Lou Mitchell's
Breakfast restaurant · West Loop ·
Iconic Route 66 diner, famed for hearty breakfasts since 1923
Iconic Route 66 diner, famed for hearty breakfasts since 1923
"Near the original starting point of Route 66 in Chicago, this retro diner has been open since 1923 and remains pilgrimage-worthy for travelers tracing the historic highway." - Julia Eskins
"I can fuel up at Lou Mitchell's, a classic Chicago diner opened in 1923 where I might dig into a malted pecan and bacon waffle before starting a Route 66 road trip." - Arati Menon, Megan Spurrell
"Opened three years before Route 66 in 1923, this Chicago diner has fueled travelers and locals alike with hearty breakfasts, offering 13 styles of pancakes and waffles and 23 omelets that range from classics to unexpected pairings like sweet Michigan apples with sharp Old English cheddar. For a sweeter option try the Belgium Malted Bacon Waffle with fresh whipped butter and maple syrup, and expect to be greeted with free doughnut holes and Milk Duds—a nod to Uncle Lou’s Greek heritage and longstanding hospitality." - Annie Brown Verdin
"Opened in 1923, Lou’s in Greektown/West Loop is basically the old-school diner version of Cheers. Even if you aren’t a regular, the staff will probably call you some variation of hun, sweetie, or darling as they drop off a slice of their rotating pie of the day. Grab a bar stool at one of their retro counters, enjoy a classic skillet and pancake stack enough times, and maybe one day everybody will know your name." - veda kilaru, john ringor, adrian kane
"Lou Mitchell’s is a reliable diner that's been serving breakfast for 102 years, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places. Now the Greektown institution has the unique bragging rights of being featured twice on The Bear, in the season three montage and a brief emotional scene in season four with Marcus lingering outside of it. Sadly he never went in, denying himself the comfort of a waitress calling him "hon" while pouring what Lou's claims to be "the world's best coffee." - adrian kane, nick allen
