A Chicago landmark institution, and somehow a place I had never visited in the 13-odd years I lived in Chicago. It has a wonderfully nostalgic feel to it, much of the decor refusing to turn modern, invoking old-diner from 80's movies feels... isn't it funny how these sorts of places were simply the norm not too long ago, and now suddenly they're drawing in big numbers? Is it just because they have a cool neon sign? Very busy, but if you're coming in solo, you'll be able to easily sit at one of several counters. Food comes out super quick; I think it's part of their schtick since they are located downtown, not to mention right next to Union Station. Food is fairly average. I took a chance with the Benny, knowing full well it probably wouldn't be great. The poached eggs on the Benny were correct, but the sauce had clumped and congealed in some areas. The portions are generous though, and it seems as though they might double up the eggs, being on the smaller side. The potatoes were pretty sad, though. Coffee, despite some other reviews, tasted really average to me. Worth a visit if you're from out of town. Be prepared to wait if you're more than solo. Doesn't feel like a 'regulars' sort of place. Would not eat here again unless a friend insisted. Another one off the list. read more

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

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This is a charming and historic diner that has earned its reputation in Chicago culinary history. Prices are good, servers are friendly, and the breakfast and coffee will satisfy your taste buds and fuel you for the day. A visit here is a quintessential Chicago experience. read more

Iconic diner and is truly a Chicago staple. Imagine yourself transported to a diner in the 80s. There is always a wait, so definitely go earlier to have a shorter wait. The eggs are always cooked to perfection. So many options for every breakfast lover. My favorite is the florentine benedict. Catch up with your besties here for your next brunch date! read more

If you enjoy diner food and a casual friendly restaurant, this is your spot. Our waitress was extremely friendly and welcoming. She answered questions about the menu and made recommendation. When you first arrive, you are greeted with a hush puppy and an orange slice. We order the chicken sausage omelette hobo style and French toast with fresh fruit. You can also order an iced coffee with almond milk (they don't have oat milk). I would eat here again if I lived in Chicago . read more

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This place is a no frills diner that is about as good as good can get at an old school American breakfast place. Worth the experience with fantastic food and service! A Chicago Icon for good reason!!! read more

Luckily came when the line was short around 10am! Very nice waitresses who were very quick to get our orders. We got some free "snacks" at the beginning and end that were a great plus! Omelette was amazing, and the French toast was okay. The ambiance was very diner vibes-- seats at a counter. read more

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It was okay. Food was amazing. The restaurant was over crowded, but the service was good. The only hesitation I have is it was extremely expensive for what you got. Everything was a large up charge. It is loud and not great for early morning conversations. The dining room is over crowded. read more

I walked by this spot thinking it was a simple local Chicago restaurant but boy was I wrong. There's a lot of history to this place and I'm glad I stopped by here. AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking, depending on the day and season, it can get busy. Seating: Inside and outside seating. Room for maybe about 75 people. Great for groups and individuals. Feels: You're really not too far away from Union Station and other touristy spots. When I entered, I was welcomed by the hustle and bustle of the diner. This place is not hidden gem as its known to locals and travelers. There's no music but just the sound of chatter of people and servers on the move. You can basically get a history of Chicago from their vintage pictures of the city and iconic people that stopped by. FOOD: La Conga Delight & Fries (Recommend) Basically a cheese sandwich with delicious slices of savory bacon and juicy tomatoes. What's not to like?!? I enjoyed the poppy seed bread, the generous portion of cheese, and the nice side of cole slaw. Topped with thick-cut, seasoned, crunchy fries helped add an extra delightful experience. This was enjoyable during a Winter Chicago day. World's Famous Coffee (Recommend) Awesome! Did I know anything exceptionally special about this place? Not necessarily but after reading the history of this place, I understand why this is world-famous - as people travel, this was one of the first food spots to welcome them arriving from Union Station. Aside from being welcomed by the cold weather, a nice cup of hot coffee is comforting. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Virginia was great! Friendly, sweet, and helpful! TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars! I can see why this place wins the hearts of many. Great selections, reasonable prices, and a pleasant ambiance. Yes there are a lot of great eats in Chicago but this stands out as it has a nice local feel to it. A sincere thanks to Uncle Lou and the team for making this place awesome throughout all the years! TIPS: * Check out their seasonal specials * OG Location read more

Lou Mitchell's - La Conga Delight Sandwich! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Let me just say that this place has one of the best breakfast vibes in the city. The service staff is hopping as the joint is jumping, especially on a Saturday morning. Around since 1923, they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Welcoming people at the counter, patio or dining room, the hostess was a true gem! She accommodated our party of nine, celebrating a wedding weekend in style. The food, from the donuts and oranges at the start, to the entrees...omelettes (the Salmon and Onion--omg!), pancakes, sandwiches and salads were all great! Coffee and other morning beverages never went empty...like I said, the staff never skipped a beat! I strongly recommend taking a pecan roll home with your copious amounts of leftovers. The pancakes are huge so take some home--they microwave well at 2:15am in the morning if that hits you. The toasted housemade bread and orange marmalade were also a surprisingly good late night leftover combo. You can't go home without leftovers. It's good to see Chicago institutions like Lou's welcoming people back after the pandemic has subsided. Give them a try...well worth the drive into the city! Make sure and plan on a bit of a wait on weekends, but the staff moves pretty fast. Like I said...so worth the wait! Can't wait to go back and try the Omelette with apples and cheddar (add bacon or ham to it)! Maybe next weekend? read more

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If you have not been to Lou Mitchell's in Chicago, Illinois for brunch or lunch yet, then you need to definitely add this spot to your bucket list! This spot is pretty popular, because of how delicious and simple the menu items are. The more popular item on the menu are the omelets served in a skillet with homemade tasty breakfast potatoes and a slice of toast. I ordered the Greek sausage omelet which was packed with peppers, onions, and Greek sausage. Our table also enjoyed the special French toast with strawberries, as well as the breakfast sandwich. Start your morning off with some coffee, or even one of their pastries! The line may look long, but the wait wasn't too terrible! There is plenty of seating inside, as well as a few tables on the patio. If you were looking for an extremely tasty brunch in Chicago, Lou Mitchell's is the spot to check out! read more

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Authentic cute Chicago diner! Fast seating and service. The donut hole you're given as you get seated is amazing and a nice way to start your morning! Friend had the coffee and she said it was tasty! Bread is fresh baked daily. Love the vibes, would definitely go back and recommend! read more

If you want a classic American diner with amazing breakfast, this is the spot to be. Menu consists of eggs in all forms and fresh baked goods. The restaurant is tightly packed and it gets loud, but it fun and inviting. Lines can get long, but service is quick, efficient, and attentive. The food was great and it was so fun to see how happy everyone was while enjoying their breakfast. Best breakfast I've had in Chicago. Not a place to be missed. read more

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Virginia has worked there for 30 years A doll and made my birthday weekend extra special. I highly recommend read more

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

Lou Mitchell's is a delightful diner within walking distance of Union Station. It doesn't appear that they do reservations. So if you have a bigger group, be prepared to wait during the busy times. We had 9 in our group, and they were able to accommodate us after only a 20 min wait on a Wednesday morning at 11. After reading their website, I was excited for my kids to get some milk duds. But unfortunately, they didn't have any. I'm not sure if that is no longer done or if they were just out for the day. But we did get the yummy donut holes for the table. The food overall was good. I really enjoyed the pancakes. They were light and fluffy. The hash browns were thinly sliced potatoes and I wish they had been crisper. The eggs Benedict was tasty. The eggs were poached perfectly and the hollandaise had a nice flavor. read more

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Simply the best diner breakfast I have been to--A N All-Madden Sports lovers dream. Double yolked eggs with bacon , hash browns & Greek toast in a frying pan-the beat. Friendly Route 66 service served with a donut, orange slice and soft serve ice cream at the end cannot be beaten. The old school Chicago booths and counters give you a comfortable ambiance. Some high tech features like WiFi are needed. I love the Sinatra but a mix of new songs would be cool. read more

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I grew up in Chicago and visit a couple times a year. I've often brought friends that have never been before and usually visit Lou Mitchell's every time I go back. This time the food was not great. Mushy hash browns, the spinach omelette was meh (all the cheese was in one pile and not fully melted). My granddaughters chocolate chip pancake was burnt. I love the vibe, traditions, & service but $92.00 for 3 people for a sub par breakfast was not worth it considering I make much better eggs at home. Writing this review makes me sad. read more

I got the Plain Open Face Chunk Sandwich which consists of White Skipjack Tunafish Salad on Homemade Golden Brown Greek Toast, Melted American Cheese, and Sliced Tomato! This was basic but delicious and every ingredient really shined through, especially the bread which was perfectly fresh and nicely toasted! You can tell the ingredients are high quality. The sandwich is a big size and you're likely going to be full without any sides. A great spot for a weekday lunch! They also have a really nice diner vibe inside but i got my food to go which helped with wait time. have been around for a long time, and I can see why. Definitely recommend! read more

Lou Mitchell's - Open Face Chunk White Skipjack Tunafish Salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Obsessed. Best food and staff. Hidden gem. Don't visit Chicago without a trip to Lou Mitchell's.

Was in chicago for 4 days and had breakfast there two out of the four! Best breakfast! Hands down! The atmosphere the food and the staff are unbeatable! Can't wait for my next visit! read more

The food is always delicious! The service is great! And...it's the starting point for Route 66! read more

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

Located in the loop of Chicago, Lou Mitchell's is a classic diner (the 5th oldest restaurant in Chicago) with great food and coffee. I ordered the French toast and it was delicious. 5 out of 5 stars. read more

I stopped by here on a Saturday morning for a quick breakfast and boy the line was already so long at 9:30am! I was able to skip the long line and dine at the bar but the line did move pretty fast. This diner's got its history and the interior is kept with its classic design and everyone was moving fast with the service to get everything going. They have a simply but interesting menu with options that that you cant find in other diner such as the grilled thick french toast. they also offer a free donut bite after you're seated and boy was it one of the best donut bite I've ever had. fluffy and perfectly flavored. I'm glad i stumbled upon this diner and got to try them out. id definitely come back again. read more

Lou Mitchell's has been a Chicago classic for years, and while the food is still decent, the place just isn't what it used to be. I came in for breakfast and had an omelet and pancakes--both were good, portions were generous, and service was friendly. You can tell they're still holding onto some of that old-school charm with the donut holes and Milk Duds. That said, the restaurant felt pretty dirty--sticky tables, dusty corners, and bathrooms that definitely needed attention. For a place with such a long-standing reputation, it's disappointing to see the cleanliness decline. Still a decent spot for a nostalgic breakfast, but it's not the must-visit it once was. read more

The hash browns were VERY undercooked, the sausages my friend ordered had a hair on them, and the eggs were fluffy with parts that were liquidy-the texture was very strange. The staff was polite but all very busy and hard to get help when we needed it for the hash browns and sausage. It was very busy inside but they get through people fairly quickly. read more

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

Lou Mitchell's is like a well oiled machine. Located in Downtown Chicago and a staple diner. We stopped in on our way out of a quick trip to the city. It's almost like walking into a movie scene. Loud chatter, hustle and bustle. But totally Chicago! Sunday morning and football season, so Bears gear everywhere. My family is from the city but I personally am just a byproduct of Chicago roots. Anytime I visit I look for ways to connect with what my parents and most of my family experienced being born and raised in ChiTown. Lou Mitchell's is one way to travel back in time and enjoy the same eats, as our grandparents and parents did. We were seated at the bar by choice and it was fast! Our waitress was great and the menu is extensive! All your favorites for breakfast and lunch. I went with the two eggs breakfast (scrambled hard), with crisp bacon, hash browns, and one buttermilk pancake and it came with one slice of toast. Served with their house made maple syrup. Before your meal is brought out they also give you two doughnut holes, sprinkled with light powdered sugar. Our favorite appetizer they were dope. It was a great breakfast overall and food for the road! Highly recommended when you are in a rush and want a good filling meal with a true Chicago experience. 10/23/22 - Jackie M. read more

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It was so crowded inside when my friend and I visited for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. The line was all the way out the restaurant but thankfully it moved quickly! We were seated after waiting for 15 minutes  Very friendly staff. All of the staff were in pink t-shirts with a pink ribbon to raise breast cancer awareness for october! What we ordered: Cottage cheese omelet: Sounded odd at first but I loved it so much! The duality of the cold cottage cheese on the warm omelet made it very addicting. There were lots of bacon bits and tomato inside too Two eggs meal: Delicious and simple. The thinly sliced potato side was memorable  Pumpkin pancakes: We ordered this off of their seasonal menu (Our waitress was not aware that there was a seasonal menu until we mentioned it to her). Pretty disappointing because it tasted dry. We will try another sweet entree next time read more

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

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I'd heard of this restaurant and determined to try it while in Chicago. I was so impressed. All servers were wonderful and friendly! The food was beyond good. Best omelette I've ever had! read more

The server we had was really nice and helpful. Very attentive. Bathrooms were clean and full of supplies. Food was incredible. Being from VT, the syrup they had wasn't half bad. read more

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Fantastic atmosphere and service. The waitress stopped everyone in the restaurant to sing happy birthday to a waitress which was so fun. While the food isn't fancy, it is classic breakfast and the atmosphere is really what you come for! Try the pastries!! read more

Unfortunately, the hotel I stayed at during my weeklong visit to the Windy City did not provide a solid breakfast, so I decided to break the bank a bit and find my own options. This came up. In fact, I heard of Lou Mitchell's back in 2020, when I was first considering going to Chicago (COVID wrecked that plan), but given my opportunity now, I decided to get up early and give this brunch spot a go. Close by a couple of CTA stops, I made my way here quite easily. I was greeted by the owner (who easily could have been cast as one of the Golden Girls), and was super nice and accommodating. The booths they have are perfect for the single diner or couple. Lots of solo diners here, so I fit right in. Day 1 Before your order is taken, you are given a complimentary donut hole (they make them fresh), and an orange peel. I promised the staff if I enjoyed my meal, I would return the next day. The donut hole is good. I then ordered the French Toast with fruit and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. It all comes out within 10 minutes. The French Toast's fruit is super fresh and the French Toast is delicious in its own right. The orange juice is too tangy for me. It is like drinking a cup of Tang with pulp. No loss, a delicious hot breakfast was what I aimed for and what I got. All in a matter of 15 minutes, that is incredible. Now I must return. A promise is a promise. Day 2 Free donut hole and orange juice brought out. Still delicious. This time I decided to change the program a bit and get a Salmon Eggs Benedict with cranberry juice. It comes out in 10 minutes just like last time. Everything works well. Delicious Hollandaise sauce (it is also made on site), fresh salmon, and a perfectly toasted English Muffin. The eggs are perfectly cooked as well. Oh, and the touch of hash browns is good too, those were tasty! A perfect 2 for 2 in as many days. read more

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

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Ordered Lou's for pickup. I showed up a bit early and it was ready but they toasted my English muffin fresh. I ordered the egg whites and ham meal which came with potatoes and a choice of bread. I added a pancake on the side. Total it came out to about $23 which is about standard for Chicago. The potatoes were tasty, sliced thin American style. Ham was a huge portion and egg whites were nice and fluffy. The pancake wasn't the best I've had, about ihop level. Overall, it's a decent spot for a quick breakfast. read more

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Totally okay! For being a retro diner, I would give it a higher ranking but really it's just an average breakfast joint. Ambience was neat! Food was average. Enjoyed the (two) complimentary donut holes (very plain basic fried sweet dough) and the little free ramekin of soft serve to end our meal. Definitely go if you want to experience something old and a classic in the neighborhood. read more

I thought I left a review the last time I was here. Second visit, a thousand more to come. I'm done eating but just sitting around basking in the staff's energy...these workers are extremely hospitable. Not sure what's better the food or the vibe. They are celebrating 100 years of business with a thousand more years to come! The pastries are mouth watering, extensive menu, all still so affordable. Parking is the only problem but this is pretty much downtown. read more

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

A great place to grab an early or late breakfast in the west loop area! I got the Denver omelette and split an egg sandwich with my friend and both were on point. The iced coffee was amazing as advertised. It does get a little packed so plan to wait or sit outside if you show up at a more popular time. Other than that great place with great breakfast food. read more

We had a very good experience here. We were seated quickly, food was served hot and came out quickly. I wish I had ordered an omelette because my daughter's looked really good. She ate the whole thing and she's 14. I had banana pancakes and they were really good. The coffee was nothing to write home about. I thought the price was decent. And we had plenty of time to walk to Willis Tower for our Skydeck reservation. read more

Lou Mitchell's - Banana pancakes, ham and cheese omelette with one pancake. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was excellent. Took my dad here before a cubs game. Walked from union station just a few minutes to this establishment. We both got omelettes which were very delicious. When you walk in it has a small town diner feel in the big city. There was a line but we were seated relatively quickly for as busy as it was. Pretty small place so don't be afraid to eat next to strangers. This will become a main stop from the train moving forward. read more

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

Managed to slide into this diner early on a Thursday morning. The location is great since it's by Union Station and other great spots. Even then, it was fairly hopping and only continued to get busier. There is counter seating, tables, etc. It's a diner which means, in my opinion, fantastic unpretentious food. Breakfast or lunch, this place has you covered. It has that old-school feel that I want when eating in a diner. Maybe a little claustrophobic with the 80's memorabilia. It was a little, I don't want to say dirty because that's not what it is, but it looks lived in and like maybe the day-to-day details like wiping hand prints off the mirrors/booth partitions and cleaning off the menus have slipped. We stuck to pretty basic breakfasts like the Floretine Eggs Benni and the Biscuits and Gravy. Honestly, no complaints. The food came out quick, hot, and cooked the way it should. The worst coffee (as they call it) was perfect and hit the spot. It might be a little on the high end for prices but that's because it's the Loop in Chicago and not a suburban greasy spoon. read more

Old school diner with staff that has great customer service and extremely friendly. First time here but they made me feel like I have been coming here for years! The omelette as were so big and fluffy and the little donut and orange slices are such a cute touch. Defiantly will be back! read more

We love this place. Yes, it is iconic, but the service is outstanding and we love the historic venue!

Truly so yummy and a classic for a reason! The lines are so worth it because once you're in the food is delicious and honestly such a great deal for the amount you're getting. Quick service and the perfect hometown diner ambiance. read more

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