Lou Mitchell's
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Get your kicks on Route 66 #Chicago #flyforfood #Yelpfriends OMG! I must say the midwest chefs are accustomed to feeding hungry farmers and truckers I think. The portions of each menu item is HUGE. Be prepared to wait in line for a table. No reservations taken, you just wait your turn in that line.... Food is actually pretty darn good. Rolls and fruit are complimentary. Their home made jelly and marmalade is absolutely delicious (OK, full disclosure: I grabbed a couple containers of the marmalade and carried them back home to Honolulu, I should have purchased their jar of marmalade which I didn't know they had. It was after and as I walked out of the Establishment that I noticed it. I shared the Denver Omelet and it was a good thing because that meal was HUGE. Looking at the food our traveling companions ordered only confirmed the decision to share the meal was the right thing to do. OH that darned Pecan Roll, recommended by our waiter was delicious and let me just say one bite curbed my sweet craving. Iconic Lou Mitchell's has been there for over 100 years. There is something to be said about an establishment in business for a century. AND the big thing? Close to the start of Route 66..... A must try and a must visit if you are in Chicago, let alone in the area
Lou Mitchell's was our brunch destination of choice for our group. This is a truly iconic Chicago diner with huge portions and lots of customers. We arrived on a weekend morning, and the line was out the door. It went by relatively fast. The turnaround is good, considering the restaurant is pretty big, with seats for all party sizes inside plus some tables outside. Service was just fine. As a diner, it was pretty average, but our general needs were met. Our food came out in a decent amount of time as well. My friend and I shared the Denver Omelet and One Pancake. We also got other items to share, like the Pecan Roll. The omelet truly is jumbo! It comes in a giant skillet with potatoes. It was full of all the fixings and needed a bit of seasoning, but overall it was good. The pecan roll was sweet and so gooey! The pancake tasted average. The thing here is the portion sizes. Considering we shared and still had leftovers, that's a sign in itself. Everyone else enjoyed their dishes and left stuffed. If you're visiting Chicago and want a true breakfast diner experience, Lou Mitchell's is a must-try. Find them off W Jackson Blvd., near public transportation.
We arrived at Lou Mitchell's on a very rainy morning at about 6:45 AM. There was plenty of seating, but it was easy to see how tight it could get when busy. They have a mandatory must spend of $10 per person so instead of sharing as we usually do, we each ordered a single egg breakfast. (Chef gave us two eggs each anyway.) While that was being prepared, the restaurant staff kept my coffee cup well filled. The eggs were prepared well, my home fries crispy (my wife's less so) but the star of the show is the house made bread served toasted. So very good! Their baked items are almost a must, so take advantage! They trade heavily on the Route 66 kitch for restaurant ambiance, but since it is the Centennial for the Route, it works. They have really cool shirts for the centennial so our breakfast bill was quite high with my wife's apparel purchase. lol Overall, well worth a stop.
Buzz and skillets full of food!!! Friendly fast service with attention worthy of a Michelin starred restaurant. Comfort food with a bit extra, regulars who care bout the place. Just fun and good!
While in the area for a meeting a large group of us came here for lunch... Getting there around noon, they were quite busy, but we were quickly greeted and seated. The menu is filled with many of the typical diner favs and what they're known for is they bake their own breads, so I knew I needed to try that. Soon after sitting down, our server brought us a homemade donut hole with a slice of orange. That donut hole was so very tasty! I also got unsweetened iced tea to drink and that was freshly made and also tasted great. For my entrée, I opted for their open face tuna sandwich, which has melted American cheese on top of it and the combo of the tuna, cheese, and their amazing bread was so very good! The tuna is definitely not your ordinary tuna from a restaurant, it's high-quality, thick pieces and hardly has any mayo in it. And this portion was HUGE! I couldn't eat it all. It came with their homemade fries and cole slaw - the cole slaw was excellent and the fries were pretty good, sort of "homestyle breakfast potato" type of flavor, but a big, thick, square, beautiful fry, it just was a little soft, not very crunchy... it was very good though. Overall, we all loved what we got - would definitely return!
No visit to Chicago is complete without a visit to this classic eatery. For over 100 years, Lou Mitchell's has been serving up the best breakfast in Chicago and if you have never heard of it, ask any Chicagoan because they know it. What you need to know is that there will be a line, it will move fast and you will be rewarded with some of the most delicious food and coffee you have ever tried. If you come during football season, it would be best not to wear any Packers, Lions, Vikings or Cardinals gear because this restaurant is very proudly, Bears' country.
We visited here on a Sunday morning. The lady managing the line was efficient but it was very clear she was not communicating with the wait staff. The restaurant isn't small but there are so many tables that make it much tighter than it needs to be. We ordered several items from the menu and most of them were not all that good. The donut holes were okay. The hot chocolate would've been fine if it was hot/fresh (I could tell it sat for a few minutes. The scrambled eggs were a no for me. The wings were... they were whole and not cooked long enough at all. On top of the mediocre food, our server seemed deeply over his head. He had a pen pad but kept forgetting things and couldn't answer any questions clearly. I've never had bad food in Chicago until now. I'm still sad about this.
Lou Mitchell's is one of those classic Chicago spots that feels like stepping back in time. We arrived around 9:30 a.m. on a Saturday and were greeted by a pretty long line, but it moved efficiently and we were seated within about 30 minutes. They were a bit short-staffed that morning, so service was slower than usual, but we weren't in a hurry and the staff remained friendly throughout. I ordered the daily special French toast, added fruit and pecans, plus a side of bacon. The French toast was absolutely massive and could easily be shared. My only complaint was the $3.75 charge for pecans, which felt a little steep for the amount included. Overall, the food was good, the diner atmosphere was exactly what I was hoping for, and there's something special about dining in such a historic Chicago institution. If you're visiting the city and don't mind a bit of a wait, Lou Mitchell's is worth experiencing at least once.
I doubt we will be back $100 for a mediocre breakfast wasn't the greatest way to start the day. Yes, it's famous but it is not wheelchair friendly or plus size friendly. They rely heavily on table sharing with other parties. Staff wants your order quick because it is BUSY, and then once the order is taken they are nowhere to be found. Coffee stays refilled but anything else forget it. They also nickel and dime everything and from a taste and flavor perspective it just wasn't great. We were honestly really disappointed as it was something we had high hopes for.
We waited 35-40 minutes outside on a Saturday. The seating process was frustrating, as parties of 3 or 4 were pulled from the line for nice booths while parties of 2 waited longer for counter seats or crowded communal tables. We chose to wait a little longer for a two-person booth. The coffee was good, and the complimentary donut hole, orange wedge, and ice cream were nice touches. The breakfasts were satisfying and delicious, with generous portions, and the diner has a great old-school vibe. Despite the annoying wait, the food was worth it. Recommended if you're in the West Loop or commuting in from Union Station.
It was... outdated. Could use a good remodel. Maybe VINTAGE is a kinder word. And I know they got the money to do it cuz... my husband ordered a skillet (and upgraded to pancakes) and I got an omelette (which needed to be sent back cuz it was still runny on the inside). We ordered a coffee and a Diet Coke. Our bill was OVER $70. SEVENTY dollars. I always say I believe in paying good money for good food but the juice just wasn't worth the squeeze. And this is on top of the city parking you have to pay to eat there. It's just craziness. I will say that the toast was pretty delicious. The server was nice enough. The bathrooms were downstairs and needed attention.
I finally waited in line to try Lou Mitchell's, a true Chicago classic that's been around for years, and I can definitely see why it's so popular. One thing that really stood out is that everything is made from scratch, from the bread to the jam, which gives the whole experience a homemade, comforting feel. The portions are very generous, so you're definitely getting your money's worth. On top of that, the service was friendly and impressively quick despite how busy it was. That said, the pancakes personally weren't my favorite. They weren't bad, just not something I'd go back specifically for. Overall, it's a solid spot with great service and quality food. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu next time.
I have been coming here for years and truly everything I have tried from their menu has not disappointed me. It is classic diner food, and the portions are quite generous as well. The service is also spectacular, they are quite attentive. The most interesting thing that I've tried from them is their apple omelet (pictured). I thought it would be just apple slices with the eggs, but it was actually apple pie filling! Definitely interesting, but not bad. Not spectacular either but I would prefer to eat their savory items more than the sweet ones. On the weekends its normal for there to be a line, but it moves quick. The longest I've probably ever waited was 20 minutes.
1 year ago
7 months ago
4 years ago
Unfortunately, the hotel I stayed at during my weeklong visit to the Windy City did not provide a solid breakfast, so I decided to break the bank a bit and find my own options. This came up. In fact, I heard of Lou Mitchell's back in 2020, when I was first considering going to Chicago (COVID wrecked that plan), but given my opportunity now, I decided to get up early and give this brunch spot a go. Close by a couple of CTA stops, I made my way here quite easily. I was greeted by the owner (who easily could have been cast as one of the Golden Girls), and was super nice and accommodating. The booths they have are perfect for the single diner or couple. Lots of solo diners here, so I fit right in. Day 1 Before your order is taken, you are given a complimentary donut hole (they make them fresh), and an orange peel. I promised the staff if I enjoyed my meal, I would return the next day. The donut hole is good. I then ordered the French Toast with fruit and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. It all comes out within 10 minutes. The French Toast's fruit is super fresh and the French Toast is delicious in its own right. The orange juice is too tangy for me. It is like drinking a cup of Tang with pulp. No loss, a delicious hot breakfast was what I aimed for and what I got. All in a matter of 15 minutes, that is incredible. Now I must return. A promise is a promise. Day 2 Free donut hole and orange juice brought out. Still delicious. This time I decided to change the program a bit and get a Salmon Eggs Benedict with cranberry juice. It comes out in 10 minutes just like last time. Everything works well. Delicious Hollandaise sauce (it is also made on site), fresh salmon, and a perfectly toasted English Muffin. The eggs are perfectly cooked as well. Oh, and the touch of hash browns is good too, those were tasty! A perfect 2 for 2 in as many days. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
It was so crowded inside when my friend and I visited for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. The line was all the way out the restaurant but thankfully it moved quickly! We were seated after waiting for 15 minutes Very friendly staff. All of the staff were in pink t-shirts with a pink ribbon to raise breast cancer awareness for october! What we ordered: Cottage cheese omelet: Sounded odd at first but I loved it so much! The duality of the cold cottage cheese on the warm omelet made it very addicting. There were lots of bacon bits and tomato inside too Two eggs meal: Delicious and simple. The thinly sliced potato side was memorable Pumpkin pancakes: We ordered this off of their seasonal menu (Our waitress was not aware that there was a seasonal menu until we mentioned it to her). Pretty disappointing because it tasted dry. We will try another sweet entree next time read more
8 months ago
Ordered Lou's for pickup. I showed up a bit early and it was ready but they toasted my English muffin fresh. I ordered the egg whites and ham meal which came with potatoes and a choice of bread. I added a pancake on the side. Total it came out to about $23 which is about standard for Chicago. The potatoes were tasty, sliced thin American style. Ham was a huge portion and egg whites were nice and fluffy. The pancake wasn't the best I've had, about ihop level. Overall, it's a decent spot for a quick breakfast. read more
Simply the best diner breakfast I have been to--A N All-Madden Sports lovers dream. Double yolked eggs with bacon , hash browns & Greek toast in a frying pan-the beat. Friendly Route 66 service served with a donut, orange slice and soft serve ice cream at the end cannot be beaten. The old school Chicago booths and counters give you a comfortable ambiance. Some high tech features like WiFi are needed. I love the Sinatra but a mix of new songs would be cool. read more
1 year ago
I thought I left a review the last time I was here. Second visit, a thousand more to come. I'm done eating but just sitting around basking in the staff's energy...these workers are extremely hospitable. Not sure what's better the food or the vibe. They are celebrating 100 years of business with a thousand more years to come! The pastries are mouth watering, extensive menu, all still so affordable. Parking is the only problem but this is pretty much downtown. read more
2 years ago
Virginia has worked there for 30 years A doll and made my birthday weekend extra special. I highly recommend read more
8 months ago
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The food is always delicious! The service is great! And...it's the starting point for Route 66! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
The hash browns were VERY undercooked, the sausages my friend ordered had a hair on them, and the eggs were fluffy with parts that were liquidy-the texture was very strange. The staff was polite but all very busy and hard to get help when we needed it for the hash browns and sausage. It was very busy inside but they get through people fairly quickly. read more
10 months ago
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5 years ago
Being out of town, I researched all the food places I could. Lou Mitchell's had great reviews and the food choices sounds delish. Boy was I right - This place was amazing! Environment: We caught an Uber as the parking is on street and pretty limited. We waited quite some time for a server. The gentlemen did get us started with drinks as we waited so that was a plus. We also had outside dining so it was very relaxing to get that city feel. Staff were nice - just Midwest and not Atlanta. Had to get use to that. I did feel rushed while ordering - I guess she wasn't use to people ordering multiple things to try. The Food: boom! Delicious! I tried the apple cheddar omelet; the pecan waffle and my cousin had the egg Benedict over English muffins. Each came with home made hash browns. And cranberry juice - it hit the spot. :) Would definitely revisit while in town read more
When I think of my perfect breakfast place - this one checks all the boxes. Diner feeling - older decor, open kitchen, counter seating as well as booths on the wall and side by side seating options. The food was great - I ordered a ham and cheese omelette and added a pancake to try. Though I usually like my home fry potatoes a little on the more cooked side to a crisp - this was great. The omelette wasn't just toppings stuff in between the egg fold - but mixed in the egg itself. Love that. The pancake was good - and their homemade maple syrup was so good I bought one for the road. Highly recommended I'll be back next Chicago trip. read more
1 year ago
The server we had was really nice and helpful. Very attentive. Bathrooms were clean and full of supplies. Food was incredible. Being from VT, the syrup they had wasn't half bad. read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
We had a very good experience here. We were seated quickly, food was served hot and came out quickly. I wish I had ordered an omelette because my daughter's looked really good. She ate the whole thing and she's 14. I had banana pancakes and they were really good. The coffee was nothing to write home about. I thought the price was decent. And we had plenty of time to walk to Willis Tower for our Skydeck reservation. read more
I got the corned beef hash, friends got eggs Benedict and an omelette. No complaints about the food at this OG institution. I like the unique sliced hash browns and that we all got 4 eggs instead of 2 eggs as stated on the menu. It was our first time but is that standard now? Service was good. Unrelated to covid but I don't like when too many tables are packed too closely together. read more
10/10 this is the best brunch spot. Truly a piece of history. It's as old school diner as it gets. You can't make a reservation so prepare to wait in line for a little. Food was amazing and portions are huge. Service was quick and friendly. Best brunch in town! read more
1 year ago
Food was excellent. Took my dad here before a cubs game. Walked from union station just a few minutes to this establishment. We both got omelettes which were very delicious. When you walk in it has a small town diner feel in the big city. There was a line but we were seated relatively quickly for as busy as it was. Pretty small place so don't be afraid to eat next to strangers. This will become a main stop from the train moving forward. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Truly so yummy and a classic for a reason! The lines are so worth it because once you're in the food is delicious and honestly such a great deal for the amount you're getting. Quick service and the perfect hometown diner ambiance. read more
2 years ago
If you are from Chicago or from out of town it's definitely a must try spot. It is a good family ambiance. This place has been around for a long time, the staff is very polite and they all move quickly. The food is so warm and delicious! We came for Father's Day and they were really busy but they did a great job! It gets packed quickly so make sure you come with extra time (worth the wait). I got an omelette but turned it into a skillet which was so good! The portions are big, so come hungry! We can't wait to be back! read more
More info about Lou Mitchell's
565 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60661
West Loop, Near West Side
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(312) 939-3111
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http://www.loumitchells.com
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Ask the Community - Lou Mitchell's
Are there vegan options?
I haven't been here in years, are they no longer giving out the little boxes of Milk Duds while you wait in line?
They are not.
Is the coffee and food at Lou Mitchell's always substandard?
My experience has always been top notch. No complaints!
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