I guess I can't rely on others for their reviews because this selection was not a good 1. I am in Hyde Park and wanted to try a new spot so this place fit the bill. Hmmmm... the exterior seemed nice. Specials visible on board. Upon entering a lady from way at the bar greeted me & said to sit at booth at window. Kinda far to greet someone. That was the 1st error. 3 minutes later an elderly lady appeared with menus and a thick Mexican accent. I had to ask her several times to repeat herself. She took drink order. The place had no music and i heard everyone's conversation. The server came back with drinks. I ordered food for me & husband. I ordered the Thursday special but had a question about what 2 ingredients can u add and she didn't understand me so she pointed at another omelette option. Of course confused by how long this was taking my husband finally understood her...she was pointing at the options on another omelette. What?? Instead of saying green peppers, onions, tomatoes she pointed, error 2. The place seemed clean, contemporary. The food arrived 8 minutes later. Something i could have done at home & wayyyyyyyyy better. Frozen then thawed then fried turkey sausage links, semi-lukewarm flavorless hash browns(O'Brien's frozen seasoned potatoes taste better), coffee was good though no flavored creamer. I saved the pancakes for take out. $30 for below average food & a server who didn't come back to refill my coffee or asked if hubby wanted more orange juice....I lost count of the errors by this point. We paid with owner at station and she didn't say hello, how was food, how are u, I hate u came in and wasted your $$$, nothing. U guess how many errors is that. Will I return??? Every restaurant in Chicago would have to close before I return. read more

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Love the owners and the chicken gumbo. A little place hubby and I like to frequent. Friendly and family oriented.

Nothing fancy but the dishes that are good are delicious. Rueben was delicious and fries just as good! Turkey club was yummy. Chicken Caesar wrap was an oil base dressing. Tasty but not what I was expecting. So much dressing challenging to eat. Staff was great and service was quick! read more

Salonica - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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nice little restaurant in Hyde park, we came on a Sunday for brunch, really enjoyed the moussaka, also liked the gyro plate, huge portions! the pancake is so so. read more

Eaten here multiple times for breakfast as it's one of few breakfast diner places in Hyde Park and have overall been disappointed. It's classic breakfast diner fare (I'm rating based on repeated orders of two eggs breakfast with bacon hash toast and coffee) that would normally be maybe $5-8 anywhere else going for almost $15 here with tip. The staff always seems super stressed and chaotic. The host was clearly very sick last time we were there, unmasked and openly coughing. Always very rushed. Bummer because Hyde Park needs a good breakfast place. Note that most of the good reviews are from out of towners who think they're having a good value "Chicago experience" lol read more

I actually went here for breakfast a few times with my girlfriend. This place is definitely a gem. This place feels very vintage and very family oriented. Alot of people come here and I can see why. The food and service is phenomenal. It's always packed here so it's good to plan ahead if you come here. The food takes a while none the less. They kind of try to rush you out of there too in a sense so the next customers can get in. read more

I ordered a breakfast sandwich off menu... literally toast eggs and bacon and was charged $8.00 dollars. Shame on me for not asking the cost. The unscrupulous act of price gouging wouldn't have been tolerated if John was still alive . The guy that is the cashier is a thief! read more

Nice, clean and great portions. This is the quintessential family diner. Got the omelette, which came with hash browns and choice of an English muffin. I definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a good meal to fill you up at a decent price. read more

If you see people sitting in this restaurant, do not be fooled. They are either high or are completely deficient of taste buds/brain cells. The food is similar to something Satan himself would enjoy. Perhaps one quality about this establishment that differs from hell is that it was some of the most undercooked and ice cold, clammy pieces of meal I have ever had the displeasure of ingesting. In fact I consider it an insult for anyone to call this stuff food. At the very least, the owner/manager apologized when I told them how disgusting it was. But really though? I ordered eggs and hashbrowns. How hard is that to mess up? Please, you kind, sweet, sweet soul reading this - save yourself - Follow the light - Go anywhere but here. Avoid. read more

Cute location and they have these cool booth thingies to sit in. The food was fast and decent. Omelette was a little bland but everything else was food. read more

This is a pretty basic diner. The service is always friendly. The food is diner quality, but it is ALWAYS consistent.

Absolutely terrible service. Called in an order and had to wait an additional 30 minutes for my food. Order taker forgot to put in my French toast order and neglected to hold himself accountable. After I inquired about a discount for my wasted time he proceeded to debate me on how his mistake was not in fact his mistake. Consequently, I was 20 minutes late to the hospital to return to my waiting and sick patient. Zero problem solving skills. Horrible customer service. Terrible communication. Food is ok. 2/10 my colleagues and I will not be returning. read more

This place was empty when we got here but felt like a cozy corner diner. Was looking to try a new place and was NOT disappointed. Going to come back again to try other things off the menu. read more

Salonica - Lentil Soup (Soup of the Day) - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We Love Salonica! All of the negative reviews are looking for something that this restaurant isn't and then getting mad when they're wrong. Come for the atmosphere of a real, working diner in historic Hyde Park and stay for the lemon egg soup (only available on weekends.) read more

Loved Salonica, will definitely be back. It has a great diner atmosphere and good customer service.

One of the few Hyde Park establishments that isn't mocked endlessly by the undergrad contingent (cough mellow yellow, cough orly's...you get the picture.) Brunch here is awesome - I've never been here for anything else, but I don't intend to try anything else for fear it might make me fall out of love with it. The skillets and omelettes here are great. Try the rice pudding if you're so inclined - it's worth it. and the prices are ridiculously reasonable, so there is no reason why you should try to pay in anything but cash. read more

Salonica is a solid neighborhood diner with reliable food and quick service. Frills are few, but the price is nice. The menu includes a full range of traditional Greek items as well as all-day breakfast (eggs, pancakes) and cafe fare such as sandwiches and soups. Nothing seems elaborate or expensive. A bread basket is served with the food. Seating is packed pretty close together, so it's not a place to tell secrets around the table. Clientele appears to be mostly neighborhood and U. of C. people -- students and professors. Service is efficient and no-nonsense. You won't feel rushed, but the staff knows you probably have a class to get to. read more

Salonica - Cup of vegetable soup comes with sandwich order (or the soup of the day) - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ordered the Mexican omelette and was satisfied with the quality. The service was good. The hash browns were good. Will go back again and try different dishes. The locale is in historic Hyde Park that adds to the enjoyment of dining. read more

Great option for breakfast before walking to the museum! We tried the Monte Cristo Sandwich and the Salonica (Greek) Omelet. Coffee was great. Service was super fast. Barely more than $20. Great choice. read more

Salonica - Monte Cristo Sandwich - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is one of our favorite diners. Especially for breakfast. Strongly recommend any omelette, especially the Salonica Omelette that has Gyro meat in it. The owner is incredibly friendly, and the service is quick. Give it a try. read more

We visited Salonica one morning before hitting up the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry; it's very conveniently located on the other side of the tracks. I was all set to give this four stars. The atmosphere was nice, the service was average, the food was good, it's a quaint little restaurant, the sort of thing I like. But then as they were clearing our table, it looked like they took some of the condiments they had served back to the kitchen. I can no longer remember if it was a plate with a lump of butter, or a bowl of syrup, but the kids had gotten pancakes. Both had come out with what I considered to be "excessive" extras. I think I allowed them to use part of one bowl of syrup between the two of them and had set the butter and another syrup off to the side. If you don't want to waste the syrup, I appreciate that, but why not put it in a syrup bottle? Why would you leave a bowl of it at a table, where a toddler might get his fingers into it, and then take it back to the kitchen to be served to someone else? read more

Salonica - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fast service, good, fresh food -- American breakfast and lunch traditional fare plus some Greek specialties. I particularly like the spanakopita and the French fries. Pleasantly friendly neighborhood atmosphere, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings. read more

Came here for dinner with a friend. Not much on the menu for vegetarians - fine. Then, at least do what you do have well. I ordered a grilled cheese special. So, it was meant to come with a whole lot of vegetables in it and a side of fries for $6.50. Seems reasonably priced and fair. But when it got 2 table, it was literally two slices of white bread you get from a supermarket with a slice of kraft cheese in between. No grilling of the bread, no melting of the cheese nothing. I asked the waitress where the vegetables was and she said that they come in all the sandwiches except the grilled cheese. So, I spent $6.50 on a sandwich and some fries I could've easily made at home for less than $0.40. Essentially, vegetarians beware. read more

Bad bad bad service! We went here on a slow Thursday afternoon for a dessert. We sat ourselves since there was no one to seat us, we were right across the service/Kitchen area and waitress after waitress walked past us straight up ignoring us! I called a waitress, and she looked at us with an attitude and kept walking as I was talking to her. She took forever to bring the dessert menu, a man came to us and asked "what do you want?" Throwing his arms in the air like he was so exasperated by us...this was our first interaction with him, so not sure what that was all about. The place was disorganized with dirty dishes all over the place with half eaten food etc...horrible service!! Rude as hell staff!! The "German chocolate cake" isn't really a german cake, but is nice. The carrot cake was nice too. I was craving something sweet enough to purchase from the horrible service place, but wouldn't go back to eat there. Horrible experience!!! read more

I enjoyed this cute quaint Mom & Pop Greek neighborhood restaurant. I literally did a yelp search for restaurants near me that served breakfast & I liked what I read so I figured let's try it out! I had the gyro omelet w/ hash browns, it was very yummy & the gyro sauce was homemade and the BOMB. I would ask for extra meat since I'm such a carnivore & overall I felt like it just needed more meat ;-). I also had the regular & crunchy french toast. Both were good, however the crunchy French toast that was a little greasy so I don't think I will order those again. I also had good hot chocolate w/ whipped cream........ All this for the bargain price of $15. My server was GREAT & on point. I will definitely be back for round 2! read more

Salonica - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is so quick. I went here for breakfast two weeks ago, and I had an appointment 35 minutes after we arrived. I could not believe that we waited for a table, ordered breakfast, received our food, ate it, and still had time left over. That has to be the fastest I've gotten food in a restaurant! I like the breakfast, the lunch, and the deserts here. I'm not crazy about their saganaki or pasticio (sp?), and I haven't had any of the other Greek food. read more

How come Chicagoans aren't fatter? All of the diners around here serve enough food to feed two grown man, and yet everyone I see is stick thin. Seriously?! Anyways, this place is great. The servers are nice, and the food gets prepared pretty quickly. They have an awesome BBQ chicken, with some of the best, charred skin I've ever had. They also have this one special (forgot the name and can't find it on the menu), that was basically like a Mediterranean burrito. The platter had this delicious beef/potato stew in a delightfully spicy sauce, brown rice, refried beans, lettuce leaves, avocado and sour cream. They also served it with thin, wheat wraps to combine everything together. It was a lot of food, but I was taught to never waste food, so I manned up and ate everything. My delicious meal was only like $13, which is quite a bargain imo. Do check this place out fo sho. read more

Salonica - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can't believe I've lived a few blocks away from Salonica for four years and have only just tried it out- it's now one of my favorite breakfast places in Hyde Park! I came here for breakfast and was very excited to try the golden waffle with strawberries and was not disappointed! Now, I'm a simple girl and some might say I'm too easily impressed... but dang- I've had dreams about this waffle now. I wouldn't say there are any special ingredients or interesting flavors or anything, it's just GOOD. Like, really good. With a side of hash browns and a cup of coffee, you can't go wrong with breakfast here! read more

Salonica - Golden waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Amazing! - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Salonica is a great place for a solid diner breakfast. You get coffee before you have to ask for it, and Cholula hot sauce is already on the table. Good hashbrowns, eggs, sausage. read more

My favorite breakfast-brunch spot so far on the South Side. Clean and cozy, just like some said earlier, is the perfect description. Friendly staff that doesn't rush you, even though it's usually pretty busy with a lot of people eyeing you down for your seat. After the breakfast rush, it's a great lazy place to get some work done if you're in the area and need a seat. read more

If paying $14.75 for a tuna salad sandwich you could've made at home and a cup of reheated soup sounds like a nice way to spend your weekend morning, head on down to Salonica! I am updating my review because, in the last few years, quality control at this formerly favorite diner of mine seems to have decreased while prices have done the reverse. The customer service has become particularly inattentive, if not outright surly: I've been asked to wait half an hour for my meal only to be told to leave as soon as our checks came; been told that splitting a bill 50-50 is simply not possible; and had my order forgotten multiple times. These bad experiences, combined with the middling and tiny-portioned food, have made me look elsewhere for brunch or lunch: either down the street (and for the same price point!) at the now-friendlier Med; at Daley's, where the portions are far more generous; at Roux, where you can dine in style; or at Valois, where you can get a full hot meal for $7 cash, just like in the old days. Salonica, friends: I want to love you, but you need to step up your game! read more

Sub par I was visiting from Texas I wanted something for breakfast in Hyde Park the reviews sounded promising but the food wasn't that great the French fries were the best thing I wanted the cheese cooked into my eggs and they said they couldn't which was odd to me and mad me think they probably use box eggs overall I'd never go back food was basic atmosphere ehh read more

This place is dirt cheap. I mean, I feel like I ordered everything on the menu and the total was somehow only $26. I would definitely say it's a great value. That is if you like anything you actually ordered. I can't complain about the service and the length of time it took for the food to come out but I just wasn't feeling the food. Don't get me wrong, I ate it. It wasn't horrible or disgusting but it also wasn't good. It was all just bland, which is weird, because I don't ever put salt in my food, especially not my eggs, but I was reaching for the salt shaker every couple of minutes here. Hash browns were not crispy at all, very soggy, but were decent after I drenched them in ketchup. Actually, I pretty much drenched everything in ketchup and salt and thought the food was okay this way. I hate putting sauces or added salts on anything but the food was just too devoid of flavor. read more

Salonica - Pancakes, French toast, bacon, eggs, hash browns, & regular toast. - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Let me start with a cliche: Salonica is like a big, old sweater. It's not the best quality, but it makes you feel comfy and warm and so you wear it again and again and again. Okay, enough of that. I get the same thing pretty much every damn time: the broccoli and pepper cheese omelet. Sometimes I'll get the spanakopita if it's later in the day, or the French toast, which is the best in Hyde Park and one of their best breakfast items. I think they have great coffee and they give fresh cream, rather than those little single serve packet things, which I really appreciate. I harp on these things cause I love to go here to do my work, chill, chat with the staff, and have a cheap, hearty meal. Their service is the best--friendly, attentive, and SUPER quick. Best items I've had: French toast, egg lemon soup, omelets. Definitely a Hyde Park staple and a place near and dear to my heart! 5 stars in that regard : ) read more

Salonica - Breakfast at Salonica - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love this little diner. My family and I come here at least once a week. Great breakfast food and great service.

This place has an old feel to it. The customers are regulars here. It has a comfortable family feel to it. The decor is, I'm guessing, from the 60s. Like the diner in Pulp Fiction. The music is low so I can actually use my inside voice. The restaurant is neat and clean. Everything is in place. The staff are pleasant and not always in your face but just enough. The food was delicious. I had every intention on snapping a picture of my plate but I just wanted to taste it first. Then I forgot all about the picture until it was to late. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely return here in the future. read more

Salonica - I had every intention on snapping a picture of my plate of food but I wanted to taste it first... And then I forgot all about the picture. - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome breakfast specials. I orders pepper jack omelette with turkey sausage and hash browns. Food came out really fast! Really nice early morning breakfast tempo. Perfect early morning spot for coffee, food and a newspaper. read more

Salonica - Leather booths. - Diners Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After an hours-long visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, we popped in for a very late lunch at Salonica after noting its proximity and decent Yelp ratings. According to Salonica's website, the diner opened in 1979, and the decor looks like it hasn't been updated since then. Mind you, I think that's a good thing: This is a joint with plenty of old-time Greek-diner atmosphere, and it promised hearty good food to come. The food we ordered was a mixed bag, though. My brother-in-law ordered a basic gyro-and-fries plate, which in retrospect looks like the way to go at Salonica. The gyro itself was generously stuffed with gyro meat and other fixings, and the handcut fries were solid (I tried some of those). But the food my wife and I ordered wasn't so great: I got a chicken kebab platter, which didn't seem like kebab at all but just haphazardly chopped-up, underseasoned grilled chicken breast sauteed with onions and peppers; the smaller pieces were dried out pretty badly. The wife got a big Greek salad, which seemed to have far more iceberg than romaine lettuce. She wasn't too thrilled about it. Salonica does have a gigantic and varied menu, so it's possible there are some gems interspersed throughout it. Our server was very pleasant and competent but the fella up front at the register, probably an owner, was almost comically sullen. But even in this Big City of Almost Impossibly Nice People, I figure that an experience at an urban diner like Salonica wouldn't be complete without such a character. For me, Salonica falls somewhere between 3.25 and 3.5 stars. read more

One of the most affordable Greek restaurants I've eaten in. $20 should get you a bowl of soup, a bread basket, an entree and a slice of pie a la mode, AND includes the tip. Great food, ample service and just steps from Powell's--my favorite bookstore. It's close enough to the Museum of Science & Industry that I'm going to make this my post-museum nosh whenever I visit. read more

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I grew up going to Salonica and I have very fond memories of the ambiance and the food. They offer a typical diner menu with a Greek influence. The avgolemono soup is very good as is the moussaka. They serve breakfast all day and the OJ is fresh. It's usually busy but the service is quick. Today we ordered moussaka and a Gyro plate. The Gyro meat was cold by the time we got it. I suspect they waited for the moussaka to come out of the oven so they could serve both meals at the same time. Overall a nice, reliable diner meal spot. read more