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

Interesting place. Reminds me of a traditional deli but has a modern vibe; it seemed a bit confused and like it was all over the place. Went here on a Saturday around noon, and the place was busy and incredibly loud. We probably had to wait about 20 minutes to get a table, and ended up sitting at one end of the bar. The staff was very friendly and helpful, so that that's a plus. As a vegan, the menu was very confusing. Even though there's a vegetarian/vegan section, it didn't look like they were very many vegan options at all. Also, other items on the menu in other sections could have been vegan, but I'm not sure. Again, the menu was confusing to read. I would really have appreciated if they could clearly mark what the vegan options are on their menu, or how to make something vegan. I ordered the chopped Elodie salad with a miso-ginger vinaigrette. Even though it was pricey, the portion size was substantial, the vegetables were perfectly chopped, and it tasted delicious! read more

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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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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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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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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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First off, we loved the atmosphere of the place. Service was super attentive, old school music, diner style tables and booths give the place a homey, comfortable feel. The food portions for breakfast were extremely generous, which seemed to us to justify the slightly elevated prices. The only complaint was that the protein scramble was a touch watery, but all ingredients were fresh and well made. The cheese and bacon omelet was excellent as were the potatoes and toast. We added a single pancake to share - you don't need more than one! If you are on vacation in Chicago like we were, you will find this place to be a fantastic stop and will not mind the prices given the quality of the products and the care in preparation. 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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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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Where do I start? I was in Chicago for a week for both business and leisure. Our hotel was three blocks away from Eleven City Diner and we found ourselves there for breakfast on our second day in the city. I had a bagel with lox and all the fixins and it was perfect in every way. Two days later, I wasn't feeling well and my husband suggested we go back to the diner for some matzoh ball soup. This soup is as close to my own homemade as I've ever eaten at a restaurant. I went back three more times and brought my business colleagues with me. The sandwiches are mile high and delicious. They cook their latkes, fries and tater tots in beef tallow. You can get incredible breakfasts all day long and they have an old school soda found and serve floats, malts and shakes. This place even makes its own root beer! Plus, the service is some of the best I've ever had. The servers started to remember me! Cannot recommend enough. Don't walk - RUN! read more

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We stumbled across this place and we were amazed! We had a stroller and they were a little tight on room, however they accommodated and had a space for it. Their food was amazing, we got the swayed mile high, patty melt and the Ruben and we were blown away how wonderful everything tasted, especially the fries! There refillable Shirley Temple was so refreshing. But the big show stopper was the chocolate cake! Man we will have dreams about it! Such an amazing place, we will come back next time we are in Chicago read more

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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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I was extremely disappointed by the gentleman hostess. First time visiting the diner wasn't aware you couldn't sit at the bar. The way he addressed me was abrasive. I was not pleased with his lack of soft skills. I was just here to order carry out food. I can only imagine my food will be amazing but that one hostess needs to be checked. read more

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

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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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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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

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

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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On the morning of June 21, 2026, the day after Father's Day, I met my best friend for breakfast at Eleven City Diner while he was visiting Chicago. I live with clinically diagnosed anxiety and depression and am assisted by two psychiatric service dogs. They are small, well-trained cockapoos that are calm, obedient, and accustomed to accompanying me in public. My friend arrived before I did, so when I entered the restaurant, I informed the hostess that I had two service animals with me. She spoke with a manager, who appeared immediately flustered and uncomfortable. Rather than simply accommodating us, the interaction quickly became awkward and, frankly, dehumanizing. He suggested placing my dogs in high chairs and seemed overwhelmed by the idea of accommodating us. I answered his questions respectfully, but I left with the distinct impression that my presence and my disability were an inconvenience. The tone and body language made me feel unwelcome before we had even been seated. For the sake of my own mental health, I decided not to argue and told my friend that we should leave. Instead of simply allowing us to do so, the manager followed us and continued trying to explain himself. What hurt me most was that he then directed his explanation to my friend rather than to me--the person with the service animals and the person directly affected. I remember saying, "Why are you talking to him? I'm right here." At that moment, I felt invisible. As a Black man, experiences like this carry an added weight that many people may not understand. There is a constant awareness that if I express frustration, even justified frustration, I risk being labeled angry or aggressive. So I chose to walk away. But walking away does not mean the experience did not hurt. I am not claiming to know anyone's heart or intentions. I can only speak to how I was treated and how I felt. I left feeling that I did not matter, that I was not welcome, and that accommodating my disability was viewed as a burden rather than a responsibility. People with disabilities deserve dignity. Customers deserve to be spoken to directly. And everyone deserves to feel welcome when they walk into a restaurant. Unfortunately, that was not my experience at Eleven City Diner. read more

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

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

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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We were seated near the hostess stand, a very LOUD location. if you want italian beef, go to a place known for it. Their version was undercooked and under spiced. The desserts. though, were by all accounts delicious. read more

Visited The Field Museum and googled places close by to eat. I have 2 boys, 8 and 10. We all enjoyed our food! I loved the old school vibe, Leslie our server was very friendly and made sure we had our delicious root beer refilled before we could even ask! My boys said, hands down, best root beer ever. This place is a great find, for something the whole family can enjoy. If you're looking for pretentious, don't come here! If you're looking for good food, good service, and damn good root beer, Eleven City Diner is the place. read more

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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Would not let us sit while we waited for takeout even though they were closing soon and there were plenty of empty seats

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

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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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

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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