The food is amazing I go with my husband every Sunday morning and we have breakfast great staff fast service there is stuff for your children to play with in the restaurant that they can back to the table for free and the decoration is great it is so interesting to see all the different kinds of trains and the sizes it is amazing read more

Great little café in town good range of options for breakfast this place has been very consistent to get a great meal

First time patrons today, and we will be back! Great tasty and variety food menu and wonderful, pleasant and welcoming service all around. Don't let the line outside detour you, the table turnaround is efficient and the short wait is worth it! read more

Their oatmeal is AMAZING! My boyfriend and I enjoy going here. Never too long of a wait. Busy busy but great service!

Best food and service. They never disappoint. Experienced wait staff that actually help each other to get the job done efficiently. One of our favorites. read more

The waitress was wonderful and the food was great!! After a bad encounter my first time around Jody the owner reached out to me to not only apologize to us but treat us to a complementary breakfast. I appreciate an establishment that takes the time to go above and beyond for their customers. I highly recommend this place for the food and overall service!! read more

We stopped in this morning for the first time to try it out; we are regulars at a different cafe for breakfast but I think we may have found our new go-to. Whistle Stop was really good. Their coffee was really good, the food was excellent and the service was honestly some of the best we have ever experienced. We sat down and were instantly greeted by a very friendly server. We explained it was our first time there and needed time to review the menu and she was more than happy to give us an extra few minutes. Though she never made any recommendations, we ordered the Freight Car skillet with bacon and the 2 eggs, sausage and bacon meal which comes with a side of wheat toast and hash browns. No kidding, the food arrived about 5 minutes after we ordered, it was probably the quickest I have ever received my meal from the time I ordered it. It was so fast, at first I thought maybe the food was just pre made but it was too good to know that it wasn't. Not only was it so darn quick, the diner was packed with customers so they certainly handle themselves well regardless of how busy they are. The decor was very welcoming, not too big but not too small of a diner, it made you feel at home in a way. There is just so much good to say about this place. I cannot give a place five stars for just being here one time but I anticipate being back sometime soon and will update my review accordingly. Anyone in the area looking for a homemade breakfast for a reasonable price, incredible service and comforting decor, Whistle Stop is the place YOU should stop. read more

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Forget this place when it is busy! They apparently have not mastered the art of maintaining a waiting list and predicting wait times. Father's Day morning we were told the wait would be an acceptable 20 minutes. After 20 minutes they predicted another 20 minutes. After an hour we were told that we were first on the list. When another group was seated we inquired again and we were told that there were 2 groups ahead of us. We left anter an hour without breakfast. Not so good this trip! read more

Solid breakfast place in fox lake, great and friendly service everytime we go. Food is good and they have some creative specials.

Eh. Clearly a popular spot. We came for a later breakfast on a Sunday via a Yelp search and it was quite busy with a wait. Since we had time to kill, we waited, though we're not big wait fans. The hostess kept thinking we were a party of three, not a party of two. Then again, she thought every group that came to her was a party of three. I'm not sure why she couldn't get three out of her head but it was busy so it's fine. Anyway, finally got a table. We look around and realize, oh, there'd be no wait if they fit in a few more tables as there's oodles of room to do so. Service was frazzled; I guess everyone working there felt overwhelmed by the constant crowd. Our server was pleasant enough. We weren't rushed right out of there. Food...ehhh. He had the Cowboy Skillet or something super gluttonous like that -- eggs, potatoes, sausage, gravy, biscuits too I think. Heart attack on a plate to start the day. He said it was ok. It was a lot of food. He said the coffee was terrible. I had the regular french toast and it was not good. Probably the worst french toast I've had in a long time. Ah well, so it was. Reasonable-ish prices, bordering on Chicago pricing. Their daily pie list was amazing, the length of it. I wondered if they made them all themselves but didn't find out. We'd likely not come back though. read more

Glad to find this place. The breakfast special was very good. I've only been once. I'll be back though. It was my pick for breakfast and I had whatever french toast was on special. From what I'd tasted, it was good. The problem was too many people wanted to try it. I hate when people try and steal my food. This time I was happy to enjoy it with the table. Small place, good food, I'm curious to try something else there soon. read more

We had a large party seated on a weekend morning without much of a wait at all, thanks to Whistle Stop allowing us to call ahead and make a "reservation" of sorts. It was more like a heads-up that we were probably going to have close to 20 people showing up at mid-morning, including kids. Two waitresses constantly buzzed our tables, making sure our glasses were always full and our orders were correct. I was impressed that they were able to remember who ordered what. They took good care of us in a situation that could easily cause a lesser-organized restaurant to descend into disarray. We've been to other restaurants with half the number of people and the breakfast turns into a complete debacle. That was not the case at Whistle Stop. I was very impressed with their food, the level of service, and the accommodation of our large group. Many friends in the group echoed my statements here during the walk to our cars. Well done, Whistle Stop! read more

What a cute little place. Had a very nice experience. Great breakfast menu, friendly prompt wait staff. In addition to regular coffee they brew a flavored coffee as well. Our food was very good. Enjoyed viewing all the train memorabilia. Will definitely visit again, and again. read more

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Their menu had every kind of breakfast food you could ask for, and everything was top notch quality. 3 of us visited twice in the same weekend, and everything we got was delicious - eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, skillets, apple pie pancakes, crepes...it was all fantastic. And service was perfect. Servers were friendly and fast, and really went out of their way to make our time enjoyable. read more

I have a special place in my heart for this place. I grew up eating here with family and friends after church and the place is very nostalgic for me. I can't remember a food experience I didn't like and the people who worked there were always friendly and caring, like true diner-style. read more

I tried the Whistle Stop this past weekend at my boyfriend's suggestion. The name reminded me of the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes," so I must admit I let out a little squeal when we pulled up. It's a cute little place with train memorabilia decorating every wall (not to mention train books and puzzles for the kids in their little kiddie area). We arrived this past Sunday, when it was mostly busy. We both had the skillet (forget the name... it had portabella mushrooms and spinach), and really enjoyed it (we both cleared our plates). The english muffins were a little on the small side, and I was disappointed they were nook-and-cranniless. Ah well.. Drink refills arrived often, and our server was friendly. I'll be back in the future to sample some of their other breakfast fare. read more

What a cute breakfast joint. Fun atmosphere filled with train paraphernalia. It is kitty-corner to the Fox Lake train station. So many choice both for breakfast and lunch and they have a reputation for their pies. But I am a fan of their breakfast tummies. They have a wide selection of potato skillets filled with combinations of sausage, bacon, green peppers, onion, chorizo, cheese, mushrooms, or ... My favorite is the Cowboy which has sausage, potatoes, sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and a biscuit. My other favorite order is to get a half order of their biscuits and gravy and get a side of 2 fried eggs over easy. Both are satisfying. Each day they have a specials menu that my dad always chooses from and ha has yet to be disappointed. Servers are friendly with a diner 'old school' atmosphere, they even have a diner counter top. Can have a line on the weekends in the earlier morning but they do their best to turn tables as quickly as they can. They have newspapers and a small seating area while you wait. We come later in the (be mindful the close at 2pm) and there is rarely a wait. read more

Excellent service, friendly waitstaff, service with a smile! The food is great! My favorite is the avocado omelette. If you are in the area, try this place! read more

My boyfriend and I come here every Monday and we are never dissatisfied :) The food is always great, but we especially enjoy the service. All the servers are warm and welcoming! Even the bussers and hostesses are great. We wouldn't go anywhere else for our weekly brunch outing! :) read more

Since I have to give a star I will but this place is straight G-R-O-S-S. The breakfast I had was bland and poorly plated. The potatoes were soggy and tasted like they had been sitting on the grill for hours. Same with the bacon and sausage. Definitely not freshly made and poor quality. This place has lost its charm and past due for a makeover. The staff could use and upgrade as well. Very much going through the motions of serving food and table side manners are fair to poor. read more

I enjoyed this restaurant more before it changed hands. It still serves good food at reasonable prices. I tend to avoid it or go early on weekends. read more

I've lived in Fox Lake my entire life and there really is no better place to get breakfast. The pancakes, French toast, and skillets are always on point. The ratios they put in the skillets is always perfectly balanced. Is it expensive? In my opinion, not at all. I always get a skillet and entree of French toast with coffee and OJ...my total was $22 for all of that and I was more than happy to pay. They are usually busy but never longer than a 10-15 minute wait. The food always comes out fast and hot!! It will look like an hour wait but I employee you to go in and actually ask for a wait time. It's worth the 10 minute wait!! read more

Great food!! Their biscuits and gravy -to die for!! Their service is phenomenal!!! Very friendly, inviting, and great service all around. Their coffee is good too!! I have yet to try their lunch menu but from what I can see, their burgers look amazing and so do their salads. read more

The breakfast/lunch food we had was so disgusting. One of the worst places we have stopped at to eat in a long time. None of us enjoyed our food besides my 8 year old who had a pancake. How do you mess up a pancake though. Wasn't impressed. Yuck! read more

Our go to breakfast place. Well, we always order pie first, then breakfast, or a burger.....but always pie first. Great service. We sit at the counter and watch the magic happen. Thankfully, we haven't had to wait, but it is popular. read more

I hit Whistle Stop just about every weekend -- and take pictures to prove it. Staff is friendly and attentive, food is always fast and delicious. I've never had a bad experience here. The wait can be long when they're busy, but their other diners are always nice as well. My only complaint is that they're not open for dinner! read more

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SUPER friendly staff. I can't rave enough about them. If they served you a tire, you'd still go back - they are that nice and accommodating. The food is really good too - your basic breakfast/lunch place kind of stuff. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary on the menu that stood out to make the selections unique, but the food came out good, hot and pretty quick for a Sunday breakfast. read more

Fabulous people along with fabulous food coffee is always fresh this is definitely the best place around.

Oh my gosh! We were on the way home to WI when we got stopped by a snarl f traffic from what turned out to be the end of a parade. Three kids who hate car rides, a tired husband and i decided to get breakfast "anywhere that would get us off the road." What a happy accident! The servers were top notch and patient with my kids who still aren't used to our return to restaurants after being at home. The decor is exactly what one would expect for a place with this name, right by the train station. It was busy, but wait times were short. The food was terrific family-restaurant type breakfast stuff. Our family will now make a point of stopping there on the way home whenever we can in the future. Thank you, whistle stop, for turning a traffic nightmare into a dream of a breakfast! read more

Amazing I always go with my friends after a sleepover (I'm like 12) delicious for sure

Whistle Stop has the best breakfast in the area. I am a huge fan of the breakfast skillets, tons of meat and great home fries. Everything is fresh, the staff is friendly and their pies are also outstanding. Definitely a place I recommend for breakfast if you are in the area. read more

It really doesn't look like much as you drive by but wow the food and service are outstanding. It's crowded for a reason. If you have to wait a bit, don't worry it's worth it. read more

I've been here before multiple times and every time I come here, I'm amazed. The food is sooooo good. We ordered and it took less than 5 minutes to get to us. The food was delicious and the waitress was very nice. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Asked the wonderful girl at the Polish pastry store (a MUST if in the area) a place and she recommended. Not disappointed at all. Biscuits and gravy the best I've had in years, pot roast skillet and stuffed biscuits were super! We stayed in the area for 7 days and had breakfast there 3x's. Home cooked, super friendly and busy but wait was always under 10 mins. read more

Had breakfast out with the fam on a weekend trip home. Went with the Depot breakfast and was pleased to have eggs, sausage, bacon, and two delicious pancakes for $6.99. Added some hash browns and it was the perfect diner breakfast. Showed up on a Sunday during prime breakfast hours and had to wait out front for about 10 or 15 minutes. No big deal. There's an awning and some shade so on a warm day it was nice to be outside while we waited. They have tables if you'd like to sit. The place was packed. There's a diner counter and booths in one room and then a full dining room with tables and booths in the other room. Sound definitely carries so be prepared for it to be loud during peak hours. After 20 mins or so things died down and went back to a normal volume. Service was fast and on-point. Don't expect your waiter to stop and chat if they're busy...they are flying around the dining room. Food came out fast and hot, and drink refills were always on time. Definitely give this place a try for a classic diner breakfast. read more

Great place. When we have our of town guest, we bring them there and they love it. The food and the staff are wonderful!!

Great breakfast place right by the end of the metra tracks and is affordable, and upscale enough to have a reservation puck system. Everything that I have had there is really good and moderately priced. read more

Local, clean and quick. Servers and hostess always pleasant when we've been there. Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait...

The whistle stop cafe is a nicke little local place in fox lake.   The good. Friendly staff in tie died attire are prompt and courteous.  The waitress even help each other's tables:-) The coffee cups are large and cut down on the refills ever few minutes.   The biscuits and gravy was surpringly spicy and good.  The biscuit itself was nothing to write home about, but the gravy was more than making up for it.  It was thick dark and spicy. The homemade pies also look like a popular add on to go. The bad The food came out in less than 5 minutes so super prepared.   There was a line which is really both good and bad. It was a Sunday brunch. read more

Amazing food huge portions. Good prices. Only downside is that they got so popular for a small building there's always a long wait for breakfast. Other then that I highly recommend if you don't mind the wait. read more