I finally waited in line to try Lou Mitchell's, a true Chicago classic that's been around for years, and I can definitely see why it's so popular. One thing that really stood out is that everything is made from scratch, from the bread to the jam, which gives the whole experience a homemade, comforting feel. The portions are very generous, so you're definitely getting your money's worth. On top of that, the service was friendly and impressively quick despite how busy it was. That said, the pancakes personally weren't my favorite. They weren't bad, just not something I'd go back specifically for. Overall, it's a solid spot with great service and quality food. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu next time. read more

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It was... outdated. Could use a good remodel. Maybe VINTAGE is a kinder word. And I know they got the money to do it cuz... my husband ordered a skillet (and upgraded to pancakes) and I got an omelette (which needed to be sent back cuz it was still runny on the inside). We ordered a coffee and a Diet Coke. Our bill was OVER $70. SEVENTY dollars. I always say I believe in paying good money for good food but the juice just wasn't worth the squeeze. And this is on top of the city parking you have to pay to eat there. It's just craziness. I will say that the toast was pretty delicious. The server was nice enough. The bathrooms were downstairs and needed attention. read more

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I have been coming here for years and truly everything I have tried from their menu has not disappointed me. It is classic diner food, and the portions are quite generous as well. The service is also spectacular, they are quite attentive. The most interesting thing that I've tried from them is their apple omelet (pictured). I thought it would be just apple slices with the eggs, but it was actually apple pie filling! Definitely interesting, but not bad. Not spectacular either but I would prefer to eat their savory items more than the sweet ones. On the weekends its normal for there to be a line, but it moves quick. The longest I've probably ever waited was 20 minutes. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ok tbh upgrading to 5 stars bc it's 5 stars for a diner, great service, blue soft serves for bears wins, free donut holes, very yummy omelettes & potato skillets, consistent. read more

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Had an amazing omelette here today. Perfectly cooked and absolutely gut bustingly huge. Fresh good ingredients. Sliced potatoes are awesome. Crowded old school place. Really worth a shot. Can't wait to try other menu items. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Classic in every way. The coffee was delicious and was brought out with a donut hole and orange wedge. All orders are served in vintage skillets and those scrambled eggs couldn't be more fluffy if they were injected with air. The bacon was cooked perfectly and there was so much food I could have shared. Personally I wasn't as big of a fan of the sweetness on the wheat toast but the rest of the group loved it. There were other things I wanted to try but I was too full. I will have to go back again. On top of the wonderful breakfast I loved the setting. The diner has stood there for decades and you feel like you re stepping back in time from the second you enter the door until you go back out onto the street. read more

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Another visit Another fantastic lunch Service the best Food excellent Ambiance old school (is cool) Price so reasonable If you've been here good visit again If you haven't come down , you'll be glad you did. Not a bad item on the menu read more

Lou Mitchell's - Out front February day - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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At Lou Mitchell's, you'll be sure to find a few things: classic American breakfast fare, a line of people waiting to be seated, and charismatic staff weaving through the vibrant interior. It's a Chicago classic through and through. Both the omelette and the potatoes were well-cooked, with a soft interior to the omelette and a crispy yet tender bite to the potatoes. Being a bit of an expert in breakfast fare, I also ordered a set of chocolate chip pancakes for the table. These were a touch lacking in flavor and texture. but they nonetheless rounded out a very good meal at a Chicago staple. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Spinach Special Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A true Chicago institution! Shockingly my first time, but wow was I missing out! Such an inviting, old timey diner feel. We went the day after a Bears playoff win and everyone was wearing Bears gear, along with decor all around the diner. They even had blue ice cream with orange sprinkles to celebrate! Our phones did not eat first (we were so hungry and so excited about the food!) so I apologize for the subpar photos. What we ordered: Freshly squeezed OJ: One word - YUM! Mushroom special omelette: The eggs were so fluffy + delicious! Malted bacon + pecan waffle: Love that the pecans were incorporated into the waffle! Plus the housemade syrup - a hit! Reuben: Ginormous + delicious! Meat is piled on along with melty cheese and so much sauerkraut. Loved it! Our server, Alex, was also a delight and really enhanced our experience! 10/10! read more

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LOU MITCHELLS I LOVE YOU!!!!!! The most perfect breakfast spot which such a diner and cozy vibe. Being from NJ I consider myself a diner expert and Lou's is one of the best! The staff treat you like family and are so attentive even when they are always packed! If you're coming here, definitely prepare to wait in line, but it is SO WORTH it. I got the blueberry pancakes with a side of hashbrowns and they were delicious. My partner got their Belgian waffle and it was huge and fluffy! Also got their never ending coffee which was brewed perfectly. Will always come back! read more

Lou Mitchell's - Belgian Malted Waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Travelling to chicago, then you have to stop by Lou's. Nice old time diner feel to it and staff are very friendly. Food was also amazing. They made their own syrup and it was the perfect sweet and thickness. Overall it is a restaurant that feels warm even thru the chilly winds of chicago read more

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We found this place when we were looking on Yelp for breakfast options near our hotel, and it was a quickly walk away. We went on a Friday morning and it was busy (but according to the staff, nowhere near that busy for what they usually see). The ambiance is very old school diner, it's so cute and cozy. When we arrived in from the blistering cold of the Chicago fall, we were quickly sat amongst the rows of tables. It is a tight squeeze in this restaurant, especially once you have been sat. We ordered coffee and our entrees. While we waited, they poured coffee for us and brought over some beignets/donuts. The beignets were good but cold. When we got our food, my breakfast sandwich was also cold. Also good, I just wish it had been warm. My partner enjoyed his omelet, potatoes, and pancake. (I also enjoyed a bite of his pancake). The way the space is set up is fun. You can literally hear every single word of the conversations beside you, so it's not as awkward to make friends with your tablemates. I enjoyed it as a fun way to drink coffee and chat with the wonderful women beside us. Definitely an experience. I would recommend coming for breakfast if you are in the area. read more

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It was really fun visiting this iconic diner! It's a city landmark and has been around over 100 years!!! Wow!!!!!! I love visiting historical places. It definitely has that old school, fun diner ambiance. The coffee is delicious--it's their special blend and has won awards. They serve it with pure cream, which is my favorite. They give out free donut holes to customers but they were out by the time we got there so I'll have to return to experience those. It was packed for Sunday brunch but we didn't have to wait too long for our booth. Excellent service. Everyone was very kind. My mom had silver dollar pancakes and they were huge! So many of them! The bacon was delicious!!! So good!! The portions are very generous here. Huge! I had the smoked salmon Benedict and my boyfriend had the traditional eggs Benedict. We both agreed that our eggs were super salty. Perfectly cooked poached eggs but too salty. I couldn't finish mine because of the salt. But my hash browns were fantastic! I think I just ordered the wrong thing because all the other dishes my family ordered were excellent. There was plenty of food for sharing so I got to try everything. My niece had scrambled eggs and those were not salty. Very fluffy and tasty. She ordered 1 scrambled egg but it looked like she got more eggs than that. Again, generous portions and you'll get your money's worth. I think next time I'll order an omelette. Those looked really good. I really enjoyed their raisin toast. They make their own syrup too and it was so good. I even put some in my coffee. We were given complimentary little cups of soft serve ice cream at the end of the meal. What a nice touch! Very cool experience! Very glad we came here! read more

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Early morning flights mean limited breakfast and coffee options in the loop, so Lou Mitchell's was a lifesaver for me. Normally, the long line outside stops me from checking it out but thankfully most people aren't awake at 7am. Not super hungry, I ordered the egg sandwich for something to hold me over during my flight. I promise I'm not picky with my sandwiches, but this one was severely lacking. Everything was overly greasy and under seasoned. Plus maybe a mistake on my part, but the bread wasn't even toasted or warm. Beggars can't be choosers, but in the future I rather risk it. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After stepping inside Lou Mitchell's, it's evident why it's a Chicago breakfast staple. The quaint restaurant is often filled to capacity, so it's best to go early. They give you a donut hole to start the meal. I ordered the Espaniole Omelette, which was delicious and hearty. You will not get cheated on portions at Lou Mitchell's. My girlfriend ordered the Greek feta cheese omelette, and it was also quite tasty. It's standard breakfast fare, but nothing amazing. Overall, great breakfast spot laden with history. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Greek Feta Cheese Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A classic Chicago breakfast establishment. My only regret is waiting so long to try Lou's. You can tell most of the staff have worked there forever, and they're very friendly. The diner itself is exactly the old school ambiance I love. Standard Chicago breakfast pricing, good portions, and a free donut hole to enjoy with your coffee while you wait for your entree. Fresh ingredients. Need to try lunch here next time. read more

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Saw the middling reviews and expected little, but we loved our breakfast. I hadn't been here in over 20 years, and i don't think it's changed at all. Everyone should come here at least once to experience what diners used to be like. Hearken back to the time before our choices for breakfast were pretty much between elaborate, instagramable dessert concoctions and total garbage. It's busy, but not the kind of busy where you feel rushed or can feel a stranger's breath on you. Get a few things and split it. Get the pancakes. Get a Benedict with perfectly poached eggs probably poached by someone who could poach eggs in their sleep. And for the love of all that is holy, get those potatoes. You won't be able to eat it all, and later you'll regret not trying harder eat it all. read more

Lou Mitchell's - That's half an order. Show up hungry. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My partner and I came to Lou Michell's because we've heard from many people that this institution was a must to visit while we're in town. We came on Thursday morning around 11 am and they already ran out of their famous donut holes when I asked to buy some, oh well that's my fault for not coming earlier. We ordered the French toast, and Greek special omelette. The French toast was alright, it was super dry in the middle and it came out tepid.. even with all the maple syrup, it couldn't be saved. We did not finish it. The Greek omelette special was also tepid. I was expecting it to be piping hot, it was barely warm. The middle of the omelette wasn't warm at all, how disappointing. Almost $20 an omelette and it comes out like that? At least the omelette wasn't dry, I give them that. They also ran out of hash browns, so we settled for fries and that was also sad. It wasn't hot, big shocker there. They were leftover fries that were left sitting on the side too long. My waiter also forgot to bring me my side of bread that came with the omelette, never came. I get it, it's busy. This was probably the saddest breakfast spot I've ever been to and I won't recommend this to others who want to visit Chicago. Only reason this is still a two star is because our waiter never left my partner's coffee cup empty. He said the coffee was also very good, the best diner coffee he's had by far. I won't be coming back. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Grilled Thick French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is exactly the type of diner that I was hoping to find here in Chicago. Fast paced, a server that calls me "sweetie", a good cup of drip coffee (not the world's best, but it was good), and great food. The omelettes were excellent, I would recommend not getting cheese on the omelette with gravy. Contrasting flavors that didn't work as well as it sounded in my head. With that said, the preparation was top notch. I'll definitely be back if I revisit Chicago! read more

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Visiting Lou Mitchell's will always be on my checklist if I am in Chicago before 8am. They have a vibe and hospitality there that is unmatched, their food is top 3 if not the best breakfast place I have ever had in my life. I recommend this establishment every chance I get for some amazing breakfast. read more

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A Chicago classic! The portions here are very large and affordable. I enjoyed the sour cream omelette and a hot chocolate to drink. The donut and orange slice they brought out at first were a highlight. Our server was attentive and this place has the best diner vibes. It's very cozy inside. Fun place to take visitors especially if they are coming in to Union Station! read more

Lou Mitchell's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Classic diner food that will fill you up for the day. The menu has a large selection and something for everyone. Service is fast and friendly. Be sure to save room for some sweets. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Traditional Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Can't go wrong with the iconic breakfast spot in Chicago! Always a great time visiting Lou Mitchell's !!! This place has been around for over 100 years, and it's like travel back in time when you stepped into here. Just be prepared to wait!! It's very busy, esp on the weekends!!! There're street parking around the area! I always go for the egg sandwich, it's one of my favorite!! I love their homemade bread with the sesame seeds for the egg sandwich!! Their French toasts are also amazing!! They also give you complimentary donut holes and orange slices!!! They do have breakfasts and lunch items on their menu, and plenty of options to choose from!!!! Definitely check this place out if you are visiting Chicago, this's a must to add to your list! read more

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Great food, fast service, and very courteous staff. We had a party of 7 and we were seated on Friday morning very quickly despite it being really busy. It was a classic diner experience and the coffee was pretty good. We got commentary donut, orange slice, and soft serve after we were done. This was so satisfying after our long plane ride and everyone in our party agreed it was a very good choice. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Complimentary strawberry soft serve - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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SO GOOD! I love feta cheese and spinach so these ingredients in an omelette was ‍! The potatos were crispy, but rye bread was a tad bit too hard. Other than that, solid food and I loved the presentation in a pan! I came here in a hurry given the my initial train was delayed, but my next train was on time. Despite that, I was able to enjoy most of my meal because the food came out relatively quickly despite being very busy! It's quite a cramped space given that it is a diner right outside union statuon, so it a bit difficult to move around. Very solid experience overall read more

Lou Mitchell's - Spinach Special Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can't believe my parents and I deprived myself of eating here growing up. Born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, my family would take frequent trips to the city for all sorts or occasions. As i got older I would do the same with friends especially taking advantage of the metra. Hearing that this restaurant has been around since 1923 is astonishing. Beyond cool to eat at a place of Chicago history. I suggest getting here around opening on weekends to avoid the long line. It is a first come first serve establishment with tons of seating in a small space. The decor is minimal with old wood furnishes and midcentury modern lighting. They offer bar, booth, and table style seating. The main hostest (the other host told us her name is Donna) has been working there for 40 or so years! She was kicking butt and getting people seated. She even had fans from out of the state come eat here just to meet her. It took us less than 20 minutes to get a seat for a party of 3 on a sunday morning with a line out the door. Just an FYI, you could be sat really close to the other tables but it didn't bother me nonetheless. A lady came by real quick with coffee and drinks. The waiter who was AMAZING brought us complimentary donut holes with an orange slice. He was soft spoken, super flexible, very quick and accommodating. I really wish i got his name. Super caring about his customers. The food was on point. Probably one of the best diner type restaurants I have ever ate at. I ordered a denver omelette hobo style which is with potatoes inside and added feta. *chef kiss* There was zero brown on the egg and it was SUPER fluffy. We also tried the pancakes with the house made syrup and orange marmalade. My mom ordered the house made chocolate cake donut. Soooooo good! Wish I could have tried all their made in house baked goods! They have a giant menu at the front with all the baked goods they sell and their own house blend of coffee that you can buy. If you come visit Chicago, you have to come here for breakfast. Your tastebuds depend on it. read more

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Heaters line the awnings to keep us warm while we wait. The friendly staff inside informed us to just wait in line and we will be seated as we worked our way inside. Maybe 20 minutes and we had a booth in the corner. Fresh orange slice and a donut hole to kick off the morning. Water was served up quickly and filled often. This landmark classic diner hit the spot on every cylinder. Quality fresh ingredients at every turn. Homemade marmalade and jams. Fresh baked bread. Fluffy eggs that were exactly that! Restroom is in the basement and was clean and well taken care of. The warm paneling and home grown kitchen table feel are what we needed. Thank you, and enjoy! read more

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OG breakfast spot on Jackson that has been serving patrons since 1923! Service and staff are amazing, bottomless cups of coffee, and really great food. Interior is as "Chicago" as it gets, with a warm and inviting ambiance Pro Tip: grab a seat at the counter and enjoy some great banter with the staff! This place is worth a visit! read more

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Awesome ! Quintessential Chicago diner with excellent food, fun staff, and great atmosphere. The food is outstanding. Went there with a colleague for breakfast. I had a wonderful chicken sausage skillet with delicious sausage gravy. Huge portion! My friend had the French toast special with ginormous slices of bread and fruit. Will definitely revisit when back in Chicago. read more

Lou Mitchell's has been around forever and for good reason! The food has always been excellent breakfast and comfort food, always delicious, homemade, quick, and in filling portions. Cinnamon rolls are a must-have! They are so fresh, you'll get yours right out of the oven as I had both of mine on this visit. They are that good!! My breakfast mate had an omelette, with bacon and something else, and the order was quite large, cook to order, and cooked perfectly. At my recent visit I ordered fresh squeezed grapefruit interest, and while it was very expensive, it was fresh squeezed and absolutely delicious, and I felt like I was at my parents' home in florida. I've never been here when it's not crowded, this time, we did not have to wait, but just plan that you might have to wait. It'll be well worth it. You'll either get a tiny two-person booth or something teeny bit bigger. You might be able to squeeze a 10-person breakfast party in here. If you can sit at the counter, that's always a great experience. I encourage that. Wait staff here is always very friendly, very attentive and professional! This recent visit was no different! Bathrooms are in the basement, so just be prepared for that if you are not super able-bodied. read more

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Wonderful historic restaurant with lots of charm and personality. Staff is so friendly and helpful. Food is incredibly delicious. They offer some unique dishes, for example salmon omelet and apple omelette. I'm a breakfast person and I don't come across these omelets often at all. Coffee is excellent. They offer a free ice cream at them of your meal, so that awesome. There's a lot of people but even if there's a line to be seated, the wait time is pretty fast. read more

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If you want a true, classic diner experience, this is it! I went for breakfast for my son on a Sunday morning. Highly recommend getting there no later than 9:30 as the line builds early though I will say it moves fast. We sat at the counter, which was a wonderful experience. Our waitress, Virginia, was lovely. She made sure we had what we needed and kept my coffee full without me even seeing her pour it! My son had the pancakes and I had eggs, bacon and potatoes with a side of raisin toast. I love that they give a donut hole as a mini appetizer and a quick bit of ice cream at the end. This place is truly magical and a must visit when in Chicago. read more

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An excellent establishment and perhaps one of the greatest breakfast spots. Very lively staff and a great environment to be in. read more

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There's almost nothing more Chicago than getting breakfast at Lou's. My family makes fun of me because I'm always talking about diners. I have a mug from the Golden Nugget that used to be on Irving Park right by I-90. I also now have a replacement Lou's mug after my original from 15 years ago fell and cracked in 2022. Diners are history. Lou's isn't 24 hours, but if you can find one (RIP Jeri's, but check Huck Finn's or the aforementioned Golden Nugget for the last of their kind) you can witness a part of life only a select few have. People who work graveyard shifts are a unique bunch. I did it for about three years until I decided I wanted a social life not dependent on meeting other third-shifers. Anyway, it's kind of a thing you have to do and experience to really understand. Imagine being in Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" painting and talking to those people. Imagine the stories they'd tell. Lining up out front may seem silly for a diner, but you must persevere. Upon entering, think of all those who have been before you. Take your time looking over the extensive menu over coffee. Order whatever looks good and for an hour or so, all will be well with the world and breakfast. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Took the train to Chicago to catch a flight at O'Hare. Wanted breakfast and it was snowing so didn't want to walk too far. Lou Mitchell's is right by Union Station, is open early, and had an authentic old-school vibe. The restaurant was busy! I was seated at the bar right away but I had time to kill so I wouldn't have minded waiting. I had bags that they asked me to leave up front--I wasn't the only one. I got my coffee quickly--good diner coffee. And I got a complementary donut hole with a little orange slice. The bakery items sounded tempting even if judging by my neighbors' portions I knew I wouldn't have room. I had the Greek cheese special omelette which came with fried potatoes like my grandma used to make, sliced thin. They use Greek feta and it had veggies and real eggs, you could tell. I got a thick slice of toast on the side with butter and house made marmalade. Again, getting full was not a problem but I almost wanted more toast so I could have more of the marmalade. By the time I left there was a line out the door. And this is on a blustery January morning. Would visit again if traveling through Chicago. read more

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This place is a true gem! A true testament as to how they are alive and well for 100+ years. Happy we could go there for breakfast x 2 days. Seated quickly despite a line and seemingly full house! Everyone clicked like a well oiled engine. Food was excellent. Service TOP notch! Mickey was our waitress and she iced the cake on our experience ! Now we know where to have breakfast whenever we are in the area! Don't miss! read more

Classic American diner style restaurant with tasty food in big portions. Family seating. Fantastic breakfast

I'm very full after eating breakfast here. I ate nothing prior. It is a rainy foggy day out so I decided to walk over to finally dine here. I walked over the day before and there was literally a line out the door. It is the holiday season, so thus such. For locals like myself, who frequent walking past this street monthly, it is not always that busy. In terms of a line out the door. Yet it is usually busy in terms of the diner being decently packed. Anyway, today I got in, and surprisingly spacious area at the bar like area. Which is actually kind of cool, given its unique shape. Service here is quick and the tasty food served not long after either. It is very nice that they provided a powder doughnut hole with a slice of orange. The coffee is free refills which is great. The arrangement of condiments and other things at this bar area is nice too. Ambiance overall is great. Additionally at the end of my meal, they provided a small vanilla ice cream cup. Which was great. I didn't expect the doughnut hole, orange and ice cream ("free of charge"). That was nice. I ordered the Traditional eggs Benedict with a side of bacon and a cranberry juice cocktail. It was great. Overall tasty food and very filling. It has a nice old school look to the place too inside. I definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

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Despite the line we got seated very quickly. ervice was great, and my pecan bacon waffles were delicious! It's truly and old school diner still thriving in Chicago and I understand why it's holding strong. Absolutely worth going read more

Lou Mitchell's - Pecan bacon waffles with butter - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great place!! Foid is always good. Service is good. Its a dtap l e in Chicago abd it has its regulars.