Lake Bluff is a beautiful - somewhat isolated village. The downtown area, situated a few blocks from Lake Michigan, is small but picturesque. Bluffington's is located in a charming old brick building. Bluffington's has the feel of an old school deli, complete with glass case and chalk board. When you walk in, you can't help but think: "ahhh, this looks like a nice place to eat." Today I ordered the tuna melt on sourdough bread. It looked great and had a generous portion of tuna salad, but the sandwich was way too salty. Several reviews on here touted the tuna melt. I think it is fair to assume someone accidentally added too much salt today. It happens, but someone should have tasted it and corrected the mistake before serving it. The sandwich and a small ice-tea weighed-in at just over $12.00 ... Pretty heavy if you ask me. It was a beautiful afternoon and I was lucky enough to snag one of their outside tables. Service was friendly. I want to like this place more, (based on ambiance and service). Unfortunately, I've come to the conclusion the food is just mediocre. I give it 2 stars for food and value, 4 for ambiance and service. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Tuna melt and potato salad. - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

Came here at 11:30am on a Monday visiting a friend in the area. No line and probably 10-15 minutes to get my food. The warm chicken sandwich was delicious, definitely worth paying deli price for. Cafe itself was super cute, and there was ample outdoor seating to enjoy the weather. Note that breakfast does end at 11am, but the lunch options are worth staying for. read more

A Major 5 Star to Bluffington's Café! This place is the BEST and a staple in the Lake Buff community. Whenever I'm in the area, I have stop by. The sandwiches, soups and other delights are Amazing! It's a family owned business and the customer service is Phenomenal. The Bluffington's Cafè is definitely a "must try!" read more

This unpretentious neighborhood deli serves delicious, high quality sandwiches at reasonable prices. What makes Bluffington''s special is the OUTSTANDING service - the staff make each customer feel like family. And they are keeping that same warm attitude in the midst of a global pandemic- not an easy feat. I was thoroughly impressed with this when I visited last week & I uncharacteristically forgot my mask in my bike bag. An employee very cordially handed me a new mask without being critical or rude. And the same person did a great job of keeping the long line of customers socially distanced- all with a jovial & friendly attitude that lifted everyone's moods. Way to go Bluffington's - I will keep coming back & tell all my friends to come too. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Great sandwiches & friendly service - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

We were in the Lake Bluff area, and it was St. Patrick's Day and a corned beef sandwich sounded good. 2 sandwiches and a house salad later filled our tummies well. It was very good and I am happy we stopped here. The history in the area is amazing! Thank you for the great meal! read more

Great place and super good food along with the service! 100% recommend. The coffee was good and the homemade blueberry muffins where delicious read more

Came here for lunch recently. A top notch experience, high quality sandwich and salad we shared. The Doug's club chix salad sandwich was stellar, among the best I've had and without often unneeded added middle bread. Great setting, service, menu, will be back for sure. read more

Cute sandwich shop, with a handful of tables inside. The homemade soup was hot and hearty, beef barley and vegetable today, or chili. The tuna melt on sourdough was excellent. Service is quick and sandwiches come with a choice of side and a good pickle. They were thoughtful enough to split our shared sandwich and we each got a pickle. Nice customer service in a timely manner. I did not have the baked goods but they look very tempting! I felt it was a good value, we will be back. read more

Bluffington's is a local treasure! Great local restaurant for sandwiches. Dined there many times for their great lunch sandwiches. Their coleslaw is the best! Recently tried Bluffington's for breakfast. Their fried egg sandwiches are fabulous, a meal. The service is fast and friendly. Best place in the area for a good homemade sandwich. The prices are reasonable as well! Surprised there's not a line out the door! read more

Small cozy brunch dive. Loved it! Excellent service. Excellent Food! Great Price! Definitely keeping on the list of Go to breakfast places! I ordered: Mushroom spinach quiche (I asked for Harvati cheese instead of Swiss) Excellent Side: Potato salad w/orange slices Excellent Caffecino: Excellent Paper Cup of been more trendier like a simple white paper cup in brown sleeve or in mug. But the flavor ruled over the aesthetics so I gave A++. read more

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This is a really cute area close to the park on the lake where there are shops and some restaurants good for Navy bootcamp grads who only have a short liberty after graduation. We took my son the Sailor out here for a smoothie after lunch. It was nearly closing time but the staff were truly accommodating and I suspect they even discounted our drinks as there were 5 of us and the tab was reasonable. It is a nice shady spot with an umbrella table. Smoothies and coffees were good and everyone was really helpful. Don't overlook Bluffington's because it is at the end of the block and just before the library. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Great stop for a new Navy grad on liberty for 3 hours.... - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

Fair price for decent food. My only complaint... maybe have smaller portions for less price? Half a sandwich? Breakfast sandwiches are very reasonably priced and cooked to order (no microwave like Starbucks). Great local place. read more

Came in for a visit while in town for X-Mas. We called in our order for pickup and everything was boxed and ready on time. I am not sure I realized on my first visit that they have hot sandwiches too. A big selection and everything was excellent. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Menu. - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

Cute little cafe with really nice people. We went there for lunch on a sunny day and were able to sit outside. The food was also very reasonably priced. We had the chicken melt and tuna melt both were very good along with the potato salad. read more

My second review will be going back to my childhood, growing up in Lake Bluff. I used to always go here back in high school and occasionally go back when I visit the parents. I love their sandwiches!!! I still think their Chicken Salad sandwich is one of the best I have ever had. The bread is always fresh and soft. I like all of their cold cuts, but I have not tried their hot sandwiches because I always get their cold cuts. Prices are a little high, but they have a good portion sizes. The atmosphere is pleasant and it's good for families. The place is a little small, but the outdoor seating is great for Spring and Summer. The place does get busy for lunchtime Overall, this is a great place for lunch! read more

I took a chance at stopping by this little cafe while I was downtown. It seems to be well loved by the locals and... me being a local, thought it was about time I went in. It's a little cramped inside but there's plenty of outdoor seating. I ordered the Turkey Club Sandwich to go, took about 5 or so minutes but boy was it worth it. It was lightly toasted, double layered and cut into four pieces. This will fill you up no problem. They have many other options and I can't wait to try their ice cream. If you're ever in downtown Lake Bluff I highly recommend Bluffington's for a lunch spot. read more

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Bluffington's is gem tucked away on a corner by the library. Their salads are delicious and filling. Their breakfast sandwiches are amazing, and really anything that you get will be delicious. It is a very cute place, and the staff is so friendly. I will come back soon! read more

Amazing service and excellent food! We were in town for graduation from Navy Recruit Training Center and they treated us like family. Outstanding! read more

I stopped in here for a quick lunch while traveling on business and had a fantastic experience. They were very friendly, efficient and answered all my annoying questions. As for the food, the homemade chili was awesome. It had lots of meat, great flavor, and just the right amount of spice. The tuna salad plate was enormous, had homemade albacore tuna salad, and the greens were crisp and fresh. All of the sandwiches I saw them serving looked great too. On top of all this, 10% yelp cash back...can't beat that! read more

Don't eat corporate sandwiches--go where they're pro! Love their chicken salad & turkey w/ havarti w/ honey mustard!!! Salads are hearty and fresh, Rubens are traditionally delicious and their potato salad on the side is so yummy! Local business--what's better than THAT?! Love this local! Go for breakfast & coffee! read more

If you are looking for a small quaint place this is perfect for you. You will definitely get the small town feel. The salmon salad was delicious especially since you get a great mix of cold and hot all in one. The staff is very nice and welcoming which is always a plus. I would definitely come back. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Salmon Salad - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

A gem of a deli / bistro that's perfect for casual breakfast or lunch or coffee. Steps from the METRA station on the way to/from home. Quiet, small-town vibe and just-walk-in-atmosphere. Typical American deli food fare with elegant, quality preparation and some interesting and innovative specials. Not the cheapest option in the area, but a good value with the included sides, robust portions, free refills and friendly atmosphere. Lunch can get crowded around 12-1. Nice, not-pretentious staff and charming English-paraphernalia decor. A favorite of locals (not just tourists) which is always a good sign. Relaxing outdoor seating is lovely. Easiest place in LB to meet the neighbors! Or just people-watching! Again, a real gem for LB residents and the North Shore communities. We almost want to keep it a secret for ourselves.... LAKE BLUFF motto: North Shore life; LB style! Once you visit us, you will want us I stay.... FOREVER! read more

Cute little neighborhood cafe in lake bluff. You order at the counter and they bring the food out to you. My friend and I ordered the grilled salmon salad and the food came out quick...suspiciously quick might I add. We're not convinced the salmon was grilled. It seemed more like it was microwaved. The girl behind the counter also loaded our plates with lettuce using her bare hands. I'm not sure how I feel about that. There was also hair at the bottom of my friend's styrofoam cup. Also, the drink dispensers were placed awfully high. I couldn't see the top of my cup. In terms of taste, the salad was decent and reasonably priced. It comes with a thick sesame like dressing. A lot of people seemed to be ordering their sandwiches. I'd give this place another try and order a sandwich next time. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Grilled salmon salad. Not really sure if the salmon was really "grilled" - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

For breakfast, lunch, coffee or a quick bite, you can't go wrong with Bluffington's! Dine in or carry out. Highly recommend Sunny Salad, Tuna fish and egg salad are The Best! Chili, soups, sandwiches are terrific. Breakfast muffins yummy too. Super service, friendly and efficient. The best of Lake Bluff! read more

Their Doug Club is the absolute BEST. Highly recommend the potato salad with it. Love this place. Place an order for pickup and it's ready quick and the food is always fresh. read more

Quaint little coffee shop, good cup of coffee and friendly staff. I definitely recommend it. I didn't have any of the food but everything looked very fresh. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Large Vanilla Latte - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

My favorite sandwich shop in Chicago area! Turkey club and corned beef are my 2 faves read more

Nice little cafe in a cute trendy town. I had the chicken salad melt, my daughter had the tuna melt and hubby had the Reuben sandwich. All were delicious! They are only open for breakfast and lunch but this place is a must to check out read more

Bluffington's is another Lake Bluff staple. The vibe and food quality go hand-in-hand, and I'm so thankful to have it just around the corner. Keep up the great work! read more

Everyone took amazing care of us! We came in 8 people deep, and received our food super fast! A wonderful woman put two tables together for us to sit (I didn't grab her name! Shoot!), employees brought us our food and took our plates, we received 5 star treatment in a little corner cafe! Definitely eat here again when up this way!!! read more

Nice little small town diner. Old, rustic and beautiful building. Great home made style food with friendly service. Absolutely a great stop. read more

Fabulous place. The food is fresh and delicious. I had the egg salad with havarti cheese and the tuna melt on French bread. Both were great. I think it's a little expensive, took off 1 star for that...I dunno, I paid almost $20 for 2 sandwiches but the quality is outstanding! read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Egg salad on French - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

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Great food in the middle of town, though sometimes it can get busy. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a delicious lunch. read more

Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous!!! I only gave 4 stars as I have only eaten here once, so dont let that fool you. I tried the chicken cranberry wrap which was just out of this world! The mixture of the chicken salad (which I could just eat by itself all day) with the fresh cranberries and fresh roasted almonds just makes you want to smile. The raspberry vinagrette dressing was a nice touch, even though i am not one to like dressings. It was sweet and tasted either homemade or very fresh. I would rate it a 9/10 only due to the fact that it may have had a little too much dressing although thats definitely just me...Dont worry, it was devoured completely anyway. read more

So glad that I found this gem. Wonderful service and delicious sandwiches (and yummy potato salad). Thank you Doug for holding the door for me while I'm recovering from a broken "wing." Hope to be back to try the breakfast treats before heading home. Cheers! read more

Amazing sandwich shop in Lake Bluff. I recommend the Doug's Club, Tuna Melt, Vanilla Chai Frappuccino, and Tomato Basil soup. But it's all delicious. The staff is always nice and helpful. The only drawback is that if you come at lunch 1130-1230, occasionally it can be hard to get a table. read more

Bluffington's Cafe - Bluffington's counter and menu board - Cafes Near Me - Lake Bluff, Illinois

Bluffington's is a neighborhood cafe that seems to do well in serving regulars, but is underwhelming for casual patrons. The interior is quaint and charming, with decor aimed toward making you feel like you just walked into Colin Firth's boyhood kitchen nook. The menu is expansive, featuring a variety of sandwiches (hot, cold, or breakfast), salads, as well as drinks and ice cream. I have ordered from Bluffington's when pressed periodically over the last three years and, more often than not, they either get my order wrong or it takes 15-20 minutes to make my sandwich (usually an egg, bacon, and cheese) regardless of whether I'm the only person there or not. I imagine it is similar to what actually meeting Colin Firth would be -- a drastic let down. You'd expect him to be nice and charming, maybe patronize you with a little witty remark. And he just... doesn't. All-in-all, the food is alright at Bluffington's but I would look elsewhere for a quick bite in Lake Bluff. read more

Great sandwiches and soup. It's hard to find a seat at lunch due to the quantity of customers there to eat. On the expensive side, but well worth the dough. read more

Bluffington's Cafe (you forgot the apostrophe s, Yelp!) is a bustling, pleasant little lunch spot for good, fresh sandwiches. The few times I've been here, the place has been packed. What's fascinating from this Chicagoans point of view is the small-town feel of the clientele, as I sit and watch person after person enter and greet each other, as everyone seems to know everyone else. It's Andy Griffith's Mayberry, and pleasantly so. For visual amusement, the place is chock-full of faux-British tchotchkes, all celebrating the life of a fictitious nobleman, Lord Bluffington. Very funny. read more

The staff, food and customer service at Bluffington's Cafe are Amazing!!! I ordered right at closing time. The owner was very accomodating and gracious in ensuring that I received my order. This place is one of my fav's and they have the BEST tuna and chicken sandwiches around town. Thank You!!!!! read more