Eleven City Diner

"Eleven City Diner is a deli/restaurant hybrid that really leans into the retro diner vibe: It has 1950s music, neon signs, and counters with glass cake stands and huge jars of old-timey penny candy for sale. Come here for the all-day breakfast dishes like omelets and challah french toast, or things like pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. Brunch on the weekends tends to be very crowded, with a pretty strict seating policy (everyone in your party must be present before they’ll seat you, and once you’re seated, no one else can join), but they start serving lunch at 10am during the week in case you need a break from your sad work-from-home desk salad." - veda kilaru, adrian kane, john ringor

"This Ashkenazi-style Jewish deli serves up huge sandwiches and ice cream floats in a traditional diner setting. Melts, massive Reubens, egg creams, and matzoh ball soup are available (plus latkes). Founded in 2006, this neighborhood stalwart continues to draw hoards of locals and tourists." - Ashok Selvam

"Make kids happy at this classic Jewish deli and ice cream fountain in South Loop. An array of sweet treats including shakes, sundaes, house-made sodas and candy. Mammoth sandwiches, fluffy pancakes, and fried staples all add up to a food paradise for most minors." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman

"This New York-style South Loop deli offers potato latkes all year round, but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be included in any Hanukkah celebrations, especially when loaded with lox-and-bagel toppings or a pile of corned beef. The latke platter comes with two new-school and two old-school pancakes, with sides of applesauce and sour cream: something for everyone." - Eater Staff

"Eleven City Diner is a deli in the South Loop that should be a poster child for retro diner chic. We’re talking 1950s music, neon signs, and counters with glass cake stands and huge jars of old-timey penny candy for sale. Come here for things like pastrami and corned beef sandwiches or all-day breakfast dishes like their black and white french toast made with challah. " - adrian kane, john ringor