North Shore staple.... this place has the best breakfast Lorettas but I promise it is always better with a fried egg and hot sauce. Disaster Sausage, cheesy hash and extra napkins. Can't go wrong! Sometimes the wait is crazy long even for carry out - can't complain too much because the food doesn't disappoint read more

I came here earlier today and the service was just so terrible. I used to come here as a kid and with my family a lot and Mother's Day afternoon I had came. Several people after me got there food before and it was a total of an hour wait for my food. It's just honestly disappointing. Not only that I got the wrong order. :( need better service in here. read more

Foods good. Service is ok. You're not coming for the service though. You're coming for the food! Had waffles bacon eggs. Typical breakfast. They're very well known for the breakfast sandwiches. This place is caught only which I like because it's an easier process for both the customer and the restaurant. The food was delicious and service was fast. I would only eat here if I was in the area. Easily $10/per person (this includes tip n tax) read more

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How could anyone give this place less than 5 stars. It's fantastic and a great experience.

Boy, I sure miss the good old days when Sarkis was there to greet you first thing in the morning. I made the old ritual of starting my Xmas Eve morning with breakfast at Sarkis and shopping at Northbrook Court. I lived a good part of my life on the Northshore and Sarkis' is a one of a kind destination. You're not going to receive 5 star service but I've come to expect that. The magic happens on the grill. It's not your standard dive establishment food but a unique blend of items that just tastes great. Perhaps not the most healthy thing but I've always enjoyed breakfast here. Since I moved out to the western burbs in '99, the hour trek (on a good day) is tough to make with any frequency. The newest owner has made some changes and it looks like the patio area now seats as many people as humanly possible. The inside is certainly tight and I always just belly up to the cramped counter area. You might see 80# of bacon next to you waiting to be grilled if you arrive first thing and witness the ritual of slicing the french bread and buttering them for the sandwiches for the day. All the ingredients are chopped fresh daily and I've never had a bad meal here. The coffee usually has a nice hint of cinnamon and you tend to have to beg for a refill or sit at the end of the counter and serve yourself. I'm still amazed the lack of any paper trail and the cash amount is always inclusive of tax and is typical rounded to a full dollar amount. You will need to tell them what you had to eat when you finished and pay up with cash only. They have an ATM in the back. It appears the old days of a can of soda are gone. I remember the old days of Sarkis giving someone $20 to go and load up on a 12 pack special somewhere near by. It appears they have a soda machine in the back. My appetite size has diminished over the years from an omelet with a disaster patty or two disaster sandwiches. I have a hard time just finishing their omelet. You won't get a conventional slice of toast or pancakes with you eggs but a chewy piece of toasted french bread. Always tastes great smeared with a bit of their grape jelly. It is an honor system here. I've often wondered what percentage of patrons fudge their order when they tell them what they had. Also gone are the days when Sarkis' floating scale would come into effect. He sure liked kissing the girls and a splash of Crown Royal in your coffee if he liked you. Often too Sarkis would bring in something sweet and you get a sliver. read more

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I think they changed the bread. I like the old bread. I also miss the guy who said he was the owner but was not actually the owner. Like so many shitlibs, it didn't take much to get him angry/asking customers to leave due their political beliefs. read more

Don't judge this place before you try the Loretta! I was brought here by a local and he ordered me his favorite and only thing he ever orders. It's a ' north shore institution'. Now I share with you, order: bacon egg Loretta sandwich with everything and cheesy hash. It's greasy but in a good way. The sandwich comes on a French loaf and is oozing with goodness. The cheesy hash is made in bacon grease, so of course it's amazing. You really can't go wrong here. I can't speak for the rest of the menu though I doubt nothing is bad. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Bacon egg Loretta with everything and a side of cheesy hash - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

The layout wasn't to welcoming. The food was pretty good but don't recommend if you want a cozy brunch feeling.

Veggie Loretta and cheesy hash are my go tos. They also have a good veggie omelette. My husband likes the Brandon sandwich - it's a special grilled cheese made on French toast with egg, bacon and cheese. Not the healthiest meal but consistently good. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Brandon special grilled cheese - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Sarkis is defiantly a staple in this area. You get thrown off from the small shack like exterior but once you step inside, be prepared for breakfast food greatness ( or anytime really) One can never go wrong when ordered their special hash. The new patio is a great addition ! read more

Sarkis Cafe - Grilled cheese and bacon with special hash - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

When I think of breakfast in Chicago, this is the end all, be all, stop. Very family and student oriented. Countless pictures of loyal customers adorn the walls. Its definitely a local spot. Ive noticed theyve stepped it up lately with a flat screen. And not even a no name tv; its sony..fancy. Also, it looks like theyre slowly updating the comic book superhero inspired mural on the side of the building. The staff is the exact same since the first day Ive been there several years back. And they are always consistently on point. My go to will always be: the Disaster with everything, cheesy hash, and a root beer. Uncased sausage with a layer of melty cheese over it; hugged by a hogie roll and topped off with fresh cube sliced bell peppers, onions, and tomato with a dusting of lowry's. Accompanied with a mountain of hash browns layered with cheesey goodness. A&W root beer..canned. All for $8 flat..cash only btw. I never leave hungry. Always stuffed; always satisfied. Normally Im alot more extensive with my reviews but just thinking of that plate is too distracting for me to focus and articulate myself proper. mmmh..disaster in my mouth. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Disaster, everything w/ egg. Cheesy Hash - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Okay, fine. I'll cop to it: the place is full of high-schoolers from GBN and NTHS. Here's my question: why do you CARE?! Seriously, whatever. I think we all know from the moment we enter that this is a dive diner. If you are expecting golden service, then I think you just are terrible at understanding your surroundings. This place is what it is and it does what it does exactly how someone with reasonable expectations would expect. It does diner food, it does it cheap, it does it with a minimal amount of service, and it does it decently well. The bacon loretta is for real, and if you're tricked by the signs saying "World's Best Omlette" then you, my friend, are gullible. Everyone who has been here knows exactly what they should be ordering and the answer is: BACON LORETTA. I'm not a fan of disaster sausage but at least I didn't expect filet mignon when I ordered it. Get the bacon loretta, shut up about the service, and enjoy your greasy (delicious) diner food surrounded by high schoolers. You signed up for this, and by God it's what you're getting! read more

I really wish you could give places half stars because I would definitely give them a 3.5. I feel like the concept was there, but the experience didn't match. So let's start with the pros, I'm on a Sunday Brunch Tour of Chicago (visiting a new brunch place each Sunday) and I came here today because I was out in Skokie. I came alone and was really glad when I saw there were seats available at the counter. I ordered the Sarkis Special with the Hashbrowns on the side. I'm from the south so Waffle House is extremely big... This reminded me of WH bc I could see the cool fixing my food. He was moving fast as grease lightening, by the way. The prices were pretty cheap. My total was $10.50. The Hashbrowns were soooo good. The omelette was good, not life changing, but good. I could tell this place is really popular in Evanston because it was packedddd. Now the cons, it was a little too packed for me. Also, unorganized. They need a better system for waiters to know exactly who they're helping. I felt like I was at the bar trying to order a drink bc I couldn't get anyone to get me a menu for like 10 mins. That same thing happened when it was time to get my check which made this process a little less seamless. This restaurant is CASH ONLY. It's nice that they have an ATM though. But still . really good place if you're in the mood for comfort food. I'll be back. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Sarkis Special with a side of Hashbrowns. - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

They don't make places like this anymore. Classic breakfast dive. I don't know anyplace else to get a breakfast sandwich like the disaster on the north shore. Cash only. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Disaster and spicy hash browns. - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Fun to sit at the bar. Service is friendly and everyone appears to be a regular and knows what to order. Don't miss the coffee which is awesome. I always get some variation of a Loretta and my husband orders the hash browns with brick cheese and veggies on top. We took my son for the first time after a nearby hockey game in Wilmette and he said "daddy knows the best restaurants". Cash only and, while I haven't tested myself, probably a miracle cure for a hangover. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Now that is some cheesy deliciousness - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

The staff suck. I went to pick up a Uber eats order I asked how long I'd be waiting because I have another order they said 5 minutes. After 10 minutes went by I asked again how long the wait is? They said 15 minutes. How does five minutes turn into 15 wasted all that time for nothing. read more

Just a heads up that all meals, dine-in and to-go, are served in styrofoam containers and with plastic utensils. So if you are dining at the restaurant, be prepared to eat in take-out containers on picnic tables. We would have chosen a different restaurant if we had known this. The food was fine, although lukewarm. read more

Been coming to this place for almost 20 years, and it amazes me how much has changed. I remember the old Armenian owner whose name is... SARKIS - very nice guy, food always on point but whomever owns this place now absolutely sucks. The straw that broke the camels back was the new disgusting bread they are using which has completely destroyed the Loretta. I understand times are tough and operational costs need to be taken into consideration however - you don't fu*k with the Loretta, ever. Goodbye read more

It's a greasy diner experience. Small joint, a straight up sardine can. Customer base not that diverse and the food is passable. I had the BLT, which came unsliced, semi-toasted and looked to have been assembled in 1.6 seconds. The hash browns aren't aren't a show stopper either. First time and last time trying Sarkis. read more

An Evanston staple that I always seek out when I'm in the area for breakfast. The Bacon Loretta and Disaster sandwiches are both solid options along with any omelet. I really like the disaster sausage. It's a custom made beef sausage. Think gyros meat in breakfast form. Not as gross as it sounds. The coffee is good! Brewed with a touch of cinnamon I think. It's fun to sit at the counter and watch them cook. read more

My best friend took me out to this place for breakfast. It's cash o my but that's where my issues stop. It was a nice day out so we are outside in their tent. I ordered a breakfast spread with cheese eggs, bacon, and pancakes. My friend got the chocolate chip pancakes and a side of bacon. And oh boy did they bring the bacon. The service was decent, but the food was on point. It was delicious, and would definitely come again. I need to to actually, so I can try the sand which they are famous for. read more

The Best! Anytime I'm within 3200miles I've got a Loretta on the brain! read more

Sarkis Cafe - Bacon Loretta w Cheesy Hash - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Been having food from here for a long time. Their hash browns are to die for. Cozy diner atmosphere.

We read about it on Yelp while preparing to shop in Old Orchard and sped on over for breakfast. We pulled up and I immediately wanted to love it; I heart dive-y restaurants. The guy who was working the front area, directing people to be sat, yeah, he was super friendly. Nice guy. But our waitress was a hot mess. We had to beg her for more water and coffee. We had to ask for utensils when our food got there. She was the antitheses of attentive and helpful. The food: ugh. It came out super fast and hot, I'll give them that. I ordered the bacon and American cheese omelet with hashbrowns and cheese. The omelet was possibly one of the worst I've ever had. It was esentially a large egg patty with some cheese and bacon melted in the middle. The hashbrowns were good. My dude ordered the Disaster and he gave me a bite. If I had ordered that, this review might be a 3 or even 4 star review. The bite he allowed me was delicious. But that omelet, yuck. On top of it, $9 for an omelet that sucks and cheese topped hashbrowns? Whaaa? It was full of high school and college kids. Make sense, I guess. My dude and I were laughing after we took out cash to pay our bill because all the receipts piled up in the machine had balances of less than $20 on their accounts. It made us feel rich. read more

A little over priced for what it is, but the food is still as good as always, I remember way back when I started going here you could get a bacon, hash and a drink for $8 out the door. read more

This place is fantastic. I love the Disaster with a fried egg. If you love breakfast food that makes you feel guilty, You'll be a regular here. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Disaster with a fried egg and hash browns. - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Simple, no-frills diner that offers a wide range of delicious brunch comfort foods certain to quash any weekend hangover. This is my go-to in Evanston for all things brunch. My go to item is the Disaster Omelette - hearty, smokey Armenian sausage, peppers, onions, tomatoes and eggs all married together. And of course, never forget the special hashbrowns - a delicious blend of cheese, onions, tomatoes and peppers heaped on top of hot, crispy hashbrowns. This place gets crowded on the weekends so sometimes we'd have to wait a little bit to find seating. And a note to all who venture to Evanston that this place is cash-only, but no need to worry in case you forget because they have an ATM inside. Sarkis will always have a special place in my stomach - no guilt, ever. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Hangover cure - whether or not you actually have a hangover - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I've given Sarkis a 5 star rating, and frankly it might not deserve that. For instance, the new owner is quite rude, it's dirty, on the weekend it will take forever to get your food, if you get it at all. You will also have to deal with thousands of d-bag high school kids. I was, however, one of those d-bags. Back when Sarkis was in charge and charging you some random amount of money for your Loretta. You never argued if it was too much, or fessed up that he was charging you too little. Just pay what he says. I fell in love with Sarkis and will continue to go there, even though it isn't cheap anymore. Now I just go on weekdays when the teens and owner can generally be avoided and it's just the long term staff to talk to, who are great folks. They are kind and hard working, and can run a griddle like nobody I've ever seen. read more

A great greasy spoon with the best hash browns and disaster sausage. I ordered two eggs scrambled, hash browns, and a side of grits. I can't help myself when I see it on the menu, but the grits were the microwaved instant kind. Boo. I was a bit hesitant about the disaster sausage, but when my friend ordered it, i snuck a bite. Delish! I love anything that is in patty form. This place is quick, fun, and filled with teens, so go early on the weekends! read more

I went to Sarkis for the first time and had a great experience! The food was delicious and you definitely get what you pay for seeing as their portions are huge! You will not leave hungry that is for sure. The cafe was cozy and you can tell that they have many loyal customers who have been coming for years. The decor says it all. I can't wait to go back!! read more

Sarkis Cafe - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Had the disaster sandwich with hash browns. Their sausage is mediocre at best. 3 stars because it was only 10 bucks and staff was friendly. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Outside picture - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I have the best breakfast there I was a patient going back and forth to the hospital for cancer treatment and I stopped there and had breakfast there one morning it was so good it was I think my dad was with me the first time the second time I think I came alone but when I do come to Evanston I tried to remember where I ate but I will remember next time you guys do an excellent job. read more

The Disaster without the egg is the best breakfast sandwich EVER! Ask my friends over at "PATCH LANDSCAPING" if you don't believe me. Go Bears! read more

People find my reviews to be funny. This one isn't. The way breakfast food should be - omelettes with the best hash browns, bar none. Nothing fancy. Try it and see for yourself. read more

I don't think it's all that. I've been here a few times but it's not really the best or that good. The latest visit that I ordered the Mexican surprise omelette. The omelette isn't anything like an omelette I've had before, but like a fat, greasy egg/chorizo mix. I also tried their regular hashbrowns which were really kind of eh. Nothing I've ever really had here is really that good. I bring people here mostly out of historical/local lore, but upon further review I think that I'll skip it. read more

I am not from Illinois, and my boyfriend and I were in town visiting from Los Angeles. Our great friends decided to take us to this cafe. From the moment we walked into the place we were immediately treated as if we were non existent. We were a party of 7 and asked if there was a wait list or seat yourself type deal seeing as the restaurant was fairly full. One of the servers, a nice gentleman, had told us to take a seat outside and that our server would be right with us. There was a young brunette woman that was working the entire patio. She ignored us for about 45 minutes before we decided to ask her if we could at least have some menus. She finally gave us some menus and continued to ignore us. We watched as other parties who were seated after us had been served and even completely finished their entire meal. After taking a look around I realized the server was accommodating everybody else, whom coincidentally were all white. I don't ever want to accuse anybody committing any act of racism, but it was clear that she wanted nothing to do with our culturally diverse group. At this point an hour and fifteen minutes had gone by and she continued to ignore us. A person from our party walked up to the server (who was doing everything she could to avoid eye contact) and politely asked if she could help us, or find somebody who would serve us. She told us to hang on and brought someone else to serve us. The gentlemen apologized for the long wait and for the waitress that was ignoring us and decided to move us inside. The second we got up from our bench a party of 6 white males sat where we were and the server immediately greeted them and brought them waters. It was clear what the problem was as she continued to give us dirty looks through the window every time she passed our table. It's a shame that this whole experience happened because she made us feel so uncomfortable there was no way we could enjoy our food. I wanted to immediately leave and never look back. Our friends were absolutely embarrassed that they brought us to a place that would treat actual people like this. Hopefully none of you have to experience what we did that day, but I felt like I had to share with you all as it was probably the worst restaurant experience that I had ever been through in all my life. This was more than just "bad service" and I hope someone speaks up the next time she treats someone the way she treated us; or maybe this issue will be addressed so that she never gets to treat anybody like that again. read more

Ummmmmmmmm.....not sure if a solid four is what I got when dining at Sarkis. I'd go two and a half, but I'll round up...just this once. Let me being with a story of my friend and I trying, multiple times, to eat here...but we never seemed to find the hours, nor did we bother to call. But he swore that they're open through the day...he was wrong. And each time that we tried to go, we drove passed it like seven times. It's noticeable during the daytime, but not when the sun begins to set. When I walked into Sarkis, I honestly felt like I was walking into a truck stop diner...or a trailer home. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those, but I'm trying to paint a picture...so yeah. It's super small. Fifteen people could probably fit in the restaurant "comfortably," and I use the term loosely. On to the food, I suppose. The menu isn't very large. It's got your typical breakfast grub, but I guess they're known for their "sandwiches." I ordered the Animal, which has like three types of meat, including some sort of encased meat. The sandwich itself was quite salty, as with most other things that my family ordered. On top of that, everything was greasy...but I can't really say that I didn't expect it. They offer egg whites, but I don't think they deliver. Two people in my party asked for them in their omelets and neither was made with them. Service was ehhhhh. Two cooks, two guys running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I can see this place bumpin' with high school students and college kids during the summer or on the weekends, so if you dare head out to Sarkis, be warned that you will be crammed into a trailer. read more

Sarkis Cafe - Menu - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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This is such a cool neighborhood gem! I ordered the bacon Loretta per my friend's recommendation and it was so good! It had two of my favorite meats, bacon and chorizo! All the meaty goodness is hiding under the veggies! I ordered mine without onions. The service wasn't the greatest but I was crowded and the taste of the food definitely made up for it! read more

Sarkis Cafe - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Favorite place to visit to grab a ham and cheese everything Loretta sandwich with provolone sandwich, cheesy burnt hash with special sauce. Great for breakfast and lunch often lines from locals can get super tight from being crowded but worth the eats. Solid 3 for main breakfast simple diner pickup window style to go menu limited parking and seating friendly staff tough but light on service sometimes. Additional Chicago city location but doesn't taste the same like this original spot. read more

Ok, first I'm giving this 3 stars because usually the service and food are usually very good. However, this past Monday we went at 11am and sat inside. First, it took almost 15 minutes of me staring at the counter guy until he FINALLY told the waitress to take our order. She got the order written down and brought the drinks but after about 30 minutes of waiting for our food, we were told that our friends chicken sandwich was the hold up. His sandwich came out FIRST, all of our food came out finally after 45 minutes. The hash browns were wrong (spicy, cheesy hash does not mean your DOUSE the hash browns in hot sauce to get them out). The bottom line is, she FORGOT to enter our order in with the line cooks and then has to stand over them and demand our food "on the fly" The Jeff's Special Grilled Cheese that was brought out to my wife looked as if it was thrown together just to get it out....again...SPICY, CHEESY HASH BROWNS!!!!!! Everything was horrific and the waitress either needs to learn to wait tables the CORRECT way, or find another profession that doesn't require people skills. My eggs, were supposed to be the Mexican Surprise omelette and what I got was ground beef in scrambled eggs. The chorizo was dry,non greasy like it always should be and the veggies in the "omelette" were over cooked and there was NO CHEESE. This was a sad day at Sarkis. The owner needs to listen to your customers when they say that they have waited too long for their food....that should clue you into looking into WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!!!! I invite the owner to reply to this and hopefully offer something in return for their awful food and HORRIBLE service. Holiday weekend or not, you deal with hung over college students on a weekly basis so when one of your regular customers walks through the door, I would hope that you would treat them with bette service and better quality food. read more