We go here often, the last time there were 14 of us. Still good food, good service and a friendly atmosphere. Wish the train was working though. read more

went here with my mom and her bf for dinner, but unfortunately had to leave due to the sheer stink of the back room. it was the room the restrooms were in, and unfortunately that smell lurched into the dining area. they (my mom and her bf) described it as the smell of urinal cakes. it really was unbearable. it was a little warm (not uncomfortable,) but warm enough to make the smell worse. unfortunately it was the only table open. we will try it some other time and update it. read more

The waitress we had was cheerful, friendly, always asking are we ok? Need a refill. Her name is Dory I had a Ruben sandwich very good. B.f had pork tenderloin sandwich. Very good. Place is busy with customers. read more

Average breakfast fare with a nice train motif. Staff was good, coffee was nothing to write home about. The Biscuits and Gravy was the white flavorless kind so hard pass on that. You can kick it up with some salt and pepper, and mix in your egg it is not a bad base but as a stand along gravy, it was meh. read more

I love the wait staff here! Everyone is friendly and attentive; they remember their repeat customers and treat you like family. I especially like their biscuits and gravy. The fried chicken is very good and, in fact, I've never had anything bad there. read more

Our favorite spot in the area Great simple food, great service, very convenient and affordable read more

We had their Sunday breakfast buffet and all the food we had was barely warm. This has been like this for some-time now. We have been going to this restaurant for years and the food quality and service has been steadily going downhill. I doubt if we will return if things don't get any better. It is a shame because this used to be one of the best eating establishments in the area. read more

Our favorite Cafe. Every Thursday night we have steaks there Excellent food, fast service the waitresses are so friendly and helpful. Food is nice and hot, great dessert. Can't get a better meal for the price Nice looking restaurant. Nicely decorated and clean. Choice of comfortable seating. We totally enjoy eating there a couple times a week. read more

We stopped here for lunch and I fell in love with the ambiance! At first glance, the exterior of the building looks like it needs improvements and Id consider this a diamond in the rough. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful. They made us feel at home rather than a patron. The decor is train stop theme and a perfect spot to eat for train lovers. I ordered the half sandwich and soup. Lets talk about the soup of the day...macaroni and cheese soup (yes sounds gross but...it was EXCELLENT!!!) And my half sandwich was a Monte Cristo and it was cooked to perfection! I would definitely recommend this place and plan on returning in the near future! Update: Came back for breakfast on 9/30/2023. Ordered 1/2 biscuit n gravy w egg off the senior menu and a Ham n Cheese omelette. It was very good...homemade tasting! read more

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Food was great - we had an omelet and skillet. The atmosphere was relaxed and the server was so nice! Definitely will be back!

This has all the feel of a small, locally owned hometown diner because it actually is a small, hometown locally owned diner. If you're looking for comfort food you've come to the right place. It's about five minutes off Interstate 55 about 60 miles south of Chicago on the Coal City exit. Mrs. Rick and I stopped in for lunch on our way back to Chicago. It had been several years since I've eaten here, and I've always told her how much I enjoyed the Muffuletta Sandwich. Although she never quite believed me when I told her just how big it is. They do note on the menu that it serves two people, so we gave it a try. It came with a choice of sides, and some nice chicken/dumplings soup. It was huge. And delicious. The sandwich came pre-cut into quarters, and we both could only finish one quarter. We took half the sandwich home and it made great leftovers later. For about $20 for the entire meal plus drinks for the both of us it is a real bargain. For a Midwest attempt at a New Orleans special it is pretty good. Not the same as eating one in New Orleans, but then what is? Our only regret is not being able to try any of the home-baked special pies they had. The wait staff was efficient, competent, and small-town friendly. read more

Stopped for dinner after a weekend getaway based on great reviews, Whistle Stop did not disappoint! We were warmly greeted by Gracie who exceeded our expectations, exceptional service, she felt like an old friend. The food was excellent, homemade lasagna, huge serving, delicious homemade chicken soup. Yummy salad. They actually had French and creamy garlic dressing. ( hard th find that combo) I wish I lived closer we would be here all the time. We will definitely try to return. It would be worth the hour and a half drive. Gracie you weee the best!!! Thank you Michelle and Fred read more

Great food at an exceptionally great price. Service was perfect. Colleen, our server was very upbeat and great at her job (deserves a raise)! We will definitely stop again on our way through. read more

Stop by for lunch a great mom and pop returns. Very diverse menu full of great food perfect pricing and impeccable service

Nice little diner with good food and service. Was there on a Saturday and they were busy! Had to wait for a parking spot to open! Menu had a lot of choices and very reasonable prices! If in the area I'd say give them a try read more

This small town breakfast and lunch spot is exactly as you're picturing it right now. Wood panel walls. Every seat taken by people of all ages. A model train (sadly not running) above you. Friendly people. Bathroom was clean. Fun antique car for kids to ride. A couple or slot machines. Pizza was mozzarella with roasted red peppers. Dough was not overly flavorful. Sicilian sauce (meat-free). Thanks for making that for me for breakfast! My companions are breakfast people and had the breakfast buffet. They said it was fine/good/standard, but I guess they didn't rave about anything in particular. Please run your model train! read more

Whistle Stop Cafe - Neat old antique car to ride. - Cafes Near Me - Diamond, Illinois

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I've been told when you are in an unfamiliar town, eat where the locals eat. This place is definitely where the locals hang out. It's family owned and multi-generational. I came here with two co-workers when we were doing a project down south and were looking for breakfast. They got these huge skillets with eggs and hash browns. They both cleaned their plates. I'd already eaten so I got a bowl of plain oatmeal. It tasted like every other plain bowl of oatmeal I've ever had at restaurants. I also got a cup of hot water (I was avoiding coffee.) The water tasted odd. I thought it was just me so I ordered an ice water. Same thing. Maybe it's just the quality of the tap water in Coal City (or maybe well water?) I'd go back because as I was leaving I noticed s refrigerator full of pies, many home baked. Next time I'll forego the oatmeal and just get a slice of one of those! read more

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The food and service is excellent. The restaurant is always busy so you know the food, etc. has to be excellent.

Amazing homemade food and the sweetest, friendliest servers. Great l low-key local gem in Diamond, IL! read more

Used to be good. Waitresses were nice and already knew what the regulars were having before they ordered it and was always crowded no matter what time or day. Now it's not as busy but that might be because the food is really lacking. Hate saying this but it's just not fresh and not cooked well at all. I've gone in a few times as not to base my visit on one off day but sadly it remains the same. Not particularly welcoming anymore and the food is not good. One half of my burger was raw while the other was well done. Garnish on the side was so old and wilted. Even the onion was shriveled. Fries were all stuck together like they had been allowed to thaw then refrozen and cooked. Soup, tasteless. I mean this is basic diner food and it's just a shame that it fails so badly now. We won't be back. read more

The food is delicious with fair portions. Menu is priced well! Service is friendly and quick.

We had to meet a client in the area and decided to have our lunch at the Whistle Stop Cafe. It was great! The food was excellent, the portions large and the wait staff fantastic! My wife & our client had lunch, while I chose breakfast. We left happy, full and determined to return again even if it was an hour & 1/2 away. Highly recommended! read more

I ate here when passing through on my way to Bloomington from Chicago. I'll keep this short and sweet. The food was awful, the waitress was rude and when I asked to speak to a manager about the delay and incorrect order, she was even more rude. Get fast food. It'll be a better overall experience. read more

Colleen was an amazing waitress. She was very nice and made out first time experience a positive one. The food was good especially the hash browns and pancakes. Service was fast would definitely recommend this place for that small hometown feel. read more

Nice home town restaurant good food good servers .. Hope the salad bar returns soon , Thanks keep up the great job ! read more

This is a great restaurant! Has a wonderful atmosphere, good food and stellar customer service. The staff is always willing to help you get what you want to eat. It says a lot when you go to a place and see a lot of regulars. Give them a try. You wont be disappointed if you like a homey atmosphere and traditional food. read more

I have never been to this cafe, but I would just like to point out something. This is NOT the same Whistle Stop Cafe, that had the problem with a dispute over denying a customer's handicapped spot. That cafe is located in Fox Lake, IL. read more

I'm writing this review for my mother who was just there on Saturday night with my brother & a friend. My mother asked the server if the porktendloin was thin & the server said yes it was. It was not. It was a porkchop that was butterflied, breaded & put on a bun. It was not thin like the server said. The other meal was cabbage rolls which were very good. The 3rd person got hamburger patty with mashed & gravy. The patty was cold in the middle & raw. He was going to tell the server but she never came back to the table to even ask how everything was. When she DID come back, she had the bill & was told about the burger patty being raw. She said "awe, if you would have said something sooner I would have had it cooked longer". That's it! Nothing else. Didn't ask to have the rest of it cooked longer or anything. He ate less than a third of his burger patty. The rest was so raw it was unedible. Good thing it came with mashed potatoes & bread otherwise he wouldn't have had anything to eat. My brother is a very generous tipper & the server definitely didn't deserve what he left her. This is the last time me or my family will be dining here. If you can't take 1 minute to check on a table to make sure there food is satisfactory, then you shouldn't be a server. read more

Waited over an hour for chicken and salad. I kept hearing "it'll be out soon" as other tables were fed. No explanation was given for delay; I got fed up, left and paid for my pop. read more

They have pretty good food here, nice waitresses

Good food, not so go service. Litttle dirty, for the most part good. Recommend it if you are going for breakfast bar.

Never been disappointed here!!! Great Walleye on Friday nights, Had many different meals here!! read more

Outstanding service and food Highly recommend this place The breakfast was hot and perfect amount of food. A true family atmosphere and neighborhood stop read more

This place is awesome! It's kind of a hole in the wall but wow the food was great. The all you can eat crab legs drew me in for only 21.95! All the waitresses were extremely helpful and very cheery! The crab legs though;they were amazing. They weren't like the cheap Chinese buffet crab legs, they were more of red lobster quality! Would recommend this to any one looking for good food with a good atmosphere. read more

Whistle Stop Cafe - There MASSIVE delicious "Choo choo cookie" - Cafes Near Me - Diamond, Illinois

Best breakfast place in my neighborhood I go often definitely stop in and give it a try..friendly atmosphere

Random stop on my way to Midway Airport. Awesome breakfast and mimosas were available! Great little diner with great service!

Food was ok, service was good, I went in for a nice quiet dinner with my wife but the staff would talk loudly to a co worker that the needed something and I believe one of the servers kid was running around the place. I ate quickly to just get out to some peace and quiet. read more

There ain't no better place for a family meal or a hangover breakfast than the Whistle Stop Cafe. The staff is absolutely phenomenal and after a few visits, will probably even remember your order (if you have a usual!) My favorite breakfast is the biscuits and gravy and my fiancé gets the meat omelette. I will always cherish the warm greetings from the ladies at The Whistle Stop Cafe and appreciate their hard work to provide great service. Thank you! read more

Great food, wait time and staff. They are not stingy with their serving's.Wonderful place to take your family.

We were searching for a breakfast restaurant in the area and found The Whistle Stop Cafe. Service was really good even though it was a busy Sunday morning. The coffee was above average and much better than a breakfast restaurant in Wilmington that we have gone to. I ordered eggs, rye toast, corned beef hash crispy and potatoes. Delicious breakfast. The hash was perfectly crispy. Eggs were over medium and perfect. Served hot. I would definitely eat breakfast here again. read more