Pick Me Up Cafe

In Short – Far out decor and offbeat street signs line the walls of this bustling, zany diner that is as colorful as its patrons. Intimate booths offer plenty of hiding space for creative types looking to get a late night caffeinated fix in peace. Appetizers like the cheekily named "Going Back to Calamari" make for good communal plates, while vegans and vegetarians delight in the tofu scrambles, veggie sandwiches and vegan cheese pizzas. Hardcore espresso lovers opt for signature eye openers such as the Red Eye or Zombie. There are full plate entree options for the dinner hungry, but…

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Editor's Tips

The Extras:: Come on the weekends for an extended menu with additional brunch items.
Parking:: Parking Friday and Saturday nights can be tricky, but there is a pay lot across the street on Newport.

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User Reviews (17)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Ambiance is fun with lots of crazy and colorful stuff.” “The decor is funky and the booths are comfortable, and the service has been friendly and helpful every time I've dined here.” “Oh, and if you like to study they're cool with it as long as you tip well, order food and have fun with them.” “The food was great, the atmosphere was definitley fun and the service was great.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“Great place for late-night vegetarian-friendly dining, awesome coffee” “The beer selection is ample, and the coffee is great.” “the coffee is great” “Great food and coffee at a great price”
food quality	80.0% positive	“love the food” “We were able to relax in a booth, have good food and try to sober up a bit.” “Great food and coffee at a great price” “great food, great service and it's open all night, what more can you ask?” “recommend the Magic Caps(HUGE portabella mushrooms stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella cheese) and the Veggie Platter with the Hummus(AMAZING).” “Horrible customer service, average food.” “My friend Laura and I are home-bodies, but there comes a time when we need to get some fresh air and some good food.” “Warn the wait staff if you don't like your fries spicy (curry).” “Oh, and if you like to study they're cool with it as long as you tip well, order food and have fun with them.” “The food was great, the atmosphere was definitley fun and the service was great.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“The beer selection is ample, and the coffee is great.”
service	62.5% positive	“We tried to pull the door shut, and were greeted by a horrible waitress who screamed every four letter word in the book, to let us know that the fire marshall would close them down and she would lose her job if we tried it again.” “Horrible customer service, average food.” “Great place for late-night vegetarian-friendly dining, awesome coffee” “The food was great, the atmosphere was definitley fun and the service was great.” “The decor is funky and the booths are comfortable, and the service has been friendly and helpful every time I've dined here.” “Warn the wait staff if you don't like your fries spicy (curry).” “great food, great service and it's open all night, what more can you ask?” “Our waiter was attentive.”
value	100.0% positive	“Great food and coffee at a great price”
wait time	100.0% positive	“Oh, and if you like to study they're cool with it as long as you tip well, order food and have fun with them.”

05/08/10

Trusted vegetarian cafe

by loveisgreat at Citysearch

This is a Chicago institution! I always know I am going to get properly cooked vegan options when I go here. Flavorful, unpretentious and amazing. I dislike the fact that sometimes when I visit there are smelly hippies. I guess that is what you get when you go a bit off the mainstream and have dietary restrictions.

Pros: Truly vegetarian and vegan options, late night, reasonable
Cons: Hippies

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06/30/08

Great place for late-night vegetarian-friendly dining, awesome coffee

by Jessia823 at Citysearch

This place is open 24 hours on weekends (and 3:00 a.m. during the week), and it's definitely the best bet for late-night dining if you're a vegetarian. The beer selection is ample, and the coffee is great. The mochas look like a piece of art! The decor is funky and the booths are comfortable, and the service has been friendly and helpful every time I've dined here.

Pros: funky decor, vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, good value, open late (24 hours on weekends)

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01/12/08

Daily place to go!

by mrsrandymoss at Citysearch

My friend Laura and I are home-bodies, but there comes a time when we need to get some fresh air and some good food. We used to go to Clarke's and then I passed by the Pick Me Up Cafe and it looked adorable. We go there almost 3 to 4 times a week! It's very artisty(decorated tables and chairs and great music) and is accounted for every eating style; vegan, vegetarian, etc. I recommend the Magic Caps(HUGE portabella mushrooms stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella cheese) and the Veggie Platter with the Hummus(AMAZING). It's opened at all hours so check it out! =)

Pros: Place to eat, chill, and/or study

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12/18/07

Punk and Yuppie alike

by jk15 at Citysearch

French toast came with 5 thick slices and my own syrup bottle. Our waiter was attentive. Strange mix that day of punk/hippie and v-dub wagon driving individuals. Will go back!

Pros: Neat-o little place, good diner-style food
Cons: Listening to your neighbor's weekend drug-overdose horror story details..

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11/06/07

Great food and coffee at a great price

by chitownckb at Citysearch

We stopped in for coffee before a show at the VIC theater and decided to stay to eat. We tried the turkey wrap and a sandwich (I think it was called "garlicious"). They both came with a choice of sides (fries, soup, or chili). We were both stuffed. Warn the wait staff if you don't like your fries spicy (curry). The vegetarian chili was awesome! The menu offers several vegetarian options. Service was good but not fast, but it was a great change from being rushed in most other places. We spent under $20 for two specialty coffees and two sandwiches. Will definitely go back when I find myself anywhere near the place. Don't know how crowded on the weekend since we were there on a Monday night.

Pick Me Up Cafe

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What People Are Saying About Pick Me Up Cafe

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Editor's Tips

05/08/10

Trusted vegetarian cafe

by loveisgreat at Citysearch

06/30/08

Great place for late-night vegetarian-friendly dining, awesome coffee

by Jessia823 at Citysearch

01/12/08

Daily place to go!

by mrsrandymoss at Citysearch

12/18/07

Punk and Yuppie alike

by jk15 at Citysearch

11/06/07

Great food and coffee at a great price

by chitownckb at Citysearch

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