All the food we had was phenomenal! It was packed on a Sunday at 11am but we were able to get seated right away. You order up front and take a number and they bring the food out to you. It's a really nice diner vibe with patio seating as well. There's an employee that will help you find a table once you've made your order. We got the chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and beignets. The spicy chicken was super tender and seasoned perfectly with a light crust. You can get it non-spicy if you prefer. The waffle was thin and crispy, not too heavy. The shrimp and grits were delightfully buttery and the shrimp had a nice Cajun kick to it. The beignets were soft and fluffy. Free street parking was easy to find in the area. They seem to have a quick table turnover time here so you can just walk in, no reservations needed! read more

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this place is amazing! they don't take reservations, but the line moves pretty quickly. it's countertop service, and once you order, the food comes out fast! we went for brunch and tried the shrimp & grits, hot chicken & waffles and beignets. everything was beautifully plated. our favorite was the shrimp & grits - super flavorful. pro tip: add the hot sauce that comes with the chicken & waffles to the shrimp & grits for an extra kick - 10/10. the hot chicken and waffles were also good. they were chicken tenders which i personally don't care for - but it was still tasty & the waffles were amazing! the beignets were a bit dense and not as light & airy as we would've liked, but honestly the shrimp & grits (and the chicken & waffles with that tasty hot sauce) made up for it. great ambiance & friendly service too! definitely recommend!! read more

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I had a bacon and egg sandwich on a biscuit my first visit. The biscuit was hard and crumbled as soon as a I bit into it. I think it was stale. I returned two more times and loved the fried catfish meal, both times. The serving size was huge, enough for at least two meals. The ambiance would have been nice but there were no soft surfaces to absorb the sound of the patrons' chatter. My friends and I had to speak loudly to hear each other. read more

A large and cute brunch spot with lots of seating!! You order at the counter, grab a standing number, find a seat, and the servers will deliver your food to you. The perfect spot to go if you want to pay separately and don't want the awkwardness of having to split the check!! I got the fried catfish. WOW. I was blown away. It was the most tender, juicy, slightly fatty, and fresh piece of fish I've ever bitten into. The batter was light and airy, so it didn't take away from the star - the catfish. The fries were crispy, and the coleslaw could've used a more elevated sauce. read more

Roux Diner - Fried catfish - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I plan my flights into Chicago around the schedule open days at Roux diner. My best friend from high school picks me up from ORD and we stop for brunch here on our way back to Indiana. The brisket hash bowl is something from dreams, the flavors are explosive and the textures are perfect. I have no idea what they're doing to those potatoes but wow. Justin usually orders the Shrimp and Grits which is also phenomenal. Both dishes are plenty big to share. This particular visit another of our friends was working only a few blocks away and joined us for her lunch break. She ordered the fried green tomato toast and it was delicious! I don't even eat tomatoes... I would say the coffee is pretty standard, no bells or whistles but the ambiance is very upscale but still casual. Communal style sitting so depending on the time/day or size of your party you may be sharing a table with some others. read more

Upscale casual - order at the counter and you grab a number. While the beignets are must get, the rest sadly fell flat. Beignets - 4.5/5. Reminded me of New Orleans. Light and fluffy. Tons of powdered sugar. Chocolate Chip Cookie - 3.5/5. Nice crisp, salty. I liked it but my wife was not a fan. Shrimp and Grits - 3.5/5. Good bit of spicing. Not particularly distinctive grits but the combo is classic and works. Biscuit Sandwich - 2.5/5. Biscuit wasn't that flaky and the other flavors didn't have enough punch to really make the dish pop. Cinnamon Roll - 2/5. Looks incredible in the photos, but came out quite flat. No cream cheese frosting, simple bun, no crisp to add texture. My wife thinks it is OK. read more

100% cosigning the other review about the cookies. There are not to be missed and are alone worth the trip to this fine establishment. But they are just one piece of the awesome. The vibe is good, the service is friendly, and the biscuit with the hot honey and just the right amount of salt to enhance its buttery goodness was delightful. And the fried green tomato tartine is a dish I will be thinking about for a looooonnnngggg time and wishing we lived nearby so I could eat it all the time. It was an amazing blend of crunch and softness and flavor - innovative and perfectly executed! This was a GREAT spot to grab a bite! read more

I've heard great things about Roux over the years so I was excited to finally check it out. Unfortunately, my experience turned out to be very underwhelming. I met my cousin one Saturday morning there for breakfast. He'd recently moved back to the city after being away for over 20 years. He said Roux had become one of his favorite local restaurants. We walked in and ordered after waiting in line for about ten minutes. Breakfast for the three of us cost $62 which seems outrageous but is increasingly the norm. My sister had the catfish and fries. It was crunchy but she said it had no flavor. After she'd ordered it our cousin also said he didn't care for it because of the minimal flavor. (I guess he didn't want to share his thoughts before we ordered!) I opted for the grits, bacon and beignets. The grits were creamy but also didn't have any flavor. The bacon was crispy but was just okay. The beignets were good though. I also thought the orange juice was bitter. My cousin just had an order of potatoes and sausage. He'd ordered it before so he was happy with his selections. The restaurant is bright, clean and comfortable. The decor is simple yet has an understated elegance about it. The noice level also wasn't too bad considering it was packed. My sister and I were very disappointed with the food as first-timers so it's unlikely we'd return given the plethora of options in the city. read more

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This place is so nice on the inside and I would have liked to come for a full brunch time experience. Instead me and a friend came for beignets which were not good at all if I'm honest. They tasted like fried dough no flavor and not crispy and airy like I expected. The powdered sugar was the only flavor or sweetness about them which wasn't a good sign. We came on a Saturday and they were very busy line our the door which we narrowly missed by arriving so early. The staff were very kind and I could tell they value their customers. The lemonade and ice tea combo was delicious and the fruit tart was yummy -- super buttery crust and fruit was super fresh. Cream was delish. read more

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The modern classy Diner. Food is upscale in the best way possible. I've had the shrimp & grits twice. Looks like they've taken feedback about serving sizes and made the easy fix by using a bigger plate. My group had a good mix of stuff, from the classic breakfast to the Super grits. Everyone was happy and satisfied. Service was fast and the atmosphere was relaxed. It's a place where any group can enjoy themselves. read more

Roux Diner - Shrimp & grits, cinnamon roll and an omelette way in the back - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time coming to the Roux Diner and boy was it a great lunch. The setting is a diner like feel but has warm touches all around. To prevent overcrowding, they seat you after ordering and getting drinks. Everything was wonderful and the staff were friendly. Food was superb! Be ready to see some mouth watering pastries with one of the most mouth watering cinnamon rolls that o have ever seen! We ordered Grits loaded which included cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon. You could have gotten mushrooms but opted out of those. We also had a Patty Melt, where the burger had great flavor. Our lunch included Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. Fantastic!! Hubby had Deviled eggs to satisfy his appetite. Last but not least, you have to try the Beignets! To die for! Warm and yummy! read more

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Excellent brunch option near U Chicago. You order at the counter and find a seat and they bring you utensils and food. The cuisine is southern in style. The shrimp and grits was excellent and so was the fried green tomatoes. Nice clean interior and plenty of seating outside when the weather is nice. Of the several places I tied for brunch this was the best by far. I highly recommend it. read more

Roux Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice place, pleasant atmosphere. The food was mostly good! The catfish was fried nicely and the grits were good. The deviled eggs were really salty. The wait was quite long. And for that reason, I will not return. There was one cashier to take all of the orders while also making drinks. Seems like another cashier or two are in order. At least an additional person to make drinks.... read more

Came here for brunch and I had such an amazing time. It's counter service, but they seat you and bring out your food to your table. I got the chicken and waffles and my partner got the breakfast platter. We got the biscuit, cheesy grits, cinnamon buns and beignets to split. The breakfast platter was good, but I wasn't a huge fan of the toast it came with. The chicken was delicious, but the waffle was a little underwhelming. The cheesy grits and the cinnamon bun were the highlight of the visit. We had plenty of leftovers, but we'll absolutely be back. read more

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When they don't take reservations and the line is constant that's a good sign. Street parking was easy enough around the area. Tip take the 16oz coffee it's only $.25 cents more than the 12 oz. NOLA in general is the best eating I've had. Anytime I can get their cooking I'm in. Shout goes to the beignets and the loaded grits. The Tar-tine tomato is just OK. It's too cheesy and the bacon also takes away from the tomato. Fried green tomatoes should be by itself. I just like the vibe this place has, from the cloth napkins, to the sliver ware in a fast casual restaurant. The place and the crowd just feel classy. I want to come back in the summer and eat at their patio. read more

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Went to Roux while in spring break and we loved it! The food was fantastic and the space was great! Wonderful service and very friendly people. It was a perfect location for touring the college campus and neighborhood after read more

Roux Diner - Best Beignets ever had - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place exceeded my expectations. I got the loaded grits and the shrimp n grits. It was very delicious and so worth the price. You order and pay first, then sit down and the food comes to you. The coffee was alright but worth the $5 price. Also a very nice place to eat with friends and family, so I will be coming here again read more

Roux Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing! Cafe was perfect, biscuits to die for and a comfy space to work! Internet was perfect. Only bad thing was parking! Great customer service. read more

Delicious and generous, good service and decor is lovely. Biscuits and strawberry jam were the best I have had in years.

One evening while passing through Hyde Park, I stopped by Roux for dinner. I had been for breakfast and found it to be nice. I was curious as to the dinner offerings. I ordered fish and chips. The cod was not fishy and the breading was flavored so that I didn't need to add ketchup, hot sauce, or any other condiments. The tartar sauce for dipping was good enough. The fries were crispy the way that I like them. Like in the morning, there was a steady flow of people coming and going. I sat away from the large parties that were scattered throughout the restaurant, so there weren't people all on top of me. I could enjoy my meal. I must admit that I like the dinner considerably better than I did the breakfast, although the breakfast was not bad. read more

Roux in Hyde Park is possibly one of the best brunch restaurants I've experienced in a long time. The flavors of everything I ate seemed to pop in my mouth! A few months back, I stopped in for some beignets and a cinnamon roll to take home, but eating the food at the restaurant gave me more appreciation for this little brunch spot in Hyde Park. There's parking in front of the restaurant, but across the way, there's street parking in the residential area too. When entering, you must place and pay for your order before being seated. Fresh juice is available, and central table has carryout baskets, water, utensils, etc. The husband and I had the three egg omelet with bacon, mushroom, and cheddar cheese with a side of breakfast potatoes, shrimp and grits, thick cut bacon, and beignets. Everything was delicious. Update: after going back again, I learned that you can place an online order and pick up your bag on the left side of the counter. read more

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We had an awesome brunch! The place has a great vibe--bright, friendly, and busy in a good way. Everything we ordered was spot on: the chicken and waffle, biscuits and gravy, eggs, and beignets were all amazing. Cinnamon roll was the best. Service was fast and super friendly too. Definitely one of the best brunch spots we've hit in Chicago. read more

Roux is a cute southern diner in Hyde Park, not even a 10 minute walk from UChicago's campus. They have a ton of indoor and outdoor (shaded) seating, and you order food at the counter (so no reservation required). It's a good spot for big groups! There is a lot of meat on the menu, and not a lot of vegetarian or vegan options. However, it was easy to ask for dishes without meat or with the bacon on the side. I tried the fried green tomato terrine (without the bacon) and it was great. I loved the fluffy brioche toast. I also tried the cold fried chicken salad (I picked around the chicken) and it was a surprisingly solid salad. The beignets are a must of course because who doesn't love fried dough. They have lots of other pastries, too! read more

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OMG!!!! the best shrimp and grits ever will definitely have them again I'm telling all of my coworkers and friends!

Great restaurant I have been several times food is fresh , pastries are delicious, coffee is hot , nice atmosphere

We waited in line in the cold, but it was worth it. Stand in line, order at the counter, be seated and dig in. Food came out quickly and was very very tasty. Self serve water and condiments and to go boxes actually made it very easy to eat quickly and make room for others. We really loved our brunch and will be back! read more

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Fantastic spot for brunch in the heart of Hyde Park! The shrimp and grits were amazing. read more

Roux Diner - Shrimp and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mannn...what can I say about this place. It's a neighborhood gem. Our family usually goes here 1-2x a month and really loves it. There is ALWAYS a line...so just prepare yourself for it. However, once you get seated, your food will come out fast and hot!! There are no reservations, you order at the counter and a nice gentleman (I need to get his name!) will seat your party. When it's nice outside, there's a patio that you can sit out on. Otherwise, the dining room is large and filled with natural light. Good for 1 - groups of 6 or so. My favorites on the menu are the biscuits and gravy add an egg. I'm a Southern girl and this feels like home every time I eat it. The chicken fried steak....didn't I say I am a Southern girl?!?! And the husband likes the short rib hash. Get the beignets...they are to die for. It's a little pricey compared to what you might get in the neighborhood, but for good service and food, I gladly lay down my card every time. Go and enjoy!! I'll see you there. read more

Nice ambience, clean environment and the shrimp and grits is delicious. Excellent portion sizes. Grab some beignets too, you won't regret it. Parking sucks, but of course. Hoping they open a 2nd location that more accessible. read more

Food? 9/10 Service? 10/10 Ambience? 10/10. My cousin & I went for brunch, it was a wait to get in but definitely worth it. Spent about 25 mins in line. I will be goin again. Everything I had was excellent. Nothing needed to be added or removed. read more

Roux Diner - Loaded grits, beignets & breakfast potatoes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was goood. Service was as good as you make it. Ambiance better than most. I will return read more

Used to really enjoy this place until I had a few bad meals, one leading to food poisoning. This place really fell off starting in the fall 2025. Disappointing bc there's few brunch spots in hyde park. read more

Working nearby at University of Chicago really works up an appetite, and when I was looking for a new place to try in Hyde Park, I was intrigued by Roux. It definitely surpassed my expectations. I got the biscuits and gravy with a cappuccino and both were filled with incredible flavor and care. The cashier was incredibly kind and polite, and overall very clean restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere. I'll be back sooner rather than later. read more

Roux is a bit pricey for its cafe environment, but what does it say that I keep going back to try different things? I love the light and airy vibe and general layout of this spot, and the fact that you just order at the counter first then find a seat. The catfish plate was delicious and big with three large fillets that tasted quite fresh, a good coleslaw, and a ton of fries. I would've actually liked a regular tartar sauce instead of the Old Bay-flavored remoulade but it was still good. Grits were a bit plain even with the cheese--I'm sure it'd be even more flavorful with more add-ons. The cinnamon roll is expensive at $7 but it's huge and warm and comes with an overflowing cascade of melty cream cheese frosting--definitely a dessert for sharing! Salted chocolate chip cookie ($3) is the crispy type with a generous scattering of flaky salt on top. I liked it but I think it could've used a bit more chocolate. I also recently tried the blueberry scone ($4) because it's huge and looks so tempting and chock-full of blueberries. It too is solid--I loved the sugar on top and it's soft and not too dense, but probably not worth going out of the way for (still good if you're craving a scone, though!). I like that there's a station where you can get some water and also to-go containers if you need them. Lines can get a bit long on the weekend but it moves fairly quickly. I think this is a solid spot! read more

TLDR: 5/5 - Truly saved the best for last. From the food to the service everything was fantastic. Roux Diner knows how to elevate the breakfast diner vibe to a whole new level. Ordered - The Classic: (toast, bacon, over easy eggs) 5/5 It was just delicious. The potatoes were phenomenal the, toast was carefully buttered I can't even describe it to you. I also had someone's grits which is an option if you get the classic and oh my god I had a ratatouille moment because it tasted like my mothers grits. And my mother was right there! Service: 5/5 They had our food ready so quick! They didn't clear our table well into after we were done which was odd but I noticed they don't clear the table until you're done. Ambiance: 5/5 The aesthetics were everything here. It's open and modern yet quaint. So many seating options. So much light! Really loved this place a lot. Notes: - Parking isn't too bad here! - Prices were great for the portions! Would love to come back read more

Roux Diner - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had the shrimps and grits., and it was smacking. Super jumbo shrimp and the grits were to die for. Highly recommended.

Great place in Hyde Park. The food is so good. They serve breakfast all day. Yum yum yummy!!! The ambiance is cool and laid back. To start, you order and then are seated. Surprisingly your food comes out quick, even with a busy house. Food was fresh and hot. On this occasion I really wanted the fish. I already had my eyes set on the cinnamon roll so felt right in my soul. My meal was filling. The fish was flavourful and seasoned just right. Also was able to try the beinets were delightful, better than Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. The cinnamon roll was so tender and the cream cheese was creamy and just the right level of sweetness. Will be back to this spot for sure. read more

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Roux is always a good simple spot. Great menu options and excellent beignets! It's also a great option for a larger group that wishes to keep checks separate as you place your own order, receive a number to place at your table. read more

Such good food! The beignets and the fried green tomato tartine are must trys! The biscuits and gravy was also good.

First stop @dhpchicago was @rouxdiner This place is cute and really is a dinner/cafeteria. You order at the counter and by the time you sit down your food is hitting the table. We had the pimento cheese with fried saltines. The cheese is amazing and I want it on everything. It is spicy and balanced of cheese to cream. The saltines have sugar and chili powder on them. Took me a second, but they are addictive with cheese. Then we built our own grits with cheese, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. Each topping was great and on top of creamy grits yes please. They have a ton of seating inside and out. Also the woman at the next table got the biscuit and she raves about it every bite she took! read more

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