Edward Hopper's Nighthawks
As befits the home of Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks", Chicago is a city that adores its coffee shops and diners. We love their promise of simple, well-cooked food and – especially in these turbulent economic times – an affordable menu. So if you're looking for a new hangout that won't break the bank, consider these Top Coffee Shops and Diners from the 2009 Chicago Restaurants guide.
1141 S. Jefferson St.; 312-939-2855
5700 S. Cicero Ave.; 773-948-6300
“The local color is laid on as thick as the corned beef” at this beloved South Loop breakfast-and-lunch “institution” (and its Southwest Side franchise), an “anachronistic” “steam-table cafeteria, with sandwiches made to order”, peopled “by old-timers, new wavers, tourists and politicians” enjoying a taste of “true Chicago” – so “just yell out what you want” to the “countermen, who are caricatures of themselves”; N.B. they now serve dinner and alcohol, and take credit cards.
1820 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-506-1720
The “blackboard fish specials” feature “excellent fresh catches daily” at this “casual” Ravenswood “haunt” where Traditional American “upscale diner food” meets a “great staff”; its “bright, cheery” (“not romantic”) digs are among the “best” around for a “chilled-out breakfast or dinner with friends” “at a low price” – so it’s no surprise surveyors ask “why didn’t I hear about this place sooner?”
A “seemingly endless variety of pancakes” (especially the “don’t-miss” apple and “unusual” Dutch Baby versions) makes fans flip for this “always-crowded” “real-deal” American chain that supplies “Sunday morning comfort” for many; service is “fast (if not so friendly)” and the price is right, but “better coffee would be an improvement”; N.B. not all locations are open for dinner.
75 W. Harrison St.; 312-447-1000
3231 N. Clark St.; 773-549-4400
2011 W. Roscoe St.; 773-248-0999
For “out-of-the-norm” Eclectic nourishment like “chai French toast”, “fruit sushi” and “surprisingly good orange coffee”, consider these “innovative”, “arty” breakfast/brunch/lunch brothers; their “funky” (if “too cute”) settings are full of “friendly service” that “struggles at times with the weekend crowds”, and tabs can inch up high “for breakfast”, yet fans find them “worth getting up early for”; N.B. the Lakeview and Printer’s Row locations are BYO, while Roscoe Village has a liquor license and is open for dinner Wednesday–Sunday.
1920 W. Division St.; 773-395-9434
Expect New American food that’s “particularly fresh” at this “cutie” of a Wicker Parker, where the morning meal is “better than breakfast in bed” (they mix “amazing” “granola you might dream about”) and the “fantastic sandwiches” and “interesting salads” make for a “lovely lunch” – “whether you sit indoors or out”; “only counter orders are taken”, and the “lines on weekends are out the door”, but boosters who believe it’s “worth it” (“if you can stand the cell phone and stroller” crowd) lament that “they’re not open late enough.”
For more Chicago Top Lists, click here.