We were not impressed. I had Dr. Glenn's scramble with a side of grits. Boyfriend had just the eggs side. The grits were the star of the table. I ordered one of the famous biscuits but was wholly unimpressed by the overwhelming presence of cornmeal in them. My eggs were a lackluster a mix of thick cut ham and lean lunch meat sliced ham,the red peppers were fresh and the mushrooms mehh. I think the topping on this disaster cake was the bit of hair lodged in my butter and the 10 minutes I waited for a new pat. I won't be back. Thanks for playing. read more

Great breakfast and extremely friendly staff! We were rushing to the airport and while putting together quickly our order we had a great conversation with a very sweet older woman who we think was the owner. She lighted up when we told her I was a Spaniard living in Boston -- apparently her son studied in Madrid while at Stanford and her daughter just starts grad school at Harvard. So we suspect the place is family owned by a very bright family! Excellent customer service and really tasty food, I wish we had more time to stay and try more of the menu! read more

The food is ok. They serve hard over cooked bacon. I've been here a few times and this will be the third time something like this happens. I was here for about an hour this past week. The woman in charge came to the table next to us to talk up a storm with her friends extremely loud, talking about their life story for a good half hour. Then her daughter which is a waitress there also came by after the mother left and continued the conversation for about another ten minutes. It was loud, very loud. I couldn't really have a conversation with the people I went with. There are two other breakfast places on the block. I'd recommend those over this place from now on. read more

The corned beef hash was definitely the best I've ever had. Cinnamon roll pancakes also were amazing. I'd definitely recommend this place. Get there early though, it's very small and busy. read more

There is a gravel parking lot across the street from the cafe that is free to park in...you don't need to pay. It was fast and Delicious!!!

The customer service at Sweet Maple has gone down over the years. It's no longer the cute lovely homey place to dine. The food is still tasty and that's good news. My main observation and complaint is that they don't explain to you that you cannot SPLIT CHECKS! If you go with a group of people you cannot leave 2 cards .....and they are not very accommodating to give separate checks at the table. Don't bother asking to speak to a manager on duty------THERE IS NO ONE MANAGING. They send someone over who makes excuses and has no authority to do anything but say the register is old and blah blah blah. Not sure you want to dine within their rigid parameters----better restaurants with better service and with normal payment options nearby. read more

The best diner I have ever been to. Do yourself a favor and order biscuits! So many biscuits!

Wonderful customer service, awesome food! Love it! Highly recommended to family and friends! Get here early!

Ok, what a super cute breakfast place. I love the menu-it's small and lovely. Just makes you feel like your in your grand ma's kitchen. The staff is super nice and the service is quick and sweet-just how I like it! I would recommend this place as a must stop on your list of wonderful gems in the city! read more

I ate here a few years ago when it had originally opened, and I swear it was really good. This time, however, I found it to be quite average. Average isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is when you have to wait 30 minutes to be seated. With so many good breakfast spots in the city, I don't think I'd waste my time going here. read more

A breakfast must. If you plan to go to Sweet Maple on the weekend, come early because after 8:30 a.m. you'll have a wait, which might be outside considering the small waiting area. The breakfasts at Sweet Maple, while a bit pricey, are gigantic and have the best quality ingredients. Of course, hot pure maple syrup is included with pancakes, which are plate sized. The coffee is also excellent and the service has always been friendly and fast. Although the decor is a bare minimum, the floors are unfinished wood, the 30s through 50s jazz music adds to the ambience. Sweet Maple is also a minority owned business and the clientele is diverse and upscale. Overall, I've probably eaten at Sweet Maple at least 50 times since moving to the West Loop and highly recommend it. The only downside, as stated above, is that it is a little bit on the pricey side. Expect to spend $14-17 per person. read more

I have been a fan for years! I love Sweet maples! I met the owner and she has wonderful PR skills. When I go to Sweet Maples I make sure to get there early. (After the Club) lol! The seating is limited but I would not have it any other way. The service is more than pleasant and I LOVE the diversity of the staff. Five Stars for life...... Peace, Love, and homemade Biscuits! read more

Great breakfast place! Girlfriend and I went on a Saturday morning. We had to wait about 20 mins which kind of sucked but well worth it. Girlfriend got the custom home fries with mushrooms, green peppers, American cheese, and cheddar cheese (home fries come with onion). Plus she got sunny side up and a biscuit on the side. It was more than enough food for her so she divided the potatoes in half to sage half for later and put the eggs on top of the other half to make her own skillet. It was delicious! We loved the crispy red potatoes and the subtle flavors. We always put a ton if tabasco on so it always tastes great! I got the protein scramble which came with home fries and a biscuit. I loved it and also ended up having leftovers. Overall, food is great. Wait kind of sucks but well worth it. Price wasn't bad - about $10 a dish. The place overall is kind of weird. The paint on the walls looks like its coming off but I think that's what they're going for... It has a very old southern feel to it but not in a nice classy way. Def go check it out for yourself! read more

Sweet Maple Cafe is a great southern fusion breakfast in the heart of the UIC/Tri-Taylor neighborhood. I'm a daily patron who starts my work day with hearty dishes that includes homemade applesauce with fresh local apples. A shout out of appreciation to Karolina, Mayra & Sara for creating a pleasurable dining experience (even though I pick up) every day. You all take care of business! Thanks. Andrew Reynolds read more

Reminded me of my hometown in Georgia! I laughed out loud at the headings of the menu just because it was so honestly simple (i.e. "Good Eggs" haha!). They even use the same jelly I would always see at Cracker Barrel growing up. They set out picnic table coverings and had lovely fresh flowers (I came in the summer). It would be a place my Southern grandparents would actually enjoy, and they very much stick to the same palate. No frills, no fuss, just Southern food. My only complaint would be that it seemed a little pricey for the portions.. But then I am comparing this to places in my Hometown or Athens, GA. That being said, I was satisfied by the end, having devoured a grilled chicken biscuit sandwich. The coffee they have is Seattle coffee. Wish they would use more local sources, but again, no frills. :) read more

Some of the best breakfast I have ever eaten! Highly recommend! Biscuits, sausage gravy and grits are amazing. I have to go a few times a month! read more

Great brunch spot in little Italy! The staff is very nice and the food is amazing as well.

We were looking for brunch on Yelp and stumbled upon this hidden gem. Everything about the Sweet Maple Cafe was amazing. The food was delicious and the was something for everyone. They had a lot of chicken options, which is a rare find for a breakfast place. The atmosphere was "shabby chic" and absolutely adorable. Our service was great. There wasn't an empty cup on the table at any point. And even though we left just 15 minutes before closing time, I didn't feel rushed by any of the staff at all. I will definitely be making Sweet Maple Cafe a regular stop on our Chicago itinerary. read more

Sweet Maple Cafe - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food is really good here. It is a small place so expect a wait if you plan on coming around 9 or 10 am. The prices are reasonable. They have Fish and Eggs on Friday. That's what I got. I really enjoyed it. I'll be back to try something sweet soon. Overall, it's a nice small place for breakfast and/or brunch. read more

I can't believe I never reviewed this wonderful place and I've been coming here for over a decade. What can I say maybe it is because I am in bliss when I walk out of this gemstone of a breakfast eatery. The best time to come here to experience the this eatery is on a weekday. Weekends are usually slammed and the wait time could run you close to an hour if you are lucky. This place is small and no frills but has the most delicious biscuits and home fries I've ever tasted. It is carb heaven. Most of the breakfast orders come with both. They have a variety of coffees and juices to pair up with your breakfast. Sorry no mimosas here but the delicious food makes up for the lack of alcohol. The be creative omelette is a favorite of mIne. I definitely recommended it. COrn beef hash is also supEr delicious. Next time you are in the tri-Taylor area give sweet maPle a try. YOu will fall in love with the quaint location and the great people that work there. Enjoy. read more

Amazing food. And cozy little ambience. We got the scramblers which were good but my favorite parts were the potatoes and the biscuit. Coffee was also excellent. read more

This is THE best place for a down home southern style breakfast. I love this place! Great grits. And let me tell you, you can't find great grits in many places in Chicago. They also have excellent pancakes and they're HUGE so you can really get by with just ordering one. The actual restaurant is very small with limited seating so there's usually a wait for a table. Which isn't so bad if you go during the summer and have the nice weather to sit out and wait in. But when it's cold outside, waiting outside for a table is the pits. The service is just so so. Never had an excellent server at Sweet Maple's. They're mostly just interested in getting your order and getting your food out quickly. Not much for pleasantries. Oh, and the coffee is good too. This is one of my favorite breakfast places. read more

I love this place. Hands down one of the best places in the city for a real nice Sunday brunch with the people you love. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. Couldn't ask for a better way to spend time after Church. read more

One of my favorite breakfast places during college and med school. Love the breakfast here, especially the omelettes and the sweet breakfast special. I'm sure the sandwiches are good too, but who wants to eat a sandwich when you can have breakfast for lunch instead? read more

The wait is long, but totally worth it. I'm not big on breakfast foods but I will eat the hell out of this food. Amazing.

This is my fav breakfast place! The pancakes are so HEAVENLY! Corn beef hash is absolutely delisious! You can get a few sides to make your own breakfast combo. The price is reasonable for the quality and amount of food that they serve you. I have been there a few times and brought a few friends with me each time. Everyone seem to like it. read more

Scrumptious gourmet breakfast food. I had the Diaz y Noches scramble: eggs, grilled chicken, and peppers, with home fries and cinnamon raisin toast-it was spectacular. The ingredients all complemented each other perfectly and all of the flavors were exquisite. The Cinnamon Bun Pancakes that my friend ordered were like a dream. Additionally, the atmosphere was relaxed and the servers were friendly and accommodating. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone craving a marvelous breakfast on their Chicago trip. read more

Okay, so now that I don't work here anymore, I can write a fair review! Sweet Maple gets five stars- five stars for the breakfast daypart. Of which I like to consider myself a champion, having eaten at damn near every brunch joint in the city. The owner, Laurene, has been in business for over ten years, and Sweet Maple is still rocking and rolling for a reason: the food is dead-on, as is the service. When you want brunch, when you want to eat too much good food, when you want to get up, eat, and go back to bed, Sweet Maple is PERFECT. Not to say there are not lighter options, there certainly are. Sheldon's healthy start, for example, is a really great way to start your day on the healthy side: black beans, sauteed spinach, tomato slices, and multigrain toast. Add a couple poached eggs and you're good to go. Lets start with the eggs. There is no other restaurant in Chicagoland that does eggs as well as Sweet Maple. The vast range of ways an egg can be cooked is overwhelming. Soft, medium, hard, from scrambled to over to poached. And the guys in the kitchen are so good, they are sure to cook your egg just the way you like. And if you're an over-medium person like I am, you know. A perfect over medium is hard to get. You want some runny yolk for your toast but enough hard yolk to eat! Too many fail. At Sweet Maple, you'll get over medium. Heck if you want over medium-hard they'll even do that for you. So Sweet Maple earns five stars just for their egg expertise. Onto the carbs. The pancakes are wicked. Until I tried a sweet maple pancake, I was not a fan of the breakfast staple. But here, you'll get a flavorful, thick, doughy pancake cooked golden brown. And the French Toast! The best French Toast of my life. I've had french toast north, south, east, and west. Many restaurants serve lack-luster french toast and some ruin it with fruit toppings, cream, and other fancy nonsense. Made with thick pieces of Challah bread, the toast is lightly dipped in a sweet batter, giving the toast a sweet, crispy crust leaving the inside soft and warm. And to top off either indulgence- real maple syrup. This stuff is literally shipped from vermont. It's the real deal, people. Like liquid GOLD. And the biscuits HOLY COW. Baked everyday, throughout the day, you'll never have a biscuit like a sweet maple biscuit. Sometimes they'll come out a little more brown than you may care for. Throw some butter and honey on it and you're in business. Or gravy! Oh, the gravy. The sausage gravy, with the perfect hint of spice, turns a simple biscuit into a filling breakfast making you wish you had two stomachs to keep eating! And the rest? Well its all really fantastic. The scrambles, omelets, homefries, and lunch entrees are all super good. Having tried near everything on the menu, I can attest: there is not a single thing Sweet Maple makes that isn't amazingly awesome. Oh, and a final food detail: I don't know how she does it, but Laurene always finds the best fruit, no matter in season or not. Sweet maple has the best fruit bowl around, particularly in the summer. Even today, each piece of fruit was fresh, and perfectly ripened, full of flavor. The only downside like all will attest is the wait. But its well worth it. It is almost part of brunch culture. During the summer you can wait outside and sit on the provided chairs. Winter time is not so easy, being herded into a crowd waiting at the door. And I am sure each guest (including myself) asks him or herself about expansion. But sweet maple - and all 14 tables, is perfect just the way it is. Simple, small, intimate, and consistent. Even the servers will not let you down. Sweet Maple servers have a reputation of being the nicest, warmest, most welcoming servers in the brunch industry. And its true! When you walk into Sweet Maple, from the servers to the managers, the owner, and the kitchen, you feel like you're at home. And the home-cooking will prove just that. Go, wait. Its worth it. Whether you're from the neighborhood or from Indiana, Sweet Maple should be your regular breakfast joint. read more

Quaint and almost hidden from the eye this small little gem is unexpecting. A little hole in the wall we got there early and the venue quickly started to fill. At first I was unimpressed with the tiny little menu but then I took a chance and ordered a few things to share with my sugarbutt Jeff L. We got a omelet (DIY!) with bone-IN ham, lots of cheese and other things. It was flavorful and done right. The french toast was some of the best fluffy delicious egg soaked toast I've had to date. The home made apple sauce is a great side. It is warm and so fresh. I was almost sad I wasn't more hungry! read more

It may be the most important meal of the day, though we all know this is the kind of food you can eat any time of day. This place is great. Quick service, absolutely yummy food. You may have to wait as it can get crowded, though I promise, it's worth waiting for! read more

Sweet little hole in the wall! Excellent breakfast menu and Gourmet Grilled Cheese on the lunch menu! The chicken corn chowder soup is legit! read more

The only reason I'm not totally for this place is because of two things. The usual LONNNNNGG WAIIITTT (which happens what can you do with such a tiny space) and the dick (sorry for the language but it's necessary) who seats people. Let's start with the food. This is honestly my favorite breakfast place. Amazing flaky biscuits, fluffy pancakes and eggs, custardy french toast (try the challah one never had any better), crunchy potatoes, and mouth watering liver and onions (if you like that sort of thing). The french toast is sweet and soft in the middle and doesn't need syrup. The serving is huge too. The liver and onions is crunchy where it needs to be and soft and succulent where it doesn't. Just amazing. And no matter what breakfast I choose I always get a biscuit on the side. They're huge and soft with a sweet buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. I've never had a bad food experience there and I've been going for a couple of years now. Now onto the service. The waitstaff is usually pretty cool. Sometimes they are really busy and it takes them a bit to get back to you but they are almost always nice about it. The guy who takes names down for seating however is not pleasant. Always looking like your mere existence offends him he grudgingly takes down your name and looks pained when you ask how long it will be. He is slightly rude whenever you speak to him and always seems to mess up the order people go in (honestly people who have come after us with the same number of diners have gone before us. TWICE) which is rough when the wait is already so long. I've actually started just ordering take out to not deal with the wait or this guy. The food is worth it though and the prices are good so definitely take a chance on this place. read more

When I first moved here, I craved southern breakfast foods, especially cheese grits. Lo and behold, Sweet Maple Cafe. There is always a line but it is well worth the wait if you want some good old fashion Southern breakfast. The cheese grits were great! read more

Small little gem hiding on Taylor street. If you're in the area please go here! Everything on the menu is delicious and their staff are willing to help you if you cannot make up your mind. Delicious pancakes! read more

Yay! This place is so good! It takes forever to get a seat on the weekends but it's worth it. Try the egg and cheeser with sausage, it comes with homemade apple sauce. It's a little pricey for breakfast, but I'm poor and I think anything over 5 dollars is expensive. *While your waiting go next door to Scafuri's and get their doughnuts. 4 for a dollar!* read more

I can't believe I'm just now getting around to reviewing Sweet Maple. It's a great breakfast/brunch spot. Great food, always friendly service, pretty easy parking, and GREAT food. Worth the wait on a weekend morning. read more

looooooooove Sweet Maple!! How I wish it were closer :( It might actually be my fave breakfast spot. GASP! Breakfast sandwiches/biscuits are one of my truest pleasures in life, and the breakfast biscuit here might be the best I've ever had. The biscuit is beautiful. Everything filling up that baby is beautiful, too. And it's huge, so I get to eat the rest at lunch. (kind of distracting when I'm at work, and it's sitting there in the fridge, calling my name) I never cook potatoes at home, and don't always order them. But do NOT skip the potatoes at this joint. You can get them with cheese and hot sauce and onions....droooooooool. I get a side of those, and it's huge, too. Even the waitresses are all nice, on top of all this goodness! Sweet Maple is just really different, in that it's super casual, like a cabin in the old south. The food is super casual, too. But it's flawlessly cooked, and results in the most perfect breakfast. I wish I could try some of the other things on the menu, but my stomach sees that breakfast sammie, and won't let go of it! I want one NOW!!!! read more

I went here for the first time a few weeks ago in search of a new breakfast place to try. I hear there is usually a little bit of a wait, but we got in right away! The food is delicious! I loved their biscuits! They give you a lot of food for a good price. I will return! read more

If you aren't willing to wait for good food, then you probably don't really care about eating good food. When the people stop lining up down the block to get a table here, I'll probably stop coming too. I would eat this food standing up shoulder to shoulder if I had to. The home fries alone are worth it. and although I have never had a rude server here once, I would understand if they were anything less than pleasant because they have to deal with so many people, apparently a lot of whom like to waste their time complaining about things beyond their control. read more

The kind of place where the server greets you with, "coffee?", no good morning or welcome. Our server, Maira, wasn't very friendly and never checked up on us so we had to flag her down to tell her there was a hair in our food but by then it took so long and we weren't going to wait for fresh food. she didn't apologize or bring the manager. There was another server there and I wish we had sat in her section. I enjoyed the diced potatoes but that was about it. I was really excited to come here with my friend but felt embarrassed that I even brought them, definitely won't be back. read more