This is one kitschy diner and we love it! There's definitely a cozy 50's diner vibe to this restaurant, just without the attitude of an Ed Debevic's. The servers we've had were all wonderful and knowledgeable. We've had the pastrami and corned beef sandwich and, warning, the serving sizes are insane, so sharing is highly recommended. The sandwich was amazing with just the right amount of fat in the meat, the right warmth, and incredible flavor. We also shared the beef tallow fries, which are not to be missed. The spicy ketchup, which is an extra charge is good but can be skipped. The next time we got breakfast and the corned beef has was nearly all meat and wonderfully greasy and filling. The roasted potatoes were so incredibly crispy and perfect! We've had their home brewed bottomless root beer and that is absolutely worth the money to order! read more

Late review. Came in yet again for a husband bday / Mother's Day lunch. My husband again got the club. I got the turkey melt. The melt was fabulous. They grill the bread perfectly. I had to eat with a knife and a fork. It also reheats well (in the oven). It's an extraordinarily busy place but they are kind and efficient. Once you are seated you don't feel rushed. I wish we can come more often. read more

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My husband and I were traveling from Honolulu, came to Chicago for a trip and we walk around everywhere. We. Went to trader's joes and we got hungry. We saw this place and we decided to check it out. The place is nice and cozy. They have a nice ambiance and the people are very friendly. I had the French toast, I didn't know they give big portions, 3 slices of thick bread and you can choose the toppings, I choose banana and pecans. Well, I only eat one slice and I was full. My husband got the "Tim got up at 2:00 pm" special. That was a lot too. So if you are not that hungry, one order is good for 2 people. Every time we talk to other people, we always recommended this place.. read more

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Used to come here for college when I had the rare dollar or ten to blow, and I'm so glad to say that it still tastes just as good. You gotta get the cheese sauce with your fries. Unless you're lactose intolerant there's no excuse, and even then I'd still say it'd be worth it. Try not to get eyes bigger than your stomach- as delicious as the food is, you end up feeling the food coma much sooner than other restaurants. read more

Eleven City Diner - Cheese Sauce cheeseburger - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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WOW 5/5 PLEASE DON'T MISS! We ordered the #44 which was stacked HIGH with thick, juicy pastrami and topped with crunchy fried onion strings and rich sour cream. I could cry - this sandwich changed my life and fed two people for $23.99 in downtown Chicago. The chocolate milkshake was rich and malty. We loved that it came with an "extra shake" container, truly worth the $12.50. Staff were quick for a Saturday afternoon and the ambiance was lively with the decor and neon lights. Truly a gem in the heart of a foodie city. read more

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OMG the food here is amazing! Everything so good, portions huge so be careful. I had the beef roast sandwich and it was amazing, also had three egg breakfast and it was more like 6 eggs. Read the negative reviews and I had completely opposite experience. Plus staff all so attentive and nice. read more

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Always amazing breakfasts! The French toast made from challah bread is the best! Came once again on Christmas morning and got sat right away. Thanks for being open! The inside is done up old school and plenty of counter seats if you're flying solo. read more

Eleven City Diner - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We used to visit this place all the time when we lived in the neighborhood. We went back recently and were looking at the menu while waiting. I saw that everything is now fried in beef tallow with "no seed oils" all over the menu. When I asked the reason for the change, the bald man at the front laughed at me like it was a ridiculous question. I confronted him for laughing and all he wanted to do was argue with me. I walked out. I'm not interested in this MAGA beef tallow nonsense and we won't be back. read more

Excellent service from Jessica! She is very attentive, friendly, and gave excellent recommendations. Really cool diner!! Fun decor, nice people, and good vibes all around. We came here on a Sunday afternoon for brunch and we had to wait about 15 minutes so it's a reasonable wait time. They accept reservations too so I'll do that next time. The food was okay. I wanted to love it more than I did. My Cobb salad was good but a bit bland. The turkey and bacon lacked flavor, and the cucumber pieces were really hard so it felt like a chore to eat by the end. The Rueben egg rolls were pretty good, but I've had better. I enjoyed their homemade thousand island dressing with it. They make all their food/meats in house, which is very impressive. They have a deli on site too and you can buy goodies to take home. The menu is huge! Breakfast is served all day. My boyfriend enjoyed his corned beef and pastrami hash bowl with challah toast. I will definitely come back and try other things. Their latkes look great and all their sandwiches. They also have vegetarian and vegan options. They have fun cocktails too. read more

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What a beautiful diner! I loved the decor and the ambiance of the diner. The employees were super friendly and attentive. The menu there is extensive and offers a great array of options to choose from. I enjoyed their Reuben and their matzah ball soup. The Reuben had a generous amount of pastrami and coleslaw, and the matzah ball was huge. Really good service and good food, try it out when you're in town! read more

Eleven City Diner - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow, this place was packed on the Saturday I went! When we arrived, the friendly lady at the front said it would be about 45 minutes. So my friend and I put our name in, although they specifically mentioned they would announce our name over the speaker (we didn't have an option to put a phone number down). While we were waiting, my friend and I decided to grab a coffee. We headed back with what we thought was ample time, but apparently they called our name 10 minutes prior to our arrival. Luckily, they were able to take us to the bar right away! I ordered the Mexican scramble, which was unlike any breakfast item I've ever had! It was kind of like breakfast tacos, but a bit different. It was delicious and filling. I would definitely come and check this place out again sometime! read more

Eleven City Diner - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Eleven city has managed to perfect the small town Americana diner experience. I actually had flashbacks to getting out of my high school football games and going to eat steak burgers and shakes with my teammates. Had to get the classic diner order: root beer float and patty melt. Both were phenomenal, so I would absolutely recommend getting the same. The ambiance is very bright and lively with 80s rock n roll blasting. The staff were very friendly and the experience overall was well worth the 30 min wait. For a moment, everything felt right with the world again. read more

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This is a very nice spot inside and the service is great as well. It does have that old school family oriented diner feel and was busy with families/groups around 1pm on Monday. The food was just OK in my opinion. I got the Zenith which is pastrami and corn beef on three slices of rye with swiss cheese and thousand Island. It was just ok, they pile the meat on the rye bread to where it does look like a lot, but it really doesn't seem like much when you spread it to all sides of the bread. The sandwich I got came with very mediocre pickle and a side of coleslaw, which was also very mediocre. One plus is they fry all of their fried foods in beef tallow, but they use frozen fries so I say that defeats the whole purpose of using a high-quality ingredient to fry. I came in because I was curious, when I walked by a few weeks ago, it was busy. After seeing pictures of their sandwiches, I wanted to try a corn beef sandwich to compare to others I've had. They serve breakfast all day, but I was told they would prefer I ordered lunch if possible, luckily I wanted lunch but they did say they would still serve breakfast if I wanted. Kinda an odd thing to say. The menu is pretty big like a nfl play sheet and takes up a lot of space when looking at it. Over all, it's a nice place with good service. Plenty of seating options from the bar (they serve alcohol and wide variety of pops and shakes) and a variety of booth tables. The food didn't blow me away or anything and I thought it was kind of bland. Maybe I'd go for actual breakfast next time but it may just be if I can't find anything else, which this place is usually open. The place 4 stars, the food 3.5. read more

My friends and I came here for brunch on Sunday and we had a blast. The minute you walk inside this place, you can tell it's a diner kind of vibe. The interior design and choice of music comes together so well. I had the protein scrambler because I'm on a low carb diet. The egg whites were so fluffy that the picture can't even do its justice. I felt like I was on cloud nine every time I took a bite of the scrambler. This place gives such huge portions that I had to take the potatoes home. The price and portion ratio is so spot on. I decided to come here with my friends because I've seen lines out the door before on weekends and I was curious, what's so good about this place? I can see why people wait in line on the weekends because I will definitely be back. This was my first time here, but it will not be my last time. read more

Eleven City Diner - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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You could not ask for friendlier and thoughtful service. From management to host to server to bus staff -- all great! I'll definitely be back. But, we'll want to try different food options. The Rueben lacked zip, the tomato soup was bland, and the fries were soggy. Nothing bad, just not up to the ticket price. read more

I never sit at the bar to get food but the place gets packed and the bar was the only thing available. Cool little diner-ish spot in the south loop. First time trying Ruben eggrolls and they were good paired with their Chicago hot girad chips. If I can grab a table next time I'll be back. read more

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Eleven City Diner is a solid simple restaurant. They take Jewish deli classics and execute them in respectable albeit slightly lacking ways. Mac and cheese: 3/5. Solid base. Super boring. There needed to be a curve whether that's a pop of red onion, crispy bits, or mustard to sustain interest in the dish. Lox and latke: 3.5/5. Right in the wheelhouse of this restaurant, but still not quite nailed. Rich cream cheese, good balance with red onions, scallions, and capers. But the latke itself was really thick, taking away some of the best crispy bits of a perfect latke. read more

I ordered a burger and it was so dry. A burger is a starter meal that should be a hit out of the park. For the price point I was disappointed. I understand location cost a lot but I won't be getting a burger from here again. My ignorant type of thinking prevents me from giving a place a second chance. Maybe other dishes are great since the place is always full. (Service was good! I tried to edit but it won't let me uncheck the box) read more

Root for the root beer! This is a great brunch or lunch spot if you're down in the museum area of Chicago. There can be a wait for a table, but opt to belly up to the counter for great service and a view of some of the crazy drinks they make behind the bar! There's lots of options for vegans and meat lovers on the menu, and a bevy of boozy drinks if it's 5 o'clock somewhere... read more

Eleven City Diner - The black and white! - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Massive delicious meat slices over rye bread. It's a bit messy but that's to be expected. The service here is quick and professional, a bit loud because of the music. The place is worth the wait read more

Eleven City Diner - Rubin's Reuben - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a fun, loud, vibrant place with a huge menu and breakfast all day. Portions are big and everything I've tried has been just above mediocre- staff is friendly but service is always slow read more

Eleven City Diner - Turkey Melt - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We visited Chi over the summer and had to stop into our favorite diner -- we weren't disappointed! Always friendly service and the menu is super solid. I forgot how huge the portions are! We went for breakfast. Man they have delicious breakfast potatoes. That's probably my favorite thing with breakfast. I love a simple well-made egg and sausage. They have really tasty sausage! It is a bit loud. I had forgotten that. The music is great, but loud so it's a little echo-y and just the din of the diner is loud and not the best place to try to have a conversation. Def will come back the next time in Chicago!! read more

Lively diner with the exact type of experience you'd expect from a busy diner like this. Had to wait a little bit to get a seat on a Sunday morning, but once seated service was pretty quick. The diner itself feels very massive and has a crap ton of interesting decor. Food-wise they have a lot of your typical diner options and plenty of options for a nice sandwich with premium cuts of meat, and cheese, a lot of it. Pricing felt a bit more premium than your typical fast casual chain diner, slightly justified since the ingredients felt a bit more premium. The food is pretty decent overall and will hit the spot for your diner needs. read more

Eleven City Diner - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'm really not sure how to rate this piece! The food is really good. The pastrami sandwiches are piled high, the pickle plate is fresh and tasty (especially the pickled tomato), and I tried the improbably "salami valor," with chopped pastrami, a thick hunk of grilled salami, and various toppings on thick sliced challah bread. It was astounding, and I would come back here for the meat alone. But the service was bad -- with a long stretch where we wanted to order our dinner and there were no servers on the floor -- the noise level was overwhelming, and combined with the neon lights, made us all unpleasantly jangled the whole time we were there. So I probably won't go back unless I notice it isn't crowded, but it almost always is. (What was it Yogi Berra said? . . . .) read more

Idk what all the hate is because woah. I mean woah. We were here for work and stayed across the street, we wanted a breakfast spot (looking for a diner type spot) and this was super convenient. We did zero research before going, we literally just got influenced off their street signage, so we were amazed. It does have a diner feel but classic 1950's diner and SO CLEAN. Not a thick layer of grease on every wall. The menu is SO GOOD. So much to choose from and everything sounded and looked amazing, it was so hard to make a decision. They made us a couple cappuccinos which were fluffy and delicious. But....now for the 5 stars....both my coworker and I are still talking about the eggs. They were incredible. Huge and fluffy, like a cloud in your mouth. And my description doesn't even give them justice, you MUST try for yourself. We were surprised by the prices on everything UNTIL we actually got our food. I could have eaten off of one meal for close to three meals so you definitely get what you pay for. This spot is the bomb. If it was in St. Louis, I would struggle not to want to go every weekend. read more

First time here. Our waiter Alex did a fantastic job serving us. Next time we are visiting the city we will be returning here. The food was fantastic with a cool ambiance inside. read more

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Went for a Sunday brunch with friends. Our party all arrived at different times so do note your whole party must be present to be seated. When we got our table, our lovely waitress Jessica, took us through the menu. Everything was amazing!!! Lively vibe inside the restaurant from customers and staff. Definitely coming back to try all of the menu. read more

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We happened upon this place walking around Chicago. And so glad we did! It looks cool. The staff is friendly & helpful. And the food was magical! I had the half brisket sandwich(came with cole slaw) & tomato basil soup. Delish! My friends enjoyed their lunch too. Thanks Eleven! read more

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I thought overall the vibes and services of this place was great. We sat at the bar and the bartender was fabulous. The food was really good, the breakfast was very fresh and good. I recommend the scrambled eggs because they utilize the butter when making them and it makes make you taste that European style, it's great. The Bloody Mary is Impactful as well as mimosa. Prices are a light high for the standard of food you are getting in comparison to other restaurants around the city but oh well. read more

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This place has a nostalgic retro feel as soon as you walk in. They take reservations and there's a ton of seating room. I think it's a good option for any time of day. I'm definitely a supporter of breakfast for dinner, and they also have more "dinner/lunch" type of food if you prefer that. They also have a good selection of drinks from childhood classic diner milkshakes and lemonade to boozy colorful cocktails. I got the bada** breakfast sandwich and it was super filling and flavorful. Not the best I've ever had tho--was a little overhyped. The potatoes on the side were perfectly crispy. Service was also great; I went with in the last couple of hours before closing and did not feel rushed. read more

Eleven City Diner - Bad A#@! Breakfast Sandwich - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Visited during Lolla, and I was surprised at how quickly I got sat and served! All the workers were really lovely, and Fabiola (my waitress) took great care of me! I got bottomless root beer and Rubin's Reuben (closed face) for my lunch! Their root beer was DELICIOUS!! I had about 3 full glasses because it was so good! My reuben was one of the best I've gotten to try. Really solid food here! read more

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It feels like the Midwest's idea of a New York deli/diner, which leaves the whole thing feeling kitschy, more like a themed bar. Big neon signs and offering a "side of guilt" on the menu - cute little details that make it a fun novelty to drop in while visiting Chicago. Unfortunately the food is just okay. Soup was watery, everything else tasted just average. Again - you're paying for the vibe, which is totally cool if that's what you're looking for. Giving it two stars because our waitress was so quick and friendly. The host, on the other hand, very aloof and honestly just seemed like our patronage was a nuisance rather than, I don't know... his job?? read more

We came here on New Year's Day without a reservation and waited for 45 minutes. They did offer drinks while waiting in line which was nice. The staff were so kind and quick to service. This place is very kids friendly, they offer lollipop straws with the milkshakes. I got a turkey sandwich with challah and the bread was too sweet for the sandwich, it is the thing they do there. My partner got the matzo ball soup and a tuna fish sandwich. My partner said it was "good". The vibe is definitely why you come here maybe not for the food exclusively. The shakes are also great! read more

Eleven City Diner - Milkshake with a lollipop straw - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was great just a little too expensive for my taste for breakfast. The eggs are great the Belgium waffle for the cost should have had more to it . read more

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They've swapped the frier over to beef tallow and now everything has a very powerful and frankly unpleasant beef taste. Even the griddle items like the toasted challah on the sandwiches tastes like it now. This was our favorite spot in the past but now when you order delivery you can't even specify no tallow. There's lot of mention of 'no seed oils' on the menu now, it feels like RFK Jr has taken over the place. The dining room is still nice, servers are great. Please just give the option to not have everything tasted like beef! read more

Great food! Excellent atmosphere- love the shakes! Unbelievable amount of food! And such great service! read more

Eleven City Diner - Milk shake - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Chose this place due to its proximity to our hotel and I really enjoyed it! I tried the Chopped chicken salad and it was delicious. Portion size was good too. My nephew tried the burger and vanilla milkshake, loved them both. I loved the vibe of the place, it is rare to find a cool diner! They have a good menu and they serve breakfast all day. The service was fantastic. The employees were so friendly; asking how everything was and giving recommendations on what to do while in Chicago. Glad we chose this for dinner! read more

Eleven City Diner - Chopped chicken salad with wontons, romaine lettuce, carrots and grilled chicken. - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I rarely leave reviews, but this was the most uncomfortable dining experiences I've had--especially while visiting Chicago for the first time with my family. After trying my dish, I let our server know it simply wasn't to my taste. I was initially offered the option to switch it out, and I was more than happy to order something else. However, the manager approached me and made it clear that regardless if I enjoyed the meal or not, I was obligated to pay for the plate. What made the experience so disappointing was how the manager handled the situation next. Instead of having an understanding approach, he became condescending and dismissive, making comments implying I "didn't understand how restaurants work" and telling me "you can't take a bite out of food, send it back, and expect to just sample the whole menu." The interaction quickly shifted from a simple request into something that felt unnecessarily personal and hostile. When I tried to clarify that I was willing to find a middle ground and order another dish, I was cut off and told, "I can see where this is going," to which he walked off and offered no solution. At no point did it feel like there was any effort to resolve the situation in a respectful or professional way. What was most surprising was that the owner witnessed this interaction and did not step in to offer a solution or even provide an apology. Instead, we were rushed out of the restaurant and escorted out after paying, which only added to how uncomfortable and unwelcoming the entire situation felt. It also didn't help that he continued to berate us throughout our entire stay and publicly shame us to his entire staff. I completely understand that restaurants have policies, and I would have respected that if it had been communicated professionally. However, hospitality and basic respect should always come first. Unfortunately, that was not the experience here as the manager was extremely unprofessional, egotistical and doesn't seem to have an understanding of basic customer service skills. read more

Eleven City Diner offers an exceptional dining experience. During our recent stay in Chicago for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) Conference, a hotel staff member highly recommended the establishment for breakfast. The diner evoked fond memories of the diners I frequented in New York City during my childhood. The menu featured a delightful assortment of classic dishes, including my favorites egg cream, matzo ball soup, chopped liver, and lox & latkes. They even served in-house made root beer on tap which added to the overall ambiance. Each dish was meticulously prepared and delectable. I opted for the lox & latkes with an egg cream, while my husband indulged in Challah French Toast with bananas, a side of sausage links, and root beer. Both meals were equally satisfying and tasty. The inviting atmosphere and our attentive bartender Oscar contributed to the overall positive experience. If I were able to pack this diner in my suitcase, I would undoubtedly bring it back to Jacksonville...Real Talk. Btw, I also got a root beer float read more

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It's a nice diner in the city nearby our hotel when we stopped in for breakfast/lunch. They were busy and bustling but the wait wasn't terrible. We waited about 20 mins for a table of 3. Once we sat, service was prompt. I ordered the soup + half sandwich. I got the tomato basil soup and pastrami sandwich with a smear of chopped beef liver on challah bread. The portions are generous. My bf ordered the regular breakfast with potatoes, eggs and bacon. I can attest they probably gave him a whole potato lol. Overall food is 4/5 and service is 4.5/5. read more

Eleven City Diner - Half soup/sandwich - pastrami - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois