So my Uber driver told me about this place on my way home the other night. A 24hour diner on 18th and Western. Surely, he was joking. I've been in this area 2 years and haven't known anything to stay open past 10pm. So I walk over and there it is...like a beacon of hope. Don's. I had the 2 x 4 (2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 links, 2 bacon) for about $6. This really seems like the first meal you should order in a place like this. Although in other diners in the same arena, I've had the same meal for like $4. I will admit that the others rarely have tasted as good as my food at Don's. There was a guy at the end of the bar who just kept telling his girlfriend, "Look at how fluffy those pancakes are!!! And look at the links!!". Serious business. The place so tiny and out of the way. I felt like I was in a 90's indie movie. I was waiting for Christina Ricci to come out of the kitchen and take my order. The actual waitress was even better - so sweet and attentive and she knew how to HUSSLE. It was only her working with myself and 4 other customers. She took my order, cooked the food and had it on the table before I could even log on to check my Facebook! Mad Skillz lady. So yeah, now I don't have to spend my 3am drunken stupors eating at home alone. Yay! read more

The diner food here is good. The sign is cool. But my favorite part? The plywood box they built around the video poker machine (after they got busted for paying out)! If it's still there, you'll see it on the right by the entrance. If you're an "insider" I imagine they'll let you into the plywood box and you can gamble away your social security check! read more

Don's Grill - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of those Hole in the Wall places where you get to know everyone that works there. I live close and my music studio is even closer so I'll be working on music and then get hungry as hell. I call ahead and my burger is ready in 5-10 minutes. I pretty much get the same thing. Always a double cheeseburger and I replace the American with Swiss because American cheese is absolutely horrible and needs to go extinct. Their coffee is okay, its like Folgers or something cheap, but hey its caffeine and I love caffeine. (yelp won't allow the heart emoji) I'm not expecting Don's to be keeping Intelligentsia on the grind. I really wanna try the breakfast and I'm surprised I haven't yet. I guess I'm just not a morning person. I've probably been there like 50 times this year though for a sammy or burg. read more

This place is definitely a throw back in time! It's one of those trucker's diners that just has a counter around the grill and one cook and one waitress. It's usually a show watching them work...especially the cook, they are such whizzes at the grill. Good food and people watching at this joint. They are open 24/7 so if you happen to be passing through you can just pull up into their parking lot and have some good ham on the bone or pancakes, or greasy cheeseburgers...or oooh their fries. Good eats! read more

Don's Diner is fantastic, out of the way, no lines or tourists here. All the fare is traditional diner choices. I had a double cheesburger with bacon and fries both amazing a fresh at prices that will please the frugal eater Eggs anyway you want em, perfect hash browns, bacon sausage toast, biscuits and gravy and lots lots more! Great Place! read more

He asked me how they liked their bacon cooked. Really That alone would have guaranteed 4 stars. An omelette of bacon (cooked to my liking) sausage, and grilled ham of the bone sealed star 5. This place is all counter, almost all breakfast, but all top notch. He asked me how I liked my bacon cooked. Yep read more

This is a great spot especially after the club! It's open 24/7. It's not crowded like hollywood plus the food tastes fresher and better! Typical diner fare. Everything tastes pretty good and they're quick! There is usually one waitress and one cook but late at night they usually have two waitresses. I love the cheeseburgers! Yum! This is truly a hole in the wall place that I'm sure you have driven by a thousand times. There is one counter with stools so space can be limited. Watch out for the creepy trucker guys during the day. I think those guys haven't seen women in a looooong time! lol read more

I'm coming every time for late night drunk and high munchies !!! Fresh to order cook is hardcore but kool as fuck

Very small place. Food is greasy. Fast service. Highly recommend to try out the breakfast.

I may or may not be biased because I am a regular of about three years at the diner. Everyone knows that this is 'The Diner,' the one place to go. Anyway, this place has yet to disappoint. A diner, where you come sit at the counter (because there are not tables) and they cook your food right there in front of you on the flat grill? Awesome. And the service is always to-boot. And I can say always because I have been probably each and every hour of the clock (That's right - they're open 24x7). The three standard waitresses are all lovely, and the guys that work later in the day and the night shift are awesome too. The food is delicious. All very simple breakfast food, cheeseburgers, ect. I generally cannot steer away from the corned-beef hash; its so wonderful! The pancakes are yummy, bacon is always hot and crispy, and just went in for a burger with fries today. If you go to either of the three McDonald's in the area you're a fool, because Don's sells a much better burger and fries, and for cheaper!!! Whether you're coming in from the bars, want a quick, hot breakfast before work, or have the taste for a mid-afternoon burger and fries, Don's is definitely the place to go if you're in the area. Heck, if you're in the city, because other diners just don't compare, this one is even clean! and I mean CLEAN. Pure happiness. read more

This place is a hidden gem. You're driving north on Western through Pilsen, and tucked away in the midst of all the run-down industrial buildings, shady cell-phone shops and dirty strip malls, you spot it -- Don's. Huh, that's tiny. Looks like your typical little diner. But then you notice that it's packed with people. And you think to yourself, "Wow. It's either really good, or really cheap, drawing a crowd like that." Let me tell you, it's both. I stumbled in one morning with a terrible hangover and a craving for some cheap, greasy-spoon munchies. Boy, was I satisfied. And yes, I've been back several times since, with and without hangovers. This place is consistently delicious, and the prices are great. Staff are incredibly friendly as well. There isn't one thing on the menu that isn't executed just right. I can't recommend this place enough (especially for breakfast)! They cook their eggs perfectly. I've had them sunnyside up, over easy, over hard, scrambled, as an omelette -- they nail it every time and they deserve five stars just for that alone. read more

The BEST ham in town! I ordered the ham, eggs, & hash brown breakfast and it was delicious. It's a nice neighborhood diner and the staff is always nice. They acknowledge their regular customers & even though I just moved here about 2 months ago, they know what I want to order. Come check it out, good food, inexpensive, and friendly staff. read more

Great small diner, food ready super fast and delicious. Friendly people and always open. Perfect for late night stops. Amazing bacon cheeseburger. read more

Don's Grill - Delicious - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is great. Went in and was immediately impressed by how clean the place is. We were the only people in there and the server was great and friendly, food was delicious and all ingredients fresh. Can't wait to go back. read more

Clean, delicious, cheap and fast. This is a total throw back that always delivers. Love it. read more

Don's Grill - Hoagie w/ fries - Burgers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Don's is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Chicago. Great Service, friendly staff, 24 hours. Most items are between 4-8 bucks. I usually get the "All the way" omelette. Comes with a heaping side of hashbrowns and toast. Add a large orange juice, and the total is always under 10 bucks I love going out to breakfast, and this is a great place to go if you want great dine-in restaurant quality on the fly. I usually struggle to finish everything...but when I do, I feel accomplished. You can't go wrong here, folks. read more

Classic, easy, good. This place happens to be in my backyard, so it's definitely my new favorite diner.

Everything you'd want from a 24/7 greasy spoon diner. Food is tasty, inexpensive and fast. Service is friendly, quick and attentive. Menu is basic but everything is executed very well. Counter stool service only, about 15 stools or so, so keep that in mind if you have little ones. Can get crowded but the turnover is so fast it's never an issue. read more

Breakfast is just amazing! The all the way omelet is my favorite thing here! Its a must try! Also the double cheese burger!

The food is decent, although usually a little underseasoned. Prices can't be beat. Tbh, the service is pretty terrible during "normal" hours. Rude and slow diner waitresses. But if you show up late night, when the cook is also your waiter, you will be pleasantly surprised. Came about once a week for s few months, haven't been back in about 3 months. The cook still remembered me, my exact order, etc. And is super friendly. Honestly, the overnight cooks here are better servers than the waitresses. read more

Great Food, Excellent Burgers and Late At Nite Grits are available. Chocolate Shakes, also good are the biscuits and gravy, and of the Ham Off The Bone is really good. Always someone in the grill, Police Officers, CTA, Folks working on the railroad, and neighborhood folks like me. Recommend putting ketchup on your fries or food if your order it to go, the ketchup is even extra good @ Don's , The food is pricey, plan on paying about 7-9.00 for a Cheeseburger, Fries Coke or Shake, worth the price and Don's Grill are worth keeping around... Better than McDonno's or Booger King OGC Pilsen read more

This place gets zero stars from me. When we walking in the cooks looked us right in the face and didn't even speak. We sat there for maybe 20 minutes and they still didn't say anything, didn't try to take our order. We walked out and they still didn't say a thing. Will not spend my money at a place that won't even acknowledge me when I walk in. Also I don't like that they don't wear gloves meanwhile there touching on everything in there. read more

I gotta say that at 3am the cook still had a lot of flair! Simple menu, but they are open.

this place is the greatest. its open 24/7 and the waittress is a real number. she looks like grumpy and sometimes she wears a grumpy hat for added affect. the food is super cheap. typical diner shit. really good breakfast. after the bar this is one of the greatest places to go it doesnt have the kitsch of hollywood grill or the old/new white palace. originally the sign was supposed to say dons hamburgers but somebody spelled it wrong and dons humburgers it stayed! watch out for the gang bangers they like to eat late too! ha they wont bother you though. the short order cook is a magician w timing! read more

Great DINER atmosphere. Good consistent food. No frills, basic dining. Prompt courteous service.

Great prices. Bigger pancakes please, with tons of butter spread, is my only complaint. The steaks are tasty and affordable!

Working overnights at a hospital can be rough-especially when you don't have time to pack a lunch. There's only so much McGreasy you can eat, but with Don's Grill in the area, I always have a unique haven I can escape to on my lunch break! This is a classic Edward Hopper-esque diner. The only seats are at the counter around the short order cook's work station, nearly everything is made from scratch before your very eyes, and the people watching is fantastic-especially on weekend nights. It's open 24/7 and you can order for pick-up if you are short on time. Plus the food is artery-clogging delicious. Highly recommended!! read more

i remember first time my dad brought me in here I was a wee tyke he had to help me up on the stool summer 71 my first dons burger I was hooked this place is a Chicago institution really nice for the local neighborhood people price not bad the quality n quanity are excellent n ample truckers n cabees n cops in there all the time just wish there was more parking more pedestrian oriented but that is the city life style i am a suburbanite read more

This is one of those great diners where your food looks exactly like the pictures on the menu, and the pictures on the menu aren't very pretty. It's good cheap diner food, and the people are nice. read more

Food was ok. Ate pattie melt with onion rings. The server has poor manners. Theirs my utensils and wasn't friendly.

For a home style grill with great prices and a place where normal people go, this is the place. Nothing fancy about the food except that it's good. I was actually surprised by the waitress. I ordered a large milk with my breakfast and I thought I was going to get one of those small plastic cups that a lot of grills call a large when they're really small. I actually got a large Styrofoam cup that I was able to drink till I was happy. It may not have the best decor or be in a ritzy neighborhood, but if you want something real stop in @ Don's. You'll leave satisfied knowing that your food was good and that you paid a fair price. read more

Always open, friendly realistic staff and despite having no gyros, will keep me coming back!

Dons never disappoints. You want a dive, a greasy spoon , a hole in the wall. You want to pay $3-5 for breakfast!! Come here !!!! Best place for breakfast after a long night of drinking!! Yes there are other options , but where else can you eat right in front of where your food is being cooked - food bar!! Always Love it! Will always return! read more

Solid diner food. Perfect for drunken late night munchies or hungover breakfast.

This is just one of those joints in South Chicago that lures you in...I mean counter only service...regulars walk in ordering what they want before even sitting down...everyone is super nice...a total melting pot and great breakfast food... read more

It's a shame it's hard to find a OK breakfast spot that not over$8.00.Dont judge me I'm far from cheap.I just don't think breakfast should cost that much.I get the sausage links with 2 eggs and hash browns and two pieces of toast.And it's under $8.And the food is good.And if you order bacon they really cook it.I'm not a big fan of the service.The tall waitress show favoritism or special attention to people of the Latin descent.The short waitress is ok.The owner I met a few times is a nice guy. read more

You're the man, Don! Every time I go to this place I get the same 2 things: great service and a great price. I have yet to get one thing on the menu that doesn't hit the spot. The staff is always very friendly and easy to talk to while you're waiting for your food (which is never more than 8-9 minutes). Convenient for West Pilsen folk as there aren't a whole lot of other 24-hour options around. They've got yummy milkshakes for dessert. One downside, it's entirely counter seating so it's not a great place to bring a group. Another bonus: they serve breakfast all day. All in all, a great little diner. read more

Great breakfast, chicken sandwiches and burgers. Also have heard great things about the fries. Open 24 hours so really convenient for a late night snack. read more

classic stool and counter diner with the quintessential friendly cook that serves fast food with a story or conversation. clean, quick, delicious and cheap! white palace is popular, why? we love Don's! suggestion for the mega large French Toast or the cheeseburgers :) read more

Love the breakfast!! Very delicious perfect for late night or any time of day . Also cheeseburgers are great. ;)