Rolled into Chatterbox Café in Kankakee because I saw a review talking about pastrami pancakes. Now, I'm always down for the weird-but-good food combos... except, plot twist--that review was for the wrong place. No pastrami pancakes here. Bummer. That said, breakfast was basic but good--eggs, bacon, coffee, the classics. Sometimes that's all you really need. The vibe is super local, definitely one of those "everybody knows your name" joints. Felt like I should've walked in wearing a nametag that said "Norm." points because my waitress was a Styx fan--nothing like sipping coffee while talking Come Sail Away. Rock and eggs? Solid combo. tip: you can't add your tip later on the receipt, gotta do it when you ring out. I just left a cash tip--felt right anyway. Kept it homie.Overall? Cozy, friendly, no-frills, and exactly the kind of place you want when you're eating with the locals. read more

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Great food, great service and very fair prices. They are very supportive of the community. The restaurant really rebounded from the plumbing accident. New tables and chairs add to the friendly atmosphere. read more

Was in town visiting family and another popular brunch spot had a very long wait. I looked up nearby restaurants, Chatterbox had 4 stars, called and there was no wait so that was a no brainer. My MIL had never been here. It's a quaint little spot that is off the path, which explains why it's not super busy. However once we got seated it did fill up completely! The prices are b very reasonable!!!! I had basic 1 egg, sausage, hash browns with a biscuit. The biscuits are DELICIOUS!!!! Son has choc chip pancakes and MIL had 1/2 French toast with 1 egg. If I was hungrier I would have tried the country fried steak. Overall such a cute no frills place! read more

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This is a very small restaurant. NOTHING wrong with that at all, just letting everyone know that parking is limited. Ambiance is nice for its size. Quaint and homey. The service has always been friendly and the food is outstanding. I have only eaten breakfast here, and every time I had...walked away full, satisfied and not broke. Definitely worth eating here any chance I get. read more

We took a Saturday drive and had a late breakfast here. I had the eggs and French toast, and I had 1 slice of bacon and 1 sausage link. My husband had the full order of biscuits and gravy with sausage patties. We were both satisfied and we would consider trying them for lunch. read more

This is the quintessential small town, small business owner that will rock you world with the service and food you would come to expect. The claim to fame is "The Mess," for breakfast. Personally I was torn between that the the Chicken fried steak. Well I opted for, "The Mess" and found the amount of potato hash browns overwhelmed the dish. The flavors were all muddled together. In its self typically isn't an issue but the excessive hash seem to take away from what I feel is an amazing concoction. Service was exceptionally good and friendly staff. read more

I love the pastrami pancakes!!! So good Makes my nose run!! Hmm. And don't leave without trying the delicious maple syrup coffee And look for Little Petey. What a sense of humor fantastic for a man with only one ear! read more

Tiny little place with a host of local people who likely come every weekend. Three in our party on a Sunday morning we ordered, Hobo Skillet, Country breakfast and biscuits and gravy. Now what do these have in common? Ans. Sausage Gravy. And it was horrible. It was nothing more than warm milk with little to zero sausage in it. American fries were good. Bacon was good. Link sausage was good. Coffee was mediocre. Sausage gravy was horrible. I'm from the south and a breakfast restaurant lives or dies based on it's sausage gravy. The Chatter Box is dead to me. I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

Great small town cafe. Friendly staff. Lots of locals. Families, retirees and vets love this place. They love police, military, guns and trump. We didn't talk politics and none were offered. Great food and good portions for a fair price. read more

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This place is an out of the way gem. Great mom and pop place with good but unpretentious food. Try "The Mess". And they may have the best biscuits I've ever had! When you're looking for this place, don't be surprised by the location. It's in a kind of older residential and industrial area. But it's a cute place and very clean and friendly staff. Well worth the time to find. read more

Chatterbox Cafe - The "Mess" - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bradley, Illinois

Small but quaint. Very good breakfast with huge portions. The owner was very nice and a dog lover as I am. Very friendly place, fast service, and very attentive to our needs. I'm going to go again next time I am in that area again. Very reasonably priced food. read more

Chatterbox Cafe - Denoyer Special. Chicken fried chicken with Sausage gravy. Eggs any style and potato pancakes with sour cream - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bradley, Illinois

Stopped here for a quick breakfast with my husband and two kids, 8 and 6. Great menu, quick service and fun chatting with the locals. Food was excellent! read more

Went 1 time for breakfast & was horrible. Have never returned. Eggs were like rubber& everything was cold. Don't understand why it always has a lot of cars there. Would not recommend read more

This place was listed number one on Yelp. However it was a disappointment waited an hour for the French deluxe and the food was cold. Will not return and don't recommend. On a positive note waitress are friendly. read more

Local legend, but I don't like it here. I have my reasons and maybe I'm prejudice against them. Go if you want to, but you won't see me there ever. read more

Fantastic homemade food! We used Yelp to find a local diner for breakfast while traveling. It was SO GOOD... we ordered lunch & dessert to go! Also started eating before thought to get pics for this review... the bacon & sausage were YUM MY!! read more

Small, cozy and popular with locals. The waitress knows many people by name! Delicious food. They do breakfast right! My girls and I devoured our meals. Thank you for keeping my coffee cup filled! Perfectly crisped bacon with crunchy browned hash browns next to my over medium eggs. The French toast is simple but hits the spot! Even their oatmeal bowl was licked clean. read more

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Always great food and service. Always love going there for breakfast with friends. Debbie the owner is always a great person and very welcoming everyone read more

Good food and nice staff!!! Love coming here for breakfast with my family. Good for a quick work day lunch.

Your usual diner style meal but always good!!! You'll get good standards, dependable homemade soup, finished off with a good piece of pie. (they use alot of Splenda for the fillings to help out the diabetics - so ask before you order). I been having a Wednesday lunch date with my Grandpa here - friendly, personal service. read more

Chatterbox Cafe - Yummy - Pumpkin Delight! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bradley, Illinois

They are ok. They are geared more towards older people. I did notice the food is quite bland not much flavor needs a lot of seasoning. If they season the food it'll be a lot better. But the service is great kind friendly warm and open. read more

Excellent comfort food especially the "Mess" and the "Denoyer special " The staff are very friendly you won't leave hungry!

Small town charm, warm welcoming people, and GREAT FOOD! What more can you ask for? Next time I'm in town I'll definitely be back! Thanks for the great service! read more

I had the Denoyer Special, chicken fried chicken covered with country gravey, with eggs, potatoes, and toast. The chicken is fantastic, nice and crispy. The hash browns are crispy also, not limp and whimpy like most places. I would highly recommend this place. read more

Chatterbox Cafe - Denoyer Special, chicken fried chicken with eggs, potatoes, and toast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bradley, Illinois

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Love going there! Nice little place that feels like home and the staff are wonderful. Also love the decorations each holiday. Very welcoming. read more

Cool little old school diner with good food! Had a nice breakfast! Waitstaff on top of coffee refills throughout the meal.

Awesome, old-fashioned and homey cafe. The food is great and the prices are about as goid as you'll find in the area. read more

Excellent and friendly service never had to ask for anything ,coffee cup always full . Found few unusual items on the menu decided to try the chili omelet? So if you like eggs and chili you gotta try . Only issue was they got little rush just as I ordered and this affected kitchen time but not quality. read more

I ordered a half order of "The Mess," yet it still filled up the entire plate! It was delicious. My side order of hashbrowns were cooked to absolute perfection. I will be back whenever I'm in town! read more

Chatterbox Cafe - 1/2 order The Mess with a side order of hash brown - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bradley, Illinois

Edit: We come here anually before we go snorkeling at the Haigh Quarry. I will come here any time I'm close enough as I don't live in the area. The food here is just fantastic! Every year I have something different and every year we can't wait to come back. The staff here is every bit as good as the food! A seriously hidden gem of an establishment and every year we come back to Chicagoland raving about this place to anyone that will listen Old review from 2013: I had the country fried steak and was just as good as the place I ate at called Dee Dee's Diner in South Carolina These are the only two times I've had this dish so maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about but I thought it was delicious, as was the biscuit I asked for instead of the toast The girl who runs the joint came to our table and was very nice to talk to, the waitress gave us shit and had us laughing A good time was had by all Everything was good but the hash browns left something to be desired, keeping this from a 5 star review We will be back next year when we go to the quarry read more

New in town & someone suggested Chatterbox. Loved meeting Debby, the owner. Feel like we're old friends. Breakfast of good, crispy bacon, eggs & AMERICAN fries , very good & hubby had roast beef & mashed potatoes. We'll be back. Also fun meeting other patrons. read more

Best kept secret in Bradley. Glad I was told about it. I go about twice a week. Amazing food, and the best service around. The waitresses are the best, they remember my kids names and their orders. They have coloring books and plenty of Lollipops too. Try the grilled biscuits and gravy. read more

Great food and great friendly service. Cozy atmosphere. Had the "Mess", "Sunshine", and a standard cheese omelette. Everyone enjoyed their meals and prices were great. read more

Food was excellent and fresh. Service very efficient. Very attentive to the toddlers. Definitely a redo

Great small cafe. Has a homey feeling if your a regular. If you're not they seem to take their time waiting on you.

Stopped in after seeing this place on YELP. All I can say is this place is GREAT! The food is outstanding and the service is amazing. The server kept or drinks full and was very attentive to our needs and very friendly. When we walked in The place was packed with smiling faces and it was a very friendly atmosphere. We will definitely be back!! read more

Have been here several times, and really enjoy it. The food is pretty great, especially compared with anything in the area. I've had the country steak, many of their skillets amd pancakes and have yet to be disappointed. Plus most patrons are really friendly and easy going, which makes a very comfortable and delicious breakfast or brunch Reminds me of a toned down version of Lou Mitchells in Chicago (which btw, is awesome) read more

This is a very quaint, fun, little diner. Local flavor with good service. I would recommend you stop in for a meal. Good prices.

This is honestly one of my favorite hidden gems. Cozy atmosphere, amazing staff & yummy food! Ashly is the best bartender, super friendly and very accommodating read more

Love the chatterbox. A quaint little diner with great food and a friendly staff. Plenty of familiar faces in the room and a very welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend this local diner read more