patty's replacement - a new place to replace patty's

ok, so what do you people who miss patties do now for a go to diner for breakfast or lunch? I've tried a lot of places, and none really meet my expectations.

moon's sandwich shop, but its counter service only, so i only go with 1 friend (or alone). justjoan



Moon's Sandwich Shop

16 South Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612-2932
(312) 226-5094
Open Mon-Sat 5:30am-3pm; Sun 7am-2pm
.

Easy:
Sarkis Cafe
2632 Gross Point Rd.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-9703
Open Mon-Thu 5:30am-6:30pm; Fri-Sat 5:30am-8:30pm; Sun 5:30am-4pm.

HI,

I went to Sarkis a few times. It certainly seems to be a teen hang out, though certainly there is a broader audience. Whereas Patty's seemed to lean toward grown ups.

I am still waiting for the day when someone returns from her new far, far, far north outpost with a report on Patty's new venture.

Regards,

For a while, I was going to Chickie's, but alas they are now closed. A recent favorite is Mac's in Park Ridge. It's no Patty's, but they do serve decent eggs, hasbrowns and have ham of the bone. Joan's suggestion of GNR Moon's is also a good one. Truth be told, more times than not these days when I'm looking for the Patty's experience, I head north of the border to The Coffee Pot in Kenosha.

Mac's Restaurant
812 Higgins Road
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-696-2950

Coffee Pot
4914 7th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-653-8849

what about-
Sparky's Snack Stop
3624 Oakton Street (@ Monticello)
Skokie, IL 60076-3405
(847) 673-1002

I haven't eaten there myself- but from a driveby- it certainly "looks like" Patty's.
Same kinda diner-ish vibe.

Hombre de Acero wrote:what about-
Sparky's Snack Stop
3624 Oakton Street (@ Monticello)
Skokie, IL 60076-3405
(847) 673-1002

I haven't eaten there myself- but from a driveby- it certainly "looks like" Patty's.
Same kinda diner-ish vibe.

I've tried Sparky's a few times. While it has the same asthetic as Patty's, the food doesn't merit a revisit.

i have to agree with stevez. a good diner isn't an easy thing to find, and sparky's doesn't have that spark of genius. justjoan

Another one I don't visit as often as I'd like is Mrs. D's Diner in Wilmette. It's run by the Kapetan family who used to be the owners of Edgebrook Diner back in its heyday. It's well worth a visit if you find yourself in Wilmette at breakfast time. It's right across the street from the Linden stop of the purple line.

Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns Chow Poodle Style


Mrs. D's Diner
415 4th Street
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-256-2580

Not the same vibe at all but I do like the breakfast fare, club sandwiches, soups and a few other items at Jack's Restaurant in Skokie.

=R=

Jack's Restaurant
5201 Touhy Avenue
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 674-5532

The cafeteria in the basement of the old LaSalle Bank Building has zero ambiance but some solid diner-like fare, including omelets that are actually cooked in a skillet ( with fillings cooked separately rather than with the eggs). Many diners these days take the easy route and cook omelets on a flat top.

My co-workers love Sparky's and I just don't quite get it. I took them to Patty's a few times and their complaint was more food for less money at Sparky's. I strayed from the breakfast options last time I was at Sparky's (only went because it is across the street from the driving range) and was very disappointed in the meatloaf which was pretty blah and came with a very "watery" split pea soup, mashed potatoes that tasted like instant and green beans that were so overcooked I am suprised they still had any structural integrity left.

Closer to my office though, you can find a pretty good breakfast at Eden's Fast Food despite a limited menu. Not a big fan of the rest of their menu items that I have tried, I prefer East of Edens up the street for Lunch/Dinner though Edens does have good homemade soups.

They have ham off the bone (though I don't think I've ever actually seen it), pretty good hash browns, great omelets and eggs cooked to order. Sausage seems to be some sort of oblong food service patty and no links option but it is not too bad. I stick mostly with #1 breakfast special scrambled or over-easy, ham & wheat toast and never disappointed.

Eden's Fast Food
6045 North Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646-4301
(773) 736-3385
Open 6am Monday-Saturday

http://edensfastfood.com/

Don't forget the Depot Diner.

On a related note, has anyone found any diner that makes ham hash?

I fear that I will never again have a serving of anything that resembles Patty's outstanding ham hash unless I make it myself.

rfleisch1 wrote:On a related note, has anyone found any diner that makes ham hash?

Both the previously mentioned Coffee Pot as well as Frank's Diner (both in Keosha) make ham hash.

rfleisch1 wrote:On a related note, has anyone found any diner that makes ham hash?

I don't know about ham hash, but Kappy's in Morton Grove makes prime rib hash and it's outstanding.

Kappy's is rather large so it's not exactly like Patty's was, but it's a place where they have a lot of regulars, and they make you feel like family, even when it's your first time there. Oh, and the food is excellent!

The cafeteria in the basement of the old LaSalle Bank Building has zero ambiance but some solid diner-like fare, including omelets that are actually cooked in a skillet ( with fillings cooked separately rather than with the eggs). Many diners these days take the easy route and cook omelets on a flat top.

Address, please?

stevez wrote:Another one I don't visit as often as I'd like is Mrs. D's Diner in Wilmette. It's run by the Kapetan family who used to be the owners of Edgebrook Diner back in its heyday. It's well worth a visit if you find yourself in Wilmette at breakfast time. It's right across the street from the Linden stop of the purple line.

Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns Chow Poodle Style


Mrs. D's Diner
415 4th Street
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-256-2580

I'm with Steve. I had this type of question in mind last week, when I found myself up North in time for a late lunch. I had not been to Mrs. D.'s since just after they opened in Wilmette. Seems like the place has been decorated a bit since then, with photos and nostalgic posters. I can't vouch for the breakfast, but the egg salad sandwich I had was clearly house-made, very fresh, with minimal mayo. Prices were quite reasonable for that high-rent area (Wilmette). I also had a good split pea soup, which may or may not have been house-made. In any case, it did have little squares of ham added to it, and some decent croutons. Service was friendly and attentive.

The location could serve those who might have visited Patty's for convenience.

The only hesitation I have in recommending this place is that I know Wilmette has a dearth of places to eat, and a large number of families with children looking for a casual lunch spot. I was sad to see the Butt'ry go. I wonder when it turned into a Japanese bistro. That spot had a great chicken salad and egg salad. I had thought the new owner was keeping the old favorites and adding Korean dishes. But maybe his or her clientele of elderly North Shore residents was not sufficient to keep him or her in business.

Another good choice in the Evanston area is Prairie Joe's. Crowded for sure- don't even think of going there on a football weekend- and not open Sundays. But the owners are very nice people and take good care of their regulars. The lunch specials are often very good indeed. For some reason, this place never caught on, but it is a place I could happily eat every day. Grits are available. Biscuits, not so terrific, but the ham is not in limp slices, as at Sparky's, which I dislike for its low aspirations, in spite of a nice waitress.

sundevilpeg wrote:

The cafeteria in the basement of the old LaSalle Bank Building has zero ambiance but some solid diner-like fare, including omelets that are actually cooked in a skillet ( with fillings cooked separately rather than with the eggs). Many diners these days take the easy route and cook omelets on a flat top.

Address, please?

The Vault
135 S La Salle St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 332-3325

If you are ever in Wheaton try the Verdict restaurant on Roosevelt and County Farm in a strip mall. Its a greek type diner and very popular.

http://www.verdictrestaurant.com/breakfast

For the same crowd, and a jovial proprietress (none of Patty's famous terseness) I like Ted's Snack Shop. It's right around the corner from Patty's, the food is better than Sparky's or Sarkis. There's nothing particularly unique about the menu, it's standard diner fare and pretty barebones, but they do a good job of it.

Another favorite of mine, in part for the cultural juxtaposition, is the Evanston Grill. It's still one of my favorite reubens anywhere, in part because they don't overstuff it as so many do (that may not be your thing, but I like some bread with my meat...particularly butter-dipped fried bread.) They also do standard diner fare well, and have the same dive-y vibe as Patty's (and are more adult oriented.)

If you're looking for burgers and fries, there's now places all over Evanston that do them well.

Mhays wrote:If you're looking for burgers and fries, there's now places all over Evanston that do them well.

Including two there that do them well enough to be given the GNR award: Edzo's and WASC.

Another idea: A&T Grill at 7036 N. CLARK. The GP at one time commented that she preferred their ham to Patty's. I have not been there recently for breakfast fare, but perhaps someone can update us.

Josephine wrote:Another idea: A&T Grill at 7036 N. CLARK. The GP at one time commented that she preferred their ham to Patty's. I have not been there recently for breakfast fare, but perhaps someone can update us.

Since that comment in 2006 (!), I went to Patty's many more times and enjoyed the ham. I think it was just overly salty that one time. I haven't been to A&T recently since we have moved further south. It doesn't have the coziness of Patty's, but I have always found the food to satisfying.

Mary, sorry if I put you on the spot. That was not intended. Fact is, I value your observations and recall A&T was on your approved list at one time. Also, while I loved the ham hash at Patty's, the ham as a stand alone was not my favorite thing. ( I'm more of a dry, country-style ham fan, if I can get my hands on the stuff.)
Maybe some other Rogers Parkers can update us on A&T. Or maybe I'll give it a try again soon.

No worries, Josephine. Sometimes I forget how long I've been posting on LTH...

The GP wrote:No worries, Josephine. Sometimes I forget how long I've been posting on LTH...

LOL. Now, that comment belongs in another thread. You know the one: "you know you are an LTH-er When. . . "

I'm constantly amazed when I look into an old thread that seems interesting, and find a post of my own that I don't even remember. Maybe that's a sign that I should cut down.

Josephine wrote:

The GP wrote:No worries, Josephine. Sometimes I forget how long I've been posting on LTH...

I'm constantly amazed when I look into an old thread that seems interesting, and find a post of my own that I don't even remember. Maybe that's a sign that I should cut down.

HI,

My favorite is when someone wants to enthusiastically discuss an older post I don't recall. I have been known to inquire, "What did I say? It will really help to refresh my memory." Once they begin, my memory pops and I can intelligently discuss it.

Regards,

Mhays wrote:For the same crowd, and a jovial proprietress (none of Patty's famous terseness) I like Ted's Snack Shop. It's right around the corner from Patty's, the food is better than Sparky's or Sarkis. There's nothing particularly unique about the menu, it's standard diner fare and pretty barebones, but they do a good job of it.

Another favorite of mine, in part for the cultural juxtaposition, is the Evanston Grill. It's still one of my favorite reubens anywhere, in part because they don't overstuff it as so many do (that may not be your thing, but I like some bread with my meat...particularly butter-dipped fried bread.) They also do standard diner fare well, and have the same dive-y vibe as Patty's (and are more adult oriented.)

If you're looking for burgers and fries, there's now places all over Evanston that do them well.

I concur on both Ted's and the Evanston Grill. The latter offers a few Korean dishes, including a decent bi bim bop. Be forewarned, however, that Ted's corned beef hash--while tasty--is nothing like what Patty served. Ted's version comes in a finer dice rather than the big, chunky goodness that typified Patty's hash.

Sparky's is indeed very good, both the waitress and Gus were very friendly, our breakfast was very good actually it really is the true American Diner/snack shop, perhaps almost to real for the presses.