Top Best American Restaurants in East Chicago

"This no-frills soul food diner is a South Side institution and the oldest restaurant in Chicago, opening in 1892 and becoming its current incarnation in 1918. Breakfast is served all day while the dinner menu includes fried chicken, jumbo shrimp, melt sandwiches, and burgers, all of which can be spiced up with the red pepper vinegar found on every table. Daley’s moved across the street in 2019."

"Restaurants American Woodlawn. Depending on how you look at it, Daley’s restaurant has been around since 1892 or 1937 (the first, the original opening date; the second, the current incarnation). Either way, it’s one of the oldest restaurants in the city."

"This cafeteria-style establishment is known for their comfortable atmosphere and even more comforting food: mashed potatoes and gravy, patty melts, barbecue chicken, meatloaf, short rib, and more, all scooped up and piled high on your tray. You can also order one of President Obama’s favorites, like the steak and eggs with hashbrowns. Expect to stand in line with neighborhood regulars, students from the nearby university, and visitors who flock to this Hyde Park institution."

"President Obama cites Valois, a cafeteria-style restaurant, as one of his favorite spots in the city. He likes their breakfast, specifically the eggs and turkey sausage. Open since 1921 (making its home in a few locations over the years), the open kitchen churns out daily specials like prime rib, corned beef and cabbage, patty melts, rice pudding, and peach cobbler."

"It's counter-service only but Hyde Park’s beloved institution has all the makings of a greasy spoon. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served cafeteria-style and customers should look forward to reliable omelets, a mean plate of steak and eggs, and daily specials like lamb shank spaghetti. Need more convincing?"

"For more than three decades, this Chatham beacon has earned its place in the community. A popular stop for the Aretha Franklin, Josephine’s Southern Cooking is known for soul food staples like gumbo, fried catfish, and pork chop. But Franklin isn’t the restaurant’s most esteemed celebrity."

"still looks as good inside as the day it opened may not look that great on the outside but you well really like the inside"

"Huck Finn Restaurant serves up hearty American meals all day, but regulars swear by their donuts.|© Salim Virji / Flickr. Huck Finn Restaurant serves up hearty home cooking all day long in three Chicagoland locations. While best known—or perhaps most appreciated—for its donuts, the diner has excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, too."

"This diner mini-chain has three locations on the South Side that provide patrons with a satisfyingly sweet finish to every meal. Chow on golden brown pancakes, club sandwiches, and burgers but make sure to save some room for a donut delight. The signature treat features one of Huck’s donuts topped with choice of ice cream and whipped cream."