It's 5:30AM Somewhere

So I have a haven't-seen-them-in-forever friend facing a 5:30-9:30AM layover at O'hare on Sunday--and I agreed to grab a bite with her while she passes the time. Curious question, then: what would be the "best" restaurant open at 6AM on a Sunday? Apologies for the air quotes, but I am particularly open to non-breakfast places; my first thought, in fact, was that Lebanese place on Lawrence that Sula reviewed in the Reader a month or two ago. Any leads on restaurants open in Chinatown at this hour, or a taqueria that serves up a consistently reliable taco at all hours? That sort of thing. I would prefer something other than a dreary diner--dialing up the "way-back machine" is depressing enough to begin with--but a good breakfast place (i.e., one worth driving to) would certainly suffice.

Have car, willing to travel--say, South Loop at the farthest.

Mac's at Cumberland and Higgins is a very solid diner and is open at 5:30 a.m. and is very close to O'Hare. I also like Sally's Waffle and Pancake House on Harlem north of Foster (also not far from O'Hare), particularly their version of the apple pancake which seems to have more eggs and is less sweet than Walker Bros. version. If you must head into the city, I think Nhu' Lan Bakery (for banh mi sandwiches and more) might be open that early, even though I think they list their opening time as 8am. I drive by all the time around and before 7am and see what I believe to be customers in there.

We like Family Palace in Harwood Heights, at Harlem and Lawrence. Made from scratch corned beef hash and delicious pancakes, dinner plate sized. Ham off the bone is also very good. They open at 6 AM on Sunday.

4751 N Harlem Ave
Harwood Heights, IL 60706

(708) 867-5521

I'll add:
Sunrise Grill
1930 E Touhy Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 298-1600
North side of Touhy between River & Mannheim. I believe they open at 6.

chezbrad wrote:but I am particularly open to non-breakfast places; my first thought, in fact, was that Lebanese place on Lawrence that Sula reviewed in the Reader a month or two ago.

Chez,

The Lebanese place Sula reviewed is Al-Amira. LTHForum thread --> here, Reader review --> here.

I'd also suggest, in the non breakfast category, Tabaq, LTHForum thread --> here

Enjoy,
Gary

Al-Amira
3200 W Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60625
773-267-0333
24/7

Tabaq
1254 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
312-944-1245
24/7