I think that M Henry in Andersonville is outstanding, the food is perfect and such a nice change of pace.

bacon wrapped baked eggs with polenta & mixed field greens 8.95

creamy polenta topped with two eggs, sharp cheddar and fresh thyme, wrapped in applewood

bacon and baked to order. served atop a mixed greens salad. a new m.henry favorite.


rustic peasant quiche and mixed field greens 8.25
our savory breakfast quiche filled with asparagus, sautéed leeks, shallots, applewood
bacon, gruyere and lorraine swiss. served with a field greens salad.

Really, tell me more! What is it about the biscuits and/or the gravy that's so good? Do they get it that the biscuits have to be baked and served fresh, no holding whatsoever? Lard in those biscuits? I'm presuming this is country (white with sauasage) gravy -- so, gravy with enough pepper you can actually taste something? I've been riding the "no good B&G in Chicago" horse so long, I'd be willing to drive to Rogers Park just to prove myself wrong.

Also, when you say, "at least lately," does that mean there was once some fabled but now lost source of infra-Mason-Dixon quality B&G in Chicago, to which you refer obliquely with misty eyes? I may actually not want to know, but still.

Well Jim of the fabled Logan Square...my palate is probably not nearly as refined as yours -- I don't think I could guess lard from butter -- except that it tastes good. But the biscuits are definitely made that day and are soft and yummy and slightly crispy on top. This is all doused with very creamy (and I do mean I can tell the presence of actual cream) country sausage gravy loaded with some very good (although not very spicy) amish pork sausage pattie bits and larger lumps. Now...I tend towards preferring heavy pepper/heavy spice in my B&G but this really hits the spot in a more subtle way. It definitely has pepper and some spice -- it's just not FIERY. The portion (for those that might ask!) is quite large and I can never eat a whole one-- I end up always taking half home (with extra gravy, natch) for a snack later on.

When i was reviewing this I realized that i didn't even mention that Tweet probably has the best (and I"m not kidding here) hashbrowns in town. And I'm referring to the crunchy gorgeous crackly stiff tops that cover a snowy downy melty white bottom hashbrowns -- I'm told when that the secret is clarified butter. At any rate...you smoosh some of that gravy on those HB's and just melt into the fat -- like meets like!

I guess i really didn't mean anything by my comment about "at least lately" comment. I guess I'm always looking for the next best B&G -- always hopeful, always searching. Maybe someday the perfect one will appear out of the mist of yankeedom.

And Andersonville isn't Rogers Park -- so it's closer! Come on up, Jim -- see what you think. Maybe you won't agree but maybe...just maybe...you will.

I suspect you'll have a nice meal, no matter what. I can tell you that whenever I get them, people next to me look at me and say..."Oh those look SOOO good" or even better, "Aren't the B&G here just the best?".

Oh..and get the compote -- not the fresh fruit. It's delish.

s

138 Great Breakfasts in Chicago

1. Amitabul, 6207 N Milwaukee (773) 774-0276 - Vegan
2. Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora, 306 S. Halsted (312) 559-9000 -
3. Arturo's Tacos, 2001 N. Western Ave (773) 772-4944 24/7/365
4. Bialy Cafe at Chicago Ave and Noble - omelettes, simple breakfast dishes
5. Bite -
6. Blind Faith Cafe, 525 Dempster St. www.blindfaithcafe.com - Mexican
7. Breakfast, blueberry muffins, kukicha tea, Vegan
8. Blue Angel - Belgian waffle
9. Bombon Cafe, 38 S. Ashland Ave. (312) 733-8717 - tlacoyos, tortas, latte, flan
10. Bongo Room, Wabash/Roosevelt and Wicker Park - seasonal french toast or pancakes, vegetarian burrito
11. The Breakfast Club on Grand
12. The Burgundy, Irving/Austin - Greek owned, breakfast
13. Cambridge House, 167 E. Ohio (312) 828-0600
14. Cellars Market 141 W. Jackson - cafeteria style
15. Ceres Cafe 141 W. Jackson
16. Chalfin's Deli, 200 E.Chestnut (312) 943-0034 Jewish Deli, basement of the Seneca hotel
17. Chicago Diner, 3411 North Halsted St http://www.veggiediner.com (773) 935-6696 - Vegan
18. Chief O'Neil's - Irish breakfast plate
19. Chiu Quon Bakery, 1127 W Argyle St (773) 907-8888
20. Chorrito's on Devon and Clark - corundas
21. Corner Bakery at 360 N. Michigan
22. Cozy Corner Diner at Milwaukee/California - mexican omelette, gypsy skillet
23. Dapper's in the mall where the Target is on Addison at Sacamento - good Greek Diner fare
24. The Diner Grill, 1635 W Irving Park Rd (773) 248-2030
25. Earwax Cafe, 1561 N Milwaukee Ave (773) 772-4019 - Vegan
26. Edgebrook Coffee Shop and Diner, 6322 N. Central (773) 792-1433 - special chorizo omelette, little pancakes and hash browns
27. Efebos Cafe 1640 S. Blue Island (312) 633-9212 - soups
28. El Presidente 2558 N. Ashland Ave. (773) 525-7938 24/7/365 - chilequiles
29. Eleven City Diner on Wabash
30. Emils, 101 N. Wacker Dr. (312) 332-4333 - pancakes, greek egg dish
31. Eppel's Restaurant, 554 W. Roosevelt Rd. - grits, biscuits, skillets
32. Feast, 1616 N Damen Ave (773) 772-7100 - breakfast buritto
33. Filter - Egg sandwich (multigrain toast, perfectly scrambled eggs, cheddar and turkey sausage)
34. Flo's, 1434 W. Chicago Ave
35. Flying Saucer Cafe at Division and California - inexpensive and good food
36. Foodlife in Water Tower
37. The Four Seasons - brunch buffet
38. Fox & Obel Food Market, 401 E. Illinois Street Cafe: (312) 379-0112 - Bagel, Daniel Boulud's smoked Scottish salmon
39. Golden Horse - chinese pastries, dao foo fah, shredded pork buns, polo buns
40. The Golden Nugget on Irving and Kildare
41. Golden Olympic - Greek Diner, house special omelette
42. Golden Pancake House - Cheap diner food done right
43. Grand Lux - Breakfast/Brunch
44. Great Wall BBQ restaurant in Chinatown - incredibly inexpensive breakfast specials
45. Happy Chef - Dim Sum
46. Harmony Grill 3159 N. Southport (773) 525-2508
47. Harry's hot dogs, Randolph and Franklin, NW corner
48. Hashbrowns, 731 W. Maxwell St - sweet potato hashbrowns, breakfast panini
49. Healthy Food, 3236 S. Halsted (312) 326-2724 - cheap, easy breakfast, Buckwheat pancakes
50. The Heartland Cafe, 7000 N Glenwood (773) 465-8005 www.heartlandcafe.com - Vegan
51. Heaven on Seven, 111 n. wabash 7th floor (312) 280-7774 - weekend brunch, cheese grits and andouille topped by 2 eggs over easy, french toast and gumbe
52. Hillary's Urban Eatery, 1500 W. Division - very large and tasty buffet, ala carte menu
53. Hollywood House, SW corner of North and Ashland - basic eggs
54. Home Cafe - Just off the Franscico Brown Line stop - eggs benedict over a crab cake
55. Horseshoe, 4115 N Lincoln Ave (773) 549-9292 horseshoechicago.com - Sunday Bluegrass Brunch
56. Houlihan's, 1 East Wacker
57. Ina's, 1235 W. Randolph St. - Any omelette, "sweet hots" pancakes, toasted New York Bagel & Bialy Sesame Bagel, whole-wheat oatmeal pancakes
58. Irving Park Dinner Grill
59. Jane's, 1655 W. Cortland St. (773) 862-5263
60. J.B.'s Deli, 5501 N. Clark St. (773) 728-0600 - Bagel
61. Jim's Grill 1429 W. Irving Park Rd. - Vegan
62. John's Place - Lynn's Oatmeal
63. Julius Meinl - baked eggs
64. Kevin's Hamburger Heaven, 554 W Pershing Road (773) 924-5771
65. Kim's - muffins, scones
66. Kitakata noodle house on the corner of Golf and Algonquin
67. Kristoffer's Café on Halsted at 18th
68. L&L Snack shop, 456 E Northwest Hwy, Des Plaines, IL 60016 (847) 803-6767
69. La Cazuela on Clark
70. La Condesa, 2230 S. Ashland Ave. (773) 376-0078
71. Le Peep, 1010 W. Washington Blvd. (312) 563-9990 - wheat germ pancakes
72. Le Francais in Wheeling
73. Letizia's - Yogurt parfait and raspberry-almond muffins
74. Lou Mitchell's Restaurant & Bakery, 565 W Jackson Boul and Clybourn and Armitage (312) 939-3111
75. Lucky Grill, Sunnyside and Milwaukee - Denver Omelette with cheese
76. Lucky Platter - sweet potato fries, granola, omelettes
77. Lula Cafe, 2537 N. Kedzie (773) 489-9554 www.lulacafe.com - Vegan
78. M. Henry in Andersonville - Vegan Epiphany, Sour cherry and peach or blackberry bliss, bread pudding, crab cake eggs benedict, bacon wrapped baked eggs w/ creamy polenta, rustic peasant quiche
79. Magnolia Cafe, 1224 W. Wilson Ave. (773) 728-8785 - Smoked chicken breakfast burrito
80. Mama Kitty's at North and Kedzie - straight up diner/greasy spoon
81. Mandarin Kitchen
82. Manny's, 1141 S Jefferson St
83. Marquette Inn Restaurant, 135 W Madison St (312) 236-1111 - Pancakes
84. Maxwell Street Market - Oaxaca tamale
85. McNamara's, 4328 W. Irving Park (773) 725-1800 - brunch only on weekends, traditional Irish breakfast
86. Meli's SE corner of Jackson and Halsted in Greektown. - specials, any eggs benedict, Meli's omelet
87. Milk & Honey Cafe, 1920 W. Division St. (773) 395-9434 - Breakfast panini, buttermilk-granola pancakes or huevos rancheros
88. Mitsuwa Corporation Food Court, 100 East Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights (847) 956-6699 - anything but traditional breakfast
89. Moonshine 1824 West Division Street (773) 862.8686
90. Mondays, south loop, DePaul building on Jackson
91. Morton's, 1050 N. State St (312) 266-4820 - hash browns
92. New Day Cafe, Central St E of Central Park Ave -
93. Nomi - The lobster eggs benedict
94. North Pond Cafe - Pris fix brunch menu
95. Nuevo Leon Restaurant, 1515 W. 18th St., (312) 421-1517 - huevos rancheros, Chilaquiles
96. Orange, 75 W Harrison St (312) 447-1000 - jelly donut pancakes, pancake flight
97. The Original Billy Goat, 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level - Ham and eggs, steak and eggs, omelets, and french toast
98. Palace Grill 1408 W Madison St (312) 226-9529
99. Peet's Coffee and Tea, 1622 Chicago Avenue, Evanston (847) 864-8413 - pastries, croissants, high octane latte
100. The Peninsula - luxurious hotel brunch
101. Petro's - Greek run diner food, pancakes and french toast
102. The Phoenix, 2131 S. Archer Ave - Dim Sum
103. PJ Clarke's, on the corner of Illinois/ Fairbanks in the Embassy Suites building - nice Sunday breakfast
104. Polo, 1454 W. 18th, opens at 6:30 am
105. Prairie Joe’s - Mexican- style breakfast, burrito, huevos rancheros, Southern Breakfast
106. Ramova Grill, 3510 S Halsted (773) 847-9058 M–Sa 5a-7p Su 6a-Noon
107. Red Hen Bakery - Pumpkin cranberry scone, chocolate cinnamon muffin
108. Riverside Market, 1656 W. Cortland (773) 278-3354 - brunch
109. Room 12, 1152 S. Wabash Ave. (312) 427-9972
110. The Spice Of Life Cafeteria on the second floor of Northwestern Hospital
111. Salpicon - very nice brunch
112. Sally's Waffle Shoppe, 5454 N Harlem Ave (773) 631-8966
113. Seven Treasures - BBQ Pork Congee
114. Seven Wives in Chinatown - Congee
115. Shui Wah
116. Signature Room at the 95th
117. St. Anna's bakery - chinese pastries, dao foo fah, shredded pork buns, polo buns
118. Super Cup Restaurant, 4800 North Central (773) 282-1525 - solid Greek Coffee Shop fare
119. Svea, 5236 N Clark St (773) 275-7738 - Viking breakfast
120. Sweet Maple Cafe, 1339 W. Taylor St - Biscuits and cheese grits, pancakes
121. Sweet Thang Bakery - Caramelized onion, mushroom and asiago croissant, pain au chocolat
122. Tamale vans on Milwaukee
123. Tank Noodle - Mi bo kho
124. Taquaria Moran on California just south of Milwaukee - Cafe Con Leche
125. Tempo Café, 6 E Chestnut St (312) 943-4373 24 hours
126. 3rd Coast Cafe - On Dearborn at Goethe
127. Toast - Any "special" pancakes, Veggie Eggs Benedict with truffled hollandaise, stuffed french toast
128. Treasure Island - fresh bagels from NY Bagel & Bialy
129. Tre Kronor, 3258 W. Foster Ave. (773) 267-9888 www.swedishbistro.com - apple pancakes
130. Turquoise Restaurant, 2147 W. Roscoe St. (773) 549-3523 - Turkish breakfast
131. Tweet, Let's Eat, 5020 N. Sheridan Rd. - best biscuits and gravy, Intelligentsia coffee, hashbrowns (shredded potato cake), eggs benedict
132. Twisted spoke on Ogden
133. Uncommon Ground - Wrigleyville north of the ballpark at Racine & Clark - great brunch
134. Victory's Banner, 2100 W Roscoe - Satisfaction Promise, Vegan
135. Walker Bros. - 49er Flapjacks with a side of sausage patty
136. West Egg Cafe, 620 N Fairbanks CT and 525 W. Monroe (312) 280-8366
137. Wishbone, 1001 W. Washington (312) 850-2663 - Shrimp & Grits, shrimp & ham omelette
138. White Palace Grill, 1159 S Canal St (312) 939-7167

I thought Albert's was closed.

Albert's is closed. MOD is closed. And would you consider Corner Bakery worth a mention? After a third try I decided to never go again; I don't find dry, cardboardy muffins tasty. I never went beyond the muffins or coffee.

Could someone recommend an all-day, sit-down breakfast spot for those late risers?

Mum wrote:Albert's is closed. MOD is closed. And would you consider Corner Bakery worth a mention? After a third try I decided to never go again; I don't find dry, cardboardy muffins tasty. I never went beyond the muffins or coffee.

Could someone recommend an all-day, sit-down breakfast spot for those late risers?

Corner Bakery does something amazing (at least the one at Washington/Wells): Consistently cold coffee. I'm not sure what the problem is.

Green Zebra? Resi's? They aren't open for breakfast, are they?

??

Amata wrote:Green Zebra? Resi's? They aren't open for breakfast, are they?

??

Green Zebra isn't. I think the list is not so up-to-date.

PIGMON wrote:My favorite breakfast?

...I go across the street to the Treasure Island, grab some fresh bagels from NY Bagel & Bialy, then head over to Fox & Obel to procure some of Daniel Boulud's smoked Scottish salmon.

This is going to sound mental to some, and perfectly rational to others, but along PIGMON's line of thought...the best breakfast I've had recently started with a craving for smoked salmon. I woke up at some un-godly hour, trekked down to Calumet Fisheries for the salmon, stopped at Orly's in Hyde Park on the way back for bagels, punched the flashers on and ran into Fox & Obel for cream cheese, red onion and capers, then went home to devour it all. There's something to be said for delayed gratification. From the anticipation to the amount of effort that went into feeding this craving, I got this fully-engaged, hunting and gathering kind of satisfaction from that meal.

Panther in the Den wrote:141 Great Breakfasts in Chicago
...
[*]Lovitt on Ashland just south of North Ave - weekend brunch

I've always loved brunch at Lovitt. Sadly, they're not on Ashland anymore - they moved a little west.

Lovitt Restaurant
149 Hwy.395 S.
Colville, Washington 99114

Corrections to the list made.

Thanks!

(Next update... not so soon. )

I love the grits and hash browns at Le Francais!

You know I will say that maybe not every place on that humongous list would be considered "great" (ah...let's not get into that again, folks -- see Evanston thread!) but it's an excellent and fairly comprehensive list of places that serve breakfast in general. And when I'm sitting on a Saturday, needing to get out and about and get my errands done and want to try someplace new -- it's going to be a great resource for me to check and if nothing else, jog my memory of some places to try.

At my advanced age -- anything that jogs my memory is a plus.

So thanks for the resource!

Shannon

I was also always a big fan of Uncle Mike's Place on Grand and Paulina. Just a good ol' solid breakfast, and they do a mean bowl of grits as well. It was always nice to go there when I lived in the neighborhood because I knew it wouldn't be super crowded like a lot of Lincoln Park & Wicker Park hot spots.

Uncle Mikes
1700 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago
http://www.unclemikesplace.com/

I suggest Pancakes Eggcetera on Higgins Rd. in Rosemont. You must try the cheese blintzes with fresh strawberries, sour cream and brown sugar. Mmmm-mmmm! Wish I was eating it now!

Eggman!

The wife had a scallop omelet and it was awesome. So rich and big so she had to take half of it home. So she had berakfast again for lunch.

Eggman's Restaurant

12701 S Pulaski Rd
Alsip
(708) 388-4927

and ...

345 N Independence Blvd
Romeoville
(815) 293-4041

Ok, Ann Sather's are not the best cinnamon rolls around, but if you ask for them to be microwaved for a bit , and then smother them with a few butter pats, you are in total business. I generally order up the turkey benedict w/ extra hollandaise, and lay around for a few hours afterwards wondering when that last little bit of artery is going to clog up. Best breakfast in the area? Not really. A comfort food favorite in a familiar place? Yup.

Orange on Harrison if I'm going casual, NoMI if formal.

Hilary's (HUE) is also closed.

Daruma is correct. Hilary's Urban Eatery has been closed for more than a year...sorry to disappoint whomever listed that one as a "favorite." But you're right, sitting at the counter there was a fun experience and the eggs were fantastic.

The place is re-opening - I believe quite soon - as a "grocery store" called AUGUST. Might it be something like Olivia's Market? We'll have to check it out.

I had the chilequiles at Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank last weekend. It was fantastic:

A side of black beans with a giant plate of SOAKED in a roasted tomato chipotle chili sauce, tortilla chips with scrambled eggs on top (or your choice of style of eggs).

It was fantastic, a little spicy. The soggy chips were addictive. I could not finish the chips because it was in such a large quantity. It was just $7.49.

I also recommend Chucks for breakfast. They had a shakey start but now they have a very consistent breakfast chef. Eggs Benedict is perfection there, and the pancakes are from homemade batter - you can taste the egg whites in them. My next mission there is to try the New Orleans Style French Toast (made with french bread).

Here is the breakfast menu to tempt: http://www.chuckscafe.com/Portals/3/Bre ... 20menu.pdf

Mike

My 2nd favorite Chicago breakfast (after Dim Sum)... Polish with grilled onions and hot peppers from Jim's (appropriate pre breakfast activities are recommended).

Hangover breakfast: Cozy Corner - Western Skillet
Healthy(ish) breakfast: Victory's Banner - Smoke gouda and "sausage" omelet or goat cheese and pesto omelet
Why-I-love-Chicago breakfast - Lou Mitchell's scrambled eggs with added feta cheese

Cozy Corner
2295 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Victory's Banner
2100 W. Roscoe St.

Lou Mitchell's
565 W. Jackson Blvd.

In my olden days, a great hangover breakfast was at the old Poolgogi Steak House right near the 'L' on Morse (or Lunt). I'd either have poolgogi--marinated skirt steak--and eggs, or if I was REAL hungover, the Bibim Bop--poolgogi, veggies, rice, and a poached egg on top, all in a steel bowl. Mix it up good with a generous amount of that Sriracha fire sauce & you were on your way to a semblance of recovery.

These days? ::sigh:: Hardly ever hungover, I like the lox, tomato, onion, cream cheese on a toasted bialy...or a corned beef & tomato omelette at Manny's. 2nd choice would be a jr. breakfast burrito with chorizo & green salsa at this great little diner (don't even know the name!) on the NW corner of Cermak & Halsted.

Raspberry scone (or two) at Taste of Heaven

Pecan danish and almond croissant at Sweet Connection's retail shop

Or if I'm forced to have a full breakfast, the quiche of the day at Tweet with side salad, fruit and croissant.

Tahoora for Halva Puri (morning special)
2326 W Devon Ave

I love Palace Grill for the traditionals and a glowing atmosphere of friends/family.
1408 W. Madison St

Not really breakfast but given my choice I'd probably hit Intelligentsia for a latte if I want to make a perfect morning better. Phenomenal.

Apple Fritter if I'm going balls out

Fraggle wrote:Raspberry scone (or two) at Taste of Heaven

Good scones huh? I've been
looking for years. The best
I've found anywhere to date
are from Lazy Jane's in Madison,
Wisconsin; replacing my old
favorite from UpperCrust
Productions (Gainesville).
This could knock it down
to only a three-hour trek
(from Indy).

Tacos at C. Leon were phenomenal at 9:15 am yesterday. Pastor and asada were just ready to go, and a gorgeous platter of fire-blistered, course-salted jalapenos still warm from the parilla were there for the taking. Someone bring a camera for that. There;s a buzz of activity in the tiny cooking area at that time, with carnitas and menudo stirring, and giant chicharones being fried. I was impressed by the skill and diligence needed to fry a tablecloth-sized chicharon. I was far from alone in breaking fast at C. Leon, BTW.

Kind of surprised I didn't see anyone mention the Chilaquiles at Kitsch'n.

Those things are pretty good.

I mentioned them a while back. I ordered something else Mexican there once and that was a dumb mistake, but Kitsch'n's chilaquiles are right on-- fluffy egg, jalapeno heat, tortillas with the right combination of crispy and soggy.