Great Lakes Cafe

5

49

46

2 years ago

Great food. Better people. Miss Cindy and the ladies working are too kind. All the food is home made and feels like your mom made it for you before you go out for the day. Definitely stop here for the home town diner vibes and get you some good food. read more

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Lindsay A.

1

16

0

1 year ago

Very cute restaurant with a 60s vibe. The service is amazing with a huge variety of menu options with very large portions. Definitely a must for breakfast or lunch read more

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Roger L.

636

594

3898

7 years ago

Off the beaten path is accurate... The road to Great Lakes Cafe is rugged but worthwhile! Driving into the parking lot is sort of like playing minesweeper on Windows 98. Its also fun to watch the trucks drive under the bridges, with very little room to spare. The cafe is awesome and the service is great. Prices are what you'd expect, and the place has plenty of character. Reminds me of an 80's movie off a highway truck stop, and the ambiance does not disappoint! If you're looking for a good place to grab some breakfast & feel nostalgic, it doesn't get much better! read more

Great Lakes Cafe - Great place to grab some coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Leslie L.

Elite 24

184

615

678

2 years ago

This business is close to my work and it always offers tried and true food for lunch. No matter what I get it is a substantial amount of food and I feel satiated. I love the fact that they have soda in the coolers so you can take an extra pop with you if you want. I like grabbing stuff to go. The lemon rice soup is my favorite here. You cannot top the service as the owners are there and super friendly. All the staff is really nice. As far as ambience it's cute because it just looks like an old time diner, it's a place where men from the Mills and from the courthouse and all other surrounding areas come for a quick bite to eat. Their breakfast is really good too. I enjoy having their breakfast potatoes and ask them to be well done. read more

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Andrea C.

48

76

171

3 years ago

What a find! So glad we stopped here! Retro diner atmosphere, with well-prepared menu options. Our server Krissy, was friendly, funny, and very helpful! Whether you're on a diner-tour, or just passing through, stop here. They also do amazing breakfasts!! read more

Great Lakes Cafe - Ladies room is clean and kitschy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Great Lakes Cafe - Awesomeness, hidden in the middle of Gary! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Kate C.

0

1

0

2 years ago

The most welcoming restaurant ! Celebrated my daughter's special day here. Food was fantastic...service spot on...and the Owner was simply lovely ! Can't wait to come back ! read more

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Kristin F.

0

4

0

4 years ago

Good food decent prices the owner is a sweetheart. Beautiful Eggs, Duffy pancakes and the bacon was made just rite read more

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Arturo F.

0

10

2

3 years ago

Food came out super fast! Service was quick and very caring. The whole vibe made me feel comfortable and cozy. Definitely coming back for my pre beach adventures. A hidden gem. read more

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Michael J.

2

19

3

4 years ago

This is the place they have in mind when they talk about hidden gems. Only wish they had more expanded hours, but I get it.

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Monteban R.

0

65

9

3 years ago

Great place off the beaten path. Good serving sizes, good prices, good staff...can't ask for more!!

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Jessica M.

7

25

20

5 years ago

"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations" As a morning person breakfast is a sacred meal to me. So it makes sense that the journey here felt like a pilgrimage to the holy mecca. When you arrive you immediately know this is a hallowed place, deserving every ounce of your reverence. All your senses, sight, scent, sound, touch, and taste (and in that order) come alive and everything feels warm and fuzzy. I was traveling from California to visit my Mom in Illinois. After catching a Dead and Company show in Noblesville we decided to make the trek up to see Lake Michigan. I'm a nature girl in my heart of hearts but the real star of the show that day was the chicken fried steak and eggs. The savory flavors spill onto your lips like a prayer that echo a resounding "hallelujah"! You can feel the love that is alive in the chef and it's bigger than the Great Lake of Michigan. Bigger than all the lakes and oceans combined!!! The food came out in a to go box which I thought was really smart because it eliminates the need to ask for one once you've finished your meal. But there was no "to-go" about this box. I finished every bite without hesitation or even a consideration for my waistline. To not finish it would have been sacrilegious. Treat yourself to heaven on earth at the Great Lakes Cafe. The only sin you may have to confess for after is gluttony :) read more

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Jennifer H.

77

10

20

4 years ago

Cynthia and Jesse are wonderful and the food is always delicious! I love that it's situated by the steel mill too. Here's this charming little diner directly next to industrial steel. Hidden gem! read more

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Aron F.

0

9

0

3 years ago

Awesome food awesome service awesome prices Amazing people. Thank you great lakes for feeding us mill workers

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Alberta J.

0

45

0

5 years ago

Great diner in an industrial area. Great service. Nice ambiance. Food was good, basic, but good. Very affordable. read more

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Louie N.

175

622

5682

8 years ago

Wanted to visit Indiana for a few days and wanted to start off with a good breakfast so this place fit the bill. Entered address on Google Maps and something was off. The streets do not match gps at all. I went under a spooky, run down looking area. Lucky my hub saw this sign that said Great Lakes Cafe. Made a right turn and saw a truck pit ahead and the spot on my right. Decorated nicely on the outside. Ample parking. When I opened the door 2 ladies immediately spoke to me. They were nice. Told us to sit anywhere we wanted, which we did by the window. Our server came by in less than a minute. Took order and was friendly, cool, funny. The place is decorated like a museum. Love it. I ordered the chicken fried steak which tasted good, got potatoes and they were soft and tasty, egg whites were good. The coffee was tasty, wished they had flavored creamer. Bathroom was average, could use some updating and some smell goods but despite that, food was good, service was great. Spoke with owner and was given a nice reusable bag. Got hugs and kisses from the staff. What a nice start to me wondering Indiana. read more

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Toni B.

7

3

0

3 years ago

The food is always good here I always get the same thing and I've only been disappointed once but the food is always good

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Eric G.

Elite 19

60

306

600

11 years ago

It's getting closer and closer to the time of my eventual move to Gary. Looking for breakfast spots in the area Great Lakes Cafe seemed to be well reviewed. So it definitely peaked my interest. I made a mention to D and he was game to try it out. In fact he knew the area where it was though he had never been. It is off a beaten path though thankfully there were a couple signs that guides you the rest of the way. The restaurant is in the parking lot off to the right just before the gate station to a local plant. So walking in you definitely get that 'old school diner' experience. Jessica introduced herself quickly as she was cleaning some tables and told us to sit anywhere. She was very friendly as was the owner who took the time to chat with D and I. You get the sense that they are genuinely interested in knowing a little bit about all customers that come in to dine. Even the main cook (who I believe is one of the owners as well) came out to chat for a brief spell. Very nice family oriented business. I ordered their pancakes (3) with 2 scrambled eggs and 3 pieces of bacon. The price was reasonable at $7. D always likes to have a Monte Cristo sandwich which they didn't have but told D they would make one for him. That was a definite plus that they would custom cook that. The fries he had with it were very well seasoned and had a nice crunch to it. You really didn't need any ketchup with them. Jessica was very attentive to check in on us at appropriate times. She even asked later if I needed water after almost finishing up on the pancakes. That was good of her to anticipate that without me asking. So dare I say I think I found our future breakfast spot. D and I definitely will be back. Now finding a good sushi spot might be more of a challenge (but that's more for me)...*LOL*. read more

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Amy S.

29

107

72

12 years ago

Very nice little place with a super friendly staff. The food is well priced and very tasty! I had the corn beef hash and eggs and the potatoes very good size for the price. It is hidden from everyone so it takes a minute to find it. Good thing for smart phones with maps. I will come back and bring more people to show where good food and a friendly staff is. I don't mind driving out of the way for good service and a meal. read more

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MG H.

18

86

35

15 years ago

This place is truly a hidden gem of The Region. It's family owned and has been serving the community for a rock solid 17+ years. From cookies to Country Fried Steak...close your eyes and chose from the menu- any decision will be phenomenal. The decor is warm, kitschy-creative, and most inviting even on the dreariest of winter days. Food is promptly served and everyone has a great sense of humor. (P.S. The soups are also amazing! Especially the split pea.) read more

Great Lakes Cafe - Beautiful Server Janet & Owner Cindy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Great Lakes Cafe - The lovely owners - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Angie P.

8

30

43

5 years ago

Def off the beaten path but well worth it. The staff were so friendly and the food fantastic and fast. Classic diner type menu with some twists. Lemon rice soup is a must. read more

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Debra L.

2

6

0

5 years ago

Good food. Attended a bridal shower there and food was good. Would definitely return.

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Elvin C.

32

530

463

13 years ago

Great diner option close to the Skyway (note: it's north of the 90 Toll Road - you won't find it on Mississippi south of it) Loved the soup, egg salad sandwich, and the owners/servers. Want to try more of the specials next time but will give them the benefit of the doubt with 5 stars until the next update. read more

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Maurice T.

Elite 21

34

138

123

8 years ago

Always great for breakfast and for lunch your seated and served quick as shit. If your late getting back to work that's your fault read more

Great Lakes Cafe - The Counter - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Kshitij J.

39

1

11 years ago

Nice cozy place.. With old world charm..!! Friendly staff, great food choices and taste.. read more

Great Lakes Cafe - Witty captions - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Dena H.

91

16

5

4 years ago

Excellent food and VERY accommodating owner who allowed me to get some soup shortly after she had closed!

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Whitney D.

168

64

31

7 years ago

Excellent customer service and excellent food. The owners are always pleasant to speak with. This food fueled me through my undergrad and now on my second Master's, I'm so happy to still be eating here. They remember my order from years ago!! I've been going to other businesses for decades and I can't get 1/18th the customer service and appreciation I receive on every single visit from Great Lakes. The food is homestyle, fresh, plentiful, and the customer service is unmatched. Seat yourself, you're home. read more

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Victoria E.

0

6

0

5 years ago

Had a little honeymoon spot on Miller beach, came here to eat breakfast and was beyond impressed with the warm-ness of staff and quality of food. "I've never enjoyed eggs so much" - my fiancé. Definitely a diamond in the rough (': read more

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Marge L.

7

2

8 years ago

Couldn't have asked for a better breakfast experience! Traveling out of Chicago and needed a bite to eat. Saw the Yelp reviews and they were right on target! We were a little concerned as we drove there as it seemed a bit off the beaten path, but when we arrived at this gem, we were literally greeted with a "Hi and Welcome come on in!" We ordered the chicken fried steak, 1/2 truckers breakfast (biscuits and gravy, eggs and meat) and pancakes. We cleaned our plates and I have to say, I kept stealing bites of pancake from my son's plate they were so good. The price for our 3 meals and drinks was quite reasonable, $32. While we ate, the owners both came and asked how everything was. One of the owners engaged in a conversation with our 9 year old. She couldn't have been any sweeter and more genuine. Our server was very pleasant and our food came out quickly. During our time there, several regulars came in to eat and one of them even took several orders to go. We can honestly say that if we have the chance to stop by here again on our travels, we absolutely will! We even have a Tee Shirt as a remembrance! read more

Great Lakes Cafe - Our son and some of the local Firefighters at Great Lakes Cafe. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Great Lakes Cafe - Won't forget the Great Lakes Cafe wearing our Tee Shirt!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Patrick S.

18

3

28

8 years ago

Today I had country fried steak with scrambled eggs with cheese ordered a super soft fresh biscuit on the side! The steak was perfect the biscuit was super soft delicious cheesy eggs I cannot wait to come back! All of the ladies are super friendly and kind of that work there everyone has an upbeat awesome attitude! They serve breakfast and lunch options as well I don't think you cannot enjoy anything here! Acquaint unique fresh Fast breakfast lunch spot! read more

Great Lakes Cafe - Delicious Country Fried Steak & scrambled eggs with Cheese. The softest Biscuit I've had in a while..Mmmmm Great Breakfast & Lunch options. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Angela T.

85

11

24

8 years ago

My first visit here was awesome. It's a "gem" in a hidden place as most gems are. It has a clean, bright and friendly atmosphere. The staff was very welcoming and totally professional. The atmosphere takes me back to the days of diners and malt shops. They use the silver creamers and still have the sugar containers. No packets. This was a great experience. Chef Ramsey. Jr. read more

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Adam Baker's P.

0

1

0

4 years ago

We were in the area for the day looking for a good lunch stop. We were not disappointed. I got the breakfast special and my college got a burger. Great good, great hospitality and great prices. read more

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More info about Great Lakes Cafe

201 Mississippi St
Gary, IN 46402
Directions
(219) 883-5737
Call Now

Hours

What time does Great Lakes Cafe open?

Great Lakes Cafe opens at 5:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does Great Lakes Cafe close?

Great Lakes Cafe closes at 1:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Great Lakes Cafe is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 5:00 AM - 1:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does Great Lakes Cafe take credit cards?

Yes, Great Lakes Cafe takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Great Lakes Cafe have catering options?

Yes, Great Lakes Cafe does have catering options.

Does Great Lakes Cafe have a drive thru?

No, Great Lakes Cafe does not have a drive thru.

Does Great Lakes Cafe serve alcohol?

No, Great Lakes Cafe does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Great Lakes Cafe have TVs?

Yes, Great Lakes Cafe has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Great Lakes Cafe have bike parking?

Yes, Great Lakes Cafe has bike parking.

Does Great Lakes Cafe have outdoor seating?

No, Great Lakes Cafe does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Great Lakes Cafe have parking?

Yes, Great Lakes Cafe has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Does Great Lakes Cafe have free WiFi?

Yes, Great Lakes Cafe has free WiFi.

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The burgers are fantastic. I ordered a burger & sweet potato fries, but I also got an order of the…read morePhilly cheese steak egg rolls & onion rings to go. The burger was awesome. It was called The Big Time Burger. And believe you me, it was named appropriately!!! High quality beef, mushrooms, onions and cheese...all cooked to perfection. I'm talking melt in your mouth goodness. But.....try the sweet potato fries and you will NEVER go back to regular french fries! The appetizers are also good, but you will need to share as the burgers are MASSIVE! The Wife had the Hot Honey Chicken sandwich with Parmesan fries. It was huge and had the best taste and flavor to it. We sat at the bar and had a drink while we waited for the food. The place was pleasantly busy and had a good vibe. This place definitely did not disappoint. The prices were reasonable and service was good as well. Great burgers, unique drink and appetizer selection, and friendly staff,( especially Julian and Eli), make this a must visit if you're anywhere near Portage, Indiana! I'm so glad that I live near this place!

Stopped here for lunch. I got the cheeseburger and hand cut fries. The burger was juicy and well…read moreseasoned. It was piled high with cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce. Came with a steakknife in the burger. The fries were also pretty good. My waitess was very nice. The food came out quickly. Overall, I really enjoyed my lunch.

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food is always good and fresh and the customer service is great restaurant is also always clean I…read morelove the food I recommend to everyone

Didn't give me money back after Apple Pay machine was down. And did not compensate. For there…read moremachine being down

I can't see any meat. Can you???

Steel City CHEESESTEAK.

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Jasnak

3.9(11 reviews)

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I ordered in the drive-thru on 8/6/26 and requested a Philly steak with cheese everything on it…read moreincluding hot and sweet peppers and an Italian beef dip. All I got was meat with bread, cheese and jalapeño peppers and a dry beef sandwich..

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Wonderful local, cozy diner with friendly staff. Super fast service. The fries were…read moreaddictive...hot, perfect amount of salt. We had the Chicago dog special and Chicago polish dog meal and both were delicious. Would highly recommend to anyone local or passing through.

This place is old school in a great way. I was pulling out of the South Shore parking lot wishing I…read morehad gotten a hotdog in Chicago and saw the sign pulled right in and was not disappointed. Great food, perfect french fries, nice people, clean an old school.

Inside a great local joint

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3.0(4 reviews)

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My husband has never been here, doesn't drink at all, works from 4am - 4pm everyday and comes home…read moreexhausted never wanting to go anywhere especially a scummy bar. I'm at home with a contractor and a Sheriff shows up at my door with a court summons for my husband saying he is being sued by said bar and Evelyn Bundy wirh Attorney William Jonelis saying he had bounced two checks in 2021. My husband pays his bills and especially does not bounce checks. As I look at the paperwork it was the same name as my husband, but the original address was incorrect, DL, middle initial, as well as date of birth were all incorrect. Basically "IF" this so called person with the same name as my husband bounced these checks, they couldn't find him, so they just pulled the next one out of a hat (he has a very popular name). Their lawyer claims they are taking it off after the embarrassment in front of my contractor and anger it put us through.

So normally I go here 3x a week for breakfast.. I have…read moreALWAYS had a great experience, and love the Little bitch.. Well, today 2/10/20 I order my breakfast like usual and I go get.. head back to work.. IT WAS NASTY!! gravy tasted OLD bacon was so hard it crumbled in the foil.. I called and asked who was the cook because this isn't normal.. I was told by he bartender Shawn that I needed to go somewhere else if I didn't like it.. WTF?? Who says that to a customer.. I spend 25$ a week here and NOW I'M DONE until I GET some answers.. Sad..

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I stepped back in time today to the burger joint of my childhood. Such a great place,…read moreauthentically vintage. I went into the carry out side and placed my order. The employee who took my order was very cheerful, and I didn't wait long for my food. It's great that delicious orange sherbet is served with a meal. Onion rings are the best! Potato soup was better than homemade. My food was so good that I want to return until I try everything on the menu. I appreciate that they have a separate entrance for carry out orders and a nice waiting area.

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There is no better place in Indiana to enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan, the sugar sand…read moreof the wonderful beach and great food served by Alice's team. Wells Street Beach is a gem worth visiting!

Had the double cheeseburger meal. Very good burger, I'm going to rank it as one of the best in the…read morearea. Also you don't need to pay for parking if your eating lunch and not going to the beach. Haven't been to any of the evening events, but given the vibe of the place I bet it's laid back and fun! Go and enjoy this little region gem!

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Fantastic craft beer and delicious food! Stop by and explore their impressive drink selection, and…read morebe sure to try the Totchos, chicken tenders, cheeseburger, or wings--they're all amazing! The service is top-notch, making you feel right at home. Plus, enjoy weekly entertainment with karaoke on Wednesdays, Steppin' classes on Thursdays, and live music on Fridays! Family-Friendly!

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2.8(28 reviews)

5.1 mi

We had an absolutely incredible experience at the Hard Rock Cafe on the night of June 3rd, all…read morethanks to our server, Sharon. She completely exemplifies what world-class customer service looks like! We ended up placing our order from the main menu with literally one minute to spare before the kitchen transitioned, and instead of making us feel rushed, Sharon handled it with total grace, an amazing attitude, and a huge smile. The food was fantastic, too--the veggie fajitas were absolutely amazing (a massive win for the vegetarian gamers out there!), and the seasoned fries were the bomb. Huge kudos to Sharon for the top-tier hospitality. She is a total rockstar and made our night perfect!

Not much to do in this town other than the casino, which is how we ended up here for lunch. We…read morewalked in with pretty low expectations and left pleasantly surprised. The service was mostly friendly but a little slow. The menu had tons of options and they had a menu of specials as well. The portions were large and I enjoyed my chicken sandwich and fries. The pierogis were fine but nothing special, as expected. The bar area has tons of TVs, which was great. The casino still allows smoking so that lingers the entire building, which is frustrating. Overall, not a horrible spot if you want a break from the casino and want food while you watch some games.

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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Robyn R.

0

1

0

9 years ago

I order Great Lakes often for lunch at work. I have had breakfast food, salads, sandwiches, and I really enjoy the bacon chicken melt. The meals often include a soup of the day. My favorite is the potato soup. They also have excellent customer service and very friendly staff. They don't disappoint. Take care you guys! We love you :) read more

Sylvia H.

0

3

1

7 years ago

This is a hidden gem! Near 65 exit, right past the entrance into Miller Beach. We stopped in for brunch at 11:30 and by the time we left the lunch crowd left it standing room only! The pancakes were awesome. I ordered an everything omelet and it was incredible. The food was delicious! Very impressed and will return. read more

David C.

27

28

0

8 years ago

Great lakes its a great place to eat food great service is great. When you on the road for awhile you need to stop rest eat or relax before getting back on the road you will be satisfied after your stop so don't miss out. read more

Karma K.

247

597

0

10 years ago

All I will say is this cute and delicious diner could easily convince me to move to Gary, Indiana. Seriously.

Stephen K.

0

12

0

4 years ago

Ha. Nope. I guess it's cool because of Rudy. That's about it. The waitress was nice.

Brandon K.

0

1

0

5 years ago

Great food and great service! The owner is very nice and the prices are great as well.

Andrea A Basarich B.

31

4

0

7 years ago

Good food great service.Family owned and so very friendly.

Great Lakes Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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Disappointing and Unacceptable Experience…read more I came to this restaurant because of the good reviews, expecting to have a nice meal. Unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing. After sitting down, I had to use the restroom. BIG mistake. There was feces all over the bathroom floor, on the sink area, and even on the door handle. This wasn't just a small mess--it was a significant amount of solid feces throughout the bathroom. When I returned to my table, I noticed that feces had also gotten onto the rug near the front/register area, where I was sitting. I immediately informed my waitress, who then notified the front desk. Eventually, someone came to clean it up. At that point, I had completely lost my appetite. After an experience like that, you would think management would come over, apologize, and offer to refund the meal since I was no longer able to eat. Instead, I was simply given a senior discount. That was extremely disappointing. I will say that my waitress was very kind and showed genuine empathy. She brought me a warm, soapy towel so I could clean my hands and even clean the bottom of my shoe. I truly appreciated her compassion because she was the only person who seemed to understand how upsetting the situation was. What disappointed me most was that the manager never came over to apologize or even acknowledge what had happened. I understand that accidents happen, but the way a restaurant handles an extremely unsanitary situation says a lot about its customer service. Unfortunately, this experience completely ruined my appetite and my visit. I came because of the good reviews, but after this experience, I would think twice about returning.

Great food, lots of choices. Nice staff. Just wish you were open all day. Sometimes later in the…read moreday, we feel like going to dinner, but we can't cuz you close at 2 or 3. Not cool!

Sunrise Family Restaurant

4.0

(89 reviews)

Such a great little diner. Great service food and atmosphere. Would love to come back on my next…read moretime through. Everything on the menu looked amazing.

We had an amazing breakfast here. The service here was phenomenal. Our coffee was refilled…read moreconstantly and food came out very quick. The Tennessee omelette was great. I'd love for this to be in our home town.

Angie’s Breakfast And Grill

4.6

(72 reviews)

My niece and I decided to go and have breakfast together. We chose to try Angie's breakfast and…read moregrill. The place is nice. It was resurrection Sunday (Easter) weekend ; the place was decorated very nicely. The breakfast we ordered was very good. Our service was very good. We were greeted at the door by. I believe Angie the proprietor of the business. The restaurant is very quaint and cozy. Overall experience was five stars.

Nice little breakfast spot. The food was good at a great…read moreprice point. The service was pretty good. I do feel like the floors could've been cleaner but, hey. They ARE floors. My husband ordered the chicken fried steak. It was smothered in gravy and delicious. It came with eggs (over easy), potatoes and pancakes. All good. I ordered an omelette. I asked for EASY cheese. It was too cheesy. Most places make it too cheesy. So I ate it until I got to the too cheesy part and took the rest home for him to eat later. My hash browns? So good. The best part of breakfast... grits. The grits were amazing. There is a small lot for parking.

Schoop's Hamburgers

4.0

(73 reviews)

SCHOOP'S FOR THE WIN!…read more First time in Hammond, IN... WHAT do we eat?!? Schoop's is a local Mom & Pop close to our hotel and The Hammond Sports Complex, that had pretty decent yelp reviews, how about we sample the dinner yummies here??? Yelp directions are on point. Designated parking is available in the lot next to the restaurant which is definitely convenient for the customer! Thank you! Didn't have to wait long to sit down. Interestingly, there are quite a few booths with "decorations" on it, very cool for sure (Who doesn't like the Three Stooges and Lucy & Desi!?!), however they limit access to sitting in those areas, which is unfortunate because the booths have the best lighting compared to center of the room tables. Barbara was our server and loved her spunkiness! Note... you have to designate which free toppings (on bottom right of menu) you want on your burger/sandwich, so be prepared for that question! LOL! I was not ready and that elicited some hilarious banter with Barbara ;) Okay, let's eat!!! BREADED PORK TENDERLOIN: I read somewhere that the Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich, aka The Pork Schnitzel, was THE JAM in Indiana. Never heard of it in California so I wanted to see what this was all about! I'm in luck because Schoop's has their own version on the menu! When it landed I was like... Whoa! The tenderloin is bigger than the bun!?!! Nothing small about this thing! Apparently, this Indiana Pork Tenderloin/Pork Schnitzel thang can get even bigger but I was pretty happy with Schoop's option. The breading is Crisp and the tenderloin is not thin like a McD's hamburger, but more like a McD's Quarter Pounder. Meat is juicy and flavorful. Filling for sure. Paired with BOMB tater tots... GREAT INTRO to the Indiana Pork Tenderloin Sandwich!! SWISS MUSHROOM BURGER: Schoop's claim to fame is their Burgers and there are many props to that fame decorating the restaurant, even a "Top 10 in America" (CNN Eatocracy) claim! Now we gatz "expectations" lol Mushrooms are Wifey's Go To, so of course we go for the 'shrooms! Grilled onions to perfection, grilled mushrooms to perfection and a smash burger that had edges crisped just right and a flavorful center. Wifey rarely finishes a burger but this one was GONZO! Luckily she offered me a bite! Solid burger!!! TATER TOTS: PERFECT! Crisp on the outside, yet soft inside. Tastefully flavored. No greasy aftertaste. DEELISH! We doin' the big order next time! VERY EASY RECOMMENDATION! Nom Nom level is high! We would absolutely come back to sample more of the menu! Enjoy! :)

Great old school burgers and friendly service. Diner been around a few decades, Worth a stop.read more

Viking Chili Bowl

3.6

(76 reviews)

Old school diner with super friendly staff and the cooks are amazing. They are always busy but you…read moredon't have to wait long. The food is good as are the prices.

Always great food with fast & friendly service! Janette is amazing! Love their omelettes and soups!read more

Port Drive-In

4.1

(72 reviews)

Whew I got a 1/2 lb all beef hot dog. Why I thought I could take on the food challenge I have no…read moreclue. I tapped out 2/3 of the way out. My hubby had pulled pork snd the rest of my dog. My hot dog was delicious. That being said we ordered the waggle fried. Not edible. Soooooo salty. The car hop said that was just their seasoning. It tasted like someone dumped a bucket of salt on them. She brought us plain ones and they were good. Root beer is really good there too!!

Driving around looking at houses for sale and picking up some geocaches, we stumbled across this…read moreplace. I am a sucker for drive-ins--the days of the old Dog & Suds or the Frosted Mug. They bring back fond memories of American Graffiti and my days working at Jack and Pat's 50's in Tinley Park. I was hooked on the homemade root beer and other great menu items. The only things missing were the roller skates and Wolf Man Jack cranking out the tunes.

Peggy Sue's Diner

3.5

(82 reviews)

Stopped in for brunch while traveling, and so happy we did - Peggy Sue's is a cute and cozy…read morefamily-friendly diner with service that feels like family. The space is cozy and fun with travel- themed decor, and the food is fresh, delicious, and perfect comfort staples at a reasonable price. Highly recommend the skillets - the Spicy Chorizo was excellent and I also super enjoyed the Porky Pig Skillet with extra vegetables. Can say I never had sausage gravy on a skillet before and it was perfectly balanced. It's a fan-favorite for a reason! Also, the biscuits are light and fluffy and delicious. Will definitely come again if in the area - bonus is the cute little downtown and park to walk a bit afterwards if you eat too much.

A classic small town diner with classic diner food. Breakfast and lunch. It's been open in one…read moreincarnation or the other for many decades. It's a fixture in Downtown Chesterton, such as it is. Often busy with locals. It's diner food at a good price. Not huge but adequate portions, but most customers really do not need to eat huge portions anyway. (There is an obesity epidemic in this country!). Service is usually good. Parking in back and on the street. Air conditioned. Coffee is standard diner coffee that one finds in thousands of similar joints and most restaurants (robusta beans- the cheap stuff), which lacks flavor although it is hot. If you doctor your coffee, makes no difference since you can't taste the coffee anyway. I opt for orange juice or ice tea usually. Has a bench out front if you want to sit for a spell. It's been awhile since I checked out the restroom (there is a comment on that), so I do want to survey as that is what the cooks and wait staff use- and it's important that the facilities be spotless with soap, towels, etc., to avoid disease vectors migrating into the food from the cook or servers' hands. They do not have "bussers", so your waitress will be handling your food and the last customers' dirty dishes, which is a common restaurant money-saving practice that I do not think should be allowed anywhere. We've got immigrants who need work, so let's get them a job instead of chasing them with masked men.

Lincoln Carry Outs Crown Point

4.2

(76 reviews)

Steelworker. 'Nuff…read moresaid. It says I need more characters. How's this? Oh, I guess I need more . . .

This is one excellent sandwich shop! Not only is the food delicious, the service is superb and the…read moreprices are fair. The staff here actually enjoy what they do and it shows in their food. So far, we've tried the Steelworker, the Scotty Melt and the corned beef. Yum! The restaurant is clean and there's a few tables to dine in. Located directly across from Jewel-Osco you might miss it. I hope you don't. I've had a Yelp friend check in here over the years and now I've finally gave it try and wish I would have come sooner. I'm a regular now!

Schoop's Hamburgers

3.6

(69 reviews)

Been going to schoops my whole life. Very consistent, outstanding burgers, hearty and delicious…read morechili, yummy soups, and usually pretty speedy service. The only thing missing is the friendly, personable servers of the past. In my opinion, this is the one thing that Schoops has been lacking the past few years. The young servers just aren't very attentive or friendly. *My fave is the Mickey and a cup of chili deluxe! All beef hot dogs are great too!

4-2-2025--- 1pm. Ordered a Micky from the (nice)girls in the back, i came to front to pay and wont…read moretake my $ cause ticket wasnt sent 20 ft from back counter,was treated rudely by front cashier lady for my 1 sandwhich order. What happened to treating customers with a smile,like the ladies in back? Should have cancelled and walked out but i was hungry from working power outage. NEVER AGAIN!

Lincoln's Carry Out

4.4

(118 reviews)