06/30/08

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

by Jessia823

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)

01/12/08

Daily place to go!

by mrsrandymoss

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

12/18/07

Punk and Yuppie alike

by jk15

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..

11/06/07

Great food and coffee at a great price

by chitownckb

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.

• Pros: Serves breakfast too
• Cons: Hard to find parking (unless it's in a garage)

01/19/07

AH-MAZ-ING

by helentherockstar

this is like the greatest place in the world...if you go there I HIGHLY recommend the french toast, it is life-changing. Whenever people come in from out of town I FORCE them to go and no one is ever disappointed! it is oh so yummy. you MUST go!

• Pros: ALWAYS open (well not always, but usually)
• Cons: nothing...it is 100% perfect!

05/08/06

Love it! Love it! Love it!

by mcbrides1

I loved this place. My friend took me there for brunch and now I constantly beg to go back. The food was great, the atmosphere was definitley fun and the service was great. I recently went late-night and had a blast. We were able to relax in a booth, have good food and try to sober up a bit. I would absolutley recommend.

• Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service

12/12/05

Fire Marshall destroys customer service!

by lianaj

Horrible customer service, average food. Very cold!!! The back door was open, there was actually snow drifting on our table. 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. Well, hell will freeze over before I return!

05/14/05

Healthy w/ Character

by nil8me

The fun menu has many vegetarian and vegan alternatives. However, beef isn't listed but they're down with cookin' chicken. Lots of coffee/espresso drinks, shakes and V8! You might find the dishes a little higer priced but remember, you're paying to eat healthier food (even with the deserts).

Since the new owner took over the staff attitude has improved (go Lavinia!) and they're friendly if you're considerate of servers and down to earth (beware rowdy fans and suburbanites). 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. ;-) Open 24 hrs Fri/Sat and until 3am all other nights.

Ambiance is fun with lots of crazy and colorful stuff. It's an older building so in extreme weather it can be a little uncomfortable so, dress accordingly. Smoking section can get a little heavy if you're sensitive.

• Pros: Ambiance & Diversity, Healthy Menu, Open Late
• Cons: Street Parking, Temp Control

06/22/04

Lakeview hipster haunt serves up diner fare in a quirky environment with plenty of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options.

by Contributor

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 breakfast reigns supreme.

• Pros: Fun atmosphere

10/11/02

overseas reminicing

by amn_smith

i was in town on leave and stopped in cuz nobody else was open. I STAYED FOR THREE HOURS! the group of poeple i was with were new to the area as well and the memories of that night will stay with me for a long time, as i am no longer in chicago...

• Pros: cheap!, fun, comfortable
• Cons: crowded, unable to go therenow, miss it alot