Any suggestions for breakfast? We usually go to the Original Pancake House on Bellvue. Time is limited so we would like to stay in the loop or the Nordstrom area. One person will only eat crepes. Any suggestions?

Lou Mitchell's.

THe breakfast place to end all breakfast places.

Get there while it's packed, eat your milk duds, and order lots of eggs.

565 W. Jackson.

Couple blocks or so west of Union Station.

If anyone tells you to go to Lou Mitchell's...punch them in the face. A breakfast place with tabs that rival Everest and food on par with any other breakfast joint.

Try the Oak Tree at 900 N. Michigan. It's in the vicinity of where you will be.

Holy cow!! Punch Farber in the face!!

Who goes to Lou Mitchell's for the food?

There's a West Egg Cafe at 620 N. Fairbanks.

Not sure of the crepe availability.

Tempo. Get in a cab and tell them you want to go there.

Took a walk over to Bloomies after dinner. Wanted to check out Oak Tree for future breakfasts. Closed due to remodeling. I'm leaning towards Tempo. My niece suggested Orange but just not sure about the location. The idea of everything orange?

Since Clam is so violent about Lou Mitchell's, I would suggest you go to:

Toast on Webster and Halsted (take a cab)
Hotel Sofitel off Rush (though it is pricey)
Tempo is so trendy, but good
Ina's on Randolph Street

Tempo wasn't so trendy waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day.

You guys weren't sober then. It's still where the beautiful go for breakfast to get mentioned in the paper.

Clam Man is right about Lou's...WAY overpriced, and I've had their pancakes once...ONCE. So if you're looking for THE BEST pancakes, it's Walker Brothers in the North suburbs, which are all franchisees of The Original Pancake House. So your best bet is the one on Bellvue. Just keep in mind that Walker Bros is actually better, so when you have more time, go and see for yourself: http://www.walkerbrosoph.com/about/

(The place has been nationally recognized as one of the best.)

Tempo is also a good place over on Chestnut, which is pretty close to the Pancake House. The last time I was in Tempo, there was Jerry Springer sitting right at the next table...So I threw my chair at him. ;-)

quote:

Clam Man is right about Lou's...WAY overpriced

Forget the price for one moment. Why would one waste a significant part of their day off waiting in line for a breakfast that can be had pretty much anywhere...including the freakin' Glen Oak? Long lines, a no-longer-"look-at-me" locale, average food, crappy visuals....and....OK....shocking prices. Lou is a punk.

I worked across the street from that place for years and years. Just never got the attraction. And by the way.....contrary to what is stated on the sign out front...they are not "serving the worlds (sic) finest COFFEE." That's just a lie. And because of that lie, Uncle Lou can kiss my ***.

We lived a stone's throw from Walker Bros. on Greenbay...the only place I would actually go out of my way for breakfast food....which is all pretty much the same.

You're right! The sign really does state that...

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Due to a train problem we were not able to use any yesterday. Seems like there was an accident in Lisle and the train arrived 25 minutes late. We ended up at Yolks on Michigan. Place was hoppin' but we got seated right away. They had about five groups of eight or more. The crepes were pretty good, epecially the bananas foster. On the way to our next stop I did spot the Intelligista coffee shop. On Clam's rec of best coffee, we stopped. I opted for iced coffee and it was good. Hours later I was still feeling the caffeine. Later in the afternoon I stopped back to try one of the iced teas. They were very good. I have to ask if Argo Tea is the tea version of Starbucks. They are every where. Some of the drinks are OK but use syrups and stuff. I prefer the actual teas like Teavana. Friday I will be having breakfast at Tempo with the hubby.

wait....you're the crepe person, aren't you? Be honest.

Absolutely! I'm actually looking at a couple on places on Clark that sounds realy good. The best part of a vacation is the dining out. Let's face it Chicago has too many choices for all meals.

I found what I think is a good Italian place totally by accident. La Scarola. My veal dish was unbelievable. I had scarole which I have not had since my grandmother died.

I really enjoyed Eno's at the InterContinental. Scott was very knowledgeable about wines, chocolate and cheese.

A non GEBB recommended Tallulah in Lincoln Park. My marlin was exquisite. Clam mentioned Keefer's in the past so we went. The grilled calamari was as good as Vittorio's. My steak was done very well but there's just something about the butter taste at Ruth's Chris. Hubby wants to know who Clam is as many of our dining adventures have been on his recs.

We've been here less than a week and have had some really good meals. I hate to think what we'll be like after a couple more weeks. I guess I'll have to check out the cardio equip in the training room.

I went back to a post in December about restaurants in Chicago. Because the post was close I thought I would just ask here rather than start a new post. Of course, if I did that I could be in the running for the most started posts for August.

Has anyone had the prix fixe meals with wine at Salpicon or Croftons?

quote:

My steak was done very well

I would have sent it back.

Used to dine at Crofton's all the time. Used to eat lunch there every Friday. That second kid sure puts a cramp on your dining out. Now you have to pay for their food and college and clothes and games and sports and there is no money left for you.