Mama's Arcade Cafe has everything you'd want. Kind and attentive staff, lovely atmosphere, and most importantly good food! We stopped by Lincoln for a weekend getaway and stopped by Mama's for a delicious breakfast. I got a Papa's special of 3 eggs, potatoes, meat, and a pancake while my girlfriend tried out their biscuits and gravy with the killer hashbrowns. Everything was delicious, great portion sizes and all for a decent price! read more

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Excellent food and large portions. Great staff with very reasonable prices. Great place to enjoy a home cooked meal. Lila Wagner.

Very friendly owner and servers, the food is reasonably priced and very delicious. The ham is thick and very tasty. Yum! We always enjoy the lively atmosphere as well. All the customers are so happy and friendly to others as well. Nice restaurant to take your family to. Love the historic Arcade building. read more

I ate there today and never was offered a single refill on my coffee. Waitress acted like she was in a bad mood. Place wasn't even 1/2 full

ATMOSPHERE This classic Americana cafe is an absolute treat. As you approach the rustic early mid-century exterior of this sleepy town you might wonder if the place is open, but the smell of a home cooked breakfast will quickly draw you to the breezeway where the main screen door entrance can be found. Inside, the establishment is well-worn and full of wonderful smells and vintage charm. Tables, booths and barstools are all available seating options. The menu features a variety of breakfast options for any range of appetites from small kids to grown adults with big appetites. SERVICE: The service here was friendly, fast, attentive and accommodated our party of 6 with three small kids. The food was served hot and with little wait time. OUR SELECTION: We ordered three kids chocolate chip pancakes (shaped like Micky Mouse), The Panwich, Mama's Special and the Breakfast Stacker. All were just right in terms of what you'd hope for at a classic breakfast diner. In my view the showstopper was the Breakfast Stacker, which I will detail below. The Breakfast Stacker (ordered with ham, over-medium eggs, hash-browns and a biscuit base) was a generous portion of tender homemade biscuit as the bottom layer, crispy and flavorful skillet hash browns as the second layer, a thick cut of cooked ham, then eggs and smothered with a savory white sausage gravy. Every layer was it's own experience providing a variety of flavors and textures. The light crisp and crust of the biscuit and hash-browns contrasted the rich, smooth gravy and tender eggs. The ham was an excellent choice for this dish as it was nearly a half inch cut, firm, faint hints of the sweet, smoke, salty while not chewy, gristly or otherwise overpowering in terms of taste and texture. I was able to get through a little more than half, but I had to work hard to convince myself not to clean my plate. It was absolutely delicious. I would absolutely go back, highly recommend it, and add that even though there aren't many breakfast options on the immediate area, this one stands out on its own against all the traditional breakfast establishments I have visited from the Gulf Coast to the Upper Peninsula. read more

The Mama's Arcade Cafe - The Breakfast Stacker (with Biscuit, Hashbrown, Ham and Over-Medium eggs) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lincoln, Illinois

Mama's has great food and great service.It's a great place to come and have a delicious meal in a family setting.

For a stellar experience... 1. Have cash on you. This is a cash only spot. 2. Whatever you order get it with ham. Seriously massive chunks of flavorful fresh ham. 3. In the winter sit away from the door or wear a hoodie, IL winters are brutal! 4. You want the hash browns, otherwise known as buttery potatoes mini slivers. 5. Free parking lot in the back. Great local spot with historic Rte 66 ambiance and small town diner appeal. You'll get a fresh cup of hot coffee, and if you order the sausage patty, you'll be flabbergasted to find it's not a prefrozen perfect circle, but instead a hand formed rough around the edges flavor bomb. Support local and tip well :-) read more

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As soon as u walk into mamas arcade u get hit with wonderful smells of breakfast. Service was fantastic as well as the food. Words can't describe my passion for their sausage bagel egg and cheese with tots. If I could eat here everyday I would without hesitation. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area or coming through the area, definitely one of the best midwestern diners in all of America and I really do mean that when I say it!!!10/10 read more

If you like small town diners, look no further! I absolutely loved every bit of this place, from its location, stellar customer service, vintage decor, and cheap prices that'll make you think you've gone back in time. For a whopping $5 I got a coffee, toast, egg, ham, and hash browns. Just enough to fill me up and get me back on the road. I've been thinking of this place ever since and can not wait til we meet again! The ham and biscuits and gravy were delicious. I couldn't have asked for a better small town diner. Don't miss out - add this to your stops on your next road trip. read more

The Mama's Arcade Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lincoln, Illinois

Great ambience, atmosphere. Cozy diner, always crowded, plenty of locals here and old people which is the tip off. If locals, crowded and old people here than it should mean cheap, good and a worthwhile stop. Across from courthouse and surrounded by plenty of little MOM & POP shops, this is a central cog in Lincolns dining world. Had the Biscuits & Gravy nicely done with a side of bacon. Lil coffee and your good! Service pleasant and prices which are friendly to your wallet. A must stop! read more

Menu is simple and small nothing to outlandish for a little small town restaurant. 10 different breakfast specials many items to choose from. Lunch menu is perfect for the size. I had breakfast. The Papa special 3 eggs, hasbrowns, bacon, 1/2 B&G. Opens currently at 630am Fast friendly service About 25 tables inside and the gunnel outside the small businesses about another 10 tables. read more

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Loads of food at at a great price. Had the mama brekie. Cakes, eggs, meat, home taters. Plenty of food. Last time I was been had this mountain of food. This was a lot but reasonable. Coffee and service great. Friendly place. Crowded - but quick turn over. read more

Lincoln, Illinois --- located inside the historic Arcade Alley is "Mama's Cafe" a locals' favorite eatery & a "Run-A-Way Bill" Favorite, as well ... super positive energy servers who seem to know EVERY customer by name bring smiles to each table they serve ... ... "Mama's" $6 ENORMOUS sausage-gravy covered "Breakfast Stacker" menu item was more than I could eat ... ... #RunAwayBill #DUSA2017 #Route66RunAwayBill #HistoricRoute66 09.12.17 read more

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Great breakfast joint in downtown Lincoln and was pleasantly surprised with really good coffee. Plus the country fried steaks and eggs were excellent with A rich sausage gravy. And the waitstaff was really friendly and helpful too. read more

The Mama's Arcade Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lincoln, Illinois

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Wonderful, friendly, downtown diner with great food and staff that make you feel right at home! We went their with our developmentally disabled adult son - the staff went over and beyond to accommodate our needs. Would highly recommend. Biscuits and gravy to die for!!!!! read more

Mama's is an old time diner on the south side of the square in Lincoln. It's a popular spot because the food is so good. Sometimes you have to wait for a table. The waitresses are friendly and fast and usually give you a load of smart talk while they wait on you. GO FOR BREAKFAST! Omelettes, hash browns, hot coffee... YUM! Better be hungry if you order pancakes - they're almost as big as the plates! Prices are reasonable, too. read more

Very good place to get breakfast. The hours are something to have to get used to. But if you can make it there give it a try. the food won't disappoint. A very small town atmosphere inside with a friendly staff read more

Biscuits and Gravy! This little cafe has amazing food and great servers. You will not be disappointed.

Every place like Cracker Barrel and Bonanza along the interstate was super busy so was trying to find a smaller cafe or diner. Went downtown and found Mama's Arcade. I love love love small older places like this. You can eat at the counter or sit at the older booths or tables. Dont get me wrong its a very comfortable atmosphere and very clean. I would much rather give my business to a place like this than a chain restaurant that can care less about their customers most of the time. Nice breakfast and lunch menu. My super omellete was filled generously and was very fluffy...hate rubbery omelletes. The pancakes are huge and the coffee tastes great. What else can you ask for?! I highly recommend this little tucked away gem! read more

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At $5 for coffee, bacon, hash browns, eggs, and a bagel, The Arcade is the cheapest breakfast in town. It also just so happens to be the tastiest. While the service isn't the fastest in town (you may wait up to ten minutes when they're busy), it is easily the friendliest. Do yourself a favor and try it out. read more

Love a small town diner dishing up homemade goodness. I had Mary's Place bookmarked, but received a tip they had closed by the staff at Hampton inn. Mama's Arcade Cafe is the spot. If your lucky enough to visit on a Monday or Tuesday, you'll be charmed by Mamie. Their pancakes are redunculous. Great biscuits and gravy too. Prices are at least a decade behind what we spend in Chicago. Just remember to bring cash. read more

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This is a classic American cafe: the place where the community comes to hang out, enjoy some classic cooking, and be served by warm-hearted waitresses. Lincoln IL is close to Springfield IL, and Mama's Arcade Cafe serves Springfleld's signature dish for lunch: the horseshoe (and its smaller version, the ponyshoe.) They even made a vegetarian version of a ponyshoe for me, and it was delightful. A five-star cafe experience. read more

Delicious cheap breakfast! Def will stop otw to St.Louis in the future. Great prices. Small area but worth the wait.

Amazing menu at unbelievable prices. You'd pay three times as much at a corporate restaraunt and not get a bettern meal. Friendly staff. Plaxe xqn fill up. Call ahead. Seating for fifty includes original wooden bench booths, three tables and a few counter seats. If your into route 66 you have to check put the exterior. This is one old mall that opens into the town square. I had a Pappas special. Choice of pancakes or biscuits and gravy, fries or hashbrowns, three eggs and meat. All for under eight dollars. read more

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The food here is pretty good. From eggs to pancakes you won't be disappointed. When you get the hash browns get shredded cheese on them. This is not mentioned on menu but they will do it for you and you won't be disappointed The only problem I have had when I have gone here is service can be spotty most of it is probably due to their inability to properly schedule for rushes they get on Saturday's and Sunday's. read more

Great place for breakfast!! Come early, as it is as popular for the food as it is for the classic diner atmosphere. Staff is friendly, and accommodating to what your tastes are. Prices are very reasonable. My coffee,eggs, biscuits and gravy were excellent. read more

Obviously a locals favotite. I look for these gems wherever I travel. Nice folks, customers and staff, good food, Just plain goodness. I'll be back if I am ever in Lincoln again. I felt welcomed. :) read more

Great little place for breakfast. Very limited seating, so be prepared to wait a little, but the food was great and the staff was very friendly. read more

Saw the reviews on yelp and stop by mamas for breakfast when traveling through town.Busy little place the food was good service was spotty the reason for three stars are as follows.I had eggs with potatoes and had an order of biscuits and gravy The eggs we're not properly cooked and the biscuits and gravy were lukewarm at best.And then weirdest thing happened I had just finished eating and I was relaxing finishing my coffee when the bus boy came to my table put the tub that he put dirty dishes in right next to me on the table and put my plate into it when I was sitting there drinking my coffee weird / rude it's a wonder that with all those issues I still gave it three stars. Cold biscuits and gravy and all it was still a decent breakfast read more

The best breakfast in Lincoln. Love the vibe and the customer service. Wish it was open more conveniently, but overall fantastic place.

It is a classic American Route 66 diner. Good food, good people, and has a great local feel.

If you've live in lincoln all your life you will get what im saying when i say the service here is very iffy unless your an older person the food here has gone down hill from the last owner as well. Most of it is just watered down breakfast. Honestlly wish we still had a good diner. read more

Went here for lunch today, entrees were all about six fifty but included fries, everything we ordered was frozen and pre-prepared. For a bluet plate diner I was very disappointed, I won't be going back anytime soon. read more

Go there for breakfast and love the food.They do a great job and make you feel like home.

I'm amazed by the other reviews that have been left. Maybe I came on a bad day. This is just your typical ran down mom and pop diner. The waitresses were all friendly, but the service was terrible. Both of our orders were messed up, they forgot a side and said they would bring it out and it never appeared until we were ready to leave and mentioned it again. We waited over 5 minutes just for our drinks and never got refills even after asking. The waitresses were busy chatting it up with what seemed to be "usuals" which probably explains the slow service. The food itself was fine, some of it was great and some of it tasted as if it was sitting for a while before being brought to the table. The building is old and needs some attention. I would not recommend this restaurant to a friend. You would be much better off stopping at the Cracker Barrel just off the interstate if you are looking for a small town country feely place to eat. I'm all about supporting the local restaurants but this town seems to be extremely limited on options. read more