Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Willy and Grace Diner

    4.6 (33 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Willy and Grace Diner Photos

    WILLY AND GRACE DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Willy and Grace Diner

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    'Good enough'
    J P P.

    Mom & Pop joint with a warehouse appeal... Lacking decor but plenty of gray paint, the place could use a splash of excitement! A colorful mural of Spaghetti & Meatballs shining on the wall just might do this place wonders! A basic breakfast blends right in. A few Sunny-Side eggs and a mound of American Potatoes gets it done. Perk it up with some grilled onion and chopped Jalapeno and put some 'zing' on your plate. 'Good enough'...

    Huevos Rancheros
    Melissa M.

    Stopped in here again today to try something new! Huevos Rancheros! Woot! Another perfect meal. The place was packed, but I got a little table in the back of the restaurant and had amazing service again. I'm off tomorrow so I am planning another meal! I'm going to try and remember to take pics! Great place, casual dining, family oriented

    Chicken soup
    Felicia K.

    Eggs were on point. Again I'm very picky with my eggs. No brown spots and cooked perfectly. Country fried steak was delicious the gravy on top was very flavorful. My wife had the steak and eggs she enjoyed it her only comment was just a touch more seasoning. Service was fast and helpful. You can tell they have a lot of regulars as the server knew just about everyone who walked in the door. Two older men who seem to come here a lot were too darn cute and seemed like family to the staff. The inside has a truck stop feel to it but definitely older diner feel and that's right up our alley. We will be back and give them a second try. Oh yes the chicken soup was perfect. I'm a soup freak!!

    Butter bowl!
    Peter T.

    Breakfast perfection. This location was formerly Lark and Owl, and before that, Kendalls Kountry Kitchen. I last visited when it was the latter, in 2014. The good news? The chef thru all those years is now the owner and has plastered his own name on the front. Bravo. Congrats. Best wishes for years of success. A lengthy menu offers breakfast and lunch choices, plus daily specials. Open 7A-2P. I went with the country fried steak and eggs, which, as is the Chicago custom, came with three eggs, gravy, potatoes (choice of American fries or hash browns) and your choice of pancakes or toast (white, wheat, rye, Greek). As is also the Chicago custom, a heaping bowl of butter graced the table along with other condiments. Eggs were done as ordered, steak was flavorful and a large ladle of sausage gravy adorned it. I like Greek toast (similar to "Texas") for it's bulk. Coffee is great and service was superb. I try and support local businesses like Willy's. You should too.

    Busy Sunday
    Mark D.

    First time back for us under the new name. I had been coming often enough when it was Lark and Owl and the restaurant was always good. Under the new name we got in on a Sunday morning. It's a small restaurant and this time it was full, very nice to see. Plenty of wait staff so the service was excellent. Willy and Grace has a very full breakfast menu and the food did not disappoint. Omelettes, biscuits & gravy and the eggs Benedict were all very good. Five stars

    Avocado Toast with poached eggs, spinach and feta cheese.

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J P P.
    0
    453
    1213

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    It's great service and the food is so delicious and tasty no matter how busy they are the customer service is great !!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    The food, the service, absolutely everything is amazing, such a warm cozy spot, we love it here! Our go to weekend breakfast spot

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Wilfredo G.

    Wilfredo G.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Anna G.
    39
    34
    19

    1 year ago

    Friendly / Delicious / Old School Diner. What more can you ask for. The menu is huge and the portions are even larger.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Wilfredo G.

    Wilfredo G.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Nice little diner warm and friendly. Food is very comforting with good selections. Service staff is great and friendly!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason R.
    885
    306
    1073

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Wilfredo G.

    Wilfredo G.

    Thank you for your very kind review Kim! We appreciate you!

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Wilfredo G.

    Wilfredo G.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Best in town. Homemade food, everything fresh. Love the girl, very respectful and friendly

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tessa I.
    11
    23
    14

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robyn L.
    138
    10
    3

    2 years ago

    Amazing breakfast! Very friendly service and welcoming atmosphere! Highly recommend Willy and Grace's for breakfast.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great atmosphere the staff was very attentive and professional, the pancakes were delicious , highly recommend.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Wilfredo G.

    Wilfredo G.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Wilfredo G.

    Wilfredo G.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Willy and Grace Diner

    You might also consider

    Elgin Public House - Meatloaf Melt

    Elgin Public House

    (634 reviews)

    $$

    I was honestly pleasantly surprised by Elgin Public House. The food tasted very, very…read moregood--definitely exceeded my expectations. Everything was flavorful and well put together, and it made for a great dining experience in the moment. The atmosphere was also nice, and overall it felt like a solid spot to grab a meal. The only downside was that the food ended up making my stomach hurt afterward, which took away from the experience a bit. Still, based on taste alone, it was impressive, and I'd consider going back while maybe trying something different next time.

    Old school pub with top notch food. I'm a simple guy so I love the aesthetic that EPH has, it a…read morebar that serves good food. Nothing pretentious or phony about it and that was the draw for me. Came in on a cold and snowy Wednesday night and while there weren't many patrons there the vibe was great. Waiter was attentive and friendly as we ordered fresh made chips and guacamole, steak salad for my wife and a build your burger with fried egg & provolone w/fries on a pretzel roll. You can tell that the chefs in the back take pride in what they do as the food was some of the best pub food I've had. Extensive and great drink selection too. From local breweries to the name brands you know they have a beer for all palettes. Wine and liquor selection looked decent too For me, it's a bit of nostalgia as I remember this is how pubs used to be. If you're likeminded, you'll be a fan too

    Wee-Dee's

    Wee-Dee's

    (118 reviews)

    $

    I work in the area and I'd been going to Wee-Dee's a couple times a month for the past 6-7 years…read more Every day it was the same, kinda cranky, old dude in a wheelchair at the register and every day it was really good Chicago Dogs or gyros or burgers. Over the past few months, in effort to save some money, I've stopped going out for lunch everywhere, but yesterday (3/18/26) I had a hankerin' for a good Chicago Dog, and their 2-dog combo meal has always been a great deal. I noticed right away that the cranky, old dude wasn't there. I got the dogs, but it was a plain bun -- no poppyseeds. It was dull, kinda dry, run-of-the-mill pickle relish. It was one thin slice of tomato on each. Not even a hint of celery salt. There was a pickle spear, some chopped onion, some mustard, but they seemed bored. It was as though the whole sandwich didn't want to be there. If you're a Chicago area dog stand -- unless you're serving up your own, special-recipe phenoma-dog -- the canon is The Chicago Dog: steamed poppyseed bun, steamed Vienna Beef frank, yellow mustard, chopped white onion, neon-green picallili relish, dill pickle spear, tomato wedges, sport peppers, and celery salt. When you ask the customer if they want it with "everything," THAT SPECIFIC LIST is what they expect. It's a very distinct flavor combination. Half-stepping or skimping on the ingredients is instantly noticeable -- to the eyes as well as the taste buds. On my sad way out the door I asked the young dude behind the cash register if the place is under new ownership. He confirmed that it is, since October. I asked him if he's the owner, but he said he is not. I saw no sense in belaboring my point to the paid help, so I left to belabor here where I hope Wee-Dee's new owner will see it. Dear Wee-Dee's Unlike the burger -- which is just another burger, or a gyros sandwich -- which is just another gyros sandwich, The Chicago Dog is a unique, ingredient-specific creation. It is NOT just another hot dog ...which is what you're serving, now. Wee-Dee's, please fix your Chicago Dog! Thank you.

    One of the BEST grease pits in Illinois…read more Great gyros cuz they grill it for a bit, and the fries are great. They hook it up with a lot. This locations is the better Wee Dee's by far.

    Jester's Fast Food - Gyro meal

    Jester's Fast Food

    (159 reviews)

    $$

    I was looking for a quick place in Elgin because I was going to see a play downtown. Wasn't sure…read morewhat I wanted either, but I generally like Greek fast food places. Stopped in for dinner with my wife. I got the cheeseburger special (fries and a drink). I will say it was good, but a bit heavy on the added mustard. Most places go heavier on the ketchup side, but this was mustard heavy. Fries were good. Wife got the Greek chicken. She never finishes her meal so I always get to comment on both dishes. I have to say the Greek chicken was outstanding. Really flavorful. I had her wing, leg and part of the breast. The rice was tender and yummy. Small piece of garlic bread but was also good. Greek potatoes were really good too. I made a mistake. I should have ordered what she had. It was that good. I wish I took a photo, but the food was devoured so quickly. The service was long, but Thats to be expected when you order chicken dishes. Only two other people in the restaurant and both had the Greek chicken as well. I want to go back, but it's too far unless I decide to take on another play in the area. Workers in the restaurant were very nice and friendly. They thanked us for dining with them. I like that.

    Fast service. Food was always hot and trash. I mainly go for the hotdog specials which is two dogs…read morefries and drink. Their burgers are good especially the mushroom burger. There is a service charge if you use the card but if pay cash you do not have the Cc surcharge. Service very friendly fast and I am very happy with my meals I eaten there. Also they have inside tables. Highly recommend.

    Willy and Grace Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...