices are all wrong on the web site. You'll be paying about 20% more for your meal than you think from their online menu. I mentioned this to the cashier when I was charged more than expected. A manager or owner walked over while we were talking and admitted she knew the prices were wrong, and they have to find an IT guy to fix their web site. So why aren't they telling people about the price differences who are ordering over the phone? My to-go box for my breakfast burrito failed to include the sour cream or salsa that was promised on both the online and in-store menus. On top of overpaying for the food, I didn't get all the elements of my meal. I'm sure it would've tasted a whole lot better with the accoutrements described in their menus. read more

It had a genuine local feel. We came right after the brunch rush. I ordered the Irish Skillet, my eyes first feasted on how large a portion, it barely fit on the plate. I loved the melted cheese and potatoes on the side. The corned beef hash, was very meaty. The only downer was the waitress, she forgot to get my coffee twice. My husband's food came out way later then the rest and was still waiting for his side. The other waitresses were more helpful. The owner came right over with a free box of donuts as an apology, which was really appreciated. Honestly, the perfect brunch hangover meal. read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Irish Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

The food was okay nothing to get excited about. Service was the turn off. waiter's attitude was unprofessional. Will not be back their any time soon. read more

Some of the best breakfast food and donuts I've had in lake county. Originally ordered through grubhub and was surprised by the fresh donuts included, so I went tfor done in and wasn't disappointed. read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Club - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

In a word....garbage. The service was poor. The food was worse. The Benedict he so much hollandaise on it that you couldn't see the rest of the food. He sliced tomato was rotten, and the eggs were cold. read more

A great breakfast Place. I had the sunshine burrito very flavorful. My wife had eggs scrambled with onion turkey sausage and pancakes and the intelligentsia coffee is one of my favorites. read more

Wow. I don't think I've ever left a Yelp review, but this was hands down the worst meal I've had in recent memory. Two of us got the veggie eggs Benedict and they were shockingly bad. The eggs were more than hard boiled, the hollandaise was neon orange and tasted like American cheese melted into butter and bile, and the grits were swimming in so much butter they were mostly inedible. As we left the "cook" was eating a sandwich ON THE LINE in one hand while he prepared with the other. We're doing everything we can to not throw up. The photo speaks for itself. Avoid at all costs. read more

Egg Shells Restaurant - Hard boiled eggs and vomit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lake Zurich, Illinois

Extraordinarily slow service. Had to get up and get our menus, silverware, and napkins myself. Food took way too long. Very good pancakes. Abysmal turkey sausage. Seriously. Don't order it. It tastes like moldy green peppers. Baked goods are great. Enjoyed the complimentary bagel, the croissants, and the donuts. Really good coffee, too. But, seriously, don't get the turkey sausage. Oof. read more

Had breakfast at this cute little place for the first time today. LOVED it! Unique menu with some very interesting twists, not just the same ole, same ole. Their menu selections definitely set them apart from all the other breakfast joints in the area. Best of all, the food was delicious!! Staff was great too, very friendly + provided great service. We will definitely be back. read more

My family and I had breakfast here this weekend and could not have been more disappointed in our food and experience. When we entered and waited at the desk, the employee at the register ignored us for several minutes, not even saying hello, which was not a great start. Once seated, our waitress was very friendly however, she was not great with her communication. First, three of us ordered dishes that come with two sides. We all ordered donut holes and fries. She did not warn us that there would be an upcharge for fries, but we were charged $1.50 extra per person. When you're already paying $12 for an omelette, that seems a little excessive. Biggest complaint is the food. It was bland. Our daughter's waffle was delicious, as were the donut holes, but the egg dishes all lacked flavor and made that price tag even more insulting. My husband and son had lackluster omelettes and my eggs benedict was half cold/half scorching hot with hollandaise that tasted like nothing. This last thing is probably just me being picky, but it bothered me. Without asking us, the waitress put all of our donut holes in one container and gave us 2 containers of icing instead of the three that would normally come with three orders. It felt like a way to reduce the amount given for each portion AND as someone who eats slowly (and has two teenagers), I would prefer to have my sides to myself. Not everyone would be bothered by this, which is why it's last on my list. Overall, we were terribly disappointed and will not be returning. read more

I like to stick with their avocado toast with poached eggs. After 3 great experiences, I was brought a less than stellar meal. However, the owner/manager bent over backwards to correct the mistake. I will definitely come back, I wish I could leave 4.5 stars, but that is not available on Yelp. I highly recommend this location for breakfast/brunch. Did I mention they make their donuts and bagels from scratch? read more

Great breakfast have had pancakes, eggs, omelettes soup and their cinnamon buns are fantastic.

The food is actually good, but the staff is ext rude

Went to have a meal and the sign on the door states that the restaurant is open until 1ish pm. We arrive at 12:45 and were greeted by two very rude waitress! They stated we could stay if we wanted to order quickly! Excuse me? We are coming to dine at your restaurant to have a nice enjoyable meal, and are treated like they are doing us a favor to eat there. If the restaurant is open until 1 pm then they should take customers until 1 pm, if not change your hours to read 12:30. We were trying to support local business during these trying times. read more