Leo's Lunchroom

After reading for years about how great the breakfasts are, I finally made it to Leo's. Even though the Metromix article says breakfast all day, the menu stated otherwise and ended at 11:30 about 30 minutes prior to our arrival. They had some quiche on the lunch menu to make up for it, however I was still a little disappointed by this.

The sandwich and salad selections were varied. I wish I would have tried the soup: tomato bisque. I instead opted for a sammie: dark rye, garlic dressing, raw chopped onion, beef, turkey and muenster. It was huge.
Again, I was a little disapointed. The bread was crumbly, the turkey appeared to pre-sliced "deli" style like they sell in bags near the cheese case in the grocery store. I did like the potato salad side. It had nice chunks of raw onion and celery, red potatoes with skins, and a nice spice with a sweety mayo based dressing. Very good. The sammie combo was nice together and it wasn't bad. It just was so so.

The quiche looked overcooked to me, but my man found it quite good(He's easy). I thought the ham was cut into too large of a dice. The quiche came with a nice salad on the same plate: large, fresh, with lots of veggies.

We liked the funny menus and the large, colorful plastic, dollar store-like cups the water came in. The storefront part looks dishelved, but comforting and established. We sat in the back outdoor seating while really bad 80's music played rather loudly(heavy metal "hair" bands, Corey Hart, etc). It was a great day for outside eating.

The service was below average. One server had to cover the entire outdoor seating and she had nine tables by the time we left. I like the laid back atmosphere, but I don't like to have to ask for everything from the silverware and napkins to the check.

Anyway, unless others tell me otherwise, or the breakfast is just "to die for"....I don't think we'll go out of our way to go back.

Is this place still worthy of it's reputation just because it's been around for awhile?


Leo's Lunchroom
1809 W. Division St
773-276-6509

8 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Monday

I've always found that the specials were the really interesting dishes. (Although the shark that I had the last time that I was there did a great job of reinforcing that I don't like shark, due to no fault on the staff's end.)

As an aside, I recall reading that Leo's was closing down or changing hands? The talented chef who gave it it's reputation has since left and headed for Bite on Western, and the owners didn't care for the way the neighborhood was changing around them.

I'm a little late in posting this, but all outward appearances would indicate that Leo's is closed. The rather thick layer of dust on tables would reinforce my assessment that I'm a bit late in learning this.

Sort of a bummer, it was nice to have another brunch option nearby.

The Reader confirms this. I guess the new owners blowed it up real good. It's a shame. It used to be über popular.

They seem to have a problem passing their health inspections. Their license was suspended in August. This is the second time in the past couple of years that they have been shut down. I think that the owner of Semiramis also currently owns Leo's.

Pete wrote:I've always found that the specials were the really interesting dishes. (Although the shark that I had the last time that I was there did a great job of reinforcing that I don't like shark, due to no fault on the staff's end.)

As an aside, I recall reading that Leo's was closing down or changing hands? The talented chef who gave it it's reputation has since left and headed for Bite on Western, and the owners didn't care for the way the neighborhood was changing around them.

I could be wrong, but I think that the chef you refer to left Bite a while ago and has recently opened a chicken restaurant on California (?) called Feed.

I beleive that the last owners of Leo's were also the chaps who own Semiramis. I was under the impression (although, once again, I could be quite incorrect here) that their hearts were more with Semiramis then with Leo's. Now that Semiramis seems to be doing rather well, I'm not surprised that Leo's has closed it's doors.

I know a lot of people who really liked Leo's but, even if it's "glory days", I could never see what the big deal was. I always found it pretty boring and could never really understand the appeal. Still, I guess it's a shame that it's gone...

I think that the owner of Semiramis also currently owns Leo's

.

I had the impression from earlier posts, he is a former owner of Leo's who sold and moved on to Semiramis.

Regards,

LionRock wrote:I could be wrong, but I think that the chef you refer to left Bite a while ago and has recently opened a chicken restaurant on California (?) called Feed.

You have to notice subtle things - like dates. I mentioned the chef leaving in July of 2004. I'm sure a lot has happened since that point in time.

The owners of the building sold the building. The new owners are tearing it down is the word on the street. I am very saddened by this, as their holy cow sandwich was a wonderful creation.

Man- that's sad. But y'know, the neighborhood really needs MORE condoliths, I don't think there are nearly enough (NOT).. I just wish the stupid real estate bubble would burst already.