Best Diners in Merrionette Park

"The Chicago Diner offers an atmosphere as American as mini-malls by decorating the place with vintage ads and neon lights and serving up heaping helpings of comfort food, but without the meat. “Instead of burgers, we have veggie burgers,” “instead of french fries we serve home fries.” They also offer vegan milkshakes, a Radical Reuben with homemade seitan in place of corned beef, biscuits & vegetarian gravy, and Chick’n Fingers for the kids. And guys, you really need to try their vegan milkshakes, not only are they delicious, but they are vegan, and some even Gluten Free!"

"Ask any vegetarian or vegan in the city of their top restaurant choices and it’s likely Chicago Diner will be one of the first names on their lips. Whilst a motto boasts that The Chicago Diner has been “Meat free since ’83” its reputation is such that The Chicago Diner is loved by meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters all over the city. A large menu offers anything ranging from pancakes to black bean veggie burgers but it’s what they can do with seitan and tofu that will really blow your mind, and your taste buds."

"The Chicago Diner, Logan Square uses local, seasonal ingredients and produce. All cleaning products are environment-friendly and their takeout containers are bio-degradable. They also utilize only FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified office paper."

"The fried egg salad on an everything bagel–seasoned crumpet is reason enough to visit Little Goat Diner. Owned by Stephanie Izard, who also runs Girl and the Goat and Duck Duck Goat, Little Goat is one of the best places in town for an unfussy yet deeply thoughtful meal. With elevated diner classics (a kimchi-slathered Reuben, a goat burger, a sundae dripping with apple cider vinegar caramel), and mainstays like corned beef hash and cinnamon buns, it’s an ideal spot to bring families made up of both picky and adventurous eaters."

"Stephanie Izard’scontemporary West Loop diner’s open all day, and most kids will be thrilled that they can order breakfast at any time. The dark chocolate chip crunch pancakes with chocolate malt butter, Fat Elvis waffles with bananas, peanut butter-butter and bacon maple syrup or gooey, house-made Cinnabons should put them on happy street."

"While age doesn’t always guarantee quality, it is difficult to ignore one of Chicago’s oldest restaurants in Lou Mitchell’s. The restaurant has been serving up breakfasts and brunches for 98 years and will celebrate 100 years in the business in 2023. The family diner was started by ‘Uncle Lou’ back in 1923 specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes before being handed down to his son Lou Mitchell."

"It doesn’t get more old school than the experience at one of Chicago’s oldest restaurants. Nearly a century since opening, Lou Mitchell’s continues to operate like a well-oiled machine. Guests are treated to complimentary Milk Duds and donut holes upon arrival before sitting down to fluffy pancakes, jumbo omelets, fresh eggs, homemade pastries, and cups of the self-proclaimed “world’s finest coffee."

"The iconic Lou Mitchell's sign has drawn patrons into the historic diner near Union Station since 1923. Come for hearty, classic diner fare at breakfast and lunchtime, alongside baked goods and complimentary Milk Duds. View this post on Instagram"

"A post shared by elly’s (@ellysbrunchcafe) on Nov 18, 2019 at 5:02pm PST. Do not come here if you don’t plan on ordering the oven-baked pancakes. That’s not to say there’s no other reason to visit—it’s to say you’d have regrets for daaays."

"Located in the South Loop in a building that was once home to a printing press and then a bank before it became one of the city’s favorite diners, Eleven City Diner is a traditional Jewish deli that serves a variety of deli-style fare in a casual diner setting. Boasting neon lights and the crackle of WWII-era tunes, the diner takes patrons back in time to the 1940s and 1950s with leather-button booths where bowls of matzoh ball soup and latkes can be enjoyed. The deli serves a variety of deli-style fare such as gargantuan gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, mac and cheese, melts, and Reubens along with drinks from an authentic soda fountain, house-brewed root beer, and floats."

"Inspired by the nostalgia of trekking across the States and stopping into roadside diners full of charm along the way, Eleven City has that classic, old-school atmosphere you want to go with your burger and milkshake. Here, breakfast is served all day, including a make-your-own omelet bar, but don’t you dare sleep on their loaded mac-and-cheese either. Needless to say, Eleven City Diner has it all and more."

"Restaurants Diners Loop. Owner Brad Rubin scoured the country to research this Jewish deli/diner. His pastrami is tender, fatty and full of flavor; the milkshakes are thick and oversized; matzo balls are enormous; and the brisket is good enough that any grandmother would want to claim it, Jewish or not."

"We know, it might seem like a stretch to include a theater—and Shakespeare, no less—on a kid’s map. But the Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater showcases a ton of kid-friendly performances, including shorter 75-minute abridged productions geared toward families and students. Check their website for the latest shows and schedules."

"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."

"The Beverly Arts Center is a multifaceted space that hosts regular programs on dance, film, theater and music. There is also a gallery space here that presents a rotating and diverse program of visual arts. Past exhibits have included works by local Chicago cartoonists, printmakers, photographers and painters, as well as programs focused on the LGBTQ community."

"Lincoln ParkThe views don’t get much better than Theatre on the Lake, where your outdoor table is parked just steps from the softly crashing waves of Lake Michigan. With seating for 80 and a focused selection of entrées from chicken tinga tacos to brisket dip, Theatre on the Lake continues to serve as something of a mental health break come to life. Stop by for weekend brunch served from 10 am to 3 pm.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"