This Was a Tough Review to Write I had been looking forward to trying Savanna Restaurant at 4111 N. Lincoln Ave. for quite some time. I'd seen photos online, and everything looked incredible. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I arrived on a beautiful day and decided to sit outside. The weather was perfect, and the experience started off strong.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I was greeted by a wonderful waitress, grabbed a coffee, and waited for my dining companion. [[HIGHLIGHT]]As the temperature dropped a bit, we moved inside, where the restaurant's interior was just as inviting. The space features lots of greenery and a warm atmosphere that fits the restaurant's theme well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Savanna has a large and varied menu, so deciding what to order wasn't easy. I ultimately chose the French Toast Combination, which came with French toast, eggs, breakfast potatoes, and turkey chorizo since there wasn't another non-pork breakfast meat option available. Unfortunately, this is where the experience became a bit mixed for me. While the presentation was nice, the food itself was just okay. The flavors felt somewhat muted, and nothing arrived particularly hot. The breakfast potatoes were the biggest disappointment, as they lacked the seasoning and freshness I was hoping for. My friend ordered the waffle and felt similarly, it was fine, but not especially memorable. That said, I'm willing to give Savanna another chance. Their menu is extensive, and it's entirely possible that I simply didn't order the dishes that best showcase what they do well. I've seen enough positive feedback and appealing menu items to believe there may be stronger options worth exploring. [[HIGHLIGHT]]As Savanna continues to grow in popularity and expand, consistency becomes even more important. This visit felt a bit uneven, but I genuinely hope they continue to succeed because the atmosphere, service, and overall concept are all very appealing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] For my first visit, I'd give Savanna: 3 out of 5 stars. read more

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I've been wanting to check out Savanna Restaurant for a while. I believe there are 4 locations. We dined in North Center. Street parking was easy to find for our 8:30am reservations. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat inside at an opened window which was a perfect inside/outside vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The dishes were overall excellent. Nick was our server and I have to tell ya, Nick elevated our experience. He was attentive and even offered coffee to go. Nick also provided good recommendations for my wife. She was pleased:) For you sweet tooth patrons, the Savannah Banana French toast was amazing and not overly sweetened. My Llapingachos Benedict was very unique and a great first impression! read more

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Change of plans this morning ended up with us discovering this amazing gem of a brunch spot in Lincoln square!!! My partner and I were headed to meet friends and realized we had the wrong date! So quickly pivoted to look for a brunch spot and Savanna came up as an option with some beautiful pictures of the food and positive reviews, so we said let's try it! It did not disappoint at all! I made a reservation just in case because on a Sunday you just never know. The hostess immediately greeted us and somehow knew it was me who made the reservation! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The tables were fairly full so it was a good idea to reserve a spot just in case since it seems the locals know this is a go to breakfast spot with delicious food![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were seated right away and our server, Erick, came to greet us right away and took great care of us throughout the experience! My partner ordered the veggie skillet and added 4 eggs over easy and chicken sausage added. I had the waffle special with 2 eggs and chicken sausage. I'm notorious for not finishing my meals because the portions are just really huge usually. This breakfast was honestly perfect for me! I always love a good waffle but I only need half a waffle and that exactly what the meal provided with a dusting of powdered sugar! The maple chicken sausage was juicy and flavorful- delicious! We also both tried the Irish coffee and they were strong and a nice GOOD MORNING!! Wake up for us! :-) My partner loved the veggie skillet; the veggies were super fresh and sauted perfectly! I just have to shout out Erick for his outstanding customer service and attention. These days unfortunately customer service at restaurants is just not what it used to be! But Erick immediately treated us like old friends who were reuniting once again! So kind, easy going, and super attentive (but not in an uncomfortable hovering kind of way). Our food came out super fast also which was perfect because we were hungry! We smashed our food and left fully satisfied!! We learned that this is the original location for Savanna, and they actually have 3 other locations across the city!! We are definitely adding this to our list as a go to spot!! read more

Savanna Restaurant - Waffle special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've always had great experiences at Savannah, which is why this was especially disappointing. I chose to celebrate my birthday here, expecting the same level of service I've come to enjoy, but unfortunately that wasn't the case this time. After being seated, I didn't feel welcomed at all. My server, Viviana C., was engaged in conversation with a coworker while I waited, and I had to call her over just to place my order even though I was the only guest in the restaurant at the time. Not the best way to start a birthday experience. What made it more noticeable was seeing two other parties come in after me and receive a much warmer welcome and quicker service. That contrast confirmed what I was already feeling. The only reason I stayed is because I've had consistently positive experiences here before, and the food truly is amazing. But for me, service is #1 and this visit didn't reflect the standard I've come to expect from Savannah. As someone with over 100,000 followers on TikTok, I don't take leaving reviews lightly. I chose to share this here instead of making a public video because I believe in giving businesses the opportunity to improve especially when I've had great experiences in the past. I'm sharing this feedback in hopes that it helps improve the guest experience moving forward. read more

My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025! Restaurant: 19/50 Month tried: March Favorite dish: Chocolate Abuelita Pancakes It's been a long while since I found a new breakfast place that I truly LOVED. But Savanna was it!! The menu has all the classics you love, but elevated. [[HIGHLIGHT]]And it still maintains that classic diner atmosphere with pleasant servers and flowing coffee.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Here, I'm not just getting my fave chocolate chip pancakes - I'm getting Chocolate Abuelita Pancakes that taste like Mexican hot chocolate and come drenched in sauce. Between every sweet option including pancakes, waffles, french toast, and crepes; big latin breakfasts and burritos and steaks; and so many options of omelets and benedicts...you could come here dozens of times and always be happy. read more

Food Great Service Great Price Great Always a great time. Today I had red velvet pancakes and chicken sausage and washed it down with a mango smoothie Wow a must stop if you're in the area read more

Savanna Restaurant - Sitting outside and enjoying this mango smoothie - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Quick bite, great service, great food. We would absolutely recommend trying the breakfast tacos and the frutos rojos waffle (specials menu). The waffle was soft and had a great flavor. Luis was a fantastic server and had a great attitude! read more

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Our server was top notch, I feel bad for forgetting her name but she was consistently checking on us without being overboard. Kept our bottomless mimosas coming and refilling coffees. The food was excellent. I have a hard time choosing what to eat so I was beyond happy the had a Benedict platter to try multiple options. Got the extreme French toast as well and it had fresh fruit and great sauce. We will definitely be back read more

Savanna Restaurant - Extreme French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came to Savanna because they have an option to try all three of their creative benedicts on one plate, but the benedicts read more interesting than they actually ended up tasting. The most unique one was definitely the llapingachos - potato cake, grilled tomatoes, chorizo - and mostly because of the chorizo spices permeating the potato cake. The other two were a little underwhelming - a crumpled, soggy English muffin under sparing toppings. More something I (a very average cook) might whip up in my kitchen than something I'd expect to see in a restaurant. The carnitas weren't very tender and the avocado in the guacamole tasted a little past ripe. The lox and spinach weren't spiced in any way, which was strange. I'll say that they poached all 3 eggs perfectly for maximum dipping of the potato wedges! read more

Server was so rude . She didn't give us what we asked in our to go order. When I returned she had an attitude and was pushy towards me like wanted me to leave right away after I gave them business . Server name was House S . She had short hair and was heavier set . [[HIGHLIGHT]]She makes the restaurant have a bad vibe[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Savanna Restaurant - We spent 42$ - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall good experience. The food was tasty and unique. Different than your typical brunch restaurant. The service was friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was casual.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I'd suggest removing old food pictures from the wall because some of the food items shown are no longer on the menu.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Otherwise, I'd try it again. read more

Stopped by for a quick brunch on the way to Lake Geneva and was pleasantly surprised by this spot! The service was super quick and friendly and we actually split the Mote Pillo since we didn't want to load up too much before we went hiking. I've never had Mote Pillo before which is an Ecuadorian dish of hominy (big corn) with eggs and spices and it was the perfect hearty breakfast , like the ultimate comfort food. The salsa on the side was tasty and the coffee there was delicious as well. Would love to come back to try other dishes too! read more

Savanna Restaurant - Mote Pillo! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Service is pretty good and the food is interesting. I love their chilaquiles which I get often. I recently tried their version of the Chicken and Waffles. It wasn't my favorite but I appreciated their twist on it. I usually dine here a lot during the spring and summer and sit outside on the patio. There is always plenty of available parking in the area. Would definitely recommend and would visit again. read more

Savanna Restaurant - Chicken tortilla soup - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had a $50 plastic gift card given to me a couple of years ago and when I tried to use it to pay I was told that card was for an older system they recently replaced and the manager would not accept it. Not cool, poor business practice, and will not return. read more

Good food that arrived quickly. We came for lunch and the portions were good. The llapingachos potato cakes were pretty yummy and very unique. read more

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They need to fix their waitlist service. They are not calling the right numbers. Not very good way to run a business.

Wow wow wow! What a fabulous experience! I was looking for a place to study and this was absolutely perfect. [[HIGHLIGHT]]First of they have a beautiful restaurant with giant windows which they opened so it feels like I was outside even though i was sitting inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Each table has flowers on them and the overall feel of the restaurant is comfortable and friendly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They were also blowing up autumn leaf balloons to put around the restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The waitress Liz, Jessica and Jose Luiz where impeccable. Each came by to check on me. The peach ice tea was beyond belief. I love ice tea and have never tasted anything this great. Since it wasn't too busy during mid morning I asked if I could stay and study and Liz was so kind to let me stay. I will definitely be back soon! Thank you everyone who made my Saturday morning so pleasant. read more

Delicious food for all tastes I definitely recommend it In all locations the menu is the same and the service is excellent. read more

Savanna Restaurant - Delicious Mole Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came here with my aunt for an early lunch. They have a very large menu! They had a lot of fun coffees, teas, and juices. Service was super friendly. I had the chicken Ceaser wrap and it was tasty. I got it with a side of fruit. The fruit came with bananas, strawberry, and pinneapple. Portion sizes large. Great place! read more

OMFG!! No no and no! I had 2 entrees and both bland and service wasn't good. First, the chicken enchiladas with red sauce. I'm Hispanic and went to cooking school. If you go to KFC and get a large piece of their chicken, peel off the skin, THEN eat the meat ONLY. THAT is what their chicken tastes like here. Raw chicken with NO SEASONING cooked and shoved into something with sauce poured over it. They need to learn how to marinade and or cook their chicken in tomatoes, peppers, onions, cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic, ground cumin, paprika AND OR homemade sofrito with tomatoes. GIVE THE MEAT SOME FLAVOR! The second dish was the red waffle with strawberries and blueberries with cream cheese. The waffle pretty much is red food coloring, no flavor. Berries and berries, nothing special. Then dribble some high fructose berry flavored syrup with a small scoop of cream cheese in the center. May I suggest actually mashing up the berries mixed into the waffle mix with some honey? If you're that person that eats at Taco Bell and IHOP and calls that real food, you will love this place!! The service, having been a 5 star hotel manager and worked in restaurants myself, the waitresses were not very special and very forgettable. If you work on tips, YOU MAKE CERTAIN EVERY CUSTOMER REMEMBERS YOU AND BELIEVER LIKE YOU WERE AN OLD FRIEND OR FAMILY SERVING THEM. Never said their name, and WHEN I WAS ALMOST DONE WITH MY FIRST DISH WANTED AND ASKED FOR A REFILL OF MY ICE TEA,,,,,, NEVER CAME TILL I WAS DONE WITH MY SECOND DISH!!! AND THE PLACE WAS EMPTY WITH ONLY 4 CUSTOMERS TABLES FILLED!! If you are VERY EASILY IMPRESSED AND LOVE EATING ""CHEAP"", cheap food, cheap service, cheap everything, this is your place! read more

Savanna's is a quaint, Latin American-inspired breakfast joint in Chicago that can satisfy everyone's sweet and savory cravings. It has a cute patio outside, which I would have enjoyed sitting at, but since it was upwards of 90°, my party of six decided to sit inside. I should point out that there is a "ramp" of sorts with a steep incline leading into the restaurant, which can be an obstacle for those with mobility issues. As someone who classifies "dessert-disguised-as-breakfast" as its own food group, I was impressed with the many options for flavored pancakes, waffles, French toast, and even crepes. I of course chose the sweetest offering with the most toppings--the Superstar Pancakes. A stack of red velvet pancakes with chocolate chips, and topped with Nutella, fruit, and whipped cream, the meal was essentially anyone with a sweet tooth's dream come true. I loved the presentation of the dish--totally insta-worthy! I appreciated that the chefs paid special attention to the presentation of every plate, even during the weekend breakfast rush. Of course, Savanna also offers savory breakfast/lunch meals, including specialty omelettes and a whole section dedicated to Latin-American cuisine. Something that makes Savanna unique is their extensive drink menu--from coffee to cocktails, there really is something for everyone's tastes. I opted for an Arnold Palmer, and I decided to add peach flavoring for .99 extra. All the drinks were served in cute little mason jars and garnished with fruit and sprigs of mint. I ended up mixing the mint into my drink and I loved the addition of the subtle flavor--very refreshing, almost like a summer breakfast mocktail. Nicole was our waitress, and she was very kind and accommodating to our group of six. She remembered the substitutions and customizations for everyone's orders, and we hardly had to wait to get our food. We also ordered a to-go meal on the way out, and she had it prepared for us in no time. Savanna is one of the most popular brunch spots in the neighborhood, but the staff knows how to treat everyone like family. At the hostess stand, there were even tickets for free games at a nearby bowling alley. It's the perfect place to enjoy a latte on the patio, or treat your family to Sunday breakfast after Church. I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in Chicago! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely little place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We stopped for brunch on Sunday, totally out of the blue. This restaurant is a mash-up of Ecuadorian and American food. My Llapingachos was terrific. It's a version of Eggs Benedict, with Ecuadorian potatoes instead of English muffins, chorizo, grilled tomatoes & chipotle hollandaise sauce. Big shout-out to our waiter, Eric, who was super helpful and attentive read more

Came here for brunch with my mom and the service was great and Eric was so nice! Food was delicious!

We love this place. Great breakfast! So many interesting and tasty choices. Great beverage menu! Service is excellent. Attentive and kind. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the inside, it is well decorated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Good food. Great service. Wide ranging menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Casual and comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Will go back to try more items.

Only been there a couple of times. It was OK but nothing special. Service was good and friendly.

Came here to join some friends for brunch after attending church in the Lincoln park area. Everything on the menu was so good and appetizing. We had a baby at the table and the server was very good to accommodate. It was a casual place but the food hit the spot. The Latin flair made brunch extra colorful and flavorful. read more

Savanna Restaurant - Denver Skillet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Fabulous brunch with Latin American influence. Been there twice. Marg and friend shared a waffle with berries while I enjoyed the Mote Pillo. Ecuadorian hominy with lightly scrambled eggs. Bacon and of course avocado. Great flavor in the hominy - and reheated well. Kaylan had the El Mexicano with two eggs over easy. Second visit Rick had blueberry crepes - flavorful, crème sauce was good and crepes were light - as they should be. I loved the llapingachos - a great twist on eggs Benedict. Outdoor seating in the summer. Plenty of to door seating. read more

4.5. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Uninteresting but clean dining room hides some cooking chops.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Cool Ecuadorean specials hiding inside a menu full of good things. read more

Such great food! Ordered the Carnitas Hash no egg with a side of corn salsa. Carnitas was cooked really well and not dry. Pancake was stunning, crispy but fluffy. Loved this place and friendly service. read more

Savanna Restaurant - Carnitas Hash no egg - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I ate here earlier this week. I ordered the garden omelette, which comes with a choice of a couple of sides (pancakes or French toast in addition to a salad, fruit or potatoes). The food was great, along with the service. My waitress (Karen) was very friendly and helpful too. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I liked there was a lot of light coming in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Had it been warmer, the patio would have been an option.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

It's a small thing, but it was more the attitude of the server that is the reason for the rating. After a chilly morning of raking leaves, I was looking forward to a hot bowl of oatmeal with sautéed apples and brown sugar. I order my meal with no input from the server. My partner orders his meal. The server comes back and let's me know no sautéed apples. Then when she brought whatever they consider oatmeal, I was told no brown sugar. They don't use it anymore. I said they needed to change their menu. She said she would say something to the owner, doubtful. She could not care less. We were a bother to her. Then the lowest tip we could give them is 18%. No more Savannah. Again, little things, but show the customer you care. read more

FOOD WAS FANTASTIC! we had the chilaquiles & it shows the effort they put into their food. Service was great, Leon was very nice making sure we were having a great time. overall it was a great experience, we'll definitely be back! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great breakfast spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Love the food. Plenty of gluten free options and excellent service.

If you're in the Lincoln Square, and want a good breakfast, Savanna is the place. The coffee was decent. The are a lot of options.

This restaurant became on our favorite breakfast spots the first time we ate here. First of all, the service is incredible. We were waited on hand and foot and our waitress always seemed to be right there when we needed her. Mind you, we were the first ones in the door and this is not hard to achieve when you are the only people in the place. The music is boppy and pleasant and I love the decor. It's just a big room and so the conversations spill over and it gets loud, I'm sure. We went there with an infant and a two-year-old and there was plenty of room for us to maneuver. I got the Salmon Avocado Toast and loved it. No potatoes come with it so I got the llapingachos, which were delicious, and I highly recommend. They cost only $2 more if you substitute any side that comes with any dish. My wife got the egg white omelet and would get the same thing again. Our daughter for the pork benedict and said it was spectacular and we got the kid's waffles for our three-year-old who ate them all. There was plenty of room on Sunday at 8, but the place filled up fast, so I would suggest getting there early to avoid the crowds. read more

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I was able to walk in at around 2pm on a Sunday and get a table for 2 with no wait. I was shocked because this place is definitely busy! I got the red velvet pancakes and my partner got the steak and eggs. We both thoroughly enjoyed our food. Presentation was nice for both dishes and the wait staff was prompt and courteous. Their menu is quite large and has a good selection of vegetarian options. We will definitely be coming here again! read more

Savanna Restaurant - Steak and eggs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I saw Savanna Restaurant on the Chicago Restaurant Week list, and decided to try it! We ordered the Red Velvet Pancakes, Chilaquiles Verdes, Savanna Banana, and Turkey Chorizo Hash for the entrees. We got the matcha cheesecake and carrot cake for dessert. I thought everything was pretty yummy, and the portion sizes were great. Savanna Banana is French toast made with banana bread, and I enjoyed the different take on French toast. The red velvet pancakes were good but were a little too sweet for my liking. I definitely enjoyed the two savory dishes more! My favorite was probably the chilaquiles verdes! Both cakes were pretty good and not too sweet. We asked for the eggs over easy. I also saw it printed on the receipt we received, so I'm not sure why the eggs weren't over easy The restaurant week deal was 2 entrees + 1 slice of cake for $25! In terms of the amount of food, I thought it was definitely worth it! However, the restaurant week price wasn't that great of a deal compared to the original prices (1 entree is ~$12-13). I probably wouldn't order it for restaurant week again, but I would definitely go back any other time because the original prices are a good deal already! read more

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What a great breakfast location. The menu is so diverse and has something for everyone. However especially if you love a fun sweet option or mexican options--this location is definitely for you. However, I had one of the best omelettes that I have had in a while! I had the Garden Omelette with fruit (great fruit cup btw) and a side pancake (which they let me do a specialty one-banana!). That changes the game for me! It was delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My friend got the super star pancakes as she is a big sweets person and really enjoyed those as well! Hope to return! read more

Savanna Restaurant - Super star pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's hard to make a reservation for a table of 7 but the staff was very accommodating. They pushed two tables together and gave us our own section of the restaurant. The food was very large portions and full of flavor that complimented the dish. The eggs Benedict was super filling and I understand why it is one of the restaurants favorites. The restaurant is very family friendly and not loud at all! I was able to speak without raising my voice and hear the others at my table easily. There is plenty space between tables which I always enjoy. read more

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