It was a pure joy to wake up late on a Saturday morning, walk along Belmont Harbor in Lakeview and grab brunch at some of the best diner’s in Lakeview and Chicago at large. Greeting the owner of Stella’s and devouring the famous cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather Restaurant became two of my favorite things to do. Even though I never got to personally dine at the Horizon Cafe or The Chicago Diner, I’ve heard endless lists of people suggest them. So lazily throw on a sweatshirt and run to the nearest of these amazing breakfast and yummy food joints in the neighborhood.
When in Chicago, Stella’s became a home away from home. On Broadway near the lake, Stella’s has a wide array of breakfast dishes and other options. The owners are always there and will greet you by name and sit down for a chat. Being welcomed by the wait staff and owner was truly what kept us coming back along with the mind blowing food. The “Hobo” was a huge portion of eggs, avocado, cheese, and hash browns served in a skillet with care. Another home run was the delicious Jalapeno Burger that my husband golfed down in minutes. Milkshakes and freshly made desserts are displayed with a laid back ease and the people watching is part of the fun on Broadway. With groovy decor, a “come one and all” attitude and deep rooted history to Lakeview, you won’t want to leave Gus, Maria and Dawn.
The Chicago Diner
The Halsted-home Chicago Diner makes veggie dishes that make even the most obsessed meat eater happy. Opened in 1983, the diner went against the grain and offered an all vegetarian menu and created a kitschy all-American atmosphere. A love story at the heart of it’s food and history, The Chicago Diner lures every passerby in and keeps them in it’s grip while they enjoy the vegetarian Philly Cheese “Steak” and the famous-vegan chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake. Brunch is served until 3pm daily and the dishes average about $10 each.
Ann Sather Restaurant
You can’t visit Ann Sather and avoid their huge, mouth watering, freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Included as a side and given two, the cinnamon rolls of Ann Sather Restaurant have put this diner on the map and it’s there to stay. Always packed on the weekends and with a line out the door on Sunday mornings, this diner has everything a brunch lover has dreamed of. With Swedish cuisine, this homey diner welcomes you with it’s sweet fragrance. Health fanatics love the healthy options like the fresh fruit and garden omelettes while kids adore the cinnamon rolls. Whenever family came to town, Ann Sather’s was always on our “go-to” list and everyone came home with boxes of leftovers. If breakfast isn’t your thing, there are delicious burgers and open faced sandwiches. The cheapest breakfast in Lakeview, for $6.25 you get two eggs, and two sides which can be 2 cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, hash browns, toast, and tomato.
Inspired by his dad’s recipes, Nick, reintroduces classics and offers them at Horizon Cafe. In North Lakeview, you can enjoy their custom signature pancakes that include Pumpkin Spice or Snickers and skillet creations. With an extensive breakfast menu that also includes breakfast burritos and eggs benedict, this diner goes above and beyond typical diner fare and offers it’s customers what they want. With comfort food lunches that include the Grilled Four Cheese Sandwich and the Buffalo Chicken sub on a pretzel baguette, Horizon Cafe is the place to be before 1pm. On the corner of Broadway, Halsted, and Grace, this restaurant also offers award-winning soups and lives up to it’s tag line “It’s Good To Be Home” by welcoming diners like family.