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Stopped in around 11ish on a Saturday morning. There was a 10 minute wait to get a table. Our waitress seemed pretty nice, but was incredibly busy so didn't have time to check on us often. They were pretty understaffed. Food also took a while to come and then we weren't checked on again until we flagged our waitress down to pay our check. The food was pretty good, but a bit overpriced for what it is. They also don't mention that the Coke products are cans (so no refills) instead of fountain. The pancakes were on the dense and chewy side and my friend got mini waffles with her meal and said they lacked flavor and had a weird texture. My omelette was delicious and perfectly cooked, the house potatoes were flavorful and very tasty. She also had bacon and eggs, which she said were pretty standard, but nothing special. She did say her iced latte was very good! They try to seem fancier than they are with cholula over franks, ketchup and syrup in cups, cans over drafts but overall I'd say this was diner breakfast for a fancier brunch price.
Expect a long wait during prime dining times, but the food was worth it! Servers were friendly and food came out in a timely matter. I would love to come back and try other items on the menu
Never underestimate a delicious classic American breakfast. I came back to Chicago for a weekend to see a friend. I was a regular at Stax when I lived there before the Teachers' Union takeover. They have amazing orange juice! Strange to say, but never underestimate a good glass of orange juice. Their coffee was average diner coffee, which is ok! I'm not a coffee snob; there are enough of those around who frankly presume an erudition they don't possess. But it was a good cup of coffee. Now they have a really, really exceptional breakfast menu, but I walked in with the intention of ordering blueberry pancakes because that's what I had a taste for. I got them. They were excellent. They were a big stack of 3 big, fluffy pancakes with blueberry compote in the middle. My huge critique here is that they give you a shitload of little butter packets that you have to individually open up and slather on your pancakes. Come on, guys! Seriously? This is a frickin' diner! Give us a proper butter plate so that we can easily put butter on it. It looked ridiculous showing all the butter wrappers on the table. They were good cakes...fluffy and flavorful. I woud recommend using a better maple syrup too. I also ordered their pork sausage. That was really exceptional. One order was two very large links of sausage which I shared with my dog. The service was good, and no regrets. Not exceptional, but never underestimate a good sturdy breakfast diner.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area, the food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the Dubai choclate pancakes and expected them to be extremely sweet however it was very balanced. They were cooked perfectly and were so fluffy with plenty of chocolate both inside and on top. We had also ordered eggs and French toast which looked and tasted delicious. The latte here was just as enjoyable since it wasn't too bitter or too sweet. The service as well was really nice, our server was really sweet, attentive and very helpful. The tables were very clean and the place had a very peaceful vibe unlike many other diners. If you're in the area and want a warm & tasty meal, I would 100% recommend stopping by.
This place is very cute and the food was actually pretty good! I got the Taylor street frittata and Dubai chocolate pancakes with it which were both very good! We also got French toast, but I didn't really like it because it felt too eggy for me. Overall, I actually really enjoyed the breakfast and will be back!
Stax is where you go when you're looking for a great classic breakfast, large portions, all for a really good price. The service is always friendly and the food comes out fast! The restaurant has a fun ambiance and the decor makes you feel right at home. I love getting some chocolate chip pancakes with house potatoes on the side. No frills, just great food.
Wowwww! Just got to Chicago and our friend suggested stax. What a lovely welcome because the Monte cristo waffle and coconut banana oatmeal pancakes were SO GOOD! The Dubai chocolate French toast was PHENOMENAL!! Don't miss it, as it was on special. Honorable mentions are the Bloody Mary, the amazing spiced up fries and the service was quick and pleasant. We will be back!
First thing.....they do not accept substitutions! If you are someone who likes to mix things up this is not the place for you. The food itself was good and the portions were large. The server was exceptional which explains the 4 stars vs 3 stars.
Everything was delicious,the staff was friendly,food was hot,the place was clean and fresh smelling.the ambiance was open with well lit.
I wish I could give this place 10 stars. The service is phenomenal. We bought our 2.5 and 9 month old and they were very accommodating with seating. We loved how cute it is inside! Our food was sooooo good! I would definitely get the breakfast stitches sandwich everytime. I got the sauce on the side and forgot to take a picture. My husband got the starving student and my little guy got the pancakes and we had some to take home!Go here for amazing food and service!
Excellent food and service. The omelette was so delicious and the pancakes were fluffy. The menu is massive, so it was hard to choose options. I will be coming back the next time I'm in town, to try more delicious items.
What a treat to find affordable diner style food in West Loop! We had a lovely visit from start to finish at this cute spot. The restaurant was packed and pleasantly chatty during brunch prime-time, but the wait moved quickly and we were seated within 20 minutes. The menu had a creative flair on the nostalgic diner breakfast we all know and love- we were all getting flustered trying to decide what to order! When game time for ordering came, I decided on the healthy start pancakes with a side of extra crispy bacon, while my friends ordered the avocado smashed breakfast sandwich and the veggie skillet. Everyone seemed to really like their dishes, but the pancakes were outstanding! Fluffy and moist, they were loaded with blueberries and perfectly complemented by the creamy yogurt and crunchy oat topping. The bacon was addictively crispy and everything came out piping hot. Cannot recommend Stax enough if you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned brunch with a twist!
2 years ago
Cute little spot in the corner. They have a lot of options for breakfast and lunch. The service is great and the food comes out fast. We got the chilaquiles and honey ricotta French toast. Both were delicious. They have regular coffee or lattes which is great because most breakfast spots only have basic coffee. read more
A pretty standard, quick, casual brunch spot in the River West area! I tried the honey ricotta French toast which was a unique item and something I enjoyed. There was a little too much mint for my liking but would def recommend if you're looking for a sweeter brunch item. read more
There's so many great options to choose from at this establishment and I picked a good one. My Adult grilled cheese consists of swiss, pepper jack, bacon, avocado, & blueberry lemon jam. The side salad that came w it had chickpeas and a light dressing. Definitely grab one when you stop by. read more
4 years ago
Everything was great. The Halloween decor was a cute addition. Staff was kind. Found street parking right in front read more
Stax was relatively dissapointing to me considering the good reviews and equal pricepoint to other restaurants. It is just not a good representation of the quality of food that you can get in Chicago. I had ordered a greasy breakfast wrap and black pepper bacon for takeout and the only thing that I really enjoyed were the included potatoes. The side of bacon that I paid for was absolutely terrible--far overseasoned and sold at an offensive pricepoint for what you get. This extended into the wrap somehow too. The bacon far overpowered the entire dish and I could not taste anything else, so I just put hot sauce on it and tried to get it down. After everything, I was still left hungry. I was not too happy with my coffee either, which was primarily why I had decided to order breakfast in the first place. Competitors will give you a larger cup for the same price and will prepare it how you ask. Maybe others will have a better experience than me, but I have had far better experiences elsewhere. read more
I came here for brunch with a friend on a Sunday morning and the were busy, but we were seated within ten minutes. The menu has soo many things that sound amazing- it was hard to choose. I went with the meat skillet and butter pecan pancakes as my side. Yum!!! I had to stop myself from eating it all. I can't wait to come back to try more things on the menu. read more
4 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Such a good breakfast spot! The breakfast potatoes were so good, I'm always a fan of the peppers and onions. My husband loved his steak and eggs-the green sauce was delicious. The service was great-our server was quick and attentive. Really good for a casual breakfast in Chicago! read more
3 years ago
Love this place. Service was excellent. Food came out hot and delicious. We went on a busy Saturday and still received great service. Pancakes are soooo good! read more
SUPER busy in the mornings, looks like they're understaffed. The service is just okay, some of the hosts are a bit rude. The food is not bad, but every time my friends and I have come here something we order gets messed up. I've ordered the smoked salmon bagel benedict on multiple occasions, and I don't really like the potatoes it comes with-- onions are undercooked so I substitute it with fries (there is a sub fee even if the side you want is cheaper than the side the entree comes with) Overall I'd say this is a pretty solid place in terms of food. Huge menu, but small downfalls are the service and consistency. read more
2 years ago
My favorite thing about Stax is their small patio. Nothing beats breakfast outside on a beautiful day. On weekends, scoring a table outside isn't easy. But weekdays, there's often never a wait. The longest I've ever had to wait for an inside table is 10 minutes, and that was on a Sunday morning. They have a full breakfast and lunch menu, but I always get breakfast, usually an omelette or the chilaquiles. If you want a carb splurge, the monte cristo waffle is obscene. Last week when it was 93 and humid, my friend and I opted for inside. We each had the build your own omelette (choose three ingredients from lots of options), and they were perfect. I substituted the potatoes and bread for ripe and juicy tomatoes (still nine pounds of Covid weight left to lose). We had a great waitperson. She refilled our coffee three times without having to ask. Street parking... there are a few free spots but the easiest are the paid ones on Milwaukee. They seem to do a ton of pick-up and delivery orders here, which will be especially great this winter. read more
2 years ago
Perfect cafe! The inside is so cute, the patio is a great size and also adorable. We had a hard time deciding what to eat. Went to the River West location service was good, food tasted great I ordered the honey ricotta French toast and I wasn't entirely a fan. I didn't know ricotta had green pieces in it (not referring to the pistachios). The fresh squeezed orange juice is absolutely delicious. Order a tall because you know you're going to want more, I made that mistake. read more
7 years ago
If you're looking for an inexpensive, cutely decorated breakfast cafe, make sure you check out Stax Cafe. Incredibly sweet staff, decor is very cozy and their menu is large but not overwhelming. I would go back to try their other stuff. QUICK FOOD REVIEWS: * lemon waffles were good but I wish they were a little stronger with the lemon flavor * not the biggest fan of Nutella but the crepes were well cooked, stuffed with fruit and overall pretty good. read more
3 years ago
My second time here; I decided on something savory instead of sweet. The California club was AMAZING. The avocado was so fresh, the bacon extra crispy, and so flavorful. It came with fries on the side that were seasoned with something salty and slightly spicy. We came in about 2:30 and our service was fast. Price is accurate for the food you get. Space is also pretty and they played a 2000s playlist. read more
3 years ago
Came here for a work event the other day. I ended up getting the adult grilled cheese, which comes with two different types of cheese, avocado, bacon, and blueberry jam. I was hesitant but my friend had convinced me to get this and I am glad I did! The blueberry jam was an interesting addition but it worked well with the sandwich. The avocado was creamy and fresh, and the bacon/cheese combo hit the spot. The fries were nicely seasoned and had a nice crunch. The food came out very quickly, which was surprising as we were a party of 8-9 people. It's a nice breakfast spot, rest of my friends enjoyed their meals as well! Would return. read more
Stax Cafe did not disappoint. I've been eyeing their food on social media since we started planning our trip to Chicago. We are so glad that the food lived up to our expectations. Everything tasted wonderful and the service was great. If you're looking for a great breakfast spot in Chicago, this is it. read more
6 years ago
Just LOOK at this spread oh my word! These pictures are from 2 separate trips (both times I ordered the Banana-Coconut Oatmeal pancakes--because they are just so good!!) Coffee was delicious, and the service was super friendly. If a manager is reading this, Arturo deserves a shout out for being so kind and welcoming to his guest!! You can tell he likes his job and we loved taking to him. I Don often go back to places (Even when I enjoy them a lot) just because I have a long list of places to try, but Stax is just too good to not go back when the opportunity presents itself! I'm a hard brunch critic, and I can safely say Stax is one of the best. read more
4 years ago
Lots of options, and everything's good. The ricotta French toast is a favorite, and the mini breakfast Sammie's read more
4 years ago
We stopped here for breakfast before a big day in the city! I was not disappointed with my choice of food. I had the cinnamon roll waffles. I'm not typically a waffle person but these sounded great! Most breakfast places had a long wait but they was able to get us in and out quickly. I had a side of bacon as well and it was nice and crispy. Parking was not hard to find at this location either which is a plus for Chicago! read more
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and at Stax Cafe it's treated with reverence. A new addition to the increasing restaurant scene at river west, this place knows breakfast. The extensive menu guarantees to have something for everyone: from fresh juices, pancakes, omelets, crepes, french toast, frittata, eggs Benedict with various fillings such as the prosciutto and avocado.... I find the place casual but somehow modern and elegant with a tropical feel. They have an outdoor patio for those who prefer to eat al fresco. The triangular shape of the space is perfect for people watching, and the sidewalks on two sides give the feel of a sidewalk cafe while sitting within the restaurant property. The inside is tastefully decorated with wire hanging, old style lighting bulbs below the orange lattices that hang from the ceiling. The pancake recipe on the wall is a nice touch, as if to say: we have nothing to hide, this is what we serve. The almost floor to ceiling windows that surrounds the restaurant allows natural light to filter to every table. And don't forget the floor; yes, the three color floor is also part of the decor. I went here on opening day and the opening hour, on a week day. The place was about 25 percent full but I don't expect this to be the case on the weekends. For my taste, this is a five stars rating restaurant, but I will withhold a star for my following visit and the following reasons: - The omelet was a little over cooked for my taste. - the hollandaise sauce on the Benedict was lumpy and lacked taste. I will blame those shortcomings on opening day, hopefully it is not their style, but I won't hesitate to give those dishes another try; and so should you, after all it's a matter of taste, and the only taste that counts is your own. read more
I went here for their soft opening and went back the next day for their grand opening in order to make a fair review. I am a big fan of their food, they really know how to do breakfast right. There are so many choices that, you can come here many times and get something every time, and each time will be just as delicious as the last. We had the braised beef brisket benedict (sauteed with celery, carrots, & onions, with poached eggs & hollandaise sauce on an english muffin) with house potatoes, and the half pound angus burger (with lettuce, tomato, onion, pepper bacon, cheddar & tomato jam) with a side of fries on the first day. The braised beef brisket benedict was the favorite, and the half pound angus burger was a close 2nd. On the second day, we had the prosciutto avocado benedict (two poached eggs & hollandaise sauce on an english muffin) with house potatoe,s and the meat wagon (chorizo, fire roasted tomatoes, poblano, queso fresco, topped with pico de gallo & chipotle. Both entrees are very popular and are served with house potatoes. Both are really good, again the prosciutto avocado benedict was the favorite. Try the strawberry and orange juice, it's almost too pretty to drink! Really loved the decor, it's a modern, bright, open space with an outdoor patio. I would've given this restaurant 5 stars, except for one exception. When we sat down on their opening day, I turned my coffee mug around and it had lipstick on it! It was there before I got there. This was within the first hour on the first day that they were open to the public. Our waiter changed my coffee mug for me, but, this is not something I would expect from any restaurant, let alone a new one. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Loved brunch here. I was visiting from out of town and needed last minute reservations and this place did not disappoint. Great service and food. read more
Very good and fast service. Tiktok recommend this place and it did not disappoint. Everything was amazing, I was skeptical about the juice and was afraid it would be too sweet but it was perfect! The aesthetics inside were also cute. I'd definitely go again! read more
4 years ago
heard about this place from a friend who used to live here and i had to give it a try. it was delicious food and amazing customer service. I got the avocado prosciutto eggs benedict with the potato's and it was so good. would highly recommend. my brother got the oatmeal pancakes and it was too big of a serving for him to finish but he said they were delicious and would recommend getting the mini ones as a side to something else just because of how much food it was. orange juice was good too! tasted fresh. would highly recommend read more
6 years ago
Compared to all the breakfast options in Chicago, this place is just alright. They have some pretty unique menu items, so I'd recommend going if you want one of those, but otherwise this restaurant isn't too memorable or special. I ordered delivery through Postmates and got the Monte Cristo Sandwich with a side of turkey and pork sausage. I thought it was super creative to have waffles instead of bread in this sammie, but it didn't necessarily live up to expectations. The egg was beautifully runny and I thought it added great flavor, but overall the entire meal felt a bit bland. The pork sausage helped a lot, and I thought it was a step above the turkey sausage. I also enjoyed the potatoes, especially the onion and peppers mixed in. Personally, I don't think I'd order the Monte Cristo again, I'd probably stick with something like French toast or pancakes. I definitely wouldn't be opposed to trying this place again, but I'd probably rather order elsewhere. read more
Overall, we enjoyed this meal. I would say it's a solid choice for breakfast but nothing mind blowing. Definitely a step above an ihop or the like. We didn't really have any specific complaints, but we also agreed it's not somewhere we'd urge people to check out. I enjoyed my frittata and pancakes. Good portion, decent price for Chicago and came out quickly. Service was good. Monte cristo was good but again nothing we'd rave about. Probably would try other items in the future but nice patio and they allow dogs. read more
More info about Stax Cafe
522 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
River West, Noble Square, West Town
Directions
(312) 877-5055
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https://www.staxcafe.com
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Both locations have street parking and the spot directly in front are metered. If you do a bit of looking you can find a spot.
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7 reviews that are not currently recommended
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