Arnold's - CLOSED

3.0 star rating
53 reviews Rating Details

Category: Diners  [Edit]

4001 N Broadway St
(between Irving Park Rd & Cuyler Ave)
Chicago, IL 60613
Neighborhoods: Wrigleyville, Uptown, Lakeview
(773) 929-3338
Nearest Transit:

Sheridan (Red Line)

Good for Groups:
No
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good For:
Breakfast
Alcohol:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

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53 reviews in English

  • Review from Laura L.

    • 29 friends
    • 31 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    4/14/2011

    I miss you Arnold's!
    I used to love getting an egg sandwich from you at least once a week on the way to work.  =(
    Also, your hash browns were amazing ...

  • Review from Katie B.

    • 209 friends
    • 186 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    9/26/2010

    Arnold's is now CLOSED!  

    The sign on the door said that today, Sunday September 26th was the final day and that they are closing due to the economy.  They also mentioned to visit them at the Diner Grill...  buh?  That's quite a hike from Arnold's, and has like eight seats.  

    Arnold's was always hoppin' on the weekends and was great for cheap breakfast and slightly above decent coffee.  

    I'll miss it.

  • Review from Colleen C.

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    Updated - 10/16/2009

    This morning I needed an office with coffee and egg creations for about an hour...since my house possesses none of these elements, I made a stop elsewhere.

    Arnold's fits the bill!

    -Coffee (no splenda, sadness)
    -Large vinyl booths
    -Worker guys talking about the balloon debacle
    -Omelette and toast: mushroom and diner cheese + wheat.

    An hour of work done, coffee in my system, eggs in my belly, and the weekend begins...

    Divey diner at its most finest. Not the best food, not the worst. Not the cheapest food, not the most expensive. But, room to work, coffee to guzzle and eggs to eat. I'm happy :)

    Listed in: Brunch., Diner Delights., X80, baby!, Viva L'Uptown

    Was this review …?

    2 Previous Reviews: Show all »

    • 4.0 star rating
      7/9/2008

      Arnold,

      You have vinyl green furniture, far too much plant life for a diner, and the place is a… Read more »

  • Review from Carolynne M.

    • 540 friends
    • 1019 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    1.0 star rating
    1/30/2008

    I was in here once.  I didnt stick around to eat.  Dingy, beat up, ancient, sketchy, unclean, scary...and the worst part was that someone had told me this was "an upscale seafood restaurant".  

    Yeah, and bunnies fly out of my ears.  

    Look, I am all for little, independent diners - but when the term "greasy spoon" is actually an accurate description for the silverware, its time to move on.

  • Review from Colleen S.

    Fishers, IN

    1.0 star rating
    1/2/2008

    It takes an awful lot to get me to say ew.

    ewwwwww.

    There are far too many great diners/breakfast places within 3 to 4 blocks of here to settle on this dirty nasty place. I said "over easy" which never means uncooked. I get over easy eggs that are a little too runny sometimes but this place takes it to a new level.  How do you screw up eggs that badly?

    I watched the waitress refilling the ketsup bottles. She used the same rag to wipe the mouth of the bottles clean that she'd just used to clean off tables AND the seats (and god knows what else...it seemed to be an all purpose rag). Far too many winged bugs flying around for my taste and if you can't find one semi-clean glass at a table of 4, safe to assume they don't wash shit.

    Here's one plus: it's sorta cheap. It's also fast.

  • Review from Michael S.

    • 509 friends
    • 837 reviews

    Denver, CO

    2.0 star rating
    Updated - 10/18/2008 1 photo

    Lox-O-Meter points to G for Good Bye.

    This review is like saying good-bye to a friend.

    Arnold, last week I observed that your prices at the Diner Grill, which you also own, no longer reflect the lowbrow, white trash ambience. Basically, by raising the prices there so substantially, you turned that place into a caricature of itself.

    http://www.yelp.com/us...

    Now, with the huge price increase I noted this morning at your namesake, you've turned Arnold's into a caricature of yourself. So, to say farewell, I'll say that "ganef" is too extreme but "girik khazer" is just about right.

    How do you justify raising the double lox platter from $9.75 to $12.00? a 23% increase? Had I noticed before I got the bill, I'd have left. There are numerous taquerias within a short distance whose prices are so low that they blur the comparison between apples and oranges.

    So, Arnold, khokhem: Wall Street will come back but the same doesn't go for all of your customers. Demand for a beloved lox sandwich even from a diehard NJB like me just ain't inelastic!

    Listed in: Personal Commentary, Lox-O-Meter, ROTD's That Surpise Me, Ingenius Taxation of Morons

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    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 5.0 star rating
      11/4/2007 ROTD 12/24/2007

      I will always appreciate Arnold's for two reasons: the lox platter for two for $9.75, lavishly… Read more »

  • Review from Katie H.

    • 79 friends
    • 603 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    8/18/2008

    With a slight hangover and a mother-in-law who does not like to walk farther than a block limiting our breakfast options, we decided to give Arnold's a try. It's close, and based on the signs proclaiming things like 3 fried eggs for $3.39 or fried eggs with sausage for $2 (this place LOVES its fried eggs), we figured it would be pretty cheap.

    Cheap it was. It was also a bit past it's prime with dingy walls, vinyl tableclothes, and laminated menu/placemats left on the tables. Service was what you'd expect, businesslike and not too quick.

    Food was all okay, but nothing more. My husband's burger was overcooked but tasty, my 4 egg (yeah, huge) feta omelette hit the spot and the chorizo omelette I tried was also good.

    Breakfast/lunch for 4 with 2 drinks was under $30 and we were in and out in about 40 minutes.

    They also have a singles' wall where you can post your pic, description and contact info, so if you're looking for eggs with a side of romance. . . .

  • Review from Kate M.

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    4/27/2010

    I've been to Arnold's more times than I care to count. I love little diners like Arnold's for breakfast. Like most breakfast places you need to get there early on the weekends if you don't want to wait in line for a table. It's generally worth it though.

    Arnold's is not a fancy joint. If you want creative french toast with seasonal anything than you're in the wrong place. If you want biscuits and gravy or a lox plate than Arnold's is the place for you.

    Lots of big booths (2 person and a few dollar minimum), plus seats at the bar a few tables nicely fill out the place without being crowded. The service is pretty good, they definitely know what they are doing without falling all over themselves when it's busy.

    I am a fan of their eggs and corned beef hash. Again, we're not talking gourmet eats here, but it certainly is yummy. Their coffee is among the best I've had and they are good at making sure I don't need to ask for more.  Omelets are good size and always tasty.  

    Arnold's is a good diner for consistently good breakfast classics.

  • Review from Lucy G.

    • 23 friends
    • 62 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    5/1/2006 ROTD 5/16/2006

    When first moving to the neighborhood. I was a bit weary of Arnold's. I am not a food snob and usually I will eat anywhere, however the green awnings, the plentiful plants and retro 70's look kind of was a turn off for me.
    Until the best weekend ever... My roommate and I stumbled over to Arnold's one Saturday morning PJ's in full effect. The coffee was unlike the sludge I make myself and the prices were unreal. I was able to uncrinkle a few leftover dollar bills from the night before, pay for my amazing breakfast and still have enough left over to purchase a bouncy ball on the way out the door.
    Now thats a deal!
    Go there EVERY Saturday now.
    Many will agree...Its not a diner, its a tradition.

    UPDATE:
    umm. ketchup bottle licking??? (please see below) I think im totally out of Arnolds from now on, plus Horizon Cafe opened up just down Broadway and is FABULOUS!!

  • Review from Shama D.

    • 24 friends
    • 23 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    2/13/2008

    This place really doesn't uphold my standards for a "restaurant" or a "greasy spoon diner".  Arnold's is an anomalous eatery.  It seems like a diner, given the bad lighting, slightly dingy atmosphere, poorly planned out seating and apathetic waitress, but it's got a sort of bland cheerfulness, too.  Maybe it just looked cheerful because the booths are a vibrant green.  

    The food is okay.  I'll admit that my eggs have NEVER come out the way I ordered them, but they're fine.  I like the potatoes, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they come from Aldi's.  

    This place lacks character.  It doesn't help that I've been coming here at least twice a month for the last three years, yet I never feel like they recognize me.  And I tip well, damnit.  

    As a restaurant, I think the place is hopeless.  As a diner, I think it needs to really commit to BEING a diner, with surly help and greasier spoons.

  • Review from Eric S.

    • 304 friends
    • 98 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    3/25/2008

    I really wanted to like Arnold's.  I am a huge fan of a solid diner (i.e. http://www.yelp.com/bi...), their prices are crazy low and I used to live a block away.  But alas, things just didn't work out between Arnold and I.

    Admittedly, the decor is hilarious and definitely a highlight (amazing: http://www.yelp.com/bi...): green, random and tiny.  But it's all down a hill of lousy hash browns and runny eggs from there.  

    That said if you stick to pancakes and coffee you probably won't be disappointed.  But, you probably won't be in a hurry to go back, either.

  • Review from Larry G.

    • 6 friends
    • 17 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    2/27/2007

    Coming from NYC, where there was a diner on every corner, I was happy to stumble across Arnold's -- more or less your traditional no-frills American diner -- one hungover weekend morning.  (I love breakfast and while I'm a big fan of the upscale joints that riddle the 'hood, I also like something simple and quick every once in awhile.)

    The good: the food is decent.  The pancakes are underwhelming but the egg dishes are all good, the coffee is better than average, and the biscuits and gravy are a nice touch.  The best part is that when other places are packed in the area (IHOP, Horizon, Nookies, Ann Sather), you can get in relatively quickly here.  I often sat at the counter and had a pleasant meal.  

    The bad: for one, the comment below about a waitress licking the ketchup bottle.  I certainly hope that wasn't made up because that would be messed up.  The food isn't great.  It's cheap, satisfying, but I would say that IHOP down the street actually has better food for about the same price.  And it is open 24 hours.

    Bottom line: Sometimes just to spice it up -- or if it is a bustling morning in Boystown/Wrigleyville -- I'll hit up Arnold's.  It's reliably average.

  • Review from Mitchell P.

    • 7 friends
    • 60 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    12/13/2007

    This place is a perfect hole in the wall greasy spoon if you are looking for cheap good breakfast.  The service is speedy, the prices are right, and the food comes warm and yummy.  

    Nevermind the decor...as you will feel that you have entered some sort of time warp when you walk in...you are there to eat.  do it!

  • Review from Dane K.

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    2/27/2009

    Bland diner food.  Low quality ingredients.

    High fructose corn syrup in everything type of place...

    It has a cute mom and pop feel, but the food just isn't that good....  

    I had the biscuits and gravy.  The biscuits were a weird texture, the gravy just not good.

    And I don't care if your eggs are $2.99 if they're not good and you're using crappy ingredients.  

    Call me when you can find the courage to put real butter on the table.

  • Review from Sarah B.

    • 199 friends
    • 273 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    9/23/2008

    I had high hopes for Arnold's.  I love breakfast, I am rarely awake early enough to enjoy it, however.  So, when I actually make it to a joint like this before lunchtime, I want some good eats.  

    I had some running around to do this morning and decided to stop by here on my way home, as I've been meaning to check it out.  When I walked in the hostess (owner??) barely took her eyes off the T.V. and mumbled that I could sit anywhere.  I chose a booth which was sorta dirty, but they all were.  There were signs on all of them that said there was a two person minimum at each booth and each person must spend at least $3.50!  Weird.  I guess you have to keep out the all day coffee drinkers or something.

    The food?  Ugh.  I ordered the french toast.  It was thin and soggy..I like a good hefty slice..a challah or something.  This was Wonder bread style, no flavor.  I also ordered sausage.  It was cold and undercooked.  For what I received, I think it was a bit expensive.  

    I'm really disappointed..I wanted to like this place because it is so close to me.  Not going back.

    Im giving them an extra star for their old-timey cash register with the huge typewriter style buttons.  Cool.

  • Review from Robert S.

    • 80 friends
    • 258 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    2/11/2008

    I've had a lot of fun in Arnold's! Even though it can be a little packed and stuffy sometimes, there is a wonderful family vibe going on from the staff AND customers. It's a neighborhood diner. It seems like eveyone knows each other.

    There is even a "Community Bulletin Board" complete with a Singles Ad section. How cool. The food is standard, but they have decent biscuits and gravy for Chicago, and it's not very expensive.

  • Review from Cassie B.

    • 41 friends
    • 314 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    11/19/2006

    Yuck i really don't understand the good reviews.  this place has a bad vibe i just can't put my finger on.  they were not nice nor friendly (though certainly not rude).  i did feel rushed out the door, though.  I can see how the awful green booths might seem retro but man eating breakfast in one made my hangover worse, if possible.  finally, the food was okay, only, and the choices are very limited.
    go south on broadway to Horizon Cafe or North Coast Cafe ... the Greeks do breakfast better.

  • Review from RJ W.

    • 25 friends
    • 177 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    2.0 star rating
    7/15/2007

    I would have given it a 3plus, as I go there fairly often and it used to be a very good deal. However, when I stopped by there today, they just raised their prices considerably.  I guess it goes with the neighborhood going more upscale. but it is no longer a bargain, with the quality of food and portions nothing to write home about.

    Now, for a similar price, for much better quality and portions, along with their own parking lot, I suggest going to The Bagel on Broadway. (i reviewed that as well and gave it a rare 5-star from me)

  • Review from Louis A.

    • 33 friends
    • 175 reviews

    Manhattan, NY

    4.0 star rating
    9/2/2007

    Nice vintage green seating. Smells like my grandmother's house (which is a good thing). Prompt service, except when it's time to give me a warm-up. Generous portions and decent prices. Friendly staff as well.

    I get a kick out of the "personals" wall that this place hosts. People are serious about that shit...and I can't decide whether or not I think it's kinda cute or creepy (I guess it depends on who's looking).

    This is a nice alternative to the iHop that is about two blocks away. You'll never wait as long for a table at Arnold's as you do over there.

  • Review from Chas V.

    • 17 friends
    • 39 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    11/9/2007

    Ok, my feeling is this is strictly a breakfast spot.  It is a "greasy spoon" if ever there was one.  This place has been affectionately known as "The Corner" among my family and friends for years, as it is, as you might guess a diner on the corner.  Look, rating a place like this is a bit silly to be honest. It is what it is and you can tell that before you ever set foot in the door.  If you know Standees, or The Alps, or any other "$2.50 mimimum at booths"  type joints than you know what it is.  Talking about the level of cleanliness of a place like this is like noticing the art is rather benign in your average doctor's office waiting room.  

    At any rate, for many years now I've enjoyed my coffee,  pancakes and sausage and possibly hashbrowns or toast there, and I've never gotten sick, and probably have seen less than a half dozen bugs and not any within the last 10 years.

  • Review from Eileen F.

    • 1 friend
    • 12 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    3/17/2008

    Love it!

    I am a total sucker for all dives-- and this totally fits the bill.  I mean green gingham decor?  AWESOME!  I always get the pancakes, eggs and hash browns combo.  YUM!  

    (No booze here for those of you looking for a bloody mary to Nurse your weekend hangovers).

  • Review from Lois and Clark G.

    • 17 friends
    • 50 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    10/20/2009

    Breakfast. The meal that defines the day. This particular morning was filled with a chance that it may keep raining or it may not. So we headed to Arnold's at the corner of Irving Park road and Broadway -- a cozy little diner spot that we pass all the time but never stop at.

    I've always been intrigued by Arnold's because it serves bagels and lox and not too many places serve it right -- if at all. This morning, I skipped that and went for something more filling, the two eggs, two slices of bacon, grits, and toast. How was it? The eggs? Ehh, kinda flavorless and bland (I kinda love it when eggs are all dirty with grease and bacon and sausage fried grissle). Bacon? was just alright. Grits? Even after adding the two packets of butter and pieces of bacon, the grits were just too watery. Toast? It's toast, and not hard to screw up. The coffee was good though, I'll give them that.

    Lois kept it simple.  Two scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and a biscuit.  She definitely agreed on the bland complaint across the board.  On the upside, the hashbrowns, although in need of more flavor, were definitely crisp.  And Arnold's gives you the option to substitute a biscuit for toast (for a small charge), which not many places do.

    Arnold's cost us less than $20 but wasn't anything special.  If we didn't make it down here again for breakfast it wouldn't be a tragedy.

  • Review from Andrew W.

    • 64 friends
    • 36 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    9/2/2010

    This is the closest diner to my place and is just a few blocks away. I have lived in my place for 4 years and have never checked it out. After hearing so much rave about it I thought I would journey over. I heard about their "Haystack" which was Eggs over Gravy over Biscuits over Hashbrowns! It sounded like HEART ATTACK HEAVEN to me! So naturally I made my way over on a Saturday morning to try it out.

    The decor of the restaurant is what you can picture a city diner to be....old but in a good old diner way. The service was prompt and attentive and the food came out in a good time. My Haystack was a little over 8 bucks but given the amount of food it was worth it. They have other specials where you can get breakfast for $3.99. The taste of my meal was ok, but it didn't really stick out as something I HAVE to go back for. Yet, it was something that if I wanted breakfast maybe I would do it, but would likely travel to another place I know has something I love.

    Moral of the story: If live nearby you can get your standard breakfast fix, but don't expect anything lavish. I gave it 3 stars AKA "meh".

  • Review from Andy O.

    • 6 friends
    • 43 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    2.0 star rating
    2/8/2009

    Right across the street from me...your standard mom and pop diner.  Prices are really good and the food is at your table in no time.  

    It's not the highest quality food but it's what you expect from this type of place.  It loses a star because this morning there were egg shells in my hash browns and one of my eggs wasn't thoroughly cooked.

  • Review from Aaron C.

    • 6 friends
    • 31 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    1/20/2010

    This place was a staple breakfast stop when I lived within walking distance. It is cheap, and has great biscuits and gravy.

    The only problem is that they will NEVER get your eggs right. You want them hard they make them soft, you want them soft, they are harder than a rock. So what you do is order the opposite of what you want...if you want runny than tell them hard..and so on. I also like this place because it smell like my Grandma's house, I know, wierd-but true.

    There will be a line, go early or go late...do not eat here on a Saturday at 10:00 or u will wait.

  • Review from Peter H.

    • 35 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    1/1/2006

    I LOVE ARNOLD'S  
    The I-Hop down the street can't even begin match the atmosphere, or the experience that is Arnold's.  Arnold's is our breakfast of choice be it a morning after drinking or showing friends from out of town the neighborhood, or both.  I recommend the haystack:   hashbrowns with biscuits and gravy on top, then 3 eggs cooked any style on that.  Ohh it's heaven, and too boot, they know how to cook eggs to a perfect medium.  Also, their french toast rocks my socks, completely off.

  • Review from Justin R.

    • 38 friends
    • 358 reviews

    Waco, TX

    2.0 star rating
    9/1/2007

    Their food is *okay* but I'd walk the extra two blocks to IHOP.
    I was there once waiting on my food and watched a lady (employee) take gum out of her mouth with her fingers and stick it in the trash, then grab some drinking glasses and fill them with ice from an open bin. Not very friendly either.

  • Review from Natalie F.

    • 15 friends
    • 94 reviews

    IL

    1.0 star rating
    10/22/2007

    the food is ok. The place is a filthy pit. Seriously spend the cash and clean it up already. The seats are torn, the ceilings are just filthy, yes the wait staff is questionable.  The owner, I have to say with the set hair an eyelashes is rather ok.  But this is where people eat. Clean around the plants...........it smells like mildew to me the last time I was there.

    I dont get the positive reviews either. Seriously, I go down the street to Nookies to be honest. I know its clean and the waitress is not licking the ketchup bottles.

  • Review from Tracy K.

    • 36 friends
    • 483 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    5/5/2008

    Arnold's serves up solid diner fare, which should earn 'em a solid three rating, but I really really liked the Singles Ad wall (so fun to sit and read!) and my broccoli & cheese omelet was very tasty.

    And the they don't burn the hash browns, bonus.

  • Review from Lesley G.

    • 23 friends
    • 106 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    1/21/2009

    This place is okay. You get your normal breakfast food and it's cheap, but it's not THAT good. The inside could use a little sprucing up, even for a dinertype breakfast place, it's just a bit dingy.

    I give them an extra star for the "Singles Wall." It's basically a board that you can tack a personal ad too. I do love breakfast, but I've never thought of trying to find romance over fried eggs and a vinyl tablecloth...

  • Review from James E.

    • 15 friends
    • 155 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    5/12/2009

    Yay! I'm a fan.

    Reading some of the reviews, I agree with another poster. I don't really know what you were expecting.  The service is shockingly fast - kinda like that scene in "Defending Your Life" with Albert Brooks (GREAT movie!) where the food comes out immediately.

    The coffee is pretty darned decent and the omelets are usually spot on. And the toast (oooooooooh, I love me a good toast!) is great. Which I know...

    Anyway, so Arnold's has a funky atmosphere.  So what, what were you expecting? Trust me I've been to a few one and two star diners, and honey, this ain't it.  If you want a greasy spoon diner, then this is it.

  • Review from Marcos L.

    • 6 friends
    • 103 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    5.0 star rating
    2/24/2008

    Anyone who walks in here expecting some sort of "foodie" experience is a f***in' moron. It's a greasy-spoon diner, morons! What, do they have to put it in neon? "I was told it was an upscale seafood place" - I love it! You can see from a block and a half away that this was a tragic mistake.

    That said, it's a fine greasy spoon diner. I don't know about the breakfasts, but I've had burgers and sandwiches and the daily specials here a few times, and Arnold's is better than most places in its class. (Notice I said "in its class" - I don't mean better compared to more upscale places, where of course the food is fresher & tastier - & costs two or three times as much.) I had the catfish the other day, and was pleasantly surprised - a good piece of fish, and the veggies were fresh and tasty. Really, try the specials.

  • Review from Carly O.

    • 39 friends
    • 114 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    3/5/2010

    I don't want to keep making comparisons to NYC, but this is the kind of diner that's on every street corner there. Sure, it's a little overpriced and the coffee is nothing write home about. Still, if you're looking for a nice combination of meat, eggs, pancakes/french toast, and potatoes, look no further. I also hear the biscuits and gravy are good and I see lox on the menu, which I just might try next time around.

    Arnold's is that little divey place you hit up on a Sunday when you're not interested in a side of salad with your omelette or a 45 minute wait for what ultimately adds up to $20 a person for freakin' breakfast.

  • Review from Derek C.

    • 19 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    10/4/2008

    I went here on a Saturday morning for breakfast with a friend and I was very happy with the food and the service.

    Food: I had the 2 egg sausage sandwich and for $3.50, you can't beat it. It was very good breakfast sandwich that was just the right amount of food for breakfast. My friend had an omelette that looked equally as good, but a little more food than I was after.

    Service: Our waitress did an awesome job of keeping the coffee flowing so there was never a time where we were sitting with an empty cup of joe. This did seem to be a popular dinner so they did their best to scoot us along, but they were very polite.

    If you're in the area, you should add this spot into your weekend breakfast rotation.

  • Review from Jeff H.

    • 5 friends
    • 16 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    4/7/2009

    I went to Arnold's a couple days ago to just try something new. I had low expectations as I really knew nothing of the place and the decorum is unassuming. I was pleasantly surprised with the food, though. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with swiss cheese and bacon, with fries on the side. The food didn't take too long to cook and the chicken was well-seasoned.

    The waitress had decent customer service. It was a dead time of day (only 3 other tables full in the restaurant), so I could understand the relaxed attitude of the server.

    This place isn't spectacular by any means, but it is a nice place to come to every once in a while. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars cause it's just above average, but not enough for a 4 star review.

  • Review from e e.

    • 2 friends
    • 47 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    1.0 star rating
    10/10/2009

    **update** after a couple just plain bad experiences, arnold's is off my list.  (i wont go in to detail...but note that these two visits made me stop going)

    just around the corner from my apartment- good breakfast food, esp after a late night.

    great coffee too!
    and if you sit at the counter, you get extra chocolate shake :)

  • Review from Genevieve R.

    • 11 friends
    • 58 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    1.0 star rating
    1/12/2007

    I think this story will sum it up. My boyfriend, our friend from out of town and I decided to go for a good hangover breakfast down the street. Ate our mediocre omelets, toast, and sausage covered in ketchup. I needed to use the restroom. Looked over at the kitchen area to see where it might be. Saw the waitress licking -- yes licking -- the rim of the ketchup bottle that she had just filled to put back on the tables. Almost threw up from combo of hangover and the fact that I just ate all my food from a restaurant where waitresses lick the ketchup bottles. Ugh.

  • Review from Jon J.

    • 11 friends
    • 342 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    2/21/2007

    Like other reviewers, I enjoy the atmosphere but always find the food to be pretty mediocre.  The coffee usually upsets my stomach.  But, they've got raisin toast, which is a huge plus!

  • Review from Barbara D.

    • 153 friends
    • 434 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    3.0 star rating
    4/7/2008

    Good old Arnold's...never lets me down. Yeah I don't venture far on their menu (so rare of me)...usually (always) get the BLT and it's always yummy. The pictures on the walls occupy my time in between bites and dead conversation. Why aren't I in one of them? WHY? I want to be a random picture in a random restaurant with a random stranger looking at it. This place reminds me of something out of a Tarantino film....but just today.

  • Review from Katty D.

    • 73 friends
    • 71 reviews

    Chicago, IL

    4.0 star rating
    9/3/2007

    one of my top breakfast places to go to.  its very convenient since it's just down the block, and its probably the only motivation for my bf to get up early and out of bed when he comes to visit!  

    the staff is really friendly and quick, we normally get our food in less than 5 minutes.  most importantly, my coffee cup is always full.  

    i always get the 6.95 breakfast special that has 3 eggs, hash browns, meat, toast and coffee included.

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