BACON LORETTA. TURKEY LORETTA. HAM LORETTA. all you need to know is. Loretta. [okay, and special hash too. and maybe Disaster. but seriously. just go there.] read more

I still visit this greasy spoon after being introduced to it more than 20 years ago. I have no problem with new vegetarian option or the bacon, but nothing beats the ham Loretta. Sarkis has continued to meet high expectations without the continued presence of Sarkis himself. Still, his personality and smile are greatly missed, that being the only reason I have refrained from giving it 5 stars. GO RAMBLERS! read more

I'm a big fan of breakfast, and there's only a few places that tickle my fancy. Sarkis is definitely one of them. I had the Disaster--pretty much a sausage loretta-- with egg and cheesy hash. Oh man, was this delicious. Sure, it may be greasy as heck, but the food is AWESOME. Also had a bite of their Grilled cheese (it has bacon and eggs)... and WOW. Gotta try to make it at home. The hot sauce is different, but tang will really add a bit of flavor to your delicious meal. A must have whenever I visit Chi-town. read more

Went back to Sarkis for breakfast and finally tried a Loretta... Of course, couldn't let my chorizo go, so a chorizo Loretta it was. The BF gets a bacon Loretta, and it looked awesome. I think next time, I'll add an egg (GASP!) OH MY GOD IS THIS STUFF GOOD. Perfect greasy spoon food. I was SAD that I couldn't finish my sandwich. Literally SAD. Again I say, cinnamon coffee, and plenty of it. Cheesy hash, mmmmm. (I would only ask for it well done next time.) We also shared some french toast, which was borderline orgasmic, and I don't really even like french toast. read more

Heard about Sarkis when I was in high school so a friend and I decided to try it out before hitting the beach one weekend. It's right off of Gross Point Rd, and I almost drove past it, but we got there. It was around 10 on a Saturday and the place was already packed. We didn't know the protocol so we waited for someone to seat us outside at one of the picnic benches. Now, I love brunch and brunch spots, what you'll notice here is that the patrons are muchhhh younger than at any other brunch place. To sum it up: Northshore bros & co. I ended up ordering a Chorizo Loretta after reading some Yelp reviews and my friend got an omelette we both got Cheesy Hash too. Food came. For some reason, I didn't realize that the Loretta was a sandwich, so just FYI, it is a sandwich. The food was good. Ended up drenching the Loretta and the Cheesy Hash in hot sauce to give it a little more flavor. Ate a lot, paid up (Cash Only!) and ended up going to the beach a bit bloated. So was the food good? Yeah, I'd say so. But good enough to merit the accolades of high school kids across the North Shore? Nah, probably not. Honestly, I think it became a "cool" spot simply because of the younger crowd that hangs out there. Either way, I probably will end up back here at some point, but only because someone else is curious about "what all the hype is about." On a side note, I think this would be the perfect place to feed a hangover. read more

Great place With Great food and service. I leave happy every time and left with a craving a few days after!

Update: I've revised my rating to adjust for the increased prices. A bit of the dumpy diner charm is lost when you charge as much as Walker Brothers for greasy spoon food. $10 omelets? Starbucks prices for coffee? This is some of our favorite breakfast ever. I love the mexican omelette (sub jalapenos for the green peppers.) Hash browns are nothing special, but their coffee is great. I'm normally a coffee purist, but they pour a ton of cinnamon into the grounds mixture and I love the flavor. It's cheap as heck and you have to be assertive to get service (refill your own coffee.) It's cash only, most of the staff do the math in their head when calculating the bill and when taking your order. This place has unmistakable charm. Great place to eat outside, or if it's raining or the bees are too fierce, the basement stockroom! Share a table with a group of neighborhood high school students if you need to. read more

I love this place, my kids love this place. It's the one place where I know I can get regular eggs and regular french toast without a sprig of rosemary and pomegranate in my eggs. Breakfast places are so....ugh. This one, though is where I can get some eggs, some hash browns and some bacon with no trouble of the stupid frills most breakfast places have now. The kids love it...yet I love being hung over and going there in the morning so it's a win-win. Health violations aside...just get them over medium. read more

Back when I worked at Wrigley Field, I had a good friend named John Xiques who grew up around here, and we were skeptical when he dragged us to Sarkis (come on, how special can a breakfast sandwich be?) but we instantly became fans. The freshly prepared Lorettas, their original breakfast sandwich, was a five star culinary experience, partly because it's so tasty, but it was partly the cooking-diner-comedy performance that came with it. The original owner was worthy of a Saturday Night Live sketch, and eating here was such a good time. I was gratified to taste that the new owners (well new to me, they've had the place since the turn of the century I think) kept the original recipes, but they couldn't replicate the entertaining short-order cook banter. It's hard describe if you didn't experience it, he was pushy, loud and obnoxious almost, but not quite to the point of actually being offensive, he was funny. In its stead, the service now is more indifferent, typical diner style, and you definitely don't want to come here to reminisce when the local high school kids are out and about. For a couple of generations, it's always been popular with the local teens, but it's one thing when you came here with friends who grew up here, and it's a whole 'nother ball game when the place is filled with miscreants who are still growing up. read more

This is a high school kids' hang out. We were probably 2 of about 5 people in a jam packed Sarki's that were not in high school. Not that I didn't enjoy the young bloods around me - ah to be young and naive again! So this place was HYPED up for me. I came with someone who had been visiting Sarki's since high school and had some great memories from this place and admittedly the cheesy hash browns were pretty good! But I was a tad disappointed with the bacon loretta, it wasn't as flavorful as I thought it was going to be and even with the veggies and cheese, could've used more seasoning and sauteeing. The french bread was a little too chewy and didn't really help the bacon shine at all. Had the bread been a little less stale and had I chosen chorizo or gone with a Disaster sandwich, I may have been happier. But there's gotta be a reason why it's so packed all the time! I'll be back but to try something other than Loretta's (note that 90% of people who were there ordered a Loretta). read more

What can be said about Sark's. From Evanston to Glencoe this is an institution, a rite of passage, an initiation into proper hangover first aid, a family establishment, a high school hangout, a college reunion venue, an environment for effectively reminiscing over your glory days in high school, or overhearing stories of how" Becky kissed Johnny and omg, Becky's not even hot..." I digress from this review. My usual order is a bacon/disaster combo sandwich with everything, cheesy hash, and a diet coke. That usually can destroy any sense of well being or physical motivation to hit a gym for the day, but it does assist in overcoming the unbearably bright sunshine/loud noises/slightly spinning walls of a long night out, so really, whaddyagonna do; I personally think it's a win - win kinda situation, but we're not talking game theory here; it's just breakfast. Oh yeah; bring cash too and be prepared to get extremely comfortable with the people standing around you. More than likely, if it's busy, warm, and a weekend before 1 pm, it's going to be busy. However, Sarks in the Park, the Lincoln Park sequel, is moreso an "eh" or 2.5 star situation. Simply bc of having staff that don't fully understand all the possible sandwich combinations and the lack of neighborhood history. It's a Lincoln Park transplant with less history and family fun; more Chad and Trixie complaining about calories and cappuccinos. read more

It's simple, good, cheap food. I got the bacon Loretta without mayo (bacon, raw sweet onions, green peppers, fresh tomatoes, cheese, toasted french bread) and it was gooood. The fresh veggies totally balance out the bacon and cheese and it was not greasy at all! Got it with a side of hashbrowns (you can taste bacon essence in em) for $1. One measly dollar. So lunch for two--two sandwiches with a really generous side of hashbrowns came out to a grand total of $12. You can't beat that. Packed on a Friday for lunch, but their patio is really nice, and the crowd is young, mostly late teens/twentysomethings. Super chill. CASH ONLY. They do have an ATM downstairs though (mind you, it's in a basement that makes you feel like you're gonna get mugged in the day time...) read more

Sarkis is the best breakfast place in Evanston. Their most popular item is a bacon loretta. Almost everyone that goes there orders it and it never disappoints. It's unfortunate that they just raised the prices on the loretta because they knew that people still wouldn't be able to resist ordering one. They by far do not care much about the cleanliness of the restaurant but it is a place that I will never be able to stop going to. read more

This is a REALLY hyped-up breakfast/brunch place, and I completely understand why. Back in the high school days, almost every teenager in the north shore that went out drinking Friday or Saturday night, would start off their following Saturday or Sunday morning by coming here for the hangover meal. I didn't mind all the greasy diner food, loved their cheesy hash. I wouldn't recommend coming here with more than one or two people, since it's really packed inside. They do have seating area in the back if you have 4-5 people in your group, but that's pushing it. *Their ceilings are really short, so if you're a tall person around 6 feet, expect to be a little annoyed. They also have a small parking lot as well, and one or two benches outside. read more

I was introduced to this place while still in high school, and it seems to still attract a lot of that demographic. Sarkis himself is no longer working behind the counter, but his picture is all over the place. I know that the Loretta is a big favorite, but I always go for the disaster. Cover everything in hot sauce, especially the hash browns. I can't begin to estimate how much cholesterol in my arteries began on that grill. Try not to think about the giant stack of already-cooked bacon in a plastic tub next to the grill - I'm sure it's totally sanitary - right? read more

This place is the classic hangover joint. I feel like all of New Trier, Loyola and Evanston know about this place and it is slammed with people all day long. I used to go to this place when I was in high school and crush two lorettas cheesy hash and a coke and feel amazing. Now I barely finish one and I always get home and feel like zzzzzing all day. The cheesy hash is unreal. If I could I would eat it with every breakfast.The lorettas are amazing no matter which one you get( basically a sandwhich with sausage or bacon with cheese and veggies). The only thing I'm disappointed about is that the prices have gone up so much on the disasters. I used to get two with cheesy hash and a coke and it would be like 8 bucks total. If you get that now its $14 for breakfast. Anyway, definitely gets the LEGENDARY status from me for good old sunday morning after a long night out!!!! read more

This is the glue that keeps my childhood memories in tact. It's not the same socially now that Sarkis has past but the food is still the same and it brings up great thoughts with every bite I take. read more

Sarkis is a North Shore staple, if you grew up on the NS and never had it, you must have not been in the cool crowd.... I love me a loretta just like the next review, but ive started putting one egg in the sandwich in addition and it has yet to prove me wrong. Get cheese on your hash browns, so good. I love how the owner still works there and speaks in Spanish to the cooks. The place is very well run and it always packed. My only two issues are that the menu is limited ( not that I care, I know what im getting when I go there) and the other issue is just that the place is pretty small ( I usually get it to go though, so I don't really care about that either). read more

I can't believe all the positive reviews for this place. I guess there are people who love this kind of stuff. This is the most disgusting place I have ever eaten for breakfast. Not a clean place and the service is terrible. read more

Fantabulous !!!! The original owner SARKIS was there this morning and it was great to catch up and reminisce. I got the Sarkis special w/ bacon instead of ham and perfectly cooked cheesy hash .He actually cooked for us and of course added TLC (and just like the old days ) some extra when my Dad cleaned his plate and also to my to go container because I couldn't finish as the portions are HUGE! Fresh OJ and the meals were delish! The new owner Scott is funny, very cool and does an amazing job! read more

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When ever i am in town i have to come here to get a bacon loretta , it is the greatest thing on the menu, add cheesy hashbrowns and an orange soda and it becomes the perfect breakfast. This place is a little hole in the wall with a bar and couple booths in front and seating in the back as well, I've been coming here for years and it never disappoints, just know that it is almost always busy and best to go with a small group, cant wait until i am back in the area! read more

Sarkis Cafe - bacon loretta , cheesy hashbrowns and an orange soda with hot sauce all over , perfection - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

All I can say is you've got to experience it to believe it. Those who have been frequenting this small cafe on the northeast side of Skokie for as long as I have will probably have fond memories of the hash browns being crisper and the company of Sarkis himself. Well the food is still fantastic (especially if you have a hangover) and culture of Sarkis is more vibrant than ever. From former president Jimmy Carter to the dozens of friends I've shared this bustling cafe with I've never seen any unhappy customers. I reduced them down to 4 stars. You have to make sure your not getting your food undercooked. They rush the hell out of things. Hash browns used to be crispy but now are soggy. read more

This place has a North Shore cult following. On a Saturday there is usually a cramped wait for seats in this tiny diner. Bacon loretta is the only thing I've gotten every time I go. There have been times that I've waited around 5am for the place to open. They serve you the staples of a thick breakfast - hash browns, cheese, bacon, onions, peppers - on what looks like leftover summer camp tableware. The most unpretentious comfort food in a one-of-a-kind, down-to-earth atmosphere. read more

Bacon Loretta. Enough said! Great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Seating can be tricky depending on what time of the day you go. read more

Sarkis has been a staple of the Northshore Chicago-land area for many many years; for much longer than I have been aware of it and I have been consistently going for almost 8 years. It's a small breakfast cafe with no more than a dozen tables, a dining bar, and a tiny kitchen. I wouldn't say the food is something that you NEED to experience, or go out of your way to try. It's simple greasy breakfast food; great after a night of drinking. The place gets quite crowded during the hours before noon; filled with high school kids and hung over adults. I would suggest one their Loretta sandwiches: a toasted piece of French bread slathered with mayonnaise, cheese, and your choice of veggies and meat. I always get the bacon Loretta with cheesy hash browns. They have other things like omelettes and pancakes, but to me, their Loretta sandwiches are what set them apart from other breakfast joints. If you find your self within 10-15 driving distance from Sarkis, and your looking for some good breakfast comfort foods, give it a shot! read more

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Bacon Loretta, special hash, sunkist (or coffee). You're welcome. Must have if you are not in a huge rush and are not looking for incredible high class dining. read more

How can that guy say Sarks is like any other breakfast place? Glad he's not coming back. They're too busy anyways. Get a disaster or a Loretta if you're a wuss read more

OMG this place is crazy. Came here on a lazy Sunday and I came in and it was packed...of 16 year old kids. I got the disaster and my husband got the animal. It was both good and filling. Its not the best breakfast I've ever had but for the price it's great. I don't think I'll be coming back soon to dine in... I mean brunch to me is calm and comfy with good food not crazy with hormonal teens surrounding me. I suggest going here for take out unless you're a 16 year old girl then you'd probably want to dine in and rub elbows with Justin Bieber wannabes. read more

There's no way to recreate the enjoyment and flavors that burst into you mouth the moment you take your first bite of a Loretta. You can attempt to make it at home and I forewarn you, it will never be the same, or taste as great. Scott does a great job keeping Sarkis pushing out delicious food. Sarkis is great food on it's own, but I will say that it is the icing on the cake when your out all night drinking. The best thing to have in the morning is a "Bacon Loretta con todo Cheesy Hash, Para lleva' " (words that Scott will say after you place your order) and of course a Sunkist. Enjoy... read more

I like their twist on chorizo sausage breakfast sandwich with freshly chopped peppers, onions and tomatoes. But I think their eggs are bit pricey for the service and ambience they provide. It's always crowded and I do feel hygiene issues. Not for families with young kids I feel. read more

I haven't been here in a few years but it was such great food. It probably still is. I'm partial to the Ham Loretta but I don't think anything here would be bad. If you go here during lunch time on the weekends, prepare to get cozy because it will be packed. If you don't like greasy food, you might want to reconsider. read more

mmmmmm greasy food with extra grease. I don't know what it was about this hole in the wall, but it just draws you there. In HS it was a place to grab food. Coming back from college on vacations, everyone went there to just have some greasy goodness. I haven't been there for a while, probably should go back. I always got a Disaster Loretta (sausage, some veggies I think, cheese, maybe egg, and ???). I tried making it at home but not the same. It used to be different. I remember in HS when you ordered something they'd include the hashbrowns and a coke just to round it up to $5 even if you didn't ask for it. You wouldn't complain because it was sooo good anyways. read more

Crazy small place, but pretty much the best summer hangout ever. Breakfast, lunch, whatever; it's the perfect little place for food. It was really quite busy when I got there, so service was understandably slow, but once the food (Bacon Loretta) got there, it was absolutely delicious. The kind of thing you might make yourself at home, but more awesome. Well worth the price for the portions you get, this is a must-visit! read more

I was dreaming about the cheesy hash browns about two weeks after my first visit. So yummy. Also finished off the Mexican Omelet. I'll be back. read more

I never went to Sarkis when Sarkis himself was still around, but I still highly recommend the joint. The prices are amazingly low, and their has browns own. Their sign reads "World's Best Omelets"..Check this place out and see if you agree. read more

Sarkis is just - just go there. There is no way you will ever regret a trip to Sarkis. My friend loves this place and every time he's taken me to Sarkis we eat the exact same thing: a bacon loretto w/ cheesy hash and a sunkist. This ish is delicious, cheap, a little greasy, a lot of cheesy, bacon with some veggies thrown in for health. Apparently this place will blow your mind when you're drunk or on some mind altering substance. I believe it though it's also pretty enjoyable when you're completely sober as well. It's a tiny space (I think there's a downstairs?) so it can get crowded. Cash only I believe. Also there's an awesome superhero/spiderman mural on the outside of the restaurant. Lots of love for Sarkis, every town/city should have one. read more

The Disaster is why you go there. If you are really hungry, I'd go for the "Animal". There is additional seating if you walk into the back thru the doorway on the right of the Kitchen area. It's okay, they wont yell at you. Some recent remodeling made it nicer back there. Bathroom is in the basement, the stairs are by the entrance. read more

A local favorite for us. My wife had been raving about this place from when she went to high school. She introduced me and our daughter a few years ago and it's a great walk to an easy lunch. The Loretta with hash is delicious! read more

Every time I visit Chicago . This is one my first stops, Food here is amazing ! Hands down one of the best places to have some breakfast !

I had been here when I first moved to Chicago and liked it better then. It seems a bit more commercial than I remember. Decent breakfast spot. We ate in the back. I don't even remember the back last time. I guess a good spot if you are in the Evanston area but not worth driving from the city. read more