A trip to Chicago just doesn't seem complete without a stop at Valois. Just a few blocks walking distance from my sister's apartment is Valois and man, I must say this place does not joke around. The food is served cafeteria style and when you walk in you file into a line that eventually leads to the tray line. They have a bunch of different options and you can really see all the food either in front of you or quickly being whipped up behind the servers. You can really get whatever you want, whether that's a sandwich, steak or waffles but I typically opt for an omelet, a classic breakfast (eggs, potatoes bacon etc) or Obama's special. This place is quick, easy and pretty affordable. The downside is that I'm almost certain they only take cash so be prepared for that. I love that they are open way early (5:30AM) and they are closed way late (10:00PM). Definitely a place I will be back at when I go to Chicago again! read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was treated to breakfast and this was the choice we made. When you walk in you'll see many people there usually, indicating it's a great place to dine. If you see a long line, not to worry the staff here is used to moving it quickly, especially on sunday mornings. It's nothing fancy, just diner-style ambiance, but with good stick-to-your-ribs diner-delicous food. The menu at Valois gives you plenty of good options, and you won't have to pay too much for a quality meal. My companion and I had the same thing, the Everything Omelet. It was a fluffy mound of eggs blended with bacon, mushroom, ham,onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and cheese. It was served with yummy breakfast potatoes. We also ordered blueberry pancakes to share. Even the coffee is good at this joint. I'm not a big coffee drinker and I had two cups! It was a wonderful meal that left us comfortably full, and not to mention a great way to start our day. read more

Delicious, affordable food with a down to earth atmosphere. A real slice of Americana!

Came for breakfast with my friend Greg. He had the steak and eggs. I ordered the fish with peas and carrots and corn on the side. There is nothing here for the health conscious, however the food is good and the price is super cheap! I love the fact that it is Obama stomping ground and he still comes here when he is in town. The one thing you need to know is they don't accept credit cards and it has zero atmosphere. They give you a tray like a school cafeteria and you carry the tray to a table. First time I have ever been to this type of restaurant. It was cool! It was different! I'll be back sometime cause Greg loves this place! read more

A Hyde Park institution that's hosted Obama and Bourdain, though not at the same time. Big fan on this cafeteria-style dinner. We grabbed breakfast here and were delighted by the efficient speed, affordable price, and welcoming atmosphere. I got a ham and cheese omelette with home fries and it hit the spot. Can't wait to come back. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Terrible do not recommend the food, last time I was in the restaurant a friend of mine ordered a steak it was tough like elephant bacon, this restaurant has been in Hyde Park for many years everybody raves about it but in my opinion no good read more

Great food and great service! I got the Mediterranean omelette (one of Obama's favorites) with extra bacon. They are cash only but do have 10% off for uchicago students! read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The prices are very reasonable and the food is only fair. The best thing on the menu when they have it is the prime rib.

Good food and Excellent customer service! One if my favorite places to eat good holsum good ! read more

The food is great. Service has been great anytime I'm there. And the vibe is cool. All the diversity in that place.

Good breakfast & very nice staff. The restaurant was clean & the area was very nice! I don't typically eat this kind of breakfast food, but it's affordable & they gave great options. There was no extra long wait & the server was kind. I'd definitely come back. read more

Valois - Omelette, grits, ham, lemonade - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A Hyde Park staple! And its reputation is beyond well-earned: $6 for great pancakes, eggs, and bacon? Huge, tasty biscuits and omelettes for equally ridiculously affordable prices. If you're ever in Hyde Park, this is a true local favorite and you really just need to walk in and grab a tray! read more

Valois - pancakes, eggs, bacon special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Iconic!!! I've been eating here for 20 years. If you're from the south side or just so happen to visit the south side and venture into Hyde Park, you must eat here. They have food for any time If day but they're breakfast is legendary. Just ask President Obama. He has his own menu based on his favorites. read more

cafeteria style neighborhood restaurant. literally been coming here over 30 years and I'm 32 lol breakfast made to order and fast paced ... (when obama isn't home , he stops to eat so pray u don't decide to go when he pops up ) anyway .. pancakes to die for , and one of the only places that serves koolaid! (i get koolaid/lemonade mixed) I've only ever eaten breakfast (served all day) ... read more

Fantastic breakfast. I enjoyed the omelette with potatoes. I was too come back but schedule didn't permit. If I'm in the area I would definitely visit again read more

Simple, quick, and kind. These guys know what they're doing. We had a classic choice of breakfast items (pancakes, sausage, eggs any way, biscuits, & more), and despite a line, we got through it quickly. I had a baby in a carrier and a 7 year old with me, and the cashier and cook both insisted that someone help us with our tray. Courtesy still exists. The atmosphere is cafeteria style, the food is delicious, and it's very clean. My daughter insists we eat here every time we come to Chicago. read more

incredible food, a must when in hyde park. i would recommend anything off of the president specials. read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great options! Cafeteria style so you can try lots of options. Breakfast all day is great!

I came here with my son on a Saturday afternoon and was able to get a seat right away. I like how you order your food and take it to your table with you- kind of like a high school cafeteria. I ordered the French toast with strawberries- I enjoyed it ( the strawberries are frozen not fresh) my son had steak and eggs and was happy with his meal as well. Prices are pretty reasonable. Parking is hard to find but that's to be expected in Hyde park. They are only open til about 3pm, I went in around 2pm and is wasn't crowded at all. I think this place is good for a quick bite. read more

My favorite breakfast spot 18 years and counting. I recommend the veggie omelette and French toast! Cash only so be prepared. Great service and food. read more

Valois is one of the best spots in Hyde Park. I love their breakfast and how quickly they get the food to you! There are only two downsides. One is that the price has increased in the last four years. I think the steak and eggs combo almost doubled in price! Maybe not their fault, but it's hard to justify any more. Second is that the workers move you along quickly! It can be jarring for the first time visitor. Otherwise, it's an amazing place! Food is great! My current favorite is the steak omelette! read more

Awesome place for breakfast recommend stopping by first time coming and man and I impressed staff was amazing read more

Valois - 2 eggs sausage links and hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A family favorite in Hyde Park for a long time. A good, quick, breakfast and lunch spot. Their omelets are epic!

I've been going here since I was a kid! My Grandfather and his friends had there own table. Eat, Talk, Be Merry!

Wonderful, nostalgic cafeteria-diner serving a wide variety of dishes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Don't forget cash only!

The assembly line here is fascinating to watch. They're so streamline your order almost instantly comes out the second you order! It's really really cheap to eat here and you get a discount with a UChicago ID. That being said the quality isn't the best, but hey I'm good with cheap and fast brunch with friends in Hyde Park! Their omlettes are particularly good. Lots of seating and lots of locals! read more

Valois - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food is delicious, I was just there for breakfast. The staff is always nice! One of my favorite places

I love the omelette(tried steak and sausage) and French toast here! Every month I'll go there at least once for breakfast. However, the NY steak is pretty much ordinary. It's a perfect place for getting the same breakfast as Obama once you find your favorite read more

Valois - Sausage&Cheese Omelet, French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There are two main types of patrons at Valois: the regulars and the haters. I've batted for both teams (get your mind out of the gutter). The first time I tried Valois in 2003, it looked like a hospital cafeteria at night: eerily quiet, sterile, dead to the world. I stopped in randomly for a quick dinner. My meal consisted of some sort of boney fish (cod / tilapia) rice and beans...lackluster enough that I didn't return for another two years. Then I discovered the error of my ways. Silly me. You don't go to Valois for lunch or dinner. You go for brunch. The establishment is hopping on weekend mornings, more resembling a rambunctious school cafeteria, replete with children and laughter. It is as greasy and good as they say, with thawed sweet strawberries in high fructose corn syrup (not fresh fruit, please, where do you think you are, a hotel?) for your french toast, eggs, biscuits, sausage, bacon, grits and syrupy love... you know, the works. Just like Salonica, it's cheap enough that they ask you pay with cash only. Be quick about it - this place is an institution. You're eating by their rules. If you don't like it, go to OPH on 51st. The regulars will thank you for freeing up a table. read more

Pricing is great- cook line style- cash only but there is an atm. We had a sausage sandwich, steak omelette and had browns. Food line was super quick they are hustlers! read more

Barack was just here again last week. This innocuous diner is venerable for many who grew up in Hyde Park, and famous to sociologists (See Mitchell Duneier's Slim's Table, 1994). It's hard to understand how those of us who were raised here in the shadow of the University of Chicago could become young adults shocked at the amount of racism and bigotry in the rest of the United States unless you come have breakfast or lunch here (then go to Jimmy's, officially the Woodlawn Tap, for a couple of drinks). This diner is Hyde Park integration, you just cannot come here and not see the widest spectrum of America in terms of race, ethnicity, social class, age, and political opinion, all sharing reasonably priced high cholesterol food served cafeteria style. Professors, bus drivers, physicians, construction workers, artists, you can see and overhear an incredible diversity of occupational status and educational achievement. I've eaten here sitting near a future Supreme Court Justice and near a future U.S. President (both formerly law professors). Okay here's how you work this place. You're coming to Hyde Park to visit the University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, the 53rd Street Beach, or the Oriental Institute, come here for breakfast or lunch. You're not going to find parking anywhere in the neighborhood, take the bus (maybe the Jeffrey Express) or the train (I think the Metra nee the Illinois Central is preferable to the Red Line to the Garfield bus). Bring cash, this place doesn't take credit cards yet (don't want to rush into these things you know). Get in the long line, it will move fast, so try to decide before you're up. You need to decide your main dish, your sides, what kind of bread (take the biscuits), what you want to drink (coffee in a mug that's what kind of place this is), and come back for dessert as there's not going to be room on your tray. You do want dessert though, the pies are old-school-diner. You pay at the end of the service line, don't hold up progress. Even the President stands in this line (though he really slows down the otherwise rapid service because of all the people with him). Because of Michelle, they have added some heart healthy choices, but ignore them. Any open table is fair game, closer is better with a heavily laden tray, and if your tray isn't heavy, you're not getting into the spirit of the place. If possible, avoid sitting right next to graduate students using words not found in spell-check, like "hermeneutics," or "epistemological." This is Hyde Park, so this part may well-nigh be impossible. During peak hours, the unofficial rule is to eat and go, but during off hours many regulars nurse cups of coffee over wide-ranging discussion and debate. After you're done, I suggest you break tradition (to under tip the bussers) and leave 15-20% at your table. Don't forget to get a souvenir mug or t-shirt for the gift you can't get anywhere else. read more

I have been going to Valois for years. Nice breakfast place. Great salads and good white fish on Friday. I love this place

My Dad and I can't catch a break with their new hours. We've been trying to get there before 5pm but now it's 3pm as the close time. Welp. We'll keep trying. Delicious food and a break place for a full meal treat. read more

I'm not sure why this place is so popular? It reminds me of a high school cafeteria, the food is mediocre and the environment is similar to a cheap buffet. I liked the staff, they were friendly and patient but that's about it. It is interesting that most cops eat there, every time I've walked past there is always at least one table filled with them. I'm giving three stars only because the staff was nice and the food was cheap. Other than that, honestly, there are plenty of other places in Hyde park that I would recommend over this place. read more

1st I was off today and I use to go to this place back in the day's. Well my my my this place has changed. My coffee was like very bitter. And my food looked much better then it tasted. The biscuit's was not a winner at all more like hard corn bread. If my granny was still living I would get her a job in 40 mins. And you would have melt in your mouth biscuits. And need I say more about the butter packs can you say FROZEN. 2nd I was ready to SHUT the front door when the butter had no flavor and could not melt on cold Biscuits. So this place got 2stars. 1 for my omelette was OK. And the other 1 because my Co Worker enjoyed her bacon. read more

Valois - Veggie omelette, Hot Grits and Biscuits. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My friends brought me here. It is one of President Obama's favorite restaurants. There were so many options, I was a little overwhelmed. They have both breakfast and lunch items. As soon as you walk in there a board that has President Obama's favorite items, which are all breakfast items. I ordered the Mediterranean omelet with hash browns, which was on that list. Overall, I thought it was decent but I like Walker Brother's omelets better. :) I enjoyed the hash browns but parts were crispy and others weren't. I really liked the biscuit. It was a generous portion and sweet! The cooks were all very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was casual. You order first, grab a tray, and they will either serve you pre-made items there or bring you items they cook. My friends ordered the fish which was pre-made and the chicken which was also pre-made. They both said it was decent. I would go back to try their other items. The steak and eggs looked really good. They also sold Obama mugs! :D read more

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Went recently I was neva a fan but I was with a friend who freak on this old head so Violas it is! Sheeet he paying. I had roast beef mashed potatoes with gravy and broccoli with a big ass cup of RED kool aid, I must say it was fucking tasty. Anywho I came back the next day for more same meal. That's how tasty it was. read more

Valois is known as President Obamas favorite restaurant, and when you walk in you'll see his favorite items on the menu. You can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a moments notice made fresh right in front of you. A brother in law of mine who grew up in Hyde Park and introduced me to this place, he's been getting served for over 37 years by the same people who've worked here! Another cool thing to note is the reasonable prices and portion sizes. Lastly, the ambiance is relaxing and inviting with beautiful ceiling murals, and a display of clocks, with a multitude of world time zones. read more

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Good wholesome food, fresh and fast. Best spot in Hyde Park. Staff is friendly food is fresh and service is quicker than fast food. Valois is a Hyde Park staple and a must stop when you're in town. Casual and traditional ambiance. Lines may be long but worth the wait. Love this place. Cash only. read more

Valois was recommended to me by the yelp community when I reached out via a talk thread.... My bf and I were venturing down to Hyde park last night as an excuse for us to check out a new neighborhood but mainly for me to get some car driving practice in. I know that sounds weird, particularly for someone who's been driving for almost 10 years.... but us Aussies drive on the left hand side of the road... do you know how hard it is doing everything in reverse??! Anyway after a fair amount of car honks and a bit of yelling on my behalf we finally made it down to hyde park. I'd originally thought we'd go to A10, but was told valois was the place to go if you wanted the true hype park experience... so that's what we did. This place is an institution and you get that vibe when you enter, it's much bigger than I thought it would be and it's diner style which I'd been informed.... it's less about the quality of the food more about the experience and people watching. Also it hit fame when Obama got elected and he comes in here whenever he's in town as it was one of his favorite places. From what I'd read this place is more known for breakfast and that was confirmed it was quiet when we were there. But there was 3 different police groups have their dinner in there and write a few groups of little old ladies. The food was very good value... 2 meals for $23. I had roast beef, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies and a soda. The bf got chicken and ribs and same sides. As expected is just a home cooked meal nothing to write home about but I'm glad we had the experience. We will have to come for the famous breakfast. And we later went for a wander around the area and I think A10 will also be a place we'll come back for, it was bustling in there! read more

Valois - All this for $23! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois