12/14/08

Sweet Treat for a Saturday Morning

by TheCulinaryTourist

My husband woke up craving a Chicago-style hot dog, but our daughter Emily had something entirely different in mind. We were visiting her new hometown, and a pastry from Julius Meinl's authentic Austrian cafe would be the next best thing to breakfast in bed. Who could argue with Viennese coffee delivered to your table on a small silver tray, French toast smothered in baked bananas, luscious pumpkin pancakes, or baked eggs with pancetta, spinach and feta cheese?

It's easy to see why Julius Meinl has become a favorite gathering place for neighbors on Chicago's north side, a place where you can linger over coffee and quiet conversation and forget about all the errands you have to run on a busy Saturday morning.

See my complete review at "The Culinary Tourist."

09/28/08

Good food - lousy service

by dietch

We frequent this spot at least once a weekend. We love the baked eggs, almond croissants and lattes. However, every time we are there the service is incredibly slow. Once or twice is understandable, but without fail it takes too long to order, get the coffee or food to the table and you can add ten more minutes waiting for the bill.

• Pros: Baked eggs, coffee/lattes, almond croissants, outdoor seating
• Cons: very slow inconsistent service

09/11/07

High Tea is awesome!

by mosaicstar

Julius Meinl is one of my favorite cafes in Chicago. I lived in Vienna for a while and this place lives up to its European counterparts. I especially love the high tea here which is not as pricey as the Drake Hotel but the food is definitely better. I have never had any trouble with the service at Julius Meinl, they have always been nice and friendly.

07/23/07

"I'm afraid you're not in Starbucks anymore, Toto" =)

by vegitoboi

One phrase says it all, Mmmmmm!!! I haven't been there recently (being since Winter 06), but I think it's time I stop in and have some dessert and one of their specialty mochas (yum) =p. Actually, I found out about this place from my "ex" who just happened to have some good taste (except for dumping me for an uglier guy of course, but that's another story). Believe me, once you step in and order something, you'll never want to head back to any Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks ever again. What's surprising to me is that they've never been featured on Food Network or any food shows. What's wrong Rachael Ray, can't make it out to Lakeview? Wether it's a cold winter's day (or any type of day for that matter), or coming from the Musicbox Theater after a show, this place will surely warm you up with their tea or espresso drinks and put the "sweet" back in your sweetooth.

• Pros: Good coffee and pastries, friendly staff, NOT STARBUCKS =)
• Cons: parking

02/18/07

Cupcakes - Yum!

by lkens

I'm not sure if they are made in-house or not, but they have the amazing chocolate cupcakes with frosting. What a treat!

06/21/06

Great customer service. Great first date spot.

by irdon

very nice place. good coffee. good prices. Great customer service.

Environment is great. It's spacious, a variety of couches, lounge chairs, and working tables.

Parking is not a problem.

• Pros: clean. super coffee. romantic.
• Cons: none

07/10/05

very disorganized service

by belmotcafe

Good coffee and many choices of tea (little bit pricy)....but nothing is very special. Servers really sock. Very slow, rude, and unprofessional. Sweets were not great either. Some of them were dried out.

They try to make the shop fancy, but not good at all. Not recommended.

• Cons: service

05/20/05

Good European Cafe but can get crowded

by newmail5456

Julius Meinl used to be my favorite cafe in the City, but since it has become popular I hve had two instances when I came to its doors and had to turn back and go someplace else because the wait was 20 mins! I think waiting 20 mins to get coffee or a pastry is unreasonable. I guess they can't do anything about being so popular but still.... The teas are awesome, the Death by chocolate too, I wouldn't say all of their deserts taste as good as they look (and they look Really good!).

• Pros: decor, teas, location
• Cons: crowded, expensive

05/17/05

My favorite place for coffee!

by ked684

I love going and sitting here. It just feels so relaxing. I'm picky about my coffee and this definitely is my favorite place to get it from. I'm so sad to be moving away from this place.

Caffeine lovers kick back at this Viennese coffeehouse on the Southport strip.

by Contributor

In Short
As legendary coffee roaster Julius Meinl's first store in the U.S., this Lakeview shop is authentically Viennese. Coffee is delivered to tables on small silver trays, and the interior of leather-upholstered benches and suspended light fixtures was built in Austria and shipped to the States. Choices on the beverage menu include Meinl's famous coffees, plus iced lattes, espressos, mochas and hot chocolate. Nibbles include tuna melts, strudels and traditional breakfasts of poached egg, ham and Emmentaler cheese.