We stopped by after hearing it's one of Obama's favorite restaurants, and we were sold by how cheap it is here. There was a long line when we came in, but it moved pretty quickly. It made me feel like I was back in a middle school cafeteria, and there were so many options. I got the all vegi-egg white omelet, and my friend got the southwest chicken wrap. I thought the omelet was great, and it was nice that they even had an egg white option. The hashbrowns were the classic diner style potatoes, and they were great. I was pleasantly surprised that nothing was too greasy or salty. The southwest chicken wrap was massive, and it comes with a ton of fries. The ranch on the wrap was a little watery, so it got soggy near the end. The fries were perfectly crispy though! We also got the iced tea unsweetened, but it wasn't anything special. Overall, we had a great cheap lunch, and we'd stop by again if we need some food fast. As a note, this place is cash only! read more

Valois - All vegi-egg white omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The menu is very standard diner fare, with a bunch of the classic items on there. They have another subsection called "Obamas favorites" which president Obama enjoys the most. I can attest that the president has good taste! For ambiance it is definitely less of a corporate vibe, lights are a little warmer, interior has some wood tones in terms of design. Could be a little cleaner though Food is super good! The steak Omelette is cooked just enough to not be too hard and spreads its flavor to the rest of the omelette. The eggs are definitely cooked with experience and melts a little in your mouth. Only real complaint is they didn't really maintain the integrity of the omelette shape but matters much less than the taste. This is definitely not high end dining but definitely gives you bang for your buck (Water is 10/10 super crisp) read more

Valois - Water - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Valois is obviously infamous for being Obama's "favorite restaurant in Chicago." As a student in Hyde Park, I went to Valois after class with some friends for a late breakfast. Valois is an old fashioned restaurant, one where you order at the front and they give you your food on a tray. I ordered the #3 - Eggs, Bacon, and Two Pancakes. The food was exactly what you'd expect, nothing special at all. However, the pricing was very low, with one catch - Cash Only! I'll probably not revisit Valois, but I appreciate it for what it is. read more

Valois - #3 - Eggs, Bacon, and Two Pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

**CASH ONLY** Cafeteria style, great breakfast, large portions, authentic, clean, efficient. If you speak their home tongue, they'll love it, and you may get comped extra. Kali Orexi! read more

The food and service are great. It is a cozy neighborhood spot that has been around forever. The prices are great and the space is small. If you bring a large group of people expect to be separated. Other than that I love it and have great memories of being here. read more

Great dishes, ample portions with a nice ambiance! Will go again soon. Friends were equally as impressed.

The food is fresh, not processed the staff is friendly the restaurant is clean and it's just a nice stay as long as you want atmosphere.

Just your typical diner with average breakfast food but great history, fresh ingredients, and fast service. It's a must-try when you're in Hyde Park, but I don't see myself coming back again since I could make any of the food at home. UChicago students get a discount (I think it was 10% off) and they are cash only. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place needs another review like...I don't know, like Wrigley Field needs more people to love it? Valois is so classic, food is solid, people who work there are SO NICE, and it's just a So. Chicago classic. I blissed out over the pancakes Obama raved about while snow started to fall and I was loving being in Chicago after a long absence. read more

Valois - Breakfast! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not too bad breakfast place in the area. Wide selection of options. The place sometimes gets busy but line moves.

Damn it!!!! You guys took the Chicken Oreganato off the menu!! I am so sad! It was the best!!! It came with a nice size boneless chicken breast smothered in this Greek lemon sauce served with mashed and I would get the spinach. It was like 8-9 dollars! You also reduced you hours! Ugh!!! read more

When you think of Hyde Park, you think of University of Chicago and the Robbie House. There is also the overlapping of multi-cultural realities as well. While gentrification of 53rd street has been profound, Valois still is a contrast to old time steam kitchens where fast food, generous portions and cash only was the norm. As their website says "Valois is one of the oldest cafeteria style restaurants in the United States and it was established in 1921 by French Canadian William Valois." This place is the real deal with solid food, good service and an expansive seating area assures you comfort food on demand. Their breakfasts, entrees, sandwiches and desserts are served continuously. The clientele is is diverse economically and racially - a rarity in today's polarized world. It proves food can bring people together. read more

Valois - The self serve counter. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yep- this is the place. Scrambled egg and blueberry pancakes. Fast and friendly, the servings were large and the line moved fast. Good food. read more

Valois - Blueberry pancakes- too tasty to wait! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not a huge breakfast person but this place exceeded expectations. Mostly went because Obama has eaten here. Good amount of food; definitely will get your money's worth. I had the Everything omelette with hash browns and the french toast. They had some of the best french toast I've had in a long time. The hash brown were not what I was expecting at all, composed of thickly, unevenly sliced potato. Definitely not the best part of the meal. Omelette was good but nothing special. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there is no seat; everything is take out. You can either order ahead over the phone or order in person. Service is extremely fast! read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Take cash and an appetite. No really they do not accept any form of payment other than cash. Of that is no problem, then get your taste buds ready for some delicious food. The portions are hardy and they care about what they are giving you and how it is presented, even if it is to go. read more

Valois - Open faced roast beef - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Homey food spot with quick service. The vibe is someone whipping up something for you in their home. Bless whoever makes the amazing mac and cheese. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Restaurant is cafeteria style. Everything is made to order but is super fast. By the time you make down the line your order is already made and landing on your tray! Food is just okay but not mind blowing. If you're looking for a fast low cost breakfast spot this is the place! read more

This spot is always good for a hot quick breakfast! I like how quickly the one moves so know what you want before stepping forward! read more

Valois - Always good! We call this "the Obama spot" - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The staff was friendly, food it can be done at home. it's a jail kind of vibe, cafeteria. And they charge $.50 per refill on black coffee! It's not worth the hype save the hassle. Also cash only. And $.50 per egg surcharge. read more

Who cannot help but recommend this Hyde Park institution. You see your food, you get your food, you eat your food. Nuff said. read more

Went for breakfast after being extremely hungry. Got there as they were moving over to lunch. It's like cafeteria style. You order and go down the line. I got turkey patties, potatoes, grits, and Mac and cheese. I got breakfast and after I got down the line realized that they had lunch options so that's when the Mac and cheese was ordered. The turkey patties and grits were good overall. The potatoes were just okay. The Mac and cheese was not the best. It was like box Mac and cheese with the cheese sauce. I thought it would be homemade and it was not. I would like to try this again when I didn't feel rushed and had time to really explore the menu. It's clearly a popular place including by our former President. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Service was quick. Food was spot on for your classic diner food. Valois has been around for a while so the vibes can give nostalgic feelings for an older audience. read more

The breakfast here is simple, quick, cheap and tasty. Sure it's cash only but it's not like a LARGE breakfast here will set you back; the steak and eggs are around 10, 11 bucks and you can sit at the President's table and have Obama's smiling face look up at you while you're chowing down on some grits and eggs. It's cafeteria style so, you grab a tray and make your selection as you go along and then move out to whatever table is available. You could get a drink or juice but then you'd miss out on the nice ladies who drop off waters and clean up once you're done, you don't have to but we usually leave a buck or two at the table for them. read more

All three went well. I will go back. The food was delicious, the service was good and the ambiance was great!

We came here for breakfast before the crowd started coming in. There was no one in line when we first arrived with a few tables open. By the time we sat down, there was a line all the way to the door! They were very friendly and welcoming. You grab a tray and put it on the counter and you tell them what you want. Then they'll yell your order to the cooks and you move on down the line. Here they ask what kind of bread you want, white wheat or a biscuit. I got the biscuit and a coffee. My wife ordered their French toast and I opted for their Mediterranean Omelette. I usually order a hearty breakfast with sausage or bacon, especially in an omelette, but the Mediterranean omelette sounded so good. It came with spinach, tomatoes and feta cheese. It was probably one of the healthiest breakfast I've had in a long time but was very tasty. Everything tasted fresh and it came with a side of potatoes. Unfortunately I need some meat during breakfast, so although it was delicious, I'd probably order me some steak and eggs next time. read more

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Simple, classic breakfast food joint in Hyde Park. Big plates, affordable prices. Valois is well-known for being one of Obama's favorite breakfast spots when he lived in Chicago, so I had to go on a mission to taste for myself. I shared three plates with my friends to get a taste of everything. We split the NY steak & eggs, french toast, and an omelette with sausage & cheese. Yum! The steak was tender and exceptionally good for an unassuming eatery. Eggs were silky, french toast fluffy, and omelette extra meaty and cheesy. It's everything you could want in an old school diner. Cash only - make sure to have cash on you or use a nearby ATM. Oh, and UChicago students get a small discount :) Go on in and get your grub on! read more

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Having come back after a few years, I'm actually going to upgrade my review. Not only is it a nice trace of the old 53rd street, but it has the best hash browns I have ever had at any diner in the US. They have crispy edges like few other hash browns I've ever encountered. The eggs are cooked well too, with a distinct sheen of oil, and it's good quality sausage. read more

Perfect spot if you need breakfast/lunch in a short time span. Everything is always hot and you can dress anything any way you like ! Wait staff will treat you well and get you outta there fast. read more

Fast service, great prices and satisfying eats, this is as good as any breakfast diner gets! They were packed and lines were long when we came on a weekend morning but the line does move and seats clear out quickly. The staff here work extremely efficiently to keep the crowds moving. If you want a quality piece of steak for breakfast, then there's probably no better place to get it for $10 in all of Chicago. The portions are also huge so don't expect to leave hungry. I also really enjoyed their coffee and the staff provides iced water at each table. To order, you stand in line, then grab a tray and basically yell out your order to the staff. Everything is cooked and heated to order right before your eyes. You shuffle down the counter until you reach the cashier- they take cash only. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here for breakfast after hearing many good things as it is known to be Obama's favourite restaurant. The place gives you a high school cafeteria vibe where you order first, pay at the end of the line and bring your tray to your seat. Overall the food was mediocre, although it is just simply breakfast food. I got scrambled eggs with hash brown and two sausages. The sausages were very salty but the hash was very bland. It was a good experience and the food is relatively cheap but overall it was just okay. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Always a wonderful place to dine. Always friendly and serving with a smile. Ample portions allow you to share, while feeling completely satisfied when departing. The biscuits are amazing...pancakes outstanding!! I've never left disappointed. read more

Steak and Eggs Steak Omelette Mediterranean Omelette French Toast are all very good definitely gonna come for another breakfast and try pancakes sometime read more

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Valois was a letdown. We got takeout and shared the roast beef, short ribs, mac and cheese, and cheesecake. I could barely eat any of it, and I don't say that often. Out of everything, the short ribs were okay. I basically just ate the white bread it came with. It was like nasty school cafeteria food. I love no-frills places but this was just not good. The mac was lumpy and chemical-tasting and the cheesecake tasted like it had been sitting out for days and had curdled. read more

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This place rocks! Cafeteria style breakfast. Very affordable. I got the egg white veggie omelette for $7.95 which comes with either rice, grits, or hash browns plus you get a side of toast or their biscuit which really tastes like a sweet cake near to corn bread. Coffee is amazing for $1.65. I wish I got a refill! Comfortable relaxed ambiance and very clean with bus boys constantly coming around to clean and provide water as needed. The breakfast was ready in less than 5 min. Plenty of seating and no wait to get order taken at 8am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Only issue with this place could be parking, but figure that out and come down to try this place that even Obama, Jesse Jackson, and many Chicago Police Officers (feels very safe with them in here) love. read more

Valois - Steak and eggs with hash browns. French toast. Biscuit. Coffee. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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absolute ass, i could have made this myself and it would have been cheaper and way better. coffee tastes like dirt and milk, expensive as fuck, cash only for no reason??? customer service was mid but that was the least of their issues read more

Valois is a nice spot for a quick breakfast - especially if you want to eat like an Obama! Service here is fast and friendly. You order at the counter and after what seems like seconds, your tray is laden with fresh eggs and generous portions of grits and a giant biscuit. The food was pretty much standard diner breakfast fare. It wasn't anything particularly noteworthy, but it was affordable, quick, and hit the spot. It was pretty busy on a Sunday morning at 8 am and got progressively busier as the morning went on. Get here early to beat the rush! read more

we came here to check out Obama's favorite restaurant, we arrived a bit after 12 on a rainy Saturday and it was a huge line almost to the door. The service speed is fast, so it's probably only a 10 minutes wait. The portion is not as hearty as it was before the pandemic, and the food is ok. There is one table near the entrance that says "the president's table" read more

This place is on such a nice street! It's got a long line always but it moves fast and the food is bomb. There are Obama's favorites and I got one of them (2 eggs, bacon and potatoes) and my bf got another one (steak omelette). We also tried the French toast and it was delicious!!! I don't live in Chicago but I'd highly recommend coming here. You can still get healthier options by substituting for egg whites, or getting a veggie omelette. I appreciate that they offer both DECAF and regular coffee, for those that get the jitters from caffeine. read more

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Decent spot for a quick bite! But not going to lie, I was a bit surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reviews. Some feedback on the food - the everything omelette was delicious, maybe a little wet but that happens when you have mushrooms and tomatoes. Probably my favorite dish there. The peas and carrots were really salty, not super appetizing. The potatoes were way too homogenous and just didn't have much flavor. Maybe needed salt at a minimum but really there should be something in there - skins, chunks, other add-ons. It just tasted like something you'd make if you were camping :( The ribs weren't bad! But the meat didn't taste super fresh. Overall I think this is a breakfast spot and I messed up there, looking forward to giving it another try and sticking to the breakfast foods. In their favor, they were really quick with the food. read more

Valois - Ribs and everything omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is famous for being a go to spot for Barack Obama when he lived in Hyde Park back in the day. While I appreciated the quickness of the service and the inexpensive meal, I was not impressed by the food. It was a regular diner food experience. I normally would never order something I could make at home and I must say that I could probably make everything from the menu a little bit better had I made it myself. What you gain is time from having to cook yourself by coming here, but that is pretty much it! Fun going in for the hype, but most likely won't come back. read more