If you eat here, you might not get your credit card back. I paid by credit card today, and the hostess gave my card back to another table, who walked out with it. And, no one told us what had happened until I walked up to the hostess stand to find out. And, the food was just so-so. Can't recommend anything at all about this place. read more

I like this location more than the Taylor one since it's bigger, more comfortable, and less busy. Overall this is a decent breakfast spot in the neighborhood. I have been here (and will continue to) several times. I thought this was a chain when I saw it in the area, but just realized it's a family business when I saw it on the dine out magazine. Service: 5 Food: 3.5 Atmosphere: 5 Love: pancakes and waffles! Would not recommend the prosciutto avocado Benedict (I think someone else mentioned it in the review also). The prosciutto is very salty and the English muffin was hard as a rock. Improvements: I wish there was an alternative or substitute for the house potatoes read more

Free refills on the hot coffee, and the best French toast. I love bringing ppl here when they visit from out of town.

If you want breakfast that's affordable, delicious, trendy but tradition at the same time; look no further. We came in with my in-laws, who are picky eaters, and a child... and there was something on the menu for everyone. Very big menu so you will be doing a lot of reading and scrolling but it's broken down super easy. We ordered: -Healthy Start Pancakes (for the table, VERY DELICIOUS) -poached egg sourdou (for the picky eater, loved it) -kids Mac and cheese (as an adult, I would order this too) -Fried Chicken Sandwich (very good French fries!) -Chorizo Egg Tacos -Lumberjack Skillet (came with pancakes, also great) The place itself looks fantastic, you can tell there was a lot of effort into detail. Their space is pretty big so if you are worried about Covid restrictions, this cafe/restaurant does a good job. They have sanitation everywhere. The only thing my partner pointed out was their sauce station. I saw some servers not wipe down hot sauce after picking it up from another table, or their ketchups pumped out in the open and leftovers left for other servers to pick up. Besides the delicious food, our service was the best part. Christine took her time to walk us through the menu, answering everything for us. Very sweet person. She asked about our dietary restrictions and what we were looking for...we ended up ordering every single thing she recommended and not one dish failed to impressed us. When it comes to recommending dishes, I wish other place would be as friendly and patience as she was. Will be coming back soon, but next time I'm bring friends who will help me drink their cocktails! read more

This was sooooooo yummy!!!!!!! It was a lot of food. Neither of us finished but it was very very good. I got the cinnamon roll waffles SO GOOD!!! Boyfriend got the Nutella and berry crepes which he liked a lot. read more

Stax Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Whatever you're doing, just stop and come in!!! This place is absolutely worth it. The food is AMAZING. This was my family first time in Chicago and I couldn't have a better welcome than the amazing food and great staff. Don't even get me started with the owner!!! She was so sweet, suggested what to order, and came and checked on us. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ORDER THE CINNAMON ROLL WAFFLES! Absolutely to die for!!! The food was so amazing we came back the second day! Besides the amazing food, they follow COVID regulations and I definitely felt safe. I can't wait to come again! Definitely will visit again and come here!! read more

Stax Cafe - Cinnamon roll waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was slammed for the Memorial Day holiday weekend but all of the servers were doing a great job keeping up! Really great food and positive attitudes from everyone. Props to the kitchen, managers & hostesses as well! read more

My husband came here with some friends and was excited for me to try. I was impressed that this restaurant was Michelin recommended on their menu. Felt whatever I ordered would be good with a set up like that. I was hungry so I ordered the Lumberjack Skillet. The meat to potato ratio was way off. When you think of a Lumberjack Skillet, you expect hearty pieces of meat and potato topped with fluffy eggs and gooey cheese. Well this ended up being 85% potato, 8% hard scrambled eggs and 7% meat. It was literally tiny shavings of sausage and ham and tiny diced pieces of bacon. Needless to say I didn't taste any meat. The cheese they chose wasn't a good melt cheese, It was hard and over cooked. Pancakes weren't bad. I'm willing to give them another try and order something else since my husband was initially impressed. Hopefully I'll have a better experience and update next time. For now I'll stick with 2 stars. read more

Dog friendly breakfast place. Food was okay. The workers were awesome: attentive and warm. read more

Stax Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Their food is really different and tasty! You should try their mini egg sandwiches! Amazing!! The service is also great!! Highly recommended

Great menu options, generous portions and always friendly! One of my go-to neighborhood brunch spots

This place has gone downhill fast. The first time we came, I had commented how nice the atmosphere was & that the tables were spread out and you weren't on top of each other... not anymore. They added more tables. We were barely able to squeeze into our table and were right on top of the 4 top next to us. Here is a current summary: Pro: Our server was friendly for the brief time we stayed. Cons: You can't request anything different than exactly how it is on the menu. For example, the Monte Cristo sandwich comes with an over easy egg. They won't cook it a few seconds longer so it is over medium if you don't like runny eggs. Also, they won't divide up your order of toast to receive one slice of white & one of wheat. They will only give you both slices with the same type of bread. When we asked the manager about it, she wasn't even polite about it. There is no reason to be nasty. For that reason, we only had (finished) our coffee, then left. Needless to say, we won't be back. I am being rather generous with the 2 stars. read more

Delicious! Excellent service and food. Well worth the wait. We got a little bit of everything from the menu and everything hit. Will definitely be trying this place again. read more

We moved around the corner and have wandered over for breakfast, lunch or brunch and every time they rise to the occasion. Stax has breakfast dialed in perfectly....chilaquiles, skillets, omelettes, pancakes, french toast, etc are all exceptional. Fresh squeezed juices are a highlight ....especially when feathering in a breakfast cocktail. Lunch sandwiches and salads are wonderful , as well. The owners (Spiro and Heather) and their staff go above and beyond to make it fun....yum. read more

Was really excited to eat here. Love their Instagram pics. The new location on Milwaukee is nice and open. Patio seating also available. Host and servers left something to be desired as far as customer service and being attentive. They were nice, but kept missing the mark on service and memory. Had a Bellini. Ok. Nothing great. Omelette breakfast with potatoes and pancakes Pancakes were delicious. Tasted like batter was mixed with honey - cakes were light and fluffy. Omelette had no flavor. Feta cheese was cooked inside (big NO for me. Shows lack of chef skills and knowledge with Ingredients) Potatoes also had no spices/ flavor and served with huge chucks of onions and bell peppers Ingredients/flavors need improvement. Price is high for quality of food, but side pancakes and quantity of food is a little more than average Not sure if I'll return. Nothing special that impressed me enough to come back for the food. Sad the review couldn't be better. I was so excited to finally have brunch here. Oh well read more

I returned here with a friend and love their pancakes! I'm only adding to my old review to say that their sriracha egg sandwich is amazing and you all should try it--so good!! read more

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Great place. I order to go and have eaten in. The oatmeal nana pancake is amazing. My littles love the little waffles. This place is so great try the sandwiches and burritos they are fire!!!!!! Such a great place. read more

This was one of the best breakfast places I've ever been to. The variety is huge, from healthy to savory to sweet. You can literally get a little bit of everything. Just absolute joy and foodie heaven! The owner came out to say hello as well. I can't wait to go back! Cheers read more

Stax Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot with ample lighting, a clean and bright exterior, and the cutest backyard patio in River West! I went on the soft opening day and got a tall glass of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and beef brisket eggs Benedict. Nice portion and fair prices for the neighborhood ($13.50 and $6.50 for the juice)! The brisket was a tad dry but it actually complemented the Hollandaise and poached eggs and potatoes nicely. Plus, I had the best service from the waiter Nick! He was fast, extremely polite, and brought out Cholula and ketchup without me asking ! Will be back again with friends and family. read more

Stax Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Loved this place! Stumbled upon it when looking for a place on my way home. No wait even though I would have expected one at a place this good. I got a MYO omelette that was cooked exactly how I asked and they even substituted the potatoes for fruit. My boyfriend loved his Chorizo omelette too. The best is the option to choose mini pancakes or mini waffles instead of toast. read more

Meh. While I am super excited to have another option in River West, this place is not exactly up to Yolk quality, or really anything special. I got the meat lover omelette. It was, well, small. Much smaller than a portion I would expect. Looking around, it doesn't seem like all portions are small, but the omelette is not anything to write home about. It was a bit over salted. The place itself was pretty packed, and while they've maximized the seating area, it was done at the expense of being cozy. I was seated in one of those family style configurations when I had people on both sides. While that detestable Oktoberfest style set up works for Oktoberfest, I have absolutely no desire to be 3 inches away from others eating their breakfast. If you enjoy small omelettes and someone breathing down your neck while you are eating it, this is a 5 star establishment. Truth is, I am not likely to go here again unless I am desperate for options within a two block radius of my house. read more

I tried this for the first time recently and would definitely go back. The patio seating is pleasant, and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. They have a great selection for very reasonable prices. The BLT was delicious. Street parking was available, and I found a space directly in front. read more

Hands down, 5 stars worthy! What a incredible establishment. Staff beyond friendly! I felt like the service I was being given was the normal for them which was immaculate! Had all staff in the store checking on us and not in a bothersome way; pure and genuine. I believe the GM and possibly the owner was working today. Both engaged with the experience happening in their store. Bathrooms were completely clean. Food was so delicious. I'm here visiting from out of town and I would recommend this place to anyone visiting and even resident here in Chicago. Way to go! read more

One of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago. What an amazing staff and delicious food!! Every time I try new items from their menu and it doesn't disappoint. read more

I have been here multiple times before with my family as my grandmother is in a wheelchair and it is an easy place to travel to from home. When we arrive, we are usually seated immediately due to the large, open, bright space. Service is amazing and fast and on special occasions, you can expect the atmosphere to also be festive. Now to the food... the following is the items that I have had over time: ~Orange Juice: You can tell this juice is freshly made, it truly beats the artificial orange sludge served at some diners. ~ Prosciutto Avocado Benedict: The egg was done perfectly, but my main problem was the prosciutto was a bit too salty for my taste. The creaminess of the avocado helped the taste a little bit, but not much. The bread was also very hard to cut, making the toppings slide off and getting a bite of only bread at times. ~Lavander Lemon Pancakes: The worst thing on the menu that I have tried. I didn't taste any lavender OR lemon and they looked just like regular pancakes. Pass. ~Honey Ricotta French Toast: This was surprisingly really good! I liked the display, which was almost like an open spread instead of the usual stacked (no pun intended) presentation. The mint ricotta was amazing, I just wish there was more of it and fewer pistachios. I feel healthier every time I eat this dish. Overall: I believe Stax has potential service and food wise, but there are little tactical things that can be done to make the place even better. The food is good, but nothing special. The menu is also a bit boring and I sometimes crave something a little more out of the ordinary, but that's just me. If you're interested in a classic diner with simple dishes. I recommend Stax Cafe, but I do believe there are better places out there to fill your breakfast cravings. read more

Overall a pretty unimpressive breakfast. Service was good but the omelette and eggs Benedict were subpar. A wildly heavy pour on the stax sunrise drink left it nearly undrinkable. Great bacon and great waffles, however. read more

I just got out of this restaurant l. The food was awesome, I had a veggie skillet...and mini pancakes. The pancakes are the best I have so far here in Chicago, so good. However, there was a complication with the first pancakes served that they have to make another serving for me. However, I just expected the waitress, not only to apologize, but to give me a discount or something for what happened. I didn't demand anything, but it would've been nice of them. The staff here are great in general, Tina for example, but this waitress should've done better. If it was my restaurant I would've want the waitress to come to me and give a discount at least. If she would've done that instead of 15%, she would've gotten 25% or the amount discounted. I done mind paying, but when things like this happened people expect more. read more

General breakfast/brunch food. I think it has decent offerings although the menu design is very confusing. We ordered breakfast tacos, chilaquiles and a stack of blueberry pancakes that were absolutely killer. Would definitely come back again for the pancakes. read more

Had a great first experience at Stax this morning. We've been looking for breakfast options on the west side and this is only 2 easy train stops away. The restaurant itself is large, bright and clean. The staff, including our waitress Leslie, was friendly and attentive. We were seated quickly (we're hoping this is the case every weekend) and our food also came very quickly after ordering. We had the Spanish Harlem omelette, with a side of "mini" chocolate chip pancakes (really two full size, fluffy pancakes) and potatoes, a breakfast burrito with potatoes and coffee. Total was about $34, which we thought was very fair for the amount of food we got. We did not finish everything and were stuffed. We also sat by the kitchen and watched as food came out, and everything looked very tasty. The menu has a great variety and we're looking forward to coming back and trying other things. No complaints this time around. read more

I'm always excited about a new business in my neighborhood, so we checked out Stax for brunch on Saturday. The place was packed inside and I was happy we got easy seating outside. The indoor decor is so nice and modern, I loved it. The outdoor service was rather slow, but our server was nice. The pancakes, waffles and French toast looked awesome, I regret not trying them. The food was good, although the menu was kind of complicated to navigate. I Felt like there were sandwiches and Benedicts in multiple sections, so being a visual person, it drove me a little nuts. I had the BLT w/ egg and it was a good portion. Others in our group got the veggie skillet and the Bacon Jam Sandwich (the Jam was gross). I and a tasty mimosa with fresh OJ too. Overall good experience, I think the food was tasty but along with the slow service, it didn't wow me. read more

Stax Cafe - Veggie skillet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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DELISH. and the menu is huge with so many fun options!!!! loveeee this spot for brunch. or any time really. pancakes are good any time of the day ;) read more

Stax Cafe - Lox made into the shape of a rose :) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went here for some quick breakfast/brunch. Seating was limited due to social distancing but I waited about 10 minutes for a table to free up. I ordered the "starving student" which came with pancakes, eggs, and hash browns. Overall, the meal was very mediocre. Hash browns were mixed with onions and red+ green peppers. Some bites were really salty. Pancakes and eggs were just okay. Nothing really special. Portions were relatively small. You could say that I still remained a starving student after I was done. read more

The staff is friendly and is on it the entire time you're there. Hefty portion sizes, you won't leave hungry. Food is tasty for being a breakfast chain. read more

Stax Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Breakfast for lunch doesn't work here! There is an ambitious and inventive menu here. However, the poblano, chorizo frittata was very ordinary at 12:30 pm... And the breakfast potatoes were left over from the morning... nuked, no doubt! My friend had buttermilk pancakes and found them to be nothing special. read more

I thought I'd try this place out since it just opened up. The food here is good. I had the beef brisket hash, a little dry. But the banana French toast was delicious, no complaints there! 4/5 read more

Stax Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came back a second time the following week to try the pancakes, while they looked visually appealing; I got the ones with chocolate chips and bacon, they use a cheap pancake batter, not very tasty. You should be able to eat pancakes without adding syrup, especially since I got chocolate chips all over them, even the chocolate didnt make them taste better, the batter had a very metallic flavor.. that's enough for me not to come back. Get better batter, charge more if you have to. read more

Do not recommend for delivery-All of the food arrived cold. Also the mushroom crepe is very bland.

Clean place, mimosas were great. We had pancakes, French toast, house fries. We had the "starving student" plate and we were all satisfied and I went with a picky group. read more

Our table ordered the poblano and chorizo frittata, pumpkin spice pancakes, veggie skillet, white chocolate raspberry waffles, and a Greek yogurt parfait. Food was AMAZING. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Establishment was very clean and will be returning soon! Thank you! read more

I can't help but write this review while sitting here, belly full, finishing coffee. I'm very impressed with everything !!! From the moment I walked in, got seated right away, tasty coffee, along with a wonderful waiter arrived within a minute. The dish I ordered came hot and tasty. All of the above on very busy Sunday morning !!! Amazing experience. Highly recommend ! read more