Stray Hen Cafe - Elmhurst, Illinois

I enjoyed having breakfast here. The servers were very welcoming and provided a great service. Food was really good, I had the Maryland crab cake Benedict and that will be what brings me back for sure. It was just how I like it. Potatoes are well seasoned, and the assortment of hot sauces were the perfect additions. Also had the gatherer with a side of cinnamon swirl pancakes, delicious!

Had the fish sandwich w/ garden side salad. The fish sandwich was pretty tasty…however the tartar sauce did not taste as fresh as I thought it should. It was by no means spoiled…but it did taste like it had been around a while.

Updated review July 2024: We tried the waffles flight (beautiful pic of 4 mini waffles) but unfortunately it was very cakey and we didn’t really finish them. Savory seems to be better than sweet at this place so far. Original review: A favorite breakfast/brunch place. The food was great!! They don’t use a lot of salt which is perfect for us, but they have hot sauce and salt on the table. The skillet was so flavorful and caramelized. The pancakes are fluffy and done well, we liked them a bit better than the French toast. The side of fruit looked old unfortunately. I am especially happy that their COFFEE is EXCELLENT! Many breakfast places will have amazing food, but mediocre coffee. 2 hour street parking for customers.

They have a great menu. We tried the O'Brian and Papi Chulo skillets. He had the cinnamon roll pancakes, and I had the apple churro French toast. We will definitely be back.

Favorite brunch place in Chicago vicinity so far! It is a family-friendly gem! The menu has a wide variety of options for kids, which the little ones of our friends loved a lot. The servers were exceptionally warm and patient, making the long weekend waits more bearable. While it can get crowded, the delicious food and yummy food along with their service make it worth the wait. The staff member helping us did an amazing job with recommendations/substitutes to ensure we get the best food. Everyone on our table loved their food (some items are not in the pictures) and the spot-on coffee to get the kick! A 5-star choice for a brunch outing with our family friends!

YUM! Took a chance on this place today- busy on a Saturday afternoon, 30 min wait and completely worth it. Wide variety menu (breakfast toast section) with unique options- (Reeses peanut butter pancakes). Anyone with any diet needs can happily eat here.

Really liked this place. We mostly ordered breakfast and they were good! Service was good too even when we came during peak brunch hours on a Saturday. Pricing is reasonable for the food we got. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Best to book in advance as they’re quite a popular spot in the area. Overall, I recommend this place.

In an effort to dine more locally, for brunch we picked a local place. The details this place takes between the interior choices and the craftsmanship with the food you can tell there is care in those details. We were seated quick, and the waitress gave us time to figure out what we were going to get. The mimosa tasted delicious. Food came out faster than I expected for a Saturday morning, but it was cooked perfectly so I have nothing to complain about LOL. I will definitely visit this place again. I did notice when we were leaving which was more towards 10amish that there was a good line forming outside so I would suggest trying to go earlier if you can. The whole place looked very clean, and the prices were very reasonable.

Apple churro French toast Reese's peanut butter cup pancakes I could stop there but I won't! I've been out to eat brunch over 100 times in lifetime but this is the best blend of unique food offerings, great service, family friendly ambiance, and decent pricing; all of that great food was only $50. If you haven't been here yet you are missing out!

Great breakfast/brunch/lunch spot! Highly varied menu offers something for everyone, with endlessly combinable meal options. (Whatever magic they do with scrambled eggs, I will never be able to replicate at home.) Fast, friendly service and a positive vibe among diners and staff alike. An unexpectedly happy discovery!

Delicious! He entrance was a bit hard to find because it shares the same building as the bank. The crab cakes Benedict was amazing! We will be back.

Great spot! Love that this place has unique and healthy menu options. It's a bit pricy but it kind of fits the typical range for the area. Service was great and restaurant was clean. The food came out timely and fresh. I would come back for sure!

The waitress was very friendly and attentive to our needs. Although the restaurant was decently full, our food and drinks came out quickly. They have a decent-sized drink menu with regular drip coffee or lattes with various syrup flavors. My favorite thing on the menu (from their special fall menu) was the fried green tomato sliders and the potato medley (regular & sweet potatoes) that came with it. This place seems better suited for smaller parties.

I have been a true Stray Hen fan for quite a while now. A friend and I went there today and were shocked at how the omelette and pancakes have "shrunk"! The Gatherer omelette is our favorite, and it was a mere shadow of its former self. It is significantly smaller, had barely any vegetables and I did not detect any havarti cheese at all. The pancakes used to be about the size of the plate they were served on and now they are about a 4" size. We were very disappointed. On a positive side we had a very nice server and our service was good. I do not feel inspired to go back, sadly. This used to be such a good place. The prices have also increased. All around a disappointing experience.

First time trying this place and was very impressed. Tucked away inside/next to a bank I think on a corner right next to the tracks. Lots of different specialty coffee/tea options which I appreciated. Some very decadent specialty pancake and French toast options. Pretty big menu overall so def want to go back soon. And fast and friendly service

nice day and decided to sit outside there was about a 15 minutes wait. the outdoor seating is basic nothing crazy out waiter was really nice and informative. we had our dogs with and they enjoyed the outdoor seating as well. we got a pumpkin iced latte decaf and fresh orange juice, the coffee could use some more flavoring. for food i got ham on the side for the dogs and then got chocolate chip banana pancakes and regular french toast with side a side of bacon. pancakes i only have the top one because it was just super sweet, they seemed a little dry but the chocolate chips and bananas helped. the french toast tasted like the griddle and eggs could of used more flavoring as well. bacon wasn't too bad. and ofcourse the dogs loved the bacon. super great service

Excellent place! Great food and service! Would definitely recommend but, come early so that you can get a table!

Would love the option to change mimosa flavors in the flights but it was still good. Location was hard to find while using GPS. Entry is in the bank. Big portions of food.

Plenty seating options, outdoor as well. Great service and excellent food. Priced appropriately! First visit but not the last. Large menu with a lot of options. Free street parking, car side building, adjacent a train that stops frequently. A beautiful neighborhood to explore after dining.

This is a obvious choice among metro riders. The service is friendly and well organized. The ambiance is like a diner but with more open seating and had a full view of downtown Elmhurst. The food is what you would expect , except dressed down a tad.

Met up with some friends here for brunch. The decor and seating were very nice. The seats weren't so jammed packed together, I actually felt like I could enjoy my company without people around me knowing my business. I ordered the cinnamon French toast, bacon and sausage. My other friends ordered a build your own omelette and a bagel sandwich. The French toast was a bit dry but tasty. The bacon was way overcooked and was crunchy crispy. One of the omelettes lacked enough eggs to make it feel like an omelette, the other was mostly potatoes. However, both omelettes were flavorful and filling. I would definitely come back to try some of the other items on the menu.

This spot continues to hit the marks of warm, inviting, comfort and FULL! Come here often for breakfast. Their service is spot on! Excellent choices, various options. I gotta tell ya..if you want good food, service and an excellent breakfast, great choice! My girl got the sliders today....looked scrumptious!!! I ordered a BLTE, first time for this....excellent balance of egg, protein and stuff! Lolol...love this place, don't say it often

Timing: On a weekend it took about 30 minutes to get a table. Service: kind, attentive staff, very professional and helpful Upsides: Generous portions and food comes out in a timely manner Downsides: pancakes were dry and the syrup tasted like an Aunt Jemima's. It would be better if they had real maple syrup.

Really wanted to love this place but it was awful. Ordered the gatherer omelette (veggies) and the black and white full stack pancakes. The pancakes were okay, but the omelette was watery and cold. There were also gnats and flies flying everywhere around the food and the silverware was sticky. Do not recommend this place and won't be back here.

Always enjoy going there. Great variety and quality. Hi protein plate is amazingly reasonable and keeps within Keto diet perimeters.

I order quite a bit from Stray Hen. My order today was so bad that I won't order again. I ordered a skillet with "soft" bacon and received UNCOOKED/RAW bacon. I threw it out because it was unsafe to eat. I should have taken it back but no time or desire. Very disturbing.

This is our go-to weekend breakfast/lunch place in elmhurst. It never disappoints. Love the food, service and menu!

The food here was absolutely delicious. We had a group of 8 and the server was polite and attentive. Everyone in my group enjoyed their food

My children absolutely adore visiting this place--it's a beloved spot for our family. I do understand the concerns raised in other reviews about the noise level during peak times, but that won't deter us. We simply love the food too much to stay away!

Went here for a quick lunch and was pleased with the food. Nice little space. Not too loud but not too quiet. Had a seat by the window and could watch the trains go by. For lunch had a scrambler with chicken sausage which I really enjoyed with home fries and the awesome Chocolate banana pancakes. Service could have been more attentive was the only real complaint.

My favorite breakfast place, since I've came to eat here. Hospitality and service is amazing.

Visited Stray Hen on Mother's Day weekend for brunch and we were fortunate to get seated. We ordered a number of dishes and none disappointed. My son had the waffle flight which he loved but was still hungry, luckily my other kid didn't finish her BLT egg sandwich. I went with a Southside scramble, very good. Mama got the Papi Chulo skillet and just about finished it. Great breakfast place in Elmhurst that I wouldn't mind revisiting and highly recommend if you're in the area or looking to try out a new place.

Met a former colleague here for breakfast on Tuesday. It was a happening place. A lot of morning energy. Has the Mexican omelet. ( it had a fancier name but I forgot it). Highly recommend.

Ordered the veggie bowl with an egg and it was delicious! My husband had chilaquiles and that was delicious as well. Huge portions, so we definitely will have left overs. Only issue was the service. Our waitress seemed kind of checked out? She was nice enough, but didn't really speak a lot. Our food all came out at different times (my son's, husband's and mine) and she just kind of plopped my son's down first. Didn't say anything. 5 minutes later my husband's came out. Few minutes later, mine. Not a huge deal at all, but again, she didn't speak. It was just kind of awkward. It was okay enough, but I wouldn't make a point to come back. Solid 3 out of 5 stars.

One of the best breakfast places not only in the burbs, but in all of Chicago. The menu is huge and full of options, portions are plentiful, service is great and the ambiance gives you a feel of hanging around locals, regulars and folks who genuinely enjoy great food at a great price. Hands down I'll choose Stray Hen again and again.

Corned beef skillet was terrific tasting & portion was generous. Service was impeccable & cleanliness of the establishment beyond reproach. Highly recommended.

Good food but always a very long wait for brunch. Great ambiance as well and friendly staff.

Good food. Fairly reasonable prices. (This is, sadly, really saying something these days.) Located in a cool 1930s-looking art deco office building, in the downtown, just across from the commuter rail station, this place is definitely worth a try. I got there early morning on a holidays Friday with most work commuters still off so it was wide open for me to select a nice corner table with a nice view out and of the whole place. The environment is bright, cheerful, and clean--not cold cafeteria like but inviting. I was thankful for a few minutes of quiet "me" time before my breakfast partner arrived--only, the friendly "good morning" with a hot coffee pour did not come and I actually, after waiting several minutes (actually more than several and considering at this point the place was not at all busy), got up to find some coffee as I thought, maybe I had misunderstood how this place works and I need to order at the counter. I was then approached by a server asking if I needed something and replied, at this point a teeny bit miffed that I had to go search for coffee at a breakfast place, "Yeah. Can I get some coffee?" The server apologized, looking a bit embarrassed, and promptly brought some hot coffee that was much appreciated on the chilly morning. My breakfast companion was running late so I savored the good coffee and very pleasant ambience for a few more minutes of me-time. So, setting aside this not great start, the rest of the experience was very good and the server that helped me out initially ended being our server--they were attentive, friendly, good sense of humor--and competent. Now, the food! I had The North Side Scramble. The eggs were done very nicely, not watery and rubbery which is also, sadly, saying something these days (if the eggs aren't right the whole thing falls apart). The potatoes were very nicely seasoned and tender inside with a slight crust on the outside--Très bien! By the time we were finished the place had filled up. So, the overall experience was quite nice and I will definitely give this place another try.

This is a charming and delightful spot for a relaxing brunch. While the outside seating was a bit too breezy.

Love the food and service has been great. Enjoy it in the summer when you can dine outside

Was looking for places to have brunch at with my friend and this place is very popular in the Downtown Elmhurst area. Stopped in at 10:45 and for two people there was a 45 minute wait, try and use the Yelp waitlist if possible. Pro tip: we walked across the tracks to Beerhead and had some quick mimosas while we waited! Just an option if you do have a long wait ;) Anyways, the service was attentive and quick. Even with how busy they are, they bring out plates pretty fast. I had the Weld omelette with breakfast potatoes and upgraded my pancakes to the cinnamon swirl. The breakfast potatoes were well seasoned and the omelette was tasty. The cinnamon swirl pancakes were good but definitely on the sweeter side - loaded with icing so beware if you don't like too sweet. Honestly my friend's blueberry lemon cheesecake pancakes were better and I almost wished I had gotten those instead. All in all, the place was good but nothing to bring me back for a while.

Update: owner reached out with giftcard to make it right Ordered via Uber eats. This "latte" had no coffee in it. It was literally pumpkin syrup and whole milk. I couldn't even drink it

My last visit was unfortunate. Let me say that this rating is purely on the food I got. The service is a 5 star because management took care of it and removed it from our check. So, I excitedly ordered biscuits and gravy which I was craving. The biscuits were like hockey pucks. Maybe 2-3 small bites were edible, but the rest was hard and dry. No idea if it was overcooked or reheated old biscuits. Tried to eat more but not even the gravy was enough to save it so I sadly gave up on them. Still one of my favorite places. Just can't recommend this dish.

Best brunch spot! So many great options that are all delicious. Staff is always nice and the service is great!

I eat here all time. Everything is good. Service is great. I always go for their Shrimp PoBoy - much better than Pappadeaux's - I'm from southwest Lousisana, so a good shrimp poboy in the Midwest is definitely a find. The breakfasts are huge and delicious.

Stray Hen is always humming with all different types of people. We always put ourselves on the waitlist using Yelp to avoid having to wait when we get there. Service is always friendly and quick and being right off the train station in downtown Elmhurst makes for good people watching. Pancakes and skillets are what our family usually gets and they never disappoint! While it's comfortable, i would say this is more of a get in, get out, get on your way type of restaurant. If you're looking for a place to hang and chit chat over coffee, look elsewhere. We like to try new brunch restaurants on the regular but keep the stray hen in rotation :)

Quick weekend trip to Chicago and decided to do Sunday brunch with the family here. It was busy, so we did have to wait for our party of 8 to be seated, but it was worth it. Service was fabulous. My pistachio latte was good, and the food was delicious. We all kept commenting on how good the food was. I had the Papi Chulo skillet, and it was a hearty portion and very filling. So delicious. My kids got the pancakes and they were super fluffy. The fresh squeezed orange juice was definitely fresh. Overall this was one of my top breakfast experiences of all time. I would absolutely return and highly recommend it.

fresh salad but would've liked more tuna. had to wait a very long time every time we requested more water.

Been here a couple of times for lunch. Decent service. Good food. Nice drinks. Great fun indoor and outdoor seating in the warmer months. Had the opportunity to sit both inside and outside. Getting in and out of their entrances was a little tricky but we figured it out eventually. I had their biscuit and gravy one time and the cauliflower rice bowl. Both were delicious and filling. The mimosas are refreshing and delicious. I like coming here for the savory and across the street for the sweet. If you're in the area like I am for work, it's worth the drive. Parking is pretty good in that area since the metra is right there as well.

First time visit. Considering it was Sunday morning, the wait wasn't that long. I really like the interior design and not too loud. I ordered the French toast combo; very good although the eggs were a tad cold. The staff was very friendly and you didn't feel rushed. Only down fall, no free refills on hot chocolate but plenty of free refills on coffee... hot chocolate is twice the price of coffee. Will be going back

We like the food but the yelp waitlist times were WAY off today. Quoted 15 - 20 minutes but ended up being seated after waiting an over an hour. Hopefully there is a way to adjust that so the times are more accurate in the future.

five star brunch spotlocated in the lovely town of elmhurst is this awesome brunch spot ! The menue is huge , something for everyone ! They have a seasonal menue too and I, myself, enjoyed a yummy fall themed brunch with the pumpkin French toast and pumpkin spice latte . Both were just delicious . They patio is a great option when the weather is nice . I loved this place and will be back !

Many tasty choices. Crowded, depending on the time. I could not eat the chilaquiles due to the high level of spiciness.

You making good money. Wait time is crazy.business owner please grow your business and solve that waiting issue or don't

This place is tremendous! Food is fantastic, good portions. I could not say enough good things!

Great food, wonderful coffee, nice vibe... give a try. Servers are pleasant and every time I go I'm glad I did.

This place is just ook. I ordered 3 eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and toast. The portions are Extremely small. They only give 1 piece of toast with your meal, and they cut it in half to make it seem like you're getting 2 pieces. I've been to soo many breakfast restaurants, and I never received just 1 piece of toast. The hashbrown portion is extremely small, too. The person at my table had to send their omelet back 3 times before they got it right, which is ridiculous. The pricing is not that cheap either. There are just too many other breakfast restaurants that are so much better than this one. So I wont be coming back anytime soon.