Mr. Breakfast's Chicago challenge

Riverside Cafe in Bucktown. Its on Cortland and basically ashland. Great place in the summer time to sit outside and have a big breakfast. I highly recommend it.

1 word for awesome omelettes: Tempo. The best I've ever had anywhere.

Jerry's 24-hour diner at montrose and western; sven swedish restaurant on clark in andersonville

You would be remiss to not have the pancakes at Lume's down at 115th and Western. Best in the city, period.

We love Tweet (Uptown)!

Though its new location is not open yet, I make this recommendation based on its prior incarnation -- a little place called Dodo. A new location is purportedly opening soon on Fulton Market. The old spot was tiny and un-air-conditioned, but the food was great.

I love Lula... if you like that, I'd try Vella Cafe, under the tracks at Western & Milwaukee. the Polenta breakfast and the Amaranth pancakes are as good as any breakfast served in the city.

So many to choose from!

A&T Grill in Rogers Park for straight-up diner breakfast food; Earwax Cafe (my favorite breakfast burrito) in Wicker Park; Victory's Banner in Roscoe Village (best omelets in town!); Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park; a second vote for Tweet in Uptown; Kopi Cafe and M. Henry in Andersonville (although M. Henry is a little on the froofy side, it's still tasty!); Hollywood Grill on North & Ashland; John's Place in Lincoln Park. That's just off the top of my head. I love a good breakfast.

Another vote for M. Henry in Andersonville and Vella Cafe, and definitely Flo on Chicago Avenue in West Town. Flo has THE most delicious breakfast burritos and other Mexican delights, and excellent coffee.

My boyfriend and I love to hit up John Barleycorn in LP for breakfast/brunch. A big 3 item omelette with potatoes and toast and coffee to drink for $6.66 per person...can't beat it.

My husband and I found the ultimate old-school breakfast experience and have decided to go there every Saturday morning: Ramova Grill on Halsted & 35th. My dad used to go here for lunch when he was a cop, and I don't think anything has changed since then. The cook is behind the counter in the window making just about everything from scratch. I ordered am omelet and he took the eggs out of the fridge next to him, cracked them in the bowl, beat them, and poured it on the flat top. Oh, and the OJ is fresh squeezed to order. It's definitely nothing fancy, but it's awesome. And cheap as hell!

this is kinda big for me, because this place is a well kept secret, but be sure and check out the howard johnson at erie and lasalle for breakfast. bottomless coffee, spot on breakfast, freindly service, comfy booths, plenty bright. i recommend "deuces wild." nuff said.

Alicia's at 68th and Pulaski. Best breakfast in the area. Lingonberry Swedish pancakes miles from Andersonville! The place could use a good cleaning, but it's passed health inspections.

Ok, do NOT go to Heartland in Rogers Park unless you like bland food and poor service. It has a vast menu and is reasonably priced though. M Henry is always crowded which is a problem for me- I've never been there without having to wait a minimum of 45 minutes and that's a bit too long.

If you don't mind going into Evanston, by far the best breakfast place around is Le Peep-- cheap, huge portions, delicious food. I don't know anyone who dislikes this place, except maybe vegans.

Other good places-- Ann Sathers makes good breakfast, Clarks offers great pancakes, Lucky Platter in Evanston is unique and always fresh...spotty service though

Breakfast places are like neighborhood Chinese restaurants -- everyone swears theirs is the best ("I'm telling you--the mu shu pork/orange-scented French toast rocks!!"), when in fact it's just one in a sea of generic, mediocre eateries. At least with Chinese restaurants, you don't have the spectacle of bleary-eyed hangovers milling about outside at the vulgar Sunday morning hour of 10 a.m., waiting obediently for a coveted opportunity to gorge on the most pedestrian restaurant food imaginable. Gross!

Suprisingly in Oak Lawn/Crestwood there are two great place. Flapjacks on 103rd and Ciecro and my favorite The Country House on Rte 83 in Crestwood (actuallly this might be Alsip)....We though don't have a good Mediterrean place though.

Lex wrote:

If you don't mind going into Evanston, by far the best breakfast place around is Le Peep-- cheap, huge portions, delicious food. I don't know anyone who dislikes this place, except maybe vegans.

Le Peep has a city location in the West Loop: 1000 W Washington Blvd; also a location in Mt. Prospect.

Ah, so let's see the checklist is...
No children,
Good forks,
Bland food for suburban-transplanted, slightly-over-middle-aged white men.
There are thousands of places...

Why in the world did the Tribune bother printing this column? WHO cares what this guy thinks about these breakfast places- of course, even if you did care, you wouldn't know if you should visit because it's all aboout coffee in carafes and who has "good" forks and were there any kids crying on that particular morning....This piece is ridiulously worthless. Is it supposed to be humor?

Mr. Barrett, if you are looking for a place to enjoy a great breakfast, well then Moondance Diner in Westmont or Moondance Diner in Burr Ridge ( the western suburbs) is the place for you. Fresh fruit, quality food, phenomenal waffles, great service and oh yea awesome coffee.