These 3, although all very different are the best breakfast establishments imho, in the midwest.  If they were all right next to each other I don't know how I could choose...
Mickey's Dairy Bar (madison wi) - Old school diner, rock bottom prices, use a ton of butter, etc, but everything done right, from a simple eggs, bacon and sausage to the amazing and humongous skillets and pancakes, why there is nothing like this in Chicago I have no clue?  I have yet to trek out to the american depot restaruant here which is well reviewed?  I wonder if it's similar to Mickey's?
Angelo's (ann arbor, mi)- Thick fried french toast (on raisen bread) with strawberries, nuff said.  Also amazing eggs and omlettes, you will be full!
M Henry (chicago)- much more refined and gourmet than the 2 above.  Blackberry Bliss pancakes are out of this world, thin, airy and tart.  Crabcake eggs benedict, wow.
                    
                        
                            
I'm not picky, I just have more tastebuds than you...  ; )