Dave Kosrow WordPress
It all started in 1923 when Uncle Lou’s father opened Lou Mitchell’s, the restaurant known as Chicago’s first to serve breakfast all day. A classic American diner, they boast a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, with a guarantee of consistent quality since the day they opened their doors.
According to Lou Mitchell’s, they have gone through five generations of family ownership in over 100 years of business. This remains a key part of their identity, as the restaurant strives for an authenticity that is unmatched by competitors.
The restaurant has been widely recognized with its Golden Cup award, Zagat feature, TripAdvisor feature, Michelin rating, and more. According to The Infatuation, they are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to being “the ‘first’ restaurant on old Route 66.”
This past weekend, members of The Xavierite were in Chicago for the annual ICPAs conference and awards ceremony. Lou Mitchell’s was our first stop in the city.
Right as we walked in, the staff greeted us with welcoming arms and extremely fast service. For a party of eight, this was impressive and made for a memorable morning.
The Xavierite
As we glanced over the menus, we all were given a plate with an orange and a fresh donut hole. This is known as a Lou Mitchell’s tradition; Uncle Lou would give every customer one of their legendary donut holes as they were waiting to be served. This began officially in 1958.
The tradition was not just started by Uncle Lou; they have an inspiration. Lou Mitchell’s says, “it’s a Greek tradition to offer a sweet treat to visitors in your home, and we feel that our customers are like our family, so we welcome you with donut holes.”
Upon looking over the options, we made selections spanning multiple parts of the breakfast menu.
Belgium Malted Waffle The Xavierite
I tried a classic Belgium Malted Waffle with a side of extra crispy bacon. This has to be one of the best waffles I have ever had; I just about finished the entire meal, which is not something I can normally say.
The coffee I had on the side was also a perfect pick-me-up in the early morning with a long day ahead. They deem it to be the “World’s Finest Coffee,” providing pure cream and sugar on the side.
Greek Feta Cheese Omelette The Xavierite
A couple other people in our group tried the Greek Feta Cheese Omelette. The portion was generous and came with a side of potatoes. On the menu, there are over 20 omelette options to satisfy a variety of cravings. They have everything from Apple and Cheese to Chicken Sausage, with a plain offering for anyone looking to avoid the additional toppings.
Grilled Thick French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes The Xavierite
We were also able to indulge in the Grilled Thick French Toast and the Chocolate Chip Pancakes. For the French Toast, Lou Mitchell’s offers a fruit of the day and whipped cream or sour cream addition. The menu of pancakes expands from meltaway to gluten free.
Aside from what we ordered, the menu offers a range of egg options, from traditional eggs to a list of breakfast sandwiches. They also have a section for sides and pastries to choose from.
If you are not a big breakfast person, Lou Mitchell’s still has you covered. On top of the morning options, they have an extensive lunch menu that offers a list of Super Deluxe Sandwiches, From Scratch offerings, Plain Sandwiches, Refreshing Crisp Salads, sides, and desserts.
Everyone was left satisfied with not only the freshly served food, but the warm environment Lou Mitchell’s has successfully established. We will definitely be returning soon.
Lou Mitchell’s is open Wednesday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. On weekends, they are open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
You can find Lou Mitchell’s at 565 W Jackson Blvd in Chicago’s West Loop. There is another location, Häagen-Dazs, that serves their bakery goods and Lou Mitchell’s Graystone coffee products. This can be found at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way in Rosemont, Illinois.