I gave this place a few tries... the first time I actually ate here, (a couple of years ago) I ended up having to leave the restaurant to look for an ATM, because I had no cash on me and their cc machine was not working.. went out in the snow, came back and they were SURPRISED I came back to pay! The second time I also got up and left.. today I decided IM DONE WITH THIS PLACE! I walked in with my reusable coffee mug filled with hot Starbucks coffee I had just bought 5 minutes earlier.. and the female server asked if I was done with my coffee. Either throw it away or leave. The restaurant could use discretion and say we don't allow outside drinks, NEXT TIME, please do not bring any beverages in with you! But no, they expect people to part with an item that costs money and coffee at their command... this explains why this place has always been not even half full each time I've stoped by! PICK YOUR SELF UP CAFFE!!! read more

Now, now, friends...Why care about who goes where? Let's care about what's being provided, what great things to treat your palate and tummy. To me, Pick Me Up provides some of the best coffee drinks in Chicago. It's been a fixture on Clark for as long as I can remember, and regardless of what anyone wears or is into, you can find yummy eats and FANTASTIC coffee. I'm just glad the corporate moguls haven't ousted this local gem. This is a place for veggies and meat-eaters alike, but all is pretty tasty. As a fun bonus, your coffee drinks may display various artistic swirls, leaves or even a cat head drawn into the foam with chocolate or dusted with cinnamon. But cute art frills aside, please take a sip. Dang good joe. And for someone with a bit of a lactose issue (yuck!), I struggle with having to order soy. In fact, I usually hate soy in my coffee because of grittiness and it just doesn't taste the same. So I sometimes bite the bullet and order milk (lactose issues be damned!). But I have to say, soy in my coffee drinks at Pick Me Up are PURR-fect. Wow. Never thought it could be so good. So, if you don't care about who may be sitting at the table next to you and you want a REALLY good cup of coffee, or a specialized coffee drink at a veteran local shop, try Pick Me Up. Take it to go if you have to. Just don't pass it up for a bitter, cookie-cutter, corner-hugger. Believe me, you won't be sorry. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - latte - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was absolutely adorable but very short staff because it's the summer, but the other staff was running around trying to cover all of It. read more

This Cafe is quaint and cute and in the heart of Wrigley/ Lakeview. Got breakfast with my vegan friend and we both loved our meals - I got a non vegan chorizo egg dish and she got the vegan Santa Fe scramble. Our waiter was really sweet too. One thing I will say is there is a very rude gentleman ( perhaps the owner) who helps the host with seating and he's got a bad attitude and is very obnoxious to his customers. I'm sure he was busy but he was short with me and told me it would be a 30 minute wait and so my friend and I went to walk to Starbucks and come back. And when we came back with our Starbucks cups he was pretty upset that we didn't realize there was a coffee stand within the restaurant but still - who throws a fit when two people come back from their 30 minute wait with some coffee ? He made us throw out our drinks before seating us which seemed a bit overboard but whatever. I also overheard other groups of people complaining about this guys rudeness. Food was great and I'll be back but that guy needs an attitude check and needs to remember who keeps that place going : his patrons !!!! :) read more

Breakfast at Tiffany's? More like breakfast at midnight, eating at the "Where's Waldo" table! Pick Me Up Cafe is an adorable neighborhood spot with great comfort food and a unique vibe. The staff is friendly and the food is delicious. I love their breakfast combo and their brownie sundae is to die for. I've never had to wait for a table and the food comes out quickly. They have a TON of vegetarian and vegan options for both appetizers, meals and desserts. If you live in the area and haven't been yet, then it is definitely worth a try! read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - The clown combo, comes with a side of pancakes too! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a vegetarian's dream, a vegan's dream, carnivores' dream, sweets lover's ecstacy. I went here by myself last year and got pancakes and instantly realized I needed to make more friends. Like at least 2 more, because the pancakes were huge. They were also so fricken good. Good for groups, too. I'm from Detroit, where the best chili cheese fries live. Pick Me Up doesn't hit the nail on the hammer (probably not their goal. How many people are scouring the city for chili cheese fries.) But they do a very very good job. Things to try-- the milkshakes! Additionally, my friend had a hot chocolate that was large enough to be its own meal. In my experience, if I'm in the neighborhood and someone says they're there, I just come over. Same the other way around. I don't know one person who doesn't like it here. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Pig crossing. Oink oink - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came home to Chicago for the holidays and decided to try this place for a coffee meet up with a very old friend. I used to frequent this cafe back in the 1990s. I am glad to see that it is still around. The space is exactly the same with maybe minor updates to table tops and chairs. I had the Royal latte, but it wasn't what I remember it tasting like, so they were kind enough to get me a cappuccino instead. read more

Please do yourself a favor and try the Santa Fe scramble ... its delicious and the servings are large. Then treat yourself to a delicious slice of blueberry pie and a great mug of coffee! read more

My husband and I try to pick a new local business to support each week on our walks and we recently came here. We were just going to get coffee, but when looking at the menu we instantly decided we needed to get two coffees and two entrees. Buffalo chicken wrap and falafel wrap. So good. Go check this place out. read more

I've been a frequent visitor to Pick Me Up for several years now and really haven't had any complaints, so I'm always surprised to see the bad reviews. It's usually my go-to spot if I'm in that area. I suppose it's not perfect, but I love it here for the atmosphere and great choices on the menu. Also the fact that they are open so late, because it almost feels like there for you as a cozy home away from home. I love the layout and decor. It feels very artsy, fun, and warm. As far as the good, I love their fries. Whatever seasoning they put on them always tastes great and is a little spicy. I often order the Cheeze Fries, too. Whenever my friends and I visit, the favorites tend to be the Chicken Ranch Wrap, Grilled Cheeze & Tomato, or any of their breakfast items like benedicts or omelettes. For dessert we've tried their shakes, pies, and vegan rice crispy treats which are delicious! Overall, I've always enjoyed my experience at Pick Me Up! read more

My boyfriend and I went to Pick Me Up for lunch and we had phenomenal time. The restaurant was very unique with bright colors. Each table had different vintage stickers under the glass. Our table had a map with different vintage airline stickers. Some of the booths and tables were on different levels so it wasn't just one flat floor. The entire restaurant was just very interesting to look at :) I got the veggie burger with fries and he got the buffalo chicken wrap with mashed potatoes. And we each got iced chai tea. The buffalo chicken wrap was good with big pieces of chicken. The mashed potatoes came with mushroom gravy. I recommend the gravy with the potatoes. I know some people don't like gravy, but trust me. Mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes is a big thumbs up. The veggie burger was alright. I personally wasn't a big fan of the bean sprouts but I wanted to try something new. Halfway through my burger, I put some of the gravy with the burger and let me tell you. I finished my burger in seconds. So overall, the gravy was my favorite! The one thing that bothered me was when we first arrived the girl handed us the menus, didn't say anything else and returned to her post behind the bar. We sat ourselves, assuming that's what you're suppose to do. We were so confused as first timers. After we decided what we wanted, we were confused again. No one came to take our order; my boyfriend almost went up to the counter to put in our order. But someone came as he was about to get up. Everything after that was good. Our waiter was very kind and quick :) read more

The perfect dining spot for anyone who refuses to add any major record label bands to their iPod. When I walked in, I felt like I'd walked into Punky Brewster's bedroom. The walls look like that notebook you decorated in elementary school. Once I finished rolling my eyes, I sat down in a cramped booth with an open mind. I'd heard artsy-types raving about Pick Me Up, so I decided to let the food speak for itself. I ordered the stir fry. It was a solid portion, but as I started digging in, I was struck by how heavy it all felt. The sauce coating the bottom third of the dish had the consistency of used motor oil. That night, I felt like I'd eaten a brick. I'd like to go back and give it another shot. Maybe if the chef can focus more on cooking my meal and less on hating his parents, I can come to embrace this hipster oasis. read more

Seriously going to miss the old location but I was glad to see they brought a lot of nostalgia like the photo board, shelving and tables to the new location. The food is exactly the same so I'm super happy this place isn't gone-gone. The new staff is friendly. It seems like the location might be slightly smaller or just that they get a bit busier than they used to. read more

The pancakes are heaven and LARGE! I love the decor! While I'm not a vegetarian or vegan, I appreciate that they have options for both. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great choice for breakfast with friends. Stopped in after a 5K and were quickly seated and received water. Great start! We all ordered drinks, husband thought coffee was good and hot. Friends all got mimosas, too many flavors to mention but they all agree the pineapple was tasty! I got crazy and went with banana rum shake, incredible flavor! Moving on to food. First, the proportions are very hearty. Also noted was the huge amount of veggies and cheese in meals. Husband went with his usual breakfast burrito and stated it was one of the best he has ever had. I went with the clown combo (who came up with that name??) and found the turkey sausage delicious! The pancakes were light and fluffy! All 3 friends went with a variety of omelettes, everyone commented about nice amount of fillings and no one was able to finish their meal. The staff were all very nice and friendly. Recommend you stop in and give it a try! read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Drinks for all! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Two stars bc the waitress this morning was a bit rude. Basically yelling at me from across the room... The aesthetic of the place is nice though and my food was good. read more

A review of Pick Me Up Cafe from 7 year vegan: 5 Stars if there were more vegetable heavy dishes on the menu. 4 Stars because they give you a lot of avocado if you ask for it as a side, their tofu scrambler is heavy with potatoes and vegetables, the chilli is the most flavorful bowl of beans and tomatoes I've tasted, the veg burger is not frozen, soyriso is on the menu, and their portions are enormous. They have a menu dedicated to teas, some come with fruit chunks others flower petals- they serve it in a mug not a teeny weeny cup! The food is as good as it looks in the pictures; always hot, home made, and fresh turned up ingredients. Pick any menu item and wait for the "mmm", you can't stop yourself. Shout out to the kitchen cooks- I'm your #1 Fan! Bring your non veg friends/family here, they will leave full. read more

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This place is a hard pass for me in the future. Pros: Open late, vegan friendly Cons: Where to begin... My partner and I visited Pick Me Up one night when all was closed but TBell & this cafe. Thinking we could get better options at Pick Me Up (wrong), we decided to try it for the first time. I ordered a breakfast combo & my partner ordered the buffalo chicken wrap. Both were mediocre at best. My scrambled eggs were well done -- literally browned from the length of cooking, my bagel was burned, and the pancakes had a layer of cinnamon (not mentioned on the menu) & powdered sugar. As our server came around to ask how the food was, I mentioned the cinnamon because I'm not a fan (after an effort to scrape it off and try a bite anyway) and asked if they could re-fire new pancakes, -- it was the only part of the meal I was looking forward to after trying everything else on my plate. He mumbled something to the effects of "ummmmm ok" and then I waited 10 minutes for the replacement. The whole meal from start to finish took just under an hour and all the while & we were seating in a corner booth. As if it couldn't get worse, as we were waiting on the check, I looked behind us to see at least THREE SPIDER belaying off the corner of the wall behind our heads. Thinking back on the variety of the menu, the deco decor, & the service...it is clear they are going for quantity over quality. Which honestly, is to be expected in Wrigleyville. Overall: Mediocre, lack luster, unimpressed, and will not be back. read more

I'd consider this a coffee shop off the beaten path. I went here with a coupon, but soon discovered there are so many bonuses to this place. The menu can please everyone and anyone. There is great variety and vegetarian options. I had a really surprisingly good falafel. It is open 24 hours. Depending on your mood you can get a beer or cappuccino. The people-watching is extremely interesting. It seems as though people come here from all corners of the city. All in all, it is nothing fancy but it will hit the spot. read more

I love the late hours, common variety of food and drinks, decent quality and you can hang out forever. Hit and Miss. SWEET KISS ($5) -- an interesting combination of alcohol and tea. Boozy. RED VELVET TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CREPE ($9) -- skip it! I like the crunchy edges. Generous chocolate chips. Sweet. Crepe mix has doughy smell. VENUE -- old school coffee shop that stayed true since the day they opened. Mismatch. Kitschy. OUTLET -- one by the door near a 2-seater table by the window. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Sweet Kiss - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow so this is how vegans get fat.... I don't think I have ever had such rich, heavy, vegan food before. This is definitely not the type of meal I can have every day, but it was nice to have after a long time on my feet watching the Northalsted Halloween Parade. Tofu Jalapeno Poppers - Spicy, filing, and I couldn't tell the difference between the tofu and the cheese that jalapeno poppers are usually stuffed with. Extremely heavy and I could only finish two of the five. The Bumpen Grinder - Massive, filling, and absolutely delicious. The garlic bread went excellently with the seitan and vegan cheese. Overall great, quirky, cafe with tons of vegetarian and vegan options! Appreciated all the effort that they put into Halloween decorations as well! read more

Horrible food so called vegan and so racist towards us and it was 2 of us but a party of 10 got seated before us they were Caucasian and were latino which I find so offensive and it seemed we were rushed out and I had a friend who told me that this establishment was not minority friendly well he was right and he was turned away for a job despite his 25 years experience so year if your a minority beware read more

Was made to wait for 20 minutes before I was seated. The table I was given had been empty the entire time. At that point, there were two other empty tables. I wasn't allowed to choose where to sit. -- My sandwich came on toast. I would've preferred untoasted bread, but I wasn't asked about it or given an option. read more

Good vegan option available. Good portion as well. Service is good. Ambiance is nice.

Great place for breakfast, a cup of joe or a late night bite. Tho I have experienced the latter; I'm too old for that! The menu is extensive - with many vegetarian and meat options. Food has never disappointed, no matter what I've ordered/. They also serve cocktails, and often have special drinks that are surprisingly awesome considering the bar here is not a focal point. Only one loss of a star for service. Don't get me wrong it's good, and friendly. It just seems they're stretched too thin - doing too much and handling too many tables at once. So you might wait a bit...to place your order, between drinks, to get your food, your check, etc. But don't let me end on a negative, as that is not my intent! The food, the ambience and the location make this a great neighborhood spot. Ain't no shame in four stars! read more

I'm leaving a one star review not based on the food but on the SERVICE we received tonight. We politely asked the waitress/waiter if they had a bathroom or an area to change our baby's diaper and all they did was SHRUG and say "sorry" very sarcastically. Because of their attitudes we decided to leave and as we left the guy was like "Did u see that?" Please have respect for your customers. read more

Horrible customer service . I'm talking about that one guy who wears those earrings and has his hair curly . read more

This place is always busy and for good reason! My absolute favorite local spot in the neighborhood, and even though I live much closer now I would still take the trip from Waukegan to here, it would be worth it! The food is good, the staff is friendly, the decor gives good vibes, there's not much to be upset about. There are very few things however. I've came here multiple times now and can say with certain authority to never over anything with scrambled eggs. From omelettes to chilaquiles they're always dry and over done. Ironically enough my favorite breakfast food is their florentine bennidect, it's just scrambled they seem to struggle with. I also had to wait nearly 90 minutes for my food one weekend. Not a big deal since I know everywhere is short staffed and it was a peek hour for them, however our waitress became very condenceding when I asked if they had an idea how much longer it would be. She didn't have to be rude and I gave her no reason to, the automatic defensiveness was just a huge turn off. Next time I wish they'd at least give a heads up so we knew they didn't forget or something. All other days however I'm excited to show this place off to my friends, I took my parents here when they visited and I'm looking forward to bringing my friends after the holidays. The menu always has something for someone and I love how many different options they have. They even got me to eat tofu, and enjoy it! read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Florentine Benedict with house fries, pancakes, and a chai latte - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Pick me up will pick you up! Me n the hubby were yelping and found amazing reviews to this place and decided to grab lunch here recently. First up, looking at the menu I realized that the dishes are perfect for an early breakfast, brunch, lunch or midnight (post-party) indulgence. The decor is very hipster/funky. And I absolutely love the extensive veggie options. The beer and drinks are good. We got the magic caps, which are button mushrooms stuffed with a sun dried tomato-basil mixture topped with freshly melted mozzarella. This will make you like mushrooms if you don't really like 'em. We also got the veggie burger and veggie benedict with poached eggs. The whole thing cost us $30... pretty good deal for delicious food! read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Stuffed mushroom aka magic caps - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First time here and definitely we will be back. Food was great and our waitress was very good. We like to try and find new places around the neighborhood and this is a gem read more

What a great find! This is the best little diner... great service and great food! There is something for everyone vegan and non vegan alike! read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - The best bacon tomato and grilled cheese sammy - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been In the restaurant industry for over three decades. This place is amazing An unexpected treasure. I had the eggs Benedict and can say it was amazing. Moving into this neighborhood next week, I will for sure be here a lot more. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Eggs Benedict. Amazing hollandaise sauce. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As good as ever. I'll miss their old location but I'm happy the new spot is closer to my apartment and ecstatic that it has sidewalk tables!

I loved the diner feel and the set up, super unique. Amazing food and drink selection. Friendly staff and quick service. I want to come back here for sure! read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - Oreo milkshake and mocha coffee drink, we forgot the name but they both were amazing!! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Pick Me Up Café is my favorite Chicago restaurant. I stop in almost every time I'm in town. As many others have mentioned, they have very late night hours (and cheerful service) and incredible food. I've stopped in for every meal and time of snack, and I've never been disappointed. The prices are in the range of $8-12, and the portions are generous. Most recently, I had their vegan peanut butter chocolate cake (a rarity) and sang praises of bakers and drove into the sunset. I'd like to try a vegan adult milkshake next time I stop by. My most memorable visit included a huge order of wings, a dark booth, and a drink they called the Monster (four shots of espresso in the biggest mug you've ever laid eyes on). 'Nuff said. I'll be back. Always am :) read more

I'm not a vegan/vegetarian so admittedly there are better options for me in the area but that doesn't discredit how great Pick Me Up has been to me every time I visit. First of all, their hours are great. Many nights I've stumbled into Pick Me Up from a night out with friends. I've never had a problem with having to wait for a table and service has always been above adequate. The food's actually good. That's my main takeaway. I love having breakfast late at night and their benedict, huevos rancheros, and egg dishes never disappoint. I've had a taste of their vegetarian dishes (the chili won me over) as well and have nothing bad to write about those either. Come for the atmosphere, the personable servers, decent brunch food, and quick service. You'll likely bump into a dozen or so drunk folks in here at any given weekend and that's if you're not one of them yourself. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - benedict on my side - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We really enjoyed eating here! The ambiance of the cafe is great and the service was very friendly. The portion sizes are VERY generous and I would definitely recommend the vegan pancakes. read more

Cute bohemian diner with plenty of street parking even on the weekend. Large menu with something for everyone - lots of meat, vegan, and gluten free options. Great service and good food. read more

I'll say it was A-OK because I haven't had much luck with Vegan fair. That being said, a vegan friend was visiting and we headed over here to get our grub on. Intrigued by the idea of jalapeno poppers that could be made with either cream cheese *or* creamy tofu, I opted for the latter. They were very interesting to me, and therefor I think a win. The breading was thick and soft, almost like corn-dog breading! The peppers themselves were only mildly spicy (always a hit or miss) but juicy and good. And for my part, I really enjoyed the difference of them being stuffed with tofu as opposed to cheese. I would probably get these again for the sheer strangeness factor, to share them with my boyfriend, and b/c they were fun. It was halfway through this plate (they are huge!) I realized I over-ordered. I'd ordered the 'tofu' chalupas just to try them - what a mistake! and the soup of the day, which happened to be chicken. The soup was A-mazing! It was so tasty and creamy and rich. It really hit the spot! The chalupas were no good at all... first of all, who puts cooked spinach on a tostada? The tofu was bland (of course) not marinated in anything to give it spice... I asked for extra salsa and the waiter was nice enough to bring it, but I would not suggest ordering this - tofu, chicken, or any other variation. It was just weird. That was my experience with 'Pick Me Up Cafe' - not a place on my 'I must return' list... but if a vegan buddy is in town, I may tag along and scarf down those strangely interesting poppers. read more

Pick Me Up Cafe - jalapeno poppers with creamy tofu - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food is terrible. The french toast was dry. When my food arived, which took forever, considering the place wasn't full, was COLD. The staff was friendly, but the restaurant was cold. I liked the artsy decor, but that was about it. I will definitely not return to this place. read more