This place is such a staple for the northshore area & if you haven't gone then make your way over & order yourself a Loretta sandwich!! You literally walk in and it's like you're in a time capsule filled with kitschy nostalgic feels...Don't be intimidated by the small space when you walk in either there's more room in back, we went this morning & found a table for 4 right away without any issues, we've also in the past ordered our food to-go (I would recommend having it fresh and right away it doesn't exactly travel well). Also with how busy it was we were literally shocked how quickly the food came out! So let's get down to the food! My husband ordered your classic breakfast of eggs, hasbrowns, pancakes & he said AND I quote "these are some of the best & fluffiest pancakes I've ever had" this is a huge compliment coming from him! My littlest yelper also got a side of pancakes which came with 2 huge pancakes that he devoured! I had to get the bacon Loretta with a fried egg & oh my gosh was it good! The bread wasn't soggy, the veggies were cooked just enough to where they still had a little crisp to them, the bacon was perfect, the cheese so so good! Literally the best breakfast sandwich you can get in the area! I would just say that you need to get there before or after a morning rush to get a table or if it's nice out you'll be able to enjoy their patio seating outside for sure! If you guys are looking for a solid breakfast joint Sarkis wont disappoint!! read more

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This is one of my FAVORITE places to go to when I'm around the Evanston area. My friends introduced me to the bacon lorettas which are the most amazing thing ever, & I have been obsessed ever since. The cheesy hash is also amazing. The service is always very fast paced & kind. It's a small place but it has such happy, good vibes every time. Also great to go to the morning after drinking haha. Would definitely recommend to anyone around the area. Only downside is that you can only pay with cash, but there is an ATM inside (but charges you to withdrawal money). read more

Sarkis Cafe - bacon loretta & cheesy hash - Diners Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This place seems to be going downhill and I'm not sure why. The food really is great (as great as breakfast food can be), but last time I was here with my friend they brought all of her food and forgot my order (not sure how if it's on the same ticket???). I came here today with my boyfriend and I am not even exaggerating when I say we waited one whole hour for 2 Loretta's, 1 hash brown, and 1 pancake. Countless tables around us (including a large party of 4 adults and 4 kids) had their entire meals before us. The couple next to us only waited 15 minutes for their food. When they brought our food, I asked for the condiments (hot sauce, ketchup, syrup) and they only brought the syrup. I had to get up for my own drink refills and condiments. Idk it was just so annoying how could they be that oblivious to their own poor service? Come here for good food but tread lightly if you're in a hurry. Make sure you carve an hour out of your day before clocking in here to do their work for them. read more

Great food anytime of the day. I could probably have breakfast, lunch, and dinner here without getting sick of the food. I usually get the disaster w/ hash. A spiced ground beef patty between crusty bread with onions, tomatoes, and green pepper. They are always busy cooking up orders and always have a huge mound of hashbrowns warming on the grill. Delicious food and a bargain. read more

Came here a few weeks ago. This place was packed but we were able to find a place to sit after waiting about 10 minutes on a Saturday morning. The good: My omelette. That's pretty much it. The bad: The service was horrendous. I get it this place is really busy, but we didn't even get drinks while we were there. Our waitress told us she would grab us drinks momentarily..we were there about 45 minutes and water never came. My fiancé ordered coffee and that never came. I also ordered a side of the cheesy hash browns, which I was really excited to try and those never came. We tried to flag down our waitress to ask for my our missing drinks/food and she turned around when we called her and then proceed to turn back around and walk away. read more

Oh man, this brings back memories. One extra star for the throwback. I used to come here after cross country practice and wolf down the omelettes. Coming close in tastiness to the omelettes are the famous Lorettas. Whichever meat you get with it, ask for an egg and friend jalepenos on top. DELISH. My one critique is I was never a fan of the hasbrowns, not enough crisp. Still this place is a classic, great bang for your buck, FAST, an tasty. What more could you ask for? read more

Personally I think I am too old to find this place groovy. I like eggs but I like them cooked. Been here a few times and I find the food disgusting. The eggs look Like runny buggers and are inedible. I'd rather go to ihop which is lousy but better than this read more

This is an ideal spot to feed a hangover. If you punished your body with booze last night, stop by the patio for some consolation comfort food to pollute your system a little more. The potatoes, spicy with cheese, were pretty decent. My turkey sandwich however was not. I swear the Mtn Dew was Mello Yello. These are NOT interchangeable. I docked one star for this alone. Service was fine. The building is not impressive. I sat on the covered patio at a picnic table. It was fine, but the place could be significantly better with just a little effort. In Evanston and looking for a spot to grab a bite? I hope this review helps your decision. If I read this, it would definitely answer my concerns. read more

Sarkis is most certainly a hole in the wall restaurant. It WILL be packed with high school students buuut as someone who used to be that high school student that went here almost every Saturday with friends, it just comes with the territory lol Hands down, bacon Loretta, cheesy hash, and drink of your choice is the way to go. You will leave feeling full. My only issue with the place is while hole in the walls are great this place seriously needs to expand. It's a mad house every time. If you're looking for a fancy brunch spot this is not the place to go. If you're look for good food, this is the place. read more

Just noticed that Sarkis only has 3.5 stars.... Been going here for years. One of the best breakfast / lunch spots in the area. I always get a Bacon Loretta with a Special Hash. read more

Let me just start by saying I'm into my thirties and the limit does not exist when it comes to curing my hangover. My boyfriend has been hyping this place up for weeks and I finally had the opportunity to give my stamp of approval. When I tell you the Loretta sandwich with bacon and a side of hash browns cured me I mean I was reborn. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this breakfast experience gave me new life. As a self Proclaimed coffee snob and caffeine addict, the cinnamon sprinkle house coffee blew me away. It was the perfect flavor and gave me an extra pep in my step. RUN, I repeat, RUN to Sarkis and order yourself a legendary breakfast sandwich and hash brown that will have you scheduling your next visit before your meal is over. read more

Ok at best, for the lazy and bad cooks to use as a option, seems to be a hangover crowd hangout - primarily college age costumers. Very busy and hard to get service... Go very early and sit at the counter if you must go. read more

Yah yah yah I know everyone loves this place and it's a supposed icon etc but I just don't get it. The food is nasty and greasy and I just don't get the appeal of the atmosphere either. I can enjoy a greasy spoon, a diner and a joint type of place with the best of them but this isn't one that falls in any of those categories for me. I remember going here as a kid and hated it then and my opinion hasn't changed. If you are a lover of grease stick ur head in a deep fryer OR just eat here you will feel equal satisfaction with your results. read more

This is one of my favorite places to get brunch. The food is delicious and addictive. I LOVE the pancakes. The crowd is friendly and young, mainly college students and they only take cash. I still recommend this place because the food is good and it's a fun place to go with friends. read more

Hometown favorite! If you haven't been, you need to try it. It's not a instagramable culinary experience but it sure is delicious. The Loretta is great. Pro Tip: Add egg to your Loretta! read more

This place is way too stuffy and crowded. I got chocolate chip pancakes which were good but they taste like any regular chocolate chip pancakes. Never tried the popular sandwiches but my bf has and he likes them. The servers are a bunch of high school girls so the service isn't good and I felt rushed. read more

I must have driven by a hundred times, perhaps more. And today my husband and I decided to try Sarki's. What's a pleasant surprise! The food is very good. The little trellised patio is very nice on a warm sunny day and the place has a good, local vibe to it. We both really enjoyed our omelettes. The English muffins were also stand out out as were the hash browns. How did we not realize this little spot was so nice? We'll be back again soon for sure. read more

Best breakfast in town. Great atmosphere to relax and enjoy a ham Loretta and a cup of coffee with friends.

Went here with coworkers and it was amazing! We all ordered Bacon Loretta with hashbrowns and it was the perfect comfort food for lunch! The hashbrowns are the best though. Cheesy hashbrowns was soo good, it was the right kind of crispy and salty plus the cheese on top qas the perfect gooey. I would definitely come back and try all of the other options, especially the pancakes with M&M's... plus they have a special hashbrowns which is with cheese, egg, and veggies... ugh sounds so good right now. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because it is cash only, which I hate because I never carry cash. Plus, it was like a hole-in-a wall kind of place, very tiny and cramp. Lastly, their nusic was more club music.. which is very odd for the place. But besides that it was a place to come back too! read more

North shore classic. Bacon Loretta's. If your in the mood for sweet try the single white chocolate chip pancakes.

We stopped here while waiting for an oil change. Such a good find in this area, good food with reasonable prices and large portions. You cannot do better for breakfast keeping in mind the above attributes considering the area. The diner is nothing fancy but note the word DINER! It maintains the tradition of small, simple, and wholesome American diners. The staff was quick and friendly with excellent food. Recommend seating yourself and ordering at the register for the quickest service. Sarkis gets very busy on the weekends starting around 8-9ish. read more

Long wait times. But for me, it's worth the wait! I order the Loretta or disaster. That Armenian sausage is .. always a treat to get breakfast from here.. last time I came and found out there's a park nearby so instead of pouting like I see many people waiting do, I took a nice stroll to the park.. oh yea. CASH ONLY read more

Very good food. We heard about this place for a while but just tried for the first time. It is surprisingly great! I especially like the Brandon's Grilled Cheese sandwich. It is not the normal grilled cheese you would see at most places. It is sweet, salty, cheesy and toasty at the same time, very sophisticated. read more

The original owner passed away and the place is run by new owners. Went there for an omelette for a visit with a few friends. We ALL got sick after we ate. The food was prepared poorly and the quality was horrific..unless you like soggy, greasy potatoes service in a styrofoam box with a scrambled egg mess on top of it. Honestly, the worst meal I've ever had going anywhere in my entire life. Rest In Peace, Sarkis. read more

The best Breakfast/Brunch ever. Every time we order from here, it's always the best quality and fresh.

No no no no no no no no no. This is an example of Yelp gone wrong. A 4.5 star average rating?! I left here feeling so cheated. I hate when internet persona's lie to me. First of all, the food is nothing special. Omelets, egg sandwiches, bacon, hash browns, etc etc. The special grilled cheese with fried egg and bacon was far too salty. The special omelet was filled with veggies (good) but lacked fluffiness (bad) -- it was essentially a veggie egg pancake type thing. Not too exciting. Second of all, besides water, they have no unsweetened drinks here. The iced tea is Brisk in a can, which is gross and full of evil syrups. All that is fine. I can handle mediocre food and will happily drink water instead of sodas. The environment though? I have never wanted to leave a place so badly in my life. They should call this place "Sarkis Hut w/ a side of high school sausage". Cramped with very little seating. Uncomfortably loud -- sounds coming from all around. FILLED with high school kids, as in, I had to squeeze through teenagers to get out of here. It is difficult to order* -- I've been to places smaller than this where they at least have a counter at which people form a line to order there food. It is even more difficult to pay for your meal. * There is 1 man taking orders/bussing/taking cash/running around like a mad man and 3 people working the kitchen. They deserve a star all for themselves. I just don't get it. I don't care how cheap food is. I will not fork over a cent for any place that makes so uncomfortable. Maybe all these rave reviews are from people who went to high school nearby years ago? But you know what? I've gone back to plenty of places that I loved in high school as an adult and realized that I was only enamored by them due to my young tastes and small wallet. So, unless you want to come for the nostalgia factor, I suggest other people stay away. Please don't make the mistake that I did - but if you do, don't forget to write your review! read more

Just not the same since Sarkis left. I used to literally live in this place during high school and summers during college. Even after I moved to the city after college, I would find ways to get up north for a Loretta. Those were the days. Sark knew my name, knew my order, and the food was consistently good. When I'd finish off my hash browns, Sark would dump a fresh serving onto my plate just to make sure I got my moneys worth. It wasnt the cleanest restaurant in the world but as far as diners like that go it was pretty average on the cleanliness scale. That all changed when it was sold. The new place sucks. The food is inconsistent, the owner is a tool, and the restaurant is absolutely filthy. The wait staff? I've seen cleaner looking kids at a Phish show. Does the Evanston Department of Health not know that this place exists? There are literally stacks of plates with 1/2 eaten food everywhere and food all over the floor. The quality of ingredients has gone down and prices have gone up. The place doesn't deserve to continue to use the Sarkis name. read more

Sarkis Cafe is really a tale of two restaurants, the one it used to be when Sarkis Tashjian owned it and the one it is today. In the day, you went to Sarkis Cafe not so much for the food, but to observe the antics of its flamboyant, wacky, namesake owner, Sarkis Tashjian. It was Participation Theater at its finest. Sarkis was the star and you were a bit player in his production. The food was just a prop. I don't think anybody really thought the food was much more than that, but it was cheap and filling. It was your ticket to become part of the show. Most importantly, eating at Sarkis Cafe was fun! I can almost guarantee, that were it not for Sarkis Tashjian and his almost cult following, the cafe would be only a distant memory today. The day Sarkis left, nearly 10 years ago, is the day the theater went dark. All that was left were the greasy props, the old scripts and a semblance of the original theater. Today, I think Sarkis Cafe lives on mainly due to its nostalgic past. I can't think of any other reason why it's so popular. It's crowded to the point of being claustrophobic, the food is greasy beyond reason (cheese, sausage and bacon are good, but come-on) and the help can at times be indifferent. The theater is long gone as is the atmosphere and soul of the place. I'm sure the new Sarkis Cafe meets all of the health, safety and fire codes and it looks a lot cleaner, but it's not the same. It reminds me of a tiny theme restaurant trying to imitate the original. It never works. The only thing that remains of the Sarkis Cafe today is the name. Yes, the menu remains largely unchanged from the original, but it wasn't that great to begin with. To be fair, the quality of the ingredients appears to be good and the menu does contain a few tasty, if not heart healthy, items. You certainly won't go away hungry. Bottom line, with the site of Sarkis pitching eggshells over his shoulder into the wastebasket behind him, the greasy handshakes and sloppy kisses a distant memory (not sure anyone misses that memory), I'm not convinced Sarkis Cafe has much to offer today. Unless of course, you want to go back just one more time and remember what life was like back when. Note: If you're over 50, you might want to take a baby aspirin before you go! :-) read more

This is the most over rated restaurant that I've ever been to after reading Yelp. Honestly, if you are not a 15 year old boy, this place isn't for you. It is tiny and absolutely packed with high school kids. The food is no saving grace either, completely bland. The second star is not for any merit in the restaurant, but because the 4 guys running it are working amazingly hard to keep up with the crowd. I'm completely confused as to why so many people would choose to eat here with all of the decent restaurants in the area. This is the "Red Line on Cubs Game Days" of diners. Hot, crowded, and nothing short of terrible. read more

DEEESGUSTING. I too wish you could leave 0 stars. From the moment we walked up to the joint I heard a little voice telling me to turn around - I should've listened. Service was slow and our orders were mixed up. I could've spent an hour on a salt lick and gotten the same effect. Totally bland food that was way over salted. Gross. After we asked for our check, our waiter returned to give us a verbal "$38". Seemingly more than expected, we asked for an actual check. 15 minutes later, he returns with our order scratched out on a piece of scrap paper with $38 circled - no breakdown. After going thru it cross referencing the menu and adding everything up, it turned out to be the correct, way overpriced amount. But really? I could go on but I need to get my stomach pumped now. read more

After passing ownership 3 times, and failing health inspections well over 50 times, Sarkis is still a solid hangover breakfast spot. I have been here way too many times, under the influence of many substances and at all different times of the day. Originally this was a trucker spot for people wheeling through, they were open late and every menu item came with a beer. Somehow, they have been adopted as the diner of choice by the Abercrombie, 13-19 contingent living in the surrounding suburbs. Not even in the same stratosphere as Bongo Room, this one is nestled closer to Hollywood Grill as far as quality. This is quick and dirty fast breakfast food. I recommend: Bacon Loretta Disaster Sausage Veggie Omlette Not eating here sober. If you awake to find yourself in a strange part of Evanston and do not feel like dealing with the judging eyes of the le peep crowd, head over to this spot. Where the cooks are so tired of dealing with multiple generations of spoiled white kids, that if you order in Spanish, they will give you a shot of tequila. read more

Little pricey for what it is, but it always tastes good and the service is solid. Fun atmosphere, though it can get a little busy on the weekends. read more

I wish I could give this zero stars. The food is like any other so-so breakfast joint, nothing special. But the ambiance negates any positives the food had. Cramped, dirty, gross, smelly... I couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. It literally smelled like somebody pooped in there. Another North Shore hype that's simply not worth it. read more

Sarki's is a long time north shore fixture, they are famous for their omelettes. They have off street parking. I rated it as good for groups, this is true as long as your group is no larger than 4. Seating is limited. There can be a wait around brunch time on the weekends, as the north shore hipster/college crowd awakens and descends like a swarm of hungover locusts on this location. If you are not into being surrounded by teens and twenty-somethings, arrive before 9 am, as they are not awake yet. Good coffee. read more

Ok people here's the deal, know what you're getting into. This place is not fancy, there are many unwritten rules and you must learn as you go... Just Relax, have a coffee, and don't knock it based on you're first impression. When I haven't haven't been in a while I get: Combo bacon/turkey loretta with an egg and special hash. Never disappoints! Bottom Line: Know what you're getting into. It will be loud, there will be a ton of youthful faces, you will need cash, you might need to be patient, go with someone who has been before. If you go with an open mind you will love the experience. read more

Well, let me start by saying that this place is nothing short of a dive. That was my first impression of this place when first eating here when I was little. Indeed, Sarkis was and still is a dirty establishment that has been closed various times in the past due to health violations. But even then, I still loved the original Sarkis Tashijan and his friendliness, just as much as I did his greasy grub that apparently cures hangovers. But Sarkis himself is mostly a thing of the past that most reviewers probably don't remember. Sarkis Cafe has been under a newer and less friendly management for several years now (you can even catch the current owner shouting expletives on busier days). But don't worry, the quality of the food (and lack of cleanliness) hasn't changed at all. Sarkis has several common breakfast items on their menu, but the real draw here is the "loretta" sandwiches here. My personal favorite item though, is a disaster sandwich with hash browns (note: a "distaster" is really a sausage patty that honors Sarkis' Armenian heritage). The disaster itself has consistently been terrific, but the hash browns are occasionally cooked a bit unevenly. If you plan on coming here on the weekends, be sure to get here early, as the place is usually packed full of hungover teenagers by 11:00 am or so. read more

you go here to be local... or to feel old :) no the food isn't incredible. the service is honest, the diners are either high schoolers or reminiscers and the place is kind of dumpy with a hint of nostalgia. the french bread (vs. diner toast) is what you go for if you're too lazy to pick it up at the local "jewels". or, dine here if you really really like diced green peppers. read more

Food is excellent. And cheap. I love the Loretta in all its glorius forms ... and cheesy hash browns on the side. Delish. However, the atmosphere absolutely sucks on the weekend when the place is overrun with local high schoolers. But that hasn't stopped me from going when I'm in the area. I can understand why some reviewers may not be "thrilled" by the menu but there's more than food here: it enjoys a cult following, Sarkis is a local legend and its definitely a North Shore institution. It's about the experience. read more

My Bacon and Cheese Omlette was decent, but the potatoes were undercooked. The coffee has chicory in it, which makes it somewhat interesting. The outdoor seating earns them an extra star, but otherwise this is a two star experience. Patty's diner is a much better choice. read more

Been by this place a lot and it's always been packed. Always. Now I know why, but what I don't understand is why people continue to go here. We got seated relatively quickly and then the waiting began. Our order wasn't taken until after the group of four, who sat down immediately AFTER us, got their food. Why we didn't leave at this point, I'm not really sure. But we were hungry and people kept on coming in so clearly the food must be amazing. About an hour after we arrived, we finally left... Without having eaten ANYTHING because we NEVER GOT SERVED ANY FOOD. Our waiter didn't even look our way until after the group of four who came in AFTER us had eaten AND paid. Then he looked at me (my husband and daughter went to the bathroom) and, I kid you not, asked if I was ready for the bill. I looked at him to make sure he was being serious--and he was--and said, "Bill? Um, we haven't even gotten our food!" And then I let out a loud laugh because, well, I was beyond flabbergasted and didn't really know how else to react. He looked at the table to see that, golly gee, there sat no remnants of food. He didn't say another word, not even to apologize, but quickly scattered away into the shack. Other customers started looking at me as I continued to sit there laughing all alone while they all stuffed their faces full of food. Finally my husband and daughter returned and I loudly told him what he missed as I continued to laugh. We left and my 4 year-old daughter was so confused: "But I'm starving and didn't get to eat!" Ha, I'm still laughing at the absurdity of it all. "Is this real life?" read more