My first meal choice was the Beet salad for brunch, advertised as a breakfast salad. I love a said for breakfast... I couldn't eat my salad... There was a sour taste to the dressing, or maybe it was the beets? Who knows... I preordered two eggs over medium & 2 slices of bacon... The hit coffee mocha was clutch- their saving grace... Will I try this place again... Maybe for coffee only- My server was a ray of sunshine... read more

Meli Cafe - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here for brunch on Sunday and it's pretty good! Great customer service and everyone is friendly. I ordered the Flat Bread that had egg, chicken, avocado, and veggies along with the Island Breeze smoothie which consisted of a few fruits. Both were absolutely delicious and filling! One of my friends got the breakfast tacos which is recommended as well. It gets packed pretty quickly so may have to wait but their service is quick and with a smile! It is connected to a hotel so there is room if it is crowded. The location is right in the heart of river north. I would definitely come back again! read more

Meli Cafe - Flat Bread - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

1. Served a burger with meat that had obviously turned. Replaced without issue with a chicken sandwich that was decent. Server didn't bring the food over, but she smelled it when I sent it back. 2. Watch your checks. They put on a credit card processing fee without even asking how you plan to pay. It's b.s. that they do it at all. But to put it on preemptively is criminal. I asked the server about it, and she said, "That's something new they're doing in Illinois." No. No it isn't. It's the choice of the business. And it's a bad choice and another way consumers are getting screwed. 3. I added one star because the server was nice. Maybe her management lied to her about the fee situation. read more

Wonderful restaurant! They have vegan pancakes, French toast, a tofu scramble, salsa stacker, and avocado toast. I've tried the Vegan pancakes and French toast. Both come with a hearty serving and are topped with fruit. They are absolutely delicious! The breakfast potatoes are hash browns, not diced. My boyfriend had the tofu scramble and he enjoyed it as well! The scramble is more of mixed grilled veggies and tofu than the traditional "scramble" read more

Meli Cafe - Vegan French Toast - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good food, slowwwww service. Meal was halfway on the table for about 20 mins. The person paying the bill was one waiting. Beautiful place. Good bloodies. Loved the breakfast quesadilla... my husband ordered the Avocado Benedict and the eggs were not "perfectly poached ". They were Cooked all the way through. And as soon as the check was dropped on the table service stopped. That's all I gotta say about that . read more

Meli Cafe - Breakfast Quesadilla - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Steak and eggs and veggie omelet were all delicious. The service was quick and attentive and just enough to allow us to talk. Sitting outside is very pleasant and surprisingly not that loud for 9 am in Chicago. read more

Meli Cafe - Outside seating at Meli's - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was so delicious. I especially loved the banana bread french toast. The service was great and the portions were big. Must try if you are ever looking for a great breakfast in Chicago. read more

Meli Cafe - Eggs your way, banana bread french toast and chicken omelet. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It was good! Good mimosas and breakfast food! Huge menu, everyone can find something they will love! Enjoyed my time

It gave me explosive diarrhea and I was just just trying to enjoy my ice cream on navy pier. Don't tempt your own fate. Not worth it. The bathroom at navy pier was a solid 8/10 though. read more

Convenient location next to our hotel in downtown Chicago. Seating was quick. Place is kept very clean and spacing between tables is adequate. Extensive menu with a very unique drink menu featuring many health option smoothies. Short wait time for food after order was taken. Had the banana french toast which came on banana bread - thick slices and plenty of banana. The smoothie pic is 'oatmeal'. The other order was 'Berry crepe' which came with lots of fresh berries. Prices are very reasonable compared to other Chicago restaurants we have been to. Overall, this business is customer focused and recommend. 2nd visit for breakfast - had the 'Cobbler Crepe'. Per the pic, plenty of fruit and crepes were hot. The other meal was a traditional breakfast "Eggs Your Way'. Both of these dishes were hearty meals. Only negatives was that the toast was not very toasted and on both visits, water glasses were not filled when empty. Eggs were very fluffy which is a plus. read more

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The restaurant has outdoor seating as well as nice indoor seating. The food was delivered quickly and the service was good. I had gluten free French toast which was really good but they forgot the butter. My husband got the chicken and waffles which he enjoyed. He liked the savory waffles but he said it took a bit to get used to. The waffle had sage as the primary savory ingredient. The chicken was perfect with a crunchy fried battered exterior and moist meat in the middle. It was worth going to and not far from Adams st where we were staying read more

Meli Cafe - Chicken and waffles - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It took about 15 minutes for us to be seated. This restaurant is located right next to our hotel so we decided to give it a try. You have a choice of inside or outside eating. They only serve breakfast and lunch. We went for breakfast and I ordered a create your own omelet. I gave it a 3 because of the taste of the food. My husband is easy to please and he didn't like his pancakes or eggs, he felt the rest was ok which wasn't much. My omelette was too runny for me and very bland. Usually I don't need any condiments but this needed salt and pepper. The ambiance was nice outside made it better because it is such a nice day. Cost for my meal was about $15. read more

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One of the worst restaurant experiences I've had. We had a large party that didn't all arrive at the same time. The wouldn't seat us until everyone arrived, that was understandable and we were fine with separate tables. We tried to ads my 90 year old MIL to the original table, but they wouldn't let anyone else order from there. They had the rest of us to a 4 top that was out of the way, and when we tried to add the 5th person, they wouldn't allow that either. Then the moved us to a smaller 4 top, and let us all squeeze in there. They just kept telling us what wouldn't work, but offered no solutions. We all ordered at the same time, 2 meals came 10 minutes later than the first 3. Food was mediocre. Whole wheat wrap was 80% spinich and only 20% tofu and veggies. read more

It was my first time visiting this place and it was rather underwhelming. They claim to make fresh juice, so I ordered a mimosa and my orange juice was rather murky and did not taste fresh. I also made the mistake of ordering their "green omelette" I dont expect the vegetables to be mushy, but my fork couldnt cut through any of the omelette.All of the veggies were raw inside of the omelette. Dont get me wrong, i appreciate getting value from my veggies....but i didnt order a veggie plate. Most people will AT LEAST saute the kale....not this place. There was hardly any egg to cover the omelette in general. Lacked flavor and was all around disappointing. This pic is the result of the experience. Will not be returning....clearly read more

Meli Cafe - "green omelette" it was gross - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for brunch. Was a cool vibe in the south loop! I got the breakfast quesadilla which I will say was very good! The portions in it were very sizable as well. Sometimes when I get a breakfast quesadilla there is only one egg in it but this was not the case. I live kinda far from the south loop so I'm not sure how often I'd be back but its good regardless! read more

We did take-out, and the food was ready on time. The girl at the front was nice and made sure to include all the condiments. The breakfast was nicely cooked, had good flavor, and wasn't greasy. read more

Went for breakfast. We got the breakfast tacos (they were ok), the jalapeño bowl (not much flavor, just spicy), coffee (pretty good), and cappuccino (not much flavor). The food wasn't my favorite which was disappointing. The restaurant itself was very cute but a bit louder than I would have liked. The waitress wasn't very attentive and came to "check" on us once when it was clear we were ready to go. read more

Decided to have breakfast at Meli Cafe my first morning in Chicago. I was excited to try this place because it was attached to my hotel and the reviews seemed good. I ordered the spicy flamenco omelette with home fries and wheat toast and a side of cheesy grits. The omelette was definitely spicy but okay in taste. I think they overcooked the egg because it was dry and rubbery in spite of the filling. The home fries were burnt and they covered it up with the toast (as pictured). The cheesy grits were the only saving grace. The service was a bit slow but my server was nice. Needless to say, I didn't return during the remainder of my trip. read more

Meli Cafe - Cheesy Grits - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Long overdue review. We eat here almost every week after church. One thing that I wish Meli can provide. I wish they accept reservation. The place is always packed but they always manage to find us seats without long wait time so yay for the top notch service. Seriously, when you have three kids, you just want to get seated right away. No matter who the waitress is, they are always super nice to us. My kids always have requests and they always push through to make the kids happy. Again, its a top notch service. Food. It's always good. My fave is the veggie omelette. Its always the perfect amount of veggies. If you go to other place, sometime they put too many spinach which will make the omelette too watery. My kids always get the kids menu. They tend to switch what they want but they never complaint about the food so that means its all good. Overall, no complain here as we always here every week read more

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Very lovely cozy breakfast place with delicious food and super friendly and welcoming service! we took breakfast tacos which is a must and arugula salad with chicken and feta . Cappuccino's we're excellent and beautifully served . Will be definitely coming back! read more

Really enjoyed breakfast at Meli. We stayed next door at Hotel Blake and this was a nice place for a meal on a cold morning in Chicago. Great service, excellent quality food in a pleasant atmosphere. Highly recommended. read more

Meli Cafe - Crepes - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Spicy Flamenco omelet is the best omelet I've eaten. For juice lovers, This restaurant offers fresh squeezed juice and juice combinations. The menu offers some nice breakfast options which include pancakes, French toast and eggs Benedict. Good service and views of the city read more

My sister and I were visiting Chicago for the day and stayed at the hotel next door for a night. This place couldn't have been more convenient for breakfast the next morning, and the menu interested us. Sis and I are notorious for going "splitsy" on meals, because frequently we are eyeing the dance two or three things on the menu. That was the case here. We wanted to try the banana bread French toast, but also wanted a healthier option too so we also got the veggie omelet. Both were great. I like sweet foods, but even I thought the French toast was a bit too sweet, with lots of allspice baked into it. The omelet was really yummy, veggies were perfectly done (which I've seen has been a complaint of other reviewers). We also tried two of the juice blends: the Bodu Cleanser juice (beet/carrot/ cucumber) was not sweet enough for our taste, and just tasted of root vegetables. We also got the Fat Burner juice blend of grapefruit/lemon/honey/ ginger that we loved - it would have made a great mimosa too! Our server was great! Really attentive, even though they were super busy on a Saturday morning. read more

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The food was good but the service was not really. Greeting was nice and welcoming but our server, she did not crack the faintest smile. She also laughed at me when I was making sure that fruit was coming on the side from my order. Then refused to split checks and basically then vanished and never showed face again. Ambiance looks like a hotel restaurant but in general nice. Giving it a 3 star review because of the service otherwise yes, do give this place a go if you're in the loop. read more

Meli is a nice little breakfast place. Have a nice outdoor patio and the food was good. My potato's were pretty cold but I understand potato's don't keep warm for long. The service was ok, I think our server was taking care of the entire patio which was over 10 tables. I'd try Meli's again when I am looking for a solid breakfast! read more

Meli Cafe - Breakfast quesadilla - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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While staying nearby for the weekend, we visited this spot for breakfast two days in a row. Both times, we sat outside. Not all tables were exactly six feet apart right in front, but they do have tables down the sidewalk that are adequately spaced out. With all the servers wearing masks, the attention to keeping the tables clean and cleared, and the fact that folks were respectfully keeping conversations to their table, we felt fine sitting outside both times. We were quickly seated and served water as well as menus. It didnt take long before we were asked for drinks and orders. For the first day, I ordered the Flamenco Omelet that contained chicken chorizo, jalapeno, onion, tomato, avocado, cilantro, pepper jack cheese, and sour cream. The eggs were soft and fluffy, and the ingredients combined to make deliciously, slightly spicy omelet that easily filled me up. It came with a side of shredded hashbrowns, and the extra cheddar grits were some of the best I've ever had. They were so good that I ordered them with my breakfast the next day alomg with the Emeral Isle breakfast bowl, which was basically hashbrowns, corned beef that did not resemble thos from a can but rather a version chopped from something they make in-house, cheese, and fluffy scrambled eggs on top. Such a nice portion that had my belly full by the end of breakfast. Besides the great food, service was top notch. Our servers checked on us plenty, and it was no issue to get water and coffee. If I lived here, this would be a regular spot fod weekend brunch. read more

Meli Cafe - Emeral Isle (corned beef hash) and cheddar grits - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came back here the day after our first visit and the food was once again excellent. They only had two servers going which was difficult to see as they were working so hard, hopefully people will start returning to take some of the load off the folks. I had the avocado Benedict and it was terrrific. My husband, creature of habit that he is, had the bagel sandwich but added a waffle and he said both were excellent. We left happily full and would come again when we are in Chicago. read more

Meli Cafe - Meli cafe entrance - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food is delicious and very fresh! Service was excellent and fast. Bloody Mary and fruit smoothie with vodka was delicious.

The jalapeño slaw was spicy but just the right taste, a definite order again menu. The Irish benedict was a little dry. Given the dryness of the food and the lack hollandaise sauce I wouldn't order a benedict next time. read more

Meli Cafe - Jalapeño slaw - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A super cute brunch place! We ordered family style and split the food which was great. The omlette was good but the breakfast tacos and Nutella crepes definitely stole the show! The atmosphere was nice for families or a girls brunch or any get together in fact! The staff was friendly and attentive given how busy it was! read more

Meli Cafe - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We went here because it was connected to our hotel. Nope. The food was cold. I had to grab my own necessities from empty tables and the waitress wasn't in the greatest mood. Didn't go back a 2nd time despite the convenience. read more

Meli Cafe - Sitting area - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a classic diner spot. The portions are huge and the food is pretty good. Exactly what you would expect. They have a very large menu. They also have a full bar and some fun breakfast drinks. The service was good, they are well-staffed. read more

cook in kitchen don't wear a mask I have 15 minutes waiting for a cup of coffee slow motion on this place I order French toast and side cb hash read more

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Love coming here in the warm or decent weather months and sitting outside. we come here often for breakfast. It's always really busy in this place. Hostesses are in need of a little work. I know this place gets busy, but the hostesses need to not show that in their face and attitude. They need to work on smiling and having a better tone - not welcoming at all. We come here quite often and it happens every time. Wait staff however, are always pleasant and helpful. Eggs are tasty. Eggs Benedict is pretty good. Hash browns are just ok - they could use a little something to season it up. Good coffee. it's a great neighborhood spot in the south loop where you can sit outside and just enjoy the ambience and still have some type of quietness in the middle of the city. read more

Just had lunch from Meli with a menu limited by Fooda. I was hesitant to order because Meli is one of the most mediocre eateries in the city. But, considering the other options we had, I thought it would be a safe choice. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and the steak kebabs. For $8, the fried chicken sandwich was okay. Dry, crusty, and the worst chicken sandwich I've had in Chicago--but edible! The kebabs, on the other hand, cost $12 and were bad to the point of hilarity. Each of the two kebabs had 4 little pieces of "steak." Two of the pieces were so fatty that they actually had knobs and knuckles of hardened gristle, rendering them inedible. The rest tasted terrible, actually tasting more like a low quality pork that had sat around for too long. The chicken could have just hardened up during transit, but I think they should just scratch the kebab from the menu as at the current price point it's just insulting. read more

The service was terrible. The drinks and food were brought out at the same time. The waiter did not check in with the table once after ringing in the food. Great food, but the worst service I have experienced in Chicago. read more

Super cute atmosphere and the food was really delicious! The menu has all sorts of options to choose from even for the healthy people. They offer lots of beverage choices from juices, to smoothies and even wheat grass shots for $5 dollars . Not a bad deal! Highly recommend to try this place if you are in the area and looking for a good breakfast spot. Parking options available at paid meters. read more

Meli Cafe - Farmland Bowl - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Meli Cafe is delicious. I hadn't been here since before it was a different steakhouse-type restaurant, but the new place is great. I came here for breakfast after a conference in town. I got my standard eggs, potatoes, and toast, and was not disappointed. The eggs were super fluffy and tasty, potatoes were soft and seasoned, and the toast was... well, toast, which was just fine. My friend saw the avocado toast at the table next to us and immediately ordered it. Service was efficient and prices seemed reasonable for downtown-ish Chicago. All of the staff with whom we interacted were exceedingly kind. We did a search for breakfast places in our vicinity, and this seemed to be one of the only actual breakfast restaurants (not just a coffee shop) in close walking distance, although to be fair it has been about 10 years since I actually lived in this area. While we were there I didn't think they served alcohol because I honestly did not see any alcohol on their drink or food menus... clearly they serve alcohol based on everyone's reviews, and I don't know if I just missed it (I was quite literally looking for it) or if it wasn't there. I might just try to sit at the bar next time (saw that on the way out) as it seems easier anyway. But, if you're in the general South Loop and/or Printer's Row area, definitely come here for breakfast. read more

Meli Cafe - Avocado Toast - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Brunch at Meli's was just kinda meh. The hostess was short and cold with me when I first walked in. Service at the table was slowwwww and borderline absent. Worst of all though, the food was delicious sounding but boring tasting. I ordered the jalapeño bowl with chicken chorizo, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peppers, jalapeño and pepper jack cheese. My onions were crunchy, and the whole dish was greasy and bland. I didn't even finish half, and when my husband warmed it up and reiterated my exact thoughts, I knew it just wasn't good. For the price, there are definitely places nearby with much better food. I wouldn't come back. read more

Meli Cafe - Jalapeño breakfast bowl - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We arrived in Chicago late the night before and were to be there in the downtown area for just a few hours, waiting for a train to depart in the late afternoon. We sought a restaurant with a great ambiance, and healthy and satisfying food that would suffice for both breakfast and lunch. I read on a travel website that Meli, in the Hotel Blake, had great breakfasts. Not so. First of all, when I asked the hostess seating us how she was doing, she looked at her watch and said, "Okay," never looking at us. Bad sign. Next, Meli had no English Breakfast Tea. What??? Then, when I asked if they had half-and-half for the Earl Grey, which is--in my mind, anyway--an afternoon tea, the waitress brought me little squishy packets of Coffeemate. No, no, no. A bunch of chemicals in a tiny foil pouch are NOT a substitute for cream. They are not meant for human consumption. I had to settle for milk, which is too thin, as everyone knows. Finally, when the bill came, it was $57. My husband ordered oatmeal and a bowl of mixed berries. I ordered the Lox Plate. He ordered coffee, and I had tea. How on earth did this come to $57??? The staff is apathetic, and the food is good (except for the bagel, which was sweet and cakey.) The ambiance is mid-level hotel boring and the hanging lamps are positively frightening. read more