07/19/06

Ok, different foods, but pricey

by sleopold

This place is good but a little on the expensive side. Guac and chips is like $7...thats a little pricey for a little hippy hangout. I have had numerous things on the menu, seitan burrito...YUM! It is a little different and there is an diverse crowd. Their is a great selection of food, lots of veggie options but not really a great value....

07/25/08

Heartland Cafe waitress sneezes in hands and continues serving & Owner's son drops bun on floor puts it back on burger!

by thejewels10

It looks to me from two separate occasions that Heartlands sanitation conditions need review! Please read. THere are better or more safer places to eat, like around the corner on Sheridan Road!

Is waitress sneezing into hands and wiping down the front of her shirt and not washing her hands prior to serving toast and coffee appropriate? yes this did happen and we watched to see when she was going to wash her hands before serving which never happened.

After talking to manager, he explained this specific waitress only had two more weeks left, and that he had many talks with staff about this and many regulated signs for washing techniques in Heartlands washrooms for employees to read. IF that is so, you need to let this waitress go today.

Poor food Quality... The Heartland quality of food has decreased miserably, never being consistent in taste and i even had to serve my friend her refill of coffee. AND creamer had disgusting brown stuff dried on rim?!

2nd Incident was at the Heartland Beach Hut on glenview. THe owner's son was working it and there were about 8 of us standing waiting to order. The owner's son dropped the hamburger bun on floor then picked it up brushed it off with his shirt and put it back on burger. We the people immediately made comments-and owner's son denied it.

It looks like Father and Son just dont care about Heartlands Sanitary conditions!

People! There are better places to go, like around the corner on Sheridan road for better tasting food and more sanitary conditions.

Im done with the manager for not taking action with waitress and blowing son's incident off. Phone message was left in which manager never returned call after saying he would.

Go figure...

• Pros: Used to be good with previous owners.
• Cons: Sanitation risks, serving food on dirty dishes, service negligent.

07/13/08

Only if you've got all day

by jpnorthsider

We live in the neighborhood, so really want this to be a good place, but after trying it half a dozen times, we have just had to admit that it's not good - at all. After waiting 10 minutes to be seated (the restaurant was empty), we waited another 10 for anyone to stop by and say hello, let alone take our drink orders. Then, the drinks took 25 minutes to arrive - no exaggeration. I think the servers are too busy talking at the bar or smoking in the back to care.

The menu looks great, with a wide variety, and you want to like it, because it's all natural and organiz, but my food was cold and bland, as was the rest of the food served to the table. My advice, skip it.

04/25/08

Chicago dining mediocrity defined

by MarkoLee

How this place has been around for 30 some years is one of the great mysteries of Chicago. With so many great restuarants in this city, there is no reason to go here. The food is bland, over-priced, not fresh, and limited. The restuarant itself is dirty, dingy, and has no style or atmosphere. The help is indifferent and unhelpful at best, rude and inattentive at worst. The last time I went there (and it is the last time) I had a burrito that was bland and cold and overpriced ($8? I should have just went to Chipotle). If you are looking for vegetarian options, try the Chicago Diner or one of the several vegetarian-only Indian restuarants on Devon. This place is a dinosaur and wholly irrelevant-- it needs to go away.

• Pros: Cornbread stuffing?
• Cons: Everything else.

02/12/07

Great food, good entertainment, o.k. service

by aeh5458

I've been to Heartland a few times and each time I try something different and I'm always pleased with what I get. It's a little expensive for a college-student budget, but the quality of the food makes up for it. Last time I got the homemade chicken and vegetable soup and it was amazing; that alone filled me up, the bowl was enormous. Very cool atmosphere and pretty good entertainment at times, but the service is a little slow. Still one of my favorite places in Rogers Park though.

05/30/06

Dont go!

by ebruy

I hate that place... After keeping us hungry for 45 minutes, they even brought out the wrong stuff... Useless place for sandal wearing, tree hugging, incense smelling dudes...

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: everything

01/04/06

Genuine Bohemia on the North Side

by theferret

To call the Heartland Cafe another resturant is like calling the Taj Mahal another landmark. But beware, its not easy to find and its exterior does not suggest anything unusual. So what makes this unique place so special? You will know this once you enter. Outside the dining area is a bookshop filled with leftist, environmentalist, socialist, anarchist, feminist and all other types of liturature that would make any dittohead nervous. But once you find your seat and are served you will be treated to some of the most wonderful food you can imagine. Carnaours needn't worry, as there are dishes for vegans and meat eaters alike. The staff is extremely kind and will always engage you in small talk. The prices are reasonable and it is truely a unique dining experience.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Food
• Cons: Hard to find, No parking

09/30/05

A True Classic

by savg_pncl

This is a restaurant and so much more...

I have been eating here for 20 years and the food has always been wonderful. Located in a quiet Chicago neighborhood, it is a wonderful Sunday breakfast spot. Here you will find some of the best omlettes in the city. The atmosphere is 60's counterculture -- authentic in every wonderful way. I hope the owners can make this establishment last another 20 years.

• Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Buffalo Bar
• Cons: Service, Crowded

05/06/05

Better for Drinks than Dinner

by avalon737

I liked this place a lot, the outside eating area is really nice! But I really didn't like the food! Part of it was because I don't like vegetarian food, but my food was pretty bland. I got the chicken quesadillas, and they had no seasoning at all, just plain grilled chicken and what I think was mozzarella cheese. Not horrible, just not that great. I won't go back for a meal again, but I will be back for drinks (especially when the nice weather comes along )!!

• Pros: Outside Patio, Atmosphere
• Cons: Food

04/07/05

Delicious, but be prepared

by rebekahj81

quaint eatery that has delicious food, interesting atmoshpere, and the Chai Shake is to die for. All food is very good, but be prepared for busy servers that have a lot of tables. Always make sure you tell them everything you want before they walk away, because it could be 15-20 minutes before they get back to you. I waited 30 mintues and asked 3 times for my check one visit. But the food and drink beat out the fact that you need to ask for everything all at once. They are efficient about getting food out to the table hot and scrumptous though. Must stop by sometime.

• Pros: Drinks, Food, Execution
• Cons: Busy Servers