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Alexander's Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners [Edit]
6158 N Clark St(between Granville Ave & Hood Ave)
Chicago, IL 60660
Neighborhood: Edgewater
(773) 743-3841
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
53 reviews for Alexander's Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"They have some really delicious biscuits and gravy." In 6 reviews -
"The wait staff is friendly and helpful." In 6 reviews -
"The pancakes were wonderfully fluffy and tasty." In 8 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Scott H.
Chicago, IL
12/29/2011
I can order pancakes, since they always have sugar-free syrup. Affordable prices for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nice service with a friendly staff. This place 6 blocks from my house.
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Review from Duncan S.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fairly good Greek diner with an extensive menu, plenty of affordable options and usually has a crowd in the mornings. Basic seating at the counter, booths on the side and tables in the middle and pretty standard diner look and feel, albeit a little dated. Went with the flank steak that was a little chewy and struggled with the 'steak' knife to cut it, house potatoes and eggs pretty good and a decent serving size. The pancakes are always good, flowing average coffee and good service.
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Review from Lucy G.
Chicago, IL
7/26/2011
Have you ever seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding?" Walking into this diner, I felt like I was on the set. This Greek owned restaurant is precious. It's literally half a block from me, so I have been here a few times and enjoyed it- both for it's proximity, it's charm, and it's good food.
First of all, you will never leave hungry. They give you so much food at an affordable price. They offer your typical American diner foods, but then they'll have a few menu items or specials that reflect the Greek patronage, the spinach pie, mousaka, or greek omelette for instance.
So far my favorite is the Eggs Florentine, which includes two halves of an English muffin, topped with wilted spinach, two poached eggs, and drenched in the rich hollandaise sauce, a side of hash browns, more than you can eat, and a little bit of the fresh fruit of the day (it could be a couple slices of orange or half a banana.) This easily became 2 meals.
Coffee is good, service is perky, and the place is never empty. It's small though, so don't bring a huge group of people. This neighborhood diner will see my hungry face again soon. -
Review from Kyle J.
Chicago, IL
2/27/2011
I love me a good diner and now I have one within walking distance, I love everything about this place.
Oh yeah and the foods good too, no really it's quite good.
biscuits and gravy! -
Review from Marissa G.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 5/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Unfortunately, I wish i could say, go to Alexander's for lunch and dinner too! But...alas, I must say-- don't.
I had the broiled perch and mac and cheese. Perch was overcooked and fishy, and the mac and cheese was overcooked and needed tons of salt to be edible. My partner had the gyro plate, which didn't have enough meat at all.
All in all, after paying $20 for lunch, I left so unsatisfied! I really wanted to come here for all my future meals! If all my future meals are eggs and pancakes, then maybe-- but otherwise I guess Alexander's is just a breakfast place for me.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/3/2011
My new fave diner, close to home. Very Chicago. Good food, good service. Lots of regulars, they… Read more »
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Review from Jeff D.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
Good breakfast place so that's what the 4 stars is for. I haven't had another other meal here other than b-fast. Quick service with a smile and fluffy pancakes as well! I also love the fact they use whipped butter at their tables which is called Danish Maid. It goes really well with Pancakes! Very good!
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Review from Lydia B.
Chicago, IL
10/16/2011
I can't believe this place is right by my house and I never tried it til this morning :) I had biscuits and gravy and it was delicious and cheap. I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in the mood for diner food.
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Review from John B.
9/20/2007
I've been in mourning for Augie's, my neighborhood diner, since they closed last month, and searching for a replacement. Pauline's is a little too unpredictable, the Ravenswood is a little too far away, and the Golden Nugget just doesn't cut it. Based on other Yelp reviews, I decided to check out Alexander's.
You know the Seinfeld episode where Elaine starts hanging out with Kevin, Gene, and Feldman? That's what it was like walking into Alexander's. Same old Greek guy, but different model, taller and a bit more robust. Two older waitresses -- one his wife and one his sister? Or his daughter? Hard to tell. Much brighter than Augie's, but a similar style if a different vintage -- more 70s/80s than 50s/60s. [Actually, Alexander's looks likes a Baker's Square that has been repurposed into a Greek diner -- check out the sunken ceiling with the typical burgundy paint job.] Nicer counter, but in the wrong place. the whole thing kind of threw me for a loop.
Good food and great prices, which you expect from a place like this. Sandwiches, a handful of entrees, and breakfast all day. Signature skillets, including a Ladies Skillet, for you girls who are watching your figures, for 7 bucks. Lovely laminated menus. Fast and friendly service. I had the Reuben sandwich -- because I didn't see the Monte Cristo, which was on another page -- and it was okay. This is not the kind of place you go for a Reuben, and theirs was more like a corned beef and Swiss cheese sandwich. Where's the Russian dressing? But the meat was good and the toast was crisp and the deluxe sandwich comes with fries AND a cup of soup, so how can you lose?
If Alexander's was closer to my house, I could see it becoming a go-to spot. But it's a mile and a half away, and for someone without a car, that's too far for a casual drop-in. But I'm sure I'll be back. And after a few more visits, I may knock it up a star. For now, it's on the high side of average.
EDIT: I knocked it up a star. But be wary of the vegetables. I was served corn on the cob that had been sitting in hot water since hot water was invented.Listed in: Diner Dive, Where's Breakfast?
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Review from Night S.
Chicago, IL
7/3/2007
I grew up in Edgewater / Roger's Park and have been going to Alexander's for years... I remember graduating elementary school and one of my aunts taking me to Alexander's to celebrate over an ice cream sundae.
This place is owned, if I recall correctly by a Greek couple, both of which are very friendly. This place serves some surprisingly good food, although I have to say the quality has gone downhill a little bit over the years, that is common with most restaurants and is to be expected.
This is basically your usual , north-side, corner diner that serves your typical breakfast dishes (french toast, pancakes, etc) as well as sandwiches and entrees.
One of my favorite dishes there is the Monte Cristo sandwich with the powdered sugar on top. The waffles are good here as well. I have never really eaten there, always opting for Sunday breakfast instead. The coffee here is not very good, I know that's a big pet peeve of mine, when coffee is mild or watery. I really like my coffee to be bitter and flavorful.
The prices are what you'd expect of a place like this. $6.99 for pancakes with eggs and that sort of deal, which I don't consider to be expensive this day and age.
Now one of the best things about this place is the staff, they are freakin, awesome. They are very friendly, older ladies that have been working there since I was a kid and pretty much all of them treat you very well.
They DO NOT accept debit or credit cards here, so bring cash!
Parking usually isn't an issue. -
Review from Drew S.
Chicago, IL
3/23/2009
Everyone loves being badgered every 10 seconds to order on Sunday morning, right? To the point where the lady comes back before you've even opened the menu again? I overheard several tables order while they were sitting down so I can see where this comes from but that doesn't make it any less irritating.
The staff was up in our grill on the good side of things as well. Water and coffee stayed topped off consistently and thoroughly.
Lexie's might have gone up to 4 stars if the hashed browns were the awesome crispy shredded Waffle House kind and not the sad pile of mush closely related to mashed potatoes kind. My corned beef hash was like Stacey's mom and had it going on. -
Review from Rob J.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2009
I've always had a good experience at Alexander's, and I'll take it over any of the high end breakfast/brunch places any day. Honestly, I've been to several of the boutique-ish brunch places and the food has mainly been good, but I've found more often than not that the service is very hit and miss. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect waistaff to fawn over me. Just treat me like a person is all I ask, but sometimes that's a bit too much to ask for at the "to die for" brunch places. That's never happened to me at Alexander's.
Their food is always good (though I'll mind Jenna N's advice and avoid the meatloaf!), reasonably priced, but the staff are the reason I will keep going back. The waitresses and owner are always gracious and genuine, they'll greet you without giving you the impression that they are doing you a favor by deigning to take your order. No bs, no ceremony, no Trotter-like aspirations.
I also recently went here for lunch with a friend in from downstate, which I hadn't done before. I had a really delicious Patty Melt with fries (again, really simple, just right, no huge frills) and would go back in a heartbeat.
If you like no nonsense diner food and don't need a lot of ambience or hipster platitudes, this is a genuinely good and friendly place. -
Review from Christopher L.
Chicago, IL
3/30/2011
I love their breakfast skillets and small cozy diner atmosphere. Staff is very friendly too. Definitely one of my favorite breakfast places on the Northside. Try the Steak skillet!
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Review from Jenna N.
Los Angeles, CA
1/14/2009
Total hole-in-the-wall diner, but I can appreciate that.
They have some really delicious biscuits and gravy...stay away from the meatloaf though. I like that they always give you a piece of fruit with your breakfast. The food...again, stay away from the meatloaf...is always very flavorful and they don't mind giving their dishes a tasty kick.
The waitresses have always been really friendly and they have actual conversations with you, as opposed to the "i'm just talking to you because it means more cash for me" waiters that you'll find in other establishments.
The food is also priced really well, so I don't mind giving a little extra to the staff because they really deserve it. Good food, easy parking. -
Review from Liz J.
Chicago, IL
1/29/2010
I had a hankering for some pancakes. I'm too scared to try Deluxe Diner, what with all the bad reviews, plus it's kind of shady looking .... so it looked like Alexander's was the next closest place.
I've found MY diner, I think it's safe to say. Wait staff was super nice and friendly, they made small-talk with the regulars, and were super nice to families with children who came in. My waitress kept my coffee refilled, which is really all I ask of a diner.
The pancakes were wonderfully fluffy and tasty. Some diner pancakes sit in your belly like lead; these didn't. I ordered the pancakes with country ham .... my only quibble is that the piece of ham was a little small. But my order came with a bonus half-a-banana!
I can't wait to go back to try their lunch and dinner menu. Breakfast runs breakfast prices: under 10 bucks for breakfast and coffee. The other stuff on their menu and their specials seemed to hover around the $9-$12 range. -
Review from Mike L.
Albany Park, Chicago, IL
1/10/2010
Yup, I am a fan. Alexander's has amazing food. The wait staff is friendly and helpful. I've only been their a few times, but they already know me well enough to bring me coffee.
One of the highlights is the homemade soup. Every soup I have tried has been AMAZING. That is not to say everything else I have had great. I have enjoyed both great breakfast food and sandwiches.
If you live in Edegwater, or near by and are up for a great lunch or breakfast Alexander's is the place to go. -
Review from Albert E.
Chicago, IL
9/7/2008
I've been going to this place for breakfast for a few years now, and no matter how much time passes between my visits, the waitstaff always seems to remember me. The food is nothing special, but they do have some home made specialties like some of their soups and the hollandaise sauce that comes on the eggs benedict, etc.
The place is always clean and the waitstaff has always been very friendly. (Expect a few "hons" and "sweeties" mixed into the conversation.) This is a neighborhood place. I've seen all segments of the neighborhood represented in the customers: young families, seniors, gay couples, high school kids, ancient regulars and multiple nationalities from the 'hood.
You go to Alexanders because you know what it is, a no frills neighborhood diner with basic food that is served with a smile and maybe even a little friendly attitude you're used to getting in a small town diner. Breakfast at a stop like this is my ideal, serving up the basics quickly and a cup of coffee that barely has a chance to get half drunk before getting topped off with a warm-up, even when the restaurant is packed. -
Review from Lisa A.
12/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
I LOVE diners! Alexander is your typical diner. Lots of regulars, friendly wait staff who calls you sweetie, counter and booth seats, breakfast all day, weak coffee and - pies. What's not to like? Wait, I mean, what's not to love? This place is a must visit before we go to see a performance at Raven Theatre- just across the street. Or, just whenever you're in da hood, really.
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Review from sheena r.
Chicago, IL
10/31/2010
biscuits and gravy, some of the best i've had in chicago! it's really hard to find a place that serves up decent gravy. a lot of the times its too chalky, or not runny enough, or too runny. alexander's does gravy right! the country skillet is awesome because it's basically a skillet with biscuits and gravy. and well, i already mentioned how awesome their gravy is.
the service is good, your coffee gets topped off often, and the prices are very reasonable. -
Review from Brandon Y.
Chicago, IL
1/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was super hungry today and checked yelp to find whatever was closest to me. Alexander's showed up with decent reviews and was like a 2 minute walk away so I decided to check it out.
The restaurant was fairly clean and the staff was pretty nice. The menu had a much larger selection than I had anticipated. There are a lot of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and the like, and some other entrees. Breakfast is served all day, too.
I decided on the Chicken Bacon Cheddar sandwich and my girlfriend got a Roast Beef Croissant sandwich. The flavor of the chicken sandwich was good but the chicken itself was super rubbery and I couldn't bring myself to finish it. However, I'm a sucker for crinkle fries so that sort of made up for it. My girlfriend's croissant wasn't bad, though.
I may return here to try breakfast sometime but I will definitely never have another chicken dish... If I don't find something good there the next time I go then I probably won't be returning. To be honest White Castle is slightly closer, cheaper, and I liked it a little better. -
Review from Pam C.
Chicago, IL
5/30/2010
Good food, great service. I would not make a special trip to eat here, but it is great if you are close by.
The owner is always on site and very friendly. Their portions are pretty big and they usually include a piece of fruit with your dinner. Breakfast is yummy and you can get fresh squeezed OJ. -
Review from Katrina H.
Chicago, IL
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
hmm when in doubt.. DONT!! Yes they have cheap eats.. but the food is midiocre for even cheap food... If you see that a place like this is hardly ever packed with cars and customers.. Take that as your Tale Tale Sign!!
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Review from Grace K.
Chicago, IL
1/27/2008
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Review from steve s.
Chicago, IL
8/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great skillets and super friendly service. Clean and Quick. Perfect when you need a quick breakfast without having to worry if your hair looks ok.
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Review from John R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/25/2008
Alexander's is very much a neighborhood diner. Lots of fat single men whom the waitresses greet on a first-name basis and who have been having the same lunch together every day since 1972. Comb-overs and big and tall khakis abound. If you really want to gross yourself out, count the flies.
Here is how my experience went. Before I could sit down at the counter my waitress waddled up and asked if I was here for breakfast (this at 4pm-ish) and if so did I have a look at the special. She nodded in the general direction of the window. No, I said I hadn't seen it. "Well you get three eggs, choice of meat, toast, coffee and a slice of pie," she said.
"That sounds like too much food for me," I said. She scowled and sighed at this obviously wrong answer. "But I bet it's a great deal," I added. At this she smiled and confirmed that it was a indeed a great deal. I ordered a bowl of oatmeal and coffee, an order which did not seem to meet with her disapproval. As I ate she cleaned out the jello bin in the fridge cabinet behind the counter, about 6 inches from my plate. "They made this jello too watery. Should I throw it away?" she asked as she poked at the contents of the vat with a plastic fork. This question seemed directed at no person in particular, and I wondered if I ought to respond. Silence was the right choice, because a voice coming from the kitchen chimed in "don't ask me." She piled the jello into little dishes and put them back in the fridge cabinet. God knows what became of the jello. I'll bet it's still there.
About halfway through my oatmeal, whose temperature prevented me from eating quickly enough, I met with a middle aged face even closer to me than the jello. It was another waitress. She was reaching down for something under the counter. "Hi, oatmeal? Healthy and delicious," said the face.
"Yes, I guess." I poked at the oatmeal a little.
"I love oatmeal. Swear by the stuff. Great for the complexion. I always save just a bit for my skin," said the face. She had a wart on her nose with a curly hair sprouting from it.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Smear it on. Helps the pores." She demonstrated by rubbing her face with her free hand. "Keeps you smooth."
"Oh. That's good to know." She finished rummaging around and left. The other waitress returned. She had a mustache and stud earrings and her hair, coarse and pulled back, with stray strands hanging from her bangs, was dyed a dull shade of red, almost the color of weak coffee. "It sure is good for you. You know vino's? The soap. They've been using oatmeal for centuries," the other waitress said. "Yes that's right," responded the first waitress, "Swear by the stuff. Keeps you young, you know?"
There was then an extended discussion of the merits of oatmeal as a moisturizer. I pretended to be occupied with organizing my wallet. I left a five dollar tip (didn't have singles) and left. -
Review from Joe T.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2006
Alexander's has good food and even better service. I have met the owner, an upstanding man running a great family business, and several waitresses who always make one feel at home. The food comes in large portions for a good value. It isn't the best cuisine you've ever tasted, but it isn't highway diner food either.
This restaurant gets four stars on the service alone! It's a good place to have lunch with friends or to have a bite to eat in the morning. -
Review from Amy M.
Chicago, IL
12/28/2008
I love Alexander's for breakfast. It's good, simple diner food that has never disappointed me. Wait staff is attentive, but not overly so. The Greek Scrambled Eggs are really yummy. Can't beat the price, either. Thumbs up for Alexander's.
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Review from Stella Y.
8/7/2008
3+ This place is close and perfect for some quick breakfast. Love the old school diner feel. Over easy eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and rye bread. Cup of milk or OJ = ) Nice easy lazy sunday brunch.
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Review from Lex T.
Chicago, IL
10/12/2011
I brought a British friend here twice and he was appaled by the service. The servers are overly familiar and the cooks do not seem to care when orders are up Really you cal tis good service and good food. ICK
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Review from Donovan H.
Chicago, IL
10/2/2009
This place is a great bargin! The portions and quality of food is well worth the price. They have great daily specials and a good variety on their menu. I love a good burger and fries and here its cheap and tasty. The service reminds me of my experiences with small town wait staff. They will strike up a conversation and flirt as much as you allow. I think the personal service is what keeps the regulars coming back.
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Review from steve c.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2007
Can't believe this place hasn't been reviewed more. The breakfast special ( Eggs, bacon, oj, coffee, hash browns, etc.) is the best! Nice little old school place. it gets crowded on sunday mornings besides that its filled with regulars.
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Review from Antonio S.
Chicago, IL
2/25/2008
This is a great neighborhood diner. The food is better than average, and the price is pretty cheap for Chicago. The service is good, if not, a little too much. If you are looking for a cozy diner to keep you warm in the crappy Chicago winter, then Alexander's is a good choice.
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Review from Amanda K.
Mountain View, CA
10/23/2007
The food is okay, the regulars are fun to see. The service is so annoying though, today we had the worst waitress! It wasn't a lack of service, too much service. I think she wanted to join us for lunch actually.
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Review from Mimi C.
Chicago, IL
5/29/2010
Never having been a big omelette aficionado, I'm always happy to see eggs + the traditional omelette fillings prepared differently. Alexander's has a large selection of skillets, with hash browns topped with eggs and various ingredients - perfect! Most of the skillets incorporate meat, but they'll leave it out if requested (I did). Cheese is melted on top, but they use slices of cheese and it didn't get fully melted. It'd be a lot better to have shredded cheese for this purpose, and I brought it up but was told that 'we've always done it this way.' Toast or pancakes come with the skillet (WAY too much food for me). A yummy, filling breakfast but I sure would prefer shedded, melted cheese...
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Review from Jocelyn S.
Chicago, IL
8/7/2008
Great for a greasy spoon. The wait staff are all very nice and great chatters. Fast service with the food as well. We came on a Sunday morning around 9:30 am. The skillets were really good. And I couldn't finish - because the portion size was very generous. And the coffee keeps coming. So drink up!
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Review from Steve J.
Park Ridge, IL
10/22/2010
Mmm. Best roast beef sandwich on a croissant! I want to try some other stuff here, but I can't resist going with what I know I love!
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Review from a w.
Chicago, IL
7/24/2005 2 photos
This is a great little restraunt that has been around for ages. It's family owned and family run and the service is great. You can get a really great meal here for a very reasonable price. The restraunt is well-kept and the service is great. The restraunt never gets tooo crowded, but they do have limited seatings, so it's not really a place for a big group of people to have a meal.
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Review from Daryl N.
Chicago, IL
6/16/2008
Almost everything about this place is outstanding for breakfast. OJ is out-of-this-world. Coffee excellent. Biscuits and gravy some of the best I have had in the city. Much better than the diner at Devon and Clark. Service wonderful. Pancakes perfect. Bacon great. Only thing wrong: no fresh jalapenos for the La Bomba skillet. Otherwise a great breakfast place.
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Review from Kayleigh M.
Toledo, OH
2/27/2008
This is a cute little diner on the corner that caught the eye while walking in search of a Ruby Tuesdays. Greeted right upon arrival by friendly staff. The prices are pretty cheap for the amount of food. Soup came w/ my gyro meal and a whole basket of bread and crackers were brought out as well! I was in heaven!!! The food was good and I would definitely go back and try the breakfast!
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Review from Jeff C.
Chicago, IL
4/14/2008
Go there for breakfast. Eat anything. Good. Fresh. Classic.
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Review from Anjali B.
Chicago, IL
1/15/2009
My boyfriend and I moved into an apartment a few blocks away in August, and to celebrate our first day in our new place, we had breakfast at Alexander's. The atmosphere was small and cozy, a typical cute diner. Our waitress was fun and attentive with a good-natured but funny/sarcastic attitude, which my boy and I can appreciate. The fresh squeezed orange juice was amazingly good, and the eggs Benedict were to die for. The chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and sausage were also perfect. The only downside is that it's not open 24 hours for my ridiculous food cravings at 3:00 am.
