Cornerstone Cafe - Breakfast, Lunch, Candy, Smiles

LTHForum,

In the mood for waffles, but not in the mood to fade hordes of hungry hipsters, land sharks and hungover Henrietta's I asked Steve Z if he had a low-impact suggestion. Without hesitation, "Cornerstone Cafe." And a great suggestion it was, pleasant vibe, charming owners, friendly efficient, and attractive, waitresses, even the busboys smile as they bustle about.

I was in the mood for a plain waffle, multiple variations, including Toasted Pecan, Banana/Chocolate Chip and various fruits are on offer. I had my waffle with a side of silky smooth scrambled eggs.

Belgian Waffle



Western Omelet



Nicely rounded selection of diner menu items, burgers, crepes, wraps, paninis, soup, chili, fresh squeezed orange juice round out the breakfast/lunch only menu. I'm eager to try a burger.

Space is bright, airy and clean with food to match, nothing fancy, breakfast and lunch only, solid renditions of diner classics with thoughtful presentation. Candy, and good candy at that, along with smiles and a sincere thank you for coming at the register.

A new favorite, thanks for the introduction Steve.



Enjoy,
Gary

Cornerstone Cafe
2753 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
773-235-1155
www.cornerstonecafechicago.com
7-days, 7am to 4pm

G Wiv wrote:A new favorite, thanks for the introduction Steve.

That doesn't look like Steve.

I love Cornerstone! Their smoked salmon omelet is terrific and so big it can be split. Owners and staff are so nice. Unfortunately I usually walk by AFTER I've been to the gym so I always waiver for a minute before going in, should I undo that hour workout for an omelet, hash browns and pancakes for $7.00? Usually Cornerstone wins the battle.

The Cornerstone was a favorite during our interim period on Western. Somehow though it was always basically full on a Sat. morning, we never had to wait for a table. The waitstaff is, indeed, both expert and attractive. Most seem to be Russian, or at least eastern European---my ear isn't that good.
Great breakfasts, great portions for the price. Good burgers at lunch as well. Clean, bright. Almost more like a Hollywood rom/com fantasy of a neighborhood spot than something you'd expect in the real world.
Lots of genuine friendly conversation and a really nice welcome and farewell at the door.
Couldn't say enough good about them, except I wish their hours were extended to mid-evening.

Great review. My waffle-eating Kraut girlfriend keeps talking about this place and I never stop....heading there this weekend for sure.

My better half and I finally got to the Cornerstone yesterday afternoon for lunch, and loved it. I started with one of the soups o' the day, a chicken tortilla soup worthy of Rick Bayless! Okay, I'm talking through my hat there, because I've never had Rick Bayless' chicken tortilla soup, but I have a hard time imagining it being much better. This was delicious, chicken and beans and corn in a rich orangey broth, and it had surprising heat to it. Not mouth-numbing, but far beyond anything I'd expect in a diner. The soup was not at all shy of flavor or heat.

My chopped chicken salad was very fresh and tasty, and the grilled chicken in it was warm, making me think it had been grilled fresh on the premises that day.

Care seems to go into everything at Cornerstone Cafe. This extends to the space itself. We've driven past it a thousand times, and despite the nice awning, never imagined the interior of this pie-wedge space could be anything more than utilitarian at best. But it's really lovely, somehow feeling bigger inside than the outside gives it a right to, decorated with care, and sparkling clean. Friendly, outgoing, supercompetent, attentive waitress. The nice lady in Gary's picture was at the register. I took a free mini-Milky Way on the way out.

It's a find.

I've been here before and the food was great. Last time I had the decadent crab cakes eggs benedict and today the chocolate chip pancakes. What soured the experience was how very warm it was inside the restaurant. Ordering coffee was out of the question. The front door was not kept open (it was 55 degress outside) and there was a heater inside that was left on. I asked why the ceiling fans weren't turned on and was told that the fans blow the warm air down. Doesn't this person know how to flick the switch on the fan to have the air blow up? I was very miffed by that reply.

CornerStone Cafe
2753 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-235-1155

Have been here many times now, but today was the first day I had the cheeseburger. A half-pound burger tasting wonderfully fresh, cooked exactly to my order of medium rare, with just the right amount of melted American cheese, terrific grilled onions, on a whole wheat bun that perfectly supported and complemented the rest. When I ordered it, I was like, "You know what? I think I'll have the cheeseburger," and the waitress replied with supreme confidence, "You're going to like it." She was right.

I considered posting this in the "best thing I've eaten lately" thread, because it was.

Fans of Cornerstone Cafe will be interested to know about Cornerstone Cafe Lincoln Park, opening soon at the corner of Clybourn and Webster. (The former Starbucks.)

Awnings with that signage were up the last time I went past, with the windows still papered over.

The last few times we've been to Cornerstone we've seen Tish and Paul's son there. Wonder if they've been training him in the business to take over this new location.

(I posted something about this in the last days of the 4Q14 Openings and Closings thread, but since that is locked, I thought I'd bring it into the new year.)