Tough morning for this place. Due to circumstances out of their control they were down to half a usable dining room and one server. The food is solid but the service was frantic. My biggest gripe is the lack of shades on their windows. It was like eating under a magnifying glass. read more

I've been here multiple times for a Sunday morning brunch. The staff, everyone from the host to the servers, were friendly, welcoming, and very knowledgeable. We ordered the breakfast burrito and Chorizo Skillet. Both were amazing. The portions were very generous. You can tell the ingredients they use are fresh and everything was prepared well. Its nice that they try to source local. The menu offers an assortment of different options with some traditional items and others with an innovative twist. There are so many breakfast/brunch places in the city, but Irene's stands out. I would definitely recommend it! read more

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First time we went to Irene's on Irving Park, we ordered breakfast which was good. This AM was our second visit, asked if lunch was served during breakfast, server said yes. I guess ordering lunch when they're serving breakfast was a bad idea, since the burger was worst ever, well, well done, tasteless, the fries cold. We should've sent entire meals back, but already waited a bit, hungry, just asked for hot french fries, which were delivered. Breakfast might be the way to go, but won't be back to do a do over. read more

I wanted to love it here. Great location, lots of windows, Slagel Farm eggs, Bang Bang pie/biscuits, real maple syrup, homemade sourdough, fresh squeezed orange juice. But the pancakes were raw in the middle, omelettes over cooked, poached eggs undercooked, breakfast potatoes too salty, coffee expensive and bad. It seems like they need a new chef. Their ingredients are thoughtful and service was good. Appreciated their vintage plates. But the kitchen just seemed sloppy. They are so close here, just need to step it up. read more

I love this restaurant. They make well-known breakfast staples better than you're likely to find elsewhere. The homemade sausage is superb. The spare ribs are also good, though heavy. The classic buttermilk pancakes are fluffy and light. If you like airier pancakes, these should really hit the spot. The breakfast potatoes that accompany many of the dishes are extra crispy and delicious. The sourdough bread is especially good with one of their homemade jams. The seasonal, special peach-bourbon jam I tasted recently didn't disappoint. Even the ham in the Denver omelet is thick cut cubes of fried/crisped goodness -- not the cold cut ham you're likely to come across elsewhere. Yes, their prices are a bit higher than an average diner, but then again Irene's is far superior. read more

We went to Irene's for lunch today - on a Thursday. I have generally had good experiences during the breakfast times on Saturday. Today's experience was a bummer. My friend ordered a pork belly Benedict or something like that. The eggs came out super runny. It occurred to us the waiter didn't ask how she wanted her eggs. Uncooked was not the preference...but that is what she got. I found our waiter to be a little curt and even put off that I might ask if they had turkey burger as an option in lieu of beef burger. His attitude might have been appropriate for a French fine dining place or such....but Irene's is frick'in diner.... I'm hesitant to return here. I find the Savanna restaurant...nearby to be much more inviting and definitely less attitude. I felt sad as I had talked up Irene's to my friend...and the experience and food sucked. Check one off my regular restaurant rotation list I hope the next owner at this location is more customer friendly. DK. read more

Farm to table. Fresh and delicious. We had avocado toast and fluffy buttermilk pancakes with Wisconsin maple syrup. Warm welcome, select music, and excellent service. read more

Went to Irene's for breakfast on Saturday. The room is bright and light, if not overcrowded. Much to tight between the 4 tops and booths. Beyond that, the only thing good about our meal was the whole wheat toast. The coffee was bitter and they were very slow to offer a refill. I ordered the turkey sausage scramble asking for over medium eggs that came out nearly raw. They also poured a brown liquid over the eggs that l must assume was the balsamic maple sauce that was listed on the menu description. It was an off tasting runny brown liquid neither sweet or tart. The eggs were served over a sweet potato hash that was weak. I I I am always in search of a great Saturday morning breakfast that is a good value. Irene's fell short. I do not recommend. read more

Haven't been out to brunch in a while so was looking forward to trying this place out, especially with all the great reviews. Orange juice is amazing so we had hopes for the rest of the meal, but it left a lot of be desired. The roma omelet was dry and overcooked, marscapone waffle was dense, but nutella can make most things better kids (and adults). The cookies and cream pancakes were a hit, but again a bit dense. Crab cake benedict was tasty (flavorful crab cake, hollandaise and well poached egg), but it wasn't on any toast or an English muffin so the while the flavor was good, the texture was all just a bit mushy. Potatoes served on all the plates were great. Service was also great, but food left a lot to be desired. read more

Excellent food and very friendly staff. It was consistently busy all morning. The menu had lots of great choices. Definitely will be back! Went for breakfast but next time I will try lunch. read more

This is the breakfast spot our neighborhood has needed. Bright, clean interior, excellent and prompt service and top notch food. Our coffee was unexpectedly great, the potatoes were extra crispy and delicious and the home-made sausage was beyond compare. We'll be back! Definitely recommend. read more

Such a cute diner! Friendly service and warm and welcoming and atmosphere. I loved my breakfast burrito and coffee and my husband loved his skillet. Also a huge bonus that they serve bang bang pies! Can't wait to make this a new breakfast staple read more

Great food! I had a turkey club with breakfast potatoes. Excellent!! The sourdough bread is amazing. Service was excellent too!! read more

AMAZING! The short rib benny is a must have so flavorful and tender. The potatoes were perfectly crispy too! Service was great no complaints. Feels just like a cozy breakfast spot. 100% will be back! read more

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Went there for Mother's Day. The ambiance was positive and restaurant was very clean. Had a variety of food, from burgers, Eggs Benedict and short rib grilled cheese. The short rib grilled cheese was amazing, everything else was good. Service was outstanding. Would come back! read more

My new favorite breakfast spot!! Visiting from LA and Irene's exceeded my expectations - the chorizo skillet was savory, hearty, and delicious (with perfectly seasoned potatoes), and the carrot cake pancakes were fluffy sweet goodness pairing so nicely with the cream cheese frosting... Must try chef Noah's house made sourdough bread too!! Definitely a place that leaves you feeling like a warm breakfast hug. Can't wait to come back! read more

Lovely neighborhood breakfast place with intentionality! They source food from great farms, use quality condiments, and the decor details are adorable. Service was also great and friendly. read more

I remember when this place was Danny's Egghead Diner several years ago. Now it's Irene's in the North Center hood. I wanted to like Irene's a lot but I was a little disappointed. The service was great but the food was just not what i was hoping for. The fried chicken sammy was just way to heavily breaded and it was a bit greasy/oily for my taste in fried chicken sammys. I was hoping to get a Roost similar sammy but this was not it. And it was way to hot & spicy. The fries and coffee were good And the waitress kept an eye on us for water refills. I'll prolly give them another chance & order something different next time. Praps a breakfast item, such as a skillet or benny is in my future? read more

I had the meat lovers skillet and it was amazing. It's my single favorite breakfast item in Chicago. Also, I love they had bang bang pie on the menu. The tea is great. The price is good. The service doesn't rush you and it feels like a throwback diner with a more refined take on your classic breakfast. If you like plow in San Francisco, Lula, Bang Bang in Chicago, etc. than you will be really happy at Irene's and enjoy the high quality of what they're doing. In short, it's the best breakfast in the city and I'm shocked it doesn't have a line around the block. I love it and I highly recommend going. They clearly put a lot of thought into it to make it the ideal diner in my opinion. read more

Everything I've tried at Irene's is delicious so much so that they are catering our party! The breakfast burrito with the addition of slagel farm short rib is to die for and don't leave without getting at least two salted chocolate chip cookies for the table. We love their fluffy and oversized pancakes that can replace any toast side on an egg dish. The lox platter is a favorite of my toddler who is a big salmon eater. So happy this brunch spot came to our neighborhood. read more

2 of us were sat at a table immediately. The menu descriptions of the food sound great. The homemade chorizo though, was spiced so heavily with cinnamon (?) And cumin (?) That I couldn't taste anything else. They were also out of a few things at 11am on a Wednesday. Pretty pricey as well, 50$ + tip for 2 breakfasts. read more

Went here for brunch and loved it. The food was delicious, the service friendly, and there are so many things I want to go back to try! Their orange juice is the best I've tasted (random, I know). Also being able to take Bang Bang Pie to go is such a great idea, since I rarely make it over to the main location. read more

Great new place! My boyfriend couldn't stop raving about the biscuits and gravy and I had the turkey sausage skillet which had so much flavor and was so fresh. Highly recommend, most things made in house! read more

Great spot with delicious food and warm, diner atmosphere. The service was friendly and attentive.

Very good food some of the best pancakes I've ever had so fluffy and warm and the condiments are amazing service is okay

Incredible food, attentive Service and classic ambiance. A must try whether you're local or visiting!

Great food, and efficient, friendly staff. Had the Biscuits and Gravy. The pancakes looked really good too.

I was very pleasantly received at this bright and airy breakfast and lunch place. It has a bit of an upscale feel, but also very friendly. My girlfriend and I were greated by the owner,m Cristian. I had the short rib benedict and my friend had a spinache and mushroom benedict. The servings were generous and nicely presented. The potatoes were delicious and the meat was just beautiful. My friend said she was happy that the mushrooms and spinach were fresh, not frozen. They had a few teas. The tea service was quite acceptable. Tea arrived in my own personal teapot, with its own infuser. (No nasty teabags here.) My only wish would have been for a trivet under the teapot to hold its heat in. The bill was just over $37. read more

Great neighborhood brunch spot. They have everything. Their homemade jam was delicious

Came to check out the new diner in my old neighborhood. Amazing improvement from the previous few tenants. Greeted with a smile at the door and promptly sat in the quaint dining room. My server Christian was very polite and informative about everything from the great coffee they use to where their eggs and bacon are from. This place uses only top ingredients most of which are also organic and non gmo. I used to own a very popular brunch spot only blocks from here prior to covid. I am extremely picky when it comes to eating out as a former insider. Trust me when I tell you that, you cannot go wrong with this place. Totally worth the trip. In my opinion they are also very underpriced for the quality they deliver. Get in before word really gets out. read more

Excellent service and food. I loved my omelet and had my coffee filled up the whole time. Server was nice and very responsive!

This place is one of the best additions to the neighborhood and frankly the city in general. If you want an authentic home cooked meal with quality ingredients it is a must! They make everything or source it from small local producers. They are the definition of you get what you pay for. I'll be back! read more

Awesome food, fantastic service, and exactly what you want in a diner, but in a humble and modern fashion. They make so many things in house which is evident from the taste and plating. Tea is killer, coffee is great. Don't miss out on the speciality pancakes. read more

Came here for lunch and it was delicious. I got the avocado toast that was fantastic with perfect eggs and pickled onions. The omelettes were also great and the pancake was especially tasty because it had a hint of sea salt. Our waiter was very nice and food came quickly. Definitely recommend this place and will be back. read more

First time breakfast at this resto has earned my respect. Server was delightful and knowledgeable. Coffee was well brewed. I enjoyed the ricotta scrambled eggs while my son devoured the short rib eggs Benedict and my husband almost finished the large meat lovers skillet. Home made bread and jams a plus. highly recommend this comfy place. read more

I'm happy to have Irene's in the neighborhood! The food was tasty, but it does seem like they need to workout some kinks which I'm assuming are due to being brand new. I came around 11am and they were sadly already out of their cold brew and all their pie, which were both a big draw for me to stop in! Anyway, I plan to give it another try in a month or so. read more

We have been to this cute diner for breakfast twice so far and have really enjoyed our meals. I so appreciate the high quality of food they serve; you can definitely taste the freshness in the coffee, eggs and bacon. The bread looked amazing but unfortunately I can't indulge, but love that they offer gluten free toast so I can smear their homemade jams on it. I'm hoping Irene's at some point expands their gf menu to include pancakes, waffles or scones. We will be back. read more

Great customer service and good food. Menu has a lot of variety. Would definitely come back here.

Really nice addition to the area. I'm still sad about the closing of Over Easy and Marmalade. We have been to Irene's twice. My husband loves the chorizo skillet. I enjoyed an omelet at the first visit, but the real stand out was the avocado toast with eggs. Very, very good. They also had GF bread that I could substitute in, which always makes such a difference to me, when restaurants have that available. Staff is super friendly too. We will definitely come again. read more

Irene's Finer Diner was such a wonderful find. We were visiting our daughter in Chicago and looking for nice spot for brunch before heading back to NYC. I wish we had a place like this at home. We would be regulars. My husband had the Breakfast Burrito which he really enjoyed. The eggs were nice and fluffy inside and the potatoes were the perfect level of crispy. The carrot cake pancakes with cream cheese dollop were fabulous and I love that they served it with real maple syrup. Always a sign of a high quality place in my opinion. Last, but not least, the mouth watering Biscuits and Gravy. The bread/biscuit base is perfect and different than we have had elsewhere. The sausage gravy was amazing. The flavors were so good. We live in the UWS area of NYC where there is a very popular restaurant called Jacob's Pickles that serves a biscuit and gravy dish that pales by comparison to this dish. Irene's Finer Diner wins hands down. We will return. This place is a treasure. read more

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