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    Lou Mitchell's

    3.9 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    LOU MITCHELL'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Lou Mitchell's

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    Pecan Roll
    Insia Z.

    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.

    Thomas H.

    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.

    Front sign
    Renee J.

    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.

    Out front February day
    Bob C.

    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

    Spinach Special Omelette
    Rob K.

    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.

    House-made ice cream!
    Brittney W.

    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!

    Belgian Malted Waffle
    Shannon S.

    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!

    John S.

    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

    Hayley P.

    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.

    Leslie C.

    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!

    Trung V.

    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.

    Greek Feta Cheese Omelette
    Aaron A.

    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.

    Mushroom Special Omelette add ham
    Molly M.

    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.

    That's half an order. Show up hungry.

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    2 months ago

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

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    2 months ago

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

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    Lou Mitchell's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lou Mitchell's

    What's parking like?

    Not much. You're better off taking the El and walking.

    I haven't been here in years, are they no longer giving out the little boxes of Milk Duds while you wait in line?

    They are not.

    Are reservations needed?

    They do not take reservations, first come, first serve

    Is the coffee and food at Lou Mitchell's always substandard?

    My experience has always been top notch. No complaints!

    View All 7 Questions

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    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House

    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House

    4.6(118 reviews)
    1.7 miPilsen
    $$

    A beautiful, eclectic coffee house just outside of Chinatown, La Malinche was the perfect place for…read morea casual late breakfast. With a cozy locals vibe, there was a mix of young professionals on laptops and families starting the morning. The bright aesethics of Mexican heritage and decor celebrating local artists make the space inspiring and energizing. The coffee was great. I got the horchata latte, which tasted even better than I hoped. I also ordered a El Chavo Torta, a deceptively simple sandwich that was incredibly delicious. I don't know what they put in the bread or what magical place they bought the cheese from, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it. When I'm in Chicago again, La Malinche is on my list of must visit spots.

    Stopped by La Malinche Coffee & Tea House in Pilsen to try something new. Place is nice and quiet…read more Bright pink walls, little decorative hearts, alebrijes all around and full piano in the room. Felt cozy right away. The staff were really welcoming, for an early morning. I got the hot chocolate. Honestly that's exactly what I needed that morning. It had that real Mexican chocolate taste. Thick, creamy, smooth and rich. The cinnamon came through warm but not too strong, plus a little extra on top that hit your nose before the first sip. Sweet and it almost had this slight earthy note too... hard to explain but good. It even had that little design on top, like the ones they do on cappuccinos. Didn't expect that but it was cool. I finished it slow. Didn't wanna rush it. Just sat there taking small sips and enjoying it while it was still hot.

    Photos
    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House - Beautiful colorful vibes

    Beautiful colorful vibes

    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House
    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House - Horchata matcha

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    Horchata matcha

    Dolce Arte - Veggie Skillet

    Dolce Arte

    4.1(70 reviews)
    3.5 miBridgeport

    Not sure why I had not reviewed this soot earlier, I come here often, in fact I'm here right now…read more Great spot! Set in an old warehouse that is now an art gallery event space and restaurant nestled in an older warehouse district in Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. Beautiful decor and laid out perfectly. The natural wood floors furniture ie tables chairs etc and iron work throughout sets the ambiance for old meets new. It works. The wide spacing between tables makes for a comfortable dining experience. So many folks come in to do their work and dine here. What a super addition to the neighborhood that less than a decade ago was essentially a street that was more a run down semi-truck alley. Great menu with neighborhood favorites leaning toward the old school Italian dishes. Sandwiches, soups, salads, and breakfasts just to name a few are all excellent. The pastries are insane and a must take home deal. I love the American Breakfast. Three eggs your way, thick diced America potatoes, thick cut bacon, and sourdough toast. Accompanied by what I believe to be home made jelly and for sure homemade gardiniera. Caruso's gardiniera actually. Diced into a relish unlike most standard gardiniera it's easier to eat with many dishes. Excellent flavor and just the right kick to it. FYI Dolce Arte also sells a to go line of homemade Caruso products from their gardiniera to past and past sauces and more. Yes, their coffee is really good too. Lavazza products I believe. The service is always on point. Casual but on point. Very friendly staff from diverse backgrounds. This is the place you bring people close to you, business lunches, meetings, formal ir informal, or like me, save it for myself as my own getaway spot. It's an artists dream and sets a positive time for any gathering.

    The staff is amazing and so is the food! The twins and I…read moreate everything! There was so much left over we ate it for breakfast the next morning! Next time I'm adding photos! Sorry it was so good I forgot to take any .

    Photos
    Dolce Arte - Pastries

    Pastries

    Dolce Arte - Stockyard Skillet

    Stockyard Skillet

    Dolce Arte - I have had their pastries many times (the BEST in neighborhood), only  2nd time having reg food.

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    I have had their pastries many times (the BEST in neighborhood), only 2nd time having reg food.

    Lou Mitchell's - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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