Irene's Finer Diner
Diner · North Center
2012 Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
Highlights
Retro diner serving reimagined classics with local farm ingredients
Retro diner serving reimagined classics with local farm ingredients
"Irene’s Finer Diner in North Center is a decent, utility breakfast spot. Its bright space has lots of tables and retro leather booths that give it a classic diner atmosphere. Nothing on the menu is mind-blowing, but dishes like their breakfast burrito and skillets are still satisfying. Just know that the waffles are a bit dense and chewy, like pancakes that took a detour into a waffle iron." - adrian kane, john ringor
"Irene’s Finer Diner is an update on nostalgia. It features a classic diner menu from the ‘60s but uses farm-fresh ingredients and meats from reputable vendors. It’s a spacious dining room with plenty of high chairs and a children’s menu. Touches like house-made hot sauce will keep parents wanting to come back, while the kids have plenty of attention from a waitstaff who doesn’t act like kids are some bother." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman
"Suffered a recent fire and has closed indefinitely while owners assess damage and recovery plans; they emphasized gratitude that no one was harmed, expressed that they have invested significant heart and effort into the breakfast-focused diner, and said they will provide updates when they are able to reopen." - Ashok Selvam
"As the name suggests, Irene’s Finer Diner raises the standards on diner staples by using eggs and meat from local farms for its omelets and skillets along with adding creative twists to dishes like a waffle with mascarpone, orange peel and Nutella, and grilled cheese made with braised short rib, gruyere, raclette, cornichons and honey. The North Center restaurant also offers a kids menu, high tea and desserts from Bang Bang Pie. While the restaurant is new, the space has a long history as a diner where the current co-owner worked as a child." - Sam Nelson
"They’ve taken the idea of a greasy spoon and made it a golden spoon by elevating and reimagining diner classics with high-quality ingredients such as 63-degree Slagel Farm eggs on their amazing benedict menu and Bang Bang pies and biscuits." - Ashok Selvam
