Good Breakfast in Lakeview?

Any suggestions? It's for an upcoming early Friday morning. A place near Clark & Diversey would be ideal. I'd like to find a place that has more to it than typical diner fare/2 egg specials but has nice filling portions.

Thanks!

Icosium Cafe for crepes. (Assuming it's still there, haven't been in that area for a while.

Mike G wrote:Icosium Cafe for crepes. (Assuming it's still there, haven't been in that area for a while.

Still there, still very good.

I'm a firm believer that the corned beef hash at Melrose Diner (Broadway and Melrose) is among the best I have had anywhere. It's garlicky and crisp- served with three eggs.

jesteinf wrote:

Mike G wrote:Icosium Cafe for crepes. (Assuming it's still there, haven't been in that area for a while.

Still there, still very good.

And still not "near" Clark and Diversey.

Melrose meets the requirements for location and fare.

Um, I can't really see how slightly north of Belmont and a couple of blocks east of Clark is noticeably closer to Clark and Diversey than slightly south of Fullerton and on Clark, but thank you for your concern about my suggestion.

Mike G wrote:Um, I can't really see how slightly north of Belmont and a couple of blocks east of Clark is noticeably closer to Clark and Diversey than slightly south of Fullerton and on Clark, but thank you for your concern about my suggestion.

Isn't it 2433, or slightly north of Fullerton?

Oh yeah, I was thinking it was closer to Tower (which is pretty much the only reason I ever went in that neighborhood). You are correct. So it's probably closer. Anyway, the answer to "where should I eat around Clark and Diversey" is pretty much always "Start walking."

I'm not going to get into a geography lesson, but if you're willing to walk a bit south:
Sark's in the Park
444 West Fullerton Pkwy.
Chicago, IL 60614-2866
(773) 404-9000
http://www.sarksinthepark.com/

Just for fun I threw it into google maps.

Distance from Clark and Diversey

Melrose Diner - 0.6 miles
Icosium Kafe - 0.5 miles

Another favorite is Cornerstone Cafe, at Diversey, Western and Elston. It may be further than you want to go. I live around the corner from Icosium Cafe and they don't always open on time for breakfast during the week, I'd call first.


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

Thanks...but just so you know, that website doesn't seem to be working.

Hmmmmmm. try this

If you're willing to travel the distance to Cornerstone Cafe, I'd consider Bakin' and Eggs, on Lincoln between Barry and Belmont.


Bakin' & Eggs A Lovely Idea
3120 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657-3131
(773) 525-7005
www.bakinandeggschicago.com/

I like Cornerstone fine as one of my neighborhood places, but I wouldn't say it "has more to it than typical diner fare/2 egg specials." That seems exactly what it has. For that, you could find a perfectly decent version quite a bit closer:

Stella's Diner
3042 N Broadway Street
(between Barry Ave & Wellington Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657

And again, not to get hung up on geography but I think Bakin' and Eggs is quite a hike from that intersection. But then, I had one pretty good meal there and one that was just "off" and slipshod, I haven't been back to see which direction wins best of 3.

I can't believe Golden Nugget hasn't been mentioned! It's less than a block south of Diversey on Clark. Get the Western omlette- it's huge and comes with a side of pancakes. Can't beat that.

How about Le Creperie, just caddy corner from the Landmark Theater? I don't know if it's open for breakfast, though.

grace21 wrote:I can't believe Golden Nugget hasn't been mentioned! It's less than a block south of Diversey on Clark. Get the Western omlette- it's huge and comes with a side of pancakes. Can't beat that.

How about Le Creperie, just caddy corner from the Landmark Theater? I don't know if it's open for breakfast, though.

Sadly La Creperie is not open for breakfast. I believe they open at 11.

Pie Lady wrote:Any suggestions? It's for an upcoming early Friday morning. A place near Clark & Diversey would be ideal.

My wife recently asked me the same question for the same area. Though she added fairly quick, parking access and appeal to 5-women of diverse taste. My answer, Frances.

Frances was a hit, they all liked the food and the fact there's a wide range of offerings.

Frances Restaurant & Deli
2552 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
773-248-4580

Mike G wrote: Anyway, the answer to "where should I eat around Clark and Diversey" is pretty much always "Start walking."

I agree with several of the nominees so far, but I have to say, I echo grace21 in saying The Golden Nugget, steps away from Clark and Diversey, doesn't get the respect it deserves. I avoided it like the plague for about twenty years (couldn't quite tell you why, but it gave me "unsavory" vibes), but went in sometime in the last twelve months and had a hearty, delicious breakfast of fried eggs and bacon with a side of pancakes, if I recall correctly. Good food, clean, nice clientele, nice waitress. Nothing wrong with the place. (Which might sound like faint praise, but sometimes "nothing wrong with the place" is everything you need.)

Mike G wrote:I like Cornerstone fine as one of my neighborhood places, but I wouldn't say it "has more to it than typical diner fare/2 egg specials." That seems exactly what it has. For that, you could find a perfectly decent version quite a bit closer:

Stella's Diner
3042 N Broadway Street
(between Barry Ave & Wellington Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657

And again, not to get hung up on geography but I think Bakin' and Eggs is quite a hike from that intersection. But then, I had one pretty good meal there and one that was just "off" and slipshod, I haven't been back to see which direction wins best of 3.

The thing about Cornerstone is that they execute the dishes very well. The cook does a great job with omelets in particular.

If you like the over the top dessert/breakfast type dishes, I believe that there is an Orange both north of Diversey near Aldine and Clar and one south near Fullerton and Clark. I refuse to google the distance to either of them

stevez wrote:The thing about Cornerstone is that they execute the dishes very well. The cook does a great job with omelets in particular.

Even though Cornerstone doesn't meet Pie Lady's locational requirements, I'm always happy to give or second a recommendation for them (as I have in various corners of this forum at various times). Steve says it well. There's not much on their menu you won't find at other diners. They just execute most of it at a higher level. (I'd say they execute all of it at a higher level except I've had better biscuits and gravy elsewhere.)

Plus the place exudes friendliness.

If you seek something less traditional, there's a newer branch of Orange at 2413 N. Clark St., which is less than 1/2 mile from Clark & Diversey.

http://orangerestaurantchicago.com/orange/html/

riddlemay wrote:Even though Cornerstone doesn't meet Pie Lady's locational requirements, I'm always happy to give or second a recommendation for them

Let's realize that many people may open this topic because they are looking for a "good breakfast in Lakeview", as in the title, even though it may not be right near Clark/Diversey/Broadway, where Pie Lady needs recommendations.

And for such folks, if the northwest end of Lakeview works for you, I'll put in a shoutout for Southport Grocery and Cafe on Southport just south of Addison, about half a mile west of Wrigley. They have excellent breakfasts; if you enjoy sweeter dishes for breakfast, I particularly recommend their bread pudding pancakes.

YourPalWill wrote:If you like the over the top dessert/breakfast type dishes, I believe that there is an Orange both north of Diversey near Aldine and Clar and one south near Fullerton and Clark. I refuse to google the distance to either of them

The only Orange currently near Lakeview is the one near Fullerton and Clark whose address BR states above. There are others further west in Roscoe Village, near downtown in River North and River West, and in north suburban Glenview.

nsxtasy wrote:...if the northwest end of Lakeview works for you, I'll put in a shoutout for Southport Grocery and Cafe on Southport just south of Addison, about half a mile west of Wrigley.

It's been years since I've been there, and the reason it's been years since I've been there is the haphazard/apathetic/negligent service we experienced consistently. Has that improved, nsxtasy? It's been long enough that it certainly might have, and if it has, I'd be inclined to give them another try.

riddlemay wrote:It's been years since I've been there, and the reason it's been years since I've been there is the haphazard/apathetic/negligent service we experienced consistently. Has that improved, nsxtasy? It's been long enough that it certainly might have, and if it has, I'd be inclined to give them another try.

I ate there this past Sunday and arrived at 11:45 a.m. which is undoubtedly their busiest time of the entire week. They told me the wait would be 25-30 minutes but it turned out to be more like 15. And the service was fine; my server was clearly busy with other tables as well as mine, but he was friendly and helpful with ordering advice, and available whenever I needed anything. So service wasn't an issue in any way. If you like their food - I did (I had a decent omelet too) - go ahead and give them another try.

I already PM'd Pie Lady, but given how early she has to be there plus she has a car, I suggested Ann Sathers (best cinnamon rolls).

They will be open and they have free parking. No the food isn't challenging but it's good.

Unfortunately, I've never enjoyed anything but the company of my dining companions at any location of Orange. .

Ann Sather
Lakeview Restaurant
& Catering
909 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-2378
Mon. – Fri.: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sat. & Sun.: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Bagel.....on Broadway....about 4 blocks north of Clark and Diversey...

pairs4life wrote:Unfortunately, I've never enjoyed anything but the company of my dining companions at any location of Orange.

Yeah, when Dale Levitski was chef at the Orange on Clark in Lakeview, it was excellent. But then he left and since then I've had very mixed experiences at the various locations, mostly with respect to the pancake flight. But the fare is still more creative than your usual breakfast spot and I haven't been to this new location so I can't offer much relevant criticism, pro or con.