Lou Mitchell's

Featured reviews

• S

  Sarah

  ·4 weeks ago

  “If you’re a local, this is not a quick breakfast before work type of place. Service was slow but friendly enough. The food was super greasy, but that is probably to be expected. I got the scrambled eggs, potatoes and toast which was good. Their coffee was very average to me, so if you like a a medium to dark brew, it’s not for you.”

• J

  Jemyra Ingram

  ·2 months ago

  “I finally waited in line to try Lou Mitchell’s, a true Chicago classic that’s been around for years, and I can definitely see why it’s so popular. One thing that really stood out is that everything is made from scratch, from the bread to the jam, which gives the whole experience a homemade, comforting feel. The portions are very generous, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. On top of that, the service was friendly and impressively quick despite how busy it was. That said, the pancakes personally weren’t my favorite. They weren’t bad, just not something I’d go back specifically for. Overall, it’s a solid spot with great service and quality food. I’d definitely come back to try more of the menu next time.”

• L

  Lincoln Marquis

  ·2 months ago

  “Perfect Americana experience. My waitress Virginia was awesome and although they were super busy she was 💯 on point. The corned beef hash plate was very good and a Lot. I was sitting at the counter and all of us had a very fun conversation …”

• M

  Michael Raymond

  ·2 months ago

  “Fun and tasty. Jorge provided comic relief. Was almost like being at Katz's Deli in lower East side of Manhattan. Gruff exterior servers but really just having fun. Corned beef hash, eggs and good hash browns, and a lot of all. Going again tomorrow for Greek breakfast, or same as today.”

• G

  Gerardo Guzman

  ·4 months ago

  “Loved the place and experience, classical diner where you know what to get. Great portions, and they will accommodate for smaller ones if requested. Flavors were exceptional, really liked the place”

• B

  BETOSON

  ·4 months ago

  “⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ 🤩 We went to this restaurant downtown on a Sunday afternoon and overall it was a solid experience. The place is very much a breakfast spot with a few lunch …”

• T

  Tristan Laughton

  ·5 months ago

  “Wasn’t the biggest fan of the breakfast, but those home-fries were the best I ever had. Loved the thin slices of potatoes. They were delicious!! They also give you a small serving of complimentary ice cream after your meal. 😊”

• A

  Ashley A

  ·6 months ago

  “Everyone here was so efficient but also nice and friendly! The orange juice, bacon and banana pancakes were delicious. So close to the Amtrak or Metra stations, it’s the perfect location to grab some food at a historic Route 66 location! I …”

• R

  Roy

  ·6 months ago

  “This is a very popular breakfast spot. I first walked past the restaurant and noticed a long line outside, after found out it had received a Michelin nomination in 2018, I decided to come back another day. I arrived at around 9 a.m. and was lucky enough to avoid the line, although the restaurant was already very crowded and became even busier around 10. Because of the crowd, it took some time for the waitress to serve me. I asked what was included in the Greek omelette, but instead of just explaining, she suggested that I order it and took my menu away. Given how busy it was and how many options were on the menu, I understood that she was trying to speed things up. The omelette itself was good: the eggs were fluffy and the sausages were well seasoned. It came with a slice of toast and potato chips, which was more than enough—I was very full afterward. The restaurant claims to serve award-winning “Gold Cup” coffee, so I paid $3.65 to try it. While the waitstaff refilled it promptly, I found the coffee quite ordinary. The orange juice, on the other hand, was excellent, though it cost $6. As more people lined up outside, it became obvious that the restaurant was understaffed. After finishing my meal, I waited nearly 20 minutes just to receive the check. I had planned to order some donuts to go, but no one was available to take my order. What surprised me most was the checkout process: instead of letting customers write in a tip, the cashier asked directly for a tip and even encouraged a higher amount. This was the first time I felt a restaurant forcing me to tip, which was awkward and honestly made me want to tip less—especially given the slow service. The restaurant is quite small, so customers often have to wait outside. The interior atmosphere is pleasant, but the space feels even more crowded because it’s located near Union Station and many diners bring their luggage inside. There is only one coat hanger, making it difficult to store jackets, so I had to keep mine on while eating. Overall, the prices are on the high side, and the food is not worth waiting 30 minutes in cold weather. My advice is to come early to avoid the line.”

• M

  Mark Robinson

  ·6 months ago

  “Great place, great people, GREAT food at reasonable prices compared to others. An authentic feel of the 50s/60s close to the route 66. A lady from Dallas with great tattoos looked after us. Thank you. Check opening times and days, absolutely worth a visit! Mark and Mandy UK”