Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
(312) 939-3111
565 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago,
IL
60661
41.8779
-87.6416
Neighborhoods: Near West Side, West Side
What People Are Saying About Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
The Editor
Elisa Kronish
Citysearch
The Scene
Most mornings see a line out the door at this bustling, decades-old West Loop institution. Still full of old-school city attitude, it hasn't lost any of its popularity among both tourists and eat-and-run business types. The decor--beige booths, white-speckled black tile floor and plastic plants--is outdated, but comforting. Fresh and veteran "Whaddya-want?" servers dash around, delivering cholesterol by the plateful. Food comes fast and hot, and good coffee comes frequently.
The Food
Three plate-size banana pancakes are light and sweet. For kids, pancakes get a whipped-cream smiley face studded with Milk Duds. Mile-high French toast is lightly grilled, not fried. Egg dishes come in skillets, with potatoes, generous sides of bacon or sausage, and choice of homemade toast--limp with melting butter, which you can top off with house-made marmalade. The menu doesn't lie about over-stuffed omelettes being "fluffy." The secret? Double-yolk eggs.
User Reviews
CharBob
January 02, 2009
If you want the typical breakfast diner place to go to, then Lou Mitchell's is the place to go, nothing fancy shmansey, and the food a AWESOME!! It's not expansive, but the food is great quality! and allot of it! If you want the Chicago breakfast experience and to feel history, then this a good place start in the morning! Especially if you have a family and on a limited budget. My thoughts are, there was my self, my husband, our three year old and a 14 month old, my mother and my mothers fiancee, my kids aren't your quiet bunch but do behave relatively well, and we were visiting Chicago and needed a place to eat breakfast and on a budget, so after looking on here and other web sites there were all mixed reviews, but the good weighed out the bad, and thought why the hell not! lol! I am so happy I followed my gut instinct on this one, the waitress we had was really friendly and after the my girls ate there breakfast, the waitress brought out some ice cream for my kids to have, which was so nice of her! LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID - GET CASH FROM THE ATM BEFORE YOU EAT! If you are not really into the diner experience and more upscale restaurants then this may not be for you, but if you don't mind and just need somewhere to go eat, then this is for you! Food is good, service was great, and all for a great price! I think for all of us we spent less then $45.00 for four adults and two kids. PARKING - There is a parking lot around the corner of Lou Mitchell's, the guy discounted us because we were eating at Lou Mitchell's, and after we ate and walked to the lot he brought us our car.
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Anonymous
January 02, 2009
If you want the typical breakfast diner place to go to, then Lou Mitchell's is the place to go, nothing fancy shmansey, and the food a AWESOME!! It's not expansive, but the food is great quality! and allot of it! If you want the Chicago breakfast experience and to feel history, then this a good place start in the morning! Especially if you have a family and on a limited budget. My thoughts are, there was my self, my husband, our three year old and a 14 month old, my mother and my mothers fiancee, my kids aren't your quiet bunch but do behave relatively well, and we were visiting Chicago and needed a place to eat breakfast and on a budget, so after looking on here and other web sites there were all mixed reviews, but the good weighed out the bad, and thought why the hell not! lol! I am so happy I followed my gut instinct on this one, the waitress we had was really friendly and after the my girls ate there breakfast, the waitress brought out some ice cream for my kids to have, which was so nice of her! GET CASH FROM THE ATM BEFORE YOU EAT! (They don't take Credit or any type of card only Cash) If you are not really into the diner experience and more upscale restaurants then this may not be for you, but if you don't mind and just need somewhere to go eat, then this is for you! Food is good, service was great, and all for a great price! I think for all of us we spent less then $45.00 for four adults and two kids. PARKING - There is a parking lot around the corner of Lou Mitchell's, the guy discounted us because we were eating at Lou Mitchell's, and after we ate and walked to the lot he brought us our car.
read full review
hyuk8436
October 30, 2008
If I could give this place 0 stars, I would! The service and food sucked. Go someplace else. Please!
read full reviewThe Details on Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
Mitchell's doesn't accept credit cards, but there's an ATM just inside the door.
Where to Sit:
If you can wait, get a booth. Tables are pushed-together community affairs, so be prepared to share sugar. Or pull up a stool at the counter.
The Extras:
Mitchell's is the king of freebies: Doughnut holes are handed out to customers waiting in line, and Milk Duds are given to women and children when seated. Top off your meal with a free mini-cup of soft-serve ice cream (before 10:30am weekdays, all day on weekends).
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Breakfast, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Business Dining, Business Breakfast
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
