Hands down the best breakfast spot in Chicago. The food is mouth watering. The service is superior and the ambiance is very pleasant. Considering the wait was 90 minutes, I was happy that the atmosphere was very plesant.
(5)
Oskar M.
Incredible chicken and waffles - definitely get this. Interesting French toast flight, but not mind-blowing. Hash brown was out if control - definitely get it as a side. It's like a Mac n cheese - hash brown fusion. Service was not the best - had to wait about 15 min before ordering. Would definitely come back though to explore more of the menu. Could reach 4.5 if service is improved!
(4)
Dizzle F B.
Went to Chicago for Labor Day weekend, and received a tip to hit up this Black owned business. The wait is ridiculous, which is the reason for 4 stars, but the food was bomb. Hit that french toast flight...OMG. Do go if you super hungry, cause you can expect an hour to hour n half wait on the wkend, bt if you love good food it will be worth it.
(4)
Christy A.
PSA: 1. Prepare to wait, but I assure you it's worth it. 2. No split groups will be seated so make sure all of your party is there when you're ready to be seated 3. The line forms outside before the doors even open at 8am, arrive early 4. The space is small (maybe tight for larger parties 5. The dishes are "saucy" if you're not a heavy eater ask for sauces on the side or to be held 6. Portions are large (split a few dishes to try a variety) Now that we have the formalities out of the way, enjoy this amazingly succulent food made with the most TLC imaginable. That was a bit dramatic, but seriously, the food is spectacular. Once we were seated the service was fast and friendly. Although it was crowded, everyone seemed to be engulfed in their plates presentation and the taste of their meals. It was like being in a slow-mo movie. The food is prepared and plated to perfection; colorful, flavorful, strategic and downright mouth-watering. It's apparent the Chef, Derek Rylon, puts his heart into his work. Lobster Benedict - 5/5 Veggie omelet & Hash - 5/5 Waffle - 5/5 Batteries & Berries is in a class of its own when it comes to breakfast. They just do it right. Thank me later.
Yelpers reviews didn't steer us wrong. Everyone talked about a wait, and wait we did...I think it was about 90 minutes that Sunday morning. But after about an hour, I lost track. They have a system of texting you when you are up next to be seated. And when you're lethargic from a lack of caffeine, lack of sleep and hunger pangs, that text becomes one of the most blessed texts you can ever receive. Our foursome decided to each order a savory entree and then selected the french toast flight to add a bit of sweetness. Everyone's entree looked at tasted wonderful (we are a sharing bunch). From my crabcakes benedict (which was full of lots of fresh crabmeat but unfortunately the poached egg was a little overdone), Osi V's pork chop breakfast (super tender and flavorful chop), Ericka A and Angela P's fried chicken and sweet potato waffle (tender chicken and flavorful waffle with a bit of a spicy kick). Of the flavors in the french toast flight, my favorite was the strawberry and then the lemon with the chocolate chip being my least favorite. Gotta love a place that is BYOB. The orange pineapple juice they provided for our bubbly made for some refreshing mimosa's. Now when we visited it was super hot outside; so being overheated, plus being in a crowded restaurant, I couldn't feel any AC at all and that made for a super sweaty brunch. But very grateful the staff kept our water glasses filled too.
(4)
T Renee C.
The staff are so nice and very knowledgeable about the menu! It's usually a long wait if you don't get there early enough. It opens at 8am and I got there 5 minutes after and there was already a nice crowd. I had: French toast flight (not bread person..but it was delicious). With the "flight" you get a sample of all of the flavors and the flavor of the day. (Blueberry, lemon zest, caramel w/pecans, strawberry and honeydew was the flavor of the day. *no syrup needed. Crawfish omelette was one of the specials (I substituted the "cheese bacon for regular cheese. It also came with a side of cheesy hash browns. Everything was delicious!
I came when they were still wanting customers a couple years ago and it was amazing, now it is so packed and I'm not altogether sure why. I'm sure they have some good signature dishes but I was less than impressed with my breakfast wrap and my boyfriends broccoli and cheese omelette. Experience could've been improved if there wasn't an 1.5 hour wait, more expanded dining area, and a waitress who cares that you're paying for the food and the service. Needless to say I doubt we will come back.
(2)
Angela P.
The "Chicken and Goof," a sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken and topped with fried chicken tenders, a spicy sauce, and maple butter, is the BEST brunch dish I've ever had in my life. I've had chicken & waffles many times, but the sweet potato waffle at Batter & Berries changed the dish, for the better, completely! We also dug into the French toast sampler, which included 4-5 of their French toast dishes. My favorite was the lemon and strawberry. I highly recommend this if your idea of breakfast is dessert. Batter & Berries is BYOB, and the pitchers of mimosas (pineapple, orange, or both) are a must. This place is hot, hot, hot! They do not take reservations, and you will have to wait. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. I knew there would be a lengthy wait, but the hostess was really wishy washy when I asked how long it would be. She told me, "an hour...hour and fifteen...hour and a half..." okay, which one is it?! I checked in later and got the same response. You can give them your name though, and they will text you shortly before your table is ready. I already said it was hot, but that's also in regard to the temperature. This restaurant is small, there is a kitchen cooking lots of food, and there are a lot of people crammed in here. Don't be afraid to roll on an extra swipe of deodorant, and do dress for the weather. Despite the long wait (which was anticipated anyway) and the swamp-ass feeling when we left here, the food is just so damn good that you have to give this place 5 stars.
(5)
Ariel B.
Ok so look... THERE IS GOING TO BE A WAIT... BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. The atmosphere is busy and active. The host and wait staff are friendly and knowledgable of the menu. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD ... Temperatures are correct. PLEASE TRY THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT. It's four different flavors (lemon, caramel, strawberry, and blueberry) the bread is so sweet with a slight crunch at the crust.. Perfection we also ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffle as well as the deconstructed steak omelet. The chicken breast we cooked to perfection it was Juciy and seasoned well and the waffle had just enough sweeteness. The steak was cooked to a medium and accompanied with a very tasty gravy over the cheese filled omelet. Everything was tasty and worth the money. Defiantly a must try in Chicago!
(5)
Dennis S.
It was busy and loud, with terrific food. At 10:30 on a Wednesday morning there was still a wait for a table. For good reason. We had efficient friendly service and comfortable table spacing, so we didn't have to hear everyone else's conversation. I had absolutely awesome blueberry French toast. With a side of good thick bacon. Ladies with me had the French toast medely - half a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel. They were served on a long plate which allowed each of them to be separate from the others. Well received. The full menu had lots of interesting choices. We'll go back, but I don't expect to try to fight weekend morning crowds.
(5)
Jacinta W.
I'm pretty sure I am in love! I was told to try this place out by a friend and oh boy!!! We were there shortly after 8am and waited about 10-15mins. They use a text message system to call you for your table. I received one text saying our table would be ready shortly. This text you have to respond to or they will pass you over and you would have waited for nothing. Then you receive another one saying "Your table is ready." The inside is small and quaint. Decorated nicely and efficient. All the staff was polite and friendly. Which is always a plus! As we were being seated we were asked about drinks and and they arrived instantly. The server shared the specials with us and allowed us time to review the menu. My friend and I both ordered the Top Flight and bacon. The Top Flight is their French Toast sampler. There is Blueberry, Strawberry, Carmel, and Lemon. All the flavor a were perfect, not over powering and the bread was cooked with a nice crispness to it. I can't stand no soggy French toast. Each one had a little sauce and fruit on it. The maple butter is heavenly, light and not to sweet. I did have to send my bacon back...I need my pig cooked a little longer. Can't eat no limp bacon so be careful about that. Our food came out so fast I didn't even have time to play on my phone after ordering . And yes it was HOT! If you're in town DEFINITELY GO EAT HERE!! And I'll be back!!!
(5)
Tracey G.
My sister and her daughter invited me here with them.. Although the wait was very long. The food and the serves made up for it.. This food was totally off the charts delicious. I had the lemon French toast and the chicken omelette omg I love it Tracey G.
(5)
Ruth D.
I kept seeing my facebook friends going to and posting about Batter and Berries and I was dying to go too. So a friend visits from out of town and wants to go so it's a no brainer. I finally got my chance! My friend, my husband and I went first thing (around 8:30) on a Friday morning so we avoided the long wait that people mention on the weekends. It did get much busier as we were leaving though so I think we were smart to arrive so early. We were seated promptly and approached by a fantastic server. He welcomed us all, and asked if it was our first visit. When we told him it was he made us feel very welcome and ran down the specials and suggested the French Toast flight. He made everything sound delicious so it was hard to choose. I ordered the crab cakes but also had tastes of my friend's French toast flight and my husband's chicken fajita omelette. The crab cakes were good enough to want to order them again but I think I'd like to try more things on the menu in the future. EVERYTHING was delicious! They don't really do special requests but there's something for everyone on the menu and the food is so good it doesn't really matter. The food arrived promptly, our water and coffee were refilled in a timely manner and we had a manager check in on us toward the end of our meal. My husband was wearing a Phi Beta Sigma shirt and the manager told us the owner was an Omega. My friend and I are Deltas so we were also pleased to be supporting a member of the Divine Nine! I now see for myself why this place is so popular and just as I guessed, I've been missing out! It was a win win and we will ALL definitely be back for the delicious food and great service.
(5)
Lily Z.
This is more of a 3.5 than a 3. We don't get to brunch very often and I've had this place bookmarked for the longest time. So when I got my time off approved, we headed straight here for their famous french toast! I love french toast. It's pretty much the only thing that I eat for brunch. I did not splurge for the extra slice of white chocolate almond? for $2. 5 slices were enough for me. I ordered the flight of french toast (really liked the lemon. Blueberry was way too mushy. Strawberry was alright. Caramel didn't excite me.) Boy ordered the sweet potato waffle with chicken (waffle was very thick and heavy. Chicken was good. The hot sauce tasted like hot sauce straight from the jar.) Also, we ordered a side of cheesy hash browns which came in record time. Like less than 2 minutes from when we ordered it. Boy thought they were hash browns ordered from another table because it was THAT fast. Overall, would I come back? Probably not. The music was way too loud which made the restaurant even louder. It was hard to hear the person in front of me. Even harder to hear the waitress explain the specials of the day. Did she say a white chocolate omelet? Or white chocolate almond for the french toast flight? All I could hear was the heavy thumping of the music. Food was good, but I don't see myself coming back for anything else on the menu.
(3)
Tamekia J.
This place was so unexpected. It gets packed easily, so I wouldn't be surprised if they make some changes location wise soon. I just hope the food doesn't change as they grow. I ordered the Cluck n Gaufre. This was the perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy. I'm not really into chicken and waffles, but the sweet potato stuffed waffle caught my fancy. The waitress was fairly knowledgable, which is always refreshing. It's good to note that you can bring your own beverages.
(5)
Yuri H.
5 stars for the food. Absolutely delicious. My friend and I had the scallop omelette and the French toast flight which comes with half a slice of all the French toasts they have to offer. Both were stellar. -1 star because it was so loud! My friend and I felt as if we had to yell at each other. One of our servers came by our table, and I think she said something along the lines of "let me know if you need anything." But I only got that much from reading her lips. We came here on a Tuesday morning. There wasn't a wait, but it was still very crowded!
(4)
Bree N.
Definitely the type of place you would only come to for some sort of special occasion. Overall the food is very heavy and probably too pricey to go to all that often. I ordered the broccoli and cheddar omelette (don't be surprised when it comes out open faced - still tastes good). It comes with cheesy hash browns as well, which were good but nothing amazing. I went with a large group and everyone else said their food was amazing - the chicken and waffle plate had the best reviews. Maybe what I ordered was just too plain but I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)
Ken O.
OMG - incredible restaurant on Lincoln Avenue in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. I had seen several reviews on this place and decided I would need to try it. So glad I did. A buddy and I went to this restaurant on a Monday shortly after 11am. The place was already packed. We were able to find couple of seats at the communal table. Yessica was our server and she went over the extensive menu with us. Then departed so we can review the menu ... again and again. Everything looked so good. When Yessica came back, we were finally ready to order. My friend had ordered the Steak Omelet and I had ordered the Strawberry French Toast with sides of bacon and the Cheese Hash Brown. The decor is very bright with the yellow walls, sunshine from the large windows and the paintings hanging throughout the restaurant. There are various sizes of tables throughout this wooden floor restaurant. The volume was not as bad as it could have. The food runner had brought us the meals within an appropriate amount of time. As many people that were there, the food could have taken longer. Kudos to the kitchen staff!! Regarding the food... incredible. Everything was done perfectly including the service. As we were eating, more and more people to being seated and waiting to be seated. Get there early - enjoy a great neighborhood restaurant. Looking forward to go back.
(5)
Tim H.
I'm in love with this place. Always an enjoyable experience with GM Don at the helm. I find the journey into the city on the weekend to be my best bet. There always seems to be an early start to the crowd. The staff typically does a stellar job of keeping the crowd rotated. They have the cool check in system that will text you to confirm your table, if there's a wait. I have certainly enjoyed the Lamb Chop Trio and every French Toast Flight to date has been fantastic. The Chef is always enticing you with a new creation. A great communal table is available too.
(5)
Dani O.
The only thing I can see putting people off when considering trying this place is the wait. You will wait, but it's 100% worth it. The amount of food and quality of food itself would be enough to satisfy me, but the experience here was fantastic. We had a French toast flight to start and share, and the server was kind and knowledgable and his recommendations were spot on. When three of us couldn't decide what to get, he suggested we each get something different and rotate plates. Best solution ever. We tried a crawfish omelette (with about 50 crawfish on it--they don't skimp), chicken and waffles which was heaven, and crab cakes Benedict. The meal was amazing, and the atmosphere was so home-y. Different servers kept checking in on us, so we always felt well attended, and during our meal, the head chef came around to thank us for coming in. We left satisfied and happy.
(5)
Phyllis S.
super busy! but theres a reason why....it's so good. After having it once I've wanted it every weekend morning after. The french toast are perfect and the give you a butter to eat it with. The hashbrowns are so good. So yum. You can also request hot sauce. I love everything spicy so I put it on the hashbrowns....the coffee is good. Every time I've gone I've had to wait but they text you when you're up so I like that because that way you don't have to hold those dirty square vibrators that you know they never clean. The wait has never been that bad. worth it.
(5)
Amanda M.
This review is solely for their food, as I did not dine in. Boo scooped me up some food to go as he dined there for Sunday brunch. I got the sweet potato waffle and chicken. I tend to order chicken and waffles if a place has it, but I often find it to be mediocre. Most of the time, the chicken and waffle itself are pretty good but doesn't quite come together as an actual dish. However, at Batter & Berries, their chicken and waffle was just how it should be. The sweet potato waffle meshed well with the chicken and the chicken was very flavorful and moist. The fact that the waffle was also stuffed with chicken was quite genius and made the sweet & savory dish work very well. The maple butter was yummy while the hot sauce was somewhat basic. It wasn't bad, but was reminiscent of Frank's red hot buffalo sauce. Overall, best chicken and waffles I've had. Would like to dine in and try other items sometime, but not sure if I would wait 1.5 hours for it like the bf did.
(5)
Uptown G.
There are few times in my life I'd ever justify a wait greater than 1 hour for food. I suppose this was one of those times. I had a guest in town, and I had heard great things about this place. I got there around 10am on Labor Day weekend Sunday, and our wait was about an hour and 15 minutes. The beauty of it was that as soon as we sat down we ordered our food, and it came within 10 minutes, no joke! I had the French toast flight - excellent! And I normally NEVER order French toast at restaurants. My friend tried the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. She mentioned the waffle was a bit sweet, but the hot sauce with the chicken toned that down a bit. The service was pretty good. And the food was great! I'll definitely be back again...
(5)
Rebecca C.
Soooo yummy! I had been telling my mom about this place for awhile and finally we made it. It took me awhile to write this review, actually I thought I already did.. hmmmm This place is small inside, but very cute. We did have to wait out for what felt like forever. There is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Just be patient and wait. Luckily, we were seated along the wall. Since it is small in here, it can easily get congested. There is also a large table in the middle, which holds a lot of people, but I personally would not bring a big group due to the wait. It is also very loud in here, which is something I did not like. However, this rating is for the food. I had the banana foster waffles and MMMM MMM it was good. My mom had the french toast and she really enjoyed it. It looks very sweet, but she said it was just the right amount. That was the same for mine. I at least recommend to try it once. As far as a breakfast spot to go and have a conversation, I wouldn't recommend, you wont be able to hear!
(4)
Mith R.
If you're looking for mediocre breakfast that's WAY TOO SWEET combined with long waits and an overpriced menu, than this place is your jam. Seriously though, these 4-5 star reviews are what make me question yelp ratings. The food served here is a complete mess. Do you not want your french toast to taste like anything but caramel sauce? How about dousing everything else is various sauces while were at it? Think of this place as a more-expensive IHOP.
(2)
Erica J.
On weekends, expect a wait of up to an hour, could be shorter depending on the time you go and how many are in your party. There's not much room to wait inside, so there's always a lot of people standing outside. Your entire party must be present before they'll seat you. Once you're seated, the servers are quick at getting your drinks and explaining the specials, but not the quick that makes you feel rushed just to get you in and out. More of an attentive, "how can we make your stay more comfortable" sort of feel. The kitchen is visible, which I always enjoy being the glorified germaphobe I've been decorated to be ;). The daily specials are posted overhead on chalkboards for your convenience. The restaurant is also BYOB. The French toast flight is delightful. It includes a sample of each of the four different kinds of french toast. The super flight throws in a sample of the flavor of the week. Don't be afraid to try one of the specials. This place does an excellent job of combining flavors for an awesome, flavorful experience.
(4)
John H.
I really enjoyed the fresh taste in my meal. I would recommend this spot for all the true breakfast lovers. Be ready for a 45 minute wait, after that it is all good.
(5)
Kaley K.
Great/okay brunch spot! The good: -BYOB -french toast flight - great variety -chicken and waffles - tried my friends and they were REALLY good -good price for very tasty orange juice The not so good: -wait was long but expected for a brunch spot -all the food is very sweet, not as much a savory spot -long/crowded inside -bathroom was awkward, in the middle of the room so it felt weird waiting, also it was very dirty Overall I'd come back but not before trying other spots in the area.
(4)
Nicki P.
What a gem! We stopped in a on a Thursday afternoon and still had a wait. Not too long but about 20 min or so. Well.worth.it ! My fiance and I split the Buffalo chicken omelette and crab cake benedict. The one thing that I noticed, was the poached egg on the benedict was actually more on the cooked hard boiled side but in a good way. Both dishes were awesome! Service was quick and pleasant. I was happy that they had the text to table feature that let us know when it was time to be seated. I can imagine this place is slammed on the weekends so I think I will stick to weekdays but will definitely be back!
(5)
Dorim L.
As a few of the other yelpers have said, IT IS over-rated and over-priced. I had their shrimp/crab eggs benedict and it was just bland. First, they didn't even include an english muffin but just had the crab cakes topped with the poached egg. They didn't put enough hollandaise sauce. I also had a side of biscuits ($2) and gravy ($3). It was sort of dumb that they couldn't just combine the two so that's how they priced it. And I usually judge restaurants that serve brunch by their orange juice. I think they just used the tropicana from the carton instead of serving it fresh squeezed. I gave them one extra star since the crab cakes were made from actual crabs instead of crab sticks like the last restaurant I was in. I wasn't crazy about the service; I waited forever for my OJ. And the ambiance was incredibly loud. I sat at the communal table and the guy next to me was loud, cursing up a storm along with the chef who came out to converse with him. For a place that mentioned I had to wait an hour (I got in 10 minutes later since I was dining alone), I was left in a quandary as to why the place was so crowded.
(2)
Tanya F.
Very refreshing and unique place in Lincoln Park! It's not an easy task to stand out as a highly recommended must try in Chicago: a foodies paradise of deep dish pizza,hot dogs and cheese corn. Batter and Berries owner Chef Rylon came out to greet us as we were eating and had a long discussion about the awesome coffee he serves. Of course I had to ask because (in my opin)nothing shows that you care like a carefully selected cup of java. And he does, displayed via his vast array of French toasts and non traditional brunch dishes such as the Rylon salad I had. It was made of a spinach shell, shrimp,mushrooms and a light citrusy but perfectly buttery scampi dressing. I will make this a stop every time I am in the city!
(5)
Teia T.
I have been hearing the buss about this place from friends and co-workers. Well, I've been there 3 times in 2 months. It's definitely a HOME RUN...you will not be disappointed. Maybe by the wait time, but definitely not the food or service. #loveit #loveit
(5)
Angelica C.
We walked in around 10am on Sunday AM and was told it was about 30 min for an individual table. We chose to sit at the communal table since it was immediate seating. Come hungry! I ordered the sweet potato waffle (which is sprinkled with chicken chunks and light covered with confectioner's sugar, YUM). Note an additional fried chicken breast comes on top drizzled with hot sauce. My bestie ordered the Biscuits & Gravy, they cooked our eggs just as we'd asked- over easy. The menu is pretty heavy, but was absolutely delicious. The service is fantastic, we were greeted in a timely fashion by our waiter, we placed our order, dove into conversation, then our food showed up nice and hot. We barely spoke much as we were too busy stuffing our faces, and washing it down with pretty decent coffee if you like it strong. Took a minute to get the check, but an overall satisfying experience and I will certainly be back to try a ham dish as I saw the kitchen dishing out quite a few of those! IMPORTANT: Free street parking on Sundays!
(5)
Sade A.
Batter & Berries is nothing to write home about. The food was good. We had the lemon French toast, caramel French toast and the traditional plate which included cheesy hash browns, eggs and bacon. Very underwhelming especially for the price- 4 wedges of french toast that equals 2 slices of bread, costs $10. If I am going to pay 10 bucks for 2 slices of bread dipped in eggs, it better be an orgasmic experience. And it was not even close, the French toast was not even made with brioche bread and as stated on the menu. I guess I bought into all the hype. The hash browns were interesting and not in a good way. They were more like fried lumpy mash potatoes and when cooled off the melted cheese turned rubbery. Ok so I know I am a little harsh but I was really looking for my taste buds to be blown away.... We went on a Friday morning around 9 am and we were seated promptly. Courteous & fast service and a clean setting but the location size was on the cozy side. I recommend you give them a try but know this; they are a regular breakfast/ brunch place nothing out of the ordinary with overpriced food, and certainly not worth standing in a long line. Once you understand that, you should have a favorable experience!
(3)
Brad L.
I was expecting a lot after hearing about the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chicken. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with this experience. We ordered the chicken and waffle dish and a "deconstructed" broccoli and cheese omelet with cheesy hash browns. The cheesy hash browns sounded great and looked delicious but they were completely lacking in flavor of any type. I could barely taste any cheese, tried putting salt on it, but the coarse salt they put in the shaker couldn't fit through the holes! What's going on here?? I can't be the first one to notice this. The omelet, which was a 2 egg omelet for $9 was also completely flavorless and I was left without the option of adding my own salt. Thankfully the pepper flowed freely. This "deconstructed" idea for an omelet just seems lazy. There was a small egg patty with some cheese on top, which had a few basically raw stalks of broccoli. Like I said, this just seems lazy, so you don't cook the broccoli and then I have to cut it up myself?? Jedi mind trick way of making this seem gourmet while saving labor costs if you ask me. I'm not sure what they were going for with this deconstructed concept, but it was a flop in my opinion. I'm dumbfounded that they were able to ruin two seemingly easy slam dunks: omelets and cheesy hash browns.... Now to the better dish, the chicken and waffles. The waffle was great! Wonderful flavor and the house made hot sauce actually adds a lot of flavor and balances out the sweet flavor of the waffle. Maple butter was good. There is supposed to be chicken inside of the waffle, but I was only able to find two or three small pieces, not what I would call chicken "stuffed." The "fried" chicken that came with it was oddly spiced with too much rosemary or thyme, not sure what it was, but the flavor was way off for the other flavors in this dish. Also, for fried chicken there was no breading and it was not even close the the crispy texture I expect from something called fried chicken. I found the price to be just a little steep at $13, mostly because the chicken was not at all a worthwhile addition and the only thing satisfying about the experience was the waffle which should be sold by itself for something like $7-8. Now I certainly don't mind paying more for great food, but this was not great. Service was fine, no complaints, no compliments. Coffee was good. Restaurant was clean. I do not like the communal table idea that was in the middle of the restaurant and would probably refuse to sit there personally. I don't think I'll be back, but if I do go, I would probably try the french toast. Given their seeming lack of ability to flavor anything other than breakfast sweets, I think that would be the safest bet. I almost gave them 3 stars, but three out of the four main components of the meal were a total failure in my opinion. That, coupled with the salt shaker thing and the price = a negative rating from me.
(2)
Elizabeth B.
The service here was absolutely incredible. I went on a busy Sunday and my coffee was always piping hot and filled to the brim! I enjoyed an omlette and my friend ordered the sampler of French toast and we were vey happy! Would recommend to anyone-- my favorite breakfast spot in chicago thus far!
(5)
B A.
Cliff notes: good French toast flight, BYOB, don't get the crab cakes The French toast flight was delicious, and I highly recommend it. However the crab cake Benedict left much to be desired. It did have a lot of crab, but it was not seasoned well. The cheesy hash browns also lacked flavor, were undercooked (crunchy), and the whole dish came out lukewarm. The cheese had congealed. The food came out VERY quickly, which generally is a good thing. But, based on the fact that the food wasn't warm and the cheese was congealed I suspect that dishes are pre-made to speed up service. Again not a bad thing but, but the dishes need to be heated up and assembled properly so that the meals still taste good. Others in my party really enjoyed the chicken and waffles, and the biscuits with chicken gravy. Seemed to be popular. Also, as you likely have read, there is quite a wait, 40+ mins. They will text you when your table is ready, you reply to confirm, then you come inside they walk you to a little waiting area with a bench. This extra step seemed really unnecessary. Got my hopes all up, lol, and I had to sit and wait some more.
(3)
Jackie M.
One of my favorite breakfast/brunch. I highly recommend coming in a weekday or after 1pm weekday to beat the crowd and easier to find parking. I've been here few times and the service was attentive. There was a time when the entree took about 20min to come out. The manager apologized and waived the entree, which was a nice gesture and I was patiently waiting. Here are all the dishes that i've personally ordered over few visit. The waiter will present the daily special with photos from the ipad, which i think it's very neat. The entree may seem pricey $12 - $18, but the seafood portion is very generous and you pay for what you get. Flight of special french toast - It comes with 5 different types of french toast flavor that is in season. Generally, they serve blueberry, banana/pecan (fav), strawberry, and etc. The french toast in here is crispy and i can eat it without maple syrup. It's not the typical french toast in a breakfast joint. I recommend ordering the french toast as a dessert and share it. Crab cake benedict: Daily special which is not on the menu. I've ordered this dish twice on 2 separate occasion, because it's that amazing. I've been to the east coast which crab cake is literally chunks of crab meat. This place does not disappoint and you will taste chunks of crab meat! chicken and waffle: i'm not a big fan and didnt finish this. I didn't like the savory waffle made from sweet potatoe. It's not my palette to eat savory waffle. The fried chicken was made from white meat and it was dry. It was quite miserable trying to finish this entree. Total dislike. Buffalo shrimp wrap - comes with large shrimp (generous portion of LARGE shrimp). Deconstructed steak: It looks better than what it is. The steak was mediocre and dry. Go for the seafood entree! Entree I would love to try in the future: lobster omelette, scallop omelete lobster benedict. By the way, it's BYOB!
(5)
Anthony P.
A surprise charge on your bill is bad enough, but when a manager refuses to fix it, and accuses you of trying to rip them off, that is a customer service failure. This place is BYOB. We showed up with a bottle of champagne. Our server offered us flutes of orange juice for $4.50. Imagine our surprise later to see the check with 2x charges for the flutes, plus the charge for a 0.5L of orange juice. We had no idea we were ordering souvenirs. A conversation with the manager led to accusations of trying to rip them off. Keep the flutes. A complete shame, because we really do enjoy the food.
(1)
Melvin D.
Had some tasty Twix french toast and it was delicious :) I don't think they have it every day though... My friend had the scallop omlette (is that how you spell that?) And I had the chicken fajita omlette... So stuffed! I would definitely recommend this place :) We will be back for sure!
(5)
Neil H.
Best brunch in Chicago. Me and a friend went on a Tuesday (we heard of long wait times on the weekend) and it was packed. The atmosphere is great and there is the potential to sit and a communal table. We ordered the breakfast burrito, crab cakes and after talking with the waitress we split the French toast flight. The burrito and crab cakes were delicious but the French toast was even better. Whatever you order get some French toast to share!
(5)
Pinklon T.
Not impressed. I told my lady we could have went to wildberry or yolk and got better food. Scallop omelet and crabcake benedict. Really bad fishy smell. Stale bacon...Peach cobbler french toast was good, and they had nice plates lol, but Not good enough for us to do this twice.
(2)
Leslie Y.
Went on a Friday for brunch with a couple of out of town friends about 2 weeks ago. We were recommended to come here from 2 our friends, and it is this cute random little yellow awning place. We parked in the neighborhood nearby so we wouldn't have to pay for parking. The wait time they told us would be around 45 minutes, but we just walked around the block, and we were seated in about 20-25 minutes at the communal table in the middle with high top chairs. We loved the communal table, because you could see what others ordered, and we got to chatting with a nice man there who had been there multiple times, and had tried EVERYTHING on the menu except for the chicken and waffles (the sweet potato ones everyone talks about). So, he had some great advice to give on what to order. But, all the cheers goes to the waiter. He is one of the few waiters I've met that is honest. He told me he was in the 2% of people who didn't actually like the chicken and sweet potato waffle, and I was amazed because he totally convinced me not to get it, so I went for the spinach omelette which was AMAZING. Because we were sitting at the communal table, the nice man I mentioned earlier actually offered me some of his sweet potato waffle. Yup, just a stranger I just met. Seriously, the communal table was great. I agreed with the waiter in that he felt there was too many flavors competing. I did feel like there was a TON of nutmeg in the sweet potato waffle that kind of overpowered everything. So I think a lot of people like the chicken and waffles, but just ask yourself first if you like nutmeg. And, if you like sweet potatoes, obviously. Our waiter recommended the dish with biscuits and gravy, but something about how their oven stopped working and they couldn't make any more biscuits. :( sadness. Both my friends ordered the french toast flight and you can bet I tried theirs. AMAZING! Really amazing flavors and very delicious. And yup, no need for syrup. They both loved it. Really friendly atmosphere!
(4)
Josie F.
Please do not tell me to get here by three and you will serve me. 2:56 kitchen closed. Too bad for you. I knew what I was going to order. Three dished to taste for one person. Your first loss of many.
(1)
Christina M.
Phenomenal customer service. No wait. I went on a Friday morning. We had the flight of french toast as an app. Lobster omelet. Absolutely delicious. This place is byob. Can't wait to go back and, try other things!
(5)
Jen W.
Oh wow best I've had. Will be back For sure :) people are all friendly - chicken and waffle? Really but awesome
(5)
Rosie D.
Went here yesterday for my birthday brunch. I've been wanting to go here for a long time because everyone raves about the food here. I just hate that it's in Lakeview. And in general I try to stay away from Lakeview unless I absolutely need to be there. But I made the trek anyway and it was worth it. Be warned it is byob so dont leave your bottle at home. If you do though the 7 eleven down the street sells booze. And you'll have time to get said bottle because your wait will be no less than 30 minutes. But I think that's the usual for most super popular brunch spots. Once we got seated everything went super smoothly. We ordered the crab cakes w/ poached eggs, the lobster spinach omelette and the french toast flight. Everything was amazing. Seriously this was the best brunch I've had in a really long time if ever. I'm only deducting a star because our food was a bit cold and the space was small and we were sat by the front door. However I would definitely make the trip back to Lakeview for their french toast. Just maybe once all the snow melts.
(4)
Michelle W.
The French toast flight is a fun concept, but some slices were much better than others. The blueberry and strawberry were quite yummy, but the lemon curd and sweet potato were meh...missing something. My friend ordered the shrimp Alfredo omelet, which he did not realize was "deconstructed." The Alfredo sauce was tasty, and the shrimp was big, but overall it needed salt. This place had been on my brunch list after seeing an episode of "Check, Please!" The episode said it was great for sweet brunches -- wish I had remembered to tell my friend that!
(3)
Margaret B.
This place looks a little small and unassuming in a cool area of Lincoln Park. We were told the standard wait time of 45 minutes, while there were multiple tables clearing out. My friend went back to ask about the wait time, and it so happened that the really nice restaurant manager was right behind the hostess and pointed to an empty table up front. I got the Buffalo Shrimp Wrap with sweet potato fries and was surprised by the hefty portion. A really great deal for not too much money. The wrap was stuffed with greens, which I loved, and huge chunks of blue cheese, and just enough buffalo sauce. The shrimp was ginormous. The perfect lunch for wandering around Chicago.
(4)
Monica A.
This is one of my fave spots in the Chi. Worth the wait, though none today! I tried the signature French toast which is a sampler of lemon, pecan, strawberry and blueberry! Surprisingly I think I liked the lemon best.
(5)
Toni R.
Shrimp and crab Benedict was excellent Cluck and gauf was also great Great service We were here at 7:58am and sat right down
(5)
Martin I.
Really good food for a really good price! Waiter was friendly and service was really fast, definitely recommend this place. Got the executive and the waffle sampler, definitely try out both!
(5)
Christopher D.
As some of the other reviews point out, some of the operational, customer service aspects could probably be improved I'm sure... but whatever, the food is impeccable and comes at a good price. I'll deal and so should you. I didn't see nor experience anything unusual or unfortunate that I wouldn't also expect from other mom & pop operations. If anything I've been to chain and more prominent/expensive restaurants that should know better and have had much worse experiences. We had the Pork Chop Executive (special), which included a virtually perfect, tender bone-in pork chop that had onions and Rosemary, two eggs, and cheesy hashbrowns as well as the French toast flight, which came with some of the best slices of French toast they have to offer including the blueberry, strawberry, and lemon options, plus an additional (special) slice that featured Twix. The Twix option was too sweet/over-the-top for our tastes, but not bad. That was the only criticism we had from our visit. By far, the pork chop was one of the best I've ever had in my time on this planet. Service was acceptable and timely, and our server was polite and pretty knowledgeable despite her acknowledgement that they were short staffed (I couldn't tell). Every bite was a dream and I will definitely be sure to visit this spot every time I come to Chicago. I thought it was an excellent meal for what we paid and we both left very pleased.
(5)
Eric F.
I've been 3 times before and this time I had my cousin from Atlanta who never ate any type of waffle. We had a group of 4 so we ordered Chicken & Goufe, French toast Super Flight, Traditional w/ Chicken/apple sausage, Blue Crab Omelet, and a Steak Omelet. My cousin says she can never have another waffle unless it's this sweet potato infused with chunks of chicken breast(no syrup needed). This chicken and waffle will be the best one you "EVER" had hands down. I don't normally spring for French toast but they out did themselves with the flight where you receive a half slice of all available French toast. On to the omelet. The crab smelled and tasted fresh. I would definitely have this the next time if it wasn't for a limited time. This is not your imitation crab made with fish, this is the real deal! The potatoes and eggs are just potatoes and eggs. I can't expect them to be great at everything, that would be selfish. Although, you do get a lot. The homemade chicken/apple sausage was super good. I've had chicken sausage before but the flavor in this one was kickin' like Bruce Lee. Please! Please! Please go eat here you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Clarissa W.
If waiting for an hour and some change for a seat to eat, you'd think the food was stellar as well as hot. The food was ok not great, and half of what ordered was cold. Our waitress was great and food came quickly. I would recommend going on a day they may no be so busy. Also, sitting in a back corner does little for ambience.
(3)
Lindsey N.
My first time at Batter & Berries is definitely one I will remember for a long time. The food was amazing (of a party of 6, everyone got the French toast flight or the Cluck 'n Gaufre). I had the French toast super-flight; the "special" French toast of the day was peach cobbler. Amazing. One of the best brunches I had in a long time. Our server, Tusiime, was hands-down, the best server I've ever come across. He was so fun and asked our table riddles. It was fun and our entire table was constantly laughing. Our host was great too, we felt very welcome as soon as we stepped in the door. We were there on a Tuesday at 9 AM and the place was already hopping. Our group was able to be seated immediately, but from what I've heard, there is always a line out the door on weekends. I guess if there's a place with great food and remarkable service, people aren't going to keep it a secret!
(5)
Asenath N.
This place is amazing!! One of the best brunch places in chicago! If you are looking for something different and incorporating different protein sources, this is your places. They have seafood, lamb, steak,chicken, and the normal eggs. And everything was so good! The lobster omelette is a must, the lamb trio and the french toast flight. All so good. But all this good food comes with a cost, the wait time. If you don't get their before 9am, you are looking at a 1.5 hour wait! Another thing no mimosas which I think is a must at brunch. Also the food came out way too fast after we ordered. So some of it must be pre-made to order. But I will go because there are more things I want to try.
(4)
Halisa V.
This place is awesome! I went during Easter Sunday with a group of friends (5 of us). We waited a little outside and during our wait the owner/main chef, came out and warmly welcomed us to his place. He recommended we try the french toast flight and he said if we did not like it he would cover the cost of it. Once we sat down, not only did we love the french toast flight, we ordered another 3! I had the "Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof)" - chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle topped with a delicious fried chicken breast & drizzled in a nutmeg hot sauce & b&b maple butter. I absolutely loved it!!! What a clever idea to stuff the waffle with sweet potatoes. The others at my table had different kind of omelets, the buffalo chicken sandwich and some kind of salmon dish. (The salmon dish was for our super health conscious friend who lives at the gym lol.. He claimed it was amazing). We are all secretly jealous of him though! Highly recommend this place for breakfast and brunch!!
(5)
Renee K.
Excellent place to come on the weekdays, no lines. A comfortable place where they serve great comfort food. We ordered the popular sweet potato waffles with fried chicken and oat bran pancakes. So yummy you guys! I can't believe it's taken us this long to come here. Great service!
(5)
Rebecca N.
If this bright little breakfast place were a microcosm of the world, I'd be over the moon. Smiling people and french toast flights. Genius. My friend and I arrived around 9am on a Wednesday and had a precisely 3 second wait for a table. I hear that weekend mornings aren't quite as snappy. If you work a weird schedule, check this place out on a weekday. The hostess and wait staff were all very friendly, attentive, and helpful. Water was refilled super frequently, and an appetizing picture of each special was displayed on a tablet as our waitress described them. Hooray for technology. Coffee was good, but not particularly mindblowing. I picked a crabcake benedict and my friend went for the french toast superflight. Food arrived FASTLY (that's quicker than quickly). My only complaint was that our food wasn't very hot when it arrived. But it was pretty tasty! The french toast flight was interesting for sure. I don't think I'll make another trip to Chicago just to eat here, but if I'm in the area, I'd definitely pop in for brunch again.
(4)
Nathan O.
To be honest just plan ahead for the wait cause it pretty bad. Notice that doesn't change the fact that it's 5 stars. Was it annoying waiting in my car outside or a bar yes. The server was so entertaining the guy was clever. A good idea is to get the french toast flight for an appetizer so you and your friends can taste what's felt like it was made by the hands of God.. I had a taste of the chicken and waffle. This is the best chicken in and around waffle ever tasted by anyone probably. Seasoned chicken baked into a waffle with chicken on the side. God is good.. I ordered Carmel french toast eggs with cheese and Bacon. That frent toast topped with maple butter maple syrup and glazed pecans easily one of the most delicious things I have stuck a fork in.. Everything there was made in house and I honestly can't imagine going to Chicago and not eating there now..
(5)
Cynthia X.
Came here at 2:30pm on a Friday and there was no wait. (We learned the lesson from coming unsuccessfully during rush hour on a weekend). The french toast flight was great, but not as amazing as everyone else made it out to be. The (four half) slices of bread are definitely on the smaller side, which at $11 something, doesn't make it a good deal. The waffle and gough (?), basically chicken and waffles, was very mediocre. The waffle is a sweet potato waffle, which I personally found to be too sweet. The chicken had good seasoning, but was way too dry (and small!) My verdict: decent food, but definitely not worth any wait over 30 min. This place is byob, which may interest some.
(3)
Ashley M.
I was recommended to Batter & Berries by a fabulous Chicagoin and I was not disappointed. I had the Strawberry French Toast, and it is very flavorful, no need to add syrup because it holds its own. My french toast was accompanied by the chicken sausage, the waitress warned me that the chicken sausage was sweet, well it was. It was not a good combo with my already sweet french toast. On the flip side, the crab omelet is AMAZING!! It is stuffed with gouda and SO much crab. Topped with zucchini and squash, the flavors meshed together so well. I enjoyed Batter and Berries, but come prepared to wait. Our hour wait turned into one hour and a half.
(4)
Adrienne T.
FINALLY. I've lived a block away from this place for over two years and could never understand why so many people flocked to this establishment every day. I mean, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on a Wednesday at 10 in the morning there would be a wait. I think that was part of the reason why I avoided this place for so long. Well, I made it. We got there at 8:15 on a sunday and were seated right away. After hitting up a bunch of brunch places in the hood and leaving fairly unimpressed, I was skeptical but also hopeful that this place could wow me. If you look at my recent reviews, it's been a while since I've given a wow. We ordered the deconstructed spinach/gouda omelet and the special deconstructed omelet - with fresh zucchini and crab. WOW. oh WOW. I mean, WOW. I now want all my omelets to come deconstructed. I think what I liked best, was I was given a fair amount of crab and fresh vegetables. I couldn't eat it all and was actually full, which never happens. We ordered a kid version of the chocolate chip pancakes. The pancakes were thin - which I think I prefer now and came with this sweet butter on top that I could have eaten on its own it was so good. One plus - they have five to six special items that are not on the menu. Unlike other restaurants, this place actually shows you pictures of the dishes. Unfortunately, this made it more difficult to decide because they all looked so good. Overall, Great eatery. Well crafted food. Great service. I think I found my "brunch" spot - I just wish they would tell everyone they are closed and open just for me.
(4)
Andrew B.
Food was good, an important point that really can't be under stated for a restaurant. The advice I have though is that seating at the rear of the restaurant is acoustically unfavorable to conversation. The front tables, by the door, give a much quieter atmosphere as the seats fill up. Hopefully the next time I come here they will have done something to absorb the noise levels.
(5)
Natalia K.
came here on a monday morning expecting the outrageous wait time to be way less than what it is on the weekend.. yeaaaaahhhh no. still waited 45 minutes to get seated but wow it is well worth it. i got the flight of french toast and it was out of this world! i have never had lemon french toast prior to my visit and it is for sure my new favorite. the sweet potato hash browns are an awesome twist on the traditional side dish. definitely coming back again soon
(5)
Hana M.
Super flight fench toast & chicken & waffles = fabulous. The Chicken & waffles are amazing. The waffle is sweet potato and in it has bit & pieces of fried chicken. No syrup or anything needed because its all in there. The french toast is thr star. I am not a french toast kinda girl but everytime I go here sure enough I order this to share. They have a lemon one that is to die for! Tart & yummy. The wait is a PAIN. Get here when they open since the place is small. Better yet, get food to go. BYOB, ample of parking space, delicious brunch place, LONG wait! Must try!
(5)
Lux O.
I've gotten the chicken and waffles here and they were okay no complaints my mom had the eggs benedict and it was mediocre nothing to brag about the place gets crowded quick,but i probably won't b back, so thatll b one less body to worry about at least.
(3)
Brett B.
I really want to give this place a better review... I do... but I didn't have the best experience there. When we arrived, we were expecting a pretty bad wait time - and were told it would likely be about 2 hours. That's fine, we had a group of 4 people and it was a busy time on a Sunday. We tried calling from across the street (we were waiting at Atlas Brewery) and the hostess hung up on us twice. We decided to head on over and were told to wait in the "front area." There were three hostesses who sat there on their phones and talked to each other while the wait staff worked like crazy to get the tables ready. The front table was cleared off and one of the hostesses gave us a "shoo" motion saying, "You can sit there." We sat down and looked around, wondering where the menus were - but there were none. Normally... a hostess would seat you... and bring you the menus? When our waitress approached our table, she saw we didn't have them and walked back to the stand, "Uh.. guys.. my table doesn't have menus." One rolled her eyes and brought them over. Our waitress seemed a bit stressed out but explained the menu (none of us had been there) and made suggestions. Given what I've mentioned before, I would normally give this place a 1-2, but the food made up for it. My girlfriend and I split two dishes: the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof), which was quite good, a sweet potato waffle (stuffed with chicken) and a piece of fried chicken with nutmeg hot sauce on it. The only thing I found upsetting was that there was no syrup for the chicken and waffles. (it's all infused in the butter) and began tasting a little dry. The second dish was the french toast flight (we opted for the "super flight" which included the chocolate strawberry champagne toast as well) - the french toast was delicious, very flavorful and cooked very well. Overall, I'd say it was an interesting experience, but the welcoming staff really needs to get it's act together.
(3)
Good E.
Small, crowded, overrated. One of the owners comes outside & like a ghetto ass classless clown, continuously hollers out patrons names. Wtf kinda ish is that? Ur an embarrassment for ur own establishment. He then belittles his staff publicly, hollering at them as well. The food, just meh. I had the sweet potato waffle & chicken and the waffle was awful. U didnt taste any sweet potato, tasted like a piece of awful gingerbread. The chicken was drenched in hotsauce after i asked for no hotsauce. Tables right outside the bathrooms, complete turnoff. Definitely wont be back, not worth the wait or hefty price
(2)
Sashja P.
OMG YESSSSSS!!!! Chey Rylon did his thing! I loved my experience today! Very courteous! fast service! awesome food! I enjoyed every bite of my Chef's Country Excutive- scrambled eggs, country fried chicken with white gravy and cheese hash browns. I will speak the same for my husband and his Pork Chop Exexutive (clean plate) but ssshhhh don't tell him I said that :-))) 1st time awesome experience we'll be back for sure... Uh oh Wishbone looks like a little competition :-))). both are great establishments.. (I did not spellcheck or grammar check so forgive me in advance) Make sure to see KA-See-me Kenyatta Jackson he was a great waitress!
(5)
Hazel C.
Great food -great coffee -great service. No wonder the lines are so long on the weekend!
(5)
Minh-An C.
My friends and I arrived at this place around 1 PM to grab brunch/lunch on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and boy was the line long for this place. We had a party of 3 and waited close to two hours for a table. My friends and I were starving by the time we got seated and during our wait, we went to a nearby Starbucks to grab a drink while we waited. Note: they have their regular menu and then they have a special menu that is written on the chalkboard and the waiter will highlight them to you before you order. I wish they would have the special items printed on a menu so I can read it and not have to be rushed in my decision. Also, the pricetag of each plate wasn't attached so I was hesitant in ordering from the special menu. The waiter place your order through an iPad, too so that's pretty cool until you have to face with technical difficulty...which happened to us. I got the chicken and waffles while my friends got the blueberry french toast and the crawfish omelette ($16/17?). Food came out pretty fast and we finally got to enjoy our first meal of the day. My friends and I were all pretty satisfied with our food. It wasn't the best chicken and waffles I have ever had though so if I do come back here, I would probably try something from their special menu or the executive plate (steak and eggs) I saw someone order. And I would definitely try to go during times where I wouldn't have to wait so long for a table.
(3)
Kayla L.
You have to try the crab cake eggs Benedict and french toast flight! Definitely a food experience not to miss. The only downside is the long wait (1 hour minimum) but the food makes up for it! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
(5)
Nicole R.
I have gone here several times. My boyfriend works at a company next to it. The food is always great! I love the crab cakes benedict the eggs are perfectly poached every time. The French toast flight is also amazing. It is almost always crowed there and I do not mind that. It just means that the food is good. The service is sometimes slow, but I have never had a messed up order. Don't go here if you are in a rush because it is always very busy.
(5)
Taylor D.
One of my favorite breakfast places honestly. Today we left because after the host telling us it would be 35 minutes we waited, and waited. All the while while about 5 different tables got seated that were not even on the list...we had been next on the list the whole time we were waiting. I would have said something but the host kept disappearing. Very disappointing.
(3)
Ruth S.
THE best brunch! SO good! Plan to order like a thousand things off the menu. You cannot go wrong with anything. Louisiana in Chicago! Every flavor of french toast is delicious so get the flight. All of their omelets are "deconstructed" which compartmentalizes the flavors. I had their special omelet which as a Cajun crawfish and veggie omelet which was literally to die for. Sweet potato hash browns are soooo good! All the staff members were very nice. Would come back a thousand times over. Very special and unique spot!
(5)
D D.
Many places can claim to do chicken and waffle, but no one can reinvent and elevate the dish quite like Batter and Berries. First, this is no ordinary waffle. This is a sweet potato waffle with chunks of chicken baked right inside the batter... yes, you read that right. Chicken inside the batter!!!!! The batter itself taste almost like a sweet potato pie, but better. The chicken is boneless, and lightly battered, so it's not a think heavy crust, but still has that crunch you want in fried chicken. The dish is also served with a maple butter that is so much the perfect addition to the waffle, syrup is not needed. Finally, the chicken comes with homemade hot sauce. But, don't fret, the hot sauce isn't spicy, rather it adds just the right amount of tang to the chicken. Combined, the sweet, salty, tangy bite of the waffle, butter, chicken and hot sauce makes for umami (ie heaven) in your mouth. Things to note, the wait can be llooonnnggg (first time I went, I waited almost 3 hours!) But the wait wad worth it. The next time, I got smart. I went about an hour before it closed and the wait wad much shorter ( in and out within an hour). Also once you get inside and place your order, the food comes out fast. I mean freaky fresh fast, lol. I've always gone with a party of two and waited less than 7 out 8 minutes got out food. This is super impressive because the restaurant is always jammed packed with people. Overall, this is a great breakfast/brunch/lunch spot to try. The place is small, but inviting, good for kids (they have booster seats) and can please even the pickiest of palates. The owners ate always around to make sure everything runs well and that people love the food, which you will. Bon a petit!!
(5)
Roni F.
So I finally visited the infamous Batter & Berries, and I will say it's a little overrated. The wait time was very long, but it was a Saturday. The hostess was average, but our waitress was great. Our food came out very quickly, but it wasn't hot. I ordered pancakes, scrambled eggs, beacon, and hash-browns. The pancakes were good. The hash-browns were too cheesy, and once the cheese got cold the hash-browns became super hard. After our meal, I wanted to hang around and chit-chat with my girlfriends, but the line of people waiting to sit down was so long that I felt guilty doing so. Although my review is average I plan to return to give it another try. Pros! Pancakes Cons! Long wait time Food is overpriced Limited seating Congested
(3)
Caress T.
A fun atmosphere and a great place for brunch! It's got delicious options, amazing prices, and it's BYOB, for anyone who is interested. Everything I had was seriously DELICIOUS, and many of the other meals on the nearby tables looked amazing as well. The music is a little loud, but the tables are spaced well. It's intimate, but still feels like a restaurant. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Ayanna M.
Came out to this Lincoln Park spot on Good Friday with my mother for brunch. We waited nearly an hour for a table, but it was more than worth it. We tried the Supreme French Toast Flight, the Cluck-n-Gaufre, with a side of the homemade chicken sausage and egg whites with cheddar cheese. Everything from the food to the service was excellent. The waitress asked us which french toast was our favorite and we honestly could not decide - they were all amazing. They also serve Le Colombe coffee which was my first time and it tasted great. Can't wait to come back and try some of their omelettes!
(5)
Anthony A.
The anticipation! The smell of good food. And then... We waited 55 minutes to get a table and the wait itself was entertaining. Where else can you get yelled at while waiting for a table. The hostess came outside several times and yell at the crowd to reply to the text messages or be removed off the waiting list. I'm not and expert at this but wouldn't it be easier to inform people when they arrive and give their name? Or maybe put a note at the bottom of the text message? Just a thought! We finally were seated and noticed that the gentleman walking around outside checking the door was the chef. He was walking around inside chatting to the crowd. Note- loose the Bluetooth from the ear and baseball cap. Just my opinion. On to the food, we order the chicken and waffles, Blueberry "waffle" and broccoli and cheese omelet which came with cheesy hash browns. The chicken breast was carved into a small portion and came with hot sauce on it. Not typically what you would want on a breakfast meal. The omelet was not an omelet, it was a egg with cheese slices on top with a couple of stems of broccoli on it. I though the definition of omelet was the ingredients were inside not on top. The cheesy hash browns were just that nothing to really get excited about. Over all the food was average. Everything is priced more a la cart so you will spend a good dollar for breakfast. Our meal was just about $50. At that price point my expectations are higher than iHop. This is a trendy spot right now but I think it can use a little infusion of style. Just a couple of notches from a 4 star restaurant.
(3)
Ashley L.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots!!! I drive all the way from the south suburbs of Chicago just to eat here..50min drive!!!! Amazing French toast!!! My favorite thing to order is the caramel French toast and the traditional, but I've pretty much have tried everything. I thing the cost of food is worth every penny!!!! This place has changed my view on what brunch is supposed to be!! If you have not been, you need to go right now!!!
(5)
Christy C.
This is a great little breakfast place. The ambiance and decor is nothing to rave about but the food and service makes up for that! My friends and I shared the super french toast flight, which comes with a salted caramel (my favorite), strawberry, blueberry, lemon and french toast special which happened to be trix cereal. We also shared the crab cake benedict which was very good. Our waitress was extremely friendly, and despite the large crowds we did not have to wait for a table. At the time I dined here (August 2014) they did not have a liquor license and you were allowed to bring your own alcohol (think mimosas!) so maybe call ahead and see what is going on with their alcohol now.
(4)
John R.
The best French toast I've EVER had in my life. If you travel to Chicago, you MUST, have breakfast here. Great ambiance, good service, decent location. Everyone in my party, (7 of us) loved the food. Get there now!
(4)
Evie H.
Factoring in a couple of factors, Batter & Berries gets a solid 3. Our wait time on a Sunday was a good 1 hr 15 min before we even got seated. Then it was another 25 min before we got our food after ordering. I got the Super French Toast flight which comes with a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, caramel, lemon, and the special of the day - Golden Oreo. I must say that it was very classic french toast - just a little crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However at $14, I just don't think two and a half slices of bread topped with a little bit of fruit and puree should be worth that much. Out of the five, the golden oreo was my favorite with the caramel coming in second (though too sweet), then the lemon. The blueberry and strawberry were both fairly standard. + that the interior is gorgeous. All the pictures on the walls are items I would love to have myself. + that they have the Lakers purple and yellow going on - for the level of noise. It was so loud that I had to yell so that my dining buddy could hear me even though he sat less than two feet away. Bottom line: Batter & Berries is okay if you have nothing to do and don't mind waiting around (there's Starbucks nearby for those interested.) Otherwise, there are other brunch places to go to.
(3)
Jennifer C.
Come hungry and order the goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle with cinnamon butter). It is savory, spicy and sweet and the harmony of flavors is delicious. The staff are super warm and friendly and the vibe is very convivial. The place was packed on a weekday at lunchtime. The decibel level was very high but worth it for the fantastic food.
(4)
Yuki Z.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Saw my friend's pictures of the French toast and lobster omelet, and I was like "I have to go to this place." Eventually after three weeks waiting, I went and it was AMAZING!!! We were told the waiting would be about an hour and half. Even though we came with the preparation of waiting, an hour and half still sounded crazy. We still decided to wait and walked around in the community (the Japanese stationary store in the corner is cute and good for killing time btw). And surprisingly, I got the message half an hour later saying that we got a table! Lucky! (It's really convenient that you left your phone number there and they would text you when your table would be ready) We got the super flight of French toast! Great concept but as others said, some are better than others. Blueberry one is definitely our favorite! So yum! We also got the lobster omelet! GREATTT! The server was really pleasant and funny haha. Loved him! The place is pretty crowdy and probably a little bit loud, but the food is amazing! Definitely want to go back!
(5)
Crystal L.
1. 40 minute wait that was actually an hour and 20. 2. Poached egg that was raw. 3. Second try at poached egg that was closer to fully boiled 4. Bland shrimp and crab Benedict. 5. Pleasant server.
(2)
Shon A.
Came here to have brunch for 2 on a Sunday. Threw our names down around 1045a-11a and weren't seated until 1230p or so. So the wait was deffiently substantial if its over 1.5 hours for a table for two! I would have to say the food was ok. My friend ordered the Chicken & waffles which were mediocre and I ordered a steak omelette which was not good at all. The only good item we ordered was the french toast. Not going to lie, we got the sampler plate and all of them were good but the strawberry & blueberry really stick out! The atmosphere was very loud and it was not pleasant. You literally had to scream to the person sitting across from you to get a sentence out. I would not recommend going unless you have a lot of patience
(2)
Brittany G.
This place was just amazing!!! Food was great, excellent service and the people are real down to earth. Came all the way from Ohio to try and was wowed for sure! I had the super flight which is all of the French toast flavors in one serving and it was heaven sent!
(5)
Patrick J.
Great food friendly staff. Love this place. Excellent service and the owner was very nice.
(5)
Jamal S.
4.5! Pretty much the best breakfast of life ! I had the chicken and waffles & it was out of this world. The down side about this place is the LONG WAIT! And it's so tiny . If you don't wana wait , be there when thy open .
(4)
Sofia C.
I don't get what all the hype is about. We waited for over an hour, the hostess was very rude and aside from the sweet waiter we had everyone else acted like they were doing us such a big favor. The crowd was rowdy and loud. Not a relaxing or nice environment for weekend brunch. So disappointed because the photos on yelp looked amazing and the reviews were generous. FOOD: coffee- (3/5) Meh. french toast flight- (3/5) Cool concept and presentation. It just didn't taste as good as it looked. crab & shrimp benedict- (3/5) The crab & shrimp benedict was ok, but the cheesy hash browns everyone was raving about were gross and looked like they had been reheated. buckwheat pancakes (2/5)- Very dry.
(2)
Maxwell M.
I had one of the best meals of my entire life here. "The goof" (sweet potato waffle and fried chicken) was unbelievable. The hot sauce was on point, the waffle was perfect, the chicken was tender and delicious. I got lucky and didn't have to wait for a table, but I would gladly wait hours for a meal here. This is my new "must stop" when I am in Chicago
What can I say... This restaurant was FANTASTIC! The service was great, the owner/chef was personable and the food... Oh, to die for! I had the grilled salmon omlet with cheesy hash browns! Words don't describe the food orgasm I had. My friend had the Carmel French toast, a little sweet for my taste but None the less; can't go wrong with this dish. This dish also came with the homemade butter ( it taste like ice cream and can be eaten by itself ) my other friend had the lobster spinach omelet with cheesy hash browns. The lobster was juicy and not a stingy portion. Because I can go on... Enough about the food! This business is BYOB so we brought champagne and ordered a pitcher of orange juice. The waiter (Tusiime, best waiter I have ever met! He deserved every bit of the 40% tip left) He saw our champagne was hot and gave us a bucket of ice (awesome). Tusiime, was engaging, gave us riddle to laugh over and was just extremely pleasant. All in all I would return every Saturday for brunch and wait an hour just to sit in Tusiime's section. I recommend it for you; you have to go and don't forget your bottle of spirits!
(5)
Aradhana V.
I was looking up this place to send to a friend and was so surprised to not find a 5-star rating! Let me be clear - Batter and Berries changed my life. I was a simple tourist visiting Chicago from Berkeley, and after B&B - I became a happier (and probably 2 lbs heavier) foodie. Yes, I've had a fair share of glorious SF brunch encounters, but I still think most fondly about my brunch at this place! So we came here at about 10 AM on a Sunday morning. It was PACKED, but my amazing friends conceded to my crazy suggestion of staying for the 2 hour wait to try out this place. So we wrote our name down, and walked around and explored town. Since we were tourists, just walking around the residential neighborhood was nice but this might not be as fun for locals. I suggest just going to the nearby Starbucks. Anyways, our party of 6 (also explains the 2 hours wait in this small restaurant) ordered lots of food! My ALL-TIME-FAVORITE dish ever in the history of brunches was the sweet potato waffle topped with good ol' Southern style fried chicken. My friend and I still have nostalgic moments where we talk about the unique flavors of the herby chicken alongside the chewy and crispy sweetness of the waffle. *Pro tip: add some hot sauce with your maple syrup, a brilliant combination I learned about from Berkeley's 900 Grayson (which also has excellent chicken 'n waffles if you are in the area). SO DELISH AND SO DIFFERENT.The two things I love finding in my dishes. After having been to multiple brunch spots throughout northern California, I have yet to find a dish so perfect and quintessentially brunch-y. Other than this, they had on-point egg dishes and very yummy (but a tad too sweet) french toast. Come here and SHARE your dishes!! All the dishes are super cool and big, so it's better to share one dish per two people and then you get to try more things! Also, they have a 'Bring your own' wine service, which we didn't know about but that would have been a great concept to take advantage of! #TLDR: yes, small place but SO WORTH THE WAIT for all my brunch foodies out there, says a brunch lover miles away craving those chicken 'n waffles right about now.
(5)
Savanna R.
This place is small inside - but cute. Our wait felt like FOREVER but I think it was worth it. I have yet to come and not wait. I dont know if there is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Banana foster waffles ARE LIFE CHANGING! soooo good.
(4)
Chanel G.
Man oh man. This place literally lives up to the hype. I arrived to a very busy restaurant on a late Tuesday morning. It's a very loud restaurant because people are having the time of their lives. The server in the back told several jokes to keep the crowd going, and also sang happy birthday to the birthday folks. The host showed me to the waiting area and informed me of the "BYOB" policy. As long as you buy a beverage (ie orange juice) or a champagne flute, you can drink whatever you want! I obviously opted for some champagne from the 711 down the street. For my meal, my friend and I split a french toast flight, with the butterscotch one (the special for the week) added. I also had a side of egg whites and cheesy hash browns. You HAVE to get the french toast flight. You HAVE to. I don't even like french toast and this was absolutely superb. Upon receiving the flight, the chef requests that you at least try one bite of each french toast slice with the respective toppings and the maple butter. The maple butter is to die for. I was literally in heaven. My favorite was the caramel turtle one, but the blueberry one was a close second. In summary, split the flight with a friend and order one of the specials, which can change at anytime.
(5)
Soyun P.
The French toast here is amazing!!!! Seriously the best I've ever had. I would say that their sweet dishes are far superior to their savory ones (namely the crab cake Benedict and chicken and waffles). Service is terrific as well.
(4)
Tiana H.
Heard so many good things about this place and I must say things went smoothly for me. Went on a Sunday morning only had to wait about 5minutes. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. Even though I had my mind set up on what I wanted (after viewing pictures on here) she still broke it down for me and the hubby. I ordered the Super French Toast Flight (the special was the butterscotch rum) and had the Crab Cake Benedict, hubby had the Salmon Omelet. The food was delicious. The only problem I had was that it was barely warm I think they got his order wrong cause they brought out the lobster omelet (he's allergic to shellfish) and had to remake his and they just let mine sit while his were being remade! Overall it was a good experience and we planned on coming back with the in-laws. I just want my food to be hot next time!
(4)
Gino W.
I love the French toast. And since I didn't do my write-up soon after I had gone to Batter & Berries, I don't remember all of the slices that were in the flight of French toast that I had ordered. I will say that I plan to go back to have it again. For those of you who operate in slow motion, be forewarned that the restaurant packs out as soon as the doors open. They get a constant flow of customers and once you've had their offerings, you'll understand why.
(5)
Dana J.
I'm giving 4 stars based on the size of the restaurant and the hour wait to even get a table. Service was great and my caramel french toast was even better, I just wish they had a bigger restaurant or even a new location. I plan on returning!
(4)
Tommi S.
Geez!!! Love!!! This place was the highlight of my recent trip back to Chicago. Yes-you will wait. Yes-probably for a long time BUT...it's definitely worth it!! By far one of the most amazing breakfast experiences I've ever had. We ordered everything pretty much and sampled each others plates. I had the lobster omelet which had to have had an entire lobster in it...no joke. The portions are quite generous (I say this as a Texas girl). Heaven!! I also ordered the Strawberry French toast (don't judge me). Both were uber-delicious and beautifully presented within 8-10 min. Other insanely good bites while there: Sweet potato waffle w/chicken Champagne French Toast Shrimp Alfredo Omelet Not a place to sit down and chat...especially on the first visit...we were too busy oooh and ahhhing over our plates. Enjoy!
(5)
Tavi J.
This review gets 5 stars in my book because the food was excellent. I may have given it 4 stars if we had really had to wait the hour and 45 minute wait we were quoted when my girl got there at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon. We ended up running into a friend of hers and joining their group at the communal table. Right off the bat the service was excellent! Our waiter Tim acknowledged our present and reassured us he'd be back to take our order soon and he was. Besides that the owner and another waiter checked in on us throughout the entire time. Our food took about 20 minutes and they apologized for the long wait and offered us complimentary juice (pineapple juice is yummy) Now.....onto the best brunch food I have ever had! I had my heart set on ordering the crab cake Benedict, but they stop serving it the day before, so I got the lobster Benedict. It was so good!! I'm not a fan of poached eggs, but this was just delicious. My friend ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffles, which were also tasty. We shared the super flight French toast, which included a champaign option. That is the best French toast I have ever had! My favorite was the lemon. I was absolutely stuffed when we left. What a great black own establishment. I will be back and hopefully I'll either run into someone or luck out with seating right away :)
(5)
Melanie M.
The food is good. The hostess can be very rude. They used the texting system to inform you when your table is ready, a good idea but they have no fedility to the system. They have poor communication among the staff and try to insult your intelligence by giving you some bullshit excuse that makes no sense. The food is definitely worth the wait and the stress.
(1)
Alisha O.
Enough said...don't walk, run to this spot! The bacon was perfect, the cheesy hash browns were yummy. You can believe the hype!
(5)
Staci E.
This place was delicious! The Super Flight was fun to try. It was a taste of a variety of the French Toast that they serve. Absolutely delicious! My favorite was the lemon French Toast. I also had the steak and eggs. My steak was nice and tender, smothered in gravy and mushrooms. Yes! Definitely understand what all the hype was! Will return!
(4)
Annie M.
I am so happy I finally got to try this place! The wait on a Sunday around 11:30 was about an hour, and there's not really anywhere good to wait, so we walked up and down Lincoln to kill time. We ended up being seated at a community table, which was totally fine since there was plenty of space for everyone. Looking at all the delicious plates around us made the decision on what to order way harder! Although I really wanted the french toast flight, I went with the crab omelet special. It was served with a little bit of cheese (I think smoked gouda?), a very light tasty sauce, and topped with squash and red onion. The best part: they didn't skimp on the crab one bit! Lots of huge, delicious chunks of white crab meat. The flavors all blended together perfectly. And it came with the cheese crusted hashbrowns. No joke, I would wait a full hour again JUST for those taters! The service was also awesome. The owners were walking around and chatting with the guests and the food came out very fast. The only real downside of this place (other than the inevitable wait time) is the lack of AC. After waiting outside in the hot for a long time, I was hoping to cool down once I went inside, but the air was very minimal. They also played some pretty weird dance party music...but it wasn't too loud or anything, just a little weird for brunch. Next time: I'd consider waiting an extra hour or so and hitting up Atlas Brewing Company right across the street during the hour wait. They open at noon on Sundays. I'd also bring a bottle of bubbly because it's a BYOB place. That's right: BYOB brunch!
(4)
Sheri M.
I have been hearing people rave about this place for breakfast for a while now. I went on a Tuesday around 11 and didn't have to wait at all. We were seated and served coffee quickly. Our waiter was superb with his service and very knowledgeable in terms of the menu and suggestions on what to eat. I had the pork chop and my mom had the steak. Both were seasoned well and were very tender as well. On my next visit, I hope to try the french toast that everyone raves about. Street parking was readily available at that time - which was a bonus!
(4)
Bill R.
What a wonderful dining experience for breakfast. The menu is absolutely amazing and very unique. The service is super fast and friendly and the place was packed with some very happy people. You have to try the French Toast Super Flight and the crab omlete! Also, the chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. Management is engaged and ensures that every customer is well-beyond satisfied and certain to return. This is a "must go" eatery!
(5)
Shannon K.
Solid four stars. I had the French toast flight, which was a nice sampler. If I were to order again I would just get the lemon French toast, since the lemony flavor really shines through. It's nothing out of the ordinary for brunch places, though, but the flavor is great and so is the service.
(4)
Raquel Munchi M.
I had very high hopes for this place was let down unfortunately by undercooked meat and overcooked eggs and a little bit of bad service! First, we checked in. Lady (thin, with long hair and eyelashes) told us about 20 mins. We ended up going to put more money in the meter down the street and when we returned we noticed "new people" we're getting called before us. Not only did the lady we checked in with look dead at us she went on to call another group of new people. she never came back out to see hmmmm why are they still waiting. We ended up asking another employee if our names been called and indeed it was. He was great. Polite and apologized. He showed us back to the greeter who didn't acknowledge us at all but began to walk. My brother and I looked at each other and said the same thing... "Do we follower her" down the aisle she turned back and seen we were still right where they left us she waved to come to her. (Like a pet) We sat down said thank you She said nothing. Our waitress was amazing! Came out like she wrote the menu her self. (I loved that) Explained everything in detail and was happy to answer any we had. The menu was great. I was a bit indecisive cuz it all sounded so good but decided to go with the French Toast Super flight. It was delicious. Every bite. My brother on the other hand ordered the Executive. Well done with poached eggs. His meat came back red. Again, waitress went above and beyond and got him a new steak. Only bad thing is by the time it was cooked he finished his food and so did I. The new steak was fantastic. But the timing and waiting was aggravating and inconvenienced us terribly since we were on the other side of town hoping to beat traffic to make it to pick up kids from school on time. Mgr asked how everything was. We explained. He took the entire meal off the order. My brother won't be back, I know that. But I just might give them another shot! We all have bad days.... I'll take it that was there's.
(3)
Keishana M.
After hearing so many great things about Batter & Berries,(and the mishap of experiencing bad service at another popular restaurant)I decided to try it for myself. "To my wonderful surprise, it was as good as it was hyped up to be!" "The Buckwheat pancakes w/chicken sausages were excellent!" To top off the buttery rich flavor of the pancakes, I added fresh fruit as a topping, and it wouldn't be me without a little bit of whipped cream..lol. The restaurant was clean, bright in coloring and the atmosphere was very pleasant and welcoming. This should have been the 1st choice of the day. I will definitely revisit, but next time I will explore more into their extensive menu. "I will be back very soon..!"
(5)
Pranitha P.
Absolutely amazing. My friend and I went right at the opening on a Sunday morning so we were able to avoid any crowd. He was visiting Chicago, and I'm so glad we decided to go here before he left. The waiter was kind and timely on the order and we were seated immediately. I had an egg white omelette with spinach, it was huge but delicious. My friend tried the chicken and waffles and love them. We both shared the french toast which was both of our favorite - a little too sweet to eat all of them . I would definitely come again and recommend to friends!
(5)
Shenice D.
Never again. I mean never again. Save your precious time (that you'll for sure waste) and dollars, & brunch elsewhere. I arrived Saturday morning to return since the food was so good last time. I was told there would be an hour wait. No big deal since I'd trekked all the way from the South Side & it was a beautiful day, we had no problem waiting. I notice an hour & 30mins had gone by & sent a friend to check on our table. The hostess told my friend there were 5 more parties ahead of us. I decided to go on & check myself because surely this was an error. I go in to inquire on the table, & the same info was repeated. I ask if it was over 30mins past the time given, why wouldn't they attempt to contact me? After all, they took my cell # down to contact me about the table. The host who had an attitude (young slim girl w/ thin weave & grey contacts) decided to tell me I walked in 30mins after I initially came in because thats what her tablet says. I then informed her I paid for parking & went to the Shell down the street AFTER putting my name down, & had the timestamps but that didn't matter. She wanted to debate, I just wanted to eat. Then a man w/ glasses, whom I assume is management cut in to tell me the time they give is "an estimate at best" & not to hold them to the exact time. Now from 1 hour to an hour & 45 mins, is far beyond an estimate. It's basically 1 hour compared to 2 hours. Finally get my table, and surprisingly it took the server 20mins to get over to the table. I felt bad for the man there to provide water & clean the table (hate the term bus boy) because we had to keep bothering him since our server was nowhere to be found. We finally got our food & my friend's plate was cold, not an ounce of warmth to it so she sent it back. The scallop omelet I had was good. But just too many issues to get that meal. There are several other brunch places around & the staff here act as if they don't have to provide proper customer service. They're (mostly) cocky & rude. Should've listened to the reviews I'd received from social media users. So much for trying to support black businesses. Back to Zed451 I go. Thanks guys!
(1)
Andrew H.
Disclaimer: this is all based on my attempt to have brunch on a Sunday, so not sure if things are different on other, less busy days. Take with a grain of salt. Attempted to get brunch last Saturday around 1pm. This was my experience... I was completely taken aback by the rudeness of the hostesses when I entered to inquire about wait time. I wasn't greeted, or welcomed. They just stared at me, with a look of disgust and annoyance in their eyes. The restaurant was set to close around 3pm, and given I had arrived 2 hours prior to that, they flippantly scrolled through an iPad, then said the wait was 2 hours, 45 minutes. The answer is annoying since it was clearly after they were set to close. And there were maybe 5-8 other people standing around and waiting, so where was this coming from? So, I didn't wait, nor will I ever attempt to. If this is how they greet and treat first time guests (with rudeness and flagrant dishonesty), I don't see why I'd spend those nearly-three-hours here when I can go to any of the great brunch places around time. Including the ones that sensibly offer reservations! The food could be amazing, but the the first sip of service left a distinctly bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Tiffany R.
Ok I've come enough times that I can now give an adequate review. I should start with the caveat that I am a vegan that occasionally eats seafood. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So for me there isn't a lot on the menu I can try. Most people go for French Toast but i don't like sweets. There is a veggie omelet but i find that the specials are always beyond amazing!!! The specials are usually seafood so that's the way I go. My favorite thing was the lobster Omelet when they had it. My mom said her Pork was very tasty, cooked perfecrly, and juicy...she was smitten. My little brother said the service is great, the presentation is amazing, nice portions for the price, seasoned well, and the menu is diverse. The chef came out and talked to customers.
(4)
Monique B.
I wish I could give this place a higher rating because I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, after waiting an hour my friend and I ordered deconstructed omlettes and shared a waffle flight. The food came out 5 seconds after we ordered it, meaning everything is pre-made in the back and that's why the omlettes are deconstructed, so that the cooks can just put some eggs on a plate and scoop the ingredients on top and churn food out quickly. The french toast flight was the same. All the french toast was the same, just with different toppings on the same standard french toast. I understand having to serve lots of people quickly, especially in a small space like this one, with a long line. However, if you're going to make things in bulk, and make me wait an hour to be seated I want it to be delicious. The food here was just ok. I do love that it's BYOB and I also think the service was good here, although not great. Overall, brunch is my favorite meal of the day and I doubt I'll want to come back here when there are other places with food that's just as good, service that's a little better, an environment where I can eat and drink more leisurely and don't have to wait for an hour. I'm glad I tried them once though.
(2)
Christelle S.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago. If you haven't been, you are seriously missing out! I've been here 3 times, and each time is just as good as the last! The first time I went I had the French toast flight. Ummm - best thing ever. The flight features a slice of blueberry, lemon, caramel, and strawberry french toast served with their maple butter. I tried to order maple syrup with it, but was told to try it first. Honestly, it is so sweet and delicious you don't even need anything extra. My second time I had the chicken and waffles. Everything is made so deliberately here so that the flavors combine in the perfect way in your mouth. I was instructed to take a bite of the sweet potato waffle, maple butter, and chicken with the hot sauce - the chicken has nutmeg in the batter that works well with the waffle and it literally is just mind blowing! Some of the best chicken and waffles I have ever had. Wow! On my most recent visit I ordered the lobster benedict (split the super french toast flight with my boyfriend though - addition of gingerbread toast). The lobster cakes were buttery and delicious, the hash brown were cheesy, and overall I left full and satisfied. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you live in Chicago or are just visiting. They get VERY busy on the weekends, so shoot for a weekday if you can. If not, get there early or be prepared to wait.
(5)
Courtney W.
First let me say I love a good brunch! We were visiting Chicago and I wanted to find a good brunch spot (preferably with a mimosa). I did a little research and came across this place. We arrived close to noon and it was packed. Yep, on a Monday! We waited about 10 minutes before our table was ready. The staff were very nice and professional. Everything on the menu sounded good but be mindful, there's 2 chalkboards (one in the main dining area and another close to the kitchen) with other specials and desserts written on a chalkboard. One thing on the chalkboard that stood out was the crawfish omelet *insert drooling emoji* I would have LOVED to try it but my mind was set on the wings and waffle. I also wanted to get some peach cobbler to-go but I forgot. I was fat and full by the time I left. LOL Anywho, I ordered the succulent sweet potato waffle which was topped with maple butter and a fried, crispy boneless chicken breast splattered with their homemade hot sauce. This is in the running for the best chicken and waffle I've ever had. It was sooooooooooo good! I did order extra hot sauce (.50) but the waffle really needed no syrup as it was already sweet enough. I had our waitress bring syrup anyway just so I could try it and it could go without. The maple butter was enough. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting Chicago. Don't shy away if it's a wait, they move pretty quickly and the food came out fast, hot and very tasty. Kudos!
(5)
Ena B.
Great food , fast and friendly food so good make you want to bring your mama . Not only was the French toast of every flavor great but the shrimp and crab Benedict fabulous
(5)
John T.
Over priced, Over seasoned, Over sauced breakfast food, combined with poor service. Not worth the wait or the Heartburn side affect.
(2)
Hannah T.
This was such a quiet day when we came in. The food was great and our server was really sweet. They have a french toast flight. I repeat: THEY HAVE A FRENCH. TOAST. FLIGHT. you're welcome.
(4)
Nya H.
I found this spot via Tumblr. Can you believe that tumblr! When I found out it was black owned, I decided yup this is a must. I was thrown off by the wait (1hr 30), however my sister and I had no problem exploring Chicago. I loved how tech-savvy they are. When you put down your name, they send you a txt to say when your table is ready. amen! FOOD: A++ The food came within 10minutes of us sitting down and ordering! This place crowded from wall to wall; so yes they deserve these 5 stars. The food was great. I ordered the Maple Rum French Toast. Excellente... Did not need any syrup and added bacon to finish it off! My sister enjoyed her biscuits and gravy which came with eggs and hash browns. COST/HOSPITALITY: A++ Our meal came out to $35. Well worth the money and wait. Everyone was friendly and I had a blast! Will be coming back and telling and bringing my friends & family.
(5)
Krupa A.
Three words. French Toast Flight! This was one of my favorite brunch visit's in the city with my spouse, and I can't wait to return. Yes, there is a long wait on weekends, but the food is worth it! I've never said this in a review before, but you can taste the LOVE in the food. It's all sorts of comfort food and tasty wonderfulness. I'm preggers right now, and am totally craving this place. Save calories to eat here or make sure you go for a long walk afterwards because the food is definitely an indulgence. My husband and I split the french toast flight, as well as a veggie omelet and both complemented each other really well. The maple butter is a great touch, and you don't even need syrup if you have the maple butter, just enjoy the flavors as is. Everything is seasoned and spiced perfectly. Our server was very welcoming and kind. He had an energy about him, that you couldn't help but tip him largely for! It was also nice to see the Chef walking around and greeting customers and regulars. This place draws a diverse clientele and it's nice to support local chefs. The only improvement I can think of is to improve their wait times, maybe reservations wouldn't be a bad idea or perhaps a system where you can call in and put your name on the list day the day of.
(5)
Norm J.
Service - The waitress knew the menu by heart and gave us excellent recommendations. Food - Oh man you HAVE to try the Flight of French Toast. You'll get a piece of the strawberry, blueberry, lemon & carmel. All were super yummy (yes I just wrote super yummy don't hate), but my favorite was the lemon piece of French Toast. It was just a mouth full of goodness. - Scallop Omelet made with egg whites and goat cheese was AMAZING. You get 3 jumbo scallops to go along with your fluffy egg whites. I believe this was a special for the week so it's not on the normal menu. - Pineapple Juice is served here! I don't know why this made me so happy, it's not like a drink pineapple juice in my everyday life. The only negative about Batter & Berries is that we got there at 9:50a.m (during the week) and still had a 30 minute wait. However, after eating there I can see why that place is always busy.
(4)
Dalton K.
RUDE STAFF. INSANE WAIT. STAY AWAY. I can understand the concept of having to wait for brunch on a weekend, but waiting 2 hours and watching the hostess seat other parties clearly behind us in the line was just ridiculous. We waited 2 HOURS and finally just left. Such a rude staff. I will never ever go back to this place, I don't care how good the French Toast is. Save your time, money, energy and go somewhere else.
(1)
Jasmine B.
Great food. Good service. Should definitely expand to knock out long waiting and cramped ambiance. But worth the trouble, very palate satisfying!
(4)
Sabrina M.
Hurts my heart to downgrade but I've had, at this point, a half-dozen meh-to-outright bad experiences here. I think they are honestly "victims" of their own success. They were so good when they first opened and the word of mouth spread so fast that they really are unable to keep up quality with the volume of guests they're receiving. That's the only thing I can figure for food that isn't freshly made or served hot, or served well. I'll just give one specific that is indicative of the entire problem: Last time I was there I had crab cake Benedict special. I was surprised when it came out about 4 minutes after I ordered it. Not only that, but it came out cold. Now, you'd think that if an order came up that fast, it would be PIPING hot. Nope, it was cold. Which led me to believe one thing: It hadn't been made-to-order. Tasting it confirmed that. I discreetly asked the server about this and he was honest enough to admit that several other people had complained about the same thing (coldness, staleness) and that because of the volume, no, everything was not made-to-order. He was also kind enough to remove it from the bill. So you have servers like that who are professional and honest. But I've also had other experiences there with servers who were totally AWOL, unprofessional and unhelpful. The admission that my entree was not freshly made was disturbing, to say the least. I don't think you can really cut corners with breakfast food, and especially not with something like eggs benedict. You have lost the quality war when you start cutting corners like that. I'm also incredibly put off by the fact that they seem to spend an inordinate amount of time pandering to celebrities. It's not celebrities who have made this place as popular as it is -- it's "regular" people like me who went back and told all their friends, co-workers, relatives, etc how good it was. I have to wonder if the "celebrities" are the ones getting the fresh food while the rest of us are getting the cold, stale and/or undercooked food. Hmmm. Well, I wish Batter and Berries all the very best, but until I hear that there's a return to the original quality that made this place so special, I'll be saving my money.
(2)
Jamar T.
I've heard so much about this place and after one failed attempt due to the ridiculous wait time I finally made it in! The food was really good just as I had heard. They food came out within minutes which was pretty shocking and also made me a bit skeptical. I had the french toast flight and the lobster omelet and both were delicious! Most dishes come with cheesy hash browns but I could tell they make them in bulk bc they were not hot or fresh which was disappointing. The service here was equally fantastic. Our server was extreme knowledgable of the menu and the current specials. The reason I'm giving it 5 stars is because I literally left wanting more!
(5)
Niecy M.
First time! The crawfish omelet, and flight french toast were excellent! Be prepared to wait...once you get in the service is good.
(4)
Trent Z.
One of my new favorite breakfast places. I had the crab cake benedict and it was exquisite. My girlfriend had the french toast flight so I got to try some of that too and it was nothing short of amazing. It was definitely crowded because it was Saturday morning but it was only a 20 minute wait. I will definitely be back to try the chicken and waffles. Also don't forget to BYOB.
(5)
Crystal J.
Went here with my family for my birthday breakfast. I heard such rave reviews, we decided to make the drive from the south suburbs to try this restaurant. Though the food is delicious. It is not worth the wait (hour + wait) The atmosphere is not ideal for a good dining experience. People are literally waiting in groves. Standing right next to you while you eat. Elbow to elbow. Hostesses are rude, not a smile to be seen. The food is not piping hot, but it comes out faster than Quick Silver. I had the Lobster Benedict. Hubby had steak and eggs. Our 2 children had french toast and pancakes. Everything for the most part was al a cart...except the hash browns. After waiting for over an hour, they rush you out. You haven't even seen the bottom of your plate and there is the check on your table. Food is good. Dining experience is horrible. Not worth an $80 tab. I tried it, but I will not make it top priority to come again. Sorry. I really wanted to like it.
(2)
Dinora D.
The place is totally worth the wait! Only reason I gave this place a 4 [wish I could do 4.5] was the poached eggs on my crab cake Benedict. They were over done and not runny at all. BUT the flavors are beyond amazing. As the chef recommends, no need for additional condiments, not even more salt or pepper...seasoned to perfection. Definitely go and stand outside for an hour, you'll be happy you did!
(4)
Shaunna B.
I've been here a couple times now and there seems to always be a wait. So expect that, but know that it is totally worth it. The food is amazing, priced well, and plated beautifully. A lot of different things to try.
(4)
Emma L.
Visited B&B for Sunday Brunch with my friend. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, which I was expecting due to the crowd outside and the not-so-huge dining area. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. Not cool. Once we were inside we got our own table, which was nice. I have no problem sitting community style but it's never my preference. Apparently French Toast is their main thing. They had a good portion of the menu dedicated to their varieties and "flights" of French Toast. Their special flavor of the day was 7-Up French Toast. Interesting. Unfortunately, I don't like French Toast. French Toast, French Toast. Their omelets are described as being "deconstructed" aka, eggs on bottom & stuff on top. Whatever, no difference to me. No substitutions on the omelets, just an FYI. Saving grace of the day was our waiter who quickly poured us some hot coffee and read the day's special. Crab & Shrimp Cake Eggs Benedict ($17)? Yes, please. Lobster (deconstructed) Omelet ($19)? Sold. Thank god my friend was down to go halfsies. They were both pretty delicious. The cheesy hash browns that come with many of the brunch entrees are pretty good, too All in all, glad I tried it but I wouldn't make it a regular spot considering the wait and the fact I liked the 2 most expensive things on the menu.
(3)
Dome H.
The Deal: I decided to search for a great brunch spot on the northside for my girlfriends and I. I heard through the grapevine that this place was great, yet that the wait was long. There is no RSVP. When we arrived (August 2014) we were quickly greeted by a long line. I went to speak with the hostess who let me know that the wait would be approximately 45 minutes, and indeed it was. Food: Now people rant and rave about the food on here. However, I was not impressed. I ordered the Deconstructed Steak Omelet topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, swiss cheese & red wine sauce, which came with fresh shredded B&B hash browns. The steak lacked flavor along with the hash browns and I had to ask the waittress if she could replace my order of hash browns because there was barely any cheese on it. Thank goodness my friend was there and she told me about their infamous hot sauce that they make. This definitely helped add flavour to the meal and made for a much more enjoyable experience. Now, they have BYOB, however, they request that you purchase the juice. We didn't know about this rule and had purchased orange juice from the 7-11 down the block. Our waitress was accommodating and allowed us to drink our own juice albeit we hide the bottles. lol FYI: My friends ordered french toast and seemed to like it. Atmosphere: Chill. Urban. Laid-back. The place is set-up nice, but it is small. There is minimal noise. Service: Great! Overall: It was a good experience. I would come again but it would not be my first choice.
(3)
Jennifer F.
Delicious!!! I went with serval friends and in addition to each of us ordering a dish, we got some extra items to share. Everything I sampled was out of this world. Plus the day I went they were playing house music. Love this place and can't wait to go back.
(5)
Nick M.
I'd never had chicken and waffles before, but WOW theirs were great! I ordered bacon and that was great and so were my sunny side up eggs. The waiter refilled my water all the time, which was nice. This place is not your regular "quite breakfast place." They match the lively atmosphere and hustle and bustle with up-beat instrumental music. Great place to go if you're with a friend or a group.
(5)
Art V.
This place is Awesome. The food is made to look visually appealing and seems like they take care to make each plate special and unique and not only does it look great, it tastes wonderful. My wife had the French toast special with five different types of French toast and loved every bite. I had a cheeseburger because I'm not a breakfast person and thought that I would just get that since my wife likes the place and I fell absolutely in love with this cheeseburger and large onion rings. This place is great go there and don't worry about the wait because it might be long.
(5)
Saleem A.
Excellent breakfast options and service is really quick. Right now, it's my favorite breakfast option in the city.
(5)
Kulsum J.
From the zesty chicken and waffles to the lobster/spinach everything had such rich flavor!!! Omg! def coming back! The French toast flight were orgasmic!!
(5)
Meghana P.
Okay, everyone was right about the French toast - it is as amazing as advertised. I got the chewy chocolate chip toast (special of the week) and it was amazing. It was sweet and chocolatey without being overwhelmingly so, as was the sugary butter that came with it. I ate every part of this toast, even the crusts. There's no point in over describing - suffice it to say that this French toast is flawless. It is not overly sweet, it's interesting, just the right texture and firmness. I was lucky enough to go on a Monday morning, and thus got a table without a wait. The service was friendly and great, with everything coming quickly, water and coffee being refilled often, and the manager coming to check in on us. However, I was less than impressed with my deconstructed broccoli and cheese omelette. Although the cheesy hash browns on the side were great (I literally couldn't stop eating them - they were crunchy and soft and cheesy and had just the right amount of spices), the omelette itself was meh. It was just an omelette with orange cheese and nearly raw broccoli on the top. Furthermore, the pieces were so large that I struggled to cut them with my little knife and fork. The omelette was not new or innovative, nor was it particulary tasty and it was also difficult to eat. Most of the food here seems great, and the French toast is exceptional. Worth a visit if you're a fan, and you may get a short wait if you're lucky.
(4)
Frank R.
We travel a lot and there are few places like it around the country if you are visiting sit at the community table and mingle. Food is amazing and their staff and atmosphere matches.
(5)
Peter M.
I had the French toast super flight which includes a half slice of five different preparations, two of which had fresh fruit on them. I liked the taste but the French toast came out barely lukewarm and the bread was relatively thin so the dish wasn't very filling. For $11, I would expect it to be hot and the slices to be thicker. I also tried some of my GF's cheesy potatoes and they also weren't hot. Service was very good and the food came out very quickly. The coffee was also excellent.
(3)
Michael C.
Came here a few weekends ago at around 9:30 AM and I could easily spot the restaurant from a few blocks away due to all the people milling around waiting fora table. I put my name down and it was 45 minutes for a party of two, so if you somehow don't want to wait I suggest coming here probably at open haha When my friend and I were seated we were shown the specials on a tablet which was really great. I normally never order a special, but actually considered it after seeing what the food actually looked like. Props to the servers here because there are about seven different specials, and ours went through each one of them. Having heard nothing but amazing things, my friend and I decided to share the super flight of french toast and the chicken and waffles. Hands down best french toast I have ever had. Each piece of french toast was the perfect balance of sweet and fruity, and the texture soft but slightly chewy. Though I appreciated the chicken and waffles, I didn't fancy the hot sauce that came with it very much. The chicken was nice and crispy though while the waffle had a nice touch of sweet potato flavor and came with hunks of chicken in it. When I came, it was still summertime and for some reason there was no AC working. My friend and I were feeling the humidity in the crowded restaurant, though that should not be a problem as the weather starts to cool down. Hopefully I'll be back to try some other dishes!
Quick, friendly & delicious. The sweet potato waffle & fried chicken is perfect. Has the right amount of sweet & perfect touch of hot sauce, impressive. Shrimp & crab Benedict disappeared before I could try it so it must have been on point. Will be back for sure
(5)
Kelly S.
A very popular spot with some unique breakfast specials such as salmon omelet and a marinated bone-in pork chop and eggs. We got there Saturday at 8:30 and had a 45 minute wait which our hostess was spot on with estimating so no quibbles there. It seems the sweet spot would have been around 9:15 as others who got there about that time had only a 10-15 minute wait. They open at 8:00. Service was good, however, our server failed to volunteer the cost info for my off menu special - turkey omelet. The specials are all listed on a chalkboard but also don't have the prices listed there. I assumed the turkey omelet would be similar in price to the ones in the menu that come in around $10. It was actually $14 which is a little steep for eggs with stuff on them in my cheap ass world. Shame on me for not asking but shame on them for not publishing the $ info. Omelets come with a pile of their cheesy hash browns which are yummy but mine were barely lukewarm and slightly gluey in consistency The omelet itself was quite good and hot. It was filled with a cranberry cheese and then topped with a good amount of sliced turkey, portabella mushrooms and gravy. I could only eat about half of the huge omelet. Coffee was good.
(3)
Niekema H.
Great atmosphere for a brunch with the girls. The crab/shrimp eggs benedict was prepared to delight. Everyone ordered a different meal so it was nice to be able to try other items off the menu which were also exquisite. What I didn't know was that it's also BYOB. Next time for sure. They told us it would be about an hour and a half wait, but we didn't even wait an hour which was nice. Our waitress was pleasant and timely. The meal arrived quickly also. Great time had by all.
(5)
Courtney B.
This place is awesome the food was amazing I had the chicken and waffles !!! I was a little skeptical when they brought the food out and I saw hot sauce!!! And no syrup... But the hostess guided me on how to obtain the full enjoyment of my first bite... The waffle, maple butter and chicken all in one bite !!! And it was awesome also the hostess was very informative about the menu , and even at the end as we were leaving the chief come over for our opinion of the food overall the place was great... I felt horrible because we didn't leave a tip for her my bestie paid for us this round and she didn't have cash on her... That's why I had to take time out of my day to write this review of this place because it was really awesome and I will be back !!! With a double tip !!!!
(5)
Rachel L.
Fantastic low-key brunch joint. Service was impeccable and went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. Food was absurdly delicious. We ordered the fried chicken and chicken stuffed waffle and the french toast flight. Both were not only unique, but deliciously perfect. All in all it made for the perfect morning and if I'm ever back in Chicago, I would definitely return here.
(5)
adam c.
Tasty breakfast! Loved the fajita omelet and shared the French toast flight.. So full but happy ... Will return!
(5)
Preston L.
Let's be real here. There really is not a better breakfast option in the Lincoln Park area. I consider myself the Tim Gunn to the breakfast eateries world, harshly judging with just a hint of sass....and this place, like a good Michael Scott "that's what she said", always leaves me satisfied and smiling. This place brings actual art and craft to breakfast, creating exquisite plates that one would only imagine to see on the deepest depths of Pinterest, but you can get it here, for very reasonable prices. They're famous for their French toast flight (best French toast I've ever had) so be sure to check that out. Hurry in, and make all your Instagram followers jealous after you inevitably post that picture of your meal to your profile.
(5)
Stephen R.
Absolutely fantastic. Mind I am NOT the one to wait for a table if I don't for myself that I love the food, so, thankfully, the date and I were up early and literally arrived at 8am (opening time) to try it out. I can see why people wait. He had a deconstructed fajita omelet and I had the biscuits and gravy with over-medium eggs. We split the super French toast flight as a breakfast dessert. Everything was cooked PERFECTLY and I was legit shocked at how quickly everything came out. Maybe that's because of the horrid experience I had in my hometown at the "rave diner" there haha. They clearly want to turn tables, but I never once felt rushed. Definitely go if you can. And get the French toast, though I was overstuffed by the end. The early bird gets the table! Haha. It was full up by the time we left.
Outstanding service...from the greeting at the door to the knowledgable wait staff. And the food? Well worth the 40min drive!
(5)
Lauren D.
We went here on a weekday around 11:15 am. We got seated within 5-minutes. I was surprised how busy it got 15-minutes later. The line was out the door. We had their two specials that day. I ordered the shrimp which was tossed in light fluffy eggs and came with some wonderfully seasoned, tender potatoes. The shrimp was huge and fresh, but it was overcooked so it was not tender. This is the reason for my 4-star review. The customer service is excellent. They take very good care of you. The Manager (possibly Owner) came to our table to ask us "how is everything?" I was honest and told him my shrimp was overcooked, but otherwise everything else was fantastic! He offered to replace my meal, but I was more than 50% done with my food, so I said "No thanks." However, this will not prevent us from returning. We really, really like this place. Service is worthy of 5-stars. We spent $35 (excluding tax and tip), but we only had water (no coffee or juice). It was a cold winter day when we hit up this joint, but the space heater near the table kept us toasty warm. It was loud and got crowded quickly. We were glad that we arrived early enough to beat the lunch crowd. My niece enjoyed her meal immensely. This area is "Pay to Park," but we got lucky -- a spot almost in front of the restaurant. TIP: Arrive before the crazy lunch crowds. Enjoy a nice lunch or super early breakfast. The tables get turned over quickly. Of course, the faster the tables turn-over the more money they make. We never felt rushed or pressured to leave despite how crowded it got. I run everyday at 4 am, so getting to Batter & Berries super early works perfectly for me. I prefer being here when it is a bit more quiet and less crowded. The vibe here is very friendly, and the Owners/Managers are very hospitable. It's a great place for people watching. They have a large table in the center with tall stools which gives the feel of a large community table. We will definitely return again. If you have never been here before, but have this restaurant on your bucket list for 2015, hit it up.
(4)
Samantha G.
This review is for the French toast flight. And the side of cheesy potatoes. And the juice. And the service. I knew this place was a gold mine when we pulled up to a parking spot. But then I also knew there was gonna be a long wait when I saw a long a$$ line of people outside. We b!?€he'd and moaned how hungry we were, and how we were about to eat the leather off our purses. And then they called our name. The most beautiful word I heard all day, bc I knew I'd get fed. So they sat us at this long table with other people. Kinda like being back in grade school, when we had to sit next to people we didn't know/never would be caught sitting next to. Weird. But I was determined to get food. I got the omelette with goat cheese, asparagus, and scallops. I like all those ingredients, just not together. But it did come with a side of awesome. I mean, a side of cheesy potatoes. You'd have to try it to understand what you've been missing every morning. We also ordered the French toast flight. It was sooooooooooo freakin good. The blueberry was my favorite. The cream sauce they use is mind blowing. Will upload a photo just like every other patron in the restaurant has done. The others ordered the chicken and waffles, and the ham with eggs. They agreed that it was very good. But then again, eating with an elite yelper does have its rewards. Just ask them ;)
(5)
Jeff J.
One of the best breakfast restaurants I have ever been to. Seriously worth spending a few hours digging my car out of this Chicago winter storm to be here. I had Banana Puddin French Toast and Chicken and Waffles. Can't emphasize enough how much I love this food. Yummmmmmmmm
(5)
Emily M.
Wow! This place definitely gets my vote for the best French toast! If you're looking for something sweet, go here! Went on a Saturday with a 20 minute wait...not bad! Great coffee, super friendly staff, and great service! A bit noisy inside, but the food is worth it!
(5)
Joanna G.
From Los Angeles visiting a friend. She recommended this breakfast spot. Attempted to come on a Sunday however the wait was over an hour, I now know why. We ordered the flight of French toast. It was Ah-amazing!!! The lemon French toast was by far my favorite! It was a party on my palate!
(5)
Julie T.
Love, love, love this place! Service is good, food is amazing and the atmosphere is comforting. Best brunch I've ever been to. There is a wait but so worth it. Had the chicken and waffles, flight of French toast, and scallop omelette and it was impeccable. So good!
(5)
Chriselda W.
The service is the worst. Be prepared to wait for upwards of an hour and half, with the potential of your table being taken by another party. The waiters were rude and the hostess was disrespectful. This has happened to my party multiple times. The food was great but the hassle to get a table was a nightmare. Not only was my request to speak with management denied, but our waiter kept getting ruder and ruder. Your best bet is to take your business to Hash House A Go Go. The service and food is divine. PS: after every trip to B&B I take my business to Hash House because I refuse to support a business that doesn't not appreciate my business.
(1)
Tony M.
Good breakfast had lobster benidict was good not best I ever had but then again I'm comparing to spot in new Orleans I had them but overall great place for breakfast never been on weekend I hear it gets really packed .
(4)
Willie T.
Service played a pretty big part in this score. Our waitress was generally unenthusiastic in the beginning but that's not the worst part. I had the Cluck-n-Gaufre which is a sweet potato waffle stuffed with fried chicken with a side of fried chicken. Sounds good but it was terrible fried chicken. It's like they didn't brine the chicken. It was really dry in the center and I just gave up eating it. Like how does a restaurant screw up fried chicken that badly? Should have bought some KFC and served that instead. The waffle itself was good but not enough to redeem the dish. My friends got the French toast flight and those were solid but nothing out of this world. I mean it was just toppings on top of French toast. Macerated blueberries or strawberries for blueberry or strawberry French toast. The salted caramel was tasty as was the mango. The food would have been a 3 and I would have come back to give it another try but the service killed it for me. I told the waitress about the dry chicken when she came by and she said sorry apathetically and just left. No manager or hostess came by to address the issue. Then the waitress brought the check and said no rush before we even finished our food or asked for it. They must have really wanted that table for that line outside! We took a look at the check and kept eating and she immediately came by because she thought we were paying. She did say no rush right? The guy serving water was way more professional and courteous than she was. If I could give 1.5 stars I would. There are so many better breakfast places in Chicago like Longman and Eagle where the service is just as good as the food that I see no reason to go here.
(2)
Fred H.
There was a lot of word of mouth buzz around this place, so I decided to give them a try. Almost hidden away in the eclectic Lincoln Park neighborhood, a bright yellow awning above the door marked the spot. Ample pay box street parking available. Upon entering, we were greeted by a less than enthusiastic hostess. She didn't speak, no smile and directed us to a table by saying " right there" with a head nod. This wasn't a good first impression, especially from a customer who just drove from the western suburbs to patronize. The space was cramped and the place was packed. The decor reminded me of something you might see in a coffee shop on a college campus. Bright and inviting. I really liked the first come first serve community table that was situated in the center of the restaurant. Specials were written on chalkboard placed high on the wall near the ceiling. Service was average. Although the waitstaff was being courteous by refilling coffee and or water, it was getting annoying because of the small space. We were seated on a wall near the door so there seemed to always be someone walking by. Now on to the food. I had the Apple Belgigue (waffle with caramelized apples) and the cheesey hashbrowns. The food was good pure and simple. My only critique about the Apple Belgigue is the sweetness. It was almost overly sweet, especially with syrup and the homemade butter. I also didn't enjoy the caramelized apples on the waffle, so I just removed them. The hashbrowns were excellent. All and all, the food made up for the negative first impression but I would like to go back and give them a try on another day when there is less of a crowd.
(3)
Rick D.
I really enjoyed the food here. I ordered the deconstructed chicken omelet. And the buckwheat pancakes.
(4)
Camille C.
Oh ma word!... After a couple of failed attempts at waiting in line we finally got to eat here after Christmas Day. It was as per usual super packed. We put our names down and went for coffee at a adjacent Starbucks. Lo and behold we came back and were seated right away. The food was on our table 10 mins after our order. Boy had the chicken and waffles and I ordered the crab cake benefits. In addition, we ordered a flight of French toasts. The crab cakes benefit were very fresh, and the cheese hash browns hit the spot! Now the chicken was ridiculous! Very very well seasoned. Perfectly fried. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly moist. Perfectly crisp! The hot sauce was unlike anything I tasted before with just the right amount of heat. The sweet potato waffles were spongy, and lightly sweetened. French toast were also on point! The place is well worth the wait!
(5)
K R.
This experience was really interesting and cool at the same time. This was my first time eating at this spot and I was definitely happy I tried it out. We waited about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad. The service was fast and efficient. We ordered the Waffles and chicken. The portion size is decent and filling. The orange juice is $4 dollars, I think I will stick to water or coffee next time. Other than that this place rocks.
(4)
XTreats X.
Definitely one of the best places in Chicago. If you come later in the day be prepared to wait for a little but it's well worth it! The chef is very friendly and extremely innovative. People rave about the French toast flight and the chicken and waffles but it's all amazing! My only complaint is that it is too close to my apartment so I'm compelled to frequent. It also has a great south side atmosphere, which is refreshing since it is engulfed by a pretentious neighborhood. So if there is a bad review on here it is probably from a rich mom that went on a girls brunch date and wanted to feel like she was superior. GO TO BATTER & BERRIES!
(5)
Emily E.
You must get the chicken and waffles here. Amazing! Worth the long wait, believe me! Menu has great savory and sweet options, like the French toast flights!
(5)
A P.
As others have said, get the French Toast flight...loved the lemon and pecan ones. Also bring champagne if coming for brunch. Otherwise you'll be the only ones who didn't.
(5)
Carolina N.
I will never come here or recommend this place. I live and love Lincoln Park but this place needs to check themselves. Extremely rude and terrible staff. I also was contacted by someone who may work there or knows someone who works there and their message was EXTREMELY vulgar, harsh, and offensive. They did not like my initial review I posted about being mistreated by the hostess when I asked her simple questions regarding wait times and help with our parking situation during a rainstorm. Get over it B&B, I am not eating there and I don't think that your staff is nice. No one should subject themselves to mean employees just for chicken and waffles. Lincoln Park is a neighborhood filled with amazing brunch spots with sometimes disgruntled employees but who are at the very least professional and competent.
(1)
Dee T.
Delish!!! I had the French Toast Super Flight and the Chicken & Geuf ("Goof" - it's a chicken sweet potato waffle with a side 'o chicken breast). Soooooo goooood! No syrup needed. That chicken was the best!! The breakfast selection was great and there were some tasty sounding daily specials; they looked good too ( I saw a few as they went by). No grits though. I didn't even pay attention to the lunch menu. The breakfast was singing to my tummy. Lol! The service was great and classic Chicago house music played low in the background. Nice touch. The owner(s) and manager walk around interacting with everyone which also made the experience enjoyable. But really it's all about that great food!! Kudos to this place. In Chicago for 4 days and I'm going back tomorrow!! Yuuummy!!
(5)
Cheyenne R.
This should be your first stop for brunch when you're in the city. Excellent wait staff, incredible food, and its byob.
(5)
Tiffany T.
Everyone has been telling me about this place so I decided to give it a try. I was not impressed during my visit. Let's start with the wait, most restaurants have waits so I'm not going to ding them for that. However, if your party is less than 5, they will not call you so you have to wait outside in the COLD or in their OVERCROWDED "wait area." Is my business less valuable because I didn't bring four friends along???? Fine, don't let this ruin it Tiffany, everyone says it's worth it. We sit and wait about 10 minutes for our waiter. My daughter's food came out rather quickly, however, mine took a little longer. My daughter had the banana waffle which I enjoyed. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle which I did not enjoy. The chicken was flavorful but I didn't care for the waffle. So based on having to wait 40 min in the cold, 10 minutes to see a waiter and a $40 breakfast that was ok at best, I'm not really dying to go back. Maybe in the summer when I have four of my friends with me so they can call us when our table is ready.
(2)
Marisa Y.
I had such high hopes for Batter & Berries. The first time I tried to come, the line was 2.5 hours long so when I got a chance to come back and the line was only 20 minutes, I was so excited. Unfortunately, I just didn't think the food was anything to write home about. I ordered the chicken and waffles and it just decent. Sadly, I think Hash House has better chicken and waffles than Batter & Berries. My friend ordered a flight of the french toast and said it was good as well, but also pretty standard. Usually Yelp doesn't lead me astray like this so I was pretty disappointed that I didn't find an excellent brunch here. It is BYOB though so take advantage.
(2)
Cindy A.
There's always a wait but it's well worth it because the food is amazing. My husband always orders either the strawberry or blueberry french toast & I absolutely love their deconstructed omelets. The chef & owner Derek Rylan always has a smile on his face. As a reminder make sure to plan enough time for breakfast because you will have to wait to be seated.
(5)
Jason G.
Just went here this morning as it was nearby and had great yelp reviews. I also remember seeing it on check please so I had to check it out. We were the first ones in there and ordered the special ham and bacon omelet with a super special mushroom sauce as our server said it was her 2nd favorite dish. We also ordered the Chicago's best and check please sweet potatoe and chicken waffles with fried chicken. The food came out quick, and let me tell you, the chicken and waffles were the best I've ever had. The reason for the 1 star off was the special didn't have any of the "super awesome mushroom sauce" on it. They happen to be out, and just served it up without it anyways. This made it a very bland, not worth 17 dollars, not worth 10 dollars, not worth 7 dollars meal. However the chicken and waffles I will gladly pay whatever amount you want! You call it! If they opened a chicken place, they could sell the crap outta that fried chicken! All in all, I will be back and I will re-review!
(4)
Tabatha S.
Seriously, I had a sweet potato waffle, topped with fried chicken, maple butter, nutmeg, and hot sauce. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. And the hash browns and bacon... Do it. It's worth waiting for a table!
(5)
T C.
My all time favorite for breakfast and lunch. The French Toast is one of a kind, the lobster omelet and hash browns is unbelievably delicious and the Buffalo chicken sandwich is slap yo mamma good. Chef Rylon ROCKS
(5)
Kamille F.
Sooo good! The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because it was too noisy and I could barely hear my server! I ordered the Carmel French toast (amazing! No syrup needed) with the chicken patties that had pieces of apple in iy sigh scrambled eggs. My mother had the veggie omelette and hash browns; and what's really unique is they put the veggies on top of the omelette instead of adding it in with the eggs. The next time I come back (trust I will be back lol) I'm going to try the specialty French toast; a couple weeks ago they had pink moscato French toast...where else can you find that besides batter and berries??!!
(4)
Rudy C.
This place was pretty delicious! I'll start by saying be prepared to wait about 2 hours---no joke...and when you wait you NEED to wait inside or they'll call over your name--they will not text you or call you or come outside when they're busy. It is BYOB which is pretty epic. I went with 2 other friends and we killed 4 bottles of champagne while we were eating. The staff was very friendly, the food was great (I forgot what I ordered) but it was real good! I'll definitely come back sometime and probably come by earlier so I don't wait 2 hours.
(4)
Meggan P.
Crazy long wait but it's well worth it! Had the caramel French toast and pork bacon. Prices are good too
(5)
Anastasia M.
Excellent service. The owner/chef greeted us and ensured our satisfaction which was a refreshing reprieve. He really cares about his work and it exudes through the polite and professional staff. I was fully welcomed and informed of the options available and the food was delicious! I can't wait to return.
(5)
Sara S.
My favorite meal I had while visiting Chicago from San Francisco was here. Will suggest this place to anyone. Also service, excellent vibe, amazing food!
(5)
Try4Gold ..
Disappointed...I heard a lot of great things but it's only okay, far far far from special. The french toast flights are "meh" ...a strawberry or a blueberry here and there, it's not different, it's a lot the same.
(3)
J A.
Coffee was good. Host staff friendly. thanks to YELP we were prepared to wait. Food came out fast. Server was charismatic. Told jokes and riddles. French toast flight was fun. Chicken and waffles is amazing. Huge portions. Friendly to our 5 year old. Overall a good experience and we will be back!
(5)
Laurie S.
Fun atmosphere - plan to wait at least 45 min on the weekend. Good solid coffee. Best French Toast- we ordered the flight and you get 1 slice of each flavor good for sharing. Don't ask for syrup. Each piece is to be eaten as prepared. The omelets are deconstructed so there is cheese in the omelet and the meat and veggies come on the top. Their cheesy hashbrowns with a side is hot sauce take it to a new level. I can't wait to come back!!
(5)
Theresa S.
Today was my first time there and the food was amazing. I would definitely visit again!
(5)
Karen M.
Took a large group to this wonderful eatery. The chicken infused mildly spicy chicken & waffles were superb. The "flight" French Toast entree even topped the waffles with their infused strawberry, blueberry, lemon and pecan brioche selection treat ..it was said and truly amazing that you do not need syrup on either of these breakfast delights ...the traditional eggs, anyway you like, with side of cheesy hash browns..accompanied by 2 hamburger sized sausage patties..made in house with either pork or chicken. There was nothing but all smiles and a great tip.....left for this gotta go and dine location Karen McCray, President Rich Central Marching OLYMPIAN Band
(5)
Christopher G.
Enjoyed a great breakfast at B&B on Memorial Day. There was a line when I arrived with a 1 hour wait but it moved quickly and once seated the service was fast and my food served in less than 10 minutes after ordering. I enjoyed Strawberry French Toast and a plate of delicious bacon as a side with a glass of OJ. The crowd was energetic but classy. Definitely come here when you can for the food and for a great way to start any morning!
(5)
Tish B.
Today was my first visit here. Me and my family were not disappointed! As soon as we walked in the greetings were so warm and friendly! We were seated immediately because we got there early LOL! Everything we ordered was so DELICIOUS! Our waiter was so nice and the owner is hilarious. They made us feel so comfortable and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Damian F.
This was our first attempt to dine at Batter and Berries. Friendly servers, Caramel French toast was amazing and the environment was fun (one server in particular did a hilarious birthday dance for another customer). I was expecting more from the chicken and waffles (the butter on the waffles saved it for me). Overall we had a great experience! We will be back.
(4)
Jenna C.
Holy Moses, yelpers ain't lyin! That french toast flight is out of this world! Latte was also yummy and cute, featuring some foam art. As far as the wait - although it went quickly and we were lucky to get a nice day to just stand outside, I'm left wondering what people do in the winter or bad weather. With how popular this brunch spot is, I'm hoping they can expand soon! :)
(3)
D J.
Best breakfast in town! I really don't have the words to describe how delicious it is! Of course I had the 'Flight of French Toast' which I devoured (best french toast I've ever eaten) & I also had the crab cake Benedict which was just as good. This place is very tight & small & the wait is typically long. So if you're in a rush or just an impatience person you probably want to go somewhere else. But it's totally worth the wait & then more waiting. The service was very welcoming & personable. Oh & they were playing some nice music, too! Try it! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Sean B.
Best brunch in Chicago. Chef Rylon is a genius. The chicken and waffles with the homemade sauce is amazing. I'd recommend getting the sauce on the hash browns as well. Many specials to choose from daily. WILL WAIT on weekends. Very quick service. Extremely friendly staff. The only flaw I've found is this place is their hash browns, which are slightly undercooked for my taste every time. Everything else is flawless however, so 5 stars it is!
(5)
Siobhan C.
Worst service! We were charged $9 for an espresso drink. The manager came over and expressed that he had been a Starbucks manger and that that was the proper charge. He kept arguing with us until I finally just agreed to pay the bill. This is not to mention that the food was completely bland. Don't go here unless you want to waste your money on tasteless food and espresso drinks that cost more than your meal.
(1)
E M.
I had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. It was amazing. You don't need syrup. The maple butter is enough.
(5)
Daisy R.
First time here this morning had the cluck n gaufe(chicken and waffles). But not just any chicken and waffles. The waffle is sweet potato with a maple butter. The chicken is expertly seasoned and has a nutmeg hot sauce. Oops forgot to mention there is chicken in the waffle batter. Ohh yeahhh! Had some cheesy hash browns which were delicious. We also had the traditional eggs over easy, the cheesy hash browns, and an incredible carved ham. Absolutely delicious, have been wanting to come here for awhile and I wish we would have come sooner. The French toast flights look amazing. Can't wait to go back this place has sweet and savory done right. YUM!!
(5)
Yvonne B.
Batter & Berries was a memorable experience. Everything about it was vivid: the noise, the crowd, large artwork, lively service, and the food - oh! the loveliness of the food! - was like being at a festival or parade. My senses were heightened to the buoyancy of a beach ball bouncing above a crowd. This sort of environment walks a fine line between being fun or obnoxious but Batter & Berries did a good job of staying on the right side. We went at 9:00 AM this morning and although it was already busy we scored a table for three soon after walking in. The waiting area is near the back of the restaurant with concrete garden benches. It's a pretty small space but the tables aren't crammed TOO close together. For example, our server was able to review the menu with our table and our neighboring table simultaneously; however, we weren't close enough to touch and we couldn't overhear each others' conversations. Speaking of our server, he was a CHARACTER. He called me boo and repeatedly touched my shoulder in a congenial manner. He asked us about three riddles throughout the course of the meal and generously doused our hot chocolates and waffles with whipped cream. I don't think that my friend Howard was a fan, but M and I were both amused. Near the end he was still jovial but seemed keen to flip our table. It isn't the sort of place to linger anyway because so many people are standing around waiting both indoors and out and it just gets awkward. This is what we got: Banana-Nut Belgigue Waffle (doused with whipped cream) and with a side of hashbrowns. The waffle was too rich, but still a positive dietary experience. The hashbrowns were perfect. They were were fried, shredded potatoes - not greasy and not salty. Crab Cakes with poached eggs and hashbrowns. The crab cakes were made with REAL crab and were declared by M to be the best she's had in a long time. Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) was amazing. It is a sweet potato waffle with large shreds of chicken INSIDE the waffle. The waffle is dusted with powdered sugar and a scoop of maple butter in the middle. It is served with a fried chicken breast on top and a small puddle of hot sauce with nutmeg. Every component resulted in moments. The kind where you just pause and the cacophony around you evanescences and it's just you and the food and the flavors and textures and the ebb and flow of chewing and experiencing... Gosh. I'm jittery and sweaty just writing about it. So, the bill came to $60 for the three of us. I thought it was worth it and reasonable enough for me to foot the bill myself. M liked all of her food but commented that she prefers breakfast restaurants that emphasize meat more than bread. We recommend going as early as possible.
(5)
Yo L.
This place is GOOD! All of the fresh fruit that came on top of our entrees were sweet and fresh. The taste of everything is definitely of QUALITY. Service was Great. Any item you would normallly put syrup on, I would suggest tasting it first. Plus there is a house sweet butter which accompanies the plate that is delicious. For the first time in my life, I ate pancakes without syrup. I want to give them 5 stars but I'm deducting a star because of no (or the lack of ) Air Conditioning. My BFF did not finish her meal becuz it was so stuffy inside the establishment and she began sweating horribly. Other that....it is a MUST TRY!
(4)
Kim N.
So not impressed. We heard great things about this place and the reviews were amazing. However, and this only applies to small percentage of people, me being one. They don't have any dairy free options except salad and fruit. We got in line, waited 15 mins to put our name in, used the restroom and since we had a 45 min wait decided to look at the menu. Every breakfast item is severed with cheesy hash browns. No substitutions. All the omelets have milk and cheese in them. No substitutions. At this point I ask the hostess whom I had to track down and get her to stand still for a min to ask her if they had and items that I could eat without dairy. She said "Nope, wait, yes fruit and salad. We don't change items." Really!!!! Most places go out of their way to accommodate a food allergy. They just said nope. They had gluten free, but not dairy free. Way to lose an entire group of lactose intolerant, dairy allergy and vegan people.
(1)
Bianka M.
Greatness in the form of FOOD with a superb atmosphere paired together & you get "Batters n Berries". I'm not a big 5 star type of person however I am fair, honest & not easily impressed. This place deserves all 5 of the STARS available to be given when reviewing from the interactive kitchen staff, more so the owner & chef who openly come out to mix and mingle with the patrons while asking about the dishes being dined on & taking in any suggestions with a smile. I've dined at Batters N Berries a total of 5 times now as I no longer live in Chicago & this restaurant opened as soon as I relocated. I do visit home (Chicago) often & every trip includes a gathering to Batters N Berries with a group of individuals either Family, Friends of Business Associates. I've introduced people who live in Chicago currently to the restaurant & they are now regulars. We LOVE everything from the FRESH ingredients to the exquisite & unique combination of flavors creating tasty & memorable dishes. Some FAVORITES: Deconstructed Shrimp or Lobster omelette French Toast Flight Chicken Sausage Patty Sweet Potato Hash Chicken & Waffle with chicken in the waffle BYOB - Come with some bubbly & they provide flutes & you can order orange and/or Pineapple juice to create your specialized mimosa while enjoying your fellowshipping with friends & eating on AWESOMENESS.. Enjoy
(5)
Kendal P.
Had breakfast here this morning and loved every bite. It's an easy walk from Days Inn and not too busy on a Tuesday morning. Had the veggie omelet and French Toast flight. The omelet was well-seasoned and the veggies were obviously fresh - still crisp and not mushy! I loved all four of the flavors in the flight - having just one would not be as satisfying. The owner asked every table how their meal was and was genuine in his invitation for our return! Highly recommend.
(5)
Mika H.
I'm a breakfast foodie and this is one of my favorites! I haven't been disappointed yet and I've worked my way around almost the entire menu. They have special items from time to time that aren't on the menu and those have been awesome! My go to is the Cluck and Goof aka Chicken and waffles. It's a chicken infused sweet potato waffle with a chicken breast on the side (makes me hungry just writing about it.) Yum!! Pros: Best brunch ever! BYOB Cons: Wait time can get long sometimes so don't wait until you're starving to go.
I went on a weekday I thought the food was pretty good I will never give a restaurant a lower rating because of a long wait ( REALLY PEOPLE?) I had the crab meat eggs Benedict .. They were decent ...I agree I was a little surprised it came with no muffin .. I tasted my friends French toast and it was great .. I like the idea of using iPads to show the food .. However our waitress had a THICK accent and it was very difficult to understand her ... One thing I'll say is the name is PERFECT .. Because the French toast sampler was VERY good
(3)
Lauren H.
Brought my mom here for mother's day and we waited over an hour to be seated! Thank God it was a nice day, because we had to wait outside. This places is SOOOOO small on the inside. Very limited seating for those who are waiting. No stars are lost for this, because the hostess took our names, even though it was 3:30pm, when we arrived and they were closing at 4pm. Everyone was allowed to stay and eat, as long as their names were given before 4pm. Sweet! My Crab Benedict was AH-MAZING! I haven't had eggs benedict in a long time, because I no longer eat pork. But a crab substitution? Yes! It was perfection! My mother loved her lobster omelette, I had a taste and it was better than my food!!! *speaks volumes* Now, these were mother's day specials...I'm not sure how frequently they return on the menu. However, my brother had a pulled pork sandwich and he loved it! :-) We did share the French Toast Flight (which is a french toast sampler; it comes with different varieties). I must say, I was not really impressed with their french toast. I've had way better. It was dry and the french toast that came with fruit (strawberry and blueberry) were not hitting on anything for me. Our waiter bragged that french toast was their specialty...but I liked their other food more. *shrug* Speaking of our waiter...he was fantastic! Exceptionally attentive, checked on us often, but not in a "I'm rushing you to finish" sort of a way. He was genuinely making sure we didn't need anything. He also started a Riddles Game with us (all of his tables) and we were competing with one another. We lost! *shakes fist* But, it's all good. Bottom-line: Cool people and over-all, good food. If you can, go during the week...Saturdays and Sundays are monstrous. Lol.
Simple. AMAZING food! Omg! The food was very tasty. I had the crab cake omelette and I must say it was absolutely delicious. I also had the the Carmel French toast! It was like heaven lol! Never had anything like that before. My best friend and I was fighting over the last piece that's how good is was. If you are ever up north please try this place you will not be disappointed. Get there early it takes 25-30 minutes to be seated.
(5)
Monica E.
Does this place need any more rave than it already does?? Always my go-to breakfast spot and they are always packed! Can you blame myself and everyone else in the Chicagoland area? Friendly staff, great service, BYOB and amazing food. It's definitely a must try.
(5)
Carrie G.
This place is SO. VERY. GOOD. We had: the deconstructed steak omelette, the biscuits and gravy, and the French Toast Flight! Yumma Nomnom! Service is excellent, food comes out fast and perfect. The place was packed when we were there but the service was still great! Great coffee too! Always a plus when you're a bit jet lagged.
(5)
Andrew B.
The cluck and goufre is culinary genius, and I'm always impressed by the lower carb breakfast offerings (steak and eggs, creative ommlettes). Service is always great, service staff are very knowledgeable about the dishes and specials. The owner/chef had come out on multiple occasions just to walk around and check on tables. Get here early, before 10am. Cramped space and long waits hold this place back from 5 stars.
(4)
Danielle H.
Loved the food! I took my friend for her birthday and we tried the chicken omelette and strawberry French toast. the service was super fast and the food was so delicious and fresh. Would defiant leg recommend and go back
(4)
Nicole F.
This place was amazing! The line was out the door and there was a 45 minute wait for two people. I was spending the day in the city so we figured we would wait. Half hour later my name was called. I got the banana nut waffle and it was really good! It was the perfect size and the vanilla drizzle they put over it was icing on the cake.! The staff was super friendly too! It's also a BYOB which we didn't know!! Great food! Definitely coming back! It was worth the wait.
(5)
Melita J.
My brother told me about this place and we went for breakfast today. Delicious from scratch food, served fast and hot! Great service and decent prices. Very crowded and wait time can be long. Definitely with the wait!
(5)
Kelly S.
Had a heavenly brunch here and highly recommend it. The French toast flight is a must! The staff was very sweet and attentive too. On my list for my next Chicago visit.
(5)
Nuri K.
I love their food. The staff are friendly . I have no complaint just hope they will expand their place.
(5)
Cindy B.
I've never gone wrong! The French toast is the classic. What they're known for. Have to try it! My other fav is the goof n cluck delicious sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken. Food is uniquely delicious. Service is great. Just expect a wait of at least 30 mins.
(5)
Adem R.
POSSIBLY my all time favorite place in Chicago!! The chef is a genius, the staff is first class. Cant recommend this place enough
(5)
Dayna K.
Holy good god this place is good! Fast service, the food is insanely delicious!!! Props to the chef! Pricey but that's Chicago!
(5)
Sade B.
This place is awesome. Its cozy but accommodating. I had the lobster and shrimp Benedict. It was so fresh and tasty. My husband had the French toast flight. It was very good as well. The service is fast and friendly. I would definitely visit this place again
(5)
Oluchi O.
Yes, yes and yes! Always friendly staff, the food is always great and people are always lined up to be there. FYI, I ONLY go on Mondays and Wednesday morning...( no wait!)
(5)
Terrel K.
Nice experience.had the vanilla bean french toast.really nice and tasty with great tasting homemade maple butter.eggs were nice,fluffy and fresh.bacon tasted like it was from corn king very low quality and was cold,although they replaced it with warm bacon it was still dry and low quality.coffee was not very good either.like the special menu items.will try this place again and hopefully the next meat i get will be tasty to.
(3)
Brad M.
The wait can be long but do yourself a favor and just walk down the street and grab a drink at a bar and head back to have some of the best food you've ever tasted. Hands down the chicken and waffles makes this place the reason I've already been twice in the past month and I don't even live in Chicago. The french toast flight is great as well. Once seated the time waiting for food was insanely fast, it is spoiling me now when I go to other places. I must also say the staff has been great as well. I wish I could go every week.
(5)
LaQuita B.
I love the variety of selections. The french toast and the spinach and lobster omelet are to die for! Menu is a bit pricey. I wish they had more comfortable seating also. If you like plain white sugar in your coffee bring some with you. They only have sugar substitute and raw sugar. I go during the weekday around 10ish and it is less crowded and am able to walk in and get seated right away versus what I have heard about going the weekends and 2 hour waits or long lines but that just shows how awesome the food is.
(4)
Kate U.
GO HERE and get the french toast. It is out of this world good that you don't even need to put syrup on it. Food-wise this has been my top brunch place in Chicago; sure if you go on Sunday morning there will be a bit of a wait, but go earlier and you won't be waiting nearly as long. Trust me, it's worth the wait and the potential parking fee (there is usually street parking available on Lincoln by the restaurant.) The waiters are very knowledgeable and honest about what is popular and what is good for your taste. Very attentive but not too much that it's annoying or you feel like you can't have a private conversation. I told the waiter that I liked "sweet" and I got the blueberry french toast. OMG, yum. They have cinnamon butter that they put on the french toast and all of the breaded items (pancakes, biscuits, waffles, etc) and that butter is so tasty. The hash browns are also very good, gosh I'm making myself hungry just thinking about this place. Come hungry, leave happy.
(5)
Kevin B.
Probably one of my favorites Breakfast places in Chicago. Its almost a must-go if you live here or just visiting. I've been here 3 times in the past year and every single time its been better than the time before (which is hard to do). Food - Excellent. Their French Toast may be the best I've ever had. I've tried the French Toast flight and just the regular Caramel French Toast and both were excellent. It was cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of sweetness. I've also had Crab Benedict (which I think is a seasonal entree) as well as deconstructed Chicken Fajita skillet. Both were seasoned and cooked to perfection. And just for a little unknown fact that most people don't know about...THE PLACE IS BYOB. So you can definitely bring champagne, vodka or whatever you like to go along with some orange juice to start your breakfast off right!!!! Service - Excellent. Food came out in a timely manner. Wait staff was very nice, pleasant and professional. No complaints whatsoever. Price - Extremely reasonable especially considering the quality of food they present. The only thing I would suggest is to expect a wait especially on weekends. But the food is definitely well worth the wait. So thats not enough to bring it down from the 5 stars. And I repeat BYOB, BYOB, BYOB, BYOB!!!!!!!
(5)
Angel L.
Pros: The food was different and pretty good. Of course I had the Flight with ham and sweet potato hash browns. The only thing I wasn't too pleased about was the hash brown dish. It was more like a lumpy mashed potatoes and it was too rich for my pleasing. Other than that, food was pretty good. Cons: The wait. Don't tell me 45 minutes when it's actually an hour and a half. So, I recommend only going to this place if you have time to kill. The management gave us the most shrug look when we told him we don't mind the wait just tell us so we could have left and went somewhere else (because we were on a tight schedule.) So am I running back? No but I definitely think everyone should experience at least once. Great business to support.
(3)
NaKetha K.
I really love the food here it is unique and exceptionally awesome. I visited 2 times. My first visit I thought I would swing by and grab a quick breakfast. The wait was crazy. I had to leave and call my order in for pick up. The second visit my girlfriend visiting Chicago and our kids went. We had a party of 7. The wait was extra long. Once agin the food was awesome. My recommendation if you are on a time schedule don't stop here. If you have a party over four, they do not have seating for large groups so you have to wait for multiple tables to empty. If you have all the time in the world, and you want to experience an flavorful breakfast check out this spot. I the chicken and waffles. The lemon frech toast is amazing. This place should really expand. ..
(4)
Belinda P.
The wait was 2 hours, but worth it .The caviar seafood omelet was so good. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Kathleen A.
Nice to see diversity especially on the North side! We were impressed to see how busy it was on a Tuesday at 11am. On to the review. For people who really like French toast, this seems to be your place. I had the crab cake and shrimp Benedict. I took a chance as I'm not a big crab cake person. It was ok. Slightly fishy but then I'm pretty particular when it comes to that. Also, they use those tiny shrimp. I would have preferred the prawn cut up in pieces. More flavor. The potatoes were good. Cheesy. Needed a little salt tho. I don't know what they cook their food in, but it left a shiny residue on our plates which l, to me, isn't terribly clean tasting. Our waitron was fine, if a little solemn but I made her laugh and she was fine. Service is blazingly fast! The food came out quite quickly. Must be those mini iPads they use. One suggestion for them: they have a waiting area plopped in the middle of the tables. I think they're missing out on more revenue since it's so crowded. Put those stone benches outside and more tables inside.
(4)
Kathleen H.
I really wanted to give B&B more stars, but they hype is not all that it should be. The atmosphere is nice and the service is decent to good. However, I got one of the specials at the convincing of the server (the crab cake benedict) without any indication of price. The specials board had no prices listed either. Now, I absolutely should have asked...but I was shocked when the bill came that the price of my plate was $18!! My friend's meal was only $10 (she got a waffle). The food was good, but not 5 star outstanding. I recommend trying it out though!
(3)
Tiffany P.
1. Yes the food is great. 5 stars 2. Yes you will likely have to wait. Normal for a place with food as good as this 3. Yes the service is horrible. 0 stars...seriously There is no denying that the food is good. I've tried many things off the breakfast menu and have always found the taste to be beyond what I expected. Try to go with a small group only 2 if possible. I once went and there were 6 of us and we seemed to have been 'forgotten' when trying to be seated and then many food items were forgotten and they advised only 1 waffle iron was working so we all got our food at different times. The hostess that they have working for this place are horrible. They will have their personal bluetooth or headphones in one ear. They are full of attitude and you pretty much have to just tell them what you want because they won't ask if you need help or anything. I have no issues with the wait staff they've always seemed to do the best the could under the circumstances. Last time I visited there was something in my waffle like a piece of plastic. My waitress comped it but she didn't really say anything about it or ask questions or anything. No management ever came by to say anything about it. I don't require a lot of attention at a restaurant but i found this to be a bit unacceptable. To the owner of Batter & Berries: Please get the service together! Take some classes, do research online or hire a restaurant manager who knows how to handle business.
(2)
Two L.
This place is always amazing! My wife & I recently visited on a Saturday afternoon at about 12:30 and even though we had to wait over 90 minutes for our table, our meal almost made us forget about the super long wait. I ordered the Scallop Omelette special which was delicious and the cheese hash browns were a great compliment. We also had the super flight of French toast which is something that I would recommend to everyone. The regular 4 that they have are phenomenal and it's always nice to try the special. I will be back again soon for sure! A tip, I think if you come with a party greater than 2 you will probably be seated sooner than if you only have a party of 2 since their usually is so many of those.
(5)
Jordan P.
Great brunch place!! The food is delicious. I had the French toast flight with a side of bacon. It was amazing! You get to sample every type of French toast that they have. But thankfully each flavor only comes in a half slice, so you don't get completely stuffed. The French toast flight comes in the regular flight or the deluxe flight. The deluxe includes a sample of their French toast flavor of the day. My favorite flavors were the lemon and the caramel. The lemon had a delicious zing to it and was just sweet enough. I wasn't a huge fan of the butter cookie french toast, which was the special of the day. It was way too sweet and the cookies weren't well incorporated into the French toast. But overall, I really enjoyed the flight and I completely understand why this place is known for the French toast. My dining companion got "the executive" - steak and eggs. The steak was amazing and cooked to perfection. It was smothered in a delicious gravy - and this is coming from a girl who really isn't a big gravy fan in general. And best of all, it came with the restaurant's signature, delicious cheesy hash browns. Yum!! The service here is also amazing! The owner and the staff are all amazingly friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a good meal. They also do this cool thing where they place your order from an iPad. Very cool and I think it helps the food to come out quicker. The only downside about this place is that the decor leaves something to be desired. It definitely looks like someone with little to no restaurant experience designed the place. Overall, great brunch place. Definitely check it out. PS - for my fellow tea lovers, they have a great selection of loose leaf teas!
(5)
Mike H.
The first time I tried chicken n waffles, I was a young 23 year old, getting ready for a big day of prepartying for a Lil Wayne concert. Since we already had the Hypnotiq and Hennessy, we decided the best thing to pair up with that was Eggo's and Jewel Fried chicken. It was a life changing combination. Since then, my standards have risen for Chicken n Waffles, and Batter & Berries has provided me with the best I've had so far. They make the waffle with a sweet potato batter, with chicken chunks inside...genius. They topped that with a fried boneless chicken breast and some excellent hot sauce. Dirty South gourmet greatness. Aside from that, the place is BYOB, so we were able to pop bottles of Andre and get our mimosa on. The service was awesome, they quickly brought out a bucket of ice for our $5 bottles, and different employees stopped by our table multiple times to see how our meals were. As a rule, I don't take off stars for long wait times, because that means the place is doing something right, but be prepared to wait a lonnnnnng time to get a table on the weekends.
(5)
Benjamin V.
Amazing atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, incredible food, great prices. Amazing... Chicken and Waffles is the best I've ever had. A must try brunch spot in Chicago. Some have complained about the line in the front and congestion... I think the text system manages it well and have few complaints. Get there early!
(5)
Kyle C.
Well never got to try the food here because apparently they don't allow you to place to-go orders over the phone. You have to come in to the store to place a to-go order... Um that kind of defeats the purpose. Not sure where the management went to business school... If at all... But turning down a good portion of customers with this ridiculously stupid rule makes absolutely no sense. Would give you zero stars if it was an option.
(1)
Candace M.
This was my first time dining at Batter & Berries and the food was really good. I ordered the executive medium well with eggs w/Gouda cheese scrambled hard. The eggs weren't scrambled as hard as I'd have liked them to be, but they were good nonetheless. The French toast sampler was AMAZING! The kids had strawberry French toast and I was turned off when I asked our server for syrup and he suggested we try it as is as the butter was maple syrup infused. We took his advice and OMG, it was perfect! The owner made his rounds which was nice and our server was friendly. The only negatives was it is a small place which was extremely loud and extremely hot--almost as if they did not have the air on. In spite of those things, this is a really good place for brunch and I'd DEFINITELY recommend the French toast. You will not be disappointed!
(4)
Crystal W.
The best brunch I've had in Chicago thus far! I had the shrimp alfredo omelet with bacon and cheese crusted hash browns and it was amazing! So tasty, the shrimps were huge and the homemade alfredo sauce was perfect! Our server was charming, we came on Christmas eve, so there was no wait and it's byob! I can't wait to go back! Loved it!
(5)
Jinu J.
I did not experience a long wait time and the service was quick and friendly. I got the Chicken and Waffle, and it was definitely a new take the flavor. The maple butter is one of my favorite. All the food that came out of the kitchen looked delicious and I loved the chefs suggestions on how to eat the food.
(4)
Fatima K.
Id give this place 5 stars for its French toast flight- super tasteful French toast with different flavors. I loved bongo room for its French toast but this will be my go to place now! The crab and shrimp eggs Benedict I ordered had awesome shrimp and crab cake but the eggs were over cooked. Didn't have that oozing yolk when I cut through them, which makes me give this place 4 stars. So not the best for eggs Benedict. The staff is super friendly and they ask you if u're eating there for the first time and walk you through the regular menu and specials with pictures off an iPad. Awesome touch I must say! Helps making the decision when u look at pictures on the menu. Keep up the service guys! I'll be going back whenever I feel like having French toast :)
(4)
Heather B.
One of my favourite things to do when visiting my hometown of Chicago is go out for a great brunch- and this spot didn't disappoint. I didn't mind the short wait (about half hour) as from what I'd heard I was expecting much longer! The three of us decided to split entrees to try a variety- we ordered the chicken and waffle, French toast flight and the shrimp omelet (daily special). Everything we had was absolutely delicious- great flavours and mix of textures, though for my liking the waffle was slightly dry without the addition of some maple syrup. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and despite the big crowd waiting for tables, we didn't feel rushed at all. Also appreciated the nice cup of bottomless coffee, something I desperately miss for brunch! Great value for the food and service too, as the total came to about $22 each including tip. A must try if you're in Chicago- but prepare to wait!!
(4)
iddells E.
Thank you, Yelp, for the wonderful reviews that sparked my curiosity to give this place a try. If I go here on a Wednesday morning and return Saturday of the same week, you know this place is good. If I order the French toast flight on both visits, you know that I've been having French toast dreams because Batter and Berries' are just so amazingly delicious!! The waitress was right...absolutely no maple syrup is needed in your blissful consumption of the French toast. My experience on a Wednesday morning compared to a Saturday early afternoon was like night and day. Just a few tables were being waited on on Wednesday whereas on Saturday, each table was occupied and there were hoards of people standing in the back area and in between tables with the wait-time ranging from 45-60 minutes. I didn't mind waiting because I already knew what was in store...the French toast is worth the wait, people! I've also tried the steak and eggs from my dining companions and that was pretty good too! Despite the craziness, service was friendly and prompt. I was pretty surprised at how the staff handled their tables as well as the waiting crowds. I didn't sense any frustration or irritability as the waiters worked among the chaos...I just saw smiles. The chef even made his way to greet each table. Mmmmm...I'll definitely be back. Many, many times.
(5)
Ty N.
Wonderful breakfast food. Extremely creative dishes prepared by the chef. The service is great, and using an iPad to take the customers orders as well as show the specials for the day (actual images of the dishes already prepared) is a fantastic idea. You don't just come to this particular restaurant just to eat, you come for the experience.
(4)
Chelsea S.
I had my first experience at Batter and Berries today! While, I'm not typically one for sweet breakfast foods, I had to try the super French toast flight based on all of the reviews! The French toast was wonderful. I love that the French toast was the star and not the toppings. I hate when I order something and the toppings overwhelm the plate. My French toast was cooked to perfection. Crispy edges and chewy in the middle. My boyfriend ordered the chicken fajita omelet, and while he thought it was too much work to eat,( I guess one does not enjoy working for their food) the taste was amazing. Our server was super friendly and attentive. My only complaint is how crowded the space is. We were sat right in the front by the door and crowds of people were coming in, holding the door open, making it a little challenging to stay warm. I definitely recommended trying this place for breakfast!
(4)
mike h.
The menu is amazing Service friendly and fast Food absolutely amazing Zero complaints I found my new breakfast spot
(5)
Jess P.
Yaaaaaas. This place is EVERYTHING. Cheesy hash browns and French toast sampler/flight hits the spot every time. Do I wish they took reservations? Everyone does. But it's so worth the wait. I'd wait 10 times longer cuz it tastes that good. Hope you get the staff member that will offer a riddle or a joke cuz it's amazing. Great family business in Lincoln Park and I hope it continues to thrive.
(5)
Holly S.
Food was good-had the lemon French Toast-but the service was weak. They don't have diet coke.
(3)
Carmen H.
If you enjoy traditional breakfast fare with a new and eclectic flair, this restaurant is the place for you! My husband and I enjoyed some of the signature items on the B&B menu. We had the shrimp alfredo omelets, the french toast sampler plate (maple, lemon, blueberry, strawberry) and I had a side of chicken sausage. Everything was delicious! I should mention that the space is small-ish, a bit noisy and we had to wait about 30 minutes to get in. Once seated, everything moved quickly and the staff are very attentive, which is great. Happy eating:-)
(5)
Tamera B.
Our second visit to Batter & Berries left my emotions seriously bruised. Our first visit was fantastic, but a much larger crowd was added to our second visit and the "ish hit the fan"!!! Hence, I have to knock some stars off the five star rating I gave initially........it was that bad. The staff at Batter & Berries have no concept of crowd control & traffic flow. So, when we arrived, the restaurant was full, but no one was waiting to be seated. The hostess, then led us to the "waiting area", which is in the middle of the restaurant, off of the main walkway and across from the restrooms. This place is not large, so this is awful for traffic flow. Anyway, we were told our wait would be 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, approx. 4 additional parties of 2 were seated in the "waiting area" and a separate line formed at the door. The waiting area didn't have enough seating for everyone. So there were some people standing against the wall where the restroom doors are at AND blocking the main walkway the servers use......just messy. So, we were finally seated at the "common table" about 25 minutes later. After we sat there unattended for about 5 minutes, a server came by and said "Do you want coffee?" We both replied yes and he ran off. We didn't get a hello or anything.....I don't even know if he was our server or just being helpful. So, he brings us black coffee with no sugar or cream and runs off.......like, warp speed fast. I was really bent out of shape by this time because I was super hungry and I wanted to drink some coffee to "fix" my mood, but I do not drink black coffee. We saw the guy that gave us coffee, but he would not make eye contact with us nor would any of the other servers. So, we waited another 7-10 minutes and no one came by to get our drink order, food order, or to greet us........NOTHING. So, we politely got up and left. The food is really good, but it will be awhile before we give Batter & Berries a try again.
(2)
Joshua E.
This place is very disorganized. Albeit it's very busy and popular, I personally didn't like my dish. I had the lamb chop trio and it was a really different taste. One I wasn't really wasn't prepared for. Over all abidance wasn't that great because it was packed. I especially didn't like the hour and 45 minute wait.
(3)
Chelsea V.
Awesome people and love the food! I rarely give five stars but my experience here was amazing!
(5)
Lynn J.
The wait was extreme...1 1/2 hour on a Saturday. However, the food was excellent! It was also served very quick!!! I would definitely come back again.
(4)
Big D.
Very good food. Atmosphere was great. Server was very personable and had knowledge of the menu. I got the executive. Steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Eggs with the hollandaise sauce was so good i can't describe it in words. Before the check came i said i don't care what the bill is...It's worth it. Wish they had one on the south side. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Becka E.
Great brunch option and like all the other popular brunch spots, you'll have a bit of a wait. Our original wait was around 1 hr and 45 minutes but they managed to seat us around an hour. Luckily, if you put your name and number down, they'll send you a text when ready so you can walk around the town a bit and waste time. The whole place is small, loud, colorful and everyone looked like they were having a great time. I had two in my party and we were seated at the 'communal table' in the middle of the room which was cool. There was enough room on the table so you didn't feel like you were right up on the next party. We ended up ordering their Cluck-n-gaufre (Chicken and Waffles) and Lobster/Spinach omelette which I basically inhaled. The chicken and waffles actually came with bits of chicken cooked into the waffle with another piece of chicken on the side. My friend had this and said it was amazing so I definitely will be trying it next time. My lobster and spinach omelette was actually better than I expected. No one element of the dish was overpowering (i.e. too much salt, weird lobster taste) and while it was a tiny bit runny, I thoroughly enjoyed it along with my side of pancakes. We also had tea with our meal. They give you a sort of sampler board with little shakers of tea from which you can smell and see which one you want. After you choose, they'll bring you your own little personal "tea pot" brewed with loose tea from which you can get about three cups. I had English Breakfast w/ cream and my friend had some interesting walnut/flower mixture. Bottom line: From what we had and saw (spying at other people's food), this place has great flavor, nice service and a great price. BYOB...nothing more said there. If you're picky and looking to order plain waffles/pancakes/french toast, try going to IHOP or something because I didn't see too many options for plain anything (except maybe the pancakes and the protein). Definitely a place to try.
(4)
Tasha W.
This place is always busy so be sure to put your name on the seating list as soon as you arrive. The waiting area is in the middle of the resturant. The owner is always on site greeting customers. The specials are not on the menu yet on the chalk board near the ceiling. The waitress was very polite and showed pictures of every meal on her tablet before you order. Once you order you don't wait long for your food. The food looks just like the pictures. They food is very very good. The toast taste wonderful. I tried almost everything. This is a very nice place to eat. It's worth the wait in line.
(5)
Jessica C.
This place was fantastic! We had to wait a half hour and it was extremely loud in there that I could barely hear myself talk, but the food was absolutely delicious. I got the deconstructed chicken fajita omelette and it was one of the best omelettes I've ever had! I tried a bite of my friends French toast and that was also delicious. Doesn't have great ambiance but fantastic food.
(5)
A F.
Hubby and I decided to visit B&B on Saturday morning. We called ahead and the hostess said there was about a 20 minute wait. We arrived and the wait grew to one hour. What an hour that was watching the delicious looking plates being delivered to the 30 or so tables in the tiny restaurant. Finally, our name was called and we were seated at a small table in the back in view of the energetic and busy busy kitchen. Our waiter, who I was convinced moonlites as a standup comedian, approached our table in all of his surround sound splendor. He announced all of the specials, and we waited. The restaurant bustles with chatter and laughter. Soft house music played in the background. Hubby ordered the crawfish omelette, and I ordered the lobster Benedict. Both were amazing. We also ordered the French toast flight which was the best I've ever had. Overall,this was a wonderful dining experience, and I'll definitely be back. The only "meh" of the meal were the cheesy hash browns. They were average at best which was surprising because of the awesomeness of everything else.
(4)
Kaelyn G.
There is one word to describe Batter & Berries and that is "Amazing". I came here with a group of four to celebrate my St. Patricks day birthday. There was a 20 minute wait which wasn't bad compared to the 2 hr wait that most people experience. The food was awesome. I had the Cluck & Goof which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken. It also came with an extra chicken breast and their very tasty and unique nutmeg hot-sauce. I also tried the Crab Cake Benedict which was also really good and flavorful. The service was the best. Our waiter was very attentive and the manager even came over to ask how everything tasted. It was a great experience, I will be returning soon.
(5)
Kendall H.
Came here on a trip to Chicago. I got the chicken and waffles, which were really different than what I'm used to at home but good. The waffle was almost like pumpkin cake, but with some chicken inside, and fried chicken with hot sauce on the side. Service was really fast, both me and the table next to me got our food in under 5 min. The place was full on a Monday morning so I'd guess weekends are crazy.
(5)
Barton T.
Imagine a kid making every imaginable flavor of french toast, accompanied with some creative sides. This is Batter & Berries. Let's get down to it. The place is cozy, meaning if you go at peak time, it can be up to a two hour wait. When it's good, this is the effect of the cause. Live with it. Be patient or use this tip (go during the week or before 10 on the weekend). The menu is creative yet focused. The chef and the servers work in unison making sure the quality is consistent and the flavors are good. The thing you must try (in my opinion) is the flight french toast and the cluck n goufe. The flight is a sample plate of all the flavors. For a little extra you can add the special flavor of the week. The cluck n goufe is the start to me. Why? Because it' a chicken and chicken waffle with a banging hot sauce as the syrup. Of course they have other things on the menu. I can say I haven't had anything outside of breakfast food, so I can't comment on the lunch side of the menu. All in all, make the time, bring a bottle (BYOB) and experience it and see what flavor you like the best. (SIDE NOTE: Dreamsicle and the Peanut Butter french toast were the best!!!).
(5)
Jennine I.
I took my son and sister here for a birthday celebratory breakfast. I was forewarned that they have crazy wait times so we arrived shortly after opening and there was no wait at all. I guess because we went on a weekday. There was plenty of street parking available. First impressions..I will say that the place is really small and cramped. However, the food was just excellent!! I love the french toast super flight, which has 5 pieces of french toast. We also had the hash browns and the chicken sausage. The waitstaff can be more a little more friendly and attentive, but our actual waitress was awesome. A lot of the staff just moped around the large table in the middle of the room, which I thought was weird. I hope that they open a 2nd larger location. Overall a good experience. I will be back.
(5)
Rachel B.
I went for my birthday in January 2015 for brunch. The staff was friendly and prompt and the menu was a great variety of savory and sweet dishes. We definitely took advantage of the BYOB and brought a few bottles of champagne. The line is usually pretty crazy for brunch so expect a wait when you get there, but it's worth it. The French toast flight is a must for your first time.
(4)
Monica B.
Damn, the wait is long here. It's a cute little restaurant, but we waited a good hour for Sunday brunch. Everything on the menu sounded soo good, but I ordered the famous Fried Chicken and Waffle. It was delicious and totally lived up to the hype. I definitely want to come back and try some of the other sweet and savory items. Everything looked great!
(4)
Temprest B.
Their food is the bomb, their customer service was great what more can you ask for. I wish their chefs can come to my house every morning and cook for me lol
(5)
Rod P.
Go on a workday during brunch hours or after lunch to avoid the long wait. Food is flavorful. I had the special "pork chop executive" and the Mrs, the deconstructed salmon omelette. Plus we shared a caramel candied walnut French toast (no syrup required). If I had to critique one thing, I'd say, avoid the coffee and BYOB.
(5)
Nisa J.
I don't think I can express how much I love the food at the restaurant. I especially enjoy the Carmel French toast and apple sausage!!! Try to go as early as possible ... I've waited up to 2 hours for a seat.
(5)
Leticia M.
I had the French toast fight that was good with a side of eggs. Lots of parking in the street but yet again I did go on a Monday. Staff is very attentive. Place is small with lots of staff :) food comes out like in 10 min which is awesome. Majority of the staff were Hispanic so that's cool. If you are a first timer they have an iPad where they have photos of their specialties. Place doesn't take American Express :(
(4)
Kavi P.
Was looking for a good french toast or pancake. This place was great for their french toast especially because of the 'float' with the four different flavors. I do wish there was a bit more variation...I feel that there wasn't enough to appeal to more people. If I wasn't craving french toast I'm not really sure what I would've ordered....
(3)
Robin H.
The food here is very very good!
(4)
Kaitlin S.
Really really great food. I truly respect a menu where the chef takes pride in what he's put together-- urging patrons to try the food in its original form (sans syrup/salt/pepper). I had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken baked into it. I mean, damn! Of course, the only downside is the wait. There is almost always a line (I live nearby and always look out the window when I pass). However, that's a great problem to have for a restaurant. My only qualm was the hostess that told me my wait for a table of four was 10 minutes, and then we went on to wait for 55 minutes. When we did sit, we got the communal table and had to eat with two other groups. But, honestly, the food makes up for any menial issues like that.
(4)
Francisco G.
WILL never eat here again!!!! Beside that tacky decor and ratchet music, the food is bland and over price. I got some espresso shots and it was nearly $10. When I expressed concern to management, the douche bag (with a really tight shirt on) argued where we typically get our coffee because that price is normal. Uh, no. So instead of listening, he just continued to insult us. Never going back.
(1)
Melissa V.
Two words to describe B&B? Yes. Lawd. The chicken & waffles and fish & chips are amazing. Go there - you will not be sorry!
(5)
Wilbert M.
After waiting over 30 minutes for table we were anticipating an extraordinary breakfast. Unfortunately, the food was inedible and the prices was too expensive for the quality of food served. We will not be going back.
(1)
Mickey A.
Note to self: this is BYOB. My friend and I knew it was BYOB but at the time, we were too hungover to even think about alcohol at brunch. Like a lot of brunch places, there is a good wait time, even on extremely cold days. It's such a cute place with some pretty cool artwork. The owner himself is cool. He would come outside every so often to chat with those of us waiting and go around the tables making sure everyone was well fed. I had plans to get the French toast flight. But once we heard the specials, I had a tough decision to make. French toast flight or crab cake benedict. I'll just pat myself on the back for going the crab cake benedict route. It was quite heavenly. I tried to take my time and savor this but couldn't. I stuffed myself and still had a small amount left to take home. And the cheese hash browns were too good. I almost asked about substituting those for something else, but our server said keep them. They are his favorite and that I wouldn't regret it. He was right.
(4)
Hannah C.
This is one of those spots that should stick to their specialty. We went last Sunday and most of us wound us disappointed. The highlight: the caramel french toast, which was just as amazing as our charming waiter promised. Their tea selection was impressive and the other breakfast beverages (coffee and hot chocolate) were fine. The downside: the side of chicken sausage was barely warm and had a disgusting uncooked flavor so bad two of us spit it out. The two sandwiches (BBQ and Buffalo Chicken) we tried were both lackluster, and the fries had a strange fishy aftertaste. Overall, it wound up being an hour wait and a $50 bill for one good dish. I'm not saying don't go, but don't try to push this place outside its French toast comfort zone.
(2)
Kim B.
I'll admit that Batter & Berries has great french toast. Where else can you find watermelon french toast?! My only complaint is the fact that they use regular white bread so the toast gets limp and soggy. The result is great flavor, not so great texture. The chicken & sweet potato waffle was tasty as well. Even the hot sauce they use is good and I don't even like spicy food. I like that the chicken is boneless so you don't have to eat it with your hands.
(3)
Ma Lorie A.
Almost four stars for the grub presentation, 3 stars because it tasted like ihop food. Now there's nothing wrong with ihop, if you like eating at Ihop. I appreciated the New York style dining which gave me an opportunity to eye the lamb chops the stranger across from me was chomping on. However, if you have to look at someone else's food, you know yours isn't appetizing enough! I enjoyed the French toast flight but the cheesy hash browns aren't as good as what they tell you on yelp! On to the next one.
(3)
Savannah G.
Batters and Berries is simply delicious! Everything is homemade, and makes your mouth water just by looking at it. I had the crab cakes Benedict and honestly I can't stop dreaming about it! Plus the waiting staff is phenomenal, my particular sever could sell me on anything. Definitely recommend!!!
(5)
Carla C.
Went with a few friends and they had a hour wait but baby bye I'm not mad the food was 2 kinds of deliciousness. Their the service was super fast and the waiter great!
(5)
Lisa H.
Was looking for a brunch place to catch up with an old friend and stumbled across Batter & Berries. Reviews look promising and the photos reeled us in. We went around noon (assumed it would be peak hour) and had already braced ourselves for a wait. To our surprise, there was no line and was seated immediately. My friend ordered the chicken-n-gaufre (a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle, topped off with pieces of chicken drizzled with sweet hot sauce and syrup) and I ordered the crab benedict. My friend enjoyed her entree, it was basically chicken and waffles with a twist. The sweet potato waffle played well with the sauces and chicken. For my crab benedict, I thought it was delicious. B&B's crab benedict was not like the usual benedict I have at other brunch places. There was no english muffin, but two large crab cakes topped off with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Everything about the benedict was just right. It also comes with a side of their famous cheesy hash browns which I thought it was ok, nothing to rave about. I would of rated this brunch place an extra star, but I thought their service wasn't on par. It wasn't that busy and we still didn't get the service I would have expected. It took the waitress almost 20 mins to come over to take our order. We even saw other people who arrived after us getting their order taken. The waitress also wasn't too attentive to us either. She would pass us a couple of times and I would try to get her attention for our check. When she finally gave us our check, she never returned to process it. We got fed up of waiting, so we brought it to the front to get everything settled. The prices are very competitive with most brunch places I have been to, but B&B offers great food; kudos to the chef! The service could of been better though. Hopefully next time I decide to stop by, the servers will be a little bit more attentive.
(3)
Stacey M.
This place is The BOMB .com. I want to eat here everyday! No complaints except our waitress took awhile to get to us, the place was full though. I had the Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. We had a half order of the French toast special, Strawberry Champagne, it was scrumptious. Side of pancakes with maple butter.. SO delicious. Wasn't sure I'd like them because of the lemon zest but it was a yummy touch! I tried my friends egg white veggie omelet (special) and Pork chop & eggs, both great!! I can't wait to go back here and get the French toast flight or chicken & waffle!
(5)
Dick L.
We came here for breakfast a few weeks ago and had a great experience. I had forgotten to write a review of this place until I found the photo I took of my chicken & waffle. The restaurant was very packed on a Saturday morning. I was not too crazy about the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles I had, but the french toast flight that my girlfriend got was excellent. Their bacon is also very good. Very interested to try the rest of their menu -- we will be back!
Freaking fantastic. My new go-to place for brunch. The wait is long but so worth it. Weekends are busy. We arrived around 12:45 and the wait was 45 to 60 mins. Anticipation built as the servers delivered deliciousness as we stood waiting to be seated. My dining partner opted for the Super French Toast, a total of five flyers that included one mystery flavor which we figured was chocolate. Best. French. Toast. Ever! I picked up The Executive - steak and eggs with hash browns. It was good, but I preferred the French Toast. There servers are prompt and friendly. The coffee is bottomless and the the music is lively. Hit this place up, you will not regret it... but go early!
(5)
Lauren W.
Not worth the hype. $13 omelet that was VERY oily and had some weird veggie paste on top. The server was sweet but the guy who sat us was kind of rude. I would be bummed if I waited for an hour to go here!
(2)
nicole m.
People there are friendly and quick to get your order and explain the dishes. The French Toast was subpar, they had different ones and I ordered the super flight; but it seemed like a blanket french toast with a different glaze ... nothing to write home about. I also tried the chicken and sweet potato waffles ... that was the star ... wished there was more sauce and less salt.
(2)
Eva S.
once upon a winter day in 2013, christmas eve our group decided on some brunch at lovely Batter & Berries totally packed on Tuesday morn' but finally we were seated thank God we finally got a table and with some coffee, reheated our server, charming and delightful read off the daily specials get the flight of french toast, he winked with spiked egg nog toast & sprinkles we scanned the menu hungrily and finally reached a verdict: the flight it is, the chicken & waffle, broccoli omelett, lobster benedict with four of us at a table and four ginormous plates we created a rotation system so we can each have a taste i loved the food, i'm coming back it's settled, lincoln park is rad though the establishment is small, it's cozy Around $15 per head, ain't bad! reviews of disatisfied patrons, why be so disappointed? anything less than four stars is a review to be avoided
(4)
Felica B.
They have by far the WORSE AND UNPROFESSIONAL customer service! You walk in to a hostess with a terrible attitude! We were told that we were about to be seated only to have our seats given away! When asked to talk to the manager she told us that she will get him when she gets ready! That surely sparked a fused! However when the manager finally came he said we were wrong and said he didn't care if we left! After driving and hour to get there and waiting a hour and a half to be seated! Wow!!! It is also so small in there and people are standing over you while you eat your food! The waiting room is a joke! The waiters bumping into you and each other! It is a fire hazard! Again... DO NOT GO!!! I'm only giving one star because I have to in order to write this review
(1)
Jaquleen H.
SCALLOP OMELETTE!!!!! Creamy goat cheese in the middle topped with jumbo scallops, perfectly cooked asparagus and mushrooms in a white wine sauce!!! So delicious! By far one of the best dishes I have ever had!!! Amazing! You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Alex J.
The foodies have been raving about Batter & Berries, so I dragged my girlfriend out in the morning and told her we were going to see what the hype was about. The wait was over an hour, so we threw our name on the list and went shopping like the good weekend Americans we are. Came back about an hour and fifteen minutes later to find out they were almost to our name, so we re-arrived in the nick of time. Her french toast flight, one of the staples, was pretty good and she was satisfied. I ordered one of the blackboard, chalk-written specials, because I have a soft spot for specials: a crayfish omelette with bell peppers and cheesy hashbrowns. The hashbrowns were somewhat bland for how prevalent they are on the menu; they were just sort of heavy but not spunky like everything else on the menu. We also mistakenly ordered a side of sweet potato fries; it's not that they were bad, we were just so full that we couldn't properly approach them. I have heard rumors that they don't cook food to order, and I believe it because our food came out quicker than you can say, "Batter and Berries." This isn't a problem when the place is popping, but, on the rare occasion that things are slow, I can imagine the quality of this practice would suffer. In any case, we may come back at some point, particularly if I see a special on their Instagram that rubs me the right way.
(4)
Tamikca B.
Don't do it! Very very rude staff, hostess very snotty! Manager has zero management skills! I walked out after watching this snotty host storm through the already crowded area and say " fuck this shit" in front of maybe 20 customers which included young children. . . Presentation is everything. Not a good representation of mom and pop shops, nor the owners.. i even watched a dissatisfied customer walk out and the manager yell. "Clean off my table"! to awaiting staff before the customer even got away from the table. I think this place needs a new manager, 2 new hostess and better communication skills. This place is not a good representation of the community, nor the owner. I hope the owner make changes before it's to late. I hear the food is good though.
(1)
Chelleveda S.
So I have been trying to visit this place since September and for reason or another I wasn't able to....I believe now that I was supposed to wait and build up my anticipation. I walked in and was immediately seated at the community table which was cool because I didn't have to dine alone. I was immediately brought water and offered coffee. The manager Jay just so happened to be sitting at the table and made sure that my waitress gave me prompt, courteous service. My food was brought out fast and was delicious. Once the manager found out it was my first time and finding out that I love peach cobbler he let me sample a slice of the peach cobbler french toast which was even more reason why I will be patronizing this establishment again. The hostess Nicky was very helpful with letting me know which times and days are the busiest.......so on that note if you come after 9:30ish on a weekend please be prepared to wait because it gets pretty crowded.
(5)
Rishabh A.
We waited for the table on Saturday for 2+ hours and after that the food was not good. We ordered the famous fried chicken and waffles and I have definitely had better food at other brunch places. All the other food options was ok and kinda pricey for a brunch place. I would skip it and may be go to another brunch place with the wait time.
(1)
Jessica A.
I have never been somewhere like this! The food is OUT OF THIS WORLD INCREDIBLE! The service is great, and environment is artsy and interesting. The only thing that needs any altering is how scary loud the music is. I couldn't talk to our server or my family and it was 11am. But I can't wait to come back!!!
(5)
Justine M.
Pretty good brunch place. I had the crab cake benedicts and the crab was pleasently fresh tasting. It also came with a side of cheese crusted hash browns which I didn't find amazing. I got some crusty cheese in some bits and most of it was very mushy. I also shared the super flight with a friend which had the lemon, strawberry, carmel, blueberry and cookies and creme french toast. The lemon and strawberry were the most flavored. The others weren't that impressive. Note: There was a line out of the restaurant at 7:55 with about 7 people waiting to get in on a Sunday. This place gets VERY busy around 8:30 so come when it opens. Also very small inside
(3)
Leslie P.
This place was not worth the hype! Waited in line for about an hour. I was standing over people who were eating their food. I'm sure this was annoying to them. Was finally seated at the back table closets to the kitchen. Then people were standing over me as I ate. My friend ordered the strawberry French toast and had hair in them. I ordered apple waffle and it was dry and nasty. Manager was also very rude. I was very disappointed. I really wanted to like the food here. It just might have been a bad day!
(2)
Samuel A.
I DO NOT recommend this place. My friend is visiting town so I wanted something to eat that was fast and not so far from where we are in Lincoln Park so this was it. We got there and immediately were greeted by a very sassy hostess who didn't eve look at me at any moment and told us, quote, "you can go seat in the waiting area over there cause you gotta wait at least 45 min". So we go to the waiting area, honestly 4 tables can be arranged there and wait time would have been less. What a waste of useful space right in the middle of a restaurant. We wait and wait and wait. Finally we are seated right next to the bathroom door so we asked to be moved to another table. They did. My impression was that they don't really take care of who they hire as servers in this place. Service really sucks. There were 3 girls behind the hostess podium just chit chatting as one of them was sitting in a chair with customers sitting on that table. Buzz boys and waitresses walking up and down and standing around looking at each other and having conversations next to customers. It seemed to us like the servers literally go out of bed and went straight to work. Nobody working there seemed to think that their image and the way they present to the customers is how successful their business can be. I mean one of the 3 hostesses was sitting at a table with customers eating on that table as she chit chatted with the other two about people walking in and out. That's not ok. Management in this place, they must get these issues together and train their staff on proper serving manners. I have a lot of friends in the service industry and anywhere else that would be unacceptable. And now to the food. The heater in there was warmer than our food was. Food was tasteless. I can see this place being busy while people want to still go try the new place around but once it's been there for a bit, if not taken care of their service/ staffing issues, I see them closing down sooner than they expected. I will not be going back to his place.
(2)
Isabel H.
Amazing food. I don't mind waiting for a seat, but the second time I went in the hostess was so rude that I didn't even want to eat there anymore, but the first time I went the servers were incredible, so I'll have to go back another time when that hostess isn't there because this place really is worth it.
(3)
M.j. R.
I have been here twice. The first time we were with a large group and everything went great and I liked the food. Months later I went back the second time I went with my girlfriend and they had terrible customer service. No one would even look at me so I could ask them how long the wait was. After 20 mintues the host told me 1 hour and 30 minutes. I was shocked. No one was waiting for a table and there was open seats for 2. Needless to say I will never go back there and neither will any of my friends.
(1)
Ash H.
I can't stay away the food is fresh, and it taste heavenly not to mention I'm big on customer service and so are they please stop by and treat someone you love to some food made with love.
(5)
Tony G.
Had the French toast flight which was absolutely incredible! Got the flight that included the special which happened to be the rum and coke which was delicious and cooked to perfection! Service was fast and incredibly friendly! Will definitely return!
(4)
Victoria W.
Hours of operation, 8am-3pm. Come as early as possible, especially the weekend. If you come around 10am, there is already a long line waiting. We were here on a Sunday at 10:15, already had to do a 45 minute wait. Which is quite long, for a breakfast joint. Ordered the french toast with flight, which is the fancier version, got charged extra for that, and the egg white omelette with scallop. we each also had a small juice. Items are overpriced. We each ended up paying $20 before tax. I mean the food was good, but it was not worth that much. The scallop were fresh, there were 3 of them. Paired with mushroom, some asparagus stem and a plain egg white omlette folded. I could try to recreate this at home for a lot less. The french toasts are probably harder to recreated. It had a nice maple butter pairing with it. DIfferent flavors of french toast, strawberry, blueberry and one that looked like cinnamon? The meal was very rich though, I was all full and bloated for the rest of the day and couldn't even have dinner. I guess the service was alright, the lady came over and showed up on her ipad the additional offerings of the day. They are also listed on on the wall. But no price next to it, tricked up, the omelette ended up being so expensive. We were between that and the crab cakes... But then our server forgot our juice and we had to ask for it. I thought service was nothing special, the lady at the front, the hostess was quite stressed with the long line. 1 bathroom in the restaurant.
(3)
Marisol A.
Very rude hostess! If that's the service as you enter, I could imagine the rest of the service. Decided not to wait. Very bummed because I wanted to try a new place.
(1)
Ange L.
So my husband and I were looking for a new brunch spot yesterday, one that served bottomless mimosas. I went on Yelp and found that Batter and Berries was rated high; they didn't have the mimosa special we were looking for, but it'sBYOB, so we thought that's the next best thing. Well when we arrived, it was a sea of black folk waiting outside. We put our name on the list and were told it would be a 45 minute wait. We thought, the food HAD to be good if all these people were waiting this long. *NOTE: Since the wait is long, don't come famished like I did. Have a snack before you come!* Anyway, the host graciously seated us and our waitress was attentive. I ordered the French toast flight, chicken sausage and eggs scrambled hard with cheese and onions. My husband ordered the Executive. We both found that the food was delicious from the first bite til the last. They recommend not adding syrup until after you taste the french toast, and I am glad that I waited because I didn't need to add a thing! I rarely eat eggs and never finish them, but I ate all of mine yesterday. Delicious!! This place surpasses my Chicago breakfast favorites like Yolk and Bongo Room. And to top it all off - its BLACK OWNED!!! I had such a lovely experience, I shook hands with the owner and congratulated him on owning such a great place with tasty food! I cannot say enough good things about Batter & Berries. I will certainly be back again, and bring family and friends who visit the Chi. Thank you Yelp as always for not letting me down. Just remember you will likely wait a while so have a snack or something before you come!
(5)
Olga Q.
AMAZING! This breakfast was the best breakfast I think I've ever ever had EVER. Why the 4 stars you're asking? Well the ambiance is frankly not great. We stopped in at around 1:30ish on Sunday and it was SLAMMED! We were told the wait was about an hour and a half for a table for two. We put our name on the list and actually waited, but we left and came back because the space is too crowded to hang out in. It's a really really small restaurant which makes it feel very crowded, uncomfortable and loud. It was hard to even speak to my husband it was so loud. Also it wasn't the cleanest place I've been too, but considering its tiny and busy I'm assuming it's just very difficult to keep it squeaky clean during a Sunday rush. They seated us at a table which was right next to the restroom, which I thought was kinda gross. People walked in and out consistently and left the door open which faced right into the dining room and, lucky me, opened right up in front of our table. I kept praying no one passed gas or fell ill while we were eating breakfast. I really have to say that the placement of the tables right by the restroom like that needs to be rethought because that alone made me feel as if I wouldn't want to go back. I ordered the salmon executive, which was a cut of salmon with a lemon sauce with a side of scrambled eggs and cheddar hash browns. My husband had a ham and bacon omelette and then we ordered the peanut butter French toast to share. The second I took one bite of the salmon I knew that they could have seated me inside the restroom and it would have been worth it! Every single item served to us was perfection. I will definitely go back and maybe next time request another table.
(4)
Mary T.
Delicious! My friend and I stopped by for brunch on a Saturday around 9 and didn't have to wait too long. In fact we had just enough time to grab some champagne at the 711 next door for our mimosas. I had biscuits and gravy and my friend ordered the chicken and waffles; both were excellent. Our waiter was extremely friendly and the service was quick and efficient. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)
Justine A.
Be prepared how beloved and popular this place is. I went on a Thursday at about 10am and I was lucky to get a seat at the community table. The French toast flight was awesome and everything else looked equally scrumptious!
(5)
Latisha C.
Yummy Delicious. Great atmosphere! Cozy! Sundays R off dee chain, beware the wait is ReaL BUT it was worth it.
(5)
Marvin J.
By far my favorite place to eat breakfast. I've had several things on the menu and nothing has been less than excellent. The French toast flight is a must. They are always changing their menu items which keeps me coming back often.
(5)
SweetestThing E.
This was my first time going here and I was extremely excited because of all the hype. But unfortunately I have to say I was not pleased. First of all there was a 1 hour long wait so of course i was starving when it was finally time for me to be sat to eat. The food came out super fast which is good and bad at the same time. Bad because I knew the good was precooked! My crab cakes were super cold and my cousins french toast was cold as well! I wouldn't come back. Especially with these prices. Our server was nice though.
(2)
Tracey G.
This was my second visit to Batter & Berries. I had previously gone for the first time in May. I took my husband for his birthday. Back then it was amazing! We had raved to all of our friends about the freshness and delicious food. That is why I was so excited to bring my mother. Yesterday we decided to take my mom who was in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were there yesterday at approximately 11am. I was not crowed so we were seated immediately. However the waitress didn't initially come to our table for at least ten minutes. I ordered the French toast flight with eggs, potatoes and bacon, mom ordered the apple waffle with a side of bacon and my husband ordered blueberry waffle with a side of eggs and bacon. I was very surprise because our food was ready in literally under 7 minutes. I believe this was the reason the food didn't taste as good. My French toast was very dry like it had been sitting for a while. I had to pour syrup all over it to try and make it work. I assume it was pre made and they just added the fruit and cheese. This was truly disappointing because when we first visited back in May the French toast was so fresh and fluffy you didn't need any syrup. Not the case at all this time. Both my mom and husband said they both had very dry waffles. I also had potatoes with cheese. The cheese was scorched which left a burnt taste with each bite. The one good thing that we all agreed on was the bacon. The bacon was cooked perfectly. Perhaps we should have just ordered a plate of bacon and I could have saved myself $63.00. We were extremely disappointed. Not really sure if I will return. Seems like the novelty has worn off.
(2)
Danielle G.
The food at Batter & Berries is awesome, especially the special Crab Cake Benedict that was a special the day I went - it was delicious, not full of other stuff that distracted from the crab. I also had the French Toast Flight - much above average french toast in 4 different flavors. The flavors are so good you don't even need the syrup, but can get some if you want. If you can make time for the long wait, it's worth it. I'd love to see them move to a bigger space, especially something with a better set up for parties waiting for tables.
(4)
LaShaya L.
I was in chicago visiting friends and family. I came with four friends and this was one place we decided on. We attempted to visit this restaurant twice in three days. We drove almost forty minutes for the nasty hostess to tell us it would be almost three hours for us to be seated. Three hours would have put us past the closing time of the restaurant. Not to mention people who were on the list received text messages when a table became available. They had people who hadn't even shown up when they received the text and they held the tables for them. I would think after five or so minutes if someone hadn't shown up, next person in line would be seated. This wasn't the case at all. Needless to say we went right down the street, got serviced right away and will never return batter and berries!
(1)
Sean S.
I visited this place after being encouraged by a friend to have a late breakfast on a Monday. We arrived to the location to find about 6-8 people sitting outside, and I feared a long wait. The guy at the front stated a 20-30 minute wait, but not a minute after paying the meter and placing the ticket on the dashboard, he called our name. We were seated at the large table in the center, shared with 14 other people. Despite it being crowded, our waitress arrived quickly and showed us the specials on her IPAD ("wow!") We ordered the french toast flight, the chicken and waffle, and the crab omelet. Everything was great! There was a hot sauce on the chicken that was surprisingly appropriate for breakfast; the waffle was made of sweet potatoes, and although slightly sweet, it wasn't too sweet (I didn't even need syrup); the crab omelet was very tasty and was just enough to fill the average person. The French toast flight was excellent as well, although the slices weren't as big as I usually prefer, the taste more than made up for it. Oh, and be sure to have some of the berry juice outside. I don't know if they give refills inside, but while you're waiting outside, grab a cup. It tastes like watermelon juice (not very sweet), but it's great for having to sit outside while you wait. I would go again, but since I live in the south suburbs and rarely get to the north side of the city, I wouldn't make a special trip for it, especially knowing the possibility of a long wait.
(4)
Rocco S.
We went to check out this place on a weekday afternoon. Not much of a wait. Service was pretty slow and not very attentive. We ordered the seafood Benedict, the biscuits and gravy, and the chicken and waffles. The Benedict was basically an over cooked poached egg on a dried out seafood patty. I don't think there was even an English muffin underneath. The potatoes were very greasy, but decent. I was really disappointed Chicken and waffles had a dried out chicken breast that was probably pounded and double fried. The waffle was okay. They forgot to bring any syrup, so we had to wait for someone to come around to get it. Took around 5-7 minutes to finally get someone's attention. The biscuits were probably the best thing we had. But really just average. Gravy was pretty thin though. The space was kind of dark and felt a little dirty. Overall I don't understand why this place gets such top reviews. We really wanted to like it, but it just didn't work out for us. Service was below average and the food was dried out and just not that good. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but we will not be going back.
This place was awesome! We had the super french toast, biscuits and gravy and eggs with bacon and hashbrowns. Our waitress was very nice and the food came out spaced out enough to fit on the table. I thought the biscuits and gravy was the best meal that we ate and my friend thought the French toast.
(5)
Shaynee S.
A fabulous breakfast spot for you and whomever you would like to split that french toast flight with. Busy as can be and for good reason, this establishment is clearly chef driven and has certain brunch flare that appeals to the masses. Taking pride in their ever so famous french toast flights, Batter and Berries also has delectable savory menu items that will have you wanting more. Items that caught my eye where the chicken and waffles and the fajita omelette, but the crab Benedict special stole my heart. After indulging in a carefully crafted Crab Benedict, I had nothing but smiles and compliments to share. The quality and abundance of the crab in the Benedict was superb and well worth the price. Besides great food and a vast tea selection, the service was on point. Our server was attentive, personable, charismatic, and a hard worker. Many of those skills are already instilled in a successful individual, but to have a customer become fully aware of this shows a marking of a great establishment that not only makes good food, but treat their people well. People, just go. Have the french toast flight and be amazed because it'll happen.
(5)
Bart S.
This was our 3rd visit. Came on a Sunday as they opened their doors at 8AM. Friendly staff, bus boy was great making sure the coffee cups were filled. The waitress was great, The food- was a major let down this visit. On our previous visit we had their broccoli cheddar omelette that was was uninspired. Our simple order of Buttermilk Pancakes and the French Toast sampler were just average at best. Had to ask the waitress for syrup. Isn't that something that should just be served with pancakes and French Toast? The pancakes were one turn away from being burned, the french toast sampler was ok,,,just ok. The thing that really upset me, was the order was a couple of degrees above room temperature. The place was not that busy, and the server couldn't get that food to our table piping hot off the grill? Come on. That's lame. It was a poor value for what we were served, but that's eating in Lincoln Park I suppose.
(1)
Jeff H.
The sweet potato waffles and fried chicken are the best! Making a beeline to B and B on our next trip to Chicago. 5 star all the way!
(5)
Reecie B.
Love, love, love this place! I always get the caramel french toast which is awesome! I'm one of those people who likes my food hot so I learned after a few times to tell them to bring my French Toast out the second it is done. Also i ask for syrup when I order. Some of the waiters try to guilt you into not using syrup but I know what I like. Anyway I ask in advance because otherwise my food gets cold while they run around looking for the syrup. This place is byob for champagne which a lot of people take advantage of. It's always packed and sometimes there is a long wait but it's totally worth the wait!
(5)
Kelly O.
The food was good, but that's about it. Service was horrendous. Continuously had to track down someone for coffee and water refills. Will not be coming back due to poor service.
(1)
S N.
After so many visits, I am final writing my review. LOVE the spot...There are very few places where everything I've had is delicious. While there will be a wait on weekends, it is so very worth it!!
(5)
Andreea S.
*this is not a review about the food* we decided to go there for brunch yesterday (Sunday), but we ended up leaving half an hour into our waiting time given the hostess' rudeness! When I arrived, she didn't even look up from her phone to talk to me, she was checking her citibank account and texting with people that then she was writing down on the waiting list!!! I specifically saw her texting someone back telling them they were on the list after I saw her writing their name down. Yes, I know it's rude to look into people's phones, but I was a little impatient and was curious to see what was keeping her from noticing me...it's not like she was trying to hide her phone screen anyways. Eventually, some other customer talked to her over me to put his name down and that's when I spoke up that I was there first and she reluctantly wrote my name down and estimated the wait to 45 min-up to 1 hour. Half an hour later I went back to inquire about the wait estimate since we were getting kinda hungry and wanted to see if we should check out some other places, she gave me attitude about inquiring *just* half an hour later, and told to come back to ask after it's been at least 1 hour because she cannot estimate...isn't it a hostess' job to estimate the wait time? Does she just give random waiting times to customers? And what's up with the attitude? We've eaten at busy brunch places countless times, but the hostesses have always been apologetic about the wait, almost always getting called up for our table before the estimated wait time. Yes, the food matters, but being treated with respect also does!
(1)
Shameka A.
Great food.... It was a long wait but it was worth it!!! Friendly staff and the owners come out to greet you.
(5)
Rae M.
I absolutely loved everything about this restaurant, homemade food, awesome energy from the servers and amazing food. I will visit each and every time I'm in the area!!!
(5)
Valerie M.
Stopped by after a 5k last weekend. Hour and half wait. I can't understand why it is still like this months after opening. I have not seen the owner or staff try to make any adjustments to make this better. Not sure if a reservation system would help or not. I will not wait that long for breakfast food it's just ridiculous. Please get rid of the hostess with the stank attitude who doesn't know what she is doing.
(1)
Julian C.
I went there for the first time Friday. There was a 30 minute wait for 2 people but It was well worth the wait. We had the lobster omelet and the chicken and waffles. Both dishes were absolutely amazing! The service was great as well. I liked the fact that the waitress had pictures of the specials on an iPad so you could see the dish before ordering. Definitely worth going to again....and again lol
(5)
Andre W.
My friends have been raving about this place for about a year and every time I am invited I either have plans or I am too drunk to get up and get here. I came on a chilly Sat morning and was welcomed to a 35 minute wait which is around my threshold of time for being seated in a restaurant. While I was waiting outside, I noticed a sign that said byob (next time I know!) so I knew a mimosa wasn't going to happen...lol. Also while waiting I was able to see everyone's plate and it made me hungrier as everything looked delicious. My wait ended up being more like 20 minutes. We were shown to our table which was like a communal high top across from a couple that had some loud ass friends that recognized them as they were leaving so there was a temporary discomfort with the seating arrangement, but it was the only space for two that was available at the time so we had to take it. Server came by and gave us a breakdown of specials that weren't on the menu and everything sounded scrumptious. I took a gander @ the menu, but decided on the surf & turf omelet that came along with some awesome cheesy hash browns. The surf & turf omelet included shrimp, steak, cheese and lobster....well worth the $17. One of the best omelets I ever had, no doubt. Bring your appetite here as the portions are a nice size. I noticed a lot of people getting the french toast flights which allows you to taste multiple french toast offerings. Came back again and had the Lobster Benedict and it was also delicious. Awesome food and awesome service! I would definitely recommend getting here before noon as the wait can get pretty lengthy at that point. I also recommend bringing a bottle of champagne if you want mimosas as I said earlier it is BYOB.
(5)
Bethtina W.
This place is delicious! Loved the mimosa idea. The food was scrumptious. i had the pancakes and my wife had the lobster omelet. We both ate it to the last drop. It's crowded, but the servers were friendly. It's a bit pricey.
(4)
Lyn W.
This was my first time here and the food was well worth the wait! I had the peach punch tea and it was so good. For dinner I ha the chicken and goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle). It looked and tasted amazing!! The service was really good. Our server was on point and very personable. I can't wait to come back again and bring my husband. It was the best chicken am waffles I've had ever. Plus it's BYOB so next time I will be bringing my own champagne for some mimosas.
(4)
April T.
My friends and I from Columbus are here for the weekend and Chris the manager and Chef Rylan accommodated us to the best of their abilities! They greeted us explained the menu and let us know the status of our order the entire time. The food was amazing!!! We ordered the Pork Chop executive, scallop omlet, crab cakes Benedict, and the Cluck n Gaufre. We also got a couple flights of French toast which were all very very tasty! We're going to make it a tradition to come for breakfast every time we come here. Oh and Tusemee our server was quick and super funny. I hope you're quick witted because he's hilarious and has the best riddles
(5)
Tosha K.
So good!!! This cute little cafe is great. The strawberry french toast is so good. My sister had the carmel french toast and the homemade chicken sausages! Yummy. The service is good too. Not a fan of the coffee but the food was so good it didnt matter. The line is long to wait for a table but it is worth every bit of it. Ill be back!
(4)
Yasmin C.
LOVELY little place for a solo brunch that I grabbed while in Chicago for a few days. The place was energetic when I popped in around 11:30 or so on a Friday morning, and I was seated at a large center communal table. Despite being surrounded by other parties at the big table, it was large enough that I felt like I had my own space to relax. The restaurant is simple and decorated in bright colors, with a very casual feel. I ordered my coffee, which came out quickly as I scoured the menu. "French Toast Flight" caught my eye...what the &*%*#(. Well of course I was ordering that. Scouring the web now, I see that this place is a bit of a French toast heaven with new flavors and ventures rising regularly. The lineup during my visit was blueberry, strawberry, caramel, and lemon. I also ordered a side order of chicken sausage to satisfy my savory tooth. Food was all delicious...I loved the flight for 1) its modest size, unlike most French toast experiences I've had in my life, and 2) the variety of awesomeness. I think the caramel was my fave, followed closely by blueberry. Of course, they were all great, and I gave myself up to a world of sugar and happiness. Chicken sausage was a tad oily but otherwise also yummy and sufficient to provide the sweet-and-savory fix I needed. I think the whole thing with tip came out to about $20...not bad for a quick, yummy meal. An added bonus was taking home half of each slice of French toast to donate to my generous friend and host for the weekend. I would totally come back here for brunch! Loved it.
(4)
Sara C.
Excellent waffle flight and crab omelet. Would recommend - outstanding breakfast find!
(5)
Zara H.
Went here for the first time today and both hubs and I loved it. Considering it was prime Sunday brunch time (11 a.m.), we expected a long wait when we saw a huge crowd outside. We were quoted 35-40 mins, but somehow were seated after only 13 mins. During our wait outside, chef Rylon came outside & told everyone about the specials that day - which I thought was super cute because you could tell how excited he was and that he truly loves what he does. Our server was super friendly & our food came fairly quickly. I had the french toast flight (lemon, caramel, strawberry & blueberry) along with the cheesy hashbrowns. Hubs ordered the banana nut belgigue (waffle) and homemade chicken sausage. Everything was delicious - this definitely makes our list of top brunch spots in the city.
(5)
Kisha N.
So this is my first review and I must say I had an amazing experience. I saw this place on a friends IG page and thought I would give it a try. It was my sons 19th bday yesterday so we did brunch here. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the 20 people outside waiting for a seat. REALLY?!?! I went ahead and put my name on the list anyway. Standing outside, the establishment had juice outside for everyone to drink. It was delicious and free. ( yall know I love free). As your name came up on the list, the little cute server came outside and called your name with the biggest voice Ive ever heard on a little lady. You could be a block away and hear her. Finally, the cook came out twice while I was waiting to ensure that everyone was doing fine and had no complaints or concerns. Very nice touch. Now on to the food.. AMAZINGGG.....I had the french toast flight and it was like heaven in your mouth. They served it with this homemade butter ( I forget the flavor) that I could have eaten by itself. The french toast had unique flavors that required no syrup. I was ready to vomit from being so full. My son tried the chicken and waffles and could not stop eating. Now for the highlight of my meal....( drum roll please.....pause for effect....) my server. I think his name was Tunami. He was the most personable, knowledgable, helpful, considerate, and funniest hostesses I have run into. He was always there to tell you a funny joke and had the place lively. You would think it would be a distraction but it was quite the opposite. I will definately return. I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the hour long wait, but it was worth it! Kudos.....
(4)
Sean P.
The food is outstanding. The menu has some really unique, creative things on it. The chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle was really good. THE FRENCH TOAST is the best I have ever had. When I go with friends we order a flight as a appetizer then each order our own meal. The guy that owns the place is so nice and comes out and talks to people. I would like to see the service get better. When I go to a restaurant, I really appreciate when there is at least some sense of urgency to help the customer, and I didn't get that either time I have been here. 4 stars because the food is that good.
(4)
Lavon K.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! We went on a Sunday at 11:15 and waited 1.5 hours and as I saw the food coming out to other customers I thought, it's not very fancy looking with ruffles and sparkles so how in the world is this place so packed with people WILLING to wait 1.5 to 2 hours. Well, when we sat down I knew exactly why! Our waitress was very patient and helpful. She explained the specials using an iPad. Genius! You were able to see exactly what your food will look like when it comes. No guess work. No disappointment. No, uhh waitress can you take this back, this isn't what I thought it was gonna look like. There were five of us. I ordered the super flight. The extra French toast was mimosa French toast. YUMMERS!! Our table ordered the sweet potato hash browns, regular French toast flight, ham, egg and cheese sandwich, caramel French toast, apple cinnamon waffle, eggs, cheese crusted hash browns and coffee. Every single thing I tried was a winner!! No frills, no thrills, no ruffles and no sprinkles -- just good food. The owner walks around quiet and proud of his accomplishment which I admired. We would happily go back.
(5)
Abby E.
French Toast flight is heavenly. Not as good for large parties as I'd thought, but very kid friendly and the owner is incredibly hands on and nice. I'd go back!
(4)
Dina E.
Went on a Tuesday morning at 10 am, was greeted by a friendly hostess and seated right away. The waitress was very helpful and explained the menu. We ordered a flight of french toast, (the best we've ever had) and I normally don't like french toast. It was crisp and flavorful. We also ordered an entree from the specials, a delicious egg white shrimp scampi omelete with hashbrowns and chicken and waffles. This was the best egg white omelete I've ever had and the garlic sauce was light, creamy and superb! My husband raved over the chicken and the waffle had a wonderful, nutmeg flavor and was prepared perfectly. I was thriilled with the variety of loose leaf teas offered. Everything was served hot and plated beautifully. I will be back next week and will bring friends! Go and go often! It was well worth the one hour drive from the burbs. Street parking is ample during the morning on weekdays.
(5)
Brandice S.
My second time at this place... I gave it a second chance even though our 1st experience started with a rude hostess that did not want to honor our request for a four top... Understandable considering we were a party of 2. She told us we couldn't sit there unless we had 3-4 people in our party which was fine until we looked around and saw multiple 4tops filled with 2 people. Whatever the food was good. So now a month later we go again and yet again was met with a little rudeness from the same hostess. When she was asked if we wait outside for our name to be called how will we know our table is ready..... Like to me that is a simple question but I guess she was asked that too many times and got frustrated by it. This time our food tasted like they rushed to prepare it... Not overly satisfied.
(2)
Nicole M.
Great service! Delicious food! Loved the French toast flight :-)
(4)
Dayna R.
Had the Deconstructed Spinach Omelet topped w/mushrooms, Swiss cheese & a spinach-mushroom sauce (added grilled onions) w/the B&B Cheesy Omlette & Chicken Sausage. My meal was DEE*LISH! Be sure to try a flight of French toast (including strawberry, blueberry, lemon & caramel) as an appetizer if you go w/a large group. It included the standard Challah bread drenched in each flavorFILLED tasty mixtures, then griddled to perfection & served w/delightful garnishes. LOVE the option to BYOB to construct Mimosas on weekend. Chef Rylon came by our table to check on how we enjoyed our meal and our host and waitress were very attentive as well! It was an AWESOME foodie experience! We will definitely be visiting again!
(5)
Susan M.
This adorable place just opened next to my office and I LOVE it!! The chef/owner is always around to great you and answer questions. Today I had an amazing fresh and yummy egg white omelet with mushrooms and spinach -would have it again tomorrow! I also had the ceased chicken wrap last week and that was terrific too! Show up and support this great new neighborhood gem!
(5)
Amy L.
I came here for the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken... and I left still starving. Why you ask? I'm not sure what happened. I would give this place a solid 3.5 stars if I could but I've rounded down for this one because I left still hungry... Came here with a group of 5.. 3 of us including me ordered the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. My friends waffle came out superb, light fluffy and sweet with the chicken pieces inside. Mine... dense, slightly browned, and not so good. In fact I only ate the chicken and left my waffle because it just didn't taste right to me. In the end they didn't charge me for my dish but I think I would have preferred them to have gotten it right instead of me leaving just as hungry as I went in. I also tried the sweet potato hash, I guess I was expecting something on the salty side but instead I got something overly sweet so I wasn't a fan. There was definitely a big crowd for this neighborhood establishment, we waited for about 30 minutes but they were very good with service. Someone told me their french toast flights were also very good, maybe it was just a fluke with my waffle but its enuogh to deter me away for a while.
(3)
Michael L.
Not bad food. Didn't like the server too much but it won't discourage me to come back
(4)
John C.
Nice staff , good neighborhood, food was okay, broccoli an cheese omelet was bland potatoes under cooked. Sweet potato waffle was good flavor but was soggy with 2 little pieces of chicken, chicken breast was very good.would not travel to this restaurant may go there if I was walking past.
(2)
J U.
Pancakes don't need syrup... 'Nuff said!
(5)
C L.
Come here for the French toast flight. Best French toast I have ever had in my life. The other breakfast items we ordered were not bad, but nothing to rave about either. The Place is loud but nothing matters when that French toast arrives. It's insane how delicious they are, they will not disappoint.
(4)
Lindsey M.
Went for lunch today and was AMAZED. The waitress insisted we made no changes or add-ons to our food at the demand of the chef and I was not expecting to be proven so right. We ordered the french toast flight which comes with lemon, blueberry, strawberry, and plain french toast as an "appetizer" and it was so delicious with the maple butter and I'm so glad I didn't add syrup. I also had the BBQ chicken sandwhich, which was good as well, but the herb fries were to die for (esp bc I love super seasoned food). Def going back!
(5)
Charlene A.
My sister introduced me & a friend to this place last weekend when we met up with a friend who is expecting twins! Meter parking on a Sunday was decent. This place is a pretty good size. The atmosphere is casual & vibrant with a great selection of music playing throughout. Onto the food! I had the french toast flight special which gave a strawberry, a blueberry, a lemon, caramel & their special of the weekend- a coconut French toast!! YUM!!! I also ordered their house made chicken sausage, which was very tasty. Our server - don't remember his name :/ but I'll call him the "riddle man" was very nice & friendly & would come by with some funny riddles. The chef makes himself present & visits each table to see how the food is which was nice. Every weekend the chef said they will have a new flavor of French toast so I definitely want to go back & try them! Overall I think it's a great new place that is definitely worth checking out!
(5)
Vanessa J.
My new favourite breakfast place. The flight of flavourful French Toast is a must to perk up the morning pallet. I wanted something different and the crab omelette hit the spot. It was light and fluffy with the right amount of zucchini, cheese and onions. This was my 3rd time and the wait for a seat is well worth it. The chef always greets the crowd and the waiting customers. I am very pleased again!
(5)
Marcia B.
Waited over an hour on saturday around 1pm...but it was worth it for the french toast, best french toast I ever had in my life! i forget the name..I think they put graham crackers on it . I will definitely be back :)
(4)
Camille W.
I went here for brunch last Sunday with a group of six. I feel that several of their service kinks have been worked out. Service was phenomenal. The waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and made great suggestions. Our table ordered lemon and blueberry frenchtoast, a French toast flight, chicken and waffles, a classic and a breakfast sandwhich. About twenty minutes later the food came out together and hot. I was impressed with the wait time as they seemed to be quite busy. The waiter was also very attentive in filling up our water and coffee throughout the entire time. The chef/owner came out to chat with us and the rest of the tables which was a nice touch. It is true that they do not serve standard breakfast condiments because the chef believes in creating flavorful dishes that don't require extras. I can respect that. And if you ask for salt, syrup, or whatever, they are happy to give it to you. We were all very pleased and impressed with our experience at Batter and Berries and plan to become regulars for their French toast.
(5)
Awilda G.
This should actually be a 1 1/2 star and its based on the food being good, but our overall experience was not good at all. I was really excited to go hear because it was highly recommended. As I also do I check out the menu and base my decision to go on what is served on the menu. What follows is our experience based on overall experience, aesthetics and food. Aesthetics: Nice colors vibrant, unfortunately the restaurant is small and the floor plan is not conducive to the volume of people. First you enter and you leave your name with the hostess which the area interferes because of the high volume of people in the area. You are told to either wait outside or they have a waiting area. We decided to wait in the waiting area (this is where it gets interesting) the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant in front of the bathrooms. First that is the worst area for waiting, the volume of people going to the bathroom and the serves going the kitchen is too much for such a small waiting area. Personally the waiting area should be in the front where they have two areas with tables. Second there should be less two people tables, this made it difficult to seat parties over two. Third there is a cabinet at the back where they keep their supplies they have to tell the person sitting in front of that area to move so they can get things. The supplies should not be in the eating area. We finally were seated after an hour unfortunately the hostess is not very organized and other people were being seated before us that came after. The are we were seated at was the hostess area and again there were so many people in the area that our view were peoples butts by our table not a pleasant way to eat your food. Food: I had the Flight of French toast, it was good but I expected a little more, they all tasted like they were made from the same batter and then different sauces on them, I expected the different taste be infused in the french toast. I also had the sweet potato hash, which I did not like, it was bland and my food was a bit cool, I like my breakfast hot off the pan. My daughter had the caramelized banana waffles (belique) it was good overall, she felt it had a slight burnt marshmallow taste which she didn't mind it just seemed a bit off. My boyfriend had the Chicken and Waffles. It was good but a few things were a bit different. The waffles were served with no maple syrup, they also had pieces of chicken inside the waffle which made some of the pieces a bit harder and dry, the chicken breast was good but a hot sauce was poured over it and it infused in the waffle. Bacon was good, coffee was ok and the tea was good. Overall because of the one hour wait and the experience that we had with the hostess, the waiting area and the unorganized layout of the dining and waiting area it was not a pleasant experience. We payed almost 60 dollars and the experience and food was not worth the 60 dollars, we had a much better experience at Bakin' and Eggs down the street and the food is much better and the service is great as well as Yolk. Both place less expensive. I will not be recommending this place nor will I be going back to Batter & Berries.
(1)
Rachel B.
We went here for brunch this morning and it was delicious! I was craving a breakfast sandwich so that's what I ordered and it was really good. I got a side order of hash browns and they were okay. They would have been better with salt but there was none on the table and our waiter never came back to check on how we were doing. My boyfriend got the french toast sampler platter thing and it was delicious. I've never had flavored french toast before, but I tried each of his pieces. He liked the strawberry the best but I think the lemon was good, but actually they were all great! When we go back it's definitely what I'll be ordering! The decor of the restaurant is super adorable but the layout could pose problems. There's a raised bar like table in the center of the room and due to the fact that it is raised and the tables surrounding it are at the regular level, well let's just hope if any girls are wearing skirts, they're crossing their legs! Our waiter was very nice and friendly but, like I said, he never came back to see how we were doing after dropping off our food, aside from quickly filling my water once after I was done eating, so I never got the salt for my hash browns. Also, they take their orders on ipod touches which, while it's pretty cool, kind of seemed awkward, like he was texting someone while taking our order; I guess it's just new technology to get used to. Chef Rylon was out walking around and talking to everyone. He was very nice and friendly and it was really cool to meet him. Overall the restaurant was great. We will definitely be back but have to knock it down one for service.
(4)
Julia R.
I know what a good breakfast is...with so many options in Chicago it is hard to choose! This is a place you MUST try and not only try but become a regular! Believe me!
(5)
Jamie G.
My mouth has never been happier. French Toast super flight. Chicken and Waffles (there's actually bits of chicken IN the waffle!). Eggs Benedict. OMG. I'm still in the afterglow. Wish the space was larger with more bathrooms.
(4)
J M.
After moving to the neighborhood over seven months ago, we finally made it to B&B. Perfect spot for Sunday brunch.
(5)
Veronica L.
Went to this place for brunch with friends for the first time on St. Patrick's Day....the food was great and awesome service!!!
(5)
Kris R.
sunday. our weekly family brunch. this was a new spot for us. me no likey all that much, unfortunately. me and the bro ordered the chicken and waffles. this is chicken-stuffed waffles with chicken on the side, in a spicy syrup. i gotta say, the waffle batter is more on the cakey/doughy/drier side. the chicken was white meat and dry. the spicy syrup was not too bad. it was tasty and a ton of flavor, but it was dry. disappointed. my nieces weren't havin' the pancakes and syrup. the reg syrup tasted weird to both of them, so they didn't eat much. oh and the batter had a ton of nutmeg. dude, easy on that. the server was nice. decor is strange. one thing they do have down - the hashbrowns. they were the shit.
(2)
Alicia S.
Great customer service and wonderful food!!! I had the chicken and waffle and my SIL had the biscuits and gravy...both were delicious!! My 2.5 yo daughter was with us and they were very accommodating, bringing her fruit while we waited for our table and small toys once we were seated. We will definitely be back really soon!!
(5)
Gail G.
Really excellent breakfast place. Unusual menu items and specials, all executed flawlessly. Warm, efficient service. And they let me come in out of the rain even though I showed up before they were open. Highly recommended.
(5)
Vincent W.
Coming here I had two expectations: delicious batter and berries galore. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries only came through on having tasty batter, but failed to deliver on my "berry" expectations. According to the menu, the pancakes I ordered were said to come with seasonal berries. I was disappointed when they arrived with one strawberry and literally ten blueberries. Not nine, not eleven - ten. Never mind the fact that the word berries is in the name of this establishment, compared to how similar dishes are served at other brunch places in the area - M Henrietta, Tweet, and Sola, to name a few - this just felt cheap. The batter of the pancakes was tasty - as was that of my girlfriend's waffle (she ordered the "goof") - but at the same time, her fried chicken was dry. My other complaint was the service. The host was not unfriendly, while at the same time being everything but friendly and welcoming. Add to that, we had to wait a few minutes for a table - not a big deal - but when we were seated we were surprised to find that we were sat at a communal table. That's not a big deal either, but it would have been nice to have been told this / given an option ahead of time. Our waitress was friendlier, but when our food took a long time (~20-25 mins) to come out (and indeed, several other two tops around us who ordered after us were served before us), I had to get her attention to find out what was going on, instead of her being proactive about it. We may come back to try some of the other dishes, but with so many good brunch options around Chicago, it would be far from being our first choice.
(3)
Bridget N.
I came here with a good friend of mine. I was expecting the food to be very good because of the reviews I have read on yelp, which rarely fails me. HOWEVER, I was extremely disappointed. First of all, my waitress was terrible. She took 20 minutes to come and check on us and see whether we were ready to order drinks, and then another 15 to take our food order. She also completely neglected to ask whether I wanted any more coffee or water the entire time I was there. (Though the coffee was terrible anyway) Then there was the food. I ordered the broccoli and cheese omelette, with hashbrowns. What I received was a flat omelette, covered in cheese with three hunks of raw broccoli on top. I could have made a better omelette for 1/4 of the price in my own home. The hashbrowns were fine, though they were burnt on top and should have it described on the menu that they were made with cheese and sour cream (in the case a customer was a vegan). The worst part about this place however, was that my friend as well as myself have felt completely nauseated all day. I haven't been able to eat anything at the risk of throwing up--which is definitely attributed to this food. Do not eat here, there are dozens of better spots within two blocks of this place.
(1)
Rebe G.
We have been there twice now and the food does not disappoint! However, the service needs to improve to make this a 5-star place. While we got seated right away, it took over 5 minutes both times to have a server acknowledge us and get us coffee. We even asked. The same thing happen at two other tables. It does not appear that there is structure to the table assignments and the staff seems to gather to chat without noticing a new table has been seated. We will give it another chance, but I hope the service improves.
(3)
Bonni S.
My friend and I shared the spinach omelette and the French toast flight. Both were so excellent. The spinach and mushrooms were fresh and delicious. I think I dreamed about the French toast, especially the key lime. I will be back! The staff was excellent. The chef visited us more than once to check on us. The waitress was very attentive and Jason the manager was wonderful.
(5)
N W.
Soo good!!! Met the chef. Had the caramel French Toast and it was soo good.
(5)
Gretchen R.
I have been to Batter & Berries 4 times now. The first 3 times my breakfast was AMAZING. I went there again this morning, and found my waffle undercooked. While I love how fast my order came out, I would have prefered it to be fully cooked. I still gave 4 stars because the other 3 times I have been have been completely delicious.
(4)
Erica T.
This was my 3rd visit, and I must say. . . it's better every time! The Lobster Omlet special #56 was AWESOME! Also the Crab Cakes Benedict. I waited over an hour (Memorial Day) but worth every minute! Must go !!!
(5)
Jason A.
Very tasty food although my omelet was cold. The Super French Toast flight was tremendous. Our server was friendly but didn't give us a lot of attention. I don't blame him though because he wasn't getting a lot of help. The place was packed and people were waiting outside, yet we tried to leave our table for 10 minutes before we got a bill. Then that took time. There is a waiting area in back but I'm thinking it would probably serve them well to add a table or two. And more servers. I hope they figure it out though because the food really was awesome. They use fresh ingredients and have a really creative menu, all housemade. That's how it got to four stars. I'll go back for sure but if my food is cold we'll have to have a chat.
(4)
Dee H.
Best french toast I've ever tasted! None of that thick "egg-y" batter, just crunchy outside, chewy inside goodness! The taste is indescribable, you just need to try it. The handmade chicken sausage and cheesy hashbrowns are awesome as well. Everyone I have sent to this place have nothing but great things to say and keep going back. It's worth the trek up north from the southside.
(5)
Lynn E.
My French toast was cold, and I had to ask for extra fruit topping. They don't serve sugar-free drinks, because the owner, who is a doctor, recommends against it. Yet they serve fried and sugary foods.
(4)
Azra H.
I was tempted to give it 3 stars but I really wanted to give it a five!! Food was AHHHHMAZING! (i thought so) Really really really GOOD and yummy and I dream about it at night. The service on the other hand was TERRIBLE. our server was nice but we had to ask for more coffee 5 times...NO JOKE! We constantly had to ask for more creamer and sugar, after the 2nd time I dont know why they didnt just bring a whole bunch to save their time. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. SO yummy and we split the special flight. My friend had the special breakfast burrito with a tomato tortilla,eggs, cheesy hash, and homemade sausage, she said it was eh. Nothing too special about it. My other friend never even got her order. The server said she didnt hear her but I remember she repeated it back to us and she heard the "with a side of bacon" but not the buttermilk pancake part? (all my friend received was the side of bacon) Good this we ordered the flight to split so she had something to eat. \ I'll probably be back but not for a girls Sunday brunch date.
(4)
Ryan S.
Dine here Sunday 9/29 for breakfast and the food was great. This food might get me to come back but the hostess is terrible. She greeted us with no smile like she was angry at the world. After asking how many we had she went back to tell the staff to get the tables set and then returned said nothing for a couple minutes while we stood there awkwardly. She then huffed and waved us along to our table. This first impression was terrible and will likely keep me from really recommending it. With all that said the food was great, just don't expect to feel welcomed when you step through the doors.
(3)
Zayna D.
What an amazing brunch at this place! Had the sweet potato chicken and waffles, crab omelet and biscuits & gravy. Everything was exceptional, especially the owner who made everyone feel welcome! Will be back.
(5)
Sonia A.
Because the food was so good, I went again with another friend. This time the service was spot-on AND the food was still yummy. I told my server that the last time I had come I had had bad service, so she had one of the manager come talk to me. The manager (the owner's sister-in-law) was so nice and personable. I really liked her and was happy that she was so concerned that I had had bad service. I will go again. I shared the crab omelette and a plate of lemon and the special french toast. Delicious.
(4)
miss k.
Came here as a party of 4 plus an infant on Sunday and loved it. The restaurant was crowded and the waiting area (really, in a hallway in the back) was awkward and not very functional, especially with a small child in tow. There is NO room for strollers (and no place to lock outside). That being said, once we were seated, the service was great and the food DELICIOUS. The chicken & waffle dish is outstanding, and my husband devoured the french toast flight. I can't wait to come back and try more!
(4)
B H.
Great new place on Lincoln. Wonderful fresh ingredients, house made sausage and pastry. Friendly owner and staff. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
Toni J.
Nom, nom...and nom! As you know anything that gets a buzz in Chicago gets crowded quick, but when I came to visit my hometown Chicago last weekend I had to visit this place. I heard the words "chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle" and was sold. First of all, the chicken that came with this waffle was the absolute juiciest, well seasoned, fresh piece of meat ever...no, really. Fried to perfection. I wish they fried chicken and sold it. In fact, I hope this place ends up on one of those Food Network shows for the best chicken and waffles. The waffle was pretty good too. I was expecting a more sweeter taste, something with a little more cinnamon/nutmeg/vanilla--almost like pie, but it was actually a great combination with the chicken. I requested syrup because I have a severe sweet tooth and almost gave the chef a heart attack. He was very cool and came to the table to ask if I had tasted it sans syrup and I assured him it was perfect as is, but I'm a messy foodie who needs it extra fat. I wish I had've tried more things, everything honestly looked great. The service was enh...just okay, but they had "cute" little iPads to give you a glimpse of the food before you ordered. Even with the not so great service the food was delicious and the place has a real home feel to it. Nothing over the top, no fancy napkins, just great food, great music and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Yaliyah H.
New breakfast place!! Friendly hostess, excellent service and very kid-friendly. The decoration is tasteful and welcoming. We loved that the chef came out to greet us and chat. The food is superb. I recommend "The Goof" (an updated spin on chicken 'n waffles), the french toast options (lots of fruit flavors) or "The Executive" (steak and eggs). This is will be my family's new breakfast spot for sure.
(5)
Gracia L.
A new breakfast spot around the corner from our house, glad to see it especially since Salt & Pepper diner still (never? who knows) isn't open. We arrived at 8am (we have a early-rising toddler) and were warmly greeted. It has a cheery atmosphere with good light towards the front. My husband ordered the flight of french toast and he LOVED it. So good. I ordered the bacon/cheese/egg sandwich and I also really enjoyed it. I was most impressed by the side of fruit I ordered for my daughter - it was so nicely displayed I almost didn't want her to eat it! The mint garnish was a nice addition and it was a really lovely fresh fruit variety. Not just a bunch of cantaloupe and melon that usually comes with a fruit side at other breakfast spots. I think the waiter ordering on the ipod was a bit weird; I knew he was taking our order but it instinctively made me feel like he was texting or not paying attention (though I knew he was). I think I'd rather than remember the order or write it down old school. That's just me. Not a complaint just thought it was kind of odd. They had nice quality table toys/games to hand out to the many families that continued to walk in after us. Nice addition to the neighborhood. We'll go back.
(4)
Josh P.
Seriously the best breakfast food in Chicago. Amazing staff. We came here for a meeting and decided to order a few plates of everything. We ordered the french toast with different toppings like lemon and pecans, amazing. Chedder eggs, belgian waffle, bacon, it was all perfect. I will be back for sure!!!!
(5)
Todd G.
I was greeted by a friendly hostess and Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" over the loudspeaker when I entered B&B. It was my first visit and, despite it being a holiday, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately. She had the chicken and waffles while I had the French Toast flight. Both were delicious. As the menu suggested, you really don't need syrup to eat with either meal. Each was sweet on its own. We added a side of cheese-encrusted hash browns and enjoyed those as well. While the food was good, the service was exceptional. At least three people (not including our server) came over to inquire on our meals...including the chef (who was proudly wearing a t-shirt that said "Chef).
(4)
I P.
My husband and I came across this place through yelp reviews the first week we moved to Chicago and it put us off to such a great start! We went for Sunday brunch and were told the wait would be close to 2 hours - and it was well worth it! We ended up getting asked an hour into the wait if we didn't mind sharing a 4 person table with another couple and we said yes (which I normally wouldn't but we were super hungry). It was such a great decision because we met two really great women who always come here for brunch and knew the menu inside and out!. The best part of the experience was that the server would give each table a riddle to try and solve and the chef came out wearing his PJ pants to each table to ask how the food was. Super friendly place that makes you feel like you are eating at your friends restaurant. Fantastic chicken & waffles and chicken sandwhich! We will definately go back again
(5)
Joey Z.
This breakfast was phenomenal and chef rylon was so nice. Definitely go to this place and try the French toast. It changes weekly with fresh fruit and ingredients!
(5)
dan l.
Best French toast on the planet.
(5)
Brandy J.
I had brunch here a few days ago. I was very pleased with the service and food. The waiter greeted us within moments of sitting down. He gave us all the specials of the day. I choose the French toast flight which was delectable it included lemon, caramel, strawberry and blueberry. I also ordered the cheesy potato and housemade chicken sausage. My friend ordered rhe deconstructed steak omelette and cheesy potatoes. She also enjoyed her food. The owner came around to our table to make sure everything was ok. Its a small quant place and willl def dine here again. We didn't have a wait at all but we dined on a Monday.
(5)
Sondra P.
The Lemon french toast was Amazing! No syrup needed...Perfect! Go get you some :) Also the staff were fun and friendly. We even met the Chef. I love this place, but they need a southside location (HydePark please...).
(5)
Chrissy B.
I'm slowly branching out and trying new brunch places. After reading enough reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to give Batter & Berries a shot. I appreciated the seating area away from the door, and was fine with a 20 minute wait. The smells were intoxicating, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the menu. 30 minutes later, we were seated near the front door, and immediately wished they had a second door to block some of the chill. Our waiter was funny, but I wished he had spent less time telling me riddles and more time getting our order in. I can understand the wait, if everyone else is experiencing it, but tables everywhere were getting in and out and here we sat with no food. It was another 35 minutes before we were served, and the food was incredible. I ordered the Crab Omelette, and my boyfriend had the Blueberry Belgique. Absolutely delicious, but nothing gets my goat more than having to wait 20 minutes to get the check. I wish I could say I'll be back, but there are far more places to try and get better service than here.
(3)
Jason L.
I ordered the French toast sampler, and it was nothing short of amazing. Staff was very friendly, the restaurant was very clean. I'll be back.
(5)
Marsha F.
This a great breakfast place especially if you love French toast. Its not perfect service like any other brunch spot but it is worth a visit. I will be going back for sure.
(3)
adya a.
Prepare to wait, but it's more then worth the wait. The food here is amazing. The chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. The maple syrup is unlike anything I've ever had. You must try the French toast flight it is amazing. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Helen L.
Hands down, the greatest French toast I have ever eaten. Friendly, attentive wait staff, fresh delicious coffee. Go now before the rest of Chicago learns about this place.
(5)
Abigail L.
Great place! Scallops, Asperagus and mushrooms on my omelette, please! Service was good. Based on previous reviews, they must have worked on this.. Food was timely and amazing flavor. A bit pricy, but I did order sea scallops on my omelette. (and they did NOT skimp on the scallops, on size or quality) After the meal, the chef held the door for us, thanked us for coming and talked with us about his ever changing menu. Thanks chef Raylon! We will be back!
(5)
John K.
Simple, bright, clean and tastefully decorated. A comfortable spot. Had the buffalo shrimp wrap which came with sweet potato fries. Shrimp was big and chunky, fries were the perfect side. My daughter had the blueberry Belgian waffle, and devoured it without syrup which speaks volumes for the flavor!
(5)
Sherrie M.
All of the food is absolutely amazing! Was ready to recommend this place to friends and fam. However, the service is wanting. My friend's breakfast was 45 minutes late and they gave us a 15% discount off her meal...what's up with that? Then the waitress was majorly confused about how to charge our credit cards, and claimed that we were paying too much, we explained that we WEREN'T, but she insisted, so we let it lie and gave a generous tip to make up for the difference. About 40 minutes later the manager came over and said that we didn't pay enough and that she wanted our credit cards back to void the first transaction and charge us the correct amount!! What a mess!! It was embarrassing that they even came over to us....SERIOUSLY, THEY NEED TO THINK ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE and finding qualified staff that understand how to properly ring up a tab!! But again, we LOVED all of the food...hopefully they improve their service b/c then this place will truly be a hit!
(4)
Lindsay D.
Such great service! The chef came and spoke to us twice, the hostess did the same, and our waiter was hilarious- very upbeat and friendly. The recommendations were really helpful! Four of us shared the french toast flight as an appetizer- all five were completely infused with flavor. All four of our meals were delicious and would recommend this place to anyone for brunch
(5)
Pie B.
I came here early one morning with a friend after reading a bunch of rave reviews on yelp and some random blogs. We were so excited for the food, only to experience a catastrophic let-down. 1. Cluck N Gaufre. Everyone says this is the best thing ever. Chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle with a lightly battered fried chicken breast, nutmeg hot sauce, and maple butter. It sounds pretty awesome, and the flavors are all there. However, the waffle was dry and the chicken over cooked. Subpar execution. Booo. 2. Sweet potato hash. I had read this was amazing. It was soggy and barely lukewarm. No golden crisp. Some of the shreds of sweet potato were undercooked. 3. Deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet with swiss cheese and a spinach-mushroom sauce. The sauce was essential non-existent--a tiny little drop on the side of the omelet. The cheese consisted of cheap, unpalatble slices of swiss. It came with a side of "crispy cheese potato hash." Neither crispy nor cheesy. Flop. 4. #48 Snickers French Toast, one of the specials. The one redeeming factor. This was delicious and crispy. It could have come out hot, though, but was instead barely warm. The order that shined. Go with the French toast. Our waitress was not well versed in the menu and unable to answer our questions (i.e., what's a snickers french toast?). She was nice, but would linger awkwardly throughout the duration of our brunch. Ultimate disappointment. This place has a lot of potential but failed to deliver. We wanted so much to love this place!
(2)
Julia D.
I'm a south sider, the trip to the north side for breakfast was my idea of an adventure. It was worth the drive! It was truly a delight and delicious! The fare was original and plentiful. I am certain to return. Now let me keep it real, we went on Good Friday afternoon and the service was a nightmare! It was obvious that something was Way OFF service wise. It was a half hour wait for a table, when there were clearly empty tables. Only one guy was cleaning tables, so that may have been part of the trouble. It would have been quite alright if it had not taken fourty-five minutes for my food. I overheard the owner say he was displeased with the days going on, that commentary and the flavor of his food will force me back.
(4)
B V.
Dear other breakfast places, pack your bags cause the champ is here!! As a "breakfast person" I have found my little slice of heaven. I have been here twice and floored twice. The food is so delicous. The wait staff is very friendly. The manager checks on you and chats candily about the place and they have a very soulful music background. Think Marvin Gaye, MJ, Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott all while you enjoy your meal. Thursday is house music day. House music and french toast? Umm yes please. Speaking of which I had the french toast flight. Four different ones each in a different flavor. Strawberry, lemon, pecan, carmel. All incredible. I dont even like strawberries but I LOVED this french toast. I also had the best chicken sausage I ever tasted in my life! Most chicken sausage taste like cardboard. This was decadent! Run don't walk to this spot. Weekends are packed and for good reason. They may have to knock down a wall soon for space. Get in early. They close at 3. I can't wait to try the something new on the menu next time!!
(5)
Michelle L.
M suggestion is to get there before 9 AM because there isn't a wait before that but once it's 9 AM expect to wait at least an hour. The owner is so nice and will come outside if your waiting and he is also very hands on while you are inside. The food is also amazing and different then what you can get anywhere else. I always get pancakes or french toast and my boyfriend gets the steak and eggs which he loves
(4)
Ellarey M.
The french toast flight is amazing - do it. You won't regret it.
(5)
Vinodh N.
two words, amazing brunch!!!!
(5)
Brent G.
My office is close-by so I eat here about once per week. Very creative food and the ingredients are among the freshest I've had, even for Chicago. The staff mingle and interact with diners and this is part of the charm. Set aside a little time, as the service is not fast (and is probably not designed to be).
(5)
Shawnee L.
This was my first visit and I definitely will make it a habit. A friend has been trying to get me to the restaurant for a while & today I gave in all I can say is that I'm mad I've been missing out on this!! The only reason I didn't 5 star it is because there are still some things that I've yet to try but what I did have was fantastic. As most of the reviews stated the french toast were to die for. Also, when you get good service, a warm welcome and a we'll see you later you know that is a place you want to frequent.
(4)
Ashley S.
After seeing this place with such a cute name pop up recently, my boyfriend and I decided to go check it out for brunch. The Chef came by to greet us and the other two couples who were waiting, and I thought it was nice of him to be so welcoming. We were seated within 5 minutes and that's when everything went downhill. It took about 45 minutes for us to receive our orders of French toast, which can be overlooked since this is a relatively new place. However, I was very offended by the waiter when he finally gave us our food and said, "Sorry for the wait guys, but it's worth it, you'll see," before he rudely ran away without asking if we wanted anything else. I had to flag down another waiter to ask for syrup for the French toast, which should have been standard at every table. We were never asked if we wanted anything to drink, or checked on to see if we wanted refills of our drinks the entire time we were there. Although we received our food at the same time, the table of four next to ours received their dishes 15 minutes apart. Another complaint is that there were no fans and the thermostat right by our table read 79F. It would be nice if they could make it a little bit more comfortable in there. There was a couple with a small child also sitting next to us, who waited for their food about the same amount of time as us. They ended up taking their food to-go after the Chef came out and explained why everything takes so long to make. I don't think that amount of wait for food is acceptable, and all the chef/owner needed to do was apologize instead of trying to justify himself/make excuses. Overall, the food was really good, the service needs some serious improvements. There's hope for this restaurant though. I'd recommend waiting until they have things in order before stopping by this place.
(2)
Courtland H.
Great new brunch and lunch spot. Chef Rylon is super skilled and very involved. Very surprised at some of the 1 star reviews, i would recommend anyone who wrote one to try the place again, maybe not on a busy weekend day because i think places like this can get so busy on weekends that stuff can fall through the cracks customer servicewise. Had the deconstructed chicken omelet, kobe sliders, wifey had the short rib omelet - which seemed like a weird flavor combo(as most of the dishes do) but was executed so well. Have been to lots of breakfast and brunch places around town and these guys have it down for sure. also an excellent tea selection and good coffee.
(5)
Jennifer R.
This place was AMAZING!! My boyfriend and I tried it for the first time today and it did not disappoint. As we walked in, we were greeted warmly and sat down right away. The server was very nice and attentive. She did a great job giving us suggestions on what to get. I really appreciated it!!! We ended up getting Blueberry French Toast brioche bread dipped in house made blueberry batter & topped with fresh blueberries & our b&b maple butter and Banana-Nut Belgigue topped with caramelized bananas, b&b maple butter & drizzled in vanilla sauce. We also got a side of bacon. The server let us know that the Chef suggests to take a bite first of the French Toast and Waffle before adding syrup. I am glad I did take the Chef's advice (as you should). Each of the items we had were soooo tasty and I think this was the BEST breakfast I had in a long time!! The side of bacon was great as well. Not to crispy and you actually had 3 slices of meaty bacon not like other breakfast places where the bacon is non existent. All and all it was a wonderful visit and I can not wait to go back and try more!! BTW...please do not add syrup to the French Toast you will not need it!!
(5)
Amy P.
JL and I decided to try this place for brunch and overall, it's a nice addition to the neighborhood. The menu is not quite as extensive as many of the other popular places to brunch, and that may be why the options available try to seem a cut above the standard fare. You won't find a regular omelet on this menu, as all of the omelets are "deconstructed". What is a deconstructed omelet, one may ask, and I was set on finding out. JL, SL and I each ordered a deconstructed omelet - one spinach and swiss, one broccoli and cheddar, and one chicken and peppers. When the food arrived, I have to say, I was a little disappointed because it looked just like a plain old omelet. The only difference might be that the cheese and some of the other ingredients were on the top, but they were on top of (drum roll please) a plain old omelet! By not having the cheese inside, I actually felt that the omelet itself was a bit dry. SP had the Cluck and Gravy - a dish that was described as "chicken and corn muffins...topped with chicken sausage gravy". All his favorite things! During the wait for our food, he mentioned several times that he could not wait to eat. I guess he was hungry. When his dish came out, we were all expecting a decadent plate of chicken, muffins and gravy, but nothing could be farther from the truth. His dish consisted of mostly hash browns, with a little square sauce dish that contained 3 half dollar-sized biscuits, topped with a couple tablespoons of gravy. Alas, there were no corn muffins, nor was there any chicken. The size of his main dish could literally fit in my cupped palm. Now, was it yummy? It certainly wasn't bad. It just wasn't what a hungry man would expect. The "corn muffins" were unique in that they were neither muffin nor biscuit, but something in between. Soft, moist little tiny morsels studded with corn. The gravy was also flavorful without being overly rich, and the amount of gravy was not so much that it would ruin the texture of the muffin/biscuits. In a nutshell, this was biscuits and gravy without the guilt (or the heart attack). Lucky for SP, we ordered the french toast flight to share, so most of my omelette made its way into his plate while I happily dedicated my attention to the carbs. Now onto the french toast. I don't eat french toast all that often, because most of the times it is drowned in butter and syrup. Some will say that that's just how french toast should be, but I disagree. French toast should consist of bread that has soaked in the goodness of the egg and other flavorings, without being overwhelmed by it. It should be custardy, not soggy, and each bit should satisfy the taste buds without sending your blood sugar to alarming levels. This french toast was just that. The lemon was absolutely divine, topped with what looked like candied lemon zest that made it taste like lemon frosting. The caramel was topped with candied walnuts and caramel sauce and again, was so delicious without being overly heavy or cloying. This was french toast that you could eat everyday. Overall, I think what stood out to me the most was that all of the dishes seemed to be fairly healthy. There are sweet potato hash browns in addition to regular hash browns and neither had the typical tell-tale signs of having been doused in butter and oil. All of the dishes enabled you to taste the ingredients first and foremost, without masking it in the (delicious) taste of butter. Brunch without the guilt? Why not?
(3)
Tiva T.
This is a great place for breakfast/lunch on the weekdays ($9 lunch trio with salad, soup, and a half-sandwich) and for brunch on the weekends. The ingredients are fresh and the food is delicious. The wait staff is very friendly and competent. I have only two suggestions: (1) Chef Rylon explained that his deconstructed omelets are designed to showcase the quality of the ingredients. Ok, I believe him, but I prefer my omelet ingredients mixed in. Consider adding a "constructed omelet" option. (2) The kitchen can be a tad slow. On the weekdays, especially, people want to be able to get their meals, eat, and go. Pick up the pace! Bottom line: Support this Black-owned Northside local business!
(4)
Tiffany B.
There was a wait but it was well worth it. The service is spectacular at this place and the food is even better! Best birthday brunch ever!
(5)
Brian S.
We live very close to Batter & Berries so we were really anticipating this restaurant's opening. However, both my wife and I came to the exact same conclusion after our experience..."meh." The restaurant is supposed to focus on breakfast and yet.... My coffee was never refilled; never even asked. It took forever for someone to come and take our order, even longer to have the food come out of the kitchen despite there only being 15-20 other patrons; food finally arrived cold. waitstaff confused about their respective coverage and always fumbling around with iPhones (presumably the order entry system). lemon french toast came with walnuts on it...not indicated on menu...my daughter is allergic, so I couldn't share with her. These guys should know better. Syrup never arrived for daughter's pancakes. Sweet potato hash browns barely cooked; more like the innards of a sweet potato served mushy on a plate. Deconstructed spinach omelette way over salted and served with some spinach goop paste. not good. chef appeared and came around to introduce himself as chef/owner. nice fellow. He has his work cut out for him. For now, we're skipping the failed attempts at "upscale" breakfast and sticking with S&G and Nookies
(2)
Leslie A.
This is such a friendly restaurant! They treated us like family. The food was AMAZING! You must get the french toast flight. My faves were the caramel and lemon. Our waiter told us funny little riddles and was just so warm. I highly recommend this place. I hope I can get back again soon!
(5)
Jessica B.
Crab cake Benedict w cheesy hash changed my liiife. Also loved the strawberry cheesecake French toast. Soo good. Friendly service. I just didn't like the community high table in the middle where we sat. I'll def be back soon!
(5)
Lisa B.
not a fan. greasy and impossible to avoid oily cheese. hash browns way under cooked even after sending them back. I do not get the hype about this place. we had to keep asking for coffee refills as well. I do admire that the owner has busted his tail to open his own restaurant. Takes courage and shear determination. If you want the best brunch in the city check out Mhenry or MHenrietta.
(2)
Jon D.
This place is a solid 4 star brunch. It's bright, welcoming, friendly, and the opposite of every pretentious new brunch place that seems to open once a fortnight. Sure, the menu seems like it was printed out at the place, and put in to clear plastic envelopes, but that's almost endearing, as if they care more about the food they're putting out, than the aesthetics of the presentation of the food list. I'm a savory "brah:" eggs, sausage, ham, omelets, bacon, skillets, the usual. This time I went for sweet, as so much of their menu was just that, pancakes, french toast, and another thing, with a name I can't remember. French toast flight arrived in a timely fashion with strawberry (good, but not really too distinct,) blueberry (tasty,) caramel something something (decadent and delicious,) lemon something (my least favorite, but not by any definition "bad",) and a key-lime special. Again, it was all quite good, but keep in mind I'm not a sweets guy, and if I am, french toast is like the bronze medal behind waffles and pancakes. Like a distant bronze. Waffles and pancakes are all head to head, but then waffles pull forward like Mark Cavendish, leaving enough time between the two, like maybe 12 seconds, to be noticeable, but not really change up the field too much, as they're going in to the mountains the next day. Girlfriend went traditional with a sweet potato hash. I like my sweet taters savory, and this was a little more traditional brown sugar sweet. That being said, they were really enjoyable, but hot damn, the ham steak that came with her meal? That was REALLY well done. Not well done in the way that it was overcooked, but in the way that it was prepared excellently. The eggs also looked good, but I was too busy chowing on FT to pay attention. Some folks on here have complained about the lack of salt, pepper, and syrup on the table, and to you fine people I say "try it first." Seriously, just try it before you start saying that you NEED syrup for french toast. I bet half of you pour that aunt jamima "pancake syrup" on your stuff, not even real maple. Fine, each to their own, but this french toast didn't need more sweet stuff on it, it was fine just the way the outrageously-social-chef-who-came-around-to-every-Âtable-twice intended it to be. Also, look on the menu, it even says something to the degree of "try it first". Sweet: Clean, quick seating, friendly service. Really friendly service, it felt family run. Not so sweet: Coffee was blah, refills were tortoise-esque.
(4)
Nick A.
Did not disappoint what so ever. Couldn't make up mind so I went with the chicken gaufre, eggs and the hash browns. Came out very quickly and the service was excellent. The hash-browns were definitely worth getting too. Perfect mix of burnt and soft hash. The sweet potato waffle was unique. I don't know if I was totally in love but they were a nice change from the the spiciness of the chicken
(4)
Jenni B.
great honest staff...chefs are roamin around introducin themselves, i got chicken and waffles...AWESOME...sweet potato waffle and some friend chicken.. great salt and sweet balance. handle it
(5)
Tracy R.
French Toast flight is sublime... Chef Rylon is a talented and gracious host. Bright, pretty, charming place with enough great sounding options on the menu, I'll have to keep coming back to try them all!
(5)
Piper P.
Overly salty 20 dollars for corn meal polenta with a big red beard hair....really?????? Not impressed,
(1)
Eve F.
I've been here three times since it opened a few weeks ago which is probably a bit embarrassing. It's been hit or miss each time. Food: I would give the omelet 's 1 star (I've ordered them twice) - the "deconstructed" broccoli cheese omelet was cold, and the cheddar on top had already solidified by the time it got to me - gross. I understand the Chef wants to showcase the "freshness" by putting the broccoli outside the omelet - but even the most amazing broccoli couldn't save a cold solid omelet . My friend's spinach omelet was really soggy and unappealing. They only give you condiments on request, which is a tad pretentious and also shameful for the customer to have to ask for salt. The french toast has been great every time - it isn't stuffed like some of the nearby restaurants (Toast, Kanela's..), but there's a lot of flavor and the maple butter adds something different. If you're willing to take on the calories - I would definitely recommend them - the orange has been my favorite, the caramel pecan is up there as well. Lunch has been a little better for me - the veggie wrap has good (not soggy) veggies. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burger. The fries are awesome - I think they are the main reason I keep going back. Service: The waiters seem really distracted and confused by the process of ordering with their phones and not having a station to enter in items. As a customer it is hard to know the waiter was taking my order or texting a friend - perhaps using tablets or iPads would be easier. I really like the owner and Chef and wish them well - just maybe wait a few weeks until it becomes a fully functional restaurant.
(3)
angela d.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! The french toast is OFF the chain! I am actually scared of what the wait will be when people discover how amazing it is!
(5)
Stephanie L.
So, I've been to this place a few times, and it seems to just get better every time I go. I've come for breakfast, brunch, family get togethers, business meetings, all that jazz. That's why I finally had to post about it... Decor: Puts me in the mind set of being in a beautiful natural setting for a relaxing walk. I can almost hear the tranquility of the water coming out of the wall art. Really serene. Service: I seem to always get this nice guy that gives us a few riddles while taking care of our order. A real nice addition to the brunch experience. The chef always comes out to greet us, and that's nice. Price: Very reasonable for the type of food you get. This is breakfast to another level, and thank God its reasonable enough for me to enjoy it! FOOD!!: This is the icing on the cake! The food is outstanding! I must say the flight of french toast is outstanding! I am not a french toast eater, but this place takes it up a few notches! Whatever your "10" is for french toast, then this must be a "13" because it takes your mind past what you would expect french toast to be. Truly mind blowing. I've also had the waffle, wraps, burger, salmon sliders, steak sandwich, and salad, and they all have been exceptional. This is brunch to the next level... Hope this helps, and if you're in the area, make sure you go! And if you're not in the area, get in your car and drive there! ITS THAT GOOD!!!
(5)
Janene M.
The food really gets 4 stars it's great. My review came down to a 3 due to the service from our server, specifically, which averaged out to 2 stars. We went on a Sunday. It is extremely busy and the place is very small. If you go on the weekend, you need to have some patience and not be starving when you get there. We waited 45 minutes for a table. We were seated. It was our very first time. Our server, Trent, did not explain the specials, the menu or anything about what makes this a different dining experience from other brunch spots. It did not help that the server at the table next to ours explained the specials to every single customer. One of the specials was a lobster omelet. My sister asked was it good? He goes, do you like lobster? She says yes, he says, well you'll like the omelet. Thanks.... that was helpful. We place our order, 30 minutes later, still no food. Your food's coming up, says Trent. Every table around us is getting their food. Mind you they were seated after us. Trent, where is our food, we say. It's coming. Finally he admits our ticket is lost in cyber space (they use iPads to take the order), it's coming right out. It comes out 50 minutes later. If we had not driven from the Southside and had a 2nd stop to go to in that neighborhood, we we would've left. We ordered the French toast flight, which tasted like heaven. Especially, the peach cobbler french toast! We also ordered 2 of the specials, crab cakes benedict and the lobster omelet. The crab cakes, heavenly. The lobster omelet was good, but I wouldn't order it again. The chef (and owner) came out to speak to the customers. I pulled him to the side and told him how long we waited. He was aware and apologized. We received our French flight for free. He told us when we come back, ask for him and we would get another French flight on the house. The manager also spoke with us on our way out. Overall, the food is delicious. Worth the wait. It is very small so people are on top of you. Like the other reviewers stated, if you're seated near the front, you are treated to the blast of arctic air every time the door opens. I appreciated the apology and great service from Chef Rylon and the manager. I hope Trent is never our server ever again. I would return.
(3)
Danielle S.
this is the best dang breakfast I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE CITY... NOW i CAN'T GET ENOUGH..I GO EVERY SUNDAY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE CHEF HAS AS THE SPECIAL...Each sunday I am never disappointed...the french toast is amazing! GET THE SUPER FLIGHT!!! hash browns and sausage complete my meal and it so good I want to hug the chef...I think I did the last time I was there! LOL...the staff is knowlegeable and friendly and the chef is so passionate about what he creates..he makes everything sound delish. My BF had the Chicken and Waffles and was floored at how delish and full he was...I CAN'T say enough wonderful things about this cozy spot...it's a new favorite for my friends and I!!!
(5)
Slim G.
The Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle blessed by baby Jesus himself & the restaurant is BYOB ! The only bread on I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is because if the three hour wait time .
(4)
michael b.
Service was slow but nice and fun attitude made up for it. Food was the problem. Hash browns were not fresh. Clumps of hard cheese mixed with dry potatoes! Lobster cakes had a weird consistency. Broccoli omelette was over cooked. Maybe the sweet stuff is good?
(2)
Andrew M.
I am half tempted to write a negative review, just to deter people from coming here. But that would be selfish of me. Everyone needs to enjoy this place, because it is worth a trip. GET THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT! For all that is good in this world, get the french toast flight. It is french toast like I've never had before. When I went, the special of the day was butterscotch french toast. Add it for a dollar or two extra. Worth every penny. Also, the butter is amazing. Homemade and delicious! My girlfriend ordered the omelet and enjoyed it, though not as much as I enjoyed my french toast. She actually ended up eating more of my breakfast than she did of hers. The chef is awesome. He knows that he makes a great food and is clearly proud of it. He is friendly and goes to every single table to say hi. GO THERE! Why are you reading this review? Get off your chair and go to Batter & Berries.
(5)
George P.
This place is gourmet breakfast at a very reasonable cost! The French toast flight is original and delightful! Flavors like lemon, strawberry, blueberry hazelnut! Chicken sausage is homemade.. Hell everything is homemade, and the atmosphere is vibrant and soulful.. This of one place you have to visit..
(5)
Dave S.
B&B is a relatively new breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in what was previously a somewhat desolate stretch of Lincoln Ave. It is a welcome addition. On a recent weekend morning, we were seated immediately, even though the restaurant was packed. The crowd was a nice mix: families, young couples, and folks from what appeared to be a variety of walks of life. The dining room itself is great: bright, open, and filled with a nice vibe from all the excitement. I like the abundance of natural light, which makes for perfect newspaper reading. We were greeted by a very nice, efficient waitress within a few minutes. I had several questions about the menu, and she answered each knowledgeably and without seeming hurried (even though she was slammed). We ordered and the chef/owner, Rylon, soon made his way to our table. He is quite personable and very obviously passionate about food and his restaurant. His presence in the dining room is a nice touch. We ordered a salad and the spinach omelette. Both were excellent: fresh, flavorful, and not the typically sink-in-your-stomach brunch fare. I'm eager to go back and sample additional things on the menu.
(5)
cos f.
Again I have tried to really like this place , giving it a chance time and time again ... but if you are a solo diner you do not get the service as another customer..and this place if you are a solo male diner it is even better ..Day off... went in for a quick breakfast as I have done several other occasions... i asked to be seated at a larger table and was told we cannot do that with the lunch rush...uhm 10 in the morning lunch rush ...and then to have another solo customer seated alone at a larger table just after me ...ok.... service was slow to none... no server approached for 10 minutes....and when they did ... "did you order yet??? " no specials were recited to me really this place needs better communication and better front of the house..or maybe they just don't want a one person table ... i have given this place it's last chance in my book...I would not urge you to go ... i will not go back , there are MUCH better places for the money they charge...
(1)
Roger M.
This is southern cooking; I didn't see that mentioned in any of the previous reviews. The chef knows his thang and is slingin' some fine southern fare. If it wasn't apparent enough, the sweet potato and chicken waffle with fried chicken is a twist on the traditional chicken and waffles with the sweet potato, nutmeg and hot sauce. A nice balance of Savory, sweet and spicy. There are even bits of chicken in the waffle. A tad overkill I must say as it didn't really need/add to it. Biscuits and gravy were a nice contender; no twist on this though, just an additional eggs any way and cole slaw, which was rather bland. The rich chicken sausage gravy and tender biscuits held their own however, and it didn't need any more pizazz. We over did it with the super-flight of french toast, and while it was a good sampling, not all were amazing but well done. It included blueberry, strawberry (tasted like strawberry gel in pies), lemon, caramel pecan and birthday cake (special of the day). Well done B&B.
(4)
Christine G.
I know this joint does not need another outstanding review. But jeez. Its like slap ya mamma good! They have quite the cult following so be prepared to wait. I went on a Monday at 10am and we still waited about 30 minutes to get seated. Went once before on Sunday at 1pm and wait was almost 2 hours! I am not a french toast gal, but we ordered the french toast flight with also a sample of the daily french toast special. Sooooo good! It was nice to be able to try them all. My favorite was the caramel. Went in large group so we all got to sample quite a bit. There home made butter and hot sauce are scrumptious! My only disappoint was the biscuit--it was horrible. But this place is so worth the hype. An added bonus was to talk and make friends with others waiting. People shared their favorites and stories of previous visits. It is like a little community of friendly regulars just waiting to talk to you about this place-- which is pretty cool.
(5)
Sawyer L.
We came in for the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles topped w/ hot sauce & more fried chicken or muffins with chicken-sausage gravy raved about it the the Thrillist review, but they were out when we ordered. The chef told us that they were remaking the muffins, but we had already ordered by this point. I'm glad we did! The open-faced steak omelet with caramelized onions, mozzarella, and a beefy broth was delicious! The side cranberry muffin was so moist it made me want to try the ones that go with the friend chicken. The hash-browns were the best I've had - not burnt or dry like at Nookies. Chef Chris nails the sweet and savory taste that makes soul food so distinct. I will be dreaming about this breakfast.
(4)
Peace P.
I was recently introduce and had to go for breakfast 3 days later. I enjoyed the cheese hash browns, pork sauage & sea scallops. Unfortunately, I did NOT enjoy the egg white omelet & french toast flight . Our server was pleasant. Yes, I will go again not sure when.
(3)
Suzanne S.
An awesome find! What a great place for breakfast. We took our daughter here while in town, and now she has gone several times. Just like home cooking, but better. And the waiter was jovial and fun. Giving us trivia to solve while he got our delicious dishes. We are definitely going back again when we are in town.
(5)
Gladys P.
After an episode of "Check,please!" I was excited to try out the restaurant. We expected a wait but thought it was worth it since we had read so many positive reviews. When we checked in with the hostess we were told it would be about an hour wait for a party of three and there only 6 parties ahead of us. Time passed and we began to notice people that arrived after us and when we were waiting were seated before us and it was more than 6 parties! Obviously we were annoyed, especially when we would see large parties or guests that arrived after us were being seated. We went to ask the hostess how much longer we had to wait because at this point it was 2 hours! At this point we saw a party of three that arrived 20 minutes after us get seated. The hostess told is that parties of 3 and 4 were tough to seat and they don't seat by time of arrival BUT the number of guests in a party! We obviously would have left and gone elsewhere if we knew of this seating arrangement. We finally were seated and stayed since we have already waited so long. The food was ok, maybe because we were so irritated and annoyed, and a but overpriced. I don't think we will return after this experience.
(2)
Summer F.
I am completely dumbfounded as to how this place gets such good ratings. 1) It is crowded and there is no where for people to wait, so there are people just standing around learing at you for your table 2) they dont have an entry way, so everytime the door opens, you get a blast of cold air 3) the decor was nothing special 4) the service was poor, our waitress either had too many tables or not enough support. We were short one place setting, so I asked for a fork, which was delivered when we were half finished, so one of us had to eat with a spoon. Asked for some ketchup for someone's fries, it showed up when we were done. Not to mention no one ever checked to see if we needed another drink etc 5) the chef is walking around in pajamas pants with a tshirt that says "chef", is that supposed to make me want to pay these prices? 6) the food is OK, and over priced. The french toast flight, which is so well named I went to this place just to get it. $11 for 2 pieces of bread, part with some blueberries on it, part with some strawberries, part with some nuts, and part with some maple butter. Absolutely nothing special about this, and for $11 it is exactly 2 pieces of bread. I can only imagine that all of these people raving about this french toast, have never personally made french toast, hence have no idea that it cost about 25 cents to make and is really simple. Everything else we ordered was also OK and overpriced.
(2)
Roshani C.
Food was really good. The french toast was yummy and so were the hashbrowns. Service was friendly. Our waitor was super funny because he was sharing riddles with us.
(4)
Josh B.
This restaurant is a wonderful addition to the neighboorhood. I found that all of the servers were extremely kind. The interior is cool without trying too hard. Well-lit, stylish, and relaxing atmosphere. The chef randomly came over and made conversation with us, which was great. He was funny and friendly. We had the best french toast we've ever had in our lives.Ever. The chef's salad was flavorful and unique. I'm really looking forward to trying more of the dishes here. This is a world-class breakfast. Definitely coming back here again. I hope this restaurant makes a ton of money. It was a great experience.
(5)
M G.
I don't write a lot of yelp reviews though I do go out to eat quite a bit. We regularly go to breakfast in search of the perfect breakfast place, but rarely go to the same place twice. Batter and Berries will definitely be an exception to that rule. We love this sunny breakfast spot. The staff is warm and attentive with the chef making rounds to the table. The coffee is good and regularly refreshed. The food is really exceptional. The scrambled eggs are fluffy and flavorful. the hashbowns have a nice crispness to them and are a little finer than the usual grade. They make their own sausage -both chicken and pork- and both had a real freshness and herbiness to them. We have also tried the caramel french toast served with a flavored butter. It really is out of this world. It doesn't need syrup for my tastes, but if you like yours a bit sweeter they'll bring you complimentary real maple syrup. I really don't think I'm exaggerating on of these points. We look forward to returning soon!
(5)
Stormin' N.
Thank you fellow YELPERS for turning me on to this place. Took a ride from the Burbs Sunday for a trade show. Friend said "Let's leave early and go to some place cool for breakfast in the city". "No problem", I said. And I turned to YOU! I hate to repeat but I ditto much of the reviews. Cute place (a little noisy with a crying baby), great french toast (and I didn't need syrup!). I would pass on the sweet potato hashbrowns. Great staff, helpful and funny (riddles and all) and totally enjoyed Chef Rylon visiting everyone. I even saw him with a broom and dust pan sweeping in the kitchen. What a hands on owner! I will be back!!!
(5)
John M.
Batter and Berries rules! The first time I went I didn't try the Cluck n Gaufre, but remedied that my second time. This dish is incredible!!! I've had chicken and waffles at countless places including Roscoe's in LA. The Cluck n Gaufre brings the dish to new heights. What really did it for me was the owner/chef coming out and saying hi to every table. Super nice guy and very sincere. Come here and you won't be disappointed. Also, make sure to get a side of the chicken sausage. It ain't cheap, but it's worth it.
(5)
Rebecca H.
I had the french toast flight, which I would suggest everyone getting! I also had the homemade chicken sausage which was very good as well.
(4)
Vic C.
Pretty good food. Just beat the morning brunch rush at 10:15. The portions are perfectly sized.
(4)
Demetri K.
Great French Toast and Lobster Omelette.
(5)
Lael J.
Good food, great service, pleasurable environment. Will definitely come back!!!
(5)
DJ S.
This is one of those restaurants that you walk away just feeling impressed that food can be this good! Do yourself a favor and eat breakfast here if you're in Lincoln Park. I found this place on Yelp and decided to try it based on favorable reviews and it was worth it. I had the french toast flight and got to try a little bit of everything--strawberry, blueberry, caramel, and lemon I believe. There are only two major drawbacks with this place and they have nothing to do with the food! First, there are large crowds depending on the time of day you go...this attests to the fact that the food is great. Second, parking can be a bit of a hassle here, but that is true of most places in Lincoln Park. Overall, a great french toast experience and a must try.
(5)
Melanie B.
I have a good feeling about this place. I am thinking if all future visits go as well as our first, we'll be stopping in quite a bit. It's nice to have a convenient brunch spot that's not too hard to get into. Honestly, that worried me a little bit, but I needn't have been concerned. Their thing, as the name says, is batter (french toast primarily) and berries adorning the dishes. The husband got the special french toast, blackberry cheesecake...yum. Somehow they infused butter with cream cheese. It was magnificent. I got the waffle with caramelized bananas. Mmmm. I could have used a few more banana slices, but it was very nice. I do agree with what some of the others have said about the decor. I don't get it. Some of it is for sale, e.g., temporary, I hope, but it's kind of bright and jarring. I'm being really picky, but as an editor, I hate the font they're using in the menu and signage. It's like...almost jester. And no one likes jester. I think we also saw the chef/owner walking around. That's nice to see, and to know the chef is invested in your experience. Ooh also I want to try the lunch. I think I saw pretzel buns...
(4)
Jenna Z.
Just finished a great brunch. French Toast Flight was a fave along with the Buckwheat Pancakes. The best part was a visit to the table by Chef Rylon the owner - a great personal touch that made us happy to be supporting a local business. Ambiance on a Sunday is boisterous and alive- not for those looking for a peaceful brunch. Thanks for a great start to the day!
(5)
Emmanuel O.
You haven't eaten brunch until you've been here! #noleftovers
(5)
Loretta F.
Excellent french toast flights and chicken sausage. It's BYOB, so bring the champagne and have a few mimosa's. Don't forget to bring your patience The wait can be significant. I arrived at noon on a Saturday and waited about 45 minutes. It's a small establishment and they don't take reservations. The locals who probably frequent the restaurant seem to be oblivious of the long wait. So, they sit and sit and sit; long after they've finished their meal. Just a little courtesy, please, for other patrons!
(4)
Matt G.
The french toast is outstanding and the staff is very good.
(5)
TJ W.
SWEET BABY JESUS!! This place is awesome! So many people had been telling me about this place, so my brother and cousin decided to take me here for my birthday. I really have no words for this place. I think a good slap to the cook's face would be appropriate. Wait...would that be appropriate? I think they'll take it the wrong way, so I'll just try to find the best way to describe by experience. The restaurant is small, clean and bright. My family and I went on Monday morning, so it wasn't crowded at all. We were greeted immediately and seated. Once opening the menu, I wasn't sure of what to get since I'm a very picky eater. Everything has something in it (i.e. fruit, lemon, caramel, etc.). I'm a pretty simple person and I HATE fruit in my food. So, after browsing for about 20 minutes, I decided to get the strawberry French toast ( I know, I was surprised too!!), chicken sausage (perfect for all of us who don't eat beef or pork) and eggs. Honey, when I tell you that the French toast was made by Jesus himself, I'm not lying! My brother had caramel French toast and that was pretty tasty too. There was caramel oozing out of the bread. How in the heck did they manage to do that?!!! Anyway, my experience was great. I'm pretty sure I had a food gasm! :) I've found a new favorite breakfast spot.
(5)
Joe G.
Excellent crab Benedict and La Colombe coffee is smooth and strong. Don the manager and staff are very gracious. All together a great place.
(5)
Paul T.
Let's start by saying the food was very good. The French Toast flight was excellent. But I was kinda done after waiting over an hour for a four top. When the server came to take our order the computer crashed. Oh, then it crashed again when we were trying to get our bill! If that kind of thing is happening even once a month seems to me they should invest in a backup system or go back to the old credit card swipe machines that take an image of your card!
(3)
Meghan C.
Went to Batter & Berries while visiting Chicago. Took the L from our hotel and then a short walk. Food was amazing (we went for the chicken&waffles and french toast flight). We loved both but were both floored by the chicken and waffles. The manager (or owner - not sure) stopped by the table to greet us and then gave directions to some nearby sites. Overall a great choice for brunch!
(4)
Tiffany B.
Girlfriends and I went for breakfast, well it ended up being later than breakfast time by the time we all got there, around noon. There was about an hour and half wait.....but I would wait ALL OVER AGAIN!!! The french toast flight was worth the wait and then some. You know its an awesome restaurant when everyone there waits for an hour or longer and doesn't complain or leave. The Chef came out and greeted us and made our experience one to remember!! We cannot wait to go back!! :-)
(5)
bj f.
after two visits to this great new neighborhood addition i can attest to a jekyll/hyde reaction. love, love, love the french toast! but the belgiques & deconstructed omelets are not orders i'll be placing again. on our first visit, my hub, the french toast gourmand, ordered the flight, which consisted of a sample of strawberry, lemon, caramel & blueberry, all excellent, although we agreed the caramel was a bit sweet for our tastes, good in a sample portion, but too cloying for a full order. however, the winning feature of the toast, aside from the tasty flavors, is the consistency, with a pleasantly crunchy outside crust and moist, but not soggy center. soooo well done! i always go for egg white offerings, and i was enthused by the thought of a deconstructed omelet, with the fillings serving as a topping for the eggs rather than being blended in. i enjoyed the actual product much less than the concept. though the broccoli was cooked as i like it, neither too raw nor soggy, the stalks were very large, and the cheese didn't incorporate itself into the dish at all; there seemed to be a disconnect. i ate all the broccoli, but was left with a mound of egg whites, which on their own were not interesting enough to finish. i guess i like a scramble better after all, so i won't go there again, although the lobster does sound tasty, and may be more to my liking since it advertises a sauce. the hash browns were nicely prepared and seasoned, with a crunchy crust which resembled a potato pancake, and my hub liked the homemade chicken patty sausage, though i found it too herbal for my taste. also, though very cordial, our server was fairly unconscious to our needs; coffee wasn't refilled, and it took FOREVER for our check to be delivered. maybe he misinterpreted my mound of eggs to mean i hadn't finished? our meter ran out as we waited for the check, which made for an anxious and hasty exit. on our second visit, my husband ordered the blueberry french toast and i opted for the belgique, which is their way of presenting a belgian waffle. his was as tasty as we remembered, but i found the waffle to be dense and doughy, so different from the light texture of the toast. there was an artificiality to the flavor that i didn't enjoy either. my hub, who didn't object to its density or sweetness, came to the rescue and traded 3/4 of my order with two of his slices, so i was a happy camper. also, on this visit, there seemed to be more back-up help; the coffee flowed well, which imho, is expected when it's $3 a cup, and the check came before the meter expired. all in all, i would heartily recommend b & b for its french toast, and perhaps after our next visit, the biscuits will garner a positive thumbs up as well, because that's going to be my next order.
(4)
Toya R.
few times you eat breakfast and have an opportunity to taste completely NEW tastes! I love everything. I dream about the French Toast Flights. The chicken sausage is so good that I order extra to take home. The food is unique, beautiful, and delicious. the service is outstanding. The owner/chef takes time to talk with you. And, the atmosphere is inviting and cheerful. I have noticed that when I go at 930am, there is no problem with crowding. outstanding, high tech service that is right on time on and quite friendly. i LOVE this place.
(5)
Norma G.
I rarely take the time to review, but I wanted to give this restaurant the credit it deserves. I live just a short walk away but never came in to the restaurant because it always seemed so busy. I drove or walked by and people were always gathered outside the doorway. This past week, I decided to visit the restaurant because of all the wonderful reviews. I was not disappointed!! First of all, the wait was not long at all. You are brought to a waiting area towards the back. Secondly, you should expect to be just a short distance away from the next table. This is the city, after all. I expected to wait to have to take my order, but a server took my order right away and recommended a delicious french toast flight that I am still dreaming about!! I couldn't make up my mind about the eggs with steak and shrimp, so I had that too!! It was delicious! My son had pancakes and bacon and he loved it. I also expected to wait for the food, because it was so busy, but it came right away. The food was high-quality and presented very well. I plan to make this a favorite restaurant and cannot wait for my next visit. All the patrons seemed to be in a good mood and the manager (I believe) even walked by to ask us how we enjoyed our meal. I have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and I can honestly say that I have not experienced a restaurant with such a positive vibe and delicious food!!
(5)
Laura W.
We live in the area and were excited that there is a new cute brunch spot in the neighborhood! We went for breakfast today and the food was incredible. I got the lemon french toast which was fantastic! Very moist and great flavor! My husband got the spinach/mushroom decontructed omlette, which was also incredible! It was very fresh and had a unique mushroom/spinach puree which brought out more flavor! Even the hash browns and bacon were great! It's a very bright and cheerful environment with a lot of beautiful paintings/pictures on the walls. Also I love the island that they have in the center of the place for big groups! The waitress was very friendly and great for giving out her recommendations and the chef came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was good. So overall a great spot with far better food than a lot of brunch spots that I've been to, with none of the waiting (at least yet). Definitely check this place out!
(5)
P S.
Just happened to pass by and was hungry to decided to stop in. I might have missed it otherwise - the sign IS big, but the yellow interior and sign would not have caught my attention. BUT I'm glad I did stop in! The staff is super friendly, and they have a kids menu as well as breakfast and lunch items. My daughter ate ALL of her chocolate pancakes - she's a picky eater. I opted for the Batter Burger - which was absolutely delicious. Large onion rings perfectly friend and crispy perfectly seasoned fries, not to mention the perfectly cooked juicy burger. Yummy!
(5)
j m.
Excellent. Service was great, nice people better food. Their interpretation of chicken and waffles, is next level good. Tons of food. Not especially cheap, but worth it.
(5)
Jeffrey M.
so good. so gooooooooood. soooooooooo gooooooooooood!
(5)
Trixy D.
Wandered in for breakfast while waiting for another shop to open, and did not know what a treat I was in for! They had only been open a week or two, but I was treated to an extremely delicious half hot chocolate/half coffee with TOASTED marshmallows, and a beautiful omelet that was cooked in the lightest most delicious oil, with fresh spinach, mushrooms and swiss cheese. They were still working out the bugs, but the service was great, friendly, explanatory (which makes up when something might not go as expected) and the chef/owner came out towards the end of my meal to make sure I was satisfied with everything! It has a nice vibe, not super cozy and warm, but not big and boxy or touristy either. Just a great local gem. I am not often in that area, but plan on going back specifically to eat here again. They have some amazingly creative options on the menu and I'm dying to try some of them!
(4)
Marrissa W.
SERVICE: I found this place on yelp (looking for brunch in Lincoln Park) and wanted to go somewhere new with friends. On coming up to the restaurant, it looked super cute and nice and was really noticeable from the street. We got there (there were 4 of us) and it was somewhat crowded, but there were obvious tables but we couldn't sit until a waiter/waitress came to seat us. That took about 8 minutes. Not a huge deal, but still we were hungry. Also, notice there as one actual waitress, two manager looking men and a cook coming in and out of the back helping serve. I don't think they were expecting this many people that day. So we sat down and waited, and waited, and waited and waited and FINALLY! we had service. Once we ordered, we noticed other groups coming in and having to wait as long as we did. Again, not a huge deal, but because the place is small people are waiting right near your table. They served the food, I believe it was the manager that did that, but we had waited a long time. Again, the restaurant wasn't too crowded, but I think they told some waiters/waitresses to go home and didn't expect the amount of people that were there. So for brunch more than a 45 minute wait becomes excessive. Finally, we ate but my friend and I wanted to order something else (potatoes and bacon) and we were worried it would be another long wait and it was. All in all, I would blame the service on the unexpected amount of people in the restaurant that day, but nonetheless, it took a bit too long for everything. FOOD: AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. So I just ranted on the service, but truthfully the food was awesome. I had the french toast (there are a few different kinds with different fruit) and they were soft and really good. DOWNSIDE: Depends on what kind of eater you are, I was hungry after my main meal. So to the point, order the main dish but then put in a second order because the sizes are decent, but if you are hungry order something else too at the same time. WOULD I GO AGAIN? Heck ya! But I would go during the week and a non holiday (I I went on Lincoln's birthday during my first visit).
(3)
Jerry K.
This place was great. The food was original and the staff were attentive! My girlfriend and I will definitely return. Highly recommended neighborhood breakfast.
(5)
Toni J.
quick service, food was great & we met the chef which made me want to come back and support a great business... I'll give it 5 stars once my husband gives his stamp of approval
(4)
Katherine F.
This place has wonderful food and excellent service. Try the flight of French toast or the cluck and gravy. Loose leaf tea selection is excellent as well.
(5)
elizabeth b.
Great food.. had the french toast flight with the, oh so yummy, maple infused butter (lemon was amazing!) and the deconstructed omelet (veggies on top!). Both were fresh with flavorful ingredients, not too much cheese or salt overpowering the food! Oh, and the homemade hash browns.. were super tasty too! Service was friendly and quick!
(5)
Nelson C.
very good, hope they stick around as they'll be part of the rotation for breakfast. tasted like some home cooking....yummm. everything was noticeably fresh tasting. chicken and goof...good stuff. recommend some of their fresh baked goods too!
(4)
Pat S.
The food was pretty good; IF YOU LIKE THE GREASTEST FRENCH TOAST THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC! Unfortunately I had scream in ALL CAPS when eating there because the music is SOOOOOO loud. If they would turn it down a bit I'd be here more often.
(3)
LeeAnn W.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning as part of a business group I belong to. The pancakes were fantastic - they were crisp on the outside (in a good way) and soft and yummy on the inside, with a slight lemon flavor. Best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had. The chef came out to chat with us and the staff was really friendly. I'm already planning a trip back to try the french toast!
(5)
Andrea B.
Fantastic! Great tasting food! Excellent menu selections I couldn't figure out what to order I nearly wanted about seven things on the menu. Guess that means I'll be coming back. Service was a bit slow but for a small restaurant cooking everything from scratch and fresh I was prepared. The chef is So friendly and personable. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Cristine K.
gotta try their french toast flights. it is to die for. excellent neighbourhood breakfast joint, not too pricey and excellent service. Chef even comes out and greets you some times. recommend going early on weekends as I have seen long line ups.
(4)
Andrew B.
Delicious food and very friendly service! Had breakfast here for the first time on 7/13/12 with 4 friends. We each ordered something different and we all loved our food. The French Toast is absolutely incredible. The omelets are superb, with the ingredients layered on top of the eggs so you can really taste every flavor. Everything is FRESH and they use all natural ingredients, nothing artificial. (There's not even Sweet & Low in the sugar container) Chef/owner Derek Rylon made a point to come over and speak with us before we ordered to explain his cooking methods and later to ask if we were enjoying everything. Our waiter was lots of fun, asking us silly riddles, which had us all laughing and added to the experience. We can't wait to go back and work our way through the various items on the menu ( I have my eye on their version of a Reuben sandwich). I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Heidi L.
I just went to Batter and Berries for the first time today after service at the Bodhi Center. Best french toast you have ever had in your life!! My friend actually got the french toast sampler and I had some of the lemon french toast, so good. I actually had the kale salad and it was also delicious. This place is run by really good people and has a great vibe. The chef sat down and asked us how things were after our meal - so sweet. I would love to see some smoothies or fresh veggie/fruit combo juices added to the menu. Fantastic overall. My only complaint - the atmosphere so jovial that it got a bit loud, but still more than worth it.
(5)
Angela R.
My sister and I heard about this place on thrillest and decided to check it out. I have to say the food was so good that we came back for breakfast and lunch. I had the chicken deconstructed omelet and OMG was it good!!! The vegetables and chicken that were on top were not only really well seasoned and tasty but were very fresh. My sister tried the cluck-n-gaufre. I Had a few bites and I have to say it was very interesting. It had the most amazing sweet and savory taste. The flavors married really well together. It was a sweet potato waffle with chicken stuffed inside with a maple butter. Unbelievable! For lunch I ate breakfast again and tried the banana nut waffle which was so good I didn't use any syrup. It had caramelized bananas on top of a waffle that reminded me of banana pudding. YUM!!! My sister had the salmon sliders. I noticed that this dish was very tasty yet light. On top of the good food the service was great as well along with their decor. I would definitely recommend this place. Great addition to Lincoln Park!!!!!
(5)
Laurie R.
Stopped in with a friend for the first time on a busy Saturday morning. First time for both of us. She had the lemon French toast, I had the deconstructed spinach omelet. Both excellent. The hashbrowns with the omelet were especially good - light, crispy and well seasoned. I try breakfast all over the city and this is comparable to Yolk, Elly's, Nookie's, Toast, Victory's Banner, etc. The only place where I like the food better is M. Henry. The price was reasonable. The server was attentive and helpful. The decor is fine, nothing special. As others have said, the layout is a bit odd. Docked a star because the noise level was excruciating, due to both a packed restaurant and music that was both ridiculously loud and stupid to boot - I think it was a radio station. My friend and I spent the entire breakfast shouting "what did you say?" and "excuse me I didn't hear you!" If the owner/chef addressed the layout and the noise level, this could easily be one of the best breakfast places in Chicago.
(4)
Robert N.
I visited this restaurant for brunch a few weeks after it opened so thing may be better, I wanted to like it more as it is a two minute walk from home for me... The food was good, I had the flight of French toast...Maybe this is just a personal preference but i hate how everything is served on glass plate, you can see right through you plate to the table...it didn't help that our table was sticky/ dirty when we arrived; i waited for one of the employees who were standing around chatting to check in with us after we were seated... After about 5 minutes I got up and asked them for a napkin to wipe down the table, instead of coming over to help they handed me a napkin as if it was my problem... I was annoyed that the service was so poor... The chef came out to ask us how everything was, that was nice. I split the bill and the staff didn't know how to do it, I guess it was a new system and they didn't know how. Overall poor service but pretty good food
(2)
Aric C.
This place is on point! Whoo hoo can't wait to go back!
(5)
Tom W.
Amazing french toast. Their cheesy potatoes are.on of the.best breakfast sides.I.have ever had.
(5)
Soleil K.
IT IS SO GOOD! !!! I LOVED IT. WORTH EVERY BITE. On a Monday morning, Of the four of us we had the French toast, pancakes, apple waffles, pork sausage, chicken sausage, hash browns ,and finally the broccoli and cheddar omelet. It was really a taste bud satisfaction. The food came out within 15 minutes; awesome. The fruit is infused into the French Toast, it's definitely not your average. Everything had amazing flavor. One con that could bother some is that they strongly insist that you order the food AS IS. NO CHANGES. Another thing that's different is the way their omelets are made. They put the ingredients ON TOP of the omelet instead of inside. I prefer the inside method, but it was still a good experience. They also have cheesecrusted hash browns that we tried. Pretty tasty Go try it, you won't regret it
(5)
Allison V.
The french toast flight was amazing! At the recommendation of a friend, we ate breakfast there the first day of our trip. We enjoyed it so much, we returned the last day before our flight home.
(5)
Jaysi B.
I had a reconstructed lobster omelet that blew my mind. They did not skimp on the lobster, worth every penny! Their cheesy hash browns are equally delicious.
(5)
Gwen D.
With an abundance of stellar brunch spots in town, I consider an adequate brunch inadequate. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries falls into that boat. Fine, but standing in my way of something better. Although I don't prefer sweet breakfast foods, Batter & Berries' signature French toast stood out amongst all the dishes at the table. My friends and I split the French Toast Flight, sampling strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and pumpkin toast served with maple butter. Even amidst the delicious French toast, I liked the maple butter best of all! I ordered the biscuits and gravy, served with coleslaw and (perfectly) poached eggs. Unfortunately, the biscuits, gravy and coleslaw were all overwhelmingly sweet, masking any and all other flavors or seasonings. I also stole a few bites of a friend's cheese-crusted hashbrowns, which made me crave Crosby's Kitchen's cheese hashbrowns. I did love my bite of my friend's Lobster Benedict because duh. (I sound like such a mooch. Thanks, friends!) TL;DR: Hit Batter & Berries if and only if you're a French toast fanatic who lives in the area.
(2)
Riana Elizabeth E.
About the only complaint I have about this place is that it's only open until 3pm. Thank God they're open every day, but plan on a wait no matter what day you visit. The hot tea selection is fantastic (try the toasted almond)! There's a communal feel to the place with the large family-style table in the center and how close the small tables are set together. It didn't feel awkward, however, since our server immediately turned our table and the one next t us into a "team" and started asking us brain teasers. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and exceedingly fast - which is great because I was starving. I tried someone else's French Toast Flight - the Lemon French Toast lives up to the raving reviews - but I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict. My God, if it's on the menu for the day, order that dish! These were the best crab cakes I've ever had! Just huge chunks of crab, the perfect amount of delicate seasoning, and toasted to a golden hue. I'll be back!
(5)
Bethany C.
I went to B&B on a recent business trip to Chicago and I was so impressed that I made a point to eat there twice in five days! The wait staff was warm, lovely, and knowledgeable. You really cannot expect better service. On my second visit, our initial server remembered us and came to chat while our current server treated us to some riddles. Fabulous! The food is creative, flavorful and FRESH! Everything is homemade, it seems. The French Toast flight is a MUST. I also adored the Cluck and Gravy. Whatever the special is - GET IT! You're in for a treat. My hat is off to the chef and staff of this charming establishment. I look forward to visiting again on my next time in the 310.
(5)
Ciera J.
Great place for brunch! The food is great, the staff is beyond amazing and attentive, it's a black owned facility which is awesome! Will come again with my girlfriends.
(4)
Michael U.
The Gist: No Website, BYOB, Breakfast and Lunch only. The Why: Located in a city that I consider to have the best breakfast/brunch scene in the United States Batter & Berries I knew walking into this new Lincoln Park location that I was taking a risk - passing up another chance to dine at Bongo Room, Southport, m.henry, or 2 Sparrows in favor of the 'new kid on the block' - but focused on all-natural ingredients, honest-to-goodness local sourcing, and innovative breakfast/brunch/lunch dishes with a lot of tongue-in-cheek nods to the south Batter & Berries seemed like my sort of place. The Reservation/Setting/Service: As one might expect from such a place, reservations are not necessary (nor taken,) though arriving around 8:45am on a Friday the traffic was still good, approximately ten tables turned during my 45 minute meal and with the space brightly lit, the music cheerful, and Chef Rylon checking in on tables frequently. With a coffee/pastry bar set at the center of the room and kitchen in back as only one server worked the room I'll note that coffee went empty more than once, but aside from that Sam was pleasant, efficient, and full of knowledge and recommendations related to a rather extensive menu. The food and drink: Coffee ($3) and Water, two entrees - $13 each. La Colombe Coffee: Brewing Nizza with its characteristic deep caramel notes Batter & Berries had me at 'hello' with the coffee selection, though I will note that consistent with the all-natural theme only Stevia and Sugar in the raw are offered as sweeteners making me glad I'd pilfered a plethora of Equal from the Skyharbor Airport the day before. Super Flight: Suggested by Sam as a way to make the most of the menu this plate featured half a slice of each daily French Toast option, on that day inclusive of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel, and French vanilla. Generally a fan of maple syrup with my breakfast sweets but with none offered on this plate what I received would actually prove to be some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted as each piece of buttery brioche was infused with custard of a different flavor and subsequently topped with complimentary compote, spread, or cream. Crisp on the exterior and custard soft within it would be hard to choose a favorite and although I must say $13 seemed a bit excessive for the portion this was definitely a situation where you got what you paid for, each bite as good as the last. Cluck N Gaufre: Reportedly a dish slowly becoming their "signature" this one really came out of left field; I mean sure I expected chicken and waffles but I didn't expect tender bits of cooked chicken INSIDE the sweet potato waffle in addition to the tender and juicy breast drizzled with nutmeg spiked hot sauce on top. Tender and crispy - sort of like a potato pancake but rife with savory notes - and finished off with maple butter this dish touched on all parts of the palate with both sweet and savory coming through with aplomb as sweet and heat competed for attention on the tongue. The Verdict: Another standout in a breakfast and brunch scene that outshines even those of New York and San Francisco a breakfast meal at Batter & Berries does not come cheap, yet with items far more interesting than your average diner and a chef/owner that clearly cares about his product and his customers I'd place Chef Rylon's little eatery on Lincoln in the same league with 2 Sparrows and Bongo Room for innovative brunch fare and while the service needs a little work (or the restaurant needs more servers) I'd not hesitate to return or recommend it to anyone looking for a great breakfast.
(4)
Alex J.
In my Jeezy voice, "super flight, super flight.... Yeahhhh, You know I want a super flight!!!"
(4)
Ifetayo O.
This was a beautiful restaurant. From the moment we walked in the vibe was great. When we sat down, our server Tim, was there to help us and we got water and great seats. He let us know all the specials of the day and was ready to take our order in a timely fashion. We sat down at 2:25 and got our food at 2:35. One may think that because it was given to us so quickly that it wasn't good or fresh, but quite the contrary. Everything was so flavorful and delicious. You could taste all of the seasonings, and being a college student, this was a total change from DHall food. I ordered the chicken and waffles and my friend ordered the kids strawberry french toast and fajita omelet. The french toast was the bomb dot com and the waffle was actually sweet potato flavored and had chicken in it. You do not need syrup to enjoy this meal, that's how flavorful it is. All in all, this is a great place, and I will continue to go here when I come to chi-town to visit.
(5)
Jaz B.
Overrated. Food was good but anything would be good if it's slathered in buttered and sugar. Service was horrible- from over an hour wait, to the rude manager and the inattentive waitress. The manager had no business running a restaurant and would be better suited as a DMV worker. We never got refills on coffee or water. Save yourself the headache and take your food to go or better yet visit Jam and Honey up the street.
(1)
Candi R.
So all my friends have been whispering about this place called batters and berries and since I consider myself Chicago's unofficial food expert I knew visiting was a must. And let's just say this girl is not disappointed! !! Food was delicious, fast, and most importantly TASTY I ruined my diet but it was worth the experience will be back again sooner than later and I stay in the south suburbs but did u hear me it's worth it YES HONEY
(5)
Anthony G.
One word AMAZING... The French Toast are awesome! If you want an awesome breakfast or a breakfast/brunch date with a lucky person, I highly recommend this place, it has a great atmosphere, great staff who knows the menu and meals of the day by memory. Five stars overall for the extra friendly people and atmosphere
(5)
Amber W.
Absolutely amazing and delicious!! I think this may be one of my top 3 favorite brunch places...ever! The chicken and waffles is good. The owner was very insistent that I eat it without putting any syrup on it for my first bite. I followed his advice and I was glad I did! Definitely didn't need any syrup. There is a certain sweetness and tanginess that make a great flavor that comes from the hot sauce, the chicken, and the sweetness of the waffle. Absolutely delicious!! The other unique thing about this place is their french toast, which is in several different fruit flavors. The special thing about their French toast is that, it's not just regular French toast topped with fruit, each piece of French toast tastes like the fruit it has on it. It is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it!! As I mentioned earlier, the owner is so nice. Came to our table to ask us how we liked it, was very polite, joked around, was very down to earth. I am going back there every time I go to Chicago!
(5)
Ashley A.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? Amazing! I have been hearing about Batter & Berries for a long time now. All of my friends were raving about the food, but I never was able to find a free morning to go. Mother's Day was coming up and my sister and I really wanted to take our mom, so we thought it'd be the perfect occasion. From the reviews and from my friends, I knew there could be killer wait times. It can be annoying, but to me that is also a sign that there is something special going on and I still really wanted to go on Mother's Day, even though I knew it would probably be crazy busy! We decided to arrive at 7:30am (they open at 8am) and we made the right call. There were people lined up in their cars waiting as the same time as us. We started forming a line outside to door about 15 minutes before they opened and ended up being the 2nd group in there. Perfect timing. We were immediately greeted by our awesome and extremely enthusiastic waiter. I wish I had gotten his name, because he was great. He was clearly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about the menu and the restaurant experience, and he explained everything to us very well. There were three of us and my 7-month old baby (they have high chairs and the place is baby-friendly), so we decided to split some things on the menu. My mom ordered the crab cakes benedict, and we all shared the peach cobbler French Toast, as well as a super flight of French Toast (a sampler of all the flavors. DELICIOUS). I also had the homemade chicken sausage, which was great. They are also BYOB, so we brought a bottle of champagne and had mimosas as well. Overall, it was such a great experience! My mom was so happy on Mother's Day, and that makes me happy! I will definitely be back to try more things off the menu. A note: as we were leaving, the outside of the restaurant was PACKED full of people waiting. It was a madhouse. I know it was Mother's Day, but I get the feeling this place is packed on any day. My suggestion is to do like we did: get there before opening. It's early, but totally worth it!
(5)
Zakia C.
All I can say is I love this place!! It's worth the wait and just try anything, you won't be disappointed. Oh, don't add anything before you taste it.
(5)
Ashlee T.
I've been trying to go to this place a couple of times but the wait was always long and I can certainly see why the wait is so long... THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!!! My bestie and i went on a Thursday to avoid the long wait. We couldn't decide on what we wanted so we ordered 3 breakfast dishes to share. 1) french toast flight 2) chicken infused sweet potato waffle and 3) deconstructed fajita chicken omelet When I say everything was delicious you have to believe me.. the Owner/chef came out and introduced himself to my friend and I; he even checked to make sure the food was delicious being that we're from the home of the chicken and waffle (wooop woop Los Angeles).... i highly recommend..
(5)
Karla K.
Told there was a 45 minute wait...we waited an hour and a half while " regulars" were seated before us. Had to leave because the wait time was so off. Food may be good but how they treat people was atrocious. Sorry but someone can do better.
(1)
Margaret G.
Sometimes one just needs some booze at 10:30am on a weekday morning. Don't ask questions. No corking fee at B&B AND I can drink as much cheap champagne and prosecco I can carry? No convincing me I'll be there! My friend Jessica N had big reason to celebrate and I was honored to be her fete buddy for the morning. Both of us are big suckers for french toast so neither of us could pass that up. We feasted on the french toast sampler. Incredibly sweet. Right up my alley. Food A+. Now why the three stars. I found the wait staff extremely pushy. I had my plate snatched away within two seconds of putting my fork down. The staff was soo eager to clean our table that my bottle of presecco with at least a third left in it was thrown out before I could pipe up and say something. Also, if you byob you are required to order a glass of juice. I read prior reviews pointing out how cold it is inside the restaurant. And those are accurate statements. I purposely picked a table toward the back and I still had my winter jacket on the entire meal. Sweet tooths will love the French toast. Give it a try
(3)
Dustin J.
Chicken and waffles all day! French toast flight is a must. Service was on point. Our server (2-see-me) was funny and outgoing. Great experience !
(5)
Candy Eden M.
The food is good not great. Be ready to wait for a table. And be open to share a table with strangers.
(3)
Passhon J.
My first experience was the best and that is why I still come. Since then, I've had an average experience here. The food is really good. No matter what you order, you will never be disappointed. Lemon french toast.. awesome, Chicken spinach wrap w/ sweet potatoe Fries... amazing, spinach omelet.... Perfection. The wait is ridiculous. They should consider expanding or creating a RSVP list. Overall, you should try them out if you want to experience some Good Chicago Food. The food will make you forget that you had to wait 2 hours to be seated.
(4)
Michael B.
Going to be brief. The chef asks that you try your food without condiments first. The chef knows... ENJOY!
(5)
Alissa H.
Saturday breakfast ... Arrived around 8:30 and it was crowded already! But we luckily got a our seat within minutes. Your entire party has to be there in order to be seated. We ordered flight of French toast( which comes with a sampling of all 5 of their speciality toasts... Carmel was the favorite, followed by strawberry, then lemon, apple pie and blueberry) and banana-but Belgium waffle. Both were delicious. Didn't need the syrup for waffle.
(5)
Oscar B.
This was my second visit. 1.get the French toast flight. 2. Get the tea (they're all great)! Both of my experiences here were GREAT. I guess that would explain why they're never empty. My servers were nice and friendly and very helpful. The fish and chips, shrimp egg white omelet, lobster benedict, and crab cakes benedict are all amazing. The cheese crusted hash browns alone are enough to come check the place out. Oh! I forgot... the buttah!!!! OMG!!! Is butter supposed taste like breakfast cake batter?
(5)
G. F.
This place is officially part of our rotation after our first visit today. I took off a star because we had to wait a bit longer than normal after sitting to be attended to and had to get our own menus...probably an isolated incident...and because it's a little small inside. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They were on top of things and the food came out really fast even though they were pretty busy! Their great attitudes definitely added to our experience (especially since I took my 5-year-old and 17-month-old by myself). Their menu isn't all that big but there's just enough variety...and it's great to have options you don't see on most menus these days. The fried chicken and sweet potato waffles were out of this world! I'll have a hard time ordering anything else each time I go back. The super pancake flight was good, not awesome (and a bit overpriced). Got chicken sausage on the side and sweet potato hash and both were fantastic. It seems to get full by 9:00 on Saturday so try get there before then...they have a comfortable place to wait for your table but it isn't big. At the very least this place is worth trying to judge for yourself. For me, it's a great place to mix with some of our other favorites (since they have fairly similar menus)...we'll definitely be back sooner than later.
(4)
Magda L.
Went on a Wednesday at noon and was by myself so I was seated immediately. My server (Leslie I think??) was sweet and knowledgeable. She talked me into the french toast super platter but honestly, I required very little coaxing. Maple rum and caramel were my favorites. This place is great. Come on a weekday if you can. Leslie told me the wait is usually 2 hours on the weekends.
(5)
Lauren E.
I was really excited to try this place because of the Urbanspoon reviews, but was so disappointed. First of all, the hostesses didn't smile once, and looked completely miserable working. We put our name in and were told 45 minutes to an hour. I checked in after 45 minutes of listening intently, and they said they called our name already (I'm 99% positive they didn't). They acted very bothered by me asking. 20 minutes later they finally sat us and didn't apologize for the wait, just showed us the table without saying anything. SO, I was going to let this go because I heard the food was worth the wait; unfortunately, that was absolutely not the case. We had two oily, undercooked veggies/omelets and hashbrowns. We felt very rushed even though we were just in there for about 20 minutes. I would recommend finding a different breakfast place; there are plenty in the area to go to that will treat you like a paying customer. The only good thing was that the buspersons were friendly and attentive. Please re-evaluate your restaurant, Batter & Berries!
(1)
David H.
Simply put: this is one of thee best places to eat in Chicago. The menu is so full of flavor and creative design but the best part is the prices. My recommendations: 1) French Toast Flight. 2) Buffalo Shrimp Wrap. 3) Pork Chop Executive.
(5)
Lisa R.
I have been to this place twice already this summer! Brunch with a co-worker and took husband for breakfast for Father's Day; the place was packed and food was great! I heard reviews from friends and reviews on TV so I had to go. When I walked into the place a man walked out and said "what an experience". I came out of the place saying the exact...same...thing! Infectious uplifting atmosphere, great decor, lots of activity, staff and customers are friendly to each other. Sweet potato Waffle is my favorite. The owners are in THE PERFECT location. The business recently celebrated 2 year anniversary and manager was visiting tables to ask about their food - everyone looked happy in the place. Take your out-of town friends to this place; all will have a great time - and a great experience!
(5)
Yujia Q.
Disappointed with the service of this famed Chicago brunch spot. During the end of our 1-hr meal, we were repeatedly asked (every few minutes or so) by different servers whether we were finished with the meal. When we asked to speak to the manager to express our frustration, we were told that this was a very busy restaurant and many customers were waiting and the table needed to turn. We couldn't have had a more rushed meal and certainly will not return. Restaurant management should consider re-training service industry etiquette to the staff.
(1)
Ervin J.
Second time visit today to Batter n Berries and it was just as good as the first visit. I've had the chicken n waffles and the French Toast Flight, both signature dishes and they were amazing. Both visits my guests had different dishes and seemed just as pleased. The flavor, quality, and presentation of the food is impeccable. Breakfast food can be so so and routine but not Batter n Berries. This is place gets it right every time. The wait can be long on Saturday and Sunday so be prepared for a 45-an hour wait but it's worth it. Once you sit down the service is extremely quick and efficient. I also love that the business is black-owned and thriving. Sadly, I will be leaving Chicago and moving to another city but this will always be my brunch spot when I come visit the city.
(5)
Margreth C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday at around noon. There was a hour - hour and a half wait. We walked around and then came back in a hour and our name was called just in time! It was super loud, and there was a lot of people. I could hardly hear the waitress. She did a good job explaining the specials and had pictures of the food on her mini iPad which is smart. We got the chicken and waffles and the flight French toast and all of it was amazing! I preferred the chicken and waffles over the French toast! I would definitely come back and wait a hour to eat and would recommend anyone to come and check it out! So delicious and the service was great!
(5)
Noelle E.
Amazing French toast here. I would give this place 5 stars except they wouldn't let me order a plain cheese omelette. Thought that was kinda strange, but other wise everything is very good. And they play disco house!
I've been to Batter & Berries about 4 times now. The first was when it first opened and was the best visit. I went with some friends and had the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) which was delicious. My friend also mentioned the omelet she had was the best she ever had. The Chef came out and chatted with us which was a great touch. I've gone back recently and ordered the same and the quality of food has seemed to go downhill a bit. They do get busy but they are pretty good about trying to get you into the restaurant as fast as possible. It's worth going to but I don't feel its as good as it used to be.
(3)
Mike H.
I love this place. Any time that I have friends or colleagues visit from out of town, I usually take them here! (UNLESS, they are on a diet.) The food is absolutely delicious, and often times decadent. Their savory dishes are rich and their sweet dishes are richly sweet! It may be a bit much if you're used to typical breakfast/brunch food. But that's what makes this place popular. It's not supposed to be typical. In a city like Chicago that is so segregated, it's nice to have this racially diverse spot in the heart of Lincoln Park!
(4)
jennifer p.
I have visited this establishment on more then one occasion, and all I can say the experiences have been WONDERFUL, food DELICIOUS just all out FANTASTIC
(5)
Roxy H.
I've been hearing a lot about this place. Great buzz about it. Decided to finally try to go to brunch 3/16/14. Tips: Put your name on the list. There is an hour wait so leave and come back in 30 minutes or so. The waiting area is awkwardly plopped in the middle of the entrance and dining area. Next tip: Ask for the specials. My waiter did not give me the run down of specials. Don't know why. My 4 year old asked him why he didn't - fail - lol. Loved: They are playing house music! Low but enough volume to make out the songs. loved that. Very friendly staff. I think everyone that worked there came by to say hello. Love great service. The food was ready in like 5 minutes! Not kidding - quick turn around. Lot's of "us" (see my photo) in the place but it's a mixed crowd no less. I will be back!
(4)
Leah C.
third time's a charm... yes it took 3 times to finally get a table (ahem on a monday) at this hot spot! and it was worth it! i generally do not like breakfast food but my sweet tooth does enjoy picking at a shared apple pancake or fruit waffle with my eggs. at b&b, my sweet tooth discovered the french toast flight; i do not like french toast at all but had to try their signature dish - we ordered one to share and it made me a convert...wow! the french toast was crunchy and so very flavorful - not just soggy bread with heaps of blueberry/strawberry/what have you syrup and equally syrupy fruit on top. the actual batter gave the french toast its flavor: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and the flavor of the day: peanut butter! we could not decide which we liked best! i ordered the vegi omelette served "deconstructed": veggies on top of the egg whites. i loved that the choice of veggies were green beans and colorful peppers (not your typical spinach or broccoli). i didn't love how buttery the eggs were...i little bit too greasy for my taste. the selection of berries (and melon) served on the side were also such a refreshing alternative to potatoes or mini cup of overripe cantaloupe and sour grapes. my husband loved his lobster omelette (i had a bite sans lobster to try the absolutely delectable smoked gouda!). he had a very difficult time deciding what to order as there were many other specials that sounded equally delicious (pork chop, pork sausage breakfast wrap, crab benedict) along with the regular menu items. we need to go back! oh need to add: the servers were very informative and are armed with ipads not only to take your order but to give you visuals of their specials! with all the wonderful choices, this actually made it a tiny bit easier to decide. what a great idea!
(5)
Rosie A.
This is by far my favorite breakfast/ brunch place! The food is AMAZING!! Fast and friendly service. The specials change weekly, but if you dine during the banana pudding French toast, I highly recommend it.
(5)
james p.
The best french toast and breakfast spot in the city, hands down. Food is excellent and quality is consistent!!
(5)
Justin B.
The vanilla bean rum french toast special was incredible, the homemade pork sausage was incredible, and the service was exceptional. (Next time, I will be showing up with a bottle of champagne to add mimosas to the mix.) Now I know why there's always a huge freakin' wait here...we came on a Wednesday at 10:45 AM and there was still a 15-minute wait, and that was after we tried coming last Sunday soon after Batter & Berries opened. If anyone has some advice on when this place is NOT totally jammed, it would be appreciated!
(5)
Tori M.
Came here with friends after the 4th of July for brunch. We got there around 830 and there was a tiny wait starting to form, but we were seated shortly after. We got the French Toast Flight to share before our meal which was amazing! I had the B&B Breakfast sandwich, that was delicious. I took half home and was able to heat it up the next day for breakfast. My bf got the sweet potato chicken and waffles. The waffle was very yummy, as was the chicken. The service was great and very fast! Also, I love that this place is BYOB. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Marsha G.
Really wanted to try this place due to all the fb buzz on it. Finally went one weekday morning with my husband. Had to drive around due to the fact that their is only street parking and other consumers of nearby businesses occupied most of the spaces. Got in and the wait for food wasn't long at all. I had the French toast flight and it was really good. I hate blueberries but I really enjoyed the toast. My husband had the steak and some ham and that was great to. Only wish the location was bigger because I can only image the wait on the weekends with nowhere to stand and wait but infront of other ppl tables while they eat
(4)
Katarina X.
My coworker has been trying to get me to go to breakfast for a very long time. I personally try to keep work and personal separate- like Church and State- the one and only thing tempting me from this? Butterfinger French Toast. This exists, it is delicious, this is not a test. Amazing. She lured me with a picture of this chocolate champagne French toast special served previous and the Butterfinger is phenomenally-mind-blowing. Worth re-prioritizing work relationships for. Worth a two hour wait- you heard me. Worth it, do it, get here now.
(5)
Eunice J.
OH MY GOD the wait was the WORST. And don't get me wrong, This isn't my first rodeo. A friend and I waited over two hours when we should NOT have because the hostess was seating 3-4 ppl groups before us (even if they arrived later). This was because there weren't enough two ppl tables and they absolutely refused to seat two people at a four person table. It's worth going once especially if you're a sweets person - but GO WITH A GROUP
(3)
Stephanie L.
Batter & Berries & Brunch & Breakfast...Oh MY! This place is twerking me...just like Miley. #amazingservice Our girl went over everything. Was attentive and showed us lots of yummy pics on her handy mini ipad. I was drooling within 5 mins of walking in and wanted everything on the menu. #amazingbreakfast Yummy crab omelette with egg whites, smoked gouda cheese, HUGE chunks of crab (#sorrysebastianfromlittlemermaid.Iateyou), delicious cheesy, creamy, crunchy hashbrowns. Amazing super french toast flight...yup, didnt need extra syrup. I loved the crunch that was in every bite. Strawberry, blueberry, caramel, lemon, oatmeal raisin...they all were #delicious #greatprice Brunch that doesnt blow the bank...yup, its here. BYOB if you are interested. Fantastic coffee #iwillbeback #goduringtheweek!
(5)
Josh W.
Good but not great. . Chicken and waffles needed more sauce... Steak and eggs was overcoo
(3)
Kourtney V.
I went here for my birthday came around 9 and we waited to be seated about 30 min, once seated we were serviced promptly and food came quickly...I order the crab cake benedict DELICIOUS...My mom and sister ordered the french toast which they said was AMAZING!!! Wonderful atmosphere....worth the wait!!
(5)
April J.
WORST breakfast ever!!!!! The food came out in about 3 minutes. Alls that means is all our food was pre made. Eggs- AWEFUL!!! Hash browns- greasy slop!!! French toast flight- cold and I'm sure just pulled out if a pan and a different syrup and butter put on each. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!
(1)
Bert T.
An annoying waste of time, money, and calories... The much heralded French toast flight, WASN'T. French toast is made by soaking bread in beaten eggs and then lightly frying it. I was served a small portion (two slices) of bread that was completely dry -- I couldn't see, or taste, that it had been anywhere near an egg. Not at all. This after I waited twenty minutes to be seated and was finally shown to a chair at the communal table that had been AVAILABLE THE ENTIRE TIME. Others who came in after me were seated at tables. I was both passed over AND made to wait for no reason at all. No excuse. And the general atmosphere was unpleasant. I looked around and saw that almost every table held one or more bottles of champagne (the group nearest me had 3 bottles for 5 people). Everyone lingered after their meal to finish their wine -- no wonder there was a wait. And they were all screaming at each other to be heard over the music. There are times when I enjoy hanging out with a bunch of happy drinkers, listening to loud house music tracks, but after 2 pm on a weekday is not one of them. I don't like needlessly noisy meals. The one star was for the side (extra cost) of ham. The ham was fine. I will NOT be back -- bad food and rude service aren't worth the hassle.
(1)
Mykie H.
I gave B&B a few tries and really wanted to like it, especially because I live and work so close by. The food is very average, and in the greatest food city there is, average just isn't good enough. The service was pretty bad for both dine-in and carry-out, and I can't figure out why the restaurant itself is so loud. For what you get, it's really over-priced. I recommend taking your hard-earned dollars elsewhere.
(2)
Andi M.
Heard a great deal of buzz about this place. From word of mouth to WTTW. We went on Memorial Day... A huge crowd had the same idea. The wait to get in was about 45 mins. A long time to wait. But time passed quickly as I walked up and down Lincoln. Admiring the historic architecture and taking photographs. Once we were seated. Our server came immediately and explained the dishes. Also was very interested to learn this was out first visit. We ordered the famous Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof). It was a sweet potato waffle topped with a hint of maple butter. Also with a piece of fried chicken with a tad bit of hot sauce. No need for syrup. Our food came out quickly. One bite and I it was on. Delicious is not even the word for it, The food was excellent. Each bite made you just savior the moment. I just have to go back there again. So I can really give a proper review. The long wait was well worth it. Next time they say it's a long wait. No problem! I'm just Happy to be here!
(5)
Gabriela L.
The chicken and waffles were phenomenal. I loved that the sweet potato waffles had the chicken inside . Nice touch. Friendly staff too. The wait was pretty bad just because we got here at noon on a Saturday which I guess is expected.
(4)
Lauren W.
First of all, you have never had a waffle like the sweet potato waffle on the cluck n goufre. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and as a self proclaimed hot sauce connoisseur, the homemade hot sauce was out of this world. On top of all of that, the service was more than desirable and the atmosphere was inviting. And, if that's not enough, the food came out in half the time expected.
(5)
Kat L.
I have now been here multiple times, always with teacher friends. All I have to say is that the teachers of CPS love the fried chicken sweet potato waffles out of this place! Where else can you order a freaking FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT? I'll tell you. ZERO PLACES. I've also tried a bunch of other stuff on their menu and all of it has put me into a temporary sense of euphoria. As if that isn't enough to make you show up, everyone there is kind, and happy, and jovial. As a customer you really get the sense that I love to give people when I cook which is just making people really happy with great food because you like them. If you're smart, I'll see you there. If not, then you obviously hate brunch.
(5)
Jasmine O.
My first time eating at Batter and Berries was last summer, when the Singles Ministry had a restaurant shut down there. It was great we had the restaurant all to ourselves. The food was amazing, I had the caramel French toast and it was superb! Flash forward to April 2014 I went again with some girlfriends of mine. We went around 11 am on a Saturday morning. There was a 45 minute wait, the only thing is there is nowhere to sit and wait in the restaurant. Everyone was waiting outside, granted it wasn't that cold out, but it was chilly. My girlfriends and I went down the street to a local boutique and browsed around until it was time to see if a table was available. The only downfall about his restaurant is it is really crowded and small, but it's worth the wait. The staff is friendly and our waiter was very entertaining. I must remember to bring champagne or wine, since it's BYOB.
(4)
Philip M.
There is not much I enjoy more than eating... As such, I am constantly looking for great restaurants. The search is over!!! B&B is awesome!!! Everything I tried was delicious (deconstructed steak omelette, shrimp omelette, blueberry waffle, biscuits and gravy, and cheese crusted hashbrowns). It was all absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back anytime I'm in chi-town!
(5)
Matt K.
This place is one of a kind! Had the Fried chicken w sausage gravy on top, cheesy hash browns, eggs over medium w hot sauce & a side of Texas white toast w caramel butter... Unreal! Food came in less than ten minutes and that was with a packed house on Xmas!
(5)
Jennifer P.
Great experience here today. Long wait but totally worth it. Original recipes and quality ingredients. Definitely coming back. Manager was professional and genuinely cared about our experience and the quality of the food.
(5)
Justen H.
Amazing experience here its a long wait buts its well worth this is my second time here and its is great everytime
(5)
Stephanie H.
I think this place is ok. There are definitely better places for brunch in the city, but I think this place is certainly fine. I went yesterday (Saturday) with a friend and we got there right before 11 and were quoted a 35 minute wait. My guess is we waited about 20 as a few parties ahead of us deserted to go where I have no idea because there's really not much else open in that area at that time of day. I was familiar with the menu but our server advised us that they are known for their french toast. Listen to them. I really wanted some eggs so I went with the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet. It was a joke. I should have gotten french toast. Everything was greasy. It was an omelet with a few pieces of chicken and sauteed onions and peppers on top. Next to it was a pile of cold, and I mean cold not lukewarm, hash browns. Those weren't good, in fact I'm pretty sure the hash browns wouldn't have been good hot either. My friend got the super flight of french toast and I had a few bites and it was pretty good, but on the french toast scale of 1 to Bongo Room, these are probably in the middle to upper middle range. The decor is best described as neo-classical daycare cafeteria and some of the tables are quite cramped. But I thought the wait/check-in process went pretty smoothly. This place is fine, but not in my top brunch places in the city.
(3)
Leslie B.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and am glad I did! On a Sunday at 12:00 there was a twenty minute wait for two. Once seated, our waiter was quite the character. He was instantly making us laugh and giving us recommendations from the menu. Halley W. and I split the Cluck-N-Gaufe, a side of chicken sausage, and the special french toast, which was roasted almond. The Cluck-N-Gaufe took us both a few bites to decide if we liked it or not, but eventually we decided it was delicious, just very unique. This sweet potato waffle with chicken inside, plus chicken on top, plus yummy hot sauce was one of the oddest dishes I've ever had, but it worked! Definitely recommend. The chicken sausage is made in-house and was really tasty, this was a great savory side to add. Lastly, the star of our meal was the roasted almond french toast. I feel like they should make this a part of their full-time menu (it was the weekend special). There were clearly almonds in the batter as you tasted the flavor throughout every bite. When at Batter and Berries, I would definitely recommend sharing sweet and savory dishes. One of the sweet dishes in its entirety would be too much, but it's absolutely worth having. All in all, I'm glad I went to Batter and Berries, but I'm not sure I'll return anytime soon. Breakfast was weirdly expensive, $13 for a not overwhelmingly large waffle with a smallish piece of chicken? Suspicious. $3 for a cup of coffee? Not Intelligensia or anything like that, just regular coffee. Hmm. No thanks.
(3)
Julia W.
Hubby and I went this past Saturday. We arrived at 10:30am and was told it would be a 30 minute wait. From the reviews I was expecting longer. We were seated within 15-20 minutes. We ordered our food and received it in literally 12 minutes. The place was very busy, so we were shocked. Everything was delicious and our server was great. I think larger parties have to wait longer for bigger tables.
(5)
Jennifer T.
Great place. There's going to be a bit of a wait but it's worth it. My husband & I shared the French toast flight which was wonderful. Our server was upbeat & nice, we liked him a lot. We definitely can't wait to visit again!
(4)
Maya W.
This is the best place to go for an awesome, delectable, and flavorful dining experience with what would seem to be very basic breakfast items. The French Toast is unlike any I've had before with such an incredible variety of flavors - blueberry, lemon, strawberry, spiced Apple, Carmel and walnuts. Though I've never had eggs benedict, the lobster benedict was the best ever! It had huge chunks of lobster fried to a crispy perfection with perfectly cooked eggs on top. This meal was so full of flavor, it so delicately titillated my taste buds that no seasoning (salt, pepper, syrup, etc. ) was ever needed. Not only was the food excellent, but so was the service from the hostess to the table bussers. Even the manager was speaking with all of the customers, helping out where needed and creating an environment of joy and happiness! I will be back!
(5)
Christy L.
When Batter & Berries first opened, I had brunch there with a friend and would have rated it 4-5 stars. Our experience was great: the food tasty, service attentive, and ambiance about what you'd expect for a diner'ish-brunch place. Fast forward about eight months, and now I think the food is just average. My friend and I ate brunch here on a Saturday. Arriving around 11am, our wait was no more than 15-20 minutes, which is completely reasonable during peak brunch hour. Our service was a little over-bearing; I felt uncomfortable. I ordered the Super French Toast sampler, and all but the orange daily special were tasty. My side of sausage was incredibly dry; I didn't eat more than a few bites. My friend had an egg dish, which she said was bland, and commented there her hash browns were cold. She tried my French Toast and agreed it was the way to go. I'd give Batter & Berries another shot but wouldn't recommend it with raving reviews like I did months ago...
(3)
Ben M.
Very long wait and rude service. You can find food just as good at many other restaurants in the city.
(1)
Ria S.
My first review for this place was over a year ago and it was 5 stars. This time it is barely 1. I have been a staunch supporter since they opened. I always order the french toast super flight but due to a strawberry allergy I cant eat the strawberry french toast. Chef Rylon is aware of this and always lets me substitute due to the allergy. I encountered one of the other owners Craig Richardson and not only did he absolutely REFUSE to make any exceptions but he was somewhat nasty in his response. I informed him I was one of the early supporters of his business but he didn't care nor was he interested in the fact that my request was due to a food allergy. Customer service is key to any business and I think that owner or not he can brush up on his customer service skills. I travel from the near southside to eat here & I am very disappointed.
(1)
Mile N.
This place sets the bar for brunch!!! Excellent omelettes and the French toast flight is out of this world. The entire staff is very friendly and welcoming. I'm a customer for life!!!
(5)
Robyn W.
I visited Batter and Berries for the first time today. After reading the reviews I had prepped myself for a long wait. I was hoping since it was a Tuesday it wouldn't be too bad. Well the reviews are correct. I had to wait. For a party of 2, we waited 30 minutes. The hostess asked if we didn't mind sitting at the "community table." It was a table that sat 10 people. So we agreed. After sitting there for about 20 minutes we watched them clean and bus the table and seat more coupled until eventually it was full. Still no waitress. I asked the hostess where the waitress was at. Her response was they were extremely busy. Um ok? So eventually the waitress came and took the order. Surprisingly the food came out really quick. I am giving 3 stars because the time it took to get service once seated. I knew going in I would have to wait. But once seated I expected better service. The food....great. I really enjoyed my meal. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. The maple butter they serve and the sweetness of the waffle was great. No syrup needed. The chicken was tasty and spicy. In the future I will not sit at the community table. I feel they sat us first and waited to take the order until the table had all new patrons at it. I saw people who were seated after us at private tables leave before us. Also, this restaurant is very small so with its popularity and good food it will feel very tight and when you eat you will have patrons waiting to be seated salivating over your plates or staring at you to hurry it up. I will return.
(3)
Tara A.
After all the hype, I made it my business to try this place out today. I was warmly greeted & seated right away by the hostess & my server immediately came over w/a smile & bubbly personality & told my friend & I about the specials for day. Our food was served SUPER fast & the presentation was nice BUT the food was nothing to brag about, in me & my friends opinion. She ordered pancackes, said they were heavy not light & fluffy. Eggs & Bacon a la cart. I ordered the Crab Cakes Benedict w/cheesy hash browns. The cakes were OKAY & I didnt care for the hash browns, tasteless. All in all, I wont be going out my way to return. If Im ON the block & hungry, then maybe but otherwise I can get a better breakfast some place else. Maybe my expectations were too high or just maybe, its just a new spot w/mediocre food. Don't believe the Hype bcuz its just that: HYPE!!
(2)
Rozalynn B.
Food was great! We ordered The Flight, The Executive, & Strawberry french toast.. Service was great! Be sure to arrive early because it gets VERY PACKED. I'll definitely be back. I'm sold on this place.
(5)
Thanh L.
Chicken and waffles!! Never had it before, but I am a fan after this place. The staff was friendly and price was reasonable. The chicken was crispy and cover with a nice hot sauce. The waffles had bits of chicken in it. Staff always took time to make sure that we didnt need anything even though it was busy
(5)
Jing C.
Have been here 3 times and am convinced that Batter & Berries is the Jekyll and Hyde of Chicago brunch spots. When its good, it's great. When its bad, you're left feeling like you'll never get that 3 hours of your life back. The good: Really thoroughly good food. Great French toast flights!! They pair all four delicious and varied flavors into a flight so you don't have to pick. The chicken and waffles is delish (chicken actually inside the waffle) and the omelet and hash browns are good too. The first couple times we came our server made us feel right at home with jokes and a smile. Amazing. Started recommending Batter and Berries to folks immediately. The bad: The service. The last time we came here and waited over 2 and a half hours for a table. What started as a quote for "30 minutes" (expected for Chicago on a Sunday) slowly turned to one hour then two. During that time, two groups our size who were friends with the hostess came so we got bumped. It was clear from their conversations that they didn't have reservations and came on a whim. Got seated right in when we had already been waiting for an hour. This happened twice. In the same morning. No apologies for the wait or the inequitable treatment. Our waitress actually gave us attitude when we asked what might be ordered quickly or taken to go because one of our friends needed to catch a flight. Yes, I know brunch is for indulging with friends, not speedy service but we had spent 3 hours there without getting any food yet! The food is great but that experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Two in our group ended up scrambling because of the unfair long wait (needed to get to a flight and a soccer game). There's too many good brunch places in Chicago to risk a bad experience like this one. Don't waste your morning like we did!!
(1)
Kristine C.
This place is not a family or a friendly establishment. If you have children or if you think babies are cute don't go here, because they hate babies. If I could give this place zero stars I would. My husband and I went there last weekend with our two friends and their 6 week old infant. We checked in at 9:30 am for a table, and they said the wait would be about 30-45 minutes. Ok, no big deal, we waited the 45 minutes. 10:15, we check in, they said another few minutes. 10:30 we check in, and are told to ask again inside. The hostess says, "um, I don't know when you'll get seated. It will be another 45 minutes to an hour." I asked how it was possible that a 30 minute wait turned into a 2 hour wait, and I also noticed that there were tables turning, so why couldn't we sit? The hostess replied, "well, if you didn't have the baby, we could seat you." I'm sorry, what?! What do you suggest we do, leave the baby outside and sit and eat? If you had a problem with us bringing the baby in, you should have said so at 9:30, and we would have just gone somewhere else. Don't make us wait an hour and then tell us we aren't welcome, because we have an infant. There are so many amazing restaurants in chicago, take your business elsewhere. We walked up to jacks on halstead. They were incredibly welcoming, I highly recommend that restaurant instead!
(1)
Jeff A.
We went during the week and we went early. The wait was almost non-existent! Many of the reviews talk about how long the wait is, and frankly this is why I rarely go to brunch anywhere anymore, it's the thing to do, and good brunch places, well they have long waits for a reason, they are where everyone wants to eat. The food and service was just excellent! Lamb chop special, I almost reordered it, it was that darn good! (had we not already ordered three dishes to split between the two of us I would have!) The Executive - perfectly cooked rib eye bathing in saucy onion mushroom red wine goodness! Yes sir may I have another! Super flight of French toast - she notes with a smile as she drops the plate that we will not be needing syrup and be sure to utilize that maple butter, I could have rubbed my self up and down with that maple delight and just smiled on top the hill all day long, it was delish, and every variety of French toast was just tasty and moist and wonderful! We loved every moment!
(5)
Alec H.
Great place, great food, great people. The menu is great and there is a great selection for kids. I highly recommend this place but I would suggest being prepared for a long wait because along with the great food comes a great wait.
(5)
H N.
My husband, 3 friends, a child, and I were came here for breakfast last Sunday. The restaurant was busy and we feared we'd have a super long wait. 30 minutes wasn't too bad of a wait. The staff were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious! I can see why the wait was so long. All of us enjoyed our meal: my husband loved the pork sausages (seem homemade) so much we tried going back today but the wait was 90 minutes so we went somewhere else. The salmon omelet was delicious as was the crab cake benedict. My only complaint is that the place is too popular with long waits. I hope the restaurant expands to other locations or in their current place. We're definitely returning. 8:00 AM next time.
(4)
Peter H.
The specials were unique and delicious! Our server has a great schpiel for the specials and even gave us a riddle to ponder while we waited for the food! (Which wasn't long at all) Make sure you have the maple butter and get a side of their home made hot sauce!
(5)
Kyla H.
I went this morning. The wait was very long. Although the hosts had a tad bit of an attitude my experience was great! My party sat at the community table which i feel is great for those who have been waiting For and hour+. The have a waiting area in the back Which is only two benches. I really think the two booths infront could get switched out with the waiting area. Our waiter was friendly and really funny. We could tell he was working his butt off. The food was great i had the french toast flight. I would not recommend the syrup on blueberry. And lemon after awhile got nasty. I tasted chicken and waffel which was great. The hot sause really brung moister and alittle kick. With the steak omlet the steak was cooked perfectly and the gravy was delicious. If you decide to go to thos place i am telling you you will love it. Also i forgot to mention they are famous for french toast and chicken and waffels.!
(4)
Diana R.
I discovered this place a couple of months ago and i have been obsessed ever since! the first time i came here i ordered the french toast flight which was really good, the french toast didn't need syrup because they were that good! i also ordered fries and let me tell you they are one of the best! the chives make them taste amazing. I also ordered the chicken sausage, but i was not overly impressed with these. they have a syrup taste, and although at first i didn't mind it, after a while i couldn't eat it anymore. The second time i was there i ordered the cluck and gaufere ( sweet potato waffle with chicken on the inside, and chicken on the side) this was really great! the manager even came up to our table to make sure i was enjoying it. Lastly, the third time i was there i ordered the pulled pork sandwich and that was also amazing. the pulled pork was nice and juicy, and there was a generous amount of pulled pork on the sandwich. i also ordered a side of a biscuit (which is $2/biscuit, kind of expensive) and that also didn't not disappoint. my one complaint would be that sometimes if your sitting too close to the door you are constantly feeling that cold air coming in and out of the restaurant. Overall, amazing place to eat at.
(5)
Alzetta H.
Finally made it to Batter and Berries and it exceeded my expectations. Arrived at about 9:45 on a Tuesday morning and the timing was perfect. Entered an empty restaurant and by the time my coffee was served, the place somehow became full to capacity. Ordered the cluck and goof, which is a sweet potato waffle with chicken. It was amazing!!! Was slightly concerned about any type of hot sauce being on my chicken with a waffle, but it worked. Also ordered the cheesy hash browns. They were tasty but had to add salt to pepper to season to my liking. We also ordered the French Toast Flight, which was also amazing. The pictures made me think this was simply a dessert disguised as breakfast, but it was delightful and not too sweet. The service was remarkable and the owner was humble and made me feel as though he truly appreciated us dining there. Overall awesome experience and I can't wait to return.
(5)
Kristie S.
I live in the area and have been here a few times. There is always a long wait, but it had been worth it for the food. I brought my sister there on a Sunday morning. The host quoted us 1 hour and 20 minutes which was accurate. When our table was ready, the host asked if we were willing to share a 4 top with two other women we didn't know. We did not wait that long to share a table! Luckily, the communal table opened and we found two spots there. My sisters food came out (French toast flight and hash browns), and I had to wait another 5 min for my food. Her French toast was cold, so we waited another 10 minutes for our waiter to see if we could send it back. When my sister told him about her food, his response was "well what do you want me to do about it?!" She said she didn't know, and he started to raise his voice and said "I don't know what you want me to do about it." I finally had to step in and ask for him to get her a new plate. She looked like she was going to cry. The manager ended up comping her meal. Overall, they have terrible service. That is not a way to treat your customers, and I will never go back there.
(1)
Michael C.
Fire!!! The food was so good, i had the french toast, cheese eggs & ham! they use this maple infused butter that was so damn good i asked for some to go! haha! im going back! Cons: The wait time. The place was pretty loud, for some reason they have folks waiting in the place who have not got a table. the restaurant is not that big to start with so why not use that space for more tables?? i felt like people were looking at me eat the whole time, its not a deal breaker but it could be done better.
(5)
Barbara M.
The French Toast was great. But everything else had too many weird seasoning, especially the homemade sausage, and they were under-cooked, yuk. The pancakes were doughy. I left with a really bad after taste. I was hoping for the best with this place but I so won't be going back. Oh I forgot, there were so many non work staff in and out of that kitchen, at one point I thought that's where the bathroom was located. Please stop the guy from doing silly chants and riddles!!! Highly disappointed.
(2)
Kristina V.
The food was good, but not as tasty as I had imagined. The broccoli omelette was literally egg, broccoli, and cheese, no seasoning or spices. The cheesy hash browns were very good. The flight of French toast was good, but I've tasted better flavored French toast at places like Kanela and Yolk. If I could rank these three places I would rank Kanela first, Yolk second, then Batter & Berries. It was good food and I have no complaints, but it wasn't exciting at all to my taste buds.
(3)
David L.
My server was Nadine & Nadine was so passionate and was very knowledgeable of the culture of the business, I was very impressed, I'm not the kind that gives credit but when I do, it absolutely needs to be acknowledged. I ordered the Banana-Nut Belgigue waffle with a vanilla sauce and a side of a well-seasoned boneless chicken breast. My meal was PERFECT, The ambiance was GOOD, The Staff was Polite & GREAT!!! What else can you ask for? Thank you! DvD
(5)
Tricia D.
Thanks again to Thrillist for introducing another fabulous, new Chicago establishment to mi estomac! B: etter plan to order some french toast bc this is what they're (Chef Rylon came by and told us himself) known for! A: te the flight of french, which included blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel, and I surprisingly liked the lemon the best. T: he batter's infused with the flavors, so it's not just the topping delivering the boom! T: oast aside, P and I shared the traditional breakfast, 2 eggs, hash browns, and house made pork sausage. E: asy enough street parking on Lincoln. R: eally energetic and loud in here, so make sure to bring your boisterous voice for conversation.
(3)
Careese H.
We drove an hour and a half to try this place out because it was highly recommended and it lived up to all of the hype! The French toast flight, the spicy pork sausages, the chicken sausage, the crab Benedict, and the lobster omelet were all delicious!
(5)
Larry D.
YES! If you are short on time, just take my word for it, stop reading now and plan your next breakfast at this place. Just, yes! Been there once, can't wait to go back. I had the chicken and waffles (they have some funny name for it that I can't recall). It was the best chicken and waffles I've ever had. They were pretty sheisty on the hot sauce on top, and I should dock them a star for that, but I'm in a giving mood tonight - so I hope they read this and put more hot sauce on the darn thing and not make me order extra for 50 cents. Otherwise, the fried chicken atop the sweet potato waffle was awe inspiring. My dining partners ordered the crab cake benedict and it was met with so/so reviews from that individual. He said it was a good dish, but because of personal taste, he wouldn't order it again, citing the lack of "zip" he was hoping for. My other partner had the French Toast Flight which apparently is their coup de grâce and most famous item on the menu. All we were getting from him were moans of pure ecstasy as he was eating with a promise to return and order the exact same dish. It is also what I'll be trying on my next trip. The wait staff kept my glass full (which is about 90% of my rating of any server), were attentive and I appreciate their use of technology in the iPads they use not only to place your order tableside, but also to show you pictures of the features of the day and popular dishes - very smart. The staff was extremely friendly - my only suggestion for such a small and intimate place where it is clear the Chef runs the joint is that it would be nice for him to come out himself and visit the tables. I feel like chefs who make the time to do that probably gain a lot of insight into their operation and the successes and failures of their dishes. The 5 stars were well earned - tres bien!
(5)
Kelly M.
They say third time's a charm. Tried to come to Batter & Berries on 2 prior occasions. First time, the wait was 2 hours and the next time, it was temporarily closed. So, my 2 lovely daughters and I finally got there early enough on a Sunday morning to beat most of the after church crowd. Even so, the wait was almost an hour. (TIP: we put our name in and did a couple of errands) Batter & Berries was definitely worth the wait. I ordered the special lobster omlette- and wow! It was fabulous. One daughter ordered an egg sandwich with potatoes and a side of pancakes, the other ordered a delicious veggie omlette. We all split the super french toast flight which was out of this world! Food was excellent, service was fast & pleasant. Don't forget to BYOB so you can make mimosas with OJ!
(5)
Michelle E.
I've only been here once, service was great when I went. Although it's kinda loud in there but then again it's a small place. I had the fish and chips and I love their fries! Def going back
(5)
Matthew T.
So..... Normally I would have wrote a terrible review because of the long wait, but seriously I think the almost 2 hour wait was well worth it!! The service was great, and the food even better. To top it off Batter & Berries was a BYOB without a corkage fee. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to try a new brunch restaurant in Chicago. Recommend: Chicken & Waffles (Chicken Waffles & Fried Chicken with hot sauce sauce).
(5)
Charla B.
The problem when people rave about a place is that you have higher expectations than you should. I was underwhelmed by my experience at Batter and Berries. My friend and I were catching up over the holidays and decided to do brunch. First, it was cold outside and there was a 45 min. wait. We decided to stick it out, but did wait outside. The hostess never told us there was a waiting area inside. #Fail. We finally were seated, but by the door that constantly opened and closed causing use to freeze. They need to fix this issue with the another door or awning door as other businesses do. It took forever for our server to come over, and she was anything but pleasant. Our waitress needed a lesson in customer service. The food was not good. It was mediocre at best..The coffee was borderline nasty. The french toast flight was disappointing. My friend and I were expecting the french toast to be dipped in the batters with strawberries, blueberries, lemon and carmel as promised. The french toast was plan thin bread topped with the toppings, but nothing more. The lemon one, may have had lemon extract. The chicken in the chicken and waffle meal was good, but the waffle left a lot to be desired. The cheese hasbrowns were overcooked. Simple things like eggs and bacon were fine. However, for what we paid for our food, everything should have been great. Needless to say, I probably will not be making any more trips to this restaurant. If you do choose to go, try a random weekday. I believe many of the problems we encountered were rushed cooking, service and the staff being overwhelmed.
(2)
Amanda C.
Seriously what is not to love about this place?!?!???! First off you walk in and instantly feel warm inside. The decor is super cute and let me tell you, customer service is on point. Every one here has a great attitude and you can tell they love what they do. The manager stopped by and made conversation with us which I thought was nice. Our waiter was hilarious (can't remember his name) and kept coming by at various points with riddles. Cracked me up. I noticed he didn't do this with every one so he probably has a sense of who's up for it and who's not. On to the food. Maaaaaaaannnnnn that Chicken & Waffle. Forget about it. Not a drop left on my plate. The amazing waffle was stuffed with fried chicken and was accompanied with a nice piece on the side with hot sauce on it. Maple butter on top. This dish didn't even need syrup. The combination of flavors were great. My dad had the biscuits and gravy with cole slaw and eggs. I had some and the flavors when perfect together. I am so picky with cole slaw... that stuff was good. We both had a cup of coffee which was fresh and always filled quickly. I found this place randomly and am glad I did. Can't wait to go back and try their other unique dishes. It not cheap but not too pricy for the quality either. Stop in and try it out. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)
E M.
In town visiting from Texas and my friends raved about this place, but I was underwhelmed by the menu. The food was just ok. I had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was so bland. The cheesy hash browns were good, but not amazing. The prices were great, the atmosphere is very cool, but it didn't live up to the hype. Maybe my expectations were too high.
(2)
Nicole P.
The food is so good! We also had a very attentive waiter who also kept us entertained with random but witty riddles. Highly recommended!
(5)
Dawn D.
What a disappointing outing. Excited that my cousin was treating me to the often talked about Batter & Berries - stunned by the vibe of the restaurant, the owner and the subpar food. The swap meet ambiance left much to be desired. I've visited small breakfast spots but the decor is so hideous I was distracted by its ugliness. Once the specials were explained I was disappointed to find that the surf & turf omelet could not be substituted with shrimp as opposed to the turf- the beef. Ok, fine no problem. I got the spinach & mushroom omelet with sweet potatoes hash browns. I sent the hash brown back because the shredded potatoes on top were undercooked. I replaced with the cheesy hashbrowns and they were over cooked! I couldn't get a break. As the owner walked around asking people 'how is everything' I guessed he found my disappointment & criticism a shock. He was rude & dismissive to my concerns over the surf & turf omelet. He told me I couldn't replace the turf with surf because of the 'count' of the food. Really? Is this a elementary cafeteria or a restaurant? No accommodating paying customers? Umm, yeah I'm good with this dump. I didn't finish my food & I definitely won't be darkening the door of lumpy batter & sour berries again. PS all was not lost- my server was gracious and fabulous!
(1)
Terron J.
UNSANITARY!!!!!!!! I WILL NOT BE RETURNING AND HAVE REPORTED THEM TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT!!!! This place is only busy because of location. The food and quality of service are not even up to par. The owner needs to clean house on the staff. Only two people on that staff are good waiters. Don't get me started on the rude hostess. She must be a product of nepotism. The rest of them.... God help them. So rude! My last visit was today! The manager/and chef were on the floor vacuuming during a busy shift right next to our table. It was disgusting! The smell of the vacuum and the air coming from it was hitting our table. It was the rudest and most ridiculous thing I've seen in a restaurant. I don't care to see the chef carrying mats with dripping melting snow on them across the dining area. Nor do I care to see him parading about the dining area in his dirty apron that I'm sure he's using in the kitchen. Gross!! We waited twenty minutes to be greeted by the rude waitress Elvira. She took the order of two other tables that sat down AFTER us. Then gave me attitude when I simply said I'm ready to order. She told me to " Wait". I guess she was flustered but rudeness isn't helpful to someone who sees you taking the order of two tables that were seated after you. I own two restaurants and I tell you....When we get busy...I usually am busy helping my staff. - Not sitting at a table on my laptop tweeting. Volume and Quantity do not equal quality----Message to the owners!!!
(1)
maimuna s.
This is such a great place for brunch! I had the fried chicken and french toast and it was soo good. Def do not come here hungry because the wait is VERY long and can take hours! Def worth the wait though :)
(5)
Olivia T.
This is a fabulous restaurant! The food was on point and perfect! We had the porkchop executive, super flight French toast, and deconstructed steak omelet. As soon as we sat down and ordered the food came right away. There's definitely a long wait, but with the service and good food we had, it was well worth it. What made an even greater experience was the waiter we had. Super funny guy. Made the entire time at the restaurant fun. Thanks Tusiime!
(5)
Amber H.
I hadn't been in quite some time and was excited to return. I was very disheartening and I was truly disappointed that a very unfair seating policy had been instituted. I arrived at 1:30 and put my name on the list. The hostess quoted me 30 minutes for a wait time. I went back to my car and 15 minutes later I sent my son in to inquire about the wait from there. The hostess then told him to come back in another 30 minutes. I came in to double check and the hostess confirmed that is exactly what she told him. I asked why the wait time had increased and was told that people who were on the list from earlier in the day who left and decided to come back must be seated 1st. So you can put your name on the list, run several errands and return and bump others. I've always been a fan of awesome black-owned gems. But it's those black-owned gems that don't survive because of poor customer service practices and inconsistent policies. In the case a representative from the company would like to refute this, the 2 hostesses on duty January 18th, 2015 were Nicki (sp) and Tamia. Nicki is the hostess that explained the new policy to me.
(1)
Amy PagesofVision W.
The absolute best breakfast I have ever eaten at. I stay in Chicago 6 days and had breakfast here 5!! My lamb and eggs were great, southern fried chicken was to die for and don't even get me started on the French Toast that needs no syrup!! Go early or late because otherwise the wait is really long. The famiky style counter was lots of fun to sit as well. It's a small place but the staff are very friendly. The waiter we had, Kumseme (Come-See-Me is how he told us to pronounce his name) was so great. I love love love this place and it made home feel like home again!!
(5)
Shirley W.
Great place! Was there the first time today and I got the Rylon salad and strawberry French toast. Both really good and decent price. Except the coffee was $3 which I thought was a bit pricey. But overall it was great!
(5)
Ellie W.
The food is amazing here and definitely worth the long wait. Make sure to order the French toast flight as an "appetizer" and try other items on the menu, too. I had the chicken & waffles and it was awesome. You have to be a sweet potato fan, which I am. The food was so good that we all cleared our plate. We will definitely be back, but will try to get there a little earlier than 11am to beat the crowd.
(4)
Rosalyn T.
This is my 2nd time here, The food is delicious. .I came back to bring my family (which included two 70+ years old). The 1st time was pretty crowded, however the Manager on duty recognized the inconvenience and gave us coffee and profusely apologized. However, I guess there wasn't a manager on duty; OUR wait was 2 hours AND 20 minutes. Since we had an odd party of 5 it took much longer to seat us. Casey one of the Hostesses was HOSTLESS!!! CRAZY.......PROCEED WITH CAUTION
(2)
Cathy H.
Im probably late but this place is the business! Try the French toast flight....and the chicken sausage. Yum!
(4)
Andy M.
A decent brunch at a nice little eatery. That would be my description of my visit to Batter & Berries. Once again, I sacrificed my arteries in search of the perfect biscuits and gravy. B&B's version of this Southern specialty didn't disappoint me. The sausage gravy was delicious. There were a few glitches with along the way that warrants me giving B & B only three stars. Our food came in stages. There was a good 15 minute lapse from the time I got my food to the time my Wife got hers. The servers seemed confused by our order. Being the gentleman that I am, I waited until everyone had their grub before digging in. By that time, my brunch was cold. Its kind of sad. The untimely service ruined what could have been a spectacular brunch. Here's the bottom line: If you're looking for a neat little brunch spot to cure even the meanest hangover, give Batter and Berries a shot. What I tasted of the food was good enough for me to give them another try.
(3)
Cassidy P.
Service is great & fast. French toast flight is amazing, at a good price ($11). Yes, it's essentially two pieces of bread, but it's rich and delicious and very filling, imho. It gets suuuuper busy after 10, so get there early!!
(5)
Dr. M.
I'm not sure how to rate this place... The food is eclectic and the menu is very interesting. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was excellent! The cheesy hashbrowns are delicious as well. The spinach omelet was just spinach on top of eggs...not very exciting nor good. The wait was to be expected, but I was very surprised by the lack of customer interaction and attentiveness by our waitress. After being seated, we waited 15 minutes for a waitress, and I finally had to ask the greeter to send a waitress over. Once she arrived, much later (she had passed our table several times before) she was unenthused and could not even muster up a smile. However, the "bus boys" were friendly, fast and efficient and very well deserving of the tip given. Their service was much appreciated, and made up for the waitress...who left us waiting. Overall, I would have to give the place another shot, because everyone I know, swears by this place. Besides the obvious...lines and waits - must be an indicator of something worth waiting for???
(3)
Shabaka M.
One of the best breakfast experiences I have ever had! Their French toast flight is a must have if you are a first timer; the chicken waffle with the homemade sauce is superb as well. The staff was professional, knowledgable and extremely courteous during my visit. My only complaint would be the size (capacity) of the place. Get their early on weekends if not hold out for during the week.
(5)
Anu Y.
Of the charts for brunch! Their lobster omelet and the french toast flight was yummy! The only downside is that wait is long but the food comes really fast. Overall, very impressed!
(5)
Randy V.
Excellent service and excellent breakfast! Warmly greeted by Don when we entered. It was our first time here, and Don went over the specials which was well worth it. He made sure we understood how to eat the food to maximize the flavors and it was absolutely amazing!
(5)
Jessica C.
I came with a friend to Batter & Berries a little past 2PM on Saturday and the place was PACKED! Which spoke to how popular this place is. Luckily, since it was later in the afternoon, we only had to wait about 10-15 min for a table. Our server was very friendly and attentive; he ran through the very detailed specials and checked up on us very often for a place that was still bustling with customers. Also our food came out in a matter of 5 minutes. We got the executive and the raved about chicken and waffles. Both dishes had very nice presentation (must take picture worthy heh.) and tasted very good, although I guess I expected the chicken and waffles to be "blow my mind" good, but they didn't quite reach that level for me. The chicken and the waffle both tasted great separately, but I wasn't sure if they really tasted great together. I expected to taste the chicken inside the waffle, but the bread was too sweet and dense to make out the chicken. It was definitely a good experience though--had to come just to try the waffle with chicken in it. Though it did not go as expected, now I can be at ease. Possibly overhyped it for myself by reading through many yelp reviews and getting overexcited. But it was delicious anyway. TL;DR Good food, great service. Worth it for the experience.
(4)
Jake B.
I liked the food a lot! The hostess was a bit short in a way which but she set the proper expectation for the wait time which was long but the food made up for it. I had the sweet potato waffle with chicken... Waffle was sweet and the chicken had a complimentary hot sauce that just worked very well with the sweetness of the waffle. The chef/owner stopped at my table and said hello which was nice because i was able tell him how much I liked the food but I wasn't sure if it was normal or he just did it because I had my food warmed up just after getting it because it wasn't hot like it just came off the stove, but warm like it had been waiting for the crab eggs Benedict that my friend had (he liked his meal also) It is one of the better breakfast/brunch places I have been and I will definitely will be going back to try the French toast which I heard is also very good. Keep it up Batter & Berries
(4)
Renee W.
I heard so much about this place, I had to go. I knew I didn't want to wait, so I chose to go on a Monday afternoon. The place was still fairly crowded. I tried the Crab cake Benedict and my husband had the Cluck and Goof (sweet potato waffle and chicken). We ordered and the food came out in 5 minutes flat.....weird (explained the temperature--warm) The food presentation was good, I was surprised that my crab cakes had no seasoning. The waffle was GREAT (lukewarm)...the chicken atop of the waffles--great too. The chicken sausage was very tasty but very tough and my hash browns were a little cold. If I ever return, I will just have the Chicken and Gouf. I probably won't go back though--it't too far and there are other specialty breakfast places that are closer and have free parking. For those interested...you can bring your own alcoholic beverages in to drink with your meal.
(3)
Jennifer P.
The attitude of the hostess was HORRIBLE. It was very stuck-up and rude. There was a point in time that she gave my cousin and I a dirty look while calling us for our table. Other than the poor attitude of the hostess, I enjoyed the meal seeing that it was my first time there. I loved the Brown Sugar & Cinnamon french toast with cheese hash browns and scrambled eggs!
(4)
Tiffany C.
Black Owned Business that does an amazing job at everything. Food - 5 I had the biscuits and gravy with coleslaw. I wish I had a vat of this to just eat at my liesure. The Coleslaw was not as great because of the cut of the cabbage I received and it needed more dressing, but the biscuits and gravy were so good I can overlook it. Ambiance - 4.5 Super cute with lovely tables and a chalkboard that has the specials. Price - 5 Not over priced and I was so happy with my selection I still would have paid more for it Service - 4.5 The girl was very nice, but she was a new server. I can be forgiving about it though since it was her first day. She took a bit too long to get to us for the bill and when we asked if it could be separate checks for two people she came back with the bill split. And took a Looooong time to come back with the correction. But the chef came out and checked on every person about the food and gave his card. Yep... I became a fan! Overall - 5 Run, dont walk to this place. I will be back whenever I can.
(5)
Rits M.
Batter and berries tries to do things differently, but go here if you want a good solid brunch option. Let's start with the bad- it doesn't take reservations, and it can be upto a 45 min wait if you go around 11.30-12 on a sunday. The waiter mixed up J's order, she had asked for the super flight of waffles and he had brought the flight, but he rectified this quickly, within 5 minutes. I had the cluck and gravy which came COLD. The waiter took it away immediately but a new one didnt arrive till half an hour later. They comped me for the dish though, which was nice of them. On to the good: when my dish did arrive it was GOOD! the eggs were well done and the gravy was delicious- lots of sausage. The waffles were good solid options, they had a bourbon waffle which was interesting and i LOVED their maple butter. Besides the rush, the place is cute, a little diner-y, but fun, and they have samples of art for sale on the walls.
(3)
Corina V.
Sunday brunch is something I really look forward to especially going to a restaurant that has such rave reviews. The food and server were great, I highly recommend their cheesy hash, pork sausages and hot sauce (all homemade) but why the low review? The hostesses ruined what would have been a great experience. It is a beautiful day out so we were expecting a long wait, however we were skipped over (after waiting 45 minutes) and then when I asked her how long the wait would be (after she seated another couple) she told me she could be seating people instead of talking to me. If it hadn't been for the friendly server and good food, this establishment would have gotten 1 star.
(2)
Stephanie B.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! We went on a Friday at 11 and the place was packed. Its a small but cute space. Anywhoo, the owners is a sweetheart and the food is amazing! My friend and I shared the caramel french toast. What french toast needs NO SYRUP? THIS ONE!!! I also had the egg white omelete with shrimp. It was cooked in some wine sause and the hashbrowns are (excuse me) ORGASMIC lol!!! I will definitely be back again!!
(5)
Maureen V.
I was not impressed at all. I came with a party of 5 and we were seated right away in the middle table, except the service stood in the way of me sitting down for 2 minutes while everyone else was allowed to. This was after my 5K so I was pretty tired by this point. Our waiter seemed annoyed by the moment we sat down. He explained the specials and the flight and such. He took a while to get our order which shouldn't be a long drawn out thing with 20 things on the menu. They also don't allow substitutions so you can't sub in the French toast flavor of the day in the flight unless you add it. At $11 for 4 half pieces of French toast, I wasn't impressed. I could have made it at home and poured the toppings on top myself. They didn't do anything special to make this plate their own. The lemon was different but didn't taste very good. The strawberry flavor and caramel flavor were good but the actual French toast was thin and dry. Our waiter brought our check as one, and refused to split the check. This was really inconvenient and wasn't appreciated. He barely visited us and seemed really annoyed with our table the whole time. We asked about splitting the check with another waiter and he said it's up to the waiters discretion. So basically out waiter was so annoyed he didn't feel like it. Service was rude, they took away our plates and silverware before we were done with our coffee and seemed to want us to rush out. Awful experience, bad service, and subpar food.
(2)
Susie L.
It was about a 15 min wait this past Saturday for 2, not bad. We ordered the cheese crusted hash browns and the well-known chicken and waffles. Yup. I knew it. It was amazing. The chicken was pretty moist, with a delicious hot sauce, crispy salt-iness, alongside the not-too-sweet sweet potato waffle with creamy maple butter... I mean, what a genius concoction. And our server was so attentive and friendly. And even in the midst of the chaos of people waiting and walking all around, she kept so calm and composed, never ever rushing us. I will definitely come back.. and with a bottle of champagne next time! Thanks for the tip Chicago's Best TV!
(5)
Katheryn L.
Amazing food and the head chef/owner was kind enough to stop by my table twice to introduce himself and see how everything was turning out! I only wish I could eat here every day! Be sure to arrive early because they stop taking name promptly at 3pm and there is a huge crowd because it is that good. I had the vegetarian omelette which are served deconstructed, and a side of the lemon french toast. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, service was prompt and kind. Definitely try this place sooo good.
(5)
Ms.Publicity's P.
Great place!!! We went on a Sat in the mist of the St. Patrick's Day rush and it was extremely busy, but they moved the crowd and turned the tables without feeling rushed. The electronic ordering system made all the difference in allowing the servers to socialize while food being made. The food did not disappoint and arrived extremely fast and deliciously made. We ordered the Executive Country Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Omelet. By only using egg whites the omelet was not too heavy are rich couple with Alfredo sauce which seemed to be made from scratch in house. The owner and Chef could be seen greeting customers and checking on satisfaction throughout our visit. The noise level was a little on the loud side for me, but it could have been a result of hyped parade goers who had already a few drinks under there belts.
(5)
Bridgette H.
Breakfast food with gourmet quality. I mean this place has crab omelets, shrimp and grits duck Benedict...need I say more? Where else can you get breakfast food like this?? For all of the delicious dishes the prices don't break the bank. I will say the wait to actually get a seat is a little long. But what place isn't on a Saturday or Sunday? Give this place a try. It will give your taste buds a nice shock.
(4)
Krystal M.
The food was freaking AMAZING. It was hot, flavorful and orgasmic. Yes, it was THAT good. I've had the Crab Cake Benedict, Lobster omelet, French Toast sampler (during different visits). I've NEVER been disappointed with the food. Another plus is that you're allowed to bring your own drink. Whether it be fresh juice or libations. My only two complaints are the wait times and price. Each time I've gone, I've had to wait an hour and the bill was $70 for two people. A couple of friends told me that they'd gone during the weekday and there was no wait at all. I guess it just depends on when you chose to go. If you don't mind the wait, I strongly suggest this place.
(4)
Ed H.
Was looking for a brunch place by my lonely self, and decided on this place because the menu just looked so different than your standard brunch place. Since I was by myself, I sat at the communal table right in the center, which was completely fine by me. Got me in and out quick! I was a bit embarrassed when they yelled out "ED PARTY OF ONE!!!" Awkward lol. Ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre. Being a fan of sweet potato, waffles, and chicken, I just had to try this out. The waffle certainly did not disappoint. Had a strong sweet potato flavor, the flavor of the syrup was there, but I still had to drizzle some extra on the top because I like my waffles wet. The chicken inside was a nice touch, but I don't know if it added a whole lot. The fried chicken I got wasn't super hot when it came out, but I still ate it anyway.
(4)
Courtney D.
I am SO a fan of B&B! My experience was about 2 weeks ago around the Christmas holiday, my aunt and I wanted a good breakfast. I had heard many good things about this place and decided to take her here. The wait: About 20-25 minutes. There is a waiting area in the back if you do not want to stand outside. We didn't mind waiting, we had a chance to look at the menu and decide what we wanted. We came on a Saturday, btw. The service: Our waitress, Elvira.. was "ok". She seemed to be very busy, and a couple times we had to ask the manager for assistance in refilling coffee, etc. No big deal. The FOOD: O.M.G. it's so good. we ordered the french toast flight (EXCELLENT), eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. The portions were so large we able to share everything. We loved every single bite. definitely will be back!
(4)
lesley r.
I'm a big fanatic of breakfast food and brunch. So I've tried a lot of restaurants around Chicago but this restaurant I feel should be in it's own category. First, I live French toast so I decided to try this place because of all the hype about the French toasty flight and yeah, it's everything it's hyped up to be. They make all the sauces and butters in house and exactly how each French toast is prepared is how you should eat it. Best breakfast I've had in a long time, maybe even years. (Sorry mom) it was so good I woke up early the next day to go back and try the cluck & gaufre.
(5)
Rashida R.
Three words: Lemon French Toast! Chef Rylon puts his spin on the most important meal of the day, making it the most savory! Yes, the wait is intense but it is a statement about just how good the food is here. Don't become a regular because 1) your own cooking will begin to pale in comparison and 2) you'll just go from foody to fatty. I like the use of the iPad to show you what's cooking. Though the hostess gets a little frazzled when people crowd the entry way, the wait staff are kind, attentive, and a couple are really funny. And I don't know another restaurant that plays legit house music. And, and, and it's black owned! Pie-yow!
(4)
She D.
Simply horrible customer service. The young lady working the reservation both is totally unproffesional and rude. She was rude to us and other patrons as well. She even told the staff to make us wait to take our oder. The bus boy gave horrible service. The owner came out to speak with us and offered to give us a free French toast never received it. AT LEAST IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT ..please have good service. I could not enjoy the food for the horrible service we received....
(1)
Jacki G.
The best brunch ever!!! The blueberry waffles, French Toast Flight and crab/shrimp Benedict were SO delicious! At least an hour wait but totally worth it...Chef Rylon came by our table and when he saw we hadn't ordered the flight special French Toast, a blackberry cheesecake French Toast, he sent one over to point out our error in skipping the special.... He was SO RIGHT !!!
(5)
Jeff S.
I have friends who have been raving about Batter and Berries for quite some time and I finally got the chance to experience it for myself. I am now a believer. Believe the hype. Batter and Berries is solid. The French toast flight is remarkable and highly recommended. The service was attentive and professional.
(5)
Allie H.
Although the food was good (not superb), the experience our party had here was disappointing. We waited for a good 45 minutes/hour outside before we were seated- they don't take reservations! The inside is crazy crowded and loud. We could barely have a conversation in the cramped space. Our waiter had to yell and forgot to bring us back our credit cards. The chicken and waffles were delicious, the french toast was OK, but none of it was worth the wait or the crowd. If you want to have a decent conversation over brunch, don't go here.
(2)
Carolyn L.
Went here with my mom for some great breakfast over the summer! It's a cute unassuming little place with street parking in Lincoln Park. The staff was friendly and the waffles were delicious. My mom tried the Cluck-N-Gaufre and it was the first time both of us have jumped on board this fried chicken and waffle bandwagon. I do NOT regret it. It's just a super filling breakfast option! Pretty sure I got something with blueberries which was great and seasonal. They also have a great selection of pancakes and french toast, which I'd love to go back and try. This place is great for families or for hungover brunches. It's bright and fun and everything on the menu looks scrumptious.
(4)
Farah W.
What a great find here in Lincoln Park. We heard about this place from someone at a retail store and were driving around the neighborhood looking for a lunch/brunch spot for a post xmas meal. It may not matter to most, but to find a place in the heart of Lincoln Park where the customers are mostly brown (all types of brown, not just african americans) is just awesome. Makes me proud to call Lincoln Park home. Now don't get the wrong idea, there were plenty of non-brown folk here as well. The food was delicious. I pretty much ate some of my daughters kids menu food, my wife's meal and I inhaled my Sweet Potato Pancakes with Hot-Sauced Chicken Breast. It took a while to get service because they are so busy but the waitress came around with an Ipad and pictures of the dishes we wanted to order. This place gets busy and probably needs to expand because I can see someone dinging them for wait time. Once ordered our food came up in no time. This is a great find in Lincoln Park and the food is absolutely amazing.
(5)
Cj J.
My wife and I attended on a Sunday around 11. We had a 45min-1hr wait but excited because we heard a lot about this place. I enjoyed the food but the atmosphere was very loud and busy. I tend to like a bit more of a calm and relaxing environment but this place was packed to the bone and the noise was like a night club. It was a great food experience and I am glad i tried it. I would look for a different place next time for a more chill environment.
(4)
Kim C.
Absolutely Delicious...We were on the hunt for a great brunch spot in Chicago. So, after much research and "kissing a few frogs" we decided that Batter & Berries was a must try spot on our last day. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was full of flavor and seemed to melt in my mouth...a side of bacon and eggs. All in all, this was too much food for me. The bacon was smoky and crispy. Eggs were ok...I really wanted to save room for the French toast, so the eggs were cast aside. My hubby had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken, which he stated was like none other. Overall great experience...nice, quaint place with attentive servers.
(5)
Nish R.
Despite the 1.5 hrs we spent to get a table I still like this place. I mean the wait was ridiculous. They have to have a better system because most ppl that came after us got seated b/c they were small parties. We had 5 ppl. In the end they had to pull up a chair for us for table with 4 settings but they could've done that half hour ago. There was a family with 2 kids waiting and the kids looked so miserable for having to wait that long. Anyway, the place is cheery and has a nice vibe to it. Chef comes and talks to you. Servers are friendly and nice. They have a great selection of decaf teas. Yay, finally a place that caters to us non-caffeine tea tollers. I had to have the fried chicken and sweet potato waffles. It was good. Everyone loved their food. Will definitely go back but not on a weekend. I don't care how good the food is I wi t gonna wait 1.5 hrs again.
(3)
Natasha L.
I came here for breakfast with two of my friends a week ago, and the place / food was just ok. The menu is pretty small, which would be fine if they allowed substitutions to be made, but they do not! My friend wanted strawberry waffles, but all they had were blueberry, and weren't willing to give her strawberry.... in fact, they said they couldn't even give her plain!!!--because the batter was premixed. We both ordered the blueberry waffles and it was ok... nothing special; I've def had better. Our other friend ordered an egg sandwich, and it seriously looked like I made it myself in my kitchen. Our server was nice, but I could hardly hear anything he said and I was literally like a foot away from him! The whole experience was kind of a let down.
(2)
Pam H.
We heard about the lines and we heard about the food and decided the food would be worth the wait. Good decision. Bonus:around 12:30 , midweek, there was no wait. It would have been worth it even if there were a wait. The food: I had the chicken and waffle, my friend had the eggs benedict over crab cakes with cheesy hash browns. Chicken breast was moist and tender and crispy crusty on the outside. There was a spicy sauce on the chicken. There was maple butter on the waffle. The waitress explained that Chef Rylon recommended that all 4 components (chicken waffle spicy sauce and sweet butter) be eaten in one bite. Chef Rylon rocks. Crispy, spicy sweet and waffle all together in my mouth. Mmmm ( that sound you hear is a sigh of bliss over a well seasoned tasty good textured and nice looking dish.) Like I said, Mmmm. I sampled my friends crab cake. You could actually taste the crab. It was a full tasting counter to the nicely poached egg which was runny enough to make an unctuous sauce when combined with the Hollandaise. The Hollandaise itself was more tangy but we never did figure out what the flavor was. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. I sampled the cheesy has browns. The cheese is melted over a generous portion of potatoes. I 'm not sure it was the best textural pairing with the crab cakes and eggs ( a bit of green salad on the plate might have been better), but certainly good with other dishes. Coffee was hot, not too bitter and plentiful. Wait service was prompt, friendly and they did not hover. We did not have to ask for coffee refills; the staff was there to offer first. Quibbles: the room is noisy even when the place is not full. The spicy sauce on the chicken was a bit too vinegar-y standing alone although it meshed well when eaten with the other components. The specials were on a chalkboard, but not the prices. Cost $24 per person for entree, coffee , tax and tip. Plus meter parking on well- patrolled Lincoln Ave (Thanks to the manager who announced the coming of the meter maid) We will be back
(4)
Brandon B.
I'm a little conflicted. I'm motivated by food, so overall, it's a four. The good: the French Toast flight was amazing, so were their omelets. On special, they had a salmon omelet and a scallop omelet. Simply delicious. The price point is great as well. I was at Girl and the Goat last weekend, and two scallops cost me $17. Their omelet included three, and it was I believe $14. Finally, when you order, the food comes out very quickly. The bad: The wait was painful. It took two hours, though I guess it wasn't their fault they are so popular. Also, I think the hostess has a tough job, and can come off as a little abrasive. I can get over that though. I am not itching to go back, simply because of the wait, but the food is the real deal.
(4)
Keith A.
I don't do 5* easy. I don't do them easy at all. But, it's the special places that bring this out and Batter&Berries fully deserves it. A good friend of mine is here when he can, and he hit me up on a sunday morning to do brunch with his fiancee. Being hungover always works with breakfast food, so this was perfect for me. To start, this place was humming really well when I arrived. Granted, I got here around noon, but I was very glad that my friends had gotten a table already. We started off with a french toast flight. It's several different french toasts all on one plate. Makes sense right, guess what, it's as awesome as it sounds as well. How do you like 'dem apples? What's really cool is that each week they do a special french toast as part of the flight and this time we got mocha and chocolate for our special french toast. Nope, no complaints from me whatsoever. You also have to like the carrot of a new french toast each week. That's 52 different ones, so you have to come in and find out. After that I had to get myself the lobster omelet. They were doing an "omelet bowl" as it was super bowl sunday. I don't get why people were going so much with the crab as 1) Baltimore is a shithole and 2) Lobster is awesome. Well, it did turn out that all of the crab lovers got their super bowl wish, but I was put in my happy place by having lobster and eggs in front of me. Really, it's two of my favorite things all in one. What's extra cool is that all of the ingredients are on top of the omelet. Some people may find it weird, but the chef wants you to see that he's using good ingredients and you are gonna enjoy them, m'kay. Well, my omelet ruled. The eggs were insanely fluffy and man, there was an awesome amount of cheese in there. Seriously, I had to basically treat the cheese like I was eating pasta by wrapping it around my fork. Again, me in my happy place. And I haven't even mentioned the service yet. Well, they rocked! With the deluge of people that were there, one wouldn't fault them for being in the weeds. Well, that was far from the case as it was a well oiled machine. They were on top of everything. Obviously they are used to this, but it's always nice to see it run like this. Batter&Berries is an easy return for me. While brunch isn't always a weekend activity for me because of work, it's still a blast when I get the chance. I can't wait to come back here in the future and I hope they keep staying packed.
(5)
Lauren N.
I was excited to try this place since it was recommended by my brother. So today me and my mom went at around 10:45am . Anyway I got the the buttermilk pancakes and chicken sausage. My mom ordered the traditional which consists of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits. I must say I was not impressed with the food. The only flavorful thing on the menu was orange-cranberry juice. We had to keep putting additional seasoning on our food. Don't think I will be coming back.
(1)
Klassic C.
This place is a great breakfast spot but get there early or you WILL have a nice wait .. I loved it so much my co workers and I ( who work 3rd shift) would get off and go here every 2 weeks! last time I went I was told no more plain waffles which was a bummer but overall as many times as I have been I have been satisfied. the french toast is always good and the weekly flavor is very creative. the staff is generally friendly and attentive nice breakfast place I think i have o.d ive been so many times lol anything is a reason to go great for showing out of towners a good nice meal
(4)
Melanie V.
Meh. This place is just...meh. The positives? +Our waiter was super sweet and informative AND he took the time to split our check on 3 cards. Very nice. +The banana pudding french toast (one of their specials) was also phenom. No syrup needed, so that meant that the bread wasn't soggy and disappointing as usuallly happens with french toast. Ok, now the not so positive? +Cffee was $3. Blah. +Wait was 45 minutes and our group of 5 waited nearly 40 minutes for the food to come out. +The crab omelette (another special) was $16 and was only served with soggy hashbrowns. I didn't really like the gouda/crab combo, but thankfully one of my friends enjoyed it. +It was effin' freezing in there because people kept walking in and out. +I sat at the end of a four-seater table and practically got hit in the head a dozen times by the people waiting. That's really not what I want to deal with on a Sunday morning.
(3)
Jeff N.
ALWAYS on the hunt for GREAT breakfast places, as breakfast is our favorite meal. Wandered into French Toast heaven this morning. The place was packed at 9:20, but we were given a nice place to sit and wait for the 20-25 minutes they said would be the delay. They were right about the wait. And it was worth it. The marquis items for breakfast are their French toast selection. After much deliberating over their delicious sounding menu, we opted for the Lemon French Toast (my wife's selection) and the Blueberry French Toast (mine). The waitress tempted us with a glorious looking Pork Chop and egg selection and Lobster Benedict; made even more tempting by her showing us pictures from her tablet (nice touch). At FIRST BITE we were hooked! Wow!. We also ordered the side of chicken sausage and the cheese hash browns. Oh, my! My only regret in writing this review is that it may attract even more people to this gem. p.s. This is a BYOB restaurant, as if things couldn't get any better.
(5)
Hanh S.
Came here for Saturday brunch. For the amount of business they get the place is super small and cramped- while waiting for a table you're bound to be in someone's way. That was really the only downside of the place. They do give out free coffee while you wait- but be warned that if you continue to get coffee once seated they will charge you. The waitress was super friendly and helpful. They present their specials on an iPad slideshow so you get to see the food and they do an excellent job explaining what it all comes with. Love being able to see the food before it comes! My table ordered the french toast flight, lobster omelette, and crabcake benedict to all share. EVERYTHING was tasty and amazing. The omelette and benedict were pretty large portions, while the french toast flight, not so much, but probably my favorite of all the things I tried. It comes with 4/5(?) half slices- so like, 2 whole pieces of bread slices in total. I would recommend the extra hungry to actually order two flights. Service was quick and friendly. I can't wait to come back and try it out again!
(5)
hlzdg h.
Been here four times. Waited to review because I did agree with the service issues. It's gotten better, but even if it's peaks out at mediocre, this is the reality: the chicken sausage is ridiculous. It just is. And yes, I do mean the chicken sausage, not the pork sausage. Both are made by Chef Rylon and good, however, the chicken sausage is a standout. I would come here once a week with okay service just to get it. Like the sausage, Chef Rylon makes most of what you eat. If you order a turkey club, you get real, freshly carved turkey - not cold cuts. The hash, batters for pancakes, waffles and French toast, maple butter, etc. are all made by Chef Rylon and very good. I have more of a taste for savory vs sweet, so The French toast and sweat potato waffle were a little on the sweeter side for my liking, but both were meals I would get again with a twist (regular waffle with the cluck and gaufre for instance). Chef Rylon appears to really care about the success of his place and your enjoyment of his cuisine. He is seen often throughout the place and always says to simply grab him from the kitchen if you have any issues with te food. I doubt that's ever been necessary. Good value too for what you get. Never look at the bill and think that it's out of whack. Quite the opposite. 4.5 star place to me. If service gets corrected, Batter & Berries will be one of the toughest weekend spots to get a table.
(4)
Judith J.
I heard so much about Batter & Berries that I just had to give them a try. Who doesn't like a good breakfast and who can make a bad breakfast? Well, many places get it wrong, but Batter & Berries got it right. If you are looking for your traditional ordinary breakfast, then this is not the place for you or your palate. This place takes breakfast to another level with their creative ways of taking a 1950's breakfast meal and making it into a 21st century delight! I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre, which is a great spin on chicken and waffles. It's a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle served with a fried chicken breast topped with a nutmeg hot sauce and maple butter. And of course I ordered a side of bacon, which they served in a bowl. I like my bacon long and crisp and not rolled in a bowl with grease at the bottom, but the bacon was good nonetheless. The chicken inside the waffle was nice, but the waffle would have been just as delicious without it. They take their orders on an ipad, how cool is that and the food comes out quickly. I love the way they have the daily specials on the blackboard where you can clearly see it and read it. Great artwork on the walls and the bathroom is nice and clean. My server was okay, but if you ever get Tim, you are in luck. I love the way he described the specials to the other table (yes I was ear hustling), he made me want to order another meal. Some places try to be creative and it looks pretty and that is what you got a pretty plate of food. But Batter & Berries makes your brain think hmmm, I wonder how that will taste and your mouth says yum, this is good! I love that it is black owned and doing well. I will be back to try another creative breakfast selection!
(4)
Alfreda D.
I love, love, love brunch! It's my favorite meal and time of day. I've been to quite a few brunch spots in Chicago and love trying out new ones, especially those that come recommended. And this place is BYO champagne and wine which is nice. It's expected that the wait time at brunch spots will be outrageous for a variety of reasons including a) just as many people love brunch like I do, b) the place is small or c) the place is wait-worthy. I'm going to give Batter & Berries a) and b) for now. My friend had been here before so she raved about it and knew that the wait would be crazy after 11am. So we went at 9am! That's not even brunch mind you... it's breakfast. LOL. Anyway, she was late. Yup, I'm calling her out... late. So at 9am on a Sunday the place was already jumping. The wait was only about 10 minutes, but wow, I'm still surprised there was a wait that early to begin with. You can't get seated until your entire party has arrived so my wait time turned into 45 minutes. Whomp whomp! And it was cold outside. That's another downside of a small location. There's nowhere to house your waiting guests except for outdoors! After a solid 30 minutes of waiting, the manager (I suppose) came out to greet the waiting guests. He gave this whole speech like an auctioneer rattling off specials and must haves, must dos, etc. etc. It was entertaining. At the end of it all, he offered everyone free coffee while we waited. I would have much appreciated that 30 minutes sooner because my fingers were frozen at that point and we got seated shortly after so I didn't get the free coffee after all. We got seated by the window so it was still a little chilly inside, but we were seated so I was happy. They are known for their French toast. They have 4 flavors (I believe) and offer a flight that gives you one of each flavor to try. And according to the manager, their chicken and waffles are the best. I wanted to try something I wouldn't normally make on my own, so I ordered the pork chop that came with eggs and potatoes. The pork chop was made well and it was flavorful. The potatoes, however, weren't cooked long enough. They are made with cheese which sounded exciting, but they weren't fully cooked... they weren't crispy, the cheese wasn't melted, so overall it was a letdown. My friend who had been here a few times before agreed that it was noticeably different from her other visits and wasn't as good. Just my luck. Nevertheless, the pork chop and eggs were satisfying and I had plenty of food. I tasted my friend's French toast and it was really good too. But I don't know. I didn't leave thinking I would be willing to wait however long to try something different on the menu. It's a decent spot and was highly frequented. But it wasn't to die for or to wait 45+ minutes for. I don't think I can give it c) just yet. It's not really wait-worthy but it's "A-OK".
(3)
K S.
If you are looking for an awesome place to have breakfast or brunch look no further! The French toast sample had cookies and cream, lemon, caramel, blueberry and pecan French toast. All were delicious! I got the sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken with a piece of fried chicken on the side! So super good. The owner also makes his own maple butter! This place has a very warm feel and the staff is so friendly. Every time our waiter came to the table he always had something funny to say or he told a riddle. We even met the owner who thanked us for coming! The food is amazing and I will definitely go back!!
(5)
Micah L.
Holy goodness, this place is amazing. I ordered their French toast flight with the "special" flavor of the week (worth the extra $2) and it could quite possibly be the best French toast I've had in my life. I stole some bites from friends' plates and the waffles and hash browns are also good. French toast was the winner hands down though. Decently priced for Chicago and for the amount of food you get. The hostesses weren't the most friendly but that didn't affect our experience too much. Our food came out late, however they generously discounted our meal and came out and personally apologized for it. Overall I would definitely recommend it! One last tip- you might have to wait a little depending on the day. Less wait time if you're flexible with seating.
(4)
Brennan B.
I've been here a couple of times now and the food is always excellent! I've had the super flight (platter of french toast) as well as a few other dishes. As a fair warning, you will more than likely have to wait at least 25 minutes for a seat especially if you go during peak hours. It is a small place so there isn't much standing/waiting room and the noise level can get loud quickly. After the wait, you're good to go! The staff members are very friendly and attentive and it doesn't take long at all to prepare the food!
(4)
Tricia P.
Simply amazing. It's that simple. Just go. The food was great the service was wonderful. .
(5)
Eric K.
What people don't realize is that the place seconds as a great coffee shop. There's a big communal hi top table in the middle of the restaurant. I'm bringing my laptop next time. Could use some wifi tho... Get the chicken and waffles. Also ask for extra hot sauce.
(5)
ms L.
The food was great! The hash browns were more of a mash potato, than the typical hashbrowns that Im use to. We went on a wednesday at about 1pm, we were seated immediately, however it took 10-15mins before we got water and our order was taken. Another thing I didn't like is that the owner or manager, spoke to everyone else and asked how other patrons around us, was enjoying their food, but we were neglected. The french toast flight was awesome, my boyfriend didn't care for his pancakes or the "mash browns" aka hash browns
(3)
Kamilah P.
The customer service at this place is horrific. We arrive and were told there was a 40-45 min wait. We stand outside in the rain waiting for 40 min where we check to see where we are on the list as several parties have gone into the restaurant that arrived after us. We go inside and the lady proceeds to tell us that we weren't on the list. Then the 2nd hostess says she remembers but she lost the list. They insisted that we wait another hour. They never apologized for the inconvenience, they later said the bus boy dropped the list so we must have gotten lost in the shuffle. Still no attempt to rectify the situation. In addition, no one advised us that we could have sat inside for the hour we were standing in the rain. We received a major attitude from all three hostesses who were unorganized, unprofessional and rude.
(1)
Nike R.
Came here on a Thursday morning hoping it would be empty. Now, it wasn't the line out of the store crowd you get on the weekend, but it wasn't empty either. My food was divine. The service was prompt. What more could you ask for? Definitely an A+ experience.
(5)
Joyce D.
I've been meaning to go to Batter & Berries for months...I finally got to go and I really like it. The food is really good. My party and I had the "Chicken and Goof", the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, and the French Toast Flight. With the exception of the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, everything was EXCELLENT! There was a certain taste on them that my taste buds did not like...that didn't keep my mother and daughter from cleaning the plate so someone enjoyed them. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the space and noise. It's a very noisy spot...I enjoy House Music as much as anyone but it was a bit much for a breakfast experience. In terms of space, I like cozy but for the traffic this place gets, it could be twice as big and still not be big enough. Great food!
(4)
Whitney W.
I enjoy this place very much. I intend on becoming a regular there since I work just next door. They have amazing food, good service with servers who have very fun personalities! The serving sizes are just enough to get you full, not stuffed. I really appreciate that the food is healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced for the quality you are receiving. Particularly, I find it admirable for an African American to open a restaurant right in Lincoln Park and maintain its success by going against the stereotypical hole in the wall, fried chicken, soul food restaurants and creating something that anyone would enjoy. I have seen this place packed on weekends! I would recommend this place to anyone, and I love BYOB establishments!
(5)
Kristina S.
Delicious, Decadent, Flavorful food- beautifully decorated: the food and the restaurant!! Come support black businesses
(5)
Sarah B.
First time I've ever had lobster benedict. And now I'm irked more brunch spots don't attempt to make it. Although I would probably just be disappointed because there is no way it would be as good as the lobster benedict at B&B. Good service, lively atmosphere, and looking forward to going back. Minus one star for mediocre coffee. If you're gonna have an amazing brunch menu, at least make sure the coffee is in the same class.
(4)
Annie G.
After reading the amazing reviews on Batter & Berries, my boyfriend and I knew we had to see what all the hype was about. Saturday brunch wait times are typically at least a half hour, but the food and service definitely make up for the long wait times. The Flight of the French Toast (blueberry, caramel, lemon and strawberry with maple butter) is my favorite. No syrup necessary. The chicken and waffles are delicious (sweet potato waffle with pieces of chicken cooked in and a piece of fried chicken on the side covered in hot sauce) were on a list in Travel & Leisure for top places for chicken and waffles. The omelets are also delicious. No matter how busy it is, the service is always great. Southern hospitality meets midwestern charm.
(5)
Laura P.
The rudest hostess team I have encountered. Neither one responded to my "good morning". One was on the phone while seating guests the other simply walked away to what I learned was to figure out if there was an open table. If that is how the owner wants his establishment represented, I will go some where else. Hello is a simple word to say.
(1)
Sabby H.
The wait is super long. The food is good, I've had the crab Benedict and scallop omelet. Very good meals. Their French toast flight is great. Not sure I'm too tempted to come back given the long wait times. There are plenty of good brunch places where you don't have to wait an hour and a half.
(4)
Sheila G.
The food is amazing. Period.The wait is extremely long on the weekends. The place is BYOB. After waiting a hour 15 minutes don't expect to stay long since they rush you out very quickly. Living in NYC brunch is very different from Chicago. If B&B doesn't want ppl to stay long times than they should have some sort of policy in place instead of being passive aggressive. The food gets 4 stars, the service a 2.
(3)
RT S.
Steak omelet has a big piece of tendered steak on top. They so not cheat by putting a few prices inside the omelet. omelet comes with gravy and harsh. Very good. Flight french toast is the combination of all their french toast. The strawberry is the best. Very crowded and loud so be prepared.
(4)
Rahul K.
Best brunch ever. Wait is well managed, and well worth it. My kids love their strawberry French toast and I love their lobster Benedict. Yummmm.
(5)
Monique D.
The best breakfast that has ever touched my lips! You have to try the French toast flight!
(5)
Candace M.
I did enjoy the french toast flight and the owner was very friendly. I went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded. I still haven't figured out all the hype, I've definitely experienced better. Just being honest.
(2)
D G.
Fantastic food, great service. One of the most delicious brunch spots in the city. The only reason I don't go there more often is because there is always a line. But that's because the food is so good. So if you've got some time on a Saturday or Sunday morning, pick up some champagne (it's Byob) and head on over.
(5)
Kylana G.
Very good breakfast spot. I have only been twice (don't live nearby), but I have been happy with the service and food both times. I also have several friends who have been and have great things to say about the place. There have been a few complaints on Yelp and FB regarding a long wait - but people need to be realistic. If you go to a popular breakfast/brunch spot that has limited seating after 10:00 am on a Saturday/Sunday, you should expect a wait. Seriously. Check it out for yourself. This place has a great variety of food options and is an overall yummy spot.
(4)
Rachel W.
My husband and I were quoted a 45 min-1 hour wait. We watched while MANY larger groups (3-6 people) were seated before us. Then the hostess would come out and ask who doesn't mind sitting together - and everyone rushed to get in (it had started to rain). She didn't follow the list at all. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. I watched the hostess (young pretty gall with her hair in a bun on the top of her head) get in two verbal arguments with irritated patrons. Not the most welcoming thing to witness. Our server was fantastic - fast and hilarious. He made the visit worth it. I ordered the French toast flight and my husband got the breakfast burrito. Both were good, but nothing special. It was a memorable experience, but a very frustrating start to the day. Only go if you are in a party greater than two. You will be seated much faster.
(3)
Ali K.
This is one of the greatest Breakfast places in the nation by far. Think of the soul food influence but its been turned on its head and brought into the breakfast arena. I told my friend that I had been reading the reviews on this place and people were going stark raving mad about it and he said "IT'S HIS FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT" only a few blocks away so we would walk to it. It was the perfect way to introduce me to the Chicago culinary scene. Apparently this place on the weekend is extremely packed with lines out the door it's that good, so my suggestion is coming during the week during the work day if you're off or visiting the area. Promptly seated in the corner by the window, Batter and Berries has a nice little bistro feel to it, not that much seating but the atmosphere is very welcoming. The hostess was pretty easy on the eyes as well :) To the food, they have a good amount of options mostly comfort style breakfast food and a few lunch dishes but stick to the breakfast options. The pancake options they had were pretty tempting but then i saw the French Toast Flight and I couldn't resist. Five different types of french toast (four traditional and then the special french toast offering. That week it happened to TIRAMISU! THE REASONS ITS IN ALL CAPS LOCK IS BECAUSE THE FLAVOR WAS MINDBLOWING UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! The entire French toast flight sampling was perfect then to top it off I got the Chicken Gaufre. (Chicken and Waffles to simplify) THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES I HAVE HAD SO FAR IN MY LIFE. Because it's not a regular waffle it's a sweet potato waffle with a little slight hint of cajun spice (not sure it's that) mixed with the waffle gives you a little kick and it's lip-smacking good. Obviously the chicken was juicy and had just the right amount of hot sauce on it, the combination of the two together was mouth watering. I don't know if Willy Wonka or Sylvia The Legendary Harlem Restaurant owner walked in here and said CREATE THE COMFORT SOUL FOOD EQUIVALENT JUST WITH BREAKFAST but whatever/whoever the inspiration was a mecca of greatness was created. THIS IS A MUST GO TO WHEN VISITING CHICAGO.
(5)
Christian Y.
Good food but terrible service when trying to get seated. We went for Sunday brunch and of course it was packed but we were willing to wait. Fast forward to over an HOUR later when we went to check on our table we were told we received a text a while back however that was not the case. We were then asked if we gave the correct number which made us give the ultimate stone face. Then we were promised the next available table...commence to watching folks get seated ahead of us. So then she comes to us and asks if we were the party of three...well we were not three people so the discovery that there were two parties with the same name and apparently there was no party of three ever it was just another party of two. At this point it is like an episode of hunger games but we have waited too long to quit. The hostesses were definitely in over their heads...so then FINALLY we got a table. It was like we won the lottery for dumb people who stay too long in line at a restaurant. So after we got seated we were immediately given drinks which helped to stave off the momentary fainting spell I was going to have. Thankfully we had an all star waiter (Tim) who quickly came over and took our full order (we studied in the time before we sat down) and made sure we were taken care of. The good was good and hot but I just could not get past the whole ridiculous seating situation. It just seemed like the ladies at the front had issues maintaining and establishing control.
(3)
Britney R.
We tried coming here last month but it was too packed. So what better way to say farewell to 2013, than a nice hearty brunch with the girls?! We got in quickly. Our server was AMAZING (I believe his name was Tusemi). We ordered a flight of the French toast to split. The special was the mimosa French toast- it was great. So were the blueberry, caramel, strawberry and lemon. I ordered another special- the surf & turf omelet - marinated steak and jumbo shrimp with bell peppers over an omelet stuffed with mozzarella. It was DEEELISH! My friend ordered the lobster Benedict. It was also really good- only complaint there was the eggs were over-poached. Otherwise, Great service, great food, what more could you ask for? I would suggest everyone check this place out, but make sure to get here early- wait times can be up to 2hrs. Happy New Year!
(4)
Jon F.
First ones in the door this morning and it was delicious. We had a flight of French toast and the crab cake Benedict.
(5)
Laura H.
We really like this place a lot. Our waiter was wonderfully warm and charming. We arrived shortly before 9:30 on Sunday and were seated right away. Our food arrived super fast, so fast you would think they anticipated our order and got a head start! Despite a long list of fab sounding specials, on our virgin visit, we couldn't pass up the Cluck n Gaufre (chicken and waffles) and French toast flight. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Sweet potato waffle with chicken in the batter, with delicious fried boneless chicken breast topped with a wonderful spicy sauce. A perfect blend of sweet and spicy. The French toast flight consists of four of their flavors that they select, no substitution. You can get a "super flight" that also includes their French toast daily special. We did the super flight and included the spiked eggnog flavor. The regular flight includes blueberry, strawberry, caramel and lemon. The caramel was my favorite, followed closely by the lemon. The spiked eggnog was also very good but crazy sweet! We love finding new brunch spots, and this one's a keeper!
(4)
GingerWine 0.
Addicted to Lemon French toast (real lemon zest and pecans and something I can't quite put my finger on), though have the flight if you haven't before.
(5)
Myia S.
Took my boy friend to Batter and Berries for his Birthdate on a Monday morning, it was a pleasant experience. The service was great and the food was excellent. The atmosphere was really cool and laid back they are well known for chicken and waffles, French toast and egg Benedict. So when visiting you should try one of the few and on the second and third visit try others(just a suggestion). There were so many different flavored French toast to choose from I didn't know what to get; however, they do have a French toast flight which is like a sampler you will have four different flavors of French toast on one order. I really enjoyed this place because you get to see what you order because they have the pictures of most of the food on a iPad. I ordered the Carmel French toast and my boy friend order the chicken and waffles. It was divine! The Carmel French toasts came out with maple butter on it you didn't even need and syrup! The chicken was crispy and moist and the waffle was fluffy and it was actually a sweet potato waffle. I will be a returning customer I don't have any complaints.
(5)
Jeffery E.
Bad for big groups (5+) We went early Easter Sunday morning and the wait was surprisingly short. Unfortunately, the manager horribly manages the seating and does so with an uncaring attitude inconsiderate of customer relationship and subsequent future revenue from patronage. Read: dude's a d-bag and loss well-tipping folk today. We had a party of eight and we're told we'd wait approx 20 min. There were empty tables but not all together so we understood. After 35 min, our new estimate was another 25 min. The hostess said she tried to seat us after a table left and was awaiting for the adjacent table; her manager required a smaller party be seated instead, thus pushing our seating. He explained to us that two adjacent tables would need to finish at the same time for us to be seated. Now, it's totally possible that, in this small restaurant with only two places to seat larger parties, that is would have taken hours. He also did nothing to try and assure us he was looking to satisfy us or was working to please us in any way. After watching many parties be seated near instantly and being treated with zero empathy or care, we decided to take our dollars elsewhere. The hostess was great; the manager was horrible. His service is impersonal at best, and his management practices are impractical and amateurish. He lost revenue today and future revenue from our circle we implore not to patronize a business we were excited to experience. I pray he grows, and if not, forcibly goes.
(1)
Kim H.
French toast flight!! Run don't walk!! Soo delicious... Deconstructed omelets delicious .. Great, fun atmosphere
(5)
Karley E.
I would give this place ZERO STARS if i could. Since moving to Chicago I have heard nothing but raves about Batter & Berries, so when my family came to visit I decided to take them there...I wish I never did! They have no idea what customer service is. We went on a Friday morning and they said we would have to wait 35 minutes, no big deal we expected to wait. Around 25 minutes into our wait I went inside and asked if they think we will still be seated within our 35 minute wait time. We just wanted to see if we had time to walk around. The hostess responded with "Yes, that's what I quoted you." When 45 minutes rolls around my dad walks in and said how much longer, the hostess said not too much longer. At an hour my sister goes in and asks what is going on. The hostess said you still have 6 groups of 4 ahead of you! So, my sister asks for the manager. The host lets him know that she did mis-quoted us. He was extremely rude and said the wait time is just an estimate and not a guarantee. That there was nothing he could do, and we could wait or leave. I was a host for 4 years, and we always gave accurate times so our guests could make the decision to stay or go. I also say the manager let guest in who 100% came way after us (regulars or friends probably). I do not care how great the food may be, there are tons of other breakfast places in the Chicago area that make food just as well, if not better. I highly suggest that everyone does not waste their time and goes somewhere else. Batter and Berries does not live up to the hype! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!
(1)
Wei H.
My biggest lesson learned from eating here is that a party size of 3 is the most difficult to be seated. That said, the wait is not as bad as Yolk on a Saturday. The french toast really was phenomenal. I am not a french toast person so I wisely did not choose the flight or the regular portion. I got the special that day the vanilla frappacino and was blown away. And i don't know what they did to the ice cream coz it sure did not melt for an hour. Although, $6 for one slice of bread, as fancy and delicious as it was, was pushing it. The chicken n waffles were also good. Waffles were just the right degree of crunchy on the outside and bouncy on the inside. My friends said the chicken was flavorful. On to my own main dish - the egg white omelet with crab, zucchini, bamboo shoot and something else, was extremely disappointing. There was a lot of extra moisture that came out of the zucchini and tomatoes and that just did not go well with the already bland egg white. I also wish that there could have been more cheese, or should I say, the cheese could have been more evenly distributed? Hash browns were too moist for my preference and frankly nothing special. Service-wise, our waiter was nice, attentive and patient enough to repeat some special items to us while a lady that seated us came across a bit rude. We waited for 45 minutes outside on a 60s degree day and she did not bother to tell us there was a seating area inside while we waited... Also, when we asked why our food came after the people that came in and ordered after us, we were told that there were only two waffle makers. How did those people that arrived later could have gotten their waffles first, that baffles me till this day. Overall I am impressed by the french toast and really the presentation of everything. There are other interesting items on the menu that I will very likely return for. This time, I will know better than wait outside.
(4)
Erich S.
Helpful and friendly service and a well executed brunch. The server (Christie) was helpful in finding both food options and hot tea. Wife had an avocado club sandwich with fries that were well seasoned but not overpowering. I had an amazing concoction of sweet-potato waffles with chicken inside the waffles, topped with gently fried chicken and hot sauce. They brought syrup but it never needed it (and I'm a waffles and syrup kinda guy for brunch).
(5)
Brianne B.
Went on a Wednesday morning and had no wait time whatsoever. Enjoyed a quick and delicious meal -- the apple waffles. So yummy!!!
(4)
Claire F.
I enjoyed Batter and Berries, although I'm not sure I would choose to go back there when there are many other places in the city to try. I went here on a Sunday with three girlfriends, and the wait was about thirty minutes, which was nice as I was expecting longer. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. I ended up ordering the chicken and sweet potato waffles after I had seen so many good reviews of them on Yelp. I was not disappointed and especially enjoyed the hot sauce that was put on the chicken and on the side. I am giving this a four instead of a five as while it was good, I do not think there is enough on the menu to keep me coming back or any unique menu items that set it apart from many of the other brunch places in Chicago. Perhaps if I had had the french toast, which I have heard plenty of good things about, I would feel differently.
(4)
Samantha J.
If you're looking for french toast, this is THE place. Awesome service- everyone is super friendly including the chef who walks around and converses with the customers (part of me wonders what goes on in the kitchen while he's roaming around the floor, but stopped caring once I sank my teeth into their lemon french toast). The atmosphere is cute and quaint. Their pumpkin spice hot chocolate is fabulous and their french toast sampler was way more than filling (their gingerbread french toast is second to the caramel-both unique and tasty). Their sweet potato hash browns were a little surprising, they weren't crispy as I was kind of expecting/hoping, but sweet potatoes are great no matter how they're cooked. Overall, lovely service and great food at affordable prices. Definitely plan to come back.
(4)
Reginice C.
The best!
(5)
Sarah L.
i got a special, which had lobster in it. it was pretty mediocre, but it also had a lobster shell piece in it. when i told the waitress, she was like "oh" and did nothing. i emailed management and they were like "oh" and also did nothing. wish i loved this place, since its POC owned and really cute, but i think they're overpriced, for sure.
(2)
Bethany R.
I went with a few family members on a Monday morning for brunch around noon, and the place was jam-packed with a diverse group of patrons. LAZ parking was easy, as it was during the business week. We were seated at the large table in the center, which I'll assume is for larger parties, and ended up with a more community-table like feel. We're chill, so we didn't have any qualms about it. It took a while for the server to make her way to us, and then we ended up being seen by one or two other servers in between. There was definitely a bit of confusion going on, amid a cacophony of conversations, layered with a little-too-loud upbeat music. We could barely hear our server. The menu is average in the number of selections, and the price point seems reasonable for its location. Two people ordered breakfast (French toast flight & omelette) and two people ordered lunch (veg wrap & combo). Our food took quite a long time to come out, but it was definitely worth the wait. We had no complaints about our food, and pretty much cleaned our plates. However (!), there was nothing spectacular about our meals. We did notice, that a patron near us sent her French toast flight back because it was served cold. A few suggestions: 1. Turn the music down, as there's already enough noise with all of the conversations going on! 2. Get your servers better organized and competent. 3. Add some sound-absorbing art to the walls (e.g., cloth art). 4. How can you serve corn syrup instead of REAL maple syrup? For shame. Overall, my experience wasn't horrible, but I don't plan on going back or recommending it to others. For a better experience, find an Ann Sather.
(2)
Nicki W.
It's beyond me why this place gets such fantastic reviews. I decided to come back and give it a second try and was seriously underwhelmed. It was a packed Sunday morning and we waited about 45 minutes for a table which is about standard. The hostesses were pretty rude once again. Everything from the initial greet to the way they shouted the names of people on the list when their tables were ready. They didn't seem to give a damn about making anyone's dining experience cheerful. We sit down at the table and the bussboy brings us water and asks us if we wanted coffee. Then we sat there for about 15 minutes before anyone even approached the table. Regulars seem to get treated real well around here and everyone else seems to get seriously overlooked. The chef walked around laughing with all his buddies but I never once saw him table touching with anyone else. The icing on the cake was the chef hacking and coughing while standing at the table next to us. All that was going directly on our food. Have some class buddy. The waiter was unattentive and forgetful. We ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and the biscuits and gravy. Neither were anything special. We asked for a side of ranch and ketchup once the food arrived and never got it. My friend ended up getting up and asking someone else. Not once did our waiter come back to make sure we needed anything. I will also point out that both of the times I've been here, the eggs have been runny. It was pretty gross. I will not be back. What a shame because it's right in the hood.
(1)
Irma G.
Hi....as I sit here in your establishment I can not believe what I see...as me and my friend are looking over your menu I see one of your employee's with head phones on and taking orders!!! That is so disrespectful while the guest is trying to order their food. I hope u have a talk to your hostess, waiters, and staff!! They need to be retrained...other than that the food is FABULOUS!!!
(1)
Heather B.
We chose this place on a whim this morning. We started with the Super French Toast Flight (includes a piece of the daily special french toast as well as strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel). Today it was Godiva liqueur, which was my least favorite of the 5. Very good overall, though I found it curious that it was served much more lukewarm than warm/hot. My husband got the chicken and waffles and I had simple scrambled eggs and a side of the cheese hash browns (which were served cold, though I got an immediate replacement when I asked). Friendly, quick service, more than decently good food overall. I'd stick with the specials and the things they hype up like the chicken and waffles to get the most bang for your buck (and tastebuds!!) ETA: Apparently I need to clarify that the well-deserved 4 stars are for the overall experience. I'd think that any rational, reasonable restaurant patron would be able to differentiate between a tiny mistake (ie cold hash browns) and a bad experience where I wouldn't highly recommend the restaurant. Fixed, small mistakes are overlooked in my book.
(4)
Kira W.
Went here today for breakfast with my dad and wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be after reading all the reviews. First of all, the restaurant is crazy loud...I know it's the city but seriously, it was hard to hold a conversation. I got the french toast flight and sadly, I felt that each of the four pieces were very dry. They are creative flavors, yes, so that was the upside, but I had to add syrup diluting a little bit of the specialty flavors just to soften the bread. My dad had a mushroom omelet that he enjoyed. The service was indeed great and the location is easily accessible as well. I would love to go back and maybe try something different on the menu but with so many other great brunch places in the area, I'm in no rush.
(3)
Caitlin J.
This place is my most favorite place in the world for breakfast. The food is gorgeous, tastes phenomenal, and always leaves me walking out the door satiated.
(5)
Anne T.
Always great for breakfast!
(5)
Natalie L.
Hubby and I stopped in here after our dentist appointments on a Saturday morning and had a pleasant breakfast. I had the blueberry french toast and hubby had a deconstructed omelette. The french toast was very good and I appreciated that I didn't have to slather it in syrup (in fact this is frowned upon). They infuse the french toast with fruit and it is cooked to be a little crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Hubby enjoyed his omelette. I have two reasons for not giving this place 5 stars. The first is the decor/ambiance. The walls are a very jarring yellow and the artwork reminds me a of a daycare. This is one of those places that needs to decide what it wants to be. Are you a classy restaurant where the chef has a visible presence and syrup and substitutions are frowned upon? Or are you a decent breakfast place with yellow walls and art from an old lady's garage sale? Cuz you can't be both. My other issue, if you can call it that, was with the service. Our server was friendly and our food was served promptly. The service lacked confidence. This is probably because the place is new, but there is no other way to describe it. She did not seem comfortable doing what she was doing. If we are back in the area, this is probably a place we would go but we wouldn't make a special trip up to Lincoln Park for it.
(3)
Laurie V.
Okay, yum, I say- YUM, I say! We ordered the "flight" of french toast, which included strawberry, lemon, blueberry, maple, and the special for the week- cranberry rum. My friend and I both agreed the cranberry rum was the best one. It was special #37. The restaurant has been open for 37 weeks and each week, there is a new featured french toast. We also shared the special omelet. Egg whites and crab meat with some sort of squash in the mix. Just delicious. It came with a very generous portion of hash browns, which were done just perfectly. Crispy brown on the outside, just how I love them. I like that the Belgian waffles here are called "belguiques". Although we didn't try them, they looked amazing, as well. Service was great. My coffee cup runneth over. Very attentive server. I also saw the chef walking around the restaurant, stopping to talk to his customers. It added a very personal and warm touch. As I find myself spending a lot more time in Chicago these days, I plan to return here again.
(4)
Marshall G.
Not 4-stars as is reflected on yelp, but a decent brunch place. Service was decent. And although there was a wait, was seated right away somehow. The portions were a little small on the French toast flight, but they were very tasty. If you're not that hungry and want a lighter brunch option, this may be it!
(3)
Danny A.
Great food and service. They were slightly busy even on a Thursday afternoon. Regardless they seated us promptly and provided a high chair without us asking for my niece. Everyone was very polite, from the hostess to our waitress. Our food came out quickly and was AMAZING! We of course had the French toast flight, I had the traditional breakfast and mom had the chicken quesadilla Omelette. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Abony T.
I heard some many great things about this place. Today my mother decided to treat me to brunch at Batter and Berries. I walked in and it was packed but not a long wait. We sat down and I couldn't help but look at everyone's food around me that I almost forgot we brought a bottle for BYOB. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. We started with the Flight of French Toast which was ah-maze-zing!!! My mother had the lobster omelette and I had the Deconstructed Steak Omelet. I love the music they played while we eat. It was almost like grooving and eating at the same time lol. I really love this place and can't wait to come again with friends and family.
(5)
Tijuana W.
My colleagues and I visited B & B today! We waited fifteen minutes but it was fine. Our waiter was very entertaining. The owner came over to greet us and gave us a complimentary French toast flight! Impeccable customer service! And BYOB. Let's just say us nursing students was able to unwind mid semester!
(5)
JC P.
Fried chicken+ waffles+ spicy sauce +flavored butter= gastrorgasmic experience!!! Is worth every minute of the wait!
(4)
Caeleigh R.
The service here is great. The waiters and waitresses are a little in your face and seem to tell you a bunch of information about their specials when you can just look and read the board yourself. At any rate, they're sweet and know their food. The chef you can tell has a great love of food and has some very creative ideas. However, the execution for these great ideas, lacks the wow factor in my mouth. My food was barely warm so I have a feeling it might have been sitting in the window for some time. The eggs were oily, and when I got one of the chicken wraps, it was mostly tortilla. The french toast flight wasn't all that they seemed to put it up to be and even though I'm not of french toast, my boyfriend's unbiased opinion determined that it was in fact nothing special. The chicken sausage here is yummy. The waffle with caramelized bananas and syrup in the batter is also extremely yummy. Really, the idea of this place is great and the chef has amazing ideas for some potentially yummy food, but the day I went, it just was not as good as it sounded or looked. Which reminds me, the presentation of the dishes is FANTASTIC. I love the decor and the layout of the restaurant. I don't plan on coming back though.
(3)
Chrissy S.
I'm not always willing to wait 40 minutes for breakfast on Saturday, so I'm glad that I actually did. It was amazing. It's a small restaurant with quite a menu of options. We sat at the big community table with about 8 other people. My brother went sweet with the waffle flight; I went savory with steak omelet. We had a side of chicken-apple sausage. My plate was more than enough for two breakfasts (and reheated well the next morning). Coffee was decent. I really enjoyed this place and would enjoy coming back to try more items off their menu!
(4)
S R.
This place is one of a kind. You have to be willing to wait because they're always packed, particularly for weekend brunch, but the wait is worth it. They have a ton of specials that change a lot, the chef is super creative with different seafood, meat, eggs and sweet dishes - that all seem to keep the integrity of brunch at it's prime. They're known for their French toast - you can get the flight and try them all, great for sharing, even as an appetizer... Which is not something I usually do for brunch, but I make an exception here. Chicken and waffles are to die for. The sweet potato waffle with chicken cooked in is one of the fluffiest, most flavorful waffles I've ever had, and coupled with the fried chicken and amazing hot sauce, safe to say these far outdo any chicken and waffles I've had before. We also shared the buttermilk pancakes which were fluffy and perfect with the berries and maple butter. This place can do no wrong. Their chef is an absolute genius. The servers are smart, quick and eager to help, and the host staff has their process down to a science - handling tons and tons of hungry customers in a relatively small restaurant space. Batter and berries is a spot not to be missed for one of the best brunches you'll have in Chicago.
(5)
Dee D.
I do NOT like to wait - and typically don't BUT it was my bestie's birthday so wait I did and ... this time it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT... AND I would wait again! The staff was friendly, the food came quick, hot and was out of this world delicious!
(5)
Joslyn J.
This place is NOTHING short of AMAZING! My sorority sisters and I visited Chicago for a reunion trip and to enjoy great food. We heard this was the place to go, so we took a train and walked almost a mile from our downtown hotel. We had a large group and the place was packed (as expected) so we waited about an hour. The chef came out and greeted everyone waiting which was really nice. We had already looked over the menu so we asked about the sweet potato chicken and waffle. We are from California and have Roscoe's chicken and waffles which is great! He told is that his chicken and waffle was rated the best in the nation so we had a friendly conversation about that. He also suggested the super flight of french toast and stated if we didn't like it then he would buy it. Needless to say he sent 2 super flights to the table and we devoured them in 2 minutes. The flavors and special butter are second to none. We had 9 in our party so we ordered e everything from crab omelets, to pork chops, chicken and waffles to salmon and it was ALL amazing! The restaurant is also BYOB so we got our own mimosas, that was definitely a first. I encourage anyone ever close to Chicago to come treat yourself and eat here!
(5)
Kyle S.
Get here before 10am!!! Amazing food and service. Got here at 10:05. Had a 90 minute wait, which turned in to 60 minutes. Left our phone number and walked to Starbucks. They called us when our table was ready and we were back within 5 minutes. Server (Tusiime) was fantastic. Took the time to explain everything thoroughly. Food was at our table within 12 minutes. Left there full and satisfied at 11:45. With an hour wait this was remarkable. When we left there were 21 tables in the wait line. Try the French toast flight and the buffalo chicken sandwich. Chicken and waffles is solid as well.
(5)
Theresa F.
3.5 stars really. We ordered a couple of their savory dishes. The food blew me away for the first half of it until the greasiness started getting to me. Service was decent, but the young lady at the greeting station needed an attitude adjustment. All in all, I'd probably go again but only when I'm in the mood for sweeter fare as that is their specialty. In saying that, I'm assuming they do better with the sweet dishes versus the savory.
(4)
Weirdtee G.
Delicious restaurant!!! Be prepare to wait but its worth it. Had the breakfast wrap and was full to a coma lol. Owner is really sweet and personable. Came around to check up on us! Nice neighborhood breakfast/brunch spot!
(4)
Chevy R.
You will leave craving more!!! I'm speechless! Always in a party of 3-6, no one ever has a complaint! The staff are super awesome, they give presentations of the food and come with funny jokes! The wait is often pretty long, they really need to expand the size! BYOB! Parking on the street can get difficult!
(5)
Nida K.
The only thing I hate about this place is the fact that its in the north side. I wish people starting businesses would do so in our hood versus in the north side. Especially when they are from the south side. Anyway, that's personal shit. This place is awesome!!! We tried 4 different dishes. We had the French toast flight which was so very good. My favorite one was the pecan or cinnamon or praline. It was that kind of flavor. Second dish was the crab cake dish. It was good. Not my favorite, but real good. Flavors were full and rich. Third dish was the chicken and waffles. I don't have to go on about how amazing they were because of all the other reviews. But one this is... They cook the chicken into the batter. Holy crap!! Last dish was- Hmmmm..... I don't quite remember what it was but I know that it was damn good. They took away all our dishes empty!!
(5)
Angie L.
I have eaten at Batter & Berries twice and I must say this is my favorite breakfast spot hands down. If you go on a Saturday be prepared to wait 30 -45 minutes if you are a late riser like me. I ordered the super flight and it comes with their special French toast of the week as well as strawberry, lemon, blueberry and caramel. The French toast comes with maple butter and it is so delicious. I also ordered the cheesy hash browns and homemade chicken sausage. I highly recommend the chicken sausage soooo good. The service was excellent and our food came out very fast and was hot. I can't wait until my next visit to try something new.
(5)
TeMeka W.
I came here for a business meeting on a Friday afternoon. The decor is colorful, bright, and inviting. There was still a line that meant a 20 minute wait but I took that as a sign that I would be pleased with my first time experience. And, I have to admit that I was surprised and excited to see so many African American patrons at a spot on the north side not far from where I lived. Their brunch menu definitely has a lot of great options. Yet, due to other self-imposed restrictions at the time I can only wish I tried some of the sweeter options. My server also used an iPad to show us pictures of the specials which I found to be a nice touch. As far as what I ordered, the hash browns I loved; yet, the broccoli and cheese omelette was just okay. I'm not sure that I like the deconstructed concept to it. Overall, I had a good experience. My only downside comment would be that the hostess was not very informative or efficient. She failed to tell me that my whole party needed to be present in order to be seated and I was only waiting for one other person. Then, I stood in front of her hostess stand for over 15 minutes. And it wasn't until she seated a couple that came in after me that she decided ask me if she may escort me to the waiting area. I understand why restaurants have this policy of seating a whole party but there was no sign that clearly stated it. And, again the hostess did not mention it to me until i asked her why I was bumped in line. Considering I did have a heavy bag with business items with me, it would have been nice to be able to prepare a little bit for my meeting whether I was being seated at a table or in the waiting area. So that would be my only comment for room for improvement. I did let the hostess know directly that I thought she should have told me about the policy of all guests being present much sooner.
(3)
Jayson B.
Hands down the worst breakfast that I've had in a very long time. The word of the day with this Restaurant is "Amateur" In Every Way!!! After waiting 30min for our food. Not only was my whole order wrong but it was cold. They had the audacity to tell me that they don't allow substitutes, but yet couldn't get their basic order right. On another note, with an extremely limited menu, how do you run out of ingredients to prepare some of of your most popular items? The manager was no where to be found. You couldn't pay me in 10 free meals to step foot back in this place. You've been open for a year! Extremely disappointed!
(1)
Katie D.
First of all: the staff is amazing. Chef Rylon is the most personable chef I've met. I really hope he succeeds in his goals for this place. I got the strawberry french toast and it looked and smelled so good. Then I ate it and it was orgasmic. My eyes closed because I had to enjoy it all. -- guess this didn't post a couple years ago but better late than never.
(5)
Ariel L.
Holy hell, who designed the interior of this place??? It looks like it belongs in the florida pan handle or somewhere in the sunbelt. Good thing the food didn't match the decor... The staff was super friendly and the food was quite tatsy. Everything was fresh, and there were some interesting takes on the food. I'd pobably rate the food a solid 3.5. I really enjoyed their fresh house made sausages. I ordered their biscuits and gravy. The gravy was damn tasty, but the portion was on the small side. Everyone else's orders were much larger, so i wouldn't knock them for it, but I also wouln't order it again. If I lived in the area i'd come by on a regular basis, but given that I don't live in that neighbohood, I doubt you will ever see me there again. There are just too many places to go to.
(3)
Shradha A.
The flight of the french toast was indeed as good as described by everyone else. There was no wait for a late sunday brunch and the chef personally came out to ask how everything was going. Service started a little slow but she got a lot more attentive as others left and she had fewer tables to take care of (she seemed to be assigned all tables as she appeared to be the only server). My friend has the deconstructed omelet and liked it, but I certainly think their french toast is the real winner.
(4)
Danielle P.
Omg this was my first time there today.... This was the best breakfast I've had in a looooooooong time. The service was great I'm definitely going back!!!! I had the sweet potato waffle n fried chicken with ham and sweet potato hash, it was excellent!!!!
(5)
Hesham A.
French toast here is amazing. I also had the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffles that were pretty damn good. Restaurant is nice, great service, great location. Portions are large. Would definitely recommend this for breakfast/brunch. I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Justin H.
My favorite place to get breakfast in the city. Can't go wrong with the french toast flight or steak omelette.
(5)
Eames E.
My [genderorientation]friend suggested this place to me, this is a big deal given if she recommends a bad establishment she'll end up as "battered" as the berries in the eponymous name. I had the lobster benedict, which laid on top of some kind of potato shards and then coated in a hollandaise sauce that has since been coagulating in my fridge ever since along with all that cheerleader blood. Overall, I'd recommend this place, but the lobster benedict was the most expensive brunch item and id recommend the stuffed chicken waffle instead.
(5)
Jon M.
Once the service kinks are worked out this will be a solid 4 star brunch option on the North side. A fun take on fried chicken and waffles that does not try to be more or less than it is but it is definitely unique. I'm not even a waffle kinda guy but the moment I saw it, I had to try it, and I was not disappointed. Regarding the service: The hostess did not seem the most organized or necessarily vocal which does not help a busy and loud place like this on a late Sunday morning. She playfully mentioned that she called my name inside and out before she 'found' me...as I was standing next to the host stand where I was the entire time and never heard my name once... Overall, service was a bit slow which on a busy Sunday for a brunch joint is a bit of a stretch but I am confident once the staff hits their stride this will all be worked out. On a minor logistical cold weather complaint, the single front door operation made it a bit unbearable by the end of the meal for my friend sitting closer to the door. A double door/temporary outside door should be the norm for a place like this. If possible, request a table further away from the front door while the weather is still a bit chilly. On the plus side, it was great that the owner/chef made the rounds to every table which always tells me the guy cares what the customers are eating and saying about it. Will look forward to a return visit and updated review.
(4)
Raymond S.
Not much I can say about B&B other than this place is awesome. I have to knock it a star for inconsistency. The first time I got the french toast it had a texture unlike any other french toast I've had in Chicago. Uniquely custardy and amazingly flavorful. The second visit it was still good, but the french toast didn't have that same texture, I'm assuming the cook didn't let the bread soak for long enough. The chicken and waffle is also very well done. I was mostly impressed with the crab benedict. It was considerably more expensive than the other items, but still a bargain for how much crab you get.
(4)
D B.
We're visiting from out of town and found this lovely spot with the help of Yelp. My little ones loved the pancakes, specially the butter. Hubby and I shared the Super Flight of French Toast (each piece was better than the last) and the Traditional Breakfast. The cheese hash browns we're the best I've ever had, maybe made with asiago? Down home atmosphere, fantastic food and very friendly server and manager.
(5)
Letitia C.
Let me say, I NEVER write reviews on anything..But this place?..I just had to. The Food was EXCELLENT!!!! I had the crab omelet, and the French toast flight. My daughter had the kids chicken fingers. Even the chicken fingers were good! Everything was seasoned perfectly and the flavors went together very well. The service was fine for me..I had no issues at all. We did wait about 20-30 minutes but I am a patient person and it was well worth the wait. I'll be back!!! My bill was $49.80 for 3 people (myself, 7 year old and 3 year old) They are a bit pricey but they're worth every penny.
(5)
steve L.
The food is surprisingly light for breakfast food which is nice. Enjoyed the French toast the most and the crab benedict was a close second.
(4)
Thomas M.
After seeing the endless line day after day I figured it would be awesome. As I waited 30 minutes for a table and food was going by, my mouth was watering. It ended when we got our order. Nobody had the pancakes or French toast so can't review them, but we had the chicken and waffles, executive omelette, and the shrimp and crab Benedict. The shrimp and crab was just ok, was missing something a little bland. The eggs were cold and also just ok. The chicken was the same and waffle was way to sweet. The cheese hash browns were horrible. We figured it out. Everything is mass produced then re heated the cheese had hardened the eggs and waffle were cold and the centers never got warm. Would I eat here again, no. There are to many other choices. Besides long wait extremely loud and not the friendliest of staff.
(2)
Candace L.
Superb service! The owner/chef is personable and the staff is welcoming. The food is extremely fresh, hot, and mouth watering delicious. It was well worth the drive! So pleased with this experience! Ill definitely be back!!!
(5)
Merrick D.
We are currently finishing out meal at Batter and Berries and the check was just placed at our table. I am in utter dismay at the customer service provided by the management. We came with a $15 gift certificate that we purchased 2 months earlier. Despite the fact that the gift certificate clearly states that it does not expire, we were informed by the manager that they would not, under any circumstances, apply out gift certificate to our bill. We were told that they stopped accepting gift certificates last week. What does that even mean?? Then the manager gave me a song and dance about how they never authorized the gift certificates on the first place. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, especially since he told me they had been accepting them since last week. Bottom line this is a business that isn't putting its customers first. At some point it will catch up with them. I hope this review can prevent any other Chicagoans from getting ripped off like I did.
(1)
Cee. D.
Dined Date: Wednesday Sept 4 2013 BA-by, Batter & Berries got it going on! It's so refreshing to see a BOB thriving and doing the damn thang. For starters: My Sugar in the Raw vs White Sugar Struggle--------------- ~Coffee [bottomless] was good (not too weak/not too strong, just the way I likes it) BUT [rewind], after receiving my coffee, WHAT? Where's the white sugar packets? I quickly noticed that there were only Sugar in the Raw and Splenda packets in the sugar dishes, on the tables surrounding me O_Oh hellz NO! Understandably-Supposedly, the Sugar in the Raw [unbleached] is better for you?, but, I have tried it, and I DON'T likes the way it makes meh coffee taste! I was ready to beg! I was thinking to self, there is no way in the world, you 'bout to tell me yawl ain't got no white sugar up in here. My waitress and I laughed 'bout it and she kindly brought me some white sugar-from the kitchen, poured in a little cup. WHEW, thank goodness. Sans the white sugar, I would have had to have her take that coffee off meh bill. ~Blueberry French toast, eggs were delicious! I ate 1/2 of everything and got the rest to go. The pattie pork sausage was meh. ~Being greedy, I also ordered the sweet potato waffle w/chicken to go; the waffle was meh and the chicken was OK. ~Owners of B&B, I love the funky ware that was chosen to rep your concoctions. ~Restroom gets an A, as it didn't give me the heebie-jeebies.. ~I will for sure return to B&B, more than likely, when I have a day off during the week, to avoid the wait that other yelpers yelped about. FYI-B&B is BYOB, but I'll just BMOS {bringMyOwnSugar}.
(5)
shari h.
Well, what can I say! I am happy and content. The family and I flew into O'Hare with Batter and Berries as our destination spot. Mr. Don Jones and the staff did not disappoint.Made it to the breakfast spot before the Saturday lines up!! OMG!! We tried a lil bit of everything....Crab omelet, lobster Benedict w/ cheesy hash browns and a French toast flight...banana pudding,strawberry,lemon,pralines and blueberry with a side of bacon!!! And to top it all off ....Listening to Chicago House Music!!! I can go back home and get back in the bed...my day is complete!! :-)
(5)
Paula W.
I visited today and had the French toast flight, chicken and waffle, and biscuits with chicken gravy. All were excellent and the butter that comes on top of the French toast and waffle was devine. The biscuits and gravy was flavorful and was accompanied by eggs and coleslaw?!? (Weird I know but it was delish) My only complaint was my food was not piping hot when it arrived and I was sitting 5 feet from the kitchen. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Mark L.
Had crab cakes bennidict and chicken and waffles. Crab cakes were very good, chicken came out dry and I sent it back. Second chicken was better but they just remade the chicken not the waffle or anything so it was cold. Waffle top sweet.
(3)
Stephen M.
I've eaten here twice very recently. First with Blake M who is a breakfast aficionado and then with Alex M, gourmand extraordinaire. First round: me: Strawberry French toast--lively strawberry taste and cooked to perfection (on the sweet side, so I worked a 1/2 slice trade with Blake M for a 1/4 blueberry waffle). Again, the fruit is monster good. Of the two, I'd go with the blueberry waffle--not as sweet, a tasty, near crisp waffle-very good! Second round: me: Caramelize banana with waffle--again sweet (1/4 trade with Alex M for fruit pancakes taste). The pancakes have lemon in them, at least for this dish. Interesting, but that piece of information should be on the menu. This is another one of the city breakfast dining delight storefronts. Go and enjoy! Oh, and each time I went, the hostess was friendly and outgoing (not as complained about in an earlier review by another. Maybe a bad day or they read the review). p.s. to me: you're ordering too sweet! Stop it!
(4)
Jacob J.
For whatever reasons, the painted yellow of the banner outside on their sign and the look of their menu's has never garnered my attention. Often times I'd walk by, look in and just keep going without scoping reviews or making the connection in my mind that this is a place I've previously bookmarked to try. That all ended today when I got an early morning invite to breakfast. A few of us hit Spyner's for karaoke the night before and brunch / breakfast was discussed. Actually a "good" brunch was discussed so I needed a great spot to take a few friends to. Let's see if I can stick to the gist of things to keep the review short and sweet. (Which seldom occurs) Four people and three of which tend to order savory more than sweet. Just in case, I kept a backup idea for breakfast in mind (Toast). Luckily our waitress came up with a few good ideas for sampling and our minds were made up. Two got specials of the day and the other two got the same order consisting of the chicken and waffles. The two specials were the pork chops breakfast and the crab cake eggs Benedict. Since the place was busy and we had time to wait, I insisted we dine on an appetizer consisting of the French toast flight. She, our waitress insisted on the "super flight", we instead confirmed on the regular. Dude that shit was awesome. Like super, duper good. Each piece was different, some had a soggy inside with crunch exterior and others were sweet from their tasty toppings. I should note that per the menu the chef mentions to try the food as is before reaching or asking for additions. Like salt, pepper, hot sauce or maple syrup. Most of us loved our food with the exception of the pork chops. Good size portion except one person commented it tasted like something Mom could have made at home. If weekends are too busy, try a weekday if you get the chance. I'd say we were there at a good time to score some properly created food. We hung out afterward a bit longer than others and got a chance to meet and greet with the chef! Kudos!.
(5)
Kelly N.
This is my favorite breakfast go-to in my neighborhood. Be prepared for waits on the weekend - but keep in mind, there's a reason why there's always a wait. The food is PHENOMENAL. I've had the lemon french toast and blueberry french toast and loved them both. I really like that you don't even need syrup with the french toast because of the delicious maple butter that comes with the dish. The sides (sausage, hash browns) are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you decide to share, but along with the french toast, you'll leave feeling satisfied. I really like that the chef/owner comes out to meet with his customers and hear how they're enjoying the food. Great customer service. I would recommend Batter and Berries to anyone that loves breakfast - especially french toast!
(4)
Terry A.
By far the best waffles I ever had in Chicago I definitely will be coming back to this delicious spot good job y'all ur business is nice clean great atmosphere family friendly children are more then welcomed I give it will be coming back soon !!!
(5)
Laye W.
This by far has become my most favorite place to eat breakfast. Because it is THAT amazing, you have to prepare for the long line, and the long wait. The food is absolutely worth it though! My brother came to visit from Dallas, so I decided to take him to brunch. I was with a group of 4 people so it took about 30 minutes to be seated. We ordered our food, and in less than 10 minutes, the food came out hot, fresh, and amazing. I'm really big on drinking tea as well, and the tea at this restaurant is also great. I ordered a Banana-nut waffle, with the cheesy hash browns. It was perfection! It was so good that two days later, my brother and cousin went back for a second helping.
(5)
Arturo B.
I finally got a chance to try this place and I enjoyed the food. I had the gator omelette special and the chicken sausage. I wanted to try something different with gator omelette. I enjoyed it and could not complain except that unfortunately I could not differentiate the gator from the myth that it tasted like chicken. It was delicious but I thought it was a little overpriced at $17. I must admit that gator is not a typical ingredient but considering that the omelette was not particularly large and had only some mushrooms,tomatoes and hash browns. It was filling but for a simple omelette it still seemed pricey considering I could get steak and eggs for only a few dollars at a lot of places. Still it was interesting to try something you don't to many places.
(4)
Sean R.
I frequent Batter & Berries and like many of the reviews I am very satisfied with the food. I would recommend a new person going that you do not go at peak brunch times after 12 on Saturday or Sunday. You will wait about 45 minutes because it is a very popular place. Try and experience it during the week or earlier so you can really enjoy the place. Also try the weekly french toast or the Chicken Waffle these are the staples of the restaurant I highly recommend. One last tip if you like a Mimosa you can bring your own champagne.
During our entire meal I kept thinking I died and gone to breakfast heaven. It was that good. I made my very first trip to Chicago last weekend with my boyfriend and this was the first restaurant we went to. Boy am I glad we did! We were tempted to order the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) since it is such a unique dish, but opted instead for their daily special, the Crab Cakes Benedict, and the Flight of French Toast. We made the right choice. The Crab Cakes Benedict was creamy-savory-deliciousness. The French toast was out-of-this-world. Seriously the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of French toast. It's made out of Brioche bread, and it was sweet and lightly crispy on the outside, and nice and soft on the inside. Each flavor of toast in the flight was better than the last (Caramel Pecan, Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Rum, Lemon...mmm!). No need for syrup with this French toast. Not to mention the service was excellent! Thanks for making my first restaurant experience in Chicago unforgettable. My only disappointment is that there's not a Batter & Berries in San Diego. Until we meet again.
(5)
Nik L.
Reminds me of bongo room. Not as creative and succulent but....almost. I'd go back. Fun energy, diverse and relatively quick. I'd like to see more on the menu
(4)
Maria P.
This morning my foodie of a husband and I checked this place out. We went at 9:30 and waited 5 minutes for a table. I ordered the crab omelet which comes with their cheesy hash browns. The omelet was excellent, don't get me wrong, but my meal was $16.50. That's a lot considering the atmosphere and well, breakfast food! My husband ordered eggs, bacon, and hash browns with a side of toast. Yes, that's correct, toast is considered a $1.50 side there. We both got coffee which was nice and hot, a regular and a decaf. They were slow to fill our cups though and when you wait 20 minutes for food, you like to enjoy your coffee. The service was friendly and mildly attentive. If we go back we will have to try what they are known for... their waffles!
(3)
Jessie T.
I would have given this place 2 1/2 stars if I could. Giving it three is pushing it. A friend and I finally tried this place about a week or so ago. The food was good (nothing to over brag about and over price). We went on a Saturday morning (Air-Water Show day) and arrived about 9:00 am or so and put are name on the wait list. The young lady that checks you in can use a class in hospitality. She wasn't the most friendliest person to greet paying customers of their establishment. Our wait time wasn't long at all, about 15 minutes. Our party was of three and we were seated at a "community style table" which we didn't care for but we sat there anyway. The waitress we had was friendly and helpful since this was our first time there. She went over some of the items on the menu and their specials including showing pics of the specials and of the french toast dish (which I personally didn't think was that amazing from the pic). The menu was simple. Not overwhelmed with a lot of food choices. We ordered the salmon special, the crab cake benedict special, my son had his usually breakfast menu items (eggs, hashbrowns, bacon). Now, the bus boys were another story. Never been to a breakfast/brunch place and after you are seated they come and take the coffee cups away without even asking if you want coffee or not. My friend had to tell him she did want coffee and had to also ask, after he poured the coffee, for cream and sugar. Also, had to ask for a set of eating utensils which we all didn't have at our seats. They just seem to stand over to the side by the counter, complain and look disinterested. Our waitress had to even tell them to refill our glasses with water. The most interested part was when one of the waiters dropped a plate of food he was bringing to a table. The manager who was just walking back and forth at the time instantly had a unpleasant disposition about himself. I even told my friend that he should probably go in the back and get himself together because his entire demeanor was coming across the wrong way to the customers. He spent most of his time walking back and forth on his cell phone which I thought was rude. Overall, I most likely will not be back. I wasn't impressed. You really want to support black-owned businesses but one of the main components to me that they miss on is providing good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment. The food can be average but if you have good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment, that's what keeps me coming back. I've enjoyed breakfast/brunch spots that have much better hospitality and friendlier service and not over priced.
(2)
Charles M.
Me and my girlfriend went it was amazing she got the sweet potatoe n chicken waffle and I got the cinnamon apple waffle it was sooo good definitely going back the owner came out and greeted us and was very friendly the service was excellent they even had an iPod with their specials definitely now one of my favorite breakfast spots
(5)
Darius G.
Everything about my dining experience was great! The hostess Neki was very friendly. She offered an accurate approximate wait time and went over the daily special with me while I waited to be sat. My server was Tusimi. Although I was pretty set on what I was planning on ordering he gave me a tour of the menu and I actually changed my order based on his suggestion! He was very helpful and offered up a few jokes while I was waiting for my food. The food was excellent! by far one of the best breakfast joints I've visited in the city. Between the friendly and fun service and the wonderful food I'll definitely be back for me.
(5)
Carl J.
Got a tip from a new friend that this was the place to take your honey for brunch. So right. Management, service, food and price were great. My new friend has moved up to friend for life.
(5)
Ava B.
The wait, as we expected, was long: one hour on a Saturday afternoon. Our server was very friendly and accommodating. Our dishes came out very quickly, which was appreciated after the long wait. The restaurant is also rather noisy. BYOB with no corkage fee is good. The food was pretty good, but not great. Crab Cake Benedict was fresh, but rather bland. I think I enjoyed the cheesy hash browns that came with it more. We also had the Super French Toast Flight. It was good and the maple butter added some nice flavor. Other than the lemon and the strawberry, though, the other French Toast flavors just didn't stand out from each other very much. The orange juice was not fresh-squeezed. I think this place is pricey for what you get. Crab Cake Benedict was $17. Super French Toast Flight was $13 for the equivalent of 2 slices of toast. Frozen orange juice was $4. Our total bill for two came to over $50 not including tip. While I might return if in the neighborhood, I'd have to say that there are other places that are a better value with better food elsewhere.
(3)
Angela M.
My husband enjoyed his Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. However, our hash browns were received cold, chicken and waffles were just Ok and the chicken sausage a little too sweet. The wait was long and when I went in to find out why the wait was longer than initially stated (we were told an hour and ten minutes and time was creeping up on an hour and a half), we were in within 15 minutes. I've had friends rave about this place and it was a major disappointment to me. Thus, I will continue my journey in locating and possibly recommending other black owned businesses.
(2)
William K.
This is a case of the 'Most Improved Customer Service" review. In my 2 previous assessments of this restaurant, the customer service was the torn Achilles heel of such quality food, and made for a squeamish experience. Upon returning a succession of times, and hoping for the best, I finally was witness to the service that such a restaurant should have with quality food. My reservation prior was with a few of the wait staff, who were either too concerned with customer interactions and not food service efficiency, or a host/hostess that wasn't present to seat me and my party in a timely manor (with light-moderate table activity). These areas have been improved drastically, perhaps due to the absence of the employees at fault for such analysis. Ever since returning, there is a new rotation of servers/wait staff that are far more efficient to the customer needs (all around), and the environment has a smoother aesthetic with these updated employees. My preferred time to dine in is Monday after 1p, where the observation of the improved service has been noted for about a solid month now, which means that the changes were not by chance. If you care to experience the great food, and the newly improved service efficiency, perhaps the weekday afternoon post-lunchtime would be great. I raise my glass to Batter and Berries for making the adjustments, and reward improvement by engaging my colleagues in that direction, so please keep it going. w.k-
(5)
Jeff R.
This place was awesome! Long wait, but worth it. I had the scallop omelette with mushrooms. Delicious! Had a mini flight of the cinnamon brown sugar French toast. So decadent and delicious. Just the right amount of flavor. No syrup needed. Even the butter was good! My girl had the crab cake omelette which was almost as good as the scallops. The sides of hash browns were good too. Great gravy! Definitely coming back!
(5)
Marie B.
Ok the French Toast might be the best I've ever had! Get the French toast flight...u won't be disappointed. I would have given it 4 stars, but the service was slow, she messed up an order, my hash browns were over cooked, & no biscuits on Monday. I have to go back again though to give it a second try.
(3)
Sharina R.
3.5 stars The food was good, but expensive for the amount given. $11 for the Flight of French toast which came with 4 triangles of assorted French toast and NO sides, is a bit ridiculous. Each side you get is an additional $3 each, so if you want French toast with bacon and potatoes, be prepared to pay $17 for your food alone, never mind if you have guests with you. I got the cheese crusted hash browns. The hash browns were good, but I've had better. The French toast was so damn good though man let me tell you. You can also get the super flight which is 1 more triangle for $2 of their flavor of the week or whatever. Mine was cherry pie so I didn't end up getting it. Then, there's this maple butter on top, which is to die for. You don't even need syrup for this dish. Our bill for 3 people was around $60 The customer service was great and our server was INCREDIBLY knowledgeable about the menu front to back, as well as the specials that were going on. The food came rather quickly. I liked this place, but the prices are enough to hinder me from returning.
(3)
Diva B.
I went to Batter & Berries for the first time yesterday afternoon. It was crazy crowded, inside and outside. The hostess told us that the wait would be about an hour, but she promised it was worth the wait. I trusted her, and I'm so happy that I did! Our wait ended up being only about 15 minutes because we were a party of 2, versus the other large groups. After hearing so much about the French toast flight, I decided to order that before even looking at the menu. I also ordered a veggie omelet special. Everything was superb!!! I was blown away by the French toast flight, particularly the lemon. My second favorite was the caramel French toast. The other two were strawberry and blueberry, which was pretty much just regular French toast with the fruit on top, but still delicious. The French toast is so good that they don't even serve it with syrup. The omelet was the fluffiest I've ever had, fluffier than I ever could have imagined was possible. It was topped with broccoli, green beans, peppers, and some kind of delicious sauce. My only complaint is that the place is LOUD!!! Not only is it packed with people talking and laughing, but they play house music on full blast, so everyone is talking over the music, which makes it louder. Our server had to put her ear 2 inches from my mouth in order to hear my order. It's all good though, I'll be back!
(5)
Joni R.
Treated my niece to breakfast one windy Saturday and we came up north to B&B. The wait time was 30 minutes( I'm cool w/ that..it was a Saturday morning) we were seated, juice and coffee on deck, placed our order and anxiously waited. 1) Chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chix breast, drizzled w/ nutmeg hot sauce sauce and maple syrup. That shish was good! The chicken in the waffle were pieces of fried chx! 2) My niece ordered the southwest omelette. Grilled chicken breast w/ strips of red/yellow/green peppers and onions...On top! The deconstructed omelette as Chef likes to call it. Great food, wonderful staff, creative food choices( lobster omelette, shrimp/ crab Alfredo omelette..where else do you see that) and decently priced for breakfast. Get in here fast!
(5)
Selena A.
After watching on Check Please and hearing about this place again recently my son and I decided to go on Sunday morning. We were fortunate to have no wait time. There were larger parties waiting so we got lucky. We had an excellent server who had a riddle every time he came to the table. The food lived up to the hype. We shared a super flight of French toast and an egg white omelet with salmon. It was light and delicious. Coincidently, the Check Please segment aired again right before we left home. Mario you're right I could have smoked a cigarette and I don't smoke. I will certainly be back. Also, I got a chance to take a picture with the owner who came to our table several times. I recommend being patient, well worth the wait. Next time I have my eye on the pork chop I saw on the plate of another guest, it was huge and looked wonderful.
(5)
Krystal M.
Batter and Berries is so absolutely delicious. I would definitely rate it, one of the top 3 breakfast spots period. The menu is so fresh, and all the dishes are bursting with mouth watering flavors that keep you coming back for more. Although, this restaurant gets pretty crowded, the staff keeps everything running smoothly, and you'll be seated in no time. The food comes out so quickly, it's almost unbelievable. One of the servers who gave us a great experience was Tusime. He is always in great spirits, and always has a great riddle to get you through the day! While you're visiting might I suggest trying the cluck n gaufe, Carmel French toast, and crab Benedict....... Thank me later :-)
(5)
Mason C.
I didn't think breakfast could taste so good. Get the french toast flight!
(5)
Gabrielle R.
All I can say is this is probably the best breakfast I've had at a restaurant in a long time. I absolutely loved everything I had and the sweet potato waffles were amazing. Will be back for sure.
(5)
Marissa P.
Had the flight of French toast and the chicken sausage, both were incredibly good! The flight of French toast was all different flavors which was fun to try and the chicken sausage had little bits of what I believe were apples which was also amazing. The hot chocolate was weak and it would not recommend it. All together this restaurant has really rich decadent and unique foods that I would definitely recommend to try!
(5)
Sheri F.
I loved the food! I have been there and have had the french toast flight which was amazing! The pork sausage also very good. It reminds me of Bob Evans sausage with a little spice to. The broccoli and cheese omelette was loaded with cheddar and had huge chunks of broccoli. The cheddar hashbrown were good but needed more seasoning. The deconstructed steak omelette was ok. Huge chunks of steam and lots of gravy. The times I went we were told the wait would be 45 or 50 minutes but the wait wasn't that long. The server was polite and attentive. Food came out very fast. I absolutely love this place and recommend it. The only issue I had was that there was a gentleman, who im guessing was the owner, was greeting people asking how they liked the food. I noticed this gentleman pay more attention to the tables where Caucasian people were sitting. One table happened to be next to us. For an establishment that has a large African American clientele, I feel that everyone should feel welcome no matter their race. Other then that this place is wonderful.
(4)
Brian M.
I went here on a Saturday with my roommates around noon and the wait was 45 minutes. From what I've read this is pretty standard and you should always plan on a wait. But let me tell you, it's 100% worth the wait. I ordered the French Toast Flight and a cafe latte. Instantly I took a picture and posted it to instagram. It was a thing of beauty. Four different flavored french toast slices. A blueberry, caramel, lemon, and strawberry with maple butter and syrup, each bite was better than the last. I didn't want it to end. Our server spoke extremely fast to a point where I completely gave up on the specials and focused all of my attention on the ipad she was displaying with pictures of dishes that I couldn't see because of the lighting and glare. I honesty couldn't tell if it was English or Spanish. Also, this place could use a design overhaul. Everything from the "Batter & Berries" sign outside to the inside, it looked very amateur. It's not somewhere you can stay long. You get in, focus on your food, and get out ASAP. We will definitely be coming back for the food, and at the end of the day that's all I care about!
(5)
Candace W.
PHENOMENAL! *drops mic and walks off stage, Randy Watson style. Lol There is not much else to say about the food. The service is also impeccable. It is so nice to see owners be visible and take so much pride in the experience they provide for their customers! I haven't seen it done better in awhile. Bravo!!
(5)
Kori B.
Great menu especially if you like to explore new dishes. The service and food is awesome!
(5)
Lisa J.
freshness of food is what you will find at the cozy, charming oasis on Lincoln Ave, in the heart of Chicago's Near North side. The service and quality of food is hard to match. This is an ideal spot for the entire family, group of friends or just one on one.
(5)
Katie R.
best french toast. ever. i got the super flight - definitely preferred the blueberry and strawberry over the other three (the special was sweet and savory, the flavor was a little funky to me) as the lemon and caramel french toast were just a little too sweet for my taste - especially the caramel! nonetheless, some of the best french toast. it is a little bit crispy - hard to explain, but the flavor and texture were absolutely fabulous. the cheesy hash browns were spot-on as well. our waiter kept telling us jokes and was very attentive. the rest of the staff we encountered were very sweet as well. good coffee. cute place. can't wait to come back and fill my belly with a full order of blueberry french toast.. ohhhh yeah.
(5)
Jayne T.
My food was not hot, the host staff were rude, the table structures are all wrong, the bus boys are clumsy. Chicken sausage were really good.... Not to mention we were rushed from out table once we got the bill...!Im sticking to the bongo room.
(2)
Kelli B.
First your Facebook page and now here..And now on to my yelp review... I wish I could give you guys 0 stars. My experience was THAT bad. Your hostess was the rudest and most unprofessional person I think I've ever encountered in a long time. After making several seating errors and not even owning up to the mistakes, I provided you feedback and still wanted to give you guys a shot. I waited until my birthday to drive a ways to support a black business I assumed was up and coming that came with decent recommendations, but alas I'll never know if the food experience would have helped me overcome how awful the incoming service experience was. Once your 'hostess' (what a joke host) told my party that we could 'sit over there', I'd had it. Why exchange good consumer dollars with a restaurant that doesn't even understand rule #1 of the restaurant industry, without service you have nothing. No one will ever get to sample the supposed (as I didn't get to try it) great food you have to offer when they can't even get past the nightmare service awaiting them as soon as they arrive. Ok...now on to other sites so I can tap to warn other patrons to skip the hassle and choose another venue who takes their service seriously.
(1)
Marquis B.
I like to call myself a connoisseur of good food and, as far as breakfast goes, this is top notch. An elegant assortment of breakfast favorites and classy alternative combinations create a bombastic menu of great tasting food. Each dish I've had here has been exquisite and consistent to say the least. The french toast is of course what people come for, but with interchanging menu options (my favorite being the lobster benedict) and B&B staples like the delicious potatoes, you begin to find yourself making up reasons to return to try everything else they have to offer. The service is exceptional as well, though quite often you may experience a wait and calling ahead is not accepted, it is a testament to the delectable dishes you experience once inside. You are greeted with friendly wait staff, constantly checked on, and you will see the general manager at least 4 times before leaving so he can accommodate you in any way you need to ensure a great experience. Highly recommend.
(5)
Chey W.
I went here today for the first time with a friend. We came in and were seated right away because it was a tuesday morning at 8:30am (on weekends expect an hour+ wait). The waitress explained the specials board and even showed us a picture of what each dish looked like on an ipad mini...very helpful. I ordered the super french toast flight (blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and vanilla bean rum), deconstructed broccoli cheddar omelette (that came with cheesy hash browns) and chicken sausage. I am now a huge fan of the french toast flight and chicken sausage....they were my favorites. I like that they have different specials every week so it keeps it interesting. The food was flavorful abd AMAZING, staff and general manager were friendly and the atmosphere was good. Oh, and my friend loved her french toast flight, ham and bacon as well. After one visit, this is my new favorite breakfast spot. Can't wait to try other dishes.
(5)
Joe L.
Get the French Toast super flight and a side of ham. U can thank me later
(5)
Jenna A.
Just left this place. Went to brunch with the hubby for his birthday. Had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken and he had the steak omelette. We both lived the food and friendly service. As a fellow food- business owner, i say kudos to you guys! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Shaun S.
This place is GREAT! Ive only had breakfast there and every time has been outstanding service. My fav is that French Toast Flight with cluck n goof lol.. No syrup needed with their maple butter! Smh... All i can say is Delish... Stay away for wknd brkfst unless u like waiting for an hour!
(5)
Liz G.
A solid 4 stars. Batter & Berries is one of those places with really great, really fresh food and excellent service. The last time I went there they said it would be about 25 minutes wait but then some seats opened up at the communal table in the center and we were seated in under 10. Our server was very friendly and made sure we had all the information we needed. She saw that we had brought champagne (it's BYOB) and suggested a large orange juice that she brought with champagne glasses. We ordered the Super French Toast Flight - this week's special (they have had one every week since they opened) was Chocolate Strawberry Champagne FT. A couple crawfish omelets and a side of chicken sausage that was recommended by the waitress. The Super French Toast Flight was great, it comes with 5 large half slices of French Toast, each a different flavor - I'm a big fan of the lemon one. My only complaint would be the French toast was a luke warm temperature and should have been served warmer. The omelets come deconstructed which is nice because you see what you are getting and can create that perfect bite. The crawfish omelet was tasty with mozzarella cheese and crawfish and tricolored peppers on top. When I think of crawfish, I think of ones bigger then shrimp - that's not the case with this omelet, these are more baby sized. We tried the house made chicken sausage at the recommendation of the waitress and it was very flavorful and a good sized portion. I've also tried the biscuits and gravy which are very good with a nice flavorful gravy. A solid experience here at Batter & Berries with only a few minor complaints. If you are looking for brunch in the neighborhood, look no further! ps. Don't be afraid of the center, communal table - it will get you seated faster and you will be able to listen to other people's conversations :)
(4)
Heather P.
They had me at chicken and waffles! In my opinion, there is truly a desperate need for chicken and waffles on the North Side. Thanks to Batter & Berries, I no longer have to venture far from my very own hood to get a taste of the goods. The description led me to believe it was a sweet potatoe waffle stuffed with chicken. I'm not sure if the waffle batter was sweet potatoe or if just the butter was somehow sweet potatoe flavored. Doesn't matter - all you need to know, it was scrumptious! The waffle actually had been stuffed with chicken!!!! My sister had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was excellent! My fiance had the steak and eggs and he was disappointed with the fact that his steak was overcooked, but you have to keep in mind that this restaurant opened up two days prior so there were some kinks yet to be worked out. For one, the kitchen is very open. Some people might like that, I personally don't. I prefer to live in ignorant bliss; where I do not necessarily need to see where my food comes from or how it got there - just so long as it tastes good, I don't need to be bothered with the details. So I suggest closing that off. They did not yet have any diet beverages, unfortunately. Our server was a bit odd. Not unfriendly or unhelpful, maybe a little blunt and rough in his delivery. Apparently orders are taken on ipad touches; but at first we thought he was just texting rather than taking our order. He also told us our son was cute - ahem, my daughter was wearing a dress and when I corrected him he said he doesn't pay attention to those things. Okay....didn't effect our experience, just an example of his rough exterior. They were able to accomodate 5 adults and 2 high chairs in a matter of minutes without a hassle - perfect! A nice touch having the owner and chef come around to the tables. Bravo, Batter and Berries! We'll see you again before too long!
(4)
Bridget K.
What's not to love about Saturday or Sunday brunch. My friends and I a group of 3 arrived around 11 am and were seated by 11:30 am. Batter & Berries is cosy and has cute decor. Getting seated at our table was a little confusing because the hostess was trying to seat 2 groups of people at once. Once we were seated we were given our menus and visited by our waiter. He recommended the french toast with is there speciality. A few minutes later the waiter returned with coffee and a iPad for entering our orders. Before long our orders arrived. One friend chose the flight, I had the lemon french toast and another friend got the chicken and waffles. All three things were good. The service was good as well.
(4)
Bethany B.
After a long wait to be seated (1.5hr), the food was good but it wasn't hot, more like luke warm. If you're going to wait over an hour for an awesome plate, I would expect it to be hot. We also noticed where food was being wasted, as we, and other patrons, were brought food we didn't order. I wonder how much money is being lost. If the food was hotter, I would give them 4 stars, and if they did a better job of managing their orders and not wasting food 5 stars. I would definitely go back - the French Toast Flight, and Peach Punch tea was AWESOME!
(3)
Trish F.
Food was ok. Customer service sucks. Y'all gotta do better
(2)
Trevian T.
It is with great sadness that I write this review because I had high hopes and wanted to like this place. First, we waited for our table(no big deal), but the hostess sat everyone who came after us before us and then commenced to explain she called us but we weren't present. Not to sound egoistic, but we are very attractive people and are impossible to miss. And, we were in the waiting area the entire time and even gave our waiting bench to some elderly women who came after us and stood for 30 more minutes. Well, let's get passed the point that they just overlooked seating us. So now we are seated. Truly the saving grace of the restaurant was TOOSEEME(sp?) our waiter. If not for him, 1 star surely. We ordered the chicken+goefre and the crawfish omelet. My omelet came out 12 minutes before the chicken. I don't know about you, but do you ever go out to eat alone while someone is sitting at the table WITH you? When I finally got upset and asked why the chicken hadn't come out yet while my partner was starving (my food was now cold )and I practiced common etiquette by waiting to eat, I was told,"We bring it out while it's warm." Is that a major feat in a restaurant?????? I mean isn't that a basic task???? Ok, let's get passed that. (WTF) Now we have our food. The waffle was tasty so 1 star for that. My crawfish omelet was tasteless. I was wondering where the bacon was as I was told it was an ingredient inside???? Please put some seasoning in those hash/mashed potatoes, please!!!! I asked for hot sauce 3 times before getting it. In all honesty, this place ruined a perfectly sunny Sunday morning. Plus, we came from downtown on Chicago Marathon day and drove the long route to get there. Thank God parking was free! I'm into supporting black owned businesses, but damn, this place made me feel bad for having high expectations...which I will uphold.
(2)
Stephen L.
The service was very attentive. My partner and I shared the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet and French toast. The chicken sausage is homage patties and was very flavorful. The meal was very enjoyable. We went on a weekday so a weekend brunch may be a little slower. We will be back.
(4)
Zach A.
There aren't a lot of restaurants in life that you really want to tell your friends about, well, this us one of them. I was so impressed with the taste! OMG, the chicken and waffles were wonderful and the variety of French Toast, remarkable! I now understand why they said you don't need syrup. A great place for a date, business meeting, a meal with friends or in my case, family friendly. This place is a hit and I encourage you to try.
(5)
Chris M.
OMG!!!! The food is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! Do not go on Saturday the wait is horrible !!! But that lemon french toast and crab cakes Benedict makes it worth the wait!!! Sooooooo good !!!!
(5)
Jeremy W.
French Toast unlike I've ever had, quite good! The coffee is kind of weak, but that's a forgivable sin. Super nice owner and the staff is very attentive. I went at 8:00am on a Sunday, one of the first patrons that day; 20 minutes later the place was packed. Try this place, it's a winner.
(4)
Tawana W.
5 of us including 1 child went for Sunday brunch. Hostess was very polite and accomodating. Space is cute and distance between tables is appropriate. Ample street parking on Sunday morning when we arrived. Between the 5 of us we ordered chicken sausage, hash browns, french toast flights, steak & egg omelet, fresh fruit, coffee and juice......and since we each love tasting food we tried it all! My opinion, the french toast flights are lovely....good flavor, good variety, perfect serving size. The steak & egg omelet was well flavored but mine was supposed to have swiss but ended up with colby cheese....didn't stop me from eating it one iota and it was still delish. The fruit was fresh and presented nicely and the beverages were fine. My one odd moment was the chicken sausage and hash browns. The sausage has some of the best seasoning I've had in a long while but because it's not encased in skin and I miss the snap you get from biting into sausage. Just a personal preference and not a negative especially if you like patty sausage. However, my hash browns were flavorless and required large amounts of salt and pepper to taste like anything......hopefully it'll be better next round. I didn't have a chance to taste the pancakes, but I'll be back and will go for it soon....real soon.
(4)
Elibe E.
I've been hearing about this place for some time and I finally wandered in for brunch this weekend. NOTE: B&B is a BYOB, so be sure to stop by your local party store for champagne, etc. B&B's brunch menu is made of up of SEVERAL varieties of French toast, pancakes, standard stuff (eggs, hash browns), and the chicken and waffles dish. My order: standard breakfast with chicken sausage ($1 upcharge). Amazing. The sausage is patty-style, and it tasted very fresh - definitely not processed/packaged/frozen. The servers and staff are very welcome and friendly - I'll be back to try some other dishes.
(4)
Matt M.
I will admit that making a reservation for 8 is a bit hard to relate to but our experience was quite bad. If you can't service a large group than just say so B&B! We had a reservation but still waited 45 minutes past our reserved time to be seated. When we were finally seated it was right next to the front door and the frigid air that would rush in every time customers came and went. I suppose double doors or some type of enclosure is a bridge too far. Anyway, half of our group had to keep their coats on to stay warm. The real failure of this spot was the kitchen's ability to make our food in a timely manner and bring it out together. The people who ordered omelettes received their meal a full 20 minutes before the people who ordered anything else. Since my group valued manners more than warm food, their meals were effectively cold by the time every one was served. The head chef/owner seemed like a nice enough man but he made no apology for the complete lack of professionalism from his kitchen. Perhaps if he spent more time in the kitchen and less time glad-handing his patrons his tables would be served all at once. The food was very good but pricey. Can't recommend this place.
(2)
cj w.
When I saw the line for the restaurant sprawling outside the doors, I had to try it out for myself and the food didn't disappoint. Sampled a few items, but my favorite by far was the French Toast Flight, definitely a must have! Also don't forget this is a BYOB, something I didn't realize until after I sat down and saw everyone with mimosa in hand
(4)
Rachel S.
We came upon Batter and Berries pretty randomly on a Sunday morning, and it was the best random event of 2013 so far. Although the wait was considerable, and they do need a wind blocker for the front door, the food completely, confounding-ly amazed me. Service was a little slow, since they were packed to the gills, but when my chicken and waffle arrived, I got serious I-have-to-focus-my-whole-life-on-eating-this tunnel vision. The dish is a sweet potato waffle (sweet but not too sweet and fluffy as all get out), with maple butter, and a fried chicken breast with nutmeg hot sauce. What!? It was like a mind-blowing buffalo chicken and the best waffle of your life. Damn. My partner had the biscuits and gravy, the gravy of which was exceedingly rich, but made with the house-made chicken sausage and the side of cheesy hashbrowns still has me salivating. They offer sweet potato or cheesy hashbrowns, but who would turn down cheesy crispy potato bits given the chance? No one! We were feeling flush, so we also ordered a lemon french toast, which tasted like lemon pound cake to me. It also had some of the maple butter on top and would be great for anyone who likes lemon and doesn't like off-season berries. All in all, a great experience. This place is bumpin', the chef even came out at one point and admonished us to fasten our seat belts. Boom. Be prepared to wait if you go on the weekend, but KNOW, it is worth the wait. I'm eager to return and try the chicken sandwich. =)
(4)
Ken S.
Worth the wait.... Come b4 u get hungry because u will have to wait... Good things r served 2 those that wait @ B&B. Friendly attentive staff, best breakfast I've had in Chicago ...... In a word, GO!
(5)
Jan E.
Their specialty is fancy French Toast and it's indeed delicious. Great service.
(4)
Adrian R.
I have been to batter and berries several times and never left disappointed. Yes it is small. Yes the wait can be long but u have long waits at any decent brunch place on a Saturday or Sunday in Chicago. If u don't have to wait then that means the food isn't good. I will say they need a new hostess or training. They aren't rude but not the nicest. Food is spectacular. I am not picky when it comes to waiters. Just be polite, take my order and ask if I want more water or coffee. Some people just like being difficult customer and having butt kissed. Food is always hot. Best brunch place for the money in Chicago. I always leave satisfied. I will take them over a place like yolk any day. People need to get over the size and the fact u can't substitute items. Stop being so damn picky and difficult. Just go and order cause it's damn good.
(5)
Elizabeth Z.
Food is pretty good - wait is not! Had to come during the week because waiting for 2 hours on the weekend was just not happening. Love the fact that everything really is fresh. Also, loved the waitresses and their ipads showcasing the specials - What a great idea! Wasn't too crazy about the sweet potato waffle with the chicken on the inside but the chicken on the top was delicious. We got several sides of the special hot sauce it came with. We even got extra to take home! We did try a small piece of the lemon french toast and i actually liked it even though i was hesitant at first. Service was on top of it as well.
(4)
Meg S.
My husband, 1 year old and I trekked it into the city for brunch. We chose B&B after seeing all of the great reviews. Wait: 35 minutes on a Sunday around 10:30 in nice weather Ambiance? So cute! Small (seats maybe 50ish people at a time). I love the local artwork on the walls and the tables are made out of tiles. It is a tight fit though but I expected as much. Nice plus? They had changing tables in both of the bathrooms, which I wouldn't expect from a small joint. The only downfall? It is REALLY loud. My husband and I could barely hear each other. Staff? Busy, but welcoming and attentive. Our server did not have time to hover but he did check in 2x and my husband's coffee was always filled. The chef/owner did come out and say hello which was a nice touch. And most important... Food? AMAZING! They are known for their french toast and there is a good reason why. My husband had the flight, and each one was better than the next. The flight had strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and for $2 we were able to try the birthday one too. Each one was light and just the right about of fluff and a hint of the flavors as to not overwhelm. I had the lemon french toast and I about cried when I finished it. It was just tart enough. I also ordered the sweet potato hash browns, so crispy and perfect! Even though it took us an hour to get there from Arlington Heights, we will be back. I am already craving more french toast.
(5)
Chadwick C.
I live in Houston, TX, and was brought to this place by a couple of fellow "foodie's". I am planning a trip back to Chicago, FOR THIS BREAKFAST SPOT. Best breakfast I have ever had, and we tried 5 different dishes at our table. Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict was AMAZING. Their French Toast flight was probably the best French toast I have ever had. The Chicken and Waffles, with chicken IN THE WAFFLE, rivaled my favorite chicken and waffles spot here in Houston, and DESTROYED their version. I got lucky and had one of our tablemates get there early to wait in line for a table, other than that, the service was superb. Excellent and funny waiter, would leave us with a riddle, and come back with the answer. We were never thirsty or wanting for too long, and deserved the great tip we left. Goods: Everything, especially the FOOD, followed closely by the excellent service. Bads: The wait, and it not being in Houston.
(5)
J H.
Yes the wait is long, but it is worth it. Their breakfast food is great - french toast flight, chicken and waffle, pancakes, homemade sausage, and deconstructed omelete. I just had a salad there for the first time, and it too was great - the berry salad, on spinanch with goat cheese. I'm happy they finally got a winter door system, as sitting up front in the cold weather was pretty breezy. I think they need to move to a text system for their waitlist or call people 5 mintues before their table is ready. The wait is by far the worst part...however when I missed my name (bc I wasn't out front when they called) and checked back in they sat us right away...I was worried we were gonna have to get back on the list and starve!
(5)
Hilary T.
We waited two hours to be seated on a Sunday at 12:30. The chicken and waffles and omelette were good, but not amazing. The waiters were nice but the hostess was rude and incompetent. There were open tables that weren't being sat and an unorganized list for people waiting. She also told us it would be 10 more minutes after waiting an hour and then we waited another 45 minutes.
(2)
Krista G.
We went at prime time on a Sunday and waited over an hour. When we ordered the food came out immediately but it was cold. It probably would have been awesome. I will definitely give it another try on a weekday. Staff was great amidst the craziness thou!
(4)
Sneha P.
The French Toast Flight is yummy, and the Chef came by to check on us during the meal. The lemon french toast had a yummy whipped sugar butter and it was my favorite. : ) I'll definitely go back! I recommend it COMPLETELY! My friend got the eggs/biscuits/gravy, and it was good too. I want to try that and the waffle/fried chicken eventually.
(5)
Jakara H.
Long wait, but worth it! The service was perfect, atmosphere was great, and the food is something I crave and dream about. A small restaurant, but comfortable when you're seated. It's BYOB, so bring a bottle of champagne for mimosas. Get the super fresh crab cakes and shrimp Alfredo omelet and thank me later! The owner came out and thanked us for coming while servers celebrated birthdays through original song! Love this place and will be back!
(5)
Katie C.
Believe the hype! Everything was amazing. We had the lobster omelette, shrimp and crab Benedict and a half order of strawberry French toast (yes, we ordered too much)! The only sad thing is we were so full we couldn't eat it all! Definitely worth checking out and waiting for a table if you have to.
(4)
Shilpa G.
This was by far the best brunch place I've ever been to. The menu was great and the service was impeccable. The sweet food wasn't overly sweet and the savory food wasn't overly greasy or salty. Highly recommend this place
(5)
Beth F.
This place made me love the idea of brunch. Their caramel French toast is to die for, and the employees are all very friendly. Be prepared to wait for a seat, especially on the weekends... but trust me, it's worth it.
(5)
Robin M.
Loved it! Crowd was already there in force when we got there right before 11am. By the time we left, it looked like a convention. Word is out and to put it bluntly: it's worth the hype! What's to love: the French Toast Flight on crack (normally you get four slices, you can upgrade to include the special FT of the day -- we did that). So we got strawberry (delicious); blueberry (very good); caramel and nuts (very very good); lemon (excellent) and the special (an extra 2 bucks, I think) which was birthday cake (really sweet but very good). Just get it for your table and share it. Girlfriend got crab benedict (it was soooooo good); we both got bacon and coffee. That coffee was no joke -- hot and strong! Our server, Timothy, was super nice and accommodating. Attentive but didn't hover. And really chill about questions and requests. Thanks, Tim! On the other super plus side: diverse crowd, which was so refreshing in Lincoln Park! What's not to love: it's loud in there. Also, prices are a bit on the high side. But I felt I got my money's worth. But will keep me from going as much as I'd like! They were super busy so service takes a minute. But no big thing. Tim introduced himself and told us he'd be back. So didn't feel ignored in the least. All in all, a real winner. No lie. We had amazing food, really first-rate service. Will go back as soon as I can.
(4)
Jamal N.
I wish I could heap more praise to proclaim how great this place is. It's just that good. Chef Raylon serves up traditional(and nontraditional ) breakfast & brunch with a unique contemporary spin. If you're a fan of breakfast food(which for me is my favorite meal of the day), then you won't be disappointed.. THE FOOD/QUALITY: First off, you're getting fresh ingredients, properly cooked, and it actually tastes better then the pictures(for once), and portions are VERY big. Choose from 'deconstructed omelets(the ingredients are heaped atop your eggs)', the famous 'flight of french toast'(more than enough for sharing, melts in your mouth...fight with friends over which flavor is best, like lemon, Maple, strawberry, or flavor of the week, mmm'), and several tasty sandwiches that melt in your mouth. Chef Rylon knows his way around the kitchen. SERVICE: Always punctual, never rude, even during a rush you'll still find a table for your party. Each server attends to you promptly, and doesn't 'pop-up(movie cliche-style) every two minutes to harass you with requests to find out "How you're meal is"....they back off just the right amount, but are still attentive... PRICE: These dishes would be well justified at a $13 price point, but each is usually only $10-$12. Great value for the quality & quantity. Chef Rylon actually walks around greeting each table, asking what you thought of the meal, offering samples of upcoming dishes, and showing concern over making sure you're treated right. In a big city like Chicago, it's good to see that a traditional style experience can still be had in the middle of trendy Lincoln Park Walk....run...go there with your friends the next time you're doing breakfast. Believe me, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
C. H.
We were visiting from Louisville, KY in Sept. and this place was recommended from a friend of a one of my friends. So we reviewed the menu and I was excited because I'd never seen a eatery with chicken sausage. We went on Sunday about noonish and we were immediately seated, which we were happy about. Now I ordered the chicken and biscuits which I had preselected the day before. However, my food came out lukewarm but I didn't complain. Next downfall was the mixture of the chicken sausage gravy and the biscuits I believe that made my main dish salty. Also, I ordered the sweet potatoes hashbrown but they came out just like regular mashed potatoes. Now my other two friends enjoyed their meal which was the chicken and gaufe and the pecan French toast(not enough syrup). Now I plan to try it again in February and hopefully speak to the chef so this experience is better. One more quick thing, they do not split the bill so be prepared either with cash or one person covering the whole table.
(3)
Kristin S.
Oh yeah. This is breakfast. De-licious!!! Can't complain about a place that specializes in french toast. And it just so happen to be PEANUT BUTTER special that day. Have I told you peanut butter is my favorite food???? This was so excellent. You did not even need syrup. So I had some tri-fecta of ecstacy... Peanut butter, lemon and some berry. Portions were on the smaller size, but that's ok. I don't need 1800 calories for breakfast. Coffee was decent. Server was friendly. The accoustics were awful and when breakfast was in full swing it was difficult to talk. But, this place was absolutely tasty and worth a return trip!
(4)
Charlene S.
Meh. Not very impressed. Brunch is my thing!!! And I was a bit disappointed. We were seated immediately. Not very busy. I was dreading the thought of being seated in the front. The draft came swooping in freezing everyone and their food in the first half of the restaurant. There was a poor girl sitting in the front who had pulled her sleeves down over her hands. We were seated in the back. Right in front of the kitchen. That needs to be closed off. I don't wanna hear all the racket of a kitchen and the banter that goes on between the staff. The decor. Blah. There were these weird stone garden benches in the middle of the restaurant in front of the restrooms. Yucko. And from other reviews it was a waiting area. The decor was horrible. Mish mash tiled vases on the windows. Tacky fluorescent lighting in the back. Weird paintings. The food was ok. Crispy cheesy hash browns. Coffee sucked. The hubs got the biscuits and gravy. He did enjoy the gravy. But who doesn't like thick gravy with sausage chunks? I had the crab omelet w cheese and squash. Not bad. Little bland. When I see good reviews for restaurants that were blah. Then I do some research on the reviewers. If they gave a place 4+ stars that clearly is not then I look at how many reviews they've done. Usually not very many. Then I suspect that they're friends of the owner and had opened up and account just to write a good review. Booooty
(1)
McStrokin J.
I must say this place far exceeded my expectations. The food just had so many layers of flavor. I had the Cluck-N-Goof and everything about it was just amazing. The waffle was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor to it. I could have eaten it dry without syrup. That's how flavorful it was. The maple butter is also a very nice touch. The chicken breast was very moist and had good flavor to it also. The nutmeg hot sauce just added to the symphony of flavors at play in this dish. The smooth R&B being played in the background made me feel right at home. I'm eager to return and try some of their other dishes.
(5)
K W.
MUST GET A SECOND DOOR FOR WINTER! Food is always very good, service is good, but restaurant is FREEZING. We were seated close to the door, and every time the door opened, 20 degree wind blew into the restaurant. Because it is busy, the door was constantly opened. We were too cold to enjoy our meal. We ate quickly and left as soon as possible. Most small restaurants understand that to keep guests comfortable, they need to protect them from the outdoor weather. When we asked the server about the table location, we told us it was the only table available and told us that "it is the city's fault; they won't let us have an awning!". huh? how does that address the cold?
(2)
Bill E.
Grossly overrated...no shade just truth! Service and food subpar had similar experience to other reviews. U bring pancakes and have to ask for syrup (great pancakes tho). I'm an egg lover so for me I just need placed of this caliber to use fresh eggs however they did so at my request after that scrambled yellow mess they brought me! Ha! Lastly don't make excuses about how fast bread cools when tell u my French toast could've been warmer (the sampler really does taste delightful). It's worth checking out for something like the lobster eggs Benedict it looked creative and tasty! It's worth a try but not worth a wait...oan: THE MAPLE BUTTER!!!! Ask them to melt it!
(3)
Eric S.
We had both breakfast and lunch here. The hash browns have a bit of cheese in them which makes them extra special. The pancakes and syrup were great but the home made maple infused butter really added something great. The chicken sandwich was also very good and the garlic fries were excellent. The place is a little cramped for the volume and the table waiting area is oddly placed at the back of the restaurant. Also due to tables being placed so close to the door, each time it's opened there is quite the cold breeze. These are surely just growing pains of what over the long run will be a great brunch spot.
(4)
QB Chicago B.
So I've been really excited to try & support this (black owned) business and I'm just completely underwhelmed by the lack of southern charm & hospitality that I was expecting! (poorly decorated too...like an easter basket) The hostess horrible & unfriendly! (The owner came out (blamed the wait on said hostess because she's from Germany (HUH?) as we waited outside to apologized for the long wait IN THE COLD but this isn't an isolated incident...it's been a complaint for a while....fix it!) The servers untrained and also seem unhappy! No one is smiling...appeared pissed to be working! Our server never introduce himself and just not professional! So as we sit waiting 30ish min for food, I ask for a drink menu...not available but they do have juice! As I look around, no one has juice...put it on the menu & the profits will increase to help pay for the training this place mos def requires! So the food...arrived cold after waiting 30 min for a table and 30ish min for the food! When returned, IT WAS THE SAME PLATE MIRCOWAVED!!! WTF! I refused it and requested a fresh order! When my fresh plate arrived, it was tasty...nothing special! Only the toppings changed nothing different in the batter & the berries (2 strawberries on my strawberry french toast) not so fresh! Same goes for the 6 blueberries on my blueberry french toast. Just a few candied nuts on my caramel french toast! The just okay food is overshadowed by the extreme poor service! I will not return nor suggest... We live in a restaurant mecca...not worth it with all the other options we have available! Soooo disappointed!
(1)
Sophia C.
Best breakfast spot in the city with fantastic service! It's not just breakfast, it's a breakfast experience.
(5)
Temple T.
I've have been here a few times and the food never disappoints. The weekends can be very crowded so don't be in a rush and try the French toast flight so you can sample all the popular flavors at one sitting. Enjoy!
(4)
Sadie G.
Stopped by for some hangover food. Any place I can find chicken and waffles is already up there in my books, especially if they are as well made as these.
(5)
Erica W.
If you are looking for the best french toast in Chicago, stop looking because you can find it at Batter and Berries. They offer a french toast flight, where you can get 4 different flavors of french toast. My flight included a slice of lemon, blueberry, caramel, and strawberry. Each slice had fresh fruit and flavorings drizzled on them, so you didn't need any syrup. It was fun to try each different flavor and to have some variety. They also had a sweet potato french toast that I didn't try, but I heard that it was divine. I also had the short rib omelette, which was one of the specials - I ordered it because the waiter said that it had a red wine reduction, and I'm glad I did because it was probably one of the best omelets that I've had in a very long time - it was just fantastic. He didn't mention the price, and I figured it would be around the price of the other omelets - $12 - maybe a little more for the fancy short ribs. Why was my omelette $16? They are lucky that it was good! My goodness! The potatoes that came with the omelette were delicious and perfectly seasoned. As far as the decor, it's a fun, bright space with lots of artwork, but I will say that the layout of the tables is a bit peculiar. They have a huge communal dining type table in the front room, and the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant vs. being in the front, as you would traditionally find. The food makes up for the "different" layout, though. The chef was very outgoing, and introduced himself to everyone, which is a nice touch. I always like to see chefs involved w/the customers, especially w/a new restaurant. I would definitely go back. Batter & Berries is officially on my brunch rotation.
(4)
AJ H.
So after my aunt and uncle ranted and raved about Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park, I had to go check it out for myself. First and foremost, I'm big about mimosas at brunch, so the fact they have BYOB option was great for me. It seems as though everyone in the place frequents the 7 Eleven down the street for champagne :-) Ok, now back to the actual restaurant. We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was a 35 minute wait for a table, but they have a community table that's similar to a bar at breakfast diner where you can sit down immediately and order. I like the community table concept better because you can sit and actually face whoever you're dining with instead of just sitting next to them. Plus, you can socialize with other patrons at the table if you chose to and it's not akward. I ordered the Chicken Stuffed Waffles with Chicken on top. It was good, but it was waaay too much chicken for me. I had to remove the chicken breast on top. My friend ordered the French Toast Flight that included blueberry, strawberry, caramel and vanilla creme french toast. I should've ordered what she got because I was in LOVE! In the end, we ended up swapping plates. She LOVED the chicken. The customer serivce was awesome. At the end of our meal the chef even came around and introduced himself and asked how the meal was. The only problem I had with Batter & Berries is that they don't have a website, FB or Twitter to spread the word. Thank God for Yelp, huh?
(5)
Austin G.
Neat breakfast joint. I ordered the waffle with infused chicken, it was very good. When I got it I couldn't help but want syrup for my waffles, but that wouldn't be good with chicken. It took me the majority of the meal to get over the fact that I was just eating a regular chicken lunch in the shape of a waffle. It was a fun experience.
(5)
Angie F.
I LOVE BREAKFAST! I believe in breakfast! So when I heard about Batter & Berries, I had to try it. I heard the wait time could be ridiculous and I'm short on patience for that sort of thing. So I and five friends went at 9:00 am on a Friday morning (while on Christmas Break) to beat the rush. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time and had excellent food. I had the flight of french toast and hated for that meal to end. I stuck my fork in most of my friends plates, so I can attest to a lot of the choices being really good! Tim was our waiter and he could not have been more attentive. By the time we were leaving, hoards of people were waiting to get in. I'm glad we dodged that. I will go again and again, but only very early!
(5)
Marco H.
Charming place with friendly service and fantastic french toast! I tried the Flight of the French Toast, which is a sampling of 4 different french toasts: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and hazelnut. All of them were sweet and delicious. You must order the chicken sausage (2 patties in an order) because it was some of the best I've ever had. There are hints of rosemary (i think) and small chunks of apple cooked in to give it an unexpectedly "crunch". The coffee is decent, as are the pancakes. I'm definitely going back to try the fabled chicken and waffle.
(4)
James D.
Wish they were in LA cause I really miss this place right now. Everytime I am in Chicago I make sure to visit this place.
(5)
Emily S.
We went the first week they were open and we enjoyed it. We brought our 18month old son and they were very good about having him there. They even had some fun stacking toys for him to play with - not just the normal crayons for him to eat. The home made biscotti was the best I've ever had and by itself made this review 4 stars. The food was good but very rich. Everything was very flavorful and the sweet was super sweet and the savory was so strongly flavored that it got hard to eat after a while. Luckily my husband and I got one savory and one sweet between us so we swapped back and forth. We ended up enjoying it but probably won't go back.
(4)
Tierra B.
Long wait on a Saturday morning but overall, the food was amazing. Best French toast I've ever had. Nice vibe and service with decent prices.
(5)
Allie P.
Absolutely delicious! And friendly, prompt service. Loved it! We had the flight of French toast, hash browns, and bacon. Great!
(5)
Kelly R.
My second visit and it was just awesome as my first! The customer service was off the chain. The manager even came outside and explain the menu and coffee to all while we waited. Our waiter Tim was great!
(5)
Shivika J.
French toast flight was delicious. All of the flavors were so good, I could not choose a favorite. Crab omelet was decent, however I would highly recommend adding some Old Bay Seasoning to add some flavor to it. Disappointed that the omelet was $16, especially since there was not enough crabmeat to justify $16. Hashbrowns were delicious! Wished I had known it was BYOB...
(3)
Julia G.
I have been a long time customer of Batter & Berries and I am really sorry I have to write a review of this kind, but something has to be done about the customer service I have experienced from them in the past couple of days. I had lunch there a few days ago and realized my credit card had been charged twice for the lunch I had. I called there as soon as I realized this happened and was told I could not speak with a manger about the situation because he was too busy at the time. I explained to the young lady that this was unacceptable and could not believe her manager did not see this an an emergency to come to the phone, but he refused and that I had to call after 3 pm. I made the call and of course no one answered because it was after hours. I then called back on Monday assuming this would be a better time and the young lady once again said her manager would not come to the phone. I explained to her that this once again was unacceptable and I wanted to speak with someone asap. The manager would not take the call. They may have great food but it is very unprofessional for an establishment not to see you being charged twice a priority to come to the phone. This situation has still not been resolved and they have officially lost a customer. I will never eat at a place that does not see their mistakes as an emergency to correct and I will defiantly tell everyone I know of my experience.
(1)
Maurice E.
Finally went to Batter and Berries for breakfast. The French toast flight was very good especially the Grand Maurier sample. I had lobster omelette was good nice amount of lobster. The homemade pork sausage was good a little spicy. The negative hash browns a little cold. There was 30 minute wait hostess was great about keeping us up on how long we had. Overall highly recommend ..
(4)
Michael H.
Swung by this morning for breakfast after having marched in the Thanksgiving parade. Overall I recommend checking it out. Pros - I had the french toast flight, my daughter had chocolate chip pancakes and my wife went with the Kobe sliders. We all walked away very happy with our meals. The blueberry french toast and lemon were my favorites. The caramel drizzled slice was overly crunchy and hard to chew, but it didn't detract too much. - The inside of the restaurant was clean, the tables were comfortable and everyone working there was warm. - Overall, the selections on the menu looked appetizing. I'll be curious to stop back and try others. - The chef came out and had a brief conversation with us, which I always like. Cons - As others have mentioned, the wait for service can take long. Our daughter never got her juice until the breakfast came. We could never get the waiter's attention because he was working a larger table near the back. He apologized when he finally came with the breakfast, but the food took a long time to come out and the waiter took an equally long time to return our credit card. Probably don't want to eat here if you are in a rush. - I could see some people feeling the price is a bit high for breakfast.
(4)
Nina T.
Eating here was the highlight of my Chicago trip. This place has Excellent food and service in a warm and inviting space. It doesn't get any better.
(5)
Jared D.
Came to Batter & Berries over the weekend and will be back next weekend. It was probably the best breakfast I've had in the city. Everything was a 10 out of 10. Service, attentiveness, quality of the food, quickness, etc. Also, the head chef and owner was an awesome guy. He came by our table twice to introduce himself and check on us after our meal. The place isn't huge, but it's not small by any means..so the fact that he walks around introducing himself and talks to his patrons was really cool. The food: The menu is huge and has some really great, unique options. My girlfriend had the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle, which has chunks of fried chicken inside. I've never had a dish like this. The first bite was good, then it just got better and better. I ended up eating quite a bit of her meal. However, my dish was quite frankly the best french toast I've ever had. I went with the french toast flight (caramel, strawberry, blueberry, and a chocolate rum slice). Holy shit. I didn't have a favorite as they were all awesome. If you're a fan of french toast, get this. Batter & Berries has only been open for 5 months, but they didn't act like a new restaurant. The service was prompt and we only waited 20-30 min for a table. We didn't take advantage of this feature, but its BYO. How many breakfast places in the city are BYO!? I'm looking forward to returning for another breakfast and trying something off the lunch menu in the near future as well.
(5)
Sean T.
Like most of the other reviews, the food is incredible. I am a huge fan of the french toast and the maple butter is out of this world. It's one of the few brunch places that can not only provide a diverse menu, but make all the dishes top notch. There is nothing on the menu that I've seen myself or others not enjoy. Perhaps what I like best about the place is how passionate they are about the food. The chef genuinely seems to care that you enjoy your meal and the servers go out of their way to make sure you are happy. It seems each time I'm there something new has popped up on the menu that is worth trying. The only problem is that it can be difficult to get a table at times. It's not their fault though that they've become so popular. Obviously word has gotten out. If you do hit them up on the weekends, go early or be prepared to wait. Prices are a bit high, but you honestly get your money's worth with food this good. With food this good, I"d love to see them offer a carry-out option in the future.
(5)
J M.
2 slices of french toast for $11? Terrible service. It took 15-20 mins for someone to ask if we wanted coffee and we had to flag 2 people down to place an order. When the food came we were waiting for napkins, ketchup, sugar, cream, syrup... they just dropped the food on the table and we felt like we were bothering them asking them for stuff. I could have just made eggs at home if I wanted that experience. Too bad. The food was good, but all things considered there are just too many places for me to bother going back.
(2)
Babatunde O.
B&B is now my go to spot in Chicago for chicken and waffles. The maple butter is flame! Definitely ask for extra hot sauce. The hot/salty/sweet combo was impressive. Staff was EXTRA friendly. Get there early on the weekend if you want a good seat. We weren't too keen on their chicken sausage, but, like many restaurants, stick to what they do well and you'll be satisfied.
(4)
Kristine T.
Went there last Thursday, and proceeded to stuff myself stupid. I got the French Toast Super Flight: Four different flavored french toasts plus a "special" for that day. So, I received Strawberry, Blueberry, Caramel, Lemon + Strawberry Rum Cheesecake. A lot of people mess up french toast: I hate seeing the fried egg pieces on it. This wasn't like that. It was pretty, and had a nice crispy, yet chewy texture on the outside. I also got scrambled eggs with cheese...and they put a LOT of cheese on it. I also sampled some hash browns with cheese, and the chicken sausage patties. They were nicely seasoned, and approximately the size of two McDonald's hamburgers. It's a pretty simple decor with house music playing in the background. I LOVE house music, even at 8am, but...There were some people at a table seated right in the middle of the restaurant, and they were quite loud. I wished the manager would've told them to keep it down a little. There was a bucket in the center of the table with, I guess, champagne (it's BYOB). Don't know if they were getting pickled over there, but luckily we were able to tune them out. I liked it so much, that I'm going back again tomorrow morning. I'll try to take pictures...
(4)
Jessica V.
Best French Toast EVER. We have eaten here a few times now, and I just can't help but order the French toast flight. How can you go wrong with four different types of French toast, perfectly prepared, all on one plate?? The chef also makes a 5th type every day so you can opt for a piece of that as well with the flight for like $2 more. My boyfriend ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufe. So good. It's like chicken and waffles, only better. The chicken was perfectly fried and the waffle was out of control! The service has been impeccable when we have been here. I see mutiple more brunches here in my future.
(5)
Allie B.
Because of the close proximity to my boyfriend's apartment, I've been here more then I would like to admit. But it's okay, because the food is that amazing! Neither of us have ever been disappointed. The staff is so friendly and attentive, service is timely and the food is always hot and flavorful. Go for the super flight- it is a must even if you are not a French toast fan. The cheesy hash browns are also delicious. I just wish they would bring the crab omelet back- that is my only complaint. If you're going on weekends try to go before 10- that seems to be when it really gets busy.
(5)
Cee B.
I've been a patron here since they opened and the food is GREAT!!!!! Typically on the weekends, I order food for carry out. Today I find out that they do not offer that service anymore so I am stuck at work craving Caramel French Toast, chicken sausage and eggs with extra cheese and now IM HEART BROKEN AND DISAPPOINTED BEYOND REPAIR. PLEASE change this policy ASAP! Im literally in tears because of this. I can't help it, once I find a great place I love to eat at, I support it daily. Signed, Disappointed Patron who wish you had carryout again!
(4)
Jillian S.
Delicious! And fast service!!! Would've made it 5 stars, but everyone waiting to be seated was crowded around my and many other peoples' tables. Had a coat in my face about the entire meal. However, food was amazing, our waiter was super nice, and the food came in less than 10 minutes. Also, it's BYOB so had mimosas. Yum!
(4)
Ihoneybadger L.
Batter and Berries is definitely a great place for Brunch! I'll list my complaints first before going into the good stuff. 1) SINAGE is terrible! They need really need someone to re-vamp their sign and logo. It blends into the building and makes it difficult for folks who pass by to see/notice. Just from a marketing perspective, their product is already great, now it's time to make it visible and noticeable. You guys should really hire someone with a good knowledge of graphics to really spruce up your menu! Your great product deserves great advertisement to accompany it! 2) The restaurant isn't really designed for large parties, and spacing is quite small and packed. But enough complaining, now onto the great stuff! 1) I absolutely loved their menu. The food was delectable! The portions were quite generous and prices were reasonable. The food was incredibly flavorful and the different combinations explored different pallets for taste. We ordered a few different things, chicken and waffles, french toast platter, special lobster dish that day (can't remember the exact name). I enjoyed the different variety of offerings. Overall the food was incredibly scrumptious! The fact that we had to wait 45 minutes for seating a full house is truly a testament of how delicious the food there was! I will definitely be re-visiting on my next escapade to Chicago. 2) My other favorite part about this restaurant was the service! I loved their staff! You can really tell that they care about their customers, and really knowledgable and proud of their establishment. The staff really took care of our party when we were there, explaining the menu to us and really patient with all of our inquiries (first timers) . Also this place is incredibly family friendly and stresses community involvement and customer appreciation. The chef came out and randomly made an announcement about how much he appreciated two regulars who have been supporting him from the beginning. Genuine appreciation like that is hard to find now-a-days, but will keep customers coming back from day and day out. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!
(4)
Erin S.
So I decided to leave the Southside for a Saturday lunch with a good friend. I think I should have stayed at home. As most reviews have mentioned! the wait can be very taxing. I was given 3 wait times in one brief conversation with the hostess( I guess that was her job). I watched people come and go for about a hour. She and the young girl in the restaurant, called for people at a snail's pace. Both repeatedly talked about a wait area in the back. Limited seating in the wait area created more congestion and confusion. Four groups of two complained about the wait and being passed over by the hostess. She accommodated the angry guests, extending my wait for a table. When we finally able to be seated, we briefly saw our waiter, then received water that ended up being our drink. I also got a coffee that was never refilled and I was never approached for a refill. My friend always orders water sans ice. When she received a refill, it was from the pitcher with ice, so she didn't drink it. I tried the flight French toast. It was tasty, but seemed like a small portion of food. Cheese crusted hash browns were interesting but rather tasteless. We saw our waiter three times including when he took our orders. For some reason, the young girl came up behind my friend and covered her eyes with her hands. My friend was pretty shocked and annoyed by it. The girl seemed oblivious to the inappropriate nature of the interaction. I don't plan in returning. Amazing food can make up poor other areas, but adequate food really doesn't.
(2)
Jessica K.
Absolutely love Batter & Berries. No, the decor and ambiance aren't like other brunch places in the city but you come (and return) to Batter & Berries for the food and service. I actually do not ever order french toast but after seeing photos and reviews, had to try it. DELICIOUS. Perfectly crunchy and what a burst of flavors. I had some sort of crab omelette as well, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The ingredients were so fresh and though seafood can smell fishy, this omelette did not. They also cut their hash browns fresh, and you can tell that they owners/chef really put time and energy into the place. If you're a tea person, you must try one of their teas. They're all loose-leaf and so very fresh and fragrant. I'm telling you, this place does not get enough credit in Chicago. If you're looking for fresh, excellent food with generous portions AND fantastic service where the chef/owner takes the time to greet you, Batter & Berries is a must.
(5)
Emily Y.
Thank god my girl friends like to share. The plan was to order everything and pass our plates to the right. The french toast flight was delicious (caramel french toast doesn't sound like something I'd like, but it turns out that it's something I LOVE), the Cluck & Gaufre (chicken & sweet potato waffle) was phenomenal - hot sauce especially, and the Cluck & Gravy (biscuits & chicken sausage gravy) was killer. Our guy friend got the breakfast sandwich and he doesn't share, but he devoured it and then licked the rest of our plates clean. I know this sounds a little weird, but the biscuits and gravy - by far my favorite - reminded me a lot of thanksgiving dinner. In the best possible way. The chicken sausage is as terrific as everyone has claimed, and the biscuits themselves seemed extra savory. I really can't speak to the waitstaff, because my friends were all being primadonnas this particular morning. Despite our semi-poor behavior, our waitress was very nice and gave us good recommendations and advice, despite probably wanting to slap half of us silly. Things moved a little slowly, but nothing worth grumbling about.
(5)
Bethany K.
I confess that I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but when I do I come here to assuage it. The french toast is good and their specials are always inventive, although when we ate there today the specials were on an ipad which felt a little contrived. I guess it was nice that we could see pictures of the presentation but it also meant that it took a long time to get through them as they were being shown to our table in the manner of a woman reading a picture book to small children. The waitstaff are always very friendly and attentive and our coffees are always topped off. Possibly because I avoid this place on the weekends(?) but my food has always come out in a timely manner. However, they need to get a second door for winter! It was a warmish day today (40's?) and every time the door opened frigid fingers of chilly air were sent crawling up my back; this is a relatively small venue so there's no escaping that cold.
(3)
Tee G.
Is there a way I can give more than 5 stars? Because I seriously need to give B&B more than 5 stars. Seriously. My debonair breakfast buddy B.V. has been raving to me about this place for a while now, but for one reason or another I could never make it up there whenever I visited him in Chicago. This time, I struck it lucky! We were just there this past weekend & AHA! We got moving in time enough to get to B&B for brunch! We knew there would be a wait for our party of 3, but what I didn't know was that the chef provides a YUMTASTIC berry drink for folks who have to wait outside for a table. It was freshly made, & had real blueberry pieces in it. I wanted to hug the cooler it was in, it was so good. One of the managers came out & chatted us up as we waited for our table; he was hilarious! Just one of the many ways B&B shows their appreciation for their customers. The other way they show it is with their STELLAR food! So finally the wait was over (it was actually pretty short, considering how many folks were already dining or waiting) & we were seated. Our server T. was so awesome & hilarious, I want him to be my new bff. He was so amazing & funny, I ~have~ to tack on an extra star over & above the 5 stars just for him. He welcomed us first timers to the place warmly, & seemed to be having as great of a time as we were! We each got the french toast super-flight, & they were DREAMY. I almost couldn't deal with all of that deliciousness on one plate. The hashbrowns come with cheese in them by default? OH YES. My other friend had the veggie egg-white omelet, & it was all I could do to keep myself from putting my fork into her plate. Not only is the food excellent, but it is plated beautifully. Each plate is a work of art that you can eat. And you should eat them. Lots of them! I'm already plotting my return. It's almost a good thing B&B is so far away from me, because I'd be there every.single.weekend. I'm not even kidding.
(5)
nikki s.
Despite some of the poor reviews, it's been pure bliss both times I've been to Batter & Berries. Obviously they must be trying to work out the kinks. Service was always pleasant and both times my party and I were seated promptly (perhaps it's because we came later). The interesting menu and the fact that the food is slammin' is what brought me back! Supa dupa props go to... -the sweet potato waffle & chicken breast w/the special sauce -the french vanilla infused french toast -cheese hashbrowns (literally the best i've tasted--EVER) -lobster egg white omelet is on fya! They could get a little more creative with the drinks, but that can come later. Again, my experience has been stellar and it was well worth the 20 minute drive.
(5)
Matt M.
The BEST breakfast I have EVER had. Period. We were visiting from Michigan and went to B & B on Sunday. It was so good, we had to go back on Monday before returning home. The French Toast flight was sublime, and I ordered Chicken & Waffles for the first time in my life. The sweet potato waffle with maple butter was so good, and balanced so nicely with the chicken and hot sauce. My wife had a crab meat omelette which she says was delicious. The side of house-made chicken sausage was delicious as well. Overall, I can't say enough great things about this place, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ashley M.
I went to B&B on a Sunday around 12:45 and it was PACKED! I went alone so i got seated almost immediately. You could tell the hostess was new but she was pleasant and not to over whelmed given how busy it was. I was seated at the large table in the middle of the room. This was a little awkward since it seats 10 and there was about four other small parties at the table so i wasn't able to do any general people watching since all i had to look at was a stranger eating across the table from me. My server was very attentive, gave me the specials with good descriptions. I orded the french toast flight given all the reviews and my server's recommendation. I also got hashbrowns, which you could tell were homemade, with two over-easy eggs. All my food was AMAZING. I even liked the blueberry french toast and I'm generally not a fan of blueberries. My server didn't rush me to leave like they often do when i go out to eat alone. Over all great food and service, I will definitely be going back! FYI this place is also byob if you want mimosa you need to bring the chamagne!
(5)
Gwen C.
Loved everything about this place! French toast "flights"! What can be better than that? Coffee excellent, service excellent! Wish we lived in Chicago so we could go more often! Thank you Yelp for helping us find this place!
(5)
Jennifer E.
The chef/owner was so inviting and courteous. It reminded me of being back in the South with all their gracious hospitality and of course, yummy food.
(5)
d u.
Pretty great food, friendly and effective staff, bustling atmosphere. I went on a Sunday around midday with clear weather and there was about a 40 minute wait, once we were seated the waiter was timely and attentive in spite of the absolutely packed house. I would say that the food arrived only just warm, but it was all cooked to perfection, remarkably sweet french toast if that's your fancy, and the deconstructed omelette and sweet potato fries were spot-on as well. Come with some time to spare and the meal should be worth it.
(4)
Mike M.
Fried chicken insane buckwheat pancakes insane coffee strong staff friendly place will change ur life
(5)
Brad C.
Had a great experience here last week. Excellent food and even better service. The staff and owner were very friendly and welcomed my table for coming in and since it was our first time they gave us the low down on the weekly french toast flavor. That's right Batter & Berries has a special weekly french toast flavor, what an awesome way to keep you coming back in. This last week was peanut butter and it was awesome! If you aren't into french toast then you have to try the Cluck-N-Gaufe, aka chicken and waffles. The chicken is great and the waffle has sweet potatoes cooked right into it. I can see this becoming a go to brunch spot in the future.
(4)
Billy M.
Homemade is right on. Fresh. You better like butter. Great french toast for sure, service staff was awesome and entertaining. Chicken sausage was also as noted in previous comments: fantastic. Definitely worth a stop for an off the beaten path breakfast stop.
(4)
Zachary G.
I walked up to the host stand and stood there while the two hostesses continued their conversation. After about 30 seconds they finally turned to me and just stared; I had to ask, "Can I get a table for two?" before either of them talked to me. It wasn't busy (the place was half-full and there were 2 or 3 servers, 2 or 3 bussers, 2 hostesses, and the chef even had time to come out and talk to several tables later on, ours included), but it took our server about 5 minutes to stop by our table. It's not that big of a deal, but someone could have stopped by our table and given us water or coffee. When our waiter took our order he came on a bit too strong. Maybe this isn't a fair complaint; maybe he is genuinely really enthused to work there, but I'm hungry, I haven't had any coffee, and it's too early in the morning for me to handle such seemingly fake excitement. After waiting for 15 minutes, our waiter came back and asked if we'd gotten our food yet. I feel like this is something he should have known seeing as he took our order. At the very least he should have been able to guess, seeing as there were only coffee cups and an orange juice glass on our table. He plays it off as a joke, then says that he thinks our food will be right up. Another 15 minutes go by and we flag our waiter down and ask if our food is coming. He admits that he had forgotten to put our order in until he came by our table last. It's alright that he made a mistake, shit happens. But this means that he lied to us when he said our food would be right up, and also didn't address the issue and didn't keep us apprised of the situation. Another 15 minutes go by, we get up to find our waiter and tell him that we're leaving, but he is nowhere to be seen. (This isn't a big place, either. There are maybe 20 tables at the most.) So, we tell the hostess we're leaving. When we get 20 feet out the door, the waiter comes running out and tells us our food is up. Too late, buddy. Also, as long as I'm hating on the place. I saw a busser spill a cup of water on a little kid and his grandmother. Instead of apologizing, he kept saying that he didn't know why anyone would put water in a coffee mug. Also also, the place is painted and decorated like a day care or something.
(1)
Carter T.
Great service, LOVED the lemon french toast. Will go again to try the crab eggs benedict and cheesy hash browns!
(5)
Nina E.
The food here is AMAZING! The French toast flight is great, especially if you add the special of the day. I shared the flight with one person, along with an order of chicken sausage, cheesy hash browns, and a broccoli, spinach, and cheese omelet. The service was superb. There was no wait for our table. The flight came first before the sides. B&B is definitely on my list of top breakfast/brunch restaurants in Chicago. Thanks to Chef Derek Rylon, Don Jones (manager), and Sam (server) for making my morning complete!
(5)
NewtotheBay J.
Hands down the best brunch I've ever had!!! Shrimp omlette, steak omlette, blueberry waffle, cheese hasbrowns, biscuits and gravy. ..OMG!!! Waitstaff very personable, owner came by to see if everything was stellar, and the wait time was minimal on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)
Emily Z.
'What goes around a yard but never in it' ... A- fence! Our server had all sorts of jokes, which are usually not my thing but he was really nice and attentive as was the chef who checked on us multiple times! We were there on a Friday around lunch time and there were about 4 other tables being used. I would love to give them a 4 but we only liked one of our dishes and a 4 felt like the equivalent of giving Lindsay Lohan a A+ citizenship award... just not the right thing to do. The menu had a nice variety and everything was very fresh and presented well. The specials board was thoughtfully explained by our server and there was no way I was leaving with out trying their specialty Peppermint Schnapps French Toast. We opted for the special french toast flight which is $2 more than the flight listed on the menu bringing it to $13. One half piece of 5 thick cut slices, Strawberry, Caramel, lemon, blueberry and Peppermint Schnapps french toast. All were good, the lemon and Caramel were my favorite baring the obviously star, Peppermint. I'm not sure I could have done that much carbs myself so I am glad I had a friend to help chow down 50%. We also decided on the Arnold? Alfred? Its the chicken sandwich with Guinees BBQ sauce on the top of the lunch page. It looked amazing and the sub sweet potato fires were amazing, the sandwich though was so big and saucey it was nearly impossible to eat and it lacked any real pizazz. I will be back because they are great and being nice gets you a long way in my book! Shop Local!
(3)
Chip H.
Terrible service!! Very disappointed after reading the reviews about the French toast flight, average at best!! Chicken sausage was too sweet. Won't be back!
(2)
Kia P.
This a great place for breakfast just make sure that you get there early to avoid the long lines
(5)
Rich K.
I felt compelled to write my own thoughts after I saw a few unfavorable reviews that just don't do this place justice whatsoever. Hands down, THE best breakfast joint I've ever been to. This has been echoed by a few of my family members and my girlfriend as well. The french toast flight is absolutely incredible. No syrup needed with Chef Rylon's maple butter, which is also amazingly good. For anyone who likes french toast or waffles, order them here and I promise you will not be disappointed. I've eaten here 5 times now and I have left very happy every time. Chef Rylon also makes it a point to say hello to each table and thank them for stopping in. I found that unique nowadays, and a bonus for a place serving such amazing food.
(5)
Aprill H.
My co-worker and I took my boss there when she came in from NY. Service was excellent (I love that they show pics of the menu items), and the GM came over to our table and was super friendly. Food was amazing! I had the Bailey's French Toast and my Co-workers had the French Toast flight and the Caramel French Toast. (They strawberry french toast was a little too sweet, but other than that they were all great). We also ordered chicken sausage and eggs. Will definitely be back :)
(5)
Kaitlin L.
This place is awesome- what I especially love is everything is made in house. They roast the poultry, link the sausage, bake their own pastries, even go so far as to make their own chipotle ketchup (surprisingly awesome) and spicy pickles. The service there was extremely friendly and the Chef had the best Bulls chef hat I've ever seen, maybe the only one I've ever seen. My boyfriend and I both ordered deconstructed omelettes even though we had no idea what it meant- I got the mushroom and spinach, he got the chicken fajita. When the plates came out, we saw why they are deconstructed- everything but the cheese is presented on top of the omelette rather than inside. The owner/chef of the place came by our table to chat and explained that a deconstructed omelette showcases the fresh ingredients they use in house (I can attest to that, everything was without a doubt insanely fresh). Most breakfast spots throw in their old veggies when making an omelette, chop it up nice and small so we would never notice. Never thought about that, but the freshness of the omelettes will definitely bring me back to Batter and Berries. Next time, gotta try the french toast. The workers were swearing by it and they even have a money back guarentee if you are not satisfied with it- not that I want the money, I just want an awesome French Toast
(5)
Victoria S.
I came with my friend and her toddler son. They were very helpful with getting her son settled, from helping pack up and move his stroller, to bringing him toys to keep him busy while we ate. The food was very, very good, and the chef came out to say hello. The wait time was exactly what they said it would be, and the prices were very reasonable. The only thing that could be improved on was the service was a little slower than preferred. We actually lost track of our waitress for a while. Luckily the bus boy was there to help us out. All in all, B&B is a great place for brunch. It's worth the wait for the amazing breakfast menu. Go and check it out.
(4)
Sheri T.
Service awesome. Food awesome. Will be back. Large portions and reasonably priced. Feels himey
(5)
Christian V.
I love this place! From the friendly and welcoming staff, to the amazing homemade treats, this place is great. The chef came out to check on us as well as one of the owners. Our server was a lot of fun keeping us on our toes with riddles. I highly recommend the Cluck-n-gaufre(chicken and waffles) and the French Toast flight. Everything is pretty much made in house from chicken sausage to an amazing maple butter. The French toast of the week, Snickers was amazing. I will be back!
(5)
Ken D.
Southern hospitality is hard to find north of the Mason Dixon but Batter and Berries is that little taste of home. We've been twice now and are blown away by the service and taste! I love the iPads they use to highlight the specials, the table touch by the chef, and the all around genuine care of their patrons. The French toast is to die for - lemon, graham cracker, strawberry were AWESOME! The crab egg white omelette with the Gouda hits the spot and the lobster Benedict left my foodie friend speechless!!
(5)
Linda W.
How do you turn customers away before they sit down? Take Batter & Berries' "Business Policy" and don't even sit them down! We were so excited to check this place out today as it was highly recommended. It was adequately busy for a Friday mid-morning brunch. My boyfriend and I waited patiently for a hostess (or anyone) to greet us and seat us. After a few minutes of figuring out if we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait, an older lady came up to the podium who appeared to be a hostess as she crossed off numbers on a pad. I cleared my throat and loudly greeted HER hello! (sheesh) Then glancing the room a few seconds, she directed us that it would be a 10-15 minute wait. We were dumbfounded as there was a clean 4-top table directly in plain sight of us (not to mention another in the back). "Oh no", she replied, "That's a 4-top, That's for four people. There's only two of you." "Um...but there's no one else waiting for that table ma'am. There's no one waiting at all". "No, but it's Business Policy". "So you mean to tell me that you're going to hold a perfectly good table for four imaginary, maybe customers while there are two willing customers who are available right now?" "It's Business Policy here" "Oh, ok. Well then, goodbye." We'll go someplace who's happy to serve us and won't discriminate by the number of people in our party. This kind of "business policy" reeks of poor customer service and heavy focus on their own superiority. Perhaps they should add some humble pie to their menu if they want to stay in business. *Note: Due to this instance, we were unable to try their food so this review has no reflection on their food because well, they wouldn't serve us.
(1)
Kamilah S.
My bff and I came here on a Saturday afternoon and only had to wait 20 minutes. I had the French toast flight, delish, it came with 5 different types of French toast all very tasty. I also had the chicken sausage, it had good flavor, but it was a tad salty for my taste. MY bff had the lobster benedict, I enjoyed the lobster, I am not a big fan of whole eggs (I only eat egg whites). Overall, I would come back. We even got to meet the chef, he is very friendly. Yessica, our server was polite, she speaks very quietly and she has a bit of an accent and the place can be a little noisy which made it a little hard to hear and understand her.
(4)
Danielle L.
We heard about this place through many, many friends and this place is blowing up for good reason. Delicious food, incredible service, beautiful place. What is not to love? The food is fresh and innovative and did I say delicious? The entire staff was incredibly friendly. Our waiter was helpful and entertaining (he ended each visit with a riddle which our kids--and my husband--enjoyed). He made good recommendations, which we wound up selecting: the french toast platter, the crab omelette (the day's special), and the egg nog pancakes. Everything was fab, unique and full of flavor. (The only thing I would recommend is that they start serving fresh orange juice and Starbucks or Intelligencia coffee). Little things made us feel even better about the place like the fact that they use ipod touches to take orders. The high tech angle probably has something to do with how well run the place is. Very smooth from start to finish. The owner greeted us, asked us how we liked everything. He was approachable and genuine as he made his rounds, greeting customers. We will be back for sure. So glad to see a fellow Chicago south sider running an upstanding, outstanding business!
(5)
Mindy T.
I have been meaning to review this place for a while. I am not a regular Yelp-er, but this place needs to be experienced! I will try to keep this short and sweet just like Batter and Berries. The wait was a little long but the chef came outside and was sure to address the crowd and say that he appreciated our patience and that he promised it was "worth the wait"...and it truly was. We started with the French Toast Flight. I am crazy for syrup on anything and this is the first time in my life that I did not need to add anything to this amazing french toast. My favorite, which was a special that day, was the Mimosa French Toast. Divine! Then we ordered the Cluck and Guff and the "Arthur". Both very good and worth the wait. The portioning was great as well. We were able to take a little home for a little late afternoon snack. Our service was as delightful as the food. We will be back to try other dishes at Batter and Berries. It is a bit of Southern hospitality in the hard edge that is the city of Chicago. Congrats! Keep up the good work and creativity!
(5)
Andrea B.
It's kind of ridiculous that I've been to this place 4 times in 6 weeks ... But I have. Always consider ordering the French toast special. The chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle is other-wordly. The homemade flavored butter adds a wonderful touch to everything. Service has been great every time I've been, and I appreciate the Chef and manager coming out to say hi from time to time. AND it's BYOB?! I love B&B! Prepare yourself.
(5)
Dr Keith W.
Went with three guest and was amazed. People wait for the great experience of food and the atmosphere. It was an amazing experience and the owner comes and welcomes guest to his extended home. THE service is truly on point. We had to share plates just to enjoyable the delectable presentations and taste this amazing experience. Thank you can not wait to return.
(5)
Pandora A.
Very nice staff who made sure to get me seated within a reasonable amount of time. Once seated, I found my waiter to be unhelpful and rushed. He almost seemed annoyed by my wanting extra time with the menu. I should've left when I realized the waiter sucked. Instead, I brushed him off with hopes of great food to come. I decided to order the chicken with sweet potato waffle. I'm no chicken and waffle connoisseur, but my meal left much to be desired. The meal overall wasn't hot. And the waffle can be best described as bland, doughy, and overstuffed with pieces of room temperature chicken. The fried chicken was decent, but nothing special. Overall, I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food wasn't even mediocre. And I'm pretty sure they leave food sitting out that's already prepared until someone orders it. That's the only logical explanation for fried chicken that's room temperature. I won't be coming back. I guess the next time I want chicken and waffles, I'll catch a flight to LA and visit Roscoe's on Pico.
(2)
C J.
The food was great and I will definitely come back again! We went on a Sunday morning and the wait to be seated was an hour but it was well worth it. The place is not that big so I can see why the wait time can be very long. I had the french toast float and chicken sausage. I'll go back just for those two items! And it's BYOB too!
(4)
Tasha F.
I went here two weeks ago on my b-day. It was about 10am and the line was out the door, so imagine my surprise when we were seated immediately. See, it's a reason that I don't travel in packs ;-) The atmosphere was bright and loud. When I say loud, we could not hear each other or the waitress telling us about the specials. The din of the voices and the house music and the high ceilings makes for an acoustic nightmare. We ordered the sweet potato chicken and waffle to split, she got a chicken sandwich and I, the traditional breakfast. The manager stopped by to chat and said he would stop by to see how we liked it before we left, that didn't happen. The sweet potato pancake was awesome, and I am not a waffle fan. I asked for extra napkins and butter and never got them. I asked for them at separate times. The chicken was tasty, my daughter loved her fries, said they were the best she'd ever had. The traditional breakfast was meh. The temperature was luke-warm as if it had been sitting. The hash browns were like a mush, the bacon was decent. I had asked for my eggs, over hard, I cannot stand runny yolk. What did I get? Medium. When I showed her, she asked me did I want them cooked more? She said it in a way that I should say no. Now it is my policy not to send back food..all those well-done steaks I get, when I ask for medium, I eat. But I cannot abide runny yolks and it was my birthday and I was going to have what I asked for. I'm thinking, I would like some new eggs, but I sat as she got a little plate and scraped the egg off my plate, leaving the gross yolk. They did bring new eggs with dried parsley flakes splashed across the top, which I could not get off, so that ruined it for me. The coffee was good with real cream. I love when you get real cream in a little creamer. I would not return unless I was in the neighborhood and it was before the morning rush.
(4)
Rebecca C.
The food here was absolutely delicious. We tried the flight of French toast, which is great if you're a French toast junkie like me and want to try all the different kinds. We also tried the hash browns, i don't know if ill ever be able to eat them without cheese again. Overall good service, but a little slow. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Michelle H.
THE best french toast you will ever have. (I only know this because my ladyfriend was sweet enough to share a few bites.) Get the sampler plate -- you won't be disappointed. I ordered the chicken & waffles and they were delicious! The chicken has a kick to it, but it balances well with the sweetness of the waffles. I'm so glad that this place opened up in my neighborhood! Will never be settling for Clarke's or Ann Sather for breakfast again.
(5)
Fran B.
Highly recommended by friends. VERY DISAPPOINTED. How should I begin. Told the expected wait would be 45 minutes- was one hour and 1/2. Told later that because it was only 2 of us, the seating took longer as a way of explanation-Doesn't help to see groups who arrived an hour later seated before we were. 20 minute wait on the food. Food arrived tasty but COLD. Didn't bring the beverages but did remember to keep it on the bill. Nice employees, pleasant attitude but Very disappointing experience from a customer service perspective. It's not just the food management needs to think about-it's the whole experience. Frances B-J.
(1)
Ben K.
At the risk of being uncomfortably cheese, this place is both delicious and adorable, and as the eccentric chef Rylon said when he came out to greet us upon entering (as he did with every other guest in the restaurant), "If you don't like your meal, I'll buy it. I've said that to thousands of people and never bought one meal." And seriously, the food is really really good. I read disappointed reviews of "deconstructed" omelets which kept me away for a few weeks and I am just shocked that anybody who likes omelets could be down on the food they put out here! The ingredients are fresh, and unlike every omelet you've ever had where the meat in it is overcooked or chopped to little tiny pieces, the "deconstruction" allows them to prepare the meat/veggies and omelet/cheese components separately so they are both properly cooked. And both parts are damn good. Also the service is highly energetic and irreverent. Prepare to be slightly taken aback and then won over by your extremely outgoing server.
(5)
Diva T.
Me and my friends went after church for a Sunday brunch. Automatically knowing that it is Sunday afternoon, we anticipated a wait. We were told that we had to wait 45-60 minutes. Again, knowing that this is Sunday, we knew that the wait anywhere would be around that time, so we put our name on the list and waited outside in the car. After about 45 minutes, we went back into the restaurant where we waited an additional 25 minutes to get our seats. While we were waiting inside for our table, the waiting area (in the middle of the restaurant) was completely filled so we had to wait by the door where we had to constantly move for patrons to come through. It had gotten so crowded that at one point, we were almost standing on top of the patrons that were sitting down eating. The interior the restaurant was filled with tropical purple, green, and gold colors. 40x60 paintings that filled the walls, and background of entertaining music. Once we were sat down, we waited about 5 minutes before we got serviced. The silverware and cups were clean. There were condiments on the table. The server did a wonderful job in telling us the specials. I ordered the shrimp omelet special, my two friends ordered the chicken and waffles, and we all split the french toast flight. The french toast flight was supposed to be an appetizer, but it was accidentally given to a table that sat down after us so we got the flight with our meal. One of my friends originally wanted a meal that had biscuits, but unfortunately they were out. The meals were excellent. We were literally dancing in our seats while we were eating. I cleaned my plate of shrimp omelet and my two friends said that their chicken breast was moist, but no longer wanted to eat the waffles after the chicken was gone. The french toast flight had a character of its own. Each one was as delicious at the first. The owner came by each table to greet the patrons and make sure that our service was up to par. My friend asked the owner why was it that they ran out of biscuits, he said that he only makes 80 in the morning and he wants them all to sell out so he can make new ones in the morning. He also agreed to take a picture with us so remember our visit. Overall, I give it a four because at the end of the day, we all agreed that despite the uncomfortable wait, we would return. But a few suggestions would be to possibly make the waiting area a little more comfortable.
(4)
Courtney W.
Okay, this place is amazing. I just types Brunch into the Yelp search bar and had Lincoln Park set as the neighborhood. I hadn't even heard of this place before, and I like to consider myself in the know about new restaurants, especially brunch places. The service was great. They told us that we would have to wait 30 minutes for a group of 4, but we only waited about five. They serve Mighty Lead tea which won me over at the beginning. I'm not much for french toast so I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaeurf which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken with maple butter. They places a grilled chicken breast soaked in hot sauce on tops of this scrumptious waffle. It was absolutely outstanding. A little steep at $13 but it was worth it. My friends all ordered french toast and agreed it was the best they had ever had. The offer a french toast flight which allows you to try all the options. They also have a special type of french toast that they offer once a week. I loved everything about this place, this is the real deal my friends.
(5)
Lindsey W.
Pretty good. I love french toast and never thought a place could base their menu around it, but Batter & Berries have succeeded. First of all the southern-like hospitality is just unheard of. The chef and owner came out to discuss the menu items, tell stories and welcome us to the restaurant. Then he came back to see what we thought- seriously! I had the strawberry french toast, with strawberries in the batter and on top- something about them caramelized and it was addicting. Even the has browns were cooked to perfection. I'll definitely be back to try the chicken and biscuits. Suggestions: The hostess claimed it would be a 20 min. wait so we sat at the bar (not real bar- but high table) yet there were empty tables the entire time we were there. Up the service, but keep the food as is!
(4)
Kelvin W.
I honestly have to rate this place as just average. Everything is just a little too sweet for breakfast. I had the french toast flight along with a chefs special chocolate peanut-butter french toast and Chicken Sausage. My wife had the crab meat omelet and my daughter had the Chicken Sweet Potato Waffles. This place would be great for desert but not for breakfast. Did I mention that the cost for 3 people to eat breakfast came to $73.00 or the fact that the wait was over 1 hour. Never again!!! Overrated!!! There are better places to eat a real breakfast. The meal should come with an insulin shot.
(2)
Nada A.
we were waiting for more than 2 hrs for a table.
(3)
Melissa H.
The best French toast I've ever had. Doesn't need syrup. Quite frankly I think u would ruin it if u did. I got the super flight that included lemon, blueberry, hazelnut, strawberry. This is a black owned business and chef Rylon came out to talk to us before and after breakfast they have chicken sausage here we want to try next time. Kid portions available. My son got the chocolate chip pancakes.
(5)
Kyle P.
Great brunch with no wait for now. Super friendly staff and the best French toast in town. Get the sampler. The chicken and waffle is fantastic as well
(5)
Engineer E.
We frequently eat brunch at FLO, Yolk and Tweet - but we wanted to try something new so ran across Batter on Yelp. There looked like an intimating line upon arrival but it ended up only being a 15 min wait for two (this was on a Saturday at 11ish). But while standing outside, a man approached us, introduced himself as Derek (owner and chef) then asked if we wanted our bottle of champagne chilled in their refrigerator while we wait for our table. We were in such disbelief. What was his agenda? Was he the owner or was he just going to book it down the street after we handed him the bottle? No, he really was the owner and chef and he really did put it in the fridge. Unbelievable customer service. After being seated, our waiter Tim was EXTREMELY helpful. He took his time explaining the menu and answered any of our questions. I tend to over-tip, but this time it was warranted. Our waiter did a great job checking up on us throughout the entire meal and made sure we were comfortable. It was loud but not because of the music (I didn't even hear any music) but because it was packed. Derek ended up coming by our table THREE times to check up on us too, giving us recommendations, background about the food and his culinary journey. I read on a review he only talks to regulars - this was our first time so no. He claimed he had no canned foods in the kitchen and that everything was fresh so I inquired on the location of the lobster in the lobster eggs benedict, which he told me he just received from Maine. We ended up going with the lobster benedict and he was truthful - it was definitely fresh lobster and the poached eggs were perfect to boot. I ordered the Cluck & Gravy (Biscuits and chicken sausage gravy) - excellent biscuits and the gravy was addicting. Portions were large, food came out fast. We kept hearing about how good their french toast was so we ordered the "SUPER Flight" and split it. You don't need maple syrup on this because the flavor itself takes care of your palette. That and some mimosas made it a very enjoyable brunch. We'll definitely come back soon - I'd recommend to anyone.
(5)
Glenn H.
I recommend this place even though the food may be a tad pricey for the amount of food that is given but its a really good place to eat if you prefer quality over quantity. The French toast was amazing (even though I never ordered it....eating off plates is highly looked upon) and I had the Executive which is steak covered in wine sauce reduction with mushrooms and onions along with cheesy hash browns and eggs, all of which were really good. The food arrived quick and the customer service was great.
(4)
Jeff R.
As far as french toast, waffles, and other baked breakfast foods go, this place is wonderful! They make a whole variety of amazing french toasts with the flavorings baked into the batter. They use fresh and tasty ingredients to do so and maintain a sweetness to many of them without going overboard and drowning out the other flavors. Staff is friendly and decor is bright and cheerful. There are also plenty of other options beyond french toast and waffles, so don't let that scare you off if you'd like other breakfast items.
(5)
Christina R.
Holy moly is this place good, we waiting an hour and a half BUT at least they told us up front. You have to go early or on a weekday, hash browns are awesome. The owner/chef was in the room and I asked him for a big hug because I loved his food so much. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE, but don't freak out about the wait, plan ahead.
(5)
Mark S.
And now the reply from the Manager to the email I wrote to him!! Now, maybe it's just me, and i'm speaking from over 40 years of hospitality work, is that any guest who sends a personalized email to the boss outlining the great food, some good/bad news, and a negative observance about staff behavior would want to respond asap and NOT blame the guest for his outreach. Contrary to my last line in my first email I will not return to Batter & Berries. "Chris, I apologize for not returning your email in what YOU considered a timely fashion, but I was not the server, and the matter has been dealt with. Thank you for your concern and Yelp review. Don Jones General Manager Batter & Berries" A copy of an email I wrote to the manager, which did not merit a response from him. Afternoon Don, I just left your restaurant after it being recommended by my co-worker. She suggested the french toast as it was the best she'd ever had. Of course I disputed that because I think the restaurant I work at has the best. She said to get it without any syrup and I was very skeptical; I'm a huge syrup guy. But I did and have to admit it was pretty phenomenal. I had the flight and the flavors were great. It was cooked to perfection. On to the good and bad. The good news is you were busy; the bad news is you were busy. It was pretty loud. :-) Now, something that disturbed me. There was a table of two quite pretty ladies next to my table. They were very nice as well as one of them struck up a conversation with me while she waited for her friend. Anyway, there was an African American male waiter working and though the table wasn't in his station he made a point of going up to the table several times. I know that wouldn't be uncommon for a server to go up to a regular customer and greet them. It's how we get regulars. But every time he went up there were sexual innuendos from the very start. He hugged one of the them and kept putting his hands on both of them. Now, I do that too when I am serving but I do it to every table I come in contact with; it's just who I am. He only did it to that one table, not any in his real station at all. He went over the line when he walked up to the table and while grabbing his shirt asked, "Do either of you have a needle and thread?" Before they could answer he pulled up his shirt sleeve and flexed his muscles saying, "Cuz I'm ripped!!!" His acquaintance chuckled and the one he didn't know didn't ever smile. She did not think it was funny at all, in fact I would say by her expression that she was pretty offended. I'm not writing to get the server in trouble but I wanted you to know. I'll be back, I know that.
(1)
Azin S.
Best Brunch ever. Delicious food and wonderful staff! Chef Ryan came to our table himself and asked what could he do to make it better! They are BYOB so if you want Mimosa being your own champ an and they make it for you. It is worth the wait and believe me you'll go again and again.
(5)
Susan F.
Monday morning and it's crowded. Got the French toast flight. FANTASTIC. I asked for syrup (a big no-no). The waitress smiled and said it's very sweet so you really don't need syrup. She brought it any way and she was right. The best French toast ever. The bacon was good and crisp. The cheese hash browns were just ok. Needed more seasoning. Service was ok. Place is small. Love it. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Ji K.
Chef Rylon is cool. :) He is the owner and chef of the newly established Batter & Berries. My three girlfriends and I stopped in for brunch this past Saturday, and he came by right away to greet us. He gave us such a warm welcome and immediately recommended some of their best dishes to us. He even went so far as to give us a taste of their homemade chocolate biscotti and offered to pay for the french toast if we didn't love it. Lucky for him, we loved it. :) Please note that we're all so-so french toast fans, so the fact that we loved our french toast flight is saying a lot. Every flavor (strawberry, blueberry, banana walnut, lemon, and peach) was fresh, unique, and outstanding. The texture of the french toast, in general, is the best we've all tried-- having the perfect balance of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside-- and each slice was so delicious and full of flavor that we completely forgot about syrup. Our savory dishes were good as well and their homemade sausage was a nice treat, but my hope is that their savory items will catch up to the level of their french toast. I can tell that Chef Rylon is the kind of chef who never stops improving and only wants his customers to be completely satisfied, so I will gladly patronize Batter & Berries and look forward to coming back to this cute little brunch spot to taste what other deliciousness awaits.
(4)
R J.
Thanks Thrillist.com ...saw their review about Berries & Batter's opening day today. Stopped by to see about some French Toast. Tried their French Toast Sampler -Delicious! also got a side order of their very tasty patty sausage, which I will recommend as well. See photos.
(4)
Bob G.
Great breakfast. Amazing food. Best buckwheat pancakes ever. My entire family was delighted. The service was great...but a little slow at first...the manager came around to check on us and we got great advice from the waiter. We were thrilled, and it was fun.
(5)
Andrea S.
We got there at 10:30am and the wait was about 50 minutes. The service once we got inside was also a little slow. These are the only reasons I'm taking away 1 star, because otherwise the food was AMAZING. We got the french toast flight that had one piece of every type of french toast and each flavor was delicious! Also got the traditional with the chicken sausage substitution which I highly recommend. Lastly, got the Goof which was OK compared to the other two orders. I would love to go again, but next time, would probably bring a book for the long wait.
(4)
Nicole L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Seriously, best french toast I've ever had (we ordered the caramel). And the veggies in my omelet were so fresh and delicious. I was seated right away, despite it being a busy morning. Sundays usually have a long wait, so I suggest going during the week or on Saturday. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, and there was always someone coming to fill my coffee or water. They could improve the decorations, but that doesn't matter to me. If anything it made the quality service seem as a very pleasant surprise.
(5)
Will M.
Fast and VERY friendly service. The French toast and bacon seems like it was made earlier in the morning and warmed to serve. Go for the service and variety.
(4)
Markesha W.
My first visit here was great Leslie was my server Friday 5/16/14 I visited the restaurant a second time 5/23/14 and all I can say is I will NEVER go back from management on down customer service training is a huge opportunity. When we were seated coffee was offered I asked the bus boy the price of a glass of orange juice his response was you have to ask your server, Ok not a problem I'll glance at the menu and figure it out myself. We ordered our breakfast I had a salmon executive my husband ordered pork chop executive and the French toast flight when our breakfast came out the strawberry and blueberry pieces of French toast were hard over cooked my husband asked the bus boy Pedro for our server and explained our concern he passed the message to another server who said I'm not their server my husband requested the manager who was seating another guest the manager Don doesn't seem to know how to work under stressful or busy circumstances he threw his hands in the air and said when I finish seating them I'll be with you with an attitude. Don came over we stated our concern he took the plate back and brought a fresh order maybe 7 minutes passed. The attitude of the staff from management on down was unacceptable I tried to explain to Don how I thought they could improve service in the future if I was the owner of this business none of my employees would ever be allowed to say that's not my job the customer does not care who's job it is, just communicate with the appropriate person and get the job taken care of Don the manager told me that bus boys don't have to talk to customers in fact they don't want to talk to customers they are there to fill glasses and clean up then in a dismissive tone said we fixed the problem and got you a fresh order no compassion he didn't care that now our food was getting cold as we waited for our food to be prepared properly. This business will NOT go far it reminded me of a breakfast chicken and waffles and that business is going under the sad part is the food was pretty good but for $55 for breakfast and poor service I'd rather go somewhere else. Maybe Leslie can be promoted and she could pass some of her skills to the staff Don has to be related to the owner I have no idea how he is still working here especially as management.
(1)
Di M.
I decided to come because on the weekend the waiting line is tremendous and was curious. The food is amazing, I had the crab cake Benedict. I went during the week. The service was surprisingly fast. I will return
(4)
Marissa G.
Convenient location and great service and accommodation. I ordered the french toast flight with bacon and hash browns and everything was delicious! The chef came out and chatted with us for a while to make sure everything was to our liking and told us to come back again soon. I'll have to bring champagne along next time to take advantage of the BYOB offering.
(5)
Denise C.
This food was stupid good. The wait was a bit on the ridiculous side because I had a party of 10 and the place is small (or quaint) but it was well worth the wait. I had the chicken and waffles (it's not called that though) and it was the BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLE COMBO EVER! They season the chicken and place it into the waffle batter AND...they give you a superbly seasoned chicken breast on the side. I went to Hop House A Go Go last week and got their Chicken and Waffle and was so disappointed that it didn't/couldn't measure up to the one I had here! This is the BEST breakfast spot in Chicago. Oh...and the food is cheap:)
(5)
Robert R.
Batter and Berries is the real deal. I had a chicken fajita deconstructed omelette and was duly impressed. Yes, I know it seems wrong to serve both chicken and eggs together, but if the chicken fajita omlette is wrong y'all, I don't wanna be right. The homemade pork sausage is good, but could use some of the herbs sprinkled about the plate. The service was attentive and intelligent, the ordering system is slick, the server using his smartphone to place the order was an interesting add to the experience. The space is charming, bright and there's an interesting thematic symmetry throughout. I'm not impressed with my orange juice coming from a Tropicana carton...lie to me if you must, but I don't want to see how the orange juice was made. Chef Rylon is a wonderful and gregarious host and his presence was definitely a plus. All-in-all, it's at four stars because it's got some things to fix, but nothing worth drawing out or complaining about... this is one of those places that will work its' kinks out and be a neighborhood staple for a long time to come.
(4)
Chicago F.
Highly recommend. Super friendly, funny staff. Great food presentation. Cozy, lively. Great specials. AMAZING Oreo French toast! I am not a fan of super sweet things, and these babies are PERFECT. Compliments to the Chef. Go, you'll love it.
(5)
mary r.
I think this is what I've been looking for in a breakfast joint!! Quality. Quantity. Wonderful service. Nice patrons. What more can you ask for? And the menu has something for everyone. Regular classics. And creative gourmet. I hope this place stays open for a long time. I plan on becoming a regular.
(5)
Raquel B.
I have never finished every bite of a plate before and I just did that here today. Ya'll have to try the sweet potato waffles and cheesy hash browns with the homemade hot sauce! Best brunch I ever had!
(5)
Steve A.
Just tried to order take-out from this place. I assume the hostess answered the phone, and for some reason could not take my order. She said I'd be transferred to a waiter to take my order. Fine. 5 minutes later, I'm still on hold. I hang up, tell this place to go Ef itself, and swear I'll never give them any of my business. You people are a joke.
(1)
Gooses G.
Great things: Got seated right away even though it was a busy Sunday brunch Attentive, friendly, and helpful wait staff from host to busser to server Biscuits and gravy meal was delicious Food was not greasy, even if ordering traditionally greasy items! Got to meet the chef, who seems like a wonderful and talented individual who really cares about his restaurant and prides himself on it Great neighborhood brunch spot--I'm going to be taking my visitors here from now on!
(5)
Cherie J.
The French toast flight is a must to try at this place.
(4)
ninette s.
before making this place our mommy/daughter breakfast selection this month, I did my research - read some reviews, checked pics of the food etc. I noticed, many of the bad reviews all centered around bad customer service and/or the wait so I was already prepared but turns out Those bad reviews had to have been before their newbie kinks were worked out... because customer service was certainly NOT a problem today. mind you we arrived @ 8:36am on a Saturday though and they open @ 8:00am - perfect timing on our part I might add.. because we were greeted, seated, served and walking out in about an hour! by then here was a line waiting outside to get in. whew!. Elvira was there in a flash but then gave us our space to peruse the menu as it was our 1st time. my daughter decided on the Banana-Nut Belgigue... it was yummy even the next morning! I had the super flight of french toast- the diff btwn a flight and the super flight is the super adds an extra triangle of whatever the flavor of the week is: so I had a taste of blueberry, my least fav, strawberry, caramel nut, lemon yum!, and the spcl flavor was pineapple upside down cake also yum! even thought the place only seats apprx 68 ppl, it was bigger than I had envisioned and quite pleasant. other than the odd waiting area smack dab in the middle of restaurant- who thought that was a creative idea?!. my daughter enjoyed the waiter-his name escapes me as I type- who had her solving riddles for her doggie bag LOL our orders came out timely, correct, and hot. I saw many complaints of this as well... it must be the time and/or day you wandered in... I'd give it another shot if I were you. I must point out to reviewer Katrina C who complained the lemon french toast tasted like lemon, heaven forbid, and I quote: Not like bread or cinnamon or anything french toast-like .why in the world would I want my 'lemon' french toast tasting like cinnamon ewww. ijs. everyone's plate going by looked more delish than the last - can't wait to get back to try more 'n' more items...next up if available...for sure is that lobster omelet! my daughter was disappointed she didn't get to meet the chef but enjoyed her food and our quality time immensely nonetheless . Thank you B&B for a perfect setting. Moms: there's a nail spa right across the street ! Sincerely, a satisfied customer
(4)
Lyla C.
I never review anything unless I really like it. These folks are truly making their food with love. I am obsessed. get the pork chop special while you can. By far the best chicken and waffles I have had in Chicago
(5)
I L.
Very, very good, and consistent. I just wish they would offer a healthy breakfast choice or two. When they had an egg white special, it was loaded with a creamy sauce that negated the egg whites. (Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but I am looking for healthy choices on the menu every week!! My husband doesn't care as much, but I do!) Offer a fruit bowl, egg white frittatta or something that I know I can enjoy guilt free.
(4)
Suvondal E.
The Flight of French Toast!!! There's nothing else to say. It can get extremely cozy on the inside at times and before you know it the bill can add up but its worth every bite!
(5)
Tory w.
B and B has ruined just about every other breakfast place in Chicago for me. I literally don't want to go anywhere else. EVER. And to think, if I had gotten the address right of another Lincoln Avenue breakfast joint, I might never have stumbled upon this amazing place. I've been four or five times now and I love it more every time. The staff is really, really friendly, especially a particular waiter who loves to tell riddles and is absolutely hilarious and so personable that you want to invite him to join you for breakfast. Chef Ryland (I think) regularly makes the rounds of the restaurant and personally asks everyone how they are enjoying their meal. It's obvious that he has a great deal of pride in his little business, as well he should! The decor is pretty and inviting. But all of this would amount to nothing if it didn't have quality food, it is a restaurant after all! Let me just say: The food is simply incredible. Almost everything is homemade, organic, local, FRESH, etc. They even grind their own sausage. I highly, highly recommend the flight of French toast - I think I've had it every time I've gone. It's so good I can never decide which flavor to save for last. I usually end up regretting saving anything for last because I am so full! The sausage is full of flavor, both the pork and chicken are good. The cheesy potatoes are one mouthful after another of cheesy goodness. I've never ordered their specialty, the Cluck and Gaufre, which is fried chicken in a sweet potato waffle with fried chicken on top, but a friend has had it and said it was good. On top of all of this, a righteous cup of coffee. You can't go wrong with B and B.
(5)
Wilonda G.
I good friend took me the Saturday before my birthday. She warned me the wait would be long. It was totally worth it. Everything I ate was simply beautiful. I am a lover of breakfast. We had the super flight which was a taste of about 5 different french toasts. Each one was amazing. And also, during that time, they featured a crab omelet, it left me speechless.The following week we returned and ordered the crap omelet once more considering it was the last day for it. We have all intentions on returning soon and frequently.
(5)
Kate D.
My fiancee and I have been here about ten times since randomly popping in on a Saturday morning. I can't get enough. Honestly. And the fact that there is a different french toast each week, keeps us coming back. I just keep wondering, how WILL he top the last one?! I've had the Cluck N' Gravy many a time, and I can't recommend it enough. The super flight is my other's favorite choice. I've also had the deconstructed omelets (Crab and Chicken Fajita) as well as the Banana Nut Belguique. All wonderful. Our service is always great. Food always the freshest ingredients. Always a pleasant weekend treat!
(5)
Jill S.
I was looking for a place to stop in and get a quick coffee and treat on my way to an appointment - and I happened upon Batter & Berries. The people who work there are wonderful, and I felt very comfortable sitting at a table sipping a nice, strong cup of coffee and eating a little plate of the best cornmeal shortbread cookies. This is definitely a place to be added to your list of breakfast/brunch/lunch stops!
(5)
Elliot O.
Foods unreal. Price is kind of high but still worth going. You get a lot for your money.
(4)
Emily L.
First time in, played it safe with a signature dish of blueberry waffles. First bite in, i knew i would be back! I typically think breakfast places think that one wants nothing more on a Sunday morning than to eat their weight in pancakes and maple syrup only to feel over served and under productive the rest of the day. Not so here. Perfect portion size to Keep Calm and Carry On with your day! Next time in, tried their breakfast wrap... I didn't think I could have trumped the blueberry waffles love, yet the addition of their homemade hot sauce easily became my first choice for the following week's order. Oh and they have a "Waffle of the Week" that changes every Sunday-big fan of going Sunday (as do others but the wait is barely 15 minutes max for party of 2)
(5)
Noemi C.
Best French Toast I've had! Definitely going back. (Had the Flight, they were all good).
(5)
Nikki D.
Food here was okay, but the service was terrible. I brunch with with my girlfriends about once a month, and since a few of us live in the neighborhood we thought we'd give this new local spot a try. Sadly, the service was so poor we will not go back. The server was slow to come introduce himself, slow to take our order, we had to flag him to get coffee refills after all three of our mugs were completely empty, and waited about 40 minutes after we ordered our food to have it on the table. His apology was that "the kitchen is really small," which is a) not true because you can see right inside the kitchen from most of the tables, and b) a poor excuse, since we saw several other tables who were seated after us get their food significantly sooner than we did. The french toast was pretty good (I had the "flight" and liked the lemon best) but was not so amazing to risk wasting so much time waiting for it to come. Sorry Batter & Berries - I liked the idea and was hopeful this would be the new neighborhood gem, but I will not be back.
(2)
KeyandD L.
The food is awesome. ..everything made fresh and from scratch! Service was good...staff was friendly...food was AMAZING. Only wish they had a mobile website, would have made it easier to find/call! I will definitely go back!
(5)
Brittany L.
The food here is excellent. Their french toast is the best I've ever had and the maple butter they put on it is amazing. The only downside is how small the restaurant is so it gets extremely busy on the weekends. I usually go between 8 and 9 on the weekends to avoid the wait. Once you are seated, you get your food pretty fast even when they are really busy.
(5)
James H.
Here on a Sunday for brunch. An hour wait so went to Starbucks for coffee. Had the chicken and waffles, they were awesome! The eggs benedict was ok. The French toast with berries was great! Well worth the wait.
(4)
Aaron F.
My friend and I came here and ordered/split a super flight french toast. And then ordered another. 26 bucks. I'm not a french toast expert, but this stuff was better than anything i've ever tried to make/have ordered, nice. Chef was a cool guy. As a 19 y/o I never had anyone come up to me other than my server, nice. I dk why people complain about the layout. There were chairs that we sat on, and tables that we ate on. It was clean. Nice. -1 because our server was okay, whatever..lol.
(4)
Evelyn H.
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try on a Saturday afternoon and came in with the expectation to wait a bit for a table. The long wait time that other reviewers mention is definitely true on a weekend. We ended up waiting a little over an hour when we had originally been quoted the wait time to be "45 minutes or less". It might also be true that those with bigger parties get seated first and if I ever plan to come again, I'm going to find a third or fourth person to string along or maybe even try and join forces with another party of 2. :P Anyway, the food was pretty good and came out extremely quick. I love cheese, so I was I happy to see so much gooey cheese in the midst of my deconstructed omelet and in my hash browns. No complaints there. My boyfriend's dish came with fries and those were delicious as well. There was however, one slight issue with the service. My boyfriend had asked for a soda when we first placed our order but when our meals came, his drink didn't arrive along with it. Our server came by once, to hurriedly drop off some ketchup and hot sauce and didn't come back until we had finished our meal. When she came with the check at the end of the meal, she said something to the effect of "I never brought you your drink so of course I didn't add it on your check", chuckled, and left. Seriously? She honestly shouldn't have even mentioned it because at that point, we had just about given her the benefit of the doubt that she might have forgotten about it. An apology or offering a free drink next visit or somethingggg would have been a nice attempt at saving the situation (even if she had brought the drink out midway through the meal would have worked) instead of just pointing out the mistake and not providing any sort of remedy for it.
(3)
Carmen B.
If you want good pancakes, visit this spot. I had the Buckwheat pancakes - not a high level of buckwheat in the batter (I like that), but I could clearly taste the flavor. Nice fruit accompaniments, a maple butter and maple syrup, which makes a difference to me. There was a mix of families with kids and adults. The staff was very nice, service was pretty quick and I enjoyed Sunday brunch. Next time I'll check out the omelets.
(3)
Ryan C.
Visited Chicago for the weekend and this place was near by. The table couldn't decide what to get so we had 5 different breakfast items. Everything we had was delish. I have told everyone about this place and if I ever make it back to Chicago I am definitely making it back. Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle - Highly Recommend French Toast Flight - A must even if you get one to split. Hopefully they have the white chocolate peanut butter option Deconstructed Steak Omelet - Amazing and the cheesy hash browns are so good. Brunch is the time to go. Service when we went was great. Friendly, quick, and very knowledgeable. Thanks for the great food!
(5)
Hana Y.
Great place for a girls' brunch and it's BYOB, so bring your mimosas!
Can someone say delicious? I absolutely love this place. Not just food it's an experience. Yumtastic!!! I need more stars.
(5)
Sheila C.
I'm sorry but - Don't believe the hype! First off, I went with my two daughters on a Monday morning thinking it wouldn't be too busy. It was. Getting in the door was a hassle because there's no room to come in. Then you get shouted at to come all the way in so the doors can close. But there's no where to go. The place is too small. We gave our name and was lead to the "waiting area". What a joke. It's in the middle of the restaurant and is only big enough for 6 people. There were already 6 people there so we, as well as about 10 others, were standing in the path of the servers, trying not to bump into them and vice versa. We finally got seated by the door (remember this is where the mob of people pretty much have to stand because the waiting area is full) and my daughter makes the comment that she loves looking at butts while eating...and there was a sea of them. Anyway, we all got the flights of French toast. We were not impressed. It tasted like regular toast with a drizzle of flavor. It was dry. The scrambled eggs were browned, the bacon wasn't cooked enough and I never got a refill on my coffee. Maybe we're not sophisticated enough but I wished I could have regurgitated the whole meal and gone to the Original House of Pancakes and had a satisfying breakfast for under $50 instead of the $72 I spent. Oh, yeah...The young lady who led us to the waiting area, acted like she just totally did not want to be there.
(2)
Patricia M.
New and exciting menu! Chef is very creative and does great job marrying flavors! Nice place. Good service! I will return.
(4)
Patrick C.
Was there this past weekend and plan on going back. the service was good, food was unique and REALLY good. I like the feel of the place and loved the fact that the chef/owner came out to welcome us and ask for feedback. You have to feel good about a guy asking for your biz, asking for you feedback.
(5)
Apollo T.
Overall, the food is OK for a brunch place; nothing spectacular. The lemon French toast is good, but everything else is just average. Nothing on the menu is a standout and all the food taste pretty blah. The omelets are particularly bad: they're like an overcooked Denny's omelet - belch! (And those are really gross!) On my 2nd visit, I didn't bother to start or finish the omelet - I had it removed. I gave the place 3 visits. There are other, better places to eat. Service, however, is an absolute nightmare - by the maitre d, the wait-staff, and by Donald, the manager. In my final visit, I came as a single person and watched as my name was obviously and intentionally overlooked as the maitre d repeatedly seated individuals who signed in after me. Her feedback: "We can seat 2 at a table for 4, but not 1 at a table for 2 when it's busy." That made NO sense considering it was late on a Sunday and it wasn't busy. I purposely arrived later in the day to avoid the long wait. I brought this to the attention of Donald and he just looked at me as though I were speaking French. The guy is totally useless. The maitre d: If you're not careful, she'll seat you at the worst possible table: right near the bathrooms. On my 2 initial visits with a friend, she wanted to place us near the bathroom when other two-person tables were available. Go figure. The wait-staff: For all 3 visits, I had to ask for things: more water, silverware, syrup for the French toast, napkins. On the 1st and 2nd visits (when the omelet didn't work out), I asked for soft scrambled eggs. Each time they came back hard as a rock. I asked the wait-person if that looked like a soft scramble and each time it was "They look OK to me." When I asked if they knew the difference between a hard scramble or a soft scramble, the first wait-person said no and the second one shrugged her shoulders. I accept that it's the kitchen's fault, but I recall each wait-person had a hard time with "runny, half-cooked eggs." Both times I brought this to the attention of Donald. He says a lot without saying anything: "I understand. We try to give customers the best service," etc., etc., ad nauseum. It was like hearing a recording. He even admits the kitchen staff are challenged on how to execute a soft scramble. Really?! And getting the check on all 3 visits was an effort in futility. Once they serve the food, they're gone! Not a big place, but it's challenging to track down the primary wait-person. If you want me to wait for an hour or longer for average brunch food, it definitely will NOT be Batter & Berries. I'm done. After 3 visits, I won't be back. But, good luck to them. They seem to be popular and I'm sure they'll survive without my contributions.
(2)
Anna C.
My husband and I went to eat breakfast at this location because we bought a restaurant.com gift certificate. We sat down and I ordered the french toast flight and my husband ordered the chicken and waffles. We thought our food was quite good and would be willing to come back. However when we received our bill we were told by our server that the establishment was no longer taking the gift certificates and that we had to present the certificate before we sat down. We looked on the paper and no where does it say that we had to mention it before we ordered. We asked to speak with the manager, which he later came to the table to discuss the issue. He told us they no longer accepted the gift certificates any longer and did not do a thing to make the situation better. This place has poor customer service and even after speaking with the manager found that they do not know how to treat their customers. Needless to say, we will not be going back and they will say anything to make a few extra bucks. On our way out, we asked to speak with the manager again about the situation. The manager explained that no one in their business signed up for restaurant.com and that restaurant.com put the gift certificates online without permission from the establishment. When we spoke with him a few minutes earlier about the issue he never mentioned that and simply said that they were no longer accepting the gift certificates. It seems like they are changing their story so they do not have to give the discount and are will to lose customers over a few extra dollars.
(1)
EC C.
Love this place. Great atmosphere, Owner is amazing guy, & the food... Well there is none like it. Food is the best. Thanks for being available.
(5)
Tal C.
Really 3.5 stars but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now because it's new. Solid new breakfast place in Lakeview. The menu is mainly french toast and belgian waffles, with some deconstructed omelettes and sides. I got the deconstructed spinach omelette, my husband got the fried chicken and waffles, and we split a flight of french toast (1 of each of the 4 flavors). The french toast really is amazing and definitely worth going back for. It's made with homemade batter so each kind really tastes fresh and different rather than just a piece of regular french toast with flavored sauce on it. My husband really like the fried chicken and chicken-stuffed waffles but said the chicken in the waffles was kind of weird. The deconstructed omelette is just okay- I really think they need to step it up a bit in their egg department and offer their omelettes also as scrambles, and also have a build your own omelette option. Either way, I know that putting the toppings on top of the omelette makes it easier to make the omelette, but it is a lot more difficult to eat- everything just fell out. Overall though, good food, service was efficient and friendly, reasonable prices, and best of all, no wait. Go for the french toast though, it's awesome.
(4)
Miriam M.
How amazing is Batter & Berries? It is extraordinary. It is totally worth missing an extra hour of sleep to get there early to ensure you get a table without waiting a long time to be seated. The french toast flight is not to be missed, but always upgrade to the Super Flight! The food is exceptional. I took my husband and teenagers and they loved it. I went back a few weeks later with my girlfriends and their daughters for a mom and daughter outing and it was fun and the experience was still just as great. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Tussimee is not to be missed. He is the best waiter we have ever, ever had the pleasure of dining with. Take everyone you know, they will love you for it. This restaurant is not be missed.
(5)
r.v. s.
Seriously? $75 for a family of 4 (with two small kids) to eat a so-so breakfast? The waiter pushed the extra kiwi french toast on us on St Patrick's Day-- bleah..!Coffee was bleah... And the service was sloooooow. Nothing stellar or stand-out, and once the place gets going, the small space is not for the claustrophobic. The lemon french toast was good, though...
(2)
Amanda W.
Just opening up but the place is decent. They still need to work on a couple of kinks. Serve breakfast and lunch all day. *Lemon French Toast: Yes! If you like lemon, get it. The french toast looks like normal french toast but the inside is super moist with almost a creamy lemony center. Lemon zest on top, served with walnuts (tasted like candied walnuts) and lemon maple butter. My only gripe was that it wasn't warm by the time we got it. I think they timed it wrong since it came out at the same time as our other dish (which was warm) but this would have tasted better if they had found a way to keep warm until they brought it out to serve. *Tempura battered Fish and Chips:Light and crisp outside, very flavorful, big hunks of fish cooked well. The fries had a little too much seasoning for my taste but I enjoyed whatever they used to season them Not my #1 brunch place but I would definitely go back...especially for that lemon french toast.
(3)
Bonnie A.
Everything was really good. I came here for a birthday brunch with a few friends and we all shared each other's food. The french toast was FABulous! I really like the fact that the french toast was designed to not need extra condiments. It was a very French-like thing to do like it is considered rude to ask for A1 sauce for your steak. A friend ordered filet mignon and it sounds odd to say this but it was definitely one of the better filet mignon I've had and this is a brunch place!! The artwork hanging on the walls were intriguing too, not the usual artwork with paint splattered all over the canvas and selling for $400-500.
(4)
stephanie s.
Wait was supposed to be 15 minutes... 80 minutes later sat down for our meal! Food was not great; 2 of my friends spent the majority of the afternoon in the bathroom. Will not be returning.
(2)
Kara S.
So I just got back from Batter and Berries and I wish I could give this place 0 stars.....where do I begin? How about the disgusting looks we received once we walked into the door as if we didn't belong in the Lincoln Park area. The hostess acted as if she was hesitant to sit us as if we would run out on the check or something. We were seated and we waited about 20 minutes for our waitress Nadine to come. We continuously were looking at our waitress and she finally looked at us and said she would be with us. But of course before she came to our table she stopped at the couple's table that was there way after us to take their order. I was pissed and I wanted to leave but my friends and I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Their order came out and guess what....my order didn't. I sat for about 20 minutes without food. I was upset, an it got the point where I didn't even want my food. Nadine the waitress insisted on me trying my food and bought it out anyway 15 minutes later. I got it and it was nothing to brag about. At the end of our meal I asked for the manager, he took his time to come over but when Don came by I was glad to share my dining experience with him. While I was telling what happened and how his bust boys were using our table as if it was cleaning station he just looked at me as I was wasting his time. Homeboy had the audacity to offer my friends and I a $5 gift certificate for "our troubles" for our $70.00 bill. Sorry Don you will not insult me so you can keep your measly $5 gift certificate. I have never in life been treated by someone of my own race the way I was. Whenever I spend money with other cultures I am treated with way more respect and they are more accomandatining. I will never visit Batter and Berries ever again in life. I used to think it was truly sad when I would hear African Americans say they don't support black businesses but after my experience at Batter and Berries with the hostess, Nadine, and the manager Don I now understand their reasoning....never again will I visit this establishment
(1)
Missy C.
Expensive. The buttermilk pancakes sweet times ten! Only butter is maple flavored which is also over sweet. Waiter advised chicken sausage sweet. Eggs are like egg beaters.....definitely not fresh. If you like it loud and sweet this is your joint. The plate had some pretty berries that I enjoyed. Coffee good. Waiter very loud, friendly but in attentive to necessary details....my friend didn't have water and my eggs were delivered after I had almost finished my pancakes.
(2)
Ashley N.
Great food, great service!!!! Please come to the southside!!!!
(5)
Tiff B.
The wait on the weekends is brutal, but no worse than other brunch hot spots in the city. It's worth it for the delicious caramel french toast. My husband loves the chicken and waffles dish and they play awesome music to boot. The owner and manager are both very friendly and are always walking around greeting the customers. I'm not sure if the lunch menu items are any good, but if you stick with the french toast, you can't go wrong.
(5)
Katherine H.
Let me explain why I gave this place 5 stars: Service: We had Sam - he was tentative, prompt, knew the specials, nice, and quick. He weren't overly nice (like fake-nice), we didn't have to wait too long to take our order or receive any refills, food, or extras. Your server is not the only one who will be paying attention to your table - the hostess cleared our table as she was walking by. The owner was walking around pouring coffee (we had already gotten coffee, but he still stopped by our table). I give extra props to the owner for walking around to almost every table and asking how their food is, how they are doing, if they have any questions, etc. You can tell he is proud of his product and restaurant, as he should be. Even the chefs were walking around, serving food and asking about their product. It was a great sight. Wait/seating: We did go for brunch on a Sunday at 12:45. We were told our wait (for 2 people) would be around 30-45 minutes. We were seated promptly before 1 - so about 15 minutes, not bad at all. They have the option to either sit at a normal table or a community-style table (when seats become available). We were sat at a normal two-top. There isn't a lot of waiting space, but service goes quickly so as long as you don't come in with a big party, I feel like you'll easily get a table within the wait time (if not quicker). Seating is a little cramped, but not as bad as some brunch places I've been to. Food: I was very impressed by the options on the menu - they had both a breakfast and a lunch side, which is good for brunch-goers who may not necessarily want breakfast-style food at the time. Most of the options on the breakfast side were traditional breakfast items with a twist, which I liked. At our table we had the buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries and homemade maple butter, cheese-crusted hash browns, homemade pork sausage, and chicken with sweet potato waffles. The menu explicitly states that things like salt, pepper, and syrup are available upon request, but they recommend trying it how the chef prepares it - which we did. My pancakes were soft, fluffy, and a little crispy around the edges - just how I like them. There was a little lemon-zest in the batter, which added a great depth to the flavor - not your original, plain buttermilk pancake. The maple butter really complimented the pancakes and the combination of butter, powdered sugar, and berries made the need for syrup nonexistent. The pork sausage was good - not the best I've had - but the flavor was really fresh and not overpowering and really complimented both of our meals well. The hash browns were perfect - I aways feel the need to add salt/pepper to my hash browns when I go out, but not this time! My boyfriend's sweet potato waffles were delicious - and I am very picky about waffles (they were really soft, almost like a pancake, that's why I liked them). They had maple butter as well and the chicken - breast, lightly breaded, with homemade hot sauce on top - really went well with the waffles. A perfect combination. Long story short, I highly recommend this place. I will go back, but never with a party larger than 4 people if I go on a weekend. I'm happy to have a small, unique place with a tentative staff, owner, and chefs in our neighborhood. So far my favorite brunch place in Chicago.
(5)
Ndh H.
French toast is out of bounds! I'm a HUGE french toast lover & this is by far the best I've ever had. I had the blueberry & others had the carmel. Both were great but that carmel was excellent, not too sweet like I expected. I love chicken sausage but this was quite bland. If I were in a blind taste test I would never had guessed that it was supposed to be sausage. It's missing the much needed thyme, fennel, sage & red pepper flakes. Tasted like a plain chicken burger so it definitely needs some work. This is a rather tight space so I'd suggest parties of 4 or smaller & if you're going for breakfast..GO EARLY or you will be waiting. The chef came out to see how service was, that was very welcoming. And yes I told him about the sausage! :)
(4)
Rachel B.
Waking up "early" on a Sunday wondering where to get some grub. We're visiting friends who just moved into Lakeview, so Lincoln Park was en route and a colleague said how great Batter and Berries was. For a table of 2, we waited less than 5 min - note: before 10am. I got the cluck n gaufre( chicken and sweet potato waffle) - AMAZING! My husband got the deconstructed spinach omelet and it was great, too. Friendly wait service and awesome food, parking is free on Sundays, too.... we'll be here again!!
(5)
Dm32 M.
4 friends and I waited 1 hr 45 mn outside to be seated. The foolishness behind this wait time was 5 people in our goup, so we had to wait until a group of five left. So in the mean time groups of 4, 3 and were seated before us. To add insult to injury the table size was the same!!! Also we couldn't change any of the ingredients of our meal, but food was ok.
(1)
Lanell R.
Some of the best Chx and waffle you can find. Get therr early, it gets packed.
(4)
Cam L.
This is a nice breakfast place with a friendly staff and a good atmosphere. The food was pretty good and they tried to bring a good spin on breakfast food (deconstructed omelettes, etc.). The main sticking point was trying to serve patrons food that didn't need anything extra like condiments or salt/pepper. Give it a try.
(3)
Dawna G.
Great breakfast even if you don't get the french toast! I had the deconstructed spinach omelette and added chicken sausage on top. It comes with a tasty sauce on it. What's great about it is you can see all of the ingredients, they're all very fresh and you get generous portions. My father had the chicken fajita omelette with some hot sauce on it. Colorful bell peppers, thick slices of onion and chicken, really good and flavorful. The homemade chicken sausage is a must order side. We also tried the french toast. We're not big waffle/pancake/french toast fans but we loved the mocha french toast with mocha butter on it. The service was great--we came on a weekday so perhaps not a real "test" for service. The owner came out and greeted us and others and asked us about the food. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Taylor D.
One of my favorite breakfast places honestly. Today we left because after the host telling us it would be 35 minutes we waited, and waited. All the while while about 5 different tables got seated that were not even on the list...we had been next on the list the whole time we were waiting. I would have said something but the host kept disappearing. Very disappointing.
The "Chicken and Goof," a sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken and topped with fried chicken tenders, a spicy sauce, and maple butter, is the BEST brunch dish I've ever had in my life. I've had chicken & waffles many times, but the sweet potato waffle at Batter & Berries changed the dish, for the better, completely! We also dug into the French toast sampler, which included 4-5 of their French toast dishes. My favorite was the lemon and strawberry. I highly recommend this if your idea of breakfast is dessert. Batter & Berries is BYOB, and the pitchers of mimosas (pineapple, orange, or both) are a must. This place is hot, hot, hot! They do not take reservations, and you will have to wait. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. I knew there would be a lengthy wait, but the hostess was really wishy washy when I asked how long it would be. She told me, "an hour...hour and fifteen...hour and a half..." okay, which one is it?! I checked in later and got the same response. You can give them your name though, and they will text you shortly before your table is ready. I already said it was hot, but that's also in regard to the temperature. This restaurant is small, there is a kitchen cooking lots of food, and there are a lot of people crammed in here. Don't be afraid to roll on an extra swipe of deodorant, and do dress for the weather. Despite the long wait (which was anticipated anyway) and the swamp-ass feeling when we left here, the food is just so damn good that you have to give this place 5 stars.
(5)
Ariel B.
Ok so look... THERE IS GOING TO BE A WAIT... BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. The atmosphere is busy and active. The host and wait staff are friendly and knowledgable of the menu. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD ... Temperatures are correct. PLEASE TRY THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT. It's four different flavors (lemon, caramel, strawberry, and blueberry) the bread is so sweet with a slight crunch at the crust.. Perfection we also ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffle as well as the deconstructed steak omelet. The chicken breast we cooked to perfection it was Juciy and seasoned well and the waffle had just enough sweeteness. The steak was cooked to a medium and accompanied with a very tasty gravy over the cheese filled omelet. Everything was tasty and worth the money. Defiantly a must try in Chicago!
(5)
Jacinta W.
I'm pretty sure I am in love! I was told to try this place out by a friend and oh boy!!! We were there shortly after 8am and waited about 10-15mins. They use a text message system to call you for your table. I received one text saying our table would be ready shortly. This text you have to respond to or they will pass you over and you would have waited for nothing. Then you receive another one saying "Your table is ready." The inside is small and quaint. Decorated nicely and efficient. All the staff was polite and friendly. Which is always a plus! As we were being seated we were asked about drinks and and they arrived instantly. The server shared the specials with us and allowed us time to review the menu. My friend and I both ordered the Top Flight and bacon. The Top Flight is their French Toast sampler. There is Blueberry, Strawberry, Carmel, and Lemon. All the flavor a were perfect, not over powering and the bread was cooked with a nice crispness to it. I can't stand no soggy French toast. Each one had a little sauce and fruit on it. The maple butter is heavenly, light and not to sweet. I did have to send my bacon back...I need my pig cooked a little longer. Can't eat no limp bacon so be careful about that. Our food came out so fast I didn't even have time to play on my phone after ordering . And yes it was HOT! If you're in town DEFINITELY GO EAT HERE!! And I'll be back!!!
(5)
Tracey G.
My sister and her daughter invited me here with them.. Although the wait was very long. The food and the serves made up for it.. This food was totally off the charts delicious. I had the lemon French toast and the chicken omelette omg I love it Tracey G.
(5)
Ruth D.
I kept seeing my facebook friends going to and posting about Batter and Berries and I was dying to go too. So a friend visits from out of town and wants to go so it's a no brainer. I finally got my chance! My friend, my husband and I went first thing (around 8:30) on a Friday morning so we avoided the long wait that people mention on the weekends. It did get much busier as we were leaving though so I think we were smart to arrive so early. We were seated promptly and approached by a fantastic server. He welcomed us all, and asked if it was our first visit. When we told him it was he made us feel very welcome and ran down the specials and suggested the French Toast flight. He made everything sound delicious so it was hard to choose. I ordered the crab cakes but also had tastes of my friend's French toast flight and my husband's chicken fajita omelette. The crab cakes were good enough to want to order them again but I think I'd like to try more things on the menu in the future. EVERYTHING was delicious! They don't really do special requests but there's something for everyone on the menu and the food is so good it doesn't really matter. The food arrived promptly, our water and coffee were refilled in a timely manner and we had a manager check in on us toward the end of our meal. My husband was wearing a Phi Beta Sigma shirt and the manager told us the owner was an Omega. My friend and I are Deltas so we were also pleased to be supporting a member of the Divine Nine! I now see for myself why this place is so popular and just as I guessed, I've been missing out! It was a win win and we will ALL definitely be back for the delicious food and great service.
(5)
Lily Z.
This is more of a 3.5 than a 3. We don't get to brunch very often and I've had this place bookmarked for the longest time. So when I got my time off approved, we headed straight here for their famous french toast! I love french toast. It's pretty much the only thing that I eat for brunch. I did not splurge for the extra slice of white chocolate almond? for $2. 5 slices were enough for me. I ordered the flight of french toast (really liked the lemon. Blueberry was way too mushy. Strawberry was alright. Caramel didn't excite me.) Boy ordered the sweet potato waffle with chicken (waffle was very thick and heavy. Chicken was good. The hot sauce tasted like hot sauce straight from the jar.) Also, we ordered a side of cheesy hash browns which came in record time. Like less than 2 minutes from when we ordered it. Boy thought they were hash browns ordered from another table because it was THAT fast. Overall, would I come back? Probably not. The music was way too loud which made the restaurant even louder. It was hard to hear the person in front of me. Even harder to hear the waitress explain the specials of the day. Did she say a white chocolate omelet? Or white chocolate almond for the french toast flight? All I could hear was the heavy thumping of the music. Food was good, but I don't see myself coming back for anything else on the menu.
(3)
Tamekia J.
This place was so unexpected. It gets packed easily, so I wouldn't be surprised if they make some changes location wise soon. I just hope the food doesn't change as they grow. I ordered the Cluck n Gaufre. This was the perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy. I'm not really into chicken and waffles, but the sweet potato stuffed waffle caught my fancy. The waitress was fairly knowledgable, which is always refreshing. It's good to note that you can bring your own beverages.
(5)
Erica J.
On weekends, expect a wait of up to an hour, could be shorter depending on the time you go and how many are in your party. There's not much room to wait inside, so there's always a lot of people standing outside. Your entire party must be present before they'll seat you. Once you're seated, the servers are quick at getting your drinks and explaining the specials, but not the quick that makes you feel rushed just to get you in and out. More of an attentive, "how can we make your stay more comfortable" sort of feel. The kitchen is visible, which I always enjoy being the glorified germaphobe I've been decorated to be ;). The daily specials are posted overhead on chalkboards for your convenience. The restaurant is also BYOB. The French toast flight is delightful. It includes a sample of each of the four different kinds of french toast. The super flight throws in a sample of the flavor of the week. Don't be afraid to try one of the specials. This place does an excellent job of combining flavors for an awesome, flavorful experience.
(4)
John H.
I really enjoyed the fresh taste in my meal. I would recommend this spot for all the true breakfast lovers. Be ready for a 45 minute wait, after that it is all good.
(5)
Kaley K.
Great/okay brunch spot! The good: -BYOB -french toast flight - great variety -chicken and waffles - tried my friends and they were REALLY good -good price for very tasty orange juice The not so good: -wait was long but expected for a brunch spot -all the food is very sweet, not as much a savory spot -long/crowded inside -bathroom was awkward, in the middle of the room so it felt weird waiting, also it was very dirty Overall I'd come back but not before trying other spots in the area.
(4)
Nicki P.
What a gem! We stopped in a on a Thursday afternoon and still had a wait. Not too long but about 20 min or so. Well.worth.it ! My fiance and I split the Buffalo chicken omelette and crab cake benedict. The one thing that I noticed, was the poached egg on the benedict was actually more on the cooked hard boiled side but in a good way. Both dishes were awesome! Service was quick and pleasant. I was happy that they had the text to table feature that let us know when it was time to be seated. I can imagine this place is slammed on the weekends so I think I will stick to weekdays but will definitely be back!
(5)
Dorim L.
As a few of the other yelpers have said, IT IS over-rated and over-priced. I had their shrimp/crab eggs benedict and it was just bland. First, they didn't even include an english muffin but just had the crab cakes topped with the poached egg. They didn't put enough hollandaise sauce. I also had a side of biscuits ($2) and gravy ($3). It was sort of dumb that they couldn't just combine the two so that's how they priced it. And I usually judge restaurants that serve brunch by their orange juice. I think they just used the tropicana from the carton instead of serving it fresh squeezed. I gave them one extra star since the crab cakes were made from actual crabs instead of crab sticks like the last restaurant I was in. I wasn't crazy about the service; I waited forever for my OJ. And the ambiance was incredibly loud. I sat at the communal table and the guy next to me was loud, cursing up a storm along with the chef who came out to converse with him. For a place that mentioned I had to wait an hour (I got in 10 minutes later since I was dining alone), I was left in a quandary as to why the place was so crowded.
(2)
Dennis S.
It was busy and loud, with terrific food. At 10:30 on a Wednesday morning there was still a wait for a table. For good reason. We had efficient friendly service and comfortable table spacing, so we didn't have to hear everyone else's conversation. I had absolutely awesome blueberry French toast. With a side of good thick bacon. Ladies with me had the French toast medely - half a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel. They were served on a long plate which allowed each of them to be separate from the others. Well received. The full menu had lots of interesting choices. We'll go back, but I don't expect to try to fight weekend morning crowds.
(5)
Tanya F.
Very refreshing and unique place in Lincoln Park! It's not an easy task to stand out as a highly recommended must try in Chicago: a foodies paradise of deep dish pizza,hot dogs and cheese corn. Batter and Berries owner Chef Rylon came out to greet us as we were eating and had a long discussion about the awesome coffee he serves. Of course I had to ask because (in my opin)nothing shows that you care like a carefully selected cup of java. And he does, displayed via his vast array of French toasts and non traditional brunch dishes such as the Rylon salad I had. It was made of a spinach shell, shrimp,mushrooms and a light citrusy but perfectly buttery scampi dressing. I will make this a stop every time I am in the city!
(5)
Teia T.
I have been hearing the buss about this place from friends and co-workers. Well, I've been there 3 times in 2 months. It's definitely a HOME RUN...you will not be disappointed. Maybe by the wait time, but definitely not the food or service. #loveit #loveit
(5)
Angelica C.
We walked in around 10am on Sunday AM and was told it was about 30 min for an individual table. We chose to sit at the communal table since it was immediate seating. Come hungry! I ordered the sweet potato waffle (which is sprinkled with chicken chunks and light covered with confectioner's sugar, YUM). Note an additional fried chicken breast comes on top drizzled with hot sauce. My bestie ordered the Biscuits & Gravy, they cooked our eggs just as we'd asked- over easy. The menu is pretty heavy, but was absolutely delicious. The service is fantastic, we were greeted in a timely fashion by our waiter, we placed our order, dove into conversation, then our food showed up nice and hot. We barely spoke much as we were too busy stuffing our faces, and washing it down with pretty decent coffee if you like it strong. Took a minute to get the check, but an overall satisfying experience and I will certainly be back to try a ham dish as I saw the kitchen dishing out quite a few of those! IMPORTANT: Free street parking on Sundays!
(5)
Sade A.
Batter & Berries is nothing to write home about. The food was good. We had the lemon French toast, caramel French toast and the traditional plate which included cheesy hash browns, eggs and bacon. Very underwhelming especially for the price- 4 wedges of french toast that equals 2 slices of bread, costs $10. If I am going to pay 10 bucks for 2 slices of bread dipped in eggs, it better be an orgasmic experience. And it was not even close, the French toast was not even made with brioche bread and as stated on the menu. I guess I bought into all the hype. The hash browns were interesting and not in a good way. They were more like fried lumpy mash potatoes and when cooled off the melted cheese turned rubbery. Ok so I know I am a little harsh but I was really looking for my taste buds to be blown away.... We went on a Friday morning around 9 am and we were seated promptly. Courteous & fast service and a clean setting but the location size was on the cozy side. I recommend you give them a try but know this; they are a regular breakfast/ brunch place nothing out of the ordinary with overpriced food, and certainly not worth standing in a long line. Once you understand that, you should have a favorable experience!
(3)
Brad L.
I was expecting a lot after hearing about the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chicken. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with this experience. We ordered the chicken and waffle dish and a "deconstructed" broccoli and cheese omelet with cheesy hash browns. The cheesy hash browns sounded great and looked delicious but they were completely lacking in flavor of any type. I could barely taste any cheese, tried putting salt on it, but the coarse salt they put in the shaker couldn't fit through the holes! What's going on here?? I can't be the first one to notice this. The omelet, which was a 2 egg omelet for $9 was also completely flavorless and I was left without the option of adding my own salt. Thankfully the pepper flowed freely. This "deconstructed" idea for an omelet just seems lazy. There was a small egg patty with some cheese on top, which had a few basically raw stalks of broccoli. Like I said, this just seems lazy, so you don't cook the broccoli and then I have to cut it up myself?? Jedi mind trick way of making this seem gourmet while saving labor costs if you ask me. I'm not sure what they were going for with this deconstructed concept, but it was a flop in my opinion. I'm dumbfounded that they were able to ruin two seemingly easy slam dunks: omelets and cheesy hash browns.... Now to the better dish, the chicken and waffles. The waffle was great! Wonderful flavor and the house made hot sauce actually adds a lot of flavor and balances out the sweet flavor of the waffle. Maple butter was good. There is supposed to be chicken inside of the waffle, but I was only able to find two or three small pieces, not what I would call chicken "stuffed." The "fried" chicken that came with it was oddly spiced with too much rosemary or thyme, not sure what it was, but the flavor was way off for the other flavors in this dish. Also, for fried chicken there was no breading and it was not even close the the crispy texture I expect from something called fried chicken. I found the price to be just a little steep at $13, mostly because the chicken was not at all a worthwhile addition and the only thing satisfying about the experience was the waffle which should be sold by itself for something like $7-8. Now I certainly don't mind paying more for great food, but this was not great. Service was fine, no complaints, no compliments. Coffee was good. Restaurant was clean. I do not like the communal table idea that was in the middle of the restaurant and would probably refuse to sit there personally. I don't think I'll be back, but if I do go, I would probably try the french toast. Given their seeming lack of ability to flavor anything other than breakfast sweets, I think that would be the safest bet. I almost gave them 3 stars, but three out of the four main components of the meal were a total failure in my opinion. That, coupled with the salt shaker thing and the price = a negative rating from me.
(2)
Elizabeth B.
The service here was absolutely incredible. I went on a busy Sunday and my coffee was always piping hot and filled to the brim! I enjoyed an omlette and my friend ordered the sampler of French toast and we were vey happy! Would recommend to anyone-- my favorite breakfast spot in chicago thus far!
(5)
Alyssa B.
What can I say... This restaurant was FANTASTIC! The service was great, the owner/chef was personable and the food... Oh, to die for! I had the grilled salmon omlet with cheesy hash browns! Words don't describe the food orgasm I had. My friend had the Carmel French toast, a little sweet for my taste but None the less; can't go wrong with this dish. This dish also came with the homemade butter ( it taste like ice cream and can be eaten by itself ) my other friend had the lobster spinach omelet with cheesy hash browns. The lobster was juicy and not a stingy portion. Because I can go on... Enough about the food! This business is BYOB so we brought champagne and ordered a pitcher of orange juice. The waiter (Tusiime, best waiter I have ever met! He deserved every bit of the 40% tip left) He saw our champagne was hot and gave us a bucket of ice (awesome). Tusiime, was engaging, gave us riddle to laugh over and was just extremely pleasant. All in all I would return every Saturday for brunch and wait an hour just to sit in Tusiime's section. I recommend it for you; you have to go and don't forget your bottle of spirits!
(5)
Aradhana V.
I was looking up this place to send to a friend and was so surprised to not find a 5-star rating! Let me be clear - Batter and Berries changed my life. I was a simple tourist visiting Chicago from Berkeley, and after B&B - I became a happier (and probably 2 lbs heavier) foodie. Yes, I've had a fair share of glorious SF brunch encounters, but I still think most fondly about my brunch at this place! So we came here at about 10 AM on a Sunday morning. It was PACKED, but my amazing friends conceded to my crazy suggestion of staying for the 2 hour wait to try out this place. So we wrote our name down, and walked around and explored town. Since we were tourists, just walking around the residential neighborhood was nice but this might not be as fun for locals. I suggest just going to the nearby Starbucks. Anyways, our party of 6 (also explains the 2 hours wait in this small restaurant) ordered lots of food! My ALL-TIME-FAVORITE dish ever in the history of brunches was the sweet potato waffle topped with good ol' Southern style fried chicken. My friend and I still have nostalgic moments where we talk about the unique flavors of the herby chicken alongside the chewy and crispy sweetness of the waffle. *Pro tip: add some hot sauce with your maple syrup, a brilliant combination I learned about from Berkeley's 900 Grayson (which also has excellent chicken 'n waffles if you are in the area). SO DELISH AND SO DIFFERENT.The two things I love finding in my dishes. After having been to multiple brunch spots throughout northern California, I have yet to find a dish so perfect and quintessentially brunch-y. Other than this, they had on-point egg dishes and very yummy (but a tad too sweet) french toast. Come here and SHARE your dishes!! All the dishes are super cool and big, so it's better to share one dish per two people and then you get to try more things! Also, they have a 'Bring your own' wine service, which we didn't know about but that would have been a great concept to take advantage of! #TLDR: yes, small place but SO WORTH THE WAIT for all my brunch foodies out there, says a brunch lover miles away craving those chicken 'n waffles right about now.
(5)
Savanna R.
This place is small inside - but cute. Our wait felt like FOREVER but I think it was worth it. I have yet to come and not wait. I dont know if there is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Banana foster waffles ARE LIFE CHANGING! soooo good.
(4)
Chanel G.
Man oh man. This place literally lives up to the hype. I arrived to a very busy restaurant on a late Tuesday morning. It's a very loud restaurant because people are having the time of their lives. The server in the back told several jokes to keep the crowd going, and also sang happy birthday to the birthday folks. The host showed me to the waiting area and informed me of the "BYOB" policy. As long as you buy a beverage (ie orange juice) or a champagne flute, you can drink whatever you want! I obviously opted for some champagne from the 711 down the street. For my meal, my friend and I split a french toast flight, with the butterscotch one (the special for the week) added. I also had a side of egg whites and cheesy hash browns. You HAVE to get the french toast flight. You HAVE to. I don't even like french toast and this was absolutely superb. Upon receiving the flight, the chef requests that you at least try one bite of each french toast slice with the respective toppings and the maple butter. The maple butter is to die for. I was literally in heaven. My favorite was the caramel turtle one, but the blueberry one was a close second. In summary, split the flight with a friend and order one of the specials, which can change at anytime.
(5)
Soyun P.
The French toast here is amazing!!!! Seriously the best I've ever had. I would say that their sweet dishes are far superior to their savory ones (namely the crab cake Benedict and chicken and waffles). Service is terrific as well.
(4)
Tiana H.
Heard so many good things about this place and I must say things went smoothly for me. Went on a Sunday morning only had to wait about 5minutes. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. Even though I had my mind set up on what I wanted (after viewing pictures on here) she still broke it down for me and the hubby. I ordered the Super French Toast Flight (the special was the butterscotch rum) and had the Crab Cake Benedict, hubby had the Salmon Omelet. The food was delicious. The only problem I had was that it was barely warm I think they got his order wrong cause they brought out the lobster omelet (he's allergic to shellfish) and had to remake his and they just let mine sit while his were being remade! Overall it was a good experience and we planned on coming back with the in-laws. I just want my food to be hot next time!
(4)
Gino W.
I love the French toast. And since I didn't do my write-up soon after I had gone to Batter & Berries, I don't remember all of the slices that were in the flight of French toast that I had ordered. I will say that I plan to go back to have it again. For those of you who operate in slow motion, be forewarned that the restaurant packs out as soon as the doors open. They get a constant flow of customers and once you've had their offerings, you'll understand why.
(5)
Dana J.
I'm giving 4 stars based on the size of the restaurant and the hour wait to even get a table. Service was great and my caramel french toast was even better, I just wish they had a bigger restaurant or even a new location. I plan on returning!
(4)
Tommi S.
Geez!!! Love!!! This place was the highlight of my recent trip back to Chicago. Yes-you will wait. Yes-probably for a long time BUT...it's definitely worth it!! By far one of the most amazing breakfast experiences I've ever had. We ordered everything pretty much and sampled each others plates. I had the lobster omelet which had to have had an entire lobster in it...no joke. The portions are quite generous (I say this as a Texas girl). Heaven!! I also ordered the Strawberry French toast (don't judge me). Both were uber-delicious and beautifully presented within 8-10 min. Other insanely good bites while there: Sweet potato waffle w/chicken Champagne French Toast Shrimp Alfredo Omelet Not a place to sit down and chat...especially on the first visit...we were too busy oooh and ahhhing over our plates. Enjoy!
(5)
Tavi J.
This review gets 5 stars in my book because the food was excellent. I may have given it 4 stars if we had really had to wait the hour and 45 minute wait we were quoted when my girl got there at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon. We ended up running into a friend of hers and joining their group at the communal table. Right off the bat the service was excellent! Our waiter Tim acknowledged our present and reassured us he'd be back to take our order soon and he was. Besides that the owner and another waiter checked in on us throughout the entire time. Our food took about 20 minutes and they apologized for the long wait and offered us complimentary juice (pineapple juice is yummy) Now.....onto the best brunch food I have ever had! I had my heart set on ordering the crab cake Benedict, but they stop serving it the day before, so I got the lobster Benedict. It was so good!! I'm not a fan of poached eggs, but this was just delicious. My friend ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffles, which were also tasty. We shared the super flight French toast, which included a champaign option. That is the best French toast I have ever had! My favorite was the lemon. I was absolutely stuffed when we left. What a great black own establishment. I will be back and hopefully I'll either run into someone or luck out with seating right away :)
(5)
Art V.
This place is Awesome. The food is made to look visually appealing and seems like they take care to make each plate special and unique and not only does it look great, it tastes wonderful. My wife had the French toast special with five different types of French toast and loved every bite. I had a cheeseburger because I'm not a breakfast person and thought that I would just get that since my wife likes the place and I fell absolutely in love with this cheeseburger and large onion rings. This place is great go there and don't worry about the wait because it might be long.
(5)
Saleem A.
Excellent breakfast options and service is really quick. Right now, it's my favorite breakfast option in the city.
(5)
Kulsum J.
From the zesty chicken and waffles to the lobster/spinach everything had such rich flavor!!! Omg! def coming back! The French toast flight were orgasmic!!
(5)
Annie M.
I am so happy I finally got to try this place! The wait on a Sunday around 11:30 was about an hour, and there's not really anywhere good to wait, so we walked up and down Lincoln to kill time. We ended up being seated at a community table, which was totally fine since there was plenty of space for everyone. Looking at all the delicious plates around us made the decision on what to order way harder! Although I really wanted the french toast flight, I went with the crab omelet special. It was served with a little bit of cheese (I think smoked gouda?), a very light tasty sauce, and topped with squash and red onion. The best part: they didn't skimp on the crab one bit! Lots of huge, delicious chunks of white crab meat. The flavors all blended together perfectly. And it came with the cheese crusted hashbrowns. No joke, I would wait a full hour again JUST for those taters! The service was also awesome. The owners were walking around and chatting with the guests and the food came out very fast. The only real downside of this place (other than the inevitable wait time) is the lack of AC. After waiting outside in the hot for a long time, I was hoping to cool down once I went inside, but the air was very minimal. They also played some pretty weird dance party music...but it wasn't too loud or anything, just a little weird for brunch. Next time: I'd consider waiting an extra hour or so and hitting up Atlas Brewing Company right across the street during the hour wait. They open at noon on Sundays. I'd also bring a bottle of bubbly because it's a BYOB place. That's right: BYOB brunch!
(4)
Sheri M.
I have been hearing people rave about this place for breakfast for a while now. I went on a Tuesday around 11 and didn't have to wait at all. We were seated and served coffee quickly. Our waiter was superb with his service and very knowledgeable in terms of the menu and suggestions on what to eat. I had the pork chop and my mom had the steak. Both were seasoned well and were very tender as well. On my next visit, I hope to try the french toast that everyone raves about. Street parking was readily available at that time - which was a bonus!
(4)
Bill R.
What a wonderful dining experience for breakfast. The menu is absolutely amazing and very unique. The service is super fast and friendly and the place was packed with some very happy people. You have to try the French Toast Super Flight and the crab omlete! Also, the chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. Management is engaged and ensures that every customer is well-beyond satisfied and certain to return. This is a "must go" eatery!
(5)
Shannon K.
Solid four stars. I had the French toast flight, which was a nice sampler. If I were to order again I would just get the lemon French toast, since the lemony flavor really shines through. It's nothing out of the ordinary for brunch places, though, but the flavor is great and so is the service.
(4)
Raquel Munchi M.
I had very high hopes for this place was let down unfortunately by undercooked meat and overcooked eggs and a little bit of bad service! First, we checked in. Lady (thin, with long hair and eyelashes) told us about 20 mins. We ended up going to put more money in the meter down the street and when we returned we noticed "new people" we're getting called before us. Not only did the lady we checked in with look dead at us she went on to call another group of new people. she never came back out to see hmmmm why are they still waiting. We ended up asking another employee if our names been called and indeed it was. He was great. Polite and apologized. He showed us back to the greeter who didn't acknowledge us at all but began to walk. My brother and I looked at each other and said the same thing... "Do we follower her" down the aisle she turned back and seen we were still right where they left us she waved to come to her. (Like a pet) We sat down said thank you She said nothing. Our waitress was amazing! Came out like she wrote the menu her self. (I loved that) Explained everything in detail and was happy to answer any we had. The menu was great. I was a bit indecisive cuz it all sounded so good but decided to go with the French Toast Super flight. It was delicious. Every bite. My brother on the other hand ordered the Executive. Well done with poached eggs. His meat came back red. Again, waitress went above and beyond and got him a new steak. Only bad thing is by the time it was cooked he finished his food and so did I. The new steak was fantastic. But the timing and waiting was aggravating and inconvenienced us terribly since we were on the other side of town hoping to beat traffic to make it to pick up kids from school on time. Mgr asked how everything was. We explained. He took the entire meal off the order. My brother won't be back, I know that. But I just might give them another shot! We all have bad days.... I'll take it that was there's.
(3)
Keishana M.
After hearing so many great things about Batter & Berries,(and the mishap of experiencing bad service at another popular restaurant)I decided to try it for myself. "To my wonderful surprise, it was as good as it was hyped up to be!" "The Buckwheat pancakes w/chicken sausages were excellent!" To top off the buttery rich flavor of the pancakes, I added fresh fruit as a topping, and it wouldn't be me without a little bit of whipped cream..lol. The restaurant was clean, bright in coloring and the atmosphere was very pleasant and welcoming. This should have been the 1st choice of the day. I will definitely revisit, but next time I will explore more into their extensive menu. "I will be back very soon..!"
(5)
Melanie M.
The food is good. The hostess can be very rude. They used the texting system to inform you when your table is ready, a good idea but they have no fedility to the system. They have poor communication among the staff and try to insult your intelligence by giving you some bullshit excuse that makes no sense. The food is definitely worth the wait and the stress.
(1)
Shenice D.
Never again. I mean never again. Save your precious time (that you'll for sure waste) and dollars, & brunch elsewhere. I arrived Saturday morning to return since the food was so good last time. I was told there would be an hour wait. No big deal since I'd trekked all the way from the South Side & it was a beautiful day, we had no problem waiting. I notice an hour & 30mins had gone by & sent a friend to check on our table. The hostess told my friend there were 5 more parties ahead of us. I decided to go on & check myself because surely this was an error. I go in to inquire on the table, & the same info was repeated. I ask if it was over 30mins past the time given, why wouldn't they attempt to contact me? After all, they took my cell # down to contact me about the table. The host who had an attitude (young slim girl w/ thin weave & grey contacts) decided to tell me I walked in 30mins after I initially came in because thats what her tablet says. I then informed her I paid for parking & went to the Shell down the street AFTER putting my name down, & had the timestamps but that didn't matter. She wanted to debate, I just wanted to eat. Then a man w/ glasses, whom I assume is management cut in to tell me the time they give is "an estimate at best" & not to hold them to the exact time. Now from 1 hour to an hour & 45 mins, is far beyond an estimate. It's basically 1 hour compared to 2 hours. Finally get my table, and surprisingly it took the server 20mins to get over to the table. I felt bad for the man there to provide water & clean the table (hate the term bus boy) because we had to keep bothering him since our server was nowhere to be found. We finally got our food & my friend's plate was cold, not an ounce of warmth to it so she sent it back. The scallop omelet I had was good. But just too many issues to get that meal. There are several other brunch places around & the staff here act as if they don't have to provide proper customer service. They're (mostly) cocky & rude. Should've listened to the reviews I'd received from social media users. So much for trying to support black businesses. Back to Zed451 I go. Thanks guys!
(1)
Andrew H.
Disclaimer: this is all based on my attempt to have brunch on a Sunday, so not sure if things are different on other, less busy days. Take with a grain of salt. Attempted to get brunch last Saturday around 1pm. This was my experience... I was completely taken aback by the rudeness of the hostesses when I entered to inquire about wait time. I wasn't greeted, or welcomed. They just stared at me, with a look of disgust and annoyance in their eyes. The restaurant was set to close around 3pm, and given I had arrived 2 hours prior to that, they flippantly scrolled through an iPad, then said the wait was 2 hours, 45 minutes. The answer is annoying since it was clearly after they were set to close. And there were maybe 5-8 other people standing around and waiting, so where was this coming from? So, I didn't wait, nor will I ever attempt to. If this is how they greet and treat first time guests (with rudeness and flagrant dishonesty), I don't see why I'd spend those nearly-three-hours here when I can go to any of the great brunch places around time. Including the ones that sensibly offer reservations! The food could be amazing, but the the first sip of service left a distinctly bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Tiffany R.
Ok I've come enough times that I can now give an adequate review. I should start with the caveat that I am a vegan that occasionally eats seafood. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So for me there isn't a lot on the menu I can try. Most people go for French Toast but i don't like sweets. There is a veggie omelet but i find that the specials are always beyond amazing!!! The specials are usually seafood so that's the way I go. My favorite thing was the lobster Omelet when they had it. My mom said her Pork was very tasty, cooked perfecrly, and juicy...she was smitten. My little brother said the service is great, the presentation is amazing, nice portions for the price, seasoned well, and the menu is diverse. The chef came out and talked to customers.
(4)
Monique B.
I wish I could give this place a higher rating because I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, after waiting an hour my friend and I ordered deconstructed omlettes and shared a waffle flight. The food came out 5 seconds after we ordered it, meaning everything is pre-made in the back and that's why the omlettes are deconstructed, so that the cooks can just put some eggs on a plate and scoop the ingredients on top and churn food out quickly. The french toast flight was the same. All the french toast was the same, just with different toppings on the same standard french toast. I understand having to serve lots of people quickly, especially in a small space like this one, with a long line. However, if you're going to make things in bulk, and make me wait an hour to be seated I want it to be delicious. The food here was just ok. I do love that it's BYOB and I also think the service was good here, although not great. Overall, brunch is my favorite meal of the day and I doubt I'll want to come back here when there are other places with food that's just as good, service that's a little better, an environment where I can eat and drink more leisurely and don't have to wait for an hour. I'm glad I tried them once though.
(2)
Christelle S.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago. If you haven't been, you are seriously missing out! I've been here 3 times, and each time is just as good as the last! The first time I went I had the French toast flight. Ummm - best thing ever. The flight features a slice of blueberry, lemon, caramel, and strawberry french toast served with their maple butter. I tried to order maple syrup with it, but was told to try it first. Honestly, it is so sweet and delicious you don't even need anything extra. My second time I had the chicken and waffles. Everything is made so deliberately here so that the flavors combine in the perfect way in your mouth. I was instructed to take a bite of the sweet potato waffle, maple butter, and chicken with the hot sauce - the chicken has nutmeg in the batter that works well with the waffle and it literally is just mind blowing! Some of the best chicken and waffles I have ever had. Wow! On my most recent visit I ordered the lobster benedict (split the super french toast flight with my boyfriend though - addition of gingerbread toast). The lobster cakes were buttery and delicious, the hash brown were cheesy, and overall I left full and satisfied. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you live in Chicago or are just visiting. They get VERY busy on the weekends, so shoot for a weekday if you can. If not, get there early or be prepared to wait.
(5)
Courtney W.
First let me say I love a good brunch! We were visiting Chicago and I wanted to find a good brunch spot (preferably with a mimosa). I did a little research and came across this place. We arrived close to noon and it was packed. Yep, on a Monday! We waited about 10 minutes before our table was ready. The staff were very nice and professional. Everything on the menu sounded good but be mindful, there's 2 chalkboards (one in the main dining area and another close to the kitchen) with other specials and desserts written on a chalkboard. One thing on the chalkboard that stood out was the crawfish omelet *insert drooling emoji* I would have LOVED to try it but my mind was set on the wings and waffle. I also wanted to get some peach cobbler to-go but I forgot. I was fat and full by the time I left. LOL Anywho, I ordered the succulent sweet potato waffle which was topped with maple butter and a fried, crispy boneless chicken breast splattered with their homemade hot sauce. This is in the running for the best chicken and waffle I've ever had. It was sooooooooooo good! I did order extra hot sauce (.50) but the waffle really needed no syrup as it was already sweet enough. I had our waitress bring syrup anyway just so I could try it and it could go without. The maple butter was enough. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting Chicago. Don't shy away if it's a wait, they move pretty quickly and the food came out fast, hot and very tasty. Kudos!
(5)
Ena B.
Great food , fast and friendly food so good make you want to bring your mama . Not only was the French toast of every flavor great but the shrimp and crab Benedict fabulous
(5)
John T.
Over priced, Over seasoned, Over sauced breakfast food, combined with poor service. Not worth the wait or the Heartburn side affect.
(2)
Hannah T.
This was such a quiet day when we came in. The food was great and our server was really sweet. They have a french toast flight. I repeat: THEY HAVE A FRENCH. TOAST. FLIGHT. you're welcome.
(4)
Nya H.
I found this spot via Tumblr. Can you believe that tumblr! When I found out it was black owned, I decided yup this is a must. I was thrown off by the wait (1hr 30), however my sister and I had no problem exploring Chicago. I loved how tech-savvy they are. When you put down your name, they send you a txt to say when your table is ready. amen! FOOD: A++ The food came within 10minutes of us sitting down and ordering! This place crowded from wall to wall; so yes they deserve these 5 stars. The food was great. I ordered the Maple Rum French Toast. Excellente... Did not need any syrup and added bacon to finish it off! My sister enjoyed her biscuits and gravy which came with eggs and hash browns. COST/HOSPITALITY: A++ Our meal came out to $35. Well worth the money and wait. Everyone was friendly and I had a blast! Will be coming back and telling and bringing my friends & family.
(5)
Krupa A.
Three words. French Toast Flight! This was one of my favorite brunch visit's in the city with my spouse, and I can't wait to return. Yes, there is a long wait on weekends, but the food is worth it! I've never said this in a review before, but you can taste the LOVE in the food. It's all sorts of comfort food and tasty wonderfulness. I'm preggers right now, and am totally craving this place. Save calories to eat here or make sure you go for a long walk afterwards because the food is definitely an indulgence. My husband and I split the french toast flight, as well as a veggie omelet and both complemented each other really well. The maple butter is a great touch, and you don't even need syrup if you have the maple butter, just enjoy the flavors as is. Everything is seasoned and spiced perfectly. Our server was very welcoming and kind. He had an energy about him, that you couldn't help but tip him largely for! It was also nice to see the Chef walking around and greeting customers and regulars. This place draws a diverse clientele and it's nice to support local chefs. The only improvement I can think of is to improve their wait times, maybe reservations wouldn't be a bad idea or perhaps a system where you can call in and put your name on the list day the day of.
(5)
Norm J.
Service - The waitress knew the menu by heart and gave us excellent recommendations. Food - Oh man you HAVE to try the Flight of French Toast. You'll get a piece of the strawberry, blueberry, lemon & carmel. All were super yummy (yes I just wrote super yummy don't hate), but my favorite was the lemon piece of French Toast. It was just a mouth full of goodness. - Scallop Omelet made with egg whites and goat cheese was AMAZING. You get 3 jumbo scallops to go along with your fluffy egg whites. I believe this was a special for the week so it's not on the normal menu. - Pineapple Juice is served here! I don't know why this made me so happy, it's not like a drink pineapple juice in my everyday life. The only negative about Batter & Berries is that we got there at 9:50a.m (during the week) and still had a 30 minute wait. However, after eating there I can see why that place is always busy.
(4)
Ayanna M.
Came out to this Lincoln Park spot on Good Friday with my mother for brunch. We waited nearly an hour for a table, but it was more than worth it. We tried the Supreme French Toast Flight, the Cluck-n-Gaufre, with a side of the homemade chicken sausage and egg whites with cheddar cheese. Everything from the food to the service was excellent. The waitress asked us which french toast was our favorite and we honestly could not decide - they were all amazing. They also serve Le Colombe coffee which was my first time and it tasted great. Can't wait to come back and try some of their omelettes!
Many places can claim to do chicken and waffle, but no one can reinvent and elevate the dish quite like Batter and Berries. First, this is no ordinary waffle. This is a sweet potato waffle with chunks of chicken baked right inside the batter... yes, you read that right. Chicken inside the batter!!!!! The batter itself taste almost like a sweet potato pie, but better. The chicken is boneless, and lightly battered, so it's not a think heavy crust, but still has that crunch you want in fried chicken. The dish is also served with a maple butter that is so much the perfect addition to the waffle, syrup is not needed. Finally, the chicken comes with homemade hot sauce. But, don't fret, the hot sauce isn't spicy, rather it adds just the right amount of tang to the chicken. Combined, the sweet, salty, tangy bite of the waffle, butter, chicken and hot sauce makes for umami (ie heaven) in your mouth. Things to note, the wait can be llooonnnggg (first time I went, I waited almost 3 hours!) But the wait wad worth it. The next time, I got smart. I went about an hour before it closed and the wait wad much shorter ( in and out within an hour). Also once you get inside and place your order, the food comes out fast. I mean freaky fresh fast, lol. I've always gone with a party of two and waited less than 7 out 8 minutes got out food. This is super impressive because the restaurant is always jammed packed with people. Overall, this is a great breakfast/brunch/lunch spot to try. The place is small, but inviting, good for kids (they have booster seats) and can please even the pickiest of palates. The owners ate always around to make sure everything runs well and that people love the food, which you will. Bon a petit!!
(5)
Roni F.
So I finally visited the infamous Batter & Berries, and I will say it's a little overrated. The wait time was very long, but it was a Saturday. The hostess was average, but our waitress was great. Our food came out very quickly, but it wasn't hot. I ordered pancakes, scrambled eggs, beacon, and hash-browns. The pancakes were good. The hash-browns were too cheesy, and once the cheese got cold the hash-browns became super hard. After our meal, I wanted to hang around and chit-chat with my girlfriends, but the line of people waiting to sit down was so long that I felt guilty doing so. Although my review is average I plan to return to give it another try. Pros! Pancakes Cons! Long wait time Food is overpriced Limited seating Congested
(3)
Sashja P.
OMG YESSSSSS!!!! Chey Rylon did his thing! I loved my experience today! Very courteous! fast service! awesome food! I enjoyed every bite of my Chef's Country Excutive- scrambled eggs, country fried chicken with white gravy and cheese hash browns. I will speak the same for my husband and his Pork Chop Exexutive (clean plate) but ssshhhh don't tell him I said that :-))) 1st time awesome experience we'll be back for sure... Uh oh Wishbone looks like a little competition :-))). both are great establishments.. (I did not spellcheck or grammar check so forgive me in advance) Make sure to see KA-See-me Kenyatta Jackson he was a great waitress!
(5)
Hazel C.
Great food -great coffee -great service. No wonder the lines are so long on the weekend!
(5)
Anthony A.
The anticipation! The smell of good food. And then... We waited 55 minutes to get a table and the wait itself was entertaining. Where else can you get yelled at while waiting for a table. The hostess came outside several times and yell at the crowd to reply to the text messages or be removed off the waiting list. I'm not and expert at this but wouldn't it be easier to inform people when they arrive and give their name? Or maybe put a note at the bottom of the text message? Just a thought! We finally were seated and noticed that the gentleman walking around outside checking the door was the chef. He was walking around inside chatting to the crowd. Note- loose the Bluetooth from the ear and baseball cap. Just my opinion. On to the food, we order the chicken and waffles, Blueberry "waffle" and broccoli and cheese omelet which came with cheesy hash browns. The chicken breast was carved into a small portion and came with hot sauce on it. Not typically what you would want on a breakfast meal. The omelet was not an omelet, it was a egg with cheese slices on top with a couple of stems of broccoli on it. I though the definition of omelet was the ingredients were inside not on top. The cheesy hash browns were just that nothing to really get excited about. Over all the food was average. Everything is priced more a la cart so you will spend a good dollar for breakfast. Our meal was just about $50. At that price point my expectations are higher than iHop. This is a trendy spot right now but I think it can use a little infusion of style. Just a couple of notches from a 4 star restaurant.
(3)
Ashley L.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots!!! I drive all the way from the south suburbs of Chicago just to eat here..50min drive!!!! Amazing French toast!!! My favorite thing to order is the caramel French toast and the traditional, but I've pretty much have tried everything. I thing the cost of food is worth every penny!!!! This place has changed my view on what brunch is supposed to be!! If you have not been, you need to go right now!!!
(5)
Christy C.
This is a great little breakfast place. The ambiance and decor is nothing to rave about but the food and service makes up for that! My friends and I shared the super french toast flight, which comes with a salted caramel (my favorite), strawberry, blueberry, lemon and french toast special which happened to be trix cereal. We also shared the crab cake benedict which was very good. Our waitress was extremely friendly, and despite the large crowds we did not have to wait for a table. At the time I dined here (August 2014) they did not have a liquor license and you were allowed to bring your own alcohol (think mimosas!) so maybe call ahead and see what is going on with their alcohol now.
(4)
Dalton K.
RUDE STAFF. INSANE WAIT. STAY AWAY. I can understand the concept of having to wait for brunch on a weekend, but waiting 2 hours and watching the hostess seat other parties clearly behind us in the line was just ridiculous. We waited 2 HOURS and finally just left. Such a rude staff. I will never ever go back to this place, I don't care how good the French Toast is. Save your time, money, energy and go somewhere else.
(1)
Jasmine B.
Great food. Good service. Should definitely expand to knock out long waiting and cramped ambiance. But worth the trouble, very palate satisfying!
(4)
Sabrina M.
Hurts my heart to downgrade but I've had, at this point, a half-dozen meh-to-outright bad experiences here. I think they are honestly "victims" of their own success. They were so good when they first opened and the word of mouth spread so fast that they really are unable to keep up quality with the volume of guests they're receiving. That's the only thing I can figure for food that isn't freshly made or served hot, or served well. I'll just give one specific that is indicative of the entire problem: Last time I was there I had crab cake Benedict special. I was surprised when it came out about 4 minutes after I ordered it. Not only that, but it came out cold. Now, you'd think that if an order came up that fast, it would be PIPING hot. Nope, it was cold. Which led me to believe one thing: It hadn't been made-to-order. Tasting it confirmed that. I discreetly asked the server about this and he was honest enough to admit that several other people had complained about the same thing (coldness, staleness) and that because of the volume, no, everything was not made-to-order. He was also kind enough to remove it from the bill. So you have servers like that who are professional and honest. But I've also had other experiences there with servers who were totally AWOL, unprofessional and unhelpful. The admission that my entree was not freshly made was disturbing, to say the least. I don't think you can really cut corners with breakfast food, and especially not with something like eggs benedict. You have lost the quality war when you start cutting corners like that. I'm also incredibly put off by the fact that they seem to spend an inordinate amount of time pandering to celebrities. It's not celebrities who have made this place as popular as it is -- it's "regular" people like me who went back and told all their friends, co-workers, relatives, etc how good it was. I have to wonder if the "celebrities" are the ones getting the fresh food while the rest of us are getting the cold, stale and/or undercooked food. Hmmm. Well, I wish Batter and Berries all the very best, but until I hear that there's a return to the original quality that made this place so special, I'll be saving my money.
(2)
Jamar T.
I've heard so much about this place and after one failed attempt due to the ridiculous wait time I finally made it in! The food was really good just as I had heard. They food came out within minutes which was pretty shocking and also made me a bit skeptical. I had the french toast flight and the lobster omelet and both were delicious! Most dishes come with cheesy hash browns but I could tell they make them in bulk bc they were not hot or fresh which was disappointing. The service here was equally fantastic. Our server was extreme knowledgable of the menu and the current specials. The reason I'm giving it 5 stars is because I literally left wanting more!
(5)
Niecy M.
First time! The crawfish omelet, and flight french toast were excellent! Be prepared to wait...once you get in the service is good.
(4)
Trent Z.
One of my new favorite breakfast places. I had the crab cake benedict and it was exquisite. My girlfriend had the french toast flight so I got to try some of that too and it was nothing short of amazing. It was definitely crowded because it was Saturday morning but it was only a 20 minute wait. I will definitely be back to try the chicken and waffles. Also don't forget to BYOB.
(5)
Crystal J.
Went here with my family for my birthday breakfast. I heard such rave reviews, we decided to make the drive from the south suburbs to try this restaurant. Though the food is delicious. It is not worth the wait (hour + wait) The atmosphere is not ideal for a good dining experience. People are literally waiting in groves. Standing right next to you while you eat. Elbow to elbow. Hostesses are rude, not a smile to be seen. The food is not piping hot, but it comes out faster than Quick Silver. I had the Lobster Benedict. Hubby had steak and eggs. Our 2 children had french toast and pancakes. Everything for the most part was al a cart...except the hash browns. After waiting for over an hour, they rush you out. You haven't even seen the bottom of your plate and there is the check on your table. Food is good. Dining experience is horrible. Not worth an $80 tab. I tried it, but I will not make it top priority to come again. Sorry. I really wanted to like it.
(2)
Dinora D.
The place is totally worth the wait! Only reason I gave this place a 4 [wish I could do 4.5] was the poached eggs on my crab cake Benedict. They were over done and not runny at all. BUT the flavors are beyond amazing. As the chef recommends, no need for additional condiments, not even more salt or pepper...seasoned to perfection. Definitely go and stand outside for an hour, you'll be happy you did!
(4)
Shaunna B.
I've been here a couple times now and there seems to always be a wait. So expect that, but know that it is totally worth it. The food is amazing, priced well, and plated beautifully. A lot of different things to try.
(4)
Emma L.
Visited B&B for Sunday Brunch with my friend. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, which I was expecting due to the crowd outside and the not-so-huge dining area. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. Not cool. Once we were inside we got our own table, which was nice. I have no problem sitting community style but it's never my preference. Apparently French Toast is their main thing. They had a good portion of the menu dedicated to their varieties and "flights" of French Toast. Their special flavor of the day was 7-Up French Toast. Interesting. Unfortunately, I don't like French Toast. French Toast, French Toast. Their omelets are described as being "deconstructed" aka, eggs on bottom & stuff on top. Whatever, no difference to me. No substitutions on the omelets, just an FYI. Saving grace of the day was our waiter who quickly poured us some hot coffee and read the day's special. Crab & Shrimp Cake Eggs Benedict ($17)? Yes, please. Lobster (deconstructed) Omelet ($19)? Sold. Thank god my friend was down to go halfsies. They were both pretty delicious. The cheesy hash browns that come with many of the brunch entrees are pretty good, too All in all, glad I tried it but I wouldn't make it a regular spot considering the wait and the fact I liked the 2 most expensive things on the menu.
(3)
Dome H.
The Deal: I decided to search for a great brunch spot on the northside for my girlfriends and I. I heard through the grapevine that this place was great, yet that the wait was long. There is no RSVP. When we arrived (August 2014) we were quickly greeted by a long line. I went to speak with the hostess who let me know that the wait would be approximately 45 minutes, and indeed it was. Food: Now people rant and rave about the food on here. However, I was not impressed. I ordered the Deconstructed Steak Omelet topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, swiss cheese & red wine sauce, which came with fresh shredded B&B hash browns. The steak lacked flavor along with the hash browns and I had to ask the waittress if she could replace my order of hash browns because there was barely any cheese on it. Thank goodness my friend was there and she told me about their infamous hot sauce that they make. This definitely helped add flavour to the meal and made for a much more enjoyable experience. Now, they have BYOB, however, they request that you purchase the juice. We didn't know about this rule and had purchased orange juice from the 7-11 down the block. Our waitress was accommodating and allowed us to drink our own juice albeit we hide the bottles. lol FYI: My friends ordered french toast and seemed to like it. Atmosphere: Chill. Urban. Laid-back. The place is set-up nice, but it is small. There is minimal noise. Service: Great! Overall: It was a good experience. I would come again but it would not be my first choice.
(3)
Jennifer F.
Delicious!!! I went with serval friends and in addition to each of us ordering a dish, we got some extra items to share. Everything I sampled was out of this world. Plus the day I went they were playing house music. Love this place and can't wait to go back.
(5)
Nick M.
I'd never had chicken and waffles before, but WOW theirs were great! I ordered bacon and that was great and so were my sunny side up eggs. The waiter refilled my water all the time, which was nice. This place is not your regular "quite breakfast place." They match the lively atmosphere and hustle and bustle with up-beat instrumental music. Great place to go if you're with a friend or a group.
(5)
Meghana P.
Okay, everyone was right about the French toast - it is as amazing as advertised. I got the chewy chocolate chip toast (special of the week) and it was amazing. It was sweet and chocolatey without being overwhelmingly so, as was the sugary butter that came with it. I ate every part of this toast, even the crusts. There's no point in over describing - suffice it to say that this French toast is flawless. It is not overly sweet, it's interesting, just the right texture and firmness. I was lucky enough to go on a Monday morning, and thus got a table without a wait. The service was friendly and great, with everything coming quickly, water and coffee being refilled often, and the manager coming to check in on us. However, I was less than impressed with my deconstructed broccoli and cheese omelette. Although the cheesy hash browns on the side were great (I literally couldn't stop eating them - they were crunchy and soft and cheesy and had just the right amount of spices), the omelette itself was meh. It was just an omelette with orange cheese and nearly raw broccoli on the top. Furthermore, the pieces were so large that I struggled to cut them with my little knife and fork. The omelette was not new or innovative, nor was it particulary tasty and it was also difficult to eat. Most of the food here seems great, and the French toast is exceptional. Worth a visit if you're a fan, and you may get a short wait if you're lucky.
(4)
Frank R.
We travel a lot and there are few places like it around the country if you are visiting sit at the community table and mingle. Food is amazing and their staff and atmosphere matches.
(5)
Peter M.
I had the French toast super flight which includes a half slice of five different preparations, two of which had fresh fruit on them. I liked the taste but the French toast came out barely lukewarm and the bread was relatively thin so the dish wasn't very filling. For $11, I would expect it to be hot and the slices to be thicker. I also tried some of my GF's cheesy potatoes and they also weren't hot. Service was very good and the food came out very quickly. The coffee was also excellent.
(3)
Michael C.
Came here a few weekends ago at around 9:30 AM and I could easily spot the restaurant from a few blocks away due to all the people milling around waiting fora table. I put my name down and it was 45 minutes for a party of two, so if you somehow don't want to wait I suggest coming here probably at open haha When my friend and I were seated we were shown the specials on a tablet which was really great. I normally never order a special, but actually considered it after seeing what the food actually looked like. Props to the servers here because there are about seven different specials, and ours went through each one of them. Having heard nothing but amazing things, my friend and I decided to share the super flight of french toast and the chicken and waffles. Hands down best french toast I have ever had. Each piece of french toast was the perfect balance of sweet and fruity, and the texture soft but slightly chewy. Though I appreciated the chicken and waffles, I didn't fancy the hot sauce that came with it very much. The chicken was nice and crispy though while the waffle had a nice touch of sweet potato flavor and came with hunks of chicken in it. When I came, it was still summertime and for some reason there was no AC working. My friend and I were feeling the humidity in the crowded restaurant, though that should not be a problem as the weather starts to cool down. Hopefully I'll be back to try some other dishes!
Quick, friendly & delicious. The sweet potato waffle & fried chicken is perfect. Has the right amount of sweet & perfect touch of hot sauce, impressive. Shrimp & crab Benedict disappeared before I could try it so it must have been on point. Will be back for sure
(5)
Kelly S.
A very popular spot with some unique breakfast specials such as salmon omelet and a marinated bone-in pork chop and eggs. We got there Saturday at 8:30 and had a 45 minute wait which our hostess was spot on with estimating so no quibbles there. It seems the sweet spot would have been around 9:15 as others who got there about that time had only a 10-15 minute wait. They open at 8:00. Service was good, however, our server failed to volunteer the cost info for my off menu special - turkey omelet. The specials are all listed on a chalkboard but also don't have the prices listed there. I assumed the turkey omelet would be similar in price to the ones in the menu that come in around $10. It was actually $14 which is a little steep for eggs with stuff on them in my cheap ass world. Shame on me for not asking but shame on them for not publishing the $ info. Omelets come with a pile of their cheesy hash browns which are yummy but mine were barely lukewarm and slightly gluey in consistency The omelet itself was quite good and hot. It was filled with a cranberry cheese and then topped with a good amount of sliced turkey, portabella mushrooms and gravy. I could only eat about half of the huge omelet. Coffee was good.
(3)
Niekema H.
Great atmosphere for a brunch with the girls. The crab/shrimp eggs benedict was prepared to delight. Everyone ordered a different meal so it was nice to be able to try other items off the menu which were also exquisite. What I didn't know was that it's also BYOB. Next time for sure. They told us it would be about an hour and a half wait, but we didn't even wait an hour which was nice. Our waitress was pleasant and timely. The meal arrived quickly also. Great time had by all.
(5)
Courtney B.
This place is awesome the food was amazing I had the chicken and waffles !!! I was a little skeptical when they brought the food out and I saw hot sauce!!! And no syrup... But the hostess guided me on how to obtain the full enjoyment of my first bite... The waffle, maple butter and chicken all in one bite !!! And it was awesome also the hostess was very informative about the menu , and even at the end as we were leaving the chief come over for our opinion of the food overall the place was great... I felt horrible because we didn't leave a tip for her my bestie paid for us this round and she didn't have cash on her... That's why I had to take time out of my day to write this review of this place because it was really awesome and I will be back !!! With a double tip !!!!
(5)
Rachel L.
Fantastic low-key brunch joint. Service was impeccable and went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. Food was absurdly delicious. We ordered the fried chicken and chicken stuffed waffle and the french toast flight. Both were not only unique, but deliciously perfect. All in all it made for the perfect morning and if I'm ever back in Chicago, I would definitely return here.
(5)
Meg S.
My husband, 1 year old and I trekked it into the city for brunch. We chose B&B after seeing all of the great reviews. Wait: 35 minutes on a Sunday around 10:30 in nice weather Ambiance? So cute! Small (seats maybe 50ish people at a time). I love the local artwork on the walls and the tables are made out of tiles. It is a tight fit though but I expected as much. Nice plus? They had changing tables in both of the bathrooms, which I wouldn't expect from a small joint. The only downfall? It is REALLY loud. My husband and I could barely hear each other. Staff? Busy, but welcoming and attentive. Our server did not have time to hover but he did check in 2x and my husband's coffee was always filled. The chef/owner did come out and say hello which was a nice touch. And most important... Food? AMAZING! They are known for their french toast and there is a good reason why. My husband had the flight, and each one was better than the next. The flight had strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and for $2 we were able to try the birthday one too. Each one was light and just the right about of fluff and a hint of the flavors as to not overwhelm. I had the lemon french toast and I about cried when I finished it. It was just tart enough. I also ordered the sweet potato hash browns, so crispy and perfect! Even though it took us an hour to get there from Arlington Heights, we will be back. I am already craving more french toast.
(5)
Chadwick C.
I live in Houston, TX, and was brought to this place by a couple of fellow "foodie's". I am planning a trip back to Chicago, FOR THIS BREAKFAST SPOT. Best breakfast I have ever had, and we tried 5 different dishes at our table. Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict was AMAZING. Their French Toast flight was probably the best French toast I have ever had. The Chicken and Waffles, with chicken IN THE WAFFLE, rivaled my favorite chicken and waffles spot here in Houston, and DESTROYED their version. I got lucky and had one of our tablemates get there early to wait in line for a table, other than that, the service was superb. Excellent and funny waiter, would leave us with a riddle, and come back with the answer. We were never thirsty or wanting for too long, and deserved the great tip we left. Goods: Everything, especially the FOOD, followed closely by the excellent service. Bads: The wait, and it not being in Houston.
(5)
J H.
Yes the wait is long, but it is worth it. Their breakfast food is great - french toast flight, chicken and waffle, pancakes, homemade sausage, and deconstructed omelete. I just had a salad there for the first time, and it too was great - the berry salad, on spinanch with goat cheese. I'm happy they finally got a winter door system, as sitting up front in the cold weather was pretty breezy. I think they need to move to a text system for their waitlist or call people 5 mintues before their table is ready. The wait is by far the worst part...however when I missed my name (bc I wasn't out front when they called) and checked back in they sat us right away...I was worried we were gonna have to get back on the list and starve!
(5)
Hilary T.
We waited two hours to be seated on a Sunday at 12:30. The chicken and waffles and omelette were good, but not amazing. The waiters were nice but the hostess was rude and incompetent. There were open tables that weren't being sat and an unorganized list for people waiting. She also told us it would be 10 more minutes after waiting an hour and then we waited another 45 minutes.
(2)
Jakara H.
Long wait, but worth it! The service was perfect, atmosphere was great, and the food is something I crave and dream about. A small restaurant, but comfortable when you're seated. It's BYOB, so bring a bottle of champagne for mimosas. Get the super fresh crab cakes and shrimp Alfredo omelet and thank me later! The owner came out and thanked us for coming while servers celebrated birthdays through original song! Love this place and will be back!
(5)
Katie C.
Believe the hype! Everything was amazing. We had the lobster omelette, shrimp and crab Benedict and a half order of strawberry French toast (yes, we ordered too much)! The only sad thing is we were so full we couldn't eat it all! Definitely worth checking out and waiting for a table if you have to.
(4)
Shilpa G.
This was by far the best brunch place I've ever been to. The menu was great and the service was impeccable. The sweet food wasn't overly sweet and the savory food wasn't overly greasy or salty. Highly recommend this place
(5)
Beth F.
This place made me love the idea of brunch. Their caramel French toast is to die for, and the employees are all very friendly. Be prepared to wait for a seat, especially on the weekends... but trust me, it's worth it.
(5)
Robin M.
Loved it! Crowd was already there in force when we got there right before 11am. By the time we left, it looked like a convention. Word is out and to put it bluntly: it's worth the hype! What's to love: the French Toast Flight on crack (normally you get four slices, you can upgrade to include the special FT of the day -- we did that). So we got strawberry (delicious); blueberry (very good); caramel and nuts (very very good); lemon (excellent) and the special (an extra 2 bucks, I think) which was birthday cake (really sweet but very good). Just get it for your table and share it. Girlfriend got crab benedict (it was soooooo good); we both got bacon and coffee. That coffee was no joke -- hot and strong! Our server, Timothy, was super nice and accommodating. Attentive but didn't hover. And really chill about questions and requests. Thanks, Tim! On the other super plus side: diverse crowd, which was so refreshing in Lincoln Park! What's not to love: it's loud in there. Also, prices are a bit on the high side. But I felt I got my money's worth. But will keep me from going as much as I'd like! They were super busy so service takes a minute. But no big thing. Tim introduced himself and told us he'd be back. So didn't feel ignored in the least. All in all, a real winner. No lie. We had amazing food, really first-rate service. Will go back as soon as I can.
(4)
Eric S.
We had both breakfast and lunch here. The hash browns have a bit of cheese in them which makes them extra special. The pancakes and syrup were great but the home made maple infused butter really added something great. The chicken sandwich was also very good and the garlic fries were excellent. The place is a little cramped for the volume and the table waiting area is oddly placed at the back of the restaurant. Also due to tables being placed so close to the door, each time it's opened there is quite the cold breeze. These are surely just growing pains of what over the long run will be a great brunch spot.
(4)
Jamal N.
I wish I could heap more praise to proclaim how great this place is. It's just that good. Chef Raylon serves up traditional(and nontraditional ) breakfast & brunch with a unique contemporary spin. If you're a fan of breakfast food(which for me is my favorite meal of the day), then you won't be disappointed.. THE FOOD/QUALITY: First off, you're getting fresh ingredients, properly cooked, and it actually tastes better then the pictures(for once), and portions are VERY big. Choose from 'deconstructed omelets(the ingredients are heaped atop your eggs)', the famous 'flight of french toast'(more than enough for sharing, melts in your mouth...fight with friends over which flavor is best, like lemon, Maple, strawberry, or flavor of the week, mmm'), and several tasty sandwiches that melt in your mouth. Chef Rylon knows his way around the kitchen. SERVICE: Always punctual, never rude, even during a rush you'll still find a table for your party. Each server attends to you promptly, and doesn't 'pop-up(movie cliche-style) every two minutes to harass you with requests to find out "How you're meal is"....they back off just the right amount, but are still attentive... PRICE: These dishes would be well justified at a $13 price point, but each is usually only $10-$12. Great value for the quality & quantity. Chef Rylon actually walks around greeting each table, asking what you thought of the meal, offering samples of upcoming dishes, and showing concern over making sure you're treated right. In a big city like Chicago, it's good to see that a traditional style experience can still be had in the middle of trendy Lincoln Park Walk....run...go there with your friends the next time you're doing breakfast. Believe me, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
C. H.
We were visiting from Louisville, KY in Sept. and this place was recommended from a friend of a one of my friends. So we reviewed the menu and I was excited because I'd never seen a eatery with chicken sausage. We went on Sunday about noonish and we were immediately seated, which we were happy about. Now I ordered the chicken and biscuits which I had preselected the day before. However, my food came out lukewarm but I didn't complain. Next downfall was the mixture of the chicken sausage gravy and the biscuits I believe that made my main dish salty. Also, I ordered the sweet potatoes hashbrown but they came out just like regular mashed potatoes. Now my other two friends enjoyed their meal which was the chicken and gaufe and the pecan French toast(not enough syrup). Now I plan to try it again in February and hopefully speak to the chef so this experience is better. One more quick thing, they do not split the bill so be prepared either with cash or one person covering the whole table.
(3)
Kristin S.
Oh yeah. This is breakfast. De-licious!!! Can't complain about a place that specializes in french toast. And it just so happen to be PEANUT BUTTER special that day. Have I told you peanut butter is my favorite food???? This was so excellent. You did not even need syrup. So I had some tri-fecta of ecstacy... Peanut butter, lemon and some berry. Portions were on the smaller size, but that's ok. I don't need 1800 calories for breakfast. Coffee was decent. Server was friendly. The accoustics were awful and when breakfast was in full swing it was difficult to talk. But, this place was absolutely tasty and worth a return trip!
(4)
Charlene S.
Meh. Not very impressed. Brunch is my thing!!! And I was a bit disappointed. We were seated immediately. Not very busy. I was dreading the thought of being seated in the front. The draft came swooping in freezing everyone and their food in the first half of the restaurant. There was a poor girl sitting in the front who had pulled her sleeves down over her hands. We were seated in the back. Right in front of the kitchen. That needs to be closed off. I don't wanna hear all the racket of a kitchen and the banter that goes on between the staff. The decor. Blah. There were these weird stone garden benches in the middle of the restaurant in front of the restrooms. Yucko. And from other reviews it was a waiting area. The decor was horrible. Mish mash tiled vases on the windows. Tacky fluorescent lighting in the back. Weird paintings. The food was ok. Crispy cheesy hash browns. Coffee sucked. The hubs got the biscuits and gravy. He did enjoy the gravy. But who doesn't like thick gravy with sausage chunks? I had the crab omelet w cheese and squash. Not bad. Little bland. When I see good reviews for restaurants that were blah. Then I do some research on the reviewers. If they gave a place 4+ stars that clearly is not then I look at how many reviews they've done. Usually not very many. Then I suspect that they're friends of the owner and had opened up and account just to write a good review. Booooty
(1)
McStrokin J.
I must say this place far exceeded my expectations. The food just had so many layers of flavor. I had the Cluck-N-Goof and everything about it was just amazing. The waffle was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor to it. I could have eaten it dry without syrup. That's how flavorful it was. The maple butter is also a very nice touch. The chicken breast was very moist and had good flavor to it also. The nutmeg hot sauce just added to the symphony of flavors at play in this dish. The smooth R&B being played in the background made me feel right at home. I'm eager to return and try some of their other dishes.
(5)
K W.
MUST GET A SECOND DOOR FOR WINTER! Food is always very good, service is good, but restaurant is FREEZING. We were seated close to the door, and every time the door opened, 20 degree wind blew into the restaurant. Because it is busy, the door was constantly opened. We were too cold to enjoy our meal. We ate quickly and left as soon as possible. Most small restaurants understand that to keep guests comfortable, they need to protect them from the outdoor weather. When we asked the server about the table location, we told us it was the only table available and told us that "it is the city's fault; they won't let us have an awning!". huh? how does that address the cold?
(2)
Bill E.
Grossly overrated...no shade just truth! Service and food subpar had similar experience to other reviews. U bring pancakes and have to ask for syrup (great pancakes tho). I'm an egg lover so for me I just need placed of this caliber to use fresh eggs however they did so at my request after that scrambled yellow mess they brought me! Ha! Lastly don't make excuses about how fast bread cools when tell u my French toast could've been warmer (the sampler really does taste delightful). It's worth checking out for something like the lobster eggs Benedict it looked creative and tasty! It's worth a try but not worth a wait...oan: THE MAPLE BUTTER!!!! Ask them to melt it!
(3)
QB Chicago B.
So I've been really excited to try & support this (black owned) business and I'm just completely underwhelmed by the lack of southern charm & hospitality that I was expecting! (poorly decorated too...like an easter basket) The hostess horrible & unfriendly! (The owner came out (blamed the wait on said hostess because she's from Germany (HUH?) as we waited outside to apologized for the long wait IN THE COLD but this isn't an isolated incident...it's been a complaint for a while....fix it!) The servers untrained and also seem unhappy! No one is smiling...appeared pissed to be working! Our server never introduce himself and just not professional! So as we sit waiting 30ish min for food, I ask for a drink menu...not available but they do have juice! As I look around, no one has juice...put it on the menu & the profits will increase to help pay for the training this place mos def requires! So the food...arrived cold after waiting 30 min for a table and 30ish min for the food! When returned, IT WAS THE SAME PLATE MIRCOWAVED!!! WTF! I refused it and requested a fresh order! When my fresh plate arrived, it was tasty...nothing special! Only the toppings changed nothing different in the batter & the berries (2 strawberries on my strawberry french toast) not so fresh! Same goes for the 6 blueberries on my blueberry french toast. Just a few candied nuts on my caramel french toast! The just okay food is overshadowed by the extreme poor service! I will not return nor suggest... We live in a restaurant mecca...not worth it with all the other options we have available! Soooo disappointed!
(1)
Sophia C.
Best breakfast spot in the city with fantastic service! It's not just breakfast, it's a breakfast experience.
(5)
Temple T.
I've have been here a few times and the food never disappoints. The weekends can be very crowded so don't be in a rush and try the French toast flight so you can sample all the popular flavors at one sitting. Enjoy!
(4)
Sadie G.
Stopped by for some hangover food. Any place I can find chicken and waffles is already up there in my books, especially if they are as well made as these.
(5)
Marissa P.
Had the flight of French toast and the chicken sausage, both were incredibly good! The flight of French toast was all different flavors which was fun to try and the chicken sausage had little bits of what I believe were apples which was also amazing. The hot chocolate was weak and it would not recommend it. All together this restaurant has really rich decadent and unique foods that I would definitely recommend to try!
(5)
Allie P.
Absolutely delicious! And friendly, prompt service. Loved it! We had the flight of French toast, hash browns, and bacon. Great!
(5)
Erica W.
If you are looking for the best french toast in Chicago, stop looking because you can find it at Batter and Berries. They offer a french toast flight, where you can get 4 different flavors of french toast. My flight included a slice of lemon, blueberry, caramel, and strawberry. Each slice had fresh fruit and flavorings drizzled on them, so you didn't need any syrup. It was fun to try each different flavor and to have some variety. They also had a sweet potato french toast that I didn't try, but I heard that it was divine. I also had the short rib omelette, which was one of the specials - I ordered it because the waiter said that it had a red wine reduction, and I'm glad I did because it was probably one of the best omelets that I've had in a very long time - it was just fantastic. He didn't mention the price, and I figured it would be around the price of the other omelets - $12 - maybe a little more for the fancy short ribs. Why was my omelette $16? They are lucky that it was good! My goodness! The potatoes that came with the omelette were delicious and perfectly seasoned. As far as the decor, it's a fun, bright space with lots of artwork, but I will say that the layout of the tables is a bit peculiar. They have a huge communal dining type table in the front room, and the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant vs. being in the front, as you would traditionally find. The food makes up for the "different" layout, though. The chef was very outgoing, and introduced himself to everyone, which is a nice touch. I always like to see chefs involved w/the customers, especially w/a new restaurant. I would definitely go back. Batter & Berries is officially on my brunch rotation.
(4)
AJ H.
So after my aunt and uncle ranted and raved about Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park, I had to go check it out for myself. First and foremost, I'm big about mimosas at brunch, so the fact they have BYOB option was great for me. It seems as though everyone in the place frequents the 7 Eleven down the street for champagne :-) Ok, now back to the actual restaurant. We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was a 35 minute wait for a table, but they have a community table that's similar to a bar at breakfast diner where you can sit down immediately and order. I like the community table concept better because you can sit and actually face whoever you're dining with instead of just sitting next to them. Plus, you can socialize with other patrons at the table if you chose to and it's not akward. I ordered the Chicken Stuffed Waffles with Chicken on top. It was good, but it was waaay too much chicken for me. I had to remove the chicken breast on top. My friend ordered the French Toast Flight that included blueberry, strawberry, caramel and vanilla creme french toast. I should've ordered what she got because I was in LOVE! In the end, we ended up swapping plates. She LOVED the chicken. The customer serivce was awesome. At the end of our meal the chef even came around and introduced himself and asked how the meal was. The only problem I had with Batter & Berries is that they don't have a website, FB or Twitter to spread the word. Thank God for Yelp, huh?
(5)
Austin G.
Neat breakfast joint. I ordered the waffle with infused chicken, it was very good. When I got it I couldn't help but want syrup for my waffles, but that wouldn't be good with chicken. It took me the majority of the meal to get over the fact that I was just eating a regular chicken lunch in the shape of a waffle. It was a fun experience.
(5)
Angie F.
I LOVE BREAKFAST! I believe in breakfast! So when I heard about Batter & Berries, I had to try it. I heard the wait time could be ridiculous and I'm short on patience for that sort of thing. So I and five friends went at 9:00 am on a Friday morning (while on Christmas Break) to beat the rush. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time and had excellent food. I had the flight of french toast and hated for that meal to end. I stuck my fork in most of my friends plates, so I can attest to a lot of the choices being really good! Tim was our waiter and he could not have been more attentive. By the time we were leaving, hoards of people were waiting to get in. I'm glad we dodged that. I will go again and again, but only very early!
(5)
Marco H.
Charming place with friendly service and fantastic french toast! I tried the Flight of the French Toast, which is a sampling of 4 different french toasts: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and hazelnut. All of them were sweet and delicious. You must order the chicken sausage (2 patties in an order) because it was some of the best I've ever had. There are hints of rosemary (i think) and small chunks of apple cooked in to give it an unexpectedly "crunch". The coffee is decent, as are the pancakes. I'm definitely going back to try the fabled chicken and waffle.
(4)
James D.
Wish they were in LA cause I really miss this place right now. Everytime I am in Chicago I make sure to visit this place.
(5)
Emily S.
We went the first week they were open and we enjoyed it. We brought our 18month old son and they were very good about having him there. They even had some fun stacking toys for him to play with - not just the normal crayons for him to eat. The home made biscotti was the best I've ever had and by itself made this review 4 stars. The food was good but very rich. Everything was very flavorful and the sweet was super sweet and the savory was so strongly flavored that it got hard to eat after a while. Luckily my husband and I got one savory and one sweet between us so we swapped back and forth. We ended up enjoying it but probably won't go back.
(4)
Tierra B.
Long wait on a Saturday morning but overall, the food was amazing. Best French toast I've ever had. Nice vibe and service with decent prices.
(5)
Ken D.
Southern hospitality is hard to find north of the Mason Dixon but Batter and Berries is that little taste of home. We've been twice now and are blown away by the service and taste! I love the iPads they use to highlight the specials, the table touch by the chef, and the all around genuine care of their patrons. The French toast is to die for - lemon, graham cracker, strawberry were AWESOME! The crab egg white omelette with the Gouda hits the spot and the lobster Benedict left my foodie friend speechless!!
(5)
Julia G.
I have been a long time customer of Batter & Berries and I am really sorry I have to write a review of this kind, but something has to be done about the customer service I have experienced from them in the past couple of days. I had lunch there a few days ago and realized my credit card had been charged twice for the lunch I had. I called there as soon as I realized this happened and was told I could not speak with a manger about the situation because he was too busy at the time. I explained to the young lady that this was unacceptable and could not believe her manager did not see this an an emergency to come to the phone, but he refused and that I had to call after 3 pm. I made the call and of course no one answered because it was after hours. I then called back on Monday assuming this would be a better time and the young lady once again said her manager would not come to the phone. I explained to her that this once again was unacceptable and I wanted to speak with someone asap. The manager would not take the call. They may have great food but it is very unprofessional for an establishment not to see you being charged twice a priority to come to the phone. This situation has still not been resolved and they have officially lost a customer. I will never eat at a place that does not see their mistakes as an emergency to correct and I will defiantly tell everyone I know of my experience.
(1)
Maurice E.
Finally went to Batter and Berries for breakfast. The French toast flight was very good especially the Grand Maurier sample. I had lobster omelette was good nice amount of lobster. The homemade pork sausage was good a little spicy. The negative hash browns a little cold. There was 30 minute wait hostess was great about keeping us up on how long we had. Overall highly recommend ..
(4)
Michael H.
Swung by this morning for breakfast after having marched in the Thanksgiving parade. Overall I recommend checking it out. Pros - I had the french toast flight, my daughter had chocolate chip pancakes and my wife went with the Kobe sliders. We all walked away very happy with our meals. The blueberry french toast and lemon were my favorites. The caramel drizzled slice was overly crunchy and hard to chew, but it didn't detract too much. - The inside of the restaurant was clean, the tables were comfortable and everyone working there was warm. - Overall, the selections on the menu looked appetizing. I'll be curious to stop back and try others. - The chef came out and had a brief conversation with us, which I always like. Cons - As others have mentioned, the wait for service can take long. Our daughter never got her juice until the breakfast came. We could never get the waiter's attention because he was working a larger table near the back. He apologized when he finally came with the breakfast, but the food took a long time to come out and the waiter took an equally long time to return our credit card. Probably don't want to eat here if you are in a rush. - I could see some people feeling the price is a bit high for breakfast.
(4)
Nina T.
Eating here was the highlight of my Chicago trip. This place has Excellent food and service in a warm and inviting space. It doesn't get any better.
(5)
Jared D.
Came to Batter & Berries over the weekend and will be back next weekend. It was probably the best breakfast I've had in the city. Everything was a 10 out of 10. Service, attentiveness, quality of the food, quickness, etc. Also, the head chef and owner was an awesome guy. He came by our table twice to introduce himself and check on us after our meal. The place isn't huge, but it's not small by any means..so the fact that he walks around introducing himself and talks to his patrons was really cool. The food: The menu is huge and has some really great, unique options. My girlfriend had the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle, which has chunks of fried chicken inside. I've never had a dish like this. The first bite was good, then it just got better and better. I ended up eating quite a bit of her meal. However, my dish was quite frankly the best french toast I've ever had. I went with the french toast flight (caramel, strawberry, blueberry, and a chocolate rum slice). Holy shit. I didn't have a favorite as they were all awesome. If you're a fan of french toast, get this. Batter & Berries has only been open for 5 months, but they didn't act like a new restaurant. The service was prompt and we only waited 20-30 min for a table. We didn't take advantage of this feature, but its BYO. How many breakfast places in the city are BYO!? I'm looking forward to returning for another breakfast and trying something off the lunch menu in the near future as well.
(5)
Sean T.
Like most of the other reviews, the food is incredible. I am a huge fan of the french toast and the maple butter is out of this world. It's one of the few brunch places that can not only provide a diverse menu, but make all the dishes top notch. There is nothing on the menu that I've seen myself or others not enjoy. Perhaps what I like best about the place is how passionate they are about the food. The chef genuinely seems to care that you enjoy your meal and the servers go out of their way to make sure you are happy. It seems each time I'm there something new has popped up on the menu that is worth trying. The only problem is that it can be difficult to get a table at times. It's not their fault though that they've become so popular. Obviously word has gotten out. If you do hit them up on the weekends, go early or be prepared to wait. Prices are a bit high, but you honestly get your money's worth with food this good. With food this good, I"d love to see them offer a carry-out option in the future.
(5)
J M.
2 slices of french toast for $11? Terrible service. It took 15-20 mins for someone to ask if we wanted coffee and we had to flag 2 people down to place an order. When the food came we were waiting for napkins, ketchup, sugar, cream, syrup... they just dropped the food on the table and we felt like we were bothering them asking them for stuff. I could have just made eggs at home if I wanted that experience. Too bad. The food was good, but all things considered there are just too many places for me to bother going back.
(2)
Babatunde O.
B&B is now my go to spot in Chicago for chicken and waffles. The maple butter is flame! Definitely ask for extra hot sauce. The hot/salty/sweet combo was impressive. Staff was EXTRA friendly. Get there early on the weekend if you want a good seat. We weren't too keen on their chicken sausage, but, like many restaurants, stick to what they do well and you'll be satisfied.
(4)
Kristine T.
Went there last Thursday, and proceeded to stuff myself stupid. I got the French Toast Super Flight: Four different flavored french toasts plus a "special" for that day. So, I received Strawberry, Blueberry, Caramel, Lemon + Strawberry Rum Cheesecake. A lot of people mess up french toast: I hate seeing the fried egg pieces on it. This wasn't like that. It was pretty, and had a nice crispy, yet chewy texture on the outside. I also got scrambled eggs with cheese...and they put a LOT of cheese on it. I also sampled some hash browns with cheese, and the chicken sausage patties. They were nicely seasoned, and approximately the size of two McDonald's hamburgers. It's a pretty simple decor with house music playing in the background. I LOVE house music, even at 8am, but...There were some people at a table seated right in the middle of the restaurant, and they were quite loud. I wished the manager would've told them to keep it down a little. There was a bucket in the center of the table with, I guess, champagne (it's BYOB). Don't know if they were getting pickled over there, but luckily we were able to tune them out. I liked it so much, that I'm going back again tomorrow morning. I'll try to take pictures...
(4)
Jessica V.
Best French Toast EVER. We have eaten here a few times now, and I just can't help but order the French toast flight. How can you go wrong with four different types of French toast, perfectly prepared, all on one plate?? The chef also makes a 5th type every day so you can opt for a piece of that as well with the flight for like $2 more. My boyfriend ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufe. So good. It's like chicken and waffles, only better. The chicken was perfectly fried and the waffle was out of control! The service has been impeccable when we have been here. I see mutiple more brunches here in my future.
(5)
Allie B.
Because of the close proximity to my boyfriend's apartment, I've been here more then I would like to admit. But it's okay, because the food is that amazing! Neither of us have ever been disappointed. The staff is so friendly and attentive, service is timely and the food is always hot and flavorful. Go for the super flight- it is a must even if you are not a French toast fan. The cheesy hash browns are also delicious. I just wish they would bring the crab omelet back- that is my only complaint. If you're going on weekends try to go before 10- that seems to be when it really gets busy.
(5)
Cee B.
I've been a patron here since they opened and the food is GREAT!!!!! Typically on the weekends, I order food for carry out. Today I find out that they do not offer that service anymore so I am stuck at work craving Caramel French Toast, chicken sausage and eggs with extra cheese and now IM HEART BROKEN AND DISAPPOINTED BEYOND REPAIR. PLEASE change this policy ASAP! Im literally in tears because of this. I can't help it, once I find a great place I love to eat at, I support it daily. Signed, Disappointed Patron who wish you had carryout again!
(4)
Jillian S.
Delicious! And fast service!!! Would've made it 5 stars, but everyone waiting to be seated was crowded around my and many other peoples' tables. Had a coat in my face about the entire meal. However, food was amazing, our waiter was super nice, and the food came in less than 10 minutes. Also, it's BYOB so had mimosas. Yum!
(4)
Ihoneybadger L.
Batter and Berries is definitely a great place for Brunch! I'll list my complaints first before going into the good stuff. 1) SINAGE is terrible! They need really need someone to re-vamp their sign and logo. It blends into the building and makes it difficult for folks who pass by to see/notice. Just from a marketing perspective, their product is already great, now it's time to make it visible and noticeable. You guys should really hire someone with a good knowledge of graphics to really spruce up your menu! Your great product deserves great advertisement to accompany it! 2) The restaurant isn't really designed for large parties, and spacing is quite small and packed. But enough complaining, now onto the great stuff! 1) I absolutely loved their menu. The food was delectable! The portions were quite generous and prices were reasonable. The food was incredibly flavorful and the different combinations explored different pallets for taste. We ordered a few different things, chicken and waffles, french toast platter, special lobster dish that day (can't remember the exact name). I enjoyed the different variety of offerings. Overall the food was incredibly scrumptious! The fact that we had to wait 45 minutes for seating a full house is truly a testament of how delicious the food there was! I will definitely be re-visiting on my next escapade to Chicago. 2) My other favorite part about this restaurant was the service! I loved their staff! You can really tell that they care about their customers, and really knowledgable and proud of their establishment. The staff really took care of our party when we were there, explaining the menu to us and really patient with all of our inquiries (first timers) . Also this place is incredibly family friendly and stresses community involvement and customer appreciation. The chef came out and randomly made an announcement about how much he appreciated two regulars who have been supporting him from the beginning. Genuine appreciation like that is hard to find now-a-days, but will keep customers coming back from day and day out. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!
(4)
Erin S.
So I decided to leave the Southside for a Saturday lunch with a good friend. I think I should have stayed at home. As most reviews have mentioned! the wait can be very taxing. I was given 3 wait times in one brief conversation with the hostess( I guess that was her job). I watched people come and go for about a hour. She and the young girl in the restaurant, called for people at a snail's pace. Both repeatedly talked about a wait area in the back. Limited seating in the wait area created more congestion and confusion. Four groups of two complained about the wait and being passed over by the hostess. She accommodated the angry guests, extending my wait for a table. When we finally able to be seated, we briefly saw our waiter, then received water that ended up being our drink. I also got a coffee that was never refilled and I was never approached for a refill. My friend always orders water sans ice. When she received a refill, it was from the pitcher with ice, so she didn't drink it. I tried the flight French toast. It was tasty, but seemed like a small portion of food. Cheese crusted hash browns were interesting but rather tasteless. We saw our waiter three times including when he took our orders. For some reason, the young girl came up behind my friend and covered her eyes with her hands. My friend was pretty shocked and annoyed by it. The girl seemed oblivious to the inappropriate nature of the interaction. I don't plan in returning. Amazing food can make up poor other areas, but adequate food really doesn't.
(2)
Jessica K.
Absolutely love Batter & Berries. No, the decor and ambiance aren't like other brunch places in the city but you come (and return) to Batter & Berries for the food and service. I actually do not ever order french toast but after seeing photos and reviews, had to try it. DELICIOUS. Perfectly crunchy and what a burst of flavors. I had some sort of crab omelette as well, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The ingredients were so fresh and though seafood can smell fishy, this omelette did not. They also cut their hash browns fresh, and you can tell that they owners/chef really put time and energy into the place. If you're a tea person, you must try one of their teas. They're all loose-leaf and so very fresh and fragrant. I'm telling you, this place does not get enough credit in Chicago. If you're looking for fresh, excellent food with generous portions AND fantastic service where the chef/owner takes the time to greet you, Batter & Berries is a must.
(5)
Emily Y.
Thank god my girl friends like to share. The plan was to order everything and pass our plates to the right. The french toast flight was delicious (caramel french toast doesn't sound like something I'd like, but it turns out that it's something I LOVE), the Cluck & Gaufre (chicken & sweet potato waffle) was phenomenal - hot sauce especially, and the Cluck & Gravy (biscuits & chicken sausage gravy) was killer. Our guy friend got the breakfast sandwich and he doesn't share, but he devoured it and then licked the rest of our plates clean. I know this sounds a little weird, but the biscuits and gravy - by far my favorite - reminded me a lot of thanksgiving dinner. In the best possible way. The chicken sausage is as terrific as everyone has claimed, and the biscuits themselves seemed extra savory. I really can't speak to the waitstaff, because my friends were all being primadonnas this particular morning. Despite our semi-poor behavior, our waitress was very nice and gave us good recommendations and advice, despite probably wanting to slap half of us silly. Things moved a little slowly, but nothing worth grumbling about.
(5)
Bethany K.
I confess that I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but when I do I come here to assuage it. The french toast is good and their specials are always inventive, although when we ate there today the specials were on an ipad which felt a little contrived. I guess it was nice that we could see pictures of the presentation but it also meant that it took a long time to get through them as they were being shown to our table in the manner of a woman reading a picture book to small children. The waitstaff are always very friendly and attentive and our coffees are always topped off. Possibly because I avoid this place on the weekends(?) but my food has always come out in a timely manner. However, they need to get a second door for winter! It was a warmish day today (40's?) and every time the door opened frigid fingers of chilly air were sent crawling up my back; this is a relatively small venue so there's no escaping that cold.
(3)
Tee G.
Is there a way I can give more than 5 stars? Because I seriously need to give B&B more than 5 stars. Seriously. My debonair breakfast buddy B.V. has been raving to me about this place for a while now, but for one reason or another I could never make it up there whenever I visited him in Chicago. This time, I struck it lucky! We were just there this past weekend & AHA! We got moving in time enough to get to B&B for brunch! We knew there would be a wait for our party of 3, but what I didn't know was that the chef provides a YUMTASTIC berry drink for folks who have to wait outside for a table. It was freshly made, & had real blueberry pieces in it. I wanted to hug the cooler it was in, it was so good. One of the managers came out & chatted us up as we waited for our table; he was hilarious! Just one of the many ways B&B shows their appreciation for their customers. The other way they show it is with their STELLAR food! So finally the wait was over (it was actually pretty short, considering how many folks were already dining or waiting) & we were seated. Our server T. was so awesome & hilarious, I want him to be my new bff. He was so amazing & funny, I ~have~ to tack on an extra star over & above the 5 stars just for him. He welcomed us first timers to the place warmly, & seemed to be having as great of a time as we were! We each got the french toast super-flight, & they were DREAMY. I almost couldn't deal with all of that deliciousness on one plate. The hashbrowns come with cheese in them by default? OH YES. My other friend had the veggie egg-white omelet, & it was all I could do to keep myself from putting my fork into her plate. Not only is the food excellent, but it is plated beautifully. Each plate is a work of art that you can eat. And you should eat them. Lots of them! I'm already plotting my return. It's almost a good thing B&B is so far away from me, because I'd be there every.single.weekend. I'm not even kidding.
(5)
nikki s.
Despite some of the poor reviews, it's been pure bliss both times I've been to Batter & Berries. Obviously they must be trying to work out the kinks. Service was always pleasant and both times my party and I were seated promptly (perhaps it's because we came later). The interesting menu and the fact that the food is slammin' is what brought me back! Supa dupa props go to... -the sweet potato waffle & chicken breast w/the special sauce -the french vanilla infused french toast -cheese hashbrowns (literally the best i've tasted--EVER) -lobster egg white omelet is on fya! They could get a little more creative with the drinks, but that can come later. Again, my experience has been stellar and it was well worth the 20 minute drive.
(5)
Fran B.
Highly recommended by friends. VERY DISAPPOINTED. How should I begin. Told the expected wait would be 45 minutes- was one hour and 1/2. Told later that because it was only 2 of us, the seating took longer as a way of explanation-Doesn't help to see groups who arrived an hour later seated before we were. 20 minute wait on the food. Food arrived tasty but COLD. Didn't bring the beverages but did remember to keep it on the bill. Nice employees, pleasant attitude but Very disappointing experience from a customer service perspective. It's not just the food management needs to think about-it's the whole experience. Frances B-J.
(1)
Ashley M.
I went to B&B on a Sunday around 12:45 and it was PACKED! I went alone so i got seated almost immediately. You could tell the hostess was new but she was pleasant and not to over whelmed given how busy it was. I was seated at the large table in the middle of the room. This was a little awkward since it seats 10 and there was about four other small parties at the table so i wasn't able to do any general people watching since all i had to look at was a stranger eating across the table from me. My server was very attentive, gave me the specials with good descriptions. I orded the french toast flight given all the reviews and my server's recommendation. I also got hashbrowns, which you could tell were homemade, with two over-easy eggs. All my food was AMAZING. I even liked the blueberry french toast and I'm generally not a fan of blueberries. My server didn't rush me to leave like they often do when i go out to eat alone. Over all great food and service, I will definitely be going back! FYI this place is also byob if you want mimosa you need to bring the chamagne!
(5)
Gwen C.
Loved everything about this place! French toast "flights"! What can be better than that? Coffee excellent, service excellent! Wish we lived in Chicago so we could go more often! Thank you Yelp for helping us find this place!
(5)
Jennifer E.
The chef/owner was so inviting and courteous. It reminded me of being back in the South with all their gracious hospitality and of course, yummy food.
(5)
d u.
Pretty great food, friendly and effective staff, bustling atmosphere. I went on a Sunday around midday with clear weather and there was about a 40 minute wait, once we were seated the waiter was timely and attentive in spite of the absolutely packed house. I would say that the food arrived only just warm, but it was all cooked to perfection, remarkably sweet french toast if that's your fancy, and the deconstructed omelette and sweet potato fries were spot-on as well. Come with some time to spare and the meal should be worth it.
(4)
Mike M.
Fried chicken insane buckwheat pancakes insane coffee strong staff friendly place will change ur life
(5)
Brad C.
Had a great experience here last week. Excellent food and even better service. The staff and owner were very friendly and welcomed my table for coming in and since it was our first time they gave us the low down on the weekly french toast flavor. That's right Batter & Berries has a special weekly french toast flavor, what an awesome way to keep you coming back in. This last week was peanut butter and it was awesome! If you aren't into french toast then you have to try the Cluck-N-Gaufe, aka chicken and waffles. The chicken is great and the waffle has sweet potatoes cooked right into it. I can see this becoming a go to brunch spot in the future.
(4)
Billy M.
Homemade is right on. Fresh. You better like butter. Great french toast for sure, service staff was awesome and entertaining. Chicken sausage was also as noted in previous comments: fantastic. Definitely worth a stop for an off the beaten path breakfast stop.
(4)
Zachary G.
I walked up to the host stand and stood there while the two hostesses continued their conversation. After about 30 seconds they finally turned to me and just stared; I had to ask, "Can I get a table for two?" before either of them talked to me. It wasn't busy (the place was half-full and there were 2 or 3 servers, 2 or 3 bussers, 2 hostesses, and the chef even had time to come out and talk to several tables later on, ours included), but it took our server about 5 minutes to stop by our table. It's not that big of a deal, but someone could have stopped by our table and given us water or coffee. When our waiter took our order he came on a bit too strong. Maybe this isn't a fair complaint; maybe he is genuinely really enthused to work there, but I'm hungry, I haven't had any coffee, and it's too early in the morning for me to handle such seemingly fake excitement. After waiting for 15 minutes, our waiter came back and asked if we'd gotten our food yet. I feel like this is something he should have known seeing as he took our order. At the very least he should have been able to guess, seeing as there were only coffee cups and an orange juice glass on our table. He plays it off as a joke, then says that he thinks our food will be right up. Another 15 minutes go by and we flag our waiter down and ask if our food is coming. He admits that he had forgotten to put our order in until he came by our table last. It's alright that he made a mistake, shit happens. But this means that he lied to us when he said our food would be right up, and also didn't address the issue and didn't keep us apprised of the situation. Another 15 minutes go by, we get up to find our waiter and tell him that we're leaving, but he is nowhere to be seen. (This isn't a big place, either. There are maybe 20 tables at the most.) So, we tell the hostess we're leaving. When we get 20 feet out the door, the waiter comes running out and tells us our food is up. Too late, buddy. Also, as long as I'm hating on the place. I saw a busser spill a cup of water on a little kid and his grandmother. Instead of apologizing, he kept saying that he didn't know why anyone would put water in a coffee mug. Also also, the place is painted and decorated like a day care or something.
(1)
Carter T.
Great service, LOVED the lemon french toast. Will go again to try the crab eggs benedict and cheesy hash browns!
(5)
Nina E.
The food here is AMAZING! The French toast flight is great, especially if you add the special of the day. I shared the flight with one person, along with an order of chicken sausage, cheesy hash browns, and a broccoli, spinach, and cheese omelet. The service was superb. There was no wait for our table. The flight came first before the sides. B&B is definitely on my list of top breakfast/brunch restaurants in Chicago. Thanks to Chef Derek Rylon, Don Jones (manager), and Sam (server) for making my morning complete!
(5)
NewtotheBay J.
Hands down the best brunch I've ever had!!! Shrimp omlette, steak omlette, blueberry waffle, cheese hasbrowns, biscuits and gravy. ..OMG!!! Waitstaff very personable, owner came by to see if everything was stellar, and the wait time was minimal on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)
Emily Z.
'What goes around a yard but never in it' ... A- fence! Our server had all sorts of jokes, which are usually not my thing but he was really nice and attentive as was the chef who checked on us multiple times! We were there on a Friday around lunch time and there were about 4 other tables being used. I would love to give them a 4 but we only liked one of our dishes and a 4 felt like the equivalent of giving Lindsay Lohan a A+ citizenship award... just not the right thing to do. The menu had a nice variety and everything was very fresh and presented well. The specials board was thoughtfully explained by our server and there was no way I was leaving with out trying their specialty Peppermint Schnapps French Toast. We opted for the special french toast flight which is $2 more than the flight listed on the menu bringing it to $13. One half piece of 5 thick cut slices, Strawberry, Caramel, lemon, blueberry and Peppermint Schnapps french toast. All were good, the lemon and Caramel were my favorite baring the obviously star, Peppermint. I'm not sure I could have done that much carbs myself so I am glad I had a friend to help chow down 50%. We also decided on the Arnold? Alfred? Its the chicken sandwich with Guinees BBQ sauce on the top of the lunch page. It looked amazing and the sub sweet potato fires were amazing, the sandwich though was so big and saucey it was nearly impossible to eat and it lacked any real pizazz. I will be back because they are great and being nice gets you a long way in my book! Shop Local!
(3)
Chip H.
Terrible service!! Very disappointed after reading the reviews about the French toast flight, average at best!! Chicken sausage was too sweet. Won't be back!
(2)
Gail G.
Really excellent breakfast place. Unusual menu items and specials, all executed flawlessly. Warm, efficient service. And they let me come in out of the rain even though I showed up before they were open. Highly recommended.
(5)
T Renee C.
The staff are so nice and very knowledgeable about the menu! It's usually a long wait if you don't get there early enough. It opens at 8am and I got there 5 minutes after and there was already a nice crowd. I had: French toast flight (not bread person..but it was delicious). With the "flight" you get a sample of all of the flavors and the flavor of the day. (Blueberry, lemon zest, caramel w/pecans, strawberry and honeydew was the flavor of the day. *no syrup needed. Crawfish omelette was one of the specials (I substituted the "cheese bacon for regular cheese. It also came with a side of cheesy hash browns. Everything was delicious!
(5)
K M R.
Hands down the best breakfast spot in Chicago. The food is mouth watering. The service is superior and the ambiance is very pleasant. Considering the wait was 90 minutes, I was happy that the atmosphere was very plesant.
(5)
Oskar M.
Incredible chicken and waffles - definitely get this. Interesting French toast flight, but not mind-blowing. Hash brown was out if control - definitely get it as a side. It's like a Mac n cheese - hash brown fusion. Service was not the best - had to wait about 15 min before ordering. Would definitely come back though to explore more of the menu. Could reach 4.5 if service is improved!
(4)
Dizzle F B.
Went to Chicago for Labor Day weekend, and received a tip to hit up this Black owned business. The wait is ridiculous, which is the reason for 4 stars, but the food was bomb. Hit that french toast flight...OMG. Do go if you super hungry, cause you can expect an hour to hour n half wait on the wkend, bt if you love good food it will be worth it.
(4)
Christy A.
PSA: 1. Prepare to wait, but I assure you it's worth it. 2. No split groups will be seated so make sure all of your party is there when you're ready to be seated 3. The line forms outside before the doors even open at 8am, arrive early 4. The space is small (maybe tight for larger parties 5. The dishes are "saucy" if you're not a heavy eater ask for sauces on the side or to be held 6. Portions are large (split a few dishes to try a variety) Now that we have the formalities out of the way, enjoy this amazingly succulent food made with the most TLC imaginable. That was a bit dramatic, but seriously, the food is spectacular. Once we were seated the service was fast and friendly. Although it was crowded, everyone seemed to be engulfed in their plates presentation and the taste of their meals. It was like being in a slow-mo movie. The food is prepared and plated to perfection; colorful, flavorful, strategic and downright mouth-watering. It's apparent the Chef, Derek Rylon, puts his heart into his work. Lobster Benedict - 5/5 Veggie omelet & Hash - 5/5 Waffle - 5/5 Batteries & Berries is in a class of its own when it comes to breakfast. They just do it right. Thank me later.
Yelpers reviews didn't steer us wrong. Everyone talked about a wait, and wait we did...I think it was about 90 minutes that Sunday morning. But after about an hour, I lost track. They have a system of texting you when you are up next to be seated. And when you're lethargic from a lack of caffeine, lack of sleep and hunger pangs, that text becomes one of the most blessed texts you can ever receive. Our foursome decided to each order a savory entree and then selected the french toast flight to add a bit of sweetness. Everyone's entree looked at tasted wonderful (we are a sharing bunch). From my crabcakes benedict (which was full of lots of fresh crabmeat but unfortunately the poached egg was a little overdone), Osi V's pork chop breakfast (super tender and flavorful chop), Ericka A and Angela P's fried chicken and sweet potato waffle (tender chicken and flavorful waffle with a bit of a spicy kick). Of the flavors in the french toast flight, my favorite was the strawberry and then the lemon with the chocolate chip being my least favorite. Gotta love a place that is BYOB. The orange pineapple juice they provided for our bubbly made for some refreshing mimosa's. Now when we visited it was super hot outside; so being overheated, plus being in a crowded restaurant, I couldn't feel any AC at all and that made for a super sweaty brunch. But very grateful the staff kept our water glasses filled too.
(4)
Christiana S.
I came when they were still wanting customers a couple years ago and it was amazing, now it is so packed and I'm not altogether sure why. I'm sure they have some good signature dishes but I was less than impressed with my breakfast wrap and my boyfriends broccoli and cheese omelette. Experience could've been improved if there wasn't an 1.5 hour wait, more expanded dining area, and a waitress who cares that you're paying for the food and the service. Needless to say I doubt we will come back.
(2)
B A.
Cliff notes: good French toast flight, BYOB, don't get the crab cakes The French toast flight was delicious, and I highly recommend it. However the crab cake Benedict left much to be desired. It did have a lot of crab, but it was not seasoned well. The cheesy hash browns also lacked flavor, were undercooked (crunchy), and the whole dish came out lukewarm. The cheese had congealed. The food came out VERY quickly, which generally is a good thing. But, based on the fact that the food wasn't warm and the cheese was congealed I suspect that dishes are pre-made to speed up service. Again not a bad thing but, but the dishes need to be heated up and assembled properly so that the meals still taste good. Others in my party really enjoyed the chicken and waffles, and the biscuits with chicken gravy. Seemed to be popular. Also, as you likely have read, there is quite a wait, 40+ mins. They will text you when your table is ready, you reply to confirm, then you come inside they walk you to a little waiting area with a bench. This extra step seemed really unnecessary. Got my hopes all up, lol, and I had to sit and wait some more.
(3)
Jackie M.
One of my favorite breakfast/brunch. I highly recommend coming in a weekday or after 1pm weekday to beat the crowd and easier to find parking. I've been here few times and the service was attentive. There was a time when the entree took about 20min to come out. The manager apologized and waived the entree, which was a nice gesture and I was patiently waiting. Here are all the dishes that i've personally ordered over few visit. The waiter will present the daily special with photos from the ipad, which i think it's very neat. The entree may seem pricey $12 - $18, but the seafood portion is very generous and you pay for what you get. Flight of special french toast - It comes with 5 different types of french toast flavor that is in season. Generally, they serve blueberry, banana/pecan (fav), strawberry, and etc. The french toast in here is crispy and i can eat it without maple syrup. It's not the typical french toast in a breakfast joint. I recommend ordering the french toast as a dessert and share it. Crab cake benedict: Daily special which is not on the menu. I've ordered this dish twice on 2 separate occasion, because it's that amazing. I've been to the east coast which crab cake is literally chunks of crab meat. This place does not disappoint and you will taste chunks of crab meat! chicken and waffle: i'm not a big fan and didnt finish this. I didn't like the savory waffle made from sweet potatoe. It's not my palette to eat savory waffle. The fried chicken was made from white meat and it was dry. It was quite miserable trying to finish this entree. Total dislike. Buffalo shrimp wrap - comes with large shrimp (generous portion of LARGE shrimp). Deconstructed steak: It looks better than what it is. The steak was mediocre and dry. Go for the seafood entree! Entree I would love to try in the future: lobster omelette, scallop omelete lobster benedict. By the way, it's BYOB!
(5)
Anthony P.
A surprise charge on your bill is bad enough, but when a manager refuses to fix it, and accuses you of trying to rip them off, that is a customer service failure. This place is BYOB. We showed up with a bottle of champagne. Our server offered us flutes of orange juice for $4.50. Imagine our surprise later to see the check with 2x charges for the flutes, plus the charge for a 0.5L of orange juice. We had no idea we were ordering souvenirs. A conversation with the manager led to accusations of trying to rip them off. Keep the flutes. A complete shame, because we really do enjoy the food.
(1)
Melvin D.
Had some tasty Twix french toast and it was delicious :) I don't think they have it every day though... My friend had the scallop omlette (is that how you spell that?) And I had the chicken fajita omlette... So stuffed! I would definitely recommend this place :) We will be back for sure!
(5)
Neil H.
Best brunch in Chicago. Me and a friend went on a Tuesday (we heard of long wait times on the weekend) and it was packed. The atmosphere is great and there is the potential to sit and a communal table. We ordered the breakfast burrito, crab cakes and after talking with the waitress we split the French toast flight. The burrito and crab cakes were delicious but the French toast was even better. Whatever you order get some French toast to share!
(5)
Pinklon T.
Not impressed. I told my lady we could have went to wildberry or yolk and got better food. Scallop omelet and crabcake benedict. Really bad fishy smell. Stale bacon...Peach cobbler french toast was good, and they had nice plates lol, but Not good enough for us to do this twice.
(2)
Bree N.
Definitely the type of place you would only come to for some sort of special occasion. Overall the food is very heavy and probably too pricey to go to all that often. I ordered the broccoli and cheddar omelette (don't be surprised when it comes out open faced - still tastes good). It comes with cheesy hash browns as well, which were good but nothing amazing. I went with a large group and everyone else said their food was amazing - the chicken and waffle plate had the best reviews. Maybe what I ordered was just too plain but I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)
John R.
The best French toast I've EVER had in my life. If you travel to Chicago, you MUST, have breakfast here. Great ambiance, good service, decent location. Everyone in my party, (7 of us) loved the food. Get there now!
(4)
Alisha O.
Enough said...don't walk, run to this spot! The bacon was perfect, the cheesy hash browns were yummy. You can believe the hype!
(5)
Staci E.
This place was delicious! The Super Flight was fun to try. It was a taste of a variety of the French Toast that they serve. Absolutely delicious! My favorite was the lemon French Toast. I also had the steak and eggs. My steak was nice and tender, smothered in gravy and mushrooms. Yes! Definitely understand what all the hype was! Will return!
(4)
Leslie Y.
Went on a Friday for brunch with a couple of out of town friends about 2 weeks ago. We were recommended to come here from 2 our friends, and it is this cute random little yellow awning place. We parked in the neighborhood nearby so we wouldn't have to pay for parking. The wait time they told us would be around 45 minutes, but we just walked around the block, and we were seated in about 20-25 minutes at the communal table in the middle with high top chairs. We loved the communal table, because you could see what others ordered, and we got to chatting with a nice man there who had been there multiple times, and had tried EVERYTHING on the menu except for the chicken and waffles (the sweet potato ones everyone talks about). So, he had some great advice to give on what to order. But, all the cheers goes to the waiter. He is one of the few waiters I've met that is honest. He told me he was in the 2% of people who didn't actually like the chicken and sweet potato waffle, and I was amazed because he totally convinced me not to get it, so I went for the spinach omelette which was AMAZING. Because we were sitting at the communal table, the nice man I mentioned earlier actually offered me some of his sweet potato waffle. Yup, just a stranger I just met. Seriously, the communal table was great. I agreed with the waiter in that he felt there was too many flavors competing. I did feel like there was a TON of nutmeg in the sweet potato waffle that kind of overpowered everything. So I think a lot of people like the chicken and waffles, but just ask yourself first if you like nutmeg. And, if you like sweet potatoes, obviously. Our waiter recommended the dish with biscuits and gravy, but something about how their oven stopped working and they couldn't make any more biscuits. :( sadness. Both my friends ordered the french toast flight and you can bet I tried theirs. AMAZING! Really amazing flavors and very delicious. And yup, no need for syrup. They both loved it. Really friendly atmosphere!
(4)
Josie F.
Please do not tell me to get here by three and you will serve me. 2:56 kitchen closed. Too bad for you. I knew what I was going to order. Three dished to taste for one person. Your first loss of many.
(1)
Christina M.
Phenomenal customer service. No wait. I went on a Friday morning. We had the flight of french toast as an app. Lobster omelet. Absolutely delicious. This place is byob. Can't wait to go back and, try other things!
(5)
Jen W.
Oh wow best I've had. Will be back For sure :) people are all friendly - chicken and waffle? Really but awesome
(5)
Ashley M.
I was recommended to Batter & Berries by a fabulous Chicagoin and I was not disappointed. I had the Strawberry French Toast, and it is very flavorful, no need to add syrup because it holds its own. My french toast was accompanied by the chicken sausage, the waitress warned me that the chicken sausage was sweet, well it was. It was not a good combo with my already sweet french toast. On the flip side, the crab omelet is AMAZING!! It is stuffed with gouda and SO much crab. Topped with zucchini and squash, the flavors meshed together so well. I enjoyed Batter and Berries, but come prepared to wait. Our hour wait turned into one hour and a half.
(4)
Rosie D.
Went here yesterday for my birthday brunch. I've been wanting to go here for a long time because everyone raves about the food here. I just hate that it's in Lakeview. And in general I try to stay away from Lakeview unless I absolutely need to be there. But I made the trek anyway and it was worth it. Be warned it is byob so dont leave your bottle at home. If you do though the 7 eleven down the street sells booze. And you'll have time to get said bottle because your wait will be no less than 30 minutes. But I think that's the usual for most super popular brunch spots. Once we got seated everything went super smoothly. We ordered the crab cakes w/ poached eggs, the lobster spinach omelette and the french toast flight. Everything was amazing. Seriously this was the best brunch I've had in a really long time if ever. I'm only deducting a star because our food was a bit cold and the space was small and we were sat by the front door. However I would definitely make the trip back to Lakeview for their french toast. Just maybe once all the snow melts.
(4)
Michelle W.
The French toast flight is a fun concept, but some slices were much better than others. The blueberry and strawberry were quite yummy, but the lemon curd and sweet potato were meh...missing something. My friend ordered the shrimp Alfredo omelet, which he did not realize was "deconstructed." The Alfredo sauce was tasty, and the shrimp was big, but overall it needed salt. This place had been on my brunch list after seeing an episode of "Check, Please!" The episode said it was great for sweet brunches -- wish I had remembered to tell my friend that!
(3)
Margaret B.
This place looks a little small and unassuming in a cool area of Lincoln Park. We were told the standard wait time of 45 minutes, while there were multiple tables clearing out. My friend went back to ask about the wait time, and it so happened that the really nice restaurant manager was right behind the hostess and pointed to an empty table up front. I got the Buffalo Shrimp Wrap with sweet potato fries and was surprised by the hefty portion. A really great deal for not too much money. The wrap was stuffed with greens, which I loved, and huge chunks of blue cheese, and just enough buffalo sauce. The shrimp was ginormous. The perfect lunch for wandering around Chicago.
(4)
Monica A.
This is one of my fave spots in the Chi. Worth the wait, though none today! I tried the signature French toast which is a sampler of lemon, pecan, strawberry and blueberry! Surprisingly I think I liked the lemon best.
(5)
Toni R.
Shrimp and crab Benedict was excellent Cluck and gauf was also great Great service We were here at 7:58am and sat right down
(5)
Martin I.
Really good food for a really good price! Waiter was friendly and service was really fast, definitely recommend this place. Got the executive and the waffle sampler, definitely try out both!
(5)
Christopher D.
As some of the other reviews point out, some of the operational, customer service aspects could probably be improved I'm sure... but whatever, the food is impeccable and comes at a good price. I'll deal and so should you. I didn't see nor experience anything unusual or unfortunate that I wouldn't also expect from other mom & pop operations. If anything I've been to chain and more prominent/expensive restaurants that should know better and have had much worse experiences. We had the Pork Chop Executive (special), which included a virtually perfect, tender bone-in pork chop that had onions and Rosemary, two eggs, and cheesy hashbrowns as well as the French toast flight, which came with some of the best slices of French toast they have to offer including the blueberry, strawberry, and lemon options, plus an additional (special) slice that featured Twix. The Twix option was too sweet/over-the-top for our tastes, but not bad. That was the only criticism we had from our visit. By far, the pork chop was one of the best I've ever had in my time on this planet. Service was acceptable and timely, and our server was polite and pretty knowledgeable despite her acknowledgement that they were short staffed (I couldn't tell). Every bite was a dream and I will definitely be sure to visit this spot every time I come to Chicago. I thought it was an excellent meal for what we paid and we both left very pleased.
(5)
Eric F.
I've been 3 times before and this time I had my cousin from Atlanta who never ate any type of waffle. We had a group of 4 so we ordered Chicken & Goufe, French toast Super Flight, Traditional w/ Chicken/apple sausage, Blue Crab Omelet, and a Steak Omelet. My cousin says she can never have another waffle unless it's this sweet potato infused with chunks of chicken breast(no syrup needed). This chicken and waffle will be the best one you "EVER" had hands down. I don't normally spring for French toast but they out did themselves with the flight where you receive a half slice of all available French toast. On to the omelet. The crab smelled and tasted fresh. I would definitely have this the next time if it wasn't for a limited time. This is not your imitation crab made with fish, this is the real deal! The potatoes and eggs are just potatoes and eggs. I can't expect them to be great at everything, that would be selfish. Although, you do get a lot. The homemade chicken/apple sausage was super good. I've had chicken sausage before but the flavor in this one was kickin' like Bruce Lee. Please! Please! Please go eat here you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Clarissa W.
If waiting for an hour and some change for a seat to eat, you'd think the food was stellar as well as hot. The food was ok not great, and half of what ordered was cold. Our waitress was great and food came quickly. I would recommend going on a day they may no be so busy. Also, sitting in a back corner does little for ambience.
(3)
Lindsey N.
My first time at Batter & Berries is definitely one I will remember for a long time. The food was amazing (of a party of 6, everyone got the French toast flight or the Cluck 'n Gaufre). I had the French toast super-flight; the "special" French toast of the day was peach cobbler. Amazing. One of the best brunches I had in a long time. Our server, Tusiime, was hands-down, the best server I've ever come across. He was so fun and asked our table riddles. It was fun and our entire table was constantly laughing. Our host was great too, we felt very welcome as soon as we stepped in the door. We were there on a Tuesday at 9 AM and the place was already hopping. Our group was able to be seated immediately, but from what I've heard, there is always a line out the door on weekends. I guess if there's a place with great food and remarkable service, people aren't going to keep it a secret!
(5)
Asenath N.
This place is amazing!! One of the best brunch places in chicago! If you are looking for something different and incorporating different protein sources, this is your places. They have seafood, lamb, steak,chicken, and the normal eggs. And everything was so good! The lobster omelette is a must, the lamb trio and the french toast flight. All so good. But all this good food comes with a cost, the wait time. If you don't get their before 9am, you are looking at a 1.5 hour wait! Another thing no mimosas which I think is a must at brunch. Also the food came out way too fast after we ordered. So some of it must be pre-made to order. But I will go because there are more things I want to try.
(4)
Halisa V.
This place is awesome! I went during Easter Sunday with a group of friends (5 of us). We waited a little outside and during our wait the owner/main chef, came out and warmly welcomed us to his place. He recommended we try the french toast flight and he said if we did not like it he would cover the cost of it. Once we sat down, not only did we love the french toast flight, we ordered another 3! I had the "Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof)" - chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle topped with a delicious fried chicken breast & drizzled in a nutmeg hot sauce & b&b maple butter. I absolutely loved it!!! What a clever idea to stuff the waffle with sweet potatoes. The others at my table had different kind of omelets, the buffalo chicken sandwich and some kind of salmon dish. (The salmon dish was for our super health conscious friend who lives at the gym lol.. He claimed it was amazing). We are all secretly jealous of him though! Highly recommend this place for breakfast and brunch!!
(5)
Renee K.
Excellent place to come on the weekdays, no lines. A comfortable place where they serve great comfort food. We ordered the popular sweet potato waffles with fried chicken and oat bran pancakes. So yummy you guys! I can't believe it's taken us this long to come here. Great service!
(5)
Rebecca N.
If this bright little breakfast place were a microcosm of the world, I'd be over the moon. Smiling people and french toast flights. Genius. My friend and I arrived around 9am on a Wednesday and had a precisely 3 second wait for a table. I hear that weekend mornings aren't quite as snappy. If you work a weird schedule, check this place out on a weekday. The hostess and wait staff were all very friendly, attentive, and helpful. Water was refilled super frequently, and an appetizing picture of each special was displayed on a tablet as our waitress described them. Hooray for technology. Coffee was good, but not particularly mindblowing. I picked a crabcake benedict and my friend went for the french toast superflight. Food arrived FASTLY (that's quicker than quickly). My only complaint was that our food wasn't very hot when it arrived. But it was pretty tasty! The french toast flight was interesting for sure. I don't think I'll make another trip to Chicago just to eat here, but if I'm in the area, I'd definitely pop in for brunch again.
(4)
Nathan O.
To be honest just plan ahead for the wait cause it pretty bad. Notice that doesn't change the fact that it's 5 stars. Was it annoying waiting in my car outside or a bar yes. The server was so entertaining the guy was clever. A good idea is to get the french toast flight for an appetizer so you and your friends can taste what's felt like it was made by the hands of God.. I had a taste of the chicken and waffle. This is the best chicken in and around waffle ever tasted by anyone probably. Seasoned chicken baked into a waffle with chicken on the side. God is good.. I ordered Carmel french toast eggs with cheese and Bacon. That frent toast topped with maple butter maple syrup and glazed pecans easily one of the most delicious things I have stuck a fork in.. Everything there was made in house and I honestly can't imagine going to Chicago and not eating there now..
(5)
Cynthia X.
Came here at 2:30pm on a Friday and there was no wait. (We learned the lesson from coming unsuccessfully during rush hour on a weekend). The french toast flight was great, but not as amazing as everyone else made it out to be. The (four half) slices of bread are definitely on the smaller side, which at $11 something, doesn't make it a good deal. The waffle and gough (?), basically chicken and waffles, was very mediocre. The waffle is a sweet potato waffle, which I personally found to be too sweet. The chicken had good seasoning, but was way too dry (and small!) My verdict: decent food, but definitely not worth any wait over 30 min. This place is byob, which may interest some.
(3)
Ruth S.
THE best brunch! SO good! Plan to order like a thousand things off the menu. You cannot go wrong with anything. Louisiana in Chicago! Every flavor of french toast is delicious so get the flight. All of their omelets are "deconstructed" which compartmentalizes the flavors. I had their special omelet which as a Cajun crawfish and veggie omelet which was literally to die for. Sweet potato hash browns are soooo good! All the staff members were very nice. Would come back a thousand times over. Very special and unique spot!
(5)
Adrienne T.
FINALLY. I've lived a block away from this place for over two years and could never understand why so many people flocked to this establishment every day. I mean, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on a Wednesday at 10 in the morning there would be a wait. I think that was part of the reason why I avoided this place for so long. Well, I made it. We got there at 8:15 on a sunday and were seated right away. After hitting up a bunch of brunch places in the hood and leaving fairly unimpressed, I was skeptical but also hopeful that this place could wow me. If you look at my recent reviews, it's been a while since I've given a wow. We ordered the deconstructed spinach/gouda omelet and the special deconstructed omelet - with fresh zucchini and crab. WOW. oh WOW. I mean, WOW. I now want all my omelets to come deconstructed. I think what I liked best, was I was given a fair amount of crab and fresh vegetables. I couldn't eat it all and was actually full, which never happens. We ordered a kid version of the chocolate chip pancakes. The pancakes were thin - which I think I prefer now and came with this sweet butter on top that I could have eaten on its own it was so good. One plus - they have five to six special items that are not on the menu. Unlike other restaurants, this place actually shows you pictures of the dishes. Unfortunately, this made it more difficult to decide because they all looked so good. Overall, Great eatery. Well crafted food. Great service. I think I found my "brunch" spot - I just wish they would tell everyone they are closed and open just for me.
(4)
Andrew B.
Food was good, an important point that really can't be under stated for a restaurant. The advice I have though is that seating at the rear of the restaurant is acoustically unfavorable to conversation. The front tables, by the door, give a much quieter atmosphere as the seats fill up. Hopefully the next time I come here they will have done something to absorb the noise levels.
(5)
Natalia K.
came here on a monday morning expecting the outrageous wait time to be way less than what it is on the weekend.. yeaaaaahhhh no. still waited 45 minutes to get seated but wow it is well worth it. i got the flight of french toast and it was out of this world! i have never had lemon french toast prior to my visit and it is for sure my new favorite. the sweet potato hash browns are an awesome twist on the traditional side dish. definitely coming back again soon
(5)
Hana M.
Super flight fench toast & chicken & waffles = fabulous. The Chicken & waffles are amazing. The waffle is sweet potato and in it has bit & pieces of fried chicken. No syrup or anything needed because its all in there. The french toast is thr star. I am not a french toast kinda girl but everytime I go here sure enough I order this to share. They have a lemon one that is to die for! Tart & yummy. The wait is a PAIN. Get here when they open since the place is small. Better yet, get food to go. BYOB, ample of parking space, delicious brunch place, LONG wait! Must try!
(5)
Lux O.
I've gotten the chicken and waffles here and they were okay no complaints my mom had the eggs benedict and it was mediocre nothing to brag about the place gets crowded quick,but i probably won't b back, so thatll b one less body to worry about at least.
(3)
Brett B.
I really want to give this place a better review... I do... but I didn't have the best experience there. When we arrived, we were expecting a pretty bad wait time - and were told it would likely be about 2 hours. That's fine, we had a group of 4 people and it was a busy time on a Sunday. We tried calling from across the street (we were waiting at Atlas Brewery) and the hostess hung up on us twice. We decided to head on over and were told to wait in the "front area." There were three hostesses who sat there on their phones and talked to each other while the wait staff worked like crazy to get the tables ready. The front table was cleared off and one of the hostesses gave us a "shoo" motion saying, "You can sit there." We sat down and looked around, wondering where the menus were - but there were none. Normally... a hostess would seat you... and bring you the menus? When our waitress approached our table, she saw we didn't have them and walked back to the stand, "Uh.. guys.. my table doesn't have menus." One rolled her eyes and brought them over. Our waitress seemed a bit stressed out but explained the menu (none of us had been there) and made suggestions. Given what I've mentioned before, I would normally give this place a 1-2, but the food made up for it. My girlfriend and I split two dishes: the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof), which was quite good, a sweet potato waffle (stuffed with chicken) and a piece of fried chicken with nutmeg hot sauce on it. The only thing I found upsetting was that there was no syrup for the chicken and waffles. (it's all infused in the butter) and began tasting a little dry. The second dish was the french toast flight (we opted for the "super flight" which included the chocolate strawberry champagne toast as well) - the french toast was delicious, very flavorful and cooked very well. Overall, I'd say it was an interesting experience, but the welcoming staff really needs to get it's act together.
(3)
Good E.
Small, crowded, overrated. One of the owners comes outside & like a ghetto ass classless clown, continuously hollers out patrons names. Wtf kinda ish is that? Ur an embarrassment for ur own establishment. He then belittles his staff publicly, hollering at them as well. The food, just meh. I had the sweet potato waffle & chicken and the waffle was awful. U didnt taste any sweet potato, tasted like a piece of awful gingerbread. The chicken was drenched in hotsauce after i asked for no hotsauce. Tables right outside the bathrooms, complete turnoff. Definitely wont be back, not worth the wait or hefty price
(2)
Tony M.
Good breakfast had lobster benidict was good not best I ever had but then again I'm comparing to spot in new Orleans I had them but overall great place for breakfast never been on weekend I hear it gets really packed .
(4)
Christopher G.
Enjoyed a great breakfast at B&B on Memorial Day. There was a line when I arrived with a 1 hour wait but it moved quickly and once seated the service was fast and my food served in less than 10 minutes after ordering. I enjoyed Strawberry French Toast and a plate of delicious bacon as a side with a glass of OJ. The crowd was energetic but classy. Definitely come here when you can for the food and for a great way to start any morning!
(5)
Minh-An C.
My friends and I arrived at this place around 1 PM to grab brunch/lunch on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and boy was the line long for this place. We had a party of 3 and waited close to two hours for a table. My friends and I were starving by the time we got seated and during our wait, we went to a nearby Starbucks to grab a drink while we waited. Note: they have their regular menu and then they have a special menu that is written on the chalkboard and the waiter will highlight them to you before you order. I wish they would have the special items printed on a menu so I can read it and not have to be rushed in my decision. Also, the pricetag of each plate wasn't attached so I was hesitant in ordering from the special menu. The waiter place your order through an iPad, too so that's pretty cool until you have to face with technical difficulty...which happened to us. I got the chicken and waffles while my friends got the blueberry french toast and the crawfish omelette ($16/17?). Food came out pretty fast and we finally got to enjoy our first meal of the day. My friends and I were all pretty satisfied with our food. It wasn't the best chicken and waffles I have ever had though so if I do come back here, I would probably try something from their special menu or the executive plate (steak and eggs) I saw someone order. And I would definitely try to go during times where I wouldn't have to wait so long for a table.
(3)
Kayla L.
You have to try the crab cake eggs Benedict and french toast flight! Definitely a food experience not to miss. The only downside is the long wait (1 hour minimum) but the food makes up for it! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
(5)
Nicole R.
I have gone here several times. My boyfriend works at a company next to it. The food is always great! I love the crab cakes benedict the eggs are perfectly poached every time. The French toast flight is also amazing. It is almost always crowed there and I do not mind that. It just means that the food is good. The service is sometimes slow, but I have never had a messed up order. Don't go here if you are in a rush because it is always very busy.
(5)
Yuri H.
5 stars for the food. Absolutely delicious. My friend and I had the scallop omelette and the French toast flight which comes with half a slice of all the French toasts they have to offer. Both were stellar. -1 star because it was so loud! My friend and I felt as if we had to yell at each other. One of our servers came by our table, and I think she said something along the lines of "let me know if you need anything." But I only got that much from reading her lips. We came here on a Tuesday morning. There wasn't a wait, but it was still very crowded!
(4)
Phyllis S.
super busy! but theres a reason why....it's so good. After having it once I've wanted it every weekend morning after. The french toast are perfect and the give you a butter to eat it with. The hashbrowns are so good. So yum. You can also request hot sauce. I love everything spicy so I put it on the hashbrowns....the coffee is good. Every time I've gone I've had to wait but they text you when you're up so I like that because that way you don't have to hold those dirty square vibrators that you know they never clean. The wait has never been that bad. worth it.
(5)
Ken O.
OMG - incredible restaurant on Lincoln Avenue in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. I had seen several reviews on this place and decided I would need to try it. So glad I did. A buddy and I went to this restaurant on a Monday shortly after 11am. The place was already packed. We were able to find couple of seats at the communal table. Yessica was our server and she went over the extensive menu with us. Then departed so we can review the menu ... again and again. Everything looked so good. When Yessica came back, we were finally ready to order. My friend had ordered the Steak Omelet and I had ordered the Strawberry French Toast with sides of bacon and the Cheese Hash Brown. The decor is very bright with the yellow walls, sunshine from the large windows and the paintings hanging throughout the restaurant. There are various sizes of tables throughout this wooden floor restaurant. The volume was not as bad as it could have. The food runner had brought us the meals within an appropriate amount of time. As many people that were there, the food could have taken longer. Kudos to the kitchen staff!! Regarding the food... incredible. Everything was done perfectly including the service. As we were eating, more and more people to being seated and waiting to be seated. Get there early - enjoy a great neighborhood restaurant. Looking forward to go back.
(5)
Tim H.
I'm in love with this place. Always an enjoyable experience with GM Don at the helm. I find the journey into the city on the weekend to be my best bet. There always seems to be an early start to the crowd. The staff typically does a stellar job of keeping the crowd rotated. They have the cool check in system that will text you to confirm your table, if there's a wait. I have certainly enjoyed the Lamb Chop Trio and every French Toast Flight to date has been fantastic. The Chef is always enticing you with a new creation. A great communal table is available too.
(5)
Dani O.
The only thing I can see putting people off when considering trying this place is the wait. You will wait, but it's 100% worth it. The amount of food and quality of food itself would be enough to satisfy me, but the experience here was fantastic. We had a French toast flight to start and share, and the server was kind and knowledgable and his recommendations were spot on. When three of us couldn't decide what to get, he suggested we each get something different and rotate plates. Best solution ever. We tried a crawfish omelette (with about 50 crawfish on it--they don't skimp), chicken and waffles which was heaven, and crab cakes Benedict. The meal was amazing, and the atmosphere was so home-y. Different servers kept checking in on us, so we always felt well attended, and during our meal, the head chef came around to thank us for coming in. We left satisfied and happy.
(5)
Caress T.
A fun atmosphere and a great place for brunch! It's got delicious options, amazing prices, and it's BYOB, for anyone who is interested. Everything I had was seriously DELICIOUS, and many of the other meals on the nearby tables looked amazing as well. The music is a little loud, but the tables are spaced well. It's intimate, but still feels like a restaurant. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Amanda M.
This review is solely for their food, as I did not dine in. Boo scooped me up some food to go as he dined there for Sunday brunch. I got the sweet potato waffle and chicken. I tend to order chicken and waffles if a place has it, but I often find it to be mediocre. Most of the time, the chicken and waffle itself are pretty good but doesn't quite come together as an actual dish. However, at Batter & Berries, their chicken and waffle was just how it should be. The sweet potato waffle meshed well with the chicken and the chicken was very flavorful and moist. The fact that the waffle was also stuffed with chicken was quite genius and made the sweet & savory dish work very well. The maple butter was yummy while the hot sauce was somewhat basic. It wasn't bad, but was reminiscent of Frank's red hot buffalo sauce. Overall, best chicken and waffles I've had. Would like to dine in and try other items sometime, but not sure if I would wait 1.5 hours for it like the bf did.
(5)
Uptown G.
There are few times in my life I'd ever justify a wait greater than 1 hour for food. I suppose this was one of those times. I had a guest in town, and I had heard great things about this place. I got there around 10am on Labor Day weekend Sunday, and our wait was about an hour and 15 minutes. The beauty of it was that as soon as we sat down we ordered our food, and it came within 10 minutes, no joke! I had the French toast flight - excellent! And I normally NEVER order French toast at restaurants. My friend tried the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. She mentioned the waffle was a bit sweet, but the hot sauce with the chicken toned that down a bit. The service was pretty good. And the food was great! I'll definitely be back again...
(5)
Rebecca C.
Soooo yummy! I had been telling my mom about this place for awhile and finally we made it. It took me awhile to write this review, actually I thought I already did.. hmmmm This place is small inside, but very cute. We did have to wait out for what felt like forever. There is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Just be patient and wait. Luckily, we were seated along the wall. Since it is small in here, it can easily get congested. There is also a large table in the middle, which holds a lot of people, but I personally would not bring a big group due to the wait. It is also very loud in here, which is something I did not like. However, this rating is for the food. I had the banana foster waffles and MMMM MMM it was good. My mom had the french toast and she really enjoyed it. It looks very sweet, but she said it was just the right amount. That was the same for mine. I at least recommend to try it once. As far as a breakfast spot to go and have a conversation, I wouldn't recommend, you wont be able to hear!
(4)
Mith R.
If you're looking for mediocre breakfast that's WAY TOO SWEET combined with long waits and an overpriced menu, than this place is your jam. Seriously though, these 4-5 star reviews are what make me question yelp ratings. The food served here is a complete mess. Do you not want your french toast to taste like anything but caramel sauce? How about dousing everything else is various sauces while were at it? Think of this place as a more-expensive IHOP.
(2)
Evie H.
Factoring in a couple of factors, Batter & Berries gets a solid 3. Our wait time on a Sunday was a good 1 hr 15 min before we even got seated. Then it was another 25 min before we got our food after ordering. I got the Super French Toast flight which comes with a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, caramel, lemon, and the special of the day - Golden Oreo. I must say that it was very classic french toast - just a little crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However at $14, I just don't think two and a half slices of bread topped with a little bit of fruit and puree should be worth that much. Out of the five, the golden oreo was my favorite with the caramel coming in second (though too sweet), then the lemon. The blueberry and strawberry were both fairly standard. + that the interior is gorgeous. All the pictures on the walls are items I would love to have myself. + that they have the Lakers purple and yellow going on - for the level of noise. It was so loud that I had to yell so that my dining buddy could hear me even though he sat less than two feet away. Bottom line: Batter & Berries is okay if you have nothing to do and don't mind waiting around (there's Starbucks nearby for those interested.) Otherwise, there are other brunch places to go to.
(3)
Jennifer C.
Come hungry and order the goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle with cinnamon butter). It is savory, spicy and sweet and the harmony of flavors is delicious. The staff are super warm and friendly and the vibe is very convivial. The place was packed on a weekday at lunchtime. The decibel level was very high but worth it for the fantastic food.
(4)
Yuki Z.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Saw my friend's pictures of the French toast and lobster omelet, and I was like "I have to go to this place." Eventually after three weeks waiting, I went and it was AMAZING!!! We were told the waiting would be about an hour and half. Even though we came with the preparation of waiting, an hour and half still sounded crazy. We still decided to wait and walked around in the community (the Japanese stationary store in the corner is cute and good for killing time btw). And surprisingly, I got the message half an hour later saying that we got a table! Lucky! (It's really convenient that you left your phone number there and they would text you when your table would be ready) We got the super flight of French toast! Great concept but as others said, some are better than others. Blueberry one is definitely our favorite! So yum! We also got the lobster omelet! GREATTT! The server was really pleasant and funny haha. Loved him! The place is pretty crowdy and probably a little bit loud, but the food is amazing! Definitely want to go back!
(5)
Crystal L.
1. 40 minute wait that was actually an hour and 20. 2. Poached egg that was raw. 3. Second try at poached egg that was closer to fully boiled 4. Bland shrimp and crab Benedict. 5. Pleasant server.
(2)
Shon A.
Came here to have brunch for 2 on a Sunday. Threw our names down around 1045a-11a and weren't seated until 1230p or so. So the wait was deffiently substantial if its over 1.5 hours for a table for two! I would have to say the food was ok. My friend ordered the Chicken & waffles which were mediocre and I ordered a steak omelette which was not good at all. The only good item we ordered was the french toast. Not going to lie, we got the sampler plate and all of them were good but the strawberry & blueberry really stick out! The atmosphere was very loud and it was not pleasant. You literally had to scream to the person sitting across from you to get a sentence out. I would not recommend going unless you have a lot of patience
(2)
Brittany G.
This place was just amazing!!! Food was great, excellent service and the people are real down to earth. Came all the way from Ohio to try and was wowed for sure! I had the super flight which is all of the French toast flavors in one serving and it was heaven sent!
(5)
Patrick J.
Great food friendly staff. Love this place. Excellent service and the owner was very nice.
(5)
Jamal S.
4.5! Pretty much the best breakfast of life ! I had the chicken and waffles & it was out of this world. The down side about this place is the LONG WAIT! And it's so tiny . If you don't wana wait , be there when thy open .
(4)
Sofia C.
I don't get what all the hype is about. We waited for over an hour, the hostess was very rude and aside from the sweet waiter we had everyone else acted like they were doing us such a big favor. The crowd was rowdy and loud. Not a relaxing or nice environment for weekend brunch. So disappointed because the photos on yelp looked amazing and the reviews were generous. FOOD: coffee- (3/5) Meh. french toast flight- (3/5) Cool concept and presentation. It just didn't taste as good as it looked. crab & shrimp benedict- (3/5) The crab & shrimp benedict was ok, but the cheesy hash browns everyone was raving about were gross and looked like they had been reheated. buckwheat pancakes (2/5)- Very dry.
(2)
Maxwell M.
I had one of the best meals of my entire life here. "The goof" (sweet potato waffle and fried chicken) was unbelievable. The hot sauce was on point, the waffle was perfect, the chicken was tender and delicious. I got lucky and didn't have to wait for a table, but I would gladly wait hours for a meal here. This is my new "must stop" when I am in Chicago
(5)
Pranitha P.
Absolutely amazing. My friend and I went right at the opening on a Sunday morning so we were able to avoid any crowd. He was visiting Chicago, and I'm so glad we decided to go here before he left. The waiter was kind and timely on the order and we were seated immediately. I had an egg white omelette with spinach, it was huge but delicious. My friend tried the chicken and waffles and love them. We both shared the french toast which was both of our favorite - a little too sweet to eat all of them . I would definitely come again and recommend to friends!
(5)
adam c.
Tasty breakfast! Loved the fajita omelet and shared the French toast flight.. So full but happy ... Will return!
(5)
Preston L.
Let's be real here. There really is not a better breakfast option in the Lincoln Park area. I consider myself the Tim Gunn to the breakfast eateries world, harshly judging with just a hint of sass....and this place, like a good Michael Scott "that's what she said", always leaves me satisfied and smiling. This place brings actual art and craft to breakfast, creating exquisite plates that one would only imagine to see on the deepest depths of Pinterest, but you can get it here, for very reasonable prices. They're famous for their French toast flight (best French toast I've ever had) so be sure to check that out. Hurry in, and make all your Instagram followers jealous after you inevitably post that picture of your meal to your profile.
(5)
Stephen R.
Absolutely fantastic. Mind I am NOT the one to wait for a table if I don't for myself that I love the food, so, thankfully, the date and I were up early and literally arrived at 8am (opening time) to try it out. I can see why people wait. He had a deconstructed fajita omelet and I had the biscuits and gravy with over-medium eggs. We split the super French toast flight as a breakfast dessert. Everything was cooked PERFECTLY and I was legit shocked at how quickly everything came out. Maybe that's because of the horrid experience I had in my hometown at the "rave diner" there haha. They clearly want to turn tables, but I never once felt rushed. Definitely go if you can. And get the French toast, though I was overstuffed by the end. The early bird gets the table! Haha. It was full up by the time we left.
Outstanding service...from the greeting at the door to the knowledgable wait staff. And the food? Well worth the 40min drive!
(5)
Lauren D.
We went here on a weekday around 11:15 am. We got seated within 5-minutes. I was surprised how busy it got 15-minutes later. The line was out the door. We had their two specials that day. I ordered the shrimp which was tossed in light fluffy eggs and came with some wonderfully seasoned, tender potatoes. The shrimp was huge and fresh, but it was overcooked so it was not tender. This is the reason for my 4-star review. The customer service is excellent. They take very good care of you. The Manager (possibly Owner) came to our table to ask us "how is everything?" I was honest and told him my shrimp was overcooked, but otherwise everything else was fantastic! He offered to replace my meal, but I was more than 50% done with my food, so I said "No thanks." However, this will not prevent us from returning. We really, really like this place. Service is worthy of 5-stars. We spent $35 (excluding tax and tip), but we only had water (no coffee or juice). It was a cold winter day when we hit up this joint, but the space heater near the table kept us toasty warm. It was loud and got crowded quickly. We were glad that we arrived early enough to beat the lunch crowd. My niece enjoyed her meal immensely. This area is "Pay to Park," but we got lucky -- a spot almost in front of the restaurant. TIP: Arrive before the crazy lunch crowds. Enjoy a nice lunch or super early breakfast. The tables get turned over quickly. Of course, the faster the tables turn-over the more money they make. We never felt rushed or pressured to leave despite how crowded it got. I run everyday at 4 am, so getting to Batter & Berries super early works perfectly for me. I prefer being here when it is a bit more quiet and less crowded. The vibe here is very friendly, and the Owners/Managers are very hospitable. It's a great place for people watching. They have a large table in the center with tall stools which gives the feel of a large community table. We will definitely return again. If you have never been here before, but have this restaurant on your bucket list for 2015, hit it up.
(4)
Samantha G.
This review is for the French toast flight. And the side of cheesy potatoes. And the juice. And the service. I knew this place was a gold mine when we pulled up to a parking spot. But then I also knew there was gonna be a long wait when I saw a long a$$ line of people outside. We b!?€he'd and moaned how hungry we were, and how we were about to eat the leather off our purses. And then they called our name. The most beautiful word I heard all day, bc I knew I'd get fed. So they sat us at this long table with other people. Kinda like being back in grade school, when we had to sit next to people we didn't know/never would be caught sitting next to. Weird. But I was determined to get food. I got the omelette with goat cheese, asparagus, and scallops. I like all those ingredients, just not together. But it did come with a side of awesome. I mean, a side of cheesy potatoes. You'd have to try it to understand what you've been missing every morning. We also ordered the French toast flight. It was sooooooooooo freakin good. The blueberry was my favorite. The cream sauce they use is mind blowing. Will upload a photo just like every other patron in the restaurant has done. The others ordered the chicken and waffles, and the ham with eggs. They agreed that it was very good. But then again, eating with an elite yelper does have its rewards. Just ask them ;)
(5)
Jeff J.
One of the best breakfast restaurants I have ever been to. Seriously worth spending a few hours digging my car out of this Chicago winter storm to be here. I had Banana Puddin French Toast and Chicken and Waffles. Can't emphasize enough how much I love this food. Yummmmmmmmm
(5)
Emily M.
Wow! This place definitely gets my vote for the best French toast! If you're looking for something sweet, go here! Went on a Saturday with a 20 minute wait...not bad! Great coffee, super friendly staff, and great service! A bit noisy inside, but the food is worth it!
(5)
Joanna G.
From Los Angeles visiting a friend. She recommended this breakfast spot. Attempted to come on a Sunday however the wait was over an hour, I now know why. We ordered the flight of French toast. It was Ah-amazing!!! The lemon French toast was by far my favorite! It was a party on my palate!
(5)
Julie T.
Love, love, love this place! Service is good, food is amazing and the atmosphere is comforting. Best brunch I've ever been to. There is a wait but so worth it. Had the chicken and waffles, flight of French toast, and scallop omelette and it was impeccable. So good!
(5)
Chriselda W.
The service is the worst. Be prepared to wait for upwards of an hour and half, with the potential of your table being taken by another party. The waiters were rude and the hostess was disrespectful. This has happened to my party multiple times. The food was great but the hassle to get a table was a nightmare. Not only was my request to speak with management denied, but our waiter kept getting ruder and ruder. Your best bet is to take your business to Hash House A Go Go. The service and food is divine. PS: after every trip to B&B I take my business to Hash House because I refuse to support a business that doesn't not appreciate my business.
(1)
Willie T.
Service played a pretty big part in this score. Our waitress was generally unenthusiastic in the beginning but that's not the worst part. I had the Cluck-n-Gaufre which is a sweet potato waffle stuffed with fried chicken with a side of fried chicken. Sounds good but it was terrible fried chicken. It's like they didn't brine the chicken. It was really dry in the center and I just gave up eating it. Like how does a restaurant screw up fried chicken that badly? Should have bought some KFC and served that instead. The waffle itself was good but not enough to redeem the dish. My friends got the French toast flight and those were solid but nothing out of this world. I mean it was just toppings on top of French toast. Macerated blueberries or strawberries for blueberry or strawberry French toast. The salted caramel was tasty as was the mango. The food would have been a 3 and I would have come back to give it another try but the service killed it for me. I told the waitress about the dry chicken when she came by and she said sorry apathetically and just left. No manager or hostess came by to address the issue. Then the waitress brought the check and said no rush before we even finished our food or asked for it. They must have really wanted that table for that line outside! We took a look at the check and kept eating and she immediately came by because she thought we were paying. She did say no rush right? The guy serving water was way more professional and courteous than she was. If I could give 1.5 stars I would. There are so many better breakfast places in Chicago like Longman and Eagle where the service is just as good as the food that I see no reason to go here.
(2)
Fred H.
There was a lot of word of mouth buzz around this place, so I decided to give them a try. Almost hidden away in the eclectic Lincoln Park neighborhood, a bright yellow awning above the door marked the spot. Ample pay box street parking available. Upon entering, we were greeted by a less than enthusiastic hostess. She didn't speak, no smile and directed us to a table by saying " right there" with a head nod. This wasn't a good first impression, especially from a customer who just drove from the western suburbs to patronize. The space was cramped and the place was packed. The decor reminded me of something you might see in a coffee shop on a college campus. Bright and inviting. I really liked the first come first serve community table that was situated in the center of the restaurant. Specials were written on chalkboard placed high on the wall near the ceiling. Service was average. Although the waitstaff was being courteous by refilling coffee and or water, it was getting annoying because of the small space. We were seated on a wall near the door so there seemed to always be someone walking by. Now on to the food. I had the Apple Belgigue (waffle with caramelized apples) and the cheesey hashbrowns. The food was good pure and simple. My only critique about the Apple Belgigue is the sweetness. It was almost overly sweet, especially with syrup and the homemade butter. I also didn't enjoy the caramelized apples on the waffle, so I just removed them. The hashbrowns were excellent. All and all, the food made up for the negative first impression but I would like to go back and give them a try on another day when there is less of a crowd.
(3)
Rick D.
I really enjoyed the food here. I ordered the deconstructed chicken omelet. And the buckwheat pancakes.
(4)
Camille C.
Oh ma word!... After a couple of failed attempts at waiting in line we finally got to eat here after Christmas Day. It was as per usual super packed. We put our names down and went for coffee at a adjacent Starbucks. Lo and behold we came back and were seated right away. The food was on our table 10 mins after our order. Boy had the chicken and waffles and I ordered the crab cake benefits. In addition, we ordered a flight of French toasts. The crab cakes benefit were very fresh, and the cheese hash browns hit the spot! Now the chicken was ridiculous! Very very well seasoned. Perfectly fried. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly moist. Perfectly crisp! The hot sauce was unlike anything I tasted before with just the right amount of heat. The sweet potato waffles were spongy, and lightly sweetened. French toast were also on point! The place is well worth the wait!
(5)
K R.
This experience was really interesting and cool at the same time. This was my first time eating at this spot and I was definitely happy I tried it out. We waited about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad. The service was fast and efficient. We ordered the Waffles and chicken. The portion size is decent and filling. The orange juice is $4 dollars, I think I will stick to water or coffee next time. Other than that this place rocks.
(4)
XTreats X.
Definitely one of the best places in Chicago. If you come later in the day be prepared to wait for a little but it's well worth it! The chef is very friendly and extremely innovative. People rave about the French toast flight and the chicken and waffles but it's all amazing! My only complaint is that it is too close to my apartment so I'm compelled to frequent. It also has a great south side atmosphere, which is refreshing since it is engulfed by a pretentious neighborhood. So if there is a bad review on here it is probably from a rich mom that went on a girls brunch date and wanted to feel like she was superior. GO TO BATTER & BERRIES!
(5)
Emily E.
You must get the chicken and waffles here. Amazing! Worth the long wait, believe me! Menu has great savory and sweet options, like the French toast flights!
(5)
A P.
As others have said, get the French Toast flight...loved the lemon and pecan ones. Also bring champagne if coming for brunch. Otherwise you'll be the only ones who didn't.
(5)
Carolina N.
I will never come here or recommend this place. I live and love Lincoln Park but this place needs to check themselves. Extremely rude and terrible staff. I also was contacted by someone who may work there or knows someone who works there and their message was EXTREMELY vulgar, harsh, and offensive. They did not like my initial review I posted about being mistreated by the hostess when I asked her simple questions regarding wait times and help with our parking situation during a rainstorm. Get over it B&B, I am not eating there and I don't think that your staff is nice. No one should subject themselves to mean employees just for chicken and waffles. Lincoln Park is a neighborhood filled with amazing brunch spots with sometimes disgruntled employees but who are at the very least professional and competent.
(1)
Dee T.
Delish!!! I had the French Toast Super Flight and the Chicken & Geuf ("Goof" - it's a chicken sweet potato waffle with a side 'o chicken breast). Soooooo goooood! No syrup needed. That chicken was the best!! The breakfast selection was great and there were some tasty sounding daily specials; they looked good too ( I saw a few as they went by). No grits though. I didn't even pay attention to the lunch menu. The breakfast was singing to my tummy. Lol! The service was great and classic Chicago house music played low in the background. Nice touch. The owner(s) and manager walk around interacting with everyone which also made the experience enjoyable. But really it's all about that great food!! Kudos to this place. In Chicago for 4 days and I'm going back tomorrow!! Yuuummy!!
(5)
Anastasia M.
Excellent service. The owner/chef greeted us and ensured our satisfaction which was a refreshing reprieve. He really cares about his work and it exudes through the polite and professional staff. I was fully welcomed and informed of the options available and the food was delicious! I can't wait to return.
(5)
Sara S.
My favorite meal I had while visiting Chicago from San Francisco was here. Will suggest this place to anyone. Also service, excellent vibe, amazing food!
(5)
Try4Gold ..
Disappointed...I heard a lot of great things but it's only okay, far far far from special. The french toast flights are "meh" ...a strawberry or a blueberry here and there, it's not different, it's a lot the same.
(3)
J A.
Coffee was good. Host staff friendly. thanks to YELP we were prepared to wait. Food came out fast. Server was charismatic. Told jokes and riddles. French toast flight was fun. Chicken and waffles is amazing. Huge portions. Friendly to our 5 year old. Overall a good experience and we will be back!
(5)
Laurie S.
Fun atmosphere - plan to wait at least 45 min on the weekend. Good solid coffee. Best French Toast- we ordered the flight and you get 1 slice of each flavor good for sharing. Don't ask for syrup. Each piece is to be eaten as prepared. The omelets are deconstructed so there is cheese in the omelet and the meat and veggies come on the top. Their cheesy hashbrowns with a side is hot sauce take it to a new level. I can't wait to come back!!
(5)
Theresa S.
Today was my first time there and the food was amazing. I would definitely visit again!
(5)
Karen M.
Took a large group to this wonderful eatery. The chicken infused mildly spicy chicken & waffles were superb. The "flight" French Toast entree even topped the waffles with their infused strawberry, blueberry, lemon and pecan brioche selection treat ..it was said and truly amazing that you do not need syrup on either of these breakfast delights ...the traditional eggs, anyway you like, with side of cheesy hash browns..accompanied by 2 hamburger sized sausage patties..made in house with either pork or chicken. There was nothing but all smiles and a great tip.....left for this gotta go and dine location Karen McCray, President Rich Central Marching OLYMPIAN Band
(5)
Tish B.
Today was my first visit here. Me and my family were not disappointed! As soon as we walked in the greetings were so warm and friendly! We were seated immediately because we got there early LOL! Everything we ordered was so DELICIOUS! Our waiter was so nice and the owner is hilarious. They made us feel so comfortable and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Damian F.
This was our first attempt to dine at Batter and Berries. Friendly servers, Caramel French toast was amazing and the environment was fun (one server in particular did a hilarious birthday dance for another customer). I was expecting more from the chicken and waffles (the butter on the waffles saved it for me). Overall we had a great experience! We will be back.
(4)
Jenna C.
Holy Moses, yelpers ain't lyin! That french toast flight is out of this world! Latte was also yummy and cute, featuring some foam art. As far as the wait - although it went quickly and we were lucky to get a nice day to just stand outside, I'm left wondering what people do in the winter or bad weather. With how popular this brunch spot is, I'm hoping they can expand soon! :)
(3)
D J.
Best breakfast in town! I really don't have the words to describe how delicious it is! Of course I had the 'Flight of French Toast' which I devoured (best french toast I've ever eaten) & I also had the crab cake Benedict which was just as good. This place is very tight & small & the wait is typically long. So if you're in a rush or just an impatience person you probably want to go somewhere else. But it's totally worth the wait & then more waiting. The service was very welcoming & personable. Oh & they were playing some nice music, too! Try it! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Sean B.
Best brunch in Chicago. Chef Rylon is a genius. The chicken and waffles with the homemade sauce is amazing. I'd recommend getting the sauce on the hash browns as well. Many specials to choose from daily. WILL WAIT on weekends. Very quick service. Extremely friendly staff. The only flaw I've found is this place is their hash browns, which are slightly undercooked for my taste every time. Everything else is flawless however, so 5 stars it is!
(5)
Siobhan C.
Worst service! We were charged $9 for an espresso drink. The manager came over and expressed that he had been a Starbucks manger and that that was the proper charge. He kept arguing with us until I finally just agreed to pay the bill. This is not to mention that the food was completely bland. Don't go here unless you want to waste your money on tasteless food and espresso drinks that cost more than your meal.
(1)
E M.
I had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. It was amazing. You don't need syrup. The maple butter is enough.
(5)
Yvonne B.
Batter & Berries was a memorable experience. Everything about it was vivid: the noise, the crowd, large artwork, lively service, and the food - oh! the loveliness of the food! - was like being at a festival or parade. My senses were heightened to the buoyancy of a beach ball bouncing above a crowd. This sort of environment walks a fine line between being fun or obnoxious but Batter & Berries did a good job of staying on the right side. We went at 9:00 AM this morning and although it was already busy we scored a table for three soon after walking in. The waiting area is near the back of the restaurant with concrete garden benches. It's a pretty small space but the tables aren't crammed TOO close together. For example, our server was able to review the menu with our table and our neighboring table simultaneously; however, we weren't close enough to touch and we couldn't overhear each others' conversations. Speaking of our server, he was a CHARACTER. He called me boo and repeatedly touched my shoulder in a congenial manner. He asked us about three riddles throughout the course of the meal and generously doused our hot chocolates and waffles with whipped cream. I don't think that my friend Howard was a fan, but M and I were both amused. Near the end he was still jovial but seemed keen to flip our table. It isn't the sort of place to linger anyway because so many people are standing around waiting both indoors and out and it just gets awkward. This is what we got: Banana-Nut Belgigue Waffle (doused with whipped cream) and with a side of hashbrowns. The waffle was too rich, but still a positive dietary experience. The hashbrowns were perfect. They were were fried, shredded potatoes - not greasy and not salty. Crab Cakes with poached eggs and hashbrowns. The crab cakes were made with REAL crab and were declared by M to be the best she's had in a long time. Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) was amazing. It is a sweet potato waffle with large shreds of chicken INSIDE the waffle. The waffle is dusted with powdered sugar and a scoop of maple butter in the middle. It is served with a fried chicken breast on top and a small puddle of hot sauce with nutmeg. Every component resulted in moments. The kind where you just pause and the cacophony around you evanescences and it's just you and the food and the flavors and textures and the ebb and flow of chewing and experiencing... Gosh. I'm jittery and sweaty just writing about it. So, the bill came to $60 for the three of us. I thought it was worth it and reasonable enough for me to foot the bill myself. M liked all of her food but commented that she prefers breakfast restaurants that emphasize meat more than bread. We recommend going as early as possible.
(5)
Yo L.
This place is GOOD! All of the fresh fruit that came on top of our entrees were sweet and fresh. The taste of everything is definitely of QUALITY. Service was Great. Any item you would normallly put syrup on, I would suggest tasting it first. Plus there is a house sweet butter which accompanies the plate that is delicious. For the first time in my life, I ate pancakes without syrup. I want to give them 5 stars but I'm deducting a star because of no (or the lack of ) Air Conditioning. My BFF did not finish her meal becuz it was so stuffy inside the establishment and she began sweating horribly. Other that....it is a MUST TRY!
(4)
Kim N.
So not impressed. We heard great things about this place and the reviews were amazing. However, and this only applies to small percentage of people, me being one. They don't have any dairy free options except salad and fruit. We got in line, waited 15 mins to put our name in, used the restroom and since we had a 45 min wait decided to look at the menu. Every breakfast item is severed with cheesy hash browns. No substitutions. All the omelets have milk and cheese in them. No substitutions. At this point I ask the hostess whom I had to track down and get her to stand still for a min to ask her if they had and items that I could eat without dairy. She said "Nope, wait, yes fruit and salad. We don't change items." Really!!!! Most places go out of their way to accommodate a food allergy. They just said nope. They had gluten free, but not dairy free. Way to lose an entire group of lactose intolerant, dairy allergy and vegan people.
(1)
Bianka M.
Greatness in the form of FOOD with a superb atmosphere paired together & you get "Batters n Berries". I'm not a big 5 star type of person however I am fair, honest & not easily impressed. This place deserves all 5 of the STARS available to be given when reviewing from the interactive kitchen staff, more so the owner & chef who openly come out to mix and mingle with the patrons while asking about the dishes being dined on & taking in any suggestions with a smile. I've dined at Batters N Berries a total of 5 times now as I no longer live in Chicago & this restaurant opened as soon as I relocated. I do visit home (Chicago) often & every trip includes a gathering to Batters N Berries with a group of individuals either Family, Friends of Business Associates. I've introduced people who live in Chicago currently to the restaurant & they are now regulars. We LOVE everything from the FRESH ingredients to the exquisite & unique combination of flavors creating tasty & memorable dishes. Some FAVORITES: Deconstructed Shrimp or Lobster omelette French Toast Flight Chicken Sausage Patty Sweet Potato Hash Chicken & Waffle with chicken in the waffle BYOB - Come with some bubbly & they provide flutes & you can order orange and/or Pineapple juice to create your specialized mimosa while enjoying your fellowshipping with friends & eating on AWESOMENESS.. Enjoy
(5)
Daisy R.
First time here this morning had the cluck n gaufe(chicken and waffles). But not just any chicken and waffles. The waffle is sweet potato with a maple butter. The chicken is expertly seasoned and has a nutmeg hot sauce. Oops forgot to mention there is chicken in the waffle batter. Ohh yeahhh! Had some cheesy hash browns which were delicious. We also had the traditional eggs over easy, the cheesy hash browns, and an incredible carved ham. Absolutely delicious, have been wanting to come here for awhile and I wish we would have come sooner. The French toast flights look amazing. Can't wait to go back this place has sweet and savory done right. YUM!!
(5)
Kendal P.
Had breakfast here this morning and loved every bite. It's an easy walk from Days Inn and not too busy on a Tuesday morning. Had the veggie omelet and French Toast flight. The omelet was well-seasoned and the veggies were obviously fresh - still crisp and not mushy! I loved all four of the flavors in the flight - having just one would not be as satisfying. The owner asked every table how their meal was and was genuine in his invitation for our return! Highly recommend.
I'm a breakfast foodie and this is one of my favorites! I haven't been disappointed yet and I've worked my way around almost the entire menu. They have special items from time to time that aren't on the menu and those have been awesome! My go to is the Cluck and Goof aka Chicken and waffles. It's a chicken infused sweet potato waffle with a chicken breast on the side (makes me hungry just writing about it.) Yum!! Pros: Best brunch ever! BYOB Cons: Wait time can get long sometimes so don't wait until you're starving to go.
(5)
David B.
I went on a weekday I thought the food was pretty good I will never give a restaurant a lower rating because of a long wait ( REALLY PEOPLE?) I had the crab meat eggs Benedict .. They were decent ...I agree I was a little surprised it came with no muffin .. I tasted my friends French toast and it was great .. I like the idea of using iPads to show the food .. However our waitress had a THICK accent and it was very difficult to understand her ... One thing I'll say is the name is PERFECT .. Because the French toast sampler was VERY good
(3)
Lauren H.
Brought my mom here for mother's day and we waited over an hour to be seated! Thank God it was a nice day, because we had to wait outside. This places is SOOOOO small on the inside. Very limited seating for those who are waiting. No stars are lost for this, because the hostess took our names, even though it was 3:30pm, when we arrived and they were closing at 4pm. Everyone was allowed to stay and eat, as long as their names were given before 4pm. Sweet! My Crab Benedict was AH-MAZING! I haven't had eggs benedict in a long time, because I no longer eat pork. But a crab substitution? Yes! It was perfection! My mother loved her lobster omelette, I had a taste and it was better than my food!!! *speaks volumes* Now, these were mother's day specials...I'm not sure how frequently they return on the menu. However, my brother had a pulled pork sandwich and he loved it! :-) We did share the French Toast Flight (which is a french toast sampler; it comes with different varieties). I must say, I was not really impressed with their french toast. I've had way better. It was dry and the french toast that came with fruit (strawberry and blueberry) were not hitting on anything for me. Our waiter bragged that french toast was their specialty...but I liked their other food more. *shrug* Speaking of our waiter...he was fantastic! Exceptionally attentive, checked on us often, but not in a "I'm rushing you to finish" sort of a way. He was genuinely making sure we didn't need anything. He also started a Riddles Game with us (all of his tables) and we were competing with one another. We lost! *shakes fist* But, it's all good. Bottom-line: Cool people and over-all, good food. If you can, go during the week...Saturdays and Sundays are monstrous. Lol.
Simple. AMAZING food! Omg! The food was very tasty. I had the crab cake omelette and I must say it was absolutely delicious. I also had the the Carmel French toast! It was like heaven lol! Never had anything like that before. My best friend and I was fighting over the last piece that's how good is was. If you are ever up north please try this place you will not be disappointed. Get there early it takes 25-30 minutes to be seated.
(5)
Monica E.
Does this place need any more rave than it already does?? Always my go-to breakfast spot and they are always packed! Can you blame myself and everyone else in the Chicagoland area? Friendly staff, great service, BYOB and amazing food. It's definitely a must try.
(5)
Carrie G.
This place is SO. VERY. GOOD. We had: the deconstructed steak omelette, the biscuits and gravy, and the French Toast Flight! Yumma Nomnom! Service is excellent, food comes out fast and perfect. The place was packed when we were there but the service was still great! Great coffee too! Always a plus when you're a bit jet lagged.
(5)
Andrew B.
The cluck and goufre is culinary genius, and I'm always impressed by the lower carb breakfast offerings (steak and eggs, creative ommlettes). Service is always great, service staff are very knowledgeable about the dishes and specials. The owner/chef had come out on multiple occasions just to walk around and check on tables. Get here early, before 10am. Cramped space and long waits hold this place back from 5 stars.
(4)
Danielle H.
Loved the food! I took my friend for her birthday and we tried the chicken omelette and strawberry French toast. the service was super fast and the food was so delicious and fresh. Would defiant leg recommend and go back
(4)
Nicole F.
This place was amazing! The line was out the door and there was a 45 minute wait for two people. I was spending the day in the city so we figured we would wait. Half hour later my name was called. I got the banana nut waffle and it was really good! It was the perfect size and the vanilla drizzle they put over it was icing on the cake.! The staff was super friendly too! It's also a BYOB which we didn't know!! Great food! Definitely coming back! It was worth the wait.
(5)
Melita J.
My brother told me about this place and we went for breakfast today. Delicious from scratch food, served fast and hot! Great service and decent prices. Very crowded and wait time can be long. Definitely with the wait!
(5)
Kelly S.
Had a heavenly brunch here and highly recommend it. The French toast flight is a must! The staff was very sweet and attentive too. On my list for my next Chicago visit.
(5)
Nuri K.
I love their food. The staff are friendly . I have no complaint just hope they will expand their place.
(5)
Cindy B.
I've never gone wrong! The French toast is the classic. What they're known for. Have to try it! My other fav is the goof n cluck delicious sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken. Food is uniquely delicious. Service is great. Just expect a wait of at least 30 mins.
(5)
Adem R.
POSSIBLY my all time favorite place in Chicago!! The chef is a genius, the staff is first class. Cant recommend this place enough
(5)
Dayna K.
Holy good god this place is good! Fast service, the food is insanely delicious!!! Props to the chef! Pricey but that's Chicago!
(5)
Sade B.
This place is awesome. Its cozy but accommodating. I had the lobster and shrimp Benedict. It was so fresh and tasty. My husband had the French toast flight. It was very good as well. The service is fast and friendly. I would definitely visit this place again
(5)
Oluchi O.
Yes, yes and yes! Always friendly staff, the food is always great and people are always lined up to be there. FYI, I ONLY go on Mondays and Wednesday morning...( no wait!)
(5)
Terrel K.
Nice experience.had the vanilla bean french toast.really nice and tasty with great tasting homemade maple butter.eggs were nice,fluffy and fresh.bacon tasted like it was from corn king very low quality and was cold,although they replaced it with warm bacon it was still dry and low quality.coffee was not very good either.like the special menu items.will try this place again and hopefully the next meat i get will be tasty to.
(3)
Brad M.
The wait can be long but do yourself a favor and just walk down the street and grab a drink at a bar and head back to have some of the best food you've ever tasted. Hands down the chicken and waffles makes this place the reason I've already been twice in the past month and I don't even live in Chicago. The french toast flight is great as well. Once seated the time waiting for food was insanely fast, it is spoiling me now when I go to other places. I must also say the staff has been great as well. I wish I could go every week.
(5)
LaQuita B.
I love the variety of selections. The french toast and the spinach and lobster omelet are to die for! Menu is a bit pricey. I wish they had more comfortable seating also. If you like plain white sugar in your coffee bring some with you. They only have sugar substitute and raw sugar. I go during the weekday around 10ish and it is less crowded and am able to walk in and get seated right away versus what I have heard about going the weekends and 2 hour waits or long lines but that just shows how awesome the food is.
(4)
Kate U.
GO HERE and get the french toast. It is out of this world good that you don't even need to put syrup on it. Food-wise this has been my top brunch place in Chicago; sure if you go on Sunday morning there will be a bit of a wait, but go earlier and you won't be waiting nearly as long. Trust me, it's worth the wait and the potential parking fee (there is usually street parking available on Lincoln by the restaurant.) The waiters are very knowledgeable and honest about what is popular and what is good for your taste. Very attentive but not too much that it's annoying or you feel like you can't have a private conversation. I told the waiter that I liked "sweet" and I got the blueberry french toast. OMG, yum. They have cinnamon butter that they put on the french toast and all of the breaded items (pancakes, biscuits, waffles, etc) and that butter is so tasty. The hash browns are also very good, gosh I'm making myself hungry just thinking about this place. Come hungry, leave happy.
(5)
Kevin B.
Probably one of my favorites Breakfast places in Chicago. Its almost a must-go if you live here or just visiting. I've been here 3 times in the past year and every single time its been better than the time before (which is hard to do). Food - Excellent. Their French Toast may be the best I've ever had. I've tried the French Toast flight and just the regular Caramel French Toast and both were excellent. It was cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of sweetness. I've also had Crab Benedict (which I think is a seasonal entree) as well as deconstructed Chicken Fajita skillet. Both were seasoned and cooked to perfection. And just for a little unknown fact that most people don't know about...THE PLACE IS BYOB. So you can definitely bring champagne, vodka or whatever you like to go along with some orange juice to start your breakfast off right!!!! Service - Excellent. Food came out in a timely manner. Wait staff was very nice, pleasant and professional. No complaints whatsoever. Price - Extremely reasonable especially considering the quality of food they present. The only thing I would suggest is to expect a wait especially on weekends. But the food is definitely well worth the wait. So thats not enough to bring it down from the 5 stars. And I repeat BYOB, BYOB, BYOB, BYOB!!!!!!!
(5)
Angel L.
Pros: The food was different and pretty good. Of course I had the Flight with ham and sweet potato hash browns. The only thing I wasn't too pleased about was the hash brown dish. It was more like a lumpy mashed potatoes and it was too rich for my pleasing. Other than that, food was pretty good. Cons: The wait. Don't tell me 45 minutes when it's actually an hour and a half. So, I recommend only going to this place if you have time to kill. The management gave us the most shrug look when we told him we don't mind the wait just tell us so we could have left and went somewhere else (because we were on a tight schedule.) So am I running back? No but I definitely think everyone should experience at least once. Great business to support.
(3)
NaKetha K.
I really love the food here it is unique and exceptionally awesome. I visited 2 times. My first visit I thought I would swing by and grab a quick breakfast. The wait was crazy. I had to leave and call my order in for pick up. The second visit my girlfriend visiting Chicago and our kids went. We had a party of 7. The wait was extra long. Once agin the food was awesome. My recommendation if you are on a time schedule don't stop here. If you have a party over four, they do not have seating for large groups so you have to wait for multiple tables to empty. If you have all the time in the world, and you want to experience an flavorful breakfast check out this spot. I the chicken and waffles. The lemon frech toast is amazing. This place should really expand. ..
(4)
Belinda P.
The wait was 2 hours, but worth it .The caviar seafood omelet was so good. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Kathleen A.
Nice to see diversity especially on the North side! We were impressed to see how busy it was on a Tuesday at 11am. On to the review. For people who really like French toast, this seems to be your place. I had the crab cake and shrimp Benedict. I took a chance as I'm not a big crab cake person. It was ok. Slightly fishy but then I'm pretty particular when it comes to that. Also, they use those tiny shrimp. I would have preferred the prawn cut up in pieces. More flavor. The potatoes were good. Cheesy. Needed a little salt tho. I don't know what they cook their food in, but it left a shiny residue on our plates which l, to me, isn't terribly clean tasting. Our waitron was fine, if a little solemn but I made her laugh and she was fine. Service is blazingly fast! The food came out quite quickly. Must be those mini iPads they use. One suggestion for them: they have a waiting area plopped in the middle of the tables. I think they're missing out on more revenue since it's so crowded. Put those stone benches outside and more tables inside.
(4)
Kathleen H.
I really wanted to give B&B more stars, but they hype is not all that it should be. The atmosphere is nice and the service is decent to good. However, I got one of the specials at the convincing of the server (the crab cake benedict) without any indication of price. The specials board had no prices listed either. Now, I absolutely should have asked...but I was shocked when the bill came that the price of my plate was $18!! My friend's meal was only $10 (she got a waffle). The food was good, but not 5 star outstanding. I recommend trying it out though!
(3)
Cheyenne R.
This should be your first stop for brunch when you're in the city. Excellent wait staff, incredible food, and its byob.
(5)
T C.
My all time favorite for breakfast and lunch. The French Toast is one of a kind, the lobster omelet and hash browns is unbelievably delicious and the Buffalo chicken sandwich is slap yo mamma good. Chef Rylon ROCKS
(5)
Tiffany T.
Everyone has been telling me about this place so I decided to give it a try. I was not impressed during my visit. Let's start with the wait, most restaurants have waits so I'm not going to ding them for that. However, if your party is less than 5, they will not call you so you have to wait outside in the COLD or in their OVERCROWDED "wait area." Is my business less valuable because I didn't bring four friends along???? Fine, don't let this ruin it Tiffany, everyone says it's worth it. We sit and wait about 10 minutes for our waiter. My daughter's food came out rather quickly, however, mine took a little longer. My daughter had the banana waffle which I enjoyed. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle which I did not enjoy. The chicken was flavorful but I didn't care for the waffle. So based on having to wait 40 min in the cold, 10 minutes to see a waiter and a $40 breakfast that was ok at best, I'm not really dying to go back. Maybe in the summer when I have four of my friends with me so they can call us when our table is ready.
(2)
Marisa Y.
I had such high hopes for Batter & Berries. The first time I tried to come, the line was 2.5 hours long so when I got a chance to come back and the line was only 20 minutes, I was so excited. Unfortunately, I just didn't think the food was anything to write home about. I ordered the chicken and waffles and it just decent. Sadly, I think Hash House has better chicken and waffles than Batter & Berries. My friend ordered a flight of the french toast and said it was good as well, but also pretty standard. Usually Yelp doesn't lead me astray like this so I was pretty disappointed that I didn't find an excellent brunch here. It is BYOB though so take advantage.
(2)
Cindy A.
There's always a wait but it's well worth it because the food is amazing. My husband always orders either the strawberry or blueberry french toast & I absolutely love their deconstructed omelets. The chef & owner Derek Rylan always has a smile on his face. As a reminder make sure to plan enough time for breakfast because you will have to wait to be seated.
(5)
Jason G.
Just went here this morning as it was nearby and had great yelp reviews. I also remember seeing it on check please so I had to check it out. We were the first ones in there and ordered the special ham and bacon omelet with a super special mushroom sauce as our server said it was her 2nd favorite dish. We also ordered the Chicago's best and check please sweet potatoe and chicken waffles with fried chicken. The food came out quick, and let me tell you, the chicken and waffles were the best I've ever had. The reason for the 1 star off was the special didn't have any of the "super awesome mushroom sauce" on it. They happen to be out, and just served it up without it anyways. This made it a very bland, not worth 17 dollars, not worth 10 dollars, not worth 7 dollars meal. However the chicken and waffles I will gladly pay whatever amount you want! You call it! If they opened a chicken place, they could sell the crap outta that fried chicken! All in all, I will be back and I will re-review!
(4)
Tabatha S.
Seriously, I had a sweet potato waffle, topped with fried chicken, maple butter, nutmeg, and hot sauce. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. And the hash browns and bacon... Do it. It's worth waiting for a table!
(5)
Kamille F.
Sooo good! The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because it was too noisy and I could barely hear my server! I ordered the Carmel French toast (amazing! No syrup needed) with the chicken patties that had pieces of apple in iy sigh scrambled eggs. My mother had the veggie omelette and hash browns; and what's really unique is they put the veggies on top of the omelette instead of adding it in with the eggs. The next time I come back (trust I will be back lol) I'm going to try the specialty French toast; a couple weeks ago they had pink moscato French toast...where else can you find that besides batter and berries??!!
(4)
Rudy C.
This place was pretty delicious! I'll start by saying be prepared to wait about 2 hours---no joke...and when you wait you NEED to wait inside or they'll call over your name--they will not text you or call you or come outside when they're busy. It is BYOB which is pretty epic. I went with 2 other friends and we killed 4 bottles of champagne while we were eating. The staff was very friendly, the food was great (I forgot what I ordered) but it was real good! I'll definitely come back sometime and probably come by earlier so I don't wait 2 hours.
(4)
Meggan P.
Crazy long wait but it's well worth it! Had the caramel French toast and pork bacon. Prices are good too
(5)
Two L.
This place is always amazing! My wife & I recently visited on a Saturday afternoon at about 12:30 and even though we had to wait over 90 minutes for our table, our meal almost made us forget about the super long wait. I ordered the Scallop Omelette special which was delicious and the cheese hash browns were a great compliment. We also had the super flight of French toast which is something that I would recommend to everyone. The regular 4 that they have are phenomenal and it's always nice to try the special. I will be back again soon for sure! A tip, I think if you come with a party greater than 2 you will probably be seated sooner than if you only have a party of 2 since their usually is so many of those.
(5)
Kyle C.
Well never got to try the food here because apparently they don't allow you to place to-go orders over the phone. You have to come in to the store to place a to-go order... Um that kind of defeats the purpose. Not sure where the management went to business school... If at all... But turning down a good portion of customers with this ridiculously stupid rule makes absolutely no sense. Would give you zero stars if it was an option.
(1)
Candace M.
This was my first time dining at Batter & Berries and the food was really good. I ordered the executive medium well with eggs w/Gouda cheese scrambled hard. The eggs weren't scrambled as hard as I'd have liked them to be, but they were good nonetheless. The French toast sampler was AMAZING! The kids had strawberry French toast and I was turned off when I asked our server for syrup and he suggested we try it as is as the butter was maple syrup infused. We took his advice and OMG, it was perfect! The owner made his rounds which was nice and our server was friendly. The only negatives was it is a small place which was extremely loud and extremely hot--almost as if they did not have the air on. In spite of those things, this is a really good place for brunch and I'd DEFINITELY recommend the French toast. You will not be disappointed!
(4)
Jordan P.
Great brunch place!! The food is delicious. I had the French toast flight with a side of bacon. It was amazing! You get to sample every type of French toast that they have. But thankfully each flavor only comes in a half slice, so you don't get completely stuffed. The French toast flight comes in the regular flight or the deluxe flight. The deluxe includes a sample of their French toast flavor of the day. My favorite flavors were the lemon and the caramel. The lemon had a delicious zing to it and was just sweet enough. I wasn't a huge fan of the butter cookie french toast, which was the special of the day. It was way too sweet and the cookies weren't well incorporated into the French toast. But overall, I really enjoyed the flight and I completely understand why this place is known for the French toast. My dining companion got "the executive" - steak and eggs. The steak was amazing and cooked to perfection. It was smothered in a delicious gravy - and this is coming from a girl who really isn't a big gravy fan in general. And best of all, it came with the restaurant's signature, delicious cheesy hash browns. Yum!! The service here is also amazing! The owner and the staff are all amazingly friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a good meal. They also do this cool thing where they place your order from an iPad. Very cool and I think it helps the food to come out quicker. The only downside about this place is that the decor leaves something to be desired. It definitely looks like someone with little to no restaurant experience designed the place. Overall, great brunch place. Definitely check it out. PS - for my fellow tea lovers, they have a great selection of loose leaf teas!
(5)
Mike H.
The first time I tried chicken n waffles, I was a young 23 year old, getting ready for a big day of prepartying for a Lil Wayne concert. Since we already had the Hypnotiq and Hennessy, we decided the best thing to pair up with that was Eggo's and Jewel Fried chicken. It was a life changing combination. Since then, my standards have risen for Chicken n Waffles, and Batter & Berries has provided me with the best I've had so far. They make the waffle with a sweet potato batter, with chicken chunks inside...genius. They topped that with a fried boneless chicken breast and some excellent hot sauce. Dirty South gourmet greatness. Aside from that, the place is BYOB, so we were able to pop bottles of Andre and get our mimosa on. The service was awesome, they quickly brought out a bucket of ice for our $5 bottles, and different employees stopped by our table multiple times to see how our meals were. As a rule, I don't take off stars for long wait times, because that means the place is doing something right, but be prepared to wait a lonnnnnng time to get a table on the weekends.
(5)
Benjamin V.
Amazing atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, incredible food, great prices. Amazing... Chicken and Waffles is the best I've ever had. A must try brunch spot in Chicago. Some have complained about the line in the front and congestion... I think the text system manages it well and have few complaints. Get there early!
(5)
Crystal W.
The best brunch I've had in Chicago thus far! I had the shrimp alfredo omelet with bacon and cheese crusted hash browns and it was amazing! So tasty, the shrimps were huge and the homemade alfredo sauce was perfect! Our server was charming, we came on Christmas eve, so there was no wait and it's byob! I can't wait to go back! Loved it!
(5)
Jinu J.
I did not experience a long wait time and the service was quick and friendly. I got the Chicken and Waffle, and it was definitely a new take the flavor. The maple butter is one of my favorite. All the food that came out of the kitchen looked delicious and I loved the chefs suggestions on how to eat the food.
(4)
Fatima K.
Id give this place 5 stars for its French toast flight- super tasteful French toast with different flavors. I loved bongo room for its French toast but this will be my go to place now! The crab and shrimp eggs Benedict I ordered had awesome shrimp and crab cake but the eggs were over cooked. Didn't have that oozing yolk when I cut through them, which makes me give this place 4 stars. So not the best for eggs Benedict. The staff is super friendly and they ask you if u're eating there for the first time and walk you through the regular menu and specials with pictures off an iPad. Awesome touch I must say! Helps making the decision when u look at pictures on the menu. Keep up the service guys! I'll be going back whenever I feel like having French toast :)
(4)
Heather B.
One of my favourite things to do when visiting my hometown of Chicago is go out for a great brunch- and this spot didn't disappoint. I didn't mind the short wait (about half hour) as from what I'd heard I was expecting much longer! The three of us decided to split entrees to try a variety- we ordered the chicken and waffle, French toast flight and the shrimp omelet (daily special). Everything we had was absolutely delicious- great flavours and mix of textures, though for my liking the waffle was slightly dry without the addition of some maple syrup. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and despite the big crowd waiting for tables, we didn't feel rushed at all. Also appreciated the nice cup of bottomless coffee, something I desperately miss for brunch! Great value for the food and service too, as the total came to about $22 each including tip. A must try if you're in Chicago- but prepare to wait!!
(4)
Carmen H.
If you enjoy traditional breakfast fare with a new and eclectic flair, this restaurant is the place for you! My husband and I enjoyed some of the signature items on the B&B menu. We had the shrimp alfredo omelets, the french toast sampler plate (maple, lemon, blueberry, strawberry) and I had a side of chicken sausage. Everything was delicious! I should mention that the space is small-ish, a bit noisy and we had to wait about 30 minutes to get in. Once seated, everything moved quickly and the staff are very attentive, which is great. Happy eating:-)
(5)
iddells E.
Thank you, Yelp, for the wonderful reviews that sparked my curiosity to give this place a try. If I go here on a Wednesday morning and return Saturday of the same week, you know this place is good. If I order the French toast flight on both visits, you know that I've been having French toast dreams because Batter and Berries' are just so amazingly delicious!! The waitress was right...absolutely no maple syrup is needed in your blissful consumption of the French toast. My experience on a Wednesday morning compared to a Saturday early afternoon was like night and day. Just a few tables were being waited on on Wednesday whereas on Saturday, each table was occupied and there were hoards of people standing in the back area and in between tables with the wait-time ranging from 45-60 minutes. I didn't mind waiting because I already knew what was in store...the French toast is worth the wait, people! I've also tried the steak and eggs from my dining companions and that was pretty good too! Despite the craziness, service was friendly and prompt. I was pretty surprised at how the staff handled their tables as well as the waiting crowds. I didn't sense any frustration or irritability as the waiters worked among the chaos...I just saw smiles. The chef even made his way to greet each table. Mmmmm...I'll definitely be back. Many, many times.
(5)
Ty N.
Wonderful breakfast food. Extremely creative dishes prepared by the chef. The service is great, and using an iPad to take the customers orders as well as show the specials for the day (actual images of the dishes already prepared) is a fantastic idea. You don't just come to this particular restaurant just to eat, you come for the experience.
(4)
Chelsea S.
I had my first experience at Batter and Berries today! While, I'm not typically one for sweet breakfast foods, I had to try the super French toast flight based on all of the reviews! The French toast was wonderful. I love that the French toast was the star and not the toppings. I hate when I order something and the toppings overwhelm the plate. My French toast was cooked to perfection. Crispy edges and chewy in the middle. My boyfriend ordered the chicken fajita omelet, and while he thought it was too much work to eat,( I guess one does not enjoy working for their food) the taste was amazing. Our server was super friendly and attentive. My only complaint is how crowded the space is. We were sat right in the front by the door and crowds of people were coming in, holding the door open, making it a little challenging to stay warm. I definitely recommended trying this place for breakfast!
(4)
mike h.
The menu is amazing Service friendly and fast Food absolutely amazing Zero complaints I found my new breakfast spot
(5)
Jess P.
Yaaaaaas. This place is EVERYTHING. Cheesy hash browns and French toast sampler/flight hits the spot every time. Do I wish they took reservations? Everyone does. But it's so worth the wait. I'd wait 10 times longer cuz it tastes that good. Hope you get the staff member that will offer a riddle or a joke cuz it's amazing. Great family business in Lincoln Park and I hope it continues to thrive.
(5)
Holly S.
Food was good-had the lemon French Toast-but the service was weak. They don't have diet coke.
(3)
Tamera B.
Our second visit to Batter & Berries left my emotions seriously bruised. Our first visit was fantastic, but a much larger crowd was added to our second visit and the "ish hit the fan"!!! Hence, I have to knock some stars off the five star rating I gave initially........it was that bad. The staff at Batter & Berries have no concept of crowd control & traffic flow. So, when we arrived, the restaurant was full, but no one was waiting to be seated. The hostess, then led us to the "waiting area", which is in the middle of the restaurant, off of the main walkway and across from the restrooms. This place is not large, so this is awful for traffic flow. Anyway, we were told our wait would be 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, approx. 4 additional parties of 2 were seated in the "waiting area" and a separate line formed at the door. The waiting area didn't have enough seating for everyone. So there were some people standing against the wall where the restroom doors are at AND blocking the main walkway the servers use......just messy. So, we were finally seated at the "common table" about 25 minutes later. After we sat there unattended for about 5 minutes, a server came by and said "Do you want coffee?" We both replied yes and he ran off. We didn't get a hello or anything.....I don't even know if he was our server or just being helpful. So, he brings us black coffee with no sugar or cream and runs off.......like, warp speed fast. I was really bent out of shape by this time because I was super hungry and I wanted to drink some coffee to "fix" my mood, but I do not drink black coffee. We saw the guy that gave us coffee, but he would not make eye contact with us nor would any of the other servers. So, we waited another 7-10 minutes and no one came by to get our drink order, food order, or to greet us........NOTHING. So, we politely got up and left. The food is really good, but it will be awhile before we give Batter & Berries a try again.
(2)
Joshua E.
This place is very disorganized. Albeit it's very busy and popular, I personally didn't like my dish. I had the lamb chop trio and it was a really different taste. One I wasn't really wasn't prepared for. Over all abidance wasn't that great because it was packed. I especially didn't like the hour and 45 minute wait.
(3)
Chelsea V.
Awesome people and love the food! I rarely give five stars but my experience here was amazing!
(5)
Lynn J.
The wait was extreme...1 1/2 hour on a Saturday. However, the food was excellent! It was also served very quick!!! I would definitely come back again.
(4)
Big D.
Very good food. Atmosphere was great. Server was very personable and had knowledge of the menu. I got the executive. Steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Eggs with the hollandaise sauce was so good i can't describe it in words. Before the check came i said i don't care what the bill is...It's worth it. Wish they had one on the south side. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Becka E.
Great brunch option and like all the other popular brunch spots, you'll have a bit of a wait. Our original wait was around 1 hr and 45 minutes but they managed to seat us around an hour. Luckily, if you put your name and number down, they'll send you a text when ready so you can walk around the town a bit and waste time. The whole place is small, loud, colorful and everyone looked like they were having a great time. I had two in my party and we were seated at the 'communal table' in the middle of the room which was cool. There was enough room on the table so you didn't feel like you were right up on the next party. We ended up ordering their Cluck-n-gaufre (Chicken and Waffles) and Lobster/Spinach omelette which I basically inhaled. The chicken and waffles actually came with bits of chicken cooked into the waffle with another piece of chicken on the side. My friend had this and said it was amazing so I definitely will be trying it next time. My lobster and spinach omelette was actually better than I expected. No one element of the dish was overpowering (i.e. too much salt, weird lobster taste) and while it was a tiny bit runny, I thoroughly enjoyed it along with my side of pancakes. We also had tea with our meal. They give you a sort of sampler board with little shakers of tea from which you can smell and see which one you want. After you choose, they'll bring you your own little personal "tea pot" brewed with loose tea from which you can get about three cups. I had English Breakfast w/ cream and my friend had some interesting walnut/flower mixture. Bottom line: From what we had and saw (spying at other people's food), this place has great flavor, nice service and a great price. BYOB...nothing more said there. If you're picky and looking to order plain waffles/pancakes/french toast, try going to IHOP or something because I didn't see too many options for plain anything (except maybe the pancakes and the protein). Definitely a place to try.
(4)
Tasha W.
This place is always busy so be sure to put your name on the seating list as soon as you arrive. The waiting area is in the middle of the resturant. The owner is always on site greeting customers. The specials are not on the menu yet on the chalk board near the ceiling. The waitress was very polite and showed pictures of every meal on her tablet before you order. Once you order you don't wait long for your food. The food looks just like the pictures. They food is very very good. The toast taste wonderful. I tried almost everything. This is a very nice place to eat. It's worth the wait in line.
(5)
Jessica C.
This place was fantastic! We had to wait a half hour and it was extremely loud in there that I could barely hear myself talk, but the food was absolutely delicious. I got the deconstructed chicken fajita omelette and it was one of the best omelettes I've ever had! I tried a bite of my friends French toast and that was also delicious. Doesn't have great ambiance but fantastic food.
(5)
A F.
Hubby and I decided to visit B&B on Saturday morning. We called ahead and the hostess said there was about a 20 minute wait. We arrived and the wait grew to one hour. What an hour that was watching the delicious looking plates being delivered to the 30 or so tables in the tiny restaurant. Finally, our name was called and we were seated at a small table in the back in view of the energetic and busy busy kitchen. Our waiter, who I was convinced moonlites as a standup comedian, approached our table in all of his surround sound splendor. He announced all of the specials, and we waited. The restaurant bustles with chatter and laughter. Soft house music played in the background. Hubby ordered the crawfish omelette, and I ordered the lobster Benedict. Both were amazing. We also ordered the French toast flight which was the best I've ever had. Overall,this was a wonderful dining experience, and I'll definitely be back. The only "meh" of the meal were the cheesy hash browns. They were average at best which was surprising because of the awesomeness of everything else.
(4)
Kaelyn G.
There is one word to describe Batter & Berries and that is "Amazing". I came here with a group of four to celebrate my St. Patricks day birthday. There was a 20 minute wait which wasn't bad compared to the 2 hr wait that most people experience. The food was awesome. I had the Cluck & Goof which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken. It also came with an extra chicken breast and their very tasty and unique nutmeg hot-sauce. I also tried the Crab Cake Benedict which was also really good and flavorful. The service was the best. Our waiter was very attentive and the manager even came over to ask how everything tasted. It was a great experience, I will be returning soon.
(5)
Barton T.
Imagine a kid making every imaginable flavor of french toast, accompanied with some creative sides. This is Batter & Berries. Let's get down to it. The place is cozy, meaning if you go at peak time, it can be up to a two hour wait. When it's good, this is the effect of the cause. Live with it. Be patient or use this tip (go during the week or before 10 on the weekend). The menu is creative yet focused. The chef and the servers work in unison making sure the quality is consistent and the flavors are good. The thing you must try (in my opinion) is the flight french toast and the cluck n goufe. The flight is a sample plate of all the flavors. For a little extra you can add the special flavor of the week. The cluck n goufe is the start to me. Why? Because it' a chicken and chicken waffle with a banging hot sauce as the syrup. Of course they have other things on the menu. I can say I haven't had anything outside of breakfast food, so I can't comment on the lunch side of the menu. All in all, make the time, bring a bottle (BYOB) and experience it and see what flavor you like the best. (SIDE NOTE: Dreamsicle and the Peanut Butter french toast were the best!!!).
(5)
Jennine I.
I took my son and sister here for a birthday celebratory breakfast. I was forewarned that they have crazy wait times so we arrived shortly after opening and there was no wait at all. I guess because we went on a weekday. There was plenty of street parking available. First impressions..I will say that the place is really small and cramped. However, the food was just excellent!! I love the french toast super flight, which has 5 pieces of french toast. We also had the hash browns and the chicken sausage. The waitstaff can be more a little more friendly and attentive, but our actual waitress was awesome. A lot of the staff just moped around the large table in the middle of the room, which I thought was weird. I hope that they open a 2nd larger location. Overall a good experience. I will be back.
(5)
Rachel B.
I went for my birthday in January 2015 for brunch. The staff was friendly and prompt and the menu was a great variety of savory and sweet dishes. We definitely took advantage of the BYOB and brought a few bottles of champagne. The line is usually pretty crazy for brunch so expect a wait when you get there, but it's worth it. The French toast flight is a must for your first time.
(4)
Monica B.
Damn, the wait is long here. It's a cute little restaurant, but we waited a good hour for Sunday brunch. Everything on the menu sounded soo good, but I ordered the famous Fried Chicken and Waffle. It was delicious and totally lived up to the hype. I definitely want to come back and try some of the other sweet and savory items. Everything looked great!
(4)
Temprest B.
Their food is the bomb, their customer service was great what more can you ask for. I wish their chefs can come to my house every morning and cook for me lol
(5)
Rod P.
Go on a workday during brunch hours or after lunch to avoid the long wait. Food is flavorful. I had the special "pork chop executive" and the Mrs, the deconstructed salmon omelette. Plus we shared a caramel candied walnut French toast (no syrup required). If I had to critique one thing, I'd say, avoid the coffee and BYOB.
(5)
Kendall H.
Came here on a trip to Chicago. I got the chicken and waffles, which were really different than what I'm used to at home but good. The waffle was almost like pumpkin cake, but with some chicken inside, and fried chicken with hot sauce on the side. Service was really fast, both me and the table next to me got our food in under 5 min. The place was full on a Monday morning so I'd guess weekends are crazy.
(5)
Nisa J.
I don't think I can express how much I love the food at the restaurant. I especially enjoy the Carmel French toast and apple sausage!!! Try to go as early as possible ... I've waited up to 2 hours for a seat.
(5)
Leticia M.
I had the French toast fight that was good with a side of eggs. Lots of parking in the street but yet again I did go on a Monday. Staff is very attentive. Place is small with lots of staff :) food comes out like in 10 min which is awesome. Majority of the staff were Hispanic so that's cool. If you are a first timer they have an iPad where they have photos of their specialties. Place doesn't take American Express :(
(4)
Kavi P.
Was looking for a good french toast or pancake. This place was great for their french toast especially because of the 'float' with the four different flavors. I do wish there was a bit more variation...I feel that there wasn't enough to appeal to more people. If I wasn't craving french toast I'm not really sure what I would've ordered....
(3)
Robin H.
The food here is very very good!
(4)
Kaitlin S.
Really really great food. I truly respect a menu where the chef takes pride in what he's put together-- urging patrons to try the food in its original form (sans syrup/salt/pepper). I had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken baked into it. I mean, damn! Of course, the only downside is the wait. There is almost always a line (I live nearby and always look out the window when I pass). However, that's a great problem to have for a restaurant. My only qualm was the hostess that told me my wait for a table of four was 10 minutes, and then we went on to wait for 55 minutes. When we did sit, we got the communal table and had to eat with two other groups. But, honestly, the food makes up for any menial issues like that.
(4)
Francisco G.
WILL never eat here again!!!! Beside that tacky decor and ratchet music, the food is bland and over price. I got some espresso shots and it was nearly $10. When I expressed concern to management, the douche bag (with a really tight shirt on) argued where we typically get our coffee because that price is normal. Uh, no. So instead of listening, he just continued to insult us. Never going back.
(1)
Kim B.
I'll admit that Batter & Berries has great french toast. Where else can you find watermelon french toast?! My only complaint is the fact that they use regular white bread so the toast gets limp and soggy. The result is great flavor, not so great texture. The chicken & sweet potato waffle was tasty as well. Even the hot sauce they use is good and I don't even like spicy food. I like that the chicken is boneless so you don't have to eat it with your hands.
(3)
Ma Lorie A.
Almost four stars for the grub presentation, 3 stars because it tasted like ihop food. Now there's nothing wrong with ihop, if you like eating at Ihop. I appreciated the New York style dining which gave me an opportunity to eye the lamb chops the stranger across from me was chomping on. However, if you have to look at someone else's food, you know yours isn't appetizing enough! I enjoyed the French toast flight but the cheesy hash browns aren't as good as what they tell you on yelp! On to the next one.
(3)
Tiffany P.
1. Yes the food is great. 5 stars 2. Yes you will likely have to wait. Normal for a place with food as good as this 3. Yes the service is horrible. 0 stars...seriously There is no denying that the food is good. I've tried many things off the breakfast menu and have always found the taste to be beyond what I expected. Try to go with a small group only 2 if possible. I once went and there were 6 of us and we seemed to have been 'forgotten' when trying to be seated and then many food items were forgotten and they advised only 1 waffle iron was working so we all got our food at different times. The hostess that they have working for this place are horrible. They will have their personal bluetooth or headphones in one ear. They are full of attitude and you pretty much have to just tell them what you want because they won't ask if you need help or anything. I have no issues with the wait staff they've always seemed to do the best the could under the circumstances. Last time I visited there was something in my waffle like a piece of plastic. My waitress comped it but she didn't really say anything about it or ask questions or anything. No management ever came by to say anything about it. I don't require a lot of attention at a restaurant but i found this to be a bit unacceptable. To the owner of Batter & Berries: Please get the service together! Take some classes, do research online or hire a restaurant manager who knows how to handle business.
(2)
Melissa V.
Two words to describe B&B? Yes. Lawd. The chicken & waffles and fish & chips are amazing. Go there - you will not be sorry!
(5)
Mickey A.
Note to self: this is BYOB. My friend and I knew it was BYOB but at the time, we were too hungover to even think about alcohol at brunch. Like a lot of brunch places, there is a good wait time, even on extremely cold days. It's such a cute place with some pretty cool artwork. The owner himself is cool. He would come outside every so often to chat with those of us waiting and go around the tables making sure everyone was well fed. I had plans to get the French toast flight. But once we heard the specials, I had a tough decision to make. French toast flight or crab cake benedict. I'll just pat myself on the back for going the crab cake benedict route. It was quite heavenly. I tried to take my time and savor this but couldn't. I stuffed myself and still had a small amount left to take home. And the cheese hash browns were too good. I almost asked about substituting those for something else, but our server said keep them. They are his favorite and that I wouldn't regret it. He was right.
(4)
Hannah C.
This is one of those spots that should stick to their specialty. We went last Sunday and most of us wound us disappointed. The highlight: the caramel french toast, which was just as amazing as our charming waiter promised. Their tea selection was impressive and the other breakfast beverages (coffee and hot chocolate) were fine. The downside: the side of chicken sausage was barely warm and had a disgusting uncooked flavor so bad two of us spit it out. The two sandwiches (BBQ and Buffalo Chicken) we tried were both lackluster, and the fries had a strange fishy aftertaste. Overall, it wound up being an hour wait and a $50 bill for one good dish. I'm not saying don't go, but don't try to push this place outside its French toast comfort zone.
(2)
Lisa H.
Was looking for a brunch place to catch up with an old friend and stumbled across Batter & Berries. Reviews look promising and the photos reeled us in. We went around noon (assumed it would be peak hour) and had already braced ourselves for a wait. To our surprise, there was no line and was seated immediately. My friend ordered the chicken-n-gaufre (a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle, topped off with pieces of chicken drizzled with sweet hot sauce and syrup) and I ordered the crab benedict. My friend enjoyed her entree, it was basically chicken and waffles with a twist. The sweet potato waffle played well with the sauces and chicken. For my crab benedict, I thought it was delicious. B&B's crab benedict was not like the usual benedict I have at other brunch places. There was no english muffin, but two large crab cakes topped off with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Everything about the benedict was just right. It also comes with a side of their famous cheesy hash browns which I thought it was ok, nothing to rave about. I would of rated this brunch place an extra star, but I thought their service wasn't on par. It wasn't that busy and we still didn't get the service I would have expected. It took the waitress almost 20 mins to come over to take our order. We even saw other people who arrived after us getting their order taken. The waitress also wasn't too attentive to us either. She would pass us a couple of times and I would try to get her attention for our check. When she finally gave us our check, she never returned to process it. We got fed up of waiting, so we brought it to the front to get everything settled. The prices are very competitive with most brunch places I have been to, but B&B offers great food; kudos to the chef! The service could of been better though. Hopefully next time I decide to stop by, the servers will be a little bit more attentive.
(3)
Stacey M.
This place is The BOMB .com. I want to eat here everyday! No complaints except our waitress took awhile to get to us, the place was full though. I had the Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. We had a half order of the French toast special, Strawberry Champagne, it was scrumptious. Side of pancakes with maple butter.. SO delicious. Wasn't sure I'd like them because of the lemon zest but it was a yummy touch! I tried my friends egg white veggie omelet (special) and Pork chop & eggs, both great!! I can't wait to go back here and get the French toast flight or chicken & waffle!
(5)
Dick L.
We came here for breakfast a few weeks ago and had a great experience. I had forgotten to write a review of this place until I found the photo I took of my chicken & waffle. The restaurant was very packed on a Saturday morning. I was not too crazy about the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles I had, but the french toast flight that my girlfriend got was excellent. Their bacon is also very good. Very interested to try the rest of their menu -- we will be back!
Freaking fantastic. My new go-to place for brunch. The wait is long but so worth it. Weekends are busy. We arrived around 12:45 and the wait was 45 to 60 mins. Anticipation built as the servers delivered deliciousness as we stood waiting to be seated. My dining partner opted for the Super French Toast, a total of five flyers that included one mystery flavor which we figured was chocolate. Best. French. Toast. Ever! I picked up The Executive - steak and eggs with hash browns. It was good, but I preferred the French Toast. There servers are prompt and friendly. The coffee is bottomless and the the music is lively. Hit this place up, you will not regret it... but go early!
(5)
Lauren W.
Not worth the hype. $13 omelet that was VERY oily and had some weird veggie paste on top. The server was sweet but the guy who sat us was kind of rude. I would be bummed if I waited for an hour to go here!
(2)
nicole m.
People there are friendly and quick to get your order and explain the dishes. The French Toast was subpar, they had different ones and I ordered the super flight; but it seemed like a blanket french toast with a different glaze ... nothing to write home about. I also tried the chicken and sweet potato waffles ... that was the star ... wished there was more sauce and less salt.
(2)
Eva S.
once upon a winter day in 2013, christmas eve our group decided on some brunch at lovely Batter & Berries totally packed on Tuesday morn' but finally we were seated thank God we finally got a table and with some coffee, reheated our server, charming and delightful read off the daily specials get the flight of french toast, he winked with spiked egg nog toast & sprinkles we scanned the menu hungrily and finally reached a verdict: the flight it is, the chicken & waffle, broccoli omelett, lobster benedict with four of us at a table and four ginormous plates we created a rotation system so we can each have a taste i loved the food, i'm coming back it's settled, lincoln park is rad though the establishment is small, it's cozy Around $15 per head, ain't bad! reviews of disatisfied patrons, why be so disappointed? anything less than four stars is a review to be avoided
(4)
Felica B.
They have by far the WORSE AND UNPROFESSIONAL customer service! You walk in to a hostess with a terrible attitude! We were told that we were about to be seated only to have our seats given away! When asked to talk to the manager she told us that she will get him when she gets ready! That surely sparked a fused! However when the manager finally came he said we were wrong and said he didn't care if we left! After driving and hour to get there and waiting a hour and a half to be seated! Wow!!! It is also so small in there and people are standing over you while you eat your food! The waiting room is a joke! The waiters bumping into you and each other! It is a fire hazard! Again... DO NOT GO!!! I'm only giving one star because I have to in order to write this review
(1)
Jaquleen H.
SCALLOP OMELETTE!!!!! Creamy goat cheese in the middle topped with jumbo scallops, perfectly cooked asparagus and mushrooms in a white wine sauce!!! So delicious! By far one of the best dishes I have ever had!!! Amazing! You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Alex J.
The foodies have been raving about Batter & Berries, so I dragged my girlfriend out in the morning and told her we were going to see what the hype was about. The wait was over an hour, so we threw our name on the list and went shopping like the good weekend Americans we are. Came back about an hour and fifteen minutes later to find out they were almost to our name, so we re-arrived in the nick of time. Her french toast flight, one of the staples, was pretty good and she was satisfied. I ordered one of the blackboard, chalk-written specials, because I have a soft spot for specials: a crayfish omelette with bell peppers and cheesy hashbrowns. The hashbrowns were somewhat bland for how prevalent they are on the menu; they were just sort of heavy but not spunky like everything else on the menu. We also mistakenly ordered a side of sweet potato fries; it's not that they were bad, we were just so full that we couldn't properly approach them. I have heard rumors that they don't cook food to order, and I believe it because our food came out quicker than you can say, "Batter and Berries." This isn't a problem when the place is popping, but, on the rare occasion that things are slow, I can imagine the quality of this practice would suffer. In any case, we may come back at some point, particularly if I see a special on their Instagram that rubs me the right way.
(4)
Tamikca B.
Don't do it! Very very rude staff, hostess very snotty! Manager has zero management skills! I walked out after watching this snotty host storm through the already crowded area and say " fuck this shit" in front of maybe 20 customers which included young children. . . Presentation is everything. Not a good representation of mom and pop shops, nor the owners.. i even watched a dissatisfied customer walk out and the manager yell. "Clean off my table"! to awaiting staff before the customer even got away from the table. I think this place needs a new manager, 2 new hostess and better communication skills. This place is not a good representation of the community, nor the owner. I hope the owner make changes before it's to late. I hear the food is good though.
(1)
Chelleveda S.
So I have been trying to visit this place since September and for reason or another I wasn't able to....I believe now that I was supposed to wait and build up my anticipation. I walked in and was immediately seated at the community table which was cool because I didn't have to dine alone. I was immediately brought water and offered coffee. The manager Jay just so happened to be sitting at the table and made sure that my waitress gave me prompt, courteous service. My food was brought out fast and was delicious. Once the manager found out it was my first time and finding out that I love peach cobbler he let me sample a slice of the peach cobbler french toast which was even more reason why I will be patronizing this establishment again. The hostess Nicky was very helpful with letting me know which times and days are the busiest.......so on that note if you come after 9:30ish on a weekend please be prepared to wait because it gets pretty crowded.
(5)
Rishabh A.
We waited for the table on Saturday for 2+ hours and after that the food was not good. We ordered the famous fried chicken and waffles and I have definitely had better food at other brunch places. All the other food options was ok and kinda pricey for a brunch place. I would skip it and may be go to another brunch place with the wait time.
(1)
Jessica A.
I have never been somewhere like this! The food is OUT OF THIS WORLD INCREDIBLE! The service is great, and environment is artsy and interesting. The only thing that needs any altering is how scary loud the music is. I couldn't talk to our server or my family and it was 11am. But I can't wait to come back!!!
(5)
Justine M.
Pretty good brunch place. I had the crab cake benedicts and the crab was pleasently fresh tasting. It also came with a side of cheese crusted hash browns which I didn't find amazing. I got some crusty cheese in some bits and most of it was very mushy. I also shared the super flight with a friend which had the lemon, strawberry, carmel, blueberry and cookies and creme french toast. The lemon and strawberry were the most flavored. The others weren't that impressive. Note: There was a line out of the restaurant at 7:55 with about 7 people waiting to get in on a Sunday. This place gets VERY busy around 8:30 so come when it opens. Also very small inside
(3)
Leslie P.
This place was not worth the hype! Waited in line for about an hour. I was standing over people who were eating their food. I'm sure this was annoying to them. Was finally seated at the back table closets to the kitchen. Then people were standing over me as I ate. My friend ordered the strawberry French toast and had hair in them. I ordered apple waffle and it was dry and nasty. Manager was also very rude. I was very disappointed. I really wanted to like the food here. It just might have been a bad day!
(2)
Samuel A.
I DO NOT recommend this place. My friend is visiting town so I wanted something to eat that was fast and not so far from where we are in Lincoln Park so this was it. We got there and immediately were greeted by a very sassy hostess who didn't eve look at me at any moment and told us, quote, "you can go seat in the waiting area over there cause you gotta wait at least 45 min". So we go to the waiting area, honestly 4 tables can be arranged there and wait time would have been less. What a waste of useful space right in the middle of a restaurant. We wait and wait and wait. Finally we are seated right next to the bathroom door so we asked to be moved to another table. They did. My impression was that they don't really take care of who they hire as servers in this place. Service really sucks. There were 3 girls behind the hostess podium just chit chatting as one of them was sitting in a chair with customers sitting on that table. Buzz boys and waitresses walking up and down and standing around looking at each other and having conversations next to customers. It seemed to us like the servers literally go out of bed and went straight to work. Nobody working there seemed to think that their image and the way they present to the customers is how successful their business can be. I mean one of the 3 hostesses was sitting at a table with customers eating on that table as she chit chatted with the other two about people walking in and out. That's not ok. Management in this place, they must get these issues together and train their staff on proper serving manners. I have a lot of friends in the service industry and anywhere else that would be unacceptable. And now to the food. The heater in there was warmer than our food was. Food was tasteless. I can see this place being busy while people want to still go try the new place around but once it's been there for a bit, if not taken care of their service/ staffing issues, I see them closing down sooner than they expected. I will not be going back to his place.
(2)
Isabel H.
Amazing food. I don't mind waiting for a seat, but the second time I went in the hostess was so rude that I didn't even want to eat there anymore, but the first time I went the servers were incredible, so I'll have to go back another time when that hostess isn't there because this place really is worth it.
(3)
M.j. R.
I have been here twice. The first time we were with a large group and everything went great and I liked the food. Months later I went back the second time I went with my girlfriend and they had terrible customer service. No one would even look at me so I could ask them how long the wait was. After 20 mintues the host told me 1 hour and 30 minutes. I was shocked. No one was waiting for a table and there was open seats for 2. Needless to say I will never go back there and neither will any of my friends.
(1)
Julian C.
I went there for the first time Friday. There was a 30 minute wait for 2 people but It was well worth the wait. We had the lobster omelet and the chicken and waffles. Both dishes were absolutely amazing! The service was great as well. I liked the fact that the waitress had pictures of the specials on an iPad so you could see the dish before ordering. Definitely worth going to again....and again lol
(5)
Victoria W.
Hours of operation, 8am-3pm. Come as early as possible, especially the weekend. If you come around 10am, there is already a long line waiting. We were here on a Sunday at 10:15, already had to do a 45 minute wait. Which is quite long, for a breakfast joint. Ordered the french toast with flight, which is the fancier version, got charged extra for that, and the egg white omelette with scallop. we each also had a small juice. Items are overpriced. We each ended up paying $20 before tax. I mean the food was good, but it was not worth that much. The scallop were fresh, there were 3 of them. Paired with mushroom, some asparagus stem and a plain egg white omlette folded. I could try to recreate this at home for a lot less. The french toasts are probably harder to recreated. It had a nice maple butter pairing with it. DIfferent flavors of french toast, strawberry, blueberry and one that looked like cinnamon? The meal was very rich though, I was all full and bloated for the rest of the day and couldn't even have dinner. I guess the service was alright, the lady came over and showed up on her ipad the additional offerings of the day. They are also listed on on the wall. But no price next to it, tricked up, the omelette ended up being so expensive. We were between that and the crab cakes... But then our server forgot our juice and we had to ask for it. I thought service was nothing special, the lady at the front, the hostess was quite stressed with the long line. 1 bathroom in the restaurant.
(3)
Marisol A.
Very rude hostess! If that's the service as you enter, I could imagine the rest of the service. Decided not to wait. Very bummed because I wanted to try a new place.
(1)
Ange L.
So my husband and I were looking for a new brunch spot yesterday, one that served bottomless mimosas. I went on Yelp and found that Batter and Berries was rated high; they didn't have the mimosa special we were looking for, but it'sBYOB, so we thought that's the next best thing. Well when we arrived, it was a sea of black folk waiting outside. We put our name on the list and were told it would be a 45 minute wait. We thought, the food HAD to be good if all these people were waiting this long. *NOTE: Since the wait is long, don't come famished like I did. Have a snack before you come!* Anyway, the host graciously seated us and our waitress was attentive. I ordered the French toast flight, chicken sausage and eggs scrambled hard with cheese and onions. My husband ordered the Executive. We both found that the food was delicious from the first bite til the last. They recommend not adding syrup until after you taste the french toast, and I am glad that I waited because I didn't need to add a thing! I rarely eat eggs and never finish them, but I ate all of mine yesterday. Delicious!! This place surpasses my Chicago breakfast favorites like Yolk and Bongo Room. And to top it all off - its BLACK OWNED!!! I had such a lovely experience, I shook hands with the owner and congratulated him on owning such a great place with tasty food! I cannot say enough good things about Batter & Berries. I will certainly be back again, and bring family and friends who visit the Chi. Thank you Yelp as always for not letting me down. Just remember you will likely wait a while so have a snack or something before you come!
(5)
Olga Q.
AMAZING! This breakfast was the best breakfast I think I've ever ever had EVER. Why the 4 stars you're asking? Well the ambiance is frankly not great. We stopped in at around 1:30ish on Sunday and it was SLAMMED! We were told the wait was about an hour and a half for a table for two. We put our name on the list and actually waited, but we left and came back because the space is too crowded to hang out in. It's a really really small restaurant which makes it feel very crowded, uncomfortable and loud. It was hard to even speak to my husband it was so loud. Also it wasn't the cleanest place I've been too, but considering its tiny and busy I'm assuming it's just very difficult to keep it squeaky clean during a Sunday rush. They seated us at a table which was right next to the restroom, which I thought was kinda gross. People walked in and out consistently and left the door open which faced right into the dining room and, lucky me, opened right up in front of our table. I kept praying no one passed gas or fell ill while we were eating breakfast. I really have to say that the placement of the tables right by the restroom like that needs to be rethought because that alone made me feel as if I wouldn't want to go back. I ordered the salmon executive, which was a cut of salmon with a lemon sauce with a side of scrambled eggs and cheddar hash browns. My husband had a ham and bacon omelette and then we ordered the peanut butter French toast to share. The second I took one bite of the salmon I knew that they could have seated me inside the restroom and it would have been worth it! Every single item served to us was perfection. I will definitely go back and maybe next time request another table.
(4)
Mary T.
Delicious! My friend and I stopped by for brunch on a Saturday around 9 and didn't have to wait too long. In fact we had just enough time to grab some champagne at the 711 next door for our mimosas. I had biscuits and gravy and my friend ordered the chicken and waffles; both were excellent. Our waiter was extremely friendly and the service was quick and efficient. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)
Justine A.
Be prepared how beloved and popular this place is. I went on a Thursday at about 10am and I was lucky to get a seat at the community table. The French toast flight was awesome and everything else looked equally scrumptious!
(5)
Latisha C.
Yummy Delicious. Great atmosphere! Cozy! Sundays R off dee chain, beware the wait is ReaL BUT it was worth it.
(5)
Marvin J.
By far my favorite place to eat breakfast. I've had several things on the menu and nothing has been less than excellent. The French toast flight is a must. They are always changing their menu items which keeps me coming back often.
(5)
SweetestThing E.
This was my first time going here and I was extremely excited because of all the hype. But unfortunately I have to say I was not pleased. First of all there was a 1 hour long wait so of course i was starving when it was finally time for me to be sat to eat. The food came out super fast which is good and bad at the same time. Bad because I knew the good was precooked! My crab cakes were super cold and my cousins french toast was cold as well! I wouldn't come back. Especially with these prices. Our server was nice though.
(2)
Tracey G.
This was my second visit to Batter & Berries. I had previously gone for the first time in May. I took my husband for his birthday. Back then it was amazing! We had raved to all of our friends about the freshness and delicious food. That is why I was so excited to bring my mother. Yesterday we decided to take my mom who was in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were there yesterday at approximately 11am. I was not crowed so we were seated immediately. However the waitress didn't initially come to our table for at least ten minutes. I ordered the French toast flight with eggs, potatoes and bacon, mom ordered the apple waffle with a side of bacon and my husband ordered blueberry waffle with a side of eggs and bacon. I was very surprise because our food was ready in literally under 7 minutes. I believe this was the reason the food didn't taste as good. My French toast was very dry like it had been sitting for a while. I had to pour syrup all over it to try and make it work. I assume it was pre made and they just added the fruit and cheese. This was truly disappointing because when we first visited back in May the French toast was so fresh and fluffy you didn't need any syrup. Not the case at all this time. Both my mom and husband said they both had very dry waffles. I also had potatoes with cheese. The cheese was scorched which left a burnt taste with each bite. The one good thing that we all agreed on was the bacon. The bacon was cooked perfectly. Perhaps we should have just ordered a plate of bacon and I could have saved myself $63.00. We were extremely disappointed. Not really sure if I will return. Seems like the novelty has worn off.
(2)
Danielle G.
The food at Batter & Berries is awesome, especially the special Crab Cake Benedict that was a special the day I went - it was delicious, not full of other stuff that distracted from the crab. I also had the French Toast Flight - much above average french toast in 4 different flavors. The flavors are so good you don't even need the syrup, but can get some if you want. If you can make time for the long wait, it's worth it. I'd love to see them move to a bigger space, especially something with a better set up for parties waiting for tables.
(4)
LaShaya L.
I was in chicago visiting friends and family. I came with four friends and this was one place we decided on. We attempted to visit this restaurant twice in three days. We drove almost forty minutes for the nasty hostess to tell us it would be almost three hours for us to be seated. Three hours would have put us past the closing time of the restaurant. Not to mention people who were on the list received text messages when a table became available. They had people who hadn't even shown up when they received the text and they held the tables for them. I would think after five or so minutes if someone hadn't shown up, next person in line would be seated. This wasn't the case at all. Needless to say we went right down the street, got serviced right away and will never return batter and berries!
(1)
Sean S.
I visited this place after being encouraged by a friend to have a late breakfast on a Monday. We arrived to the location to find about 6-8 people sitting outside, and I feared a long wait. The guy at the front stated a 20-30 minute wait, but not a minute after paying the meter and placing the ticket on the dashboard, he called our name. We were seated at the large table in the center, shared with 14 other people. Despite it being crowded, our waitress arrived quickly and showed us the specials on her IPAD ("wow!") We ordered the french toast flight, the chicken and waffle, and the crab omelet. Everything was great! There was a hot sauce on the chicken that was surprisingly appropriate for breakfast; the waffle was made of sweet potatoes, and although slightly sweet, it wasn't too sweet (I didn't even need syrup); the crab omelet was very tasty and was just enough to fill the average person. The French toast flight was excellent as well, although the slices weren't as big as I usually prefer, the taste more than made up for it. Oh, and be sure to have some of the berry juice outside. I don't know if they give refills inside, but while you're waiting outside, grab a cup. It tastes like watermelon juice (not very sweet), but it's great for having to sit outside while you wait. I would go again, but since I live in the south suburbs and rarely get to the north side of the city, I wouldn't make a special trip for it, especially knowing the possibility of a long wait.
(4)
Rocco S.
We went to check out this place on a weekday afternoon. Not much of a wait. Service was pretty slow and not very attentive. We ordered the seafood Benedict, the biscuits and gravy, and the chicken and waffles. The Benedict was basically an over cooked poached egg on a dried out seafood patty. I don't think there was even an English muffin underneath. The potatoes were very greasy, but decent. I was really disappointed Chicken and waffles had a dried out chicken breast that was probably pounded and double fried. The waffle was okay. They forgot to bring any syrup, so we had to wait for someone to come around to get it. Took around 5-7 minutes to finally get someone's attention. The biscuits were probably the best thing we had. But really just average. Gravy was pretty thin though. The space was kind of dark and felt a little dirty. Overall I don't understand why this place gets such top reviews. We really wanted to like it, but it just didn't work out for us. Service was below average and the food was dried out and just not that good. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but we will not be going back.
Stopped by after a 5k last weekend. Hour and half wait. I can't understand why it is still like this months after opening. I have not seen the owner or staff try to make any adjustments to make this better. Not sure if a reservation system would help or not. I will not wait that long for breakfast food it's just ridiculous. Please get rid of the hostess with the stank attitude who doesn't know what she is doing.
(1)
Andre W.
My friends have been raving about this place for about a year and every time I am invited I either have plans or I am too drunk to get up and get here. I came on a chilly Sat morning and was welcomed to a 35 minute wait which is around my threshold of time for being seated in a restaurant. While I was waiting outside, I noticed a sign that said byob (next time I know!) so I knew a mimosa wasn't going to happen...lol. Also while waiting I was able to see everyone's plate and it made me hungrier as everything looked delicious. My wait ended up being more like 20 minutes. We were shown to our table which was like a communal high top across from a couple that had some loud ass friends that recognized them as they were leaving so there was a temporary discomfort with the seating arrangement, but it was the only space for two that was available at the time so we had to take it. Server came by and gave us a breakdown of specials that weren't on the menu and everything sounded scrumptious. I took a gander @ the menu, but decided on the surf & turf omelet that came along with some awesome cheesy hash browns. The surf & turf omelet included shrimp, steak, cheese and lobster....well worth the $17. One of the best omelets I ever had, no doubt. Bring your appetite here as the portions are a nice size. I noticed a lot of people getting the french toast flights which allows you to taste multiple french toast offerings. Came back again and had the Lobster Benedict and it was also delicious. Awesome food and awesome service! I would definitely recommend getting here before noon as the wait can get pretty lengthy at that point. I also recommend bringing a bottle of champagne if you want mimosas as I said earlier it is BYOB.
(5)
Bethtina W.
This place is delicious! Loved the mimosa idea. The food was scrumptious. i had the pancakes and my wife had the lobster omelet. We both ate it to the last drop. It's crowded, but the servers were friendly. It's a bit pricey.
(4)
Lyn W.
This was my first time here and the food was well worth the wait! I had the peach punch tea and it was so good. For dinner I ha the chicken and goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle). It looked and tasted amazing!! The service was really good. Our server was on point and very personable. I can't wait to come back again and bring my husband. It was the best chicken am waffles I've had ever. Plus it's BYOB so next time I will be bringing my own champagne for some mimosas.
(4)
Jeff H.
The sweet potato waffles and fried chicken are the best! Making a beeline to B and B on our next trip to Chicago. 5 star all the way!
(5)
Reecie B.
Love, love, love this place! I always get the caramel french toast which is awesome! I'm one of those people who likes my food hot so I learned after a few times to tell them to bring my French Toast out the second it is done. Also i ask for syrup when I order. Some of the waiters try to guilt you into not using syrup but I know what I like. Anyway I ask in advance because otherwise my food gets cold while they run around looking for the syrup. This place is byob for champagne which a lot of people take advantage of. It's always packed and sometimes there is a long wait but it's totally worth the wait!
(5)
Yasmin C.
LOVELY little place for a solo brunch that I grabbed while in Chicago for a few days. The place was energetic when I popped in around 11:30 or so on a Friday morning, and I was seated at a large center communal table. Despite being surrounded by other parties at the big table, it was large enough that I felt like I had my own space to relax. The restaurant is simple and decorated in bright colors, with a very casual feel. I ordered my coffee, which came out quickly as I scoured the menu. "French Toast Flight" caught my eye...what the &*%*#(. Well of course I was ordering that. Scouring the web now, I see that this place is a bit of a French toast heaven with new flavors and ventures rising regularly. The lineup during my visit was blueberry, strawberry, caramel, and lemon. I also ordered a side order of chicken sausage to satisfy my savory tooth. Food was all delicious...I loved the flight for 1) its modest size, unlike most French toast experiences I've had in my life, and 2) the variety of awesomeness. I think the caramel was my fave, followed closely by blueberry. Of course, they were all great, and I gave myself up to a world of sugar and happiness. Chicken sausage was a tad oily but otherwise also yummy and sufficient to provide the sweet-and-savory fix I needed. I think the whole thing with tip came out to about $20...not bad for a quick, yummy meal. An added bonus was taking home half of each slice of French toast to donate to my generous friend and host for the weekend. I would totally come back here for brunch! Loved it.
(4)
Aric C.
This place is on point! Whoo hoo can't wait to go back!
(5)
Tom W.
Amazing french toast. Their cheesy potatoes are.on of the.best breakfast sides.I.have ever had.
(5)
Soleil K.
IT IS SO GOOD! !!! I LOVED IT. WORTH EVERY BITE. On a Monday morning, Of the four of us we had the French toast, pancakes, apple waffles, pork sausage, chicken sausage, hash browns ,and finally the broccoli and cheddar omelet. It was really a taste bud satisfaction. The food came out within 15 minutes; awesome. The fruit is infused into the French Toast, it's definitely not your average. Everything had amazing flavor. One con that could bother some is that they strongly insist that you order the food AS IS. NO CHANGES. Another thing that's different is the way their omelets are made. They put the ingredients ON TOP of the omelet instead of inside. I prefer the inside method, but it was still a good experience. They also have cheesecrusted hash browns that we tried. Pretty tasty Go try it, you won't regret it
(5)
Marsha G.
Really wanted to try this place due to all the fb buzz on it. Finally went one weekday morning with my husband. Had to drive around due to the fact that their is only street parking and other consumers of nearby businesses occupied most of the spaces. Got in and the wait for food wasn't long at all. I had the French toast flight and it was really good. I hate blueberries but I really enjoyed the toast. My husband had the steak and some ham and that was great to. Only wish the location was bigger because I can only image the wait on the weekends with nowhere to stand and wait but infront of other ppl tables while they eat
(4)
Gwen D.
With an abundance of stellar brunch spots in town, I consider an adequate brunch inadequate. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries falls into that boat. Fine, but standing in my way of something better. Although I don't prefer sweet breakfast foods, Batter & Berries' signature French toast stood out amongst all the dishes at the table. My friends and I split the French Toast Flight, sampling strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and pumpkin toast served with maple butter. Even amidst the delicious French toast, I liked the maple butter best of all! I ordered the biscuits and gravy, served with coleslaw and (perfectly) poached eggs. Unfortunately, the biscuits, gravy and coleslaw were all overwhelmingly sweet, masking any and all other flavors or seasonings. I also stole a few bites of a friend's cheese-crusted hashbrowns, which made me crave Crosby's Kitchen's cheese hashbrowns. I did love my bite of my friend's Lobster Benedict because duh. (I sound like such a mooch. Thanks, friends!) TL;DR: Hit Batter & Berries if and only if you're a French toast fanatic who lives in the area.
(2)
Riana Elizabeth E.
About the only complaint I have about this place is that it's only open until 3pm. Thank God they're open every day, but plan on a wait no matter what day you visit. The hot tea selection is fantastic (try the toasted almond)! There's a communal feel to the place with the large family-style table in the center and how close the small tables are set together. It didn't feel awkward, however, since our server immediately turned our table and the one next t us into a "team" and started asking us brain teasers. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and exceedingly fast - which is great because I was starving. I tried someone else's French Toast Flight - the Lemon French Toast lives up to the raving reviews - but I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict. My God, if it's on the menu for the day, order that dish! These were the best crab cakes I've ever had! Just huge chunks of crab, the perfect amount of delicate seasoning, and toasted to a golden hue. I'll be back!
(5)
Bethany C.
I went to B&B on a recent business trip to Chicago and I was so impressed that I made a point to eat there twice in five days! The wait staff was warm, lovely, and knowledgeable. You really cannot expect better service. On my second visit, our initial server remembered us and came to chat while our current server treated us to some riddles. Fabulous! The food is creative, flavorful and FRESH! Everything is homemade, it seems. The French Toast flight is a MUST. I also adored the Cluck and Gravy. Whatever the special is - GET IT! You're in for a treat. My hat is off to the chef and staff of this charming establishment. I look forward to visiting again on my next time in the 310.
(5)
Ciera J.
Great place for brunch! The food is great, the staff is beyond amazing and attentive, it's a black owned facility which is awesome! Will come again with my girlfriends.
(4)
Michael U.
The Gist: No Website, BYOB, Breakfast and Lunch only. The Why: Located in a city that I consider to have the best breakfast/brunch scene in the United States Batter & Berries I knew walking into this new Lincoln Park location that I was taking a risk - passing up another chance to dine at Bongo Room, Southport, m.henry, or 2 Sparrows in favor of the 'new kid on the block' - but focused on all-natural ingredients, honest-to-goodness local sourcing, and innovative breakfast/brunch/lunch dishes with a lot of tongue-in-cheek nods to the south Batter & Berries seemed like my sort of place. The Reservation/Setting/Service: As one might expect from such a place, reservations are not necessary (nor taken,) though arriving around 8:45am on a Friday the traffic was still good, approximately ten tables turned during my 45 minute meal and with the space brightly lit, the music cheerful, and Chef Rylon checking in on tables frequently. With a coffee/pastry bar set at the center of the room and kitchen in back as only one server worked the room I'll note that coffee went empty more than once, but aside from that Sam was pleasant, efficient, and full of knowledge and recommendations related to a rather extensive menu. The food and drink: Coffee ($3) and Water, two entrees - $13 each. La Colombe Coffee: Brewing Nizza with its characteristic deep caramel notes Batter & Berries had me at 'hello' with the coffee selection, though I will note that consistent with the all-natural theme only Stevia and Sugar in the raw are offered as sweeteners making me glad I'd pilfered a plethora of Equal from the Skyharbor Airport the day before. Super Flight: Suggested by Sam as a way to make the most of the menu this plate featured half a slice of each daily French Toast option, on that day inclusive of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel, and French vanilla. Generally a fan of maple syrup with my breakfast sweets but with none offered on this plate what I received would actually prove to be some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted as each piece of buttery brioche was infused with custard of a different flavor and subsequently topped with complimentary compote, spread, or cream. Crisp on the exterior and custard soft within it would be hard to choose a favorite and although I must say $13 seemed a bit excessive for the portion this was definitely a situation where you got what you paid for, each bite as good as the last. Cluck N Gaufre: Reportedly a dish slowly becoming their "signature" this one really came out of left field; I mean sure I expected chicken and waffles but I didn't expect tender bits of cooked chicken INSIDE the sweet potato waffle in addition to the tender and juicy breast drizzled with nutmeg spiked hot sauce on top. Tender and crispy - sort of like a potato pancake but rife with savory notes - and finished off with maple butter this dish touched on all parts of the palate with both sweet and savory coming through with aplomb as sweet and heat competed for attention on the tongue. The Verdict: Another standout in a breakfast and brunch scene that outshines even those of New York and San Francisco a breakfast meal at Batter & Berries does not come cheap, yet with items far more interesting than your average diner and a chef/owner that clearly cares about his product and his customers I'd place Chef Rylon's little eatery on Lincoln in the same league with 2 Sparrows and Bongo Room for innovative brunch fare and while the service needs a little work (or the restaurant needs more servers) I'd not hesitate to return or recommend it to anyone looking for a great breakfast.
(4)
Alex J.
In my Jeezy voice, "super flight, super flight.... Yeahhhh, You know I want a super flight!!!"
(4)
Ifetayo O.
This was a beautiful restaurant. From the moment we walked in the vibe was great. When we sat down, our server Tim, was there to help us and we got water and great seats. He let us know all the specials of the day and was ready to take our order in a timely fashion. We sat down at 2:25 and got our food at 2:35. One may think that because it was given to us so quickly that it wasn't good or fresh, but quite the contrary. Everything was so flavorful and delicious. You could taste all of the seasonings, and being a college student, this was a total change from DHall food. I ordered the chicken and waffles and my friend ordered the kids strawberry french toast and fajita omelet. The french toast was the bomb dot com and the waffle was actually sweet potato flavored and had chicken in it. You do not need syrup to enjoy this meal, that's how flavorful it is. All in all, this is a great place, and I will continue to go here when I come to chi-town to visit.
(5)
Jaz B.
Overrated. Food was good but anything would be good if it's slathered in buttered and sugar. Service was horrible- from over an hour wait, to the rude manager and the inattentive waitress. The manager had no business running a restaurant and would be better suited as a DMV worker. We never got refills on coffee or water. Save yourself the headache and take your food to go or better yet visit Jam and Honey up the street.
(1)
Candi R.
So all my friends have been whispering about this place called batters and berries and since I consider myself Chicago's unofficial food expert I knew visiting was a must. And let's just say this girl is not disappointed! !! Food was delicious, fast, and most importantly TASTY I ruined my diet but it was worth the experience will be back again sooner than later and I stay in the south suburbs but did u hear me it's worth it YES HONEY
(5)
Anthony G.
One word AMAZING... The French Toast are awesome! If you want an awesome breakfast or a breakfast/brunch date with a lucky person, I highly recommend this place, it has a great atmosphere, great staff who knows the menu and meals of the day by memory. Five stars overall for the extra friendly people and atmosphere
(5)
Amber W.
Absolutely amazing and delicious!! I think this may be one of my top 3 favorite brunch places...ever! The chicken and waffles is good. The owner was very insistent that I eat it without putting any syrup on it for my first bite. I followed his advice and I was glad I did! Definitely didn't need any syrup. There is a certain sweetness and tanginess that make a great flavor that comes from the hot sauce, the chicken, and the sweetness of the waffle. Absolutely delicious!! The other unique thing about this place is their french toast, which is in several different fruit flavors. The special thing about their French toast is that, it's not just regular French toast topped with fruit, each piece of French toast tastes like the fruit it has on it. It is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it!! As I mentioned earlier, the owner is so nice. Came to our table to ask us how we liked it, was very polite, joked around, was very down to earth. I am going back there every time I go to Chicago!
(5)
Ashley A.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? Amazing! I have been hearing about Batter & Berries for a long time now. All of my friends were raving about the food, but I never was able to find a free morning to go. Mother's Day was coming up and my sister and I really wanted to take our mom, so we thought it'd be the perfect occasion. From the reviews and from my friends, I knew there could be killer wait times. It can be annoying, but to me that is also a sign that there is something special going on and I still really wanted to go on Mother's Day, even though I knew it would probably be crazy busy! We decided to arrive at 7:30am (they open at 8am) and we made the right call. There were people lined up in their cars waiting as the same time as us. We started forming a line outside to door about 15 minutes before they opened and ended up being the 2nd group in there. Perfect timing. We were immediately greeted by our awesome and extremely enthusiastic waiter. I wish I had gotten his name, because he was great. He was clearly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about the menu and the restaurant experience, and he explained everything to us very well. There were three of us and my 7-month old baby (they have high chairs and the place is baby-friendly), so we decided to split some things on the menu. My mom ordered the crab cakes benedict, and we all shared the peach cobbler French Toast, as well as a super flight of French Toast (a sampler of all the flavors. DELICIOUS). I also had the homemade chicken sausage, which was great. They are also BYOB, so we brought a bottle of champagne and had mimosas as well. Overall, it was such a great experience! My mom was so happy on Mother's Day, and that makes me happy! I will definitely be back to try more things off the menu. A note: as we were leaving, the outside of the restaurant was PACKED full of people waiting. It was a madhouse. I know it was Mother's Day, but I get the feeling this place is packed on any day. My suggestion is to do like we did: get there before opening. It's early, but totally worth it!
(5)
Zakia C.
All I can say is I love this place!! It's worth the wait and just try anything, you won't be disappointed. Oh, don't add anything before you taste it.
(5)
Ashlee T.
I've been trying to go to this place a couple of times but the wait was always long and I can certainly see why the wait is so long... THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!!! My bestie and i went on a Thursday to avoid the long wait. We couldn't decide on what we wanted so we ordered 3 breakfast dishes to share. 1) french toast flight 2) chicken infused sweet potato waffle and 3) deconstructed fajita chicken omelet When I say everything was delicious you have to believe me.. the Owner/chef came out and introduced himself to my friend and I; he even checked to make sure the food was delicious being that we're from the home of the chicken and waffle (wooop woop Los Angeles).... i highly recommend..
(5)
Karla K.
Told there was a 45 minute wait...we waited an hour and a half while " regulars" were seated before us. Had to leave because the wait time was so off. Food may be good but how they treat people was atrocious. Sorry but someone can do better.
(1)
Margaret G.
Sometimes one just needs some booze at 10:30am on a weekday morning. Don't ask questions. No corking fee at B&B AND I can drink as much cheap champagne and prosecco I can carry? No convincing me I'll be there! My friend Jessica N had big reason to celebrate and I was honored to be her fete buddy for the morning. Both of us are big suckers for french toast so neither of us could pass that up. We feasted on the french toast sampler. Incredibly sweet. Right up my alley. Food A+. Now why the three stars. I found the wait staff extremely pushy. I had my plate snatched away within two seconds of putting my fork down. The staff was soo eager to clean our table that my bottle of presecco with at least a third left in it was thrown out before I could pipe up and say something. Also, if you byob you are required to order a glass of juice. I read prior reviews pointing out how cold it is inside the restaurant. And those are accurate statements. I purposely picked a table toward the back and I still had my winter jacket on the entire meal. Sweet tooths will love the French toast. Give it a try
(3)
Dustin J.
Chicken and waffles all day! French toast flight is a must. Service was on point. Our server (2-see-me) was funny and outgoing. Great experience !
(5)
Candy Eden M.
The food is good not great. Be ready to wait for a table. And be open to share a table with strangers.
(3)
Passhon J.
My first experience was the best and that is why I still come. Since then, I've had an average experience here. The food is really good. No matter what you order, you will never be disappointed. Lemon french toast.. awesome, Chicken spinach wrap w/ sweet potatoe Fries... amazing, spinach omelet.... Perfection. The wait is ridiculous. They should consider expanding or creating a RSVP list. Overall, you should try them out if you want to experience some Good Chicago Food. The food will make you forget that you had to wait 2 hours to be seated.
(4)
Michael B.
Going to be brief. The chef asks that you try your food without condiments first. The chef knows... ENJOY!
(5)
Alissa H.
Saturday breakfast ... Arrived around 8:30 and it was crowded already! But we luckily got a our seat within minutes. Your entire party has to be there in order to be seated. We ordered flight of French toast( which comes with a sampling of all 5 of their speciality toasts... Carmel was the favorite, followed by strawberry, then lemon, apple pie and blueberry) and banana-but Belgium waffle. Both were delicious. Didn't need the syrup for waffle.
(5)
Oscar B.
This was my second visit. 1.get the French toast flight. 2. Get the tea (they're all great)! Both of my experiences here were GREAT. I guess that would explain why they're never empty. My servers were nice and friendly and very helpful. The fish and chips, shrimp egg white omelet, lobster benedict, and crab cakes benedict are all amazing. The cheese crusted hash browns alone are enough to come check the place out. Oh! I forgot... the buttah!!!! OMG!!! Is butter supposed taste like breakfast cake batter?
(5)
G. F.
This place is officially part of our rotation after our first visit today. I took off a star because we had to wait a bit longer than normal after sitting to be attended to and had to get our own menus...probably an isolated incident...and because it's a little small inside. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They were on top of things and the food came out really fast even though they were pretty busy! Their great attitudes definitely added to our experience (especially since I took my 5-year-old and 17-month-old by myself). Their menu isn't all that big but there's just enough variety...and it's great to have options you don't see on most menus these days. The fried chicken and sweet potato waffles were out of this world! I'll have a hard time ordering anything else each time I go back. The super pancake flight was good, not awesome (and a bit overpriced). Got chicken sausage on the side and sweet potato hash and both were fantastic. It seems to get full by 9:00 on Saturday so try get there before then...they have a comfortable place to wait for your table but it isn't big. At the very least this place is worth trying to judge for yourself. For me, it's a great place to mix with some of our other favorites (since they have fairly similar menus)...we'll definitely be back sooner than later.
(4)
Magda L.
Went on a Wednesday at noon and was by myself so I was seated immediately. My server (Leslie I think??) was sweet and knowledgeable. She talked me into the french toast super platter but honestly, I required very little coaxing. Maple rum and caramel were my favorites. This place is great. Come on a weekday if you can. Leslie told me the wait is usually 2 hours on the weekends.
(5)
Lauren E.
I was really excited to try this place because of the Urbanspoon reviews, but was so disappointed. First of all, the hostesses didn't smile once, and looked completely miserable working. We put our name in and were told 45 minutes to an hour. I checked in after 45 minutes of listening intently, and they said they called our name already (I'm 99% positive they didn't). They acted very bothered by me asking. 20 minutes later they finally sat us and didn't apologize for the wait, just showed us the table without saying anything. SO, I was going to let this go because I heard the food was worth the wait; unfortunately, that was absolutely not the case. We had two oily, undercooked veggies/omelets and hashbrowns. We felt very rushed even though we were just in there for about 20 minutes. I would recommend finding a different breakfast place; there are plenty in the area to go to that will treat you like a paying customer. The only good thing was that the buspersons were friendly and attentive. Please re-evaluate your restaurant, Batter & Berries!
(1)
Kelly O.
The food was good, but that's about it. Service was horrendous. Continuously had to track down someone for coffee and water refills. Will not be coming back due to poor service.
(1)
Lisa R.
I have been to this place twice already this summer! Brunch with a co-worker and took husband for breakfast for Father's Day; the place was packed and food was great! I heard reviews from friends and reviews on TV so I had to go. When I walked into the place a man walked out and said "what an experience". I came out of the place saying the exact...same...thing! Infectious uplifting atmosphere, great decor, lots of activity, staff and customers are friendly to each other. Sweet potato Waffle is my favorite. The owners are in THE PERFECT location. The business recently celebrated 2 year anniversary and manager was visiting tables to ask about their food - everyone looked happy in the place. Take your out-of town friends to this place; all will have a great time - and a great experience!
(5)
Yujia Q.
Disappointed with the service of this famed Chicago brunch spot. During the end of our 1-hr meal, we were repeatedly asked (every few minutes or so) by different servers whether we were finished with the meal. When we asked to speak to the manager to express our frustration, we were told that this was a very busy restaurant and many customers were waiting and the table needed to turn. We couldn't have had a more rushed meal and certainly will not return. Restaurant management should consider re-training service industry etiquette to the staff.
(1)
Ervin J.
Second time visit today to Batter n Berries and it was just as good as the first visit. I've had the chicken n waffles and the French Toast Flight, both signature dishes and they were amazing. Both visits my guests had different dishes and seemed just as pleased. The flavor, quality, and presentation of the food is impeccable. Breakfast food can be so so and routine but not Batter n Berries. This is place gets it right every time. The wait can be long on Saturday and Sunday so be prepared for a 45-an hour wait but it's worth it. Once you sit down the service is extremely quick and efficient. I also love that the business is black-owned and thriving. Sadly, I will be leaving Chicago and moving to another city but this will always be my brunch spot when I come visit the city.
(5)
Margreth C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday at around noon. There was a hour - hour and a half wait. We walked around and then came back in a hour and our name was called just in time! It was super loud, and there was a lot of people. I could hardly hear the waitress. She did a good job explaining the specials and had pictures of the food on her mini iPad which is smart. We got the chicken and waffles and the flight French toast and all of it was amazing! I preferred the chicken and waffles over the French toast! I would definitely come back and wait a hour to eat and would recommend anyone to come and check it out! So delicious and the service was great!
(5)
Noelle E.
Amazing French toast here. I would give this place 5 stars except they wouldn't let me order a plain cheese omelette. Thought that was kinda strange, but other wise everything is very good. And they play disco house!
I've been to Batter & Berries about 4 times now. The first was when it first opened and was the best visit. I went with some friends and had the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) which was delicious. My friend also mentioned the omelet she had was the best she ever had. The Chef came out and chatted with us which was a great touch. I've gone back recently and ordered the same and the quality of food has seemed to go downhill a bit. They do get busy but they are pretty good about trying to get you into the restaurant as fast as possible. It's worth going to but I don't feel its as good as it used to be.
(3)
Mike H.
I love this place. Any time that I have friends or colleagues visit from out of town, I usually take them here! (UNLESS, they are on a diet.) The food is absolutely delicious, and often times decadent. Their savory dishes are rich and their sweet dishes are richly sweet! It may be a bit much if you're used to typical breakfast/brunch food. But that's what makes this place popular. It's not supposed to be typical. In a city like Chicago that is so segregated, it's nice to have this racially diverse spot in the heart of Lincoln Park!
(4)
Katarina X.
My coworker has been trying to get me to go to breakfast for a very long time. I personally try to keep work and personal separate- like Church and State- the one and only thing tempting me from this? Butterfinger French Toast. This exists, it is delicious, this is not a test. Amazing. She lured me with a picture of this chocolate champagne French toast special served previous and the Butterfinger is phenomenally-mind-blowing. Worth re-prioritizing work relationships for. Worth a two hour wait- you heard me. Worth it, do it, get here now.
(5)
Leah C.
third time's a charm... yes it took 3 times to finally get a table (ahem on a monday) at this hot spot! and it was worth it! i generally do not like breakfast food but my sweet tooth does enjoy picking at a shared apple pancake or fruit waffle with my eggs. at b&b, my sweet tooth discovered the french toast flight; i do not like french toast at all but had to try their signature dish - we ordered one to share and it made me a convert...wow! the french toast was crunchy and so very flavorful - not just soggy bread with heaps of blueberry/strawberry/what have you syrup and equally syrupy fruit on top. the actual batter gave the french toast its flavor: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and the flavor of the day: peanut butter! we could not decide which we liked best! i ordered the vegi omelette served "deconstructed": veggies on top of the egg whites. i loved that the choice of veggies were green beans and colorful peppers (not your typical spinach or broccoli). i didn't love how buttery the eggs were...i little bit too greasy for my taste. the selection of berries (and melon) served on the side were also such a refreshing alternative to potatoes or mini cup of overripe cantaloupe and sour grapes. my husband loved his lobster omelette (i had a bite sans lobster to try the absolutely delectable smoked gouda!). he had a very difficult time deciding what to order as there were many other specials that sounded equally delicious (pork chop, pork sausage breakfast wrap, crab benedict) along with the regular menu items. we need to go back! oh need to add: the servers were very informative and are armed with ipads not only to take your order but to give you visuals of their specials! with all the wonderful choices, this actually made it a tiny bit easier to decide. what a great idea!
(5)
Rosie A.
This is by far my favorite breakfast/ brunch place! The food is AMAZING!! Fast and friendly service. The specials change weekly, but if you dine during the banana pudding French toast, I highly recommend it.
(5)
james p.
The best french toast and breakfast spot in the city, hands down. Food is excellent and quality is consistent!!
(5)
Justin B.
The vanilla bean rum french toast special was incredible, the homemade pork sausage was incredible, and the service was exceptional. (Next time, I will be showing up with a bottle of champagne to add mimosas to the mix.) Now I know why there's always a huge freakin' wait here...we came on a Wednesday at 10:45 AM and there was still a 15-minute wait, and that was after we tried coming last Sunday soon after Batter & Berries opened. If anyone has some advice on when this place is NOT totally jammed, it would be appreciated!
(5)
Tori M.
Came here with friends after the 4th of July for brunch. We got there around 830 and there was a tiny wait starting to form, but we were seated shortly after. We got the French Toast Flight to share before our meal which was amazing! I had the B&B Breakfast sandwich, that was delicious. I took half home and was able to heat it up the next day for breakfast. My bf got the sweet potato chicken and waffles. The waffle was very yummy, as was the chicken. The service was great and very fast! Also, I love that this place is BYOB. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Eunice J.
OH MY GOD the wait was the WORST. And don't get me wrong, This isn't my first rodeo. A friend and I waited over two hours when we should NOT have because the hostess was seating 3-4 ppl groups before us (even if they arrived later). This was because there weren't enough two ppl tables and they absolutely refused to seat two people at a four person table. It's worth going once especially if you're a sweets person - but GO WITH A GROUP
(3)
Stephanie L.
Batter & Berries & Brunch & Breakfast...Oh MY! This place is twerking me...just like Miley. #amazingservice Our girl went over everything. Was attentive and showed us lots of yummy pics on her handy mini ipad. I was drooling within 5 mins of walking in and wanted everything on the menu. #amazingbreakfast Yummy crab omelette with egg whites, smoked gouda cheese, HUGE chunks of crab (#sorrysebastianfromlittlemermaid.Iateyou), delicious cheesy, creamy, crunchy hashbrowns. Amazing super french toast flight...yup, didnt need extra syrup. I loved the crunch that was in every bite. Strawberry, blueberry, caramel, lemon, oatmeal raisin...they all were #delicious #greatprice Brunch that doesnt blow the bank...yup, its here. BYOB if you are interested. Fantastic coffee #iwillbeback #goduringtheweek!
(5)
Bert T.
An annoying waste of time, money, and calories... The much heralded French toast flight, WASN'T. French toast is made by soaking bread in beaten eggs and then lightly frying it. I was served a small portion (two slices) of bread that was completely dry -- I couldn't see, or taste, that it had been anywhere near an egg. Not at all. This after I waited twenty minutes to be seated and was finally shown to a chair at the communal table that had been AVAILABLE THE ENTIRE TIME. Others who came in after me were seated at tables. I was both passed over AND made to wait for no reason at all. No excuse. And the general atmosphere was unpleasant. I looked around and saw that almost every table held one or more bottles of champagne (the group nearest me had 3 bottles for 5 people). Everyone lingered after their meal to finish their wine -- no wonder there was a wait. And they were all screaming at each other to be heard over the music. There are times when I enjoy hanging out with a bunch of happy drinkers, listening to loud house music tracks, but after 2 pm on a weekday is not one of them. I don't like needlessly noisy meals. The one star was for the side (extra cost) of ham. The ham was fine. I will NOT be back -- bad food and rude service aren't worth the hassle.
(1)
Mykie H.
I gave B&B a few tries and really wanted to like it, especially because I live and work so close by. The food is very average, and in the greatest food city there is, average just isn't good enough. The service was pretty bad for both dine-in and carry-out, and I can't figure out why the restaurant itself is so loud. For what you get, it's really over-priced. I recommend taking your hard-earned dollars elsewhere.
(2)
Andi M.
Heard a great deal of buzz about this place. From word of mouth to WTTW. We went on Memorial Day... A huge crowd had the same idea. The wait to get in was about 45 mins. A long time to wait. But time passed quickly as I walked up and down Lincoln. Admiring the historic architecture and taking photographs. Once we were seated. Our server came immediately and explained the dishes. Also was very interested to learn this was out first visit. We ordered the famous Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof). It was a sweet potato waffle topped with a hint of maple butter. Also with a piece of fried chicken with a tad bit of hot sauce. No need for syrup. Our food came out quickly. One bite and I it was on. Delicious is not even the word for it, The food was excellent. Each bite made you just savior the moment. I just have to go back there again. So I can really give a proper review. The long wait was well worth it. Next time they say it's a long wait. No problem! I'm just Happy to be here!
(5)
Gabriela L.
The chicken and waffles were phenomenal. I loved that the sweet potato waffles had the chicken inside . Nice touch. Friendly staff too. The wait was pretty bad just because we got here at noon on a Saturday which I guess is expected.
(4)
Lauren W.
First of all, you have never had a waffle like the sweet potato waffle on the cluck n goufre. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and as a self proclaimed hot sauce connoisseur, the homemade hot sauce was out of this world. On top of all of that, the service was more than desirable and the atmosphere was inviting. And, if that's not enough, the food came out in half the time expected.
(5)
Josh W.
Good but not great. . Chicken and waffles needed more sauce... Steak and eggs was overcoo
(3)
Kourtney V.
I went here for my birthday came around 9 and we waited to be seated about 30 min, once seated we were serviced promptly and food came quickly...I order the crab cake benedict DELICIOUS...My mom and sister ordered the french toast which they said was AMAZING!!! Wonderful atmosphere....worth the wait!!
(5)
April J.
WORST breakfast ever!!!!! The food came out in about 3 minutes. Alls that means is all our food was pre made. Eggs- AWEFUL!!! Hash browns- greasy slop!!! French toast flight- cold and I'm sure just pulled out if a pan and a different syrup and butter put on each. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!
(1)
Kat L.
I have now been here multiple times, always with teacher friends. All I have to say is that the teachers of CPS love the fried chicken sweet potato waffles out of this place! Where else can you order a freaking FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT? I'll tell you. ZERO PLACES. I've also tried a bunch of other stuff on their menu and all of it has put me into a temporary sense of euphoria. As if that isn't enough to make you show up, everyone there is kind, and happy, and jovial. As a customer you really get the sense that I love to give people when I cook which is just making people really happy with great food because you like them. If you're smart, I'll see you there. If not, then you obviously hate brunch.
(5)
Jasmine O.
My first time eating at Batter and Berries was last summer, when the Singles Ministry had a restaurant shut down there. It was great we had the restaurant all to ourselves. The food was amazing, I had the caramel French toast and it was superb! Flash forward to April 2014 I went again with some girlfriends of mine. We went around 11 am on a Saturday morning. There was a 45 minute wait, the only thing is there is nowhere to sit and wait in the restaurant. Everyone was waiting outside, granted it wasn't that cold out, but it was chilly. My girlfriends and I went down the street to a local boutique and browsed around until it was time to see if a table was available. The only downfall about his restaurant is it is really crowded and small, but it's worth the wait. The staff is friendly and our waiter was very entertaining. I must remember to bring champagne or wine, since it's BYOB.
(4)
Philip M.
There is not much I enjoy more than eating... As such, I am constantly looking for great restaurants. The search is over!!! B&B is awesome!!! Everything I tried was delicious (deconstructed steak omelette, shrimp omelette, blueberry waffle, biscuits and gravy, and cheese crusted hashbrowns). It was all absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back anytime I'm in chi-town!
(5)
Matt K.
This place is one of a kind! Had the Fried chicken w sausage gravy on top, cheesy hash browns, eggs over medium w hot sauce & a side of Texas white toast w caramel butter... Unreal! Food came in less than ten minutes and that was with a packed house on Xmas!
(5)
Jennifer P.
Great experience here today. Long wait but totally worth it. Original recipes and quality ingredients. Definitely coming back. Manager was professional and genuinely cared about our experience and the quality of the food.
(5)
Stephanie H.
I think this place is ok. There are definitely better places for brunch in the city, but I think this place is certainly fine. I went yesterday (Saturday) with a friend and we got there right before 11 and were quoted a 35 minute wait. My guess is we waited about 20 as a few parties ahead of us deserted to go where I have no idea because there's really not much else open in that area at that time of day. I was familiar with the menu but our server advised us that they are known for their french toast. Listen to them. I really wanted some eggs so I went with the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet. It was a joke. I should have gotten french toast. Everything was greasy. It was an omelet with a few pieces of chicken and sauteed onions and peppers on top. Next to it was a pile of cold, and I mean cold not lukewarm, hash browns. Those weren't good, in fact I'm pretty sure the hash browns wouldn't have been good hot either. My friend got the super flight of french toast and I had a few bites and it was pretty good, but on the french toast scale of 1 to Bongo Room, these are probably in the middle to upper middle range. The decor is best described as neo-classical daycare cafeteria and some of the tables are quite cramped. But I thought the wait/check-in process went pretty smoothly. This place is fine, but not in my top brunch places in the city.
(3)
Leslie B.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and am glad I did! On a Sunday at 12:00 there was a twenty minute wait for two. Once seated, our waiter was quite the character. He was instantly making us laugh and giving us recommendations from the menu. Halley W. and I split the Cluck-N-Gaufe, a side of chicken sausage, and the special french toast, which was roasted almond. The Cluck-N-Gaufe took us both a few bites to decide if we liked it or not, but eventually we decided it was delicious, just very unique. This sweet potato waffle with chicken inside, plus chicken on top, plus yummy hot sauce was one of the oddest dishes I've ever had, but it worked! Definitely recommend. The chicken sausage is made in-house and was really tasty, this was a great savory side to add. Lastly, the star of our meal was the roasted almond french toast. I feel like they should make this a part of their full-time menu (it was the weekend special). There were clearly almonds in the batter as you tasted the flavor throughout every bite. When at Batter and Berries, I would definitely recommend sharing sweet and savory dishes. One of the sweet dishes in its entirety would be too much, but it's absolutely worth having. All in all, I'm glad I went to Batter and Berries, but I'm not sure I'll return anytime soon. Breakfast was weirdly expensive, $13 for a not overwhelmingly large waffle with a smallish piece of chicken? Suspicious. $3 for a cup of coffee? Not Intelligensia or anything like that, just regular coffee. Hmm. No thanks.
(3)
Julia W.
Hubby and I went this past Saturday. We arrived at 10:30am and was told it would be a 30 minute wait. From the reviews I was expecting longer. We were seated within 15-20 minutes. We ordered our food and received it in literally 12 minutes. The place was very busy, so we were shocked. Everything was delicious and our server was great. I think larger parties have to wait longer for bigger tables.
(5)
Jennifer T.
Great place. There's going to be a bit of a wait but it's worth it. My husband & I shared the French toast flight which was wonderful. Our server was upbeat & nice, we liked him a lot. We definitely can't wait to visit again!
(4)
Justen H.
Amazing experience here its a long wait buts its well worth this is my second time here and its is great everytime
(5)
Maya W.
This is the best place to go for an awesome, delectable, and flavorful dining experience with what would seem to be very basic breakfast items. The French Toast is unlike any I've had before with such an incredible variety of flavors - blueberry, lemon, strawberry, spiced Apple, Carmel and walnuts. Though I've never had eggs benedict, the lobster benedict was the best ever! It had huge chunks of lobster fried to a crispy perfection with perfectly cooked eggs on top. This meal was so full of flavor, it so delicately titillated my taste buds that no seasoning (salt, pepper, syrup, etc. ) was ever needed. Not only was the food excellent, but so was the service from the hostess to the table bussers. Even the manager was speaking with all of the customers, helping out where needed and creating an environment of joy and happiness! I will be back!
(5)
Christy L.
When Batter & Berries first opened, I had brunch there with a friend and would have rated it 4-5 stars. Our experience was great: the food tasty, service attentive, and ambiance about what you'd expect for a diner'ish-brunch place. Fast forward about eight months, and now I think the food is just average. My friend and I ate brunch here on a Saturday. Arriving around 11am, our wait was no more than 15-20 minutes, which is completely reasonable during peak brunch hour. Our service was a little over-bearing; I felt uncomfortable. I ordered the Super French Toast sampler, and all but the orange daily special were tasty. My side of sausage was incredibly dry; I didn't eat more than a few bites. My friend had an egg dish, which she said was bland, and commented there her hash browns were cold. She tried my French Toast and agreed it was the way to go. I'd give Batter & Berries another shot but wouldn't recommend it with raving reviews like I did months ago...
(3)
Ben M.
Very long wait and rude service. You can find food just as good at many other restaurants in the city.
(1)
Ria S.
My first review for this place was over a year ago and it was 5 stars. This time it is barely 1. I have been a staunch supporter since they opened. I always order the french toast super flight but due to a strawberry allergy I cant eat the strawberry french toast. Chef Rylon is aware of this and always lets me substitute due to the allergy. I encountered one of the other owners Craig Richardson and not only did he absolutely REFUSE to make any exceptions but he was somewhat nasty in his response. I informed him I was one of the early supporters of his business but he didn't care nor was he interested in the fact that my request was due to a food allergy. Customer service is key to any business and I think that owner or not he can brush up on his customer service skills. I travel from the near southside to eat here & I am very disappointed.
(1)
Mile N.
This place sets the bar for brunch!!! Excellent omelettes and the French toast flight is out of this world. The entire staff is very friendly and welcoming. I'm a customer for life!!!
(5)
Thanh L.
Chicken and waffles!! Never had it before, but I am a fan after this place. The staff was friendly and price was reasonable. The chicken was crispy and cover with a nice hot sauce. The waffles had bits of chicken in it. Staff always took time to make sure that we didnt need anything even though it was busy
(5)
Michael C.
Fire!!! The food was so good, i had the french toast, cheese eggs & ham! they use this maple infused butter that was so damn good i asked for some to go! haha! im going back! Cons: The wait time. The place was pretty loud, for some reason they have folks waiting in the place who have not got a table. the restaurant is not that big to start with so why not use that space for more tables?? i felt like people were looking at me eat the whole time, its not a deal breaker but it could be done better.
(5)
Robyn W.
I visited Batter and Berries for the first time today. After reading the reviews I had prepped myself for a long wait. I was hoping since it was a Tuesday it wouldn't be too bad. Well the reviews are correct. I had to wait. For a party of 2, we waited 30 minutes. The hostess asked if we didn't mind sitting at the "community table." It was a table that sat 10 people. So we agreed. After sitting there for about 20 minutes we watched them clean and bus the table and seat more coupled until eventually it was full. Still no waitress. I asked the hostess where the waitress was at. Her response was they were extremely busy. Um ok? So eventually the waitress came and took the order. Surprisingly the food came out really quick. I am giving 3 stars because the time it took to get service once seated. I knew going in I would have to wait. But once seated I expected better service. The food....great. I really enjoyed my meal. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. The maple butter they serve and the sweetness of the waffle was great. No syrup needed. The chicken was tasty and spicy. In the future I will not sit at the community table. I feel they sat us first and waited to take the order until the table had all new patrons at it. I saw people who were seated after us at private tables leave before us. Also, this restaurant is very small so with its popularity and good food it will feel very tight and when you eat you will have patrons waiting to be seated salivating over your plates or staring at you to hurry it up. I will return.
(3)
Tara A.
After all the hype, I made it my business to try this place out today. I was warmly greeted & seated right away by the hostess & my server immediately came over w/a smile & bubbly personality & told my friend & I about the specials for day. Our food was served SUPER fast & the presentation was nice BUT the food was nothing to brag about, in me & my friends opinion. She ordered pancackes, said they were heavy not light & fluffy. Eggs & Bacon a la cart. I ordered the Crab Cakes Benedict w/cheesy hash browns. The cakes were OKAY & I didnt care for the hash browns, tasteless. All in all, I wont be going out my way to return. If Im ON the block & hungry, then maybe but otherwise I can get a better breakfast some place else. Maybe my expectations were too high or just maybe, its just a new spot w/mediocre food. Don't believe the Hype bcuz its just that: HYPE!!
(2)
Rozalynn B.
Food was great! We ordered The Flight, The Executive, & Strawberry french toast.. Service was great! Be sure to arrive early because it gets VERY PACKED. I'll definitely be back. I'm sold on this place.
(5)
Barbara M.
The French Toast was great. But everything else had too many weird seasoning, especially the homemade sausage, and they were under-cooked, yuk. The pancakes were doughy. I left with a really bad after taste. I was hoping for the best with this place but I so won't be going back. Oh I forgot, there were so many non work staff in and out of that kitchen, at one point I thought that's where the bathroom was located. Please stop the guy from doing silly chants and riddles!!! Highly disappointed.
(2)
Jing C.
Have been here 3 times and am convinced that Batter & Berries is the Jekyll and Hyde of Chicago brunch spots. When its good, it's great. When its bad, you're left feeling like you'll never get that 3 hours of your life back. The good: Really thoroughly good food. Great French toast flights!! They pair all four delicious and varied flavors into a flight so you don't have to pick. The chicken and waffles is delish (chicken actually inside the waffle) and the omelet and hash browns are good too. The first couple times we came our server made us feel right at home with jokes and a smile. Amazing. Started recommending Batter and Berries to folks immediately. The bad: The service. The last time we came here and waited over 2 and a half hours for a table. What started as a quote for "30 minutes" (expected for Chicago on a Sunday) slowly turned to one hour then two. During that time, two groups our size who were friends with the hostess came so we got bumped. It was clear from their conversations that they didn't have reservations and came on a whim. Got seated right in when we had already been waiting for an hour. This happened twice. In the same morning. No apologies for the wait or the inequitable treatment. Our waitress actually gave us attitude when we asked what might be ordered quickly or taken to go because one of our friends needed to catch a flight. Yes, I know brunch is for indulging with friends, not speedy service but we had spent 3 hours there without getting any food yet! The food is great but that experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Two in our group ended up scrambling because of the unfair long wait (needed to get to a flight and a soccer game). There's too many good brunch places in Chicago to risk a bad experience like this one. Don't waste your morning like we did!!
(1)
Kristine C.
This place is not a family or a friendly establishment. If you have children or if you think babies are cute don't go here, because they hate babies. If I could give this place zero stars I would. My husband and I went there last weekend with our two friends and their 6 week old infant. We checked in at 9:30 am for a table, and they said the wait would be about 30-45 minutes. Ok, no big deal, we waited the 45 minutes. 10:15, we check in, they said another few minutes. 10:30 we check in, and are told to ask again inside. The hostess says, "um, I don't know when you'll get seated. It will be another 45 minutes to an hour." I asked how it was possible that a 30 minute wait turned into a 2 hour wait, and I also noticed that there were tables turning, so why couldn't we sit? The hostess replied, "well, if you didn't have the baby, we could seat you." I'm sorry, what?! What do you suggest we do, leave the baby outside and sit and eat? If you had a problem with us bringing the baby in, you should have said so at 9:30, and we would have just gone somewhere else. Don't make us wait an hour and then tell us we aren't welcome, because we have an infant. There are so many amazing restaurants in chicago, take your business elsewhere. We walked up to jacks on halstead. They were incredibly welcoming, I highly recommend that restaurant instead!
(1)
Jeff A.
We went during the week and we went early. The wait was almost non-existent! Many of the reviews talk about how long the wait is, and frankly this is why I rarely go to brunch anywhere anymore, it's the thing to do, and good brunch places, well they have long waits for a reason, they are where everyone wants to eat. The food and service was just excellent! Lamb chop special, I almost reordered it, it was that darn good! (had we not already ordered three dishes to split between the two of us I would have!) The Executive - perfectly cooked rib eye bathing in saucy onion mushroom red wine goodness! Yes sir may I have another! Super flight of French toast - she notes with a smile as she drops the plate that we will not be needing syrup and be sure to utilize that maple butter, I could have rubbed my self up and down with that maple delight and just smiled on top the hill all day long, it was delish, and every variety of French toast was just tasty and moist and wonderful! We loved every moment!
(5)
Alec H.
Great place, great food, great people. The menu is great and there is a great selection for kids. I highly recommend this place but I would suggest being prepared for a long wait because along with the great food comes a great wait.
(5)
H N.
My husband, 3 friends, a child, and I were came here for breakfast last Sunday. The restaurant was busy and we feared we'd have a super long wait. 30 minutes wasn't too bad of a wait. The staff were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious! I can see why the wait was so long. All of us enjoyed our meal: my husband loved the pork sausages (seem homemade) so much we tried going back today but the wait was 90 minutes so we went somewhere else. The salmon omelet was delicious as was the crab cake benedict. My only complaint is that the place is too popular with long waits. I hope the restaurant expands to other locations or in their current place. We're definitely returning. 8:00 AM next time.
(4)
Peter H.
The specials were unique and delicious! Our server has a great schpiel for the specials and even gave us a riddle to ponder while we waited for the food! (Which wasn't long at all) Make sure you have the maple butter and get a side of their home made hot sauce!
(5)
Kyla H.
I went this morning. The wait was very long. Although the hosts had a tad bit of an attitude my experience was great! My party sat at the community table which i feel is great for those who have been waiting For and hour+. The have a waiting area in the back Which is only two benches. I really think the two booths infront could get switched out with the waiting area. Our waiter was friendly and really funny. We could tell he was working his butt off. The food was great i had the french toast flight. I would not recommend the syrup on blueberry. And lemon after awhile got nasty. I tasted chicken and waffel which was great. The hot sause really brung moister and alittle kick. With the steak omlet the steak was cooked perfectly and the gravy was delicious. If you decide to go to thos place i am telling you you will love it. Also i forgot to mention they are famous for french toast and chicken and waffels.!
(4)
Diana R.
I discovered this place a couple of months ago and i have been obsessed ever since! the first time i came here i ordered the french toast flight which was really good, the french toast didn't need syrup because they were that good! i also ordered fries and let me tell you they are one of the best! the chives make them taste amazing. I also ordered the chicken sausage, but i was not overly impressed with these. they have a syrup taste, and although at first i didn't mind it, after a while i couldn't eat it anymore. The second time i was there i ordered the cluck and gaufere ( sweet potato waffle with chicken on the inside, and chicken on the side) this was really great! the manager even came up to our table to make sure i was enjoying it. Lastly, the third time i was there i ordered the pulled pork sandwich and that was also amazing. the pulled pork was nice and juicy, and there was a generous amount of pulled pork on the sandwich. i also ordered a side of a biscuit (which is $2/biscuit, kind of expensive) and that also didn't not disappoint. my one complaint would be that sometimes if your sitting too close to the door you are constantly feeling that cold air coming in and out of the restaurant. Overall, amazing place to eat at.
(5)
Alzetta H.
Finally made it to Batter and Berries and it exceeded my expectations. Arrived at about 9:45 on a Tuesday morning and the timing was perfect. Entered an empty restaurant and by the time my coffee was served, the place somehow became full to capacity. Ordered the cluck and goof, which is a sweet potato waffle with chicken. It was amazing!!! Was slightly concerned about any type of hot sauce being on my chicken with a waffle, but it worked. Also ordered the cheesy hash browns. They were tasty but had to add salt to pepper to season to my liking. We also ordered the French Toast Flight, which was also amazing. The pictures made me think this was simply a dessert disguised as breakfast, but it was delightful and not too sweet. The service was remarkable and the owner was humble and made me feel as though he truly appreciated us dining there. Overall awesome experience and I can't wait to return.
(5)
Kristie S.
I live in the area and have been here a few times. There is always a long wait, but it had been worth it for the food. I brought my sister there on a Sunday morning. The host quoted us 1 hour and 20 minutes which was accurate. When our table was ready, the host asked if we were willing to share a 4 top with two other women we didn't know. We did not wait that long to share a table! Luckily, the communal table opened and we found two spots there. My sisters food came out (French toast flight and hash browns), and I had to wait another 5 min for my food. Her French toast was cold, so we waited another 10 minutes for our waiter to see if we could send it back. When my sister told him about her food, his response was "well what do you want me to do about it?!" She said she didn't know, and he started to raise his voice and said "I don't know what you want me to do about it." I finally had to step in and ask for him to get her a new plate. She looked like she was going to cry. The manager ended up comping her meal. Overall, they have terrible service. That is not a way to treat your customers, and I will never go back there.
(1)
Kristina V.
The food was good, but not as tasty as I had imagined. The broccoli omelette was literally egg, broccoli, and cheese, no seasoning or spices. The cheesy hash browns were very good. The flight of French toast was good, but I've tasted better flavored French toast at places like Kanela and Yolk. If I could rank these three places I would rank Kanela first, Yolk second, then Batter & Berries. It was good food and I have no complaints, but it wasn't exciting at all to my taste buds.
(3)
David L.
My server was Nadine & Nadine was so passionate and was very knowledgeable of the culture of the business, I was very impressed, I'm not the kind that gives credit but when I do, it absolutely needs to be acknowledged. I ordered the Banana-Nut Belgigue waffle with a vanilla sauce and a side of a well-seasoned boneless chicken breast. My meal was PERFECT, The ambiance was GOOD, The Staff was Polite & GREAT!!! What else can you ask for? Thank you! DvD
(5)
Tricia D.
Thanks again to Thrillist for introducing another fabulous, new Chicago establishment to mi estomac! B: etter plan to order some french toast bc this is what they're (Chef Rylon came by and told us himself) known for! A: te the flight of french, which included blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel, and I surprisingly liked the lemon the best. T: he batter's infused with the flavors, so it's not just the topping delivering the boom! T: oast aside, P and I shared the traditional breakfast, 2 eggs, hash browns, and house made pork sausage. E: asy enough street parking on Lincoln. R: eally energetic and loud in here, so make sure to bring your boisterous voice for conversation.
(3)
Careese H.
We drove an hour and a half to try this place out because it was highly recommended and it lived up to all of the hype! The French toast flight, the spicy pork sausages, the chicken sausage, the crab Benedict, and the lobster omelet were all delicious!
(5)
Krystal M.
The food was freaking AMAZING. It was hot, flavorful and orgasmic. Yes, it was THAT good. I've had the Crab Cake Benedict, Lobster omelet, French Toast sampler (during different visits). I've NEVER been disappointed with the food. Another plus is that you're allowed to bring your own drink. Whether it be fresh juice or libations. My only two complaints are the wait times and price. Each time I've gone, I've had to wait an hour and the bill was $70 for two people. A couple of friends told me that they'd gone during the weekday and there was no wait at all. I guess it just depends on when you chose to go. If you don't mind the wait, I strongly suggest this place.
(4)
Jacki G.
The best brunch ever!!! The blueberry waffles, French Toast Flight and crab/shrimp Benedict were SO delicious! At least an hour wait but totally worth it...Chef Rylon came by our table and when he saw we hadn't ordered the flight special French Toast, a blackberry cheesecake French Toast, he sent one over to point out our error in skipping the special.... He was SO RIGHT !!!
(5)
Larry D.
YES! If you are short on time, just take my word for it, stop reading now and plan your next breakfast at this place. Just, yes! Been there once, can't wait to go back. I had the chicken and waffles (they have some funny name for it that I can't recall). It was the best chicken and waffles I've ever had. They were pretty sheisty on the hot sauce on top, and I should dock them a star for that, but I'm in a giving mood tonight - so I hope they read this and put more hot sauce on the darn thing and not make me order extra for 50 cents. Otherwise, the fried chicken atop the sweet potato waffle was awe inspiring. My dining partners ordered the crab cake benedict and it was met with so/so reviews from that individual. He said it was a good dish, but because of personal taste, he wouldn't order it again, citing the lack of "zip" he was hoping for. My other partner had the French Toast Flight which apparently is their coup de grâce and most famous item on the menu. All we were getting from him were moans of pure ecstasy as he was eating with a promise to return and order the exact same dish. It is also what I'll be trying on my next trip. The wait staff kept my glass full (which is about 90% of my rating of any server), were attentive and I appreciate their use of technology in the iPads they use not only to place your order tableside, but also to show you pictures of the features of the day and popular dishes - very smart. The staff was extremely friendly - my only suggestion for such a small and intimate place where it is clear the Chef runs the joint is that it would be nice for him to come out himself and visit the tables. I feel like chefs who make the time to do that probably gain a lot of insight into their operation and the successes and failures of their dishes. The 5 stars were well earned - tres bien!
(5)
Kelly M.
They say third time's a charm. Tried to come to Batter & Berries on 2 prior occasions. First time, the wait was 2 hours and the next time, it was temporarily closed. So, my 2 lovely daughters and I finally got there early enough on a Sunday morning to beat most of the after church crowd. Even so, the wait was almost an hour. (TIP: we put our name in and did a couple of errands) Batter & Berries was definitely worth the wait. I ordered the special lobster omlette- and wow! It was fabulous. One daughter ordered an egg sandwich with potatoes and a side of pancakes, the other ordered a delicious veggie omlette. We all split the super french toast flight which was out of this world! Food was excellent, service was fast & pleasant. Don't forget to BYOB so you can make mimosas with OJ!
(5)
Stephanie B.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! We went on a Friday at 11 and the place was packed. Its a small but cute space. Anywhoo, the owners is a sweetheart and the food is amazing! My friend and I shared the caramel french toast. What french toast needs NO SYRUP? THIS ONE!!! I also had the egg white omelete with shrimp. It was cooked in some wine sause and the hashbrowns are (excuse me) ORGASMIC lol!!! I will definitely be back again!!
(5)
Bridgette H.
Breakfast food with gourmet quality. I mean this place has crab omelets, shrimp and grits duck Benedict...need I say more? Where else can you get breakfast food like this?? For all of the delicious dishes the prices don't break the bank. I will say the wait to actually get a seat is a little long. But what place isn't on a Saturday or Sunday? Give this place a try. It will give your taste buds a nice shock.
(4)
Charla B.
The problem when people rave about a place is that you have higher expectations than you should. I was underwhelmed by my experience at Batter and Berries. My friend and I were catching up over the holidays and decided to do brunch. First, it was cold outside and there was a 45 min. wait. We decided to stick it out, but did wait outside. The hostess never told us there was a waiting area inside. #Fail. We finally were seated, but by the door that constantly opened and closed causing use to freeze. They need to fix this issue with the another door or awning door as other businesses do. It took forever for our server to come over, and she was anything but pleasant. Our waitress needed a lesson in customer service. The food was not good. It was mediocre at best..The coffee was borderline nasty. The french toast flight was disappointing. My friend and I were expecting the french toast to be dipped in the batters with strawberries, blueberries, lemon and carmel as promised. The french toast was plan thin bread topped with the toppings, but nothing more. The lemon one, may have had lemon extract. The chicken in the chicken and waffle meal was good, but the waffle left a lot to be desired. The cheese hasbrowns were overcooked. Simple things like eggs and bacon were fine. However, for what we paid for our food, everything should have been great. Needless to say, I probably will not be making any more trips to this restaurant. If you do choose to go, try a random weekday. I believe many of the problems we encountered were rushed cooking, service and the staff being overwhelmed.
(2)
S N.
After so many visits, I am final writing my review. LOVE the spot...There are very few places where everything I've had is delicious. While there will be a wait on weekends, it is so very worth it!!
(5)
David H.
Simply put: this is one of thee best places to eat in Chicago. The menu is so full of flavor and creative design but the best part is the prices. My recommendations: 1) French Toast Flight. 2) Buffalo Shrimp Wrap. 3) Pork Chop Executive.
(5)
April T.
My friends and I from Columbus are here for the weekend and Chris the manager and Chef Rylan accommodated us to the best of their abilities! They greeted us explained the menu and let us know the status of our order the entire time. The food was amazing!!! We ordered the Pork Chop executive, scallop omlet, crab cakes Benedict, and the Cluck n Gaufre. We also got a couple flights of French toast which were all very very tasty! We're going to make it a tradition to come for breakfast every time we come here. Oh and Tusemee our server was quick and super funny. I hope you're quick witted because he's hilarious and has the best riddles
(5)
Tosha K.
So good!!! This cute little cafe is great. The strawberry french toast is so good. My sister had the carmel french toast and the homemade chicken sausages! Yummy. The service is good too. Not a fan of the coffee but the food was so good it didnt matter. The line is long to wait for a table but it is worth every bit of it. Ill be back!
(4)
jennifer p.
I have visited this establishment on more then one occasion, and all I can say the experiences have been WONDERFUL, food DELICIOUS just all out FANTASTIC
(5)
Roxy H.
I've been hearing a lot about this place. Great buzz about it. Decided to finally try to go to brunch 3/16/14. Tips: Put your name on the list. There is an hour wait so leave and come back in 30 minutes or so. The waiting area is awkwardly plopped in the middle of the entrance and dining area. Next tip: Ask for the specials. My waiter did not give me the run down of specials. Don't know why. My 4 year old asked him why he didn't - fail - lol. Loved: They are playing house music! Low but enough volume to make out the songs. loved that. Very friendly staff. I think everyone that worked there came by to say hello. Love great service. The food was ready in like 5 minutes! Not kidding - quick turn around. Lot's of "us" (see my photo) in the place but it's a mixed crowd no less. I will be back!
(4)
Allison V.
The french toast flight was amazing! At the recommendation of a friend, we ate breakfast there the first day of our trip. We enjoyed it so much, we returned the last day before our flight home.
(5)
Jaysi B.
I had a reconstructed lobster omelet that blew my mind. They did not skimp on the lobster, worth every penny! Their cheesy hash browns are equally delicious.
(5)
Savannah G.
Batters and Berries is simply delicious! Everything is homemade, and makes your mouth water just by looking at it. I had the crab cakes Benedict and honestly I can't stop dreaming about it! Plus the waiting staff is phenomenal, my particular sever could sell me on anything. Definitely recommend!!!
(5)
Carla C.
Went with a few friends and they had a hour wait but baby bye I'm not mad the food was 2 kinds of deliciousness. Their the service was super fast and the waiter great!
(5)
Dawn D.
What a disappointing outing. Excited that my cousin was treating me to the often talked about Batter & Berries - stunned by the vibe of the restaurant, the owner and the subpar food. The swap meet ambiance left much to be desired. I've visited small breakfast spots but the decor is so hideous I was distracted by its ugliness. Once the specials were explained I was disappointed to find that the surf & turf omelet could not be substituted with shrimp as opposed to the turf- the beef. Ok, fine no problem. I got the spinach & mushroom omelet with sweet potatoes hash browns. I sent the hash brown back because the shredded potatoes on top were undercooked. I replaced with the cheesy hashbrowns and they were over cooked! I couldn't get a break. As the owner walked around asking people 'how is everything' I guessed he found my disappointment & criticism a shock. He was rude & dismissive to my concerns over the surf & turf omelet. He told me I couldn't replace the turf with surf because of the 'count' of the food. Really? Is this a elementary cafeteria or a restaurant? No accommodating paying customers? Umm, yeah I'm good with this dump. I didn't finish my food & I definitely won't be darkening the door of lumpy batter & sour berries again. PS all was not lost- my server was gracious and fabulous!
(1)
Terron J.
UNSANITARY!!!!!!!! I WILL NOT BE RETURNING AND HAVE REPORTED THEM TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT!!!! This place is only busy because of location. The food and quality of service are not even up to par. The owner needs to clean house on the staff. Only two people on that staff are good waiters. Don't get me started on the rude hostess. She must be a product of nepotism. The rest of them.... God help them. So rude! My last visit was today! The manager/and chef were on the floor vacuuming during a busy shift right next to our table. It was disgusting! The smell of the vacuum and the air coming from it was hitting our table. It was the rudest and most ridiculous thing I've seen in a restaurant. I don't care to see the chef carrying mats with dripping melting snow on them across the dining area. Nor do I care to see him parading about the dining area in his dirty apron that I'm sure he's using in the kitchen. Gross!! We waited twenty minutes to be greeted by the rude waitress Elvira. She took the order of two other tables that sat down AFTER us. Then gave me attitude when I simply said I'm ready to order. She told me to " Wait". I guess she was flustered but rudeness isn't helpful to someone who sees you taking the order of two tables that were seated after you. I own two restaurants and I tell you....When we get busy...I usually am busy helping my staff. - Not sitting at a table on my laptop tweeting. Volume and Quantity do not equal quality----Message to the owners!!!
(1)
maimuna s.
This is such a great place for brunch! I had the fried chicken and french toast and it was soo good. Def do not come here hungry because the wait is VERY long and can take hours! Def worth the wait though :)
(5)
Olivia T.
This is a fabulous restaurant! The food was on point and perfect! We had the porkchop executive, super flight French toast, and deconstructed steak omelet. As soon as we sat down and ordered the food came right away. There's definitely a long wait, but with the service and good food we had, it was well worth it. What made an even greater experience was the waiter we had. Super funny guy. Made the entire time at the restaurant fun. Thanks Tusiime!
(5)
E M.
In town visiting from Texas and my friends raved about this place, but I was underwhelmed by the menu. The food was just ok. I had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was so bland. The cheesy hash browns were good, but not amazing. The prices were great, the atmosphere is very cool, but it didn't live up to the hype. Maybe my expectations were too high.
(2)
Nicole P.
The food is so good! We also had a very attentive waiter who also kept us entertained with random but witty riddles. Highly recommended!
(5)
Michelle E.
I've only been here once, service was great when I went. Although it's kinda loud in there but then again it's a small place. I had the fish and chips and I love their fries! Def going back
(5)
Amber H.
I hadn't been in quite some time and was excited to return. I was very disheartening and I was truly disappointed that a very unfair seating policy had been instituted. I arrived at 1:30 and put my name on the list. The hostess quoted me 30 minutes for a wait time. I went back to my car and 15 minutes later I sent my son in to inquire about the wait from there. The hostess then told him to come back in another 30 minutes. I came in to double check and the hostess confirmed that is exactly what she told him. I asked why the wait time had increased and was told that people who were on the list from earlier in the day who left and decided to come back must be seated 1st. So you can put your name on the list, run several errands and return and bump others. I've always been a fan of awesome black-owned gems. But it's those black-owned gems that don't survive because of poor customer service practices and inconsistent policies. In the case a representative from the company would like to refute this, the 2 hostesses on duty January 18th, 2015 were Nicki (sp) and Tamia. Nicki is the hostess that explained the new policy to me.
(1)
Amy PagesofVision W.
The absolute best breakfast I have ever eaten at. I stay in Chicago 6 days and had breakfast here 5!! My lamb and eggs were great, southern fried chicken was to die for and don't even get me started on the French Toast that needs no syrup!! Go early or late because otherwise the wait is really long. The famiky style counter was lots of fun to sit as well. It's a small place but the staff are very friendly. The waiter we had, Kumseme (Come-See-Me is how he told us to pronounce his name) was so great. I love love love this place and it made home feel like home again!!
(5)
Shirley W.
Great place! Was there the first time today and I got the Rylon salad and strawberry French toast. Both really good and decent price. Except the coffee was $3 which I thought was a bit pricey. But overall it was great!
(5)
Ellie W.
The food is amazing here and definitely worth the long wait. Make sure to order the French toast flight as an "appetizer" and try other items on the menu, too. I had the chicken & waffles and it was awesome. You have to be a sweet potato fan, which I am. The food was so good that we all cleared our plate. We will definitely be back, but will try to get there a little earlier than 11am to beat the crowd.
(4)
Rosalyn T.
This is my 2nd time here, The food is delicious. .I came back to bring my family (which included two 70+ years old). The 1st time was pretty crowded, however the Manager on duty recognized the inconvenience and gave us coffee and profusely apologized. However, I guess there wasn't a manager on duty; OUR wait was 2 hours AND 20 minutes. Since we had an odd party of 5 it took much longer to seat us. Casey one of the Hostesses was HOSTLESS!!! CRAZY.......PROCEED WITH CAUTION
(2)
Cathy H.
Im probably late but this place is the business! Try the French toast flight....and the chicken sausage. Yum!
(4)
Andy M.
A decent brunch at a nice little eatery. That would be my description of my visit to Batter & Berries. Once again, I sacrificed my arteries in search of the perfect biscuits and gravy. B&B's version of this Southern specialty didn't disappoint me. The sausage gravy was delicious. There were a few glitches with along the way that warrants me giving B & B only three stars. Our food came in stages. There was a good 15 minute lapse from the time I got my food to the time my Wife got hers. The servers seemed confused by our order. Being the gentleman that I am, I waited until everyone had their grub before digging in. By that time, my brunch was cold. Its kind of sad. The untimely service ruined what could have been a spectacular brunch. Here's the bottom line: If you're looking for a neat little brunch spot to cure even the meanest hangover, give Batter and Berries a shot. What I tasted of the food was good enough for me to give them another try.
(3)
Cassidy P.
Service is great & fast. French toast flight is amazing, at a good price ($11). Yes, it's essentially two pieces of bread, but it's rich and delicious and very filling, imho. It gets suuuuper busy after 10, so get there early!!
(5)
Dr. M.
I'm not sure how to rate this place... The food is eclectic and the menu is very interesting. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was excellent! The cheesy hashbrowns are delicious as well. The spinach omelet was just spinach on top of eggs...not very exciting nor good. The wait was to be expected, but I was very surprised by the lack of customer interaction and attentiveness by our waitress. After being seated, we waited 15 minutes for a waitress, and I finally had to ask the greeter to send a waitress over. Once she arrived, much later (she had passed our table several times before) she was unenthused and could not even muster up a smile. However, the "bus boys" were friendly, fast and efficient and very well deserving of the tip given. Their service was much appreciated, and made up for the waitress...who left us waiting. Overall, I would have to give the place another shot, because everyone I know, swears by this place. Besides the obvious...lines and waits - must be an indicator of something worth waiting for???
(3)
Shabaka M.
One of the best breakfast experiences I have ever had! Their French toast flight is a must have if you are a first timer; the chicken waffle with the homemade sauce is superb as well. The staff was professional, knowledgable and extremely courteous during my visit. My only complaint would be the size (capacity) of the place. Get their early on weekends if not hold out for during the week.
(5)
Anu Y.
Of the charts for brunch! Their lobster omelet and the french toast flight was yummy! The only downside is that wait is long but the food comes really fast. Overall, very impressed!
(5)
Randy V.
Excellent service and excellent breakfast! Warmly greeted by Don when we entered. It was our first time here, and Don went over the specials which was well worth it. He made sure we understood how to eat the food to maximize the flavors and it was absolutely amazing!
(5)
Jessica C.
I came with a friend to Batter & Berries a little past 2PM on Saturday and the place was PACKED! Which spoke to how popular this place is. Luckily, since it was later in the afternoon, we only had to wait about 10-15 min for a table. Our server was very friendly and attentive; he ran through the very detailed specials and checked up on us very often for a place that was still bustling with customers. Also our food came out in a matter of 5 minutes. We got the executive and the raved about chicken and waffles. Both dishes had very nice presentation (must take picture worthy heh.) and tasted very good, although I guess I expected the chicken and waffles to be "blow my mind" good, but they didn't quite reach that level for me. The chicken and the waffle both tasted great separately, but I wasn't sure if they really tasted great together. I expected to taste the chicken inside the waffle, but the bread was too sweet and dense to make out the chicken. It was definitely a good experience though--had to come just to try the waffle with chicken in it. Though it did not go as expected, now I can be at ease. Possibly overhyped it for myself by reading through many yelp reviews and getting overexcited. But it was delicious anyway. TL;DR Good food, great service. Worth it for the experience.
(4)
Jake B.
I liked the food a lot! The hostess was a bit short in a way which but she set the proper expectation for the wait time which was long but the food made up for it. I had the sweet potato waffle with chicken... Waffle was sweet and the chicken had a complimentary hot sauce that just worked very well with the sweetness of the waffle. The chef/owner stopped at my table and said hello which was nice because i was able tell him how much I liked the food but I wasn't sure if it was normal or he just did it because I had my food warmed up just after getting it because it wasn't hot like it just came off the stove, but warm like it had been waiting for the crab eggs Benedict that my friend had (he liked his meal also) It is one of the better breakfast/brunch places I have been and I will definitely will be going back to try the French toast which I heard is also very good. Keep it up Batter & Berries
(4)
Renee W.
I heard so much about this place, I had to go. I knew I didn't want to wait, so I chose to go on a Monday afternoon. The place was still fairly crowded. I tried the Crab cake Benedict and my husband had the Cluck and Goof (sweet potato waffle and chicken). We ordered and the food came out in 5 minutes flat.....weird (explained the temperature--warm) The food presentation was good, I was surprised that my crab cakes had no seasoning. The waffle was GREAT (lukewarm)...the chicken atop of the waffles--great too. The chicken sausage was very tasty but very tough and my hash browns were a little cold. If I ever return, I will just have the Chicken and Gouf. I probably won't go back though--it't too far and there are other specialty breakfast places that are closer and have free parking. For those interested...you can bring your own alcoholic beverages in to drink with your meal.
(3)
Jennifer P.
The attitude of the hostess was HORRIBLE. It was very stuck-up and rude. There was a point in time that she gave my cousin and I a dirty look while calling us for our table. Other than the poor attitude of the hostess, I enjoyed the meal seeing that it was my first time there. I loved the Brown Sugar & Cinnamon french toast with cheese hash browns and scrambled eggs!
(4)
Tiffany C.
Black Owned Business that does an amazing job at everything. Food - 5 I had the biscuits and gravy with coleslaw. I wish I had a vat of this to just eat at my liesure. The Coleslaw was not as great because of the cut of the cabbage I received and it needed more dressing, but the biscuits and gravy were so good I can overlook it. Ambiance - 4.5 Super cute with lovely tables and a chalkboard that has the specials. Price - 5 Not over priced and I was so happy with my selection I still would have paid more for it Service - 4.5 The girl was very nice, but she was a new server. I can be forgiving about it though since it was her first day. She took a bit too long to get to us for the bill and when we asked if it could be separate checks for two people she came back with the bill split. And took a Looooong time to come back with the correction. But the chef came out and checked on every person about the food and gave his card. Yep... I became a fan! Overall - 5 Run, dont walk to this place. I will be back whenever I can.
(5)
Rits M.
Batter and berries tries to do things differently, but go here if you want a good solid brunch option. Let's start with the bad- it doesn't take reservations, and it can be upto a 45 min wait if you go around 11.30-12 on a sunday. The waiter mixed up J's order, she had asked for the super flight of waffles and he had brought the flight, but he rectified this quickly, within 5 minutes. I had the cluck and gravy which came COLD. The waiter took it away immediately but a new one didnt arrive till half an hour later. They comped me for the dish though, which was nice of them. On to the good: when my dish did arrive it was GOOD! the eggs were well done and the gravy was delicious- lots of sausage. The waffles were good solid options, they had a bourbon waffle which was interesting and i LOVED their maple butter. Besides the rush, the place is cute, a little diner-y, but fun, and they have samples of art for sale on the walls.
(3)
Corina V.
Sunday brunch is something I really look forward to especially going to a restaurant that has such rave reviews. The food and server were great, I highly recommend their cheesy hash, pork sausages and hot sauce (all homemade) but why the low review? The hostesses ruined what would have been a great experience. It is a beautiful day out so we were expecting a long wait, however we were skipped over (after waiting 45 minutes) and then when I asked her how long the wait would be (after she seated another couple) she told me she could be seating people instead of talking to me. If it hadn't been for the friendly server and good food, this establishment would have gotten 1 star.
(2)
Matthew T.
So..... Normally I would have wrote a terrible review because of the long wait, but seriously I think the almost 2 hour wait was well worth it!! The service was great, and the food even better. To top it off Batter & Berries was a BYOB without a corkage fee. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to try a new brunch restaurant in Chicago. Recommend: Chicken & Waffles (Chicken Waffles & Fried Chicken with hot sauce sauce).
(5)
Maureen V.
I was not impressed at all. I came with a party of 5 and we were seated right away in the middle table, except the service stood in the way of me sitting down for 2 minutes while everyone else was allowed to. This was after my 5K so I was pretty tired by this point. Our waiter seemed annoyed by the moment we sat down. He explained the specials and the flight and such. He took a while to get our order which shouldn't be a long drawn out thing with 20 things on the menu. They also don't allow substitutions so you can't sub in the French toast flavor of the day in the flight unless you add it. At $11 for 4 half pieces of French toast, I wasn't impressed. I could have made it at home and poured the toppings on top myself. They didn't do anything special to make this plate their own. The lemon was different but didn't taste very good. The strawberry flavor and caramel flavor were good but the actual French toast was thin and dry. Our waiter brought our check as one, and refused to split the check. This was really inconvenient and wasn't appreciated. He barely visited us and seemed really annoyed with our table the whole time. We asked about splitting the check with another waiter and he said it's up to the waiters discretion. So basically out waiter was so annoyed he didn't feel like it. Service was rude, they took away our plates and silverware before we were done with our coffee and seemed to want us to rush out. Awful experience, bad service, and subpar food.
(2)
Susie L.
It was about a 15 min wait this past Saturday for 2, not bad. We ordered the cheese crusted hash browns and the well-known chicken and waffles. Yup. I knew it. It was amazing. The chicken was pretty moist, with a delicious hot sauce, crispy salt-iness, alongside the not-too-sweet sweet potato waffle with creamy maple butter... I mean, what a genius concoction. And our server was so attentive and friendly. And even in the midst of the chaos of people waiting and walking all around, she kept so calm and composed, never ever rushing us. I will definitely come back.. and with a bottle of champagne next time! Thanks for the tip Chicago's Best TV!
(5)
Katheryn L.
Amazing food and the head chef/owner was kind enough to stop by my table twice to introduce himself and see how everything was turning out! I only wish I could eat here every day! Be sure to arrive early because they stop taking name promptly at 3pm and there is a huge crowd because it is that good. I had the vegetarian omelette which are served deconstructed, and a side of the lemon french toast. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, service was prompt and kind. Definitely try this place sooo good.
(5)
Ms.Publicity's P.
Great place!!! We went on a Sat in the mist of the St. Patrick's Day rush and it was extremely busy, but they moved the crowd and turned the tables without feeling rushed. The electronic ordering system made all the difference in allowing the servers to socialize while food being made. The food did not disappoint and arrived extremely fast and deliciously made. We ordered the Executive Country Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Omelet. By only using egg whites the omelet was not too heavy are rich couple with Alfredo sauce which seemed to be made from scratch in house. The owner and Chef could be seen greeting customers and checking on satisfaction throughout our visit. The noise level was a little on the loud side for me, but it could have been a result of hyped parade goers who had already a few drinks under there belts.
(5)
Ed H.
Was looking for a brunch place by my lonely self, and decided on this place because the menu just looked so different than your standard brunch place. Since I was by myself, I sat at the communal table right in the center, which was completely fine by me. Got me in and out quick! I was a bit embarrassed when they yelled out "ED PARTY OF ONE!!!" Awkward lol. Ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre. Being a fan of sweet potato, waffles, and chicken, I just had to try this out. The waffle certainly did not disappoint. Had a strong sweet potato flavor, the flavor of the syrup was there, but I still had to drizzle some extra on the top because I like my waffles wet. The chicken inside was a nice touch, but I don't know if it added a whole lot. The fried chicken I got wasn't super hot when it came out, but I still ate it anyway.
(4)
Courtney D.
I am SO a fan of B&B! My experience was about 2 weeks ago around the Christmas holiday, my aunt and I wanted a good breakfast. I had heard many good things about this place and decided to take her here. The wait: About 20-25 minutes. There is a waiting area in the back if you do not want to stand outside. We didn't mind waiting, we had a chance to look at the menu and decide what we wanted. We came on a Saturday, btw. The service: Our waitress, Elvira.. was "ok". She seemed to be very busy, and a couple times we had to ask the manager for assistance in refilling coffee, etc. No big deal. The FOOD: O.M.G. it's so good. we ordered the french toast flight (EXCELLENT), eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. The portions were so large we able to share everything. We loved every single bite. definitely will be back!
(4)
lesley r.
I'm a big fanatic of breakfast food and brunch. So I've tried a lot of restaurants around Chicago but this restaurant I feel should be in it's own category. First, I live French toast so I decided to try this place because of all the hype about the French toasty flight and yeah, it's everything it's hyped up to be. They make all the sauces and butters in house and exactly how each French toast is prepared is how you should eat it. Best breakfast I've had in a long time, maybe even years. (Sorry mom) it was so good I woke up early the next day to go back and try the cluck & gaufre.
(5)
Rashida R.
Three words: Lemon French Toast! Chef Rylon puts his spin on the most important meal of the day, making it the most savory! Yes, the wait is intense but it is a statement about just how good the food is here. Don't become a regular because 1) your own cooking will begin to pale in comparison and 2) you'll just go from foody to fatty. I like the use of the iPad to show you what's cooking. Though the hostess gets a little frazzled when people crowd the entry way, the wait staff are kind, attentive, and a couple are really funny. And I don't know another restaurant that plays legit house music. And, and, and it's black owned! Pie-yow!
(4)
She D.
Simply horrible customer service. The young lady working the reservation both is totally unproffesional and rude. She was rude to us and other patrons as well. She even told the staff to make us wait to take our oder. The bus boy gave horrible service. The owner came out to speak with us and offered to give us a free French toast never received it. AT LEAST IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT ..please have good service. I could not enjoy the food for the horrible service we received....
(1)
Amanda C.
Seriously what is not to love about this place?!?!???! First off you walk in and instantly feel warm inside. The decor is super cute and let me tell you, customer service is on point. Every one here has a great attitude and you can tell they love what they do. The manager stopped by and made conversation with us which I thought was nice. Our waiter was hilarious (can't remember his name) and kept coming by at various points with riddles. Cracked me up. I noticed he didn't do this with every one so he probably has a sense of who's up for it and who's not. On to the food. Maaaaaaaannnnnn that Chicken & Waffle. Forget about it. Not a drop left on my plate. The amazing waffle was stuffed with fried chicken and was accompanied with a nice piece on the side with hot sauce on it. Maple butter on top. This dish didn't even need syrup. The combination of flavors were great. My dad had the biscuits and gravy with cole slaw and eggs. I had some and the flavors when perfect together. I am so picky with cole slaw... that stuff was good. We both had a cup of coffee which was fresh and always filled quickly. I found this place randomly and am glad I did. Can't wait to go back and try their other unique dishes. It not cheap but not too pricy for the quality either. Stop in and try it out. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Jeff S.
I have friends who have been raving about Batter and Berries for quite some time and I finally got the chance to experience it for myself. I am now a believer. Believe the hype. Batter and Berries is solid. The French toast flight is remarkable and highly recommended. The service was attentive and professional.
(5)
Allie H.
Although the food was good (not superb), the experience our party had here was disappointing. We waited for a good 45 minutes/hour outside before we were seated- they don't take reservations! The inside is crazy crowded and loud. We could barely have a conversation in the cramped space. Our waiter had to yell and forgot to bring us back our credit cards. The chicken and waffles were delicious, the french toast was OK, but none of it was worth the wait or the crowd. If you want to have a decent conversation over brunch, don't go here.
(2)
Farah W.
What a great find here in Lincoln Park. We heard about this place from someone at a retail store and were driving around the neighborhood looking for a lunch/brunch spot for a post xmas meal. It may not matter to most, but to find a place in the heart of Lincoln Park where the customers are mostly brown (all types of brown, not just african americans) is just awesome. Makes me proud to call Lincoln Park home. Now don't get the wrong idea, there were plenty of non-brown folk here as well. The food was delicious. I pretty much ate some of my daughters kids menu food, my wife's meal and I inhaled my Sweet Potato Pancakes with Hot-Sauced Chicken Breast. It took a while to get service because they are so busy but the waitress came around with an Ipad and pictures of the dishes we wanted to order. This place gets busy and probably needs to expand because I can see someone dinging them for wait time. Once ordered our food came up in no time. This is a great find in Lincoln Park and the food is absolutely amazing.
(5)
Cj J.
My wife and I attended on a Sunday around 11. We had a 45min-1hr wait but excited because we heard a lot about this place. I enjoyed the food but the atmosphere was very loud and busy. I tend to like a bit more of a calm and relaxing environment but this place was packed to the bone and the noise was like a night club. It was a great food experience and I am glad i tried it. I would look for a different place next time for a more chill environment.
(4)
Kim C.
Absolutely Delicious...We were on the hunt for a great brunch spot in Chicago. So, after much research and "kissing a few frogs" we decided that Batter & Berries was a must try spot on our last day. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was full of flavor and seemed to melt in my mouth...a side of bacon and eggs. All in all, this was too much food for me. The bacon was smoky and crispy. Eggs were ok...I really wanted to save room for the French toast, so the eggs were cast aside. My hubby had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken, which he stated was like none other. Overall great experience...nice, quaint place with attentive servers.
(5)
Nish R.
Despite the 1.5 hrs we spent to get a table I still like this place. I mean the wait was ridiculous. They have to have a better system because most ppl that came after us got seated b/c they were small parties. We had 5 ppl. In the end they had to pull up a chair for us for table with 4 settings but they could've done that half hour ago. There was a family with 2 kids waiting and the kids looked so miserable for having to wait that long. Anyway, the place is cheery and has a nice vibe to it. Chef comes and talks to you. Servers are friendly and nice. They have a great selection of decaf teas. Yay, finally a place that caters to us non-caffeine tea tollers. I had to have the fried chicken and sweet potato waffles. It was good. Everyone loved their food. Will definitely go back but not on a weekend. I don't care how good the food is I wi t gonna wait 1.5 hrs again.
(3)
Natasha L.
I came here for breakfast with two of my friends a week ago, and the place / food was just ok. The menu is pretty small, which would be fine if they allowed substitutions to be made, but they do not! My friend wanted strawberry waffles, but all they had were blueberry, and weren't willing to give her strawberry.... in fact, they said they couldn't even give her plain!!!--because the batter was premixed. We both ordered the blueberry waffles and it was ok... nothing special; I've def had better. Our other friend ordered an egg sandwich, and it seriously looked like I made it myself in my kitchen. Our server was nice, but I could hardly hear anything he said and I was literally like a foot away from him! The whole experience was kind of a let down.
(2)
Pam H.
We heard about the lines and we heard about the food and decided the food would be worth the wait. Good decision. Bonus:around 12:30 , midweek, there was no wait. It would have been worth it even if there were a wait. The food: I had the chicken and waffle, my friend had the eggs benedict over crab cakes with cheesy hash browns. Chicken breast was moist and tender and crispy crusty on the outside. There was a spicy sauce on the chicken. There was maple butter on the waffle. The waitress explained that Chef Rylon recommended that all 4 components (chicken waffle spicy sauce and sweet butter) be eaten in one bite. Chef Rylon rocks. Crispy, spicy sweet and waffle all together in my mouth. Mmmm ( that sound you hear is a sigh of bliss over a well seasoned tasty good textured and nice looking dish.) Like I said, Mmmm. I sampled my friends crab cake. You could actually taste the crab. It was a full tasting counter to the nicely poached egg which was runny enough to make an unctuous sauce when combined with the Hollandaise. The Hollandaise itself was more tangy but we never did figure out what the flavor was. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. I sampled the cheesy has browns. The cheese is melted over a generous portion of potatoes. I 'm not sure it was the best textural pairing with the crab cakes and eggs ( a bit of green salad on the plate might have been better), but certainly good with other dishes. Coffee was hot, not too bitter and plentiful. Wait service was prompt, friendly and they did not hover. We did not have to ask for coffee refills; the staff was there to offer first. Quibbles: the room is noisy even when the place is not full. The spicy sauce on the chicken was a bit too vinegar-y standing alone although it meshed well when eaten with the other components. The specials were on a chalkboard, but not the prices. Cost $24 per person for entree, coffee , tax and tip. Plus meter parking on well- patrolled Lincoln Ave (Thanks to the manager who announced the coming of the meter maid) We will be back
(4)
Brandon B.
I'm a little conflicted. I'm motivated by food, so overall, it's a four. The good: the French Toast flight was amazing, so were their omelets. On special, they had a salmon omelet and a scallop omelet. Simply delicious. The price point is great as well. I was at Girl and the Goat last weekend, and two scallops cost me $17. Their omelet included three, and it was I believe $14. Finally, when you order, the food comes out very quickly. The bad: The wait was painful. It took two hours, though I guess it wasn't their fault they are so popular. Also, I think the hostess has a tough job, and can come off as a little abrasive. I can get over that though. I am not itching to go back, simply because of the wait, but the food is the real deal.
(4)
Carolyn L.
Went here with my mom for some great breakfast over the summer! It's a cute unassuming little place with street parking in Lincoln Park. The staff was friendly and the waffles were delicious. My mom tried the Cluck-N-Gaufre and it was the first time both of us have jumped on board this fried chicken and waffle bandwagon. I do NOT regret it. It's just a super filling breakfast option! Pretty sure I got something with blueberries which was great and seasonal. They also have a great selection of pancakes and french toast, which I'd love to go back and try. This place is great for families or for hungover brunches. It's bright and fun and everything on the menu looks scrumptious.
(4)
Keith A.
I don't do 5* easy. I don't do them easy at all. But, it's the special places that bring this out and Batter&Berries fully deserves it. A good friend of mine is here when he can, and he hit me up on a sunday morning to do brunch with his fiancee. Being hungover always works with breakfast food, so this was perfect for me. To start, this place was humming really well when I arrived. Granted, I got here around noon, but I was very glad that my friends had gotten a table already. We started off with a french toast flight. It's several different french toasts all on one plate. Makes sense right, guess what, it's as awesome as it sounds as well. How do you like 'dem apples? What's really cool is that each week they do a special french toast as part of the flight and this time we got mocha and chocolate for our special french toast. Nope, no complaints from me whatsoever. You also have to like the carrot of a new french toast each week. That's 52 different ones, so you have to come in and find out. After that I had to get myself the lobster omelet. They were doing an "omelet bowl" as it was super bowl sunday. I don't get why people were going so much with the crab as 1) Baltimore is a shithole and 2) Lobster is awesome. Well, it did turn out that all of the crab lovers got their super bowl wish, but I was put in my happy place by having lobster and eggs in front of me. Really, it's two of my favorite things all in one. What's extra cool is that all of the ingredients are on top of the omelet. Some people may find it weird, but the chef wants you to see that he's using good ingredients and you are gonna enjoy them, m'kay. Well, my omelet ruled. The eggs were insanely fluffy and man, there was an awesome amount of cheese in there. Seriously, I had to basically treat the cheese like I was eating pasta by wrapping it around my fork. Again, me in my happy place. And I haven't even mentioned the service yet. Well, they rocked! With the deluge of people that were there, one wouldn't fault them for being in the weeds. Well, that was far from the case as it was a well oiled machine. They were on top of everything. Obviously they are used to this, but it's always nice to see it run like this. Batter&Berries is an easy return for me. While brunch isn't always a weekend activity for me because of work, it's still a blast when I get the chance. I can't wait to come back here in the future and I hope they keep staying packed.
(5)
Lauren N.
I was excited to try this place since it was recommended by my brother. So today me and my mom went at around 10:45am . Anyway I got the the buttermilk pancakes and chicken sausage. My mom ordered the traditional which consists of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits. I must say I was not impressed with the food. The only flavorful thing on the menu was orange-cranberry juice. We had to keep putting additional seasoning on our food. Don't think I will be coming back.
(1)
Klassic C.
This place is a great breakfast spot but get there early or you WILL have a nice wait .. I loved it so much my co workers and I ( who work 3rd shift) would get off and go here every 2 weeks! last time I went I was told no more plain waffles which was a bummer but overall as many times as I have been I have been satisfied. the french toast is always good and the weekly flavor is very creative. the staff is generally friendly and attentive nice breakfast place I think i have o.d ive been so many times lol anything is a reason to go great for showing out of towners a good nice meal
(4)
Melanie V.
Meh. This place is just...meh. The positives? +Our waiter was super sweet and informative AND he took the time to split our check on 3 cards. Very nice. +The banana pudding french toast (one of their specials) was also phenom. No syrup needed, so that meant that the bread wasn't soggy and disappointing as usuallly happens with french toast. Ok, now the not so positive? +Cffee was $3. Blah. +Wait was 45 minutes and our group of 5 waited nearly 40 minutes for the food to come out. +The crab omelette (another special) was $16 and was only served with soggy hashbrowns. I didn't really like the gouda/crab combo, but thankfully one of my friends enjoyed it. +It was effin' freezing in there because people kept walking in and out. +I sat at the end of a four-seater table and practically got hit in the head a dozen times by the people waiting. That's really not what I want to deal with on a Sunday morning.
(3)
Jeff N.
ALWAYS on the hunt for GREAT breakfast places, as breakfast is our favorite meal. Wandered into French Toast heaven this morning. The place was packed at 9:20, but we were given a nice place to sit and wait for the 20-25 minutes they said would be the delay. They were right about the wait. And it was worth it. The marquis items for breakfast are their French toast selection. After much deliberating over their delicious sounding menu, we opted for the Lemon French Toast (my wife's selection) and the Blueberry French Toast (mine). The waitress tempted us with a glorious looking Pork Chop and egg selection and Lobster Benedict; made even more tempting by her showing us pictures from her tablet (nice touch). At FIRST BITE we were hooked! Wow!. We also ordered the side of chicken sausage and the cheese hash browns. Oh, my! My only regret in writing this review is that it may attract even more people to this gem. p.s. This is a BYOB restaurant, as if things couldn't get any better.
(5)
Hanh S.
Came here for Saturday brunch. For the amount of business they get the place is super small and cramped- while waiting for a table you're bound to be in someone's way. That was really the only downside of the place. They do give out free coffee while you wait- but be warned that if you continue to get coffee once seated they will charge you. The waitress was super friendly and helpful. They present their specials on an iPad slideshow so you get to see the food and they do an excellent job explaining what it all comes with. Love being able to see the food before it comes! My table ordered the french toast flight, lobster omelette, and crabcake benedict to all share. EVERYTHING was tasty and amazing. The omelette and benedict were pretty large portions, while the french toast flight, not so much, but probably my favorite of all the things I tried. It comes with 4/5(?) half slices- so like, 2 whole pieces of bread slices in total. I would recommend the extra hungry to actually order two flights. Service was quick and friendly. I can't wait to come back and try it out again!
(5)
hlzdg h.
Been here four times. Waited to review because I did agree with the service issues. It's gotten better, but even if it's peaks out at mediocre, this is the reality: the chicken sausage is ridiculous. It just is. And yes, I do mean the chicken sausage, not the pork sausage. Both are made by Chef Rylon and good, however, the chicken sausage is a standout. I would come here once a week with okay service just to get it. Like the sausage, Chef Rylon makes most of what you eat. If you order a turkey club, you get real, freshly carved turkey - not cold cuts. The hash, batters for pancakes, waffles and French toast, maple butter, etc. are all made by Chef Rylon and very good. I have more of a taste for savory vs sweet, so The French toast and sweat potato waffle were a little on the sweeter side for my liking, but both were meals I would get again with a twist (regular waffle with the cluck and gaufre for instance). Chef Rylon appears to really care about the success of his place and your enjoyment of his cuisine. He is seen often throughout the place and always says to simply grab him from the kitchen if you have any issues with te food. I doubt that's ever been necessary. Good value too for what you get. Never look at the bill and think that it's out of whack. Quite the opposite. 4.5 star place to me. If service gets corrected, Batter & Berries will be one of the toughest weekend spots to get a table.
(4)
Judith J.
I heard so much about Batter & Berries that I just had to give them a try. Who doesn't like a good breakfast and who can make a bad breakfast? Well, many places get it wrong, but Batter & Berries got it right. If you are looking for your traditional ordinary breakfast, then this is not the place for you or your palate. This place takes breakfast to another level with their creative ways of taking a 1950's breakfast meal and making it into a 21st century delight! I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre, which is a great spin on chicken and waffles. It's a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle served with a fried chicken breast topped with a nutmeg hot sauce and maple butter. And of course I ordered a side of bacon, which they served in a bowl. I like my bacon long and crisp and not rolled in a bowl with grease at the bottom, but the bacon was good nonetheless. The chicken inside the waffle was nice, but the waffle would have been just as delicious without it. They take their orders on an ipad, how cool is that and the food comes out quickly. I love the way they have the daily specials on the blackboard where you can clearly see it and read it. Great artwork on the walls and the bathroom is nice and clean. My server was okay, but if you ever get Tim, you are in luck. I love the way he described the specials to the other table (yes I was ear hustling), he made me want to order another meal. Some places try to be creative and it looks pretty and that is what you got a pretty plate of food. But Batter & Berries makes your brain think hmmm, I wonder how that will taste and your mouth says yum, this is good! I love that it is black owned and doing well. I will be back to try another creative breakfast selection!
(4)
Alfreda D.
I love, love, love brunch! It's my favorite meal and time of day. I've been to quite a few brunch spots in Chicago and love trying out new ones, especially those that come recommended. And this place is BYO champagne and wine which is nice. It's expected that the wait time at brunch spots will be outrageous for a variety of reasons including a) just as many people love brunch like I do, b) the place is small or c) the place is wait-worthy. I'm going to give Batter & Berries a) and b) for now. My friend had been here before so she raved about it and knew that the wait would be crazy after 11am. So we went at 9am! That's not even brunch mind you... it's breakfast. LOL. Anyway, she was late. Yup, I'm calling her out... late. So at 9am on a Sunday the place was already jumping. The wait was only about 10 minutes, but wow, I'm still surprised there was a wait that early to begin with. You can't get seated until your entire party has arrived so my wait time turned into 45 minutes. Whomp whomp! And it was cold outside. That's another downside of a small location. There's nowhere to house your waiting guests except for outdoors! After a solid 30 minutes of waiting, the manager (I suppose) came out to greet the waiting guests. He gave this whole speech like an auctioneer rattling off specials and must haves, must dos, etc. etc. It was entertaining. At the end of it all, he offered everyone free coffee while we waited. I would have much appreciated that 30 minutes sooner because my fingers were frozen at that point and we got seated shortly after so I didn't get the free coffee after all. We got seated by the window so it was still a little chilly inside, but we were seated so I was happy. They are known for their French toast. They have 4 flavors (I believe) and offer a flight that gives you one of each flavor to try. And according to the manager, their chicken and waffles are the best. I wanted to try something I wouldn't normally make on my own, so I ordered the pork chop that came with eggs and potatoes. The pork chop was made well and it was flavorful. The potatoes, however, weren't cooked long enough. They are made with cheese which sounded exciting, but they weren't fully cooked... they weren't crispy, the cheese wasn't melted, so overall it was a letdown. My friend who had been here a few times before agreed that it was noticeably different from her other visits and wasn't as good. Just my luck. Nevertheless, the pork chop and eggs were satisfying and I had plenty of food. I tasted my friend's French toast and it was really good too. But I don't know. I didn't leave thinking I would be willing to wait however long to try something different on the menu. It's a decent spot and was highly frequented. But it wasn't to die for or to wait 45+ minutes for. I don't think I can give it c) just yet. It's not really wait-worthy but it's "A-OK".
(3)
K S.
If you are looking for an awesome place to have breakfast or brunch look no further! The French toast sample had cookies and cream, lemon, caramel, blueberry and pecan French toast. All were delicious! I got the sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken with a piece of fried chicken on the side! So super good. The owner also makes his own maple butter! This place has a very warm feel and the staff is so friendly. Every time our waiter came to the table he always had something funny to say or he told a riddle. We even met the owner who thanked us for coming! The food is amazing and I will definitely go back!!
(5)
Micah L.
Holy goodness, this place is amazing. I ordered their French toast flight with the "special" flavor of the week (worth the extra $2) and it could quite possibly be the best French toast I've had in my life. I stole some bites from friends' plates and the waffles and hash browns are also good. French toast was the winner hands down though. Decently priced for Chicago and for the amount of food you get. The hostesses weren't the most friendly but that didn't affect our experience too much. Our food came out late, however they generously discounted our meal and came out and personally apologized for it. Overall I would definitely recommend it! One last tip- you might have to wait a little depending on the day. Less wait time if you're flexible with seating.
(4)
Brennan B.
I've been here a couple of times now and the food is always excellent! I've had the super flight (platter of french toast) as well as a few other dishes. As a fair warning, you will more than likely have to wait at least 25 minutes for a seat especially if you go during peak hours. It is a small place so there isn't much standing/waiting room and the noise level can get loud quickly. After the wait, you're good to go! The staff members are very friendly and attentive and it doesn't take long at all to prepare the food!
(4)
Tricia P.
Simply amazing. It's that simple. Just go. The food was great the service was wonderful. .
(5)
Eric K.
What people don't realize is that the place seconds as a great coffee shop. There's a big communal hi top table in the middle of the restaurant. I'm bringing my laptop next time. Could use some wifi tho... Get the chicken and waffles. Also ask for extra hot sauce.
(5)
ms L.
The food was great! The hash browns were more of a mash potato, than the typical hashbrowns that Im use to. We went on a wednesday at about 1pm, we were seated immediately, however it took 10-15mins before we got water and our order was taken. Another thing I didn't like is that the owner or manager, spoke to everyone else and asked how other patrons around us, was enjoying their food, but we were neglected. The french toast flight was awesome, my boyfriend didn't care for his pancakes or the "mash browns" aka hash browns
(3)
Kamilah P.
The customer service at this place is horrific. We arrive and were told there was a 40-45 min wait. We stand outside in the rain waiting for 40 min where we check to see where we are on the list as several parties have gone into the restaurant that arrived after us. We go inside and the lady proceeds to tell us that we weren't on the list. Then the 2nd hostess says she remembers but she lost the list. They insisted that we wait another hour. They never apologized for the inconvenience, they later said the bus boy dropped the list so we must have gotten lost in the shuffle. Still no attempt to rectify the situation. In addition, no one advised us that we could have sat inside for the hour we were standing in the rain. We received a major attitude from all three hostesses who were unorganized, unprofessional and rude.
(1)
Nike R.
Came here on a Thursday morning hoping it would be empty. Now, it wasn't the line out of the store crowd you get on the weekend, but it wasn't empty either. My food was divine. The service was prompt. What more could you ask for? Definitely an A+ experience.
(5)
Joyce D.
I've been meaning to go to Batter & Berries for months...I finally got to go and I really like it. The food is really good. My party and I had the "Chicken and Goof", the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, and the French Toast Flight. With the exception of the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, everything was EXCELLENT! There was a certain taste on them that my taste buds did not like...that didn't keep my mother and daughter from cleaning the plate so someone enjoyed them. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the space and noise. It's a very noisy spot...I enjoy House Music as much as anyone but it was a bit much for a breakfast experience. In terms of space, I like cozy but for the traffic this place gets, it could be twice as big and still not be big enough. Great food!
(4)
Whitney W.
I enjoy this place very much. I intend on becoming a regular there since I work just next door. They have amazing food, good service with servers who have very fun personalities! The serving sizes are just enough to get you full, not stuffed. I really appreciate that the food is healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced for the quality you are receiving. Particularly, I find it admirable for an African American to open a restaurant right in Lincoln Park and maintain its success by going against the stereotypical hole in the wall, fried chicken, soul food restaurants and creating something that anyone would enjoy. I have seen this place packed on weekends! I would recommend this place to anyone, and I love BYOB establishments!
(5)
Kristina S.
Delicious, Decadent, Flavorful food- beautifully decorated: the food and the restaurant!! Come support black businesses
(5)
Sarah B.
First time I've ever had lobster benedict. And now I'm irked more brunch spots don't attempt to make it. Although I would probably just be disappointed because there is no way it would be as good as the lobster benedict at B&B. Good service, lively atmosphere, and looking forward to going back. Minus one star for mediocre coffee. If you're gonna have an amazing brunch menu, at least make sure the coffee is in the same class.
(4)
Annie G.
After reading the amazing reviews on Batter & Berries, my boyfriend and I knew we had to see what all the hype was about. Saturday brunch wait times are typically at least a half hour, but the food and service definitely make up for the long wait times. The Flight of the French Toast (blueberry, caramel, lemon and strawberry with maple butter) is my favorite. No syrup necessary. The chicken and waffles are delicious (sweet potato waffle with pieces of chicken cooked in and a piece of fried chicken on the side covered in hot sauce) were on a list in Travel & Leisure for top places for chicken and waffles. The omelets are also delicious. No matter how busy it is, the service is always great. Southern hospitality meets midwestern charm.
(5)
Laura P.
The rudest hostess team I have encountered. Neither one responded to my "good morning". One was on the phone while seating guests the other simply walked away to what I learned was to figure out if there was an open table. If that is how the owner wants his establishment represented, I will go some where else. Hello is a simple word to say.
(1)
Sabby H.
The wait is super long. The food is good, I've had the crab Benedict and scallop omelet. Very good meals. Their French toast flight is great. Not sure I'm too tempted to come back given the long wait times. There are plenty of good brunch places where you don't have to wait an hour and a half.
(4)
Sheila G.
The food is amazing. Period.The wait is extremely long on the weekends. The place is BYOB. After waiting a hour 15 minutes don't expect to stay long since they rush you out very quickly. Living in NYC brunch is very different from Chicago. If B&B doesn't want ppl to stay long times than they should have some sort of policy in place instead of being passive aggressive. The food gets 4 stars, the service a 2.
(3)
RT S.
Steak omelet has a big piece of tendered steak on top. They so not cheat by putting a few prices inside the omelet. omelet comes with gravy and harsh. Very good. Flight french toast is the combination of all their french toast. The strawberry is the best. Very crowded and loud so be prepared.
(4)
Rahul K.
Best brunch ever. Wait is well managed, and well worth it. My kids love their strawberry French toast and I love their lobster Benedict. Yummmm.
(5)
Monique D.
The best breakfast that has ever touched my lips! You have to try the French toast flight!
(5)
Candace M.
I did enjoy the french toast flight and the owner was very friendly. I went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded. I still haven't figured out all the hype, I've definitely experienced better. Just being honest.
(2)
D G.
Fantastic food, great service. One of the most delicious brunch spots in the city. The only reason I don't go there more often is because there is always a line. But that's because the food is so good. So if you've got some time on a Saturday or Sunday morning, pick up some champagne (it's Byob) and head on over.
(5)
Marshall G.
Not 4-stars as is reflected on yelp, but a decent brunch place. Service was decent. And although there was a wait, was seated right away somehow. The portions were a little small on the French toast flight, but they were very tasty. If you're not that hungry and want a lighter brunch option, this may be it!
(3)
Jeffery E.
Bad for big groups (5+) We went early Easter Sunday morning and the wait was surprisingly short. Unfortunately, the manager horribly manages the seating and does so with an uncaring attitude inconsiderate of customer relationship and subsequent future revenue from patronage. Read: dude's a d-bag and loss well-tipping folk today. We had a party of eight and we're told we'd wait approx 20 min. There were empty tables but not all together so we understood. After 35 min, our new estimate was another 25 min. The hostess said she tried to seat us after a table left and was awaiting for the adjacent table; her manager required a smaller party be seated instead, thus pushing our seating. He explained to us that two adjacent tables would need to finish at the same time for us to be seated. Now, it's totally possible that, in this small restaurant with only two places to seat larger parties, that is would have taken hours. He also did nothing to try and assure us he was looking to satisfy us or was working to please us in any way. After watching many parties be seated near instantly and being treated with zero empathy or care, we decided to take our dollars elsewhere. The hostess was great; the manager was horrible. His service is impersonal at best, and his management practices are impractical and amateurish. He lost revenue today and future revenue from our circle we implore not to patronize a business we were excited to experience. I pray he grows, and if not, forcibly goes.
(1)
Kim H.
French toast flight!! Run don't walk!! Soo delicious... Deconstructed omelets delicious .. Great, fun atmosphere
(5)
Karley E.
I would give this place ZERO STARS if i could. Since moving to Chicago I have heard nothing but raves about Batter & Berries, so when my family came to visit I decided to take them there...I wish I never did! They have no idea what customer service is. We went on a Friday morning and they said we would have to wait 35 minutes, no big deal we expected to wait. Around 25 minutes into our wait I went inside and asked if they think we will still be seated within our 35 minute wait time. We just wanted to see if we had time to walk around. The hostess responded with "Yes, that's what I quoted you." When 45 minutes rolls around my dad walks in and said how much longer, the hostess said not too much longer. At an hour my sister goes in and asks what is going on. The hostess said you still have 6 groups of 4 ahead of you! So, my sister asks for the manager. The host lets him know that she did mis-quoted us. He was extremely rude and said the wait time is just an estimate and not a guarantee. That there was nothing he could do, and we could wait or leave. I was a host for 4 years, and we always gave accurate times so our guests could make the decision to stay or go. I also say the manager let guest in who 100% came way after us (regulars or friends probably). I do not care how great the food may be, there are tons of other breakfast places in the Chicago area that make food just as well, if not better. I highly suggest that everyone does not waste their time and goes somewhere else. Batter and Berries does not live up to the hype! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!
(1)
Wei H.
My biggest lesson learned from eating here is that a party size of 3 is the most difficult to be seated. That said, the wait is not as bad as Yolk on a Saturday. The french toast really was phenomenal. I am not a french toast person so I wisely did not choose the flight or the regular portion. I got the special that day the vanilla frappacino and was blown away. And i don't know what they did to the ice cream coz it sure did not melt for an hour. Although, $6 for one slice of bread, as fancy and delicious as it was, was pushing it. The chicken n waffles were also good. Waffles were just the right degree of crunchy on the outside and bouncy on the inside. My friends said the chicken was flavorful. On to my own main dish - the egg white omelet with crab, zucchini, bamboo shoot and something else, was extremely disappointing. There was a lot of extra moisture that came out of the zucchini and tomatoes and that just did not go well with the already bland egg white. I also wish that there could have been more cheese, or should I say, the cheese could have been more evenly distributed? Hash browns were too moist for my preference and frankly nothing special. Service-wise, our waiter was nice, attentive and patient enough to repeat some special items to us while a lady that seated us came across a bit rude. We waited for 45 minutes outside on a 60s degree day and she did not bother to tell us there was a seating area inside while we waited... Also, when we asked why our food came after the people that came in and ordered after us, we were told that there were only two waffle makers. How did those people that arrived later could have gotten their waffles first, that baffles me till this day. Overall I am impressed by the french toast and really the presentation of everything. There are other interesting items on the menu that I will very likely return for. This time, I will know better than wait outside.
(4)
Erich S.
Helpful and friendly service and a well executed brunch. The server (Christie) was helpful in finding both food options and hot tea. Wife had an avocado club sandwich with fries that were well seasoned but not overpowering. I had an amazing concoction of sweet-potato waffles with chicken inside the waffles, topped with gently fried chicken and hot sauce. They brought syrup but it never needed it (and I'm a waffles and syrup kinda guy for brunch).
(5)
Brianne B.
Went on a Wednesday morning and had no wait time whatsoever. Enjoyed a quick and delicious meal -- the apple waffles. So yummy!!!
(4)
Claire F.
I enjoyed Batter and Berries, although I'm not sure I would choose to go back there when there are many other places in the city to try. I went here on a Sunday with three girlfriends, and the wait was about thirty minutes, which was nice as I was expecting longer. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. I ended up ordering the chicken and sweet potato waffles after I had seen so many good reviews of them on Yelp. I was not disappointed and especially enjoyed the hot sauce that was put on the chicken and on the side. I am giving this a four instead of a five as while it was good, I do not think there is enough on the menu to keep me coming back or any unique menu items that set it apart from many of the other brunch places in Chicago. Perhaps if I had had the french toast, which I have heard plenty of good things about, I would feel differently.
(4)
Samantha J.
If you're looking for french toast, this is THE place. Awesome service- everyone is super friendly including the chef who walks around and converses with the customers (part of me wonders what goes on in the kitchen while he's roaming around the floor, but stopped caring once I sank my teeth into their lemon french toast). The atmosphere is cute and quaint. Their pumpkin spice hot chocolate is fabulous and their french toast sampler was way more than filling (their gingerbread french toast is second to the caramel-both unique and tasty). Their sweet potato hash browns were a little surprising, they weren't crispy as I was kind of expecting/hoping, but sweet potatoes are great no matter how they're cooked. Overall, lovely service and great food at affordable prices. Definitely plan to come back.
(4)
Bethany R.
I went with a few family members on a Monday morning for brunch around noon, and the place was jam-packed with a diverse group of patrons. LAZ parking was easy, as it was during the business week. We were seated at the large table in the center, which I'll assume is for larger parties, and ended up with a more community-table like feel. We're chill, so we didn't have any qualms about it. It took a while for the server to make her way to us, and then we ended up being seen by one or two other servers in between. There was definitely a bit of confusion going on, amid a cacophony of conversations, layered with a little-too-loud upbeat music. We could barely hear our server. The menu is average in the number of selections, and the price point seems reasonable for its location. Two people ordered breakfast (French toast flight & omelette) and two people ordered lunch (veg wrap & combo). Our food took quite a long time to come out, but it was definitely worth the wait. We had no complaints about our food, and pretty much cleaned our plates. However (!), there was nothing spectacular about our meals. We did notice, that a patron near us sent her French toast flight back because it was served cold. A few suggestions: 1. Turn the music down, as there's already enough noise with all of the conversations going on! 2. Get your servers better organized and competent. 3. Add some sound-absorbing art to the walls (e.g., cloth art). 4. How can you serve corn syrup instead of REAL maple syrup? For shame. Overall, my experience wasn't horrible, but I don't plan on going back or recommending it to others. For a better experience, find an Ann Sather.
(2)
Danny A.
Great food and service. They were slightly busy even on a Thursday afternoon. Regardless they seated us promptly and provided a high chair without us asking for my niece. Everyone was very polite, from the hostess to our waitress. Our food came out quickly and was AMAZING! We of course had the French toast flight, I had the traditional breakfast and mom had the chicken quesadilla Omelette. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Abony T.
I heard some many great things about this place. Today my mother decided to treat me to brunch at Batter and Berries. I walked in and it was packed but not a long wait. We sat down and I couldn't help but look at everyone's food around me that I almost forgot we brought a bottle for BYOB. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. We started with the Flight of French Toast which was ah-maze-zing!!! My mother had the lobster omelette and I had the Deconstructed Steak Omelet. I love the music they played while we eat. It was almost like grooving and eating at the same time lol. I really love this place and can't wait to come again with friends and family.
(5)
Nicki W.
It's beyond me why this place gets such fantastic reviews. I decided to come back and give it a second try and was seriously underwhelmed. It was a packed Sunday morning and we waited about 45 minutes for a table which is about standard. The hostesses were pretty rude once again. Everything from the initial greet to the way they shouted the names of people on the list when their tables were ready. They didn't seem to give a damn about making anyone's dining experience cheerful. We sit down at the table and the bussboy brings us water and asks us if we wanted coffee. Then we sat there for about 15 minutes before anyone even approached the table. Regulars seem to get treated real well around here and everyone else seems to get seriously overlooked. The chef walked around laughing with all his buddies but I never once saw him table touching with anyone else. The icing on the cake was the chef hacking and coughing while standing at the table next to us. All that was going directly on our food. Have some class buddy. The waiter was unattentive and forgetful. We ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and the biscuits and gravy. Neither were anything special. We asked for a side of ranch and ketchup once the food arrived and never got it. My friend ended up getting up and asking someone else. Not once did our waiter come back to make sure we needed anything. I will also point out that both of the times I've been here, the eggs have been runny. It was pretty gross. I will not be back. What a shame because it's right in the hood.
(1)
Irma G.
Hi....as I sit here in your establishment I can not believe what I see...as me and my friend are looking over your menu I see one of your employee's with head phones on and taking orders!!! That is so disrespectful while the guest is trying to order their food. I hope u have a talk to your hostess, waiters, and staff!! They need to be retrained...other than that the food is FABULOUS!!!
(1)
Reginice C.
The best!
(5)
Heather B.
We chose this place on a whim this morning. We started with the Super French Toast Flight (includes a piece of the daily special french toast as well as strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel). Today it was Godiva liqueur, which was my least favorite of the 5. Very good overall, though I found it curious that it was served much more lukewarm than warm/hot. My husband got the chicken and waffles and I had simple scrambled eggs and a side of the cheese hash browns (which were served cold, though I got an immediate replacement when I asked). Friendly, quick service, more than decently good food overall. I'd stick with the specials and the things they hype up like the chicken and waffles to get the most bang for your buck (and tastebuds!!) ETA: Apparently I need to clarify that the well-deserved 4 stars are for the overall experience. I'd think that any rational, reasonable restaurant patron would be able to differentiate between a tiny mistake (ie cold hash browns) and a bad experience where I wouldn't highly recommend the restaurant. Fixed, small mistakes are overlooked in my book.
(4)
Kira W.
Went here today for breakfast with my dad and wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be after reading all the reviews. First of all, the restaurant is crazy loud...I know it's the city but seriously, it was hard to hold a conversation. I got the french toast flight and sadly, I felt that each of the four pieces were very dry. They are creative flavors, yes, so that was the upside, but I had to add syrup diluting a little bit of the specialty flavors just to soften the bread. My dad had a mushroom omelet that he enjoyed. The service was indeed great and the location is easily accessible as well. I would love to go back and maybe try something different on the menu but with so many other great brunch places in the area, I'm in no rush.
(3)
Caitlin J.
This place is my most favorite place in the world for breakfast. The food is gorgeous, tastes phenomenal, and always leaves me walking out the door satiated.
(5)
Anne T.
Always great for breakfast!
(5)
Natalie L.
Hubby and I stopped in here after our dentist appointments on a Saturday morning and had a pleasant breakfast. I had the blueberry french toast and hubby had a deconstructed omelette. The french toast was very good and I appreciated that I didn't have to slather it in syrup (in fact this is frowned upon). They infuse the french toast with fruit and it is cooked to be a little crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Hubby enjoyed his omelette. I have two reasons for not giving this place 5 stars. The first is the decor/ambiance. The walls are a very jarring yellow and the artwork reminds me a of a daycare. This is one of those places that needs to decide what it wants to be. Are you a classy restaurant where the chef has a visible presence and syrup and substitutions are frowned upon? Or are you a decent breakfast place with yellow walls and art from an old lady's garage sale? Cuz you can't be both. My other issue, if you can call it that, was with the service. Our server was friendly and our food was served promptly. The service lacked confidence. This is probably because the place is new, but there is no other way to describe it. She did not seem comfortable doing what she was doing. If we are back in the area, this is probably a place we would go but we wouldn't make a special trip up to Lincoln Park for it.
(3)
Laurie V.
Okay, yum, I say- YUM, I say! We ordered the "flight" of french toast, which included strawberry, lemon, blueberry, maple, and the special for the week- cranberry rum. My friend and I both agreed the cranberry rum was the best one. It was special #37. The restaurant has been open for 37 weeks and each week, there is a new featured french toast. We also shared the special omelet. Egg whites and crab meat with some sort of squash in the mix. Just delicious. It came with a very generous portion of hash browns, which were done just perfectly. Crispy brown on the outside, just how I love them. I like that the Belgian waffles here are called "belguiques". Although we didn't try them, they looked amazing, as well. Service was great. My coffee cup runneth over. Very attentive server. I also saw the chef walking around the restaurant, stopping to talk to his customers. It added a very personal and warm touch. As I find myself spending a lot more time in Chicago these days, I plan to return here again.
(4)
Tijuana W.
My colleagues and I visited B & B today! We waited fifteen minutes but it was fine. Our waiter was very entertaining. The owner came over to greet us and gave us a complimentary French toast flight! Impeccable customer service! And BYOB. Let's just say us nursing students was able to unwind mid semester!
(5)
JC P.
Fried chicken+ waffles+ spicy sauce +flavored butter= gastrorgasmic experience!!! Is worth every minute of the wait!
(4)
Caeleigh R.
The service here is great. The waiters and waitresses are a little in your face and seem to tell you a bunch of information about their specials when you can just look and read the board yourself. At any rate, they're sweet and know their food. The chef you can tell has a great love of food and has some very creative ideas. However, the execution for these great ideas, lacks the wow factor in my mouth. My food was barely warm so I have a feeling it might have been sitting in the window for some time. The eggs were oily, and when I got one of the chicken wraps, it was mostly tortilla. The french toast flight wasn't all that they seemed to put it up to be and even though I'm not of french toast, my boyfriend's unbiased opinion determined that it was in fact nothing special. The chicken sausage here is yummy. The waffle with caramelized bananas and syrup in the batter is also extremely yummy. Really, the idea of this place is great and the chef has amazing ideas for some potentially yummy food, but the day I went, it just was not as good as it sounded or looked. Which reminds me, the presentation of the dishes is FANTASTIC. I love the decor and the layout of the restaurant. I don't plan on coming back though.
(3)
Chrissy S.
I'm not always willing to wait 40 minutes for breakfast on Saturday, so I'm glad that I actually did. It was amazing. It's a small restaurant with quite a menu of options. We sat at the big community table with about 8 other people. My brother went sweet with the waffle flight; I went savory with steak omelet. We had a side of chicken-apple sausage. My plate was more than enough for two breakfasts (and reheated well the next morning). Coffee was decent. I really enjoyed this place and would enjoy coming back to try more items off their menu!
(4)
Theresa F.
3.5 stars really. We ordered a couple of their savory dishes. The food blew me away for the first half of it until the greasiness started getting to me. Service was decent, but the young lady at the greeting station needed an attitude adjustment. All in all, I'd probably go again but only when I'm in the mood for sweeter fare as that is their specialty. In saying that, I'm assuming they do better with the sweet dishes versus the savory.
(4)
Weirdtee G.
Delicious restaurant!!! Be prepare to wait but its worth it. Had the breakfast wrap and was full to a coma lol. Owner is really sweet and personable. Came around to check up on us! Nice neighborhood breakfast/brunch spot!
(4)
Markesha W.
My first visit here was great Leslie was my server Friday 5/16/14 I visited the restaurant a second time 5/23/14 and all I can say is I will NEVER go back from management on down customer service training is a huge opportunity. When we were seated coffee was offered I asked the bus boy the price of a glass of orange juice his response was you have to ask your server, Ok not a problem I'll glance at the menu and figure it out myself. We ordered our breakfast I had a salmon executive my husband ordered pork chop executive and the French toast flight when our breakfast came out the strawberry and blueberry pieces of French toast were hard over cooked my husband asked the bus boy Pedro for our server and explained our concern he passed the message to another server who said I'm not their server my husband requested the manager who was seating another guest the manager Don doesn't seem to know how to work under stressful or busy circumstances he threw his hands in the air and said when I finish seating them I'll be with you with an attitude. Don came over we stated our concern he took the plate back and brought a fresh order maybe 7 minutes passed. The attitude of the staff from management on down was unacceptable I tried to explain to Don how I thought they could improve service in the future if I was the owner of this business none of my employees would ever be allowed to say that's not my job the customer does not care who's job it is, just communicate with the appropriate person and get the job taken care of Don the manager told me that bus boys don't have to talk to customers in fact they don't want to talk to customers they are there to fill glasses and clean up then in a dismissive tone said we fixed the problem and got you a fresh order no compassion he didn't care that now our food was getting cold as we waited for our food to be prepared properly. This business will NOT go far it reminded me of a breakfast chicken and waffles and that business is going under the sad part is the food was pretty good but for $55 for breakfast and poor service I'd rather go somewhere else. Maybe Leslie can be promoted and she could pass some of her skills to the staff Don has to be related to the owner I have no idea how he is still working here especially as management.
(1)
Di M.
I decided to come because on the weekend the waiting line is tremendous and was curious. The food is amazing, I had the crab cake Benedict. I went during the week. The service was surprisingly fast. I will return
(4)
Marissa G.
Convenient location and great service and accommodation. I ordered the french toast flight with bacon and hash browns and everything was delicious! The chef came out and chatted with us for a while to make sure everything was to our liking and told us to come back again soon. I'll have to bring champagne along next time to take advantage of the BYOB offering.
(5)
Denise C.
This food was stupid good. The wait was a bit on the ridiculous side because I had a party of 10 and the place is small (or quaint) but it was well worth the wait. I had the chicken and waffles (it's not called that though) and it was the BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLE COMBO EVER! They season the chicken and place it into the waffle batter AND...they give you a superbly seasoned chicken breast on the side. I went to Hop House A Go Go last week and got their Chicken and Waffle and was so disappointed that it didn't/couldn't measure up to the one I had here! This is the BEST breakfast spot in Chicago. Oh...and the food is cheap:)
(5)
Robert R.
Batter and Berries is the real deal. I had a chicken fajita deconstructed omelette and was duly impressed. Yes, I know it seems wrong to serve both chicken and eggs together, but if the chicken fajita omlette is wrong y'all, I don't wanna be right. The homemade pork sausage is good, but could use some of the herbs sprinkled about the plate. The service was attentive and intelligent, the ordering system is slick, the server using his smartphone to place the order was an interesting add to the experience. The space is charming, bright and there's an interesting thematic symmetry throughout. I'm not impressed with my orange juice coming from a Tropicana carton...lie to me if you must, but I don't want to see how the orange juice was made. Chef Rylon is a wonderful and gregarious host and his presence was definitely a plus. All-in-all, it's at four stars because it's got some things to fix, but nothing worth drawing out or complaining about... this is one of those places that will work its' kinks out and be a neighborhood staple for a long time to come.
(4)
Chicago F.
Highly recommend. Super friendly, funny staff. Great food presentation. Cozy, lively. Great specials. AMAZING Oreo French toast! I am not a fan of super sweet things, and these babies are PERFECT. Compliments to the Chef. Go, you'll love it.
(5)
mary r.
I think this is what I've been looking for in a breakfast joint!! Quality. Quantity. Wonderful service. Nice patrons. What more can you ask for? And the menu has something for everyone. Regular classics. And creative gourmet. I hope this place stays open for a long time. I plan on becoming a regular.
(5)
Raquel B.
I have never finished every bite of a plate before and I just did that here today. Ya'll have to try the sweet potato waffles and cheesy hash browns with the homemade hot sauce! Best brunch I ever had!
(5)
Steve A.
Just tried to order take-out from this place. I assume the hostess answered the phone, and for some reason could not take my order. She said I'd be transferred to a waiter to take my order. Fine. 5 minutes later, I'm still on hold. I hang up, tell this place to go Ef itself, and swear I'll never give them any of my business. You people are a joke.
(1)
Gooses G.
Great things: Got seated right away even though it was a busy Sunday brunch Attentive, friendly, and helpful wait staff from host to busser to server Biscuits and gravy meal was delicious Food was not greasy, even if ordering traditionally greasy items! Got to meet the chef, who seems like a wonderful and talented individual who really cares about his restaurant and prides himself on it Great neighborhood brunch spot--I'm going to be taking my visitors here from now on!
(5)
Cherie J.
The French toast flight is a must to try at this place.
(4)
ninette s.
before making this place our mommy/daughter breakfast selection this month, I did my research - read some reviews, checked pics of the food etc. I noticed, many of the bad reviews all centered around bad customer service and/or the wait so I was already prepared but turns out Those bad reviews had to have been before their newbie kinks were worked out... because customer service was certainly NOT a problem today. mind you we arrived @ 8:36am on a Saturday though and they open @ 8:00am - perfect timing on our part I might add.. because we were greeted, seated, served and walking out in about an hour! by then here was a line waiting outside to get in. whew!. Elvira was there in a flash but then gave us our space to peruse the menu as it was our 1st time. my daughter decided on the Banana-Nut Belgigue... it was yummy even the next morning! I had the super flight of french toast- the diff btwn a flight and the super flight is the super adds an extra triangle of whatever the flavor of the week is: so I had a taste of blueberry, my least fav, strawberry, caramel nut, lemon yum!, and the spcl flavor was pineapple upside down cake also yum! even thought the place only seats apprx 68 ppl, it was bigger than I had envisioned and quite pleasant. other than the odd waiting area smack dab in the middle of restaurant- who thought that was a creative idea?!. my daughter enjoyed the waiter-his name escapes me as I type- who had her solving riddles for her doggie bag LOL our orders came out timely, correct, and hot. I saw many complaints of this as well... it must be the time and/or day you wandered in... I'd give it another shot if I were you. I must point out to reviewer Katrina C who complained the lemon french toast tasted like lemon, heaven forbid, and I quote: Not like bread or cinnamon or anything french toast-like .why in the world would I want my 'lemon' french toast tasting like cinnamon ewww. ijs. everyone's plate going by looked more delish than the last - can't wait to get back to try more 'n' more items...next up if available...for sure is that lobster omelet! my daughter was disappointed she didn't get to meet the chef but enjoyed her food and our quality time immensely nonetheless . Thank you B&B for a perfect setting. Moms: there's a nail spa right across the street ! Sincerely, a satisfied customer
(4)
Lyla C.
I never review anything unless I really like it. These folks are truly making their food with love. I am obsessed. get the pork chop special while you can. By far the best chicken and waffles I have had in Chicago
(5)
I L.
Very, very good, and consistent. I just wish they would offer a healthy breakfast choice or two. When they had an egg white special, it was loaded with a creamy sauce that negated the egg whites. (Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but I am looking for healthy choices on the menu every week!! My husband doesn't care as much, but I do!) Offer a fruit bowl, egg white frittatta or something that I know I can enjoy guilt free.
(4)
Suvondal E.
The Flight of French Toast!!! There's nothing else to say. It can get extremely cozy on the inside at times and before you know it the bill can add up but its worth every bite!
(5)
Tory w.
B and B has ruined just about every other breakfast place in Chicago for me. I literally don't want to go anywhere else. EVER. And to think, if I had gotten the address right of another Lincoln Avenue breakfast joint, I might never have stumbled upon this amazing place. I've been four or five times now and I love it more every time. The staff is really, really friendly, especially a particular waiter who loves to tell riddles and is absolutely hilarious and so personable that you want to invite him to join you for breakfast. Chef Ryland (I think) regularly makes the rounds of the restaurant and personally asks everyone how they are enjoying their meal. It's obvious that he has a great deal of pride in his little business, as well he should! The decor is pretty and inviting. But all of this would amount to nothing if it didn't have quality food, it is a restaurant after all! Let me just say: The food is simply incredible. Almost everything is homemade, organic, local, FRESH, etc. They even grind their own sausage. I highly, highly recommend the flight of French toast - I think I've had it every time I've gone. It's so good I can never decide which flavor to save for last. I usually end up regretting saving anything for last because I am so full! The sausage is full of flavor, both the pork and chicken are good. The cheesy potatoes are one mouthful after another of cheesy goodness. I've never ordered their specialty, the Cluck and Gaufre, which is fried chicken in a sweet potato waffle with fried chicken on top, but a friend has had it and said it was good. On top of all of this, a righteous cup of coffee. You can't go wrong with B and B.
(5)
Wilonda G.
I good friend took me the Saturday before my birthday. She warned me the wait would be long. It was totally worth it. Everything I ate was simply beautiful. I am a lover of breakfast. We had the super flight which was a taste of about 5 different french toasts. Each one was amazing. And also, during that time, they featured a crab omelet, it left me speechless.The following week we returned and ordered the crap omelet once more considering it was the last day for it. We have all intentions on returning soon and frequently.
(5)
Kate D.
My fiancee and I have been here about ten times since randomly popping in on a Saturday morning. I can't get enough. Honestly. And the fact that there is a different french toast each week, keeps us coming back. I just keep wondering, how WILL he top the last one?! I've had the Cluck N' Gravy many a time, and I can't recommend it enough. The super flight is my other's favorite choice. I've also had the deconstructed omelets (Crab and Chicken Fajita) as well as the Banana Nut Belguique. All wonderful. Our service is always great. Food always the freshest ingredients. Always a pleasant weekend treat!
(5)
Jill S.
I was looking for a place to stop in and get a quick coffee and treat on my way to an appointment - and I happened upon Batter & Berries. The people who work there are wonderful, and I felt very comfortable sitting at a table sipping a nice, strong cup of coffee and eating a little plate of the best cornmeal shortbread cookies. This is definitely a place to be added to your list of breakfast/brunch/lunch stops!
(5)
Elliot O.
Foods unreal. Price is kind of high but still worth going. You get a lot for your money.
(4)
Emily L.
First time in, played it safe with a signature dish of blueberry waffles. First bite in, i knew i would be back! I typically think breakfast places think that one wants nothing more on a Sunday morning than to eat their weight in pancakes and maple syrup only to feel over served and under productive the rest of the day. Not so here. Perfect portion size to Keep Calm and Carry On with your day! Next time in, tried their breakfast wrap... I didn't think I could have trumped the blueberry waffles love, yet the addition of their homemade hot sauce easily became my first choice for the following week's order. Oh and they have a "Waffle of the Week" that changes every Sunday-big fan of going Sunday (as do others but the wait is barely 15 minutes max for party of 2)
(5)
Noemi C.
Best French Toast I've had! Definitely going back. (Had the Flight, they were all good).
(5)
Nikki D.
Food here was okay, but the service was terrible. I brunch with with my girlfriends about once a month, and since a few of us live in the neighborhood we thought we'd give this new local spot a try. Sadly, the service was so poor we will not go back. The server was slow to come introduce himself, slow to take our order, we had to flag him to get coffee refills after all three of our mugs were completely empty, and waited about 40 minutes after we ordered our food to have it on the table. His apology was that "the kitchen is really small," which is a) not true because you can see right inside the kitchen from most of the tables, and b) a poor excuse, since we saw several other tables who were seated after us get their food significantly sooner than we did. The french toast was pretty good (I had the "flight" and liked the lemon best) but was not so amazing to risk wasting so much time waiting for it to come. Sorry Batter & Berries - I liked the idea and was hopeful this would be the new neighborhood gem, but I will not be back.
(2)
KeyandD L.
The food is awesome. ..everything made fresh and from scratch! Service was good...staff was friendly...food was AMAZING. Only wish they had a mobile website, would have made it easier to find/call! I will definitely go back!
(5)
Brittany L.
The food here is excellent. Their french toast is the best I've ever had and the maple butter they put on it is amazing. The only downside is how small the restaurant is so it gets extremely busy on the weekends. I usually go between 8 and 9 on the weekends to avoid the wait. Once you are seated, you get your food pretty fast even when they are really busy.
(5)
James H.
Here on a Sunday for brunch. An hour wait so went to Starbucks for coffee. Had the chicken and waffles, they were awesome! The eggs benedict was ok. The French toast with berries was great! Well worth the wait.
(4)
Nicole L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Seriously, best french toast I've ever had (we ordered the caramel). And the veggies in my omelet were so fresh and delicious. I was seated right away, despite it being a busy morning. Sundays usually have a long wait, so I suggest going during the week or on Saturday. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, and there was always someone coming to fill my coffee or water. They could improve the decorations, but that doesn't matter to me. If anything it made the quality service seem as a very pleasant surprise.
(5)
Shivika J.
French toast flight was delicious. All of the flavors were so good, I could not choose a favorite. Crab omelet was decent, however I would highly recommend adding some Old Bay Seasoning to add some flavor to it. Disappointed that the omelet was $16, especially since there was not enough crabmeat to justify $16. Hashbrowns were delicious! Wished I had known it was BYOB...
(3)
Mindy T.
I have been meaning to review this place for a while. I am not a regular Yelp-er, but this place needs to be experienced! I will try to keep this short and sweet just like Batter and Berries. The wait was a little long but the chef came outside and was sure to address the crowd and say that he appreciated our patience and that he promised it was "worth the wait"...and it truly was. We started with the French Toast Flight. I am crazy for syrup on anything and this is the first time in my life that I did not need to add anything to this amazing french toast. My favorite, which was a special that day, was the Mimosa French Toast. Divine! Then we ordered the Cluck and Guff and the "Arthur". Both very good and worth the wait. The portioning was great as well. We were able to take a little home for a little late afternoon snack. Our service was as delightful as the food. We will be back to try other dishes at Batter and Berries. It is a bit of Southern hospitality in the hard edge that is the city of Chicago. Congrats! Keep up the good work and creativity!
(5)
Andrea B.
It's kind of ridiculous that I've been to this place 4 times in 6 weeks ... But I have. Always consider ordering the French toast special. The chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle is other-wordly. The homemade flavored butter adds a wonderful touch to everything. Service has been great every time I've been, and I appreciate the Chef and manager coming out to say hi from time to time. AND it's BYOB?! I love B&B! Prepare yourself.
(5)
Dr Keith W.
Went with three guest and was amazed. People wait for the great experience of food and the atmosphere. It was an amazing experience and the owner comes and welcomes guest to his extended home. THE service is truly on point. We had to share plates just to enjoyable the delectable presentations and taste this amazing experience. Thank you can not wait to return.
(5)
Pandora A.
Very nice staff who made sure to get me seated within a reasonable amount of time. Once seated, I found my waiter to be unhelpful and rushed. He almost seemed annoyed by my wanting extra time with the menu. I should've left when I realized the waiter sucked. Instead, I brushed him off with hopes of great food to come. I decided to order the chicken with sweet potato waffle. I'm no chicken and waffle connoisseur, but my meal left much to be desired. The meal overall wasn't hot. And the waffle can be best described as bland, doughy, and overstuffed with pieces of room temperature chicken. The fried chicken was decent, but nothing special. Overall, I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food wasn't even mediocre. And I'm pretty sure they leave food sitting out that's already prepared until someone orders it. That's the only logical explanation for fried chicken that's room temperature. I won't be coming back. I guess the next time I want chicken and waffles, I'll catch a flight to LA and visit Roscoe's on Pico.
(2)
C J.
The food was great and I will definitely come back again! We went on a Sunday morning and the wait to be seated was an hour but it was well worth it. The place is not that big so I can see why the wait time can be very long. I had the french toast float and chicken sausage. I'll go back just for those two items! And it's BYOB too!
(4)
Christian V.
I love this place! From the friendly and welcoming staff, to the amazing homemade treats, this place is great. The chef came out to check on us as well as one of the owners. Our server was a lot of fun keeping us on our toes with riddles. I highly recommend the Cluck-n-gaufre(chicken and waffles) and the French Toast flight. Everything is pretty much made in house from chicken sausage to an amazing maple butter. The French toast of the week, Snickers was amazing. I will be back!
(5)
Aaron F.
My friend and I came here and ordered/split a super flight french toast. And then ordered another. 26 bucks. I'm not a french toast expert, but this stuff was better than anything i've ever tried to make/have ordered, nice. Chef was a cool guy. As a 19 y/o I never had anyone come up to me other than my server, nice. I dk why people complain about the layout. There were chairs that we sat on, and tables that we ate on. It was clean. Nice. -1 because our server was okay, whatever..lol.
(4)
Ash H.
I can't stay away the food is fresh, and it taste heavenly not to mention I'm big on customer service and so are they please stop by and treat someone you love to some food made with love.
(5)
Tony G.
Had the French toast flight which was absolutely incredible! Got the flight that included the special which happened to be the rum and coke which was delicious and cooked to perfection! Service was fast and incredibly friendly! Will definitely return!
(4)
Wilbert M.
After waiting over 30 minutes for table we were anticipating an extraordinary breakfast. Unfortunately, the food was inedible and the prices was too expensive for the quality of food served. We will not be going back.
(1)
Tasha F.
I went here two weeks ago on my b-day. It was about 10am and the line was out the door, so imagine my surprise when we were seated immediately. See, it's a reason that I don't travel in packs ;-) The atmosphere was bright and loud. When I say loud, we could not hear each other or the waitress telling us about the specials. The din of the voices and the house music and the high ceilings makes for an acoustic nightmare. We ordered the sweet potato chicken and waffle to split, she got a chicken sandwich and I, the traditional breakfast. The manager stopped by to chat and said he would stop by to see how we liked it before we left, that didn't happen. The sweet potato pancake was awesome, and I am not a waffle fan. I asked for extra napkins and butter and never got them. I asked for them at separate times. The chicken was tasty, my daughter loved her fries, said they were the best she'd ever had. The traditional breakfast was meh. The temperature was luke-warm as if it had been sitting. The hash browns were like a mush, the bacon was decent. I had asked for my eggs, over hard, I cannot stand runny yolk. What did I get? Medium. When I showed her, she asked me did I want them cooked more? She said it in a way that I should say no. Now it is my policy not to send back food..all those well-done steaks I get, when I ask for medium, I eat. But I cannot abide runny yolks and it was my birthday and I was going to have what I asked for. I'm thinking, I would like some new eggs, but I sat as she got a little plate and scraped the egg off my plate, leaving the gross yolk. They did bring new eggs with dried parsley flakes splashed across the top, which I could not get off, so that ruined it for me. The coffee was good with real cream. I love when you get real cream in a little creamer. I would not return unless I was in the neighborhood and it was before the morning rush.
(4)
Rebecca C.
The food here was absolutely delicious. We tried the flight of French toast, which is great if you're a French toast junkie like me and want to try all the different kinds. We also tried the hash browns, i don't know if ill ever be able to eat them without cheese again. Overall good service, but a little slow. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Patrick C.
Was there this past weekend and plan on going back. the service was good, food was unique and REALLY good. I like the feel of the place and loved the fact that the chef/owner came out to welcome us and ask for feedback. You have to feel good about a guy asking for your biz, asking for you feedback.
(5)
Katherine F.
This place has wonderful food and excellent service. Try the flight of French toast or the cluck and gravy. Loose leaf tea selection is excellent as well.
(5)
elizabeth b.
Great food.. had the french toast flight with the, oh so yummy, maple infused butter (lemon was amazing!) and the deconstructed omelet (veggies on top!). Both were fresh with flavorful ingredients, not too much cheese or salt overpowering the food! Oh, and the homemade hash browns.. were super tasty too! Service was friendly and quick!
(5)
Nelson C.
very good, hope they stick around as they'll be part of the rotation for breakfast. tasted like some home cooking....yummm. everything was noticeably fresh tasting. chicken and goof...good stuff. recommend some of their fresh baked goods too!
(4)
Apollo T.
Overall, the food is OK for a brunch place; nothing spectacular. The lemon French toast is good, but everything else is just average. Nothing on the menu is a standout and all the food taste pretty blah. The omelets are particularly bad: they're like an overcooked Denny's omelet - belch! (And those are really gross!) On my 2nd visit, I didn't bother to start or finish the omelet - I had it removed. I gave the place 3 visits. There are other, better places to eat. Service, however, is an absolute nightmare - by the maitre d, the wait-staff, and by Donald, the manager. In my final visit, I came as a single person and watched as my name was obviously and intentionally overlooked as the maitre d repeatedly seated individuals who signed in after me. Her feedback: "We can seat 2 at a table for 4, but not 1 at a table for 2 when it's busy." That made NO sense considering it was late on a Sunday and it wasn't busy. I purposely arrived later in the day to avoid the long wait. I brought this to the attention of Donald and he just looked at me as though I were speaking French. The guy is totally useless. The maitre d: If you're not careful, she'll seat you at the worst possible table: right near the bathrooms. On my 2 initial visits with a friend, she wanted to place us near the bathroom when other two-person tables were available. Go figure. The wait-staff: For all 3 visits, I had to ask for things: more water, silverware, syrup for the French toast, napkins. On the 1st and 2nd visits (when the omelet didn't work out), I asked for soft scrambled eggs. Each time they came back hard as a rock. I asked the wait-person if that looked like a soft scramble and each time it was "They look OK to me." When I asked if they knew the difference between a hard scramble or a soft scramble, the first wait-person said no and the second one shrugged her shoulders. I accept that it's the kitchen's fault, but I recall each wait-person had a hard time with "runny, half-cooked eggs." Both times I brought this to the attention of Donald. He says a lot without saying anything: "I understand. We try to give customers the best service," etc., etc., ad nauseum. It was like hearing a recording. He even admits the kitchen staff are challenged on how to execute a soft scramble. Really?! And getting the check on all 3 visits was an effort in futility. Once they serve the food, they're gone! Not a big place, but it's challenging to track down the primary wait-person. If you want me to wait for an hour or longer for average brunch food, it definitely will NOT be Batter & Berries. I'm done. After 3 visits, I won't be back. But, good luck to them. They seem to be popular and I'm sure they'll survive without my contributions.
(2)
Lindsey M.
Went for lunch today and was AMAZED. The waitress insisted we made no changes or add-ons to our food at the demand of the chef and I was not expecting to be proven so right. We ordered the french toast flight which comes with lemon, blueberry, strawberry, and plain french toast as an "appetizer" and it was so delicious with the maple butter and I'm so glad I didn't add syrup. I also had the BBQ chicken sandwhich, which was good as well, but the herb fries were to die for (esp bc I love super seasoned food). Def going back!
(5)
Anna C.
My husband and I went to eat breakfast at this location because we bought a restaurant.com gift certificate. We sat down and I ordered the french toast flight and my husband ordered the chicken and waffles. We thought our food was quite good and would be willing to come back. However when we received our bill we were told by our server that the establishment was no longer taking the gift certificates and that we had to present the certificate before we sat down. We looked on the paper and no where does it say that we had to mention it before we ordered. We asked to speak with the manager, which he later came to the table to discuss the issue. He told us they no longer accepted the gift certificates any longer and did not do a thing to make the situation better. This place has poor customer service and even after speaking with the manager found that they do not know how to treat their customers. Needless to say, we will not be going back and they will say anything to make a few extra bucks. On our way out, we asked to speak with the manager again about the situation. The manager explained that no one in their business signed up for restaurant.com and that restaurant.com put the gift certificates online without permission from the establishment. When we spoke with him a few minutes earlier about the issue he never mentioned that and simply said that they were no longer accepting the gift certificates. It seems like they are changing their story so they do not have to give the discount and are will to lose customers over a few extra dollars.
(1)
EC C.
Love this place. Great atmosphere, Owner is amazing guy, & the food... Well there is none like it. Food is the best. Thanks for being available.
(5)
Tal C.
Really 3.5 stars but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now because it's new. Solid new breakfast place in Lakeview. The menu is mainly french toast and belgian waffles, with some deconstructed omelettes and sides. I got the deconstructed spinach omelette, my husband got the fried chicken and waffles, and we split a flight of french toast (1 of each of the 4 flavors). The french toast really is amazing and definitely worth going back for. It's made with homemade batter so each kind really tastes fresh and different rather than just a piece of regular french toast with flavored sauce on it. My husband really like the fried chicken and chicken-stuffed waffles but said the chicken in the waffles was kind of weird. The deconstructed omelette is just okay- I really think they need to step it up a bit in their egg department and offer their omelettes also as scrambles, and also have a build your own omelette option. Either way, I know that putting the toppings on top of the omelette makes it easier to make the omelette, but it is a lot more difficult to eat- everything just fell out. Overall though, good food, service was efficient and friendly, reasonable prices, and best of all, no wait. Go for the french toast though, it's awesome.
(4)
Miriam M.
How amazing is Batter & Berries? It is extraordinary. It is totally worth missing an extra hour of sleep to get there early to ensure you get a table without waiting a long time to be seated. The french toast flight is not to be missed, but always upgrade to the Super Flight! The food is exceptional. I took my husband and teenagers and they loved it. I went back a few weeks later with my girlfriends and their daughters for a mom and daughter outing and it was fun and the experience was still just as great. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Tussimee is not to be missed. He is the best waiter we have ever, ever had the pleasure of dining with. Take everyone you know, they will love you for it. This restaurant is not be missed.
(5)
r.v. s.
Seriously? $75 for a family of 4 (with two small kids) to eat a so-so breakfast? The waiter pushed the extra kiwi french toast on us on St Patrick's Day-- bleah..!Coffee was bleah... And the service was sloooooow. Nothing stellar or stand-out, and once the place gets going, the small space is not for the claustrophobic. The lemon french toast was good, though...
(2)
Amanda W.
Just opening up but the place is decent. They still need to work on a couple of kinks. Serve breakfast and lunch all day. *Lemon French Toast: Yes! If you like lemon, get it. The french toast looks like normal french toast but the inside is super moist with almost a creamy lemony center. Lemon zest on top, served with walnuts (tasted like candied walnuts) and lemon maple butter. My only gripe was that it wasn't warm by the time we got it. I think they timed it wrong since it came out at the same time as our other dish (which was warm) but this would have tasted better if they had found a way to keep warm until they brought it out to serve. *Tempura battered Fish and Chips:Light and crisp outside, very flavorful, big hunks of fish cooked well. The fries had a little too much seasoning for my taste but I enjoyed whatever they used to season them Not my #1 brunch place but I would definitely go back...especially for that lemon french toast.
(3)
Bonnie A.
Everything was really good. I came here for a birthday brunch with a few friends and we all shared each other's food. The french toast was FABulous! I really like the fact that the french toast was designed to not need extra condiments. It was a very French-like thing to do like it is considered rude to ask for A1 sauce for your steak. A friend ordered filet mignon and it sounds odd to say this but it was definitely one of the better filet mignon I've had and this is a brunch place!! The artwork hanging on the walls were intriguing too, not the usual artwork with paint splattered all over the canvas and selling for $400-500.
(4)
stephanie s.
Wait was supposed to be 15 minutes... 80 minutes later sat down for our meal! Food was not great; 2 of my friends spent the majority of the afternoon in the bathroom. Will not be returning.
(2)
Kara S.
So I just got back from Batter and Berries and I wish I could give this place 0 stars.....where do I begin? How about the disgusting looks we received once we walked into the door as if we didn't belong in the Lincoln Park area. The hostess acted as if she was hesitant to sit us as if we would run out on the check or something. We were seated and we waited about 20 minutes for our waitress Nadine to come. We continuously were looking at our waitress and she finally looked at us and said she would be with us. But of course before she came to our table she stopped at the couple's table that was there way after us to take their order. I was pissed and I wanted to leave but my friends and I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Their order came out and guess what....my order didn't. I sat for about 20 minutes without food. I was upset, an it got the point where I didn't even want my food. Nadine the waitress insisted on me trying my food and bought it out anyway 15 minutes later. I got it and it was nothing to brag about. At the end of our meal I asked for the manager, he took his time to come over but when Don came by I was glad to share my dining experience with him. While I was telling what happened and how his bust boys were using our table as if it was cleaning station he just looked at me as I was wasting his time. Homeboy had the audacity to offer my friends and I a $5 gift certificate for "our troubles" for our $70.00 bill. Sorry Don you will not insult me so you can keep your measly $5 gift certificate. I have never in life been treated by someone of my own race the way I was. Whenever I spend money with other cultures I am treated with way more respect and they are more accomandatining. I will never visit Batter and Berries ever again in life. I used to think it was truly sad when I would hear African Americans say they don't support black businesses but after my experience at Batter and Berries with the hostess, Nadine, and the manager Don I now understand their reasoning....never again will I visit this establishment
(1)
Missy C.
Expensive. The buttermilk pancakes sweet times ten! Only butter is maple flavored which is also over sweet. Waiter advised chicken sausage sweet. Eggs are like egg beaters.....definitely not fresh. If you like it loud and sweet this is your joint. The plate had some pretty berries that I enjoyed. Coffee good. Waiter very loud, friendly but in attentive to necessary details....my friend didn't have water and my eggs were delivered after I had almost finished my pancakes.
(2)
Ashley N.
Great food, great service!!!! Please come to the southside!!!!
(5)
Tiff B.
The wait on the weekends is brutal, but no worse than other brunch hot spots in the city. It's worth it for the delicious caramel french toast. My husband loves the chicken and waffles dish and they play awesome music to boot. The owner and manager are both very friendly and are always walking around greeting the customers. I'm not sure if the lunch menu items are any good, but if you stick with the french toast, you can't go wrong.
(5)
Katherine H.
Let me explain why I gave this place 5 stars: Service: We had Sam - he was tentative, prompt, knew the specials, nice, and quick. He weren't overly nice (like fake-nice), we didn't have to wait too long to take our order or receive any refills, food, or extras. Your server is not the only one who will be paying attention to your table - the hostess cleared our table as she was walking by. The owner was walking around pouring coffee (we had already gotten coffee, but he still stopped by our table). I give extra props to the owner for walking around to almost every table and asking how their food is, how they are doing, if they have any questions, etc. You can tell he is proud of his product and restaurant, as he should be. Even the chefs were walking around, serving food and asking about their product. It was a great sight. Wait/seating: We did go for brunch on a Sunday at 12:45. We were told our wait (for 2 people) would be around 30-45 minutes. We were seated promptly before 1 - so about 15 minutes, not bad at all. They have the option to either sit at a normal table or a community-style table (when seats become available). We were sat at a normal two-top. There isn't a lot of waiting space, but service goes quickly so as long as you don't come in with a big party, I feel like you'll easily get a table within the wait time (if not quicker). Seating is a little cramped, but not as bad as some brunch places I've been to. Food: I was very impressed by the options on the menu - they had both a breakfast and a lunch side, which is good for brunch-goers who may not necessarily want breakfast-style food at the time. Most of the options on the breakfast side were traditional breakfast items with a twist, which I liked. At our table we had the buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries and homemade maple butter, cheese-crusted hash browns, homemade pork sausage, and chicken with sweet potato waffles. The menu explicitly states that things like salt, pepper, and syrup are available upon request, but they recommend trying it how the chef prepares it - which we did. My pancakes were soft, fluffy, and a little crispy around the edges - just how I like them. There was a little lemon-zest in the batter, which added a great depth to the flavor - not your original, plain buttermilk pancake. The maple butter really complimented the pancakes and the combination of butter, powdered sugar, and berries made the need for syrup nonexistent. The pork sausage was good - not the best I've had - but the flavor was really fresh and not overpowering and really complimented both of our meals well. The hash browns were perfect - I aways feel the need to add salt/pepper to my hash browns when I go out, but not this time! My boyfriend's sweet potato waffles were delicious - and I am very picky about waffles (they were really soft, almost like a pancake, that's why I liked them). They had maple butter as well and the chicken - breast, lightly breaded, with homemade hot sauce on top - really went well with the waffles. A perfect combination. Long story short, I highly recommend this place. I will go back, but never with a party larger than 4 people if I go on a weekend. I'm happy to have a small, unique place with a tentative staff, owner, and chefs in our neighborhood. So far my favorite brunch place in Chicago.
(5)
Ndh H.
French toast is out of bounds! I'm a HUGE french toast lover & this is by far the best I've ever had. I had the blueberry & others had the carmel. Both were great but that carmel was excellent, not too sweet like I expected. I love chicken sausage but this was quite bland. If I were in a blind taste test I would never had guessed that it was supposed to be sausage. It's missing the much needed thyme, fennel, sage & red pepper flakes. Tasted like a plain chicken burger so it definitely needs some work. This is a rather tight space so I'd suggest parties of 4 or smaller & if you're going for breakfast..GO EARLY or you will be waiting. The chef came out to see how service was, that was very welcoming. And yes I told him about the sausage! :)
(4)
Rachel B.
Waking up "early" on a Sunday wondering where to get some grub. We're visiting friends who just moved into Lakeview, so Lincoln Park was en route and a colleague said how great Batter and Berries was. For a table of 2, we waited less than 5 min - note: before 10am. I got the cluck n gaufre( chicken and sweet potato waffle) - AMAZING! My husband got the deconstructed spinach omelet and it was great, too. Friendly wait service and awesome food, parking is free on Sundays, too.... we'll be here again!!
(5)
Dm32 M.
4 friends and I waited 1 hr 45 mn outside to be seated. The foolishness behind this wait time was 5 people in our goup, so we had to wait until a group of five left. So in the mean time groups of 4, 3 and were seated before us. To add insult to injury the table size was the same!!! Also we couldn't change any of the ingredients of our meal, but food was ok.
(1)
Lanell R.
Some of the best Chx and waffle you can find. Get therr early, it gets packed.
(4)
Cam L.
This is a nice breakfast place with a friendly staff and a good atmosphere. The food was pretty good and they tried to bring a good spin on breakfast food (deconstructed omelettes, etc.). The main sticking point was trying to serve patrons food that didn't need anything extra like condiments or salt/pepper. Give it a try.
(3)
Dawna G.
Great breakfast even if you don't get the french toast! I had the deconstructed spinach omelette and added chicken sausage on top. It comes with a tasty sauce on it. What's great about it is you can see all of the ingredients, they're all very fresh and you get generous portions. My father had the chicken fajita omelette with some hot sauce on it. Colorful bell peppers, thick slices of onion and chicken, really good and flavorful. The homemade chicken sausage is a must order side. We also tried the french toast. We're not big waffle/pancake/french toast fans but we loved the mocha french toast with mocha butter on it. The service was great--we came on a weekday so perhaps not a real "test" for service. The owner came out and greeted us and others and asked us about the food. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Sara C.
Excellent waffle flight and crab omelet. Would recommend - outstanding breakfast find!
(5)
Zara H.
Went here for the first time today and both hubs and I loved it. Considering it was prime Sunday brunch time (11 a.m.), we expected a long wait when we saw a huge crowd outside. We were quoted 35-40 mins, but somehow were seated after only 13 mins. During our wait outside, chef Rylon came outside & told everyone about the specials that day - which I thought was super cute because you could tell how excited he was and that he truly loves what he does. Our server was super friendly & our food came fairly quickly. I had the french toast flight (lemon, caramel, strawberry & blueberry) along with the cheesy hashbrowns. Hubs ordered the banana nut belgigue (waffle) and homemade chicken sausage. Everything was delicious - this definitely makes our list of top brunch spots in the city.
(5)
Kisha N.
So this is my first review and I must say I had an amazing experience. I saw this place on a friends IG page and thought I would give it a try. It was my sons 19th bday yesterday so we did brunch here. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the 20 people outside waiting for a seat. REALLY?!?! I went ahead and put my name on the list anyway. Standing outside, the establishment had juice outside for everyone to drink. It was delicious and free. ( yall know I love free). As your name came up on the list, the little cute server came outside and called your name with the biggest voice Ive ever heard on a little lady. You could be a block away and hear her. Finally, the cook came out twice while I was waiting to ensure that everyone was doing fine and had no complaints or concerns. Very nice touch. Now on to the food.. AMAZINGGG.....I had the french toast flight and it was like heaven in your mouth. They served it with this homemade butter ( I forget the flavor) that I could have eaten by itself. The french toast had unique flavors that required no syrup. I was ready to vomit from being so full. My son tried the chicken and waffles and could not stop eating. Now for the highlight of my meal....( drum roll please.....pause for effect....) my server. I think his name was Tunami. He was the most personable, knowledgable, helpful, considerate, and funniest hostesses I have run into. He was always there to tell you a funny joke and had the place lively. You would think it would be a distraction but it was quite the opposite. I will definately return. I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the hour long wait, but it was worth it! Kudos.....
(4)
Sean P.
The food is outstanding. The menu has some really unique, creative things on it. The chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle was really good. THE FRENCH TOAST is the best I have ever had. When I go with friends we order a flight as a appetizer then each order our own meal. The guy that owns the place is so nice and comes out and talks to people. I would like to see the service get better. When I go to a restaurant, I really appreciate when there is at least some sense of urgency to help the customer, and I didn't get that either time I have been here. 4 stars because the food is that good.
(4)
Lavon K.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! We went on a Sunday at 11:15 and waited 1.5 hours and as I saw the food coming out to other customers I thought, it's not very fancy looking with ruffles and sparkles so how in the world is this place so packed with people WILLING to wait 1.5 to 2 hours. Well, when we sat down I knew exactly why! Our waitress was very patient and helpful. She explained the specials using an iPad. Genius! You were able to see exactly what your food will look like when it comes. No guess work. No disappointment. No, uhh waitress can you take this back, this isn't what I thought it was gonna look like. There were five of us. I ordered the super flight. The extra French toast was mimosa French toast. YUMMERS!! Our table ordered the sweet potato hash browns, regular French toast flight, ham, egg and cheese sandwich, caramel French toast, apple cinnamon waffle, eggs, cheese crusted hash browns and coffee. Every single thing I tried was a winner!! No frills, no thrills, no ruffles and no sprinkles -- just good food. The owner walks around quiet and proud of his accomplishment which I admired. We would happily go back.
(5)
Abby E.
French Toast flight is heavenly. Not as good for large parties as I'd thought, but very kid friendly and the owner is incredibly hands on and nice. I'd go back!
(4)
Dina E.
Went on a Tuesday morning at 10 am, was greeted by a friendly hostess and seated right away. The waitress was very helpful and explained the menu. We ordered a flight of french toast, (the best we've ever had) and I normally don't like french toast. It was crisp and flavorful. We also ordered an entree from the specials, a delicious egg white shrimp scampi omelete with hashbrowns and chicken and waffles. This was the best egg white omelete I've ever had and the garlic sauce was light, creamy and superb! My husband raved over the chicken and the waffle had a wonderful, nutmeg flavor and was prepared perfectly. I was thriilled with the variety of loose leaf teas offered. Everything was served hot and plated beautifully. I will be back next week and will bring friends! Go and go often! It was well worth the one hour drive from the burbs. Street parking is ample during the morning on weekdays.
(5)
Brandice S.
My second time at this place... I gave it a second chance even though our 1st experience started with a rude hostess that did not want to honor our request for a four top... Understandable considering we were a party of 2. She told us we couldn't sit there unless we had 3-4 people in our party which was fine until we looked around and saw multiple 4tops filled with 2 people. Whatever the food was good. So now a month later we go again and yet again was met with a little rudeness from the same hostess. When she was asked if we wait outside for our name to be called how will we know our table is ready..... Like to me that is a simple question but I guess she was asked that too many times and got frustrated by it. This time our food tasted like they rushed to prepare it... Not overly satisfied.
(2)
Nicole M.
Great service! Delicious food! Loved the French toast flight :-)
(4)
Dayna R.
Had the Deconstructed Spinach Omelet topped w/mushrooms, Swiss cheese & a spinach-mushroom sauce (added grilled onions) w/the B&B Cheesy Omlette & Chicken Sausage. My meal was DEE*LISH! Be sure to try a flight of French toast (including strawberry, blueberry, lemon & caramel) as an appetizer if you go w/a large group. It included the standard Challah bread drenched in each flavorFILLED tasty mixtures, then griddled to perfection & served w/delightful garnishes. LOVE the option to BYOB to construct Mimosas on weekend. Chef Rylon came by our table to check on how we enjoyed our meal and our host and waitress were very attentive as well! It was an AWESOME foodie experience! We will definitely be visiting again!
(5)
Susan M.
This adorable place just opened next to my office and I LOVE it!! The chef/owner is always around to great you and answer questions. Today I had an amazing fresh and yummy egg white omelet with mushrooms and spinach -would have it again tomorrow! I also had the ceased chicken wrap last week and that was terrific too! Show up and support this great new neighborhood gem!
(5)
Amy L.
I came here for the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken... and I left still starving. Why you ask? I'm not sure what happened. I would give this place a solid 3.5 stars if I could but I've rounded down for this one because I left still hungry... Came here with a group of 5.. 3 of us including me ordered the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. My friends waffle came out superb, light fluffy and sweet with the chicken pieces inside. Mine... dense, slightly browned, and not so good. In fact I only ate the chicken and left my waffle because it just didn't taste right to me. In the end they didn't charge me for my dish but I think I would have preferred them to have gotten it right instead of me leaving just as hungry as I went in. I also tried the sweet potato hash, I guess I was expecting something on the salty side but instead I got something overly sweet so I wasn't a fan. There was definitely a big crowd for this neighborhood establishment, we waited for about 30 minutes but they were very good with service. Someone told me their french toast flights were also very good, maybe it was just a fluke with my waffle but its enuogh to deter me away for a while.
(3)
Michael L.
Not bad food. Didn't like the server too much but it won't discourage me to come back
(4)
John C.
Nice staff , good neighborhood, food was okay, broccoli an cheese omelet was bland potatoes under cooked. Sweet potato waffle was good flavor but was soggy with 2 little pieces of chicken, chicken breast was very good.would not travel to this restaurant may go there if I was walking past.
(2)
J U.
Pancakes don't need syrup... 'Nuff said!
(5)
C L.
Come here for the French toast flight. Best French toast I have ever had in my life. The other breakfast items we ordered were not bad, but nothing to rave about either. The Place is loud but nothing matters when that French toast arrives. It's insane how delicious they are, they will not disappoint.
(4)
Charlene A.
My sister introduced me & a friend to this place last weekend when we met up with a friend who is expecting twins! Meter parking on a Sunday was decent. This place is a pretty good size. The atmosphere is casual & vibrant with a great selection of music playing throughout. Onto the food! I had the french toast flight special which gave a strawberry, a blueberry, a lemon, caramel & their special of the weekend- a coconut French toast!! YUM!!! I also ordered their house made chicken sausage, which was very tasty. Our server - don't remember his name :/ but I'll call him the "riddle man" was very nice & friendly & would come by with some funny riddles. The chef makes himself present & visits each table to see how the food is which was nice. Every weekend the chef said they will have a new flavor of French toast so I definitely want to go back & try them! Overall I think it's a great new place that is definitely worth checking out!
(5)
Vanessa J.
My new favourite breakfast place. The flight of flavourful French Toast is a must to perk up the morning pallet. I wanted something different and the crab omelette hit the spot. It was light and fluffy with the right amount of zucchini, cheese and onions. This was my 3rd time and the wait for a seat is well worth it. The chef always greets the crowd and the waiting customers. I am very pleased again!
(5)
Marcia B.
Waited over an hour on saturday around 1pm...but it was worth it for the french toast, best french toast I ever had in my life! i forget the name..I think they put graham crackers on it . I will definitely be back :)
(4)
Camille W.
I went here for brunch last Sunday with a group of six. I feel that several of their service kinks have been worked out. Service was phenomenal. The waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and made great suggestions. Our table ordered lemon and blueberry frenchtoast, a French toast flight, chicken and waffles, a classic and a breakfast sandwhich. About twenty minutes later the food came out together and hot. I was impressed with the wait time as they seemed to be quite busy. The waiter was also very attentive in filling up our water and coffee throughout the entire time. The chef/owner came out to chat with us and the rest of the tables which was a nice touch. It is true that they do not serve standard breakfast condiments because the chef believes in creating flavorful dishes that don't require extras. I can respect that. And if you ask for salt, syrup, or whatever, they are happy to give it to you. We were all very pleased and impressed with our experience at Batter and Berries and plan to become regulars for their French toast.
(5)
Alicia S.
Great customer service and wonderful food!!! I had the chicken and waffle and my SIL had the biscuits and gravy...both were delicious!! My 2.5 yo daughter was with us and they were very accommodating, bringing her fruit while we waited for our table and small toys once we were seated. We will definitely be back really soon!!
(5)
Will M.
Fast and VERY friendly service. The French toast and bacon seems like it was made earlier in the morning and warmed to serve. Go for the service and variety.
(4)
Awilda G.
This should actually be a 1 1/2 star and its based on the food being good, but our overall experience was not good at all. I was really excited to go hear because it was highly recommended. As I also do I check out the menu and base my decision to go on what is served on the menu. What follows is our experience based on overall experience, aesthetics and food. Aesthetics: Nice colors vibrant, unfortunately the restaurant is small and the floor plan is not conducive to the volume of people. First you enter and you leave your name with the hostess which the area interferes because of the high volume of people in the area. You are told to either wait outside or they have a waiting area. We decided to wait in the waiting area (this is where it gets interesting) the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant in front of the bathrooms. First that is the worst area for waiting, the volume of people going to the bathroom and the serves going the kitchen is too much for such a small waiting area. Personally the waiting area should be in the front where they have two areas with tables. Second there should be less two people tables, this made it difficult to seat parties over two. Third there is a cabinet at the back where they keep their supplies they have to tell the person sitting in front of that area to move so they can get things. The supplies should not be in the eating area. We finally were seated after an hour unfortunately the hostess is not very organized and other people were being seated before us that came after. The are we were seated at was the hostess area and again there were so many people in the area that our view were peoples butts by our table not a pleasant way to eat your food. Food: I had the Flight of French toast, it was good but I expected a little more, they all tasted like they were made from the same batter and then different sauces on them, I expected the different taste be infused in the french toast. I also had the sweet potato hash, which I did not like, it was bland and my food was a bit cool, I like my breakfast hot off the pan. My daughter had the caramelized banana waffles (belique) it was good overall, she felt it had a slight burnt marshmallow taste which she didn't mind it just seemed a bit off. My boyfriend had the Chicken and Waffles. It was good but a few things were a bit different. The waffles were served with no maple syrup, they also had pieces of chicken inside the waffle which made some of the pieces a bit harder and dry, the chicken breast was good but a hot sauce was poured over it and it infused in the waffle. Bacon was good, coffee was ok and the tea was good. Overall because of the one hour wait and the experience that we had with the hostess, the waiting area and the unorganized layout of the dining and waiting area it was not a pleasant experience. We payed almost 60 dollars and the experience and food was not worth the 60 dollars, we had a much better experience at Bakin' and Eggs down the street and the food is much better and the service is great as well as Yolk. Both place less expensive. I will not be recommending this place nor will I be going back to Batter & Berries.
(1)
Rachel B.
We went here for brunch this morning and it was delicious! I was craving a breakfast sandwich so that's what I ordered and it was really good. I got a side order of hash browns and they were okay. They would have been better with salt but there was none on the table and our waiter never came back to check on how we were doing. My boyfriend got the french toast sampler platter thing and it was delicious. I've never had flavored french toast before, but I tried each of his pieces. He liked the strawberry the best but I think the lemon was good, but actually they were all great! When we go back it's definitely what I'll be ordering! The decor of the restaurant is super adorable but the layout could pose problems. There's a raised bar like table in the center of the room and due to the fact that it is raised and the tables surrounding it are at the regular level, well let's just hope if any girls are wearing skirts, they're crossing their legs! Our waiter was very nice and friendly but, like I said, he never came back to see how we were doing after dropping off our food, aside from quickly filling my water once after I was done eating, so I never got the salt for my hash browns. Also, they take their orders on ipod touches which, while it's pretty cool, kind of seemed awkward, like he was texting someone while taking our order; I guess it's just new technology to get used to. Chef Rylon was out walking around and talking to everyone. He was very nice and friendly and it was really cool to meet him. Overall the restaurant was great. We will definitely be back but have to knock it down one for service.
(4)
Julia R.
I know what a good breakfast is...with so many options in Chicago it is hard to choose! This is a place you MUST try and not only try but become a regular! Believe me!
(5)
Jamie G.
My mouth has never been happier. French Toast super flight. Chicken and Waffles (there's actually bits of chicken IN the waffle!). Eggs Benedict. OMG. I'm still in the afterglow. Wish the space was larger with more bathrooms.
(4)
J M.
After moving to the neighborhood over seven months ago, we finally made it to B&B. Perfect spot for Sunday brunch.
(5)
Veronica L.
Went to this place for brunch with friends for the first time on St. Patrick's Day....the food was great and awesome service!!!
(5)
Kris R.
sunday. our weekly family brunch. this was a new spot for us. me no likey all that much, unfortunately. me and the bro ordered the chicken and waffles. this is chicken-stuffed waffles with chicken on the side, in a spicy syrup. i gotta say, the waffle batter is more on the cakey/doughy/drier side. the chicken was white meat and dry. the spicy syrup was not too bad. it was tasty and a ton of flavor, but it was dry. disappointed. my nieces weren't havin' the pancakes and syrup. the reg syrup tasted weird to both of them, so they didn't eat much. oh and the batter had a ton of nutmeg. dude, easy on that. the server was nice. decor is strange. one thing they do have down - the hashbrowns. they were the shit.
(2)
Evelyn H.
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try on a Saturday afternoon and came in with the expectation to wait a bit for a table. The long wait time that other reviewers mention is definitely true on a weekend. We ended up waiting a little over an hour when we had originally been quoted the wait time to be "45 minutes or less". It might also be true that those with bigger parties get seated first and if I ever plan to come again, I'm going to find a third or fourth person to string along or maybe even try and join forces with another party of 2. :P Anyway, the food was pretty good and came out extremely quick. I love cheese, so I was I happy to see so much gooey cheese in the midst of my deconstructed omelet and in my hash browns. No complaints there. My boyfriend's dish came with fries and those were delicious as well. There was however, one slight issue with the service. My boyfriend had asked for a soda when we first placed our order but when our meals came, his drink didn't arrive along with it. Our server came by once, to hurriedly drop off some ketchup and hot sauce and didn't come back until we had finished our meal. When she came with the check at the end of the meal, she said something to the effect of "I never brought you your drink so of course I didn't add it on your check", chuckled, and left. Seriously? She honestly shouldn't have even mentioned it because at that point, we had just about given her the benefit of the doubt that she might have forgotten about it. An apology or offering a free drink next visit or somethingggg would have been a nice attempt at saving the situation (even if she had brought the drink out midway through the meal would have worked) instead of just pointing out the mistake and not providing any sort of remedy for it.
Can someone say delicious? I absolutely love this place. Not just food it's an experience. Yumtastic!!! I need more stars.
(5)
Sheila C.
I'm sorry but - Don't believe the hype! First off, I went with my two daughters on a Monday morning thinking it wouldn't be too busy. It was. Getting in the door was a hassle because there's no room to come in. Then you get shouted at to come all the way in so the doors can close. But there's no where to go. The place is too small. We gave our name and was lead to the "waiting area". What a joke. It's in the middle of the restaurant and is only big enough for 6 people. There were already 6 people there so we, as well as about 10 others, were standing in the path of the servers, trying not to bump into them and vice versa. We finally got seated by the door (remember this is where the mob of people pretty much have to stand because the waiting area is full) and my daughter makes the comment that she loves looking at butts while eating...and there was a sea of them. Anyway, we all got the flights of French toast. We were not impressed. It tasted like regular toast with a drizzle of flavor. It was dry. The scrambled eggs were browned, the bacon wasn't cooked enough and I never got a refill on my coffee. Maybe we're not sophisticated enough but I wished I could have regurgitated the whole meal and gone to the Original House of Pancakes and had a satisfying breakfast for under $50 instead of the $72 I spent. Oh, yeah...The young lady who led us to the waiting area, acted like she just totally did not want to be there.
(2)
Patricia M.
New and exciting menu! Chef is very creative and does great job marrying flavors! Nice place. Good service! I will return.
(4)
Carmen B.
If you want good pancakes, visit this spot. I had the Buckwheat pancakes - not a high level of buckwheat in the batter (I like that), but I could clearly taste the flavor. Nice fruit accompaniments, a maple butter and maple syrup, which makes a difference to me. There was a mix of families with kids and adults. The staff was very nice, service was pretty quick and I enjoyed Sunday brunch. Next time I'll check out the omelets.
(3)
Ryan C.
Visited Chicago for the weekend and this place was near by. The table couldn't decide what to get so we had 5 different breakfast items. Everything we had was delish. I have told everyone about this place and if I ever make it back to Chicago I am definitely making it back. Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle - Highly Recommend French Toast Flight - A must even if you get one to split. Hopefully they have the white chocolate peanut butter option Deconstructed Steak Omelet - Amazing and the cheesy hash browns are so good. Brunch is the time to go. Service when we went was great. Friendly, quick, and very knowledgeable. Thanks for the great food!
(5)
Hana Y.
Great place for a girls' brunch and it's BYOB, so bring your mimosas!
(4)
Abbie F.
This place was awesome! We had the super french toast, biscuits and gravy and eggs with bacon and hashbrowns. Our waitress was very nice and the food came out spaced out enough to fit on the table. I thought the biscuits and gravy was the best meal that we ate and my friend thought the French toast.
(5)
Shaynee S.
A fabulous breakfast spot for you and whomever you would like to split that french toast flight with. Busy as can be and for good reason, this establishment is clearly chef driven and has certain brunch flare that appeals to the masses. Taking pride in their ever so famous french toast flights, Batter and Berries also has delectable savory menu items that will have you wanting more. Items that caught my eye where the chicken and waffles and the fajita omelette, but the crab Benedict special stole my heart. After indulging in a carefully crafted Crab Benedict, I had nothing but smiles and compliments to share. The quality and abundance of the crab in the Benedict was superb and well worth the price. Besides great food and a vast tea selection, the service was on point. Our server was attentive, personable, charismatic, and a hard worker. Many of those skills are already instilled in a successful individual, but to have a customer become fully aware of this shows a marking of a great establishment that not only makes good food, but treat their people well. People, just go. Have the french toast flight and be amazed because it'll happen.
(5)
Bart S.
This was our 3rd visit. Came on a Sunday as they opened their doors at 8AM. Friendly staff, bus boy was great making sure the coffee cups were filled. The waitress was great, The food- was a major let down this visit. On our previous visit we had their broccoli cheddar omelette that was was uninspired. Our simple order of Buttermilk Pancakes and the French Toast sampler were just average at best. Had to ask the waitress for syrup. Isn't that something that should just be served with pancakes and French Toast? The pancakes were one turn away from being burned, the french toast sampler was ok,,,just ok. The thing that really upset me, was the order was a couple of degrees above room temperature. The place was not that busy, and the server couldn't get that food to our table piping hot off the grill? Come on. That's lame. It was a poor value for what we were served, but that's eating in Lincoln Park I suppose.
(1)
Sonia A.
Because the food was so good, I went again with another friend. This time the service was spot-on AND the food was still yummy. I told my server that the last time I had come I had had bad service, so she had one of the manager come talk to me. The manager (the owner's sister-in-law) was so nice and personable. I really liked her and was happy that she was so concerned that I had had bad service. I will go again. I shared the crab omelette and a plate of lemon and the special french toast. Delicious.
(4)
miss k.
Came here as a party of 4 plus an infant on Sunday and loved it. The restaurant was crowded and the waiting area (really, in a hallway in the back) was awkward and not very functional, especially with a small child in tow. There is NO room for strollers (and no place to lock outside). That being said, once we were seated, the service was great and the food DELICIOUS. The chicken & waffle dish is outstanding, and my husband devoured the french toast flight. I can't wait to come back and try more!
(4)
B H.
Great new place on Lincoln. Wonderful fresh ingredients, house made sausage and pastry. Friendly owner and staff. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
Andreea S.
*this is not a review about the food* we decided to go there for brunch yesterday (Sunday), but we ended up leaving half an hour into our waiting time given the hostess' rudeness! When I arrived, she didn't even look up from her phone to talk to me, she was checking her citibank account and texting with people that then she was writing down on the waiting list!!! I specifically saw her texting someone back telling them they were on the list after I saw her writing their name down. Yes, I know it's rude to look into people's phones, but I was a little impatient and was curious to see what was keeping her from noticing me...it's not like she was trying to hide her phone screen anyways. Eventually, some other customer talked to her over me to put his name down and that's when I spoke up that I was there first and she reluctantly wrote my name down and estimated the wait to 45 min-up to 1 hour. Half an hour later I went back to inquire about the wait estimate since we were getting kinda hungry and wanted to see if we should check out some other places, she gave me attitude about inquiring *just* half an hour later, and told to come back to ask after it's been at least 1 hour because she cannot estimate...isn't it a hostess' job to estimate the wait time? Does she just give random waiting times to customers? And what's up with the attitude? We've eaten at busy brunch places countless times, but the hostesses have always been apologetic about the wait, almost always getting called up for our table before the estimated wait time. Yes, the food matters, but being treated with respect also does!
(1)
Shameka A.
Great food.... It was a long wait but it was worth it!!! Friendly staff and the owners come out to greet you.
(5)
Rae M.
I absolutely loved everything about this restaurant, homemade food, awesome energy from the servers and amazing food. I will visit each and every time I'm in the area!!!
(5)
Vincent W.
Coming here I had two expectations: delicious batter and berries galore. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries only came through on having tasty batter, but failed to deliver on my "berry" expectations. According to the menu, the pancakes I ordered were said to come with seasonal berries. I was disappointed when they arrived with one strawberry and literally ten blueberries. Not nine, not eleven - ten. Never mind the fact that the word berries is in the name of this establishment, compared to how similar dishes are served at other brunch places in the area - M Henrietta, Tweet, and Sola, to name a few - this just felt cheap. The batter of the pancakes was tasty - as was that of my girlfriend's waffle (she ordered the "goof") - but at the same time, her fried chicken was dry. My other complaint was the service. The host was not unfriendly, while at the same time being everything but friendly and welcoming. Add to that, we had to wait a few minutes for a table - not a big deal - but when we were seated we were surprised to find that we were sat at a communal table. That's not a big deal either, but it would have been nice to have been told this / given an option ahead of time. Our waitress was friendlier, but when our food took a long time (~20-25 mins) to come out (and indeed, several other two tops around us who ordered after us were served before us), I had to get her attention to find out what was going on, instead of her being proactive about it. We may come back to try some of the other dishes, but with so many good brunch options around Chicago, it would be far from being our first choice.
(3)
Bridget N.
I came here with a good friend of mine. I was expecting the food to be very good because of the reviews I have read on yelp, which rarely fails me. HOWEVER, I was extremely disappointed. First of all, my waitress was terrible. She took 20 minutes to come and check on us and see whether we were ready to order drinks, and then another 15 to take our food order. She also completely neglected to ask whether I wanted any more coffee or water the entire time I was there. (Though the coffee was terrible anyway) Then there was the food. I ordered the broccoli and cheese omelette, with hashbrowns. What I received was a flat omelette, covered in cheese with three hunks of raw broccoli on top. I could have made a better omelette for 1/4 of the price in my own home. The hashbrowns were fine, though they were burnt on top and should have it described on the menu that they were made with cheese and sour cream (in the case a customer was a vegan). The worst part about this place however, was that my friend as well as myself have felt completely nauseated all day. I haven't been able to eat anything at the risk of throwing up--which is definitely attributed to this food. Do not eat here, there are dozens of better spots within two blocks of this place.
(1)
Rebe G.
We have been there twice now and the food does not disappoint! However, the service needs to improve to make this a 5-star place. While we got seated right away, it took over 5 minutes both times to have a server acknowledge us and get us coffee. We even asked. The same thing happen at two other tables. It does not appear that there is structure to the table assignments and the staff seems to gather to chat without noticing a new table has been seated. We will give it another chance, but I hope the service improves.
(3)
Bonni S.
My friend and I shared the spinach omelette and the French toast flight. Both were so excellent. The spinach and mushrooms were fresh and delicious. I think I dreamed about the French toast, especially the key lime. I will be back! The staff was excellent. The chef visited us more than once to check on us. The waitress was very attentive and Jason the manager was wonderful.
(5)
N W.
Soo good!!! Met the chef. Had the caramel French Toast and it was soo good.
(5)
Gretchen R.
I have been to Batter & Berries 4 times now. The first 3 times my breakfast was AMAZING. I went there again this morning, and found my waffle undercooked. While I love how fast my order came out, I would have prefered it to be fully cooked. I still gave 4 stars because the other 3 times I have been have been completely delicious.
(4)
Erica T.
This was my 3rd visit, and I must say. . . it's better every time! The Lobster Omlet special #56 was AWESOME! Also the Crab Cakes Benedict. I waited over an hour (Memorial Day) but worth every minute! Must go !!!
(5)
Jason A.
Very tasty food although my omelet was cold. The Super French Toast flight was tremendous. Our server was friendly but didn't give us a lot of attention. I don't blame him though because he wasn't getting a lot of help. The place was packed and people were waiting outside, yet we tried to leave our table for 10 minutes before we got a bill. Then that took time. There is a waiting area in back but I'm thinking it would probably serve them well to add a table or two. And more servers. I hope they figure it out though because the food really was awesome. They use fresh ingredients and have a really creative menu, all housemade. That's how it got to four stars. I'll go back for sure but if my food is cold we'll have to have a chat.
(4)
Dee H.
Best french toast I've ever tasted! None of that thick "egg-y" batter, just crunchy outside, chewy inside goodness! The taste is indescribable, you just need to try it. The handmade chicken sausage and cheesy hashbrowns are awesome as well. Everyone I have sent to this place have nothing but great things to say and keep going back. It's worth the trek up north from the southside.
(5)
Lynn E.
My French toast was cold, and I had to ask for extra fruit topping. They don't serve sugar-free drinks, because the owner, who is a doctor, recommends against it. Yet they serve fried and sugary foods.
(4)
Azra H.
I was tempted to give it 3 stars but I really wanted to give it a five!! Food was AHHHHMAZING! (i thought so) Really really really GOOD and yummy and I dream about it at night. The service on the other hand was TERRIBLE. our server was nice but we had to ask for more coffee 5 times...NO JOKE! We constantly had to ask for more creamer and sugar, after the 2nd time I dont know why they didnt just bring a whole bunch to save their time. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. SO yummy and we split the special flight. My friend had the special breakfast burrito with a tomato tortilla,eggs, cheesy hash, and homemade sausage, she said it was eh. Nothing too special about it. My other friend never even got her order. The server said she didnt hear her but I remember she repeated it back to us and she heard the "with a side of bacon" but not the buttermilk pancake part? (all my friend received was the side of bacon) Good this we ordered the flight to split so she had something to eat. \ I'll probably be back but not for a girls Sunday brunch date.
(4)
Ryan S.
Dine here Sunday 9/29 for breakfast and the food was great. This food might get me to come back but the hostess is terrible. She greeted us with no smile like she was angry at the world. After asking how many we had she went back to tell the staff to get the tables set and then returned said nothing for a couple minutes while we stood there awkwardly. She then huffed and waved us along to our table. This first impression was terrible and will likely keep me from really recommending it. With all that said the food was great, just don't expect to feel welcomed when you step through the doors.
(3)
Zayna D.
What an amazing brunch at this place! Had the sweet potato chicken and waffles, crab omelet and biscuits & gravy. Everything was exceptional, especially the owner who made everyone feel welcome! Will be back.
(5)
Toni J.
Nom, nom...and nom! As you know anything that gets a buzz in Chicago gets crowded quick, but when I came to visit my hometown Chicago last weekend I had to visit this place. I heard the words "chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle" and was sold. First of all, the chicken that came with this waffle was the absolute juiciest, well seasoned, fresh piece of meat ever...no, really. Fried to perfection. I wish they fried chicken and sold it. In fact, I hope this place ends up on one of those Food Network shows for the best chicken and waffles. The waffle was pretty good too. I was expecting a more sweeter taste, something with a little more cinnamon/nutmeg/vanilla--almost like pie, but it was actually a great combination with the chicken. I requested syrup because I have a severe sweet tooth and almost gave the chef a heart attack. He was very cool and came to the table to ask if I had tasted it sans syrup and I assured him it was perfect as is, but I'm a messy foodie who needs it extra fat. I wish I had've tried more things, everything honestly looked great. The service was enh...just okay, but they had "cute" little iPads to give you a glimpse of the food before you ordered. Even with the not so great service the food was delicious and the place has a real home feel to it. Nothing over the top, no fancy napkins, just great food, great music and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Yaliyah H.
New breakfast place!! Friendly hostess, excellent service and very kid-friendly. The decoration is tasteful and welcoming. We loved that the chef came out to greet us and chat. The food is superb. I recommend "The Goof" (an updated spin on chicken 'n waffles), the french toast options (lots of fruit flavors) or "The Executive" (steak and eggs). This is will be my family's new breakfast spot for sure.
(5)
Gracia L.
A new breakfast spot around the corner from our house, glad to see it especially since Salt & Pepper diner still (never? who knows) isn't open. We arrived at 8am (we have a early-rising toddler) and were warmly greeted. It has a cheery atmosphere with good light towards the front. My husband ordered the flight of french toast and he LOVED it. So good. I ordered the bacon/cheese/egg sandwich and I also really enjoyed it. I was most impressed by the side of fruit I ordered for my daughter - it was so nicely displayed I almost didn't want her to eat it! The mint garnish was a nice addition and it was a really lovely fresh fruit variety. Not just a bunch of cantaloupe and melon that usually comes with a fruit side at other breakfast spots. I think the waiter ordering on the ipod was a bit weird; I knew he was taking our order but it instinctively made me feel like he was texting or not paying attention (though I knew he was). I think I'd rather than remember the order or write it down old school. That's just me. Not a complaint just thought it was kind of odd. They had nice quality table toys/games to hand out to the many families that continued to walk in after us. Nice addition to the neighborhood. We'll go back.
(4)
Josh P.
Seriously the best breakfast food in Chicago. Amazing staff. We came here for a meeting and decided to order a few plates of everything. We ordered the french toast with different toppings like lemon and pecans, amazing. Chedder eggs, belgian waffle, bacon, it was all perfect. I will be back for sure!!!!
(5)
Todd G.
I was greeted by a friendly hostess and Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" over the loudspeaker when I entered B&B. It was my first visit and, despite it being a holiday, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately. She had the chicken and waffles while I had the French Toast flight. Both were delicious. As the menu suggested, you really don't need syrup to eat with either meal. Each was sweet on its own. We added a side of cheese-encrusted hash browns and enjoyed those as well. While the food was good, the service was exceptional. At least three people (not including our server) came over to inquire on our meals...including the chef (who was proudly wearing a t-shirt that said "Chef).
(4)
I P.
My husband and I came across this place through yelp reviews the first week we moved to Chicago and it put us off to such a great start! We went for Sunday brunch and were told the wait would be close to 2 hours - and it was well worth it! We ended up getting asked an hour into the wait if we didn't mind sharing a 4 person table with another couple and we said yes (which I normally wouldn't but we were super hungry). It was such a great decision because we met two really great women who always come here for brunch and knew the menu inside and out!. The best part of the experience was that the server would give each table a riddle to try and solve and the chef came out wearing his PJ pants to each table to ask how the food was. Super friendly place that makes you feel like you are eating at your friends restaurant. Fantastic chicken & waffles and chicken sandwhich! We will definately go back again
(5)
Joey Z.
This breakfast was phenomenal and chef rylon was so nice. Definitely go to this place and try the French toast. It changes weekly with fresh fruit and ingredients!
(5)
dan l.
Best French toast on the planet.
(5)
Brandy J.
I had brunch here a few days ago. I was very pleased with the service and food. The waiter greeted us within moments of sitting down. He gave us all the specials of the day. I choose the French toast flight which was delectable it included lemon, caramel, strawberry and blueberry. I also ordered the cheesy potato and housemade chicken sausage. My friend ordered rhe deconstructed steak omelette and cheesy potatoes. She also enjoyed her food. The owner came around to our table to make sure everything was ok. Its a small quant place and willl def dine here again. We didn't have a wait at all but we dined on a Monday.
(5)
Sondra P.
The Lemon french toast was Amazing! No syrup needed...Perfect! Go get you some :) Also the staff were fun and friendly. We even met the Chef. I love this place, but they need a southside location (HydePark please...).
(5)
Chrissy B.
I'm slowly branching out and trying new brunch places. After reading enough reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to give Batter & Berries a shot. I appreciated the seating area away from the door, and was fine with a 20 minute wait. The smells were intoxicating, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the menu. 30 minutes later, we were seated near the front door, and immediately wished they had a second door to block some of the chill. Our waiter was funny, but I wished he had spent less time telling me riddles and more time getting our order in. I can understand the wait, if everyone else is experiencing it, but tables everywhere were getting in and out and here we sat with no food. It was another 35 minutes before we were served, and the food was incredible. I ordered the Crab Omelette, and my boyfriend had the Blueberry Belgique. Absolutely delicious, but nothing gets my goat more than having to wait 20 minutes to get the check. I wish I could say I'll be back, but there are far more places to try and get better service than here.
(3)
Jason L.
I ordered the French toast sampler, and it was nothing short of amazing. Staff was very friendly, the restaurant was very clean. I'll be back.
(5)
Marsha F.
This a great breakfast place especially if you love French toast. Its not perfect service like any other brunch spot but it is worth a visit. I will be going back for sure.
(3)
adya a.
Prepare to wait, but it's more then worth the wait. The food here is amazing. The chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. The maple syrup is unlike anything I've ever had. You must try the French toast flight it is amazing. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Helen L.
Hands down, the greatest French toast I have ever eaten. Friendly, attentive wait staff, fresh delicious coffee. Go now before the rest of Chicago learns about this place.
(5)
Abigail L.
Great place! Scallops, Asperagus and mushrooms on my omelette, please! Service was good. Based on previous reviews, they must have worked on this.. Food was timely and amazing flavor. A bit pricy, but I did order sea scallops on my omelette. (and they did NOT skimp on the scallops, on size or quality) After the meal, the chef held the door for us, thanked us for coming and talked with us about his ever changing menu. Thanks chef Raylon! We will be back!
(5)
Brent G.
My office is close-by so I eat here about once per week. Very creative food and the ingredients are among the freshest I've had, even for Chicago. The staff mingle and interact with diners and this is part of the charm. Set aside a little time, as the service is not fast (and is probably not designed to be).
(5)
Sherrie M.
All of the food is absolutely amazing! Was ready to recommend this place to friends and fam. However, the service is wanting. My friend's breakfast was 45 minutes late and they gave us a 15% discount off her meal...what's up with that? Then the waitress was majorly confused about how to charge our credit cards, and claimed that we were paying too much, we explained that we WEREN'T, but she insisted, so we let it lie and gave a generous tip to make up for the difference. About 40 minutes later the manager came over and said that we didn't pay enough and that she wanted our credit cards back to void the first transaction and charge us the correct amount!! What a mess!! It was embarrassing that they even came over to us....SERIOUSLY, THEY NEED TO THINK ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE and finding qualified staff that understand how to properly ring up a tab!! But again, we LOVED all of the food...hopefully they improve their service b/c then this place will truly be a hit!
(4)
Lindsay D.
Such great service! The chef came and spoke to us twice, the hostess did the same, and our waiter was hilarious- very upbeat and friendly. The recommendations were really helpful! Four of us shared the french toast flight as an appetizer- all five were completely infused with flavor. All four of our meals were delicious and would recommend this place to anyone for brunch
(5)
Pie B.
I came here early one morning with a friend after reading a bunch of rave reviews on yelp and some random blogs. We were so excited for the food, only to experience a catastrophic let-down. 1. Cluck N Gaufre. Everyone says this is the best thing ever. Chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle with a lightly battered fried chicken breast, nutmeg hot sauce, and maple butter. It sounds pretty awesome, and the flavors are all there. However, the waffle was dry and the chicken over cooked. Subpar execution. Booo. 2. Sweet potato hash. I had read this was amazing. It was soggy and barely lukewarm. No golden crisp. Some of the shreds of sweet potato were undercooked. 3. Deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet with swiss cheese and a spinach-mushroom sauce. The sauce was essential non-existent--a tiny little drop on the side of the omelet. The cheese consisted of cheap, unpalatble slices of swiss. It came with a side of "crispy cheese potato hash." Neither crispy nor cheesy. Flop. 4. #48 Snickers French Toast, one of the specials. The one redeeming factor. This was delicious and crispy. It could have come out hot, though, but was instead barely warm. The order that shined. Go with the French toast. Our waitress was not well versed in the menu and unable to answer our questions (i.e., what's a snickers french toast?). She was nice, but would linger awkwardly throughout the duration of our brunch. Ultimate disappointment. This place has a lot of potential but failed to deliver. We wanted so much to love this place!
(2)
Julia D.
I'm a south sider, the trip to the north side for breakfast was my idea of an adventure. It was worth the drive! It was truly a delight and delicious! The fare was original and plentiful. I am certain to return. Now let me keep it real, we went on Good Friday afternoon and the service was a nightmare! It was obvious that something was Way OFF service wise. It was a half hour wait for a table, when there were clearly empty tables. Only one guy was cleaning tables, so that may have been part of the trouble. It would have been quite alright if it had not taken fourty-five minutes for my food. I overheard the owner say he was displeased with the days going on, that commentary and the flavor of his food will force me back.
(4)
B V.
Dear other breakfast places, pack your bags cause the champ is here!! As a "breakfast person" I have found my little slice of heaven. I have been here twice and floored twice. The food is so delicous. The wait staff is very friendly. The manager checks on you and chats candily about the place and they have a very soulful music background. Think Marvin Gaye, MJ, Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott all while you enjoy your meal. Thursday is house music day. House music and french toast? Umm yes please. Speaking of which I had the french toast flight. Four different ones each in a different flavor. Strawberry, lemon, pecan, carmel. All incredible. I dont even like strawberries but I LOVED this french toast. I also had the best chicken sausage I ever tasted in my life! Most chicken sausage taste like cardboard. This was decadent! Run don't walk to this spot. Weekends are packed and for good reason. They may have to knock down a wall soon for space. Get in early. They close at 3. I can't wait to try the something new on the menu next time!!
(5)
Michelle L.
M suggestion is to get there before 9 AM because there isn't a wait before that but once it's 9 AM expect to wait at least an hour. The owner is so nice and will come outside if your waiting and he is also very hands on while you are inside. The food is also amazing and different then what you can get anywhere else. I always get pancakes or french toast and my boyfriend gets the steak and eggs which he loves
(4)
Ellarey M.
The french toast flight is amazing - do it. You won't regret it.
(5)
Vinodh N.
two words, amazing brunch!!!!
(5)
Shawnee L.
This was my first visit and I definitely will make it a habit. A friend has been trying to get me to the restaurant for a while & today I gave in all I can say is that I'm mad I've been missing out on this!! The only reason I didn't 5 star it is because there are still some things that I've yet to try but what I did have was fantastic. As most of the reviews stated the french toast were to die for. Also, when you get good service, a warm welcome and a we'll see you later you know that is a place you want to frequent.
(4)
Ashley S.
After seeing this place with such a cute name pop up recently, my boyfriend and I decided to go check it out for brunch. The Chef came by to greet us and the other two couples who were waiting, and I thought it was nice of him to be so welcoming. We were seated within 5 minutes and that's when everything went downhill. It took about 45 minutes for us to receive our orders of French toast, which can be overlooked since this is a relatively new place. However, I was very offended by the waiter when he finally gave us our food and said, "Sorry for the wait guys, but it's worth it, you'll see," before he rudely ran away without asking if we wanted anything else. I had to flag down another waiter to ask for syrup for the French toast, which should have been standard at every table. We were never asked if we wanted anything to drink, or checked on to see if we wanted refills of our drinks the entire time we were there. Although we received our food at the same time, the table of four next to ours received their dishes 15 minutes apart. Another complaint is that there were no fans and the thermostat right by our table read 79F. It would be nice if they could make it a little bit more comfortable in there. There was a couple with a small child also sitting next to us, who waited for their food about the same amount of time as us. They ended up taking their food to-go after the Chef came out and explained why everything takes so long to make. I don't think that amount of wait for food is acceptable, and all the chef/owner needed to do was apologize instead of trying to justify himself/make excuses. Overall, the food was really good, the service needs some serious improvements. There's hope for this restaurant though. I'd recommend waiting until they have things in order before stopping by this place.
(2)
Courtland H.
Great new brunch and lunch spot. Chef Rylon is super skilled and very involved. Very surprised at some of the 1 star reviews, i would recommend anyone who wrote one to try the place again, maybe not on a busy weekend day because i think places like this can get so busy on weekends that stuff can fall through the cracks customer servicewise. Had the deconstructed chicken omelet, kobe sliders, wifey had the short rib omelet - which seemed like a weird flavor combo(as most of the dishes do) but was executed so well. Have been to lots of breakfast and brunch places around town and these guys have it down for sure. also an excellent tea selection and good coffee.
(5)
Jennifer R.
This place was AMAZING!! My boyfriend and I tried it for the first time today and it did not disappoint. As we walked in, we were greeted warmly and sat down right away. The server was very nice and attentive. She did a great job giving us suggestions on what to get. I really appreciated it!!! We ended up getting Blueberry French Toast brioche bread dipped in house made blueberry batter & topped with fresh blueberries & our b&b maple butter and Banana-Nut Belgigue topped with caramelized bananas, b&b maple butter & drizzled in vanilla sauce. We also got a side of bacon. The server let us know that the Chef suggests to take a bite first of the French Toast and Waffle before adding syrup. I am glad I did take the Chef's advice (as you should). Each of the items we had were soooo tasty and I think this was the BEST breakfast I had in a long time!! The side of bacon was great as well. Not to crispy and you actually had 3 slices of meaty bacon not like other breakfast places where the bacon is non existent. All and all it was a wonderful visit and I can not wait to go back and try more!! BTW...please do not add syrup to the French Toast you will not need it!!
(5)
Amy P.
JL and I decided to try this place for brunch and overall, it's a nice addition to the neighborhood. The menu is not quite as extensive as many of the other popular places to brunch, and that may be why the options available try to seem a cut above the standard fare. You won't find a regular omelet on this menu, as all of the omelets are "deconstructed". What is a deconstructed omelet, one may ask, and I was set on finding out. JL, SL and I each ordered a deconstructed omelet - one spinach and swiss, one broccoli and cheddar, and one chicken and peppers. When the food arrived, I have to say, I was a little disappointed because it looked just like a plain old omelet. The only difference might be that the cheese and some of the other ingredients were on the top, but they were on top of (drum roll please) a plain old omelet! By not having the cheese inside, I actually felt that the omelet itself was a bit dry. SP had the Cluck and Gravy - a dish that was described as "chicken and corn muffins...topped with chicken sausage gravy". All his favorite things! During the wait for our food, he mentioned several times that he could not wait to eat. I guess he was hungry. When his dish came out, we were all expecting a decadent plate of chicken, muffins and gravy, but nothing could be farther from the truth. His dish consisted of mostly hash browns, with a little square sauce dish that contained 3 half dollar-sized biscuits, topped with a couple tablespoons of gravy. Alas, there were no corn muffins, nor was there any chicken. The size of his main dish could literally fit in my cupped palm. Now, was it yummy? It certainly wasn't bad. It just wasn't what a hungry man would expect. The "corn muffins" were unique in that they were neither muffin nor biscuit, but something in between. Soft, moist little tiny morsels studded with corn. The gravy was also flavorful without being overly rich, and the amount of gravy was not so much that it would ruin the texture of the muffin/biscuits. In a nutshell, this was biscuits and gravy without the guilt (or the heart attack). Lucky for SP, we ordered the french toast flight to share, so most of my omelette made its way into his plate while I happily dedicated my attention to the carbs. Now onto the french toast. I don't eat french toast all that often, because most of the times it is drowned in butter and syrup. Some will say that that's just how french toast should be, but I disagree. French toast should consist of bread that has soaked in the goodness of the egg and other flavorings, without being overwhelmed by it. It should be custardy, not soggy, and each bit should satisfy the taste buds without sending your blood sugar to alarming levels. This french toast was just that. The lemon was absolutely divine, topped with what looked like candied lemon zest that made it taste like lemon frosting. The caramel was topped with candied walnuts and caramel sauce and again, was so delicious without being overly heavy or cloying. This was french toast that you could eat everyday. Overall, I think what stood out to me the most was that all of the dishes seemed to be fairly healthy. There are sweet potato hash browns in addition to regular hash browns and neither had the typical tell-tale signs of having been doused in butter and oil. All of the dishes enabled you to taste the ingredients first and foremost, without masking it in the (delicious) taste of butter. Brunch without the guilt? Why not?
(3)
Tiva T.
This is a great place for breakfast/lunch on the weekdays ($9 lunch trio with salad, soup, and a half-sandwich) and for brunch on the weekends. The ingredients are fresh and the food is delicious. The wait staff is very friendly and competent. I have only two suggestions: (1) Chef Rylon explained that his deconstructed omelets are designed to showcase the quality of the ingredients. Ok, I believe him, but I prefer my omelet ingredients mixed in. Consider adding a "constructed omelet" option. (2) The kitchen can be a tad slow. On the weekdays, especially, people want to be able to get their meals, eat, and go. Pick up the pace! Bottom line: Support this Black-owned Northside local business!
(4)
Tiffany B.
There was a wait but it was well worth it. The service is spectacular at this place and the food is even better! Best birthday brunch ever!
(5)
Brian S.
We live very close to Batter & Berries so we were really anticipating this restaurant's opening. However, both my wife and I came to the exact same conclusion after our experience..."meh." The restaurant is supposed to focus on breakfast and yet.... My coffee was never refilled; never even asked. It took forever for someone to come and take our order, even longer to have the food come out of the kitchen despite there only being 15-20 other patrons; food finally arrived cold. waitstaff confused about their respective coverage and always fumbling around with iPhones (presumably the order entry system). lemon french toast came with walnuts on it...not indicated on menu...my daughter is allergic, so I couldn't share with her. These guys should know better. Syrup never arrived for daughter's pancakes. Sweet potato hash browns barely cooked; more like the innards of a sweet potato served mushy on a plate. Deconstructed spinach omelette way over salted and served with some spinach goop paste. not good. chef appeared and came around to introduce himself as chef/owner. nice fellow. He has his work cut out for him. For now, we're skipping the failed attempts at "upscale" breakfast and sticking with S&G and Nookies
(2)
Leslie A.
This is such a friendly restaurant! They treated us like family. The food was AMAZING! You must get the french toast flight. My faves were the caramel and lemon. Our waiter told us funny little riddles and was just so warm. I highly recommend this place. I hope I can get back again soon!
(5)
angela d.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! The french toast is OFF the chain! I am actually scared of what the wait will be when people discover how amazing it is!
(5)
Jessica B.
Crab cake Benedict w cheesy hash changed my liiife. Also loved the strawberry cheesecake French toast. Soo good. Friendly service. I just didn't like the community high table in the middle where we sat. I'll def be back soon!
(5)
Lisa B.
not a fan. greasy and impossible to avoid oily cheese. hash browns way under cooked even after sending them back. I do not get the hype about this place. we had to keep asking for coffee refills as well. I do admire that the owner has busted his tail to open his own restaurant. Takes courage and shear determination. If you want the best brunch in the city check out Mhenry or MHenrietta.
(2)
Jon D.
This place is a solid 4 star brunch. It's bright, welcoming, friendly, and the opposite of every pretentious new brunch place that seems to open once a fortnight. Sure, the menu seems like it was printed out at the place, and put in to clear plastic envelopes, but that's almost endearing, as if they care more about the food they're putting out, than the aesthetics of the presentation of the food list. I'm a savory "brah:" eggs, sausage, ham, omelets, bacon, skillets, the usual. This time I went for sweet, as so much of their menu was just that, pancakes, french toast, and another thing, with a name I can't remember. French toast flight arrived in a timely fashion with strawberry (good, but not really too distinct,) blueberry (tasty,) caramel something something (decadent and delicious,) lemon something (my least favorite, but not by any definition "bad",) and a key-lime special. Again, it was all quite good, but keep in mind I'm not a sweets guy, and if I am, french toast is like the bronze medal behind waffles and pancakes. Like a distant bronze. Waffles and pancakes are all head to head, but then waffles pull forward like Mark Cavendish, leaving enough time between the two, like maybe 12 seconds, to be noticeable, but not really change up the field too much, as they're going in to the mountains the next day. Girlfriend went traditional with a sweet potato hash. I like my sweet taters savory, and this was a little more traditional brown sugar sweet. That being said, they were really enjoyable, but hot damn, the ham steak that came with her meal? That was REALLY well done. Not well done in the way that it was overcooked, but in the way that it was prepared excellently. The eggs also looked good, but I was too busy chowing on FT to pay attention. Some folks on here have complained about the lack of salt, pepper, and syrup on the table, and to you fine people I say "try it first." Seriously, just try it before you start saying that you NEED syrup for french toast. I bet half of you pour that aunt jamima "pancake syrup" on your stuff, not even real maple. Fine, each to their own, but this french toast didn't need more sweet stuff on it, it was fine just the way the outrageously-social-chef-who-came-around-to-every-Âtable-twice intended it to be. Also, look on the menu, it even says something to the degree of "try it first". Sweet: Clean, quick seating, friendly service. Really friendly service, it felt family run. Not so sweet: Coffee was blah, refills were tortoise-esque.
(4)
Nick A.
Did not disappoint what so ever. Couldn't make up mind so I went with the chicken gaufre, eggs and the hash browns. Came out very quickly and the service was excellent. The hash-browns were definitely worth getting too. Perfect mix of burnt and soft hash. The sweet potato waffle was unique. I don't know if I was totally in love but they were a nice change from the the spiciness of the chicken
(4)
John K.
Simple, bright, clean and tastefully decorated. A comfortable spot. Had the buffalo shrimp wrap which came with sweet potato fries. Shrimp was big and chunky, fries were the perfect side. My daughter had the blueberry Belgian waffle, and devoured it without syrup which speaks volumes for the flavor!
(5)
Eve F.
I've been here three times since it opened a few weeks ago which is probably a bit embarrassing. It's been hit or miss each time. Food: I would give the omelet 's 1 star (I've ordered them twice) - the "deconstructed" broccoli cheese omelet was cold, and the cheddar on top had already solidified by the time it got to me - gross. I understand the Chef wants to showcase the "freshness" by putting the broccoli outside the omelet - but even the most amazing broccoli couldn't save a cold solid omelet . My friend's spinach omelet was really soggy and unappealing. They only give you condiments on request, which is a tad pretentious and also shameful for the customer to have to ask for salt. The french toast has been great every time - it isn't stuffed like some of the nearby restaurants (Toast, Kanela's..), but there's a lot of flavor and the maple butter adds something different. If you're willing to take on the calories - I would definitely recommend them - the orange has been my favorite, the caramel pecan is up there as well. Lunch has been a little better for me - the veggie wrap has good (not soggy) veggies. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burger. The fries are awesome - I think they are the main reason I keep going back. Service: The waiters seem really distracted and confused by the process of ordering with their phones and not having a station to enter in items. As a customer it is hard to know the waiter was taking my order or texting a friend - perhaps using tablets or iPads would be easier. I really like the owner and Chef and wish them well - just maybe wait a few weeks until it becomes a fully functional restaurant.
(3)
Stephanie L.
So, I've been to this place a few times, and it seems to just get better every time I go. I've come for breakfast, brunch, family get togethers, business meetings, all that jazz. That's why I finally had to post about it... Decor: Puts me in the mind set of being in a beautiful natural setting for a relaxing walk. I can almost hear the tranquility of the water coming out of the wall art. Really serene. Service: I seem to always get this nice guy that gives us a few riddles while taking care of our order. A real nice addition to the brunch experience. The chef always comes out to greet us, and that's nice. Price: Very reasonable for the type of food you get. This is breakfast to another level, and thank God its reasonable enough for me to enjoy it! FOOD!!: This is the icing on the cake! The food is outstanding! I must say the flight of french toast is outstanding! I am not a french toast eater, but this place takes it up a few notches! Whatever your "10" is for french toast, then this must be a "13" because it takes your mind past what you would expect french toast to be. Truly mind blowing. I've also had the waffle, wraps, burger, salmon sliders, steak sandwich, and salad, and they all have been exceptional. This is brunch to the next level... Hope this helps, and if you're in the area, make sure you go! And if you're not in the area, get in your car and drive there! ITS THAT GOOD!!!
(5)
Janene M.
The food really gets 4 stars it's great. My review came down to a 3 due to the service from our server, specifically, which averaged out to 2 stars. We went on a Sunday. It is extremely busy and the place is very small. If you go on the weekend, you need to have some patience and not be starving when you get there. We waited 45 minutes for a table. We were seated. It was our very first time. Our server, Trent, did not explain the specials, the menu or anything about what makes this a different dining experience from other brunch spots. It did not help that the server at the table next to ours explained the specials to every single customer. One of the specials was a lobster omelet. My sister asked was it good? He goes, do you like lobster? She says yes, he says, well you'll like the omelet. Thanks.... that was helpful. We place our order, 30 minutes later, still no food. Your food's coming up, says Trent. Every table around us is getting their food. Mind you they were seated after us. Trent, where is our food, we say. It's coming. Finally he admits our ticket is lost in cyber space (they use iPads to take the order), it's coming right out. It comes out 50 minutes later. If we had not driven from the Southside and had a 2nd stop to go to in that neighborhood, we we would've left. We ordered the French toast flight, which tasted like heaven. Especially, the peach cobbler french toast! We also ordered 2 of the specials, crab cakes benedict and the lobster omelet. The crab cakes, heavenly. The lobster omelet was good, but I wouldn't order it again. The chef (and owner) came out to speak to the customers. I pulled him to the side and told him how long we waited. He was aware and apologized. We received our French flight for free. He told us when we come back, ask for him and we would get another French flight on the house. The manager also spoke with us on our way out. Overall, the food is delicious. Worth the wait. It is very small so people are on top of you. Like the other reviewers stated, if you're seated near the front, you are treated to the blast of arctic air every time the door opens. I appreciated the apology and great service from Chef Rylon and the manager. I hope Trent is never our server ever again. I would return.
(3)
Danielle S.
this is the best dang breakfast I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE CITY... NOW i CAN'T GET ENOUGH..I GO EVERY SUNDAY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE CHEF HAS AS THE SPECIAL...Each sunday I am never disappointed...the french toast is amazing! GET THE SUPER FLIGHT!!! hash browns and sausage complete my meal and it so good I want to hug the chef...I think I did the last time I was there! LOL...the staff is knowlegeable and friendly and the chef is so passionate about what he creates..he makes everything sound delish. My BF had the Chicken and Waffles and was floored at how delish and full he was...I CAN'T say enough wonderful things about this cozy spot...it's a new favorite for my friends and I!!!
(5)
Slim G.
The Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle blessed by baby Jesus himself & the restaurant is BYOB ! The only bread on I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is because if the three hour wait time .
(4)
michael b.
Service was slow but nice and fun attitude made up for it. Food was the problem. Hash browns were not fresh. Clumps of hard cheese mixed with dry potatoes! Lobster cakes had a weird consistency. Broccoli omelette was over cooked. Maybe the sweet stuff is good?
(2)
Andrew M.
I am half tempted to write a negative review, just to deter people from coming here. But that would be selfish of me. Everyone needs to enjoy this place, because it is worth a trip. GET THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT! For all that is good in this world, get the french toast flight. It is french toast like I've never had before. When I went, the special of the day was butterscotch french toast. Add it for a dollar or two extra. Worth every penny. Also, the butter is amazing. Homemade and delicious! My girlfriend ordered the omelet and enjoyed it, though not as much as I enjoyed my french toast. She actually ended up eating more of my breakfast than she did of hers. The chef is awesome. He knows that he makes a great food and is clearly proud of it. He is friendly and goes to every single table to say hi. GO THERE! Why are you reading this review? Get off your chair and go to Batter & Berries.
(5)
George P.
This place is gourmet breakfast at a very reasonable cost! The French toast flight is original and delightful! Flavors like lemon, strawberry, blueberry hazelnut! Chicken sausage is homemade.. Hell everything is homemade, and the atmosphere is vibrant and soulful.. This of one place you have to visit..
(5)
Dave S.
B&B is a relatively new breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in what was previously a somewhat desolate stretch of Lincoln Ave. It is a welcome addition. On a recent weekend morning, we were seated immediately, even though the restaurant was packed. The crowd was a nice mix: families, young couples, and folks from what appeared to be a variety of walks of life. The dining room itself is great: bright, open, and filled with a nice vibe from all the excitement. I like the abundance of natural light, which makes for perfect newspaper reading. We were greeted by a very nice, efficient waitress within a few minutes. I had several questions about the menu, and she answered each knowledgeably and without seeming hurried (even though she was slammed). We ordered and the chef/owner, Rylon, soon made his way to our table. He is quite personable and very obviously passionate about food and his restaurant. His presence in the dining room is a nice touch. We ordered a salad and the spinach omelette. Both were excellent: fresh, flavorful, and not the typically sink-in-your-stomach brunch fare. I'm eager to go back and sample additional things on the menu.
(5)
cos f.
Again I have tried to really like this place , giving it a chance time and time again ... but if you are a solo diner you do not get the service as another customer..and this place if you are a solo male diner it is even better ..Day off... went in for a quick breakfast as I have done several other occasions... i asked to be seated at a larger table and was told we cannot do that with the lunch rush...uhm 10 in the morning lunch rush ...and then to have another solo customer seated alone at a larger table just after me ...ok.... service was slow to none... no server approached for 10 minutes....and when they did ... "did you order yet??? " no specials were recited to me really this place needs better communication and better front of the house..or maybe they just don't want a one person table ... i have given this place it's last chance in my book...I would not urge you to go ... i will not go back , there are MUCH better places for the money they charge...
(1)
Roger M.
This is southern cooking; I didn't see that mentioned in any of the previous reviews. The chef knows his thang and is slingin' some fine southern fare. If it wasn't apparent enough, the sweet potato and chicken waffle with fried chicken is a twist on the traditional chicken and waffles with the sweet potato, nutmeg and hot sauce. A nice balance of Savory, sweet and spicy. There are even bits of chicken in the waffle. A tad overkill I must say as it didn't really need/add to it. Biscuits and gravy were a nice contender; no twist on this though, just an additional eggs any way and cole slaw, which was rather bland. The rich chicken sausage gravy and tender biscuits held their own however, and it didn't need any more pizazz. We over did it with the super-flight of french toast, and while it was a good sampling, not all were amazing but well done. It included blueberry, strawberry (tasted like strawberry gel in pies), lemon, caramel pecan and birthday cake (special of the day). Well done B&B.
(4)
Christine G.
I know this joint does not need another outstanding review. But jeez. Its like slap ya mamma good! They have quite the cult following so be prepared to wait. I went on a Monday at 10am and we still waited about 30 minutes to get seated. Went once before on Sunday at 1pm and wait was almost 2 hours! I am not a french toast gal, but we ordered the french toast flight with also a sample of the daily french toast special. Sooooo good! It was nice to be able to try them all. My favorite was the caramel. Went in large group so we all got to sample quite a bit. There home made butter and hot sauce are scrumptious! My only disappoint was the biscuit--it was horrible. But this place is so worth the hype. An added bonus was to talk and make friends with others waiting. People shared their favorites and stories of previous visits. It is like a little community of friendly regulars just waiting to talk to you about this place-- which is pretty cool.
(5)
Sawyer L.
We came in for the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles topped w/ hot sauce & more fried chicken or muffins with chicken-sausage gravy raved about it the the Thrillist review, but they were out when we ordered. The chef told us that they were remaking the muffins, but we had already ordered by this point. I'm glad we did! The open-faced steak omelet with caramelized onions, mozzarella, and a beefy broth was delicious! The side cranberry muffin was so moist it made me want to try the ones that go with the friend chicken. The hash-browns were the best I've had - not burnt or dry like at Nookies. Chef Chris nails the sweet and savory taste that makes soul food so distinct. I will be dreaming about this breakfast.
(4)
Josh B.
This restaurant is a wonderful addition to the neighboorhood. I found that all of the servers were extremely kind. The interior is cool without trying too hard. Well-lit, stylish, and relaxing atmosphere. The chef randomly came over and made conversation with us, which was great. He was funny and friendly. We had the best french toast we've ever had in our lives.Ever. The chef's salad was flavorful and unique. I'm really looking forward to trying more of the dishes here. This is a world-class breakfast. Definitely coming back here again. I hope this restaurant makes a ton of money. It was a great experience.
(5)
Gladys P.
After an episode of "Check,please!" I was excited to try out the restaurant. We expected a wait but thought it was worth it since we had read so many positive reviews. When we checked in with the hostess we were told it would be about an hour wait for a party of three and there only 6 parties ahead of us. Time passed and we began to notice people that arrived after us and when we were waiting were seated before us and it was more than 6 parties! Obviously we were annoyed, especially when we would see large parties or guests that arrived after us were being seated. We went to ask the hostess how much longer we had to wait because at this point it was 2 hours! At this point we saw a party of three that arrived 20 minutes after us get seated. The hostess told is that parties of 3 and 4 were tough to seat and they don't seat by time of arrival BUT the number of guests in a party! We obviously would have left and gone elsewhere if we knew of this seating arrangement. We finally were seated and stayed since we have already waited so long. The food was ok, maybe because we were so irritated and annoyed, and a but overpriced. I don't think we will return after this experience.
(2)
Summer F.
I am completely dumbfounded as to how this place gets such good ratings. 1) It is crowded and there is no where for people to wait, so there are people just standing around learing at you for your table 2) they dont have an entry way, so everytime the door opens, you get a blast of cold air 3) the decor was nothing special 4) the service was poor, our waitress either had too many tables or not enough support. We were short one place setting, so I asked for a fork, which was delivered when we were half finished, so one of us had to eat with a spoon. Asked for some ketchup for someone's fries, it showed up when we were done. Not to mention no one ever checked to see if we needed another drink etc 5) the chef is walking around in pajamas pants with a tshirt that says "chef", is that supposed to make me want to pay these prices? 6) the food is OK, and over priced. The french toast flight, which is so well named I went to this place just to get it. $11 for 2 pieces of bread, part with some blueberries on it, part with some strawberries, part with some nuts, and part with some maple butter. Absolutely nothing special about this, and for $11 it is exactly 2 pieces of bread. I can only imagine that all of these people raving about this french toast, have never personally made french toast, hence have no idea that it cost about 25 cents to make and is really simple. Everything else we ordered was also OK and overpriced.
(2)
Roshani C.
Food was really good. The french toast was yummy and so were the hashbrowns. Service was friendly. Our waitor was super funny because he was sharing riddles with us.
(4)
Toya R.
few times you eat breakfast and have an opportunity to taste completely NEW tastes! I love everything. I dream about the French Toast Flights. The chicken sausage is so good that I order extra to take home. The food is unique, beautiful, and delicious. the service is outstanding. The owner/chef takes time to talk with you. And, the atmosphere is inviting and cheerful. I have noticed that when I go at 930am, there is no problem with crowding. outstanding, high tech service that is right on time on and quite friendly. i LOVE this place.
(5)
M G.
I don't write a lot of yelp reviews though I do go out to eat quite a bit. We regularly go to breakfast in search of the perfect breakfast place, but rarely go to the same place twice. Batter and Berries will definitely be an exception to that rule. We love this sunny breakfast spot. The staff is warm and attentive with the chef making rounds to the table. The coffee is good and regularly refreshed. The food is really exceptional. The scrambled eggs are fluffy and flavorful. the hashbowns have a nice crispness to them and are a little finer than the usual grade. They make their own sausage -both chicken and pork- and both had a real freshness and herbiness to them. We have also tried the caramel french toast served with a flavored butter. It really is out of this world. It doesn't need syrup for my tastes, but if you like yours a bit sweeter they'll bring you complimentary real maple syrup. I really don't think I'm exaggerating on of these points. We look forward to returning soon!
(5)
Stormin' N.
Thank you fellow YELPERS for turning me on to this place. Took a ride from the Burbs Sunday for a trade show. Friend said "Let's leave early and go to some place cool for breakfast in the city". "No problem", I said. And I turned to YOU! I hate to repeat but I ditto much of the reviews. Cute place (a little noisy with a crying baby), great french toast (and I didn't need syrup!). I would pass on the sweet potato hashbrowns. Great staff, helpful and funny (riddles and all) and totally enjoyed Chef Rylon visiting everyone. I even saw him with a broom and dust pan sweeping in the kitchen. What a hands on owner! I will be back!!!
(5)
John M.
Batter and Berries rules! The first time I went I didn't try the Cluck n Gaufre, but remedied that my second time. This dish is incredible!!! I've had chicken and waffles at countless places including Roscoe's in LA. The Cluck n Gaufre brings the dish to new heights. What really did it for me was the owner/chef coming out and saying hi to every table. Super nice guy and very sincere. Come here and you won't be disappointed. Also, make sure to get a side of the chicken sausage. It ain't cheap, but it's worth it.
(5)
Rebecca H.
I had the french toast flight, which I would suggest everyone getting! I also had the homemade chicken sausage which was very good as well.
(4)
Vic C.
Pretty good food. Just beat the morning brunch rush at 10:15. The portions are perfectly sized.
(4)
Demetri K.
Great French Toast and Lobster Omelette.
(5)
Lael J.
Good food, great service, pleasurable environment. Will definitely come back!!!
(5)
TJ W.
SWEET BABY JESUS!! This place is awesome! So many people had been telling me about this place, so my brother and cousin decided to take me here for my birthday. I really have no words for this place. I think a good slap to the cook's face would be appropriate. Wait...would that be appropriate? I think they'll take it the wrong way, so I'll just try to find the best way to describe by experience. The restaurant is small, clean and bright. My family and I went on Monday morning, so it wasn't crowded at all. We were greeted immediately and seated. Once opening the menu, I wasn't sure of what to get since I'm a very picky eater. Everything has something in it (i.e. fruit, lemon, caramel, etc.). I'm a pretty simple person and I HATE fruit in my food. So, after browsing for about 20 minutes, I decided to get the strawberry French toast ( I know, I was surprised too!!), chicken sausage (perfect for all of us who don't eat beef or pork) and eggs. Honey, when I tell you that the French toast was made by Jesus himself, I'm not lying! My brother had caramel French toast and that was pretty tasty too. There was caramel oozing out of the bread. How in the heck did they manage to do that?!!! Anyway, my experience was great. I'm pretty sure I had a food gasm! :) I've found a new favorite breakfast spot.
(5)
Joe G.
Excellent crab Benedict and La Colombe coffee is smooth and strong. Don the manager and staff are very gracious. All together a great place.
(5)
Paul T.
Let's start by saying the food was very good. The French Toast flight was excellent. But I was kinda done after waiting over an hour for a four top. When the server came to take our order the computer crashed. Oh, then it crashed again when we were trying to get our bill! If that kind of thing is happening even once a month seems to me they should invest in a backup system or go back to the old credit card swipe machines that take an image of your card!
(3)
Meghan C.
Went to Batter & Berries while visiting Chicago. Took the L from our hotel and then a short walk. Food was amazing (we went for the chicken&waffles and french toast flight). We loved both but were both floored by the chicken and waffles. The manager (or owner - not sure) stopped by the table to greet us and then gave directions to some nearby sites. Overall a great choice for brunch!
(4)
Loretta F.
Excellent french toast flights and chicken sausage. It's BYOB, so bring the champagne and have a few mimosa's. Don't forget to bring your patience The wait can be significant. I arrived at noon on a Saturday and waited about 45 minutes. It's a small establishment and they don't take reservations. The locals who probably frequent the restaurant seem to be oblivious of the long wait. So, they sit and sit and sit; long after they've finished their meal. Just a little courtesy, please, for other patrons!
(4)
Matt G.
The french toast is outstanding and the staff is very good.
(5)
bj f.
after two visits to this great new neighborhood addition i can attest to a jekyll/hyde reaction. love, love, love the french toast! but the belgiques & deconstructed omelets are not orders i'll be placing again. on our first visit, my hub, the french toast gourmand, ordered the flight, which consisted of a sample of strawberry, lemon, caramel & blueberry, all excellent, although we agreed the caramel was a bit sweet for our tastes, good in a sample portion, but too cloying for a full order. however, the winning feature of the toast, aside from the tasty flavors, is the consistency, with a pleasantly crunchy outside crust and moist, but not soggy center. soooo well done! i always go for egg white offerings, and i was enthused by the thought of a deconstructed omelet, with the fillings serving as a topping for the eggs rather than being blended in. i enjoyed the actual product much less than the concept. though the broccoli was cooked as i like it, neither too raw nor soggy, the stalks were very large, and the cheese didn't incorporate itself into the dish at all; there seemed to be a disconnect. i ate all the broccoli, but was left with a mound of egg whites, which on their own were not interesting enough to finish. i guess i like a scramble better after all, so i won't go there again, although the lobster does sound tasty, and may be more to my liking since it advertises a sauce. the hash browns were nicely prepared and seasoned, with a crunchy crust which resembled a potato pancake, and my hub liked the homemade chicken patty sausage, though i found it too herbal for my taste. also, though very cordial, our server was fairly unconscious to our needs; coffee wasn't refilled, and it took FOREVER for our check to be delivered. maybe he misinterpreted my mound of eggs to mean i hadn't finished? our meter ran out as we waited for the check, which made for an anxious and hasty exit. on our second visit, my husband ordered the blueberry french toast and i opted for the belgique, which is their way of presenting a belgian waffle. his was as tasty as we remembered, but i found the waffle to be dense and doughy, so different from the light texture of the toast. there was an artificiality to the flavor that i didn't enjoy either. my hub, who didn't object to its density or sweetness, came to the rescue and traded 3/4 of my order with two of his slices, so i was a happy camper. also, on this visit, there seemed to be more back-up help; the coffee flowed well, which imho, is expected when it's $3 a cup, and the check came before the meter expired. all in all, i would heartily recommend b & b for its french toast, and perhaps after our next visit, the biscuits will garner a positive thumbs up as well, because that's going to be my next order.
(4)
Tiffany B.
Girlfriends and I went for breakfast, well it ended up being later than breakfast time by the time we all got there, around noon. There was about an hour and half wait.....but I would wait ALL OVER AGAIN!!! The french toast flight was worth the wait and then some. You know its an awesome restaurant when everyone there waits for an hour or longer and doesn't complain or leave. The Chef came out and greeted us and made our experience one to remember!! We cannot wait to go back!! :-)
(5)
Norma G.
I rarely take the time to review, but I wanted to give this restaurant the credit it deserves. I live just a short walk away but never came in to the restaurant because it always seemed so busy. I drove or walked by and people were always gathered outside the doorway. This past week, I decided to visit the restaurant because of all the wonderful reviews. I was not disappointed!! First of all, the wait was not long at all. You are brought to a waiting area towards the back. Secondly, you should expect to be just a short distance away from the next table. This is the city, after all. I expected to wait to have to take my order, but a server took my order right away and recommended a delicious french toast flight that I am still dreaming about!! I couldn't make up my mind about the eggs with steak and shrimp, so I had that too!! It was delicious! My son had pancakes and bacon and he loved it. I also expected to wait for the food, because it was so busy, but it came right away. The food was high-quality and presented very well. I plan to make this a favorite restaurant and cannot wait for my next visit. All the patrons seemed to be in a good mood and the manager (I believe) even walked by to ask us how we enjoyed our meal. I have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and I can honestly say that I have not experienced a restaurant with such a positive vibe and delicious food!!
(5)
Laura W.
We live in the area and were excited that there is a new cute brunch spot in the neighborhood! We went for breakfast today and the food was incredible. I got the lemon french toast which was fantastic! Very moist and great flavor! My husband got the spinach/mushroom decontructed omlette, which was also incredible! It was very fresh and had a unique mushroom/spinach puree which brought out more flavor! Even the hash browns and bacon were great! It's a very bright and cheerful environment with a lot of beautiful paintings/pictures on the walls. Also I love the island that they have in the center of the place for big groups! The waitress was very friendly and great for giving out her recommendations and the chef came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was good. So overall a great spot with far better food than a lot of brunch spots that I've been to, with none of the waiting (at least yet). Definitely check this place out!
(5)
P S.
Just happened to pass by and was hungry to decided to stop in. I might have missed it otherwise - the sign IS big, but the yellow interior and sign would not have caught my attention. BUT I'm glad I did stop in! The staff is super friendly, and they have a kids menu as well as breakfast and lunch items. My daughter ate ALL of her chocolate pancakes - she's a picky eater. I opted for the Batter Burger - which was absolutely delicious. Large onion rings perfectly friend and crispy perfectly seasoned fries, not to mention the perfectly cooked juicy burger. Yummy!
(5)
j m.
Excellent. Service was great, nice people better food. Their interpretation of chicken and waffles, is next level good. Tons of food. Not especially cheap, but worth it.
(5)
Trixy D.
Wandered in for breakfast while waiting for another shop to open, and did not know what a treat I was in for! They had only been open a week or two, but I was treated to an extremely delicious half hot chocolate/half coffee with TOASTED marshmallows, and a beautiful omelet that was cooked in the lightest most delicious oil, with fresh spinach, mushrooms and swiss cheese. They were still working out the bugs, but the service was great, friendly, explanatory (which makes up when something might not go as expected) and the chef/owner came out towards the end of my meal to make sure I was satisfied with everything! It has a nice vibe, not super cozy and warm, but not big and boxy or touristy either. Just a great local gem. I am not often in that area, but plan on going back specifically to eat here again. They have some amazingly creative options on the menu and I'm dying to try some of them!
(4)
Marrissa W.
SERVICE: I found this place on yelp (looking for brunch in Lincoln Park) and wanted to go somewhere new with friends. On coming up to the restaurant, it looked super cute and nice and was really noticeable from the street. We got there (there were 4 of us) and it was somewhat crowded, but there were obvious tables but we couldn't sit until a waiter/waitress came to seat us. That took about 8 minutes. Not a huge deal, but still we were hungry. Also, notice there as one actual waitress, two manager looking men and a cook coming in and out of the back helping serve. I don't think they were expecting this many people that day. So we sat down and waited, and waited, and waited and waited and FINALLY! we had service. Once we ordered, we noticed other groups coming in and having to wait as long as we did. Again, not a huge deal, but because the place is small people are waiting right near your table. They served the food, I believe it was the manager that did that, but we had waited a long time. Again, the restaurant wasn't too crowded, but I think they told some waiters/waitresses to go home and didn't expect the amount of people that were there. So for brunch more than a 45 minute wait becomes excessive. Finally, we ate but my friend and I wanted to order something else (potatoes and bacon) and we were worried it would be another long wait and it was. All in all, I would blame the service on the unexpected amount of people in the restaurant that day, but nonetheless, it took a bit too long for everything. FOOD: AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. So I just ranted on the service, but truthfully the food was awesome. I had the french toast (there are a few different kinds with different fruit) and they were soft and really good. DOWNSIDE: Depends on what kind of eater you are, I was hungry after my main meal. So to the point, order the main dish but then put in a second order because the sizes are decent, but if you are hungry order something else too at the same time. WOULD I GO AGAIN? Heck ya! But I would go during the week and a non holiday (I I went on Lincoln's birthday during my first visit).
(3)
Jerry K.
This place was great. The food was original and the staff were attentive! My girlfriend and I will definitely return. Highly recommended neighborhood breakfast.
(5)
Toni J.
quick service, food was great & we met the chef which made me want to come back and support a great business... I'll give it 5 stars once my husband gives his stamp of approval
(4)
Pat S.
The food was pretty good; IF YOU LIKE THE GREASTEST FRENCH TOAST THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC! Unfortunately I had scream in ALL CAPS when eating there because the music is SOOOOOO loud. If they would turn it down a bit I'd be here more often.
(3)
LeeAnn W.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning as part of a business group I belong to. The pancakes were fantastic - they were crisp on the outside (in a good way) and soft and yummy on the inside, with a slight lemon flavor. Best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had. The chef came out to chat with us and the staff was really friendly. I'm already planning a trip back to try the french toast!
(5)
Andrea B.
Fantastic! Great tasting food! Excellent menu selections I couldn't figure out what to order I nearly wanted about seven things on the menu. Guess that means I'll be coming back. Service was a bit slow but for a small restaurant cooking everything from scratch and fresh I was prepared. The chef is So friendly and personable. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Cristine K.
gotta try their french toast flights. it is to die for. excellent neighbourhood breakfast joint, not too pricey and excellent service. Chef even comes out and greets you some times. recommend going early on weekends as I have seen long line ups.
(4)
Andrew B.
Delicious food and very friendly service! Had breakfast here for the first time on 7/13/12 with 4 friends. We each ordered something different and we all loved our food. The French Toast is absolutely incredible. The omelets are superb, with the ingredients layered on top of the eggs so you can really taste every flavor. Everything is FRESH and they use all natural ingredients, nothing artificial. (There's not even Sweet & Low in the sugar container) Chef/owner Derek Rylon made a point to come over and speak with us before we ordered to explain his cooking methods and later to ask if we were enjoying everything. Our waiter was lots of fun, asking us silly riddles, which had us all laughing and added to the experience. We can't wait to go back and work our way through the various items on the menu ( I have my eye on their version of a Reuben sandwich). I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Jeffrey M.
so good. so gooooooooood. soooooooooo gooooooooooood!
(5)
Heidi L.
I just went to Batter and Berries for the first time today after service at the Bodhi Center. Best french toast you have ever had in your life!! My friend actually got the french toast sampler and I had some of the lemon french toast, so good. I actually had the kale salad and it was also delicious. This place is run by really good people and has a great vibe. The chef sat down and asked us how things were after our meal - so sweet. I would love to see some smoothies or fresh veggie/fruit combo juices added to the menu. Fantastic overall. My only complaint - the atmosphere so jovial that it got a bit loud, but still more than worth it.
(5)
Angela R.
My sister and I heard about this place on thrillest and decided to check it out. I have to say the food was so good that we came back for breakfast and lunch. I had the chicken deconstructed omelet and OMG was it good!!! The vegetables and chicken that were on top were not only really well seasoned and tasty but were very fresh. My sister tried the cluck-n-gaufre. I Had a few bites and I have to say it was very interesting. It had the most amazing sweet and savory taste. The flavors married really well together. It was a sweet potato waffle with chicken stuffed inside with a maple butter. Unbelievable! For lunch I ate breakfast again and tried the banana nut waffle which was so good I didn't use any syrup. It had caramelized bananas on top of a waffle that reminded me of banana pudding. YUM!!! My sister had the salmon sliders. I noticed that this dish was very tasty yet light. On top of the good food the service was great as well along with their decor. I would definitely recommend this place. Great addition to Lincoln Park!!!!!
(5)
Laurie R.
Stopped in with a friend for the first time on a busy Saturday morning. First time for both of us. She had the lemon French toast, I had the deconstructed spinach omelet. Both excellent. The hashbrowns with the omelet were especially good - light, crispy and well seasoned. I try breakfast all over the city and this is comparable to Yolk, Elly's, Nookie's, Toast, Victory's Banner, etc. The only place where I like the food better is M. Henry. The price was reasonable. The server was attentive and helpful. The decor is fine, nothing special. As others have said, the layout is a bit odd. Docked a star because the noise level was excruciating, due to both a packed restaurant and music that was both ridiculously loud and stupid to boot - I think it was a radio station. My friend and I spent the entire breakfast shouting "what did you say?" and "excuse me I didn't hear you!" If the owner/chef addressed the layout and the noise level, this could easily be one of the best breakfast places in Chicago.
(4)
Robert N.
I visited this restaurant for brunch a few weeks after it opened so thing may be better, I wanted to like it more as it is a two minute walk from home for me... The food was good, I had the flight of French toast...Maybe this is just a personal preference but i hate how everything is served on glass plate, you can see right through you plate to the table...it didn't help that our table was sticky/ dirty when we arrived; i waited for one of the employees who were standing around chatting to check in with us after we were seated... After about 5 minutes I got up and asked them for a napkin to wipe down the table, instead of coming over to help they handed me a napkin as if it was my problem... I was annoyed that the service was so poor... The chef came out to ask us how everything was, that was nice. I split the bill and the staff didn't know how to do it, I guess it was a new system and they didn't know how. Overall poor service but pretty good food
(2)
Jenni B.
great honest staff...chefs are roamin around introducin themselves, i got chicken and waffles...AWESOME...sweet potato waffle and some friend chicken.. great salt and sweet balance. handle it
(5)
Tracy R.
French Toast flight is sublime... Chef Rylon is a talented and gracious host. Bright, pretty, charming place with enough great sounding options on the menu, I'll have to keep coming back to try them all!
(5)
Piper P.
Overly salty 20 dollars for corn meal polenta with a big red beard hair....really?????? Not impressed,
(1)
Peace P.
I was recently introduce and had to go for breakfast 3 days later. I enjoyed the cheese hash browns, pork sauage & sea scallops. Unfortunately, I did NOT enjoy the egg white omelet & french toast flight . Our server was pleasant. Yes, I will go again not sure when.
(3)
Suzanne S.
An awesome find! What a great place for breakfast. We took our daughter here while in town, and now she has gone several times. Just like home cooking, but better. And the waiter was jovial and fun. Giving us trivia to solve while he got our delicious dishes. We are definitely going back again when we are in town.
(5)
DJ S.
This is one of those restaurants that you walk away just feeling impressed that food can be this good! Do yourself a favor and eat breakfast here if you're in Lincoln Park. I found this place on Yelp and decided to try it based on favorable reviews and it was worth it. I had the french toast flight and got to try a little bit of everything--strawberry, blueberry, caramel, and lemon I believe. There are only two major drawbacks with this place and they have nothing to do with the food! First, there are large crowds depending on the time of day you go...this attests to the fact that the food is great. Second, parking can be a bit of a hassle here, but that is true of most places in Lincoln Park. Overall, a great french toast experience and a must try.
(5)
Melanie B.
I have a good feeling about this place. I am thinking if all future visits go as well as our first, we'll be stopping in quite a bit. It's nice to have a convenient brunch spot that's not too hard to get into. Honestly, that worried me a little bit, but I needn't have been concerned. Their thing, as the name says, is batter (french toast primarily) and berries adorning the dishes. The husband got the special french toast, blackberry cheesecake...yum. Somehow they infused butter with cream cheese. It was magnificent. I got the waffle with caramelized bananas. Mmmm. I could have used a few more banana slices, but it was very nice. I do agree with what some of the others have said about the decor. I don't get it. Some of it is for sale, e.g., temporary, I hope, but it's kind of bright and jarring. I'm being really picky, but as an editor, I hate the font they're using in the menu and signage. It's like...almost jester. And no one likes jester. I think we also saw the chef/owner walking around. That's nice to see, and to know the chef is invested in your experience. Ooh also I want to try the lunch. I think I saw pretzel buns...
(4)
Jenna Z.
Just finished a great brunch. French Toast Flight was a fave along with the Buckwheat Pancakes. The best part was a visit to the table by Chef Rylon the owner - a great personal touch that made us happy to be supporting a local business. Ambiance on a Sunday is boisterous and alive- not for those looking for a peaceful brunch. Thanks for a great start to the day!
(5)
Emmanuel O.
You haven't eaten brunch until you've been here! #noleftovers
(5)
Chevy R.
You will leave craving more!!! I'm speechless! Always in a party of 3-6, no one ever has a complaint! The staff are super awesome, they give presentations of the food and come with funny jokes! The wait is often pretty long, they really need to expand the size! BYOB! Parking on the street can get difficult!
(5)
S R.
This place is one of a kind. You have to be willing to wait because they're always packed, particularly for weekend brunch, but the wait is worth it. They have a ton of specials that change a lot, the chef is super creative with different seafood, meat, eggs and sweet dishes - that all seem to keep the integrity of brunch at it's prime. They're known for their French toast - you can get the flight and try them all, great for sharing, even as an appetizer... Which is not something I usually do for brunch, but I make an exception here. Chicken and waffles are to die for. The sweet potato waffle with chicken cooked in is one of the fluffiest, most flavorful waffles I've ever had, and coupled with the fried chicken and amazing hot sauce, safe to say these far outdo any chicken and waffles I've had before. We also shared the buttermilk pancakes which were fluffy and perfect with the berries and maple butter. This place can do no wrong. Their chef is an absolute genius. The servers are smart, quick and eager to help, and the host staff has their process down to a science - handling tons and tons of hungry customers in a relatively small restaurant space. Batter and berries is a spot not to be missed for one of the best brunches you'll have in Chicago.
(5)
Dee D.
I do NOT like to wait - and typically don't BUT it was my bestie's birthday so wait I did and ... this time it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT... AND I would wait again! The staff was friendly, the food came quick, hot and was out of this world delicious!
(5)
Joslyn J.
This place is NOTHING short of AMAZING! My sorority sisters and I visited Chicago for a reunion trip and to enjoy great food. We heard this was the place to go, so we took a train and walked almost a mile from our downtown hotel. We had a large group and the place was packed (as expected) so we waited about an hour. The chef came out and greeted everyone waiting which was really nice. We had already looked over the menu so we asked about the sweet potato chicken and waffle. We are from California and have Roscoe's chicken and waffles which is great! He told is that his chicken and waffle was rated the best in the nation so we had a friendly conversation about that. He also suggested the super flight of french toast and stated if we didn't like it then he would buy it. Needless to say he sent 2 super flights to the table and we devoured them in 2 minutes. The flavors and special butter are second to none. We had 9 in our party so we ordered e everything from crab omelets, to pork chops, chicken and waffles to salmon and it was ALL amazing! The restaurant is also BYOB so we got our own mimosas, that was definitely a first. I encourage anyone ever close to Chicago to come treat yourself and eat here!
(5)
Kyle S.
Get here before 10am!!! Amazing food and service. Got here at 10:05. Had a 90 minute wait, which turned in to 60 minutes. Left our phone number and walked to Starbucks. They called us when our table was ready and we were back within 5 minutes. Server (Tusiime) was fantastic. Took the time to explain everything thoroughly. Food was at our table within 12 minutes. Left there full and satisfied at 11:45. With an hour wait this was remarkable. When we left there were 21 tables in the wait line. Try the French toast flight and the buffalo chicken sandwich. Chicken and waffles is solid as well.
(5)
Nida K.
The only thing I hate about this place is the fact that its in the north side. I wish people starting businesses would do so in our hood versus in the north side. Especially when they are from the south side. Anyway, that's personal shit. This place is awesome!!! We tried 4 different dishes. We had the French toast flight which was so very good. My favorite one was the pecan or cinnamon or praline. It was that kind of flavor. Second dish was the crab cake dish. It was good. Not my favorite, but real good. Flavors were full and rich. Third dish was the chicken and waffles. I don't have to go on about how amazing they were because of all the other reviews. But one this is... They cook the chicken into the batter. Holy crap!! Last dish was- Hmmmm..... I don't quite remember what it was but I know that it was damn good. They took away all our dishes empty!!
(5)
Angie L.
I have eaten at Batter & Berries twice and I must say this is my favorite breakfast spot hands down. If you go on a Saturday be prepared to wait 30 -45 minutes if you are a late riser like me. I ordered the super flight and it comes with their special French toast of the week as well as strawberry, lemon, blueberry and caramel. The French toast comes with maple butter and it is so delicious. I also ordered the cheesy hash browns and homemade chicken sausage. I highly recommend the chicken sausage soooo good. The service was excellent and our food came out very fast and was hot. I can't wait until my next visit to try something new.
(5)
TeMeka W.
I came here for a business meeting on a Friday afternoon. The decor is colorful, bright, and inviting. There was still a line that meant a 20 minute wait but I took that as a sign that I would be pleased with my first time experience. And, I have to admit that I was surprised and excited to see so many African American patrons at a spot on the north side not far from where I lived. Their brunch menu definitely has a lot of great options. Yet, due to other self-imposed restrictions at the time I can only wish I tried some of the sweeter options. My server also used an iPad to show us pictures of the specials which I found to be a nice touch. As far as what I ordered, the hash browns I loved; yet, the broccoli and cheese omelette was just okay. I'm not sure that I like the deconstructed concept to it. Overall, I had a good experience. My only downside comment would be that the hostess was not very informative or efficient. She failed to tell me that my whole party needed to be present in order to be seated and I was only waiting for one other person. Then, I stood in front of her hostess stand for over 15 minutes. And it wasn't until she seated a couple that came in after me that she decided ask me if she may escort me to the waiting area. I understand why restaurants have this policy of seating a whole party but there was no sign that clearly stated it. And, again the hostess did not mention it to me until i asked her why I was bumped in line. Considering I did have a heavy bag with business items with me, it would have been nice to be able to prepare a little bit for my meeting whether I was being seated at a table or in the waiting area. So that would be my only comment for room for improvement. I did let the hostess know directly that I thought she should have told me about the policy of all guests being present much sooner.
(3)
Trish F.
Food was ok. Customer service sucks. Y'all gotta do better
(2)
Sarah L.
i got a special, which had lobster in it. it was pretty mediocre, but it also had a lobster shell piece in it. when i told the waitress, she was like "oh" and did nothing. i emailed management and they were like "oh" and also did nothing. wish i loved this place, since its POC owned and really cute, but i think they're overpriced, for sure.
(2)
Jayson B.
Hands down the worst breakfast that I've had in a very long time. The word of the day with this Restaurant is "Amateur" In Every Way!!! After waiting 30min for our food. Not only was my whole order wrong but it was cold. They had the audacity to tell me that they don't allow substitutes, but yet couldn't get their basic order right. On another note, with an extremely limited menu, how do you run out of ingredients to prepare some of of your most popular items? The manager was no where to be found. You couldn't pay me in 10 free meals to step foot back in this place. You've been open for a year! Extremely disappointed!
(1)
Katie D.
First of all: the staff is amazing. Chef Rylon is the most personable chef I've met. I really hope he succeeds in his goals for this place. I got the strawberry french toast and it looked and smelled so good. Then I ate it and it was orgasmic. My eyes closed because I had to enjoy it all. -- guess this didn't post a couple years ago but better late than never.
(5)
Ariel L.
Holy hell, who designed the interior of this place??? It looks like it belongs in the florida pan handle or somewhere in the sunbelt. Good thing the food didn't match the decor... The staff was super friendly and the food was quite tatsy. Everything was fresh, and there were some interesting takes on the food. I'd pobably rate the food a solid 3.5. I really enjoyed their fresh house made sausages. I ordered their biscuits and gravy. The gravy was damn tasty, but the portion was on the small side. Everyone else's orders were much larger, so i wouldn't knock them for it, but I also wouln't order it again. If I lived in the area i'd come by on a regular basis, but given that I don't live in that neighbohood, I doubt you will ever see me there again. There are just too many places to go to.
(3)
Shradha A.
The flight of the french toast was indeed as good as described by everyone else. There was no wait for a late sunday brunch and the chef personally came out to ask how everything was going. Service started a little slow but she got a lot more attentive as others left and she had fewer tables to take care of (she seemed to be assigned all tables as she appeared to be the only server). My friend has the deconstructed omelet and liked it, but I certainly think their french toast is the real winner.
(4)
Danielle P.
Omg this was my first time there today.... This was the best breakfast I've had in a looooooooong time. The service was great I'm definitely going back!!!! I had the sweet potato waffle n fried chicken with ham and sweet potato hash, it was excellent!!!!
(5)
Hesham A.
French toast here is amazing. I also had the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffles that were pretty damn good. Restaurant is nice, great service, great location. Portions are large. Would definitely recommend this for breakfast/brunch. I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Justin H.
My favorite place to get breakfast in the city. Can't go wrong with the french toast flight or steak omelette.
(5)
Eames E.
My [genderorientation]friend suggested this place to me, this is a big deal given if she recommends a bad establishment she'll end up as "battered" as the berries in the eponymous name. I had the lobster benedict, which laid on top of some kind of potato shards and then coated in a hollandaise sauce that has since been coagulating in my fridge ever since along with all that cheerleader blood. Overall, I'd recommend this place, but the lobster benedict was the most expensive brunch item and id recommend the stuffed chicken waffle instead.
(5)
Jon M.
Once the service kinks are worked out this will be a solid 4 star brunch option on the North side. A fun take on fried chicken and waffles that does not try to be more or less than it is but it is definitely unique. I'm not even a waffle kinda guy but the moment I saw it, I had to try it, and I was not disappointed. Regarding the service: The hostess did not seem the most organized or necessarily vocal which does not help a busy and loud place like this on a late Sunday morning. She playfully mentioned that she called my name inside and out before she 'found' me...as I was standing next to the host stand where I was the entire time and never heard my name once... Overall, service was a bit slow which on a busy Sunday for a brunch joint is a bit of a stretch but I am confident once the staff hits their stride this will all be worked out. On a minor logistical cold weather complaint, the single front door operation made it a bit unbearable by the end of the meal for my friend sitting closer to the door. A double door/temporary outside door should be the norm for a place like this. If possible, request a table further away from the front door while the weather is still a bit chilly. On the plus side, it was great that the owner/chef made the rounds to every table which always tells me the guy cares what the customers are eating and saying about it. Will look forward to a return visit and updated review.
(4)
Raymond S.
Not much I can say about B&B other than this place is awesome. I have to knock it a star for inconsistency. The first time I got the french toast it had a texture unlike any other french toast I've had in Chicago. Uniquely custardy and amazingly flavorful. The second visit it was still good, but the french toast didn't have that same texture, I'm assuming the cook didn't let the bread soak for long enough. The chicken and waffle is also very well done. I was mostly impressed with the crab benedict. It was considerably more expensive than the other items, but still a bargain for how much crab you get.
(4)
D B.
We're visiting from out of town and found this lovely spot with the help of Yelp. My little ones loved the pancakes, specially the butter. Hubby and I shared the Super Flight of French Toast (each piece was better than the last) and the Traditional Breakfast. The cheese hash browns we're the best I've ever had, maybe made with asiago? Down home atmosphere, fantastic food and very friendly server and manager.
(5)
Letitia C.
Let me say, I NEVER write reviews on anything..But this place?..I just had to. The Food was EXCELLENT!!!! I had the crab omelet, and the French toast flight. My daughter had the kids chicken fingers. Even the chicken fingers were good! Everything was seasoned perfectly and the flavors went together very well. The service was fine for me..I had no issues at all. We did wait about 20-30 minutes but I am a patient person and it was well worth the wait. I'll be back!!! My bill was $49.80 for 3 people (myself, 7 year old and 3 year old) They are a bit pricey but they're worth every penny.
(5)
steve L.
The food is surprisingly light for breakfast food which is nice. Enjoyed the French toast the most and the crab benedict was a close second.
(4)
Thomas M.
After seeing the endless line day after day I figured it would be awesome. As I waited 30 minutes for a table and food was going by, my mouth was watering. It ended when we got our order. Nobody had the pancakes or French toast so can't review them, but we had the chicken and waffles, executive omelette, and the shrimp and crab Benedict. The shrimp and crab was just ok, was missing something a little bland. The eggs were cold and also just ok. The chicken was the same and waffle was way to sweet. The cheese hash browns were horrible. We figured it out. Everything is mass produced then re heated the cheese had hardened the eggs and waffle were cold and the centers never got warm. Would I eat here again, no. There are to many other choices. Besides long wait extremely loud and not the friendliest of staff.
(2)
Kylana G.
Very good breakfast spot. I have only been twice (don't live nearby), but I have been happy with the service and food both times. I also have several friends who have been and have great things to say about the place. There have been a few complaints on Yelp and FB regarding a long wait - but people need to be realistic. If you go to a popular breakfast/brunch spot that has limited seating after 10:00 am on a Saturday/Sunday, you should expect a wait. Seriously. Check it out for yourself. This place has a great variety of food options and is an overall yummy spot.
(4)
Rachel W.
My husband and I were quoted a 45 min-1 hour wait. We watched while MANY larger groups (3-6 people) were seated before us. Then the hostess would come out and ask who doesn't mind sitting together - and everyone rushed to get in (it had started to rain). She didn't follow the list at all. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. I watched the hostess (young pretty gall with her hair in a bun on the top of her head) get in two verbal arguments with irritated patrons. Not the most welcoming thing to witness. Our server was fantastic - fast and hilarious. He made the visit worth it. I ordered the French toast flight and my husband got the breakfast burrito. Both were good, but nothing special. It was a memorable experience, but a very frustrating start to the day. Only go if you are in a party greater than two. You will be seated much faster.
(3)
Ali K.
This is one of the greatest Breakfast places in the nation by far. Think of the soul food influence but its been turned on its head and brought into the breakfast arena. I told my friend that I had been reading the reviews on this place and people were going stark raving mad about it and he said "IT'S HIS FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT" only a few blocks away so we would walk to it. It was the perfect way to introduce me to the Chicago culinary scene. Apparently this place on the weekend is extremely packed with lines out the door it's that good, so my suggestion is coming during the week during the work day if you're off or visiting the area. Promptly seated in the corner by the window, Batter and Berries has a nice little bistro feel to it, not that much seating but the atmosphere is very welcoming. The hostess was pretty easy on the eyes as well :) To the food, they have a good amount of options mostly comfort style breakfast food and a few lunch dishes but stick to the breakfast options. The pancake options they had were pretty tempting but then i saw the French Toast Flight and I couldn't resist. Five different types of french toast (four traditional and then the special french toast offering. That week it happened to TIRAMISU! THE REASONS ITS IN ALL CAPS LOCK IS BECAUSE THE FLAVOR WAS MINDBLOWING UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! The entire French toast flight sampling was perfect then to top it off I got the Chicken Gaufre. (Chicken and Waffles to simplify) THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES I HAVE HAD SO FAR IN MY LIFE. Because it's not a regular waffle it's a sweet potato waffle with a little slight hint of cajun spice (not sure it's that) mixed with the waffle gives you a little kick and it's lip-smacking good. Obviously the chicken was juicy and had just the right amount of hot sauce on it, the combination of the two together was mouth watering. I don't know if Willy Wonka or Sylvia The Legendary Harlem Restaurant owner walked in here and said CREATE THE COMFORT SOUL FOOD EQUIVALENT JUST WITH BREAKFAST but whatever/whoever the inspiration was a mecca of greatness was created. THIS IS A MUST GO TO WHEN VISITING CHICAGO.
(5)
Christian Y.
Good food but terrible service when trying to get seated. We went for Sunday brunch and of course it was packed but we were willing to wait. Fast forward to over an HOUR later when we went to check on our table we were told we received a text a while back however that was not the case. We were then asked if we gave the correct number which made us give the ultimate stone face. Then we were promised the next available table...commence to watching folks get seated ahead of us. So then she comes to us and asks if we were the party of three...well we were not three people so the discovery that there were two parties with the same name and apparently there was no party of three ever it was just another party of two. At this point it is like an episode of hunger games but we have waited too long to quit. The hostesses were definitely in over their heads...so then FINALLY we got a table. It was like we won the lottery for dumb people who stay too long in line at a restaurant. So after we got seated we were immediately given drinks which helped to stave off the momentary fainting spell I was going to have. Thankfully we had an all star waiter (Tim) who quickly came over and took our full order (we studied in the time before we sat down) and made sure we were taken care of. The good was good and hot but I just could not get past the whole ridiculous seating situation. It just seemed like the ladies at the front had issues maintaining and establishing control.
(3)
Britney R.
We tried coming here last month but it was too packed. So what better way to say farewell to 2013, than a nice hearty brunch with the girls?! We got in quickly. Our server was AMAZING (I believe his name was Tusemi). We ordered a flight of the French toast to split. The special was the mimosa French toast- it was great. So were the blueberry, caramel, strawberry and lemon. I ordered another special- the surf & turf omelet - marinated steak and jumbo shrimp with bell peppers over an omelet stuffed with mozzarella. It was DEEELISH! My friend ordered the lobster Benedict. It was also really good- only complaint there was the eggs were over-poached. Otherwise, Great service, great food, what more could you ask for? I would suggest everyone check this place out, but make sure to get here early- wait times can be up to 2hrs. Happy New Year!
(4)
Jon F.
First ones in the door this morning and it was delicious. We had a flight of French toast and the crab cake Benedict.
(5)
Laura H.
We really like this place a lot. Our waiter was wonderfully warm and charming. We arrived shortly before 9:30 on Sunday and were seated right away. Our food arrived super fast, so fast you would think they anticipated our order and got a head start! Despite a long list of fab sounding specials, on our virgin visit, we couldn't pass up the Cluck n Gaufre (chicken and waffles) and French toast flight. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Sweet potato waffle with chicken in the batter, with delicious fried boneless chicken breast topped with a wonderful spicy sauce. A perfect blend of sweet and spicy. The French toast flight consists of four of their flavors that they select, no substitution. You can get a "super flight" that also includes their French toast daily special. We did the super flight and included the spiked eggnog flavor. The regular flight includes blueberry, strawberry, caramel and lemon. The caramel was my favorite, followed closely by the lemon. The spiked eggnog was also very good but crazy sweet! We love finding new brunch spots, and this one's a keeper!
(4)
GingerWine 0.
Addicted to Lemon French toast (real lemon zest and pecans and something I can't quite put my finger on), though have the flight if you haven't before.
(5)
Myia S.
Took my boy friend to Batter and Berries for his Birthdate on a Monday morning, it was a pleasant experience. The service was great and the food was excellent. The atmosphere was really cool and laid back they are well known for chicken and waffles, French toast and egg Benedict. So when visiting you should try one of the few and on the second and third visit try others(just a suggestion). There were so many different flavored French toast to choose from I didn't know what to get; however, they do have a French toast flight which is like a sampler you will have four different flavors of French toast on one order. I really enjoyed this place because you get to see what you order because they have the pictures of most of the food on a iPad. I ordered the Carmel French toast and my boy friend order the chicken and waffles. It was divine! The Carmel French toasts came out with maple butter on it you didn't even need and syrup! The chicken was crispy and moist and the waffle was fluffy and it was actually a sweet potato waffle. I will be a returning customer I don't have any complaints.
(5)
Laye W.
This by far has become my most favorite place to eat breakfast. Because it is THAT amazing, you have to prepare for the long line, and the long wait. The food is absolutely worth it though! My brother came to visit from Dallas, so I decided to take him to brunch. I was with a group of 4 people so it took about 30 minutes to be seated. We ordered our food, and in less than 10 minutes, the food came out hot, fresh, and amazing. I'm really big on drinking tea as well, and the tea at this restaurant is also great. I ordered a Banana-nut waffle, with the cheesy hash browns. It was perfection! It was so good that two days later, my brother and cousin went back for a second helping.
(5)
Arturo B.
I finally got a chance to try this place and I enjoyed the food. I had the gator omelette special and the chicken sausage. I wanted to try something different with gator omelette. I enjoyed it and could not complain except that unfortunately I could not differentiate the gator from the myth that it tasted like chicken. It was delicious but I thought it was a little overpriced at $17. I must admit that gator is not a typical ingredient but considering that the omelette was not particularly large and had only some mushrooms,tomatoes and hash browns. It was filling but for a simple omelette it still seemed pricey considering I could get steak and eggs for only a few dollars at a lot of places. Still it was interesting to try something you don't to many places.
During our entire meal I kept thinking I died and gone to breakfast heaven. It was that good. I made my very first trip to Chicago last weekend with my boyfriend and this was the first restaurant we went to. Boy am I glad we did! We were tempted to order the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) since it is such a unique dish, but opted instead for their daily special, the Crab Cakes Benedict, and the Flight of French Toast. We made the right choice. The Crab Cakes Benedict was creamy-savory-deliciousness. The French toast was out-of-this-world. Seriously the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of French toast. It's made out of Brioche bread, and it was sweet and lightly crispy on the outside, and nice and soft on the inside. Each flavor of toast in the flight was better than the last (Caramel Pecan, Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Rum, Lemon...mmm!). No need for syrup with this French toast. Not to mention the service was excellent! Thanks for making my first restaurant experience in Chicago unforgettable. My only disappointment is that there's not a Batter & Berries in San Diego. Until we meet again.
(5)
Nik L.
Reminds me of bongo room. Not as creative and succulent but....almost. I'd go back. Fun energy, diverse and relatively quick. I'd like to see more on the menu
(4)
Maria P.
This morning my foodie of a husband and I checked this place out. We went at 9:30 and waited 5 minutes for a table. I ordered the crab omelet which comes with their cheesy hash browns. The omelet was excellent, don't get me wrong, but my meal was $16.50. That's a lot considering the atmosphere and well, breakfast food! My husband ordered eggs, bacon, and hash browns with a side of toast. Yes, that's correct, toast is considered a $1.50 side there. We both got coffee which was nice and hot, a regular and a decaf. They were slow to fill our cups though and when you wait 20 minutes for food, you like to enjoy your coffee. The service was friendly and mildly attentive. If we go back we will have to try what they are known for... their waffles!
(3)
Sean R.
I frequent Batter & Berries and like many of the reviews I am very satisfied with the food. I would recommend a new person going that you do not go at peak brunch times after 12 on Saturday or Sunday. You will wait about 45 minutes because it is a very popular place. Try and experience it during the week or earlier so you can really enjoy the place. Also try the weekly french toast or the Chicken Waffle these are the staples of the restaurant I highly recommend. One last tip if you like a Mimosa you can bring your own champagne.
(4)
Carl J.
Got a tip from a new friend that this was the place to take your honey for brunch. So right. Management, service, food and price were great. My new friend has moved up to friend for life.
(5)
Ava B.
The wait, as we expected, was long: one hour on a Saturday afternoon. Our server was very friendly and accommodating. Our dishes came out very quickly, which was appreciated after the long wait. The restaurant is also rather noisy. BYOB with no corkage fee is good. The food was pretty good, but not great. Crab Cake Benedict was fresh, but rather bland. I think I enjoyed the cheesy hash browns that came with it more. We also had the Super French Toast Flight. It was good and the maple butter added some nice flavor. Other than the lemon and the strawberry, though, the other French Toast flavors just didn't stand out from each other very much. The orange juice was not fresh-squeezed. I think this place is pricey for what you get. Crab Cake Benedict was $17. Super French Toast Flight was $13 for the equivalent of 2 slices of toast. Frozen orange juice was $4. Our total bill for two came to over $50 not including tip. While I might return if in the neighborhood, I'd have to say that there are other places that are a better value with better food elsewhere.
(3)
Angela M.
My husband enjoyed his Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. However, our hash browns were received cold, chicken and waffles were just Ok and the chicken sausage a little too sweet. The wait was long and when I went in to find out why the wait was longer than initially stated (we were told an hour and ten minutes and time was creeping up on an hour and a half), we were in within 15 minutes. I've had friends rave about this place and it was a major disappointment to me. Thus, I will continue my journey in locating and possibly recommending other black owned businesses.
(2)
Jessie T.
I would have given this place 2 1/2 stars if I could. Giving it three is pushing it. A friend and I finally tried this place about a week or so ago. The food was good (nothing to over brag about and over price). We went on a Saturday morning (Air-Water Show day) and arrived about 9:00 am or so and put are name on the wait list. The young lady that checks you in can use a class in hospitality. She wasn't the most friendliest person to greet paying customers of their establishment. Our wait time wasn't long at all, about 15 minutes. Our party was of three and we were seated at a "community style table" which we didn't care for but we sat there anyway. The waitress we had was friendly and helpful since this was our first time there. She went over some of the items on the menu and their specials including showing pics of the specials and of the french toast dish (which I personally didn't think was that amazing from the pic). The menu was simple. Not overwhelmed with a lot of food choices. We ordered the salmon special, the crab cake benedict special, my son had his usually breakfast menu items (eggs, hashbrowns, bacon). Now, the bus boys were another story. Never been to a breakfast/brunch place and after you are seated they come and take the coffee cups away without even asking if you want coffee or not. My friend had to tell him she did want coffee and had to also ask, after he poured the coffee, for cream and sugar. Also, had to ask for a set of eating utensils which we all didn't have at our seats. They just seem to stand over to the side by the counter, complain and look disinterested. Our waitress had to even tell them to refill our glasses with water. The most interested part was when one of the waiters dropped a plate of food he was bringing to a table. The manager who was just walking back and forth at the time instantly had a unpleasant disposition about himself. I even told my friend that he should probably go in the back and get himself together because his entire demeanor was coming across the wrong way to the customers. He spent most of his time walking back and forth on his cell phone which I thought was rude. Overall, I most likely will not be back. I wasn't impressed. You really want to support black-owned businesses but one of the main components to me that they miss on is providing good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment. The food can be average but if you have good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment, that's what keeps me coming back. I've enjoyed breakfast/brunch spots that have much better hospitality and friendlier service and not over priced.
(2)
Charles M.
Me and my girlfriend went it was amazing she got the sweet potatoe n chicken waffle and I got the cinnamon apple waffle it was sooo good definitely going back the owner came out and greeted us and was very friendly the service was excellent they even had an iPod with their specials definitely now one of my favorite breakfast spots
(5)
Darius G.
Everything about my dining experience was great! The hostess Neki was very friendly. She offered an accurate approximate wait time and went over the daily special with me while I waited to be sat. My server was Tusimi. Although I was pretty set on what I was planning on ordering he gave me a tour of the menu and I actually changed my order based on his suggestion! He was very helpful and offered up a few jokes while I was waiting for my food. The food was excellent! by far one of the best breakfast joints I've visited in the city. Between the friendly and fun service and the wonderful food I'll definitely be back for me.
(5)
William K.
This is a case of the 'Most Improved Customer Service" review. In my 2 previous assessments of this restaurant, the customer service was the torn Achilles heel of such quality food, and made for a squeamish experience. Upon returning a succession of times, and hoping for the best, I finally was witness to the service that such a restaurant should have with quality food. My reservation prior was with a few of the wait staff, who were either too concerned with customer interactions and not food service efficiency, or a host/hostess that wasn't present to seat me and my party in a timely manor (with light-moderate table activity). These areas have been improved drastically, perhaps due to the absence of the employees at fault for such analysis. Ever since returning, there is a new rotation of servers/wait staff that are far more efficient to the customer needs (all around), and the environment has a smoother aesthetic with these updated employees. My preferred time to dine in is Monday after 1p, where the observation of the improved service has been noted for about a solid month now, which means that the changes were not by chance. If you care to experience the great food, and the newly improved service efficiency, perhaps the weekday afternoon post-lunchtime would be great. I raise my glass to Batter and Berries for making the adjustments, and reward improvement by engaging my colleagues in that direction, so please keep it going. w.k-
(5)
Jeff R.
This place was awesome! Long wait, but worth it. I had the scallop omelette with mushrooms. Delicious! Had a mini flight of the cinnamon brown sugar French toast. So decadent and delicious. Just the right amount of flavor. No syrup needed. Even the butter was good! My girl had the crab cake omelette which was almost as good as the scallops. The sides of hash browns were good too. Great gravy! Definitely coming back!
(5)
Marie B.
Ok the French Toast might be the best I've ever had! Get the French toast flight...u won't be disappointed. I would have given it 4 stars, but the service was slow, she messed up an order, my hash browns were over cooked, & no biscuits on Monday. I have to go back again though to give it a second try.
(3)
Sharina R.
3.5 stars The food was good, but expensive for the amount given. $11 for the Flight of French toast which came with 4 triangles of assorted French toast and NO sides, is a bit ridiculous. Each side you get is an additional $3 each, so if you want French toast with bacon and potatoes, be prepared to pay $17 for your food alone, never mind if you have guests with you. I got the cheese crusted hash browns. The hash browns were good, but I've had better. The French toast was so damn good though man let me tell you. You can also get the super flight which is 1 more triangle for $2 of their flavor of the week or whatever. Mine was cherry pie so I didn't end up getting it. Then, there's this maple butter on top, which is to die for. You don't even need syrup for this dish. Our bill for 3 people was around $60 The customer service was great and our server was INCREDIBLY knowledgeable about the menu front to back, as well as the specials that were going on. The food came rather quickly. I liked this place, but the prices are enough to hinder me from returning.
(3)
Diva B.
I went to Batter & Berries for the first time yesterday afternoon. It was crazy crowded, inside and outside. The hostess told us that the wait would be about an hour, but she promised it was worth the wait. I trusted her, and I'm so happy that I did! Our wait ended up being only about 15 minutes because we were a party of 2, versus the other large groups. After hearing so much about the French toast flight, I decided to order that before even looking at the menu. I also ordered a veggie omelet special. Everything was superb!!! I was blown away by the French toast flight, particularly the lemon. My second favorite was the caramel French toast. The other two were strawberry and blueberry, which was pretty much just regular French toast with the fruit on top, but still delicious. The French toast is so good that they don't even serve it with syrup. The omelet was the fluffiest I've ever had, fluffier than I ever could have imagined was possible. It was topped with broccoli, green beans, peppers, and some kind of delicious sauce. My only complaint is that the place is LOUD!!! Not only is it packed with people talking and laughing, but they play house music on full blast, so everyone is talking over the music, which makes it louder. Our server had to put her ear 2 inches from my mouth in order to hear my order. It's all good though, I'll be back!
(5)
Joni R.
Treated my niece to breakfast one windy Saturday and we came up north to B&B. The wait time was 30 minutes( I'm cool w/ that..it was a Saturday morning) we were seated, juice and coffee on deck, placed our order and anxiously waited. 1) Chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chix breast, drizzled w/ nutmeg hot sauce sauce and maple syrup. That shish was good! The chicken in the waffle were pieces of fried chx! 2) My niece ordered the southwest omelette. Grilled chicken breast w/ strips of red/yellow/green peppers and onions...On top! The deconstructed omelette as Chef likes to call it. Great food, wonderful staff, creative food choices( lobster omelette, shrimp/ crab Alfredo omelette..where else do you see that) and decently priced for breakfast. Get in here fast!
(5)
Selena A.
After watching on Check Please and hearing about this place again recently my son and I decided to go on Sunday morning. We were fortunate to have no wait time. There were larger parties waiting so we got lucky. We had an excellent server who had a riddle every time he came to the table. The food lived up to the hype. We shared a super flight of French toast and an egg white omelet with salmon. It was light and delicious. Coincidently, the Check Please segment aired again right before we left home. Mario you're right I could have smoked a cigarette and I don't smoke. I will certainly be back. Also, I got a chance to take a picture with the owner who came to our table several times. I recommend being patient, well worth the wait. Next time I have my eye on the pork chop I saw on the plate of another guest, it was huge and looked wonderful.
(5)
Krystal M.
Batter and Berries is so absolutely delicious. I would definitely rate it, one of the top 3 breakfast spots period. The menu is so fresh, and all the dishes are bursting with mouth watering flavors that keep you coming back for more. Although, this restaurant gets pretty crowded, the staff keeps everything running smoothly, and you'll be seated in no time. The food comes out so quickly, it's almost unbelievable. One of the servers who gave us a great experience was Tusime. He is always in great spirits, and always has a great riddle to get you through the day! While you're visiting might I suggest trying the cluck n gaufe, Carmel French toast, and crab Benedict....... Thank me later :-)
(5)
Mason C.
I didn't think breakfast could taste so good. Get the french toast flight!
(5)
Sheri F.
I loved the food! I have been there and have had the french toast flight which was amazing! The pork sausage also very good. It reminds me of Bob Evans sausage with a little spice to. The broccoli and cheese omelette was loaded with cheddar and had huge chunks of broccoli. The cheddar hashbrown were good but needed more seasoning. The deconstructed steak omelette was ok. Huge chunks of steam and lots of gravy. The times I went we were told the wait would be 45 or 50 minutes but the wait wasn't that long. The server was polite and attentive. Food came out very fast. I absolutely love this place and recommend it. The only issue I had was that there was a gentleman, who im guessing was the owner, was greeting people asking how they liked the food. I noticed this gentleman pay more attention to the tables where Caucasian people were sitting. One table happened to be next to us. For an establishment that has a large African American clientele, I feel that everyone should feel welcome no matter their race. Other then that this place is wonderful.
(4)
Brian M.
I went here on a Saturday with my roommates around noon and the wait was 45 minutes. From what I've read this is pretty standard and you should always plan on a wait. But let me tell you, it's 100% worth the wait. I ordered the French Toast Flight and a cafe latte. Instantly I took a picture and posted it to instagram. It was a thing of beauty. Four different flavored french toast slices. A blueberry, caramel, lemon, and strawberry with maple butter and syrup, each bite was better than the last. I didn't want it to end. Our server spoke extremely fast to a point where I completely gave up on the specials and focused all of my attention on the ipad she was displaying with pictures of dishes that I couldn't see because of the lighting and glare. I honesty couldn't tell if it was English or Spanish. Also, this place could use a design overhaul. Everything from the "Batter & Berries" sign outside to the inside, it looked very amateur. It's not somewhere you can stay long. You get in, focus on your food, and get out ASAP. We will definitely be coming back for the food, and at the end of the day that's all I care about!
(5)
Candace W.
PHENOMENAL! *drops mic and walks off stage, Randy Watson style. Lol There is not much else to say about the food. The service is also impeccable. It is so nice to see owners be visible and take so much pride in the experience they provide for their customers! I haven't seen it done better in awhile. Bravo!!
(5)
Kori B.
Great menu especially if you like to explore new dishes. The service and food is awesome!
(5)
Lisa J.
freshness of food is what you will find at the cozy, charming oasis on Lincoln Ave, in the heart of Chicago's Near North side. The service and quality of food is hard to match. This is an ideal spot for the entire family, group of friends or just one on one.
(5)
Katie R.
best french toast. ever. i got the super flight - definitely preferred the blueberry and strawberry over the other three (the special was sweet and savory, the flavor was a little funky to me) as the lemon and caramel french toast were just a little too sweet for my taste - especially the caramel! nonetheless, some of the best french toast. it is a little bit crispy - hard to explain, but the flavor and texture were absolutely fabulous. the cheesy hash browns were spot-on as well. our waiter kept telling us jokes and was very attentive. the rest of the staff we encountered were very sweet as well. good coffee. cute place. can't wait to come back and fill my belly with a full order of blueberry french toast.. ohhhh yeah.
(5)
Jayne T.
My food was not hot, the host staff were rude, the table structures are all wrong, the bus boys are clumsy. Chicken sausage were really good.... Not to mention we were rushed from out table once we got the bill...!Im sticking to the bongo room.
(2)
Kelli B.
First your Facebook page and now here..And now on to my yelp review... I wish I could give you guys 0 stars. My experience was THAT bad. Your hostess was the rudest and most unprofessional person I think I've ever encountered in a long time. After making several seating errors and not even owning up to the mistakes, I provided you feedback and still wanted to give you guys a shot. I waited until my birthday to drive a ways to support a black business I assumed was up and coming that came with decent recommendations, but alas I'll never know if the food experience would have helped me overcome how awful the incoming service experience was. Once your 'hostess' (what a joke host) told my party that we could 'sit over there', I'd had it. Why exchange good consumer dollars with a restaurant that doesn't even understand rule #1 of the restaurant industry, without service you have nothing. No one will ever get to sample the supposed (as I didn't get to try it) great food you have to offer when they can't even get past the nightmare service awaiting them as soon as they arrive. Ok...now on to other sites so I can tap to warn other patrons to skip the hassle and choose another venue who takes their service seriously.
(1)
Bethany B.
After a long wait to be seated (1.5hr), the food was good but it wasn't hot, more like luke warm. If you're going to wait over an hour for an awesome plate, I would expect it to be hot. We also noticed where food was being wasted, as we, and other patrons, were brought food we didn't order. I wonder how much money is being lost. If the food was hotter, I would give them 4 stars, and if they did a better job of managing their orders and not wasting food 5 stars. I would definitely go back - the French Toast Flight, and Peach Punch tea was AWESOME!
(3)
Marquis B.
I like to call myself a connoisseur of good food and, as far as breakfast goes, this is top notch. An elegant assortment of breakfast favorites and classy alternative combinations create a bombastic menu of great tasting food. Each dish I've had here has been exquisite and consistent to say the least. The french toast is of course what people come for, but with interchanging menu options (my favorite being the lobster benedict) and B&B staples like the delicious potatoes, you begin to find yourself making up reasons to return to try everything else they have to offer. The service is exceptional as well, though quite often you may experience a wait and calling ahead is not accepted, it is a testament to the delectable dishes you experience once inside. You are greeted with friendly wait staff, constantly checked on, and you will see the general manager at least 4 times before leaving so he can accommodate you in any way you need to ensure a great experience. Highly recommend.
(5)
Chey W.
I went here today for the first time with a friend. We came in and were seated right away because it was a tuesday morning at 8:30am (on weekends expect an hour+ wait). The waitress explained the specials board and even showed us a picture of what each dish looked like on an ipad mini...very helpful. I ordered the super french toast flight (blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and vanilla bean rum), deconstructed broccoli cheddar omelette (that came with cheesy hash browns) and chicken sausage. I am now a huge fan of the french toast flight and chicken sausage....they were my favorites. I like that they have different specials every week so it keeps it interesting. The food was flavorful abd AMAZING, staff and general manager were friendly and the atmosphere was good. Oh, and my friend loved her french toast flight, ham and bacon as well. After one visit, this is my new favorite breakfast spot. Can't wait to try other dishes.
(5)
Joe L.
Get the French Toast super flight and a side of ham. U can thank me later
(5)
Jenna A.
Just left this place. Went to brunch with the hubby for his birthday. Had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken and he had the steak omelette. We both lived the food and friendly service. As a fellow food- business owner, i say kudos to you guys! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Shaun S.
This place is GREAT! Ive only had breakfast there and every time has been outstanding service. My fav is that French Toast Flight with cluck n goof lol.. No syrup needed with their maple butter! Smh... All i can say is Delish... Stay away for wknd brkfst unless u like waiting for an hour!
(5)
Chris M.
OMG!!!! The food is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! Do not go on Saturday the wait is horrible !!! But that lemon french toast and crab cakes Benedict makes it worth the wait!!! Sooooooo good !!!!
(5)
Jeremy W.
French Toast unlike I've ever had, quite good! The coffee is kind of weak, but that's a forgivable sin. Super nice owner and the staff is very attentive. I went at 8:00am on a Sunday, one of the first patrons that day; 20 minutes later the place was packed. Try this place, it's a winner.
(4)
Liz G.
A solid 4 stars. Batter & Berries is one of those places with really great, really fresh food and excellent service. The last time I went there they said it would be about 25 minutes wait but then some seats opened up at the communal table in the center and we were seated in under 10. Our server was very friendly and made sure we had all the information we needed. She saw that we had brought champagne (it's BYOB) and suggested a large orange juice that she brought with champagne glasses. We ordered the Super French Toast Flight - this week's special (they have had one every week since they opened) was Chocolate Strawberry Champagne FT. A couple crawfish omelets and a side of chicken sausage that was recommended by the waitress. The Super French Toast Flight was great, it comes with 5 large half slices of French Toast, each a different flavor - I'm a big fan of the lemon one. My only complaint would be the French toast was a luke warm temperature and should have been served warmer. The omelets come deconstructed which is nice because you see what you are getting and can create that perfect bite. The crawfish omelet was tasty with mozzarella cheese and crawfish and tricolored peppers on top. When I think of crawfish, I think of ones bigger then shrimp - that's not the case with this omelet, these are more baby sized. We tried the house made chicken sausage at the recommendation of the waitress and it was very flavorful and a good sized portion. I've also tried the biscuits and gravy which are very good with a nice flavorful gravy. A solid experience here at Batter & Berries with only a few minor complaints. If you are looking for brunch in the neighborhood, look no further! ps. Don't be afraid of the center, communal table - it will get you seated faster and you will be able to listen to other people's conversations :)
(4)
Heather P.
They had me at chicken and waffles! In my opinion, there is truly a desperate need for chicken and waffles on the North Side. Thanks to Batter & Berries, I no longer have to venture far from my very own hood to get a taste of the goods. The description led me to believe it was a sweet potatoe waffle stuffed with chicken. I'm not sure if the waffle batter was sweet potatoe or if just the butter was somehow sweet potatoe flavored. Doesn't matter - all you need to know, it was scrumptious! The waffle actually had been stuffed with chicken!!!! My sister had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was excellent! My fiance had the steak and eggs and he was disappointed with the fact that his steak was overcooked, but you have to keep in mind that this restaurant opened up two days prior so there were some kinks yet to be worked out. For one, the kitchen is very open. Some people might like that, I personally don't. I prefer to live in ignorant bliss; where I do not necessarily need to see where my food comes from or how it got there - just so long as it tastes good, I don't need to be bothered with the details. So I suggest closing that off. They did not yet have any diet beverages, unfortunately. Our server was a bit odd. Not unfriendly or unhelpful, maybe a little blunt and rough in his delivery. Apparently orders are taken on ipad touches; but at first we thought he was just texting rather than taking our order. He also told us our son was cute - ahem, my daughter was wearing a dress and when I corrected him he said he doesn't pay attention to those things. Okay....didn't effect our experience, just an example of his rough exterior. They were able to accomodate 5 adults and 2 high chairs in a matter of minutes without a hassle - perfect! A nice touch having the owner and chef come around to the tables. Bravo, Batter and Berries! We'll see you again before too long!
(4)
Bridget K.
What's not to love about Saturday or Sunday brunch. My friends and I a group of 3 arrived around 11 am and were seated by 11:30 am. Batter & Berries is cosy and has cute decor. Getting seated at our table was a little confusing because the hostess was trying to seat 2 groups of people at once. Once we were seated we were given our menus and visited by our waiter. He recommended the french toast with is there speciality. A few minutes later the waiter returned with coffee and a iPad for entering our orders. Before long our orders arrived. One friend chose the flight, I had the lemon french toast and another friend got the chicken and waffles. All three things were good. The service was good as well.
(4)
Trevian T.
It is with great sadness that I write this review because I had high hopes and wanted to like this place. First, we waited for our table(no big deal), but the hostess sat everyone who came after us before us and then commenced to explain she called us but we weren't present. Not to sound egoistic, but we are very attractive people and are impossible to miss. And, we were in the waiting area the entire time and even gave our waiting bench to some elderly women who came after us and stood for 30 more minutes. Well, let's get passed the point that they just overlooked seating us. So now we are seated. Truly the saving grace of the restaurant was TOOSEEME(sp?) our waiter. If not for him, 1 star surely. We ordered the chicken+goefre and the crawfish omelet. My omelet came out 12 minutes before the chicken. I don't know about you, but do you ever go out to eat alone while someone is sitting at the table WITH you? When I finally got upset and asked why the chicken hadn't come out yet while my partner was starving (my food was now cold )and I practiced common etiquette by waiting to eat, I was told,"We bring it out while it's warm." Is that a major feat in a restaurant?????? I mean isn't that a basic task???? Ok, let's get passed that. (WTF) Now we have our food. The waffle was tasty so 1 star for that. My crawfish omelet was tasteless. I was wondering where the bacon was as I was told it was an ingredient inside???? Please put some seasoning in those hash/mashed potatoes, please!!!! I asked for hot sauce 3 times before getting it. In all honesty, this place ruined a perfectly sunny Sunday morning. Plus, we came from downtown on Chicago Marathon day and drove the long route to get there. Thank God parking was free! I'm into supporting black owned businesses, but damn, this place made me feel bad for having high expectations...which I will uphold.
(2)
Stephen L.
The service was very attentive. My partner and I shared the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet and French toast. The chicken sausage is homage patties and was very flavorful. The meal was very enjoyable. We went on a weekday so a weekend brunch may be a little slower. We will be back.
(4)
Zach A.
There aren't a lot of restaurants in life that you really want to tell your friends about, well, this us one of them. I was so impressed with the taste! OMG, the chicken and waffles were wonderful and the variety of French Toast, remarkable! I now understand why they said you don't need syrup. A great place for a date, business meeting, a meal with friends or in my case, family friendly. This place is a hit and I encourage you to try.
(5)
Tawana W.
5 of us including 1 child went for Sunday brunch. Hostess was very polite and accomodating. Space is cute and distance between tables is appropriate. Ample street parking on Sunday morning when we arrived. Between the 5 of us we ordered chicken sausage, hash browns, french toast flights, steak & egg omelet, fresh fruit, coffee and juice......and since we each love tasting food we tried it all! My opinion, the french toast flights are lovely....good flavor, good variety, perfect serving size. The steak & egg omelet was well flavored but mine was supposed to have swiss but ended up with colby cheese....didn't stop me from eating it one iota and it was still delish. The fruit was fresh and presented nicely and the beverages were fine. My one odd moment was the chicken sausage and hash browns. The sausage has some of the best seasoning I've had in a long while but because it's not encased in skin and I miss the snap you get from biting into sausage. Just a personal preference and not a negative especially if you like patty sausage. However, my hash browns were flavorless and required large amounts of salt and pepper to taste like anything......hopefully it'll be better next round. I didn't have a chance to taste the pancakes, but I'll be back and will go for it soon....real soon.
(4)
Elibe E.
I've been hearing about this place for some time and I finally wandered in for brunch this weekend. NOTE: B&B is a BYOB, so be sure to stop by your local party store for champagne, etc. B&B's brunch menu is made of up of SEVERAL varieties of French toast, pancakes, standard stuff (eggs, hash browns), and the chicken and waffles dish. My order: standard breakfast with chicken sausage ($1 upcharge). Amazing. The sausage is patty-style, and it tasted very fresh - definitely not processed/packaged/frozen. The servers and staff are very welcome and friendly - I'll be back to try some other dishes.
(4)
Matt M.
I will admit that making a reservation for 8 is a bit hard to relate to but our experience was quite bad. If you can't service a large group than just say so B&B! We had a reservation but still waited 45 minutes past our reserved time to be seated. When we were finally seated it was right next to the front door and the frigid air that would rush in every time customers came and went. I suppose double doors or some type of enclosure is a bridge too far. Anyway, half of our group had to keep their coats on to stay warm. The real failure of this spot was the kitchen's ability to make our food in a timely manner and bring it out together. The people who ordered omelettes received their meal a full 20 minutes before the people who ordered anything else. Since my group valued manners more than warm food, their meals were effectively cold by the time every one was served. The head chef/owner seemed like a nice enough man but he made no apology for the complete lack of professionalism from his kitchen. Perhaps if he spent more time in the kitchen and less time glad-handing his patrons his tables would be served all at once. The food was very good but pricey. Can't recommend this place.
(2)
cj w.
When I saw the line for the restaurant sprawling outside the doors, I had to try it out for myself and the food didn't disappoint. Sampled a few items, but my favorite by far was the French Toast Flight, definitely a must have! Also don't forget this is a BYOB, something I didn't realize until after I sat down and saw everyone with mimosa in hand
(4)
Gabrielle R.
All I can say is this is probably the best breakfast I've had at a restaurant in a long time. I absolutely loved everything I had and the sweet potato waffles were amazing. Will be back for sure.
(5)
Candace L.
Superb service! The owner/chef is personable and the staff is welcoming. The food is extremely fresh, hot, and mouth watering delicious. It was well worth the drive! So pleased with this experience! Ill definitely be back!!!
(5)
Merrick D.
We are currently finishing out meal at Batter and Berries and the check was just placed at our table. I am in utter dismay at the customer service provided by the management. We came with a $15 gift certificate that we purchased 2 months earlier. Despite the fact that the gift certificate clearly states that it does not expire, we were informed by the manager that they would not, under any circumstances, apply out gift certificate to our bill. We were told that they stopped accepting gift certificates last week. What does that even mean?? Then the manager gave me a song and dance about how they never authorized the gift certificates on the first place. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, especially since he told me they had been accepting them since last week. Bottom line this is a business that isn't putting its customers first. At some point it will catch up with them. I hope this review can prevent any other Chicagoans from getting ripped off like I did.
(1)
Cee. D.
Dined Date: Wednesday Sept 4 2013 BA-by, Batter & Berries got it going on! It's so refreshing to see a BOB thriving and doing the damn thang. For starters: My Sugar in the Raw vs White Sugar Struggle--------------- ~Coffee [bottomless] was good (not too weak/not too strong, just the way I likes it) BUT [rewind], after receiving my coffee, WHAT? Where's the white sugar packets? I quickly noticed that there were only Sugar in the Raw and Splenda packets in the sugar dishes, on the tables surrounding me O_Oh hellz NO! Understandably-Supposedly, the Sugar in the Raw [unbleached] is better for you?, but, I have tried it, and I DON'T likes the way it makes meh coffee taste! I was ready to beg! I was thinking to self, there is no way in the world, you 'bout to tell me yawl ain't got no white sugar up in here. My waitress and I laughed 'bout it and she kindly brought me some white sugar-from the kitchen, poured in a little cup. WHEW, thank goodness. Sans the white sugar, I would have had to have her take that coffee off meh bill. ~Blueberry French toast, eggs were delicious! I ate 1/2 of everything and got the rest to go. The pattie pork sausage was meh. ~Being greedy, I also ordered the sweet potato waffle w/chicken to go; the waffle was meh and the chicken was OK. ~Owners of B&B, I love the funky ware that was chosen to rep your concoctions. ~Restroom gets an A, as it didn't give me the heebie-jeebies.. ~I will for sure return to B&B, more than likely, when I have a day off during the week, to avoid the wait that other yelpers yelped about. FYI-B&B is BYOB, but I'll just BMOS {bringMyOwnSugar}.
(5)
shari h.
Well, what can I say! I am happy and content. The family and I flew into O'Hare with Batter and Berries as our destination spot. Mr. Don Jones and the staff did not disappoint.Made it to the breakfast spot before the Saturday lines up!! OMG!! We tried a lil bit of everything....Crab omelet, lobster Benedict w/ cheesy hash browns and a French toast flight...banana pudding,strawberry,lemon,pralines and blueberry with a side of bacon!!! And to top it all off ....Listening to Chicago House Music!!! I can go back home and get back in the bed...my day is complete!! :-)
(5)
Paula W.
I visited today and had the French toast flight, chicken and waffle, and biscuits with chicken gravy. All were excellent and the butter that comes on top of the French toast and waffle was devine. The biscuits and gravy was flavorful and was accompanied by eggs and coleslaw?!? (Weird I know but it was delish) My only complaint was my food was not piping hot when it arrived and I was sitting 5 feet from the kitchen. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Mark L.
Had crab cakes bennidict and chicken and waffles. Crab cakes were very good, chicken came out dry and I sent it back. Second chicken was better but they just remade the chicken not the waffle or anything so it was cold. Waffle top sweet.
(3)
Stephen M.
I've eaten here twice very recently. First with Blake M who is a breakfast aficionado and then with Alex M, gourmand extraordinaire. First round: me: Strawberry French toast--lively strawberry taste and cooked to perfection (on the sweet side, so I worked a 1/2 slice trade with Blake M for a 1/4 blueberry waffle). Again, the fruit is monster good. Of the two, I'd go with the blueberry waffle--not as sweet, a tasty, near crisp waffle-very good! Second round: me: Caramelize banana with waffle--again sweet (1/4 trade with Alex M for fruit pancakes taste). The pancakes have lemon in them, at least for this dish. Interesting, but that piece of information should be on the menu. This is another one of the city breakfast dining delight storefronts. Go and enjoy! Oh, and each time I went, the hostess was friendly and outgoing (not as complained about in an earlier review by another. Maybe a bad day or they read the review). p.s. to me: you're ordering too sweet! Stop it!
(4)
Krista G.
We went at prime time on a Sunday and waited over an hour. When we ordered the food came out immediately but it was cold. It probably would have been awesome. I will definitely give it another try on a weekday. Staff was great amidst the craziness thou!
(4)
Sneha P.
The French Toast Flight is yummy, and the Chef came by to check on us during the meal. The lemon french toast had a yummy whipped sugar butter and it was my favorite. : ) I'll definitely go back! I recommend it COMPLETELY! My friend got the eggs/biscuits/gravy, and it was good too. I want to try that and the waffle/fried chicken eventually.
(5)
Jacob J.
For whatever reasons, the painted yellow of the banner outside on their sign and the look of their menu's has never garnered my attention. Often times I'd walk by, look in and just keep going without scoping reviews or making the connection in my mind that this is a place I've previously bookmarked to try. That all ended today when I got an early morning invite to breakfast. A few of us hit Spyner's for karaoke the night before and brunch / breakfast was discussed. Actually a "good" brunch was discussed so I needed a great spot to take a few friends to. Let's see if I can stick to the gist of things to keep the review short and sweet. (Which seldom occurs) Four people and three of which tend to order savory more than sweet. Just in case, I kept a backup idea for breakfast in mind (Toast). Luckily our waitress came up with a few good ideas for sampling and our minds were made up. Two got specials of the day and the other two got the same order consisting of the chicken and waffles. The two specials were the pork chops breakfast and the crab cake eggs Benedict. Since the place was busy and we had time to wait, I insisted we dine on an appetizer consisting of the French toast flight. She, our waitress insisted on the "super flight", we instead confirmed on the regular. Dude that shit was awesome. Like super, duper good. Each piece was different, some had a soggy inside with crunch exterior and others were sweet from their tasty toppings. I should note that per the menu the chef mentions to try the food as is before reaching or asking for additions. Like salt, pepper, hot sauce or maple syrup. Most of us loved our food with the exception of the pork chops. Good size portion except one person commented it tasted like something Mom could have made at home. If weekends are too busy, try a weekday if you get the chance. I'd say we were there at a good time to score some properly created food. We hung out afterward a bit longer than others and got a chance to meet and greet with the chef! Kudos!.
(5)
Kelly N.
This is my favorite breakfast go-to in my neighborhood. Be prepared for waits on the weekend - but keep in mind, there's a reason why there's always a wait. The food is PHENOMENAL. I've had the lemon french toast and blueberry french toast and loved them both. I really like that you don't even need syrup with the french toast because of the delicious maple butter that comes with the dish. The sides (sausage, hash browns) are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you decide to share, but along with the french toast, you'll leave feeling satisfied. I really like that the chef/owner comes out to meet with his customers and hear how they're enjoying the food. Great customer service. I would recommend Batter and Berries to anyone that loves breakfast - especially french toast!
(4)
Terry A.
By far the best waffles I ever had in Chicago I definitely will be coming back to this delicious spot good job y'all ur business is nice clean great atmosphere family friendly children are more then welcomed I give it will be coming back soon !!!
(5)
Rachel S.
We came upon Batter and Berries pretty randomly on a Sunday morning, and it was the best random event of 2013 so far. Although the wait was considerable, and they do need a wind blocker for the front door, the food completely, confounding-ly amazed me. Service was a little slow, since they were packed to the gills, but when my chicken and waffle arrived, I got serious I-have-to-focus-my-whole-life-on-eating-this tunnel vision. The dish is a sweet potato waffle (sweet but not too sweet and fluffy as all get out), with maple butter, and a fried chicken breast with nutmeg hot sauce. What!? It was like a mind-blowing buffalo chicken and the best waffle of your life. Damn. My partner had the biscuits and gravy, the gravy of which was exceedingly rich, but made with the house-made chicken sausage and the side of cheesy hashbrowns still has me salivating. They offer sweet potato or cheesy hashbrowns, but who would turn down cheesy crispy potato bits given the chance? No one! We were feeling flush, so we also ordered a lemon french toast, which tasted like lemon pound cake to me. It also had some of the maple butter on top and would be great for anyone who likes lemon and doesn't like off-season berries. All in all, a great experience. This place is bumpin', the chef even came out at one point and admonished us to fasten our seat belts. Boom. Be prepared to wait if you go on the weekend, but KNOW, it is worth the wait. I'm eager to return and try the chicken sandwich. =)
(4)
Ken S.
Worth the wait.... Come b4 u get hungry because u will have to wait... Good things r served 2 those that wait @ B&B. Friendly attentive staff, best breakfast I've had in Chicago ...... In a word, GO!
(5)
Jan E.
Their specialty is fancy French Toast and it's indeed delicious. Great service.
(4)
Adrian R.
I have been to batter and berries several times and never left disappointed. Yes it is small. Yes the wait can be long but u have long waits at any decent brunch place on a Saturday or Sunday in Chicago. If u don't have to wait then that means the food isn't good. I will say they need a new hostess or training. They aren't rude but not the nicest. Food is spectacular. I am not picky when it comes to waiters. Just be polite, take my order and ask if I want more water or coffee. Some people just like being difficult customer and having butt kissed. Food is always hot. Best brunch place for the money in Chicago. I always leave satisfied. I will take them over a place like yolk any day. People need to get over the size and the fact u can't substitute items. Stop being so damn picky and difficult. Just go and order cause it's damn good.
(5)
Elizabeth Z.
Food is pretty good - wait is not! Had to come during the week because waiting for 2 hours on the weekend was just not happening. Love the fact that everything really is fresh. Also, loved the waitresses and their ipads showcasing the specials - What a great idea! Wasn't too crazy about the sweet potato waffle with the chicken on the inside but the chicken on the top was delicious. We got several sides of the special hot sauce it came with. We even got extra to take home! We did try a small piece of the lemon french toast and i actually liked it even though i was hesitant at first. Service was on top of it as well.
(4)
Kia P.
This a great place for breakfast just make sure that you get there early to avoid the long lines
(5)
Rich K.
I felt compelled to write my own thoughts after I saw a few unfavorable reviews that just don't do this place justice whatsoever. Hands down, THE best breakfast joint I've ever been to. This has been echoed by a few of my family members and my girlfriend as well. The french toast flight is absolutely incredible. No syrup needed with Chef Rylon's maple butter, which is also amazingly good. For anyone who likes french toast or waffles, order them here and I promise you will not be disappointed. I've eaten here 5 times now and I have left very happy every time. Chef Rylon also makes it a point to say hello to each table and thank them for stopping in. I found that unique nowadays, and a bonus for a place serving such amazing food.
(5)
Aprill H.
My co-worker and I took my boss there when she came in from NY. Service was excellent (I love that they show pics of the menu items), and the GM came over to our table and was super friendly. Food was amazing! I had the Bailey's French Toast and my Co-workers had the French Toast flight and the Caramel French Toast. (They strawberry french toast was a little too sweet, but other than that they were all great). We also ordered chicken sausage and eggs. Will definitely be back :)
(5)
Kaitlin L.
This place is awesome- what I especially love is everything is made in house. They roast the poultry, link the sausage, bake their own pastries, even go so far as to make their own chipotle ketchup (surprisingly awesome) and spicy pickles. The service there was extremely friendly and the Chef had the best Bulls chef hat I've ever seen, maybe the only one I've ever seen. My boyfriend and I both ordered deconstructed omelettes even though we had no idea what it meant- I got the mushroom and spinach, he got the chicken fajita. When the plates came out, we saw why they are deconstructed- everything but the cheese is presented on top of the omelette rather than inside. The owner/chef of the place came by our table to chat and explained that a deconstructed omelette showcases the fresh ingredients they use in house (I can attest to that, everything was without a doubt insanely fresh). Most breakfast spots throw in their old veggies when making an omelette, chop it up nice and small so we would never notice. Never thought about that, but the freshness of the omelettes will definitely bring me back to Batter and Berries. Next time, gotta try the french toast. The workers were swearing by it and they even have a money back guarentee if you are not satisfied with it- not that I want the money, I just want an awesome French Toast
(5)
Victoria S.
I came with my friend and her toddler son. They were very helpful with getting her son settled, from helping pack up and move his stroller, to bringing him toys to keep him busy while we ate. The food was very, very good, and the chef came out to say hello. The wait time was exactly what they said it would be, and the prices were very reasonable. The only thing that could be improved on was the service was a little slower than preferred. We actually lost track of our waitress for a while. Luckily the bus boy was there to help us out. All in all, B&B is a great place for brunch. It's worth the wait for the amazing breakfast menu. Go and check it out.
(4)
Sheri T.
Service awesome. Food awesome. Will be back. Large portions and reasonably priced. Feels himey
(5)
Kelly R.
My second visit and it was just awesome as my first! The customer service was off the chain. The manager even came outside and explain the menu and coffee to all while we waited. Our waiter Tim was great!
(5)
Michelle H.
THE best french toast you will ever have. (I only know this because my ladyfriend was sweet enough to share a few bites.) Get the sampler plate -- you won't be disappointed. I ordered the chicken & waffles and they were delicious! The chicken has a kick to it, but it balances well with the sweetness of the waffles. I'm so glad that this place opened up in my neighborhood! Will never be settling for Clarke's or Ann Sather for breakfast again.
(5)
Linda W.
How do you turn customers away before they sit down? Take Batter & Berries' "Business Policy" and don't even sit them down! We were so excited to check this place out today as it was highly recommended. It was adequately busy for a Friday mid-morning brunch. My boyfriend and I waited patiently for a hostess (or anyone) to greet us and seat us. After a few minutes of figuring out if we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait, an older lady came up to the podium who appeared to be a hostess as she crossed off numbers on a pad. I cleared my throat and loudly greeted HER hello! (sheesh) Then glancing the room a few seconds, she directed us that it would be a 10-15 minute wait. We were dumbfounded as there was a clean 4-top table directly in plain sight of us (not to mention another in the back). "Oh no", she replied, "That's a 4-top, That's for four people. There's only two of you." "Um...but there's no one else waiting for that table ma'am. There's no one waiting at all". "No, but it's Business Policy". "So you mean to tell me that you're going to hold a perfectly good table for four imaginary, maybe customers while there are two willing customers who are available right now?" "It's Business Policy here" "Oh, ok. Well then, goodbye." We'll go someplace who's happy to serve us and won't discriminate by the number of people in our party. This kind of "business policy" reeks of poor customer service and heavy focus on their own superiority. Perhaps they should add some humble pie to their menu if they want to stay in business. *Note: Due to this instance, we were unable to try their food so this review has no reflection on their food because well, they wouldn't serve us.
(1)
Kamilah S.
My bff and I came here on a Saturday afternoon and only had to wait 20 minutes. I had the French toast flight, delish, it came with 5 different types of French toast all very tasty. I also had the chicken sausage, it had good flavor, but it was a tad salty for my taste. MY bff had the lobster benedict, I enjoyed the lobster, I am not a big fan of whole eggs (I only eat egg whites). Overall, I would come back. We even got to meet the chef, he is very friendly. Yessica, our server was polite, she speaks very quietly and she has a bit of an accent and the place can be a little noisy which made it a little hard to hear and understand her.
(4)
Danielle L.
We heard about this place through many, many friends and this place is blowing up for good reason. Delicious food, incredible service, beautiful place. What is not to love? The food is fresh and innovative and did I say delicious? The entire staff was incredibly friendly. Our waiter was helpful and entertaining (he ended each visit with a riddle which our kids--and my husband--enjoyed). He made good recommendations, which we wound up selecting: the french toast platter, the crab omelette (the day's special), and the egg nog pancakes. Everything was fab, unique and full of flavor. (The only thing I would recommend is that they start serving fresh orange juice and Starbucks or Intelligencia coffee). Little things made us feel even better about the place like the fact that they use ipod touches to take orders. The high tech angle probably has something to do with how well run the place is. Very smooth from start to finish. The owner greeted us, asked us how we liked everything. He was approachable and genuine as he made his rounds, greeting customers. We will be back for sure. So glad to see a fellow Chicago south sider running an upstanding, outstanding business!
(5)
Ben K.
At the risk of being uncomfortably cheese, this place is both delicious and adorable, and as the eccentric chef Rylon said when he came out to greet us upon entering (as he did with every other guest in the restaurant), "If you don't like your meal, I'll buy it. I've said that to thousands of people and never bought one meal." And seriously, the food is really really good. I read disappointed reviews of "deconstructed" omelets which kept me away for a few weeks and I am just shocked that anybody who likes omelets could be down on the food they put out here! The ingredients are fresh, and unlike every omelet you've ever had where the meat in it is overcooked or chopped to little tiny pieces, the "deconstruction" allows them to prepare the meat/veggies and omelet/cheese components separately so they are both properly cooked. And both parts are damn good. Also the service is highly energetic and irreverent. Prepare to be slightly taken aback and then won over by your extremely outgoing server.
(5)
Diva T.
Me and my friends went after church for a Sunday brunch. Automatically knowing that it is Sunday afternoon, we anticipated a wait. We were told that we had to wait 45-60 minutes. Again, knowing that this is Sunday, we knew that the wait anywhere would be around that time, so we put our name on the list and waited outside in the car. After about 45 minutes, we went back into the restaurant where we waited an additional 25 minutes to get our seats. While we were waiting inside for our table, the waiting area (in the middle of the restaurant) was completely filled so we had to wait by the door where we had to constantly move for patrons to come through. It had gotten so crowded that at one point, we were almost standing on top of the patrons that were sitting down eating. The interior the restaurant was filled with tropical purple, green, and gold colors. 40x60 paintings that filled the walls, and background of entertaining music. Once we were sat down, we waited about 5 minutes before we got serviced. The silverware and cups were clean. There were condiments on the table. The server did a wonderful job in telling us the specials. I ordered the shrimp omelet special, my two friends ordered the chicken and waffles, and we all split the french toast flight. The french toast flight was supposed to be an appetizer, but it was accidentally given to a table that sat down after us so we got the flight with our meal. One of my friends originally wanted a meal that had biscuits, but unfortunately they were out. The meals were excellent. We were literally dancing in our seats while we were eating. I cleaned my plate of shrimp omelet and my two friends said that their chicken breast was moist, but no longer wanted to eat the waffles after the chicken was gone. The french toast flight had a character of its own. Each one was as delicious at the first. The owner came by each table to greet the patrons and make sure that our service was up to par. My friend asked the owner why was it that they ran out of biscuits, he said that he only makes 80 in the morning and he wants them all to sell out so he can make new ones in the morning. He also agreed to take a picture with us so remember our visit. Overall, I give it a four because at the end of the day, we all agreed that despite the uncomfortable wait, we would return. But a few suggestions would be to possibly make the waiting area a little more comfortable.
(4)
Courtney W.
Okay, this place is amazing. I just types Brunch into the Yelp search bar and had Lincoln Park set as the neighborhood. I hadn't even heard of this place before, and I like to consider myself in the know about new restaurants, especially brunch places. The service was great. They told us that we would have to wait 30 minutes for a group of 4, but we only waited about five. They serve Mighty Lead tea which won me over at the beginning. I'm not much for french toast so I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaeurf which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken with maple butter. They places a grilled chicken breast soaked in hot sauce on tops of this scrumptious waffle. It was absolutely outstanding. A little steep at $13 but it was worth it. My friends all ordered french toast and agreed it was the best they had ever had. The offer a french toast flight which allows you to try all the options. They also have a special type of french toast that they offer once a week. I loved everything about this place, this is the real deal my friends.
(5)
Lindsey W.
Pretty good. I love french toast and never thought a place could base their menu around it, but Batter & Berries have succeeded. First of all the southern-like hospitality is just unheard of. The chef and owner came out to discuss the menu items, tell stories and welcome us to the restaurant. Then he came back to see what we thought- seriously! I had the strawberry french toast, with strawberries in the batter and on top- something about them caramelized and it was addicting. Even the has browns were cooked to perfection. I'll definitely be back to try the chicken and biscuits. Suggestions: The hostess claimed it would be a 20 min. wait so we sat at the bar (not real bar- but high table) yet there were empty tables the entire time we were there. Up the service, but keep the food as is!
(4)
Glenn H.
I recommend this place even though the food may be a tad pricey for the amount of food that is given but its a really good place to eat if you prefer quality over quantity. The French toast was amazing (even though I never ordered it....eating off plates is highly looked upon) and I had the Executive which is steak covered in wine sauce reduction with mushrooms and onions along with cheesy hash browns and eggs, all of which were really good. The food arrived quick and the customer service was great.
(4)
Jeff R.
As far as french toast, waffles, and other baked breakfast foods go, this place is wonderful! They make a whole variety of amazing french toasts with the flavorings baked into the batter. They use fresh and tasty ingredients to do so and maintain a sweetness to many of them without going overboard and drowning out the other flavors. Staff is friendly and decor is bright and cheerful. There are also plenty of other options beyond french toast and waffles, so don't let that scare you off if you'd like other breakfast items.
(5)
Christina R.
Holy moly is this place good, we waiting an hour and a half BUT at least they told us up front. You have to go early or on a weekday, hash browns are awesome. The owner/chef was in the room and I asked him for a big hug because I loved his food so much. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE, but don't freak out about the wait, plan ahead.
(5)
Engineer E.
We frequently eat brunch at FLO, Yolk and Tweet - but we wanted to try something new so ran across Batter on Yelp. There looked like an intimating line upon arrival but it ended up only being a 15 min wait for two (this was on a Saturday at 11ish). But while standing outside, a man approached us, introduced himself as Derek (owner and chef) then asked if we wanted our bottle of champagne chilled in their refrigerator while we wait for our table. We were in such disbelief. What was his agenda? Was he the owner or was he just going to book it down the street after we handed him the bottle? No, he really was the owner and chef and he really did put it in the fridge. Unbelievable customer service. After being seated, our waiter Tim was EXTREMELY helpful. He took his time explaining the menu and answered any of our questions. I tend to over-tip, but this time it was warranted. Our waiter did a great job checking up on us throughout the entire meal and made sure we were comfortable. It was loud but not because of the music (I didn't even hear any music) but because it was packed. Derek ended up coming by our table THREE times to check up on us too, giving us recommendations, background about the food and his culinary journey. I read on a review he only talks to regulars - this was our first time so no. He claimed he had no canned foods in the kitchen and that everything was fresh so I inquired on the location of the lobster in the lobster eggs benedict, which he told me he just received from Maine. We ended up going with the lobster benedict and he was truthful - it was definitely fresh lobster and the poached eggs were perfect to boot. I ordered the Cluck & Gravy (Biscuits and chicken sausage gravy) - excellent biscuits and the gravy was addicting. Portions were large, food came out fast. We kept hearing about how good their french toast was so we ordered the "SUPER Flight" and split it. You don't need maple syrup on this because the flavor itself takes care of your palette. That and some mimosas made it a very enjoyable brunch. We'll definitely come back soon - I'd recommend to anyone.
(5)
Kelvin W.
I honestly have to rate this place as just average. Everything is just a little too sweet for breakfast. I had the french toast flight along with a chefs special chocolate peanut-butter french toast and Chicken Sausage. My wife had the crab meat omelet and my daughter had the Chicken Sweet Potato Waffles. This place would be great for desert but not for breakfast. Did I mention that the cost for 3 people to eat breakfast came to $73.00 or the fact that the wait was over 1 hour. Never again!!! Overrated!!! There are better places to eat a real breakfast. The meal should come with an insulin shot.
(2)
Nada A.
we were waiting for more than 2 hrs for a table.
(3)
Melissa H.
The best French toast I've ever had. Doesn't need syrup. Quite frankly I think u would ruin it if u did. I got the super flight that included lemon, blueberry, hazelnut, strawberry. This is a black owned business and chef Rylon came out to talk to us before and after breakfast they have chicken sausage here we want to try next time. Kid portions available. My son got the chocolate chip pancakes.
(5)
Kyle P.
Great brunch with no wait for now. Super friendly staff and the best French toast in town. Get the sampler. The chicken and waffle is fantastic as well
(5)
Mark S.
And now the reply from the Manager to the email I wrote to him!! Now, maybe it's just me, and i'm speaking from over 40 years of hospitality work, is that any guest who sends a personalized email to the boss outlining the great food, some good/bad news, and a negative observance about staff behavior would want to respond asap and NOT blame the guest for his outreach. Contrary to my last line in my first email I will not return to Batter & Berries. "Chris, I apologize for not returning your email in what YOU considered a timely fashion, but I was not the server, and the matter has been dealt with. Thank you for your concern and Yelp review. Don Jones General Manager Batter & Berries" A copy of an email I wrote to the manager, which did not merit a response from him. Afternoon Don, I just left your restaurant after it being recommended by my co-worker. She suggested the french toast as it was the best she'd ever had. Of course I disputed that because I think the restaurant I work at has the best. She said to get it without any syrup and I was very skeptical; I'm a huge syrup guy. But I did and have to admit it was pretty phenomenal. I had the flight and the flavors were great. It was cooked to perfection. On to the good and bad. The good news is you were busy; the bad news is you were busy. It was pretty loud. :-) Now, something that disturbed me. There was a table of two quite pretty ladies next to my table. They were very nice as well as one of them struck up a conversation with me while she waited for her friend. Anyway, there was an African American male waiter working and though the table wasn't in his station he made a point of going up to the table several times. I know that wouldn't be uncommon for a server to go up to a regular customer and greet them. It's how we get regulars. But every time he went up there were sexual innuendos from the very start. He hugged one of the them and kept putting his hands on both of them. Now, I do that too when I am serving but I do it to every table I come in contact with; it's just who I am. He only did it to that one table, not any in his real station at all. He went over the line when he walked up to the table and while grabbing his shirt asked, "Do either of you have a needle and thread?" Before they could answer he pulled up his shirt sleeve and flexed his muscles saying, "Cuz I'm ripped!!!" His acquaintance chuckled and the one he didn't know didn't ever smile. She did not think it was funny at all, in fact I would say by her expression that she was pretty offended. I'm not writing to get the server in trouble but I wanted you to know. I'll be back, I know that.
(1)
Azin S.
Best Brunch ever. Delicious food and wonderful staff! Chef Ryan came to our table himself and asked what could he do to make it better! They are BYOB so if you want Mimosa being your own champ an and they make it for you. It is worth the wait and believe me you'll go again and again.
(5)
Susan F.
Monday morning and it's crowded. Got the French toast flight. FANTASTIC. I asked for syrup (a big no-no). The waitress smiled and said it's very sweet so you really don't need syrup. She brought it any way and she was right. The best French toast ever. The bacon was good and crisp. The cheese hash browns were just ok. Needed more seasoning. Service was ok. Place is small. Love it. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Matt M.
The BEST breakfast I have EVER had. Period. We were visiting from Michigan and went to B & B on Sunday. It was so good, we had to go back on Monday before returning home. The French Toast flight was sublime, and I ordered Chicken & Waffles for the first time in my life. The sweet potato waffle with maple butter was so good, and balanced so nicely with the chicken and hot sauce. My wife had a crab meat omelette which she says was delicious. The side of house-made chicken sausage was delicious as well. Overall, I can't say enough great things about this place, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ji K.
Chef Rylon is cool. :) He is the owner and chef of the newly established Batter & Berries. My three girlfriends and I stopped in for brunch this past Saturday, and he came by right away to greet us. He gave us such a warm welcome and immediately recommended some of their best dishes to us. He even went so far as to give us a taste of their homemade chocolate biscotti and offered to pay for the french toast if we didn't love it. Lucky for him, we loved it. :) Please note that we're all so-so french toast fans, so the fact that we loved our french toast flight is saying a lot. Every flavor (strawberry, blueberry, banana walnut, lemon, and peach) was fresh, unique, and outstanding. The texture of the french toast, in general, is the best we've all tried-- having the perfect balance of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside-- and each slice was so delicious and full of flavor that we completely forgot about syrup. Our savory dishes were good as well and their homemade sausage was a nice treat, but my hope is that their savory items will catch up to the level of their french toast. I can tell that Chef Rylon is the kind of chef who never stops improving and only wants his customers to be completely satisfied, so I will gladly patronize Batter & Berries and look forward to coming back to this cute little brunch spot to taste what other deliciousness awaits.
(4)
R J.
Thanks Thrillist.com ...saw their review about Berries & Batter's opening day today. Stopped by to see about some French Toast. Tried their French Toast Sampler -Delicious! also got a side order of their very tasty patty sausage, which I will recommend as well. See photos.
(4)
Bob G.
Great breakfast. Amazing food. Best buckwheat pancakes ever. My entire family was delighted. The service was great...but a little slow at first...the manager came around to check on us and we got great advice from the waiter. We were thrilled, and it was fun.
(5)
Andrea S.
We got there at 10:30am and the wait was about 50 minutes. The service once we got inside was also a little slow. These are the only reasons I'm taking away 1 star, because otherwise the food was AMAZING. We got the french toast flight that had one piece of every type of french toast and each flavor was delicious! Also got the traditional with the chicken sausage substitution which I highly recommend. Lastly, got the Goof which was OK compared to the other two orders. I would love to go again, but next time, would probably bring a book for the long wait.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
K M R.
Hands down the best breakfast spot in Chicago. The food is mouth watering. The service is superior and the ambiance is very pleasant. Considering the wait was 90 minutes, I was happy that the atmosphere was very plesant.
(5)Oskar M.
Incredible chicken and waffles - definitely get this. Interesting French toast flight, but not mind-blowing. Hash brown was out if control - definitely get it as a side. It's like a Mac n cheese - hash brown fusion. Service was not the best - had to wait about 15 min before ordering. Would definitely come back though to explore more of the menu. Could reach 4.5 if service is improved!
(4)Dizzle F B.
Went to Chicago for Labor Day weekend, and received a tip to hit up this Black owned business. The wait is ridiculous, which is the reason for 4 stars, but the food was bomb. Hit that french toast flight...OMG. Do go if you super hungry, cause you can expect an hour to hour n half wait on the wkend, bt if you love good food it will be worth it.
(4)Christy A.
PSA: 1. Prepare to wait, but I assure you it's worth it. 2. No split groups will be seated so make sure all of your party is there when you're ready to be seated 3. The line forms outside before the doors even open at 8am, arrive early 4. The space is small (maybe tight for larger parties 5. The dishes are "saucy" if you're not a heavy eater ask for sauces on the side or to be held 6. Portions are large (split a few dishes to try a variety) Now that we have the formalities out of the way, enjoy this amazingly succulent food made with the most TLC imaginable. That was a bit dramatic, but seriously, the food is spectacular. Once we were seated the service was fast and friendly. Although it was crowded, everyone seemed to be engulfed in their plates presentation and the taste of their meals. It was like being in a slow-mo movie. The food is prepared and plated to perfection; colorful, flavorful, strategic and downright mouth-watering. It's apparent the Chef, Derek Rylon, puts his heart into his work. Lobster Benedict - 5/5 Veggie omelet & Hash - 5/5 Waffle - 5/5 Batteries & Berries is in a class of its own when it comes to breakfast. They just do it right. Thank me later.
(5)Ericka A.
A couple lovely ladies and I came here for Brunch on a Sunday. It was a very tasty experience and I recommend you give them a try! The wait can be a bit long, but it's worth it. You give them your phone number and they can text you when your turn is coming up and again when your table is ready. We waited about 1 hour after being given a 1.5 hour estimate. They sat us at a communal table and were very prompt with our drink order. We got pineapple-orange juice to go with the bubbly we brought (they are BYOB) and one of the employees opened the bottle for us with ease. The food order didn't take long to appear. Aimee M got the Crab Cakes Benedict, Angela P ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof), Osi V had the Executive Pork Chop, and I also went with the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof). We were happy with our choices and also enjoyed the others. The chicken and waffle with a sweet potato batter and sweet-n-spicy sauce was good, but I personally preferred the benny and the pork. Their pork chop was so tender! The pork sausage was good too, but next to the fried chicken it was a bit too much of a muchness. The cheesy hash browns were a nice side that went well with each entrée, though. We couldn't decide what kind of French toast we wanted so we made the logical choice to try the Flight Of French Toast, which gives you a sample of the Blueberry, Strawberry with whipped cream and maple butter, the Caramel with nuts, Lemon with shredded zest, and Chips Ahoy cookies and chocolate. I gotta admit that I was disappointed by this dish. The Strawberry was the crowd pleaser and I think that's because it had the most flavor and was the most moist. The Lemon came in at a close second, but all of them had a superficial flavor. It's made with a thicker toast and I don't think they were dipped in egg long enough. I'm not sure if that's their normal way of prepping it, but it seemed rushed. We would definitely come back, but maybe arrive closer to 12pm so we can wait it out over at Atlas Brewing across the street.
(4)Aimee M.
Yelpers reviews didn't steer us wrong. Everyone talked about a wait, and wait we did...I think it was about 90 minutes that Sunday morning. But after about an hour, I lost track. They have a system of texting you when you are up next to be seated. And when you're lethargic from a lack of caffeine, lack of sleep and hunger pangs, that text becomes one of the most blessed texts you can ever receive. Our foursome decided to each order a savory entree and then selected the french toast flight to add a bit of sweetness. Everyone's entree looked at tasted wonderful (we are a sharing bunch). From my crabcakes benedict (which was full of lots of fresh crabmeat but unfortunately the poached egg was a little overdone), Osi V's pork chop breakfast (super tender and flavorful chop), Ericka A and Angela P's fried chicken and sweet potato waffle (tender chicken and flavorful waffle with a bit of a spicy kick). Of the flavors in the french toast flight, my favorite was the strawberry and then the lemon with the chocolate chip being my least favorite. Gotta love a place that is BYOB. The orange pineapple juice they provided for our bubbly made for some refreshing mimosa's. Now when we visited it was super hot outside; so being overheated, plus being in a crowded restaurant, I couldn't feel any AC at all and that made for a super sweaty brunch. But very grateful the staff kept our water glasses filled too.
(4)T Renee C.
The staff are so nice and very knowledgeable about the menu! It's usually a long wait if you don't get there early enough. It opens at 8am and I got there 5 minutes after and there was already a nice crowd. I had: French toast flight (not bread person..but it was delicious). With the "flight" you get a sample of all of the flavors and the flavor of the day. (Blueberry, lemon zest, caramel w/pecans, strawberry and honeydew was the flavor of the day. *no syrup needed. Crawfish omelette was one of the specials (I substituted the "cheese bacon for regular cheese. It also came with a side of cheesy hash browns. Everything was delicious!
(5)Aisha K.
I have heard a lot of great things about this restaurant so I was pretty excited to go. The wait time is unacceptable. The restaurant needs to find out a better way to accommodate people. My party had to wait 2 hours to be seated. Therefore with that being said the food was pretty decent but to wait 2 hours for food and you're really hungry anything might taste good. Everyone in my party thought that their various entrées were good but I don't think it was worth the travel or the wait time. If you are in the area and the line is not really long then definitely try it out.
(3)Christiana S.
I came when they were still wanting customers a couple years ago and it was amazing, now it is so packed and I'm not altogether sure why. I'm sure they have some good signature dishes but I was less than impressed with my breakfast wrap and my boyfriends broccoli and cheese omelette. Experience could've been improved if there wasn't an 1.5 hour wait, more expanded dining area, and a waitress who cares that you're paying for the food and the service. Needless to say I doubt we will come back.
(2)Angela P.
The "Chicken and Goof," a sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken and topped with fried chicken tenders, a spicy sauce, and maple butter, is the BEST brunch dish I've ever had in my life. I've had chicken & waffles many times, but the sweet potato waffle at Batter & Berries changed the dish, for the better, completely! We also dug into the French toast sampler, which included 4-5 of their French toast dishes. My favorite was the lemon and strawberry. I highly recommend this if your idea of breakfast is dessert. Batter & Berries is BYOB, and the pitchers of mimosas (pineapple, orange, or both) are a must. This place is hot, hot, hot! They do not take reservations, and you will have to wait. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. I knew there would be a lengthy wait, but the hostess was really wishy washy when I asked how long it would be. She told me, "an hour...hour and fifteen...hour and a half..." okay, which one is it?! I checked in later and got the same response. You can give them your name though, and they will text you shortly before your table is ready. I already said it was hot, but that's also in regard to the temperature. This restaurant is small, there is a kitchen cooking lots of food, and there are a lot of people crammed in here. Don't be afraid to roll on an extra swipe of deodorant, and do dress for the weather. Despite the long wait (which was anticipated anyway) and the swamp-ass feeling when we left here, the food is just so damn good that you have to give this place 5 stars.
(5)Ariel B.
Ok so look... THERE IS GOING TO BE A WAIT... BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. The atmosphere is busy and active. The host and wait staff are friendly and knowledgable of the menu. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD ... Temperatures are correct. PLEASE TRY THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT. It's four different flavors (lemon, caramel, strawberry, and blueberry) the bread is so sweet with a slight crunch at the crust.. Perfection we also ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffle as well as the deconstructed steak omelet. The chicken breast we cooked to perfection it was Juciy and seasoned well and the waffle had just enough sweeteness. The steak was cooked to a medium and accompanied with a very tasty gravy over the cheese filled omelet. Everything was tasty and worth the money. Defiantly a must try in Chicago!
(5)Dennis S.
It was busy and loud, with terrific food. At 10:30 on a Wednesday morning there was still a wait for a table. For good reason. We had efficient friendly service and comfortable table spacing, so we didn't have to hear everyone else's conversation. I had absolutely awesome blueberry French toast. With a side of good thick bacon. Ladies with me had the French toast medely - half a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel. They were served on a long plate which allowed each of them to be separate from the others. Well received. The full menu had lots of interesting choices. We'll go back, but I don't expect to try to fight weekend morning crowds.
(5)Jacinta W.
I'm pretty sure I am in love! I was told to try this place out by a friend and oh boy!!! We were there shortly after 8am and waited about 10-15mins. They use a text message system to call you for your table. I received one text saying our table would be ready shortly. This text you have to respond to or they will pass you over and you would have waited for nothing. Then you receive another one saying "Your table is ready." The inside is small and quaint. Decorated nicely and efficient. All the staff was polite and friendly. Which is always a plus! As we were being seated we were asked about drinks and and they arrived instantly. The server shared the specials with us and allowed us time to review the menu. My friend and I both ordered the Top Flight and bacon. The Top Flight is their French Toast sampler. There is Blueberry, Strawberry, Carmel, and Lemon. All the flavor a were perfect, not over powering and the bread was cooked with a nice crispness to it. I can't stand no soggy French toast. Each one had a little sauce and fruit on it. The maple butter is heavenly, light and not to sweet. I did have to send my bacon back...I need my pig cooked a little longer. Can't eat no limp bacon so be careful about that. Our food came out so fast I didn't even have time to play on my phone after ordering . And yes it was HOT! If you're in town DEFINITELY GO EAT HERE!! And I'll be back!!!
(5)Tracey G.
My sister and her daughter invited me here with them.. Although the wait was very long. The food and the serves made up for it.. This food was totally off the charts delicious. I had the lemon French toast and the chicken omelette omg I love it Tracey G.
(5)Ruth D.
I kept seeing my facebook friends going to and posting about Batter and Berries and I was dying to go too. So a friend visits from out of town and wants to go so it's a no brainer. I finally got my chance! My friend, my husband and I went first thing (around 8:30) on a Friday morning so we avoided the long wait that people mention on the weekends. It did get much busier as we were leaving though so I think we were smart to arrive so early. We were seated promptly and approached by a fantastic server. He welcomed us all, and asked if it was our first visit. When we told him it was he made us feel very welcome and ran down the specials and suggested the French Toast flight. He made everything sound delicious so it was hard to choose. I ordered the crab cakes but also had tastes of my friend's French toast flight and my husband's chicken fajita omelette. The crab cakes were good enough to want to order them again but I think I'd like to try more things on the menu in the future. EVERYTHING was delicious! They don't really do special requests but there's something for everyone on the menu and the food is so good it doesn't really matter. The food arrived promptly, our water and coffee were refilled in a timely manner and we had a manager check in on us toward the end of our meal. My husband was wearing a Phi Beta Sigma shirt and the manager told us the owner was an Omega. My friend and I are Deltas so we were also pleased to be supporting a member of the Divine Nine! I now see for myself why this place is so popular and just as I guessed, I've been missing out! It was a win win and we will ALL definitely be back for the delicious food and great service.
(5)Lily Z.
This is more of a 3.5 than a 3. We don't get to brunch very often and I've had this place bookmarked for the longest time. So when I got my time off approved, we headed straight here for their famous french toast! I love french toast. It's pretty much the only thing that I eat for brunch. I did not splurge for the extra slice of white chocolate almond? for $2. 5 slices were enough for me. I ordered the flight of french toast (really liked the lemon. Blueberry was way too mushy. Strawberry was alright. Caramel didn't excite me.) Boy ordered the sweet potato waffle with chicken (waffle was very thick and heavy. Chicken was good. The hot sauce tasted like hot sauce straight from the jar.) Also, we ordered a side of cheesy hash browns which came in record time. Like less than 2 minutes from when we ordered it. Boy thought they were hash browns ordered from another table because it was THAT fast. Overall, would I come back? Probably not. The music was way too loud which made the restaurant even louder. It was hard to hear the person in front of me. Even harder to hear the waitress explain the specials of the day. Did she say a white chocolate omelet? Or white chocolate almond for the french toast flight? All I could hear was the heavy thumping of the music. Food was good, but I don't see myself coming back for anything else on the menu.
(3)Tamekia J.
This place was so unexpected. It gets packed easily, so I wouldn't be surprised if they make some changes location wise soon. I just hope the food doesn't change as they grow. I ordered the Cluck n Gaufre. This was the perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy. I'm not really into chicken and waffles, but the sweet potato stuffed waffle caught my fancy. The waitress was fairly knowledgable, which is always refreshing. It's good to note that you can bring your own beverages.
(5)Yuri H.
5 stars for the food. Absolutely delicious. My friend and I had the scallop omelette and the French toast flight which comes with half a slice of all the French toasts they have to offer. Both were stellar. -1 star because it was so loud! My friend and I felt as if we had to yell at each other. One of our servers came by our table, and I think she said something along the lines of "let me know if you need anything." But I only got that much from reading her lips. We came here on a Tuesday morning. There wasn't a wait, but it was still very crowded!
(4)Bree N.
Definitely the type of place you would only come to for some sort of special occasion. Overall the food is very heavy and probably too pricey to go to all that often. I ordered the broccoli and cheddar omelette (don't be surprised when it comes out open faced - still tastes good). It comes with cheesy hash browns as well, which were good but nothing amazing. I went with a large group and everyone else said their food was amazing - the chicken and waffle plate had the best reviews. Maybe what I ordered was just too plain but I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Ken O.
OMG - incredible restaurant on Lincoln Avenue in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. I had seen several reviews on this place and decided I would need to try it. So glad I did. A buddy and I went to this restaurant on a Monday shortly after 11am. The place was already packed. We were able to find couple of seats at the communal table. Yessica was our server and she went over the extensive menu with us. Then departed so we can review the menu ... again and again. Everything looked so good. When Yessica came back, we were finally ready to order. My friend had ordered the Steak Omelet and I had ordered the Strawberry French Toast with sides of bacon and the Cheese Hash Brown. The decor is very bright with the yellow walls, sunshine from the large windows and the paintings hanging throughout the restaurant. There are various sizes of tables throughout this wooden floor restaurant. The volume was not as bad as it could have. The food runner had brought us the meals within an appropriate amount of time. As many people that were there, the food could have taken longer. Kudos to the kitchen staff!! Regarding the food... incredible. Everything was done perfectly including the service. As we were eating, more and more people to being seated and waiting to be seated. Get there early - enjoy a great neighborhood restaurant. Looking forward to go back.
(5)Tim H.
I'm in love with this place. Always an enjoyable experience with GM Don at the helm. I find the journey into the city on the weekend to be my best bet. There always seems to be an early start to the crowd. The staff typically does a stellar job of keeping the crowd rotated. They have the cool check in system that will text you to confirm your table, if there's a wait. I have certainly enjoyed the Lamb Chop Trio and every French Toast Flight to date has been fantastic. The Chef is always enticing you with a new creation. A great communal table is available too.
(5)Dani O.
The only thing I can see putting people off when considering trying this place is the wait. You will wait, but it's 100% worth it. The amount of food and quality of food itself would be enough to satisfy me, but the experience here was fantastic. We had a French toast flight to start and share, and the server was kind and knowledgable and his recommendations were spot on. When three of us couldn't decide what to get, he suggested we each get something different and rotate plates. Best solution ever. We tried a crawfish omelette (with about 50 crawfish on it--they don't skimp), chicken and waffles which was heaven, and crab cakes Benedict. The meal was amazing, and the atmosphere was so home-y. Different servers kept checking in on us, so we always felt well attended, and during our meal, the head chef came around to thank us for coming in. We left satisfied and happy.
(5)Phyllis S.
super busy! but theres a reason why....it's so good. After having it once I've wanted it every weekend morning after. The french toast are perfect and the give you a butter to eat it with. The hashbrowns are so good. So yum. You can also request hot sauce. I love everything spicy so I put it on the hashbrowns....the coffee is good. Every time I've gone I've had to wait but they text you when you're up so I like that because that way you don't have to hold those dirty square vibrators that you know they never clean. The wait has never been that bad. worth it.
(5)Amanda M.
This review is solely for their food, as I did not dine in. Boo scooped me up some food to go as he dined there for Sunday brunch. I got the sweet potato waffle and chicken. I tend to order chicken and waffles if a place has it, but I often find it to be mediocre. Most of the time, the chicken and waffle itself are pretty good but doesn't quite come together as an actual dish. However, at Batter & Berries, their chicken and waffle was just how it should be. The sweet potato waffle meshed well with the chicken and the chicken was very flavorful and moist. The fact that the waffle was also stuffed with chicken was quite genius and made the sweet & savory dish work very well. The maple butter was yummy while the hot sauce was somewhat basic. It wasn't bad, but was reminiscent of Frank's red hot buffalo sauce. Overall, best chicken and waffles I've had. Would like to dine in and try other items sometime, but not sure if I would wait 1.5 hours for it like the bf did.
(5)Uptown G.
There are few times in my life I'd ever justify a wait greater than 1 hour for food. I suppose this was one of those times. I had a guest in town, and I had heard great things about this place. I got there around 10am on Labor Day weekend Sunday, and our wait was about an hour and 15 minutes. The beauty of it was that as soon as we sat down we ordered our food, and it came within 10 minutes, no joke! I had the French toast flight - excellent! And I normally NEVER order French toast at restaurants. My friend tried the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. She mentioned the waffle was a bit sweet, but the hot sauce with the chicken toned that down a bit. The service was pretty good. And the food was great! I'll definitely be back again...
(5)Rebecca C.
Soooo yummy! I had been telling my mom about this place for awhile and finally we made it. It took me awhile to write this review, actually I thought I already did.. hmmmm This place is small inside, but very cute. We did have to wait out for what felt like forever. There is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Just be patient and wait. Luckily, we were seated along the wall. Since it is small in here, it can easily get congested. There is also a large table in the middle, which holds a lot of people, but I personally would not bring a big group due to the wait. It is also very loud in here, which is something I did not like. However, this rating is for the food. I had the banana foster waffles and MMMM MMM it was good. My mom had the french toast and she really enjoyed it. It looks very sweet, but she said it was just the right amount. That was the same for mine. I at least recommend to try it once. As far as a breakfast spot to go and have a conversation, I wouldn't recommend, you wont be able to hear!
(4)Mith R.
If you're looking for mediocre breakfast that's WAY TOO SWEET combined with long waits and an overpriced menu, than this place is your jam. Seriously though, these 4-5 star reviews are what make me question yelp ratings. The food served here is a complete mess. Do you not want your french toast to taste like anything but caramel sauce? How about dousing everything else is various sauces while were at it? Think of this place as a more-expensive IHOP.
(2)Erica J.
On weekends, expect a wait of up to an hour, could be shorter depending on the time you go and how many are in your party. There's not much room to wait inside, so there's always a lot of people standing outside. Your entire party must be present before they'll seat you. Once you're seated, the servers are quick at getting your drinks and explaining the specials, but not the quick that makes you feel rushed just to get you in and out. More of an attentive, "how can we make your stay more comfortable" sort of feel. The kitchen is visible, which I always enjoy being the glorified germaphobe I've been decorated to be ;). The daily specials are posted overhead on chalkboards for your convenience. The restaurant is also BYOB. The French toast flight is delightful. It includes a sample of each of the four different kinds of french toast. The super flight throws in a sample of the flavor of the week. Don't be afraid to try one of the specials. This place does an excellent job of combining flavors for an awesome, flavorful experience.
(4)John H.
I really enjoyed the fresh taste in my meal. I would recommend this spot for all the true breakfast lovers. Be ready for a 45 minute wait, after that it is all good.
(5)Kaley K.
Great/okay brunch spot! The good: -BYOB -french toast flight - great variety -chicken and waffles - tried my friends and they were REALLY good -good price for very tasty orange juice The not so good: -wait was long but expected for a brunch spot -all the food is very sweet, not as much a savory spot -long/crowded inside -bathroom was awkward, in the middle of the room so it felt weird waiting, also it was very dirty Overall I'd come back but not before trying other spots in the area.
(4)Nicki P.
What a gem! We stopped in a on a Thursday afternoon and still had a wait. Not too long but about 20 min or so. Well.worth.it ! My fiance and I split the Buffalo chicken omelette and crab cake benedict. The one thing that I noticed, was the poached egg on the benedict was actually more on the cooked hard boiled side but in a good way. Both dishes were awesome! Service was quick and pleasant. I was happy that they had the text to table feature that let us know when it was time to be seated. I can imagine this place is slammed on the weekends so I think I will stick to weekdays but will definitely be back!
(5)Dorim L.
As a few of the other yelpers have said, IT IS over-rated and over-priced. I had their shrimp/crab eggs benedict and it was just bland. First, they didn't even include an english muffin but just had the crab cakes topped with the poached egg. They didn't put enough hollandaise sauce. I also had a side of biscuits ($2) and gravy ($3). It was sort of dumb that they couldn't just combine the two so that's how they priced it. And I usually judge restaurants that serve brunch by their orange juice. I think they just used the tropicana from the carton instead of serving it fresh squeezed. I gave them one extra star since the crab cakes were made from actual crabs instead of crab sticks like the last restaurant I was in. I wasn't crazy about the service; I waited forever for my OJ. And the ambiance was incredibly loud. I sat at the communal table and the guy next to me was loud, cursing up a storm along with the chef who came out to converse with him. For a place that mentioned I had to wait an hour (I got in 10 minutes later since I was dining alone), I was left in a quandary as to why the place was so crowded.
(2)Tanya F.
Very refreshing and unique place in Lincoln Park! It's not an easy task to stand out as a highly recommended must try in Chicago: a foodies paradise of deep dish pizza,hot dogs and cheese corn. Batter and Berries owner Chef Rylon came out to greet us as we were eating and had a long discussion about the awesome coffee he serves. Of course I had to ask because (in my opin)nothing shows that you care like a carefully selected cup of java. And he does, displayed via his vast array of French toasts and non traditional brunch dishes such as the Rylon salad I had. It was made of a spinach shell, shrimp,mushrooms and a light citrusy but perfectly buttery scampi dressing. I will make this a stop every time I am in the city!
(5)Teia T.
I have been hearing the buss about this place from friends and co-workers. Well, I've been there 3 times in 2 months. It's definitely a HOME RUN...you will not be disappointed. Maybe by the wait time, but definitely not the food or service. #loveit #loveit
(5)Angelica C.
We walked in around 10am on Sunday AM and was told it was about 30 min for an individual table. We chose to sit at the communal table since it was immediate seating. Come hungry! I ordered the sweet potato waffle (which is sprinkled with chicken chunks and light covered with confectioner's sugar, YUM). Note an additional fried chicken breast comes on top drizzled with hot sauce. My bestie ordered the Biscuits & Gravy, they cooked our eggs just as we'd asked- over easy. The menu is pretty heavy, but was absolutely delicious. The service is fantastic, we were greeted in a timely fashion by our waiter, we placed our order, dove into conversation, then our food showed up nice and hot. We barely spoke much as we were too busy stuffing our faces, and washing it down with pretty decent coffee if you like it strong. Took a minute to get the check, but an overall satisfying experience and I will certainly be back to try a ham dish as I saw the kitchen dishing out quite a few of those! IMPORTANT: Free street parking on Sundays!
(5)Sade A.
Batter & Berries is nothing to write home about. The food was good. We had the lemon French toast, caramel French toast and the traditional plate which included cheesy hash browns, eggs and bacon. Very underwhelming especially for the price- 4 wedges of french toast that equals 2 slices of bread, costs $10. If I am going to pay 10 bucks for 2 slices of bread dipped in eggs, it better be an orgasmic experience. And it was not even close, the French toast was not even made with brioche bread and as stated on the menu. I guess I bought into all the hype. The hash browns were interesting and not in a good way. They were more like fried lumpy mash potatoes and when cooled off the melted cheese turned rubbery. Ok so I know I am a little harsh but I was really looking for my taste buds to be blown away.... We went on a Friday morning around 9 am and we were seated promptly. Courteous & fast service and a clean setting but the location size was on the cozy side. I recommend you give them a try but know this; they are a regular breakfast/ brunch place nothing out of the ordinary with overpriced food, and certainly not worth standing in a long line. Once you understand that, you should have a favorable experience!
(3)Brad L.
I was expecting a lot after hearing about the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chicken. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with this experience. We ordered the chicken and waffle dish and a "deconstructed" broccoli and cheese omelet with cheesy hash browns. The cheesy hash browns sounded great and looked delicious but they were completely lacking in flavor of any type. I could barely taste any cheese, tried putting salt on it, but the coarse salt they put in the shaker couldn't fit through the holes! What's going on here?? I can't be the first one to notice this. The omelet, which was a 2 egg omelet for $9 was also completely flavorless and I was left without the option of adding my own salt. Thankfully the pepper flowed freely. This "deconstructed" idea for an omelet just seems lazy. There was a small egg patty with some cheese on top, which had a few basically raw stalks of broccoli. Like I said, this just seems lazy, so you don't cook the broccoli and then I have to cut it up myself?? Jedi mind trick way of making this seem gourmet while saving labor costs if you ask me. I'm not sure what they were going for with this deconstructed concept, but it was a flop in my opinion. I'm dumbfounded that they were able to ruin two seemingly easy slam dunks: omelets and cheesy hash browns.... Now to the better dish, the chicken and waffles. The waffle was great! Wonderful flavor and the house made hot sauce actually adds a lot of flavor and balances out the sweet flavor of the waffle. Maple butter was good. There is supposed to be chicken inside of the waffle, but I was only able to find two or three small pieces, not what I would call chicken "stuffed." The "fried" chicken that came with it was oddly spiced with too much rosemary or thyme, not sure what it was, but the flavor was way off for the other flavors in this dish. Also, for fried chicken there was no breading and it was not even close the the crispy texture I expect from something called fried chicken. I found the price to be just a little steep at $13, mostly because the chicken was not at all a worthwhile addition and the only thing satisfying about the experience was the waffle which should be sold by itself for something like $7-8. Now I certainly don't mind paying more for great food, but this was not great. Service was fine, no complaints, no compliments. Coffee was good. Restaurant was clean. I do not like the communal table idea that was in the middle of the restaurant and would probably refuse to sit there personally. I don't think I'll be back, but if I do go, I would probably try the french toast. Given their seeming lack of ability to flavor anything other than breakfast sweets, I think that would be the safest bet. I almost gave them 3 stars, but three out of the four main components of the meal were a total failure in my opinion. That, coupled with the salt shaker thing and the price = a negative rating from me.
(2)Elizabeth B.
The service here was absolutely incredible. I went on a busy Sunday and my coffee was always piping hot and filled to the brim! I enjoyed an omlette and my friend ordered the sampler of French toast and we were vey happy! Would recommend to anyone-- my favorite breakfast spot in chicago thus far!
(5)B A.
Cliff notes: good French toast flight, BYOB, don't get the crab cakes The French toast flight was delicious, and I highly recommend it. However the crab cake Benedict left much to be desired. It did have a lot of crab, but it was not seasoned well. The cheesy hash browns also lacked flavor, were undercooked (crunchy), and the whole dish came out lukewarm. The cheese had congealed. The food came out VERY quickly, which generally is a good thing. But, based on the fact that the food wasn't warm and the cheese was congealed I suspect that dishes are pre-made to speed up service. Again not a bad thing but, but the dishes need to be heated up and assembled properly so that the meals still taste good. Others in my party really enjoyed the chicken and waffles, and the biscuits with chicken gravy. Seemed to be popular. Also, as you likely have read, there is quite a wait, 40+ mins. They will text you when your table is ready, you reply to confirm, then you come inside they walk you to a little waiting area with a bench. This extra step seemed really unnecessary. Got my hopes all up, lol, and I had to sit and wait some more.
(3)Jackie M.
One of my favorite breakfast/brunch. I highly recommend coming in a weekday or after 1pm weekday to beat the crowd and easier to find parking. I've been here few times and the service was attentive. There was a time when the entree took about 20min to come out. The manager apologized and waived the entree, which was a nice gesture and I was patiently waiting. Here are all the dishes that i've personally ordered over few visit. The waiter will present the daily special with photos from the ipad, which i think it's very neat. The entree may seem pricey $12 - $18, but the seafood portion is very generous and you pay for what you get. Flight of special french toast - It comes with 5 different types of french toast flavor that is in season. Generally, they serve blueberry, banana/pecan (fav), strawberry, and etc. The french toast in here is crispy and i can eat it without maple syrup. It's not the typical french toast in a breakfast joint. I recommend ordering the french toast as a dessert and share it. Crab cake benedict: Daily special which is not on the menu. I've ordered this dish twice on 2 separate occasion, because it's that amazing. I've been to the east coast which crab cake is literally chunks of crab meat. This place does not disappoint and you will taste chunks of crab meat! chicken and waffle: i'm not a big fan and didnt finish this. I didn't like the savory waffle made from sweet potatoe. It's not my palette to eat savory waffle. The fried chicken was made from white meat and it was dry. It was quite miserable trying to finish this entree. Total dislike. Buffalo shrimp wrap - comes with large shrimp (generous portion of LARGE shrimp). Deconstructed steak: It looks better than what it is. The steak was mediocre and dry. Go for the seafood entree! Entree I would love to try in the future: lobster omelette, scallop omelete lobster benedict. By the way, it's BYOB!
(5)Anthony P.
A surprise charge on your bill is bad enough, but when a manager refuses to fix it, and accuses you of trying to rip them off, that is a customer service failure. This place is BYOB. We showed up with a bottle of champagne. Our server offered us flutes of orange juice for $4.50. Imagine our surprise later to see the check with 2x charges for the flutes, plus the charge for a 0.5L of orange juice. We had no idea we were ordering souvenirs. A conversation with the manager led to accusations of trying to rip them off. Keep the flutes. A complete shame, because we really do enjoy the food.
(1)Melvin D.
Had some tasty Twix french toast and it was delicious :) I don't think they have it every day though... My friend had the scallop omlette (is that how you spell that?) And I had the chicken fajita omlette... So stuffed! I would definitely recommend this place :) We will be back for sure!
(5)Neil H.
Best brunch in Chicago. Me and a friend went on a Tuesday (we heard of long wait times on the weekend) and it was packed. The atmosphere is great and there is the potential to sit and a communal table. We ordered the breakfast burrito, crab cakes and after talking with the waitress we split the French toast flight. The burrito and crab cakes were delicious but the French toast was even better. Whatever you order get some French toast to share!
(5)Pinklon T.
Not impressed. I told my lady we could have went to wildberry or yolk and got better food. Scallop omelet and crabcake benedict. Really bad fishy smell. Stale bacon...Peach cobbler french toast was good, and they had nice plates lol, but Not good enough for us to do this twice.
(2)Leslie Y.
Went on a Friday for brunch with a couple of out of town friends about 2 weeks ago. We were recommended to come here from 2 our friends, and it is this cute random little yellow awning place. We parked in the neighborhood nearby so we wouldn't have to pay for parking. The wait time they told us would be around 45 minutes, but we just walked around the block, and we were seated in about 20-25 minutes at the communal table in the middle with high top chairs. We loved the communal table, because you could see what others ordered, and we got to chatting with a nice man there who had been there multiple times, and had tried EVERYTHING on the menu except for the chicken and waffles (the sweet potato ones everyone talks about). So, he had some great advice to give on what to order. But, all the cheers goes to the waiter. He is one of the few waiters I've met that is honest. He told me he was in the 2% of people who didn't actually like the chicken and sweet potato waffle, and I was amazed because he totally convinced me not to get it, so I went for the spinach omelette which was AMAZING. Because we were sitting at the communal table, the nice man I mentioned earlier actually offered me some of his sweet potato waffle. Yup, just a stranger I just met. Seriously, the communal table was great. I agreed with the waiter in that he felt there was too many flavors competing. I did feel like there was a TON of nutmeg in the sweet potato waffle that kind of overpowered everything. So I think a lot of people like the chicken and waffles, but just ask yourself first if you like nutmeg. And, if you like sweet potatoes, obviously. Our waiter recommended the dish with biscuits and gravy, but something about how their oven stopped working and they couldn't make any more biscuits. :( sadness. Both my friends ordered the french toast flight and you can bet I tried theirs. AMAZING! Really amazing flavors and very delicious. And yup, no need for syrup. They both loved it. Really friendly atmosphere!
(4)Josie F.
Please do not tell me to get here by three and you will serve me. 2:56 kitchen closed. Too bad for you. I knew what I was going to order. Three dished to taste for one person. Your first loss of many.
(1)Christina M.
Phenomenal customer service. No wait. I went on a Friday morning. We had the flight of french toast as an app. Lobster omelet. Absolutely delicious. This place is byob. Can't wait to go back and, try other things!
(5)Jen W.
Oh wow best I've had. Will be back For sure :) people are all friendly - chicken and waffle? Really but awesome
(5)Rosie D.
Went here yesterday for my birthday brunch. I've been wanting to go here for a long time because everyone raves about the food here. I just hate that it's in Lakeview. And in general I try to stay away from Lakeview unless I absolutely need to be there. But I made the trek anyway and it was worth it. Be warned it is byob so dont leave your bottle at home. If you do though the 7 eleven down the street sells booze. And you'll have time to get said bottle because your wait will be no less than 30 minutes. But I think that's the usual for most super popular brunch spots. Once we got seated everything went super smoothly. We ordered the crab cakes w/ poached eggs, the lobster spinach omelette and the french toast flight. Everything was amazing. Seriously this was the best brunch I've had in a really long time if ever. I'm only deducting a star because our food was a bit cold and the space was small and we were sat by the front door. However I would definitely make the trip back to Lakeview for their french toast. Just maybe once all the snow melts.
(4)Michelle W.
The French toast flight is a fun concept, but some slices were much better than others. The blueberry and strawberry were quite yummy, but the lemon curd and sweet potato were meh...missing something. My friend ordered the shrimp Alfredo omelet, which he did not realize was "deconstructed." The Alfredo sauce was tasty, and the shrimp was big, but overall it needed salt. This place had been on my brunch list after seeing an episode of "Check, Please!" The episode said it was great for sweet brunches -- wish I had remembered to tell my friend that!
(3)Margaret B.
This place looks a little small and unassuming in a cool area of Lincoln Park. We were told the standard wait time of 45 minutes, while there were multiple tables clearing out. My friend went back to ask about the wait time, and it so happened that the really nice restaurant manager was right behind the hostess and pointed to an empty table up front. I got the Buffalo Shrimp Wrap with sweet potato fries and was surprised by the hefty portion. A really great deal for not too much money. The wrap was stuffed with greens, which I loved, and huge chunks of blue cheese, and just enough buffalo sauce. The shrimp was ginormous. The perfect lunch for wandering around Chicago.
(4)Monica A.
This is one of my fave spots in the Chi. Worth the wait, though none today! I tried the signature French toast which is a sampler of lemon, pecan, strawberry and blueberry! Surprisingly I think I liked the lemon best.
(5)Toni R.
Shrimp and crab Benedict was excellent Cluck and gauf was also great Great service We were here at 7:58am and sat right down
(5)Martin I.
Really good food for a really good price! Waiter was friendly and service was really fast, definitely recommend this place. Got the executive and the waffle sampler, definitely try out both!
(5)Christopher D.
As some of the other reviews point out, some of the operational, customer service aspects could probably be improved I'm sure... but whatever, the food is impeccable and comes at a good price. I'll deal and so should you. I didn't see nor experience anything unusual or unfortunate that I wouldn't also expect from other mom & pop operations. If anything I've been to chain and more prominent/expensive restaurants that should know better and have had much worse experiences. We had the Pork Chop Executive (special), which included a virtually perfect, tender bone-in pork chop that had onions and Rosemary, two eggs, and cheesy hashbrowns as well as the French toast flight, which came with some of the best slices of French toast they have to offer including the blueberry, strawberry, and lemon options, plus an additional (special) slice that featured Twix. The Twix option was too sweet/over-the-top for our tastes, but not bad. That was the only criticism we had from our visit. By far, the pork chop was one of the best I've ever had in my time on this planet. Service was acceptable and timely, and our server was polite and pretty knowledgeable despite her acknowledgement that they were short staffed (I couldn't tell). Every bite was a dream and I will definitely be sure to visit this spot every time I come to Chicago. I thought it was an excellent meal for what we paid and we both left very pleased.
(5)Eric F.
I've been 3 times before and this time I had my cousin from Atlanta who never ate any type of waffle. We had a group of 4 so we ordered Chicken & Goufe, French toast Super Flight, Traditional w/ Chicken/apple sausage, Blue Crab Omelet, and a Steak Omelet. My cousin says she can never have another waffle unless it's this sweet potato infused with chunks of chicken breast(no syrup needed). This chicken and waffle will be the best one you "EVER" had hands down. I don't normally spring for French toast but they out did themselves with the flight where you receive a half slice of all available French toast. On to the omelet. The crab smelled and tasted fresh. I would definitely have this the next time if it wasn't for a limited time. This is not your imitation crab made with fish, this is the real deal! The potatoes and eggs are just potatoes and eggs. I can't expect them to be great at everything, that would be selfish. Although, you do get a lot. The homemade chicken/apple sausage was super good. I've had chicken sausage before but the flavor in this one was kickin' like Bruce Lee. Please! Please! Please go eat here you won't be disappointed!
(5)Clarissa W.
If waiting for an hour and some change for a seat to eat, you'd think the food was stellar as well as hot. The food was ok not great, and half of what ordered was cold. Our waitress was great and food came quickly. I would recommend going on a day they may no be so busy. Also, sitting in a back corner does little for ambience.
(3)Lindsey N.
My first time at Batter & Berries is definitely one I will remember for a long time. The food was amazing (of a party of 6, everyone got the French toast flight or the Cluck 'n Gaufre). I had the French toast super-flight; the "special" French toast of the day was peach cobbler. Amazing. One of the best brunches I had in a long time. Our server, Tusiime, was hands-down, the best server I've ever come across. He was so fun and asked our table riddles. It was fun and our entire table was constantly laughing. Our host was great too, we felt very welcome as soon as we stepped in the door. We were there on a Tuesday at 9 AM and the place was already hopping. Our group was able to be seated immediately, but from what I've heard, there is always a line out the door on weekends. I guess if there's a place with great food and remarkable service, people aren't going to keep it a secret!
(5)Asenath N.
This place is amazing!! One of the best brunch places in chicago! If you are looking for something different and incorporating different protein sources, this is your places. They have seafood, lamb, steak,chicken, and the normal eggs. And everything was so good! The lobster omelette is a must, the lamb trio and the french toast flight. All so good. But all this good food comes with a cost, the wait time. If you don't get their before 9am, you are looking at a 1.5 hour wait! Another thing no mimosas which I think is a must at brunch. Also the food came out way too fast after we ordered. So some of it must be pre-made to order. But I will go because there are more things I want to try.
(4)Halisa V.
This place is awesome! I went during Easter Sunday with a group of friends (5 of us). We waited a little outside and during our wait the owner/main chef, came out and warmly welcomed us to his place. He recommended we try the french toast flight and he said if we did not like it he would cover the cost of it. Once we sat down, not only did we love the french toast flight, we ordered another 3! I had the "Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof)" - chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle topped with a delicious fried chicken breast & drizzled in a nutmeg hot sauce & b&b maple butter. I absolutely loved it!!! What a clever idea to stuff the waffle with sweet potatoes. The others at my table had different kind of omelets, the buffalo chicken sandwich and some kind of salmon dish. (The salmon dish was for our super health conscious friend who lives at the gym lol.. He claimed it was amazing). We are all secretly jealous of him though! Highly recommend this place for breakfast and brunch!!
(5)Renee K.
Excellent place to come on the weekdays, no lines. A comfortable place where they serve great comfort food. We ordered the popular sweet potato waffles with fried chicken and oat bran pancakes. So yummy you guys! I can't believe it's taken us this long to come here. Great service!
(5)Rebecca N.
If this bright little breakfast place were a microcosm of the world, I'd be over the moon. Smiling people and french toast flights. Genius. My friend and I arrived around 9am on a Wednesday and had a precisely 3 second wait for a table. I hear that weekend mornings aren't quite as snappy. If you work a weird schedule, check this place out on a weekday. The hostess and wait staff were all very friendly, attentive, and helpful. Water was refilled super frequently, and an appetizing picture of each special was displayed on a tablet as our waitress described them. Hooray for technology. Coffee was good, but not particularly mindblowing. I picked a crabcake benedict and my friend went for the french toast superflight. Food arrived FASTLY (that's quicker than quickly). My only complaint was that our food wasn't very hot when it arrived. But it was pretty tasty! The french toast flight was interesting for sure. I don't think I'll make another trip to Chicago just to eat here, but if I'm in the area, I'd definitely pop in for brunch again.
(4)Nathan O.
To be honest just plan ahead for the wait cause it pretty bad. Notice that doesn't change the fact that it's 5 stars. Was it annoying waiting in my car outside or a bar yes. The server was so entertaining the guy was clever. A good idea is to get the french toast flight for an appetizer so you and your friends can taste what's felt like it was made by the hands of God.. I had a taste of the chicken and waffle. This is the best chicken in and around waffle ever tasted by anyone probably. Seasoned chicken baked into a waffle with chicken on the side. God is good.. I ordered Carmel french toast eggs with cheese and Bacon. That frent toast topped with maple butter maple syrup and glazed pecans easily one of the most delicious things I have stuck a fork in.. Everything there was made in house and I honestly can't imagine going to Chicago and not eating there now..
(5)Cynthia X.
Came here at 2:30pm on a Friday and there was no wait. (We learned the lesson from coming unsuccessfully during rush hour on a weekend). The french toast flight was great, but not as amazing as everyone else made it out to be. The (four half) slices of bread are definitely on the smaller side, which at $11 something, doesn't make it a good deal. The waffle and gough (?), basically chicken and waffles, was very mediocre. The waffle is a sweet potato waffle, which I personally found to be too sweet. The chicken had good seasoning, but was way too dry (and small!) My verdict: decent food, but definitely not worth any wait over 30 min. This place is byob, which may interest some.
(3)Ashley M.
I was recommended to Batter & Berries by a fabulous Chicagoin and I was not disappointed. I had the Strawberry French Toast, and it is very flavorful, no need to add syrup because it holds its own. My french toast was accompanied by the chicken sausage, the waitress warned me that the chicken sausage was sweet, well it was. It was not a good combo with my already sweet french toast. On the flip side, the crab omelet is AMAZING!! It is stuffed with gouda and SO much crab. Topped with zucchini and squash, the flavors meshed together so well. I enjoyed Batter and Berries, but come prepared to wait. Our hour wait turned into one hour and a half.
(4)Adrienne T.
FINALLY. I've lived a block away from this place for over two years and could never understand why so many people flocked to this establishment every day. I mean, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on a Wednesday at 10 in the morning there would be a wait. I think that was part of the reason why I avoided this place for so long. Well, I made it. We got there at 8:15 on a sunday and were seated right away. After hitting up a bunch of brunch places in the hood and leaving fairly unimpressed, I was skeptical but also hopeful that this place could wow me. If you look at my recent reviews, it's been a while since I've given a wow. We ordered the deconstructed spinach/gouda omelet and the special deconstructed omelet - with fresh zucchini and crab. WOW. oh WOW. I mean, WOW. I now want all my omelets to come deconstructed. I think what I liked best, was I was given a fair amount of crab and fresh vegetables. I couldn't eat it all and was actually full, which never happens. We ordered a kid version of the chocolate chip pancakes. The pancakes were thin - which I think I prefer now and came with this sweet butter on top that I could have eaten on its own it was so good. One plus - they have five to six special items that are not on the menu. Unlike other restaurants, this place actually shows you pictures of the dishes. Unfortunately, this made it more difficult to decide because they all looked so good. Overall, Great eatery. Well crafted food. Great service. I think I found my "brunch" spot - I just wish they would tell everyone they are closed and open just for me.
(4)Andrew B.
Food was good, an important point that really can't be under stated for a restaurant. The advice I have though is that seating at the rear of the restaurant is acoustically unfavorable to conversation. The front tables, by the door, give a much quieter atmosphere as the seats fill up. Hopefully the next time I come here they will have done something to absorb the noise levels.
(5)Natalia K.
came here on a monday morning expecting the outrageous wait time to be way less than what it is on the weekend.. yeaaaaahhhh no. still waited 45 minutes to get seated but wow it is well worth it. i got the flight of french toast and it was out of this world! i have never had lemon french toast prior to my visit and it is for sure my new favorite. the sweet potato hash browns are an awesome twist on the traditional side dish. definitely coming back again soon
(5)Hana M.
Super flight fench toast & chicken & waffles = fabulous. The Chicken & waffles are amazing. The waffle is sweet potato and in it has bit & pieces of fried chicken. No syrup or anything needed because its all in there. The french toast is thr star. I am not a french toast kinda girl but everytime I go here sure enough I order this to share. They have a lemon one that is to die for! Tart & yummy. The wait is a PAIN. Get here when they open since the place is small. Better yet, get food to go. BYOB, ample of parking space, delicious brunch place, LONG wait! Must try!
(5)Lux O.
I've gotten the chicken and waffles here and they were okay no complaints my mom had the eggs benedict and it was mediocre nothing to brag about the place gets crowded quick,but i probably won't b back, so thatll b one less body to worry about at least.
(3)Brett B.
I really want to give this place a better review... I do... but I didn't have the best experience there. When we arrived, we were expecting a pretty bad wait time - and were told it would likely be about 2 hours. That's fine, we had a group of 4 people and it was a busy time on a Sunday. We tried calling from across the street (we were waiting at Atlas Brewery) and the hostess hung up on us twice. We decided to head on over and were told to wait in the "front area." There were three hostesses who sat there on their phones and talked to each other while the wait staff worked like crazy to get the tables ready. The front table was cleared off and one of the hostesses gave us a "shoo" motion saying, "You can sit there." We sat down and looked around, wondering where the menus were - but there were none. Normally... a hostess would seat you... and bring you the menus? When our waitress approached our table, she saw we didn't have them and walked back to the stand, "Uh.. guys.. my table doesn't have menus." One rolled her eyes and brought them over. Our waitress seemed a bit stressed out but explained the menu (none of us had been there) and made suggestions. Given what I've mentioned before, I would normally give this place a 1-2, but the food made up for it. My girlfriend and I split two dishes: the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof), which was quite good, a sweet potato waffle (stuffed with chicken) and a piece of fried chicken with nutmeg hot sauce on it. The only thing I found upsetting was that there was no syrup for the chicken and waffles. (it's all infused in the butter) and began tasting a little dry. The second dish was the french toast flight (we opted for the "super flight" which included the chocolate strawberry champagne toast as well) - the french toast was delicious, very flavorful and cooked very well. Overall, I'd say it was an interesting experience, but the welcoming staff really needs to get it's act together.
(3)Good E.
Small, crowded, overrated. One of the owners comes outside & like a ghetto ass classless clown, continuously hollers out patrons names. Wtf kinda ish is that? Ur an embarrassment for ur own establishment. He then belittles his staff publicly, hollering at them as well. The food, just meh. I had the sweet potato waffle & chicken and the waffle was awful. U didnt taste any sweet potato, tasted like a piece of awful gingerbread. The chicken was drenched in hotsauce after i asked for no hotsauce. Tables right outside the bathrooms, complete turnoff. Definitely wont be back, not worth the wait or hefty price
(2)Sashja P.
OMG YESSSSSS!!!! Chey Rylon did his thing! I loved my experience today! Very courteous! fast service! awesome food! I enjoyed every bite of my Chef's Country Excutive- scrambled eggs, country fried chicken with white gravy and cheese hash browns. I will speak the same for my husband and his Pork Chop Exexutive (clean plate) but ssshhhh don't tell him I said that :-))) 1st time awesome experience we'll be back for sure... Uh oh Wishbone looks like a little competition :-))). both are great establishments.. (I did not spellcheck or grammar check so forgive me in advance) Make sure to see KA-See-me Kenyatta Jackson he was a great waitress!
(5)Hazel C.
Great food -great coffee -great service. No wonder the lines are so long on the weekend!
(5)Minh-An C.
My friends and I arrived at this place around 1 PM to grab brunch/lunch on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and boy was the line long for this place. We had a party of 3 and waited close to two hours for a table. My friends and I were starving by the time we got seated and during our wait, we went to a nearby Starbucks to grab a drink while we waited. Note: they have their regular menu and then they have a special menu that is written on the chalkboard and the waiter will highlight them to you before you order. I wish they would have the special items printed on a menu so I can read it and not have to be rushed in my decision. Also, the pricetag of each plate wasn't attached so I was hesitant in ordering from the special menu. The waiter place your order through an iPad, too so that's pretty cool until you have to face with technical difficulty...which happened to us. I got the chicken and waffles while my friends got the blueberry french toast and the crawfish omelette ($16/17?). Food came out pretty fast and we finally got to enjoy our first meal of the day. My friends and I were all pretty satisfied with our food. It wasn't the best chicken and waffles I have ever had though so if I do come back here, I would probably try something from their special menu or the executive plate (steak and eggs) I saw someone order. And I would definitely try to go during times where I wouldn't have to wait so long for a table.
(3)Kayla L.
You have to try the crab cake eggs Benedict and french toast flight! Definitely a food experience not to miss. The only downside is the long wait (1 hour minimum) but the food makes up for it! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
(5)Nicole R.
I have gone here several times. My boyfriend works at a company next to it. The food is always great! I love the crab cakes benedict the eggs are perfectly poached every time. The French toast flight is also amazing. It is almost always crowed there and I do not mind that. It just means that the food is good. The service is sometimes slow, but I have never had a messed up order. Don't go here if you are in a rush because it is always very busy.
(5)Taylor D.
One of my favorite breakfast places honestly. Today we left because after the host telling us it would be 35 minutes we waited, and waited. All the while while about 5 different tables got seated that were not even on the list...we had been next on the list the whole time we were waiting. I would have said something but the host kept disappearing. Very disappointing.
(3)Ruth S.
THE best brunch! SO good! Plan to order like a thousand things off the menu. You cannot go wrong with anything. Louisiana in Chicago! Every flavor of french toast is delicious so get the flight. All of their omelets are "deconstructed" which compartmentalizes the flavors. I had their special omelet which as a Cajun crawfish and veggie omelet which was literally to die for. Sweet potato hash browns are soooo good! All the staff members were very nice. Would come back a thousand times over. Very special and unique spot!
(5)D D.
Many places can claim to do chicken and waffle, but no one can reinvent and elevate the dish quite like Batter and Berries. First, this is no ordinary waffle. This is a sweet potato waffle with chunks of chicken baked right inside the batter... yes, you read that right. Chicken inside the batter!!!!! The batter itself taste almost like a sweet potato pie, but better. The chicken is boneless, and lightly battered, so it's not a think heavy crust, but still has that crunch you want in fried chicken. The dish is also served with a maple butter that is so much the perfect addition to the waffle, syrup is not needed. Finally, the chicken comes with homemade hot sauce. But, don't fret, the hot sauce isn't spicy, rather it adds just the right amount of tang to the chicken. Combined, the sweet, salty, tangy bite of the waffle, butter, chicken and hot sauce makes for umami (ie heaven) in your mouth. Things to note, the wait can be llooonnnggg (first time I went, I waited almost 3 hours!) But the wait wad worth it. The next time, I got smart. I went about an hour before it closed and the wait wad much shorter ( in and out within an hour). Also once you get inside and place your order, the food comes out fast. I mean freaky fresh fast, lol. I've always gone with a party of two and waited less than 7 out 8 minutes got out food. This is super impressive because the restaurant is always jammed packed with people. Overall, this is a great breakfast/brunch/lunch spot to try. The place is small, but inviting, good for kids (they have booster seats) and can please even the pickiest of palates. The owners ate always around to make sure everything runs well and that people love the food, which you will. Bon a petit!!
(5)Roni F.
So I finally visited the infamous Batter & Berries, and I will say it's a little overrated. The wait time was very long, but it was a Saturday. The hostess was average, but our waitress was great. Our food came out very quickly, but it wasn't hot. I ordered pancakes, scrambled eggs, beacon, and hash-browns. The pancakes were good. The hash-browns were too cheesy, and once the cheese got cold the hash-browns became super hard. After our meal, I wanted to hang around and chit-chat with my girlfriends, but the line of people waiting to sit down was so long that I felt guilty doing so. Although my review is average I plan to return to give it another try. Pros! Pancakes Cons! Long wait time Food is overpriced Limited seating Congested
(3)Caress T.
A fun atmosphere and a great place for brunch! It's got delicious options, amazing prices, and it's BYOB, for anyone who is interested. Everything I had was seriously DELICIOUS, and many of the other meals on the nearby tables looked amazing as well. The music is a little loud, but the tables are spaced well. It's intimate, but still feels like a restaurant. I will definitely be back!
(4)Ayanna M.
Came out to this Lincoln Park spot on Good Friday with my mother for brunch. We waited nearly an hour for a table, but it was more than worth it. We tried the Supreme French Toast Flight, the Cluck-n-Gaufre, with a side of the homemade chicken sausage and egg whites with cheddar cheese. Everything from the food to the service was excellent. The waitress asked us which french toast was our favorite and we honestly could not decide - they were all amazing. They also serve Le Colombe coffee which was my first time and it tasted great. Can't wait to come back and try some of their omelettes!
(5)Anthony A.
The anticipation! The smell of good food. And then... We waited 55 minutes to get a table and the wait itself was entertaining. Where else can you get yelled at while waiting for a table. The hostess came outside several times and yell at the crowd to reply to the text messages or be removed off the waiting list. I'm not and expert at this but wouldn't it be easier to inform people when they arrive and give their name? Or maybe put a note at the bottom of the text message? Just a thought! We finally were seated and noticed that the gentleman walking around outside checking the door was the chef. He was walking around inside chatting to the crowd. Note- loose the Bluetooth from the ear and baseball cap. Just my opinion. On to the food, we order the chicken and waffles, Blueberry "waffle" and broccoli and cheese omelet which came with cheesy hash browns. The chicken breast was carved into a small portion and came with hot sauce on it. Not typically what you would want on a breakfast meal. The omelet was not an omelet, it was a egg with cheese slices on top with a couple of stems of broccoli on it. I though the definition of omelet was the ingredients were inside not on top. The cheesy hash browns were just that nothing to really get excited about. Over all the food was average. Everything is priced more a la cart so you will spend a good dollar for breakfast. Our meal was just about $50. At that price point my expectations are higher than iHop. This is a trendy spot right now but I think it can use a little infusion of style. Just a couple of notches from a 4 star restaurant.
(3)Ashley L.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots!!! I drive all the way from the south suburbs of Chicago just to eat here..50min drive!!!! Amazing French toast!!! My favorite thing to order is the caramel French toast and the traditional, but I've pretty much have tried everything. I thing the cost of food is worth every penny!!!! This place has changed my view on what brunch is supposed to be!! If you have not been, you need to go right now!!!
(5)Christy C.
This is a great little breakfast place. The ambiance and decor is nothing to rave about but the food and service makes up for that! My friends and I shared the super french toast flight, which comes with a salted caramel (my favorite), strawberry, blueberry, lemon and french toast special which happened to be trix cereal. We also shared the crab cake benedict which was very good. Our waitress was extremely friendly, and despite the large crowds we did not have to wait for a table. At the time I dined here (August 2014) they did not have a liquor license and you were allowed to bring your own alcohol (think mimosas!) so maybe call ahead and see what is going on with their alcohol now.
(4)John R.
The best French toast I've EVER had in my life. If you travel to Chicago, you MUST, have breakfast here. Great ambiance, good service, decent location. Everyone in my party, (7 of us) loved the food. Get there now!
(4)Evie H.
Factoring in a couple of factors, Batter & Berries gets a solid 3. Our wait time on a Sunday was a good 1 hr 15 min before we even got seated. Then it was another 25 min before we got our food after ordering. I got the Super French Toast flight which comes with a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, caramel, lemon, and the special of the day - Golden Oreo. I must say that it was very classic french toast - just a little crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However at $14, I just don't think two and a half slices of bread topped with a little bit of fruit and puree should be worth that much. Out of the five, the golden oreo was my favorite with the caramel coming in second (though too sweet), then the lemon. The blueberry and strawberry were both fairly standard. + that the interior is gorgeous. All the pictures on the walls are items I would love to have myself. + that they have the Lakers purple and yellow going on - for the level of noise. It was so loud that I had to yell so that my dining buddy could hear me even though he sat less than two feet away. Bottom line: Batter & Berries is okay if you have nothing to do and don't mind waiting around (there's Starbucks nearby for those interested.) Otherwise, there are other brunch places to go to.
(3)Jennifer C.
Come hungry and order the goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle with cinnamon butter). It is savory, spicy and sweet and the harmony of flavors is delicious. The staff are super warm and friendly and the vibe is very convivial. The place was packed on a weekday at lunchtime. The decibel level was very high but worth it for the fantastic food.
(4)Yuki Z.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Saw my friend's pictures of the French toast and lobster omelet, and I was like "I have to go to this place." Eventually after three weeks waiting, I went and it was AMAZING!!! We were told the waiting would be about an hour and half. Even though we came with the preparation of waiting, an hour and half still sounded crazy. We still decided to wait and walked around in the community (the Japanese stationary store in the corner is cute and good for killing time btw). And surprisingly, I got the message half an hour later saying that we got a table! Lucky! (It's really convenient that you left your phone number there and they would text you when your table would be ready) We got the super flight of French toast! Great concept but as others said, some are better than others. Blueberry one is definitely our favorite! So yum! We also got the lobster omelet! GREATTT! The server was really pleasant and funny haha. Loved him! The place is pretty crowdy and probably a little bit loud, but the food is amazing! Definitely want to go back!
(5)Crystal L.
1. 40 minute wait that was actually an hour and 20. 2. Poached egg that was raw. 3. Second try at poached egg that was closer to fully boiled 4. Bland shrimp and crab Benedict. 5. Pleasant server.
(2)Shon A.
Came here to have brunch for 2 on a Sunday. Threw our names down around 1045a-11a and weren't seated until 1230p or so. So the wait was deffiently substantial if its over 1.5 hours for a table for two! I would have to say the food was ok. My friend ordered the Chicken & waffles which were mediocre and I ordered a steak omelette which was not good at all. The only good item we ordered was the french toast. Not going to lie, we got the sampler plate and all of them were good but the strawberry & blueberry really stick out! The atmosphere was very loud and it was not pleasant. You literally had to scream to the person sitting across from you to get a sentence out. I would not recommend going unless you have a lot of patience
(2)Brittany G.
This place was just amazing!!! Food was great, excellent service and the people are real down to earth. Came all the way from Ohio to try and was wowed for sure! I had the super flight which is all of the French toast flavors in one serving and it was heaven sent!
(5)Patrick J.
Great food friendly staff. Love this place. Excellent service and the owner was very nice.
(5)Jamal S.
4.5! Pretty much the best breakfast of life ! I had the chicken and waffles & it was out of this world. The down side about this place is the LONG WAIT! And it's so tiny . If you don't wana wait , be there when thy open .
(4)Sofia C.
I don't get what all the hype is about. We waited for over an hour, the hostess was very rude and aside from the sweet waiter we had everyone else acted like they were doing us such a big favor. The crowd was rowdy and loud. Not a relaxing or nice environment for weekend brunch. So disappointed because the photos on yelp looked amazing and the reviews were generous. FOOD: coffee- (3/5) Meh. french toast flight- (3/5) Cool concept and presentation. It just didn't taste as good as it looked. crab & shrimp benedict- (3/5) The crab & shrimp benedict was ok, but the cheesy hash browns everyone was raving about were gross and looked like they had been reheated. buckwheat pancakes (2/5)- Very dry.
(2)Maxwell M.
I had one of the best meals of my entire life here. "The goof" (sweet potato waffle and fried chicken) was unbelievable. The hot sauce was on point, the waffle was perfect, the chicken was tender and delicious. I got lucky and didn't have to wait for a table, but I would gladly wait hours for a meal here. This is my new "must stop" when I am in Chicago
(5)Tiffany D.
Tried B&B for the first time with family and I was pleased. The wait was at least an hour but the food was worth it. My fiancé and I split the French Toast Flight : Blueberry, Lemon, Caramel, Strawberry and the flavor of the day - Apple Pie. It was delicious! I also had egg whites, cheese hash browns, and turkey sausage. The hash browns could use a little seasoning and the turkey sausage was good. It had like a maple taste to it. Would recommend to try. Get there early because the wait can be long.
(4)Alyssa B.
What can I say... This restaurant was FANTASTIC! The service was great, the owner/chef was personable and the food... Oh, to die for! I had the grilled salmon omlet with cheesy hash browns! Words don't describe the food orgasm I had. My friend had the Carmel French toast, a little sweet for my taste but None the less; can't go wrong with this dish. This dish also came with the homemade butter ( it taste like ice cream and can be eaten by itself ) my other friend had the lobster spinach omelet with cheesy hash browns. The lobster was juicy and not a stingy portion. Because I can go on... Enough about the food! This business is BYOB so we brought champagne and ordered a pitcher of orange juice. The waiter (Tusiime, best waiter I have ever met! He deserved every bit of the 40% tip left) He saw our champagne was hot and gave us a bucket of ice (awesome). Tusiime, was engaging, gave us riddle to laugh over and was just extremely pleasant. All in all I would return every Saturday for brunch and wait an hour just to sit in Tusiime's section. I recommend it for you; you have to go and don't forget your bottle of spirits!
(5)Aradhana V.
I was looking up this place to send to a friend and was so surprised to not find a 5-star rating! Let me be clear - Batter and Berries changed my life. I was a simple tourist visiting Chicago from Berkeley, and after B&B - I became a happier (and probably 2 lbs heavier) foodie. Yes, I've had a fair share of glorious SF brunch encounters, but I still think most fondly about my brunch at this place! So we came here at about 10 AM on a Sunday morning. It was PACKED, but my amazing friends conceded to my crazy suggestion of staying for the 2 hour wait to try out this place. So we wrote our name down, and walked around and explored town. Since we were tourists, just walking around the residential neighborhood was nice but this might not be as fun for locals. I suggest just going to the nearby Starbucks. Anyways, our party of 6 (also explains the 2 hours wait in this small restaurant) ordered lots of food! My ALL-TIME-FAVORITE dish ever in the history of brunches was the sweet potato waffle topped with good ol' Southern style fried chicken. My friend and I still have nostalgic moments where we talk about the unique flavors of the herby chicken alongside the chewy and crispy sweetness of the waffle. *Pro tip: add some hot sauce with your maple syrup, a brilliant combination I learned about from Berkeley's 900 Grayson (which also has excellent chicken 'n waffles if you are in the area). SO DELISH AND SO DIFFERENT.The two things I love finding in my dishes. After having been to multiple brunch spots throughout northern California, I have yet to find a dish so perfect and quintessentially brunch-y. Other than this, they had on-point egg dishes and very yummy (but a tad too sweet) french toast. Come here and SHARE your dishes!! All the dishes are super cool and big, so it's better to share one dish per two people and then you get to try more things! Also, they have a 'Bring your own' wine service, which we didn't know about but that would have been a great concept to take advantage of! #TLDR: yes, small place but SO WORTH THE WAIT for all my brunch foodies out there, says a brunch lover miles away craving those chicken 'n waffles right about now.
(5)Savanna R.
This place is small inside - but cute. Our wait felt like FOREVER but I think it was worth it. I have yet to come and not wait. I dont know if there is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Banana foster waffles ARE LIFE CHANGING! soooo good.
(4)Chanel G.
Man oh man. This place literally lives up to the hype. I arrived to a very busy restaurant on a late Tuesday morning. It's a very loud restaurant because people are having the time of their lives. The server in the back told several jokes to keep the crowd going, and also sang happy birthday to the birthday folks. The host showed me to the waiting area and informed me of the "BYOB" policy. As long as you buy a beverage (ie orange juice) or a champagne flute, you can drink whatever you want! I obviously opted for some champagne from the 711 down the street. For my meal, my friend and I split a french toast flight, with the butterscotch one (the special for the week) added. I also had a side of egg whites and cheesy hash browns. You HAVE to get the french toast flight. You HAVE to. I don't even like french toast and this was absolutely superb. Upon receiving the flight, the chef requests that you at least try one bite of each french toast slice with the respective toppings and the maple butter. The maple butter is to die for. I was literally in heaven. My favorite was the caramel turtle one, but the blueberry one was a close second. In summary, split the flight with a friend and order one of the specials, which can change at anytime.
(5)Soyun P.
The French toast here is amazing!!!! Seriously the best I've ever had. I would say that their sweet dishes are far superior to their savory ones (namely the crab cake Benedict and chicken and waffles). Service is terrific as well.
(4)Tiana H.
Heard so many good things about this place and I must say things went smoothly for me. Went on a Sunday morning only had to wait about 5minutes. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. Even though I had my mind set up on what I wanted (after viewing pictures on here) she still broke it down for me and the hubby. I ordered the Super French Toast Flight (the special was the butterscotch rum) and had the Crab Cake Benedict, hubby had the Salmon Omelet. The food was delicious. The only problem I had was that it was barely warm I think they got his order wrong cause they brought out the lobster omelet (he's allergic to shellfish) and had to remake his and they just let mine sit while his were being remade! Overall it was a good experience and we planned on coming back with the in-laws. I just want my food to be hot next time!
(4)Gino W.
I love the French toast. And since I didn't do my write-up soon after I had gone to Batter & Berries, I don't remember all of the slices that were in the flight of French toast that I had ordered. I will say that I plan to go back to have it again. For those of you who operate in slow motion, be forewarned that the restaurant packs out as soon as the doors open. They get a constant flow of customers and once you've had their offerings, you'll understand why.
(5)Dana J.
I'm giving 4 stars based on the size of the restaurant and the hour wait to even get a table. Service was great and my caramel french toast was even better, I just wish they had a bigger restaurant or even a new location. I plan on returning!
(4)Tommi S.
Geez!!! Love!!! This place was the highlight of my recent trip back to Chicago. Yes-you will wait. Yes-probably for a long time BUT...it's definitely worth it!! By far one of the most amazing breakfast experiences I've ever had. We ordered everything pretty much and sampled each others plates. I had the lobster omelet which had to have had an entire lobster in it...no joke. The portions are quite generous (I say this as a Texas girl). Heaven!! I also ordered the Strawberry French toast (don't judge me). Both were uber-delicious and beautifully presented within 8-10 min. Other insanely good bites while there: Sweet potato waffle w/chicken Champagne French Toast Shrimp Alfredo Omelet Not a place to sit down and chat...especially on the first visit...we were too busy oooh and ahhhing over our plates. Enjoy!
(5)Tavi J.
This review gets 5 stars in my book because the food was excellent. I may have given it 4 stars if we had really had to wait the hour and 45 minute wait we were quoted when my girl got there at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon. We ended up running into a friend of hers and joining their group at the communal table. Right off the bat the service was excellent! Our waiter Tim acknowledged our present and reassured us he'd be back to take our order soon and he was. Besides that the owner and another waiter checked in on us throughout the entire time. Our food took about 20 minutes and they apologized for the long wait and offered us complimentary juice (pineapple juice is yummy) Now.....onto the best brunch food I have ever had! I had my heart set on ordering the crab cake Benedict, but they stop serving it the day before, so I got the lobster Benedict. It was so good!! I'm not a fan of poached eggs, but this was just delicious. My friend ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffles, which were also tasty. We shared the super flight French toast, which included a champaign option. That is the best French toast I have ever had! My favorite was the lemon. I was absolutely stuffed when we left. What a great black own establishment. I will be back and hopefully I'll either run into someone or luck out with seating right away :)
(5)Melanie M.
The food is good. The hostess can be very rude. They used the texting system to inform you when your table is ready, a good idea but they have no fedility to the system. They have poor communication among the staff and try to insult your intelligence by giving you some bullshit excuse that makes no sense. The food is definitely worth the wait and the stress.
(1)Alisha O.
Enough said...don't walk, run to this spot! The bacon was perfect, the cheesy hash browns were yummy. You can believe the hype!
(5)Staci E.
This place was delicious! The Super Flight was fun to try. It was a taste of a variety of the French Toast that they serve. Absolutely delicious! My favorite was the lemon French Toast. I also had the steak and eggs. My steak was nice and tender, smothered in gravy and mushrooms. Yes! Definitely understand what all the hype was! Will return!
(4)Annie M.
I am so happy I finally got to try this place! The wait on a Sunday around 11:30 was about an hour, and there's not really anywhere good to wait, so we walked up and down Lincoln to kill time. We ended up being seated at a community table, which was totally fine since there was plenty of space for everyone. Looking at all the delicious plates around us made the decision on what to order way harder! Although I really wanted the french toast flight, I went with the crab omelet special. It was served with a little bit of cheese (I think smoked gouda?), a very light tasty sauce, and topped with squash and red onion. The best part: they didn't skimp on the crab one bit! Lots of huge, delicious chunks of white crab meat. The flavors all blended together perfectly. And it came with the cheese crusted hashbrowns. No joke, I would wait a full hour again JUST for those taters! The service was also awesome. The owners were walking around and chatting with the guests and the food came out very fast. The only real downside of this place (other than the inevitable wait time) is the lack of AC. After waiting outside in the hot for a long time, I was hoping to cool down once I went inside, but the air was very minimal. They also played some pretty weird dance party music...but it wasn't too loud or anything, just a little weird for brunch. Next time: I'd consider waiting an extra hour or so and hitting up Atlas Brewing Company right across the street during the hour wait. They open at noon on Sundays. I'd also bring a bottle of bubbly because it's a BYOB place. That's right: BYOB brunch!
(4)Sheri M.
I have been hearing people rave about this place for breakfast for a while now. I went on a Tuesday around 11 and didn't have to wait at all. We were seated and served coffee quickly. Our waiter was superb with his service and very knowledgeable in terms of the menu and suggestions on what to eat. I had the pork chop and my mom had the steak. Both were seasoned well and were very tender as well. On my next visit, I hope to try the french toast that everyone raves about. Street parking was readily available at that time - which was a bonus!
(4)Bill R.
What a wonderful dining experience for breakfast. The menu is absolutely amazing and very unique. The service is super fast and friendly and the place was packed with some very happy people. You have to try the French Toast Super Flight and the crab omlete! Also, the chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. Management is engaged and ensures that every customer is well-beyond satisfied and certain to return. This is a "must go" eatery!
(5)Shannon K.
Solid four stars. I had the French toast flight, which was a nice sampler. If I were to order again I would just get the lemon French toast, since the lemony flavor really shines through. It's nothing out of the ordinary for brunch places, though, but the flavor is great and so is the service.
(4)Raquel Munchi M.
I had very high hopes for this place was let down unfortunately by undercooked meat and overcooked eggs and a little bit of bad service! First, we checked in. Lady (thin, with long hair and eyelashes) told us about 20 mins. We ended up going to put more money in the meter down the street and when we returned we noticed "new people" we're getting called before us. Not only did the lady we checked in with look dead at us she went on to call another group of new people. she never came back out to see hmmmm why are they still waiting. We ended up asking another employee if our names been called and indeed it was. He was great. Polite and apologized. He showed us back to the greeter who didn't acknowledge us at all but began to walk. My brother and I looked at each other and said the same thing... "Do we follower her" down the aisle she turned back and seen we were still right where they left us she waved to come to her. (Like a pet) We sat down said thank you She said nothing. Our waitress was amazing! Came out like she wrote the menu her self. (I loved that) Explained everything in detail and was happy to answer any we had. The menu was great. I was a bit indecisive cuz it all sounded so good but decided to go with the French Toast Super flight. It was delicious. Every bite. My brother on the other hand ordered the Executive. Well done with poached eggs. His meat came back red. Again, waitress went above and beyond and got him a new steak. Only bad thing is by the time it was cooked he finished his food and so did I. The new steak was fantastic. But the timing and waiting was aggravating and inconvenienced us terribly since we were on the other side of town hoping to beat traffic to make it to pick up kids from school on time. Mgr asked how everything was. We explained. He took the entire meal off the order. My brother won't be back, I know that. But I just might give them another shot! We all have bad days.... I'll take it that was there's.
(3)Keishana M.
After hearing so many great things about Batter & Berries,(and the mishap of experiencing bad service at another popular restaurant)I decided to try it for myself. "To my wonderful surprise, it was as good as it was hyped up to be!" "The Buckwheat pancakes w/chicken sausages were excellent!" To top off the buttery rich flavor of the pancakes, I added fresh fruit as a topping, and it wouldn't be me without a little bit of whipped cream..lol. The restaurant was clean, bright in coloring and the atmosphere was very pleasant and welcoming. This should have been the 1st choice of the day. I will definitely revisit, but next time I will explore more into their extensive menu. "I will be back very soon..!"
(5)Pranitha P.
Absolutely amazing. My friend and I went right at the opening on a Sunday morning so we were able to avoid any crowd. He was visiting Chicago, and I'm so glad we decided to go here before he left. The waiter was kind and timely on the order and we were seated immediately. I had an egg white omelette with spinach, it was huge but delicious. My friend tried the chicken and waffles and love them. We both shared the french toast which was both of our favorite - a little too sweet to eat all of them . I would definitely come again and recommend to friends!
(5)Shenice D.
Never again. I mean never again. Save your precious time (that you'll for sure waste) and dollars, & brunch elsewhere. I arrived Saturday morning to return since the food was so good last time. I was told there would be an hour wait. No big deal since I'd trekked all the way from the South Side & it was a beautiful day, we had no problem waiting. I notice an hour & 30mins had gone by & sent a friend to check on our table. The hostess told my friend there were 5 more parties ahead of us. I decided to go on & check myself because surely this was an error. I go in to inquire on the table, & the same info was repeated. I ask if it was over 30mins past the time given, why wouldn't they attempt to contact me? After all, they took my cell # down to contact me about the table. The host who had an attitude (young slim girl w/ thin weave & grey contacts) decided to tell me I walked in 30mins after I initially came in because thats what her tablet says. I then informed her I paid for parking & went to the Shell down the street AFTER putting my name down, & had the timestamps but that didn't matter. She wanted to debate, I just wanted to eat. Then a man w/ glasses, whom I assume is management cut in to tell me the time they give is "an estimate at best" & not to hold them to the exact time. Now from 1 hour to an hour & 45 mins, is far beyond an estimate. It's basically 1 hour compared to 2 hours. Finally get my table, and surprisingly it took the server 20mins to get over to the table. I felt bad for the man there to provide water & clean the table (hate the term bus boy) because we had to keep bothering him since our server was nowhere to be found. We finally got our food & my friend's plate was cold, not an ounce of warmth to it so she sent it back. The scallop omelet I had was good. But just too many issues to get that meal. There are several other brunch places around & the staff here act as if they don't have to provide proper customer service. They're (mostly) cocky & rude. Should've listened to the reviews I'd received from social media users. So much for trying to support black businesses. Back to Zed451 I go. Thanks guys!
(1)Andrew H.
Disclaimer: this is all based on my attempt to have brunch on a Sunday, so not sure if things are different on other, less busy days. Take with a grain of salt. Attempted to get brunch last Saturday around 1pm. This was my experience... I was completely taken aback by the rudeness of the hostesses when I entered to inquire about wait time. I wasn't greeted, or welcomed. They just stared at me, with a look of disgust and annoyance in their eyes. The restaurant was set to close around 3pm, and given I had arrived 2 hours prior to that, they flippantly scrolled through an iPad, then said the wait was 2 hours, 45 minutes. The answer is annoying since it was clearly after they were set to close. And there were maybe 5-8 other people standing around and waiting, so where was this coming from? So, I didn't wait, nor will I ever attempt to. If this is how they greet and treat first time guests (with rudeness and flagrant dishonesty), I don't see why I'd spend those nearly-three-hours here when I can go to any of the great brunch places around time. Including the ones that sensibly offer reservations! The food could be amazing, but the the first sip of service left a distinctly bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Tiffany R.
Ok I've come enough times that I can now give an adequate review. I should start with the caveat that I am a vegan that occasionally eats seafood. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So for me there isn't a lot on the menu I can try. Most people go for French Toast but i don't like sweets. There is a veggie omelet but i find that the specials are always beyond amazing!!! The specials are usually seafood so that's the way I go. My favorite thing was the lobster Omelet when they had it. My mom said her Pork was very tasty, cooked perfecrly, and juicy...she was smitten. My little brother said the service is great, the presentation is amazing, nice portions for the price, seasoned well, and the menu is diverse. The chef came out and talked to customers.
(4)Monique B.
I wish I could give this place a higher rating because I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, after waiting an hour my friend and I ordered deconstructed omlettes and shared a waffle flight. The food came out 5 seconds after we ordered it, meaning everything is pre-made in the back and that's why the omlettes are deconstructed, so that the cooks can just put some eggs on a plate and scoop the ingredients on top and churn food out quickly. The french toast flight was the same. All the french toast was the same, just with different toppings on the same standard french toast. I understand having to serve lots of people quickly, especially in a small space like this one, with a long line. However, if you're going to make things in bulk, and make me wait an hour to be seated I want it to be delicious. The food here was just ok. I do love that it's BYOB and I also think the service was good here, although not great. Overall, brunch is my favorite meal of the day and I doubt I'll want to come back here when there are other places with food that's just as good, service that's a little better, an environment where I can eat and drink more leisurely and don't have to wait for an hour. I'm glad I tried them once though.
(2)Christelle S.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago. If you haven't been, you are seriously missing out! I've been here 3 times, and each time is just as good as the last! The first time I went I had the French toast flight. Ummm - best thing ever. The flight features a slice of blueberry, lemon, caramel, and strawberry french toast served with their maple butter. I tried to order maple syrup with it, but was told to try it first. Honestly, it is so sweet and delicious you don't even need anything extra. My second time I had the chicken and waffles. Everything is made so deliberately here so that the flavors combine in the perfect way in your mouth. I was instructed to take a bite of the sweet potato waffle, maple butter, and chicken with the hot sauce - the chicken has nutmeg in the batter that works well with the waffle and it literally is just mind blowing! Some of the best chicken and waffles I have ever had. Wow! On my most recent visit I ordered the lobster benedict (split the super french toast flight with my boyfriend though - addition of gingerbread toast). The lobster cakes were buttery and delicious, the hash brown were cheesy, and overall I left full and satisfied. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you live in Chicago or are just visiting. They get VERY busy on the weekends, so shoot for a weekday if you can. If not, get there early or be prepared to wait.
(5)Courtney W.
First let me say I love a good brunch! We were visiting Chicago and I wanted to find a good brunch spot (preferably with a mimosa). I did a little research and came across this place. We arrived close to noon and it was packed. Yep, on a Monday! We waited about 10 minutes before our table was ready. The staff were very nice and professional. Everything on the menu sounded good but be mindful, there's 2 chalkboards (one in the main dining area and another close to the kitchen) with other specials and desserts written on a chalkboard. One thing on the chalkboard that stood out was the crawfish omelet *insert drooling emoji* I would have LOVED to try it but my mind was set on the wings and waffle. I also wanted to get some peach cobbler to-go but I forgot. I was fat and full by the time I left. LOL Anywho, I ordered the succulent sweet potato waffle which was topped with maple butter and a fried, crispy boneless chicken breast splattered with their homemade hot sauce. This is in the running for the best chicken and waffle I've ever had. It was sooooooooooo good! I did order extra hot sauce (.50) but the waffle really needed no syrup as it was already sweet enough. I had our waitress bring syrup anyway just so I could try it and it could go without. The maple butter was enough. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting Chicago. Don't shy away if it's a wait, they move pretty quickly and the food came out fast, hot and very tasty. Kudos!
(5)Ena B.
Great food , fast and friendly food so good make you want to bring your mama . Not only was the French toast of every flavor great but the shrimp and crab Benedict fabulous
(5)John T.
Over priced, Over seasoned, Over sauced breakfast food, combined with poor service. Not worth the wait or the Heartburn side affect.
(2)Hannah T.
This was such a quiet day when we came in. The food was great and our server was really sweet. They have a french toast flight. I repeat: THEY HAVE A FRENCH. TOAST. FLIGHT. you're welcome.
(4)Nya H.
I found this spot via Tumblr. Can you believe that tumblr! When I found out it was black owned, I decided yup this is a must. I was thrown off by the wait (1hr 30), however my sister and I had no problem exploring Chicago. I loved how tech-savvy they are. When you put down your name, they send you a txt to say when your table is ready. amen! FOOD: A++ The food came within 10minutes of us sitting down and ordering! This place crowded from wall to wall; so yes they deserve these 5 stars. The food was great. I ordered the Maple Rum French Toast. Excellente... Did not need any syrup and added bacon to finish it off! My sister enjoyed her biscuits and gravy which came with eggs and hash browns. COST/HOSPITALITY: A++ Our meal came out to $35. Well worth the money and wait. Everyone was friendly and I had a blast! Will be coming back and telling and bringing my friends & family.
(5)Krupa A.
Three words. French Toast Flight! This was one of my favorite brunch visit's in the city with my spouse, and I can't wait to return. Yes, there is a long wait on weekends, but the food is worth it! I've never said this in a review before, but you can taste the LOVE in the food. It's all sorts of comfort food and tasty wonderfulness. I'm preggers right now, and am totally craving this place. Save calories to eat here or make sure you go for a long walk afterwards because the food is definitely an indulgence. My husband and I split the french toast flight, as well as a veggie omelet and both complemented each other really well. The maple butter is a great touch, and you don't even need syrup if you have the maple butter, just enjoy the flavors as is. Everything is seasoned and spiced perfectly. Our server was very welcoming and kind. He had an energy about him, that you couldn't help but tip him largely for! It was also nice to see the Chef walking around and greeting customers and regulars. This place draws a diverse clientele and it's nice to support local chefs. The only improvement I can think of is to improve their wait times, maybe reservations wouldn't be a bad idea or perhaps a system where you can call in and put your name on the list day the day of.
(5)Norm J.
Service - The waitress knew the menu by heart and gave us excellent recommendations. Food - Oh man you HAVE to try the Flight of French Toast. You'll get a piece of the strawberry, blueberry, lemon & carmel. All were super yummy (yes I just wrote super yummy don't hate), but my favorite was the lemon piece of French Toast. It was just a mouth full of goodness. - Scallop Omelet made with egg whites and goat cheese was AMAZING. You get 3 jumbo scallops to go along with your fluffy egg whites. I believe this was a special for the week so it's not on the normal menu. - Pineapple Juice is served here! I don't know why this made me so happy, it's not like a drink pineapple juice in my everyday life. The only negative about Batter & Berries is that we got there at 9:50a.m (during the week) and still had a 30 minute wait. However, after eating there I can see why that place is always busy.
(4)Dalton K.
RUDE STAFF. INSANE WAIT. STAY AWAY. I can understand the concept of having to wait for brunch on a weekend, but waiting 2 hours and watching the hostess seat other parties clearly behind us in the line was just ridiculous. We waited 2 HOURS and finally just left. Such a rude staff. I will never ever go back to this place, I don't care how good the French Toast is. Save your time, money, energy and go somewhere else.
(1)Jasmine B.
Great food. Good service. Should definitely expand to knock out long waiting and cramped ambiance. But worth the trouble, very palate satisfying!
(4)Sabrina M.
Hurts my heart to downgrade but I've had, at this point, a half-dozen meh-to-outright bad experiences here. I think they are honestly "victims" of their own success. They were so good when they first opened and the word of mouth spread so fast that they really are unable to keep up quality with the volume of guests they're receiving. That's the only thing I can figure for food that isn't freshly made or served hot, or served well. I'll just give one specific that is indicative of the entire problem: Last time I was there I had crab cake Benedict special. I was surprised when it came out about 4 minutes after I ordered it. Not only that, but it came out cold. Now, you'd think that if an order came up that fast, it would be PIPING hot. Nope, it was cold. Which led me to believe one thing: It hadn't been made-to-order. Tasting it confirmed that. I discreetly asked the server about this and he was honest enough to admit that several other people had complained about the same thing (coldness, staleness) and that because of the volume, no, everything was not made-to-order. He was also kind enough to remove it from the bill. So you have servers like that who are professional and honest. But I've also had other experiences there with servers who were totally AWOL, unprofessional and unhelpful. The admission that my entree was not freshly made was disturbing, to say the least. I don't think you can really cut corners with breakfast food, and especially not with something like eggs benedict. You have lost the quality war when you start cutting corners like that. I'm also incredibly put off by the fact that they seem to spend an inordinate amount of time pandering to celebrities. It's not celebrities who have made this place as popular as it is -- it's "regular" people like me who went back and told all their friends, co-workers, relatives, etc how good it was. I have to wonder if the "celebrities" are the ones getting the fresh food while the rest of us are getting the cold, stale and/or undercooked food. Hmmm. Well, I wish Batter and Berries all the very best, but until I hear that there's a return to the original quality that made this place so special, I'll be saving my money.
(2)Jamar T.
I've heard so much about this place and after one failed attempt due to the ridiculous wait time I finally made it in! The food was really good just as I had heard. They food came out within minutes which was pretty shocking and also made me a bit skeptical. I had the french toast flight and the lobster omelet and both were delicious! Most dishes come with cheesy hash browns but I could tell they make them in bulk bc they were not hot or fresh which was disappointing. The service here was equally fantastic. Our server was extreme knowledgable of the menu and the current specials. The reason I'm giving it 5 stars is because I literally left wanting more!
(5)Niecy M.
First time! The crawfish omelet, and flight french toast were excellent! Be prepared to wait...once you get in the service is good.
(4)Trent Z.
One of my new favorite breakfast places. I had the crab cake benedict and it was exquisite. My girlfriend had the french toast flight so I got to try some of that too and it was nothing short of amazing. It was definitely crowded because it was Saturday morning but it was only a 20 minute wait. I will definitely be back to try the chicken and waffles. Also don't forget to BYOB.
(5)Crystal J.
Went here with my family for my birthday breakfast. I heard such rave reviews, we decided to make the drive from the south suburbs to try this restaurant. Though the food is delicious. It is not worth the wait (hour + wait) The atmosphere is not ideal for a good dining experience. People are literally waiting in groves. Standing right next to you while you eat. Elbow to elbow. Hostesses are rude, not a smile to be seen. The food is not piping hot, but it comes out faster than Quick Silver. I had the Lobster Benedict. Hubby had steak and eggs. Our 2 children had french toast and pancakes. Everything for the most part was al a cart...except the hash browns. After waiting for over an hour, they rush you out. You haven't even seen the bottom of your plate and there is the check on your table. Food is good. Dining experience is horrible. Not worth an $80 tab. I tried it, but I will not make it top priority to come again. Sorry. I really wanted to like it.
(2)Dinora D.
The place is totally worth the wait! Only reason I gave this place a 4 [wish I could do 4.5] was the poached eggs on my crab cake Benedict. They were over done and not runny at all. BUT the flavors are beyond amazing. As the chef recommends, no need for additional condiments, not even more salt or pepper...seasoned to perfection. Definitely go and stand outside for an hour, you'll be happy you did!
(4)Shaunna B.
I've been here a couple times now and there seems to always be a wait. So expect that, but know that it is totally worth it. The food is amazing, priced well, and plated beautifully. A lot of different things to try.
(4)Emma L.
Visited B&B for Sunday Brunch with my friend. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, which I was expecting due to the crowd outside and the not-so-huge dining area. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. Not cool. Once we were inside we got our own table, which was nice. I have no problem sitting community style but it's never my preference. Apparently French Toast is their main thing. They had a good portion of the menu dedicated to their varieties and "flights" of French Toast. Their special flavor of the day was 7-Up French Toast. Interesting. Unfortunately, I don't like French Toast. French Toast, French Toast. Their omelets are described as being "deconstructed" aka, eggs on bottom & stuff on top. Whatever, no difference to me. No substitutions on the omelets, just an FYI. Saving grace of the day was our waiter who quickly poured us some hot coffee and read the day's special. Crab & Shrimp Cake Eggs Benedict ($17)? Yes, please. Lobster (deconstructed) Omelet ($19)? Sold. Thank god my friend was down to go halfsies. They were both pretty delicious. The cheesy hash browns that come with many of the brunch entrees are pretty good, too All in all, glad I tried it but I wouldn't make it a regular spot considering the wait and the fact I liked the 2 most expensive things on the menu.
(3)Dome H.
The Deal: I decided to search for a great brunch spot on the northside for my girlfriends and I. I heard through the grapevine that this place was great, yet that the wait was long. There is no RSVP. When we arrived (August 2014) we were quickly greeted by a long line. I went to speak with the hostess who let me know that the wait would be approximately 45 minutes, and indeed it was. Food: Now people rant and rave about the food on here. However, I was not impressed. I ordered the Deconstructed Steak Omelet topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, swiss cheese & red wine sauce, which came with fresh shredded B&B hash browns. The steak lacked flavor along with the hash browns and I had to ask the waittress if she could replace my order of hash browns because there was barely any cheese on it. Thank goodness my friend was there and she told me about their infamous hot sauce that they make. This definitely helped add flavour to the meal and made for a much more enjoyable experience. Now, they have BYOB, however, they request that you purchase the juice. We didn't know about this rule and had purchased orange juice from the 7-11 down the block. Our waitress was accommodating and allowed us to drink our own juice albeit we hide the bottles. lol FYI: My friends ordered french toast and seemed to like it. Atmosphere: Chill. Urban. Laid-back. The place is set-up nice, but it is small. There is minimal noise. Service: Great! Overall: It was a good experience. I would come again but it would not be my first choice.
(3)Jennifer F.
Delicious!!! I went with serval friends and in addition to each of us ordering a dish, we got some extra items to share. Everything I sampled was out of this world. Plus the day I went they were playing house music. Love this place and can't wait to go back.
(5)Nick M.
I'd never had chicken and waffles before, but WOW theirs were great! I ordered bacon and that was great and so were my sunny side up eggs. The waiter refilled my water all the time, which was nice. This place is not your regular "quite breakfast place." They match the lively atmosphere and hustle and bustle with up-beat instrumental music. Great place to go if you're with a friend or a group.
(5)Art V.
This place is Awesome. The food is made to look visually appealing and seems like they take care to make each plate special and unique and not only does it look great, it tastes wonderful. My wife had the French toast special with five different types of French toast and loved every bite. I had a cheeseburger because I'm not a breakfast person and thought that I would just get that since my wife likes the place and I fell absolutely in love with this cheeseburger and large onion rings. This place is great go there and don't worry about the wait because it might be long.
(5)Saleem A.
Excellent breakfast options and service is really quick. Right now, it's my favorite breakfast option in the city.
(5)Kulsum J.
From the zesty chicken and waffles to the lobster/spinach everything had such rich flavor!!! Omg! def coming back! The French toast flight were orgasmic!!
(5)Meghana P.
Okay, everyone was right about the French toast - it is as amazing as advertised. I got the chewy chocolate chip toast (special of the week) and it was amazing. It was sweet and chocolatey without being overwhelmingly so, as was the sugary butter that came with it. I ate every part of this toast, even the crusts. There's no point in over describing - suffice it to say that this French toast is flawless. It is not overly sweet, it's interesting, just the right texture and firmness. I was lucky enough to go on a Monday morning, and thus got a table without a wait. The service was friendly and great, with everything coming quickly, water and coffee being refilled often, and the manager coming to check in on us. However, I was less than impressed with my deconstructed broccoli and cheese omelette. Although the cheesy hash browns on the side were great (I literally couldn't stop eating them - they were crunchy and soft and cheesy and had just the right amount of spices), the omelette itself was meh. It was just an omelette with orange cheese and nearly raw broccoli on the top. Furthermore, the pieces were so large that I struggled to cut them with my little knife and fork. The omelette was not new or innovative, nor was it particulary tasty and it was also difficult to eat. Most of the food here seems great, and the French toast is exceptional. Worth a visit if you're a fan, and you may get a short wait if you're lucky.
(4)Frank R.
We travel a lot and there are few places like it around the country if you are visiting sit at the community table and mingle. Food is amazing and their staff and atmosphere matches.
(5)Peter M.
I had the French toast super flight which includes a half slice of five different preparations, two of which had fresh fruit on them. I liked the taste but the French toast came out barely lukewarm and the bread was relatively thin so the dish wasn't very filling. For $11, I would expect it to be hot and the slices to be thicker. I also tried some of my GF's cheesy potatoes and they also weren't hot. Service was very good and the food came out very quickly. The coffee was also excellent.
(3)Michael C.
Came here a few weekends ago at around 9:30 AM and I could easily spot the restaurant from a few blocks away due to all the people milling around waiting fora table. I put my name down and it was 45 minutes for a party of two, so if you somehow don't want to wait I suggest coming here probably at open haha When my friend and I were seated we were shown the specials on a tablet which was really great. I normally never order a special, but actually considered it after seeing what the food actually looked like. Props to the servers here because there are about seven different specials, and ours went through each one of them. Having heard nothing but amazing things, my friend and I decided to share the super flight of french toast and the chicken and waffles. Hands down best french toast I have ever had. Each piece of french toast was the perfect balance of sweet and fruity, and the texture soft but slightly chewy. Though I appreciated the chicken and waffles, I didn't fancy the hot sauce that came with it very much. The chicken was nice and crispy though while the waffle had a nice touch of sweet potato flavor and came with hunks of chicken in it. When I came, it was still summertime and for some reason there was no AC working. My friend and I were feeling the humidity in the crowded restaurant, though that should not be a problem as the weather starts to cool down. Hopefully I'll be back to try some other dishes!
(4)Lamar S.
This place is a great place to go for Brunch. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good for a friendly atmosphere. ***BYOB ALERT**** this place is excellent for you to bring your own bottle of champaign and make mimosas! To start, if you go on the weekend, expect a wait. As our waiter pointed out, they open up early on the weekends but there can be people outside waiting up to a half hour before they open. Although the wait can be long, I would say hold out because the food is amazing! In addition to the menu they have, they change up the specials every week. Although I give them 5 stars, there is a few of things that I didn't personally like but it could just be my perception and my preference: 1) the hostess is not that friendly. When we went to ask about our wait time, after we had been sitting there for about 40 mins already, she gave us somewhat of an attitude and said "we didn't call you yet". Me and my fiancé politely said thank you and went back outside to wait. 2) the place is not that big so it can be kinda cozy with the neighboring tables 3) the noise level is high. Our waiter was awesome! He knew everything about the menu and made some great recommendations! If it is your first time going, I would suggest getting the super flight of the French toast. It's one piece of all the French toast they have including the special they have for that day. Overall, I would come back.
(5)LaDarian D.
Quick, friendly & delicious. The sweet potato waffle & fried chicken is perfect. Has the right amount of sweet & perfect touch of hot sauce, impressive. Shrimp & crab Benedict disappeared before I could try it so it must have been on point. Will be back for sure
(5)Kelly S.
A very popular spot with some unique breakfast specials such as salmon omelet and a marinated bone-in pork chop and eggs. We got there Saturday at 8:30 and had a 45 minute wait which our hostess was spot on with estimating so no quibbles there. It seems the sweet spot would have been around 9:15 as others who got there about that time had only a 10-15 minute wait. They open at 8:00. Service was good, however, our server failed to volunteer the cost info for my off menu special - turkey omelet. The specials are all listed on a chalkboard but also don't have the prices listed there. I assumed the turkey omelet would be similar in price to the ones in the menu that come in around $10. It was actually $14 which is a little steep for eggs with stuff on them in my cheap ass world. Shame on me for not asking but shame on them for not publishing the $ info. Omelets come with a pile of their cheesy hash browns which are yummy but mine were barely lukewarm and slightly gluey in consistency The omelet itself was quite good and hot. It was filled with a cranberry cheese and then topped with a good amount of sliced turkey, portabella mushrooms and gravy. I could only eat about half of the huge omelet. Coffee was good.
(3)Niekema H.
Great atmosphere for a brunch with the girls. The crab/shrimp eggs benedict was prepared to delight. Everyone ordered a different meal so it was nice to be able to try other items off the menu which were also exquisite. What I didn't know was that it's also BYOB. Next time for sure. They told us it would be about an hour and a half wait, but we didn't even wait an hour which was nice. Our waitress was pleasant and timely. The meal arrived quickly also. Great time had by all.
(5)Courtney B.
This place is awesome the food was amazing I had the chicken and waffles !!! I was a little skeptical when they brought the food out and I saw hot sauce!!! And no syrup... But the hostess guided me on how to obtain the full enjoyment of my first bite... The waffle, maple butter and chicken all in one bite !!! And it was awesome also the hostess was very informative about the menu , and even at the end as we were leaving the chief come over for our opinion of the food overall the place was great... I felt horrible because we didn't leave a tip for her my bestie paid for us this round and she didn't have cash on her... That's why I had to take time out of my day to write this review of this place because it was really awesome and I will be back !!! With a double tip !!!!
(5)Rachel L.
Fantastic low-key brunch joint. Service was impeccable and went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. Food was absurdly delicious. We ordered the fried chicken and chicken stuffed waffle and the french toast flight. Both were not only unique, but deliciously perfect. All in all it made for the perfect morning and if I'm ever back in Chicago, I would definitely return here.
(5)adam c.
Tasty breakfast! Loved the fajita omelet and shared the French toast flight.. So full but happy ... Will return!
(5)Preston L.
Let's be real here. There really is not a better breakfast option in the Lincoln Park area. I consider myself the Tim Gunn to the breakfast eateries world, harshly judging with just a hint of sass....and this place, like a good Michael Scott "that's what she said", always leaves me satisfied and smiling. This place brings actual art and craft to breakfast, creating exquisite plates that one would only imagine to see on the deepest depths of Pinterest, but you can get it here, for very reasonable prices. They're famous for their French toast flight (best French toast I've ever had) so be sure to check that out. Hurry in, and make all your Instagram followers jealous after you inevitably post that picture of your meal to your profile.
(5)Stephen R.
Absolutely fantastic. Mind I am NOT the one to wait for a table if I don't for myself that I love the food, so, thankfully, the date and I were up early and literally arrived at 8am (opening time) to try it out. I can see why people wait. He had a deconstructed fajita omelet and I had the biscuits and gravy with over-medium eggs. We split the super French toast flight as a breakfast dessert. Everything was cooked PERFECTLY and I was legit shocked at how quickly everything came out. Maybe that's because of the horrid experience I had in my hometown at the "rave diner" there haha. They clearly want to turn tables, but I never once felt rushed. Definitely go if you can. And get the French toast, though I was overstuffed by the end. The early bird gets the table! Haha. It was full up by the time we left.
(5)Noah E.
We went here this morning for my birthday. My fiancé had heard good things and after looking it up on here we decided it was a good choice. First off, the design of the restaurant is terrible. The waiting space is in the middle of the dining area and the bathrooms are 4 feet from the tables. No one wants to sit next to a bathroom. We waited for about 50 mins, even after arriving at 2. Once seated we ordered quickly. She wanted to try the chicken and waffles and I got the crab cake Benedict. Everyone raves about the French toast but I would rather make it than pay 11 bucks for bread. The chicken and waffles was disappointing. The flavors were just weird, and because the waffle was more dry and cakey it was like eating sweet potato bread. The chicken was over cooked and dry. The Benedict was good but nothing to rave about. We were still eating after closing time, so the server who clearly wanted to push people out, dropped off the check as we were still eating and after one min came back to open the bill to see if we had payed yet. Restaurants tend to forget people base their expectations not only on food but service. We won't be back here. The food is mediocre and the service was sub par.
(2)Keith P.
Outstanding service...from the greeting at the door to the knowledgable wait staff. And the food? Well worth the 40min drive!
(5)Lauren D.
We went here on a weekday around 11:15 am. We got seated within 5-minutes. I was surprised how busy it got 15-minutes later. The line was out the door. We had their two specials that day. I ordered the shrimp which was tossed in light fluffy eggs and came with some wonderfully seasoned, tender potatoes. The shrimp was huge and fresh, but it was overcooked so it was not tender. This is the reason for my 4-star review. The customer service is excellent. They take very good care of you. The Manager (possibly Owner) came to our table to ask us "how is everything?" I was honest and told him my shrimp was overcooked, but otherwise everything else was fantastic! He offered to replace my meal, but I was more than 50% done with my food, so I said "No thanks." However, this will not prevent us from returning. We really, really like this place. Service is worthy of 5-stars. We spent $35 (excluding tax and tip), but we only had water (no coffee or juice). It was a cold winter day when we hit up this joint, but the space heater near the table kept us toasty warm. It was loud and got crowded quickly. We were glad that we arrived early enough to beat the lunch crowd. My niece enjoyed her meal immensely. This area is "Pay to Park," but we got lucky -- a spot almost in front of the restaurant. TIP: Arrive before the crazy lunch crowds. Enjoy a nice lunch or super early breakfast. The tables get turned over quickly. Of course, the faster the tables turn-over the more money they make. We never felt rushed or pressured to leave despite how crowded it got. I run everyday at 4 am, so getting to Batter & Berries super early works perfectly for me. I prefer being here when it is a bit more quiet and less crowded. The vibe here is very friendly, and the Owners/Managers are very hospitable. It's a great place for people watching. They have a large table in the center with tall stools which gives the feel of a large community table. We will definitely return again. If you have never been here before, but have this restaurant on your bucket list for 2015, hit it up.
(4)Samantha G.
This review is for the French toast flight. And the side of cheesy potatoes. And the juice. And the service. I knew this place was a gold mine when we pulled up to a parking spot. But then I also knew there was gonna be a long wait when I saw a long a$$ line of people outside. We b!?€he'd and moaned how hungry we were, and how we were about to eat the leather off our purses. And then they called our name. The most beautiful word I heard all day, bc I knew I'd get fed. So they sat us at this long table with other people. Kinda like being back in grade school, when we had to sit next to people we didn't know/never would be caught sitting next to. Weird. But I was determined to get food. I got the omelette with goat cheese, asparagus, and scallops. I like all those ingredients, just not together. But it did come with a side of awesome. I mean, a side of cheesy potatoes. You'd have to try it to understand what you've been missing every morning. We also ordered the French toast flight. It was sooooooooooo freakin good. The blueberry was my favorite. The cream sauce they use is mind blowing. Will upload a photo just like every other patron in the restaurant has done. The others ordered the chicken and waffles, and the ham with eggs. They agreed that it was very good. But then again, eating with an elite yelper does have its rewards. Just ask them ;)
(5)Jeff J.
One of the best breakfast restaurants I have ever been to. Seriously worth spending a few hours digging my car out of this Chicago winter storm to be here. I had Banana Puddin French Toast and Chicken and Waffles. Can't emphasize enough how much I love this food. Yummmmmmmmm
(5)Emily M.
Wow! This place definitely gets my vote for the best French toast! If you're looking for something sweet, go here! Went on a Saturday with a 20 minute wait...not bad! Great coffee, super friendly staff, and great service! A bit noisy inside, but the food is worth it!
(5)Joanna G.
From Los Angeles visiting a friend. She recommended this breakfast spot. Attempted to come on a Sunday however the wait was over an hour, I now know why. We ordered the flight of French toast. It was Ah-amazing!!! The lemon French toast was by far my favorite! It was a party on my palate!
(5)Julie T.
Love, love, love this place! Service is good, food is amazing and the atmosphere is comforting. Best brunch I've ever been to. There is a wait but so worth it. Had the chicken and waffles, flight of French toast, and scallop omelette and it was impeccable. So good!
(5)Chriselda W.
The service is the worst. Be prepared to wait for upwards of an hour and half, with the potential of your table being taken by another party. The waiters were rude and the hostess was disrespectful. This has happened to my party multiple times. The food was great but the hassle to get a table was a nightmare. Not only was my request to speak with management denied, but our waiter kept getting ruder and ruder. Your best bet is to take your business to Hash House A Go Go. The service and food is divine. PS: after every trip to B&B I take my business to Hash House because I refuse to support a business that doesn't not appreciate my business.
(1)Tony M.
Good breakfast had lobster benidict was good not best I ever had but then again I'm comparing to spot in new Orleans I had them but overall great place for breakfast never been on weekend I hear it gets really packed .
(4)Willie T.
Service played a pretty big part in this score. Our waitress was generally unenthusiastic in the beginning but that's not the worst part. I had the Cluck-n-Gaufre which is a sweet potato waffle stuffed with fried chicken with a side of fried chicken. Sounds good but it was terrible fried chicken. It's like they didn't brine the chicken. It was really dry in the center and I just gave up eating it. Like how does a restaurant screw up fried chicken that badly? Should have bought some KFC and served that instead. The waffle itself was good but not enough to redeem the dish. My friends got the French toast flight and those were solid but nothing out of this world. I mean it was just toppings on top of French toast. Macerated blueberries or strawberries for blueberry or strawberry French toast. The salted caramel was tasty as was the mango. The food would have been a 3 and I would have come back to give it another try but the service killed it for me. I told the waitress about the dry chicken when she came by and she said sorry apathetically and just left. No manager or hostess came by to address the issue. Then the waitress brought the check and said no rush before we even finished our food or asked for it. They must have really wanted that table for that line outside! We took a look at the check and kept eating and she immediately came by because she thought we were paying. She did say no rush right? The guy serving water was way more professional and courteous than she was. If I could give 1.5 stars I would. There are so many better breakfast places in Chicago like Longman and Eagle where the service is just as good as the food that I see no reason to go here.
(2)Fred H.
There was a lot of word of mouth buzz around this place, so I decided to give them a try. Almost hidden away in the eclectic Lincoln Park neighborhood, a bright yellow awning above the door marked the spot. Ample pay box street parking available. Upon entering, we were greeted by a less than enthusiastic hostess. She didn't speak, no smile and directed us to a table by saying " right there" with a head nod. This wasn't a good first impression, especially from a customer who just drove from the western suburbs to patronize. The space was cramped and the place was packed. The decor reminded me of something you might see in a coffee shop on a college campus. Bright and inviting. I really liked the first come first serve community table that was situated in the center of the restaurant. Specials were written on chalkboard placed high on the wall near the ceiling. Service was average. Although the waitstaff was being courteous by refilling coffee and or water, it was getting annoying because of the small space. We were seated on a wall near the door so there seemed to always be someone walking by. Now on to the food. I had the Apple Belgigue (waffle with caramelized apples) and the cheesey hashbrowns. The food was good pure and simple. My only critique about the Apple Belgigue is the sweetness. It was almost overly sweet, especially with syrup and the homemade butter. I also didn't enjoy the caramelized apples on the waffle, so I just removed them. The hashbrowns were excellent. All and all, the food made up for the negative first impression but I would like to go back and give them a try on another day when there is less of a crowd.
(3)Rick D.
I really enjoyed the food here. I ordered the deconstructed chicken omelet. And the buckwheat pancakes.
(4)Camille C.
Oh ma word!... After a couple of failed attempts at waiting in line we finally got to eat here after Christmas Day. It was as per usual super packed. We put our names down and went for coffee at a adjacent Starbucks. Lo and behold we came back and were seated right away. The food was on our table 10 mins after our order. Boy had the chicken and waffles and I ordered the crab cake benefits. In addition, we ordered a flight of French toasts. The crab cakes benefit were very fresh, and the cheese hash browns hit the spot! Now the chicken was ridiculous! Very very well seasoned. Perfectly fried. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly moist. Perfectly crisp! The hot sauce was unlike anything I tasted before with just the right amount of heat. The sweet potato waffles were spongy, and lightly sweetened. French toast were also on point! The place is well worth the wait!
(5)K R.
This experience was really interesting and cool at the same time. This was my first time eating at this spot and I was definitely happy I tried it out. We waited about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad. The service was fast and efficient. We ordered the Waffles and chicken. The portion size is decent and filling. The orange juice is $4 dollars, I think I will stick to water or coffee next time. Other than that this place rocks.
(4)XTreats X.
Definitely one of the best places in Chicago. If you come later in the day be prepared to wait for a little but it's well worth it! The chef is very friendly and extremely innovative. People rave about the French toast flight and the chicken and waffles but it's all amazing! My only complaint is that it is too close to my apartment so I'm compelled to frequent. It also has a great south side atmosphere, which is refreshing since it is engulfed by a pretentious neighborhood. So if there is a bad review on here it is probably from a rich mom that went on a girls brunch date and wanted to feel like she was superior. GO TO BATTER & BERRIES!
(5)Emily E.
You must get the chicken and waffles here. Amazing! Worth the long wait, believe me! Menu has great savory and sweet options, like the French toast flights!
(5)A P.
As others have said, get the French Toast flight...loved the lemon and pecan ones. Also bring champagne if coming for brunch. Otherwise you'll be the only ones who didn't.
(5)Carolina N.
I will never come here or recommend this place. I live and love Lincoln Park but this place needs to check themselves. Extremely rude and terrible staff. I also was contacted by someone who may work there or knows someone who works there and their message was EXTREMELY vulgar, harsh, and offensive. They did not like my initial review I posted about being mistreated by the hostess when I asked her simple questions regarding wait times and help with our parking situation during a rainstorm. Get over it B&B, I am not eating there and I don't think that your staff is nice. No one should subject themselves to mean employees just for chicken and waffles. Lincoln Park is a neighborhood filled with amazing brunch spots with sometimes disgruntled employees but who are at the very least professional and competent.
(1)Dee T.
Delish!!! I had the French Toast Super Flight and the Chicken & Geuf ("Goof" - it's a chicken sweet potato waffle with a side 'o chicken breast). Soooooo goooood! No syrup needed. That chicken was the best!! The breakfast selection was great and there were some tasty sounding daily specials; they looked good too ( I saw a few as they went by). No grits though. I didn't even pay attention to the lunch menu. The breakfast was singing to my tummy. Lol! The service was great and classic Chicago house music played low in the background. Nice touch. The owner(s) and manager walk around interacting with everyone which also made the experience enjoyable. But really it's all about that great food!! Kudos to this place. In Chicago for 4 days and I'm going back tomorrow!! Yuuummy!!
(5)Cheyenne R.
This should be your first stop for brunch when you're in the city. Excellent wait staff, incredible food, and its byob.
(5)Tiffany T.
Everyone has been telling me about this place so I decided to give it a try. I was not impressed during my visit. Let's start with the wait, most restaurants have waits so I'm not going to ding them for that. However, if your party is less than 5, they will not call you so you have to wait outside in the COLD or in their OVERCROWDED "wait area." Is my business less valuable because I didn't bring four friends along???? Fine, don't let this ruin it Tiffany, everyone says it's worth it. We sit and wait about 10 minutes for our waiter. My daughter's food came out rather quickly, however, mine took a little longer. My daughter had the banana waffle which I enjoyed. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle which I did not enjoy. The chicken was flavorful but I didn't care for the waffle. So based on having to wait 40 min in the cold, 10 minutes to see a waiter and a $40 breakfast that was ok at best, I'm not really dying to go back. Maybe in the summer when I have four of my friends with me so they can call us when our table is ready.
(2)Marisa Y.
I had such high hopes for Batter & Berries. The first time I tried to come, the line was 2.5 hours long so when I got a chance to come back and the line was only 20 minutes, I was so excited. Unfortunately, I just didn't think the food was anything to write home about. I ordered the chicken and waffles and it just decent. Sadly, I think Hash House has better chicken and waffles than Batter & Berries. My friend ordered a flight of the french toast and said it was good as well, but also pretty standard. Usually Yelp doesn't lead me astray like this so I was pretty disappointed that I didn't find an excellent brunch here. It is BYOB though so take advantage.
(2)Cindy A.
There's always a wait but it's well worth it because the food is amazing. My husband always orders either the strawberry or blueberry french toast & I absolutely love their deconstructed omelets. The chef & owner Derek Rylan always has a smile on his face. As a reminder make sure to plan enough time for breakfast because you will have to wait to be seated.
(5)Jason G.
Just went here this morning as it was nearby and had great yelp reviews. I also remember seeing it on check please so I had to check it out. We were the first ones in there and ordered the special ham and bacon omelet with a super special mushroom sauce as our server said it was her 2nd favorite dish. We also ordered the Chicago's best and check please sweet potatoe and chicken waffles with fried chicken. The food came out quick, and let me tell you, the chicken and waffles were the best I've ever had. The reason for the 1 star off was the special didn't have any of the "super awesome mushroom sauce" on it. They happen to be out, and just served it up without it anyways. This made it a very bland, not worth 17 dollars, not worth 10 dollars, not worth 7 dollars meal. However the chicken and waffles I will gladly pay whatever amount you want! You call it! If they opened a chicken place, they could sell the crap outta that fried chicken! All in all, I will be back and I will re-review!
(4)Tabatha S.
Seriously, I had a sweet potato waffle, topped with fried chicken, maple butter, nutmeg, and hot sauce. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. And the hash browns and bacon... Do it. It's worth waiting for a table!
(5)T C.
My all time favorite for breakfast and lunch. The French Toast is one of a kind, the lobster omelet and hash browns is unbelievably delicious and the Buffalo chicken sandwich is slap yo mamma good. Chef Rylon ROCKS
(5)Kamille F.
Sooo good! The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because it was too noisy and I could barely hear my server! I ordered the Carmel French toast (amazing! No syrup needed) with the chicken patties that had pieces of apple in iy sigh scrambled eggs. My mother had the veggie omelette and hash browns; and what's really unique is they put the veggies on top of the omelette instead of adding it in with the eggs. The next time I come back (trust I will be back lol) I'm going to try the specialty French toast; a couple weeks ago they had pink moscato French toast...where else can you find that besides batter and berries??!!
(4)Rudy C.
This place was pretty delicious! I'll start by saying be prepared to wait about 2 hours---no joke...and when you wait you NEED to wait inside or they'll call over your name--they will not text you or call you or come outside when they're busy. It is BYOB which is pretty epic. I went with 2 other friends and we killed 4 bottles of champagne while we were eating. The staff was very friendly, the food was great (I forgot what I ordered) but it was real good! I'll definitely come back sometime and probably come by earlier so I don't wait 2 hours.
(4)Meggan P.
Crazy long wait but it's well worth it! Had the caramel French toast and pork bacon. Prices are good too
(5)Anastasia M.
Excellent service. The owner/chef greeted us and ensured our satisfaction which was a refreshing reprieve. He really cares about his work and it exudes through the polite and professional staff. I was fully welcomed and informed of the options available and the food was delicious! I can't wait to return.
(5)Sara S.
My favorite meal I had while visiting Chicago from San Francisco was here. Will suggest this place to anyone. Also service, excellent vibe, amazing food!
(5)Try4Gold ..
Disappointed...I heard a lot of great things but it's only okay, far far far from special. The french toast flights are "meh" ...a strawberry or a blueberry here and there, it's not different, it's a lot the same.
(3)J A.
Coffee was good. Host staff friendly. thanks to YELP we were prepared to wait. Food came out fast. Server was charismatic. Told jokes and riddles. French toast flight was fun. Chicken and waffles is amazing. Huge portions. Friendly to our 5 year old. Overall a good experience and we will be back!
(5)Laurie S.
Fun atmosphere - plan to wait at least 45 min on the weekend. Good solid coffee. Best French Toast- we ordered the flight and you get 1 slice of each flavor good for sharing. Don't ask for syrup. Each piece is to be eaten as prepared. The omelets are deconstructed so there is cheese in the omelet and the meat and veggies come on the top. Their cheesy hashbrowns with a side is hot sauce take it to a new level. I can't wait to come back!!
(5)Theresa S.
Today was my first time there and the food was amazing. I would definitely visit again!
(5)Karen M.
Took a large group to this wonderful eatery. The chicken infused mildly spicy chicken & waffles were superb. The "flight" French Toast entree even topped the waffles with their infused strawberry, blueberry, lemon and pecan brioche selection treat ..it was said and truly amazing that you do not need syrup on either of these breakfast delights ...the traditional eggs, anyway you like, with side of cheesy hash browns..accompanied by 2 hamburger sized sausage patties..made in house with either pork or chicken. There was nothing but all smiles and a great tip.....left for this gotta go and dine location Karen McCray, President Rich Central Marching OLYMPIAN Band
(5)Christopher G.
Enjoyed a great breakfast at B&B on Memorial Day. There was a line when I arrived with a 1 hour wait but it moved quickly and once seated the service was fast and my food served in less than 10 minutes after ordering. I enjoyed Strawberry French Toast and a plate of delicious bacon as a side with a glass of OJ. The crowd was energetic but classy. Definitely come here when you can for the food and for a great way to start any morning!
(5)Tish B.
Today was my first visit here. Me and my family were not disappointed! As soon as we walked in the greetings were so warm and friendly! We were seated immediately because we got there early LOL! Everything we ordered was so DELICIOUS! Our waiter was so nice and the owner is hilarious. They made us feel so comfortable and can't wait to go back!
(5)Damian F.
This was our first attempt to dine at Batter and Berries. Friendly servers, Caramel French toast was amazing and the environment was fun (one server in particular did a hilarious birthday dance for another customer). I was expecting more from the chicken and waffles (the butter on the waffles saved it for me). Overall we had a great experience! We will be back.
(4)Jenna C.
Holy Moses, yelpers ain't lyin! That french toast flight is out of this world! Latte was also yummy and cute, featuring some foam art. As far as the wait - although it went quickly and we were lucky to get a nice day to just stand outside, I'm left wondering what people do in the winter or bad weather. With how popular this brunch spot is, I'm hoping they can expand soon! :)
(3)D J.
Best breakfast in town! I really don't have the words to describe how delicious it is! Of course I had the 'Flight of French Toast' which I devoured (best french toast I've ever eaten) & I also had the crab cake Benedict which was just as good. This place is very tight & small & the wait is typically long. So if you're in a rush or just an impatience person you probably want to go somewhere else. But it's totally worth the wait & then more waiting. The service was very welcoming & personable. Oh & they were playing some nice music, too! Try it! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Sean B.
Best brunch in Chicago. Chef Rylon is a genius. The chicken and waffles with the homemade sauce is amazing. I'd recommend getting the sauce on the hash browns as well. Many specials to choose from daily. WILL WAIT on weekends. Very quick service. Extremely friendly staff. The only flaw I've found is this place is their hash browns, which are slightly undercooked for my taste every time. Everything else is flawless however, so 5 stars it is!
(5)Siobhan C.
Worst service! We were charged $9 for an espresso drink. The manager came over and expressed that he had been a Starbucks manger and that that was the proper charge. He kept arguing with us until I finally just agreed to pay the bill. This is not to mention that the food was completely bland. Don't go here unless you want to waste your money on tasteless food and espresso drinks that cost more than your meal.
(1)E M.
I had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. It was amazing. You don't need syrup. The maple butter is enough.
(5)Daisy R.
First time here this morning had the cluck n gaufe(chicken and waffles). But not just any chicken and waffles. The waffle is sweet potato with a maple butter. The chicken is expertly seasoned and has a nutmeg hot sauce. Oops forgot to mention there is chicken in the waffle batter. Ohh yeahhh! Had some cheesy hash browns which were delicious. We also had the traditional eggs over easy, the cheesy hash browns, and an incredible carved ham. Absolutely delicious, have been wanting to come here for awhile and I wish we would have come sooner. The French toast flights look amazing. Can't wait to go back this place has sweet and savory done right. YUM!!
(5)Yvonne B.
Batter & Berries was a memorable experience. Everything about it was vivid: the noise, the crowd, large artwork, lively service, and the food - oh! the loveliness of the food! - was like being at a festival or parade. My senses were heightened to the buoyancy of a beach ball bouncing above a crowd. This sort of environment walks a fine line between being fun or obnoxious but Batter & Berries did a good job of staying on the right side. We went at 9:00 AM this morning and although it was already busy we scored a table for three soon after walking in. The waiting area is near the back of the restaurant with concrete garden benches. It's a pretty small space but the tables aren't crammed TOO close together. For example, our server was able to review the menu with our table and our neighboring table simultaneously; however, we weren't close enough to touch and we couldn't overhear each others' conversations. Speaking of our server, he was a CHARACTER. He called me boo and repeatedly touched my shoulder in a congenial manner. He asked us about three riddles throughout the course of the meal and generously doused our hot chocolates and waffles with whipped cream. I don't think that my friend Howard was a fan, but M and I were both amused. Near the end he was still jovial but seemed keen to flip our table. It isn't the sort of place to linger anyway because so many people are standing around waiting both indoors and out and it just gets awkward. This is what we got: Banana-Nut Belgigue Waffle (doused with whipped cream) and with a side of hashbrowns. The waffle was too rich, but still a positive dietary experience. The hashbrowns were perfect. They were were fried, shredded potatoes - not greasy and not salty. Crab Cakes with poached eggs and hashbrowns. The crab cakes were made with REAL crab and were declared by M to be the best she's had in a long time. Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) was amazing. It is a sweet potato waffle with large shreds of chicken INSIDE the waffle. The waffle is dusted with powdered sugar and a scoop of maple butter in the middle. It is served with a fried chicken breast on top and a small puddle of hot sauce with nutmeg. Every component resulted in moments. The kind where you just pause and the cacophony around you evanescences and it's just you and the food and the flavors and textures and the ebb and flow of chewing and experiencing... Gosh. I'm jittery and sweaty just writing about it. So, the bill came to $60 for the three of us. I thought it was worth it and reasonable enough for me to foot the bill myself. M liked all of her food but commented that she prefers breakfast restaurants that emphasize meat more than bread. We recommend going as early as possible.
(5)Yo L.
This place is GOOD! All of the fresh fruit that came on top of our entrees were sweet and fresh. The taste of everything is definitely of QUALITY. Service was Great. Any item you would normallly put syrup on, I would suggest tasting it first. Plus there is a house sweet butter which accompanies the plate that is delicious. For the first time in my life, I ate pancakes without syrup. I want to give them 5 stars but I'm deducting a star because of no (or the lack of ) Air Conditioning. My BFF did not finish her meal becuz it was so stuffy inside the establishment and she began sweating horribly. Other that....it is a MUST TRY!
(4)Kim N.
So not impressed. We heard great things about this place and the reviews were amazing. However, and this only applies to small percentage of people, me being one. They don't have any dairy free options except salad and fruit. We got in line, waited 15 mins to put our name in, used the restroom and since we had a 45 min wait decided to look at the menu. Every breakfast item is severed with cheesy hash browns. No substitutions. All the omelets have milk and cheese in them. No substitutions. At this point I ask the hostess whom I had to track down and get her to stand still for a min to ask her if they had and items that I could eat without dairy. She said "Nope, wait, yes fruit and salad. We don't change items." Really!!!! Most places go out of their way to accommodate a food allergy. They just said nope. They had gluten free, but not dairy free. Way to lose an entire group of lactose intolerant, dairy allergy and vegan people.
(1)Bianka M.
Greatness in the form of FOOD with a superb atmosphere paired together & you get "Batters n Berries". I'm not a big 5 star type of person however I am fair, honest & not easily impressed. This place deserves all 5 of the STARS available to be given when reviewing from the interactive kitchen staff, more so the owner & chef who openly come out to mix and mingle with the patrons while asking about the dishes being dined on & taking in any suggestions with a smile. I've dined at Batters N Berries a total of 5 times now as I no longer live in Chicago & this restaurant opened as soon as I relocated. I do visit home (Chicago) often & every trip includes a gathering to Batters N Berries with a group of individuals either Family, Friends of Business Associates. I've introduced people who live in Chicago currently to the restaurant & they are now regulars. We LOVE everything from the FRESH ingredients to the exquisite & unique combination of flavors creating tasty & memorable dishes. Some FAVORITES: Deconstructed Shrimp or Lobster omelette French Toast Flight Chicken Sausage Patty Sweet Potato Hash Chicken & Waffle with chicken in the waffle BYOB - Come with some bubbly & they provide flutes & you can order orange and/or Pineapple juice to create your specialized mimosa while enjoying your fellowshipping with friends & eating on AWESOMENESS.. Enjoy
(5)Kendal P.
Had breakfast here this morning and loved every bite. It's an easy walk from Days Inn and not too busy on a Tuesday morning. Had the veggie omelet and French Toast flight. The omelet was well-seasoned and the veggies were obviously fresh - still crisp and not mushy! I loved all four of the flavors in the flight - having just one would not be as satisfying. The owner asked every table how their meal was and was genuine in his invitation for our return! Highly recommend.
(5)Mika H.
I'm a breakfast foodie and this is one of my favorites! I haven't been disappointed yet and I've worked my way around almost the entire menu. They have special items from time to time that aren't on the menu and those have been awesome! My go to is the Cluck and Goof aka Chicken and waffles. It's a chicken infused sweet potato waffle with a chicken breast on the side (makes me hungry just writing about it.) Yum!! Pros: Best brunch ever! BYOB Cons: Wait time can get long sometimes so don't wait until you're starving to go.
(5)Jennifer L.
An hour and 45 minute wait for French Toast? You've got to be kidding me! My fiancé and I stopped by a little bit before noon on a Sunday afternoon. We were quoted at an hour and 45 minutes and were told that there were 16 other parties of 2 waiting to be seated before us. I seriously considered leaving and finding somewhere else to eat. But, the curiosity won out and so we decided to wait. Luckily, there are plenty of places where you can go around the area to wait it out. We returned and there was still a small wait. The hostess led the crowd of people who were on the waiting list away from the door and to the back of the room. There is a small waiting area by the bathrooms and kitchen. Eventually, we were seated toward the hostess stand by the window and door. Unfortunately, it would get cold when the door was open, but thankfully, the hostess was great about reminding people to keep it shut. As for the food, I ordered the Super French Toast Flight. It comes with samples of their four regular French toast slices (blueberry, strawberry, caramel and lemon). The special French Toast of the day was berry, which included blackberries and raspberries. The French Toast was, hands down, one of the best that I've ever eaten. I enjoyed that the slices were not super thick. They were drenched with just the right amount of egg and were a little crispy on top as well. I enjoyed that fresh fruit was used as toppings instead of syrup. Maple butter was served with the toast was delicious! The lemon was one of the best. It is served with walnuts and shaved pieces of lemon. It had just the right amount of sweetness and zest. The berry one was delicious due to the generous helping of berries and raspberry drizzle. The caramel one was great as well and tasted even better with the maple butter on it. The strawberry and blueberry ones did not disappoint. I enjoyed my flight with a side of bacon, which I requested to be cooked crispy. The bacon added a nice saltiness to my very sweet meal. My fiancé got the lobster omelette, which was "deconstructed". Generous portions of lobster were served atop egg whites. The omelette came with a side of cheesy hash browns. The concept of a "deconstructed" omelette was pretty neat and enjoyable. I tried a few bites and enjoyed it too. The interior is small, but bright and inviting. Our waiter was efficient and friendly. He placed our order on an iPad, which was unique. Another plus is that it is BYOB so you can create your own mimosas. We also parked on Lincoln in front of the restaurant for free which was nice. Otherwise, you can find free street parking if you're willing to hunt for it. The downsides, aside from the wait, would be that the restaurant is small. But, the bright decor was pretty inviting. The house music was a tad too loud making it hard to have a conversation without having to yell across the table. Thankfully I was too busy shoving my food with the delicious French Toast to even attempt to make conversation with my fiancé. Was it worth the wait? Yes since I wasn't starving when we got there and I had a small bite to eat elsewhere while waiting. Would I have wanted to wait if I was starving? Definitely not. I definitely plan on coming back, but trying to work on the timing so I don't have to wait two hours! Perhaps they'd let me call in my reservation before we make the trek down from the 'burbs to eat there??
(4)David B.
I went on a weekday I thought the food was pretty good I will never give a restaurant a lower rating because of a long wait ( REALLY PEOPLE?) I had the crab meat eggs Benedict .. They were decent ...I agree I was a little surprised it came with no muffin .. I tasted my friends French toast and it was great .. I like the idea of using iPads to show the food .. However our waitress had a THICK accent and it was very difficult to understand her ... One thing I'll say is the name is PERFECT .. Because the French toast sampler was VERY good
(3)Lauren H.
Brought my mom here for mother's day and we waited over an hour to be seated! Thank God it was a nice day, because we had to wait outside. This places is SOOOOO small on the inside. Very limited seating for those who are waiting. No stars are lost for this, because the hostess took our names, even though it was 3:30pm, when we arrived and they were closing at 4pm. Everyone was allowed to stay and eat, as long as their names were given before 4pm. Sweet! My Crab Benedict was AH-MAZING! I haven't had eggs benedict in a long time, because I no longer eat pork. But a crab substitution? Yes! It was perfection! My mother loved her lobster omelette, I had a taste and it was better than my food!!! *speaks volumes* Now, these were mother's day specials...I'm not sure how frequently they return on the menu. However, my brother had a pulled pork sandwich and he loved it! :-) We did share the French Toast Flight (which is a french toast sampler; it comes with different varieties). I must say, I was not really impressed with their french toast. I've had way better. It was dry and the french toast that came with fruit (strawberry and blueberry) were not hitting on anything for me. Our waiter bragged that french toast was their specialty...but I liked their other food more. *shrug* Speaking of our waiter...he was fantastic! Exceptionally attentive, checked on us often, but not in a "I'm rushing you to finish" sort of a way. He was genuinely making sure we didn't need anything. He also started a Riddles Game with us (all of his tables) and we were competing with one another. We lost! *shakes fist* But, it's all good. Bottom-line: Cool people and over-all, good food. If you can, go during the week...Saturdays and Sundays are monstrous. Lol.
(5)Lisa B.
Mmmmmm!!!! My fiancé found this place on yelp before we planned out our trip to Chicago. It is soooo good! I got the french toast flight. Best french toast in Chi-town. I've been to a few other places in Chicago that are supposedly known for their french toast but it did NOT compare to this place. Staff was very nice too. I suggest going early before the crowd gets there. We went on a week day and it was crowded. It made me wonder if anybody in Chicago works or if they all worked from home? Interesting... My fiancé got the crab benedict and he enjoyed that as well.
(5)Samantha W.
Simple. AMAZING food! Omg! The food was very tasty. I had the crab cake omelette and I must say it was absolutely delicious. I also had the the Carmel French toast! It was like heaven lol! Never had anything like that before. My best friend and I was fighting over the last piece that's how good is was. If you are ever up north please try this place you will not be disappointed. Get there early it takes 25-30 minutes to be seated.
(5)Monica E.
Does this place need any more rave than it already does?? Always my go-to breakfast spot and they are always packed! Can you blame myself and everyone else in the Chicagoland area? Friendly staff, great service, BYOB and amazing food. It's definitely a must try.
(5)Carrie G.
This place is SO. VERY. GOOD. We had: the deconstructed steak omelette, the biscuits and gravy, and the French Toast Flight! Yumma Nomnom! Service is excellent, food comes out fast and perfect. The place was packed when we were there but the service was still great! Great coffee too! Always a plus when you're a bit jet lagged.
(5)Andrew B.
The cluck and goufre is culinary genius, and I'm always impressed by the lower carb breakfast offerings (steak and eggs, creative ommlettes). Service is always great, service staff are very knowledgeable about the dishes and specials. The owner/chef had come out on multiple occasions just to walk around and check on tables. Get here early, before 10am. Cramped space and long waits hold this place back from 5 stars.
(4)Danielle H.
Loved the food! I took my friend for her birthday and we tried the chicken omelette and strawberry French toast. the service was super fast and the food was so delicious and fresh. Would defiant leg recommend and go back
(4)Nicole F.
This place was amazing! The line was out the door and there was a 45 minute wait for two people. I was spending the day in the city so we figured we would wait. Half hour later my name was called. I got the banana nut waffle and it was really good! It was the perfect size and the vanilla drizzle they put over it was icing on the cake.! The staff was super friendly too! It's also a BYOB which we didn't know!! Great food! Definitely coming back! It was worth the wait.
(5)Melita J.
My brother told me about this place and we went for breakfast today. Delicious from scratch food, served fast and hot! Great service and decent prices. Very crowded and wait time can be long. Definitely with the wait!
(5)Kelly S.
Had a heavenly brunch here and highly recommend it. The French toast flight is a must! The staff was very sweet and attentive too. On my list for my next Chicago visit.
(5)Nuri K.
I love their food. The staff are friendly . I have no complaint just hope they will expand their place.
(5)Cindy B.
I've never gone wrong! The French toast is the classic. What they're known for. Have to try it! My other fav is the goof n cluck delicious sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken. Food is uniquely delicious. Service is great. Just expect a wait of at least 30 mins.
(5)Adem R.
POSSIBLY my all time favorite place in Chicago!! The chef is a genius, the staff is first class. Cant recommend this place enough
(5)Dayna K.
Holy good god this place is good! Fast service, the food is insanely delicious!!! Props to the chef! Pricey but that's Chicago!
(5)Sade B.
This place is awesome. Its cozy but accommodating. I had the lobster and shrimp Benedict. It was so fresh and tasty. My husband had the French toast flight. It was very good as well. The service is fast and friendly. I would definitely visit this place again
(5)Oluchi O.
Yes, yes and yes! Always friendly staff, the food is always great and people are always lined up to be there. FYI, I ONLY go on Mondays and Wednesday morning...( no wait!)
(5)Terrel K.
Nice experience.had the vanilla bean french toast.really nice and tasty with great tasting homemade maple butter.eggs were nice,fluffy and fresh.bacon tasted like it was from corn king very low quality and was cold,although they replaced it with warm bacon it was still dry and low quality.coffee was not very good either.like the special menu items.will try this place again and hopefully the next meat i get will be tasty to.
(3)Brad M.
The wait can be long but do yourself a favor and just walk down the street and grab a drink at a bar and head back to have some of the best food you've ever tasted. Hands down the chicken and waffles makes this place the reason I've already been twice in the past month and I don't even live in Chicago. The french toast flight is great as well. Once seated the time waiting for food was insanely fast, it is spoiling me now when I go to other places. I must also say the staff has been great as well. I wish I could go every week.
(5)LaQuita B.
I love the variety of selections. The french toast and the spinach and lobster omelet are to die for! Menu is a bit pricey. I wish they had more comfortable seating also. If you like plain white sugar in your coffee bring some with you. They only have sugar substitute and raw sugar. I go during the weekday around 10ish and it is less crowded and am able to walk in and get seated right away versus what I have heard about going the weekends and 2 hour waits or long lines but that just shows how awesome the food is.
(4)Kate U.
GO HERE and get the french toast. It is out of this world good that you don't even need to put syrup on it. Food-wise this has been my top brunch place in Chicago; sure if you go on Sunday morning there will be a bit of a wait, but go earlier and you won't be waiting nearly as long. Trust me, it's worth the wait and the potential parking fee (there is usually street parking available on Lincoln by the restaurant.) The waiters are very knowledgeable and honest about what is popular and what is good for your taste. Very attentive but not too much that it's annoying or you feel like you can't have a private conversation. I told the waiter that I liked "sweet" and I got the blueberry french toast. OMG, yum. They have cinnamon butter that they put on the french toast and all of the breaded items (pancakes, biscuits, waffles, etc) and that butter is so tasty. The hash browns are also very good, gosh I'm making myself hungry just thinking about this place. Come hungry, leave happy.
(5)Kevin B.
Probably one of my favorites Breakfast places in Chicago. Its almost a must-go if you live here or just visiting. I've been here 3 times in the past year and every single time its been better than the time before (which is hard to do). Food - Excellent. Their French Toast may be the best I've ever had. I've tried the French Toast flight and just the regular Caramel French Toast and both were excellent. It was cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of sweetness. I've also had Crab Benedict (which I think is a seasonal entree) as well as deconstructed Chicken Fajita skillet. Both were seasoned and cooked to perfection. And just for a little unknown fact that most people don't know about...THE PLACE IS BYOB. So you can definitely bring champagne, vodka or whatever you like to go along with some orange juice to start your breakfast off right!!!! Service - Excellent. Food came out in a timely manner. Wait staff was very nice, pleasant and professional. No complaints whatsoever. Price - Extremely reasonable especially considering the quality of food they present. The only thing I would suggest is to expect a wait especially on weekends. But the food is definitely well worth the wait. So thats not enough to bring it down from the 5 stars. And I repeat BYOB, BYOB, BYOB, BYOB!!!!!!!
(5)Angel L.
Pros: The food was different and pretty good. Of course I had the Flight with ham and sweet potato hash browns. The only thing I wasn't too pleased about was the hash brown dish. It was more like a lumpy mashed potatoes and it was too rich for my pleasing. Other than that, food was pretty good. Cons: The wait. Don't tell me 45 minutes when it's actually an hour and a half. So, I recommend only going to this place if you have time to kill. The management gave us the most shrug look when we told him we don't mind the wait just tell us so we could have left and went somewhere else (because we were on a tight schedule.) So am I running back? No but I definitely think everyone should experience at least once. Great business to support.
(3)NaKetha K.
I really love the food here it is unique and exceptionally awesome. I visited 2 times. My first visit I thought I would swing by and grab a quick breakfast. The wait was crazy. I had to leave and call my order in for pick up. The second visit my girlfriend visiting Chicago and our kids went. We had a party of 7. The wait was extra long. Once agin the food was awesome. My recommendation if you are on a time schedule don't stop here. If you have a party over four, they do not have seating for large groups so you have to wait for multiple tables to empty. If you have all the time in the world, and you want to experience an flavorful breakfast check out this spot. I the chicken and waffles. The lemon frech toast is amazing. This place should really expand. ..
(4)Belinda P.
The wait was 2 hours, but worth it .The caviar seafood omelet was so good. Will definitely come back.
(5)Kathleen A.
Nice to see diversity especially on the North side! We were impressed to see how busy it was on a Tuesday at 11am. On to the review. For people who really like French toast, this seems to be your place. I had the crab cake and shrimp Benedict. I took a chance as I'm not a big crab cake person. It was ok. Slightly fishy but then I'm pretty particular when it comes to that. Also, they use those tiny shrimp. I would have preferred the prawn cut up in pieces. More flavor. The potatoes were good. Cheesy. Needed a little salt tho. I don't know what they cook their food in, but it left a shiny residue on our plates which l, to me, isn't terribly clean tasting. Our waitron was fine, if a little solemn but I made her laugh and she was fine. Service is blazingly fast! The food came out quite quickly. Must be those mini iPads they use. One suggestion for them: they have a waiting area plopped in the middle of the tables. I think they're missing out on more revenue since it's so crowded. Put those stone benches outside and more tables inside.
(4)Kathleen H.
I really wanted to give B&B more stars, but they hype is not all that it should be. The atmosphere is nice and the service is decent to good. However, I got one of the specials at the convincing of the server (the crab cake benedict) without any indication of price. The specials board had no prices listed either. Now, I absolutely should have asked...but I was shocked when the bill came that the price of my plate was $18!! My friend's meal was only $10 (she got a waffle). The food was good, but not 5 star outstanding. I recommend trying it out though!
(3)Tiffany P.
1. Yes the food is great. 5 stars 2. Yes you will likely have to wait. Normal for a place with food as good as this 3. Yes the service is horrible. 0 stars...seriously There is no denying that the food is good. I've tried many things off the breakfast menu and have always found the taste to be beyond what I expected. Try to go with a small group only 2 if possible. I once went and there were 6 of us and we seemed to have been 'forgotten' when trying to be seated and then many food items were forgotten and they advised only 1 waffle iron was working so we all got our food at different times. The hostess that they have working for this place are horrible. They will have their personal bluetooth or headphones in one ear. They are full of attitude and you pretty much have to just tell them what you want because they won't ask if you need help or anything. I have no issues with the wait staff they've always seemed to do the best the could under the circumstances. Last time I visited there was something in my waffle like a piece of plastic. My waitress comped it but she didn't really say anything about it or ask questions or anything. No management ever came by to say anything about it. I don't require a lot of attention at a restaurant but i found this to be a bit unacceptable. To the owner of Batter & Berries: Please get the service together! Take some classes, do research online or hire a restaurant manager who knows how to handle business.
(2)Two L.
This place is always amazing! My wife & I recently visited on a Saturday afternoon at about 12:30 and even though we had to wait over 90 minutes for our table, our meal almost made us forget about the super long wait. I ordered the Scallop Omelette special which was delicious and the cheese hash browns were a great compliment. We also had the super flight of French toast which is something that I would recommend to everyone. The regular 4 that they have are phenomenal and it's always nice to try the special. I will be back again soon for sure! A tip, I think if you come with a party greater than 2 you will probably be seated sooner than if you only have a party of 2 since their usually is so many of those.
(5)Jordan P.
Great brunch place!! The food is delicious. I had the French toast flight with a side of bacon. It was amazing! You get to sample every type of French toast that they have. But thankfully each flavor only comes in a half slice, so you don't get completely stuffed. The French toast flight comes in the regular flight or the deluxe flight. The deluxe includes a sample of their French toast flavor of the day. My favorite flavors were the lemon and the caramel. The lemon had a delicious zing to it and was just sweet enough. I wasn't a huge fan of the butter cookie french toast, which was the special of the day. It was way too sweet and the cookies weren't well incorporated into the French toast. But overall, I really enjoyed the flight and I completely understand why this place is known for the French toast. My dining companion got "the executive" - steak and eggs. The steak was amazing and cooked to perfection. It was smothered in a delicious gravy - and this is coming from a girl who really isn't a big gravy fan in general. And best of all, it came with the restaurant's signature, delicious cheesy hash browns. Yum!! The service here is also amazing! The owner and the staff are all amazingly friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a good meal. They also do this cool thing where they place your order from an iPad. Very cool and I think it helps the food to come out quicker. The only downside about this place is that the decor leaves something to be desired. It definitely looks like someone with little to no restaurant experience designed the place. Overall, great brunch place. Definitely check it out. PS - for my fellow tea lovers, they have a great selection of loose leaf teas!
(5)Mike H.
The first time I tried chicken n waffles, I was a young 23 year old, getting ready for a big day of prepartying for a Lil Wayne concert. Since we already had the Hypnotiq and Hennessy, we decided the best thing to pair up with that was Eggo's and Jewel Fried chicken. It was a life changing combination. Since then, my standards have risen for Chicken n Waffles, and Batter & Berries has provided me with the best I've had so far. They make the waffle with a sweet potato batter, with chicken chunks inside...genius. They topped that with a fried boneless chicken breast and some excellent hot sauce. Dirty South gourmet greatness. Aside from that, the place is BYOB, so we were able to pop bottles of Andre and get our mimosa on. The service was awesome, they quickly brought out a bucket of ice for our $5 bottles, and different employees stopped by our table multiple times to see how our meals were. As a rule, I don't take off stars for long wait times, because that means the place is doing something right, but be prepared to wait a lonnnnnng time to get a table on the weekends.
(5)Benjamin V.
Amazing atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, incredible food, great prices. Amazing... Chicken and Waffles is the best I've ever had. A must try brunch spot in Chicago. Some have complained about the line in the front and congestion... I think the text system manages it well and have few complaints. Get there early!
(5)Kyle C.
Well never got to try the food here because apparently they don't allow you to place to-go orders over the phone. You have to come in to the store to place a to-go order... Um that kind of defeats the purpose. Not sure where the management went to business school... If at all... But turning down a good portion of customers with this ridiculously stupid rule makes absolutely no sense. Would give you zero stars if it was an option.
(1)Candace M.
This was my first time dining at Batter & Berries and the food was really good. I ordered the executive medium well with eggs w/Gouda cheese scrambled hard. The eggs weren't scrambled as hard as I'd have liked them to be, but they were good nonetheless. The French toast sampler was AMAZING! The kids had strawberry French toast and I was turned off when I asked our server for syrup and he suggested we try it as is as the butter was maple syrup infused. We took his advice and OMG, it was perfect! The owner made his rounds which was nice and our server was friendly. The only negatives was it is a small place which was extremely loud and extremely hot--almost as if they did not have the air on. In spite of those things, this is a really good place for brunch and I'd DEFINITELY recommend the French toast. You will not be disappointed!
(4)Crystal W.
The best brunch I've had in Chicago thus far! I had the shrimp alfredo omelet with bacon and cheese crusted hash browns and it was amazing! So tasty, the shrimps were huge and the homemade alfredo sauce was perfect! Our server was charming, we came on Christmas eve, so there was no wait and it's byob! I can't wait to go back! Loved it!
(5)Jinu J.
I did not experience a long wait time and the service was quick and friendly. I got the Chicken and Waffle, and it was definitely a new take the flavor. The maple butter is one of my favorite. All the food that came out of the kitchen looked delicious and I loved the chefs suggestions on how to eat the food.
(4)Fatima K.
Id give this place 5 stars for its French toast flight- super tasteful French toast with different flavors. I loved bongo room for its French toast but this will be my go to place now! The crab and shrimp eggs Benedict I ordered had awesome shrimp and crab cake but the eggs were over cooked. Didn't have that oozing yolk when I cut through them, which makes me give this place 4 stars. So not the best for eggs Benedict. The staff is super friendly and they ask you if u're eating there for the first time and walk you through the regular menu and specials with pictures off an iPad. Awesome touch I must say! Helps making the decision when u look at pictures on the menu. Keep up the service guys! I'll be going back whenever I feel like having French toast :)
(4)Heather B.
One of my favourite things to do when visiting my hometown of Chicago is go out for a great brunch- and this spot didn't disappoint. I didn't mind the short wait (about half hour) as from what I'd heard I was expecting much longer! The three of us decided to split entrees to try a variety- we ordered the chicken and waffle, French toast flight and the shrimp omelet (daily special). Everything we had was absolutely delicious- great flavours and mix of textures, though for my liking the waffle was slightly dry without the addition of some maple syrup. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and despite the big crowd waiting for tables, we didn't feel rushed at all. Also appreciated the nice cup of bottomless coffee, something I desperately miss for brunch! Great value for the food and service too, as the total came to about $22 each including tip. A must try if you're in Chicago- but prepare to wait!!
(4)iddells E.
Thank you, Yelp, for the wonderful reviews that sparked my curiosity to give this place a try. If I go here on a Wednesday morning and return Saturday of the same week, you know this place is good. If I order the French toast flight on both visits, you know that I've been having French toast dreams because Batter and Berries' are just so amazingly delicious!! The waitress was right...absolutely no maple syrup is needed in your blissful consumption of the French toast. My experience on a Wednesday morning compared to a Saturday early afternoon was like night and day. Just a few tables were being waited on on Wednesday whereas on Saturday, each table was occupied and there were hoards of people standing in the back area and in between tables with the wait-time ranging from 45-60 minutes. I didn't mind waiting because I already knew what was in store...the French toast is worth the wait, people! I've also tried the steak and eggs from my dining companions and that was pretty good too! Despite the craziness, service was friendly and prompt. I was pretty surprised at how the staff handled their tables as well as the waiting crowds. I didn't sense any frustration or irritability as the waiters worked among the chaos...I just saw smiles. The chef even made his way to greet each table. Mmmmm...I'll definitely be back. Many, many times.
(5)Ty N.
Wonderful breakfast food. Extremely creative dishes prepared by the chef. The service is great, and using an iPad to take the customers orders as well as show the specials for the day (actual images of the dishes already prepared) is a fantastic idea. You don't just come to this particular restaurant just to eat, you come for the experience.
(4)Chelsea S.
I had my first experience at Batter and Berries today! While, I'm not typically one for sweet breakfast foods, I had to try the super French toast flight based on all of the reviews! The French toast was wonderful. I love that the French toast was the star and not the toppings. I hate when I order something and the toppings overwhelm the plate. My French toast was cooked to perfection. Crispy edges and chewy in the middle. My boyfriend ordered the chicken fajita omelet, and while he thought it was too much work to eat,( I guess one does not enjoy working for their food) the taste was amazing. Our server was super friendly and attentive. My only complaint is how crowded the space is. We were sat right in the front by the door and crowds of people were coming in, holding the door open, making it a little challenging to stay warm. I definitely recommended trying this place for breakfast!
(4)mike h.
The menu is amazing Service friendly and fast Food absolutely amazing Zero complaints I found my new breakfast spot
(5)Jess P.
Yaaaaaas. This place is EVERYTHING. Cheesy hash browns and French toast sampler/flight hits the spot every time. Do I wish they took reservations? Everyone does. But it's so worth the wait. I'd wait 10 times longer cuz it tastes that good. Hope you get the staff member that will offer a riddle or a joke cuz it's amazing. Great family business in Lincoln Park and I hope it continues to thrive.
(5)Holly S.
Food was good-had the lemon French Toast-but the service was weak. They don't have diet coke.
(3)Carmen H.
If you enjoy traditional breakfast fare with a new and eclectic flair, this restaurant is the place for you! My husband and I enjoyed some of the signature items on the B&B menu. We had the shrimp alfredo omelets, the french toast sampler plate (maple, lemon, blueberry, strawberry) and I had a side of chicken sausage. Everything was delicious! I should mention that the space is small-ish, a bit noisy and we had to wait about 30 minutes to get in. Once seated, everything moved quickly and the staff are very attentive, which is great. Happy eating:-)
(5)Tamera B.
Our second visit to Batter & Berries left my emotions seriously bruised. Our first visit was fantastic, but a much larger crowd was added to our second visit and the "ish hit the fan"!!! Hence, I have to knock some stars off the five star rating I gave initially........it was that bad. The staff at Batter & Berries have no concept of crowd control & traffic flow. So, when we arrived, the restaurant was full, but no one was waiting to be seated. The hostess, then led us to the "waiting area", which is in the middle of the restaurant, off of the main walkway and across from the restrooms. This place is not large, so this is awful for traffic flow. Anyway, we were told our wait would be 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, approx. 4 additional parties of 2 were seated in the "waiting area" and a separate line formed at the door. The waiting area didn't have enough seating for everyone. So there were some people standing against the wall where the restroom doors are at AND blocking the main walkway the servers use......just messy. So, we were finally seated at the "common table" about 25 minutes later. After we sat there unattended for about 5 minutes, a server came by and said "Do you want coffee?" We both replied yes and he ran off. We didn't get a hello or anything.....I don't even know if he was our server or just being helpful. So, he brings us black coffee with no sugar or cream and runs off.......like, warp speed fast. I was really bent out of shape by this time because I was super hungry and I wanted to drink some coffee to "fix" my mood, but I do not drink black coffee. We saw the guy that gave us coffee, but he would not make eye contact with us nor would any of the other servers. So, we waited another 7-10 minutes and no one came by to get our drink order, food order, or to greet us........NOTHING. So, we politely got up and left. The food is really good, but it will be awhile before we give Batter & Berries a try again.
(2)Joshua E.
This place is very disorganized. Albeit it's very busy and popular, I personally didn't like my dish. I had the lamb chop trio and it was a really different taste. One I wasn't really wasn't prepared for. Over all abidance wasn't that great because it was packed. I especially didn't like the hour and 45 minute wait.
(3)Chelsea V.
Awesome people and love the food! I rarely give five stars but my experience here was amazing!
(5)Lynn J.
The wait was extreme...1 1/2 hour on a Saturday. However, the food was excellent! It was also served very quick!!! I would definitely come back again.
(4)Big D.
Very good food. Atmosphere was great. Server was very personable and had knowledge of the menu. I got the executive. Steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Eggs with the hollandaise sauce was so good i can't describe it in words. Before the check came i said i don't care what the bill is...It's worth it. Wish they had one on the south side. Will definitely be back.
(5)Becka E.
Great brunch option and like all the other popular brunch spots, you'll have a bit of a wait. Our original wait was around 1 hr and 45 minutes but they managed to seat us around an hour. Luckily, if you put your name and number down, they'll send you a text when ready so you can walk around the town a bit and waste time. The whole place is small, loud, colorful and everyone looked like they were having a great time. I had two in my party and we were seated at the 'communal table' in the middle of the room which was cool. There was enough room on the table so you didn't feel like you were right up on the next party. We ended up ordering their Cluck-n-gaufre (Chicken and Waffles) and Lobster/Spinach omelette which I basically inhaled. The chicken and waffles actually came with bits of chicken cooked into the waffle with another piece of chicken on the side. My friend had this and said it was amazing so I definitely will be trying it next time. My lobster and spinach omelette was actually better than I expected. No one element of the dish was overpowering (i.e. too much salt, weird lobster taste) and while it was a tiny bit runny, I thoroughly enjoyed it along with my side of pancakes. We also had tea with our meal. They give you a sort of sampler board with little shakers of tea from which you can smell and see which one you want. After you choose, they'll bring you your own little personal "tea pot" brewed with loose tea from which you can get about three cups. I had English Breakfast w/ cream and my friend had some interesting walnut/flower mixture. Bottom line: From what we had and saw (spying at other people's food), this place has great flavor, nice service and a great price. BYOB...nothing more said there. If you're picky and looking to order plain waffles/pancakes/french toast, try going to IHOP or something because I didn't see too many options for plain anything (except maybe the pancakes and the protein). Definitely a place to try.
(4)Tasha W.
This place is always busy so be sure to put your name on the seating list as soon as you arrive. The waiting area is in the middle of the resturant. The owner is always on site greeting customers. The specials are not on the menu yet on the chalk board near the ceiling. The waitress was very polite and showed pictures of every meal on her tablet before you order. Once you order you don't wait long for your food. The food looks just like the pictures. They food is very very good. The toast taste wonderful. I tried almost everything. This is a very nice place to eat. It's worth the wait in line.
(5)Jessica C.
This place was fantastic! We had to wait a half hour and it was extremely loud in there that I could barely hear myself talk, but the food was absolutely delicious. I got the deconstructed chicken fajita omelette and it was one of the best omelettes I've ever had! I tried a bite of my friends French toast and that was also delicious. Doesn't have great ambiance but fantastic food.
(5)A F.
Hubby and I decided to visit B&B on Saturday morning. We called ahead and the hostess said there was about a 20 minute wait. We arrived and the wait grew to one hour. What an hour that was watching the delicious looking plates being delivered to the 30 or so tables in the tiny restaurant. Finally, our name was called and we were seated at a small table in the back in view of the energetic and busy busy kitchen. Our waiter, who I was convinced moonlites as a standup comedian, approached our table in all of his surround sound splendor. He announced all of the specials, and we waited. The restaurant bustles with chatter and laughter. Soft house music played in the background. Hubby ordered the crawfish omelette, and I ordered the lobster Benedict. Both were amazing. We also ordered the French toast flight which was the best I've ever had. Overall,this was a wonderful dining experience, and I'll definitely be back. The only "meh" of the meal were the cheesy hash browns. They were average at best which was surprising because of the awesomeness of everything else.
(4)Kaelyn G.
There is one word to describe Batter & Berries and that is "Amazing". I came here with a group of four to celebrate my St. Patricks day birthday. There was a 20 minute wait which wasn't bad compared to the 2 hr wait that most people experience. The food was awesome. I had the Cluck & Goof which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken. It also came with an extra chicken breast and their very tasty and unique nutmeg hot-sauce. I also tried the Crab Cake Benedict which was also really good and flavorful. The service was the best. Our waiter was very attentive and the manager even came over to ask how everything tasted. It was a great experience, I will be returning soon.
(5)Kendall H.
Came here on a trip to Chicago. I got the chicken and waffles, which were really different than what I'm used to at home but good. The waffle was almost like pumpkin cake, but with some chicken inside, and fried chicken with hot sauce on the side. Service was really fast, both me and the table next to me got our food in under 5 min. The place was full on a Monday morning so I'd guess weekends are crazy.
(5)Barton T.
Imagine a kid making every imaginable flavor of french toast, accompanied with some creative sides. This is Batter & Berries. Let's get down to it. The place is cozy, meaning if you go at peak time, it can be up to a two hour wait. When it's good, this is the effect of the cause. Live with it. Be patient or use this tip (go during the week or before 10 on the weekend). The menu is creative yet focused. The chef and the servers work in unison making sure the quality is consistent and the flavors are good. The thing you must try (in my opinion) is the flight french toast and the cluck n goufe. The flight is a sample plate of all the flavors. For a little extra you can add the special flavor of the week. The cluck n goufe is the start to me. Why? Because it' a chicken and chicken waffle with a banging hot sauce as the syrup. Of course they have other things on the menu. I can say I haven't had anything outside of breakfast food, so I can't comment on the lunch side of the menu. All in all, make the time, bring a bottle (BYOB) and experience it and see what flavor you like the best. (SIDE NOTE: Dreamsicle and the Peanut Butter french toast were the best!!!).
(5)Jennine I.
I took my son and sister here for a birthday celebratory breakfast. I was forewarned that they have crazy wait times so we arrived shortly after opening and there was no wait at all. I guess because we went on a weekday. There was plenty of street parking available. First impressions..I will say that the place is really small and cramped. However, the food was just excellent!! I love the french toast super flight, which has 5 pieces of french toast. We also had the hash browns and the chicken sausage. The waitstaff can be more a little more friendly and attentive, but our actual waitress was awesome. A lot of the staff just moped around the large table in the middle of the room, which I thought was weird. I hope that they open a 2nd larger location. Overall a good experience. I will be back.
(5)Rachel B.
I went for my birthday in January 2015 for brunch. The staff was friendly and prompt and the menu was a great variety of savory and sweet dishes. We definitely took advantage of the BYOB and brought a few bottles of champagne. The line is usually pretty crazy for brunch so expect a wait when you get there, but it's worth it. The French toast flight is a must for your first time.
(4)Monica B.
Damn, the wait is long here. It's a cute little restaurant, but we waited a good hour for Sunday brunch. Everything on the menu sounded soo good, but I ordered the famous Fried Chicken and Waffle. It was delicious and totally lived up to the hype. I definitely want to come back and try some of the other sweet and savory items. Everything looked great!
(4)Temprest B.
Their food is the bomb, their customer service was great what more can you ask for. I wish their chefs can come to my house every morning and cook for me lol
(5)Rod P.
Go on a workday during brunch hours or after lunch to avoid the long wait. Food is flavorful. I had the special "pork chop executive" and the Mrs, the deconstructed salmon omelette. Plus we shared a caramel candied walnut French toast (no syrup required). If I had to critique one thing, I'd say, avoid the coffee and BYOB.
(5)Nisa J.
I don't think I can express how much I love the food at the restaurant. I especially enjoy the Carmel French toast and apple sausage!!! Try to go as early as possible ... I've waited up to 2 hours for a seat.
(5)Leticia M.
I had the French toast fight that was good with a side of eggs. Lots of parking in the street but yet again I did go on a Monday. Staff is very attentive. Place is small with lots of staff :) food comes out like in 10 min which is awesome. Majority of the staff were Hispanic so that's cool. If you are a first timer they have an iPad where they have photos of their specialties. Place doesn't take American Express :(
(4)Kavi P.
Was looking for a good french toast or pancake. This place was great for their french toast especially because of the 'float' with the four different flavors. I do wish there was a bit more variation...I feel that there wasn't enough to appeal to more people. If I wasn't craving french toast I'm not really sure what I would've ordered....
(3)Robin H.
The food here is very very good!
(4)Kaitlin S.
Really really great food. I truly respect a menu where the chef takes pride in what he's put together-- urging patrons to try the food in its original form (sans syrup/salt/pepper). I had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken baked into it. I mean, damn! Of course, the only downside is the wait. There is almost always a line (I live nearby and always look out the window when I pass). However, that's a great problem to have for a restaurant. My only qualm was the hostess that told me my wait for a table of four was 10 minutes, and then we went on to wait for 55 minutes. When we did sit, we got the communal table and had to eat with two other groups. But, honestly, the food makes up for any menial issues like that.
(4)Francisco G.
WILL never eat here again!!!! Beside that tacky decor and ratchet music, the food is bland and over price. I got some espresso shots and it was nearly $10. When I expressed concern to management, the douche bag (with a really tight shirt on) argued where we typically get our coffee because that price is normal. Uh, no. So instead of listening, he just continued to insult us. Never going back.
(1)Melissa V.
Two words to describe B&B? Yes. Lawd. The chicken & waffles and fish & chips are amazing. Go there - you will not be sorry!
(5)Wilbert M.
After waiting over 30 minutes for table we were anticipating an extraordinary breakfast. Unfortunately, the food was inedible and the prices was too expensive for the quality of food served. We will not be going back.
(1)Mickey A.
Note to self: this is BYOB. My friend and I knew it was BYOB but at the time, we were too hungover to even think about alcohol at brunch. Like a lot of brunch places, there is a good wait time, even on extremely cold days. It's such a cute place with some pretty cool artwork. The owner himself is cool. He would come outside every so often to chat with those of us waiting and go around the tables making sure everyone was well fed. I had plans to get the French toast flight. But once we heard the specials, I had a tough decision to make. French toast flight or crab cake benedict. I'll just pat myself on the back for going the crab cake benedict route. It was quite heavenly. I tried to take my time and savor this but couldn't. I stuffed myself and still had a small amount left to take home. And the cheese hash browns were too good. I almost asked about substituting those for something else, but our server said keep them. They are his favorite and that I wouldn't regret it. He was right.
(4)Hannah C.
This is one of those spots that should stick to their specialty. We went last Sunday and most of us wound us disappointed. The highlight: the caramel french toast, which was just as amazing as our charming waiter promised. Their tea selection was impressive and the other breakfast beverages (coffee and hot chocolate) were fine. The downside: the side of chicken sausage was barely warm and had a disgusting uncooked flavor so bad two of us spit it out. The two sandwiches (BBQ and Buffalo Chicken) we tried were both lackluster, and the fries had a strange fishy aftertaste. Overall, it wound up being an hour wait and a $50 bill for one good dish. I'm not saying don't go, but don't try to push this place outside its French toast comfort zone.
(2)Kim B.
I'll admit that Batter & Berries has great french toast. Where else can you find watermelon french toast?! My only complaint is the fact that they use regular white bread so the toast gets limp and soggy. The result is great flavor, not so great texture. The chicken & sweet potato waffle was tasty as well. Even the hot sauce they use is good and I don't even like spicy food. I like that the chicken is boneless so you don't have to eat it with your hands.
(3)Ma Lorie A.
Almost four stars for the grub presentation, 3 stars because it tasted like ihop food. Now there's nothing wrong with ihop, if you like eating at Ihop. I appreciated the New York style dining which gave me an opportunity to eye the lamb chops the stranger across from me was chomping on. However, if you have to look at someone else's food, you know yours isn't appetizing enough! I enjoyed the French toast flight but the cheesy hash browns aren't as good as what they tell you on yelp! On to the next one.
(3)Savannah G.
Batters and Berries is simply delicious! Everything is homemade, and makes your mouth water just by looking at it. I had the crab cakes Benedict and honestly I can't stop dreaming about it! Plus the waiting staff is phenomenal, my particular sever could sell me on anything. Definitely recommend!!!
(5)Carla C.
Went with a few friends and they had a hour wait but baby bye I'm not mad the food was 2 kinds of deliciousness. Their the service was super fast and the waiter great!
(5)Lisa H.
Was looking for a brunch place to catch up with an old friend and stumbled across Batter & Berries. Reviews look promising and the photos reeled us in. We went around noon (assumed it would be peak hour) and had already braced ourselves for a wait. To our surprise, there was no line and was seated immediately. My friend ordered the chicken-n-gaufre (a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle, topped off with pieces of chicken drizzled with sweet hot sauce and syrup) and I ordered the crab benedict. My friend enjoyed her entree, it was basically chicken and waffles with a twist. The sweet potato waffle played well with the sauces and chicken. For my crab benedict, I thought it was delicious. B&B's crab benedict was not like the usual benedict I have at other brunch places. There was no english muffin, but two large crab cakes topped off with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Everything about the benedict was just right. It also comes with a side of their famous cheesy hash browns which I thought it was ok, nothing to rave about. I would of rated this brunch place an extra star, but I thought their service wasn't on par. It wasn't that busy and we still didn't get the service I would have expected. It took the waitress almost 20 mins to come over to take our order. We even saw other people who arrived after us getting their order taken. The waitress also wasn't too attentive to us either. She would pass us a couple of times and I would try to get her attention for our check. When she finally gave us our check, she never returned to process it. We got fed up of waiting, so we brought it to the front to get everything settled. The prices are very competitive with most brunch places I have been to, but B&B offers great food; kudos to the chef! The service could of been better though. Hopefully next time I decide to stop by, the servers will be a little bit more attentive.
(3)Stacey M.
This place is The BOMB .com. I want to eat here everyday! No complaints except our waitress took awhile to get to us, the place was full though. I had the Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. We had a half order of the French toast special, Strawberry Champagne, it was scrumptious. Side of pancakes with maple butter.. SO delicious. Wasn't sure I'd like them because of the lemon zest but it was a yummy touch! I tried my friends egg white veggie omelet (special) and Pork chop & eggs, both great!! I can't wait to go back here and get the French toast flight or chicken & waffle!
(5)Dick L.
We came here for breakfast a few weeks ago and had a great experience. I had forgotten to write a review of this place until I found the photo I took of my chicken & waffle. The restaurant was very packed on a Saturday morning. I was not too crazy about the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles I had, but the french toast flight that my girlfriend got was excellent. Their bacon is also very good. Very interested to try the rest of their menu -- we will be back!
(5)Symone W.
love this Restaurant! also, love that it is black-owned in predominantly white Lakeview/Lincoln Park. Unique in the sense that they show you photographs of their specials on an iPad which I thought was smart and creative. I love seeing pictures of what to order beforehand. I had the Blueberry Waffle and the Spinach and mushroom Omelet. The Waffle was amazing! very sweet and only needed the maple butter that came along with it. It reminded me a lot of a blueberry muffin and was yummy when I reheated it later that evening. The spinach and mushroom omelet was also divine. The omelet is made with cheese inside and the spinach and mushroom sauté on top. Additionally this comes with a side of cheesy hashbrowns. They make their own hot sauce and it was so yummy I had to ask if they bottled/sold the sauce. Spicy with a hint of garlic. Only complaint is that the choices for omelets are limited. Having some traditional omelets like a meat and cheese (ham, chicken sausage, etc) wouldn't hurt!
(4)J. Terrell A.
Freaking fantastic. My new go-to place for brunch. The wait is long but so worth it. Weekends are busy. We arrived around 12:45 and the wait was 45 to 60 mins. Anticipation built as the servers delivered deliciousness as we stood waiting to be seated. My dining partner opted for the Super French Toast, a total of five flyers that included one mystery flavor which we figured was chocolate. Best. French. Toast. Ever! I picked up The Executive - steak and eggs with hash browns. It was good, but I preferred the French Toast. There servers are prompt and friendly. The coffee is bottomless and the the music is lively. Hit this place up, you will not regret it... but go early!
(5)Lauren W.
Not worth the hype. $13 omelet that was VERY oily and had some weird veggie paste on top. The server was sweet but the guy who sat us was kind of rude. I would be bummed if I waited for an hour to go here!
(2)nicole m.
People there are friendly and quick to get your order and explain the dishes. The French Toast was subpar, they had different ones and I ordered the super flight; but it seemed like a blanket french toast with a different glaze ... nothing to write home about. I also tried the chicken and sweet potato waffles ... that was the star ... wished there was more sauce and less salt.
(2)Eva S.
once upon a winter day in 2013, christmas eve our group decided on some brunch at lovely Batter & Berries totally packed on Tuesday morn' but finally we were seated thank God we finally got a table and with some coffee, reheated our server, charming and delightful read off the daily specials get the flight of french toast, he winked with spiked egg nog toast & sprinkles we scanned the menu hungrily and finally reached a verdict: the flight it is, the chicken & waffle, broccoli omelett, lobster benedict with four of us at a table and four ginormous plates we created a rotation system so we can each have a taste i loved the food, i'm coming back it's settled, lincoln park is rad though the establishment is small, it's cozy Around $15 per head, ain't bad! reviews of disatisfied patrons, why be so disappointed? anything less than four stars is a review to be avoided
(4)Felica B.
They have by far the WORSE AND UNPROFESSIONAL customer service! You walk in to a hostess with a terrible attitude! We were told that we were about to be seated only to have our seats given away! When asked to talk to the manager she told us that she will get him when she gets ready! That surely sparked a fused! However when the manager finally came he said we were wrong and said he didn't care if we left! After driving and hour to get there and waiting a hour and a half to be seated! Wow!!! It is also so small in there and people are standing over you while you eat your food! The waiting room is a joke! The waiters bumping into you and each other! It is a fire hazard! Again... DO NOT GO!!! I'm only giving one star because I have to in order to write this review
(1)Jaquleen H.
SCALLOP OMELETTE!!!!! Creamy goat cheese in the middle topped with jumbo scallops, perfectly cooked asparagus and mushrooms in a white wine sauce!!! So delicious! By far one of the best dishes I have ever had!!! Amazing! You will not be disappointed!
(5)Alex J.
The foodies have been raving about Batter & Berries, so I dragged my girlfriend out in the morning and told her we were going to see what the hype was about. The wait was over an hour, so we threw our name on the list and went shopping like the good weekend Americans we are. Came back about an hour and fifteen minutes later to find out they were almost to our name, so we re-arrived in the nick of time. Her french toast flight, one of the staples, was pretty good and she was satisfied. I ordered one of the blackboard, chalk-written specials, because I have a soft spot for specials: a crayfish omelette with bell peppers and cheesy hashbrowns. The hashbrowns were somewhat bland for how prevalent they are on the menu; they were just sort of heavy but not spunky like everything else on the menu. We also mistakenly ordered a side of sweet potato fries; it's not that they were bad, we were just so full that we couldn't properly approach them. I have heard rumors that they don't cook food to order, and I believe it because our food came out quicker than you can say, "Batter and Berries." This isn't a problem when the place is popping, but, on the rare occasion that things are slow, I can imagine the quality of this practice would suffer. In any case, we may come back at some point, particularly if I see a special on their Instagram that rubs me the right way.
(4)Tamikca B.
Don't do it! Very very rude staff, hostess very snotty! Manager has zero management skills! I walked out after watching this snotty host storm through the already crowded area and say " fuck this shit" in front of maybe 20 customers which included young children. . . Presentation is everything. Not a good representation of mom and pop shops, nor the owners.. i even watched a dissatisfied customer walk out and the manager yell. "Clean off my table"! to awaiting staff before the customer even got away from the table. I think this place needs a new manager, 2 new hostess and better communication skills. This place is not a good representation of the community, nor the owner. I hope the owner make changes before it's to late. I hear the food is good though.
(1)Chelleveda S.
So I have been trying to visit this place since September and for reason or another I wasn't able to....I believe now that I was supposed to wait and build up my anticipation. I walked in and was immediately seated at the community table which was cool because I didn't have to dine alone. I was immediately brought water and offered coffee. The manager Jay just so happened to be sitting at the table and made sure that my waitress gave me prompt, courteous service. My food was brought out fast and was delicious. Once the manager found out it was my first time and finding out that I love peach cobbler he let me sample a slice of the peach cobbler french toast which was even more reason why I will be patronizing this establishment again. The hostess Nicky was very helpful with letting me know which times and days are the busiest.......so on that note if you come after 9:30ish on a weekend please be prepared to wait because it gets pretty crowded.
(5)Rishabh A.
We waited for the table on Saturday for 2+ hours and after that the food was not good. We ordered the famous fried chicken and waffles and I have definitely had better food at other brunch places. All the other food options was ok and kinda pricey for a brunch place. I would skip it and may be go to another brunch place with the wait time.
(1)Jessica A.
I have never been somewhere like this! The food is OUT OF THIS WORLD INCREDIBLE! The service is great, and environment is artsy and interesting. The only thing that needs any altering is how scary loud the music is. I couldn't talk to our server or my family and it was 11am. But I can't wait to come back!!!
(5)Justine M.
Pretty good brunch place. I had the crab cake benedicts and the crab was pleasently fresh tasting. It also came with a side of cheese crusted hash browns which I didn't find amazing. I got some crusty cheese in some bits and most of it was very mushy. I also shared the super flight with a friend which had the lemon, strawberry, carmel, blueberry and cookies and creme french toast. The lemon and strawberry were the most flavored. The others weren't that impressive. Note: There was a line out of the restaurant at 7:55 with about 7 people waiting to get in on a Sunday. This place gets VERY busy around 8:30 so come when it opens. Also very small inside
(3)Leslie P.
This place was not worth the hype! Waited in line for about an hour. I was standing over people who were eating their food. I'm sure this was annoying to them. Was finally seated at the back table closets to the kitchen. Then people were standing over me as I ate. My friend ordered the strawberry French toast and had hair in them. I ordered apple waffle and it was dry and nasty. Manager was also very rude. I was very disappointed. I really wanted to like the food here. It just might have been a bad day!
(2)Samuel A.
I DO NOT recommend this place. My friend is visiting town so I wanted something to eat that was fast and not so far from where we are in Lincoln Park so this was it. We got there and immediately were greeted by a very sassy hostess who didn't eve look at me at any moment and told us, quote, "you can go seat in the waiting area over there cause you gotta wait at least 45 min". So we go to the waiting area, honestly 4 tables can be arranged there and wait time would have been less. What a waste of useful space right in the middle of a restaurant. We wait and wait and wait. Finally we are seated right next to the bathroom door so we asked to be moved to another table. They did. My impression was that they don't really take care of who they hire as servers in this place. Service really sucks. There were 3 girls behind the hostess podium just chit chatting as one of them was sitting in a chair with customers sitting on that table. Buzz boys and waitresses walking up and down and standing around looking at each other and having conversations next to customers. It seemed to us like the servers literally go out of bed and went straight to work. Nobody working there seemed to think that their image and the way they present to the customers is how successful their business can be. I mean one of the 3 hostesses was sitting at a table with customers eating on that table as she chit chatted with the other two about people walking in and out. That's not ok. Management in this place, they must get these issues together and train their staff on proper serving manners. I have a lot of friends in the service industry and anywhere else that would be unacceptable. And now to the food. The heater in there was warmer than our food was. Food was tasteless. I can see this place being busy while people want to still go try the new place around but once it's been there for a bit, if not taken care of their service/ staffing issues, I see them closing down sooner than they expected. I will not be going back to his place.
(2)Isabel H.
Amazing food. I don't mind waiting for a seat, but the second time I went in the hostess was so rude that I didn't even want to eat there anymore, but the first time I went the servers were incredible, so I'll have to go back another time when that hostess isn't there because this place really is worth it.
(3)M.j. R.
I have been here twice. The first time we were with a large group and everything went great and I liked the food. Months later I went back the second time I went with my girlfriend and they had terrible customer service. No one would even look at me so I could ask them how long the wait was. After 20 mintues the host told me 1 hour and 30 minutes. I was shocked. No one was waiting for a table and there was open seats for 2. Needless to say I will never go back there and neither will any of my friends.
(1)Ash H.
I can't stay away the food is fresh, and it taste heavenly not to mention I'm big on customer service and so are they please stop by and treat someone you love to some food made with love.
(5)Tony G.
Had the French toast flight which was absolutely incredible! Got the flight that included the special which happened to be the rum and coke which was delicious and cooked to perfection! Service was fast and incredibly friendly! Will definitely return!
(4)Victoria W.
Hours of operation, 8am-3pm. Come as early as possible, especially the weekend. If you come around 10am, there is already a long line waiting. We were here on a Sunday at 10:15, already had to do a 45 minute wait. Which is quite long, for a breakfast joint. Ordered the french toast with flight, which is the fancier version, got charged extra for that, and the egg white omelette with scallop. we each also had a small juice. Items are overpriced. We each ended up paying $20 before tax. I mean the food was good, but it was not worth that much. The scallop were fresh, there were 3 of them. Paired with mushroom, some asparagus stem and a plain egg white omlette folded. I could try to recreate this at home for a lot less. The french toasts are probably harder to recreated. It had a nice maple butter pairing with it. DIfferent flavors of french toast, strawberry, blueberry and one that looked like cinnamon? The meal was very rich though, I was all full and bloated for the rest of the day and couldn't even have dinner. I guess the service was alright, the lady came over and showed up on her ipad the additional offerings of the day. They are also listed on on the wall. But no price next to it, tricked up, the omelette ended up being so expensive. We were between that and the crab cakes... But then our server forgot our juice and we had to ask for it. I thought service was nothing special, the lady at the front, the hostess was quite stressed with the long line. 1 bathroom in the restaurant.
(3)Marisol A.
Very rude hostess! If that's the service as you enter, I could imagine the rest of the service. Decided not to wait. Very bummed because I wanted to try a new place.
(1)Ange L.
So my husband and I were looking for a new brunch spot yesterday, one that served bottomless mimosas. I went on Yelp and found that Batter and Berries was rated high; they didn't have the mimosa special we were looking for, but it'sBYOB, so we thought that's the next best thing. Well when we arrived, it was a sea of black folk waiting outside. We put our name on the list and were told it would be a 45 minute wait. We thought, the food HAD to be good if all these people were waiting this long. *NOTE: Since the wait is long, don't come famished like I did. Have a snack before you come!* Anyway, the host graciously seated us and our waitress was attentive. I ordered the French toast flight, chicken sausage and eggs scrambled hard with cheese and onions. My husband ordered the Executive. We both found that the food was delicious from the first bite til the last. They recommend not adding syrup until after you taste the french toast, and I am glad that I waited because I didn't need to add a thing! I rarely eat eggs and never finish them, but I ate all of mine yesterday. Delicious!! This place surpasses my Chicago breakfast favorites like Yolk and Bongo Room. And to top it all off - its BLACK OWNED!!! I had such a lovely experience, I shook hands with the owner and congratulated him on owning such a great place with tasty food! I cannot say enough good things about Batter & Berries. I will certainly be back again, and bring family and friends who visit the Chi. Thank you Yelp as always for not letting me down. Just remember you will likely wait a while so have a snack or something before you come!
(5)Olga Q.
AMAZING! This breakfast was the best breakfast I think I've ever ever had EVER. Why the 4 stars you're asking? Well the ambiance is frankly not great. We stopped in at around 1:30ish on Sunday and it was SLAMMED! We were told the wait was about an hour and a half for a table for two. We put our name on the list and actually waited, but we left and came back because the space is too crowded to hang out in. It's a really really small restaurant which makes it feel very crowded, uncomfortable and loud. It was hard to even speak to my husband it was so loud. Also it wasn't the cleanest place I've been too, but considering its tiny and busy I'm assuming it's just very difficult to keep it squeaky clean during a Sunday rush. They seated us at a table which was right next to the restroom, which I thought was kinda gross. People walked in and out consistently and left the door open which faced right into the dining room and, lucky me, opened right up in front of our table. I kept praying no one passed gas or fell ill while we were eating breakfast. I really have to say that the placement of the tables right by the restroom like that needs to be rethought because that alone made me feel as if I wouldn't want to go back. I ordered the salmon executive, which was a cut of salmon with a lemon sauce with a side of scrambled eggs and cheddar hash browns. My husband had a ham and bacon omelette and then we ordered the peanut butter French toast to share. The second I took one bite of the salmon I knew that they could have seated me inside the restroom and it would have been worth it! Every single item served to us was perfection. I will definitely go back and maybe next time request another table.
(4)Mary T.
Delicious! My friend and I stopped by for brunch on a Saturday around 9 and didn't have to wait too long. In fact we had just enough time to grab some champagne at the 711 next door for our mimosas. I had biscuits and gravy and my friend ordered the chicken and waffles; both were excellent. Our waiter was extremely friendly and the service was quick and efficient. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Justine A.
Be prepared how beloved and popular this place is. I went on a Thursday at about 10am and I was lucky to get a seat at the community table. The French toast flight was awesome and everything else looked equally scrumptious!
(5)Latisha C.
Yummy Delicious. Great atmosphere! Cozy! Sundays R off dee chain, beware the wait is ReaL BUT it was worth it.
(5)Marvin J.
By far my favorite place to eat breakfast. I've had several things on the menu and nothing has been less than excellent. The French toast flight is a must. They are always changing their menu items which keeps me coming back often.
(5)SweetestThing E.
This was my first time going here and I was extremely excited because of all the hype. But unfortunately I have to say I was not pleased. First of all there was a 1 hour long wait so of course i was starving when it was finally time for me to be sat to eat. The food came out super fast which is good and bad at the same time. Bad because I knew the good was precooked! My crab cakes were super cold and my cousins french toast was cold as well! I wouldn't come back. Especially with these prices. Our server was nice though.
(2)Tracey G.
This was my second visit to Batter & Berries. I had previously gone for the first time in May. I took my husband for his birthday. Back then it was amazing! We had raved to all of our friends about the freshness and delicious food. That is why I was so excited to bring my mother. Yesterday we decided to take my mom who was in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were there yesterday at approximately 11am. I was not crowed so we were seated immediately. However the waitress didn't initially come to our table for at least ten minutes. I ordered the French toast flight with eggs, potatoes and bacon, mom ordered the apple waffle with a side of bacon and my husband ordered blueberry waffle with a side of eggs and bacon. I was very surprise because our food was ready in literally under 7 minutes. I believe this was the reason the food didn't taste as good. My French toast was very dry like it had been sitting for a while. I had to pour syrup all over it to try and make it work. I assume it was pre made and they just added the fruit and cheese. This was truly disappointing because when we first visited back in May the French toast was so fresh and fluffy you didn't need any syrup. Not the case at all this time. Both my mom and husband said they both had very dry waffles. I also had potatoes with cheese. The cheese was scorched which left a burnt taste with each bite. The one good thing that we all agreed on was the bacon. The bacon was cooked perfectly. Perhaps we should have just ordered a plate of bacon and I could have saved myself $63.00. We were extremely disappointed. Not really sure if I will return. Seems like the novelty has worn off.
(2)Danielle G.
The food at Batter & Berries is awesome, especially the special Crab Cake Benedict that was a special the day I went - it was delicious, not full of other stuff that distracted from the crab. I also had the French Toast Flight - much above average french toast in 4 different flavors. The flavors are so good you don't even need the syrup, but can get some if you want. If you can make time for the long wait, it's worth it. I'd love to see them move to a bigger space, especially something with a better set up for parties waiting for tables.
(4)LaShaya L.
I was in chicago visiting friends and family. I came with four friends and this was one place we decided on. We attempted to visit this restaurant twice in three days. We drove almost forty minutes for the nasty hostess to tell us it would be almost three hours for us to be seated. Three hours would have put us past the closing time of the restaurant. Not to mention people who were on the list received text messages when a table became available. They had people who hadn't even shown up when they received the text and they held the tables for them. I would think after five or so minutes if someone hadn't shown up, next person in line would be seated. This wasn't the case at all. Needless to say we went right down the street, got serviced right away and will never return batter and berries!
(1)Sean S.
I visited this place after being encouraged by a friend to have a late breakfast on a Monday. We arrived to the location to find about 6-8 people sitting outside, and I feared a long wait. The guy at the front stated a 20-30 minute wait, but not a minute after paying the meter and placing the ticket on the dashboard, he called our name. We were seated at the large table in the center, shared with 14 other people. Despite it being crowded, our waitress arrived quickly and showed us the specials on her IPAD ("wow!") We ordered the french toast flight, the chicken and waffle, and the crab omelet. Everything was great! There was a hot sauce on the chicken that was surprisingly appropriate for breakfast; the waffle was made of sweet potatoes, and although slightly sweet, it wasn't too sweet (I didn't even need syrup); the crab omelet was very tasty and was just enough to fill the average person. The French toast flight was excellent as well, although the slices weren't as big as I usually prefer, the taste more than made up for it. Oh, and be sure to have some of the berry juice outside. I don't know if they give refills inside, but while you're waiting outside, grab a cup. It tastes like watermelon juice (not very sweet), but it's great for having to sit outside while you wait. I would go again, but since I live in the south suburbs and rarely get to the north side of the city, I wouldn't make a special trip for it, especially knowing the possibility of a long wait.
(4)Rocco S.
We went to check out this place on a weekday afternoon. Not much of a wait. Service was pretty slow and not very attentive. We ordered the seafood Benedict, the biscuits and gravy, and the chicken and waffles. The Benedict was basically an over cooked poached egg on a dried out seafood patty. I don't think there was even an English muffin underneath. The potatoes were very greasy, but decent. I was really disappointed Chicken and waffles had a dried out chicken breast that was probably pounded and double fried. The waffle was okay. They forgot to bring any syrup, so we had to wait for someone to come around to get it. Took around 5-7 minutes to finally get someone's attention. The biscuits were probably the best thing we had. But really just average. Gravy was pretty thin though. The space was kind of dark and felt a little dirty. Overall I don't understand why this place gets such top reviews. We really wanted to like it, but it just didn't work out for us. Service was below average and the food was dried out and just not that good. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but we will not be going back.
(2)Chiquita C.
I'd love to give this place five stars but the wait is always ridiculously long . Literally ever day no matter what time . Other than that I'm madly in love with every entrée I've tried . The chef is always coming up with creative new additions and weekly specials . Everything is always fresh . I eat here every time I'm home . Plus it's BYOB .
(4)Abbie F.
This place was awesome! We had the super french toast, biscuits and gravy and eggs with bacon and hashbrowns. Our waitress was very nice and the food came out spaced out enough to fit on the table. I thought the biscuits and gravy was the best meal that we ate and my friend thought the French toast.
(5)Shaynee S.
A fabulous breakfast spot for you and whomever you would like to split that french toast flight with. Busy as can be and for good reason, this establishment is clearly chef driven and has certain brunch flare that appeals to the masses. Taking pride in their ever so famous french toast flights, Batter and Berries also has delectable savory menu items that will have you wanting more. Items that caught my eye where the chicken and waffles and the fajita omelette, but the crab Benedict special stole my heart. After indulging in a carefully crafted Crab Benedict, I had nothing but smiles and compliments to share. The quality and abundance of the crab in the Benedict was superb and well worth the price. Besides great food and a vast tea selection, the service was on point. Our server was attentive, personable, charismatic, and a hard worker. Many of those skills are already instilled in a successful individual, but to have a customer become fully aware of this shows a marking of a great establishment that not only makes good food, but treat their people well. People, just go. Have the french toast flight and be amazed because it'll happen.
(5)Bart S.
This was our 3rd visit. Came on a Sunday as they opened their doors at 8AM. Friendly staff, bus boy was great making sure the coffee cups were filled. The waitress was great, The food- was a major let down this visit. On our previous visit we had their broccoli cheddar omelette that was was uninspired. Our simple order of Buttermilk Pancakes and the French Toast sampler were just average at best. Had to ask the waitress for syrup. Isn't that something that should just be served with pancakes and French Toast? The pancakes were one turn away from being burned, the french toast sampler was ok,,,just ok. The thing that really upset me, was the order was a couple of degrees above room temperature. The place was not that busy, and the server couldn't get that food to our table piping hot off the grill? Come on. That's lame. It was a poor value for what we were served, but that's eating in Lincoln Park I suppose.
(1)Jeff H.
The sweet potato waffles and fried chicken are the best! Making a beeline to B and B on our next trip to Chicago. 5 star all the way!
(5)Reecie B.
Love, love, love this place! I always get the caramel french toast which is awesome! I'm one of those people who likes my food hot so I learned after a few times to tell them to bring my French Toast out the second it is done. Also i ask for syrup when I order. Some of the waiters try to guilt you into not using syrup but I know what I like. Anyway I ask in advance because otherwise my food gets cold while they run around looking for the syrup. This place is byob for champagne which a lot of people take advantage of. It's always packed and sometimes there is a long wait but it's totally worth the wait!
(5)Kelly O.
The food was good, but that's about it. Service was horrendous. Continuously had to track down someone for coffee and water refills. Will not be coming back due to poor service.
(1)S N.
After so many visits, I am final writing my review. LOVE the spot...There are very few places where everything I've had is delicious. While there will be a wait on weekends, it is so very worth it!!
(5)Andreea S.
*this is not a review about the food* we decided to go there for brunch yesterday (Sunday), but we ended up leaving half an hour into our waiting time given the hostess' rudeness! When I arrived, she didn't even look up from her phone to talk to me, she was checking her citibank account and texting with people that then she was writing down on the waiting list!!! I specifically saw her texting someone back telling them they were on the list after I saw her writing their name down. Yes, I know it's rude to look into people's phones, but I was a little impatient and was curious to see what was keeping her from noticing me...it's not like she was trying to hide her phone screen anyways. Eventually, some other customer talked to her over me to put his name down and that's when I spoke up that I was there first and she reluctantly wrote my name down and estimated the wait to 45 min-up to 1 hour. Half an hour later I went back to inquire about the wait estimate since we were getting kinda hungry and wanted to see if we should check out some other places, she gave me attitude about inquiring *just* half an hour later, and told to come back to ask after it's been at least 1 hour because she cannot estimate...isn't it a hostess' job to estimate the wait time? Does she just give random waiting times to customers? And what's up with the attitude? We've eaten at busy brunch places countless times, but the hostesses have always been apologetic about the wait, almost always getting called up for our table before the estimated wait time. Yes, the food matters, but being treated with respect also does!
(1)Shameka A.
Great food.... It was a long wait but it was worth it!!! Friendly staff and the owners come out to greet you.
(5)Rae M.
I absolutely loved everything about this restaurant, homemade food, awesome energy from the servers and amazing food. I will visit each and every time I'm in the area!!!
(5)Valerie M.
Stopped by after a 5k last weekend. Hour and half wait. I can't understand why it is still like this months after opening. I have not seen the owner or staff try to make any adjustments to make this better. Not sure if a reservation system would help or not. I will not wait that long for breakfast food it's just ridiculous. Please get rid of the hostess with the stank attitude who doesn't know what she is doing.
(1)Julian C.
I went there for the first time Friday. There was a 30 minute wait for 2 people but It was well worth the wait. We had the lobster omelet and the chicken and waffles. Both dishes were absolutely amazing! The service was great as well. I liked the fact that the waitress had pictures of the specials on an iPad so you could see the dish before ordering. Definitely worth going to again....and again lol
(5)Andre W.
My friends have been raving about this place for about a year and every time I am invited I either have plans or I am too drunk to get up and get here. I came on a chilly Sat morning and was welcomed to a 35 minute wait which is around my threshold of time for being seated in a restaurant. While I was waiting outside, I noticed a sign that said byob (next time I know!) so I knew a mimosa wasn't going to happen...lol. Also while waiting I was able to see everyone's plate and it made me hungrier as everything looked delicious. My wait ended up being more like 20 minutes. We were shown to our table which was like a communal high top across from a couple that had some loud ass friends that recognized them as they were leaving so there was a temporary discomfort with the seating arrangement, but it was the only space for two that was available at the time so we had to take it. Server came by and gave us a breakdown of specials that weren't on the menu and everything sounded scrumptious. I took a gander @ the menu, but decided on the surf & turf omelet that came along with some awesome cheesy hash browns. The surf & turf omelet included shrimp, steak, cheese and lobster....well worth the $17. One of the best omelets I ever had, no doubt. Bring your appetite here as the portions are a nice size. I noticed a lot of people getting the french toast flights which allows you to taste multiple french toast offerings. Came back again and had the Lobster Benedict and it was also delicious. Awesome food and awesome service! I would definitely recommend getting here before noon as the wait can get pretty lengthy at that point. I also recommend bringing a bottle of champagne if you want mimosas as I said earlier it is BYOB.
(5)Bethtina W.
This place is delicious! Loved the mimosa idea. The food was scrumptious. i had the pancakes and my wife had the lobster omelet. We both ate it to the last drop. It's crowded, but the servers were friendly. It's a bit pricey.
(4)Lyn W.
This was my first time here and the food was well worth the wait! I had the peach punch tea and it was so good. For dinner I ha the chicken and goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle). It looked and tasted amazing!! The service was really good. Our server was on point and very personable. I can't wait to come back again and bring my husband. It was the best chicken am waffles I've had ever. Plus it's BYOB so next time I will be bringing my own champagne for some mimosas.
(4)April T.
My friends and I from Columbus are here for the weekend and Chris the manager and Chef Rylan accommodated us to the best of their abilities! They greeted us explained the menu and let us know the status of our order the entire time. The food was amazing!!! We ordered the Pork Chop executive, scallop omlet, crab cakes Benedict, and the Cluck n Gaufre. We also got a couple flights of French toast which were all very very tasty! We're going to make it a tradition to come for breakfast every time we come here. Oh and Tusemee our server was quick and super funny. I hope you're quick witted because he's hilarious and has the best riddles
(5)Tosha K.
So good!!! This cute little cafe is great. The strawberry french toast is so good. My sister had the carmel french toast and the homemade chicken sausages! Yummy. The service is good too. Not a fan of the coffee but the food was so good it didnt matter. The line is long to wait for a table but it is worth every bit of it. Ill be back!
(4)Yasmin C.
LOVELY little place for a solo brunch that I grabbed while in Chicago for a few days. The place was energetic when I popped in around 11:30 or so on a Friday morning, and I was seated at a large center communal table. Despite being surrounded by other parties at the big table, it was large enough that I felt like I had my own space to relax. The restaurant is simple and decorated in bright colors, with a very casual feel. I ordered my coffee, which came out quickly as I scoured the menu. "French Toast Flight" caught my eye...what the &*%*#(. Well of course I was ordering that. Scouring the web now, I see that this place is a bit of a French toast heaven with new flavors and ventures rising regularly. The lineup during my visit was blueberry, strawberry, caramel, and lemon. I also ordered a side order of chicken sausage to satisfy my savory tooth. Food was all delicious...I loved the flight for 1) its modest size, unlike most French toast experiences I've had in my life, and 2) the variety of awesomeness. I think the caramel was my fave, followed closely by blueberry. Of course, they were all great, and I gave myself up to a world of sugar and happiness. Chicken sausage was a tad oily but otherwise also yummy and sufficient to provide the sweet-and-savory fix I needed. I think the whole thing with tip came out to about $20...not bad for a quick, yummy meal. An added bonus was taking home half of each slice of French toast to donate to my generous friend and host for the weekend. I would totally come back here for brunch! Loved it.
(4)Sara C.
Excellent waffle flight and crab omelet. Would recommend - outstanding breakfast find!
(5)Zara H.
Went here for the first time today and both hubs and I loved it. Considering it was prime Sunday brunch time (11 a.m.), we expected a long wait when we saw a huge crowd outside. We were quoted 35-40 mins, but somehow were seated after only 13 mins. During our wait outside, chef Rylon came outside & told everyone about the specials that day - which I thought was super cute because you could tell how excited he was and that he truly loves what he does. Our server was super friendly & our food came fairly quickly. I had the french toast flight (lemon, caramel, strawberry & blueberry) along with the cheesy hashbrowns. Hubs ordered the banana nut belgigue (waffle) and homemade chicken sausage. Everything was delicious - this definitely makes our list of top brunch spots in the city.
(5)Kisha N.
So this is my first review and I must say I had an amazing experience. I saw this place on a friends IG page and thought I would give it a try. It was my sons 19th bday yesterday so we did brunch here. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the 20 people outside waiting for a seat. REALLY?!?! I went ahead and put my name on the list anyway. Standing outside, the establishment had juice outside for everyone to drink. It was delicious and free. ( yall know I love free). As your name came up on the list, the little cute server came outside and called your name with the biggest voice Ive ever heard on a little lady. You could be a block away and hear her. Finally, the cook came out twice while I was waiting to ensure that everyone was doing fine and had no complaints or concerns. Very nice touch. Now on to the food.. AMAZINGGG.....I had the french toast flight and it was like heaven in your mouth. They served it with this homemade butter ( I forget the flavor) that I could have eaten by itself. The french toast had unique flavors that required no syrup. I was ready to vomit from being so full. My son tried the chicken and waffles and could not stop eating. Now for the highlight of my meal....( drum roll please.....pause for effect....) my server. I think his name was Tunami. He was the most personable, knowledgable, helpful, considerate, and funniest hostesses I have run into. He was always there to tell you a funny joke and had the place lively. You would think it would be a distraction but it was quite the opposite. I will definately return. I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the hour long wait, but it was worth it! Kudos.....
(4)Sean P.
The food is outstanding. The menu has some really unique, creative things on it. The chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle was really good. THE FRENCH TOAST is the best I have ever had. When I go with friends we order a flight as a appetizer then each order our own meal. The guy that owns the place is so nice and comes out and talks to people. I would like to see the service get better. When I go to a restaurant, I really appreciate when there is at least some sense of urgency to help the customer, and I didn't get that either time I have been here. 4 stars because the food is that good.
(4)Lavon K.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! We went on a Sunday at 11:15 and waited 1.5 hours and as I saw the food coming out to other customers I thought, it's not very fancy looking with ruffles and sparkles so how in the world is this place so packed with people WILLING to wait 1.5 to 2 hours. Well, when we sat down I knew exactly why! Our waitress was very patient and helpful. She explained the specials using an iPad. Genius! You were able to see exactly what your food will look like when it comes. No guess work. No disappointment. No, uhh waitress can you take this back, this isn't what I thought it was gonna look like. There were five of us. I ordered the super flight. The extra French toast was mimosa French toast. YUMMERS!! Our table ordered the sweet potato hash browns, regular French toast flight, ham, egg and cheese sandwich, caramel French toast, apple cinnamon waffle, eggs, cheese crusted hash browns and coffee. Every single thing I tried was a winner!! No frills, no thrills, no ruffles and no sprinkles -- just good food. The owner walks around quiet and proud of his accomplishment which I admired. We would happily go back.
(5)Abby E.
French Toast flight is heavenly. Not as good for large parties as I'd thought, but very kid friendly and the owner is incredibly hands on and nice. I'd go back!
(4)Dina E.
Went on a Tuesday morning at 10 am, was greeted by a friendly hostess and seated right away. The waitress was very helpful and explained the menu. We ordered a flight of french toast, (the best we've ever had) and I normally don't like french toast. It was crisp and flavorful. We also ordered an entree from the specials, a delicious egg white shrimp scampi omelete with hashbrowns and chicken and waffles. This was the best egg white omelete I've ever had and the garlic sauce was light, creamy and superb! My husband raved over the chicken and the waffle had a wonderful, nutmeg flavor and was prepared perfectly. I was thriilled with the variety of loose leaf teas offered. Everything was served hot and plated beautifully. I will be back next week and will bring friends! Go and go often! It was well worth the one hour drive from the burbs. Street parking is ample during the morning on weekdays.
(5)Brandice S.
My second time at this place... I gave it a second chance even though our 1st experience started with a rude hostess that did not want to honor our request for a four top... Understandable considering we were a party of 2. She told us we couldn't sit there unless we had 3-4 people in our party which was fine until we looked around and saw multiple 4tops filled with 2 people. Whatever the food was good. So now a month later we go again and yet again was met with a little rudeness from the same hostess. When she was asked if we wait outside for our name to be called how will we know our table is ready..... Like to me that is a simple question but I guess she was asked that too many times and got frustrated by it. This time our food tasted like they rushed to prepare it... Not overly satisfied.
(2)Nicole M.
Great service! Delicious food! Loved the French toast flight :-)
(4)Dayna R.
Had the Deconstructed Spinach Omelet topped w/mushrooms, Swiss cheese & a spinach-mushroom sauce (added grilled onions) w/the B&B Cheesy Omlette & Chicken Sausage. My meal was DEE*LISH! Be sure to try a flight of French toast (including strawberry, blueberry, lemon & caramel) as an appetizer if you go w/a large group. It included the standard Challah bread drenched in each flavorFILLED tasty mixtures, then griddled to perfection & served w/delightful garnishes. LOVE the option to BYOB to construct Mimosas on weekend. Chef Rylon came by our table to check on how we enjoyed our meal and our host and waitress were very attentive as well! It was an AWESOME foodie experience! We will definitely be visiting again!
(5)Susan M.
This adorable place just opened next to my office and I LOVE it!! The chef/owner is always around to great you and answer questions. Today I had an amazing fresh and yummy egg white omelet with mushrooms and spinach -would have it again tomorrow! I also had the ceased chicken wrap last week and that was terrific too! Show up and support this great new neighborhood gem!
(5)Amy L.
I came here for the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken... and I left still starving. Why you ask? I'm not sure what happened. I would give this place a solid 3.5 stars if I could but I've rounded down for this one because I left still hungry... Came here with a group of 5.. 3 of us including me ordered the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. My friends waffle came out superb, light fluffy and sweet with the chicken pieces inside. Mine... dense, slightly browned, and not so good. In fact I only ate the chicken and left my waffle because it just didn't taste right to me. In the end they didn't charge me for my dish but I think I would have preferred them to have gotten it right instead of me leaving just as hungry as I went in. I also tried the sweet potato hash, I guess I was expecting something on the salty side but instead I got something overly sweet so I wasn't a fan. There was definitely a big crowd for this neighborhood establishment, we waited for about 30 minutes but they were very good with service. Someone told me their french toast flights were also very good, maybe it was just a fluke with my waffle but its enuogh to deter me away for a while.
(3)Michael L.
Not bad food. Didn't like the server too much but it won't discourage me to come back
(4)John C.
Nice staff , good neighborhood, food was okay, broccoli an cheese omelet was bland potatoes under cooked. Sweet potato waffle was good flavor but was soggy with 2 little pieces of chicken, chicken breast was very good.would not travel to this restaurant may go there if I was walking past.
(2)J U.
Pancakes don't need syrup... 'Nuff said!
(5)C L.
Come here for the French toast flight. Best French toast I have ever had in my life. The other breakfast items we ordered were not bad, but nothing to rave about either. The Place is loud but nothing matters when that French toast arrives. It's insane how delicious they are, they will not disappoint.
(4)Lindsey M.
Went for lunch today and was AMAZED. The waitress insisted we made no changes or add-ons to our food at the demand of the chef and I was not expecting to be proven so right. We ordered the french toast flight which comes with lemon, blueberry, strawberry, and plain french toast as an "appetizer" and it was so delicious with the maple butter and I'm so glad I didn't add syrup. I also had the BBQ chicken sandwhich, which was good as well, but the herb fries were to die for (esp bc I love super seasoned food). Def going back!
(5)Charlene A.
My sister introduced me & a friend to this place last weekend when we met up with a friend who is expecting twins! Meter parking on a Sunday was decent. This place is a pretty good size. The atmosphere is casual & vibrant with a great selection of music playing throughout. Onto the food! I had the french toast flight special which gave a strawberry, a blueberry, a lemon, caramel & their special of the weekend- a coconut French toast!! YUM!!! I also ordered their house made chicken sausage, which was very tasty. Our server - don't remember his name :/ but I'll call him the "riddle man" was very nice & friendly & would come by with some funny riddles. The chef makes himself present & visits each table to see how the food is which was nice. Every weekend the chef said they will have a new flavor of French toast so I definitely want to go back & try them! Overall I think it's a great new place that is definitely worth checking out!
(5)Vanessa J.
My new favourite breakfast place. The flight of flavourful French Toast is a must to perk up the morning pallet. I wanted something different and the crab omelette hit the spot. It was light and fluffy with the right amount of zucchini, cheese and onions. This was my 3rd time and the wait for a seat is well worth it. The chef always greets the crowd and the waiting customers. I am very pleased again!
(5)Marcia B.
Waited over an hour on saturday around 1pm...but it was worth it for the french toast, best french toast I ever had in my life! i forget the name..I think they put graham crackers on it . I will definitely be back :)
(4)Camille W.
I went here for brunch last Sunday with a group of six. I feel that several of their service kinks have been worked out. Service was phenomenal. The waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and made great suggestions. Our table ordered lemon and blueberry frenchtoast, a French toast flight, chicken and waffles, a classic and a breakfast sandwhich. About twenty minutes later the food came out together and hot. I was impressed with the wait time as they seemed to be quite busy. The waiter was also very attentive in filling up our water and coffee throughout the entire time. The chef/owner came out to chat with us and the rest of the tables which was a nice touch. It is true that they do not serve standard breakfast condiments because the chef believes in creating flavorful dishes that don't require extras. I can respect that. And if you ask for salt, syrup, or whatever, they are happy to give it to you. We were all very pleased and impressed with our experience at Batter and Berries and plan to become regulars for their French toast.
(5)Awilda G.
This should actually be a 1 1/2 star and its based on the food being good, but our overall experience was not good at all. I was really excited to go hear because it was highly recommended. As I also do I check out the menu and base my decision to go on what is served on the menu. What follows is our experience based on overall experience, aesthetics and food. Aesthetics: Nice colors vibrant, unfortunately the restaurant is small and the floor plan is not conducive to the volume of people. First you enter and you leave your name with the hostess which the area interferes because of the high volume of people in the area. You are told to either wait outside or they have a waiting area. We decided to wait in the waiting area (this is where it gets interesting) the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant in front of the bathrooms. First that is the worst area for waiting, the volume of people going to the bathroom and the serves going the kitchen is too much for such a small waiting area. Personally the waiting area should be in the front where they have two areas with tables. Second there should be less two people tables, this made it difficult to seat parties over two. Third there is a cabinet at the back where they keep their supplies they have to tell the person sitting in front of that area to move so they can get things. The supplies should not be in the eating area. We finally were seated after an hour unfortunately the hostess is not very organized and other people were being seated before us that came after. The are we were seated at was the hostess area and again there were so many people in the area that our view were peoples butts by our table not a pleasant way to eat your food. Food: I had the Flight of French toast, it was good but I expected a little more, they all tasted like they were made from the same batter and then different sauces on them, I expected the different taste be infused in the french toast. I also had the sweet potato hash, which I did not like, it was bland and my food was a bit cool, I like my breakfast hot off the pan. My daughter had the caramelized banana waffles (belique) it was good overall, she felt it had a slight burnt marshmallow taste which she didn't mind it just seemed a bit off. My boyfriend had the Chicken and Waffles. It was good but a few things were a bit different. The waffles were served with no maple syrup, they also had pieces of chicken inside the waffle which made some of the pieces a bit harder and dry, the chicken breast was good but a hot sauce was poured over it and it infused in the waffle. Bacon was good, coffee was ok and the tea was good. Overall because of the one hour wait and the experience that we had with the hostess, the waiting area and the unorganized layout of the dining and waiting area it was not a pleasant experience. We payed almost 60 dollars and the experience and food was not worth the 60 dollars, we had a much better experience at Bakin' and Eggs down the street and the food is much better and the service is great as well as Yolk. Both place less expensive. I will not be recommending this place nor will I be going back to Batter & Berries.
(1)Rachel B.
We went here for brunch this morning and it was delicious! I was craving a breakfast sandwich so that's what I ordered and it was really good. I got a side order of hash browns and they were okay. They would have been better with salt but there was none on the table and our waiter never came back to check on how we were doing. My boyfriend got the french toast sampler platter thing and it was delicious. I've never had flavored french toast before, but I tried each of his pieces. He liked the strawberry the best but I think the lemon was good, but actually they were all great! When we go back it's definitely what I'll be ordering! The decor of the restaurant is super adorable but the layout could pose problems. There's a raised bar like table in the center of the room and due to the fact that it is raised and the tables surrounding it are at the regular level, well let's just hope if any girls are wearing skirts, they're crossing their legs! Our waiter was very nice and friendly but, like I said, he never came back to see how we were doing after dropping off our food, aside from quickly filling my water once after I was done eating, so I never got the salt for my hash browns. Also, they take their orders on ipod touches which, while it's pretty cool, kind of seemed awkward, like he was texting someone while taking our order; I guess it's just new technology to get used to. Chef Rylon was out walking around and talking to everyone. He was very nice and friendly and it was really cool to meet him. Overall the restaurant was great. We will definitely be back but have to knock it down one for service.
(4)Julia R.
I know what a good breakfast is...with so many options in Chicago it is hard to choose! This is a place you MUST try and not only try but become a regular! Believe me!
(5)Jamie G.
My mouth has never been happier. French Toast super flight. Chicken and Waffles (there's actually bits of chicken IN the waffle!). Eggs Benedict. OMG. I'm still in the afterglow. Wish the space was larger with more bathrooms.
(4)J M.
After moving to the neighborhood over seven months ago, we finally made it to B&B. Perfect spot for Sunday brunch.
(5)Veronica L.
Went to this place for brunch with friends for the first time on St. Patrick's Day....the food was great and awesome service!!!
(5)Kris R.
sunday. our weekly family brunch. this was a new spot for us. me no likey all that much, unfortunately. me and the bro ordered the chicken and waffles. this is chicken-stuffed waffles with chicken on the side, in a spicy syrup. i gotta say, the waffle batter is more on the cakey/doughy/drier side. the chicken was white meat and dry. the spicy syrup was not too bad. it was tasty and a ton of flavor, but it was dry. disappointed. my nieces weren't havin' the pancakes and syrup. the reg syrup tasted weird to both of them, so they didn't eat much. oh and the batter had a ton of nutmeg. dude, easy on that. the server was nice. decor is strange. one thing they do have down - the hashbrowns. they were the shit.
(2)Alicia S.
Great customer service and wonderful food!!! I had the chicken and waffle and my SIL had the biscuits and gravy...both were delicious!! My 2.5 yo daughter was with us and they were very accommodating, bringing her fruit while we waited for our table and small toys once we were seated. We will definitely be back really soon!!
(5)Gail G.
Really excellent breakfast place. Unusual menu items and specials, all executed flawlessly. Warm, efficient service. And they let me come in out of the rain even though I showed up before they were open. Highly recommended.
(5)Vincent W.
Coming here I had two expectations: delicious batter and berries galore. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries only came through on having tasty batter, but failed to deliver on my "berry" expectations. According to the menu, the pancakes I ordered were said to come with seasonal berries. I was disappointed when they arrived with one strawberry and literally ten blueberries. Not nine, not eleven - ten. Never mind the fact that the word berries is in the name of this establishment, compared to how similar dishes are served at other brunch places in the area - M Henrietta, Tweet, and Sola, to name a few - this just felt cheap. The batter of the pancakes was tasty - as was that of my girlfriend's waffle (she ordered the "goof") - but at the same time, her fried chicken was dry. My other complaint was the service. The host was not unfriendly, while at the same time being everything but friendly and welcoming. Add to that, we had to wait a few minutes for a table - not a big deal - but when we were seated we were surprised to find that we were sat at a communal table. That's not a big deal either, but it would have been nice to have been told this / given an option ahead of time. Our waitress was friendlier, but when our food took a long time (~20-25 mins) to come out (and indeed, several other two tops around us who ordered after us were served before us), I had to get her attention to find out what was going on, instead of her being proactive about it. We may come back to try some of the other dishes, but with so many good brunch options around Chicago, it would be far from being our first choice.
(3)Bridget N.
I came here with a good friend of mine. I was expecting the food to be very good because of the reviews I have read on yelp, which rarely fails me. HOWEVER, I was extremely disappointed. First of all, my waitress was terrible. She took 20 minutes to come and check on us and see whether we were ready to order drinks, and then another 15 to take our food order. She also completely neglected to ask whether I wanted any more coffee or water the entire time I was there. (Though the coffee was terrible anyway) Then there was the food. I ordered the broccoli and cheese omelette, with hashbrowns. What I received was a flat omelette, covered in cheese with three hunks of raw broccoli on top. I could have made a better omelette for 1/4 of the price in my own home. The hashbrowns were fine, though they were burnt on top and should have it described on the menu that they were made with cheese and sour cream (in the case a customer was a vegan). The worst part about this place however, was that my friend as well as myself have felt completely nauseated all day. I haven't been able to eat anything at the risk of throwing up--which is definitely attributed to this food. Do not eat here, there are dozens of better spots within two blocks of this place.
(1)Rebe G.
We have been there twice now and the food does not disappoint! However, the service needs to improve to make this a 5-star place. While we got seated right away, it took over 5 minutes both times to have a server acknowledge us and get us coffee. We even asked. The same thing happen at two other tables. It does not appear that there is structure to the table assignments and the staff seems to gather to chat without noticing a new table has been seated. We will give it another chance, but I hope the service improves.
(3)Bonni S.
My friend and I shared the spinach omelette and the French toast flight. Both were so excellent. The spinach and mushrooms were fresh and delicious. I think I dreamed about the French toast, especially the key lime. I will be back! The staff was excellent. The chef visited us more than once to check on us. The waitress was very attentive and Jason the manager was wonderful.
(5)N W.
Soo good!!! Met the chef. Had the caramel French Toast and it was soo good.
(5)Gretchen R.
I have been to Batter & Berries 4 times now. The first 3 times my breakfast was AMAZING. I went there again this morning, and found my waffle undercooked. While I love how fast my order came out, I would have prefered it to be fully cooked. I still gave 4 stars because the other 3 times I have been have been completely delicious.
(4)Erica T.
This was my 3rd visit, and I must say. . . it's better every time! The Lobster Omlet special #56 was AWESOME! Also the Crab Cakes Benedict. I waited over an hour (Memorial Day) but worth every minute! Must go !!!
(5)Jason A.
Very tasty food although my omelet was cold. The Super French Toast flight was tremendous. Our server was friendly but didn't give us a lot of attention. I don't blame him though because he wasn't getting a lot of help. The place was packed and people were waiting outside, yet we tried to leave our table for 10 minutes before we got a bill. Then that took time. There is a waiting area in back but I'm thinking it would probably serve them well to add a table or two. And more servers. I hope they figure it out though because the food really was awesome. They use fresh ingredients and have a really creative menu, all housemade. That's how it got to four stars. I'll go back for sure but if my food is cold we'll have to have a chat.
(4)Dee H.
Best french toast I've ever tasted! None of that thick "egg-y" batter, just crunchy outside, chewy inside goodness! The taste is indescribable, you just need to try it. The handmade chicken sausage and cheesy hashbrowns are awesome as well. Everyone I have sent to this place have nothing but great things to say and keep going back. It's worth the trek up north from the southside.
(5)Lynn E.
My French toast was cold, and I had to ask for extra fruit topping. They don't serve sugar-free drinks, because the owner, who is a doctor, recommends against it. Yet they serve fried and sugary foods.
(4)Azra H.
I was tempted to give it 3 stars but I really wanted to give it a five!! Food was AHHHHMAZING! (i thought so) Really really really GOOD and yummy and I dream about it at night. The service on the other hand was TERRIBLE. our server was nice but we had to ask for more coffee 5 times...NO JOKE! We constantly had to ask for more creamer and sugar, after the 2nd time I dont know why they didnt just bring a whole bunch to save their time. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. SO yummy and we split the special flight. My friend had the special breakfast burrito with a tomato tortilla,eggs, cheesy hash, and homemade sausage, she said it was eh. Nothing too special about it. My other friend never even got her order. The server said she didnt hear her but I remember she repeated it back to us and she heard the "with a side of bacon" but not the buttermilk pancake part? (all my friend received was the side of bacon) Good this we ordered the flight to split so she had something to eat. \ I'll probably be back but not for a girls Sunday brunch date.
(4)Ryan S.
Dine here Sunday 9/29 for breakfast and the food was great. This food might get me to come back but the hostess is terrible. She greeted us with no smile like she was angry at the world. After asking how many we had she went back to tell the staff to get the tables set and then returned said nothing for a couple minutes while we stood there awkwardly. She then huffed and waved us along to our table. This first impression was terrible and will likely keep me from really recommending it. With all that said the food was great, just don't expect to feel welcomed when you step through the doors.
(3)Zayna D.
What an amazing brunch at this place! Had the sweet potato chicken and waffles, crab omelet and biscuits & gravy. Everything was exceptional, especially the owner who made everyone feel welcome! Will be back.
(5)Sonia A.
Because the food was so good, I went again with another friend. This time the service was spot-on AND the food was still yummy. I told my server that the last time I had come I had had bad service, so she had one of the manager come talk to me. The manager (the owner's sister-in-law) was so nice and personable. I really liked her and was happy that she was so concerned that I had had bad service. I will go again. I shared the crab omelette and a plate of lemon and the special french toast. Delicious.
(4)miss k.
Came here as a party of 4 plus an infant on Sunday and loved it. The restaurant was crowded and the waiting area (really, in a hallway in the back) was awkward and not very functional, especially with a small child in tow. There is NO room for strollers (and no place to lock outside). That being said, once we were seated, the service was great and the food DELICIOUS. The chicken & waffle dish is outstanding, and my husband devoured the french toast flight. I can't wait to come back and try more!
(4)B H.
Great new place on Lincoln. Wonderful fresh ingredients, house made sausage and pastry. Friendly owner and staff. Definitely worth a try.
(4)Toni J.
Nom, nom...and nom! As you know anything that gets a buzz in Chicago gets crowded quick, but when I came to visit my hometown Chicago last weekend I had to visit this place. I heard the words "chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle" and was sold. First of all, the chicken that came with this waffle was the absolute juiciest, well seasoned, fresh piece of meat ever...no, really. Fried to perfection. I wish they fried chicken and sold it. In fact, I hope this place ends up on one of those Food Network shows for the best chicken and waffles. The waffle was pretty good too. I was expecting a more sweeter taste, something with a little more cinnamon/nutmeg/vanilla--almost like pie, but it was actually a great combination with the chicken. I requested syrup because I have a severe sweet tooth and almost gave the chef a heart attack. He was very cool and came to the table to ask if I had tasted it sans syrup and I assured him it was perfect as is, but I'm a messy foodie who needs it extra fat. I wish I had've tried more things, everything honestly looked great. The service was enh...just okay, but they had "cute" little iPads to give you a glimpse of the food before you ordered. Even with the not so great service the food was delicious and the place has a real home feel to it. Nothing over the top, no fancy napkins, just great food, great music and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)Yaliyah H.
New breakfast place!! Friendly hostess, excellent service and very kid-friendly. The decoration is tasteful and welcoming. We loved that the chef came out to greet us and chat. The food is superb. I recommend "The Goof" (an updated spin on chicken 'n waffles), the french toast options (lots of fruit flavors) or "The Executive" (steak and eggs). This is will be my family's new breakfast spot for sure.
(5)Gracia L.
A new breakfast spot around the corner from our house, glad to see it especially since Salt & Pepper diner still (never? who knows) isn't open. We arrived at 8am (we have a early-rising toddler) and were warmly greeted. It has a cheery atmosphere with good light towards the front. My husband ordered the flight of french toast and he LOVED it. So good. I ordered the bacon/cheese/egg sandwich and I also really enjoyed it. I was most impressed by the side of fruit I ordered for my daughter - it was so nicely displayed I almost didn't want her to eat it! The mint garnish was a nice addition and it was a really lovely fresh fruit variety. Not just a bunch of cantaloupe and melon that usually comes with a fruit side at other breakfast spots. I think the waiter ordering on the ipod was a bit weird; I knew he was taking our order but it instinctively made me feel like he was texting or not paying attention (though I knew he was). I think I'd rather than remember the order or write it down old school. That's just me. Not a complaint just thought it was kind of odd. They had nice quality table toys/games to hand out to the many families that continued to walk in after us. Nice addition to the neighborhood. We'll go back.
(4)Josh P.
Seriously the best breakfast food in Chicago. Amazing staff. We came here for a meeting and decided to order a few plates of everything. We ordered the french toast with different toppings like lemon and pecans, amazing. Chedder eggs, belgian waffle, bacon, it was all perfect. I will be back for sure!!!!
(5)Todd G.
I was greeted by a friendly hostess and Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" over the loudspeaker when I entered B&B. It was my first visit and, despite it being a holiday, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately. She had the chicken and waffles while I had the French Toast flight. Both were delicious. As the menu suggested, you really don't need syrup to eat with either meal. Each was sweet on its own. We added a side of cheese-encrusted hash browns and enjoyed those as well. While the food was good, the service was exceptional. At least three people (not including our server) came over to inquire on our meals...including the chef (who was proudly wearing a t-shirt that said "Chef).
(4)I P.
My husband and I came across this place through yelp reviews the first week we moved to Chicago and it put us off to such a great start! We went for Sunday brunch and were told the wait would be close to 2 hours - and it was well worth it! We ended up getting asked an hour into the wait if we didn't mind sharing a 4 person table with another couple and we said yes (which I normally wouldn't but we were super hungry). It was such a great decision because we met two really great women who always come here for brunch and knew the menu inside and out!. The best part of the experience was that the server would give each table a riddle to try and solve and the chef came out wearing his PJ pants to each table to ask how the food was. Super friendly place that makes you feel like you are eating at your friends restaurant. Fantastic chicken & waffles and chicken sandwhich! We will definately go back again
(5)Joey Z.
This breakfast was phenomenal and chef rylon was so nice. Definitely go to this place and try the French toast. It changes weekly with fresh fruit and ingredients!
(5)dan l.
Best French toast on the planet.
(5)Brandy J.
I had brunch here a few days ago. I was very pleased with the service and food. The waiter greeted us within moments of sitting down. He gave us all the specials of the day. I choose the French toast flight which was delectable it included lemon, caramel, strawberry and blueberry. I also ordered the cheesy potato and housemade chicken sausage. My friend ordered rhe deconstructed steak omelette and cheesy potatoes. She also enjoyed her food. The owner came around to our table to make sure everything was ok. Its a small quant place and willl def dine here again. We didn't have a wait at all but we dined on a Monday.
(5)Sondra P.
The Lemon french toast was Amazing! No syrup needed...Perfect! Go get you some :) Also the staff were fun and friendly. We even met the Chef. I love this place, but they need a southside location (HydePark please...).
(5)Chrissy B.
I'm slowly branching out and trying new brunch places. After reading enough reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to give Batter & Berries a shot. I appreciated the seating area away from the door, and was fine with a 20 minute wait. The smells were intoxicating, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the menu. 30 minutes later, we were seated near the front door, and immediately wished they had a second door to block some of the chill. Our waiter was funny, but I wished he had spent less time telling me riddles and more time getting our order in. I can understand the wait, if everyone else is experiencing it, but tables everywhere were getting in and out and here we sat with no food. It was another 35 minutes before we were served, and the food was incredible. I ordered the Crab Omelette, and my boyfriend had the Blueberry Belgique. Absolutely delicious, but nothing gets my goat more than having to wait 20 minutes to get the check. I wish I could say I'll be back, but there are far more places to try and get better service than here.
(3)Jason L.
I ordered the French toast sampler, and it was nothing short of amazing. Staff was very friendly, the restaurant was very clean. I'll be back.
(5)Marsha F.
This a great breakfast place especially if you love French toast. Its not perfect service like any other brunch spot but it is worth a visit. I will be going back for sure.
(3)adya a.
Prepare to wait, but it's more then worth the wait. The food here is amazing. The chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. The maple syrup is unlike anything I've ever had. You must try the French toast flight it is amazing. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Helen L.
Hands down, the greatest French toast I have ever eaten. Friendly, attentive wait staff, fresh delicious coffee. Go now before the rest of Chicago learns about this place.
(5)Abigail L.
Great place! Scallops, Asperagus and mushrooms on my omelette, please! Service was good. Based on previous reviews, they must have worked on this.. Food was timely and amazing flavor. A bit pricy, but I did order sea scallops on my omelette. (and they did NOT skimp on the scallops, on size or quality) After the meal, the chef held the door for us, thanked us for coming and talked with us about his ever changing menu. Thanks chef Raylon! We will be back!
(5)John K.
Simple, bright, clean and tastefully decorated. A comfortable spot. Had the buffalo shrimp wrap which came with sweet potato fries. Shrimp was big and chunky, fries were the perfect side. My daughter had the blueberry Belgian waffle, and devoured it without syrup which speaks volumes for the flavor!
(5)Sherrie M.
All of the food is absolutely amazing! Was ready to recommend this place to friends and fam. However, the service is wanting. My friend's breakfast was 45 minutes late and they gave us a 15% discount off her meal...what's up with that? Then the waitress was majorly confused about how to charge our credit cards, and claimed that we were paying too much, we explained that we WEREN'T, but she insisted, so we let it lie and gave a generous tip to make up for the difference. About 40 minutes later the manager came over and said that we didn't pay enough and that she wanted our credit cards back to void the first transaction and charge us the correct amount!! What a mess!! It was embarrassing that they even came over to us....SERIOUSLY, THEY NEED TO THINK ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE and finding qualified staff that understand how to properly ring up a tab!! But again, we LOVED all of the food...hopefully they improve their service b/c then this place will truly be a hit!
(4)Lindsay D.
Such great service! The chef came and spoke to us twice, the hostess did the same, and our waiter was hilarious- very upbeat and friendly. The recommendations were really helpful! Four of us shared the french toast flight as an appetizer- all five were completely infused with flavor. All four of our meals were delicious and would recommend this place to anyone for brunch
(5)Pie B.
I came here early one morning with a friend after reading a bunch of rave reviews on yelp and some random blogs. We were so excited for the food, only to experience a catastrophic let-down. 1. Cluck N Gaufre. Everyone says this is the best thing ever. Chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle with a lightly battered fried chicken breast, nutmeg hot sauce, and maple butter. It sounds pretty awesome, and the flavors are all there. However, the waffle was dry and the chicken over cooked. Subpar execution. Booo. 2. Sweet potato hash. I had read this was amazing. It was soggy and barely lukewarm. No golden crisp. Some of the shreds of sweet potato were undercooked. 3. Deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet with swiss cheese and a spinach-mushroom sauce. The sauce was essential non-existent--a tiny little drop on the side of the omelet. The cheese consisted of cheap, unpalatble slices of swiss. It came with a side of "crispy cheese potato hash." Neither crispy nor cheesy. Flop. 4. #48 Snickers French Toast, one of the specials. The one redeeming factor. This was delicious and crispy. It could have come out hot, though, but was instead barely warm. The order that shined. Go with the French toast. Our waitress was not well versed in the menu and unable to answer our questions (i.e., what's a snickers french toast?). She was nice, but would linger awkwardly throughout the duration of our brunch. Ultimate disappointment. This place has a lot of potential but failed to deliver. We wanted so much to love this place!
(2)Julia D.
I'm a south sider, the trip to the north side for breakfast was my idea of an adventure. It was worth the drive! It was truly a delight and delicious! The fare was original and plentiful. I am certain to return. Now let me keep it real, we went on Good Friday afternoon and the service was a nightmare! It was obvious that something was Way OFF service wise. It was a half hour wait for a table, when there were clearly empty tables. Only one guy was cleaning tables, so that may have been part of the trouble. It would have been quite alright if it had not taken fourty-five minutes for my food. I overheard the owner say he was displeased with the days going on, that commentary and the flavor of his food will force me back.
(4)B V.
Dear other breakfast places, pack your bags cause the champ is here!! As a "breakfast person" I have found my little slice of heaven. I have been here twice and floored twice. The food is so delicous. The wait staff is very friendly. The manager checks on you and chats candily about the place and they have a very soulful music background. Think Marvin Gaye, MJ, Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott all while you enjoy your meal. Thursday is house music day. House music and french toast? Umm yes please. Speaking of which I had the french toast flight. Four different ones each in a different flavor. Strawberry, lemon, pecan, carmel. All incredible. I dont even like strawberries but I LOVED this french toast. I also had the best chicken sausage I ever tasted in my life! Most chicken sausage taste like cardboard. This was decadent! Run don't walk to this spot. Weekends are packed and for good reason. They may have to knock down a wall soon for space. Get in early. They close at 3. I can't wait to try the something new on the menu next time!!
(5)Michelle L.
M suggestion is to get there before 9 AM because there isn't a wait before that but once it's 9 AM expect to wait at least an hour. The owner is so nice and will come outside if your waiting and he is also very hands on while you are inside. The food is also amazing and different then what you can get anywhere else. I always get pancakes or french toast and my boyfriend gets the steak and eggs which he loves
(4)Ellarey M.
The french toast flight is amazing - do it. You won't regret it.
(5)Vinodh N.
two words, amazing brunch!!!!
(5)Brent G.
My office is close-by so I eat here about once per week. Very creative food and the ingredients are among the freshest I've had, even for Chicago. The staff mingle and interact with diners and this is part of the charm. Set aside a little time, as the service is not fast (and is probably not designed to be).
(5)Shawnee L.
This was my first visit and I definitely will make it a habit. A friend has been trying to get me to the restaurant for a while & today I gave in all I can say is that I'm mad I've been missing out on this!! The only reason I didn't 5 star it is because there are still some things that I've yet to try but what I did have was fantastic. As most of the reviews stated the french toast were to die for. Also, when you get good service, a warm welcome and a we'll see you later you know that is a place you want to frequent.
(4)Ashley S.
After seeing this place with such a cute name pop up recently, my boyfriend and I decided to go check it out for brunch. The Chef came by to greet us and the other two couples who were waiting, and I thought it was nice of him to be so welcoming. We were seated within 5 minutes and that's when everything went downhill. It took about 45 minutes for us to receive our orders of French toast, which can be overlooked since this is a relatively new place. However, I was very offended by the waiter when he finally gave us our food and said, "Sorry for the wait guys, but it's worth it, you'll see," before he rudely ran away without asking if we wanted anything else. I had to flag down another waiter to ask for syrup for the French toast, which should have been standard at every table. We were never asked if we wanted anything to drink, or checked on to see if we wanted refills of our drinks the entire time we were there. Although we received our food at the same time, the table of four next to ours received their dishes 15 minutes apart. Another complaint is that there were no fans and the thermostat right by our table read 79F. It would be nice if they could make it a little bit more comfortable in there. There was a couple with a small child also sitting next to us, who waited for their food about the same amount of time as us. They ended up taking their food to-go after the Chef came out and explained why everything takes so long to make. I don't think that amount of wait for food is acceptable, and all the chef/owner needed to do was apologize instead of trying to justify himself/make excuses. Overall, the food was really good, the service needs some serious improvements. There's hope for this restaurant though. I'd recommend waiting until they have things in order before stopping by this place.
(2)Courtland H.
Great new brunch and lunch spot. Chef Rylon is super skilled and very involved. Very surprised at some of the 1 star reviews, i would recommend anyone who wrote one to try the place again, maybe not on a busy weekend day because i think places like this can get so busy on weekends that stuff can fall through the cracks customer servicewise. Had the deconstructed chicken omelet, kobe sliders, wifey had the short rib omelet - which seemed like a weird flavor combo(as most of the dishes do) but was executed so well. Have been to lots of breakfast and brunch places around town and these guys have it down for sure. also an excellent tea selection and good coffee.
(5)Jennifer R.
This place was AMAZING!! My boyfriend and I tried it for the first time today and it did not disappoint. As we walked in, we were greeted warmly and sat down right away. The server was very nice and attentive. She did a great job giving us suggestions on what to get. I really appreciated it!!! We ended up getting Blueberry French Toast brioche bread dipped in house made blueberry batter & topped with fresh blueberries & our b&b maple butter and Banana-Nut Belgigue topped with caramelized bananas, b&b maple butter & drizzled in vanilla sauce. We also got a side of bacon. The server let us know that the Chef suggests to take a bite first of the French Toast and Waffle before adding syrup. I am glad I did take the Chef's advice (as you should). Each of the items we had were soooo tasty and I think this was the BEST breakfast I had in a long time!! The side of bacon was great as well. Not to crispy and you actually had 3 slices of meaty bacon not like other breakfast places where the bacon is non existent. All and all it was a wonderful visit and I can not wait to go back and try more!! BTW...please do not add syrup to the French Toast you will not need it!!
(5)Amy P.
JL and I decided to try this place for brunch and overall, it's a nice addition to the neighborhood. The menu is not quite as extensive as many of the other popular places to brunch, and that may be why the options available try to seem a cut above the standard fare. You won't find a regular omelet on this menu, as all of the omelets are "deconstructed". What is a deconstructed omelet, one may ask, and I was set on finding out. JL, SL and I each ordered a deconstructed omelet - one spinach and swiss, one broccoli and cheddar, and one chicken and peppers. When the food arrived, I have to say, I was a little disappointed because it looked just like a plain old omelet. The only difference might be that the cheese and some of the other ingredients were on the top, but they were on top of (drum roll please) a plain old omelet! By not having the cheese inside, I actually felt that the omelet itself was a bit dry. SP had the Cluck and Gravy - a dish that was described as "chicken and corn muffins...topped with chicken sausage gravy". All his favorite things! During the wait for our food, he mentioned several times that he could not wait to eat. I guess he was hungry. When his dish came out, we were all expecting a decadent plate of chicken, muffins and gravy, but nothing could be farther from the truth. His dish consisted of mostly hash browns, with a little square sauce dish that contained 3 half dollar-sized biscuits, topped with a couple tablespoons of gravy. Alas, there were no corn muffins, nor was there any chicken. The size of his main dish could literally fit in my cupped palm. Now, was it yummy? It certainly wasn't bad. It just wasn't what a hungry man would expect. The "corn muffins" were unique in that they were neither muffin nor biscuit, but something in between. Soft, moist little tiny morsels studded with corn. The gravy was also flavorful without being overly rich, and the amount of gravy was not so much that it would ruin the texture of the muffin/biscuits. In a nutshell, this was biscuits and gravy without the guilt (or the heart attack). Lucky for SP, we ordered the french toast flight to share, so most of my omelette made its way into his plate while I happily dedicated my attention to the carbs. Now onto the french toast. I don't eat french toast all that often, because most of the times it is drowned in butter and syrup. Some will say that that's just how french toast should be, but I disagree. French toast should consist of bread that has soaked in the goodness of the egg and other flavorings, without being overwhelmed by it. It should be custardy, not soggy, and each bit should satisfy the taste buds without sending your blood sugar to alarming levels. This french toast was just that. The lemon was absolutely divine, topped with what looked like candied lemon zest that made it taste like lemon frosting. The caramel was topped with candied walnuts and caramel sauce and again, was so delicious without being overly heavy or cloying. This was french toast that you could eat everyday. Overall, I think what stood out to me the most was that all of the dishes seemed to be fairly healthy. There are sweet potato hash browns in addition to regular hash browns and neither had the typical tell-tale signs of having been doused in butter and oil. All of the dishes enabled you to taste the ingredients first and foremost, without masking it in the (delicious) taste of butter. Brunch without the guilt? Why not?
(3)Tiva T.
This is a great place for breakfast/lunch on the weekdays ($9 lunch trio with salad, soup, and a half-sandwich) and for brunch on the weekends. The ingredients are fresh and the food is delicious. The wait staff is very friendly and competent. I have only two suggestions: (1) Chef Rylon explained that his deconstructed omelets are designed to showcase the quality of the ingredients. Ok, I believe him, but I prefer my omelet ingredients mixed in. Consider adding a "constructed omelet" option. (2) The kitchen can be a tad slow. On the weekdays, especially, people want to be able to get their meals, eat, and go. Pick up the pace! Bottom line: Support this Black-owned Northside local business!
(4)Tiffany B.
There was a wait but it was well worth it. The service is spectacular at this place and the food is even better! Best birthday brunch ever!
(5)Brian S.
We live very close to Batter & Berries so we were really anticipating this restaurant's opening. However, both my wife and I came to the exact same conclusion after our experience..."meh." The restaurant is supposed to focus on breakfast and yet.... My coffee was never refilled; never even asked. It took forever for someone to come and take our order, even longer to have the food come out of the kitchen despite there only being 15-20 other patrons; food finally arrived cold. waitstaff confused about their respective coverage and always fumbling around with iPhones (presumably the order entry system). lemon french toast came with walnuts on it...not indicated on menu...my daughter is allergic, so I couldn't share with her. These guys should know better. Syrup never arrived for daughter's pancakes. Sweet potato hash browns barely cooked; more like the innards of a sweet potato served mushy on a plate. Deconstructed spinach omelette way over salted and served with some spinach goop paste. not good. chef appeared and came around to introduce himself as chef/owner. nice fellow. He has his work cut out for him. For now, we're skipping the failed attempts at "upscale" breakfast and sticking with S&G and Nookies
(2)Leslie A.
This is such a friendly restaurant! They treated us like family. The food was AMAZING! You must get the french toast flight. My faves were the caramel and lemon. Our waiter told us funny little riddles and was just so warm. I highly recommend this place. I hope I can get back again soon!
(5)Jessica B.
Crab cake Benedict w cheesy hash changed my liiife. Also loved the strawberry cheesecake French toast. Soo good. Friendly service. I just didn't like the community high table in the middle where we sat. I'll def be back soon!
(5)Lisa B.
not a fan. greasy and impossible to avoid oily cheese. hash browns way under cooked even after sending them back. I do not get the hype about this place. we had to keep asking for coffee refills as well. I do admire that the owner has busted his tail to open his own restaurant. Takes courage and shear determination. If you want the best brunch in the city check out Mhenry or MHenrietta.
(2)Jon D.
This place is a solid 4 star brunch. It's bright, welcoming, friendly, and the opposite of every pretentious new brunch place that seems to open once a fortnight. Sure, the menu seems like it was printed out at the place, and put in to clear plastic envelopes, but that's almost endearing, as if they care more about the food they're putting out, than the aesthetics of the presentation of the food list. I'm a savory "brah:" eggs, sausage, ham, omelets, bacon, skillets, the usual. This time I went for sweet, as so much of their menu was just that, pancakes, french toast, and another thing, with a name I can't remember. French toast flight arrived in a timely fashion with strawberry (good, but not really too distinct,) blueberry (tasty,) caramel something something (decadent and delicious,) lemon something (my least favorite, but not by any definition "bad",) and a key-lime special. Again, it was all quite good, but keep in mind I'm not a sweets guy, and if I am, french toast is like the bronze medal behind waffles and pancakes. Like a distant bronze. Waffles and pancakes are all head to head, but then waffles pull forward like Mark Cavendish, leaving enough time between the two, like maybe 12 seconds, to be noticeable, but not really change up the field too much, as they're going in to the mountains the next day. Girlfriend went traditional with a sweet potato hash. I like my sweet taters savory, and this was a little more traditional brown sugar sweet. That being said, they were really enjoyable, but hot damn, the ham steak that came with her meal? That was REALLY well done. Not well done in the way that it was overcooked, but in the way that it was prepared excellently. The eggs also looked good, but I was too busy chowing on FT to pay attention. Some folks on here have complained about the lack of salt, pepper, and syrup on the table, and to you fine people I say "try it first." Seriously, just try it before you start saying that you NEED syrup for french toast. I bet half of you pour that aunt jamima "pancake syrup" on your stuff, not even real maple. Fine, each to their own, but this french toast didn't need more sweet stuff on it, it was fine just the way the outrageously-social-chef-who-came-around-to-every-Âtable-twice intended it to be. Also, look on the menu, it even says something to the degree of "try it first". Sweet: Clean, quick seating, friendly service. Really friendly service, it felt family run. Not so sweet: Coffee was blah, refills were tortoise-esque.
(4)Nick A.
Did not disappoint what so ever. Couldn't make up mind so I went with the chicken gaufre, eggs and the hash browns. Came out very quickly and the service was excellent. The hash-browns were definitely worth getting too. Perfect mix of burnt and soft hash. The sweet potato waffle was unique. I don't know if I was totally in love but they were a nice change from the the spiciness of the chicken
(4)Jenni B.
great honest staff...chefs are roamin around introducin themselves, i got chicken and waffles...AWESOME...sweet potato waffle and some friend chicken.. great salt and sweet balance. handle it
(5)Tracy R.
French Toast flight is sublime... Chef Rylon is a talented and gracious host. Bright, pretty, charming place with enough great sounding options on the menu, I'll have to keep coming back to try them all!
(5)Piper P.
Overly salty 20 dollars for corn meal polenta with a big red beard hair....really?????? Not impressed,
(1)Eve F.
I've been here three times since it opened a few weeks ago which is probably a bit embarrassing. It's been hit or miss each time. Food: I would give the omelet 's 1 star (I've ordered them twice) - the "deconstructed" broccoli cheese omelet was cold, and the cheddar on top had already solidified by the time it got to me - gross. I understand the Chef wants to showcase the "freshness" by putting the broccoli outside the omelet - but even the most amazing broccoli couldn't save a cold solid omelet . My friend's spinach omelet was really soggy and unappealing. They only give you condiments on request, which is a tad pretentious and also shameful for the customer to have to ask for salt. The french toast has been great every time - it isn't stuffed like some of the nearby restaurants (Toast, Kanela's..), but there's a lot of flavor and the maple butter adds something different. If you're willing to take on the calories - I would definitely recommend them - the orange has been my favorite, the caramel pecan is up there as well. Lunch has been a little better for me - the veggie wrap has good (not soggy) veggies. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burger. The fries are awesome - I think they are the main reason I keep going back. Service: The waiters seem really distracted and confused by the process of ordering with their phones and not having a station to enter in items. As a customer it is hard to know the waiter was taking my order or texting a friend - perhaps using tablets or iPads would be easier. I really like the owner and Chef and wish them well - just maybe wait a few weeks until it becomes a fully functional restaurant.
(3)angela d.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! The french toast is OFF the chain! I am actually scared of what the wait will be when people discover how amazing it is!
(5)Stephanie L.
So, I've been to this place a few times, and it seems to just get better every time I go. I've come for breakfast, brunch, family get togethers, business meetings, all that jazz. That's why I finally had to post about it... Decor: Puts me in the mind set of being in a beautiful natural setting for a relaxing walk. I can almost hear the tranquility of the water coming out of the wall art. Really serene. Service: I seem to always get this nice guy that gives us a few riddles while taking care of our order. A real nice addition to the brunch experience. The chef always comes out to greet us, and that's nice. Price: Very reasonable for the type of food you get. This is breakfast to another level, and thank God its reasonable enough for me to enjoy it! FOOD!!: This is the icing on the cake! The food is outstanding! I must say the flight of french toast is outstanding! I am not a french toast eater, but this place takes it up a few notches! Whatever your "10" is for french toast, then this must be a "13" because it takes your mind past what you would expect french toast to be. Truly mind blowing. I've also had the waffle, wraps, burger, salmon sliders, steak sandwich, and salad, and they all have been exceptional. This is brunch to the next level... Hope this helps, and if you're in the area, make sure you go! And if you're not in the area, get in your car and drive there! ITS THAT GOOD!!!
(5)Janene M.
The food really gets 4 stars it's great. My review came down to a 3 due to the service from our server, specifically, which averaged out to 2 stars. We went on a Sunday. It is extremely busy and the place is very small. If you go on the weekend, you need to have some patience and not be starving when you get there. We waited 45 minutes for a table. We were seated. It was our very first time. Our server, Trent, did not explain the specials, the menu or anything about what makes this a different dining experience from other brunch spots. It did not help that the server at the table next to ours explained the specials to every single customer. One of the specials was a lobster omelet. My sister asked was it good? He goes, do you like lobster? She says yes, he says, well you'll like the omelet. Thanks.... that was helpful. We place our order, 30 minutes later, still no food. Your food's coming up, says Trent. Every table around us is getting their food. Mind you they were seated after us. Trent, where is our food, we say. It's coming. Finally he admits our ticket is lost in cyber space (they use iPads to take the order), it's coming right out. It comes out 50 minutes later. If we had not driven from the Southside and had a 2nd stop to go to in that neighborhood, we we would've left. We ordered the French toast flight, which tasted like heaven. Especially, the peach cobbler french toast! We also ordered 2 of the specials, crab cakes benedict and the lobster omelet. The crab cakes, heavenly. The lobster omelet was good, but I wouldn't order it again. The chef (and owner) came out to speak to the customers. I pulled him to the side and told him how long we waited. He was aware and apologized. We received our French flight for free. He told us when we come back, ask for him and we would get another French flight on the house. The manager also spoke with us on our way out. Overall, the food is delicious. Worth the wait. It is very small so people are on top of you. Like the other reviewers stated, if you're seated near the front, you are treated to the blast of arctic air every time the door opens. I appreciated the apology and great service from Chef Rylon and the manager. I hope Trent is never our server ever again. I would return.
(3)Danielle S.
this is the best dang breakfast I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE CITY... NOW i CAN'T GET ENOUGH..I GO EVERY SUNDAY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE CHEF HAS AS THE SPECIAL...Each sunday I am never disappointed...the french toast is amazing! GET THE SUPER FLIGHT!!! hash browns and sausage complete my meal and it so good I want to hug the chef...I think I did the last time I was there! LOL...the staff is knowlegeable and friendly and the chef is so passionate about what he creates..he makes everything sound delish. My BF had the Chicken and Waffles and was floored at how delish and full he was...I CAN'T say enough wonderful things about this cozy spot...it's a new favorite for my friends and I!!!
(5)Slim G.
The Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle blessed by baby Jesus himself & the restaurant is BYOB ! The only bread on I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is because if the three hour wait time .
(4)michael b.
Service was slow but nice and fun attitude made up for it. Food was the problem. Hash browns were not fresh. Clumps of hard cheese mixed with dry potatoes! Lobster cakes had a weird consistency. Broccoli omelette was over cooked. Maybe the sweet stuff is good?
(2)Andrew M.
I am half tempted to write a negative review, just to deter people from coming here. But that would be selfish of me. Everyone needs to enjoy this place, because it is worth a trip. GET THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT! For all that is good in this world, get the french toast flight. It is french toast like I've never had before. When I went, the special of the day was butterscotch french toast. Add it for a dollar or two extra. Worth every penny. Also, the butter is amazing. Homemade and delicious! My girlfriend ordered the omelet and enjoyed it, though not as much as I enjoyed my french toast. She actually ended up eating more of my breakfast than she did of hers. The chef is awesome. He knows that he makes a great food and is clearly proud of it. He is friendly and goes to every single table to say hi. GO THERE! Why are you reading this review? Get off your chair and go to Batter & Berries.
(5)George P.
This place is gourmet breakfast at a very reasonable cost! The French toast flight is original and delightful! Flavors like lemon, strawberry, blueberry hazelnut! Chicken sausage is homemade.. Hell everything is homemade, and the atmosphere is vibrant and soulful.. This of one place you have to visit..
(5)Dave S.
B&B is a relatively new breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in what was previously a somewhat desolate stretch of Lincoln Ave. It is a welcome addition. On a recent weekend morning, we were seated immediately, even though the restaurant was packed. The crowd was a nice mix: families, young couples, and folks from what appeared to be a variety of walks of life. The dining room itself is great: bright, open, and filled with a nice vibe from all the excitement. I like the abundance of natural light, which makes for perfect newspaper reading. We were greeted by a very nice, efficient waitress within a few minutes. I had several questions about the menu, and she answered each knowledgeably and without seeming hurried (even though she was slammed). We ordered and the chef/owner, Rylon, soon made his way to our table. He is quite personable and very obviously passionate about food and his restaurant. His presence in the dining room is a nice touch. We ordered a salad and the spinach omelette. Both were excellent: fresh, flavorful, and not the typically sink-in-your-stomach brunch fare. I'm eager to go back and sample additional things on the menu.
(5)cos f.
Again I have tried to really like this place , giving it a chance time and time again ... but if you are a solo diner you do not get the service as another customer..and this place if you are a solo male diner it is even better ..Day off... went in for a quick breakfast as I have done several other occasions... i asked to be seated at a larger table and was told we cannot do that with the lunch rush...uhm 10 in the morning lunch rush ...and then to have another solo customer seated alone at a larger table just after me ...ok.... service was slow to none... no server approached for 10 minutes....and when they did ... "did you order yet??? " no specials were recited to me really this place needs better communication and better front of the house..or maybe they just don't want a one person table ... i have given this place it's last chance in my book...I would not urge you to go ... i will not go back , there are MUCH better places for the money they charge...
(1)Roger M.
This is southern cooking; I didn't see that mentioned in any of the previous reviews. The chef knows his thang and is slingin' some fine southern fare. If it wasn't apparent enough, the sweet potato and chicken waffle with fried chicken is a twist on the traditional chicken and waffles with the sweet potato, nutmeg and hot sauce. A nice balance of Savory, sweet and spicy. There are even bits of chicken in the waffle. A tad overkill I must say as it didn't really need/add to it. Biscuits and gravy were a nice contender; no twist on this though, just an additional eggs any way and cole slaw, which was rather bland. The rich chicken sausage gravy and tender biscuits held their own however, and it didn't need any more pizazz. We over did it with the super-flight of french toast, and while it was a good sampling, not all were amazing but well done. It included blueberry, strawberry (tasted like strawberry gel in pies), lemon, caramel pecan and birthday cake (special of the day). Well done B&B.
(4)Christine G.
I know this joint does not need another outstanding review. But jeez. Its like slap ya mamma good! They have quite the cult following so be prepared to wait. I went on a Monday at 10am and we still waited about 30 minutes to get seated. Went once before on Sunday at 1pm and wait was almost 2 hours! I am not a french toast gal, but we ordered the french toast flight with also a sample of the daily french toast special. Sooooo good! It was nice to be able to try them all. My favorite was the caramel. Went in large group so we all got to sample quite a bit. There home made butter and hot sauce are scrumptious! My only disappoint was the biscuit--it was horrible. But this place is so worth the hype. An added bonus was to talk and make friends with others waiting. People shared their favorites and stories of previous visits. It is like a little community of friendly regulars just waiting to talk to you about this place-- which is pretty cool.
(5)Sawyer L.
We came in for the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles topped w/ hot sauce & more fried chicken or muffins with chicken-sausage gravy raved about it the the Thrillist review, but they were out when we ordered. The chef told us that they were remaking the muffins, but we had already ordered by this point. I'm glad we did! The open-faced steak omelet with caramelized onions, mozzarella, and a beefy broth was delicious! The side cranberry muffin was so moist it made me want to try the ones that go with the friend chicken. The hash-browns were the best I've had - not burnt or dry like at Nookies. Chef Chris nails the sweet and savory taste that makes soul food so distinct. I will be dreaming about this breakfast.
(4)Peace P.
I was recently introduce and had to go for breakfast 3 days later. I enjoyed the cheese hash browns, pork sauage & sea scallops. Unfortunately, I did NOT enjoy the egg white omelet & french toast flight . Our server was pleasant. Yes, I will go again not sure when.
(3)Suzanne S.
An awesome find! What a great place for breakfast. We took our daughter here while in town, and now she has gone several times. Just like home cooking, but better. And the waiter was jovial and fun. Giving us trivia to solve while he got our delicious dishes. We are definitely going back again when we are in town.
(5)Gladys P.
After an episode of "Check,please!" I was excited to try out the restaurant. We expected a wait but thought it was worth it since we had read so many positive reviews. When we checked in with the hostess we were told it would be about an hour wait for a party of three and there only 6 parties ahead of us. Time passed and we began to notice people that arrived after us and when we were waiting were seated before us and it was more than 6 parties! Obviously we were annoyed, especially when we would see large parties or guests that arrived after us were being seated. We went to ask the hostess how much longer we had to wait because at this point it was 2 hours! At this point we saw a party of three that arrived 20 minutes after us get seated. The hostess told is that parties of 3 and 4 were tough to seat and they don't seat by time of arrival BUT the number of guests in a party! We obviously would have left and gone elsewhere if we knew of this seating arrangement. We finally were seated and stayed since we have already waited so long. The food was ok, maybe because we were so irritated and annoyed, and a but overpriced. I don't think we will return after this experience.
(2)Summer F.
I am completely dumbfounded as to how this place gets such good ratings. 1) It is crowded and there is no where for people to wait, so there are people just standing around learing at you for your table 2) they dont have an entry way, so everytime the door opens, you get a blast of cold air 3) the decor was nothing special 4) the service was poor, our waitress either had too many tables or not enough support. We were short one place setting, so I asked for a fork, which was delivered when we were half finished, so one of us had to eat with a spoon. Asked for some ketchup for someone's fries, it showed up when we were done. Not to mention no one ever checked to see if we needed another drink etc 5) the chef is walking around in pajamas pants with a tshirt that says "chef", is that supposed to make me want to pay these prices? 6) the food is OK, and over priced. The french toast flight, which is so well named I went to this place just to get it. $11 for 2 pieces of bread, part with some blueberries on it, part with some strawberries, part with some nuts, and part with some maple butter. Absolutely nothing special about this, and for $11 it is exactly 2 pieces of bread. I can only imagine that all of these people raving about this french toast, have never personally made french toast, hence have no idea that it cost about 25 cents to make and is really simple. Everything else we ordered was also OK and overpriced.
(2)Roshani C.
Food was really good. The french toast was yummy and so were the hashbrowns. Service was friendly. Our waitor was super funny because he was sharing riddles with us.
(4)Josh B.
This restaurant is a wonderful addition to the neighboorhood. I found that all of the servers were extremely kind. The interior is cool without trying too hard. Well-lit, stylish, and relaxing atmosphere. The chef randomly came over and made conversation with us, which was great. He was funny and friendly. We had the best french toast we've ever had in our lives.Ever. The chef's salad was flavorful and unique. I'm really looking forward to trying more of the dishes here. This is a world-class breakfast. Definitely coming back here again. I hope this restaurant makes a ton of money. It was a great experience.
(5)M G.
I don't write a lot of yelp reviews though I do go out to eat quite a bit. We regularly go to breakfast in search of the perfect breakfast place, but rarely go to the same place twice. Batter and Berries will definitely be an exception to that rule. We love this sunny breakfast spot. The staff is warm and attentive with the chef making rounds to the table. The coffee is good and regularly refreshed. The food is really exceptional. The scrambled eggs are fluffy and flavorful. the hashbowns have a nice crispness to them and are a little finer than the usual grade. They make their own sausage -both chicken and pork- and both had a real freshness and herbiness to them. We have also tried the caramel french toast served with a flavored butter. It really is out of this world. It doesn't need syrup for my tastes, but if you like yours a bit sweeter they'll bring you complimentary real maple syrup. I really don't think I'm exaggerating on of these points. We look forward to returning soon!
(5)Stormin' N.
Thank you fellow YELPERS for turning me on to this place. Took a ride from the Burbs Sunday for a trade show. Friend said "Let's leave early and go to some place cool for breakfast in the city". "No problem", I said. And I turned to YOU! I hate to repeat but I ditto much of the reviews. Cute place (a little noisy with a crying baby), great french toast (and I didn't need syrup!). I would pass on the sweet potato hashbrowns. Great staff, helpful and funny (riddles and all) and totally enjoyed Chef Rylon visiting everyone. I even saw him with a broom and dust pan sweeping in the kitchen. What a hands on owner! I will be back!!!
(5)John M.
Batter and Berries rules! The first time I went I didn't try the Cluck n Gaufre, but remedied that my second time. This dish is incredible!!! I've had chicken and waffles at countless places including Roscoe's in LA. The Cluck n Gaufre brings the dish to new heights. What really did it for me was the owner/chef coming out and saying hi to every table. Super nice guy and very sincere. Come here and you won't be disappointed. Also, make sure to get a side of the chicken sausage. It ain't cheap, but it's worth it.
(5)Rebecca H.
I had the french toast flight, which I would suggest everyone getting! I also had the homemade chicken sausage which was very good as well.
(4)Vic C.
Pretty good food. Just beat the morning brunch rush at 10:15. The portions are perfectly sized.
(4)Demetri K.
Great French Toast and Lobster Omelette.
(5)Lael J.
Good food, great service, pleasurable environment. Will definitely come back!!!
(5)DJ S.
This is one of those restaurants that you walk away just feeling impressed that food can be this good! Do yourself a favor and eat breakfast here if you're in Lincoln Park. I found this place on Yelp and decided to try it based on favorable reviews and it was worth it. I had the french toast flight and got to try a little bit of everything--strawberry, blueberry, caramel, and lemon I believe. There are only two major drawbacks with this place and they have nothing to do with the food! First, there are large crowds depending on the time of day you go...this attests to the fact that the food is great. Second, parking can be a bit of a hassle here, but that is true of most places in Lincoln Park. Overall, a great french toast experience and a must try.
(5)Melanie B.
I have a good feeling about this place. I am thinking if all future visits go as well as our first, we'll be stopping in quite a bit. It's nice to have a convenient brunch spot that's not too hard to get into. Honestly, that worried me a little bit, but I needn't have been concerned. Their thing, as the name says, is batter (french toast primarily) and berries adorning the dishes. The husband got the special french toast, blackberry cheesecake...yum. Somehow they infused butter with cream cheese. It was magnificent. I got the waffle with caramelized bananas. Mmmm. I could have used a few more banana slices, but it was very nice. I do agree with what some of the others have said about the decor. I don't get it. Some of it is for sale, e.g., temporary, I hope, but it's kind of bright and jarring. I'm being really picky, but as an editor, I hate the font they're using in the menu and signage. It's like...almost jester. And no one likes jester. I think we also saw the chef/owner walking around. That's nice to see, and to know the chef is invested in your experience. Ooh also I want to try the lunch. I think I saw pretzel buns...
(4)Jenna Z.
Just finished a great brunch. French Toast Flight was a fave along with the Buckwheat Pancakes. The best part was a visit to the table by Chef Rylon the owner - a great personal touch that made us happy to be supporting a local business. Ambiance on a Sunday is boisterous and alive- not for those looking for a peaceful brunch. Thanks for a great start to the day!
(5)Emmanuel O.
You haven't eaten brunch until you've been here! #noleftovers
(5)Loretta F.
Excellent french toast flights and chicken sausage. It's BYOB, so bring the champagne and have a few mimosa's. Don't forget to bring your patience The wait can be significant. I arrived at noon on a Saturday and waited about 45 minutes. It's a small establishment and they don't take reservations. The locals who probably frequent the restaurant seem to be oblivious of the long wait. So, they sit and sit and sit; long after they've finished their meal. Just a little courtesy, please, for other patrons!
(4)Matt G.
The french toast is outstanding and the staff is very good.
(5)TJ W.
SWEET BABY JESUS!! This place is awesome! So many people had been telling me about this place, so my brother and cousin decided to take me here for my birthday. I really have no words for this place. I think a good slap to the cook's face would be appropriate. Wait...would that be appropriate? I think they'll take it the wrong way, so I'll just try to find the best way to describe by experience. The restaurant is small, clean and bright. My family and I went on Monday morning, so it wasn't crowded at all. We were greeted immediately and seated. Once opening the menu, I wasn't sure of what to get since I'm a very picky eater. Everything has something in it (i.e. fruit, lemon, caramel, etc.). I'm a pretty simple person and I HATE fruit in my food. So, after browsing for about 20 minutes, I decided to get the strawberry French toast ( I know, I was surprised too!!), chicken sausage (perfect for all of us who don't eat beef or pork) and eggs. Honey, when I tell you that the French toast was made by Jesus himself, I'm not lying! My brother had caramel French toast and that was pretty tasty too. There was caramel oozing out of the bread. How in the heck did they manage to do that?!!! Anyway, my experience was great. I'm pretty sure I had a food gasm! :) I've found a new favorite breakfast spot.
(5)Joe G.
Excellent crab Benedict and La Colombe coffee is smooth and strong. Don the manager and staff are very gracious. All together a great place.
(5)Paul T.
Let's start by saying the food was very good. The French Toast flight was excellent. But I was kinda done after waiting over an hour for a four top. When the server came to take our order the computer crashed. Oh, then it crashed again when we were trying to get our bill! If that kind of thing is happening even once a month seems to me they should invest in a backup system or go back to the old credit card swipe machines that take an image of your card!
(3)Meghan C.
Went to Batter & Berries while visiting Chicago. Took the L from our hotel and then a short walk. Food was amazing (we went for the chicken&waffles and french toast flight). We loved both but were both floored by the chicken and waffles. The manager (or owner - not sure) stopped by the table to greet us and then gave directions to some nearby sites. Overall a great choice for brunch!
(4)Tiffany B.
Girlfriends and I went for breakfast, well it ended up being later than breakfast time by the time we all got there, around noon. There was about an hour and half wait.....but I would wait ALL OVER AGAIN!!! The french toast flight was worth the wait and then some. You know its an awesome restaurant when everyone there waits for an hour or longer and doesn't complain or leave. The Chef came out and greeted us and made our experience one to remember!! We cannot wait to go back!! :-)
(5)bj f.
after two visits to this great new neighborhood addition i can attest to a jekyll/hyde reaction. love, love, love the french toast! but the belgiques & deconstructed omelets are not orders i'll be placing again. on our first visit, my hub, the french toast gourmand, ordered the flight, which consisted of a sample of strawberry, lemon, caramel & blueberry, all excellent, although we agreed the caramel was a bit sweet for our tastes, good in a sample portion, but too cloying for a full order. however, the winning feature of the toast, aside from the tasty flavors, is the consistency, with a pleasantly crunchy outside crust and moist, but not soggy center. soooo well done! i always go for egg white offerings, and i was enthused by the thought of a deconstructed omelet, with the fillings serving as a topping for the eggs rather than being blended in. i enjoyed the actual product much less than the concept. though the broccoli was cooked as i like it, neither too raw nor soggy, the stalks were very large, and the cheese didn't incorporate itself into the dish at all; there seemed to be a disconnect. i ate all the broccoli, but was left with a mound of egg whites, which on their own were not interesting enough to finish. i guess i like a scramble better after all, so i won't go there again, although the lobster does sound tasty, and may be more to my liking since it advertises a sauce. the hash browns were nicely prepared and seasoned, with a crunchy crust which resembled a potato pancake, and my hub liked the homemade chicken patty sausage, though i found it too herbal for my taste. also, though very cordial, our server was fairly unconscious to our needs; coffee wasn't refilled, and it took FOREVER for our check to be delivered. maybe he misinterpreted my mound of eggs to mean i hadn't finished? our meter ran out as we waited for the check, which made for an anxious and hasty exit. on our second visit, my husband ordered the blueberry french toast and i opted for the belgique, which is their way of presenting a belgian waffle. his was as tasty as we remembered, but i found the waffle to be dense and doughy, so different from the light texture of the toast. there was an artificiality to the flavor that i didn't enjoy either. my hub, who didn't object to its density or sweetness, came to the rescue and traded 3/4 of my order with two of his slices, so i was a happy camper. also, on this visit, there seemed to be more back-up help; the coffee flowed well, which imho, is expected when it's $3 a cup, and the check came before the meter expired. all in all, i would heartily recommend b & b for its french toast, and perhaps after our next visit, the biscuits will garner a positive thumbs up as well, because that's going to be my next order.
(4)Toya R.
few times you eat breakfast and have an opportunity to taste completely NEW tastes! I love everything. I dream about the French Toast Flights. The chicken sausage is so good that I order extra to take home. The food is unique, beautiful, and delicious. the service is outstanding. The owner/chef takes time to talk with you. And, the atmosphere is inviting and cheerful. I have noticed that when I go at 930am, there is no problem with crowding. outstanding, high tech service that is right on time on and quite friendly. i LOVE this place.
(5)Norma G.
I rarely take the time to review, but I wanted to give this restaurant the credit it deserves. I live just a short walk away but never came in to the restaurant because it always seemed so busy. I drove or walked by and people were always gathered outside the doorway. This past week, I decided to visit the restaurant because of all the wonderful reviews. I was not disappointed!! First of all, the wait was not long at all. You are brought to a waiting area towards the back. Secondly, you should expect to be just a short distance away from the next table. This is the city, after all. I expected to wait to have to take my order, but a server took my order right away and recommended a delicious french toast flight that I am still dreaming about!! I couldn't make up my mind about the eggs with steak and shrimp, so I had that too!! It was delicious! My son had pancakes and bacon and he loved it. I also expected to wait for the food, because it was so busy, but it came right away. The food was high-quality and presented very well. I plan to make this a favorite restaurant and cannot wait for my next visit. All the patrons seemed to be in a good mood and the manager (I believe) even walked by to ask us how we enjoyed our meal. I have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and I can honestly say that I have not experienced a restaurant with such a positive vibe and delicious food!!
(5)Laura W.
We live in the area and were excited that there is a new cute brunch spot in the neighborhood! We went for breakfast today and the food was incredible. I got the lemon french toast which was fantastic! Very moist and great flavor! My husband got the spinach/mushroom decontructed omlette, which was also incredible! It was very fresh and had a unique mushroom/spinach puree which brought out more flavor! Even the hash browns and bacon were great! It's a very bright and cheerful environment with a lot of beautiful paintings/pictures on the walls. Also I love the island that they have in the center of the place for big groups! The waitress was very friendly and great for giving out her recommendations and the chef came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was good. So overall a great spot with far better food than a lot of brunch spots that I've been to, with none of the waiting (at least yet). Definitely check this place out!
(5)P S.
Just happened to pass by and was hungry to decided to stop in. I might have missed it otherwise - the sign IS big, but the yellow interior and sign would not have caught my attention. BUT I'm glad I did stop in! The staff is super friendly, and they have a kids menu as well as breakfast and lunch items. My daughter ate ALL of her chocolate pancakes - she's a picky eater. I opted for the Batter Burger - which was absolutely delicious. Large onion rings perfectly friend and crispy perfectly seasoned fries, not to mention the perfectly cooked juicy burger. Yummy!
(5)j m.
Excellent. Service was great, nice people better food. Their interpretation of chicken and waffles, is next level good. Tons of food. Not especially cheap, but worth it.
(5)Jeffrey M.
so good. so gooooooooood. soooooooooo gooooooooooood!
(5)Trixy D.
Wandered in for breakfast while waiting for another shop to open, and did not know what a treat I was in for! They had only been open a week or two, but I was treated to an extremely delicious half hot chocolate/half coffee with TOASTED marshmallows, and a beautiful omelet that was cooked in the lightest most delicious oil, with fresh spinach, mushrooms and swiss cheese. They were still working out the bugs, but the service was great, friendly, explanatory (which makes up when something might not go as expected) and the chef/owner came out towards the end of my meal to make sure I was satisfied with everything! It has a nice vibe, not super cozy and warm, but not big and boxy or touristy either. Just a great local gem. I am not often in that area, but plan on going back specifically to eat here again. They have some amazingly creative options on the menu and I'm dying to try some of them!
(4)Marrissa W.
SERVICE: I found this place on yelp (looking for brunch in Lincoln Park) and wanted to go somewhere new with friends. On coming up to the restaurant, it looked super cute and nice and was really noticeable from the street. We got there (there were 4 of us) and it was somewhat crowded, but there were obvious tables but we couldn't sit until a waiter/waitress came to seat us. That took about 8 minutes. Not a huge deal, but still we were hungry. Also, notice there as one actual waitress, two manager looking men and a cook coming in and out of the back helping serve. I don't think they were expecting this many people that day. So we sat down and waited, and waited, and waited and waited and FINALLY! we had service. Once we ordered, we noticed other groups coming in and having to wait as long as we did. Again, not a huge deal, but because the place is small people are waiting right near your table. They served the food, I believe it was the manager that did that, but we had waited a long time. Again, the restaurant wasn't too crowded, but I think they told some waiters/waitresses to go home and didn't expect the amount of people that were there. So for brunch more than a 45 minute wait becomes excessive. Finally, we ate but my friend and I wanted to order something else (potatoes and bacon) and we were worried it would be another long wait and it was. All in all, I would blame the service on the unexpected amount of people in the restaurant that day, but nonetheless, it took a bit too long for everything. FOOD: AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. So I just ranted on the service, but truthfully the food was awesome. I had the french toast (there are a few different kinds with different fruit) and they were soft and really good. DOWNSIDE: Depends on what kind of eater you are, I was hungry after my main meal. So to the point, order the main dish but then put in a second order because the sizes are decent, but if you are hungry order something else too at the same time. WOULD I GO AGAIN? Heck ya! But I would go during the week and a non holiday (I I went on Lincoln's birthday during my first visit).
(3)Jerry K.
This place was great. The food was original and the staff were attentive! My girlfriend and I will definitely return. Highly recommended neighborhood breakfast.
(5)Toni J.
quick service, food was great & we met the chef which made me want to come back and support a great business... I'll give it 5 stars once my husband gives his stamp of approval
(4)Katherine F.
This place has wonderful food and excellent service. Try the flight of French toast or the cluck and gravy. Loose leaf tea selection is excellent as well.
(5)elizabeth b.
Great food.. had the french toast flight with the, oh so yummy, maple infused butter (lemon was amazing!) and the deconstructed omelet (veggies on top!). Both were fresh with flavorful ingredients, not too much cheese or salt overpowering the food! Oh, and the homemade hash browns.. were super tasty too! Service was friendly and quick!
(5)Nelson C.
very good, hope they stick around as they'll be part of the rotation for breakfast. tasted like some home cooking....yummm. everything was noticeably fresh tasting. chicken and goof...good stuff. recommend some of their fresh baked goods too!
(4)Pat S.
The food was pretty good; IF YOU LIKE THE GREASTEST FRENCH TOAST THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC! Unfortunately I had scream in ALL CAPS when eating there because the music is SOOOOOO loud. If they would turn it down a bit I'd be here more often.
(3)LeeAnn W.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning as part of a business group I belong to. The pancakes were fantastic - they were crisp on the outside (in a good way) and soft and yummy on the inside, with a slight lemon flavor. Best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had. The chef came out to chat with us and the staff was really friendly. I'm already planning a trip back to try the french toast!
(5)Andrea B.
Fantastic! Great tasting food! Excellent menu selections I couldn't figure out what to order I nearly wanted about seven things on the menu. Guess that means I'll be coming back. Service was a bit slow but for a small restaurant cooking everything from scratch and fresh I was prepared. The chef is So friendly and personable. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)Cristine K.
gotta try their french toast flights. it is to die for. excellent neighbourhood breakfast joint, not too pricey and excellent service. Chef even comes out and greets you some times. recommend going early on weekends as I have seen long line ups.
(4)Andrew B.
Delicious food and very friendly service! Had breakfast here for the first time on 7/13/12 with 4 friends. We each ordered something different and we all loved our food. The French Toast is absolutely incredible. The omelets are superb, with the ingredients layered on top of the eggs so you can really taste every flavor. Everything is FRESH and they use all natural ingredients, nothing artificial. (There's not even Sweet & Low in the sugar container) Chef/owner Derek Rylon made a point to come over and speak with us before we ordered to explain his cooking methods and later to ask if we were enjoying everything. Our waiter was lots of fun, asking us silly riddles, which had us all laughing and added to the experience. We can't wait to go back and work our way through the various items on the menu ( I have my eye on their version of a Reuben sandwich). I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Heidi L.
I just went to Batter and Berries for the first time today after service at the Bodhi Center. Best french toast you have ever had in your life!! My friend actually got the french toast sampler and I had some of the lemon french toast, so good. I actually had the kale salad and it was also delicious. This place is run by really good people and has a great vibe. The chef sat down and asked us how things were after our meal - so sweet. I would love to see some smoothies or fresh veggie/fruit combo juices added to the menu. Fantastic overall. My only complaint - the atmosphere so jovial that it got a bit loud, but still more than worth it.
(5)Angela R.
My sister and I heard about this place on thrillest and decided to check it out. I have to say the food was so good that we came back for breakfast and lunch. I had the chicken deconstructed omelet and OMG was it good!!! The vegetables and chicken that were on top were not only really well seasoned and tasty but were very fresh. My sister tried the cluck-n-gaufre. I Had a few bites and I have to say it was very interesting. It had the most amazing sweet and savory taste. The flavors married really well together. It was a sweet potato waffle with chicken stuffed inside with a maple butter. Unbelievable! For lunch I ate breakfast again and tried the banana nut waffle which was so good I didn't use any syrup. It had caramelized bananas on top of a waffle that reminded me of banana pudding. YUM!!! My sister had the salmon sliders. I noticed that this dish was very tasty yet light. On top of the good food the service was great as well along with their decor. I would definitely recommend this place. Great addition to Lincoln Park!!!!!
(5)Laurie R.
Stopped in with a friend for the first time on a busy Saturday morning. First time for both of us. She had the lemon French toast, I had the deconstructed spinach omelet. Both excellent. The hashbrowns with the omelet were especially good - light, crispy and well seasoned. I try breakfast all over the city and this is comparable to Yolk, Elly's, Nookie's, Toast, Victory's Banner, etc. The only place where I like the food better is M. Henry. The price was reasonable. The server was attentive and helpful. The decor is fine, nothing special. As others have said, the layout is a bit odd. Docked a star because the noise level was excruciating, due to both a packed restaurant and music that was both ridiculously loud and stupid to boot - I think it was a radio station. My friend and I spent the entire breakfast shouting "what did you say?" and "excuse me I didn't hear you!" If the owner/chef addressed the layout and the noise level, this could easily be one of the best breakfast places in Chicago.
(4)Robert N.
I visited this restaurant for brunch a few weeks after it opened so thing may be better, I wanted to like it more as it is a two minute walk from home for me... The food was good, I had the flight of French toast...Maybe this is just a personal preference but i hate how everything is served on glass plate, you can see right through you plate to the table...it didn't help that our table was sticky/ dirty when we arrived; i waited for one of the employees who were standing around chatting to check in with us after we were seated... After about 5 minutes I got up and asked them for a napkin to wipe down the table, instead of coming over to help they handed me a napkin as if it was my problem... I was annoyed that the service was so poor... The chef came out to ask us how everything was, that was nice. I split the bill and the staff didn't know how to do it, I guess it was a new system and they didn't know how. Overall poor service but pretty good food
(2)Aric C.
This place is on point! Whoo hoo can't wait to go back!
(5)Tom W.
Amazing french toast. Their cheesy potatoes are.on of the.best breakfast sides.I.have ever had.
(5)Soleil K.
IT IS SO GOOD! !!! I LOVED IT. WORTH EVERY BITE. On a Monday morning, Of the four of us we had the French toast, pancakes, apple waffles, pork sausage, chicken sausage, hash browns ,and finally the broccoli and cheddar omelet. It was really a taste bud satisfaction. The food came out within 15 minutes; awesome. The fruit is infused into the French Toast, it's definitely not your average. Everything had amazing flavor. One con that could bother some is that they strongly insist that you order the food AS IS. NO CHANGES. Another thing that's different is the way their omelets are made. They put the ingredients ON TOP of the omelet instead of inside. I prefer the inside method, but it was still a good experience. They also have cheesecrusted hash browns that we tried. Pretty tasty Go try it, you won't regret it
(5)Allison V.
The french toast flight was amazing! At the recommendation of a friend, we ate breakfast there the first day of our trip. We enjoyed it so much, we returned the last day before our flight home.
(5)Jaysi B.
I had a reconstructed lobster omelet that blew my mind. They did not skimp on the lobster, worth every penny! Their cheesy hash browns are equally delicious.
(5)Gwen D.
With an abundance of stellar brunch spots in town, I consider an adequate brunch inadequate. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries falls into that boat. Fine, but standing in my way of something better. Although I don't prefer sweet breakfast foods, Batter & Berries' signature French toast stood out amongst all the dishes at the table. My friends and I split the French Toast Flight, sampling strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and pumpkin toast served with maple butter. Even amidst the delicious French toast, I liked the maple butter best of all! I ordered the biscuits and gravy, served with coleslaw and (perfectly) poached eggs. Unfortunately, the biscuits, gravy and coleslaw were all overwhelmingly sweet, masking any and all other flavors or seasonings. I also stole a few bites of a friend's cheese-crusted hashbrowns, which made me crave Crosby's Kitchen's cheese hashbrowns. I did love my bite of my friend's Lobster Benedict because duh. (I sound like such a mooch. Thanks, friends!) TL;DR: Hit Batter & Berries if and only if you're a French toast fanatic who lives in the area.
(2)Riana Elizabeth E.
About the only complaint I have about this place is that it's only open until 3pm. Thank God they're open every day, but plan on a wait no matter what day you visit. The hot tea selection is fantastic (try the toasted almond)! There's a communal feel to the place with the large family-style table in the center and how close the small tables are set together. It didn't feel awkward, however, since our server immediately turned our table and the one next t us into a "team" and started asking us brain teasers. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and exceedingly fast - which is great because I was starving. I tried someone else's French Toast Flight - the Lemon French Toast lives up to the raving reviews - but I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict. My God, if it's on the menu for the day, order that dish! These were the best crab cakes I've ever had! Just huge chunks of crab, the perfect amount of delicate seasoning, and toasted to a golden hue. I'll be back!
(5)Bethany C.
I went to B&B on a recent business trip to Chicago and I was so impressed that I made a point to eat there twice in five days! The wait staff was warm, lovely, and knowledgeable. You really cannot expect better service. On my second visit, our initial server remembered us and came to chat while our current server treated us to some riddles. Fabulous! The food is creative, flavorful and FRESH! Everything is homemade, it seems. The French Toast flight is a MUST. I also adored the Cluck and Gravy. Whatever the special is - GET IT! You're in for a treat. My hat is off to the chef and staff of this charming establishment. I look forward to visiting again on my next time in the 310.
(5)Ciera J.
Great place for brunch! The food is great, the staff is beyond amazing and attentive, it's a black owned facility which is awesome! Will come again with my girlfriends.
(4)Michael U.
The Gist: No Website, BYOB, Breakfast and Lunch only. The Why: Located in a city that I consider to have the best breakfast/brunch scene in the United States Batter & Berries I knew walking into this new Lincoln Park location that I was taking a risk - passing up another chance to dine at Bongo Room, Southport, m.henry, or 2 Sparrows in favor of the 'new kid on the block' - but focused on all-natural ingredients, honest-to-goodness local sourcing, and innovative breakfast/brunch/lunch dishes with a lot of tongue-in-cheek nods to the south Batter & Berries seemed like my sort of place. The Reservation/Setting/Service: As one might expect from such a place, reservations are not necessary (nor taken,) though arriving around 8:45am on a Friday the traffic was still good, approximately ten tables turned during my 45 minute meal and with the space brightly lit, the music cheerful, and Chef Rylon checking in on tables frequently. With a coffee/pastry bar set at the center of the room and kitchen in back as only one server worked the room I'll note that coffee went empty more than once, but aside from that Sam was pleasant, efficient, and full of knowledge and recommendations related to a rather extensive menu. The food and drink: Coffee ($3) and Water, two entrees - $13 each. La Colombe Coffee: Brewing Nizza with its characteristic deep caramel notes Batter & Berries had me at 'hello' with the coffee selection, though I will note that consistent with the all-natural theme only Stevia and Sugar in the raw are offered as sweeteners making me glad I'd pilfered a plethora of Equal from the Skyharbor Airport the day before. Super Flight: Suggested by Sam as a way to make the most of the menu this plate featured half a slice of each daily French Toast option, on that day inclusive of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel, and French vanilla. Generally a fan of maple syrup with my breakfast sweets but with none offered on this plate what I received would actually prove to be some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted as each piece of buttery brioche was infused with custard of a different flavor and subsequently topped with complimentary compote, spread, or cream. Crisp on the exterior and custard soft within it would be hard to choose a favorite and although I must say $13 seemed a bit excessive for the portion this was definitely a situation where you got what you paid for, each bite as good as the last. Cluck N Gaufre: Reportedly a dish slowly becoming their "signature" this one really came out of left field; I mean sure I expected chicken and waffles but I didn't expect tender bits of cooked chicken INSIDE the sweet potato waffle in addition to the tender and juicy breast drizzled with nutmeg spiked hot sauce on top. Tender and crispy - sort of like a potato pancake but rife with savory notes - and finished off with maple butter this dish touched on all parts of the palate with both sweet and savory coming through with aplomb as sweet and heat competed for attention on the tongue. The Verdict: Another standout in a breakfast and brunch scene that outshines even those of New York and San Francisco a breakfast meal at Batter & Berries does not come cheap, yet with items far more interesting than your average diner and a chef/owner that clearly cares about his product and his customers I'd place Chef Rylon's little eatery on Lincoln in the same league with 2 Sparrows and Bongo Room for innovative brunch fare and while the service needs a little work (or the restaurant needs more servers) I'd not hesitate to return or recommend it to anyone looking for a great breakfast.
(4)Alex J.
In my Jeezy voice, "super flight, super flight.... Yeahhhh, You know I want a super flight!!!"
(4)Ifetayo O.
This was a beautiful restaurant. From the moment we walked in the vibe was great. When we sat down, our server Tim, was there to help us and we got water and great seats. He let us know all the specials of the day and was ready to take our order in a timely fashion. We sat down at 2:25 and got our food at 2:35. One may think that because it was given to us so quickly that it wasn't good or fresh, but quite the contrary. Everything was so flavorful and delicious. You could taste all of the seasonings, and being a college student, this was a total change from DHall food. I ordered the chicken and waffles and my friend ordered the kids strawberry french toast and fajita omelet. The french toast was the bomb dot com and the waffle was actually sweet potato flavored and had chicken in it. You do not need syrup to enjoy this meal, that's how flavorful it is. All in all, this is a great place, and I will continue to go here when I come to chi-town to visit.
(5)Jaz B.
Overrated. Food was good but anything would be good if it's slathered in buttered and sugar. Service was horrible- from over an hour wait, to the rude manager and the inattentive waitress. The manager had no business running a restaurant and would be better suited as a DMV worker. We never got refills on coffee or water. Save yourself the headache and take your food to go or better yet visit Jam and Honey up the street.
(1)Candi R.
So all my friends have been whispering about this place called batters and berries and since I consider myself Chicago's unofficial food expert I knew visiting was a must. And let's just say this girl is not disappointed! !! Food was delicious, fast, and most importantly TASTY I ruined my diet but it was worth the experience will be back again sooner than later and I stay in the south suburbs but did u hear me it's worth it YES HONEY
(5)Anthony G.
One word AMAZING... The French Toast are awesome! If you want an awesome breakfast or a breakfast/brunch date with a lucky person, I highly recommend this place, it has a great atmosphere, great staff who knows the menu and meals of the day by memory. Five stars overall for the extra friendly people and atmosphere
(5)Amber W.
Absolutely amazing and delicious!! I think this may be one of my top 3 favorite brunch places...ever! The chicken and waffles is good. The owner was very insistent that I eat it without putting any syrup on it for my first bite. I followed his advice and I was glad I did! Definitely didn't need any syrup. There is a certain sweetness and tanginess that make a great flavor that comes from the hot sauce, the chicken, and the sweetness of the waffle. Absolutely delicious!! The other unique thing about this place is their french toast, which is in several different fruit flavors. The special thing about their French toast is that, it's not just regular French toast topped with fruit, each piece of French toast tastes like the fruit it has on it. It is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it!! As I mentioned earlier, the owner is so nice. Came to our table to ask us how we liked it, was very polite, joked around, was very down to earth. I am going back there every time I go to Chicago!
(5)Ashley A.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? Amazing! I have been hearing about Batter & Berries for a long time now. All of my friends were raving about the food, but I never was able to find a free morning to go. Mother's Day was coming up and my sister and I really wanted to take our mom, so we thought it'd be the perfect occasion. From the reviews and from my friends, I knew there could be killer wait times. It can be annoying, but to me that is also a sign that there is something special going on and I still really wanted to go on Mother's Day, even though I knew it would probably be crazy busy! We decided to arrive at 7:30am (they open at 8am) and we made the right call. There were people lined up in their cars waiting as the same time as us. We started forming a line outside to door about 15 minutes before they opened and ended up being the 2nd group in there. Perfect timing. We were immediately greeted by our awesome and extremely enthusiastic waiter. I wish I had gotten his name, because he was great. He was clearly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about the menu and the restaurant experience, and he explained everything to us very well. There were three of us and my 7-month old baby (they have high chairs and the place is baby-friendly), so we decided to split some things on the menu. My mom ordered the crab cakes benedict, and we all shared the peach cobbler French Toast, as well as a super flight of French Toast (a sampler of all the flavors. DELICIOUS). I also had the homemade chicken sausage, which was great. They are also BYOB, so we brought a bottle of champagne and had mimosas as well. Overall, it was such a great experience! My mom was so happy on Mother's Day, and that makes me happy! I will definitely be back to try more things off the menu. A note: as we were leaving, the outside of the restaurant was PACKED full of people waiting. It was a madhouse. I know it was Mother's Day, but I get the feeling this place is packed on any day. My suggestion is to do like we did: get there before opening. It's early, but totally worth it!
(5)Zakia C.
All I can say is I love this place!! It's worth the wait and just try anything, you won't be disappointed. Oh, don't add anything before you taste it.
(5)Ashlee T.
I've been trying to go to this place a couple of times but the wait was always long and I can certainly see why the wait is so long... THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!!! My bestie and i went on a Thursday to avoid the long wait. We couldn't decide on what we wanted so we ordered 3 breakfast dishes to share. 1) french toast flight 2) chicken infused sweet potato waffle and 3) deconstructed fajita chicken omelet When I say everything was delicious you have to believe me.. the Owner/chef came out and introduced himself to my friend and I; he even checked to make sure the food was delicious being that we're from the home of the chicken and waffle (wooop woop Los Angeles).... i highly recommend..
(5)Karla K.
Told there was a 45 minute wait...we waited an hour and a half while " regulars" were seated before us. Had to leave because the wait time was so off. Food may be good but how they treat people was atrocious. Sorry but someone can do better.
(1)Margaret G.
Sometimes one just needs some booze at 10:30am on a weekday morning. Don't ask questions. No corking fee at B&B AND I can drink as much cheap champagne and prosecco I can carry? No convincing me I'll be there! My friend Jessica N had big reason to celebrate and I was honored to be her fete buddy for the morning. Both of us are big suckers for french toast so neither of us could pass that up. We feasted on the french toast sampler. Incredibly sweet. Right up my alley. Food A+. Now why the three stars. I found the wait staff extremely pushy. I had my plate snatched away within two seconds of putting my fork down. The staff was soo eager to clean our table that my bottle of presecco with at least a third left in it was thrown out before I could pipe up and say something. Also, if you byob you are required to order a glass of juice. I read prior reviews pointing out how cold it is inside the restaurant. And those are accurate statements. I purposely picked a table toward the back and I still had my winter jacket on the entire meal. Sweet tooths will love the French toast. Give it a try
(3)Dustin J.
Chicken and waffles all day! French toast flight is a must. Service was on point. Our server (2-see-me) was funny and outgoing. Great experience !
(5)Candy Eden M.
The food is good not great. Be ready to wait for a table. And be open to share a table with strangers.
(3)Passhon J.
My first experience was the best and that is why I still come. Since then, I've had an average experience here. The food is really good. No matter what you order, you will never be disappointed. Lemon french toast.. awesome, Chicken spinach wrap w/ sweet potatoe Fries... amazing, spinach omelet.... Perfection. The wait is ridiculous. They should consider expanding or creating a RSVP list. Overall, you should try them out if you want to experience some Good Chicago Food. The food will make you forget that you had to wait 2 hours to be seated.
(4)Michael B.
Going to be brief. The chef asks that you try your food without condiments first. The chef knows... ENJOY!
(5)Alissa H.
Saturday breakfast ... Arrived around 8:30 and it was crowded already! But we luckily got a our seat within minutes. Your entire party has to be there in order to be seated. We ordered flight of French toast( which comes with a sampling of all 5 of their speciality toasts... Carmel was the favorite, followed by strawberry, then lemon, apple pie and blueberry) and banana-but Belgium waffle. Both were delicious. Didn't need the syrup for waffle.
(5)Oscar B.
This was my second visit. 1.get the French toast flight. 2. Get the tea (they're all great)! Both of my experiences here were GREAT. I guess that would explain why they're never empty. My servers were nice and friendly and very helpful. The fish and chips, shrimp egg white omelet, lobster benedict, and crab cakes benedict are all amazing. The cheese crusted hash browns alone are enough to come check the place out. Oh! I forgot... the buttah!!!! OMG!!! Is butter supposed taste like breakfast cake batter?
(5)G. F.
This place is officially part of our rotation after our first visit today. I took off a star because we had to wait a bit longer than normal after sitting to be attended to and had to get our own menus...probably an isolated incident...and because it's a little small inside. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They were on top of things and the food came out really fast even though they were pretty busy! Their great attitudes definitely added to our experience (especially since I took my 5-year-old and 17-month-old by myself). Their menu isn't all that big but there's just enough variety...and it's great to have options you don't see on most menus these days. The fried chicken and sweet potato waffles were out of this world! I'll have a hard time ordering anything else each time I go back. The super pancake flight was good, not awesome (and a bit overpriced). Got chicken sausage on the side and sweet potato hash and both were fantastic. It seems to get full by 9:00 on Saturday so try get there before then...they have a comfortable place to wait for your table but it isn't big. At the very least this place is worth trying to judge for yourself. For me, it's a great place to mix with some of our other favorites (since they have fairly similar menus)...we'll definitely be back sooner than later.
(4)Magda L.
Went on a Wednesday at noon and was by myself so I was seated immediately. My server (Leslie I think??) was sweet and knowledgeable. She talked me into the french toast super platter but honestly, I required very little coaxing. Maple rum and caramel were my favorites. This place is great. Come on a weekday if you can. Leslie told me the wait is usually 2 hours on the weekends.
(5)Lauren E.
I was really excited to try this place because of the Urbanspoon reviews, but was so disappointed. First of all, the hostesses didn't smile once, and looked completely miserable working. We put our name in and were told 45 minutes to an hour. I checked in after 45 minutes of listening intently, and they said they called our name already (I'm 99% positive they didn't). They acted very bothered by me asking. 20 minutes later they finally sat us and didn't apologize for the wait, just showed us the table without saying anything. SO, I was going to let this go because I heard the food was worth the wait; unfortunately, that was absolutely not the case. We had two oily, undercooked veggies/omelets and hashbrowns. We felt very rushed even though we were just in there for about 20 minutes. I would recommend finding a different breakfast place; there are plenty in the area to go to that will treat you like a paying customer. The only good thing was that the buspersons were friendly and attentive. Please re-evaluate your restaurant, Batter & Berries!
(1)David H.
Simply put: this is one of thee best places to eat in Chicago. The menu is so full of flavor and creative design but the best part is the prices. My recommendations: 1) French Toast Flight. 2) Buffalo Shrimp Wrap. 3) Pork Chop Executive.
(5)Lisa R.
I have been to this place twice already this summer! Brunch with a co-worker and took husband for breakfast for Father's Day; the place was packed and food was great! I heard reviews from friends and reviews on TV so I had to go. When I walked into the place a man walked out and said "what an experience". I came out of the place saying the exact...same...thing! Infectious uplifting atmosphere, great decor, lots of activity, staff and customers are friendly to each other. Sweet potato Waffle is my favorite. The owners are in THE PERFECT location. The business recently celebrated 2 year anniversary and manager was visiting tables to ask about their food - everyone looked happy in the place. Take your out-of town friends to this place; all will have a great time - and a great experience!
(5)Yujia Q.
Disappointed with the service of this famed Chicago brunch spot. During the end of our 1-hr meal, we were repeatedly asked (every few minutes or so) by different servers whether we were finished with the meal. When we asked to speak to the manager to express our frustration, we were told that this was a very busy restaurant and many customers were waiting and the table needed to turn. We couldn't have had a more rushed meal and certainly will not return. Restaurant management should consider re-training service industry etiquette to the staff.
(1)Ervin J.
Second time visit today to Batter n Berries and it was just as good as the first visit. I've had the chicken n waffles and the French Toast Flight, both signature dishes and they were amazing. Both visits my guests had different dishes and seemed just as pleased. The flavor, quality, and presentation of the food is impeccable. Breakfast food can be so so and routine but not Batter n Berries. This is place gets it right every time. The wait can be long on Saturday and Sunday so be prepared for a 45-an hour wait but it's worth it. Once you sit down the service is extremely quick and efficient. I also love that the business is black-owned and thriving. Sadly, I will be leaving Chicago and moving to another city but this will always be my brunch spot when I come visit the city.
(5)Margreth C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday at around noon. There was a hour - hour and a half wait. We walked around and then came back in a hour and our name was called just in time! It was super loud, and there was a lot of people. I could hardly hear the waitress. She did a good job explaining the specials and had pictures of the food on her mini iPad which is smart. We got the chicken and waffles and the flight French toast and all of it was amazing! I preferred the chicken and waffles over the French toast! I would definitely come back and wait a hour to eat and would recommend anyone to come and check it out! So delicious and the service was great!
(5)Noelle E.
Amazing French toast here. I would give this place 5 stars except they wouldn't let me order a plain cheese omelette. Thought that was kinda strange, but other wise everything is very good. And they play disco house!
(4)Alyssa M.
I love the food here- the French toast is amazing- so I had to give it a 3, HOWEVER, the hostesses have much to be desired. When we got there, we were not greeted or spoken to, granted it was very busy, but I had to ask the hostess to put our names in and asked how long the wait would be. She said 35-45 minutes (for 2 ppl) which was fine with us. 40 minutes later my fiancé went up to ask if they knew how long it would be until we were seated and the hostess rudely said "I already told you it would be 40-45 minutes." She acted like she had no time for this, or it was an inconvenience to her when IT IS HER JOB. When we got seated, about 15 minutes later, she said our names to call us up for our table, didn't make eye contact or say a word and motioned with a point of s finger a table for us to sit at. Still without speaking a word to us. When she brought us our menus I made a point of saying thank you, and still no word from her. This started our experience here off extremely poorly. I wish I would've gotten her name to call and complain. However, most of the staff seems great and very friendly. Our wait staff has always been great here. I hesitated to write a review because I really love batter and berries, but I would be embarrassed to bring out of town friends here based on the welcome staffs attitude and behavior.
(3)Justin S.
I've been to Batter & Berries about 4 times now. The first was when it first opened and was the best visit. I went with some friends and had the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) which was delicious. My friend also mentioned the omelet she had was the best she ever had. The Chef came out and chatted with us which was a great touch. I've gone back recently and ordered the same and the quality of food has seemed to go downhill a bit. They do get busy but they are pretty good about trying to get you into the restaurant as fast as possible. It's worth going to but I don't feel its as good as it used to be.
(3)Mike H.
I love this place. Any time that I have friends or colleagues visit from out of town, I usually take them here! (UNLESS, they are on a diet.) The food is absolutely delicious, and often times decadent. Their savory dishes are rich and their sweet dishes are richly sweet! It may be a bit much if you're used to typical breakfast/brunch food. But that's what makes this place popular. It's not supposed to be typical. In a city like Chicago that is so segregated, it's nice to have this racially diverse spot in the heart of Lincoln Park!
(4)jennifer p.
I have visited this establishment on more then one occasion, and all I can say the experiences have been WONDERFUL, food DELICIOUS just all out FANTASTIC
(5)Roxy H.
I've been hearing a lot about this place. Great buzz about it. Decided to finally try to go to brunch 3/16/14. Tips: Put your name on the list. There is an hour wait so leave and come back in 30 minutes or so. The waiting area is awkwardly plopped in the middle of the entrance and dining area. Next tip: Ask for the specials. My waiter did not give me the run down of specials. Don't know why. My 4 year old asked him why he didn't - fail - lol. Loved: They are playing house music! Low but enough volume to make out the songs. loved that. Very friendly staff. I think everyone that worked there came by to say hello. Love great service. The food was ready in like 5 minutes! Not kidding - quick turn around. Lot's of "us" (see my photo) in the place but it's a mixed crowd no less. I will be back!
(4)Leah C.
third time's a charm... yes it took 3 times to finally get a table (ahem on a monday) at this hot spot! and it was worth it! i generally do not like breakfast food but my sweet tooth does enjoy picking at a shared apple pancake or fruit waffle with my eggs. at b&b, my sweet tooth discovered the french toast flight; i do not like french toast at all but had to try their signature dish - we ordered one to share and it made me a convert...wow! the french toast was crunchy and so very flavorful - not just soggy bread with heaps of blueberry/strawberry/what have you syrup and equally syrupy fruit on top. the actual batter gave the french toast its flavor: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and the flavor of the day: peanut butter! we could not decide which we liked best! i ordered the vegi omelette served "deconstructed": veggies on top of the egg whites. i loved that the choice of veggies were green beans and colorful peppers (not your typical spinach or broccoli). i didn't love how buttery the eggs were...i little bit too greasy for my taste. the selection of berries (and melon) served on the side were also such a refreshing alternative to potatoes or mini cup of overripe cantaloupe and sour grapes. my husband loved his lobster omelette (i had a bite sans lobster to try the absolutely delectable smoked gouda!). he had a very difficult time deciding what to order as there were many other specials that sounded equally delicious (pork chop, pork sausage breakfast wrap, crab benedict) along with the regular menu items. we need to go back! oh need to add: the servers were very informative and are armed with ipads not only to take your order but to give you visuals of their specials! with all the wonderful choices, this actually made it a tiny bit easier to decide. what a great idea!
(5)Rosie A.
This is by far my favorite breakfast/ brunch place! The food is AMAZING!! Fast and friendly service. The specials change weekly, but if you dine during the banana pudding French toast, I highly recommend it.
(5)james p.
The best french toast and breakfast spot in the city, hands down. Food is excellent and quality is consistent!!
(5)Justin B.
The vanilla bean rum french toast special was incredible, the homemade pork sausage was incredible, and the service was exceptional. (Next time, I will be showing up with a bottle of champagne to add mimosas to the mix.) Now I know why there's always a huge freakin' wait here...we came on a Wednesday at 10:45 AM and there was still a 15-minute wait, and that was after we tried coming last Sunday soon after Batter & Berries opened. If anyone has some advice on when this place is NOT totally jammed, it would be appreciated!
(5)Tori M.
Came here with friends after the 4th of July for brunch. We got there around 830 and there was a tiny wait starting to form, but we were seated shortly after. We got the French Toast Flight to share before our meal which was amazing! I had the B&B Breakfast sandwich, that was delicious. I took half home and was able to heat it up the next day for breakfast. My bf got the sweet potato chicken and waffles. The waffle was very yummy, as was the chicken. The service was great and very fast! Also, I love that this place is BYOB. I will definitely be back!
(4)Marsha G.
Really wanted to try this place due to all the fb buzz on it. Finally went one weekday morning with my husband. Had to drive around due to the fact that their is only street parking and other consumers of nearby businesses occupied most of the spaces. Got in and the wait for food wasn't long at all. I had the French toast flight and it was really good. I hate blueberries but I really enjoyed the toast. My husband had the steak and some ham and that was great to. Only wish the location was bigger because I can only image the wait on the weekends with nowhere to stand and wait but infront of other ppl tables while they eat
(4)Katarina X.
My coworker has been trying to get me to go to breakfast for a very long time. I personally try to keep work and personal separate- like Church and State- the one and only thing tempting me from this? Butterfinger French Toast. This exists, it is delicious, this is not a test. Amazing. She lured me with a picture of this chocolate champagne French toast special served previous and the Butterfinger is phenomenally-mind-blowing. Worth re-prioritizing work relationships for. Worth a two hour wait- you heard me. Worth it, do it, get here now.
(5)Eunice J.
OH MY GOD the wait was the WORST. And don't get me wrong, This isn't my first rodeo. A friend and I waited over two hours when we should NOT have because the hostess was seating 3-4 ppl groups before us (even if they arrived later). This was because there weren't enough two ppl tables and they absolutely refused to seat two people at a four person table. It's worth going once especially if you're a sweets person - but GO WITH A GROUP
(3)Stephanie L.
Batter & Berries & Brunch & Breakfast...Oh MY! This place is twerking me...just like Miley. #amazingservice Our girl went over everything. Was attentive and showed us lots of yummy pics on her handy mini ipad. I was drooling within 5 mins of walking in and wanted everything on the menu. #amazingbreakfast Yummy crab omelette with egg whites, smoked gouda cheese, HUGE chunks of crab (#sorrysebastianfromlittlemermaid.Iateyou), delicious cheesy, creamy, crunchy hashbrowns. Amazing super french toast flight...yup, didnt need extra syrup. I loved the crunch that was in every bite. Strawberry, blueberry, caramel, lemon, oatmeal raisin...they all were #delicious #greatprice Brunch that doesnt blow the bank...yup, its here. BYOB if you are interested. Fantastic coffee #iwillbeback #goduringtheweek!
(5)Josh W.
Good but not great. . Chicken and waffles needed more sauce... Steak and eggs was overcoo
(3)Kourtney V.
I went here for my birthday came around 9 and we waited to be seated about 30 min, once seated we were serviced promptly and food came quickly...I order the crab cake benedict DELICIOUS...My mom and sister ordered the french toast which they said was AMAZING!!! Wonderful atmosphere....worth the wait!!
(5)April J.
WORST breakfast ever!!!!! The food came out in about 3 minutes. Alls that means is all our food was pre made. Eggs- AWEFUL!!! Hash browns- greasy slop!!! French toast flight- cold and I'm sure just pulled out if a pan and a different syrup and butter put on each. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!
(1)Bert T.
An annoying waste of time, money, and calories... The much heralded French toast flight, WASN'T. French toast is made by soaking bread in beaten eggs and then lightly frying it. I was served a small portion (two slices) of bread that was completely dry -- I couldn't see, or taste, that it had been anywhere near an egg. Not at all. This after I waited twenty minutes to be seated and was finally shown to a chair at the communal table that had been AVAILABLE THE ENTIRE TIME. Others who came in after me were seated at tables. I was both passed over AND made to wait for no reason at all. No excuse. And the general atmosphere was unpleasant. I looked around and saw that almost every table held one or more bottles of champagne (the group nearest me had 3 bottles for 5 people). Everyone lingered after their meal to finish their wine -- no wonder there was a wait. And they were all screaming at each other to be heard over the music. There are times when I enjoy hanging out with a bunch of happy drinkers, listening to loud house music tracks, but after 2 pm on a weekday is not one of them. I don't like needlessly noisy meals. The one star was for the side (extra cost) of ham. The ham was fine. I will NOT be back -- bad food and rude service aren't worth the hassle.
(1)Mykie H.
I gave B&B a few tries and really wanted to like it, especially because I live and work so close by. The food is very average, and in the greatest food city there is, average just isn't good enough. The service was pretty bad for both dine-in and carry-out, and I can't figure out why the restaurant itself is so loud. For what you get, it's really over-priced. I recommend taking your hard-earned dollars elsewhere.
(2)Andi M.
Heard a great deal of buzz about this place. From word of mouth to WTTW. We went on Memorial Day... A huge crowd had the same idea. The wait to get in was about 45 mins. A long time to wait. But time passed quickly as I walked up and down Lincoln. Admiring the historic architecture and taking photographs. Once we were seated. Our server came immediately and explained the dishes. Also was very interested to learn this was out first visit. We ordered the famous Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof). It was a sweet potato waffle topped with a hint of maple butter. Also with a piece of fried chicken with a tad bit of hot sauce. No need for syrup. Our food came out quickly. One bite and I it was on. Delicious is not even the word for it, The food was excellent. Each bite made you just savior the moment. I just have to go back there again. So I can really give a proper review. The long wait was well worth it. Next time they say it's a long wait. No problem! I'm just Happy to be here!
(5)Gabriela L.
The chicken and waffles were phenomenal. I loved that the sweet potato waffles had the chicken inside . Nice touch. Friendly staff too. The wait was pretty bad just because we got here at noon on a Saturday which I guess is expected.
(4)Lauren W.
First of all, you have never had a waffle like the sweet potato waffle on the cluck n goufre. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and as a self proclaimed hot sauce connoisseur, the homemade hot sauce was out of this world. On top of all of that, the service was more than desirable and the atmosphere was inviting. And, if that's not enough, the food came out in half the time expected.
(5)Kat L.
I have now been here multiple times, always with teacher friends. All I have to say is that the teachers of CPS love the fried chicken sweet potato waffles out of this place! Where else can you order a freaking FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT? I'll tell you. ZERO PLACES. I've also tried a bunch of other stuff on their menu and all of it has put me into a temporary sense of euphoria. As if that isn't enough to make you show up, everyone there is kind, and happy, and jovial. As a customer you really get the sense that I love to give people when I cook which is just making people really happy with great food because you like them. If you're smart, I'll see you there. If not, then you obviously hate brunch.
(5)Jasmine O.
My first time eating at Batter and Berries was last summer, when the Singles Ministry had a restaurant shut down there. It was great we had the restaurant all to ourselves. The food was amazing, I had the caramel French toast and it was superb! Flash forward to April 2014 I went again with some girlfriends of mine. We went around 11 am on a Saturday morning. There was a 45 minute wait, the only thing is there is nowhere to sit and wait in the restaurant. Everyone was waiting outside, granted it wasn't that cold out, but it was chilly. My girlfriends and I went down the street to a local boutique and browsed around until it was time to see if a table was available. The only downfall about his restaurant is it is really crowded and small, but it's worth the wait. The staff is friendly and our waiter was very entertaining. I must remember to bring champagne or wine, since it's BYOB.
(4)Philip M.
There is not much I enjoy more than eating... As such, I am constantly looking for great restaurants. The search is over!!! B&B is awesome!!! Everything I tried was delicious (deconstructed steak omelette, shrimp omelette, blueberry waffle, biscuits and gravy, and cheese crusted hashbrowns). It was all absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back anytime I'm in chi-town!
(5)Matt K.
This place is one of a kind! Had the Fried chicken w sausage gravy on top, cheesy hash browns, eggs over medium w hot sauce & a side of Texas white toast w caramel butter... Unreal! Food came in less than ten minutes and that was with a packed house on Xmas!
(5)Jennifer P.
Great experience here today. Long wait but totally worth it. Original recipes and quality ingredients. Definitely coming back. Manager was professional and genuinely cared about our experience and the quality of the food.
(5)Justen H.
Amazing experience here its a long wait buts its well worth this is my second time here and its is great everytime
(5)Stephanie H.
I think this place is ok. There are definitely better places for brunch in the city, but I think this place is certainly fine. I went yesterday (Saturday) with a friend and we got there right before 11 and were quoted a 35 minute wait. My guess is we waited about 20 as a few parties ahead of us deserted to go where I have no idea because there's really not much else open in that area at that time of day. I was familiar with the menu but our server advised us that they are known for their french toast. Listen to them. I really wanted some eggs so I went with the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet. It was a joke. I should have gotten french toast. Everything was greasy. It was an omelet with a few pieces of chicken and sauteed onions and peppers on top. Next to it was a pile of cold, and I mean cold not lukewarm, hash browns. Those weren't good, in fact I'm pretty sure the hash browns wouldn't have been good hot either. My friend got the super flight of french toast and I had a few bites and it was pretty good, but on the french toast scale of 1 to Bongo Room, these are probably in the middle to upper middle range. The decor is best described as neo-classical daycare cafeteria and some of the tables are quite cramped. But I thought the wait/check-in process went pretty smoothly. This place is fine, but not in my top brunch places in the city.
(3)Leslie B.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and am glad I did! On a Sunday at 12:00 there was a twenty minute wait for two. Once seated, our waiter was quite the character. He was instantly making us laugh and giving us recommendations from the menu. Halley W. and I split the Cluck-N-Gaufe, a side of chicken sausage, and the special french toast, which was roasted almond. The Cluck-N-Gaufe took us both a few bites to decide if we liked it or not, but eventually we decided it was delicious, just very unique. This sweet potato waffle with chicken inside, plus chicken on top, plus yummy hot sauce was one of the oddest dishes I've ever had, but it worked! Definitely recommend. The chicken sausage is made in-house and was really tasty, this was a great savory side to add. Lastly, the star of our meal was the roasted almond french toast. I feel like they should make this a part of their full-time menu (it was the weekend special). There were clearly almonds in the batter as you tasted the flavor throughout every bite. When at Batter and Berries, I would definitely recommend sharing sweet and savory dishes. One of the sweet dishes in its entirety would be too much, but it's absolutely worth having. All in all, I'm glad I went to Batter and Berries, but I'm not sure I'll return anytime soon. Breakfast was weirdly expensive, $13 for a not overwhelmingly large waffle with a smallish piece of chicken? Suspicious. $3 for a cup of coffee? Not Intelligensia or anything like that, just regular coffee. Hmm. No thanks.
(3)Julia W.
Hubby and I went this past Saturday. We arrived at 10:30am and was told it would be a 30 minute wait. From the reviews I was expecting longer. We were seated within 15-20 minutes. We ordered our food and received it in literally 12 minutes. The place was very busy, so we were shocked. Everything was delicious and our server was great. I think larger parties have to wait longer for bigger tables.
(5)Jennifer T.
Great place. There's going to be a bit of a wait but it's worth it. My husband & I shared the French toast flight which was wonderful. Our server was upbeat & nice, we liked him a lot. We definitely can't wait to visit again!
(4)Maya W.
This is the best place to go for an awesome, delectable, and flavorful dining experience with what would seem to be very basic breakfast items. The French Toast is unlike any I've had before with such an incredible variety of flavors - blueberry, lemon, strawberry, spiced Apple, Carmel and walnuts. Though I've never had eggs benedict, the lobster benedict was the best ever! It had huge chunks of lobster fried to a crispy perfection with perfectly cooked eggs on top. This meal was so full of flavor, it so delicately titillated my taste buds that no seasoning (salt, pepper, syrup, etc. ) was ever needed. Not only was the food excellent, but so was the service from the hostess to the table bussers. Even the manager was speaking with all of the customers, helping out where needed and creating an environment of joy and happiness! I will be back!
(5)Christy L.
When Batter & Berries first opened, I had brunch there with a friend and would have rated it 4-5 stars. Our experience was great: the food tasty, service attentive, and ambiance about what you'd expect for a diner'ish-brunch place. Fast forward about eight months, and now I think the food is just average. My friend and I ate brunch here on a Saturday. Arriving around 11am, our wait was no more than 15-20 minutes, which is completely reasonable during peak brunch hour. Our service was a little over-bearing; I felt uncomfortable. I ordered the Super French Toast sampler, and all but the orange daily special were tasty. My side of sausage was incredibly dry; I didn't eat more than a few bites. My friend had an egg dish, which she said was bland, and commented there her hash browns were cold. She tried my French Toast and agreed it was the way to go. I'd give Batter & Berries another shot but wouldn't recommend it with raving reviews like I did months ago...
(3)Ben M.
Very long wait and rude service. You can find food just as good at many other restaurants in the city.
(1)Ria S.
My first review for this place was over a year ago and it was 5 stars. This time it is barely 1. I have been a staunch supporter since they opened. I always order the french toast super flight but due to a strawberry allergy I cant eat the strawberry french toast. Chef Rylon is aware of this and always lets me substitute due to the allergy. I encountered one of the other owners Craig Richardson and not only did he absolutely REFUSE to make any exceptions but he was somewhat nasty in his response. I informed him I was one of the early supporters of his business but he didn't care nor was he interested in the fact that my request was due to a food allergy. Customer service is key to any business and I think that owner or not he can brush up on his customer service skills. I travel from the near southside to eat here & I am very disappointed.
(1)Mile N.
This place sets the bar for brunch!!! Excellent omelettes and the French toast flight is out of this world. The entire staff is very friendly and welcoming. I'm a customer for life!!!
(5)Robyn W.
I visited Batter and Berries for the first time today. After reading the reviews I had prepped myself for a long wait. I was hoping since it was a Tuesday it wouldn't be too bad. Well the reviews are correct. I had to wait. For a party of 2, we waited 30 minutes. The hostess asked if we didn't mind sitting at the "community table." It was a table that sat 10 people. So we agreed. After sitting there for about 20 minutes we watched them clean and bus the table and seat more coupled until eventually it was full. Still no waitress. I asked the hostess where the waitress was at. Her response was they were extremely busy. Um ok? So eventually the waitress came and took the order. Surprisingly the food came out really quick. I am giving 3 stars because the time it took to get service once seated. I knew going in I would have to wait. But once seated I expected better service. The food....great. I really enjoyed my meal. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. The maple butter they serve and the sweetness of the waffle was great. No syrup needed. The chicken was tasty and spicy. In the future I will not sit at the community table. I feel they sat us first and waited to take the order until the table had all new patrons at it. I saw people who were seated after us at private tables leave before us. Also, this restaurant is very small so with its popularity and good food it will feel very tight and when you eat you will have patrons waiting to be seated salivating over your plates or staring at you to hurry it up. I will return.
(3)Tara A.
After all the hype, I made it my business to try this place out today. I was warmly greeted & seated right away by the hostess & my server immediately came over w/a smile & bubbly personality & told my friend & I about the specials for day. Our food was served SUPER fast & the presentation was nice BUT the food was nothing to brag about, in me & my friends opinion. She ordered pancackes, said they were heavy not light & fluffy. Eggs & Bacon a la cart. I ordered the Crab Cakes Benedict w/cheesy hash browns. The cakes were OKAY & I didnt care for the hash browns, tasteless. All in all, I wont be going out my way to return. If Im ON the block & hungry, then maybe but otherwise I can get a better breakfast some place else. Maybe my expectations were too high or just maybe, its just a new spot w/mediocre food. Don't believe the Hype bcuz its just that: HYPE!!
(2)Rozalynn B.
Food was great! We ordered The Flight, The Executive, & Strawberry french toast.. Service was great! Be sure to arrive early because it gets VERY PACKED. I'll definitely be back. I'm sold on this place.
(5)Thanh L.
Chicken and waffles!! Never had it before, but I am a fan after this place. The staff was friendly and price was reasonable. The chicken was crispy and cover with a nice hot sauce. The waffles had bits of chicken in it. Staff always took time to make sure that we didnt need anything even though it was busy
(5)Jing C.
Have been here 3 times and am convinced that Batter & Berries is the Jekyll and Hyde of Chicago brunch spots. When its good, it's great. When its bad, you're left feeling like you'll never get that 3 hours of your life back. The good: Really thoroughly good food. Great French toast flights!! They pair all four delicious and varied flavors into a flight so you don't have to pick. The chicken and waffles is delish (chicken actually inside the waffle) and the omelet and hash browns are good too. The first couple times we came our server made us feel right at home with jokes and a smile. Amazing. Started recommending Batter and Berries to folks immediately. The bad: The service. The last time we came here and waited over 2 and a half hours for a table. What started as a quote for "30 minutes" (expected for Chicago on a Sunday) slowly turned to one hour then two. During that time, two groups our size who were friends with the hostess came so we got bumped. It was clear from their conversations that they didn't have reservations and came on a whim. Got seated right in when we had already been waiting for an hour. This happened twice. In the same morning. No apologies for the wait or the inequitable treatment. Our waitress actually gave us attitude when we asked what might be ordered quickly or taken to go because one of our friends needed to catch a flight. Yes, I know brunch is for indulging with friends, not speedy service but we had spent 3 hours there without getting any food yet! The food is great but that experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Two in our group ended up scrambling because of the unfair long wait (needed to get to a flight and a soccer game). There's too many good brunch places in Chicago to risk a bad experience like this one. Don't waste your morning like we did!!
(1)Kristine C.
This place is not a family or a friendly establishment. If you have children or if you think babies are cute don't go here, because they hate babies. If I could give this place zero stars I would. My husband and I went there last weekend with our two friends and their 6 week old infant. We checked in at 9:30 am for a table, and they said the wait would be about 30-45 minutes. Ok, no big deal, we waited the 45 minutes. 10:15, we check in, they said another few minutes. 10:30 we check in, and are told to ask again inside. The hostess says, "um, I don't know when you'll get seated. It will be another 45 minutes to an hour." I asked how it was possible that a 30 minute wait turned into a 2 hour wait, and I also noticed that there were tables turning, so why couldn't we sit? The hostess replied, "well, if you didn't have the baby, we could seat you." I'm sorry, what?! What do you suggest we do, leave the baby outside and sit and eat? If you had a problem with us bringing the baby in, you should have said so at 9:30, and we would have just gone somewhere else. Don't make us wait an hour and then tell us we aren't welcome, because we have an infant. There are so many amazing restaurants in chicago, take your business elsewhere. We walked up to jacks on halstead. They were incredibly welcoming, I highly recommend that restaurant instead!
(1)Jeff A.
We went during the week and we went early. The wait was almost non-existent! Many of the reviews talk about how long the wait is, and frankly this is why I rarely go to brunch anywhere anymore, it's the thing to do, and good brunch places, well they have long waits for a reason, they are where everyone wants to eat. The food and service was just excellent! Lamb chop special, I almost reordered it, it was that darn good! (had we not already ordered three dishes to split between the two of us I would have!) The Executive - perfectly cooked rib eye bathing in saucy onion mushroom red wine goodness! Yes sir may I have another! Super flight of French toast - she notes with a smile as she drops the plate that we will not be needing syrup and be sure to utilize that maple butter, I could have rubbed my self up and down with that maple delight and just smiled on top the hill all day long, it was delish, and every variety of French toast was just tasty and moist and wonderful! We loved every moment!
(5)Alec H.
Great place, great food, great people. The menu is great and there is a great selection for kids. I highly recommend this place but I would suggest being prepared for a long wait because along with the great food comes a great wait.
(5)H N.
My husband, 3 friends, a child, and I were came here for breakfast last Sunday. The restaurant was busy and we feared we'd have a super long wait. 30 minutes wasn't too bad of a wait. The staff were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious! I can see why the wait was so long. All of us enjoyed our meal: my husband loved the pork sausages (seem homemade) so much we tried going back today but the wait was 90 minutes so we went somewhere else. The salmon omelet was delicious as was the crab cake benedict. My only complaint is that the place is too popular with long waits. I hope the restaurant expands to other locations or in their current place. We're definitely returning. 8:00 AM next time.
(4)Peter H.
The specials were unique and delicious! Our server has a great schpiel for the specials and even gave us a riddle to ponder while we waited for the food! (Which wasn't long at all) Make sure you have the maple butter and get a side of their home made hot sauce!
(5)Kyla H.
I went this morning. The wait was very long. Although the hosts had a tad bit of an attitude my experience was great! My party sat at the community table which i feel is great for those who have been waiting For and hour+. The have a waiting area in the back Which is only two benches. I really think the two booths infront could get switched out with the waiting area. Our waiter was friendly and really funny. We could tell he was working his butt off. The food was great i had the french toast flight. I would not recommend the syrup on blueberry. And lemon after awhile got nasty. I tasted chicken and waffel which was great. The hot sause really brung moister and alittle kick. With the steak omlet the steak was cooked perfectly and the gravy was delicious. If you decide to go to thos place i am telling you you will love it. Also i forgot to mention they are famous for french toast and chicken and waffels.!
(4)Diana R.
I discovered this place a couple of months ago and i have been obsessed ever since! the first time i came here i ordered the french toast flight which was really good, the french toast didn't need syrup because they were that good! i also ordered fries and let me tell you they are one of the best! the chives make them taste amazing. I also ordered the chicken sausage, but i was not overly impressed with these. they have a syrup taste, and although at first i didn't mind it, after a while i couldn't eat it anymore. The second time i was there i ordered the cluck and gaufere ( sweet potato waffle with chicken on the inside, and chicken on the side) this was really great! the manager even came up to our table to make sure i was enjoying it. Lastly, the third time i was there i ordered the pulled pork sandwich and that was also amazing. the pulled pork was nice and juicy, and there was a generous amount of pulled pork on the sandwich. i also ordered a side of a biscuit (which is $2/biscuit, kind of expensive) and that also didn't not disappoint. my one complaint would be that sometimes if your sitting too close to the door you are constantly feeling that cold air coming in and out of the restaurant. Overall, amazing place to eat at.
(5)Alzetta H.
Finally made it to Batter and Berries and it exceeded my expectations. Arrived at about 9:45 on a Tuesday morning and the timing was perfect. Entered an empty restaurant and by the time my coffee was served, the place somehow became full to capacity. Ordered the cluck and goof, which is a sweet potato waffle with chicken. It was amazing!!! Was slightly concerned about any type of hot sauce being on my chicken with a waffle, but it worked. Also ordered the cheesy hash browns. They were tasty but had to add salt to pepper to season to my liking. We also ordered the French Toast Flight, which was also amazing. The pictures made me think this was simply a dessert disguised as breakfast, but it was delightful and not too sweet. The service was remarkable and the owner was humble and made me feel as though he truly appreciated us dining there. Overall awesome experience and I can't wait to return.
(5)Kristie S.
I live in the area and have been here a few times. There is always a long wait, but it had been worth it for the food. I brought my sister there on a Sunday morning. The host quoted us 1 hour and 20 minutes which was accurate. When our table was ready, the host asked if we were willing to share a 4 top with two other women we didn't know. We did not wait that long to share a table! Luckily, the communal table opened and we found two spots there. My sisters food came out (French toast flight and hash browns), and I had to wait another 5 min for my food. Her French toast was cold, so we waited another 10 minutes for our waiter to see if we could send it back. When my sister told him about her food, his response was "well what do you want me to do about it?!" She said she didn't know, and he started to raise his voice and said "I don't know what you want me to do about it." I finally had to step in and ask for him to get her a new plate. She looked like she was going to cry. The manager ended up comping her meal. Overall, they have terrible service. That is not a way to treat your customers, and I will never go back there.
(1)Michael C.
Fire!!! The food was so good, i had the french toast, cheese eggs & ham! they use this maple infused butter that was so damn good i asked for some to go! haha! im going back! Cons: The wait time. The place was pretty loud, for some reason they have folks waiting in the place who have not got a table. the restaurant is not that big to start with so why not use that space for more tables?? i felt like people were looking at me eat the whole time, its not a deal breaker but it could be done better.
(5)Barbara M.
The French Toast was great. But everything else had too many weird seasoning, especially the homemade sausage, and they were under-cooked, yuk. The pancakes were doughy. I left with a really bad after taste. I was hoping for the best with this place but I so won't be going back. Oh I forgot, there were so many non work staff in and out of that kitchen, at one point I thought that's where the bathroom was located. Please stop the guy from doing silly chants and riddles!!! Highly disappointed.
(2)Kristina V.
The food was good, but not as tasty as I had imagined. The broccoli omelette was literally egg, broccoli, and cheese, no seasoning or spices. The cheesy hash browns were very good. The flight of French toast was good, but I've tasted better flavored French toast at places like Kanela and Yolk. If I could rank these three places I would rank Kanela first, Yolk second, then Batter & Berries. It was good food and I have no complaints, but it wasn't exciting at all to my taste buds.
(3)David L.
My server was Nadine & Nadine was so passionate and was very knowledgeable of the culture of the business, I was very impressed, I'm not the kind that gives credit but when I do, it absolutely needs to be acknowledged. I ordered the Banana-Nut Belgigue waffle with a vanilla sauce and a side of a well-seasoned boneless chicken breast. My meal was PERFECT, The ambiance was GOOD, The Staff was Polite & GREAT!!! What else can you ask for? Thank you! DvD
(5)Tricia D.
Thanks again to Thrillist for introducing another fabulous, new Chicago establishment to mi estomac! B: etter plan to order some french toast bc this is what they're (Chef Rylon came by and told us himself) known for! A: te the flight of french, which included blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel, and I surprisingly liked the lemon the best. T: he batter's infused with the flavors, so it's not just the topping delivering the boom! T: oast aside, P and I shared the traditional breakfast, 2 eggs, hash browns, and house made pork sausage. E: asy enough street parking on Lincoln. R: eally energetic and loud in here, so make sure to bring your boisterous voice for conversation.
(3)Careese H.
We drove an hour and a half to try this place out because it was highly recommended and it lived up to all of the hype! The French toast flight, the spicy pork sausages, the chicken sausage, the crab Benedict, and the lobster omelet were all delicious!
(5)Larry D.
YES! If you are short on time, just take my word for it, stop reading now and plan your next breakfast at this place. Just, yes! Been there once, can't wait to go back. I had the chicken and waffles (they have some funny name for it that I can't recall). It was the best chicken and waffles I've ever had. They were pretty sheisty on the hot sauce on top, and I should dock them a star for that, but I'm in a giving mood tonight - so I hope they read this and put more hot sauce on the darn thing and not make me order extra for 50 cents. Otherwise, the fried chicken atop the sweet potato waffle was awe inspiring. My dining partners ordered the crab cake benedict and it was met with so/so reviews from that individual. He said it was a good dish, but because of personal taste, he wouldn't order it again, citing the lack of "zip" he was hoping for. My other partner had the French Toast Flight which apparently is their coup de grâce and most famous item on the menu. All we were getting from him were moans of pure ecstasy as he was eating with a promise to return and order the exact same dish. It is also what I'll be trying on my next trip. The wait staff kept my glass full (which is about 90% of my rating of any server), were attentive and I appreciate their use of technology in the iPads they use not only to place your order tableside, but also to show you pictures of the features of the day and popular dishes - very smart. The staff was extremely friendly - my only suggestion for such a small and intimate place where it is clear the Chef runs the joint is that it would be nice for him to come out himself and visit the tables. I feel like chefs who make the time to do that probably gain a lot of insight into their operation and the successes and failures of their dishes. The 5 stars were well earned - tres bien!
(5)Kelly M.
They say third time's a charm. Tried to come to Batter & Berries on 2 prior occasions. First time, the wait was 2 hours and the next time, it was temporarily closed. So, my 2 lovely daughters and I finally got there early enough on a Sunday morning to beat most of the after church crowd. Even so, the wait was almost an hour. (TIP: we put our name in and did a couple of errands) Batter & Berries was definitely worth the wait. I ordered the special lobster omlette- and wow! It was fabulous. One daughter ordered an egg sandwich with potatoes and a side of pancakes, the other ordered a delicious veggie omlette. We all split the super french toast flight which was out of this world! Food was excellent, service was fast & pleasant. Don't forget to BYOB so you can make mimosas with OJ!
(5)Michelle E.
I've only been here once, service was great when I went. Although it's kinda loud in there but then again it's a small place. I had the fish and chips and I love their fries! Def going back
(5)Matthew T.
So..... Normally I would have wrote a terrible review because of the long wait, but seriously I think the almost 2 hour wait was well worth it!! The service was great, and the food even better. To top it off Batter & Berries was a BYOB without a corkage fee. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to try a new brunch restaurant in Chicago. Recommend: Chicken & Waffles (Chicken Waffles & Fried Chicken with hot sauce sauce).
(5)Charla B.
The problem when people rave about a place is that you have higher expectations than you should. I was underwhelmed by my experience at Batter and Berries. My friend and I were catching up over the holidays and decided to do brunch. First, it was cold outside and there was a 45 min. wait. We decided to stick it out, but did wait outside. The hostess never told us there was a waiting area inside. #Fail. We finally were seated, but by the door that constantly opened and closed causing use to freeze. They need to fix this issue with the another door or awning door as other businesses do. It took forever for our server to come over, and she was anything but pleasant. Our waitress needed a lesson in customer service. The food was not good. It was mediocre at best..The coffee was borderline nasty. The french toast flight was disappointing. My friend and I were expecting the french toast to be dipped in the batters with strawberries, blueberries, lemon and carmel as promised. The french toast was plan thin bread topped with the toppings, but nothing more. The lemon one, may have had lemon extract. The chicken in the chicken and waffle meal was good, but the waffle left a lot to be desired. The cheese hasbrowns were overcooked. Simple things like eggs and bacon were fine. However, for what we paid for our food, everything should have been great. Needless to say, I probably will not be making any more trips to this restaurant. If you do choose to go, try a random weekday. I believe many of the problems we encountered were rushed cooking, service and the staff being overwhelmed.
(2)Amanda C.
Seriously what is not to love about this place?!?!???! First off you walk in and instantly feel warm inside. The decor is super cute and let me tell you, customer service is on point. Every one here has a great attitude and you can tell they love what they do. The manager stopped by and made conversation with us which I thought was nice. Our waiter was hilarious (can't remember his name) and kept coming by at various points with riddles. Cracked me up. I noticed he didn't do this with every one so he probably has a sense of who's up for it and who's not. On to the food. Maaaaaaaannnnnn that Chicken & Waffle. Forget about it. Not a drop left on my plate. The amazing waffle was stuffed with fried chicken and was accompanied with a nice piece on the side with hot sauce on it. Maple butter on top. This dish didn't even need syrup. The combination of flavors were great. My dad had the biscuits and gravy with cole slaw and eggs. I had some and the flavors when perfect together. I am so picky with cole slaw... that stuff was good. We both had a cup of coffee which was fresh and always filled quickly. I found this place randomly and am glad I did. Can't wait to go back and try their other unique dishes. It not cheap but not too pricy for the quality either. Stop in and try it out. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)E M.
In town visiting from Texas and my friends raved about this place, but I was underwhelmed by the menu. The food was just ok. I had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was so bland. The cheesy hash browns were good, but not amazing. The prices were great, the atmosphere is very cool, but it didn't live up to the hype. Maybe my expectations were too high.
(2)Nicole P.
The food is so good! We also had a very attentive waiter who also kept us entertained with random but witty riddles. Highly recommended!
(5)Dawn D.
What a disappointing outing. Excited that my cousin was treating me to the often talked about Batter & Berries - stunned by the vibe of the restaurant, the owner and the subpar food. The swap meet ambiance left much to be desired. I've visited small breakfast spots but the decor is so hideous I was distracted by its ugliness. Once the specials were explained I was disappointed to find that the surf & turf omelet could not be substituted with shrimp as opposed to the turf- the beef. Ok, fine no problem. I got the spinach & mushroom omelet with sweet potatoes hash browns. I sent the hash brown back because the shredded potatoes on top were undercooked. I replaced with the cheesy hashbrowns and they were over cooked! I couldn't get a break. As the owner walked around asking people 'how is everything' I guessed he found my disappointment & criticism a shock. He was rude & dismissive to my concerns over the surf & turf omelet. He told me I couldn't replace the turf with surf because of the 'count' of the food. Really? Is this a elementary cafeteria or a restaurant? No accommodating paying customers? Umm, yeah I'm good with this dump. I didn't finish my food & I definitely won't be darkening the door of lumpy batter & sour berries again. PS all was not lost- my server was gracious and fabulous!
(1)Terron J.
UNSANITARY!!!!!!!! I WILL NOT BE RETURNING AND HAVE REPORTED THEM TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT!!!! This place is only busy because of location. The food and quality of service are not even up to par. The owner needs to clean house on the staff. Only two people on that staff are good waiters. Don't get me started on the rude hostess. She must be a product of nepotism. The rest of them.... God help them. So rude! My last visit was today! The manager/and chef were on the floor vacuuming during a busy shift right next to our table. It was disgusting! The smell of the vacuum and the air coming from it was hitting our table. It was the rudest and most ridiculous thing I've seen in a restaurant. I don't care to see the chef carrying mats with dripping melting snow on them across the dining area. Nor do I care to see him parading about the dining area in his dirty apron that I'm sure he's using in the kitchen. Gross!! We waited twenty minutes to be greeted by the rude waitress Elvira. She took the order of two other tables that sat down AFTER us. Then gave me attitude when I simply said I'm ready to order. She told me to " Wait". I guess she was flustered but rudeness isn't helpful to someone who sees you taking the order of two tables that were seated after you. I own two restaurants and I tell you....When we get busy...I usually am busy helping my staff. - Not sitting at a table on my laptop tweeting. Volume and Quantity do not equal quality----Message to the owners!!!
(1)maimuna s.
This is such a great place for brunch! I had the fried chicken and french toast and it was soo good. Def do not come here hungry because the wait is VERY long and can take hours! Def worth the wait though :)
(5)Olivia T.
This is a fabulous restaurant! The food was on point and perfect! We had the porkchop executive, super flight French toast, and deconstructed steak omelet. As soon as we sat down and ordered the food came right away. There's definitely a long wait, but with the service and good food we had, it was well worth it. What made an even greater experience was the waiter we had. Super funny guy. Made the entire time at the restaurant fun. Thanks Tusiime!
(5)Amber H.
I hadn't been in quite some time and was excited to return. I was very disheartening and I was truly disappointed that a very unfair seating policy had been instituted. I arrived at 1:30 and put my name on the list. The hostess quoted me 30 minutes for a wait time. I went back to my car and 15 minutes later I sent my son in to inquire about the wait from there. The hostess then told him to come back in another 30 minutes. I came in to double check and the hostess confirmed that is exactly what she told him. I asked why the wait time had increased and was told that people who were on the list from earlier in the day who left and decided to come back must be seated 1st. So you can put your name on the list, run several errands and return and bump others. I've always been a fan of awesome black-owned gems. But it's those black-owned gems that don't survive because of poor customer service practices and inconsistent policies. In the case a representative from the company would like to refute this, the 2 hostesses on duty January 18th, 2015 were Nicki (sp) and Tamia. Nicki is the hostess that explained the new policy to me.
(1)Amy PagesofVision W.
The absolute best breakfast I have ever eaten at. I stay in Chicago 6 days and had breakfast here 5!! My lamb and eggs were great, southern fried chicken was to die for and don't even get me started on the French Toast that needs no syrup!! Go early or late because otherwise the wait is really long. The famiky style counter was lots of fun to sit as well. It's a small place but the staff are very friendly. The waiter we had, Kumseme (Come-See-Me is how he told us to pronounce his name) was so great. I love love love this place and it made home feel like home again!!
(5)Shirley W.
Great place! Was there the first time today and I got the Rylon salad and strawberry French toast. Both really good and decent price. Except the coffee was $3 which I thought was a bit pricey. But overall it was great!
(5)Ellie W.
The food is amazing here and definitely worth the long wait. Make sure to order the French toast flight as an "appetizer" and try other items on the menu, too. I had the chicken & waffles and it was awesome. You have to be a sweet potato fan, which I am. The food was so good that we all cleared our plate. We will definitely be back, but will try to get there a little earlier than 11am to beat the crowd.
(4)Rosalyn T.
This is my 2nd time here, The food is delicious. .I came back to bring my family (which included two 70+ years old). The 1st time was pretty crowded, however the Manager on duty recognized the inconvenience and gave us coffee and profusely apologized. However, I guess there wasn't a manager on duty; OUR wait was 2 hours AND 20 minutes. Since we had an odd party of 5 it took much longer to seat us. Casey one of the Hostesses was HOSTLESS!!! CRAZY.......PROCEED WITH CAUTION
(2)Cathy H.
Im probably late but this place is the business! Try the French toast flight....and the chicken sausage. Yum!
(4)Andy M.
A decent brunch at a nice little eatery. That would be my description of my visit to Batter & Berries. Once again, I sacrificed my arteries in search of the perfect biscuits and gravy. B&B's version of this Southern specialty didn't disappoint me. The sausage gravy was delicious. There were a few glitches with along the way that warrants me giving B & B only three stars. Our food came in stages. There was a good 15 minute lapse from the time I got my food to the time my Wife got hers. The servers seemed confused by our order. Being the gentleman that I am, I waited until everyone had their grub before digging in. By that time, my brunch was cold. Its kind of sad. The untimely service ruined what could have been a spectacular brunch. Here's the bottom line: If you're looking for a neat little brunch spot to cure even the meanest hangover, give Batter and Berries a shot. What I tasted of the food was good enough for me to give them another try.
(3)Cassidy P.
Service is great & fast. French toast flight is amazing, at a good price ($11). Yes, it's essentially two pieces of bread, but it's rich and delicious and very filling, imho. It gets suuuuper busy after 10, so get there early!!
(5)Dr. M.
I'm not sure how to rate this place... The food is eclectic and the menu is very interesting. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was excellent! The cheesy hashbrowns are delicious as well. The spinach omelet was just spinach on top of eggs...not very exciting nor good. The wait was to be expected, but I was very surprised by the lack of customer interaction and attentiveness by our waitress. After being seated, we waited 15 minutes for a waitress, and I finally had to ask the greeter to send a waitress over. Once she arrived, much later (she had passed our table several times before) she was unenthused and could not even muster up a smile. However, the "bus boys" were friendly, fast and efficient and very well deserving of the tip given. Their service was much appreciated, and made up for the waitress...who left us waiting. Overall, I would have to give the place another shot, because everyone I know, swears by this place. Besides the obvious...lines and waits - must be an indicator of something worth waiting for???
(3)Shabaka M.
One of the best breakfast experiences I have ever had! Their French toast flight is a must have if you are a first timer; the chicken waffle with the homemade sauce is superb as well. The staff was professional, knowledgable and extremely courteous during my visit. My only complaint would be the size (capacity) of the place. Get their early on weekends if not hold out for during the week.
(5)Anu Y.
Of the charts for brunch! Their lobster omelet and the french toast flight was yummy! The only downside is that wait is long but the food comes really fast. Overall, very impressed!
(5)Randy V.
Excellent service and excellent breakfast! Warmly greeted by Don when we entered. It was our first time here, and Don went over the specials which was well worth it. He made sure we understood how to eat the food to maximize the flavors and it was absolutely amazing!
(5)Jessica C.
I came with a friend to Batter & Berries a little past 2PM on Saturday and the place was PACKED! Which spoke to how popular this place is. Luckily, since it was later in the afternoon, we only had to wait about 10-15 min for a table. Our server was very friendly and attentive; he ran through the very detailed specials and checked up on us very often for a place that was still bustling with customers. Also our food came out in a matter of 5 minutes. We got the executive and the raved about chicken and waffles. Both dishes had very nice presentation (must take picture worthy heh.) and tasted very good, although I guess I expected the chicken and waffles to be "blow my mind" good, but they didn't quite reach that level for me. The chicken and the waffle both tasted great separately, but I wasn't sure if they really tasted great together. I expected to taste the chicken inside the waffle, but the bread was too sweet and dense to make out the chicken. It was definitely a good experience though--had to come just to try the waffle with chicken in it. Though it did not go as expected, now I can be at ease. Possibly overhyped it for myself by reading through many yelp reviews and getting overexcited. But it was delicious anyway. TL;DR Good food, great service. Worth it for the experience.
(4)Jake B.
I liked the food a lot! The hostess was a bit short in a way which but she set the proper expectation for the wait time which was long but the food made up for it. I had the sweet potato waffle with chicken... Waffle was sweet and the chicken had a complimentary hot sauce that just worked very well with the sweetness of the waffle. The chef/owner stopped at my table and said hello which was nice because i was able tell him how much I liked the food but I wasn't sure if it was normal or he just did it because I had my food warmed up just after getting it because it wasn't hot like it just came off the stove, but warm like it had been waiting for the crab eggs Benedict that my friend had (he liked his meal also) It is one of the better breakfast/brunch places I have been and I will definitely will be going back to try the French toast which I heard is also very good. Keep it up Batter & Berries
(4)Renee W.
I heard so much about this place, I had to go. I knew I didn't want to wait, so I chose to go on a Monday afternoon. The place was still fairly crowded. I tried the Crab cake Benedict and my husband had the Cluck and Goof (sweet potato waffle and chicken). We ordered and the food came out in 5 minutes flat.....weird (explained the temperature--warm) The food presentation was good, I was surprised that my crab cakes had no seasoning. The waffle was GREAT (lukewarm)...the chicken atop of the waffles--great too. The chicken sausage was very tasty but very tough and my hash browns were a little cold. If I ever return, I will just have the Chicken and Gouf. I probably won't go back though--it't too far and there are other specialty breakfast places that are closer and have free parking. For those interested...you can bring your own alcoholic beverages in to drink with your meal.
(3)Jennifer P.
The attitude of the hostess was HORRIBLE. It was very stuck-up and rude. There was a point in time that she gave my cousin and I a dirty look while calling us for our table. Other than the poor attitude of the hostess, I enjoyed the meal seeing that it was my first time there. I loved the Brown Sugar & Cinnamon french toast with cheese hash browns and scrambled eggs!
(4)Tiffany C.
Black Owned Business that does an amazing job at everything. Food - 5 I had the biscuits and gravy with coleslaw. I wish I had a vat of this to just eat at my liesure. The Coleslaw was not as great because of the cut of the cabbage I received and it needed more dressing, but the biscuits and gravy were so good I can overlook it. Ambiance - 4.5 Super cute with lovely tables and a chalkboard that has the specials. Price - 5 Not over priced and I was so happy with my selection I still would have paid more for it Service - 4.5 The girl was very nice, but she was a new server. I can be forgiving about it though since it was her first day. She took a bit too long to get to us for the bill and when we asked if it could be separate checks for two people she came back with the bill split. And took a Looooong time to come back with the correction. But the chef came out and checked on every person about the food and gave his card. Yep... I became a fan! Overall - 5 Run, dont walk to this place. I will be back whenever I can.
(5)Rits M.
Batter and berries tries to do things differently, but go here if you want a good solid brunch option. Let's start with the bad- it doesn't take reservations, and it can be upto a 45 min wait if you go around 11.30-12 on a sunday. The waiter mixed up J's order, she had asked for the super flight of waffles and he had brought the flight, but he rectified this quickly, within 5 minutes. I had the cluck and gravy which came COLD. The waiter took it away immediately but a new one didnt arrive till half an hour later. They comped me for the dish though, which was nice of them. On to the good: when my dish did arrive it was GOOD! the eggs were well done and the gravy was delicious- lots of sausage. The waffles were good solid options, they had a bourbon waffle which was interesting and i LOVED their maple butter. Besides the rush, the place is cute, a little diner-y, but fun, and they have samples of art for sale on the walls.
(3)Corina V.
Sunday brunch is something I really look forward to especially going to a restaurant that has such rave reviews. The food and server were great, I highly recommend their cheesy hash, pork sausages and hot sauce (all homemade) but why the low review? The hostesses ruined what would have been a great experience. It is a beautiful day out so we were expecting a long wait, however we were skipped over (after waiting 45 minutes) and then when I asked her how long the wait would be (after she seated another couple) she told me she could be seating people instead of talking to me. If it hadn't been for the friendly server and good food, this establishment would have gotten 1 star.
(2)Stephanie B.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! We went on a Friday at 11 and the place was packed. Its a small but cute space. Anywhoo, the owners is a sweetheart and the food is amazing! My friend and I shared the caramel french toast. What french toast needs NO SYRUP? THIS ONE!!! I also had the egg white omelete with shrimp. It was cooked in some wine sause and the hashbrowns are (excuse me) ORGASMIC lol!!! I will definitely be back again!!
(5)Maureen V.
I was not impressed at all. I came with a party of 5 and we were seated right away in the middle table, except the service stood in the way of me sitting down for 2 minutes while everyone else was allowed to. This was after my 5K so I was pretty tired by this point. Our waiter seemed annoyed by the moment we sat down. He explained the specials and the flight and such. He took a while to get our order which shouldn't be a long drawn out thing with 20 things on the menu. They also don't allow substitutions so you can't sub in the French toast flavor of the day in the flight unless you add it. At $11 for 4 half pieces of French toast, I wasn't impressed. I could have made it at home and poured the toppings on top myself. They didn't do anything special to make this plate their own. The lemon was different but didn't taste very good. The strawberry flavor and caramel flavor were good but the actual French toast was thin and dry. Our waiter brought our check as one, and refused to split the check. This was really inconvenient and wasn't appreciated. He barely visited us and seemed really annoyed with our table the whole time. We asked about splitting the check with another waiter and he said it's up to the waiters discretion. So basically out waiter was so annoyed he didn't feel like it. Service was rude, they took away our plates and silverware before we were done with our coffee and seemed to want us to rush out. Awful experience, bad service, and subpar food.
(2)Susie L.
It was about a 15 min wait this past Saturday for 2, not bad. We ordered the cheese crusted hash browns and the well-known chicken and waffles. Yup. I knew it. It was amazing. The chicken was pretty moist, with a delicious hot sauce, crispy salt-iness, alongside the not-too-sweet sweet potato waffle with creamy maple butter... I mean, what a genius concoction. And our server was so attentive and friendly. And even in the midst of the chaos of people waiting and walking all around, she kept so calm and composed, never ever rushing us. I will definitely come back.. and with a bottle of champagne next time! Thanks for the tip Chicago's Best TV!
(5)Katheryn L.
Amazing food and the head chef/owner was kind enough to stop by my table twice to introduce himself and see how everything was turning out! I only wish I could eat here every day! Be sure to arrive early because they stop taking name promptly at 3pm and there is a huge crowd because it is that good. I had the vegetarian omelette which are served deconstructed, and a side of the lemon french toast. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, service was prompt and kind. Definitely try this place sooo good.
(5)Ms.Publicity's P.
Great place!!! We went on a Sat in the mist of the St. Patrick's Day rush and it was extremely busy, but they moved the crowd and turned the tables without feeling rushed. The electronic ordering system made all the difference in allowing the servers to socialize while food being made. The food did not disappoint and arrived extremely fast and deliciously made. We ordered the Executive Country Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Omelet. By only using egg whites the omelet was not too heavy are rich couple with Alfredo sauce which seemed to be made from scratch in house. The owner and Chef could be seen greeting customers and checking on satisfaction throughout our visit. The noise level was a little on the loud side for me, but it could have been a result of hyped parade goers who had already a few drinks under there belts.
(5)Bridgette H.
Breakfast food with gourmet quality. I mean this place has crab omelets, shrimp and grits duck Benedict...need I say more? Where else can you get breakfast food like this?? For all of the delicious dishes the prices don't break the bank. I will say the wait to actually get a seat is a little long. But what place isn't on a Saturday or Sunday? Give this place a try. It will give your taste buds a nice shock.
(4)Krystal M.
The food was freaking AMAZING. It was hot, flavorful and orgasmic. Yes, it was THAT good. I've had the Crab Cake Benedict, Lobster omelet, French Toast sampler (during different visits). I've NEVER been disappointed with the food. Another plus is that you're allowed to bring your own drink. Whether it be fresh juice or libations. My only two complaints are the wait times and price. Each time I've gone, I've had to wait an hour and the bill was $70 for two people. A couple of friends told me that they'd gone during the weekday and there was no wait at all. I guess it just depends on when you chose to go. If you don't mind the wait, I strongly suggest this place.
(4)Ed H.
Was looking for a brunch place by my lonely self, and decided on this place because the menu just looked so different than your standard brunch place. Since I was by myself, I sat at the communal table right in the center, which was completely fine by me. Got me in and out quick! I was a bit embarrassed when they yelled out "ED PARTY OF ONE!!!" Awkward lol. Ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre. Being a fan of sweet potato, waffles, and chicken, I just had to try this out. The waffle certainly did not disappoint. Had a strong sweet potato flavor, the flavor of the syrup was there, but I still had to drizzle some extra on the top because I like my waffles wet. The chicken inside was a nice touch, but I don't know if it added a whole lot. The fried chicken I got wasn't super hot when it came out, but I still ate it anyway.
(4)Courtney D.
I am SO a fan of B&B! My experience was about 2 weeks ago around the Christmas holiday, my aunt and I wanted a good breakfast. I had heard many good things about this place and decided to take her here. The wait: About 20-25 minutes. There is a waiting area in the back if you do not want to stand outside. We didn't mind waiting, we had a chance to look at the menu and decide what we wanted. We came on a Saturday, btw. The service: Our waitress, Elvira.. was "ok". She seemed to be very busy, and a couple times we had to ask the manager for assistance in refilling coffee, etc. No big deal. The FOOD: O.M.G. it's so good. we ordered the french toast flight (EXCELLENT), eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. The portions were so large we able to share everything. We loved every single bite. definitely will be back!
(4)lesley r.
I'm a big fanatic of breakfast food and brunch. So I've tried a lot of restaurants around Chicago but this restaurant I feel should be in it's own category. First, I live French toast so I decided to try this place because of all the hype about the French toasty flight and yeah, it's everything it's hyped up to be. They make all the sauces and butters in house and exactly how each French toast is prepared is how you should eat it. Best breakfast I've had in a long time, maybe even years. (Sorry mom) it was so good I woke up early the next day to go back and try the cluck & gaufre.
(5)Rashida R.
Three words: Lemon French Toast! Chef Rylon puts his spin on the most important meal of the day, making it the most savory! Yes, the wait is intense but it is a statement about just how good the food is here. Don't become a regular because 1) your own cooking will begin to pale in comparison and 2) you'll just go from foody to fatty. I like the use of the iPad to show you what's cooking. Though the hostess gets a little frazzled when people crowd the entry way, the wait staff are kind, attentive, and a couple are really funny. And I don't know another restaurant that plays legit house music. And, and, and it's black owned! Pie-yow!
(4)She D.
Simply horrible customer service. The young lady working the reservation both is totally unproffesional and rude. She was rude to us and other patrons as well. She even told the staff to make us wait to take our oder. The bus boy gave horrible service. The owner came out to speak with us and offered to give us a free French toast never received it. AT LEAST IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT ..please have good service. I could not enjoy the food for the horrible service we received....
(1)Jacki G.
The best brunch ever!!! The blueberry waffles, French Toast Flight and crab/shrimp Benedict were SO delicious! At least an hour wait but totally worth it...Chef Rylon came by our table and when he saw we hadn't ordered the flight special French Toast, a blackberry cheesecake French Toast, he sent one over to point out our error in skipping the special.... He was SO RIGHT !!!
(5)Jeff S.
I have friends who have been raving about Batter and Berries for quite some time and I finally got the chance to experience it for myself. I am now a believer. Believe the hype. Batter and Berries is solid. The French toast flight is remarkable and highly recommended. The service was attentive and professional.
(5)Allie H.
Although the food was good (not superb), the experience our party had here was disappointing. We waited for a good 45 minutes/hour outside before we were seated- they don't take reservations! The inside is crazy crowded and loud. We could barely have a conversation in the cramped space. Our waiter had to yell and forgot to bring us back our credit cards. The chicken and waffles were delicious, the french toast was OK, but none of it was worth the wait or the crowd. If you want to have a decent conversation over brunch, don't go here.
(2)Carolyn L.
Went here with my mom for some great breakfast over the summer! It's a cute unassuming little place with street parking in Lincoln Park. The staff was friendly and the waffles were delicious. My mom tried the Cluck-N-Gaufre and it was the first time both of us have jumped on board this fried chicken and waffle bandwagon. I do NOT regret it. It's just a super filling breakfast option! Pretty sure I got something with blueberries which was great and seasonal. They also have a great selection of pancakes and french toast, which I'd love to go back and try. This place is great for families or for hungover brunches. It's bright and fun and everything on the menu looks scrumptious.
(4)Farah W.
What a great find here in Lincoln Park. We heard about this place from someone at a retail store and were driving around the neighborhood looking for a lunch/brunch spot for a post xmas meal. It may not matter to most, but to find a place in the heart of Lincoln Park where the customers are mostly brown (all types of brown, not just african americans) is just awesome. Makes me proud to call Lincoln Park home. Now don't get the wrong idea, there were plenty of non-brown folk here as well. The food was delicious. I pretty much ate some of my daughters kids menu food, my wife's meal and I inhaled my Sweet Potato Pancakes with Hot-Sauced Chicken Breast. It took a while to get service because they are so busy but the waitress came around with an Ipad and pictures of the dishes we wanted to order. This place gets busy and probably needs to expand because I can see someone dinging them for wait time. Once ordered our food came up in no time. This is a great find in Lincoln Park and the food is absolutely amazing.
(5)Cj J.
My wife and I attended on a Sunday around 11. We had a 45min-1hr wait but excited because we heard a lot about this place. I enjoyed the food but the atmosphere was very loud and busy. I tend to like a bit more of a calm and relaxing environment but this place was packed to the bone and the noise was like a night club. It was a great food experience and I am glad i tried it. I would look for a different place next time for a more chill environment.
(4)Kim C.
Absolutely Delicious...We were on the hunt for a great brunch spot in Chicago. So, after much research and "kissing a few frogs" we decided that Batter & Berries was a must try spot on our last day. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was full of flavor and seemed to melt in my mouth...a side of bacon and eggs. All in all, this was too much food for me. The bacon was smoky and crispy. Eggs were ok...I really wanted to save room for the French toast, so the eggs were cast aside. My hubby had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken, which he stated was like none other. Overall great experience...nice, quaint place with attentive servers.
(5)Nish R.
Despite the 1.5 hrs we spent to get a table I still like this place. I mean the wait was ridiculous. They have to have a better system because most ppl that came after us got seated b/c they were small parties. We had 5 ppl. In the end they had to pull up a chair for us for table with 4 settings but they could've done that half hour ago. There was a family with 2 kids waiting and the kids looked so miserable for having to wait that long. Anyway, the place is cheery and has a nice vibe to it. Chef comes and talks to you. Servers are friendly and nice. They have a great selection of decaf teas. Yay, finally a place that caters to us non-caffeine tea tollers. I had to have the fried chicken and sweet potato waffles. It was good. Everyone loved their food. Will definitely go back but not on a weekend. I don't care how good the food is I wi t gonna wait 1.5 hrs again.
(3)Natasha L.
I came here for breakfast with two of my friends a week ago, and the place / food was just ok. The menu is pretty small, which would be fine if they allowed substitutions to be made, but they do not! My friend wanted strawberry waffles, but all they had were blueberry, and weren't willing to give her strawberry.... in fact, they said they couldn't even give her plain!!!--because the batter was premixed. We both ordered the blueberry waffles and it was ok... nothing special; I've def had better. Our other friend ordered an egg sandwich, and it seriously looked like I made it myself in my kitchen. Our server was nice, but I could hardly hear anything he said and I was literally like a foot away from him! The whole experience was kind of a let down.
(2)Pam H.
We heard about the lines and we heard about the food and decided the food would be worth the wait. Good decision. Bonus:around 12:30 , midweek, there was no wait. It would have been worth it even if there were a wait. The food: I had the chicken and waffle, my friend had the eggs benedict over crab cakes with cheesy hash browns. Chicken breast was moist and tender and crispy crusty on the outside. There was a spicy sauce on the chicken. There was maple butter on the waffle. The waitress explained that Chef Rylon recommended that all 4 components (chicken waffle spicy sauce and sweet butter) be eaten in one bite. Chef Rylon rocks. Crispy, spicy sweet and waffle all together in my mouth. Mmmm ( that sound you hear is a sigh of bliss over a well seasoned tasty good textured and nice looking dish.) Like I said, Mmmm. I sampled my friends crab cake. You could actually taste the crab. It was a full tasting counter to the nicely poached egg which was runny enough to make an unctuous sauce when combined with the Hollandaise. The Hollandaise itself was more tangy but we never did figure out what the flavor was. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. I sampled the cheesy has browns. The cheese is melted over a generous portion of potatoes. I 'm not sure it was the best textural pairing with the crab cakes and eggs ( a bit of green salad on the plate might have been better), but certainly good with other dishes. Coffee was hot, not too bitter and plentiful. Wait service was prompt, friendly and they did not hover. We did not have to ask for coffee refills; the staff was there to offer first. Quibbles: the room is noisy even when the place is not full. The spicy sauce on the chicken was a bit too vinegar-y standing alone although it meshed well when eaten with the other components. The specials were on a chalkboard, but not the prices. Cost $24 per person for entree, coffee , tax and tip. Plus meter parking on well- patrolled Lincoln Ave (Thanks to the manager who announced the coming of the meter maid) We will be back
(4)Brandon B.
I'm a little conflicted. I'm motivated by food, so overall, it's a four. The good: the French Toast flight was amazing, so were their omelets. On special, they had a salmon omelet and a scallop omelet. Simply delicious. The price point is great as well. I was at Girl and the Goat last weekend, and two scallops cost me $17. Their omelet included three, and it was I believe $14. Finally, when you order, the food comes out very quickly. The bad: The wait was painful. It took two hours, though I guess it wasn't their fault they are so popular. Also, I think the hostess has a tough job, and can come off as a little abrasive. I can get over that though. I am not itching to go back, simply because of the wait, but the food is the real deal.
(4)Keith A.
I don't do 5* easy. I don't do them easy at all. But, it's the special places that bring this out and Batter&Berries fully deserves it. A good friend of mine is here when he can, and he hit me up on a sunday morning to do brunch with his fiancee. Being hungover always works with breakfast food, so this was perfect for me. To start, this place was humming really well when I arrived. Granted, I got here around noon, but I was very glad that my friends had gotten a table already. We started off with a french toast flight. It's several different french toasts all on one plate. Makes sense right, guess what, it's as awesome as it sounds as well. How do you like 'dem apples? What's really cool is that each week they do a special french toast as part of the flight and this time we got mocha and chocolate for our special french toast. Nope, no complaints from me whatsoever. You also have to like the carrot of a new french toast each week. That's 52 different ones, so you have to come in and find out. After that I had to get myself the lobster omelet. They were doing an "omelet bowl" as it was super bowl sunday. I don't get why people were going so much with the crab as 1) Baltimore is a shithole and 2) Lobster is awesome. Well, it did turn out that all of the crab lovers got their super bowl wish, but I was put in my happy place by having lobster and eggs in front of me. Really, it's two of my favorite things all in one. What's extra cool is that all of the ingredients are on top of the omelet. Some people may find it weird, but the chef wants you to see that he's using good ingredients and you are gonna enjoy them, m'kay. Well, my omelet ruled. The eggs were insanely fluffy and man, there was an awesome amount of cheese in there. Seriously, I had to basically treat the cheese like I was eating pasta by wrapping it around my fork. Again, me in my happy place. And I haven't even mentioned the service yet. Well, they rocked! With the deluge of people that were there, one wouldn't fault them for being in the weeds. Well, that was far from the case as it was a well oiled machine. They were on top of everything. Obviously they are used to this, but it's always nice to see it run like this. Batter&Berries is an easy return for me. While brunch isn't always a weekend activity for me because of work, it's still a blast when I get the chance. I can't wait to come back here in the future and I hope they keep staying packed.
(5)Lauren N.
I was excited to try this place since it was recommended by my brother. So today me and my mom went at around 10:45am . Anyway I got the the buttermilk pancakes and chicken sausage. My mom ordered the traditional which consists of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits. I must say I was not impressed with the food. The only flavorful thing on the menu was orange-cranberry juice. We had to keep putting additional seasoning on our food. Don't think I will be coming back.
(1)Klassic C.
This place is a great breakfast spot but get there early or you WILL have a nice wait .. I loved it so much my co workers and I ( who work 3rd shift) would get off and go here every 2 weeks! last time I went I was told no more plain waffles which was a bummer but overall as many times as I have been I have been satisfied. the french toast is always good and the weekly flavor is very creative. the staff is generally friendly and attentive nice breakfast place I think i have o.d ive been so many times lol anything is a reason to go great for showing out of towners a good nice meal
(4)Melanie V.
Meh. This place is just...meh. The positives? +Our waiter was super sweet and informative AND he took the time to split our check on 3 cards. Very nice. +The banana pudding french toast (one of their specials) was also phenom. No syrup needed, so that meant that the bread wasn't soggy and disappointing as usuallly happens with french toast. Ok, now the not so positive? +Cffee was $3. Blah. +Wait was 45 minutes and our group of 5 waited nearly 40 minutes for the food to come out. +The crab omelette (another special) was $16 and was only served with soggy hashbrowns. I didn't really like the gouda/crab combo, but thankfully one of my friends enjoyed it. +It was effin' freezing in there because people kept walking in and out. +I sat at the end of a four-seater table and practically got hit in the head a dozen times by the people waiting. That's really not what I want to deal with on a Sunday morning.
(3)Jeff N.
ALWAYS on the hunt for GREAT breakfast places, as breakfast is our favorite meal. Wandered into French Toast heaven this morning. The place was packed at 9:20, but we were given a nice place to sit and wait for the 20-25 minutes they said would be the delay. They were right about the wait. And it was worth it. The marquis items for breakfast are their French toast selection. After much deliberating over their delicious sounding menu, we opted for the Lemon French Toast (my wife's selection) and the Blueberry French Toast (mine). The waitress tempted us with a glorious looking Pork Chop and egg selection and Lobster Benedict; made even more tempting by her showing us pictures from her tablet (nice touch). At FIRST BITE we were hooked! Wow!. We also ordered the side of chicken sausage and the cheese hash browns. Oh, my! My only regret in writing this review is that it may attract even more people to this gem. p.s. This is a BYOB restaurant, as if things couldn't get any better.
(5)Hanh S.
Came here for Saturday brunch. For the amount of business they get the place is super small and cramped- while waiting for a table you're bound to be in someone's way. That was really the only downside of the place. They do give out free coffee while you wait- but be warned that if you continue to get coffee once seated they will charge you. The waitress was super friendly and helpful. They present their specials on an iPad slideshow so you get to see the food and they do an excellent job explaining what it all comes with. Love being able to see the food before it comes! My table ordered the french toast flight, lobster omelette, and crabcake benedict to all share. EVERYTHING was tasty and amazing. The omelette and benedict were pretty large portions, while the french toast flight, not so much, but probably my favorite of all the things I tried. It comes with 4/5(?) half slices- so like, 2 whole pieces of bread slices in total. I would recommend the extra hungry to actually order two flights. Service was quick and friendly. I can't wait to come back and try it out again!
(5)hlzdg h.
Been here four times. Waited to review because I did agree with the service issues. It's gotten better, but even if it's peaks out at mediocre, this is the reality: the chicken sausage is ridiculous. It just is. And yes, I do mean the chicken sausage, not the pork sausage. Both are made by Chef Rylon and good, however, the chicken sausage is a standout. I would come here once a week with okay service just to get it. Like the sausage, Chef Rylon makes most of what you eat. If you order a turkey club, you get real, freshly carved turkey - not cold cuts. The hash, batters for pancakes, waffles and French toast, maple butter, etc. are all made by Chef Rylon and very good. I have more of a taste for savory vs sweet, so The French toast and sweat potato waffle were a little on the sweeter side for my liking, but both were meals I would get again with a twist (regular waffle with the cluck and gaufre for instance). Chef Rylon appears to really care about the success of his place and your enjoyment of his cuisine. He is seen often throughout the place and always says to simply grab him from the kitchen if you have any issues with te food. I doubt that's ever been necessary. Good value too for what you get. Never look at the bill and think that it's out of whack. Quite the opposite. 4.5 star place to me. If service gets corrected, Batter & Berries will be one of the toughest weekend spots to get a table.
(4)Judith J.
I heard so much about Batter & Berries that I just had to give them a try. Who doesn't like a good breakfast and who can make a bad breakfast? Well, many places get it wrong, but Batter & Berries got it right. If you are looking for your traditional ordinary breakfast, then this is not the place for you or your palate. This place takes breakfast to another level with their creative ways of taking a 1950's breakfast meal and making it into a 21st century delight! I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre, which is a great spin on chicken and waffles. It's a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle served with a fried chicken breast topped with a nutmeg hot sauce and maple butter. And of course I ordered a side of bacon, which they served in a bowl. I like my bacon long and crisp and not rolled in a bowl with grease at the bottom, but the bacon was good nonetheless. The chicken inside the waffle was nice, but the waffle would have been just as delicious without it. They take their orders on an ipad, how cool is that and the food comes out quickly. I love the way they have the daily specials on the blackboard where you can clearly see it and read it. Great artwork on the walls and the bathroom is nice and clean. My server was okay, but if you ever get Tim, you are in luck. I love the way he described the specials to the other table (yes I was ear hustling), he made me want to order another meal. Some places try to be creative and it looks pretty and that is what you got a pretty plate of food. But Batter & Berries makes your brain think hmmm, I wonder how that will taste and your mouth says yum, this is good! I love that it is black owned and doing well. I will be back to try another creative breakfast selection!
(4)Alfreda D.
I love, love, love brunch! It's my favorite meal and time of day. I've been to quite a few brunch spots in Chicago and love trying out new ones, especially those that come recommended. And this place is BYO champagne and wine which is nice. It's expected that the wait time at brunch spots will be outrageous for a variety of reasons including a) just as many people love brunch like I do, b) the place is small or c) the place is wait-worthy. I'm going to give Batter & Berries a) and b) for now. My friend had been here before so she raved about it and knew that the wait would be crazy after 11am. So we went at 9am! That's not even brunch mind you... it's breakfast. LOL. Anyway, she was late. Yup, I'm calling her out... late. So at 9am on a Sunday the place was already jumping. The wait was only about 10 minutes, but wow, I'm still surprised there was a wait that early to begin with. You can't get seated until your entire party has arrived so my wait time turned into 45 minutes. Whomp whomp! And it was cold outside. That's another downside of a small location. There's nowhere to house your waiting guests except for outdoors! After a solid 30 minutes of waiting, the manager (I suppose) came out to greet the waiting guests. He gave this whole speech like an auctioneer rattling off specials and must haves, must dos, etc. etc. It was entertaining. At the end of it all, he offered everyone free coffee while we waited. I would have much appreciated that 30 minutes sooner because my fingers were frozen at that point and we got seated shortly after so I didn't get the free coffee after all. We got seated by the window so it was still a little chilly inside, but we were seated so I was happy. They are known for their French toast. They have 4 flavors (I believe) and offer a flight that gives you one of each flavor to try. And according to the manager, their chicken and waffles are the best. I wanted to try something I wouldn't normally make on my own, so I ordered the pork chop that came with eggs and potatoes. The pork chop was made well and it was flavorful. The potatoes, however, weren't cooked long enough. They are made with cheese which sounded exciting, but they weren't fully cooked... they weren't crispy, the cheese wasn't melted, so overall it was a letdown. My friend who had been here a few times before agreed that it was noticeably different from her other visits and wasn't as good. Just my luck. Nevertheless, the pork chop and eggs were satisfying and I had plenty of food. I tasted my friend's French toast and it was really good too. But I don't know. I didn't leave thinking I would be willing to wait however long to try something different on the menu. It's a decent spot and was highly frequented. But it wasn't to die for or to wait 45+ minutes for. I don't think I can give it c) just yet. It's not really wait-worthy but it's "A-OK".
(3)K S.
If you are looking for an awesome place to have breakfast or brunch look no further! The French toast sample had cookies and cream, lemon, caramel, blueberry and pecan French toast. All were delicious! I got the sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken with a piece of fried chicken on the side! So super good. The owner also makes his own maple butter! This place has a very warm feel and the staff is so friendly. Every time our waiter came to the table he always had something funny to say or he told a riddle. We even met the owner who thanked us for coming! The food is amazing and I will definitely go back!!
(5)Micah L.
Holy goodness, this place is amazing. I ordered their French toast flight with the "special" flavor of the week (worth the extra $2) and it could quite possibly be the best French toast I've had in my life. I stole some bites from friends' plates and the waffles and hash browns are also good. French toast was the winner hands down though. Decently priced for Chicago and for the amount of food you get. The hostesses weren't the most friendly but that didn't affect our experience too much. Our food came out late, however they generously discounted our meal and came out and personally apologized for it. Overall I would definitely recommend it! One last tip- you might have to wait a little depending on the day. Less wait time if you're flexible with seating.
(4)Brennan B.
I've been here a couple of times now and the food is always excellent! I've had the super flight (platter of french toast) as well as a few other dishes. As a fair warning, you will more than likely have to wait at least 25 minutes for a seat especially if you go during peak hours. It is a small place so there isn't much standing/waiting room and the noise level can get loud quickly. After the wait, you're good to go! The staff members are very friendly and attentive and it doesn't take long at all to prepare the food!
(4)Tricia P.
Simply amazing. It's that simple. Just go. The food was great the service was wonderful. .
(5)Eric K.
What people don't realize is that the place seconds as a great coffee shop. There's a big communal hi top table in the middle of the restaurant. I'm bringing my laptop next time. Could use some wifi tho... Get the chicken and waffles. Also ask for extra hot sauce.
(5)ms L.
The food was great! The hash browns were more of a mash potato, than the typical hashbrowns that Im use to. We went on a wednesday at about 1pm, we were seated immediately, however it took 10-15mins before we got water and our order was taken. Another thing I didn't like is that the owner or manager, spoke to everyone else and asked how other patrons around us, was enjoying their food, but we were neglected. The french toast flight was awesome, my boyfriend didn't care for his pancakes or the "mash browns" aka hash browns
(3)Kamilah P.
The customer service at this place is horrific. We arrive and were told there was a 40-45 min wait. We stand outside in the rain waiting for 40 min where we check to see where we are on the list as several parties have gone into the restaurant that arrived after us. We go inside and the lady proceeds to tell us that we weren't on the list. Then the 2nd hostess says she remembers but she lost the list. They insisted that we wait another hour. They never apologized for the inconvenience, they later said the bus boy dropped the list so we must have gotten lost in the shuffle. Still no attempt to rectify the situation. In addition, no one advised us that we could have sat inside for the hour we were standing in the rain. We received a major attitude from all three hostesses who were unorganized, unprofessional and rude.
(1)Nike R.
Came here on a Thursday morning hoping it would be empty. Now, it wasn't the line out of the store crowd you get on the weekend, but it wasn't empty either. My food was divine. The service was prompt. What more could you ask for? Definitely an A+ experience.
(5)Joyce D.
I've been meaning to go to Batter & Berries for months...I finally got to go and I really like it. The food is really good. My party and I had the "Chicken and Goof", the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, and the French Toast Flight. With the exception of the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, everything was EXCELLENT! There was a certain taste on them that my taste buds did not like...that didn't keep my mother and daughter from cleaning the plate so someone enjoyed them. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the space and noise. It's a very noisy spot...I enjoy House Music as much as anyone but it was a bit much for a breakfast experience. In terms of space, I like cozy but for the traffic this place gets, it could be twice as big and still not be big enough. Great food!
(4)Whitney W.
I enjoy this place very much. I intend on becoming a regular there since I work just next door. They have amazing food, good service with servers who have very fun personalities! The serving sizes are just enough to get you full, not stuffed. I really appreciate that the food is healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced for the quality you are receiving. Particularly, I find it admirable for an African American to open a restaurant right in Lincoln Park and maintain its success by going against the stereotypical hole in the wall, fried chicken, soul food restaurants and creating something that anyone would enjoy. I have seen this place packed on weekends! I would recommend this place to anyone, and I love BYOB establishments!
(5)Kristina S.
Delicious, Decadent, Flavorful food- beautifully decorated: the food and the restaurant!! Come support black businesses
(5)Sarah B.
First time I've ever had lobster benedict. And now I'm irked more brunch spots don't attempt to make it. Although I would probably just be disappointed because there is no way it would be as good as the lobster benedict at B&B. Good service, lively atmosphere, and looking forward to going back. Minus one star for mediocre coffee. If you're gonna have an amazing brunch menu, at least make sure the coffee is in the same class.
(4)Annie G.
After reading the amazing reviews on Batter & Berries, my boyfriend and I knew we had to see what all the hype was about. Saturday brunch wait times are typically at least a half hour, but the food and service definitely make up for the long wait times. The Flight of the French Toast (blueberry, caramel, lemon and strawberry with maple butter) is my favorite. No syrup necessary. The chicken and waffles are delicious (sweet potato waffle with pieces of chicken cooked in and a piece of fried chicken on the side covered in hot sauce) were on a list in Travel & Leisure for top places for chicken and waffles. The omelets are also delicious. No matter how busy it is, the service is always great. Southern hospitality meets midwestern charm.
(5)Laura P.
The rudest hostess team I have encountered. Neither one responded to my "good morning". One was on the phone while seating guests the other simply walked away to what I learned was to figure out if there was an open table. If that is how the owner wants his establishment represented, I will go some where else. Hello is a simple word to say.
(1)Sabby H.
The wait is super long. The food is good, I've had the crab Benedict and scallop omelet. Very good meals. Their French toast flight is great. Not sure I'm too tempted to come back given the long wait times. There are plenty of good brunch places where you don't have to wait an hour and a half.
(4)Sheila G.
The food is amazing. Period.The wait is extremely long on the weekends. The place is BYOB. After waiting a hour 15 minutes don't expect to stay long since they rush you out very quickly. Living in NYC brunch is very different from Chicago. If B&B doesn't want ppl to stay long times than they should have some sort of policy in place instead of being passive aggressive. The food gets 4 stars, the service a 2.
(3)RT S.
Steak omelet has a big piece of tendered steak on top. They so not cheat by putting a few prices inside the omelet. omelet comes with gravy and harsh. Very good. Flight french toast is the combination of all their french toast. The strawberry is the best. Very crowded and loud so be prepared.
(4)Rahul K.
Best brunch ever. Wait is well managed, and well worth it. My kids love their strawberry French toast and I love their lobster Benedict. Yummmm.
(5)Monique D.
The best breakfast that has ever touched my lips! You have to try the French toast flight!
(5)Candace M.
I did enjoy the french toast flight and the owner was very friendly. I went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded. I still haven't figured out all the hype, I've definitely experienced better. Just being honest.
(2)D G.
Fantastic food, great service. One of the most delicious brunch spots in the city. The only reason I don't go there more often is because there is always a line. But that's because the food is so good. So if you've got some time on a Saturday or Sunday morning, pick up some champagne (it's Byob) and head on over.
(5)Kylana G.
Very good breakfast spot. I have only been twice (don't live nearby), but I have been happy with the service and food both times. I also have several friends who have been and have great things to say about the place. There have been a few complaints on Yelp and FB regarding a long wait - but people need to be realistic. If you go to a popular breakfast/brunch spot that has limited seating after 10:00 am on a Saturday/Sunday, you should expect a wait. Seriously. Check it out for yourself. This place has a great variety of food options and is an overall yummy spot.
(4)Rachel W.
My husband and I were quoted a 45 min-1 hour wait. We watched while MANY larger groups (3-6 people) were seated before us. Then the hostess would come out and ask who doesn't mind sitting together - and everyone rushed to get in (it had started to rain). She didn't follow the list at all. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. I watched the hostess (young pretty gall with her hair in a bun on the top of her head) get in two verbal arguments with irritated patrons. Not the most welcoming thing to witness. Our server was fantastic - fast and hilarious. He made the visit worth it. I ordered the French toast flight and my husband got the breakfast burrito. Both were good, but nothing special. It was a memorable experience, but a very frustrating start to the day. Only go if you are in a party greater than two. You will be seated much faster.
(3)Ali K.
This is one of the greatest Breakfast places in the nation by far. Think of the soul food influence but its been turned on its head and brought into the breakfast arena. I told my friend that I had been reading the reviews on this place and people were going stark raving mad about it and he said "IT'S HIS FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT" only a few blocks away so we would walk to it. It was the perfect way to introduce me to the Chicago culinary scene. Apparently this place on the weekend is extremely packed with lines out the door it's that good, so my suggestion is coming during the week during the work day if you're off or visiting the area. Promptly seated in the corner by the window, Batter and Berries has a nice little bistro feel to it, not that much seating but the atmosphere is very welcoming. The hostess was pretty easy on the eyes as well :) To the food, they have a good amount of options mostly comfort style breakfast food and a few lunch dishes but stick to the breakfast options. The pancake options they had were pretty tempting but then i saw the French Toast Flight and I couldn't resist. Five different types of french toast (four traditional and then the special french toast offering. That week it happened to TIRAMISU! THE REASONS ITS IN ALL CAPS LOCK IS BECAUSE THE FLAVOR WAS MINDBLOWING UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! The entire French toast flight sampling was perfect then to top it off I got the Chicken Gaufre. (Chicken and Waffles to simplify) THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES I HAVE HAD SO FAR IN MY LIFE. Because it's not a regular waffle it's a sweet potato waffle with a little slight hint of cajun spice (not sure it's that) mixed with the waffle gives you a little kick and it's lip-smacking good. Obviously the chicken was juicy and had just the right amount of hot sauce on it, the combination of the two together was mouth watering. I don't know if Willy Wonka or Sylvia The Legendary Harlem Restaurant owner walked in here and said CREATE THE COMFORT SOUL FOOD EQUIVALENT JUST WITH BREAKFAST but whatever/whoever the inspiration was a mecca of greatness was created. THIS IS A MUST GO TO WHEN VISITING CHICAGO.
(5)Christian Y.
Good food but terrible service when trying to get seated. We went for Sunday brunch and of course it was packed but we were willing to wait. Fast forward to over an HOUR later when we went to check on our table we were told we received a text a while back however that was not the case. We were then asked if we gave the correct number which made us give the ultimate stone face. Then we were promised the next available table...commence to watching folks get seated ahead of us. So then she comes to us and asks if we were the party of three...well we were not three people so the discovery that there were two parties with the same name and apparently there was no party of three ever it was just another party of two. At this point it is like an episode of hunger games but we have waited too long to quit. The hostesses were definitely in over their heads...so then FINALLY we got a table. It was like we won the lottery for dumb people who stay too long in line at a restaurant. So after we got seated we were immediately given drinks which helped to stave off the momentary fainting spell I was going to have. Thankfully we had an all star waiter (Tim) who quickly came over and took our full order (we studied in the time before we sat down) and made sure we were taken care of. The good was good and hot but I just could not get past the whole ridiculous seating situation. It just seemed like the ladies at the front had issues maintaining and establishing control.
(3)Britney R.
We tried coming here last month but it was too packed. So what better way to say farewell to 2013, than a nice hearty brunch with the girls?! We got in quickly. Our server was AMAZING (I believe his name was Tusemi). We ordered a flight of the French toast to split. The special was the mimosa French toast- it was great. So were the blueberry, caramel, strawberry and lemon. I ordered another special- the surf & turf omelet - marinated steak and jumbo shrimp with bell peppers over an omelet stuffed with mozzarella. It was DEEELISH! My friend ordered the lobster Benedict. It was also really good- only complaint there was the eggs were over-poached. Otherwise, Great service, great food, what more could you ask for? I would suggest everyone check this place out, but make sure to get here early- wait times can be up to 2hrs. Happy New Year!
(4)Jon F.
First ones in the door this morning and it was delicious. We had a flight of French toast and the crab cake Benedict.
(5)Laura H.
We really like this place a lot. Our waiter was wonderfully warm and charming. We arrived shortly before 9:30 on Sunday and were seated right away. Our food arrived super fast, so fast you would think they anticipated our order and got a head start! Despite a long list of fab sounding specials, on our virgin visit, we couldn't pass up the Cluck n Gaufre (chicken and waffles) and French toast flight. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Sweet potato waffle with chicken in the batter, with delicious fried boneless chicken breast topped with a wonderful spicy sauce. A perfect blend of sweet and spicy. The French toast flight consists of four of their flavors that they select, no substitution. You can get a "super flight" that also includes their French toast daily special. We did the super flight and included the spiked eggnog flavor. The regular flight includes blueberry, strawberry, caramel and lemon. The caramel was my favorite, followed closely by the lemon. The spiked eggnog was also very good but crazy sweet! We love finding new brunch spots, and this one's a keeper!
(4)GingerWine 0.
Addicted to Lemon French toast (real lemon zest and pecans and something I can't quite put my finger on), though have the flight if you haven't before.
(5)Myia S.
Took my boy friend to Batter and Berries for his Birthdate on a Monday morning, it was a pleasant experience. The service was great and the food was excellent. The atmosphere was really cool and laid back they are well known for chicken and waffles, French toast and egg Benedict. So when visiting you should try one of the few and on the second and third visit try others(just a suggestion). There were so many different flavored French toast to choose from I didn't know what to get; however, they do have a French toast flight which is like a sampler you will have four different flavors of French toast on one order. I really enjoyed this place because you get to see what you order because they have the pictures of most of the food on a iPad. I ordered the Carmel French toast and my boy friend order the chicken and waffles. It was divine! The Carmel French toasts came out with maple butter on it you didn't even need and syrup! The chicken was crispy and moist and the waffle was fluffy and it was actually a sweet potato waffle. I will be a returning customer I don't have any complaints.
(5)Jeffery E.
Bad for big groups (5+) We went early Easter Sunday morning and the wait was surprisingly short. Unfortunately, the manager horribly manages the seating and does so with an uncaring attitude inconsiderate of customer relationship and subsequent future revenue from patronage. Read: dude's a d-bag and loss well-tipping folk today. We had a party of eight and we're told we'd wait approx 20 min. There were empty tables but not all together so we understood. After 35 min, our new estimate was another 25 min. The hostess said she tried to seat us after a table left and was awaiting for the adjacent table; her manager required a smaller party be seated instead, thus pushing our seating. He explained to us that two adjacent tables would need to finish at the same time for us to be seated. Now, it's totally possible that, in this small restaurant with only two places to seat larger parties, that is would have taken hours. He also did nothing to try and assure us he was looking to satisfy us or was working to please us in any way. After watching many parties be seated near instantly and being treated with zero empathy or care, we decided to take our dollars elsewhere. The hostess was great; the manager was horrible. His service is impersonal at best, and his management practices are impractical and amateurish. He lost revenue today and future revenue from our circle we implore not to patronize a business we were excited to experience. I pray he grows, and if not, forcibly goes.
(1)Kim H.
French toast flight!! Run don't walk!! Soo delicious... Deconstructed omelets delicious .. Great, fun atmosphere
(5)Karley E.
I would give this place ZERO STARS if i could. Since moving to Chicago I have heard nothing but raves about Batter & Berries, so when my family came to visit I decided to take them there...I wish I never did! They have no idea what customer service is. We went on a Friday morning and they said we would have to wait 35 minutes, no big deal we expected to wait. Around 25 minutes into our wait I went inside and asked if they think we will still be seated within our 35 minute wait time. We just wanted to see if we had time to walk around. The hostess responded with "Yes, that's what I quoted you." When 45 minutes rolls around my dad walks in and said how much longer, the hostess said not too much longer. At an hour my sister goes in and asks what is going on. The hostess said you still have 6 groups of 4 ahead of you! So, my sister asks for the manager. The host lets him know that she did mis-quoted us. He was extremely rude and said the wait time is just an estimate and not a guarantee. That there was nothing he could do, and we could wait or leave. I was a host for 4 years, and we always gave accurate times so our guests could make the decision to stay or go. I also say the manager let guest in who 100% came way after us (regulars or friends probably). I do not care how great the food may be, there are tons of other breakfast places in the Chicago area that make food just as well, if not better. I highly suggest that everyone does not waste their time and goes somewhere else. Batter and Berries does not live up to the hype! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!
(1)Wei H.
My biggest lesson learned from eating here is that a party size of 3 is the most difficult to be seated. That said, the wait is not as bad as Yolk on a Saturday. The french toast really was phenomenal. I am not a french toast person so I wisely did not choose the flight or the regular portion. I got the special that day the vanilla frappacino and was blown away. And i don't know what they did to the ice cream coz it sure did not melt for an hour. Although, $6 for one slice of bread, as fancy and delicious as it was, was pushing it. The chicken n waffles were also good. Waffles were just the right degree of crunchy on the outside and bouncy on the inside. My friends said the chicken was flavorful. On to my own main dish - the egg white omelet with crab, zucchini, bamboo shoot and something else, was extremely disappointing. There was a lot of extra moisture that came out of the zucchini and tomatoes and that just did not go well with the already bland egg white. I also wish that there could have been more cheese, or should I say, the cheese could have been more evenly distributed? Hash browns were too moist for my preference and frankly nothing special. Service-wise, our waiter was nice, attentive and patient enough to repeat some special items to us while a lady that seated us came across a bit rude. We waited for 45 minutes outside on a 60s degree day and she did not bother to tell us there was a seating area inside while we waited... Also, when we asked why our food came after the people that came in and ordered after us, we were told that there were only two waffle makers. How did those people that arrived later could have gotten their waffles first, that baffles me till this day. Overall I am impressed by the french toast and really the presentation of everything. There are other interesting items on the menu that I will very likely return for. This time, I will know better than wait outside.
(4)Erich S.
Helpful and friendly service and a well executed brunch. The server (Christie) was helpful in finding both food options and hot tea. Wife had an avocado club sandwich with fries that were well seasoned but not overpowering. I had an amazing concoction of sweet-potato waffles with chicken inside the waffles, topped with gently fried chicken and hot sauce. They brought syrup but it never needed it (and I'm a waffles and syrup kinda guy for brunch).
(5)Brianne B.
Went on a Wednesday morning and had no wait time whatsoever. Enjoyed a quick and delicious meal -- the apple waffles. So yummy!!!
(4)Claire F.
I enjoyed Batter and Berries, although I'm not sure I would choose to go back there when there are many other places in the city to try. I went here on a Sunday with three girlfriends, and the wait was about thirty minutes, which was nice as I was expecting longer. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. I ended up ordering the chicken and sweet potato waffles after I had seen so many good reviews of them on Yelp. I was not disappointed and especially enjoyed the hot sauce that was put on the chicken and on the side. I am giving this a four instead of a five as while it was good, I do not think there is enough on the menu to keep me coming back or any unique menu items that set it apart from many of the other brunch places in Chicago. Perhaps if I had had the french toast, which I have heard plenty of good things about, I would feel differently.
(4)Samantha J.
If you're looking for french toast, this is THE place. Awesome service- everyone is super friendly including the chef who walks around and converses with the customers (part of me wonders what goes on in the kitchen while he's roaming around the floor, but stopped caring once I sank my teeth into their lemon french toast). The atmosphere is cute and quaint. Their pumpkin spice hot chocolate is fabulous and their french toast sampler was way more than filling (their gingerbread french toast is second to the caramel-both unique and tasty). Their sweet potato hash browns were a little surprising, they weren't crispy as I was kind of expecting/hoping, but sweet potatoes are great no matter how they're cooked. Overall, lovely service and great food at affordable prices. Definitely plan to come back.
(4)Reginice C.
The best!
(5)Sarah L.
i got a special, which had lobster in it. it was pretty mediocre, but it also had a lobster shell piece in it. when i told the waitress, she was like "oh" and did nothing. i emailed management and they were like "oh" and also did nothing. wish i loved this place, since its POC owned and really cute, but i think they're overpriced, for sure.
(2)Bethany R.
I went with a few family members on a Monday morning for brunch around noon, and the place was jam-packed with a diverse group of patrons. LAZ parking was easy, as it was during the business week. We were seated at the large table in the center, which I'll assume is for larger parties, and ended up with a more community-table like feel. We're chill, so we didn't have any qualms about it. It took a while for the server to make her way to us, and then we ended up being seen by one or two other servers in between. There was definitely a bit of confusion going on, amid a cacophony of conversations, layered with a little-too-loud upbeat music. We could barely hear our server. The menu is average in the number of selections, and the price point seems reasonable for its location. Two people ordered breakfast (French toast flight & omelette) and two people ordered lunch (veg wrap & combo). Our food took quite a long time to come out, but it was definitely worth the wait. We had no complaints about our food, and pretty much cleaned our plates. However (!), there was nothing spectacular about our meals. We did notice, that a patron near us sent her French toast flight back because it was served cold. A few suggestions: 1. Turn the music down, as there's already enough noise with all of the conversations going on! 2. Get your servers better organized and competent. 3. Add some sound-absorbing art to the walls (e.g., cloth art). 4. How can you serve corn syrup instead of REAL maple syrup? For shame. Overall, my experience wasn't horrible, but I don't plan on going back or recommending it to others. For a better experience, find an Ann Sather.
(2)Nicki W.
It's beyond me why this place gets such fantastic reviews. I decided to come back and give it a second try and was seriously underwhelmed. It was a packed Sunday morning and we waited about 45 minutes for a table which is about standard. The hostesses were pretty rude once again. Everything from the initial greet to the way they shouted the names of people on the list when their tables were ready. They didn't seem to give a damn about making anyone's dining experience cheerful. We sit down at the table and the bussboy brings us water and asks us if we wanted coffee. Then we sat there for about 15 minutes before anyone even approached the table. Regulars seem to get treated real well around here and everyone else seems to get seriously overlooked. The chef walked around laughing with all his buddies but I never once saw him table touching with anyone else. The icing on the cake was the chef hacking and coughing while standing at the table next to us. All that was going directly on our food. Have some class buddy. The waiter was unattentive and forgetful. We ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and the biscuits and gravy. Neither were anything special. We asked for a side of ranch and ketchup once the food arrived and never got it. My friend ended up getting up and asking someone else. Not once did our waiter come back to make sure we needed anything. I will also point out that both of the times I've been here, the eggs have been runny. It was pretty gross. I will not be back. What a shame because it's right in the hood.
(1)Irma G.
Hi....as I sit here in your establishment I can not believe what I see...as me and my friend are looking over your menu I see one of your employee's with head phones on and taking orders!!! That is so disrespectful while the guest is trying to order their food. I hope u have a talk to your hostess, waiters, and staff!! They need to be retrained...other than that the food is FABULOUS!!!
(1)Heather B.
We chose this place on a whim this morning. We started with the Super French Toast Flight (includes a piece of the daily special french toast as well as strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel). Today it was Godiva liqueur, which was my least favorite of the 5. Very good overall, though I found it curious that it was served much more lukewarm than warm/hot. My husband got the chicken and waffles and I had simple scrambled eggs and a side of the cheese hash browns (which were served cold, though I got an immediate replacement when I asked). Friendly, quick service, more than decently good food overall. I'd stick with the specials and the things they hype up like the chicken and waffles to get the most bang for your buck (and tastebuds!!) ETA: Apparently I need to clarify that the well-deserved 4 stars are for the overall experience. I'd think that any rational, reasonable restaurant patron would be able to differentiate between a tiny mistake (ie cold hash browns) and a bad experience where I wouldn't highly recommend the restaurant. Fixed, small mistakes are overlooked in my book.
(4)Kira W.
Went here today for breakfast with my dad and wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be after reading all the reviews. First of all, the restaurant is crazy loud...I know it's the city but seriously, it was hard to hold a conversation. I got the french toast flight and sadly, I felt that each of the four pieces were very dry. They are creative flavors, yes, so that was the upside, but I had to add syrup diluting a little bit of the specialty flavors just to soften the bread. My dad had a mushroom omelet that he enjoyed. The service was indeed great and the location is easily accessible as well. I would love to go back and maybe try something different on the menu but with so many other great brunch places in the area, I'm in no rush.
(3)Caitlin J.
This place is my most favorite place in the world for breakfast. The food is gorgeous, tastes phenomenal, and always leaves me walking out the door satiated.
(5)Anne T.
Always great for breakfast!
(5)Natalie L.
Hubby and I stopped in here after our dentist appointments on a Saturday morning and had a pleasant breakfast. I had the blueberry french toast and hubby had a deconstructed omelette. The french toast was very good and I appreciated that I didn't have to slather it in syrup (in fact this is frowned upon). They infuse the french toast with fruit and it is cooked to be a little crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Hubby enjoyed his omelette. I have two reasons for not giving this place 5 stars. The first is the decor/ambiance. The walls are a very jarring yellow and the artwork reminds me a of a daycare. This is one of those places that needs to decide what it wants to be. Are you a classy restaurant where the chef has a visible presence and syrup and substitutions are frowned upon? Or are you a decent breakfast place with yellow walls and art from an old lady's garage sale? Cuz you can't be both. My other issue, if you can call it that, was with the service. Our server was friendly and our food was served promptly. The service lacked confidence. This is probably because the place is new, but there is no other way to describe it. She did not seem comfortable doing what she was doing. If we are back in the area, this is probably a place we would go but we wouldn't make a special trip up to Lincoln Park for it.
(3)Laurie V.
Okay, yum, I say- YUM, I say! We ordered the "flight" of french toast, which included strawberry, lemon, blueberry, maple, and the special for the week- cranberry rum. My friend and I both agreed the cranberry rum was the best one. It was special #37. The restaurant has been open for 37 weeks and each week, there is a new featured french toast. We also shared the special omelet. Egg whites and crab meat with some sort of squash in the mix. Just delicious. It came with a very generous portion of hash browns, which were done just perfectly. Crispy brown on the outside, just how I love them. I like that the Belgian waffles here are called "belguiques". Although we didn't try them, they looked amazing, as well. Service was great. My coffee cup runneth over. Very attentive server. I also saw the chef walking around the restaurant, stopping to talk to his customers. It added a very personal and warm touch. As I find myself spending a lot more time in Chicago these days, I plan to return here again.
(4)Marshall G.
Not 4-stars as is reflected on yelp, but a decent brunch place. Service was decent. And although there was a wait, was seated right away somehow. The portions were a little small on the French toast flight, but they were very tasty. If you're not that hungry and want a lighter brunch option, this may be it!
(3)Danny A.
Great food and service. They were slightly busy even on a Thursday afternoon. Regardless they seated us promptly and provided a high chair without us asking for my niece. Everyone was very polite, from the hostess to our waitress. Our food came out quickly and was AMAZING! We of course had the French toast flight, I had the traditional breakfast and mom had the chicken quesadilla Omelette. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Abony T.
I heard some many great things about this place. Today my mother decided to treat me to brunch at Batter and Berries. I walked in and it was packed but not a long wait. We sat down and I couldn't help but look at everyone's food around me that I almost forgot we brought a bottle for BYOB. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. We started with the Flight of French Toast which was ah-maze-zing!!! My mother had the lobster omelette and I had the Deconstructed Steak Omelet. I love the music they played while we eat. It was almost like grooving and eating at the same time lol. I really love this place and can't wait to come again with friends and family.
(5)Tijuana W.
My colleagues and I visited B & B today! We waited fifteen minutes but it was fine. Our waiter was very entertaining. The owner came over to greet us and gave us a complimentary French toast flight! Impeccable customer service! And BYOB. Let's just say us nursing students was able to unwind mid semester!
(5)JC P.
Fried chicken+ waffles+ spicy sauce +flavored butter= gastrorgasmic experience!!! Is worth every minute of the wait!
(4)Caeleigh R.
The service here is great. The waiters and waitresses are a little in your face and seem to tell you a bunch of information about their specials when you can just look and read the board yourself. At any rate, they're sweet and know their food. The chef you can tell has a great love of food and has some very creative ideas. However, the execution for these great ideas, lacks the wow factor in my mouth. My food was barely warm so I have a feeling it might have been sitting in the window for some time. The eggs were oily, and when I got one of the chicken wraps, it was mostly tortilla. The french toast flight wasn't all that they seemed to put it up to be and even though I'm not of french toast, my boyfriend's unbiased opinion determined that it was in fact nothing special. The chicken sausage here is yummy. The waffle with caramelized bananas and syrup in the batter is also extremely yummy. Really, the idea of this place is great and the chef has amazing ideas for some potentially yummy food, but the day I went, it just was not as good as it sounded or looked. Which reminds me, the presentation of the dishes is FANTASTIC. I love the decor and the layout of the restaurant. I don't plan on coming back though.
(3)Chrissy S.
I'm not always willing to wait 40 minutes for breakfast on Saturday, so I'm glad that I actually did. It was amazing. It's a small restaurant with quite a menu of options. We sat at the big community table with about 8 other people. My brother went sweet with the waffle flight; I went savory with steak omelet. We had a side of chicken-apple sausage. My plate was more than enough for two breakfasts (and reheated well the next morning). Coffee was decent. I really enjoyed this place and would enjoy coming back to try more items off their menu!
(4)S R.
This place is one of a kind. You have to be willing to wait because they're always packed, particularly for weekend brunch, but the wait is worth it. They have a ton of specials that change a lot, the chef is super creative with different seafood, meat, eggs and sweet dishes - that all seem to keep the integrity of brunch at it's prime. They're known for their French toast - you can get the flight and try them all, great for sharing, even as an appetizer... Which is not something I usually do for brunch, but I make an exception here. Chicken and waffles are to die for. The sweet potato waffle with chicken cooked in is one of the fluffiest, most flavorful waffles I've ever had, and coupled with the fried chicken and amazing hot sauce, safe to say these far outdo any chicken and waffles I've had before. We also shared the buttermilk pancakes which were fluffy and perfect with the berries and maple butter. This place can do no wrong. Their chef is an absolute genius. The servers are smart, quick and eager to help, and the host staff has their process down to a science - handling tons and tons of hungry customers in a relatively small restaurant space. Batter and berries is a spot not to be missed for one of the best brunches you'll have in Chicago.
(5)Dee D.
I do NOT like to wait - and typically don't BUT it was my bestie's birthday so wait I did and ... this time it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT... AND I would wait again! The staff was friendly, the food came quick, hot and was out of this world delicious!
(5)Joslyn J.
This place is NOTHING short of AMAZING! My sorority sisters and I visited Chicago for a reunion trip and to enjoy great food. We heard this was the place to go, so we took a train and walked almost a mile from our downtown hotel. We had a large group and the place was packed (as expected) so we waited about an hour. The chef came out and greeted everyone waiting which was really nice. We had already looked over the menu so we asked about the sweet potato chicken and waffle. We are from California and have Roscoe's chicken and waffles which is great! He told is that his chicken and waffle was rated the best in the nation so we had a friendly conversation about that. He also suggested the super flight of french toast and stated if we didn't like it then he would buy it. Needless to say he sent 2 super flights to the table and we devoured them in 2 minutes. The flavors and special butter are second to none. We had 9 in our party so we ordered e everything from crab omelets, to pork chops, chicken and waffles to salmon and it was ALL amazing! The restaurant is also BYOB so we got our own mimosas, that was definitely a first. I encourage anyone ever close to Chicago to come treat yourself and eat here!
(5)Kyle S.
Get here before 10am!!! Amazing food and service. Got here at 10:05. Had a 90 minute wait, which turned in to 60 minutes. Left our phone number and walked to Starbucks. They called us when our table was ready and we were back within 5 minutes. Server (Tusiime) was fantastic. Took the time to explain everything thoroughly. Food was at our table within 12 minutes. Left there full and satisfied at 11:45. With an hour wait this was remarkable. When we left there were 21 tables in the wait line. Try the French toast flight and the buffalo chicken sandwich. Chicken and waffles is solid as well.
(5)Theresa F.
3.5 stars really. We ordered a couple of their savory dishes. The food blew me away for the first half of it until the greasiness started getting to me. Service was decent, but the young lady at the greeting station needed an attitude adjustment. All in all, I'd probably go again but only when I'm in the mood for sweeter fare as that is their specialty. In saying that, I'm assuming they do better with the sweet dishes versus the savory.
(4)Weirdtee G.
Delicious restaurant!!! Be prepare to wait but its worth it. Had the breakfast wrap and was full to a coma lol. Owner is really sweet and personable. Came around to check up on us! Nice neighborhood breakfast/brunch spot!
(4)Chevy R.
You will leave craving more!!! I'm speechless! Always in a party of 3-6, no one ever has a complaint! The staff are super awesome, they give presentations of the food and come with funny jokes! The wait is often pretty long, they really need to expand the size! BYOB! Parking on the street can get difficult!
(5)Nida K.
The only thing I hate about this place is the fact that its in the north side. I wish people starting businesses would do so in our hood versus in the north side. Especially when they are from the south side. Anyway, that's personal shit. This place is awesome!!! We tried 4 different dishes. We had the French toast flight which was so very good. My favorite one was the pecan or cinnamon or praline. It was that kind of flavor. Second dish was the crab cake dish. It was good. Not my favorite, but real good. Flavors were full and rich. Third dish was the chicken and waffles. I don't have to go on about how amazing they were because of all the other reviews. But one this is... They cook the chicken into the batter. Holy crap!! Last dish was- Hmmmm..... I don't quite remember what it was but I know that it was damn good. They took away all our dishes empty!!
(5)Angie L.
I have eaten at Batter & Berries twice and I must say this is my favorite breakfast spot hands down. If you go on a Saturday be prepared to wait 30 -45 minutes if you are a late riser like me. I ordered the super flight and it comes with their special French toast of the week as well as strawberry, lemon, blueberry and caramel. The French toast comes with maple butter and it is so delicious. I also ordered the cheesy hash browns and homemade chicken sausage. I highly recommend the chicken sausage soooo good. The service was excellent and our food came out very fast and was hot. I can't wait until my next visit to try something new.
(5)TeMeka W.
I came here for a business meeting on a Friday afternoon. The decor is colorful, bright, and inviting. There was still a line that meant a 20 minute wait but I took that as a sign that I would be pleased with my first time experience. And, I have to admit that I was surprised and excited to see so many African American patrons at a spot on the north side not far from where I lived. Their brunch menu definitely has a lot of great options. Yet, due to other self-imposed restrictions at the time I can only wish I tried some of the sweeter options. My server also used an iPad to show us pictures of the specials which I found to be a nice touch. As far as what I ordered, the hash browns I loved; yet, the broccoli and cheese omelette was just okay. I'm not sure that I like the deconstructed concept to it. Overall, I had a good experience. My only downside comment would be that the hostess was not very informative or efficient. She failed to tell me that my whole party needed to be present in order to be seated and I was only waiting for one other person. Then, I stood in front of her hostess stand for over 15 minutes. And it wasn't until she seated a couple that came in after me that she decided ask me if she may escort me to the waiting area. I understand why restaurants have this policy of seating a whole party but there was no sign that clearly stated it. And, again the hostess did not mention it to me until i asked her why I was bumped in line. Considering I did have a heavy bag with business items with me, it would have been nice to be able to prepare a little bit for my meeting whether I was being seated at a table or in the waiting area. So that would be my only comment for room for improvement. I did let the hostess know directly that I thought she should have told me about the policy of all guests being present much sooner.
(3)Jayson B.
Hands down the worst breakfast that I've had in a very long time. The word of the day with this Restaurant is "Amateur" In Every Way!!! After waiting 30min for our food. Not only was my whole order wrong but it was cold. They had the audacity to tell me that they don't allow substitutes, but yet couldn't get their basic order right. On another note, with an extremely limited menu, how do you run out of ingredients to prepare some of of your most popular items? The manager was no where to be found. You couldn't pay me in 10 free meals to step foot back in this place. You've been open for a year! Extremely disappointed!
(1)Katie D.
First of all: the staff is amazing. Chef Rylon is the most personable chef I've met. I really hope he succeeds in his goals for this place. I got the strawberry french toast and it looked and smelled so good. Then I ate it and it was orgasmic. My eyes closed because I had to enjoy it all. -- guess this didn't post a couple years ago but better late than never.
(5)Ariel L.
Holy hell, who designed the interior of this place??? It looks like it belongs in the florida pan handle or somewhere in the sunbelt. Good thing the food didn't match the decor... The staff was super friendly and the food was quite tatsy. Everything was fresh, and there were some interesting takes on the food. I'd pobably rate the food a solid 3.5. I really enjoyed their fresh house made sausages. I ordered their biscuits and gravy. The gravy was damn tasty, but the portion was on the small side. Everyone else's orders were much larger, so i wouldn't knock them for it, but I also wouln't order it again. If I lived in the area i'd come by on a regular basis, but given that I don't live in that neighbohood, I doubt you will ever see me there again. There are just too many places to go to.
(3)Shradha A.
The flight of the french toast was indeed as good as described by everyone else. There was no wait for a late sunday brunch and the chef personally came out to ask how everything was going. Service started a little slow but she got a lot more attentive as others left and she had fewer tables to take care of (she seemed to be assigned all tables as she appeared to be the only server). My friend has the deconstructed omelet and liked it, but I certainly think their french toast is the real winner.
(4)Danielle P.
Omg this was my first time there today.... This was the best breakfast I've had in a looooooooong time. The service was great I'm definitely going back!!!! I had the sweet potato waffle n fried chicken with ham and sweet potato hash, it was excellent!!!!
(5)Hesham A.
French toast here is amazing. I also had the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffles that were pretty damn good. Restaurant is nice, great service, great location. Portions are large. Would definitely recommend this for breakfast/brunch. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Justin H.
My favorite place to get breakfast in the city. Can't go wrong with the french toast flight or steak omelette.
(5)Eames E.
My [genderorientation]friend suggested this place to me, this is a big deal given if she recommends a bad establishment she'll end up as "battered" as the berries in the eponymous name. I had the lobster benedict, which laid on top of some kind of potato shards and then coated in a hollandaise sauce that has since been coagulating in my fridge ever since along with all that cheerleader blood. Overall, I'd recommend this place, but the lobster benedict was the most expensive brunch item and id recommend the stuffed chicken waffle instead.
(5)Jon M.
Once the service kinks are worked out this will be a solid 4 star brunch option on the North side. A fun take on fried chicken and waffles that does not try to be more or less than it is but it is definitely unique. I'm not even a waffle kinda guy but the moment I saw it, I had to try it, and I was not disappointed. Regarding the service: The hostess did not seem the most organized or necessarily vocal which does not help a busy and loud place like this on a late Sunday morning. She playfully mentioned that she called my name inside and out before she 'found' me...as I was standing next to the host stand where I was the entire time and never heard my name once... Overall, service was a bit slow which on a busy Sunday for a brunch joint is a bit of a stretch but I am confident once the staff hits their stride this will all be worked out. On a minor logistical cold weather complaint, the single front door operation made it a bit unbearable by the end of the meal for my friend sitting closer to the door. A double door/temporary outside door should be the norm for a place like this. If possible, request a table further away from the front door while the weather is still a bit chilly. On the plus side, it was great that the owner/chef made the rounds to every table which always tells me the guy cares what the customers are eating and saying about it. Will look forward to a return visit and updated review.
(4)Raymond S.
Not much I can say about B&B other than this place is awesome. I have to knock it a star for inconsistency. The first time I got the french toast it had a texture unlike any other french toast I've had in Chicago. Uniquely custardy and amazingly flavorful. The second visit it was still good, but the french toast didn't have that same texture, I'm assuming the cook didn't let the bread soak for long enough. The chicken and waffle is also very well done. I was mostly impressed with the crab benedict. It was considerably more expensive than the other items, but still a bargain for how much crab you get.
(4)D B.
We're visiting from out of town and found this lovely spot with the help of Yelp. My little ones loved the pancakes, specially the butter. Hubby and I shared the Super Flight of French Toast (each piece was better than the last) and the Traditional Breakfast. The cheese hash browns we're the best I've ever had, maybe made with asiago? Down home atmosphere, fantastic food and very friendly server and manager.
(5)Letitia C.
Let me say, I NEVER write reviews on anything..But this place?..I just had to. The Food was EXCELLENT!!!! I had the crab omelet, and the French toast flight. My daughter had the kids chicken fingers. Even the chicken fingers were good! Everything was seasoned perfectly and the flavors went together very well. The service was fine for me..I had no issues at all. We did wait about 20-30 minutes but I am a patient person and it was well worth the wait. I'll be back!!! My bill was $49.80 for 3 people (myself, 7 year old and 3 year old) They are a bit pricey but they're worth every penny.
(5)steve L.
The food is surprisingly light for breakfast food which is nice. Enjoyed the French toast the most and the crab benedict was a close second.
(4)Thomas M.
After seeing the endless line day after day I figured it would be awesome. As I waited 30 minutes for a table and food was going by, my mouth was watering. It ended when we got our order. Nobody had the pancakes or French toast so can't review them, but we had the chicken and waffles, executive omelette, and the shrimp and crab Benedict. The shrimp and crab was just ok, was missing something a little bland. The eggs were cold and also just ok. The chicken was the same and waffle was way to sweet. The cheese hash browns were horrible. We figured it out. Everything is mass produced then re heated the cheese had hardened the eggs and waffle were cold and the centers never got warm. Would I eat here again, no. There are to many other choices. Besides long wait extremely loud and not the friendliest of staff.
(2)Candace L.
Superb service! The owner/chef is personable and the staff is welcoming. The food is extremely fresh, hot, and mouth watering delicious. It was well worth the drive! So pleased with this experience! Ill definitely be back!!!
(5)Merrick D.
We are currently finishing out meal at Batter and Berries and the check was just placed at our table. I am in utter dismay at the customer service provided by the management. We came with a $15 gift certificate that we purchased 2 months earlier. Despite the fact that the gift certificate clearly states that it does not expire, we were informed by the manager that they would not, under any circumstances, apply out gift certificate to our bill. We were told that they stopped accepting gift certificates last week. What does that even mean?? Then the manager gave me a song and dance about how they never authorized the gift certificates on the first place. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, especially since he told me they had been accepting them since last week. Bottom line this is a business that isn't putting its customers first. At some point it will catch up with them. I hope this review can prevent any other Chicagoans from getting ripped off like I did.
(1)Cee. D.
Dined Date: Wednesday Sept 4 2013 BA-by, Batter & Berries got it going on! It's so refreshing to see a BOB thriving and doing the damn thang. For starters: My Sugar in the Raw vs White Sugar Struggle--------------- ~Coffee [bottomless] was good (not too weak/not too strong, just the way I likes it) BUT [rewind], after receiving my coffee, WHAT? Where's the white sugar packets? I quickly noticed that there were only Sugar in the Raw and Splenda packets in the sugar dishes, on the tables surrounding me O_Oh hellz NO! Understandably-Supposedly, the Sugar in the Raw [unbleached] is better for you?, but, I have tried it, and I DON'T likes the way it makes meh coffee taste! I was ready to beg! I was thinking to self, there is no way in the world, you 'bout to tell me yawl ain't got no white sugar up in here. My waitress and I laughed 'bout it and she kindly brought me some white sugar-from the kitchen, poured in a little cup. WHEW, thank goodness. Sans the white sugar, I would have had to have her take that coffee off meh bill. ~Blueberry French toast, eggs were delicious! I ate 1/2 of everything and got the rest to go. The pattie pork sausage was meh. ~Being greedy, I also ordered the sweet potato waffle w/chicken to go; the waffle was meh and the chicken was OK. ~Owners of B&B, I love the funky ware that was chosen to rep your concoctions. ~Restroom gets an A, as it didn't give me the heebie-jeebies.. ~I will for sure return to B&B, more than likely, when I have a day off during the week, to avoid the wait that other yelpers yelped about. FYI-B&B is BYOB, but I'll just BMOS {bringMyOwnSugar}.
(5)shari h.
Well, what can I say! I am happy and content. The family and I flew into O'Hare with Batter and Berries as our destination spot. Mr. Don Jones and the staff did not disappoint.Made it to the breakfast spot before the Saturday lines up!! OMG!! We tried a lil bit of everything....Crab omelet, lobster Benedict w/ cheesy hash browns and a French toast flight...banana pudding,strawberry,lemon,pralines and blueberry with a side of bacon!!! And to top it all off ....Listening to Chicago House Music!!! I can go back home and get back in the bed...my day is complete!! :-)
(5)Paula W.
I visited today and had the French toast flight, chicken and waffle, and biscuits with chicken gravy. All were excellent and the butter that comes on top of the French toast and waffle was devine. The biscuits and gravy was flavorful and was accompanied by eggs and coleslaw?!? (Weird I know but it was delish) My only complaint was my food was not piping hot when it arrived and I was sitting 5 feet from the kitchen. I would definitely go back.
(4)Mark L.
Had crab cakes bennidict and chicken and waffles. Crab cakes were very good, chicken came out dry and I sent it back. Second chicken was better but they just remade the chicken not the waffle or anything so it was cold. Waffle top sweet.
(3)Stephen M.
I've eaten here twice very recently. First with Blake M who is a breakfast aficionado and then with Alex M, gourmand extraordinaire. First round: me: Strawberry French toast--lively strawberry taste and cooked to perfection (on the sweet side, so I worked a 1/2 slice trade with Blake M for a 1/4 blueberry waffle). Again, the fruit is monster good. Of the two, I'd go with the blueberry waffle--not as sweet, a tasty, near crisp waffle-very good! Second round: me: Caramelize banana with waffle--again sweet (1/4 trade with Alex M for fruit pancakes taste). The pancakes have lemon in them, at least for this dish. Interesting, but that piece of information should be on the menu. This is another one of the city breakfast dining delight storefronts. Go and enjoy! Oh, and each time I went, the hostess was friendly and outgoing (not as complained about in an earlier review by another. Maybe a bad day or they read the review). p.s. to me: you're ordering too sweet! Stop it!
(4)Jacob J.
For whatever reasons, the painted yellow of the banner outside on their sign and the look of their menu's has never garnered my attention. Often times I'd walk by, look in and just keep going without scoping reviews or making the connection in my mind that this is a place I've previously bookmarked to try. That all ended today when I got an early morning invite to breakfast. A few of us hit Spyner's for karaoke the night before and brunch / breakfast was discussed. Actually a "good" brunch was discussed so I needed a great spot to take a few friends to. Let's see if I can stick to the gist of things to keep the review short and sweet. (Which seldom occurs) Four people and three of which tend to order savory more than sweet. Just in case, I kept a backup idea for breakfast in mind (Toast). Luckily our waitress came up with a few good ideas for sampling and our minds were made up. Two got specials of the day and the other two got the same order consisting of the chicken and waffles. The two specials were the pork chops breakfast and the crab cake eggs Benedict. Since the place was busy and we had time to wait, I insisted we dine on an appetizer consisting of the French toast flight. She, our waitress insisted on the "super flight", we instead confirmed on the regular. Dude that shit was awesome. Like super, duper good. Each piece was different, some had a soggy inside with crunch exterior and others were sweet from their tasty toppings. I should note that per the menu the chef mentions to try the food as is before reaching or asking for additions. Like salt, pepper, hot sauce or maple syrup. Most of us loved our food with the exception of the pork chops. Good size portion except one person commented it tasted like something Mom could have made at home. If weekends are too busy, try a weekday if you get the chance. I'd say we were there at a good time to score some properly created food. We hung out afterward a bit longer than others and got a chance to meet and greet with the chef! Kudos!.
(5)Kelly N.
This is my favorite breakfast go-to in my neighborhood. Be prepared for waits on the weekend - but keep in mind, there's a reason why there's always a wait. The food is PHENOMENAL. I've had the lemon french toast and blueberry french toast and loved them both. I really like that you don't even need syrup with the french toast because of the delicious maple butter that comes with the dish. The sides (sausage, hash browns) are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you decide to share, but along with the french toast, you'll leave feeling satisfied. I really like that the chef/owner comes out to meet with his customers and hear how they're enjoying the food. Great customer service. I would recommend Batter and Berries to anyone that loves breakfast - especially french toast!
(4)Terry A.
By far the best waffles I ever had in Chicago I definitely will be coming back to this delicious spot good job y'all ur business is nice clean great atmosphere family friendly children are more then welcomed I give it will be coming back soon !!!
(5)Laye W.
This by far has become my most favorite place to eat breakfast. Because it is THAT amazing, you have to prepare for the long line, and the long wait. The food is absolutely worth it though! My brother came to visit from Dallas, so I decided to take him to brunch. I was with a group of 4 people so it took about 30 minutes to be seated. We ordered our food, and in less than 10 minutes, the food came out hot, fresh, and amazing. I'm really big on drinking tea as well, and the tea at this restaurant is also great. I ordered a Banana-nut waffle, with the cheesy hash browns. It was perfection! It was so good that two days later, my brother and cousin went back for a second helping.
(5)Arturo B.
I finally got a chance to try this place and I enjoyed the food. I had the gator omelette special and the chicken sausage. I wanted to try something different with gator omelette. I enjoyed it and could not complain except that unfortunately I could not differentiate the gator from the myth that it tasted like chicken. It was delicious but I thought it was a little overpriced at $17. I must admit that gator is not a typical ingredient but considering that the omelette was not particularly large and had only some mushrooms,tomatoes and hash browns. It was filling but for a simple omelette it still seemed pricey considering I could get steak and eggs for only a few dollars at a lot of places. Still it was interesting to try something you don't to many places.
(4)Sean R.
I frequent Batter & Berries and like many of the reviews I am very satisfied with the food. I would recommend a new person going that you do not go at peak brunch times after 12 on Saturday or Sunday. You will wait about 45 minutes because it is a very popular place. Try and experience it during the week or earlier so you can really enjoy the place. Also try the weekly french toast or the Chicken Waffle these are the staples of the restaurant I highly recommend. One last tip if you like a Mimosa you can bring your own champagne.
(4)Jessica B.
Bring on the French toast!!! Try to get to Batter early as the line grows longer and longer as people wake up and casually accumulate outside. Although, it didn't seem like your roll out of bed, come in your pj's type place either. The men and women are dressed to impressed. I enjoyed observing everyone. On to the food. It's BYOB. They have great tasting smooth coffee. VERY ATTENTIVE staff- I am allergic to certain nuts and never had a waiter ask me if I were allergic to anything before I asked, let alone show me the actual dish I ordered on an iPAD. Interesting. Mom and I ordered the very popular French toast flight (including a soon to be gone pina colada French toast) My fave was the caramel. We also shared crab cake benedict. Delicious and flavorful. Aha- the side of sautéed veggies we ordered last minute were great also, tender and perfectly seasoned. I can't wait to go back and try everything else Batter and Berries has to offer.
(5)Jordan S.
During our entire meal I kept thinking I died and gone to breakfast heaven. It was that good. I made my very first trip to Chicago last weekend with my boyfriend and this was the first restaurant we went to. Boy am I glad we did! We were tempted to order the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) since it is such a unique dish, but opted instead for their daily special, the Crab Cakes Benedict, and the Flight of French Toast. We made the right choice. The Crab Cakes Benedict was creamy-savory-deliciousness. The French toast was out-of-this-world. Seriously the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of French toast. It's made out of Brioche bread, and it was sweet and lightly crispy on the outside, and nice and soft on the inside. Each flavor of toast in the flight was better than the last (Caramel Pecan, Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Rum, Lemon...mmm!). No need for syrup with this French toast. Not to mention the service was excellent! Thanks for making my first restaurant experience in Chicago unforgettable. My only disappointment is that there's not a Batter & Berries in San Diego. Until we meet again.
(5)Nik L.
Reminds me of bongo room. Not as creative and succulent but....almost. I'd go back. Fun energy, diverse and relatively quick. I'd like to see more on the menu
(4)Maria P.
This morning my foodie of a husband and I checked this place out. We went at 9:30 and waited 5 minutes for a table. I ordered the crab omelet which comes with their cheesy hash browns. The omelet was excellent, don't get me wrong, but my meal was $16.50. That's a lot considering the atmosphere and well, breakfast food! My husband ordered eggs, bacon, and hash browns with a side of toast. Yes, that's correct, toast is considered a $1.50 side there. We both got coffee which was nice and hot, a regular and a decaf. They were slow to fill our cups though and when you wait 20 minutes for food, you like to enjoy your coffee. The service was friendly and mildly attentive. If we go back we will have to try what they are known for... their waffles!
(3)Jessie T.
I would have given this place 2 1/2 stars if I could. Giving it three is pushing it. A friend and I finally tried this place about a week or so ago. The food was good (nothing to over brag about and over price). We went on a Saturday morning (Air-Water Show day) and arrived about 9:00 am or so and put are name on the wait list. The young lady that checks you in can use a class in hospitality. She wasn't the most friendliest person to greet paying customers of their establishment. Our wait time wasn't long at all, about 15 minutes. Our party was of three and we were seated at a "community style table" which we didn't care for but we sat there anyway. The waitress we had was friendly and helpful since this was our first time there. She went over some of the items on the menu and their specials including showing pics of the specials and of the french toast dish (which I personally didn't think was that amazing from the pic). The menu was simple. Not overwhelmed with a lot of food choices. We ordered the salmon special, the crab cake benedict special, my son had his usually breakfast menu items (eggs, hashbrowns, bacon). Now, the bus boys were another story. Never been to a breakfast/brunch place and after you are seated they come and take the coffee cups away without even asking if you want coffee or not. My friend had to tell him she did want coffee and had to also ask, after he poured the coffee, for cream and sugar. Also, had to ask for a set of eating utensils which we all didn't have at our seats. They just seem to stand over to the side by the counter, complain and look disinterested. Our waitress had to even tell them to refill our glasses with water. The most interested part was when one of the waiters dropped a plate of food he was bringing to a table. The manager who was just walking back and forth at the time instantly had a unpleasant disposition about himself. I even told my friend that he should probably go in the back and get himself together because his entire demeanor was coming across the wrong way to the customers. He spent most of his time walking back and forth on his cell phone which I thought was rude. Overall, I most likely will not be back. I wasn't impressed. You really want to support black-owned businesses but one of the main components to me that they miss on is providing good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment. The food can be average but if you have good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment, that's what keeps me coming back. I've enjoyed breakfast/brunch spots that have much better hospitality and friendlier service and not over priced.
(2)Charles M.
Me and my girlfriend went it was amazing she got the sweet potatoe n chicken waffle and I got the cinnamon apple waffle it was sooo good definitely going back the owner came out and greeted us and was very friendly the service was excellent they even had an iPod with their specials definitely now one of my favorite breakfast spots
(5)Darius G.
Everything about my dining experience was great! The hostess Neki was very friendly. She offered an accurate approximate wait time and went over the daily special with me while I waited to be sat. My server was Tusimi. Although I was pretty set on what I was planning on ordering he gave me a tour of the menu and I actually changed my order based on his suggestion! He was very helpful and offered up a few jokes while I was waiting for my food. The food was excellent! by far one of the best breakfast joints I've visited in the city. Between the friendly and fun service and the wonderful food I'll definitely be back for me.
(5)Carl J.
Got a tip from a new friend that this was the place to take your honey for brunch. So right. Management, service, food and price were great. My new friend has moved up to friend for life.
(5)Ava B.
The wait, as we expected, was long: one hour on a Saturday afternoon. Our server was very friendly and accommodating. Our dishes came out very quickly, which was appreciated after the long wait. The restaurant is also rather noisy. BYOB with no corkage fee is good. The food was pretty good, but not great. Crab Cake Benedict was fresh, but rather bland. I think I enjoyed the cheesy hash browns that came with it more. We also had the Super French Toast Flight. It was good and the maple butter added some nice flavor. Other than the lemon and the strawberry, though, the other French Toast flavors just didn't stand out from each other very much. The orange juice was not fresh-squeezed. I think this place is pricey for what you get. Crab Cake Benedict was $17. Super French Toast Flight was $13 for the equivalent of 2 slices of toast. Frozen orange juice was $4. Our total bill for two came to over $50 not including tip. While I might return if in the neighborhood, I'd have to say that there are other places that are a better value with better food elsewhere.
(3)Angela M.
My husband enjoyed his Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. However, our hash browns were received cold, chicken and waffles were just Ok and the chicken sausage a little too sweet. The wait was long and when I went in to find out why the wait was longer than initially stated (we were told an hour and ten minutes and time was creeping up on an hour and a half), we were in within 15 minutes. I've had friends rave about this place and it was a major disappointment to me. Thus, I will continue my journey in locating and possibly recommending other black owned businesses.
(2)William K.
This is a case of the 'Most Improved Customer Service" review. In my 2 previous assessments of this restaurant, the customer service was the torn Achilles heel of such quality food, and made for a squeamish experience. Upon returning a succession of times, and hoping for the best, I finally was witness to the service that such a restaurant should have with quality food. My reservation prior was with a few of the wait staff, who were either too concerned with customer interactions and not food service efficiency, or a host/hostess that wasn't present to seat me and my party in a timely manor (with light-moderate table activity). These areas have been improved drastically, perhaps due to the absence of the employees at fault for such analysis. Ever since returning, there is a new rotation of servers/wait staff that are far more efficient to the customer needs (all around), and the environment has a smoother aesthetic with these updated employees. My preferred time to dine in is Monday after 1p, where the observation of the improved service has been noted for about a solid month now, which means that the changes were not by chance. If you care to experience the great food, and the newly improved service efficiency, perhaps the weekday afternoon post-lunchtime would be great. I raise my glass to Batter and Berries for making the adjustments, and reward improvement by engaging my colleagues in that direction, so please keep it going. w.k-
(5)Jeff R.
This place was awesome! Long wait, but worth it. I had the scallop omelette with mushrooms. Delicious! Had a mini flight of the cinnamon brown sugar French toast. So decadent and delicious. Just the right amount of flavor. No syrup needed. Even the butter was good! My girl had the crab cake omelette which was almost as good as the scallops. The sides of hash browns were good too. Great gravy! Definitely coming back!
(5)Marie B.
Ok the French Toast might be the best I've ever had! Get the French toast flight...u won't be disappointed. I would have given it 4 stars, but the service was slow, she messed up an order, my hash browns were over cooked, & no biscuits on Monday. I have to go back again though to give it a second try.
(3)Sharina R.
3.5 stars The food was good, but expensive for the amount given. $11 for the Flight of French toast which came with 4 triangles of assorted French toast and NO sides, is a bit ridiculous. Each side you get is an additional $3 each, so if you want French toast with bacon and potatoes, be prepared to pay $17 for your food alone, never mind if you have guests with you. I got the cheese crusted hash browns. The hash browns were good, but I've had better. The French toast was so damn good though man let me tell you. You can also get the super flight which is 1 more triangle for $2 of their flavor of the week or whatever. Mine was cherry pie so I didn't end up getting it. Then, there's this maple butter on top, which is to die for. You don't even need syrup for this dish. Our bill for 3 people was around $60 The customer service was great and our server was INCREDIBLY knowledgeable about the menu front to back, as well as the specials that were going on. The food came rather quickly. I liked this place, but the prices are enough to hinder me from returning.
(3)Diva B.
I went to Batter & Berries for the first time yesterday afternoon. It was crazy crowded, inside and outside. The hostess told us that the wait would be about an hour, but she promised it was worth the wait. I trusted her, and I'm so happy that I did! Our wait ended up being only about 15 minutes because we were a party of 2, versus the other large groups. After hearing so much about the French toast flight, I decided to order that before even looking at the menu. I also ordered a veggie omelet special. Everything was superb!!! I was blown away by the French toast flight, particularly the lemon. My second favorite was the caramel French toast. The other two were strawberry and blueberry, which was pretty much just regular French toast with the fruit on top, but still delicious. The French toast is so good that they don't even serve it with syrup. The omelet was the fluffiest I've ever had, fluffier than I ever could have imagined was possible. It was topped with broccoli, green beans, peppers, and some kind of delicious sauce. My only complaint is that the place is LOUD!!! Not only is it packed with people talking and laughing, but they play house music on full blast, so everyone is talking over the music, which makes it louder. Our server had to put her ear 2 inches from my mouth in order to hear my order. It's all good though, I'll be back!
(5)Joni R.
Treated my niece to breakfast one windy Saturday and we came up north to B&B. The wait time was 30 minutes( I'm cool w/ that..it was a Saturday morning) we were seated, juice and coffee on deck, placed our order and anxiously waited. 1) Chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chix breast, drizzled w/ nutmeg hot sauce sauce and maple syrup. That shish was good! The chicken in the waffle were pieces of fried chx! 2) My niece ordered the southwest omelette. Grilled chicken breast w/ strips of red/yellow/green peppers and onions...On top! The deconstructed omelette as Chef likes to call it. Great food, wonderful staff, creative food choices( lobster omelette, shrimp/ crab Alfredo omelette..where else do you see that) and decently priced for breakfast. Get in here fast!
(5)Selena A.
After watching on Check Please and hearing about this place again recently my son and I decided to go on Sunday morning. We were fortunate to have no wait time. There were larger parties waiting so we got lucky. We had an excellent server who had a riddle every time he came to the table. The food lived up to the hype. We shared a super flight of French toast and an egg white omelet with salmon. It was light and delicious. Coincidently, the Check Please segment aired again right before we left home. Mario you're right I could have smoked a cigarette and I don't smoke. I will certainly be back. Also, I got a chance to take a picture with the owner who came to our table several times. I recommend being patient, well worth the wait. Next time I have my eye on the pork chop I saw on the plate of another guest, it was huge and looked wonderful.
(5)Krystal M.
Batter and Berries is so absolutely delicious. I would definitely rate it, one of the top 3 breakfast spots period. The menu is so fresh, and all the dishes are bursting with mouth watering flavors that keep you coming back for more. Although, this restaurant gets pretty crowded, the staff keeps everything running smoothly, and you'll be seated in no time. The food comes out so quickly, it's almost unbelievable. One of the servers who gave us a great experience was Tusime. He is always in great spirits, and always has a great riddle to get you through the day! While you're visiting might I suggest trying the cluck n gaufe, Carmel French toast, and crab Benedict....... Thank me later :-)
(5)Mason C.
I didn't think breakfast could taste so good. Get the french toast flight!
(5)Gabrielle R.
All I can say is this is probably the best breakfast I've had at a restaurant in a long time. I absolutely loved everything I had and the sweet potato waffles were amazing. Will be back for sure.
(5)Marissa P.
Had the flight of French toast and the chicken sausage, both were incredibly good! The flight of French toast was all different flavors which was fun to try and the chicken sausage had little bits of what I believe were apples which was also amazing. The hot chocolate was weak and it would not recommend it. All together this restaurant has really rich decadent and unique foods that I would definitely recommend to try!
(5)Sheri F.
I loved the food! I have been there and have had the french toast flight which was amazing! The pork sausage also very good. It reminds me of Bob Evans sausage with a little spice to. The broccoli and cheese omelette was loaded with cheddar and had huge chunks of broccoli. The cheddar hashbrown were good but needed more seasoning. The deconstructed steak omelette was ok. Huge chunks of steam and lots of gravy. The times I went we were told the wait would be 45 or 50 minutes but the wait wasn't that long. The server was polite and attentive. Food came out very fast. I absolutely love this place and recommend it. The only issue I had was that there was a gentleman, who im guessing was the owner, was greeting people asking how they liked the food. I noticed this gentleman pay more attention to the tables where Caucasian people were sitting. One table happened to be next to us. For an establishment that has a large African American clientele, I feel that everyone should feel welcome no matter their race. Other then that this place is wonderful.
(4)Brian M.
I went here on a Saturday with my roommates around noon and the wait was 45 minutes. From what I've read this is pretty standard and you should always plan on a wait. But let me tell you, it's 100% worth the wait. I ordered the French Toast Flight and a cafe latte. Instantly I took a picture and posted it to instagram. It was a thing of beauty. Four different flavored french toast slices. A blueberry, caramel, lemon, and strawberry with maple butter and syrup, each bite was better than the last. I didn't want it to end. Our server spoke extremely fast to a point where I completely gave up on the specials and focused all of my attention on the ipad she was displaying with pictures of dishes that I couldn't see because of the lighting and glare. I honesty couldn't tell if it was English or Spanish. Also, this place could use a design overhaul. Everything from the "Batter & Berries" sign outside to the inside, it looked very amateur. It's not somewhere you can stay long. You get in, focus on your food, and get out ASAP. We will definitely be coming back for the food, and at the end of the day that's all I care about!
(5)Candace W.
PHENOMENAL! *drops mic and walks off stage, Randy Watson style. Lol There is not much else to say about the food. The service is also impeccable. It is so nice to see owners be visible and take so much pride in the experience they provide for their customers! I haven't seen it done better in awhile. Bravo!!
(5)Kori B.
Great menu especially if you like to explore new dishes. The service and food is awesome!
(5)Lisa J.
freshness of food is what you will find at the cozy, charming oasis on Lincoln Ave, in the heart of Chicago's Near North side. The service and quality of food is hard to match. This is an ideal spot for the entire family, group of friends or just one on one.
(5)Katie R.
best french toast. ever. i got the super flight - definitely preferred the blueberry and strawberry over the other three (the special was sweet and savory, the flavor was a little funky to me) as the lemon and caramel french toast were just a little too sweet for my taste - especially the caramel! nonetheless, some of the best french toast. it is a little bit crispy - hard to explain, but the flavor and texture were absolutely fabulous. the cheesy hash browns were spot-on as well. our waiter kept telling us jokes and was very attentive. the rest of the staff we encountered were very sweet as well. good coffee. cute place. can't wait to come back and fill my belly with a full order of blueberry french toast.. ohhhh yeah.
(5)Jayne T.
My food was not hot, the host staff were rude, the table structures are all wrong, the bus boys are clumsy. Chicken sausage were really good.... Not to mention we were rushed from out table once we got the bill...!Im sticking to the bongo room.
(2)Kelli B.
First your Facebook page and now here..And now on to my yelp review... I wish I could give you guys 0 stars. My experience was THAT bad. Your hostess was the rudest and most unprofessional person I think I've ever encountered in a long time. After making several seating errors and not even owning up to the mistakes, I provided you feedback and still wanted to give you guys a shot. I waited until my birthday to drive a ways to support a black business I assumed was up and coming that came with decent recommendations, but alas I'll never know if the food experience would have helped me overcome how awful the incoming service experience was. Once your 'hostess' (what a joke host) told my party that we could 'sit over there', I'd had it. Why exchange good consumer dollars with a restaurant that doesn't even understand rule #1 of the restaurant industry, without service you have nothing. No one will ever get to sample the supposed (as I didn't get to try it) great food you have to offer when they can't even get past the nightmare service awaiting them as soon as they arrive. Ok...now on to other sites so I can tap to warn other patrons to skip the hassle and choose another venue who takes their service seriously.
(1)Marquis B.
I like to call myself a connoisseur of good food and, as far as breakfast goes, this is top notch. An elegant assortment of breakfast favorites and classy alternative combinations create a bombastic menu of great tasting food. Each dish I've had here has been exquisite and consistent to say the least. The french toast is of course what people come for, but with interchanging menu options (my favorite being the lobster benedict) and B&B staples like the delicious potatoes, you begin to find yourself making up reasons to return to try everything else they have to offer. The service is exceptional as well, though quite often you may experience a wait and calling ahead is not accepted, it is a testament to the delectable dishes you experience once inside. You are greeted with friendly wait staff, constantly checked on, and you will see the general manager at least 4 times before leaving so he can accommodate you in any way you need to ensure a great experience. Highly recommend.
(5)Chey W.
I went here today for the first time with a friend. We came in and were seated right away because it was a tuesday morning at 8:30am (on weekends expect an hour+ wait). The waitress explained the specials board and even showed us a picture of what each dish looked like on an ipad mini...very helpful. I ordered the super french toast flight (blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and vanilla bean rum), deconstructed broccoli cheddar omelette (that came with cheesy hash browns) and chicken sausage. I am now a huge fan of the french toast flight and chicken sausage....they were my favorites. I like that they have different specials every week so it keeps it interesting. The food was flavorful abd AMAZING, staff and general manager were friendly and the atmosphere was good. Oh, and my friend loved her french toast flight, ham and bacon as well. After one visit, this is my new favorite breakfast spot. Can't wait to try other dishes.
(5)Joe L.
Get the French Toast super flight and a side of ham. U can thank me later
(5)Jenna A.
Just left this place. Went to brunch with the hubby for his birthday. Had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken and he had the steak omelette. We both lived the food and friendly service. As a fellow food- business owner, i say kudos to you guys! We will definitely be back!
(5)Shaun S.
This place is GREAT! Ive only had breakfast there and every time has been outstanding service. My fav is that French Toast Flight with cluck n goof lol.. No syrup needed with their maple butter! Smh... All i can say is Delish... Stay away for wknd brkfst unless u like waiting for an hour!
(5)Liz G.
A solid 4 stars. Batter & Berries is one of those places with really great, really fresh food and excellent service. The last time I went there they said it would be about 25 minutes wait but then some seats opened up at the communal table in the center and we were seated in under 10. Our server was very friendly and made sure we had all the information we needed. She saw that we had brought champagne (it's BYOB) and suggested a large orange juice that she brought with champagne glasses. We ordered the Super French Toast Flight - this week's special (they have had one every week since they opened) was Chocolate Strawberry Champagne FT. A couple crawfish omelets and a side of chicken sausage that was recommended by the waitress. The Super French Toast Flight was great, it comes with 5 large half slices of French Toast, each a different flavor - I'm a big fan of the lemon one. My only complaint would be the French toast was a luke warm temperature and should have been served warmer. The omelets come deconstructed which is nice because you see what you are getting and can create that perfect bite. The crawfish omelet was tasty with mozzarella cheese and crawfish and tricolored peppers on top. When I think of crawfish, I think of ones bigger then shrimp - that's not the case with this omelet, these are more baby sized. We tried the house made chicken sausage at the recommendation of the waitress and it was very flavorful and a good sized portion. I've also tried the biscuits and gravy which are very good with a nice flavorful gravy. A solid experience here at Batter & Berries with only a few minor complaints. If you are looking for brunch in the neighborhood, look no further! ps. Don't be afraid of the center, communal table - it will get you seated faster and you will be able to listen to other people's conversations :)
(4)Heather P.
They had me at chicken and waffles! In my opinion, there is truly a desperate need for chicken and waffles on the North Side. Thanks to Batter & Berries, I no longer have to venture far from my very own hood to get a taste of the goods. The description led me to believe it was a sweet potatoe waffle stuffed with chicken. I'm not sure if the waffle batter was sweet potatoe or if just the butter was somehow sweet potatoe flavored. Doesn't matter - all you need to know, it was scrumptious! The waffle actually had been stuffed with chicken!!!! My sister had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was excellent! My fiance had the steak and eggs and he was disappointed with the fact that his steak was overcooked, but you have to keep in mind that this restaurant opened up two days prior so there were some kinks yet to be worked out. For one, the kitchen is very open. Some people might like that, I personally don't. I prefer to live in ignorant bliss; where I do not necessarily need to see where my food comes from or how it got there - just so long as it tastes good, I don't need to be bothered with the details. So I suggest closing that off. They did not yet have any diet beverages, unfortunately. Our server was a bit odd. Not unfriendly or unhelpful, maybe a little blunt and rough in his delivery. Apparently orders are taken on ipad touches; but at first we thought he was just texting rather than taking our order. He also told us our son was cute - ahem, my daughter was wearing a dress and when I corrected him he said he doesn't pay attention to those things. Okay....didn't effect our experience, just an example of his rough exterior. They were able to accomodate 5 adults and 2 high chairs in a matter of minutes without a hassle - perfect! A nice touch having the owner and chef come around to the tables. Bravo, Batter and Berries! We'll see you again before too long!
(4)Bridget K.
What's not to love about Saturday or Sunday brunch. My friends and I a group of 3 arrived around 11 am and were seated by 11:30 am. Batter & Berries is cosy and has cute decor. Getting seated at our table was a little confusing because the hostess was trying to seat 2 groups of people at once. Once we were seated we were given our menus and visited by our waiter. He recommended the french toast with is there speciality. A few minutes later the waiter returned with coffee and a iPad for entering our orders. Before long our orders arrived. One friend chose the flight, I had the lemon french toast and another friend got the chicken and waffles. All three things were good. The service was good as well.
(4)Bethany B.
After a long wait to be seated (1.5hr), the food was good but it wasn't hot, more like luke warm. If you're going to wait over an hour for an awesome plate, I would expect it to be hot. We also noticed where food was being wasted, as we, and other patrons, were brought food we didn't order. I wonder how much money is being lost. If the food was hotter, I would give them 4 stars, and if they did a better job of managing their orders and not wasting food 5 stars. I would definitely go back - the French Toast Flight, and Peach Punch tea was AWESOME!
(3)Trish F.
Food was ok. Customer service sucks. Y'all gotta do better
(2)Trevian T.
It is with great sadness that I write this review because I had high hopes and wanted to like this place. First, we waited for our table(no big deal), but the hostess sat everyone who came after us before us and then commenced to explain she called us but we weren't present. Not to sound egoistic, but we are very attractive people and are impossible to miss. And, we were in the waiting area the entire time and even gave our waiting bench to some elderly women who came after us and stood for 30 more minutes. Well, let's get passed the point that they just overlooked seating us. So now we are seated. Truly the saving grace of the restaurant was TOOSEEME(sp?) our waiter. If not for him, 1 star surely. We ordered the chicken+goefre and the crawfish omelet. My omelet came out 12 minutes before the chicken. I don't know about you, but do you ever go out to eat alone while someone is sitting at the table WITH you? When I finally got upset and asked why the chicken hadn't come out yet while my partner was starving (my food was now cold )and I practiced common etiquette by waiting to eat, I was told,"We bring it out while it's warm." Is that a major feat in a restaurant?????? I mean isn't that a basic task???? Ok, let's get passed that. (WTF) Now we have our food. The waffle was tasty so 1 star for that. My crawfish omelet was tasteless. I was wondering where the bacon was as I was told it was an ingredient inside???? Please put some seasoning in those hash/mashed potatoes, please!!!! I asked for hot sauce 3 times before getting it. In all honesty, this place ruined a perfectly sunny Sunday morning. Plus, we came from downtown on Chicago Marathon day and drove the long route to get there. Thank God parking was free! I'm into supporting black owned businesses, but damn, this place made me feel bad for having high expectations...which I will uphold.
(2)Stephen L.
The service was very attentive. My partner and I shared the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet and French toast. The chicken sausage is homage patties and was very flavorful. The meal was very enjoyable. We went on a weekday so a weekend brunch may be a little slower. We will be back.
(4)Zach A.
There aren't a lot of restaurants in life that you really want to tell your friends about, well, this us one of them. I was so impressed with the taste! OMG, the chicken and waffles were wonderful and the variety of French Toast, remarkable! I now understand why they said you don't need syrup. A great place for a date, business meeting, a meal with friends or in my case, family friendly. This place is a hit and I encourage you to try.
(5)Chris M.
OMG!!!! The food is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! Do not go on Saturday the wait is horrible !!! But that lemon french toast and crab cakes Benedict makes it worth the wait!!! Sooooooo good !!!!
(5)Jeremy W.
French Toast unlike I've ever had, quite good! The coffee is kind of weak, but that's a forgivable sin. Super nice owner and the staff is very attentive. I went at 8:00am on a Sunday, one of the first patrons that day; 20 minutes later the place was packed. Try this place, it's a winner.
(4)Tawana W.
5 of us including 1 child went for Sunday brunch. Hostess was very polite and accomodating. Space is cute and distance between tables is appropriate. Ample street parking on Sunday morning when we arrived. Between the 5 of us we ordered chicken sausage, hash browns, french toast flights, steak & egg omelet, fresh fruit, coffee and juice......and since we each love tasting food we tried it all! My opinion, the french toast flights are lovely....good flavor, good variety, perfect serving size. The steak & egg omelet was well flavored but mine was supposed to have swiss but ended up with colby cheese....didn't stop me from eating it one iota and it was still delish. The fruit was fresh and presented nicely and the beverages were fine. My one odd moment was the chicken sausage and hash browns. The sausage has some of the best seasoning I've had in a long while but because it's not encased in skin and I miss the snap you get from biting into sausage. Just a personal preference and not a negative especially if you like patty sausage. However, my hash browns were flavorless and required large amounts of salt and pepper to taste like anything......hopefully it'll be better next round. I didn't have a chance to taste the pancakes, but I'll be back and will go for it soon....real soon.
(4)Elibe E.
I've been hearing about this place for some time and I finally wandered in for brunch this weekend. NOTE: B&B is a BYOB, so be sure to stop by your local party store for champagne, etc. B&B's brunch menu is made of up of SEVERAL varieties of French toast, pancakes, standard stuff (eggs, hash browns), and the chicken and waffles dish. My order: standard breakfast with chicken sausage ($1 upcharge). Amazing. The sausage is patty-style, and it tasted very fresh - definitely not processed/packaged/frozen. The servers and staff are very welcome and friendly - I'll be back to try some other dishes.
(4)Matt M.
I will admit that making a reservation for 8 is a bit hard to relate to but our experience was quite bad. If you can't service a large group than just say so B&B! We had a reservation but still waited 45 minutes past our reserved time to be seated. When we were finally seated it was right next to the front door and the frigid air that would rush in every time customers came and went. I suppose double doors or some type of enclosure is a bridge too far. Anyway, half of our group had to keep their coats on to stay warm. The real failure of this spot was the kitchen's ability to make our food in a timely manner and bring it out together. The people who ordered omelettes received their meal a full 20 minutes before the people who ordered anything else. Since my group valued manners more than warm food, their meals were effectively cold by the time every one was served. The head chef/owner seemed like a nice enough man but he made no apology for the complete lack of professionalism from his kitchen. Perhaps if he spent more time in the kitchen and less time glad-handing his patrons his tables would be served all at once. The food was very good but pricey. Can't recommend this place.
(2)cj w.
When I saw the line for the restaurant sprawling outside the doors, I had to try it out for myself and the food didn't disappoint. Sampled a few items, but my favorite by far was the French Toast Flight, definitely a must have! Also don't forget this is a BYOB, something I didn't realize until after I sat down and saw everyone with mimosa in hand
(4)Rachel S.
We came upon Batter and Berries pretty randomly on a Sunday morning, and it was the best random event of 2013 so far. Although the wait was considerable, and they do need a wind blocker for the front door, the food completely, confounding-ly amazed me. Service was a little slow, since they were packed to the gills, but when my chicken and waffle arrived, I got serious I-have-to-focus-my-whole-life-on-eating-this tunnel vision. The dish is a sweet potato waffle (sweet but not too sweet and fluffy as all get out), with maple butter, and a fried chicken breast with nutmeg hot sauce. What!? It was like a mind-blowing buffalo chicken and the best waffle of your life. Damn. My partner had the biscuits and gravy, the gravy of which was exceedingly rich, but made with the house-made chicken sausage and the side of cheesy hashbrowns still has me salivating. They offer sweet potato or cheesy hashbrowns, but who would turn down cheesy crispy potato bits given the chance? No one! We were feeling flush, so we also ordered a lemon french toast, which tasted like lemon pound cake to me. It also had some of the maple butter on top and would be great for anyone who likes lemon and doesn't like off-season berries. All in all, a great experience. This place is bumpin', the chef even came out at one point and admonished us to fasten our seat belts. Boom. Be prepared to wait if you go on the weekend, but KNOW, it is worth the wait. I'm eager to return and try the chicken sandwich. =)
(4)Ken S.
Worth the wait.... Come b4 u get hungry because u will have to wait... Good things r served 2 those that wait @ B&B. Friendly attentive staff, best breakfast I've had in Chicago ...... In a word, GO!
(5)Jan E.
Their specialty is fancy French Toast and it's indeed delicious. Great service.
(4)Adrian R.
I have been to batter and berries several times and never left disappointed. Yes it is small. Yes the wait can be long but u have long waits at any decent brunch place on a Saturday or Sunday in Chicago. If u don't have to wait then that means the food isn't good. I will say they need a new hostess or training. They aren't rude but not the nicest. Food is spectacular. I am not picky when it comes to waiters. Just be polite, take my order and ask if I want more water or coffee. Some people just like being difficult customer and having butt kissed. Food is always hot. Best brunch place for the money in Chicago. I always leave satisfied. I will take them over a place like yolk any day. People need to get over the size and the fact u can't substitute items. Stop being so damn picky and difficult. Just go and order cause it's damn good.
(5)Elizabeth Z.
Food is pretty good - wait is not! Had to come during the week because waiting for 2 hours on the weekend was just not happening. Love the fact that everything really is fresh. Also, loved the waitresses and their ipads showcasing the specials - What a great idea! Wasn't too crazy about the sweet potato waffle with the chicken on the inside but the chicken on the top was delicious. We got several sides of the special hot sauce it came with. We even got extra to take home! We did try a small piece of the lemon french toast and i actually liked it even though i was hesitant at first. Service was on top of it as well.
(4)Meg S.
My husband, 1 year old and I trekked it into the city for brunch. We chose B&B after seeing all of the great reviews. Wait: 35 minutes on a Sunday around 10:30 in nice weather Ambiance? So cute! Small (seats maybe 50ish people at a time). I love the local artwork on the walls and the tables are made out of tiles. It is a tight fit though but I expected as much. Nice plus? They had changing tables in both of the bathrooms, which I wouldn't expect from a small joint. The only downfall? It is REALLY loud. My husband and I could barely hear each other. Staff? Busy, but welcoming and attentive. Our server did not have time to hover but he did check in 2x and my husband's coffee was always filled. The chef/owner did come out and say hello which was a nice touch. And most important... Food? AMAZING! They are known for their french toast and there is a good reason why. My husband had the flight, and each one was better than the next. The flight had strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and for $2 we were able to try the birthday one too. Each one was light and just the right about of fluff and a hint of the flavors as to not overwhelm. I had the lemon french toast and I about cried when I finished it. It was just tart enough. I also ordered the sweet potato hash browns, so crispy and perfect! Even though it took us an hour to get there from Arlington Heights, we will be back. I am already craving more french toast.
(5)Chadwick C.
I live in Houston, TX, and was brought to this place by a couple of fellow "foodie's". I am planning a trip back to Chicago, FOR THIS BREAKFAST SPOT. Best breakfast I have ever had, and we tried 5 different dishes at our table. Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict was AMAZING. Their French Toast flight was probably the best French toast I have ever had. The Chicken and Waffles, with chicken IN THE WAFFLE, rivaled my favorite chicken and waffles spot here in Houston, and DESTROYED their version. I got lucky and had one of our tablemates get there early to wait in line for a table, other than that, the service was superb. Excellent and funny waiter, would leave us with a riddle, and come back with the answer. We were never thirsty or wanting for too long, and deserved the great tip we left. Goods: Everything, especially the FOOD, followed closely by the excellent service. Bads: The wait, and it not being in Houston.
(5)J H.
Yes the wait is long, but it is worth it. Their breakfast food is great - french toast flight, chicken and waffle, pancakes, homemade sausage, and deconstructed omelete. I just had a salad there for the first time, and it too was great - the berry salad, on spinanch with goat cheese. I'm happy they finally got a winter door system, as sitting up front in the cold weather was pretty breezy. I think they need to move to a text system for their waitlist or call people 5 mintues before their table is ready. The wait is by far the worst part...however when I missed my name (bc I wasn't out front when they called) and checked back in they sat us right away...I was worried we were gonna have to get back on the list and starve!
(5)Hilary T.
We waited two hours to be seated on a Sunday at 12:30. The chicken and waffles and omelette were good, but not amazing. The waiters were nice but the hostess was rude and incompetent. There were open tables that weren't being sat and an unorganized list for people waiting. She also told us it would be 10 more minutes after waiting an hour and then we waited another 45 minutes.
(2)Krista G.
We went at prime time on a Sunday and waited over an hour. When we ordered the food came out immediately but it was cold. It probably would have been awesome. I will definitely give it another try on a weekday. Staff was great amidst the craziness thou!
(4)Sneha P.
The French Toast Flight is yummy, and the Chef came by to check on us during the meal. The lemon french toast had a yummy whipped sugar butter and it was my favorite. : ) I'll definitely go back! I recommend it COMPLETELY! My friend got the eggs/biscuits/gravy, and it was good too. I want to try that and the waffle/fried chicken eventually.
(5)Jakara H.
Long wait, but worth it! The service was perfect, atmosphere was great, and the food is something I crave and dream about. A small restaurant, but comfortable when you're seated. It's BYOB, so bring a bottle of champagne for mimosas. Get the super fresh crab cakes and shrimp Alfredo omelet and thank me later! The owner came out and thanked us for coming while servers celebrated birthdays through original song! Love this place and will be back!
(5)Katie C.
Believe the hype! Everything was amazing. We had the lobster omelette, shrimp and crab Benedict and a half order of strawberry French toast (yes, we ordered too much)! The only sad thing is we were so full we couldn't eat it all! Definitely worth checking out and waiting for a table if you have to.
(4)Shilpa G.
This was by far the best brunch place I've ever been to. The menu was great and the service was impeccable. The sweet food wasn't overly sweet and the savory food wasn't overly greasy or salty. Highly recommend this place
(5)Beth F.
This place made me love the idea of brunch. Their caramel French toast is to die for, and the employees are all very friendly. Be prepared to wait for a seat, especially on the weekends... but trust me, it's worth it.
(5)Robin M.
Loved it! Crowd was already there in force when we got there right before 11am. By the time we left, it looked like a convention. Word is out and to put it bluntly: it's worth the hype! What's to love: the French Toast Flight on crack (normally you get four slices, you can upgrade to include the special FT of the day -- we did that). So we got strawberry (delicious); blueberry (very good); caramel and nuts (very very good); lemon (excellent) and the special (an extra 2 bucks, I think) which was birthday cake (really sweet but very good). Just get it for your table and share it. Girlfriend got crab benedict (it was soooooo good); we both got bacon and coffee. That coffee was no joke -- hot and strong! Our server, Timothy, was super nice and accommodating. Attentive but didn't hover. And really chill about questions and requests. Thanks, Tim! On the other super plus side: diverse crowd, which was so refreshing in Lincoln Park! What's not to love: it's loud in there. Also, prices are a bit on the high side. But I felt I got my money's worth. But will keep me from going as much as I'd like! They were super busy so service takes a minute. But no big thing. Tim introduced himself and told us he'd be back. So didn't feel ignored in the least. All in all, a real winner. No lie. We had amazing food, really first-rate service. Will go back as soon as I can.
(4)Jamal N.
I wish I could heap more praise to proclaim how great this place is. It's just that good. Chef Raylon serves up traditional(and nontraditional ) breakfast & brunch with a unique contemporary spin. If you're a fan of breakfast food(which for me is my favorite meal of the day), then you won't be disappointed.. THE FOOD/QUALITY: First off, you're getting fresh ingredients, properly cooked, and it actually tastes better then the pictures(for once), and portions are VERY big. Choose from 'deconstructed omelets(the ingredients are heaped atop your eggs)', the famous 'flight of french toast'(more than enough for sharing, melts in your mouth...fight with friends over which flavor is best, like lemon, Maple, strawberry, or flavor of the week, mmm'), and several tasty sandwiches that melt in your mouth. Chef Rylon knows his way around the kitchen. SERVICE: Always punctual, never rude, even during a rush you'll still find a table for your party. Each server attends to you promptly, and doesn't 'pop-up(movie cliche-style) every two minutes to harass you with requests to find out "How you're meal is"....they back off just the right amount, but are still attentive... PRICE: These dishes would be well justified at a $13 price point, but each is usually only $10-$12. Great value for the quality & quantity. Chef Rylon actually walks around greeting each table, asking what you thought of the meal, offering samples of upcoming dishes, and showing concern over making sure you're treated right. In a big city like Chicago, it's good to see that a traditional style experience can still be had in the middle of trendy Lincoln Park Walk....run...go there with your friends the next time you're doing breakfast. Believe me, you won't be disappointed!
(5)C. H.
We were visiting from Louisville, KY in Sept. and this place was recommended from a friend of a one of my friends. So we reviewed the menu and I was excited because I'd never seen a eatery with chicken sausage. We went on Sunday about noonish and we were immediately seated, which we were happy about. Now I ordered the chicken and biscuits which I had preselected the day before. However, my food came out lukewarm but I didn't complain. Next downfall was the mixture of the chicken sausage gravy and the biscuits I believe that made my main dish salty. Also, I ordered the sweet potatoes hashbrown but they came out just like regular mashed potatoes. Now my other two friends enjoyed their meal which was the chicken and gaufe and the pecan French toast(not enough syrup). Now I plan to try it again in February and hopefully speak to the chef so this experience is better. One more quick thing, they do not split the bill so be prepared either with cash or one person covering the whole table.
(3)Kristin S.
Oh yeah. This is breakfast. De-licious!!! Can't complain about a place that specializes in french toast. And it just so happen to be PEANUT BUTTER special that day. Have I told you peanut butter is my favorite food???? This was so excellent. You did not even need syrup. So I had some tri-fecta of ecstacy... Peanut butter, lemon and some berry. Portions were on the smaller size, but that's ok. I don't need 1800 calories for breakfast. Coffee was decent. Server was friendly. The accoustics were awful and when breakfast was in full swing it was difficult to talk. But, this place was absolutely tasty and worth a return trip!
(4)Charlene S.
Meh. Not very impressed. Brunch is my thing!!! And I was a bit disappointed. We were seated immediately. Not very busy. I was dreading the thought of being seated in the front. The draft came swooping in freezing everyone and their food in the first half of the restaurant. There was a poor girl sitting in the front who had pulled her sleeves down over her hands. We were seated in the back. Right in front of the kitchen. That needs to be closed off. I don't wanna hear all the racket of a kitchen and the banter that goes on between the staff. The decor. Blah. There were these weird stone garden benches in the middle of the restaurant in front of the restrooms. Yucko. And from other reviews it was a waiting area. The decor was horrible. Mish mash tiled vases on the windows. Tacky fluorescent lighting in the back. Weird paintings. The food was ok. Crispy cheesy hash browns. Coffee sucked. The hubs got the biscuits and gravy. He did enjoy the gravy. But who doesn't like thick gravy with sausage chunks? I had the crab omelet w cheese and squash. Not bad. Little bland. When I see good reviews for restaurants that were blah. Then I do some research on the reviewers. If they gave a place 4+ stars that clearly is not then I look at how many reviews they've done. Usually not very many. Then I suspect that they're friends of the owner and had opened up and account just to write a good review. Booooty
(1)McStrokin J.
I must say this place far exceeded my expectations. The food just had so many layers of flavor. I had the Cluck-N-Goof and everything about it was just amazing. The waffle was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor to it. I could have eaten it dry without syrup. That's how flavorful it was. The maple butter is also a very nice touch. The chicken breast was very moist and had good flavor to it also. The nutmeg hot sauce just added to the symphony of flavors at play in this dish. The smooth R&B being played in the background made me feel right at home. I'm eager to return and try some of their other dishes.
(5)K W.
MUST GET A SECOND DOOR FOR WINTER! Food is always very good, service is good, but restaurant is FREEZING. We were seated close to the door, and every time the door opened, 20 degree wind blew into the restaurant. Because it is busy, the door was constantly opened. We were too cold to enjoy our meal. We ate quickly and left as soon as possible. Most small restaurants understand that to keep guests comfortable, they need to protect them from the outdoor weather. When we asked the server about the table location, we told us it was the only table available and told us that "it is the city's fault; they won't let us have an awning!". huh? how does that address the cold?
(2)Bill E.
Grossly overrated...no shade just truth! Service and food subpar had similar experience to other reviews. U bring pancakes and have to ask for syrup (great pancakes tho). I'm an egg lover so for me I just need placed of this caliber to use fresh eggs however they did so at my request after that scrambled yellow mess they brought me! Ha! Lastly don't make excuses about how fast bread cools when tell u my French toast could've been warmer (the sampler really does taste delightful). It's worth checking out for something like the lobster eggs Benedict it looked creative and tasty! It's worth a try but not worth a wait...oan: THE MAPLE BUTTER!!!! Ask them to melt it!
(3)Eric S.
We had both breakfast and lunch here. The hash browns have a bit of cheese in them which makes them extra special. The pancakes and syrup were great but the home made maple infused butter really added something great. The chicken sandwich was also very good and the garlic fries were excellent. The place is a little cramped for the volume and the table waiting area is oddly placed at the back of the restaurant. Also due to tables being placed so close to the door, each time it's opened there is quite the cold breeze. These are surely just growing pains of what over the long run will be a great brunch spot.
(4)QB Chicago B.
So I've been really excited to try & support this (black owned) business and I'm just completely underwhelmed by the lack of southern charm & hospitality that I was expecting! (poorly decorated too...like an easter basket) The hostess horrible & unfriendly! (The owner came out (blamed the wait on said hostess because she's from Germany (HUH?) as we waited outside to apologized for the long wait IN THE COLD but this isn't an isolated incident...it's been a complaint for a while....fix it!) The servers untrained and also seem unhappy! No one is smiling...appeared pissed to be working! Our server never introduce himself and just not professional! So as we sit waiting 30ish min for food, I ask for a drink menu...not available but they do have juice! As I look around, no one has juice...put it on the menu & the profits will increase to help pay for the training this place mos def requires! So the food...arrived cold after waiting 30 min for a table and 30ish min for the food! When returned, IT WAS THE SAME PLATE MIRCOWAVED!!! WTF! I refused it and requested a fresh order! When my fresh plate arrived, it was tasty...nothing special! Only the toppings changed nothing different in the batter & the berries (2 strawberries on my strawberry french toast) not so fresh! Same goes for the 6 blueberries on my blueberry french toast. Just a few candied nuts on my caramel french toast! The just okay food is overshadowed by the extreme poor service! I will not return nor suggest... We live in a restaurant mecca...not worth it with all the other options we have available! Soooo disappointed!
(1)Sophia C.
Best breakfast spot in the city with fantastic service! It's not just breakfast, it's a breakfast experience.
(5)Temple T.
I've have been here a few times and the food never disappoints. The weekends can be very crowded so don't be in a rush and try the French toast flight so you can sample all the popular flavors at one sitting. Enjoy!
(4)Sadie G.
Stopped by for some hangover food. Any place I can find chicken and waffles is already up there in my books, especially if they are as well made as these.
(5)Erica W.
If you are looking for the best french toast in Chicago, stop looking because you can find it at Batter and Berries. They offer a french toast flight, where you can get 4 different flavors of french toast. My flight included a slice of lemon, blueberry, caramel, and strawberry. Each slice had fresh fruit and flavorings drizzled on them, so you didn't need any syrup. It was fun to try each different flavor and to have some variety. They also had a sweet potato french toast that I didn't try, but I heard that it was divine. I also had the short rib omelette, which was one of the specials - I ordered it because the waiter said that it had a red wine reduction, and I'm glad I did because it was probably one of the best omelets that I've had in a very long time - it was just fantastic. He didn't mention the price, and I figured it would be around the price of the other omelets - $12 - maybe a little more for the fancy short ribs. Why was my omelette $16? They are lucky that it was good! My goodness! The potatoes that came with the omelette were delicious and perfectly seasoned. As far as the decor, it's a fun, bright space with lots of artwork, but I will say that the layout of the tables is a bit peculiar. They have a huge communal dining type table in the front room, and the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant vs. being in the front, as you would traditionally find. The food makes up for the "different" layout, though. The chef was very outgoing, and introduced himself to everyone, which is a nice touch. I always like to see chefs involved w/the customers, especially w/a new restaurant. I would definitely go back. Batter & Berries is officially on my brunch rotation.
(4)AJ H.
So after my aunt and uncle ranted and raved about Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park, I had to go check it out for myself. First and foremost, I'm big about mimosas at brunch, so the fact they have BYOB option was great for me. It seems as though everyone in the place frequents the 7 Eleven down the street for champagne :-) Ok, now back to the actual restaurant. We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was a 35 minute wait for a table, but they have a community table that's similar to a bar at breakfast diner where you can sit down immediately and order. I like the community table concept better because you can sit and actually face whoever you're dining with instead of just sitting next to them. Plus, you can socialize with other patrons at the table if you chose to and it's not akward. I ordered the Chicken Stuffed Waffles with Chicken on top. It was good, but it was waaay too much chicken for me. I had to remove the chicken breast on top. My friend ordered the French Toast Flight that included blueberry, strawberry, caramel and vanilla creme french toast. I should've ordered what she got because I was in LOVE! In the end, we ended up swapping plates. She LOVED the chicken. The customer serivce was awesome. At the end of our meal the chef even came around and introduced himself and asked how the meal was. The only problem I had with Batter & Berries is that they don't have a website, FB or Twitter to spread the word. Thank God for Yelp, huh?
(5)Austin G.
Neat breakfast joint. I ordered the waffle with infused chicken, it was very good. When I got it I couldn't help but want syrup for my waffles, but that wouldn't be good with chicken. It took me the majority of the meal to get over the fact that I was just eating a regular chicken lunch in the shape of a waffle. It was a fun experience.
(5)Angie F.
I LOVE BREAKFAST! I believe in breakfast! So when I heard about Batter & Berries, I had to try it. I heard the wait time could be ridiculous and I'm short on patience for that sort of thing. So I and five friends went at 9:00 am on a Friday morning (while on Christmas Break) to beat the rush. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time and had excellent food. I had the flight of french toast and hated for that meal to end. I stuck my fork in most of my friends plates, so I can attest to a lot of the choices being really good! Tim was our waiter and he could not have been more attentive. By the time we were leaving, hoards of people were waiting to get in. I'm glad we dodged that. I will go again and again, but only very early!
(5)Marco H.
Charming place with friendly service and fantastic french toast! I tried the Flight of the French Toast, which is a sampling of 4 different french toasts: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and hazelnut. All of them were sweet and delicious. You must order the chicken sausage (2 patties in an order) because it was some of the best I've ever had. There are hints of rosemary (i think) and small chunks of apple cooked in to give it an unexpectedly "crunch". The coffee is decent, as are the pancakes. I'm definitely going back to try the fabled chicken and waffle.
(4)James D.
Wish they were in LA cause I really miss this place right now. Everytime I am in Chicago I make sure to visit this place.
(5)Emily S.
We went the first week they were open and we enjoyed it. We brought our 18month old son and they were very good about having him there. They even had some fun stacking toys for him to play with - not just the normal crayons for him to eat. The home made biscotti was the best I've ever had and by itself made this review 4 stars. The food was good but very rich. Everything was very flavorful and the sweet was super sweet and the savory was so strongly flavored that it got hard to eat after a while. Luckily my husband and I got one savory and one sweet between us so we swapped back and forth. We ended up enjoying it but probably won't go back.
(4)Tierra B.
Long wait on a Saturday morning but overall, the food was amazing. Best French toast I've ever had. Nice vibe and service with decent prices.
(5)Allie P.
Absolutely delicious! And friendly, prompt service. Loved it! We had the flight of French toast, hash browns, and bacon. Great!
(5)Kelly R.
My second visit and it was just awesome as my first! The customer service was off the chain. The manager even came outside and explain the menu and coffee to all while we waited. Our waiter Tim was great!
(5)Shivika J.
French toast flight was delicious. All of the flavors were so good, I could not choose a favorite. Crab omelet was decent, however I would highly recommend adding some Old Bay Seasoning to add some flavor to it. Disappointed that the omelet was $16, especially since there was not enough crabmeat to justify $16. Hashbrowns were delicious! Wished I had known it was BYOB...
(3)Julia G.
I have been a long time customer of Batter & Berries and I am really sorry I have to write a review of this kind, but something has to be done about the customer service I have experienced from them in the past couple of days. I had lunch there a few days ago and realized my credit card had been charged twice for the lunch I had. I called there as soon as I realized this happened and was told I could not speak with a manger about the situation because he was too busy at the time. I explained to the young lady that this was unacceptable and could not believe her manager did not see this an an emergency to come to the phone, but he refused and that I had to call after 3 pm. I made the call and of course no one answered because it was after hours. I then called back on Monday assuming this would be a better time and the young lady once again said her manager would not come to the phone. I explained to her that this once again was unacceptable and I wanted to speak with someone asap. The manager would not take the call. They may have great food but it is very unprofessional for an establishment not to see you being charged twice a priority to come to the phone. This situation has still not been resolved and they have officially lost a customer. I will never eat at a place that does not see their mistakes as an emergency to correct and I will defiantly tell everyone I know of my experience.
(1)Maurice E.
Finally went to Batter and Berries for breakfast. The French toast flight was very good especially the Grand Maurier sample. I had lobster omelette was good nice amount of lobster. The homemade pork sausage was good a little spicy. The negative hash browns a little cold. There was 30 minute wait hostess was great about keeping us up on how long we had. Overall highly recommend ..
(4)Michael H.
Swung by this morning for breakfast after having marched in the Thanksgiving parade. Overall I recommend checking it out. Pros - I had the french toast flight, my daughter had chocolate chip pancakes and my wife went with the Kobe sliders. We all walked away very happy with our meals. The blueberry french toast and lemon were my favorites. The caramel drizzled slice was overly crunchy and hard to chew, but it didn't detract too much. - The inside of the restaurant was clean, the tables were comfortable and everyone working there was warm. - Overall, the selections on the menu looked appetizing. I'll be curious to stop back and try others. - The chef came out and had a brief conversation with us, which I always like. Cons - As others have mentioned, the wait for service can take long. Our daughter never got her juice until the breakfast came. We could never get the waiter's attention because he was working a larger table near the back. He apologized when he finally came with the breakfast, but the food took a long time to come out and the waiter took an equally long time to return our credit card. Probably don't want to eat here if you are in a rush. - I could see some people feeling the price is a bit high for breakfast.
(4)Nina T.
Eating here was the highlight of my Chicago trip. This place has Excellent food and service in a warm and inviting space. It doesn't get any better.
(5)Jared D.
Came to Batter & Berries over the weekend and will be back next weekend. It was probably the best breakfast I've had in the city. Everything was a 10 out of 10. Service, attentiveness, quality of the food, quickness, etc. Also, the head chef and owner was an awesome guy. He came by our table twice to introduce himself and check on us after our meal. The place isn't huge, but it's not small by any means..so the fact that he walks around introducing himself and talks to his patrons was really cool. The food: The menu is huge and has some really great, unique options. My girlfriend had the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle, which has chunks of fried chicken inside. I've never had a dish like this. The first bite was good, then it just got better and better. I ended up eating quite a bit of her meal. However, my dish was quite frankly the best french toast I've ever had. I went with the french toast flight (caramel, strawberry, blueberry, and a chocolate rum slice). Holy shit. I didn't have a favorite as they were all awesome. If you're a fan of french toast, get this. Batter & Berries has only been open for 5 months, but they didn't act like a new restaurant. The service was prompt and we only waited 20-30 min for a table. We didn't take advantage of this feature, but its BYO. How many breakfast places in the city are BYO!? I'm looking forward to returning for another breakfast and trying something off the lunch menu in the near future as well.
(5)Sean T.
Like most of the other reviews, the food is incredible. I am a huge fan of the french toast and the maple butter is out of this world. It's one of the few brunch places that can not only provide a diverse menu, but make all the dishes top notch. There is nothing on the menu that I've seen myself or others not enjoy. Perhaps what I like best about the place is how passionate they are about the food. The chef genuinely seems to care that you enjoy your meal and the servers go out of their way to make sure you are happy. It seems each time I'm there something new has popped up on the menu that is worth trying. The only problem is that it can be difficult to get a table at times. It's not their fault though that they've become so popular. Obviously word has gotten out. If you do hit them up on the weekends, go early or be prepared to wait. Prices are a bit high, but you honestly get your money's worth with food this good. With food this good, I"d love to see them offer a carry-out option in the future.
(5)J M.
2 slices of french toast for $11? Terrible service. It took 15-20 mins for someone to ask if we wanted coffee and we had to flag 2 people down to place an order. When the food came we were waiting for napkins, ketchup, sugar, cream, syrup... they just dropped the food on the table and we felt like we were bothering them asking them for stuff. I could have just made eggs at home if I wanted that experience. Too bad. The food was good, but all things considered there are just too many places for me to bother going back.
(2)Babatunde O.
B&B is now my go to spot in Chicago for chicken and waffles. The maple butter is flame! Definitely ask for extra hot sauce. The hot/salty/sweet combo was impressive. Staff was EXTRA friendly. Get there early on the weekend if you want a good seat. We weren't too keen on their chicken sausage, but, like many restaurants, stick to what they do well and you'll be satisfied.
(4)Kristine T.
Went there last Thursday, and proceeded to stuff myself stupid. I got the French Toast Super Flight: Four different flavored french toasts plus a "special" for that day. So, I received Strawberry, Blueberry, Caramel, Lemon + Strawberry Rum Cheesecake. A lot of people mess up french toast: I hate seeing the fried egg pieces on it. This wasn't like that. It was pretty, and had a nice crispy, yet chewy texture on the outside. I also got scrambled eggs with cheese...and they put a LOT of cheese on it. I also sampled some hash browns with cheese, and the chicken sausage patties. They were nicely seasoned, and approximately the size of two McDonald's hamburgers. It's a pretty simple decor with house music playing in the background. I LOVE house music, even at 8am, but...There were some people at a table seated right in the middle of the restaurant, and they were quite loud. I wished the manager would've told them to keep it down a little. There was a bucket in the center of the table with, I guess, champagne (it's BYOB). Don't know if they were getting pickled over there, but luckily we were able to tune them out. I liked it so much, that I'm going back again tomorrow morning. I'll try to take pictures...
(4)Jessica V.
Best French Toast EVER. We have eaten here a few times now, and I just can't help but order the French toast flight. How can you go wrong with four different types of French toast, perfectly prepared, all on one plate?? The chef also makes a 5th type every day so you can opt for a piece of that as well with the flight for like $2 more. My boyfriend ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufe. So good. It's like chicken and waffles, only better. The chicken was perfectly fried and the waffle was out of control! The service has been impeccable when we have been here. I see mutiple more brunches here in my future.
(5)Allie B.
Because of the close proximity to my boyfriend's apartment, I've been here more then I would like to admit. But it's okay, because the food is that amazing! Neither of us have ever been disappointed. The staff is so friendly and attentive, service is timely and the food is always hot and flavorful. Go for the super flight- it is a must even if you are not a French toast fan. The cheesy hash browns are also delicious. I just wish they would bring the crab omelet back- that is my only complaint. If you're going on weekends try to go before 10- that seems to be when it really gets busy.
(5)Cee B.
I've been a patron here since they opened and the food is GREAT!!!!! Typically on the weekends, I order food for carry out. Today I find out that they do not offer that service anymore so I am stuck at work craving Caramel French Toast, chicken sausage and eggs with extra cheese and now IM HEART BROKEN AND DISAPPOINTED BEYOND REPAIR. PLEASE change this policy ASAP! Im literally in tears because of this. I can't help it, once I find a great place I love to eat at, I support it daily. Signed, Disappointed Patron who wish you had carryout again!
(4)Jillian S.
Delicious! And fast service!!! Would've made it 5 stars, but everyone waiting to be seated was crowded around my and many other peoples' tables. Had a coat in my face about the entire meal. However, food was amazing, our waiter was super nice, and the food came in less than 10 minutes. Also, it's BYOB so had mimosas. Yum!
(4)Ihoneybadger L.
Batter and Berries is definitely a great place for Brunch! I'll list my complaints first before going into the good stuff. 1) SINAGE is terrible! They need really need someone to re-vamp their sign and logo. It blends into the building and makes it difficult for folks who pass by to see/notice. Just from a marketing perspective, their product is already great, now it's time to make it visible and noticeable. You guys should really hire someone with a good knowledge of graphics to really spruce up your menu! Your great product deserves great advertisement to accompany it! 2) The restaurant isn't really designed for large parties, and spacing is quite small and packed. But enough complaining, now onto the great stuff! 1) I absolutely loved their menu. The food was delectable! The portions were quite generous and prices were reasonable. The food was incredibly flavorful and the different combinations explored different pallets for taste. We ordered a few different things, chicken and waffles, french toast platter, special lobster dish that day (can't remember the exact name). I enjoyed the different variety of offerings. Overall the food was incredibly scrumptious! The fact that we had to wait 45 minutes for seating a full house is truly a testament of how delicious the food there was! I will definitely be re-visiting on my next escapade to Chicago. 2) My other favorite part about this restaurant was the service! I loved their staff! You can really tell that they care about their customers, and really knowledgable and proud of their establishment. The staff really took care of our party when we were there, explaining the menu to us and really patient with all of our inquiries (first timers) . Also this place is incredibly family friendly and stresses community involvement and customer appreciation. The chef came out and randomly made an announcement about how much he appreciated two regulars who have been supporting him from the beginning. Genuine appreciation like that is hard to find now-a-days, but will keep customers coming back from day and day out. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!
(4)Erin S.
So I decided to leave the Southside for a Saturday lunch with a good friend. I think I should have stayed at home. As most reviews have mentioned! the wait can be very taxing. I was given 3 wait times in one brief conversation with the hostess( I guess that was her job). I watched people come and go for about a hour. She and the young girl in the restaurant, called for people at a snail's pace. Both repeatedly talked about a wait area in the back. Limited seating in the wait area created more congestion and confusion. Four groups of two complained about the wait and being passed over by the hostess. She accommodated the angry guests, extending my wait for a table. When we finally able to be seated, we briefly saw our waiter, then received water that ended up being our drink. I also got a coffee that was never refilled and I was never approached for a refill. My friend always orders water sans ice. When she received a refill, it was from the pitcher with ice, so she didn't drink it. I tried the flight French toast. It was tasty, but seemed like a small portion of food. Cheese crusted hash browns were interesting but rather tasteless. We saw our waiter three times including when he took our orders. For some reason, the young girl came up behind my friend and covered her eyes with her hands. My friend was pretty shocked and annoyed by it. The girl seemed oblivious to the inappropriate nature of the interaction. I don't plan in returning. Amazing food can make up poor other areas, but adequate food really doesn't.
(2)Jessica K.
Absolutely love Batter & Berries. No, the decor and ambiance aren't like other brunch places in the city but you come (and return) to Batter & Berries for the food and service. I actually do not ever order french toast but after seeing photos and reviews, had to try it. DELICIOUS. Perfectly crunchy and what a burst of flavors. I had some sort of crab omelette as well, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The ingredients were so fresh and though seafood can smell fishy, this omelette did not. They also cut their hash browns fresh, and you can tell that they owners/chef really put time and energy into the place. If you're a tea person, you must try one of their teas. They're all loose-leaf and so very fresh and fragrant. I'm telling you, this place does not get enough credit in Chicago. If you're looking for fresh, excellent food with generous portions AND fantastic service where the chef/owner takes the time to greet you, Batter & Berries is a must.
(5)Emily Y.
Thank god my girl friends like to share. The plan was to order everything and pass our plates to the right. The french toast flight was delicious (caramel french toast doesn't sound like something I'd like, but it turns out that it's something I LOVE), the Cluck & Gaufre (chicken & sweet potato waffle) was phenomenal - hot sauce especially, and the Cluck & Gravy (biscuits & chicken sausage gravy) was killer. Our guy friend got the breakfast sandwich and he doesn't share, but he devoured it and then licked the rest of our plates clean. I know this sounds a little weird, but the biscuits and gravy - by far my favorite - reminded me a lot of thanksgiving dinner. In the best possible way. The chicken sausage is as terrific as everyone has claimed, and the biscuits themselves seemed extra savory. I really can't speak to the waitstaff, because my friends were all being primadonnas this particular morning. Despite our semi-poor behavior, our waitress was very nice and gave us good recommendations and advice, despite probably wanting to slap half of us silly. Things moved a little slowly, but nothing worth grumbling about.
(5)Bethany K.
I confess that I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but when I do I come here to assuage it. The french toast is good and their specials are always inventive, although when we ate there today the specials were on an ipad which felt a little contrived. I guess it was nice that we could see pictures of the presentation but it also meant that it took a long time to get through them as they were being shown to our table in the manner of a woman reading a picture book to small children. The waitstaff are always very friendly and attentive and our coffees are always topped off. Possibly because I avoid this place on the weekends(?) but my food has always come out in a timely manner. However, they need to get a second door for winter! It was a warmish day today (40's?) and every time the door opened frigid fingers of chilly air were sent crawling up my back; this is a relatively small venue so there's no escaping that cold.
(3)Tee G.
Is there a way I can give more than 5 stars? Because I seriously need to give B&B more than 5 stars. Seriously. My debonair breakfast buddy B.V. has been raving to me about this place for a while now, but for one reason or another I could never make it up there whenever I visited him in Chicago. This time, I struck it lucky! We were just there this past weekend & AHA! We got moving in time enough to get to B&B for brunch! We knew there would be a wait for our party of 3, but what I didn't know was that the chef provides a YUMTASTIC berry drink for folks who have to wait outside for a table. It was freshly made, & had real blueberry pieces in it. I wanted to hug the cooler it was in, it was so good. One of the managers came out & chatted us up as we waited for our table; he was hilarious! Just one of the many ways B&B shows their appreciation for their customers. The other way they show it is with their STELLAR food! So finally the wait was over (it was actually pretty short, considering how many folks were already dining or waiting) & we were seated. Our server T. was so awesome & hilarious, I want him to be my new bff. He was so amazing & funny, I ~have~ to tack on an extra star over & above the 5 stars just for him. He welcomed us first timers to the place warmly, & seemed to be having as great of a time as we were! We each got the french toast super-flight, & they were DREAMY. I almost couldn't deal with all of that deliciousness on one plate. The hashbrowns come with cheese in them by default? OH YES. My other friend had the veggie egg-white omelet, & it was all I could do to keep myself from putting my fork into her plate. Not only is the food excellent, but it is plated beautifully. Each plate is a work of art that you can eat. And you should eat them. Lots of them! I'm already plotting my return. It's almost a good thing B&B is so far away from me, because I'd be there every.single.weekend. I'm not even kidding.
(5)nikki s.
Despite some of the poor reviews, it's been pure bliss both times I've been to Batter & Berries. Obviously they must be trying to work out the kinks. Service was always pleasant and both times my party and I were seated promptly (perhaps it's because we came later). The interesting menu and the fact that the food is slammin' is what brought me back! Supa dupa props go to... -the sweet potato waffle & chicken breast w/the special sauce -the french vanilla infused french toast -cheese hashbrowns (literally the best i've tasted--EVER) -lobster egg white omelet is on fya! They could get a little more creative with the drinks, but that can come later. Again, my experience has been stellar and it was well worth the 20 minute drive.
(5)Matt M.
The BEST breakfast I have EVER had. Period. We were visiting from Michigan and went to B & B on Sunday. It was so good, we had to go back on Monday before returning home. The French Toast flight was sublime, and I ordered Chicken & Waffles for the first time in my life. The sweet potato waffle with maple butter was so good, and balanced so nicely with the chicken and hot sauce. My wife had a crab meat omelette which she says was delicious. The side of house-made chicken sausage was delicious as well. Overall, I can't say enough great things about this place, can't wait to go back!
(5)Ashley M.
I went to B&B on a Sunday around 12:45 and it was PACKED! I went alone so i got seated almost immediately. You could tell the hostess was new but she was pleasant and not to over whelmed given how busy it was. I was seated at the large table in the middle of the room. This was a little awkward since it seats 10 and there was about four other small parties at the table so i wasn't able to do any general people watching since all i had to look at was a stranger eating across the table from me. My server was very attentive, gave me the specials with good descriptions. I orded the french toast flight given all the reviews and my server's recommendation. I also got hashbrowns, which you could tell were homemade, with two over-easy eggs. All my food was AMAZING. I even liked the blueberry french toast and I'm generally not a fan of blueberries. My server didn't rush me to leave like they often do when i go out to eat alone. Over all great food and service, I will definitely be going back! FYI this place is also byob if you want mimosa you need to bring the chamagne!
(5)Gwen C.
Loved everything about this place! French toast "flights"! What can be better than that? Coffee excellent, service excellent! Wish we lived in Chicago so we could go more often! Thank you Yelp for helping us find this place!
(5)Jennifer E.
The chef/owner was so inviting and courteous. It reminded me of being back in the South with all their gracious hospitality and of course, yummy food.
(5)d u.
Pretty great food, friendly and effective staff, bustling atmosphere. I went on a Sunday around midday with clear weather and there was about a 40 minute wait, once we were seated the waiter was timely and attentive in spite of the absolutely packed house. I would say that the food arrived only just warm, but it was all cooked to perfection, remarkably sweet french toast if that's your fancy, and the deconstructed omelette and sweet potato fries were spot-on as well. Come with some time to spare and the meal should be worth it.
(4)Mike M.
Fried chicken insane buckwheat pancakes insane coffee strong staff friendly place will change ur life
(5)Brad C.
Had a great experience here last week. Excellent food and even better service. The staff and owner were very friendly and welcomed my table for coming in and since it was our first time they gave us the low down on the weekly french toast flavor. That's right Batter & Berries has a special weekly french toast flavor, what an awesome way to keep you coming back in. This last week was peanut butter and it was awesome! If you aren't into french toast then you have to try the Cluck-N-Gaufe, aka chicken and waffles. The chicken is great and the waffle has sweet potatoes cooked right into it. I can see this becoming a go to brunch spot in the future.
(4)Billy M.
Homemade is right on. Fresh. You better like butter. Great french toast for sure, service staff was awesome and entertaining. Chicken sausage was also as noted in previous comments: fantastic. Definitely worth a stop for an off the beaten path breakfast stop.
(4)Zachary G.
I walked up to the host stand and stood there while the two hostesses continued their conversation. After about 30 seconds they finally turned to me and just stared; I had to ask, "Can I get a table for two?" before either of them talked to me. It wasn't busy (the place was half-full and there were 2 or 3 servers, 2 or 3 bussers, 2 hostesses, and the chef even had time to come out and talk to several tables later on, ours included), but it took our server about 5 minutes to stop by our table. It's not that big of a deal, but someone could have stopped by our table and given us water or coffee. When our waiter took our order he came on a bit too strong. Maybe this isn't a fair complaint; maybe he is genuinely really enthused to work there, but I'm hungry, I haven't had any coffee, and it's too early in the morning for me to handle such seemingly fake excitement. After waiting for 15 minutes, our waiter came back and asked if we'd gotten our food yet. I feel like this is something he should have known seeing as he took our order. At the very least he should have been able to guess, seeing as there were only coffee cups and an orange juice glass on our table. He plays it off as a joke, then says that he thinks our food will be right up. Another 15 minutes go by and we flag our waiter down and ask if our food is coming. He admits that he had forgotten to put our order in until he came by our table last. It's alright that he made a mistake, shit happens. But this means that he lied to us when he said our food would be right up, and also didn't address the issue and didn't keep us apprised of the situation. Another 15 minutes go by, we get up to find our waiter and tell him that we're leaving, but he is nowhere to be seen. (This isn't a big place, either. There are maybe 20 tables at the most.) So, we tell the hostess we're leaving. When we get 20 feet out the door, the waiter comes running out and tells us our food is up. Too late, buddy. Also, as long as I'm hating on the place. I saw a busser spill a cup of water on a little kid and his grandmother. Instead of apologizing, he kept saying that he didn't know why anyone would put water in a coffee mug. Also also, the place is painted and decorated like a day care or something.
(1)Carter T.
Great service, LOVED the lemon french toast. Will go again to try the crab eggs benedict and cheesy hash browns!
(5)Nina E.
The food here is AMAZING! The French toast flight is great, especially if you add the special of the day. I shared the flight with one person, along with an order of chicken sausage, cheesy hash browns, and a broccoli, spinach, and cheese omelet. The service was superb. There was no wait for our table. The flight came first before the sides. B&B is definitely on my list of top breakfast/brunch restaurants in Chicago. Thanks to Chef Derek Rylon, Don Jones (manager), and Sam (server) for making my morning complete!
(5)NewtotheBay J.
Hands down the best brunch I've ever had!!! Shrimp omlette, steak omlette, blueberry waffle, cheese hasbrowns, biscuits and gravy. ..OMG!!! Waitstaff very personable, owner came by to see if everything was stellar, and the wait time was minimal on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)Emily Z.
'What goes around a yard but never in it' ... A- fence! Our server had all sorts of jokes, which are usually not my thing but he was really nice and attentive as was the chef who checked on us multiple times! We were there on a Friday around lunch time and there were about 4 other tables being used. I would love to give them a 4 but we only liked one of our dishes and a 4 felt like the equivalent of giving Lindsay Lohan a A+ citizenship award... just not the right thing to do. The menu had a nice variety and everything was very fresh and presented well. The specials board was thoughtfully explained by our server and there was no way I was leaving with out trying their specialty Peppermint Schnapps French Toast. We opted for the special french toast flight which is $2 more than the flight listed on the menu bringing it to $13. One half piece of 5 thick cut slices, Strawberry, Caramel, lemon, blueberry and Peppermint Schnapps french toast. All were good, the lemon and Caramel were my favorite baring the obviously star, Peppermint. I'm not sure I could have done that much carbs myself so I am glad I had a friend to help chow down 50%. We also decided on the Arnold? Alfred? Its the chicken sandwich with Guinees BBQ sauce on the top of the lunch page. It looked amazing and the sub sweet potato fires were amazing, the sandwich though was so big and saucey it was nearly impossible to eat and it lacked any real pizazz. I will be back because they are great and being nice gets you a long way in my book! Shop Local!
(3)Chip H.
Terrible service!! Very disappointed after reading the reviews about the French toast flight, average at best!! Chicken sausage was too sweet. Won't be back!
(2)Kia P.
This a great place for breakfast just make sure that you get there early to avoid the long lines
(5)Rich K.
I felt compelled to write my own thoughts after I saw a few unfavorable reviews that just don't do this place justice whatsoever. Hands down, THE best breakfast joint I've ever been to. This has been echoed by a few of my family members and my girlfriend as well. The french toast flight is absolutely incredible. No syrup needed with Chef Rylon's maple butter, which is also amazingly good. For anyone who likes french toast or waffles, order them here and I promise you will not be disappointed. I've eaten here 5 times now and I have left very happy every time. Chef Rylon also makes it a point to say hello to each table and thank them for stopping in. I found that unique nowadays, and a bonus for a place serving such amazing food.
(5)Aprill H.
My co-worker and I took my boss there when she came in from NY. Service was excellent (I love that they show pics of the menu items), and the GM came over to our table and was super friendly. Food was amazing! I had the Bailey's French Toast and my Co-workers had the French Toast flight and the Caramel French Toast. (They strawberry french toast was a little too sweet, but other than that they were all great). We also ordered chicken sausage and eggs. Will definitely be back :)
(5)Kaitlin L.
This place is awesome- what I especially love is everything is made in house. They roast the poultry, link the sausage, bake their own pastries, even go so far as to make their own chipotle ketchup (surprisingly awesome) and spicy pickles. The service there was extremely friendly and the Chef had the best Bulls chef hat I've ever seen, maybe the only one I've ever seen. My boyfriend and I both ordered deconstructed omelettes even though we had no idea what it meant- I got the mushroom and spinach, he got the chicken fajita. When the plates came out, we saw why they are deconstructed- everything but the cheese is presented on top of the omelette rather than inside. The owner/chef of the place came by our table to chat and explained that a deconstructed omelette showcases the fresh ingredients they use in house (I can attest to that, everything was without a doubt insanely fresh). Most breakfast spots throw in their old veggies when making an omelette, chop it up nice and small so we would never notice. Never thought about that, but the freshness of the omelettes will definitely bring me back to Batter and Berries. Next time, gotta try the french toast. The workers were swearing by it and they even have a money back guarentee if you are not satisfied with it- not that I want the money, I just want an awesome French Toast
(5)Victoria S.
I came with my friend and her toddler son. They were very helpful with getting her son settled, from helping pack up and move his stroller, to bringing him toys to keep him busy while we ate. The food was very, very good, and the chef came out to say hello. The wait time was exactly what they said it would be, and the prices were very reasonable. The only thing that could be improved on was the service was a little slower than preferred. We actually lost track of our waitress for a while. Luckily the bus boy was there to help us out. All in all, B&B is a great place for brunch. It's worth the wait for the amazing breakfast menu. Go and check it out.
(4)Sheri T.
Service awesome. Food awesome. Will be back. Large portions and reasonably priced. Feels himey
(5)Christian V.
I love this place! From the friendly and welcoming staff, to the amazing homemade treats, this place is great. The chef came out to check on us as well as one of the owners. Our server was a lot of fun keeping us on our toes with riddles. I highly recommend the Cluck-n-gaufre(chicken and waffles) and the French Toast flight. Everything is pretty much made in house from chicken sausage to an amazing maple butter. The French toast of the week, Snickers was amazing. I will be back!
(5)Ken D.
Southern hospitality is hard to find north of the Mason Dixon but Batter and Berries is that little taste of home. We've been twice now and are blown away by the service and taste! I love the iPads they use to highlight the specials, the table touch by the chef, and the all around genuine care of their patrons. The French toast is to die for - lemon, graham cracker, strawberry were AWESOME! The crab egg white omelette with the Gouda hits the spot and the lobster Benedict left my foodie friend speechless!!
(5)Linda W.
How do you turn customers away before they sit down? Take Batter & Berries' "Business Policy" and don't even sit them down! We were so excited to check this place out today as it was highly recommended. It was adequately busy for a Friday mid-morning brunch. My boyfriend and I waited patiently for a hostess (or anyone) to greet us and seat us. After a few minutes of figuring out if we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait, an older lady came up to the podium who appeared to be a hostess as she crossed off numbers on a pad. I cleared my throat and loudly greeted HER hello! (sheesh) Then glancing the room a few seconds, she directed us that it would be a 10-15 minute wait. We were dumbfounded as there was a clean 4-top table directly in plain sight of us (not to mention another in the back). "Oh no", she replied, "That's a 4-top, That's for four people. There's only two of you." "Um...but there's no one else waiting for that table ma'am. There's no one waiting at all". "No, but it's Business Policy". "So you mean to tell me that you're going to hold a perfectly good table for four imaginary, maybe customers while there are two willing customers who are available right now?" "It's Business Policy here" "Oh, ok. Well then, goodbye." We'll go someplace who's happy to serve us and won't discriminate by the number of people in our party. This kind of "business policy" reeks of poor customer service and heavy focus on their own superiority. Perhaps they should add some humble pie to their menu if they want to stay in business. *Note: Due to this instance, we were unable to try their food so this review has no reflection on their food because well, they wouldn't serve us.
(1)Kamilah S.
My bff and I came here on a Saturday afternoon and only had to wait 20 minutes. I had the French toast flight, delish, it came with 5 different types of French toast all very tasty. I also had the chicken sausage, it had good flavor, but it was a tad salty for my taste. MY bff had the lobster benedict, I enjoyed the lobster, I am not a big fan of whole eggs (I only eat egg whites). Overall, I would come back. We even got to meet the chef, he is very friendly. Yessica, our server was polite, she speaks very quietly and she has a bit of an accent and the place can be a little noisy which made it a little hard to hear and understand her.
(4)Danielle L.
We heard about this place through many, many friends and this place is blowing up for good reason. Delicious food, incredible service, beautiful place. What is not to love? The food is fresh and innovative and did I say delicious? The entire staff was incredibly friendly. Our waiter was helpful and entertaining (he ended each visit with a riddle which our kids--and my husband--enjoyed). He made good recommendations, which we wound up selecting: the french toast platter, the crab omelette (the day's special), and the egg nog pancakes. Everything was fab, unique and full of flavor. (The only thing I would recommend is that they start serving fresh orange juice and Starbucks or Intelligencia coffee). Little things made us feel even better about the place like the fact that they use ipod touches to take orders. The high tech angle probably has something to do with how well run the place is. Very smooth from start to finish. The owner greeted us, asked us how we liked everything. He was approachable and genuine as he made his rounds, greeting customers. We will be back for sure. So glad to see a fellow Chicago south sider running an upstanding, outstanding business!
(5)Mindy T.
I have been meaning to review this place for a while. I am not a regular Yelp-er, but this place needs to be experienced! I will try to keep this short and sweet just like Batter and Berries. The wait was a little long but the chef came outside and was sure to address the crowd and say that he appreciated our patience and that he promised it was "worth the wait"...and it truly was. We started with the French Toast Flight. I am crazy for syrup on anything and this is the first time in my life that I did not need to add anything to this amazing french toast. My favorite, which was a special that day, was the Mimosa French Toast. Divine! Then we ordered the Cluck and Guff and the "Arthur". Both very good and worth the wait. The portioning was great as well. We were able to take a little home for a little late afternoon snack. Our service was as delightful as the food. We will be back to try other dishes at Batter and Berries. It is a bit of Southern hospitality in the hard edge that is the city of Chicago. Congrats! Keep up the good work and creativity!
(5)Andrea B.
It's kind of ridiculous that I've been to this place 4 times in 6 weeks ... But I have. Always consider ordering the French toast special. The chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle is other-wordly. The homemade flavored butter adds a wonderful touch to everything. Service has been great every time I've been, and I appreciate the Chef and manager coming out to say hi from time to time. AND it's BYOB?! I love B&B! Prepare yourself.
(5)Dr Keith W.
Went with three guest and was amazed. People wait for the great experience of food and the atmosphere. It was an amazing experience and the owner comes and welcomes guest to his extended home. THE service is truly on point. We had to share plates just to enjoyable the delectable presentations and taste this amazing experience. Thank you can not wait to return.
(5)Pandora A.
Very nice staff who made sure to get me seated within a reasonable amount of time. Once seated, I found my waiter to be unhelpful and rushed. He almost seemed annoyed by my wanting extra time with the menu. I should've left when I realized the waiter sucked. Instead, I brushed him off with hopes of great food to come. I decided to order the chicken with sweet potato waffle. I'm no chicken and waffle connoisseur, but my meal left much to be desired. The meal overall wasn't hot. And the waffle can be best described as bland, doughy, and overstuffed with pieces of room temperature chicken. The fried chicken was decent, but nothing special. Overall, I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food wasn't even mediocre. And I'm pretty sure they leave food sitting out that's already prepared until someone orders it. That's the only logical explanation for fried chicken that's room temperature. I won't be coming back. I guess the next time I want chicken and waffles, I'll catch a flight to LA and visit Roscoe's on Pico.
(2)C J.
The food was great and I will definitely come back again! We went on a Sunday morning and the wait to be seated was an hour but it was well worth it. The place is not that big so I can see why the wait time can be very long. I had the french toast float and chicken sausage. I'll go back just for those two items! And it's BYOB too!
(4)Tasha F.
I went here two weeks ago on my b-day. It was about 10am and the line was out the door, so imagine my surprise when we were seated immediately. See, it's a reason that I don't travel in packs ;-) The atmosphere was bright and loud. When I say loud, we could not hear each other or the waitress telling us about the specials. The din of the voices and the house music and the high ceilings makes for an acoustic nightmare. We ordered the sweet potato chicken and waffle to split, she got a chicken sandwich and I, the traditional breakfast. The manager stopped by to chat and said he would stop by to see how we liked it before we left, that didn't happen. The sweet potato pancake was awesome, and I am not a waffle fan. I asked for extra napkins and butter and never got them. I asked for them at separate times. The chicken was tasty, my daughter loved her fries, said they were the best she'd ever had. The traditional breakfast was meh. The temperature was luke-warm as if it had been sitting. The hash browns were like a mush, the bacon was decent. I had asked for my eggs, over hard, I cannot stand runny yolk. What did I get? Medium. When I showed her, she asked me did I want them cooked more? She said it in a way that I should say no. Now it is my policy not to send back food..all those well-done steaks I get, when I ask for medium, I eat. But I cannot abide runny yolks and it was my birthday and I was going to have what I asked for. I'm thinking, I would like some new eggs, but I sat as she got a little plate and scraped the egg off my plate, leaving the gross yolk. They did bring new eggs with dried parsley flakes splashed across the top, which I could not get off, so that ruined it for me. The coffee was good with real cream. I love when you get real cream in a little creamer. I would not return unless I was in the neighborhood and it was before the morning rush.
(4)Rebecca C.
The food here was absolutely delicious. We tried the flight of French toast, which is great if you're a French toast junkie like me and want to try all the different kinds. We also tried the hash browns, i don't know if ill ever be able to eat them without cheese again. Overall good service, but a little slow. I will definitely be back!
(4)Michelle H.
THE best french toast you will ever have. (I only know this because my ladyfriend was sweet enough to share a few bites.) Get the sampler plate -- you won't be disappointed. I ordered the chicken & waffles and they were delicious! The chicken has a kick to it, but it balances well with the sweetness of the waffles. I'm so glad that this place opened up in my neighborhood! Will never be settling for Clarke's or Ann Sather for breakfast again.
(5)Fran B.
Highly recommended by friends. VERY DISAPPOINTED. How should I begin. Told the expected wait would be 45 minutes- was one hour and 1/2. Told later that because it was only 2 of us, the seating took longer as a way of explanation-Doesn't help to see groups who arrived an hour later seated before we were. 20 minute wait on the food. Food arrived tasty but COLD. Didn't bring the beverages but did remember to keep it on the bill. Nice employees, pleasant attitude but Very disappointing experience from a customer service perspective. It's not just the food management needs to think about-it's the whole experience. Frances B-J.
(1)Ben K.
At the risk of being uncomfortably cheese, this place is both delicious and adorable, and as the eccentric chef Rylon said when he came out to greet us upon entering (as he did with every other guest in the restaurant), "If you don't like your meal, I'll buy it. I've said that to thousands of people and never bought one meal." And seriously, the food is really really good. I read disappointed reviews of "deconstructed" omelets which kept me away for a few weeks and I am just shocked that anybody who likes omelets could be down on the food they put out here! The ingredients are fresh, and unlike every omelet you've ever had where the meat in it is overcooked or chopped to little tiny pieces, the "deconstruction" allows them to prepare the meat/veggies and omelet/cheese components separately so they are both properly cooked. And both parts are damn good. Also the service is highly energetic and irreverent. Prepare to be slightly taken aback and then won over by your extremely outgoing server.
(5)Diva T.
Me and my friends went after church for a Sunday brunch. Automatically knowing that it is Sunday afternoon, we anticipated a wait. We were told that we had to wait 45-60 minutes. Again, knowing that this is Sunday, we knew that the wait anywhere would be around that time, so we put our name on the list and waited outside in the car. After about 45 minutes, we went back into the restaurant where we waited an additional 25 minutes to get our seats. While we were waiting inside for our table, the waiting area (in the middle of the restaurant) was completely filled so we had to wait by the door where we had to constantly move for patrons to come through. It had gotten so crowded that at one point, we were almost standing on top of the patrons that were sitting down eating. The interior the restaurant was filled with tropical purple, green, and gold colors. 40x60 paintings that filled the walls, and background of entertaining music. Once we were sat down, we waited about 5 minutes before we got serviced. The silverware and cups were clean. There were condiments on the table. The server did a wonderful job in telling us the specials. I ordered the shrimp omelet special, my two friends ordered the chicken and waffles, and we all split the french toast flight. The french toast flight was supposed to be an appetizer, but it was accidentally given to a table that sat down after us so we got the flight with our meal. One of my friends originally wanted a meal that had biscuits, but unfortunately they were out. The meals were excellent. We were literally dancing in our seats while we were eating. I cleaned my plate of shrimp omelet and my two friends said that their chicken breast was moist, but no longer wanted to eat the waffles after the chicken was gone. The french toast flight had a character of its own. Each one was as delicious at the first. The owner came by each table to greet the patrons and make sure that our service was up to par. My friend asked the owner why was it that they ran out of biscuits, he said that he only makes 80 in the morning and he wants them all to sell out so he can make new ones in the morning. He also agreed to take a picture with us so remember our visit. Overall, I give it a four because at the end of the day, we all agreed that despite the uncomfortable wait, we would return. But a few suggestions would be to possibly make the waiting area a little more comfortable.
(4)Courtney W.
Okay, this place is amazing. I just types Brunch into the Yelp search bar and had Lincoln Park set as the neighborhood. I hadn't even heard of this place before, and I like to consider myself in the know about new restaurants, especially brunch places. The service was great. They told us that we would have to wait 30 minutes for a group of 4, but we only waited about five. They serve Mighty Lead tea which won me over at the beginning. I'm not much for french toast so I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaeurf which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken with maple butter. They places a grilled chicken breast soaked in hot sauce on tops of this scrumptious waffle. It was absolutely outstanding. A little steep at $13 but it was worth it. My friends all ordered french toast and agreed it was the best they had ever had. The offer a french toast flight which allows you to try all the options. They also have a special type of french toast that they offer once a week. I loved everything about this place, this is the real deal my friends.
(5)Lindsey W.
Pretty good. I love french toast and never thought a place could base their menu around it, but Batter & Berries have succeeded. First of all the southern-like hospitality is just unheard of. The chef and owner came out to discuss the menu items, tell stories and welcome us to the restaurant. Then he came back to see what we thought- seriously! I had the strawberry french toast, with strawberries in the batter and on top- something about them caramelized and it was addicting. Even the has browns were cooked to perfection. I'll definitely be back to try the chicken and biscuits. Suggestions: The hostess claimed it would be a 20 min. wait so we sat at the bar (not real bar- but high table) yet there were empty tables the entire time we were there. Up the service, but keep the food as is!
(4)Kelvin W.
I honestly have to rate this place as just average. Everything is just a little too sweet for breakfast. I had the french toast flight along with a chefs special chocolate peanut-butter french toast and Chicken Sausage. My wife had the crab meat omelet and my daughter had the Chicken Sweet Potato Waffles. This place would be great for desert but not for breakfast. Did I mention that the cost for 3 people to eat breakfast came to $73.00 or the fact that the wait was over 1 hour. Never again!!! Overrated!!! There are better places to eat a real breakfast. The meal should come with an insulin shot.
(2)Nada A.
we were waiting for more than 2 hrs for a table.
(3)Melissa H.
The best French toast I've ever had. Doesn't need syrup. Quite frankly I think u would ruin it if u did. I got the super flight that included lemon, blueberry, hazelnut, strawberry. This is a black owned business and chef Rylon came out to talk to us before and after breakfast they have chicken sausage here we want to try next time. Kid portions available. My son got the chocolate chip pancakes.
(5)Kyle P.
Great brunch with no wait for now. Super friendly staff and the best French toast in town. Get the sampler. The chicken and waffle is fantastic as well
(5)Engineer E.
We frequently eat brunch at FLO, Yolk and Tweet - but we wanted to try something new so ran across Batter on Yelp. There looked like an intimating line upon arrival but it ended up only being a 15 min wait for two (this was on a Saturday at 11ish). But while standing outside, a man approached us, introduced himself as Derek (owner and chef) then asked if we wanted our bottle of champagne chilled in their refrigerator while we wait for our table. We were in such disbelief. What was his agenda? Was he the owner or was he just going to book it down the street after we handed him the bottle? No, he really was the owner and chef and he really did put it in the fridge. Unbelievable customer service. After being seated, our waiter Tim was EXTREMELY helpful. He took his time explaining the menu and answered any of our questions. I tend to over-tip, but this time it was warranted. Our waiter did a great job checking up on us throughout the entire meal and made sure we were comfortable. It was loud but not because of the music (I didn't even hear any music) but because it was packed. Derek ended up coming by our table THREE times to check up on us too, giving us recommendations, background about the food and his culinary journey. I read on a review he only talks to regulars - this was our first time so no. He claimed he had no canned foods in the kitchen and that everything was fresh so I inquired on the location of the lobster in the lobster eggs benedict, which he told me he just received from Maine. We ended up going with the lobster benedict and he was truthful - it was definitely fresh lobster and the poached eggs were perfect to boot. I ordered the Cluck & Gravy (Biscuits and chicken sausage gravy) - excellent biscuits and the gravy was addicting. Portions were large, food came out fast. We kept hearing about how good their french toast was so we ordered the "SUPER Flight" and split it. You don't need maple syrup on this because the flavor itself takes care of your palette. That and some mimosas made it a very enjoyable brunch. We'll definitely come back soon - I'd recommend to anyone.
(5)Glenn H.
I recommend this place even though the food may be a tad pricey for the amount of food that is given but its a really good place to eat if you prefer quality over quantity. The French toast was amazing (even though I never ordered it....eating off plates is highly looked upon) and I had the Executive which is steak covered in wine sauce reduction with mushrooms and onions along with cheesy hash browns and eggs, all of which were really good. The food arrived quick and the customer service was great.
(4)Jeff R.
As far as french toast, waffles, and other baked breakfast foods go, this place is wonderful! They make a whole variety of amazing french toasts with the flavorings baked into the batter. They use fresh and tasty ingredients to do so and maintain a sweetness to many of them without going overboard and drowning out the other flavors. Staff is friendly and decor is bright and cheerful. There are also plenty of other options beyond french toast and waffles, so don't let that scare you off if you'd like other breakfast items.
(5)Christina R.
Holy moly is this place good, we waiting an hour and a half BUT at least they told us up front. You have to go early or on a weekday, hash browns are awesome. The owner/chef was in the room and I asked him for a big hug because I loved his food so much. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE, but don't freak out about the wait, plan ahead.
(5)Mark S.
And now the reply from the Manager to the email I wrote to him!! Now, maybe it's just me, and i'm speaking from over 40 years of hospitality work, is that any guest who sends a personalized email to the boss outlining the great food, some good/bad news, and a negative observance about staff behavior would want to respond asap and NOT blame the guest for his outreach. Contrary to my last line in my first email I will not return to Batter & Berries. "Chris, I apologize for not returning your email in what YOU considered a timely fashion, but I was not the server, and the matter has been dealt with. Thank you for your concern and Yelp review. Don Jones General Manager Batter & Berries" A copy of an email I wrote to the manager, which did not merit a response from him. Afternoon Don, I just left your restaurant after it being recommended by my co-worker. She suggested the french toast as it was the best she'd ever had. Of course I disputed that because I think the restaurant I work at has the best. She said to get it without any syrup and I was very skeptical; I'm a huge syrup guy. But I did and have to admit it was pretty phenomenal. I had the flight and the flavors were great. It was cooked to perfection. On to the good and bad. The good news is you were busy; the bad news is you were busy. It was pretty loud. :-) Now, something that disturbed me. There was a table of two quite pretty ladies next to my table. They were very nice as well as one of them struck up a conversation with me while she waited for her friend. Anyway, there was an African American male waiter working and though the table wasn't in his station he made a point of going up to the table several times. I know that wouldn't be uncommon for a server to go up to a regular customer and greet them. It's how we get regulars. But every time he went up there were sexual innuendos from the very start. He hugged one of the them and kept putting his hands on both of them. Now, I do that too when I am serving but I do it to every table I come in contact with; it's just who I am. He only did it to that one table, not any in his real station at all. He went over the line when he walked up to the table and while grabbing his shirt asked, "Do either of you have a needle and thread?" Before they could answer he pulled up his shirt sleeve and flexed his muscles saying, "Cuz I'm ripped!!!" His acquaintance chuckled and the one he didn't know didn't ever smile. She did not think it was funny at all, in fact I would say by her expression that she was pretty offended. I'm not writing to get the server in trouble but I wanted you to know. I'll be back, I know that.
(1)Azin S.
Best Brunch ever. Delicious food and wonderful staff! Chef Ryan came to our table himself and asked what could he do to make it better! They are BYOB so if you want Mimosa being your own champ an and they make it for you. It is worth the wait and believe me you'll go again and again.
(5)Susan F.
Monday morning and it's crowded. Got the French toast flight. FANTASTIC. I asked for syrup (a big no-no). The waitress smiled and said it's very sweet so you really don't need syrup. She brought it any way and she was right. The best French toast ever. The bacon was good and crisp. The cheese hash browns were just ok. Needed more seasoning. Service was ok. Place is small. Love it. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Ji K.
Chef Rylon is cool. :) He is the owner and chef of the newly established Batter & Berries. My three girlfriends and I stopped in for brunch this past Saturday, and he came by right away to greet us. He gave us such a warm welcome and immediately recommended some of their best dishes to us. He even went so far as to give us a taste of their homemade chocolate biscotti and offered to pay for the french toast if we didn't love it. Lucky for him, we loved it. :) Please note that we're all so-so french toast fans, so the fact that we loved our french toast flight is saying a lot. Every flavor (strawberry, blueberry, banana walnut, lemon, and peach) was fresh, unique, and outstanding. The texture of the french toast, in general, is the best we've all tried-- having the perfect balance of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside-- and each slice was so delicious and full of flavor that we completely forgot about syrup. Our savory dishes were good as well and their homemade sausage was a nice treat, but my hope is that their savory items will catch up to the level of their french toast. I can tell that Chef Rylon is the kind of chef who never stops improving and only wants his customers to be completely satisfied, so I will gladly patronize Batter & Berries and look forward to coming back to this cute little brunch spot to taste what other deliciousness awaits.
(4)R J.
Thanks Thrillist.com ...saw their review about Berries & Batter's opening day today. Stopped by to see about some French Toast. Tried their French Toast Sampler -Delicious! also got a side order of their very tasty patty sausage, which I will recommend as well. See photos.
(4)Bob G.
Great breakfast. Amazing food. Best buckwheat pancakes ever. My entire family was delighted. The service was great...but a little slow at first...the manager came around to check on us and we got great advice from the waiter. We were thrilled, and it was fun.
(5)Andrea S.
We got there at 10:30am and the wait was about 50 minutes. The service once we got inside was also a little slow. These are the only reasons I'm taking away 1 star, because otherwise the food was AMAZING. We got the french toast flight that had one piece of every type of french toast and each flavor was delicious! Also got the traditional with the chicken sausage substitution which I highly recommend. Lastly, got the Goof which was OK compared to the other two orders. I would love to go again, but next time, would probably bring a book for the long wait.
(4)Nicole L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Seriously, best french toast I've ever had (we ordered the caramel). And the veggies in my omelet were so fresh and delicious. I was seated right away, despite it being a busy morning. Sundays usually have a long wait, so I suggest going during the week or on Saturday. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, and there was always someone coming to fill my coffee or water. They could improve the decorations, but that doesn't matter to me. If anything it made the quality service seem as a very pleasant surprise.
(5)Will M.
Fast and VERY friendly service. The French toast and bacon seems like it was made earlier in the morning and warmed to serve. Go for the service and variety.
(4)Markesha W.
My first visit here was great Leslie was my server Friday 5/16/14 I visited the restaurant a second time 5/23/14 and all I can say is I will NEVER go back from management on down customer service training is a huge opportunity. When we were seated coffee was offered I asked the bus boy the price of a glass of orange juice his response was you have to ask your server, Ok not a problem I'll glance at the menu and figure it out myself. We ordered our breakfast I had a salmon executive my husband ordered pork chop executive and the French toast flight when our breakfast came out the strawberry and blueberry pieces of French toast were hard over cooked my husband asked the bus boy Pedro for our server and explained our concern he passed the message to another server who said I'm not their server my husband requested the manager who was seating another guest the manager Don doesn't seem to know how to work under stressful or busy circumstances he threw his hands in the air and said when I finish seating them I'll be with you with an attitude. Don came over we stated our concern he took the plate back and brought a fresh order maybe 7 minutes passed. The attitude of the staff from management on down was unacceptable I tried to explain to Don how I thought they could improve service in the future if I was the owner of this business none of my employees would ever be allowed to say that's not my job the customer does not care who's job it is, just communicate with the appropriate person and get the job taken care of Don the manager told me that bus boys don't have to talk to customers in fact they don't want to talk to customers they are there to fill glasses and clean up then in a dismissive tone said we fixed the problem and got you a fresh order no compassion he didn't care that now our food was getting cold as we waited for our food to be prepared properly. This business will NOT go far it reminded me of a breakfast chicken and waffles and that business is going under the sad part is the food was pretty good but for $55 for breakfast and poor service I'd rather go somewhere else. Maybe Leslie can be promoted and she could pass some of her skills to the staff Don has to be related to the owner I have no idea how he is still working here especially as management.
(1)Di M.
I decided to come because on the weekend the waiting line is tremendous and was curious. The food is amazing, I had the crab cake Benedict. I went during the week. The service was surprisingly fast. I will return
(4)Marissa G.
Convenient location and great service and accommodation. I ordered the french toast flight with bacon and hash browns and everything was delicious! The chef came out and chatted with us for a while to make sure everything was to our liking and told us to come back again soon. I'll have to bring champagne along next time to take advantage of the BYOB offering.
(5)Denise C.
This food was stupid good. The wait was a bit on the ridiculous side because I had a party of 10 and the place is small (or quaint) but it was well worth the wait. I had the chicken and waffles (it's not called that though) and it was the BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLE COMBO EVER! They season the chicken and place it into the waffle batter AND...they give you a superbly seasoned chicken breast on the side. I went to Hop House A Go Go last week and got their Chicken and Waffle and was so disappointed that it didn't/couldn't measure up to the one I had here! This is the BEST breakfast spot in Chicago. Oh...and the food is cheap:)
(5)Robert R.
Batter and Berries is the real deal. I had a chicken fajita deconstructed omelette and was duly impressed. Yes, I know it seems wrong to serve both chicken and eggs together, but if the chicken fajita omlette is wrong y'all, I don't wanna be right. The homemade pork sausage is good, but could use some of the herbs sprinkled about the plate. The service was attentive and intelligent, the ordering system is slick, the server using his smartphone to place the order was an interesting add to the experience. The space is charming, bright and there's an interesting thematic symmetry throughout. I'm not impressed with my orange juice coming from a Tropicana carton...lie to me if you must, but I don't want to see how the orange juice was made. Chef Rylon is a wonderful and gregarious host and his presence was definitely a plus. All-in-all, it's at four stars because it's got some things to fix, but nothing worth drawing out or complaining about... this is one of those places that will work its' kinks out and be a neighborhood staple for a long time to come.
(4)Chicago F.
Highly recommend. Super friendly, funny staff. Great food presentation. Cozy, lively. Great specials. AMAZING Oreo French toast! I am not a fan of super sweet things, and these babies are PERFECT. Compliments to the Chef. Go, you'll love it.
(5)mary r.
I think this is what I've been looking for in a breakfast joint!! Quality. Quantity. Wonderful service. Nice patrons. What more can you ask for? And the menu has something for everyone. Regular classics. And creative gourmet. I hope this place stays open for a long time. I plan on becoming a regular.
(5)Raquel B.
I have never finished every bite of a plate before and I just did that here today. Ya'll have to try the sweet potato waffles and cheesy hash browns with the homemade hot sauce! Best brunch I ever had!
(5)Steve A.
Just tried to order take-out from this place. I assume the hostess answered the phone, and for some reason could not take my order. She said I'd be transferred to a waiter to take my order. Fine. 5 minutes later, I'm still on hold. I hang up, tell this place to go Ef itself, and swear I'll never give them any of my business. You people are a joke.
(1)Gooses G.
Great things: Got seated right away even though it was a busy Sunday brunch Attentive, friendly, and helpful wait staff from host to busser to server Biscuits and gravy meal was delicious Food was not greasy, even if ordering traditionally greasy items! Got to meet the chef, who seems like a wonderful and talented individual who really cares about his restaurant and prides himself on it Great neighborhood brunch spot--I'm going to be taking my visitors here from now on!
(5)Cherie J.
The French toast flight is a must to try at this place.
(4)ninette s.
before making this place our mommy/daughter breakfast selection this month, I did my research - read some reviews, checked pics of the food etc. I noticed, many of the bad reviews all centered around bad customer service and/or the wait so I was already prepared but turns out Those bad reviews had to have been before their newbie kinks were worked out... because customer service was certainly NOT a problem today. mind you we arrived @ 8:36am on a Saturday though and they open @ 8:00am - perfect timing on our part I might add.. because we were greeted, seated, served and walking out in about an hour! by then here was a line waiting outside to get in. whew!. Elvira was there in a flash but then gave us our space to peruse the menu as it was our 1st time. my daughter decided on the Banana-Nut Belgigue... it was yummy even the next morning! I had the super flight of french toast- the diff btwn a flight and the super flight is the super adds an extra triangle of whatever the flavor of the week is: so I had a taste of blueberry, my least fav, strawberry, caramel nut, lemon yum!, and the spcl flavor was pineapple upside down cake also yum! even thought the place only seats apprx 68 ppl, it was bigger than I had envisioned and quite pleasant. other than the odd waiting area smack dab in the middle of restaurant- who thought that was a creative idea?!. my daughter enjoyed the waiter-his name escapes me as I type- who had her solving riddles for her doggie bag LOL our orders came out timely, correct, and hot. I saw many complaints of this as well... it must be the time and/or day you wandered in... I'd give it another shot if I were you. I must point out to reviewer Katrina C who complained the lemon french toast tasted like lemon, heaven forbid, and I quote: Not like bread or cinnamon or anything french toast-like .why in the world would I want my 'lemon' french toast tasting like cinnamon ewww. ijs. everyone's plate going by looked more delish than the last - can't wait to get back to try more 'n' more items...next up if available...for sure is that lobster omelet! my daughter was disappointed she didn't get to meet the chef but enjoyed her food and our quality time immensely nonetheless . Thank you B&B for a perfect setting. Moms: there's a nail spa right across the street ! Sincerely, a satisfied customer
(4)Lyla C.
I never review anything unless I really like it. These folks are truly making their food with love. I am obsessed. get the pork chop special while you can. By far the best chicken and waffles I have had in Chicago
(5)I L.
Very, very good, and consistent. I just wish they would offer a healthy breakfast choice or two. When they had an egg white special, it was loaded with a creamy sauce that negated the egg whites. (Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but I am looking for healthy choices on the menu every week!! My husband doesn't care as much, but I do!) Offer a fruit bowl, egg white frittatta or something that I know I can enjoy guilt free.
(4)Suvondal E.
The Flight of French Toast!!! There's nothing else to say. It can get extremely cozy on the inside at times and before you know it the bill can add up but its worth every bite!
(5)Tory w.
B and B has ruined just about every other breakfast place in Chicago for me. I literally don't want to go anywhere else. EVER. And to think, if I had gotten the address right of another Lincoln Avenue breakfast joint, I might never have stumbled upon this amazing place. I've been four or five times now and I love it more every time. The staff is really, really friendly, especially a particular waiter who loves to tell riddles and is absolutely hilarious and so personable that you want to invite him to join you for breakfast. Chef Ryland (I think) regularly makes the rounds of the restaurant and personally asks everyone how they are enjoying their meal. It's obvious that he has a great deal of pride in his little business, as well he should! The decor is pretty and inviting. But all of this would amount to nothing if it didn't have quality food, it is a restaurant after all! Let me just say: The food is simply incredible. Almost everything is homemade, organic, local, FRESH, etc. They even grind their own sausage. I highly, highly recommend the flight of French toast - I think I've had it every time I've gone. It's so good I can never decide which flavor to save for last. I usually end up regretting saving anything for last because I am so full! The sausage is full of flavor, both the pork and chicken are good. The cheesy potatoes are one mouthful after another of cheesy goodness. I've never ordered their specialty, the Cluck and Gaufre, which is fried chicken in a sweet potato waffle with fried chicken on top, but a friend has had it and said it was good. On top of all of this, a righteous cup of coffee. You can't go wrong with B and B.
(5)Wilonda G.
I good friend took me the Saturday before my birthday. She warned me the wait would be long. It was totally worth it. Everything I ate was simply beautiful. I am a lover of breakfast. We had the super flight which was a taste of about 5 different french toasts. Each one was amazing. And also, during that time, they featured a crab omelet, it left me speechless.The following week we returned and ordered the crap omelet once more considering it was the last day for it. We have all intentions on returning soon and frequently.
(5)Kate D.
My fiancee and I have been here about ten times since randomly popping in on a Saturday morning. I can't get enough. Honestly. And the fact that there is a different french toast each week, keeps us coming back. I just keep wondering, how WILL he top the last one?! I've had the Cluck N' Gravy many a time, and I can't recommend it enough. The super flight is my other's favorite choice. I've also had the deconstructed omelets (Crab and Chicken Fajita) as well as the Banana Nut Belguique. All wonderful. Our service is always great. Food always the freshest ingredients. Always a pleasant weekend treat!
(5)Jill S.
I was looking for a place to stop in and get a quick coffee and treat on my way to an appointment - and I happened upon Batter & Berries. The people who work there are wonderful, and I felt very comfortable sitting at a table sipping a nice, strong cup of coffee and eating a little plate of the best cornmeal shortbread cookies. This is definitely a place to be added to your list of breakfast/brunch/lunch stops!
(5)Elliot O.
Foods unreal. Price is kind of high but still worth going. You get a lot for your money.
(4)Emily L.
First time in, played it safe with a signature dish of blueberry waffles. First bite in, i knew i would be back! I typically think breakfast places think that one wants nothing more on a Sunday morning than to eat their weight in pancakes and maple syrup only to feel over served and under productive the rest of the day. Not so here. Perfect portion size to Keep Calm and Carry On with your day! Next time in, tried their breakfast wrap... I didn't think I could have trumped the blueberry waffles love, yet the addition of their homemade hot sauce easily became my first choice for the following week's order. Oh and they have a "Waffle of the Week" that changes every Sunday-big fan of going Sunday (as do others but the wait is barely 15 minutes max for party of 2)
(5)Noemi C.
Best French Toast I've had! Definitely going back. (Had the Flight, they were all good).
(5)Nikki D.
Food here was okay, but the service was terrible. I brunch with with my girlfriends about once a month, and since a few of us live in the neighborhood we thought we'd give this new local spot a try. Sadly, the service was so poor we will not go back. The server was slow to come introduce himself, slow to take our order, we had to flag him to get coffee refills after all three of our mugs were completely empty, and waited about 40 minutes after we ordered our food to have it on the table. His apology was that "the kitchen is really small," which is a) not true because you can see right inside the kitchen from most of the tables, and b) a poor excuse, since we saw several other tables who were seated after us get their food significantly sooner than we did. The french toast was pretty good (I had the "flight" and liked the lemon best) but was not so amazing to risk wasting so much time waiting for it to come. Sorry Batter & Berries - I liked the idea and was hopeful this would be the new neighborhood gem, but I will not be back.
(2)KeyandD L.
The food is awesome. ..everything made fresh and from scratch! Service was good...staff was friendly...food was AMAZING. Only wish they had a mobile website, would have made it easier to find/call! I will definitely go back!
(5)Brittany L.
The food here is excellent. Their french toast is the best I've ever had and the maple butter they put on it is amazing. The only downside is how small the restaurant is so it gets extremely busy on the weekends. I usually go between 8 and 9 on the weekends to avoid the wait. Once you are seated, you get your food pretty fast even when they are really busy.
(5)James H.
Here on a Sunday for brunch. An hour wait so went to Starbucks for coffee. Had the chicken and waffles, they were awesome! The eggs benedict was ok. The French toast with berries was great! Well worth the wait.
(4)Aaron F.
My friend and I came here and ordered/split a super flight french toast. And then ordered another. 26 bucks. I'm not a french toast expert, but this stuff was better than anything i've ever tried to make/have ordered, nice. Chef was a cool guy. As a 19 y/o I never had anyone come up to me other than my server, nice. I dk why people complain about the layout. There were chairs that we sat on, and tables that we ate on. It was clean. Nice. -1 because our server was okay, whatever..lol.
(4)Evelyn H.
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try on a Saturday afternoon and came in with the expectation to wait a bit for a table. The long wait time that other reviewers mention is definitely true on a weekend. We ended up waiting a little over an hour when we had originally been quoted the wait time to be "45 minutes or less". It might also be true that those with bigger parties get seated first and if I ever plan to come again, I'm going to find a third or fourth person to string along or maybe even try and join forces with another party of 2. :P Anyway, the food was pretty good and came out extremely quick. I love cheese, so I was I happy to see so much gooey cheese in the midst of my deconstructed omelet and in my hash browns. No complaints there. My boyfriend's dish came with fries and those were delicious as well. There was however, one slight issue with the service. My boyfriend had asked for a soda when we first placed our order but when our meals came, his drink didn't arrive along with it. Our server came by once, to hurriedly drop off some ketchup and hot sauce and didn't come back until we had finished our meal. When she came with the check at the end of the meal, she said something to the effect of "I never brought you your drink so of course I didn't add it on your check", chuckled, and left. Seriously? She honestly shouldn't have even mentioned it because at that point, we had just about given her the benefit of the doubt that she might have forgotten about it. An apology or offering a free drink next visit or somethingggg would have been a nice attempt at saving the situation (even if she had brought the drink out midway through the meal would have worked) instead of just pointing out the mistake and not providing any sort of remedy for it.
(3)Carmen B.
If you want good pancakes, visit this spot. I had the Buckwheat pancakes - not a high level of buckwheat in the batter (I like that), but I could clearly taste the flavor. Nice fruit accompaniments, a maple butter and maple syrup, which makes a difference to me. There was a mix of families with kids and adults. The staff was very nice, service was pretty quick and I enjoyed Sunday brunch. Next time I'll check out the omelets.
(3)Ryan C.
Visited Chicago for the weekend and this place was near by. The table couldn't decide what to get so we had 5 different breakfast items. Everything we had was delish. I have told everyone about this place and if I ever make it back to Chicago I am definitely making it back. Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle - Highly Recommend French Toast Flight - A must even if you get one to split. Hopefully they have the white chocolate peanut butter option Deconstructed Steak Omelet - Amazing and the cheesy hash browns are so good. Brunch is the time to go. Service when we went was great. Friendly, quick, and very knowledgeable. Thanks for the great food!
(5)Hana Y.
Great place for a girls' brunch and it's BYOB, so bring your mimosas!
(4)Ryan S.
We were down from Madison visiting my brother and his wife in Lakeview East. We've been unimpressed with some of their area breakfast joints in the past, as have they, so we Yelped around for a bit. This was one they hadn't heard of, so we headed down. Right off the bat the server was great and offered up a few riddles while we browsed the menu. The chef came out and said hello, and told us how blown away we would be by the food. And yes, the food... We ordered a "French Toast SuperFlight" for the table, which is all of the french toast offerings on the menu + the special, which that day was a banana brulée... We could have probably stopped there; when they arrived we devoured it like a pack of wild dingos. Everyone had their favorite, but a big hit was the pecan toast, which was an imitation and then improvement over the concept of a pecan bun. My wife was a bit bored by the biscuits & gravy (so was I) but if we hadn't had had the french toast first, I doubt we would have felt the same. It was a good solid version. I'm always willing to judge a place by it's chicken and waffles (Hearty Boys wasn't so great) and have had some great incarnations of this in the past, and this was definitely one of the best and most interesting. As other reviewers have noted, there is chicken IN the waffle and it's served alongside a wonderfully breaded chicken with a spicy syrup/sauce. It was amazing. Just go... This place needs to be in business by the time we get back to Chicago!
(5)Kupkake G.
Can someone say delicious? I absolutely love this place. Not just food it's an experience. Yumtastic!!! I need more stars.
(5)Sheila C.
I'm sorry but - Don't believe the hype! First off, I went with my two daughters on a Monday morning thinking it wouldn't be too busy. It was. Getting in the door was a hassle because there's no room to come in. Then you get shouted at to come all the way in so the doors can close. But there's no where to go. The place is too small. We gave our name and was lead to the "waiting area". What a joke. It's in the middle of the restaurant and is only big enough for 6 people. There were already 6 people there so we, as well as about 10 others, were standing in the path of the servers, trying not to bump into them and vice versa. We finally got seated by the door (remember this is where the mob of people pretty much have to stand because the waiting area is full) and my daughter makes the comment that she loves looking at butts while eating...and there was a sea of them. Anyway, we all got the flights of French toast. We were not impressed. It tasted like regular toast with a drizzle of flavor. It was dry. The scrambled eggs were browned, the bacon wasn't cooked enough and I never got a refill on my coffee. Maybe we're not sophisticated enough but I wished I could have regurgitated the whole meal and gone to the Original House of Pancakes and had a satisfying breakfast for under $50 instead of the $72 I spent. Oh, yeah...The young lady who led us to the waiting area, acted like she just totally did not want to be there.
(2)Patricia M.
New and exciting menu! Chef is very creative and does great job marrying flavors! Nice place. Good service! I will return.
(4)Patrick C.
Was there this past weekend and plan on going back. the service was good, food was unique and REALLY good. I like the feel of the place and loved the fact that the chef/owner came out to welcome us and ask for feedback. You have to feel good about a guy asking for your biz, asking for you feedback.
(5)Apollo T.
Overall, the food is OK for a brunch place; nothing spectacular. The lemon French toast is good, but everything else is just average. Nothing on the menu is a standout and all the food taste pretty blah. The omelets are particularly bad: they're like an overcooked Denny's omelet - belch! (And those are really gross!) On my 2nd visit, I didn't bother to start or finish the omelet - I had it removed. I gave the place 3 visits. There are other, better places to eat. Service, however, is an absolute nightmare - by the maitre d, the wait-staff, and by Donald, the manager. In my final visit, I came as a single person and watched as my name was obviously and intentionally overlooked as the maitre d repeatedly seated individuals who signed in after me. Her feedback: "We can seat 2 at a table for 4, but not 1 at a table for 2 when it's busy." That made NO sense considering it was late on a Sunday and it wasn't busy. I purposely arrived later in the day to avoid the long wait. I brought this to the attention of Donald and he just looked at me as though I were speaking French. The guy is totally useless. The maitre d: If you're not careful, she'll seat you at the worst possible table: right near the bathrooms. On my 2 initial visits with a friend, she wanted to place us near the bathroom when other two-person tables were available. Go figure. The wait-staff: For all 3 visits, I had to ask for things: more water, silverware, syrup for the French toast, napkins. On the 1st and 2nd visits (when the omelet didn't work out), I asked for soft scrambled eggs. Each time they came back hard as a rock. I asked the wait-person if that looked like a soft scramble and each time it was "They look OK to me." When I asked if they knew the difference between a hard scramble or a soft scramble, the first wait-person said no and the second one shrugged her shoulders. I accept that it's the kitchen's fault, but I recall each wait-person had a hard time with "runny, half-cooked eggs." Both times I brought this to the attention of Donald. He says a lot without saying anything: "I understand. We try to give customers the best service," etc., etc., ad nauseum. It was like hearing a recording. He even admits the kitchen staff are challenged on how to execute a soft scramble. Really?! And getting the check on all 3 visits was an effort in futility. Once they serve the food, they're gone! Not a big place, but it's challenging to track down the primary wait-person. If you want me to wait for an hour or longer for average brunch food, it definitely will NOT be Batter & Berries. I'm done. After 3 visits, I won't be back. But, good luck to them. They seem to be popular and I'm sure they'll survive without my contributions.
(2)Anna C.
My husband and I went to eat breakfast at this location because we bought a restaurant.com gift certificate. We sat down and I ordered the french toast flight and my husband ordered the chicken and waffles. We thought our food was quite good and would be willing to come back. However when we received our bill we were told by our server that the establishment was no longer taking the gift certificates and that we had to present the certificate before we sat down. We looked on the paper and no where does it say that we had to mention it before we ordered. We asked to speak with the manager, which he later came to the table to discuss the issue. He told us they no longer accepted the gift certificates any longer and did not do a thing to make the situation better. This place has poor customer service and even after speaking with the manager found that they do not know how to treat their customers. Needless to say, we will not be going back and they will say anything to make a few extra bucks. On our way out, we asked to speak with the manager again about the situation. The manager explained that no one in their business signed up for restaurant.com and that restaurant.com put the gift certificates online without permission from the establishment. When we spoke with him a few minutes earlier about the issue he never mentioned that and simply said that they were no longer accepting the gift certificates. It seems like they are changing their story so they do not have to give the discount and are will to lose customers over a few extra dollars.
(1)EC C.
Love this place. Great atmosphere, Owner is amazing guy, & the food... Well there is none like it. Food is the best. Thanks for being available.
(5)Tal C.
Really 3.5 stars but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now because it's new. Solid new breakfast place in Lakeview. The menu is mainly french toast and belgian waffles, with some deconstructed omelettes and sides. I got the deconstructed spinach omelette, my husband got the fried chicken and waffles, and we split a flight of french toast (1 of each of the 4 flavors). The french toast really is amazing and definitely worth going back for. It's made with homemade batter so each kind really tastes fresh and different rather than just a piece of regular french toast with flavored sauce on it. My husband really like the fried chicken and chicken-stuffed waffles but said the chicken in the waffles was kind of weird. The deconstructed omelette is just okay- I really think they need to step it up a bit in their egg department and offer their omelettes also as scrambles, and also have a build your own omelette option. Either way, I know that putting the toppings on top of the omelette makes it easier to make the omelette, but it is a lot more difficult to eat- everything just fell out. Overall though, good food, service was efficient and friendly, reasonable prices, and best of all, no wait. Go for the french toast though, it's awesome.
(4)Miriam M.
How amazing is Batter & Berries? It is extraordinary. It is totally worth missing an extra hour of sleep to get there early to ensure you get a table without waiting a long time to be seated. The french toast flight is not to be missed, but always upgrade to the Super Flight! The food is exceptional. I took my husband and teenagers and they loved it. I went back a few weeks later with my girlfriends and their daughters for a mom and daughter outing and it was fun and the experience was still just as great. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Tussimee is not to be missed. He is the best waiter we have ever, ever had the pleasure of dining with. Take everyone you know, they will love you for it. This restaurant is not be missed.
(5)r.v. s.
Seriously? $75 for a family of 4 (with two small kids) to eat a so-so breakfast? The waiter pushed the extra kiwi french toast on us on St Patrick's Day-- bleah..!Coffee was bleah... And the service was sloooooow. Nothing stellar or stand-out, and once the place gets going, the small space is not for the claustrophobic. The lemon french toast was good, though...
(2)Amanda W.
Just opening up but the place is decent. They still need to work on a couple of kinks. Serve breakfast and lunch all day. *Lemon French Toast: Yes! If you like lemon, get it. The french toast looks like normal french toast but the inside is super moist with almost a creamy lemony center. Lemon zest on top, served with walnuts (tasted like candied walnuts) and lemon maple butter. My only gripe was that it wasn't warm by the time we got it. I think they timed it wrong since it came out at the same time as our other dish (which was warm) but this would have tasted better if they had found a way to keep warm until they brought it out to serve. *Tempura battered Fish and Chips:Light and crisp outside, very flavorful, big hunks of fish cooked well. The fries had a little too much seasoning for my taste but I enjoyed whatever they used to season them Not my #1 brunch place but I would definitely go back...especially for that lemon french toast.
(3)Bonnie A.
Everything was really good. I came here for a birthday brunch with a few friends and we all shared each other's food. The french toast was FABulous! I really like the fact that the french toast was designed to not need extra condiments. It was a very French-like thing to do like it is considered rude to ask for A1 sauce for your steak. A friend ordered filet mignon and it sounds odd to say this but it was definitely one of the better filet mignon I've had and this is a brunch place!! The artwork hanging on the walls were intriguing too, not the usual artwork with paint splattered all over the canvas and selling for $400-500.
(4)stephanie s.
Wait was supposed to be 15 minutes... 80 minutes later sat down for our meal! Food was not great; 2 of my friends spent the majority of the afternoon in the bathroom. Will not be returning.
(2)Kara S.
So I just got back from Batter and Berries and I wish I could give this place 0 stars.....where do I begin? How about the disgusting looks we received once we walked into the door as if we didn't belong in the Lincoln Park area. The hostess acted as if she was hesitant to sit us as if we would run out on the check or something. We were seated and we waited about 20 minutes for our waitress Nadine to come. We continuously were looking at our waitress and she finally looked at us and said she would be with us. But of course before she came to our table she stopped at the couple's table that was there way after us to take their order. I was pissed and I wanted to leave but my friends and I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Their order came out and guess what....my order didn't. I sat for about 20 minutes without food. I was upset, an it got the point where I didn't even want my food. Nadine the waitress insisted on me trying my food and bought it out anyway 15 minutes later. I got it and it was nothing to brag about. At the end of our meal I asked for the manager, he took his time to come over but when Don came by I was glad to share my dining experience with him. While I was telling what happened and how his bust boys were using our table as if it was cleaning station he just looked at me as I was wasting his time. Homeboy had the audacity to offer my friends and I a $5 gift certificate for "our troubles" for our $70.00 bill. Sorry Don you will not insult me so you can keep your measly $5 gift certificate. I have never in life been treated by someone of my own race the way I was. Whenever I spend money with other cultures I am treated with way more respect and they are more accomandatining. I will never visit Batter and Berries ever again in life. I used to think it was truly sad when I would hear African Americans say they don't support black businesses but after my experience at Batter and Berries with the hostess, Nadine, and the manager Don I now understand their reasoning....never again will I visit this establishment
(1)Missy C.
Expensive. The buttermilk pancakes sweet times ten! Only butter is maple flavored which is also over sweet. Waiter advised chicken sausage sweet. Eggs are like egg beaters.....definitely not fresh. If you like it loud and sweet this is your joint. The plate had some pretty berries that I enjoyed. Coffee good. Waiter very loud, friendly but in attentive to necessary details....my friend didn't have water and my eggs were delivered after I had almost finished my pancakes.
(2)Ashley N.
Great food, great service!!!! Please come to the southside!!!!
(5)Tiff B.
The wait on the weekends is brutal, but no worse than other brunch hot spots in the city. It's worth it for the delicious caramel french toast. My husband loves the chicken and waffles dish and they play awesome music to boot. The owner and manager are both very friendly and are always walking around greeting the customers. I'm not sure if the lunch menu items are any good, but if you stick with the french toast, you can't go wrong.
(5)Katherine H.
Let me explain why I gave this place 5 stars: Service: We had Sam - he was tentative, prompt, knew the specials, nice, and quick. He weren't overly nice (like fake-nice), we didn't have to wait too long to take our order or receive any refills, food, or extras. Your server is not the only one who will be paying attention to your table - the hostess cleared our table as she was walking by. The owner was walking around pouring coffee (we had already gotten coffee, but he still stopped by our table). I give extra props to the owner for walking around to almost every table and asking how their food is, how they are doing, if they have any questions, etc. You can tell he is proud of his product and restaurant, as he should be. Even the chefs were walking around, serving food and asking about their product. It was a great sight. Wait/seating: We did go for brunch on a Sunday at 12:45. We were told our wait (for 2 people) would be around 30-45 minutes. We were seated promptly before 1 - so about 15 minutes, not bad at all. They have the option to either sit at a normal table or a community-style table (when seats become available). We were sat at a normal two-top. There isn't a lot of waiting space, but service goes quickly so as long as you don't come in with a big party, I feel like you'll easily get a table within the wait time (if not quicker). Seating is a little cramped, but not as bad as some brunch places I've been to. Food: I was very impressed by the options on the menu - they had both a breakfast and a lunch side, which is good for brunch-goers who may not necessarily want breakfast-style food at the time. Most of the options on the breakfast side were traditional breakfast items with a twist, which I liked. At our table we had the buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries and homemade maple butter, cheese-crusted hash browns, homemade pork sausage, and chicken with sweet potato waffles. The menu explicitly states that things like salt, pepper, and syrup are available upon request, but they recommend trying it how the chef prepares it - which we did. My pancakes were soft, fluffy, and a little crispy around the edges - just how I like them. There was a little lemon-zest in the batter, which added a great depth to the flavor - not your original, plain buttermilk pancake. The maple butter really complimented the pancakes and the combination of butter, powdered sugar, and berries made the need for syrup nonexistent. The pork sausage was good - not the best I've had - but the flavor was really fresh and not overpowering and really complimented both of our meals well. The hash browns were perfect - I aways feel the need to add salt/pepper to my hash browns when I go out, but not this time! My boyfriend's sweet potato waffles were delicious - and I am very picky about waffles (they were really soft, almost like a pancake, that's why I liked them). They had maple butter as well and the chicken - breast, lightly breaded, with homemade hot sauce on top - really went well with the waffles. A perfect combination. Long story short, I highly recommend this place. I will go back, but never with a party larger than 4 people if I go on a weekend. I'm happy to have a small, unique place with a tentative staff, owner, and chefs in our neighborhood. So far my favorite brunch place in Chicago.
(5)Ndh H.
French toast is out of bounds! I'm a HUGE french toast lover & this is by far the best I've ever had. I had the blueberry & others had the carmel. Both were great but that carmel was excellent, not too sweet like I expected. I love chicken sausage but this was quite bland. If I were in a blind taste test I would never had guessed that it was supposed to be sausage. It's missing the much needed thyme, fennel, sage & red pepper flakes. Tasted like a plain chicken burger so it definitely needs some work. This is a rather tight space so I'd suggest parties of 4 or smaller & if you're going for breakfast..GO EARLY or you will be waiting. The chef came out to see how service was, that was very welcoming. And yes I told him about the sausage! :)
(4)Rachel B.
Waking up "early" on a Sunday wondering where to get some grub. We're visiting friends who just moved into Lakeview, so Lincoln Park was en route and a colleague said how great Batter and Berries was. For a table of 2, we waited less than 5 min - note: before 10am. I got the cluck n gaufre( chicken and sweet potato waffle) - AMAZING! My husband got the deconstructed spinach omelet and it was great, too. Friendly wait service and awesome food, parking is free on Sundays, too.... we'll be here again!!
(5)Dm32 M.
4 friends and I waited 1 hr 45 mn outside to be seated. The foolishness behind this wait time was 5 people in our goup, so we had to wait until a group of five left. So in the mean time groups of 4, 3 and were seated before us. To add insult to injury the table size was the same!!! Also we couldn't change any of the ingredients of our meal, but food was ok.
(1)Lanell R.
Some of the best Chx and waffle you can find. Get therr early, it gets packed.
(4)Cam L.
This is a nice breakfast place with a friendly staff and a good atmosphere. The food was pretty good and they tried to bring a good spin on breakfast food (deconstructed omelettes, etc.). The main sticking point was trying to serve patrons food that didn't need anything extra like condiments or salt/pepper. Give it a try.
(3)Dawna G.
Great breakfast even if you don't get the french toast! I had the deconstructed spinach omelette and added chicken sausage on top. It comes with a tasty sauce on it. What's great about it is you can see all of the ingredients, they're all very fresh and you get generous portions. My father had the chicken fajita omelette with some hot sauce on it. Colorful bell peppers, thick slices of onion and chicken, really good and flavorful. The homemade chicken sausage is a must order side. We also tried the french toast. We're not big waffle/pancake/french toast fans but we loved the mocha french toast with mocha butter on it. The service was great--we came on a weekday so perhaps not a real "test" for service. The owner came out and greeted us and others and asked us about the food. Will definitely be back.
(5)Taylor D.
One of my favorite breakfast places honestly. Today we left because after the host telling us it would be 35 minutes we waited, and waited. All the while while about 5 different tables got seated that were not even on the list...we had been next on the list the whole time we were waiting. I would have said something but the host kept disappearing. Very disappointing.
(3)Aisha K.
I have heard a lot of great things about this restaurant so I was pretty excited to go. The wait time is unacceptable. The restaurant needs to find out a better way to accommodate people. My party had to wait 2 hours to be seated. Therefore with that being said the food was pretty decent but to wait 2 hours for food and you're really hungry anything might taste good. Everyone in my party thought that their various entrées were good but I don't think it was worth the travel or the wait time. If you are in the area and the line is not really long then definitely try it out.
(3)Angela P.
The "Chicken and Goof," a sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken and topped with fried chicken tenders, a spicy sauce, and maple butter, is the BEST brunch dish I've ever had in my life. I've had chicken & waffles many times, but the sweet potato waffle at Batter & Berries changed the dish, for the better, completely! We also dug into the French toast sampler, which included 4-5 of their French toast dishes. My favorite was the lemon and strawberry. I highly recommend this if your idea of breakfast is dessert. Batter & Berries is BYOB, and the pitchers of mimosas (pineapple, orange, or both) are a must. This place is hot, hot, hot! They do not take reservations, and you will have to wait. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. I knew there would be a lengthy wait, but the hostess was really wishy washy when I asked how long it would be. She told me, "an hour...hour and fifteen...hour and a half..." okay, which one is it?! I checked in later and got the same response. You can give them your name though, and they will text you shortly before your table is ready. I already said it was hot, but that's also in regard to the temperature. This restaurant is small, there is a kitchen cooking lots of food, and there are a lot of people crammed in here. Don't be afraid to roll on an extra swipe of deodorant, and do dress for the weather. Despite the long wait (which was anticipated anyway) and the swamp-ass feeling when we left here, the food is just so damn good that you have to give this place 5 stars.
(5)Ariel B.
Ok so look... THERE IS GOING TO BE A WAIT... BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. The atmosphere is busy and active. The host and wait staff are friendly and knowledgable of the menu. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD ... Temperatures are correct. PLEASE TRY THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT. It's four different flavors (lemon, caramel, strawberry, and blueberry) the bread is so sweet with a slight crunch at the crust.. Perfection we also ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffle as well as the deconstructed steak omelet. The chicken breast we cooked to perfection it was Juciy and seasoned well and the waffle had just enough sweeteness. The steak was cooked to a medium and accompanied with a very tasty gravy over the cheese filled omelet. Everything was tasty and worth the money. Defiantly a must try in Chicago!
(5)Jacinta W.
I'm pretty sure I am in love! I was told to try this place out by a friend and oh boy!!! We were there shortly after 8am and waited about 10-15mins. They use a text message system to call you for your table. I received one text saying our table would be ready shortly. This text you have to respond to or they will pass you over and you would have waited for nothing. Then you receive another one saying "Your table is ready." The inside is small and quaint. Decorated nicely and efficient. All the staff was polite and friendly. Which is always a plus! As we were being seated we were asked about drinks and and they arrived instantly. The server shared the specials with us and allowed us time to review the menu. My friend and I both ordered the Top Flight and bacon. The Top Flight is their French Toast sampler. There is Blueberry, Strawberry, Carmel, and Lemon. All the flavor a were perfect, not over powering and the bread was cooked with a nice crispness to it. I can't stand no soggy French toast. Each one had a little sauce and fruit on it. The maple butter is heavenly, light and not to sweet. I did have to send my bacon back...I need my pig cooked a little longer. Can't eat no limp bacon so be careful about that. Our food came out so fast I didn't even have time to play on my phone after ordering . And yes it was HOT! If you're in town DEFINITELY GO EAT HERE!! And I'll be back!!!
(5)Tracey G.
My sister and her daughter invited me here with them.. Although the wait was very long. The food and the serves made up for it.. This food was totally off the charts delicious. I had the lemon French toast and the chicken omelette omg I love it Tracey G.
(5)Ruth D.
I kept seeing my facebook friends going to and posting about Batter and Berries and I was dying to go too. So a friend visits from out of town and wants to go so it's a no brainer. I finally got my chance! My friend, my husband and I went first thing (around 8:30) on a Friday morning so we avoided the long wait that people mention on the weekends. It did get much busier as we were leaving though so I think we were smart to arrive so early. We were seated promptly and approached by a fantastic server. He welcomed us all, and asked if it was our first visit. When we told him it was he made us feel very welcome and ran down the specials and suggested the French Toast flight. He made everything sound delicious so it was hard to choose. I ordered the crab cakes but also had tastes of my friend's French toast flight and my husband's chicken fajita omelette. The crab cakes were good enough to want to order them again but I think I'd like to try more things on the menu in the future. EVERYTHING was delicious! They don't really do special requests but there's something for everyone on the menu and the food is so good it doesn't really matter. The food arrived promptly, our water and coffee were refilled in a timely manner and we had a manager check in on us toward the end of our meal. My husband was wearing a Phi Beta Sigma shirt and the manager told us the owner was an Omega. My friend and I are Deltas so we were also pleased to be supporting a member of the Divine Nine! I now see for myself why this place is so popular and just as I guessed, I've been missing out! It was a win win and we will ALL definitely be back for the delicious food and great service.
(5)Lily Z.
This is more of a 3.5 than a 3. We don't get to brunch very often and I've had this place bookmarked for the longest time. So when I got my time off approved, we headed straight here for their famous french toast! I love french toast. It's pretty much the only thing that I eat for brunch. I did not splurge for the extra slice of white chocolate almond? for $2. 5 slices were enough for me. I ordered the flight of french toast (really liked the lemon. Blueberry was way too mushy. Strawberry was alright. Caramel didn't excite me.) Boy ordered the sweet potato waffle with chicken (waffle was very thick and heavy. Chicken was good. The hot sauce tasted like hot sauce straight from the jar.) Also, we ordered a side of cheesy hash browns which came in record time. Like less than 2 minutes from when we ordered it. Boy thought they were hash browns ordered from another table because it was THAT fast. Overall, would I come back? Probably not. The music was way too loud which made the restaurant even louder. It was hard to hear the person in front of me. Even harder to hear the waitress explain the specials of the day. Did she say a white chocolate omelet? Or white chocolate almond for the french toast flight? All I could hear was the heavy thumping of the music. Food was good, but I don't see myself coming back for anything else on the menu.
(3)Tamekia J.
This place was so unexpected. It gets packed easily, so I wouldn't be surprised if they make some changes location wise soon. I just hope the food doesn't change as they grow. I ordered the Cluck n Gaufre. This was the perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy. I'm not really into chicken and waffles, but the sweet potato stuffed waffle caught my fancy. The waitress was fairly knowledgable, which is always refreshing. It's good to note that you can bring your own beverages.
(5)Erica J.
On weekends, expect a wait of up to an hour, could be shorter depending on the time you go and how many are in your party. There's not much room to wait inside, so there's always a lot of people standing outside. Your entire party must be present before they'll seat you. Once you're seated, the servers are quick at getting your drinks and explaining the specials, but not the quick that makes you feel rushed just to get you in and out. More of an attentive, "how can we make your stay more comfortable" sort of feel. The kitchen is visible, which I always enjoy being the glorified germaphobe I've been decorated to be ;). The daily specials are posted overhead on chalkboards for your convenience. The restaurant is also BYOB. The French toast flight is delightful. It includes a sample of each of the four different kinds of french toast. The super flight throws in a sample of the flavor of the week. Don't be afraid to try one of the specials. This place does an excellent job of combining flavors for an awesome, flavorful experience.
(4)John H.
I really enjoyed the fresh taste in my meal. I would recommend this spot for all the true breakfast lovers. Be ready for a 45 minute wait, after that it is all good.
(5)Kaley K.
Great/okay brunch spot! The good: -BYOB -french toast flight - great variety -chicken and waffles - tried my friends and they were REALLY good -good price for very tasty orange juice The not so good: -wait was long but expected for a brunch spot -all the food is very sweet, not as much a savory spot -long/crowded inside -bathroom was awkward, in the middle of the room so it felt weird waiting, also it was very dirty Overall I'd come back but not before trying other spots in the area.
(4)Nicki P.
What a gem! We stopped in a on a Thursday afternoon and still had a wait. Not too long but about 20 min or so. Well.worth.it ! My fiance and I split the Buffalo chicken omelette and crab cake benedict. The one thing that I noticed, was the poached egg on the benedict was actually more on the cooked hard boiled side but in a good way. Both dishes were awesome! Service was quick and pleasant. I was happy that they had the text to table feature that let us know when it was time to be seated. I can imagine this place is slammed on the weekends so I think I will stick to weekdays but will definitely be back!
(5)Dorim L.
As a few of the other yelpers have said, IT IS over-rated and over-priced. I had their shrimp/crab eggs benedict and it was just bland. First, they didn't even include an english muffin but just had the crab cakes topped with the poached egg. They didn't put enough hollandaise sauce. I also had a side of biscuits ($2) and gravy ($3). It was sort of dumb that they couldn't just combine the two so that's how they priced it. And I usually judge restaurants that serve brunch by their orange juice. I think they just used the tropicana from the carton instead of serving it fresh squeezed. I gave them one extra star since the crab cakes were made from actual crabs instead of crab sticks like the last restaurant I was in. I wasn't crazy about the service; I waited forever for my OJ. And the ambiance was incredibly loud. I sat at the communal table and the guy next to me was loud, cursing up a storm along with the chef who came out to converse with him. For a place that mentioned I had to wait an hour (I got in 10 minutes later since I was dining alone), I was left in a quandary as to why the place was so crowded.
(2)Dennis S.
It was busy and loud, with terrific food. At 10:30 on a Wednesday morning there was still a wait for a table. For good reason. We had efficient friendly service and comfortable table spacing, so we didn't have to hear everyone else's conversation. I had absolutely awesome blueberry French toast. With a side of good thick bacon. Ladies with me had the French toast medely - half a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel. They were served on a long plate which allowed each of them to be separate from the others. Well received. The full menu had lots of interesting choices. We'll go back, but I don't expect to try to fight weekend morning crowds.
(5)Tanya F.
Very refreshing and unique place in Lincoln Park! It's not an easy task to stand out as a highly recommended must try in Chicago: a foodies paradise of deep dish pizza,hot dogs and cheese corn. Batter and Berries owner Chef Rylon came out to greet us as we were eating and had a long discussion about the awesome coffee he serves. Of course I had to ask because (in my opin)nothing shows that you care like a carefully selected cup of java. And he does, displayed via his vast array of French toasts and non traditional brunch dishes such as the Rylon salad I had. It was made of a spinach shell, shrimp,mushrooms and a light citrusy but perfectly buttery scampi dressing. I will make this a stop every time I am in the city!
(5)Teia T.
I have been hearing the buss about this place from friends and co-workers. Well, I've been there 3 times in 2 months. It's definitely a HOME RUN...you will not be disappointed. Maybe by the wait time, but definitely not the food or service. #loveit #loveit
(5)Angelica C.
We walked in around 10am on Sunday AM and was told it was about 30 min for an individual table. We chose to sit at the communal table since it was immediate seating. Come hungry! I ordered the sweet potato waffle (which is sprinkled with chicken chunks and light covered with confectioner's sugar, YUM). Note an additional fried chicken breast comes on top drizzled with hot sauce. My bestie ordered the Biscuits & Gravy, they cooked our eggs just as we'd asked- over easy. The menu is pretty heavy, but was absolutely delicious. The service is fantastic, we were greeted in a timely fashion by our waiter, we placed our order, dove into conversation, then our food showed up nice and hot. We barely spoke much as we were too busy stuffing our faces, and washing it down with pretty decent coffee if you like it strong. Took a minute to get the check, but an overall satisfying experience and I will certainly be back to try a ham dish as I saw the kitchen dishing out quite a few of those! IMPORTANT: Free street parking on Sundays!
(5)Sade A.
Batter & Berries is nothing to write home about. The food was good. We had the lemon French toast, caramel French toast and the traditional plate which included cheesy hash browns, eggs and bacon. Very underwhelming especially for the price- 4 wedges of french toast that equals 2 slices of bread, costs $10. If I am going to pay 10 bucks for 2 slices of bread dipped in eggs, it better be an orgasmic experience. And it was not even close, the French toast was not even made with brioche bread and as stated on the menu. I guess I bought into all the hype. The hash browns were interesting and not in a good way. They were more like fried lumpy mash potatoes and when cooled off the melted cheese turned rubbery. Ok so I know I am a little harsh but I was really looking for my taste buds to be blown away.... We went on a Friday morning around 9 am and we were seated promptly. Courteous & fast service and a clean setting but the location size was on the cozy side. I recommend you give them a try but know this; they are a regular breakfast/ brunch place nothing out of the ordinary with overpriced food, and certainly not worth standing in a long line. Once you understand that, you should have a favorable experience!
(3)Brad L.
I was expecting a lot after hearing about the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chicken. Unfortunately I was very disappointed with this experience. We ordered the chicken and waffle dish and a "deconstructed" broccoli and cheese omelet with cheesy hash browns. The cheesy hash browns sounded great and looked delicious but they were completely lacking in flavor of any type. I could barely taste any cheese, tried putting salt on it, but the coarse salt they put in the shaker couldn't fit through the holes! What's going on here?? I can't be the first one to notice this. The omelet, which was a 2 egg omelet for $9 was also completely flavorless and I was left without the option of adding my own salt. Thankfully the pepper flowed freely. This "deconstructed" idea for an omelet just seems lazy. There was a small egg patty with some cheese on top, which had a few basically raw stalks of broccoli. Like I said, this just seems lazy, so you don't cook the broccoli and then I have to cut it up myself?? Jedi mind trick way of making this seem gourmet while saving labor costs if you ask me. I'm not sure what they were going for with this deconstructed concept, but it was a flop in my opinion. I'm dumbfounded that they were able to ruin two seemingly easy slam dunks: omelets and cheesy hash browns.... Now to the better dish, the chicken and waffles. The waffle was great! Wonderful flavor and the house made hot sauce actually adds a lot of flavor and balances out the sweet flavor of the waffle. Maple butter was good. There is supposed to be chicken inside of the waffle, but I was only able to find two or three small pieces, not what I would call chicken "stuffed." The "fried" chicken that came with it was oddly spiced with too much rosemary or thyme, not sure what it was, but the flavor was way off for the other flavors in this dish. Also, for fried chicken there was no breading and it was not even close the the crispy texture I expect from something called fried chicken. I found the price to be just a little steep at $13, mostly because the chicken was not at all a worthwhile addition and the only thing satisfying about the experience was the waffle which should be sold by itself for something like $7-8. Now I certainly don't mind paying more for great food, but this was not great. Service was fine, no complaints, no compliments. Coffee was good. Restaurant was clean. I do not like the communal table idea that was in the middle of the restaurant and would probably refuse to sit there personally. I don't think I'll be back, but if I do go, I would probably try the french toast. Given their seeming lack of ability to flavor anything other than breakfast sweets, I think that would be the safest bet. I almost gave them 3 stars, but three out of the four main components of the meal were a total failure in my opinion. That, coupled with the salt shaker thing and the price = a negative rating from me.
(2)Elizabeth B.
The service here was absolutely incredible. I went on a busy Sunday and my coffee was always piping hot and filled to the brim! I enjoyed an omlette and my friend ordered the sampler of French toast and we were vey happy! Would recommend to anyone-- my favorite breakfast spot in chicago thus far!
(5)Alyssa B.
What can I say... This restaurant was FANTASTIC! The service was great, the owner/chef was personable and the food... Oh, to die for! I had the grilled salmon omlet with cheesy hash browns! Words don't describe the food orgasm I had. My friend had the Carmel French toast, a little sweet for my taste but None the less; can't go wrong with this dish. This dish also came with the homemade butter ( it taste like ice cream and can be eaten by itself ) my other friend had the lobster spinach omelet with cheesy hash browns. The lobster was juicy and not a stingy portion. Because I can go on... Enough about the food! This business is BYOB so we brought champagne and ordered a pitcher of orange juice. The waiter (Tusiime, best waiter I have ever met! He deserved every bit of the 40% tip left) He saw our champagne was hot and gave us a bucket of ice (awesome). Tusiime, was engaging, gave us riddle to laugh over and was just extremely pleasant. All in all I would return every Saturday for brunch and wait an hour just to sit in Tusiime's section. I recommend it for you; you have to go and don't forget your bottle of spirits!
(5)Aradhana V.
I was looking up this place to send to a friend and was so surprised to not find a 5-star rating! Let me be clear - Batter and Berries changed my life. I was a simple tourist visiting Chicago from Berkeley, and after B&B - I became a happier (and probably 2 lbs heavier) foodie. Yes, I've had a fair share of glorious SF brunch encounters, but I still think most fondly about my brunch at this place! So we came here at about 10 AM on a Sunday morning. It was PACKED, but my amazing friends conceded to my crazy suggestion of staying for the 2 hour wait to try out this place. So we wrote our name down, and walked around and explored town. Since we were tourists, just walking around the residential neighborhood was nice but this might not be as fun for locals. I suggest just going to the nearby Starbucks. Anyways, our party of 6 (also explains the 2 hours wait in this small restaurant) ordered lots of food! My ALL-TIME-FAVORITE dish ever in the history of brunches was the sweet potato waffle topped with good ol' Southern style fried chicken. My friend and I still have nostalgic moments where we talk about the unique flavors of the herby chicken alongside the chewy and crispy sweetness of the waffle. *Pro tip: add some hot sauce with your maple syrup, a brilliant combination I learned about from Berkeley's 900 Grayson (which also has excellent chicken 'n waffles if you are in the area). SO DELISH AND SO DIFFERENT.The two things I love finding in my dishes. After having been to multiple brunch spots throughout northern California, I have yet to find a dish so perfect and quintessentially brunch-y. Other than this, they had on-point egg dishes and very yummy (but a tad too sweet) french toast. Come here and SHARE your dishes!! All the dishes are super cool and big, so it's better to share one dish per two people and then you get to try more things! Also, they have a 'Bring your own' wine service, which we didn't know about but that would have been a great concept to take advantage of! #TLDR: yes, small place but SO WORTH THE WAIT for all my brunch foodies out there, says a brunch lover miles away craving those chicken 'n waffles right about now.
(5)Savanna R.
This place is small inside - but cute. Our wait felt like FOREVER but I think it was worth it. I have yet to come and not wait. I dont know if there is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Banana foster waffles ARE LIFE CHANGING! soooo good.
(4)Chanel G.
Man oh man. This place literally lives up to the hype. I arrived to a very busy restaurant on a late Tuesday morning. It's a very loud restaurant because people are having the time of their lives. The server in the back told several jokes to keep the crowd going, and also sang happy birthday to the birthday folks. The host showed me to the waiting area and informed me of the "BYOB" policy. As long as you buy a beverage (ie orange juice) or a champagne flute, you can drink whatever you want! I obviously opted for some champagne from the 711 down the street. For my meal, my friend and I split a french toast flight, with the butterscotch one (the special for the week) added. I also had a side of egg whites and cheesy hash browns. You HAVE to get the french toast flight. You HAVE to. I don't even like french toast and this was absolutely superb. Upon receiving the flight, the chef requests that you at least try one bite of each french toast slice with the respective toppings and the maple butter. The maple butter is to die for. I was literally in heaven. My favorite was the caramel turtle one, but the blueberry one was a close second. In summary, split the flight with a friend and order one of the specials, which can change at anytime.
(5)Soyun P.
The French toast here is amazing!!!! Seriously the best I've ever had. I would say that their sweet dishes are far superior to their savory ones (namely the crab cake Benedict and chicken and waffles). Service is terrific as well.
(4)Tiana H.
Heard so many good things about this place and I must say things went smoothly for me. Went on a Sunday morning only had to wait about 5minutes. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and the specials. Even though I had my mind set up on what I wanted (after viewing pictures on here) she still broke it down for me and the hubby. I ordered the Super French Toast Flight (the special was the butterscotch rum) and had the Crab Cake Benedict, hubby had the Salmon Omelet. The food was delicious. The only problem I had was that it was barely warm I think they got his order wrong cause they brought out the lobster omelet (he's allergic to shellfish) and had to remake his and they just let mine sit while his were being remade! Overall it was a good experience and we planned on coming back with the in-laws. I just want my food to be hot next time!
(4)Gino W.
I love the French toast. And since I didn't do my write-up soon after I had gone to Batter & Berries, I don't remember all of the slices that were in the flight of French toast that I had ordered. I will say that I plan to go back to have it again. For those of you who operate in slow motion, be forewarned that the restaurant packs out as soon as the doors open. They get a constant flow of customers and once you've had their offerings, you'll understand why.
(5)Dana J.
I'm giving 4 stars based on the size of the restaurant and the hour wait to even get a table. Service was great and my caramel french toast was even better, I just wish they had a bigger restaurant or even a new location. I plan on returning!
(4)Tommi S.
Geez!!! Love!!! This place was the highlight of my recent trip back to Chicago. Yes-you will wait. Yes-probably for a long time BUT...it's definitely worth it!! By far one of the most amazing breakfast experiences I've ever had. We ordered everything pretty much and sampled each others plates. I had the lobster omelet which had to have had an entire lobster in it...no joke. The portions are quite generous (I say this as a Texas girl). Heaven!! I also ordered the Strawberry French toast (don't judge me). Both were uber-delicious and beautifully presented within 8-10 min. Other insanely good bites while there: Sweet potato waffle w/chicken Champagne French Toast Shrimp Alfredo Omelet Not a place to sit down and chat...especially on the first visit...we were too busy oooh and ahhhing over our plates. Enjoy!
(5)Tavi J.
This review gets 5 stars in my book because the food was excellent. I may have given it 4 stars if we had really had to wait the hour and 45 minute wait we were quoted when my girl got there at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon. We ended up running into a friend of hers and joining their group at the communal table. Right off the bat the service was excellent! Our waiter Tim acknowledged our present and reassured us he'd be back to take our order soon and he was. Besides that the owner and another waiter checked in on us throughout the entire time. Our food took about 20 minutes and they apologized for the long wait and offered us complimentary juice (pineapple juice is yummy) Now.....onto the best brunch food I have ever had! I had my heart set on ordering the crab cake Benedict, but they stop serving it the day before, so I got the lobster Benedict. It was so good!! I'm not a fan of poached eggs, but this was just delicious. My friend ordered the chicken and sweet potato waffles, which were also tasty. We shared the super flight French toast, which included a champaign option. That is the best French toast I have ever had! My favorite was the lemon. I was absolutely stuffed when we left. What a great black own establishment. I will be back and hopefully I'll either run into someone or luck out with seating right away :)
(5)Art V.
This place is Awesome. The food is made to look visually appealing and seems like they take care to make each plate special and unique and not only does it look great, it tastes wonderful. My wife had the French toast special with five different types of French toast and loved every bite. I had a cheeseburger because I'm not a breakfast person and thought that I would just get that since my wife likes the place and I fell absolutely in love with this cheeseburger and large onion rings. This place is great go there and don't worry about the wait because it might be long.
(5)Saleem A.
Excellent breakfast options and service is really quick. Right now, it's my favorite breakfast option in the city.
(5)Kulsum J.
From the zesty chicken and waffles to the lobster/spinach everything had such rich flavor!!! Omg! def coming back! The French toast flight were orgasmic!!
(5)Annie M.
I am so happy I finally got to try this place! The wait on a Sunday around 11:30 was about an hour, and there's not really anywhere good to wait, so we walked up and down Lincoln to kill time. We ended up being seated at a community table, which was totally fine since there was plenty of space for everyone. Looking at all the delicious plates around us made the decision on what to order way harder! Although I really wanted the french toast flight, I went with the crab omelet special. It was served with a little bit of cheese (I think smoked gouda?), a very light tasty sauce, and topped with squash and red onion. The best part: they didn't skimp on the crab one bit! Lots of huge, delicious chunks of white crab meat. The flavors all blended together perfectly. And it came with the cheese crusted hashbrowns. No joke, I would wait a full hour again JUST for those taters! The service was also awesome. The owners were walking around and chatting with the guests and the food came out very fast. The only real downside of this place (other than the inevitable wait time) is the lack of AC. After waiting outside in the hot for a long time, I was hoping to cool down once I went inside, but the air was very minimal. They also played some pretty weird dance party music...but it wasn't too loud or anything, just a little weird for brunch. Next time: I'd consider waiting an extra hour or so and hitting up Atlas Brewing Company right across the street during the hour wait. They open at noon on Sundays. I'd also bring a bottle of bubbly because it's a BYOB place. That's right: BYOB brunch!
(4)Sheri M.
I have been hearing people rave about this place for breakfast for a while now. I went on a Tuesday around 11 and didn't have to wait at all. We were seated and served coffee quickly. Our waiter was superb with his service and very knowledgeable in terms of the menu and suggestions on what to eat. I had the pork chop and my mom had the steak. Both were seasoned well and were very tender as well. On my next visit, I hope to try the french toast that everyone raves about. Street parking was readily available at that time - which was a bonus!
(4)Bill R.
What a wonderful dining experience for breakfast. The menu is absolutely amazing and very unique. The service is super fast and friendly and the place was packed with some very happy people. You have to try the French Toast Super Flight and the crab omlete! Also, the chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. Management is engaged and ensures that every customer is well-beyond satisfied and certain to return. This is a "must go" eatery!
(5)Shannon K.
Solid four stars. I had the French toast flight, which was a nice sampler. If I were to order again I would just get the lemon French toast, since the lemony flavor really shines through. It's nothing out of the ordinary for brunch places, though, but the flavor is great and so is the service.
(4)Raquel Munchi M.
I had very high hopes for this place was let down unfortunately by undercooked meat and overcooked eggs and a little bit of bad service! First, we checked in. Lady (thin, with long hair and eyelashes) told us about 20 mins. We ended up going to put more money in the meter down the street and when we returned we noticed "new people" we're getting called before us. Not only did the lady we checked in with look dead at us she went on to call another group of new people. she never came back out to see hmmmm why are they still waiting. We ended up asking another employee if our names been called and indeed it was. He was great. Polite and apologized. He showed us back to the greeter who didn't acknowledge us at all but began to walk. My brother and I looked at each other and said the same thing... "Do we follower her" down the aisle she turned back and seen we were still right where they left us she waved to come to her. (Like a pet) We sat down said thank you She said nothing. Our waitress was amazing! Came out like she wrote the menu her self. (I loved that) Explained everything in detail and was happy to answer any we had. The menu was great. I was a bit indecisive cuz it all sounded so good but decided to go with the French Toast Super flight. It was delicious. Every bite. My brother on the other hand ordered the Executive. Well done with poached eggs. His meat came back red. Again, waitress went above and beyond and got him a new steak. Only bad thing is by the time it was cooked he finished his food and so did I. The new steak was fantastic. But the timing and waiting was aggravating and inconvenienced us terribly since we were on the other side of town hoping to beat traffic to make it to pick up kids from school on time. Mgr asked how everything was. We explained. He took the entire meal off the order. My brother won't be back, I know that. But I just might give them another shot! We all have bad days.... I'll take it that was there's.
(3)Keishana M.
After hearing so many great things about Batter & Berries,(and the mishap of experiencing bad service at another popular restaurant)I decided to try it for myself. "To my wonderful surprise, it was as good as it was hyped up to be!" "The Buckwheat pancakes w/chicken sausages were excellent!" To top off the buttery rich flavor of the pancakes, I added fresh fruit as a topping, and it wouldn't be me without a little bit of whipped cream..lol. The restaurant was clean, bright in coloring and the atmosphere was very pleasant and welcoming. This should have been the 1st choice of the day. I will definitely revisit, but next time I will explore more into their extensive menu. "I will be back very soon..!"
(5)Melanie M.
The food is good. The hostess can be very rude. They used the texting system to inform you when your table is ready, a good idea but they have no fedility to the system. They have poor communication among the staff and try to insult your intelligence by giving you some bullshit excuse that makes no sense. The food is definitely worth the wait and the stress.
(1)Shenice D.
Never again. I mean never again. Save your precious time (that you'll for sure waste) and dollars, & brunch elsewhere. I arrived Saturday morning to return since the food was so good last time. I was told there would be an hour wait. No big deal since I'd trekked all the way from the South Side & it was a beautiful day, we had no problem waiting. I notice an hour & 30mins had gone by & sent a friend to check on our table. The hostess told my friend there were 5 more parties ahead of us. I decided to go on & check myself because surely this was an error. I go in to inquire on the table, & the same info was repeated. I ask if it was over 30mins past the time given, why wouldn't they attempt to contact me? After all, they took my cell # down to contact me about the table. The host who had an attitude (young slim girl w/ thin weave & grey contacts) decided to tell me I walked in 30mins after I initially came in because thats what her tablet says. I then informed her I paid for parking & went to the Shell down the street AFTER putting my name down, & had the timestamps but that didn't matter. She wanted to debate, I just wanted to eat. Then a man w/ glasses, whom I assume is management cut in to tell me the time they give is "an estimate at best" & not to hold them to the exact time. Now from 1 hour to an hour & 45 mins, is far beyond an estimate. It's basically 1 hour compared to 2 hours. Finally get my table, and surprisingly it took the server 20mins to get over to the table. I felt bad for the man there to provide water & clean the table (hate the term bus boy) because we had to keep bothering him since our server was nowhere to be found. We finally got our food & my friend's plate was cold, not an ounce of warmth to it so she sent it back. The scallop omelet I had was good. But just too many issues to get that meal. There are several other brunch places around & the staff here act as if they don't have to provide proper customer service. They're (mostly) cocky & rude. Should've listened to the reviews I'd received from social media users. So much for trying to support black businesses. Back to Zed451 I go. Thanks guys!
(1)Andrew H.
Disclaimer: this is all based on my attempt to have brunch on a Sunday, so not sure if things are different on other, less busy days. Take with a grain of salt. Attempted to get brunch last Saturday around 1pm. This was my experience... I was completely taken aback by the rudeness of the hostesses when I entered to inquire about wait time. I wasn't greeted, or welcomed. They just stared at me, with a look of disgust and annoyance in their eyes. The restaurant was set to close around 3pm, and given I had arrived 2 hours prior to that, they flippantly scrolled through an iPad, then said the wait was 2 hours, 45 minutes. The answer is annoying since it was clearly after they were set to close. And there were maybe 5-8 other people standing around and waiting, so where was this coming from? So, I didn't wait, nor will I ever attempt to. If this is how they greet and treat first time guests (with rudeness and flagrant dishonesty), I don't see why I'd spend those nearly-three-hours here when I can go to any of the great brunch places around time. Including the ones that sensibly offer reservations! The food could be amazing, but the the first sip of service left a distinctly bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Tiffany R.
Ok I've come enough times that I can now give an adequate review. I should start with the caveat that I am a vegan that occasionally eats seafood. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So for me there isn't a lot on the menu I can try. Most people go for French Toast but i don't like sweets. There is a veggie omelet but i find that the specials are always beyond amazing!!! The specials are usually seafood so that's the way I go. My favorite thing was the lobster Omelet when they had it. My mom said her Pork was very tasty, cooked perfecrly, and juicy...she was smitten. My little brother said the service is great, the presentation is amazing, nice portions for the price, seasoned well, and the menu is diverse. The chef came out and talked to customers.
(4)Monique B.
I wish I could give this place a higher rating because I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, after waiting an hour my friend and I ordered deconstructed omlettes and shared a waffle flight. The food came out 5 seconds after we ordered it, meaning everything is pre-made in the back and that's why the omlettes are deconstructed, so that the cooks can just put some eggs on a plate and scoop the ingredients on top and churn food out quickly. The french toast flight was the same. All the french toast was the same, just with different toppings on the same standard french toast. I understand having to serve lots of people quickly, especially in a small space like this one, with a long line. However, if you're going to make things in bulk, and make me wait an hour to be seated I want it to be delicious. The food here was just ok. I do love that it's BYOB and I also think the service was good here, although not great. Overall, brunch is my favorite meal of the day and I doubt I'll want to come back here when there are other places with food that's just as good, service that's a little better, an environment where I can eat and drink more leisurely and don't have to wait for an hour. I'm glad I tried them once though.
(2)Christelle S.
One of my favorite brunch spots in Chicago. If you haven't been, you are seriously missing out! I've been here 3 times, and each time is just as good as the last! The first time I went I had the French toast flight. Ummm - best thing ever. The flight features a slice of blueberry, lemon, caramel, and strawberry french toast served with their maple butter. I tried to order maple syrup with it, but was told to try it first. Honestly, it is so sweet and delicious you don't even need anything extra. My second time I had the chicken and waffles. Everything is made so deliberately here so that the flavors combine in the perfect way in your mouth. I was instructed to take a bite of the sweet potato waffle, maple butter, and chicken with the hot sauce - the chicken has nutmeg in the batter that works well with the waffle and it literally is just mind blowing! Some of the best chicken and waffles I have ever had. Wow! On my most recent visit I ordered the lobster benedict (split the super french toast flight with my boyfriend though - addition of gingerbread toast). The lobster cakes were buttery and delicious, the hash brown were cheesy, and overall I left full and satisfied. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you live in Chicago or are just visiting. They get VERY busy on the weekends, so shoot for a weekday if you can. If not, get there early or be prepared to wait.
(5)Courtney W.
First let me say I love a good brunch! We were visiting Chicago and I wanted to find a good brunch spot (preferably with a mimosa). I did a little research and came across this place. We arrived close to noon and it was packed. Yep, on a Monday! We waited about 10 minutes before our table was ready. The staff were very nice and professional. Everything on the menu sounded good but be mindful, there's 2 chalkboards (one in the main dining area and another close to the kitchen) with other specials and desserts written on a chalkboard. One thing on the chalkboard that stood out was the crawfish omelet *insert drooling emoji* I would have LOVED to try it but my mind was set on the wings and waffle. I also wanted to get some peach cobbler to-go but I forgot. I was fat and full by the time I left. LOL Anywho, I ordered the succulent sweet potato waffle which was topped with maple butter and a fried, crispy boneless chicken breast splattered with their homemade hot sauce. This is in the running for the best chicken and waffle I've ever had. It was sooooooooooo good! I did order extra hot sauce (.50) but the waffle really needed no syrup as it was already sweet enough. I had our waitress bring syrup anyway just so I could try it and it could go without. The maple butter was enough. I would definitely recommend this place if you're visiting Chicago. Don't shy away if it's a wait, they move pretty quickly and the food came out fast, hot and very tasty. Kudos!
(5)Ena B.
Great food , fast and friendly food so good make you want to bring your mama . Not only was the French toast of every flavor great but the shrimp and crab Benedict fabulous
(5)John T.
Over priced, Over seasoned, Over sauced breakfast food, combined with poor service. Not worth the wait or the Heartburn side affect.
(2)Hannah T.
This was such a quiet day when we came in. The food was great and our server was really sweet. They have a french toast flight. I repeat: THEY HAVE A FRENCH. TOAST. FLIGHT. you're welcome.
(4)Nya H.
I found this spot via Tumblr. Can you believe that tumblr! When I found out it was black owned, I decided yup this is a must. I was thrown off by the wait (1hr 30), however my sister and I had no problem exploring Chicago. I loved how tech-savvy they are. When you put down your name, they send you a txt to say when your table is ready. amen! FOOD: A++ The food came within 10minutes of us sitting down and ordering! This place crowded from wall to wall; so yes they deserve these 5 stars. The food was great. I ordered the Maple Rum French Toast. Excellente... Did not need any syrup and added bacon to finish it off! My sister enjoyed her biscuits and gravy which came with eggs and hash browns. COST/HOSPITALITY: A++ Our meal came out to $35. Well worth the money and wait. Everyone was friendly and I had a blast! Will be coming back and telling and bringing my friends & family.
(5)Krupa A.
Three words. French Toast Flight! This was one of my favorite brunch visit's in the city with my spouse, and I can't wait to return. Yes, there is a long wait on weekends, but the food is worth it! I've never said this in a review before, but you can taste the LOVE in the food. It's all sorts of comfort food and tasty wonderfulness. I'm preggers right now, and am totally craving this place. Save calories to eat here or make sure you go for a long walk afterwards because the food is definitely an indulgence. My husband and I split the french toast flight, as well as a veggie omelet and both complemented each other really well. The maple butter is a great touch, and you don't even need syrup if you have the maple butter, just enjoy the flavors as is. Everything is seasoned and spiced perfectly. Our server was very welcoming and kind. He had an energy about him, that you couldn't help but tip him largely for! It was also nice to see the Chef walking around and greeting customers and regulars. This place draws a diverse clientele and it's nice to support local chefs. The only improvement I can think of is to improve their wait times, maybe reservations wouldn't be a bad idea or perhaps a system where you can call in and put your name on the list day the day of.
(5)Norm J.
Service - The waitress knew the menu by heart and gave us excellent recommendations. Food - Oh man you HAVE to try the Flight of French Toast. You'll get a piece of the strawberry, blueberry, lemon & carmel. All were super yummy (yes I just wrote super yummy don't hate), but my favorite was the lemon piece of French Toast. It was just a mouth full of goodness. - Scallop Omelet made with egg whites and goat cheese was AMAZING. You get 3 jumbo scallops to go along with your fluffy egg whites. I believe this was a special for the week so it's not on the normal menu. - Pineapple Juice is served here! I don't know why this made me so happy, it's not like a drink pineapple juice in my everyday life. The only negative about Batter & Berries is that we got there at 9:50a.m (during the week) and still had a 30 minute wait. However, after eating there I can see why that place is always busy.
(4)Ayanna M.
Came out to this Lincoln Park spot on Good Friday with my mother for brunch. We waited nearly an hour for a table, but it was more than worth it. We tried the Supreme French Toast Flight, the Cluck-n-Gaufre, with a side of the homemade chicken sausage and egg whites with cheddar cheese. Everything from the food to the service was excellent. The waitress asked us which french toast was our favorite and we honestly could not decide - they were all amazing. They also serve Le Colombe coffee which was my first time and it tasted great. Can't wait to come back and try some of their omelettes!
(5)Tiffany D.
Tried B&B for the first time with family and I was pleased. The wait was at least an hour but the food was worth it. My fiancé and I split the French Toast Flight : Blueberry, Lemon, Caramel, Strawberry and the flavor of the day - Apple Pie. It was delicious! I also had egg whites, cheese hash browns, and turkey sausage. The hash browns could use a little seasoning and the turkey sausage was good. It had like a maple taste to it. Would recommend to try. Get there early because the wait can be long.
(4)D D.
Many places can claim to do chicken and waffle, but no one can reinvent and elevate the dish quite like Batter and Berries. First, this is no ordinary waffle. This is a sweet potato waffle with chunks of chicken baked right inside the batter... yes, you read that right. Chicken inside the batter!!!!! The batter itself taste almost like a sweet potato pie, but better. The chicken is boneless, and lightly battered, so it's not a think heavy crust, but still has that crunch you want in fried chicken. The dish is also served with a maple butter that is so much the perfect addition to the waffle, syrup is not needed. Finally, the chicken comes with homemade hot sauce. But, don't fret, the hot sauce isn't spicy, rather it adds just the right amount of tang to the chicken. Combined, the sweet, salty, tangy bite of the waffle, butter, chicken and hot sauce makes for umami (ie heaven) in your mouth. Things to note, the wait can be llooonnnggg (first time I went, I waited almost 3 hours!) But the wait wad worth it. The next time, I got smart. I went about an hour before it closed and the wait wad much shorter ( in and out within an hour). Also once you get inside and place your order, the food comes out fast. I mean freaky fresh fast, lol. I've always gone with a party of two and waited less than 7 out 8 minutes got out food. This is super impressive because the restaurant is always jammed packed with people. Overall, this is a great breakfast/brunch/lunch spot to try. The place is small, but inviting, good for kids (they have booster seats) and can please even the pickiest of palates. The owners ate always around to make sure everything runs well and that people love the food, which you will. Bon a petit!!
(5)Roni F.
So I finally visited the infamous Batter & Berries, and I will say it's a little overrated. The wait time was very long, but it was a Saturday. The hostess was average, but our waitress was great. Our food came out very quickly, but it wasn't hot. I ordered pancakes, scrambled eggs, beacon, and hash-browns. The pancakes were good. The hash-browns were too cheesy, and once the cheese got cold the hash-browns became super hard. After our meal, I wanted to hang around and chit-chat with my girlfriends, but the line of people waiting to sit down was so long that I felt guilty doing so. Although my review is average I plan to return to give it another try. Pros! Pancakes Cons! Long wait time Food is overpriced Limited seating Congested
(3)Sashja P.
OMG YESSSSSS!!!! Chey Rylon did his thing! I loved my experience today! Very courteous! fast service! awesome food! I enjoyed every bite of my Chef's Country Excutive- scrambled eggs, country fried chicken with white gravy and cheese hash browns. I will speak the same for my husband and his Pork Chop Exexutive (clean plate) but ssshhhh don't tell him I said that :-))) 1st time awesome experience we'll be back for sure... Uh oh Wishbone looks like a little competition :-))). both are great establishments.. (I did not spellcheck or grammar check so forgive me in advance) Make sure to see KA-See-me Kenyatta Jackson he was a great waitress!
(5)Hazel C.
Great food -great coffee -great service. No wonder the lines are so long on the weekend!
(5)Anthony A.
The anticipation! The smell of good food. And then... We waited 55 minutes to get a table and the wait itself was entertaining. Where else can you get yelled at while waiting for a table. The hostess came outside several times and yell at the crowd to reply to the text messages or be removed off the waiting list. I'm not and expert at this but wouldn't it be easier to inform people when they arrive and give their name? Or maybe put a note at the bottom of the text message? Just a thought! We finally were seated and noticed that the gentleman walking around outside checking the door was the chef. He was walking around inside chatting to the crowd. Note- loose the Bluetooth from the ear and baseball cap. Just my opinion. On to the food, we order the chicken and waffles, Blueberry "waffle" and broccoli and cheese omelet which came with cheesy hash browns. The chicken breast was carved into a small portion and came with hot sauce on it. Not typically what you would want on a breakfast meal. The omelet was not an omelet, it was a egg with cheese slices on top with a couple of stems of broccoli on it. I though the definition of omelet was the ingredients were inside not on top. The cheesy hash browns were just that nothing to really get excited about. Over all the food was average. Everything is priced more a la cart so you will spend a good dollar for breakfast. Our meal was just about $50. At that price point my expectations are higher than iHop. This is a trendy spot right now but I think it can use a little infusion of style. Just a couple of notches from a 4 star restaurant.
(3)Ashley L.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots!!! I drive all the way from the south suburbs of Chicago just to eat here..50min drive!!!! Amazing French toast!!! My favorite thing to order is the caramel French toast and the traditional, but I've pretty much have tried everything. I thing the cost of food is worth every penny!!!! This place has changed my view on what brunch is supposed to be!! If you have not been, you need to go right now!!!
(5)Christy C.
This is a great little breakfast place. The ambiance and decor is nothing to rave about but the food and service makes up for that! My friends and I shared the super french toast flight, which comes with a salted caramel (my favorite), strawberry, blueberry, lemon and french toast special which happened to be trix cereal. We also shared the crab cake benedict which was very good. Our waitress was extremely friendly, and despite the large crowds we did not have to wait for a table. At the time I dined here (August 2014) they did not have a liquor license and you were allowed to bring your own alcohol (think mimosas!) so maybe call ahead and see what is going on with their alcohol now.
(4)Dalton K.
RUDE STAFF. INSANE WAIT. STAY AWAY. I can understand the concept of having to wait for brunch on a weekend, but waiting 2 hours and watching the hostess seat other parties clearly behind us in the line was just ridiculous. We waited 2 HOURS and finally just left. Such a rude staff. I will never ever go back to this place, I don't care how good the French Toast is. Save your time, money, energy and go somewhere else.
(1)Jasmine B.
Great food. Good service. Should definitely expand to knock out long waiting and cramped ambiance. But worth the trouble, very palate satisfying!
(4)Sabrina M.
Hurts my heart to downgrade but I've had, at this point, a half-dozen meh-to-outright bad experiences here. I think they are honestly "victims" of their own success. They were so good when they first opened and the word of mouth spread so fast that they really are unable to keep up quality with the volume of guests they're receiving. That's the only thing I can figure for food that isn't freshly made or served hot, or served well. I'll just give one specific that is indicative of the entire problem: Last time I was there I had crab cake Benedict special. I was surprised when it came out about 4 minutes after I ordered it. Not only that, but it came out cold. Now, you'd think that if an order came up that fast, it would be PIPING hot. Nope, it was cold. Which led me to believe one thing: It hadn't been made-to-order. Tasting it confirmed that. I discreetly asked the server about this and he was honest enough to admit that several other people had complained about the same thing (coldness, staleness) and that because of the volume, no, everything was not made-to-order. He was also kind enough to remove it from the bill. So you have servers like that who are professional and honest. But I've also had other experiences there with servers who were totally AWOL, unprofessional and unhelpful. The admission that my entree was not freshly made was disturbing, to say the least. I don't think you can really cut corners with breakfast food, and especially not with something like eggs benedict. You have lost the quality war when you start cutting corners like that. I'm also incredibly put off by the fact that they seem to spend an inordinate amount of time pandering to celebrities. It's not celebrities who have made this place as popular as it is -- it's "regular" people like me who went back and told all their friends, co-workers, relatives, etc how good it was. I have to wonder if the "celebrities" are the ones getting the fresh food while the rest of us are getting the cold, stale and/or undercooked food. Hmmm. Well, I wish Batter and Berries all the very best, but until I hear that there's a return to the original quality that made this place so special, I'll be saving my money.
(2)Jamar T.
I've heard so much about this place and after one failed attempt due to the ridiculous wait time I finally made it in! The food was really good just as I had heard. They food came out within minutes which was pretty shocking and also made me a bit skeptical. I had the french toast flight and the lobster omelet and both were delicious! Most dishes come with cheesy hash browns but I could tell they make them in bulk bc they were not hot or fresh which was disappointing. The service here was equally fantastic. Our server was extreme knowledgable of the menu and the current specials. The reason I'm giving it 5 stars is because I literally left wanting more!
(5)Niecy M.
First time! The crawfish omelet, and flight french toast were excellent! Be prepared to wait...once you get in the service is good.
(4)Trent Z.
One of my new favorite breakfast places. I had the crab cake benedict and it was exquisite. My girlfriend had the french toast flight so I got to try some of that too and it was nothing short of amazing. It was definitely crowded because it was Saturday morning but it was only a 20 minute wait. I will definitely be back to try the chicken and waffles. Also don't forget to BYOB.
(5)Crystal J.
Went here with my family for my birthday breakfast. I heard such rave reviews, we decided to make the drive from the south suburbs to try this restaurant. Though the food is delicious. It is not worth the wait (hour + wait) The atmosphere is not ideal for a good dining experience. People are literally waiting in groves. Standing right next to you while you eat. Elbow to elbow. Hostesses are rude, not a smile to be seen. The food is not piping hot, but it comes out faster than Quick Silver. I had the Lobster Benedict. Hubby had steak and eggs. Our 2 children had french toast and pancakes. Everything for the most part was al a cart...except the hash browns. After waiting for over an hour, they rush you out. You haven't even seen the bottom of your plate and there is the check on your table. Food is good. Dining experience is horrible. Not worth an $80 tab. I tried it, but I will not make it top priority to come again. Sorry. I really wanted to like it.
(2)Dinora D.
The place is totally worth the wait! Only reason I gave this place a 4 [wish I could do 4.5] was the poached eggs on my crab cake Benedict. They were over done and not runny at all. BUT the flavors are beyond amazing. As the chef recommends, no need for additional condiments, not even more salt or pepper...seasoned to perfection. Definitely go and stand outside for an hour, you'll be happy you did!
(4)Shaunna B.
I've been here a couple times now and there seems to always be a wait. So expect that, but know that it is totally worth it. The food is amazing, priced well, and plated beautifully. A lot of different things to try.
(4)Emma L.
Visited B&B for Sunday Brunch with my friend. We were quoted a 45 minute wait, which I was expecting due to the crowd outside and the not-so-huge dining area. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. Not cool. Once we were inside we got our own table, which was nice. I have no problem sitting community style but it's never my preference. Apparently French Toast is their main thing. They had a good portion of the menu dedicated to their varieties and "flights" of French Toast. Their special flavor of the day was 7-Up French Toast. Interesting. Unfortunately, I don't like French Toast. French Toast, French Toast. Their omelets are described as being "deconstructed" aka, eggs on bottom & stuff on top. Whatever, no difference to me. No substitutions on the omelets, just an FYI. Saving grace of the day was our waiter who quickly poured us some hot coffee and read the day's special. Crab & Shrimp Cake Eggs Benedict ($17)? Yes, please. Lobster (deconstructed) Omelet ($19)? Sold. Thank god my friend was down to go halfsies. They were both pretty delicious. The cheesy hash browns that come with many of the brunch entrees are pretty good, too All in all, glad I tried it but I wouldn't make it a regular spot considering the wait and the fact I liked the 2 most expensive things on the menu.
(3)Dome H.
The Deal: I decided to search for a great brunch spot on the northside for my girlfriends and I. I heard through the grapevine that this place was great, yet that the wait was long. There is no RSVP. When we arrived (August 2014) we were quickly greeted by a long line. I went to speak with the hostess who let me know that the wait would be approximately 45 minutes, and indeed it was. Food: Now people rant and rave about the food on here. However, I was not impressed. I ordered the Deconstructed Steak Omelet topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, swiss cheese & red wine sauce, which came with fresh shredded B&B hash browns. The steak lacked flavor along with the hash browns and I had to ask the waittress if she could replace my order of hash browns because there was barely any cheese on it. Thank goodness my friend was there and she told me about their infamous hot sauce that they make. This definitely helped add flavour to the meal and made for a much more enjoyable experience. Now, they have BYOB, however, they request that you purchase the juice. We didn't know about this rule and had purchased orange juice from the 7-11 down the block. Our waitress was accommodating and allowed us to drink our own juice albeit we hide the bottles. lol FYI: My friends ordered french toast and seemed to like it. Atmosphere: Chill. Urban. Laid-back. The place is set-up nice, but it is small. There is minimal noise. Service: Great! Overall: It was a good experience. I would come again but it would not be my first choice.
(3)Jennifer F.
Delicious!!! I went with serval friends and in addition to each of us ordering a dish, we got some extra items to share. Everything I sampled was out of this world. Plus the day I went they were playing house music. Love this place and can't wait to go back.
(5)Nick M.
I'd never had chicken and waffles before, but WOW theirs were great! I ordered bacon and that was great and so were my sunny side up eggs. The waiter refilled my water all the time, which was nice. This place is not your regular "quite breakfast place." They match the lively atmosphere and hustle and bustle with up-beat instrumental music. Great place to go if you're with a friend or a group.
(5)Meghana P.
Okay, everyone was right about the French toast - it is as amazing as advertised. I got the chewy chocolate chip toast (special of the week) and it was amazing. It was sweet and chocolatey without being overwhelmingly so, as was the sugary butter that came with it. I ate every part of this toast, even the crusts. There's no point in over describing - suffice it to say that this French toast is flawless. It is not overly sweet, it's interesting, just the right texture and firmness. I was lucky enough to go on a Monday morning, and thus got a table without a wait. The service was friendly and great, with everything coming quickly, water and coffee being refilled often, and the manager coming to check in on us. However, I was less than impressed with my deconstructed broccoli and cheese omelette. Although the cheesy hash browns on the side were great (I literally couldn't stop eating them - they were crunchy and soft and cheesy and had just the right amount of spices), the omelette itself was meh. It was just an omelette with orange cheese and nearly raw broccoli on the top. Furthermore, the pieces were so large that I struggled to cut them with my little knife and fork. The omelette was not new or innovative, nor was it particulary tasty and it was also difficult to eat. Most of the food here seems great, and the French toast is exceptional. Worth a visit if you're a fan, and you may get a short wait if you're lucky.
(4)Frank R.
We travel a lot and there are few places like it around the country if you are visiting sit at the community table and mingle. Food is amazing and their staff and atmosphere matches.
(5)Peter M.
I had the French toast super flight which includes a half slice of five different preparations, two of which had fresh fruit on them. I liked the taste but the French toast came out barely lukewarm and the bread was relatively thin so the dish wasn't very filling. For $11, I would expect it to be hot and the slices to be thicker. I also tried some of my GF's cheesy potatoes and they also weren't hot. Service was very good and the food came out very quickly. The coffee was also excellent.
(3)Michael C.
Came here a few weekends ago at around 9:30 AM and I could easily spot the restaurant from a few blocks away due to all the people milling around waiting fora table. I put my name down and it was 45 minutes for a party of two, so if you somehow don't want to wait I suggest coming here probably at open haha When my friend and I were seated we were shown the specials on a tablet which was really great. I normally never order a special, but actually considered it after seeing what the food actually looked like. Props to the servers here because there are about seven different specials, and ours went through each one of them. Having heard nothing but amazing things, my friend and I decided to share the super flight of french toast and the chicken and waffles. Hands down best french toast I have ever had. Each piece of french toast was the perfect balance of sweet and fruity, and the texture soft but slightly chewy. Though I appreciated the chicken and waffles, I didn't fancy the hot sauce that came with it very much. The chicken was nice and crispy though while the waffle had a nice touch of sweet potato flavor and came with hunks of chicken in it. When I came, it was still summertime and for some reason there was no AC working. My friend and I were feeling the humidity in the crowded restaurant, though that should not be a problem as the weather starts to cool down. Hopefully I'll be back to try some other dishes!
(4)Lamar S.
This place is a great place to go for Brunch. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good for a friendly atmosphere. ***BYOB ALERT**** this place is excellent for you to bring your own bottle of champaign and make mimosas! To start, if you go on the weekend, expect a wait. As our waiter pointed out, they open up early on the weekends but there can be people outside waiting up to a half hour before they open. Although the wait can be long, I would say hold out because the food is amazing! In addition to the menu they have, they change up the specials every week. Although I give them 5 stars, there is a few of things that I didn't personally like but it could just be my perception and my preference: 1) the hostess is not that friendly. When we went to ask about our wait time, after we had been sitting there for about 40 mins already, she gave us somewhat of an attitude and said "we didn't call you yet". Me and my fiancé politely said thank you and went back outside to wait. 2) the place is not that big so it can be kinda cozy with the neighboring tables 3) the noise level is high. Our waiter was awesome! He knew everything about the menu and made some great recommendations! If it is your first time going, I would suggest getting the super flight of the French toast. It's one piece of all the French toast they have including the special they have for that day. Overall, I would come back.
(5)LaDarian D.
Quick, friendly & delicious. The sweet potato waffle & fried chicken is perfect. Has the right amount of sweet & perfect touch of hot sauce, impressive. Shrimp & crab Benedict disappeared before I could try it so it must have been on point. Will be back for sure
(5)Kelly S.
A very popular spot with some unique breakfast specials such as salmon omelet and a marinated bone-in pork chop and eggs. We got there Saturday at 8:30 and had a 45 minute wait which our hostess was spot on with estimating so no quibbles there. It seems the sweet spot would have been around 9:15 as others who got there about that time had only a 10-15 minute wait. They open at 8:00. Service was good, however, our server failed to volunteer the cost info for my off menu special - turkey omelet. The specials are all listed on a chalkboard but also don't have the prices listed there. I assumed the turkey omelet would be similar in price to the ones in the menu that come in around $10. It was actually $14 which is a little steep for eggs with stuff on them in my cheap ass world. Shame on me for not asking but shame on them for not publishing the $ info. Omelets come with a pile of their cheesy hash browns which are yummy but mine were barely lukewarm and slightly gluey in consistency The omelet itself was quite good and hot. It was filled with a cranberry cheese and then topped with a good amount of sliced turkey, portabella mushrooms and gravy. I could only eat about half of the huge omelet. Coffee was good.
(3)Niekema H.
Great atmosphere for a brunch with the girls. The crab/shrimp eggs benedict was prepared to delight. Everyone ordered a different meal so it was nice to be able to try other items off the menu which were also exquisite. What I didn't know was that it's also BYOB. Next time for sure. They told us it would be about an hour and a half wait, but we didn't even wait an hour which was nice. Our waitress was pleasant and timely. The meal arrived quickly also. Great time had by all.
(5)Courtney B.
This place is awesome the food was amazing I had the chicken and waffles !!! I was a little skeptical when they brought the food out and I saw hot sauce!!! And no syrup... But the hostess guided me on how to obtain the full enjoyment of my first bite... The waffle, maple butter and chicken all in one bite !!! And it was awesome also the hostess was very informative about the menu , and even at the end as we were leaving the chief come over for our opinion of the food overall the place was great... I felt horrible because we didn't leave a tip for her my bestie paid for us this round and she didn't have cash on her... That's why I had to take time out of my day to write this review of this place because it was really awesome and I will be back !!! With a double tip !!!!
(5)Rachel L.
Fantastic low-key brunch joint. Service was impeccable and went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect. Food was absurdly delicious. We ordered the fried chicken and chicken stuffed waffle and the french toast flight. Both were not only unique, but deliciously perfect. All in all it made for the perfect morning and if I'm ever back in Chicago, I would definitely return here.
(5)Meg S.
My husband, 1 year old and I trekked it into the city for brunch. We chose B&B after seeing all of the great reviews. Wait: 35 minutes on a Sunday around 10:30 in nice weather Ambiance? So cute! Small (seats maybe 50ish people at a time). I love the local artwork on the walls and the tables are made out of tiles. It is a tight fit though but I expected as much. Nice plus? They had changing tables in both of the bathrooms, which I wouldn't expect from a small joint. The only downfall? It is REALLY loud. My husband and I could barely hear each other. Staff? Busy, but welcoming and attentive. Our server did not have time to hover but he did check in 2x and my husband's coffee was always filled. The chef/owner did come out and say hello which was a nice touch. And most important... Food? AMAZING! They are known for their french toast and there is a good reason why. My husband had the flight, and each one was better than the next. The flight had strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and for $2 we were able to try the birthday one too. Each one was light and just the right about of fluff and a hint of the flavors as to not overwhelm. I had the lemon french toast and I about cried when I finished it. It was just tart enough. I also ordered the sweet potato hash browns, so crispy and perfect! Even though it took us an hour to get there from Arlington Heights, we will be back. I am already craving more french toast.
(5)Chadwick C.
I live in Houston, TX, and was brought to this place by a couple of fellow "foodie's". I am planning a trip back to Chicago, FOR THIS BREAKFAST SPOT. Best breakfast I have ever had, and we tried 5 different dishes at our table. Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict was AMAZING. Their French Toast flight was probably the best French toast I have ever had. The Chicken and Waffles, with chicken IN THE WAFFLE, rivaled my favorite chicken and waffles spot here in Houston, and DESTROYED their version. I got lucky and had one of our tablemates get there early to wait in line for a table, other than that, the service was superb. Excellent and funny waiter, would leave us with a riddle, and come back with the answer. We were never thirsty or wanting for too long, and deserved the great tip we left. Goods: Everything, especially the FOOD, followed closely by the excellent service. Bads: The wait, and it not being in Houston.
(5)J H.
Yes the wait is long, but it is worth it. Their breakfast food is great - french toast flight, chicken and waffle, pancakes, homemade sausage, and deconstructed omelete. I just had a salad there for the first time, and it too was great - the berry salad, on spinanch with goat cheese. I'm happy they finally got a winter door system, as sitting up front in the cold weather was pretty breezy. I think they need to move to a text system for their waitlist or call people 5 mintues before their table is ready. The wait is by far the worst part...however when I missed my name (bc I wasn't out front when they called) and checked back in they sat us right away...I was worried we were gonna have to get back on the list and starve!
(5)Hilary T.
We waited two hours to be seated on a Sunday at 12:30. The chicken and waffles and omelette were good, but not amazing. The waiters were nice but the hostess was rude and incompetent. There were open tables that weren't being sat and an unorganized list for people waiting. She also told us it would be 10 more minutes after waiting an hour and then we waited another 45 minutes.
(2)Jakara H.
Long wait, but worth it! The service was perfect, atmosphere was great, and the food is something I crave and dream about. A small restaurant, but comfortable when you're seated. It's BYOB, so bring a bottle of champagne for mimosas. Get the super fresh crab cakes and shrimp Alfredo omelet and thank me later! The owner came out and thanked us for coming while servers celebrated birthdays through original song! Love this place and will be back!
(5)Katie C.
Believe the hype! Everything was amazing. We had the lobster omelette, shrimp and crab Benedict and a half order of strawberry French toast (yes, we ordered too much)! The only sad thing is we were so full we couldn't eat it all! Definitely worth checking out and waiting for a table if you have to.
(4)Shilpa G.
This was by far the best brunch place I've ever been to. The menu was great and the service was impeccable. The sweet food wasn't overly sweet and the savory food wasn't overly greasy or salty. Highly recommend this place
(5)Beth F.
This place made me love the idea of brunch. Their caramel French toast is to die for, and the employees are all very friendly. Be prepared to wait for a seat, especially on the weekends... but trust me, it's worth it.
(5)Robin M.
Loved it! Crowd was already there in force when we got there right before 11am. By the time we left, it looked like a convention. Word is out and to put it bluntly: it's worth the hype! What's to love: the French Toast Flight on crack (normally you get four slices, you can upgrade to include the special FT of the day -- we did that). So we got strawberry (delicious); blueberry (very good); caramel and nuts (very very good); lemon (excellent) and the special (an extra 2 bucks, I think) which was birthday cake (really sweet but very good). Just get it for your table and share it. Girlfriend got crab benedict (it was soooooo good); we both got bacon and coffee. That coffee was no joke -- hot and strong! Our server, Timothy, was super nice and accommodating. Attentive but didn't hover. And really chill about questions and requests. Thanks, Tim! On the other super plus side: diverse crowd, which was so refreshing in Lincoln Park! What's not to love: it's loud in there. Also, prices are a bit on the high side. But I felt I got my money's worth. But will keep me from going as much as I'd like! They were super busy so service takes a minute. But no big thing. Tim introduced himself and told us he'd be back. So didn't feel ignored in the least. All in all, a real winner. No lie. We had amazing food, really first-rate service. Will go back as soon as I can.
(4)Eric S.
We had both breakfast and lunch here. The hash browns have a bit of cheese in them which makes them extra special. The pancakes and syrup were great but the home made maple infused butter really added something great. The chicken sandwich was also very good and the garlic fries were excellent. The place is a little cramped for the volume and the table waiting area is oddly placed at the back of the restaurant. Also due to tables being placed so close to the door, each time it's opened there is quite the cold breeze. These are surely just growing pains of what over the long run will be a great brunch spot.
(4)Jamal N.
I wish I could heap more praise to proclaim how great this place is. It's just that good. Chef Raylon serves up traditional(and nontraditional ) breakfast & brunch with a unique contemporary spin. If you're a fan of breakfast food(which for me is my favorite meal of the day), then you won't be disappointed.. THE FOOD/QUALITY: First off, you're getting fresh ingredients, properly cooked, and it actually tastes better then the pictures(for once), and portions are VERY big. Choose from 'deconstructed omelets(the ingredients are heaped atop your eggs)', the famous 'flight of french toast'(more than enough for sharing, melts in your mouth...fight with friends over which flavor is best, like lemon, Maple, strawberry, or flavor of the week, mmm'), and several tasty sandwiches that melt in your mouth. Chef Rylon knows his way around the kitchen. SERVICE: Always punctual, never rude, even during a rush you'll still find a table for your party. Each server attends to you promptly, and doesn't 'pop-up(movie cliche-style) every two minutes to harass you with requests to find out "How you're meal is"....they back off just the right amount, but are still attentive... PRICE: These dishes would be well justified at a $13 price point, but each is usually only $10-$12. Great value for the quality & quantity. Chef Rylon actually walks around greeting each table, asking what you thought of the meal, offering samples of upcoming dishes, and showing concern over making sure you're treated right. In a big city like Chicago, it's good to see that a traditional style experience can still be had in the middle of trendy Lincoln Park Walk....run...go there with your friends the next time you're doing breakfast. Believe me, you won't be disappointed!
(5)C. H.
We were visiting from Louisville, KY in Sept. and this place was recommended from a friend of a one of my friends. So we reviewed the menu and I was excited because I'd never seen a eatery with chicken sausage. We went on Sunday about noonish and we were immediately seated, which we were happy about. Now I ordered the chicken and biscuits which I had preselected the day before. However, my food came out lukewarm but I didn't complain. Next downfall was the mixture of the chicken sausage gravy and the biscuits I believe that made my main dish salty. Also, I ordered the sweet potatoes hashbrown but they came out just like regular mashed potatoes. Now my other two friends enjoyed their meal which was the chicken and gaufe and the pecan French toast(not enough syrup). Now I plan to try it again in February and hopefully speak to the chef so this experience is better. One more quick thing, they do not split the bill so be prepared either with cash or one person covering the whole table.
(3)Kristin S.
Oh yeah. This is breakfast. De-licious!!! Can't complain about a place that specializes in french toast. And it just so happen to be PEANUT BUTTER special that day. Have I told you peanut butter is my favorite food???? This was so excellent. You did not even need syrup. So I had some tri-fecta of ecstacy... Peanut butter, lemon and some berry. Portions were on the smaller size, but that's ok. I don't need 1800 calories for breakfast. Coffee was decent. Server was friendly. The accoustics were awful and when breakfast was in full swing it was difficult to talk. But, this place was absolutely tasty and worth a return trip!
(4)Charlene S.
Meh. Not very impressed. Brunch is my thing!!! And I was a bit disappointed. We were seated immediately. Not very busy. I was dreading the thought of being seated in the front. The draft came swooping in freezing everyone and their food in the first half of the restaurant. There was a poor girl sitting in the front who had pulled her sleeves down over her hands. We were seated in the back. Right in front of the kitchen. That needs to be closed off. I don't wanna hear all the racket of a kitchen and the banter that goes on between the staff. The decor. Blah. There were these weird stone garden benches in the middle of the restaurant in front of the restrooms. Yucko. And from other reviews it was a waiting area. The decor was horrible. Mish mash tiled vases on the windows. Tacky fluorescent lighting in the back. Weird paintings. The food was ok. Crispy cheesy hash browns. Coffee sucked. The hubs got the biscuits and gravy. He did enjoy the gravy. But who doesn't like thick gravy with sausage chunks? I had the crab omelet w cheese and squash. Not bad. Little bland. When I see good reviews for restaurants that were blah. Then I do some research on the reviewers. If they gave a place 4+ stars that clearly is not then I look at how many reviews they've done. Usually not very many. Then I suspect that they're friends of the owner and had opened up and account just to write a good review. Booooty
(1)McStrokin J.
I must say this place far exceeded my expectations. The food just had so many layers of flavor. I had the Cluck-N-Goof and everything about it was just amazing. The waffle was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor to it. I could have eaten it dry without syrup. That's how flavorful it was. The maple butter is also a very nice touch. The chicken breast was very moist and had good flavor to it also. The nutmeg hot sauce just added to the symphony of flavors at play in this dish. The smooth R&B being played in the background made me feel right at home. I'm eager to return and try some of their other dishes.
(5)K W.
MUST GET A SECOND DOOR FOR WINTER! Food is always very good, service is good, but restaurant is FREEZING. We were seated close to the door, and every time the door opened, 20 degree wind blew into the restaurant. Because it is busy, the door was constantly opened. We were too cold to enjoy our meal. We ate quickly and left as soon as possible. Most small restaurants understand that to keep guests comfortable, they need to protect them from the outdoor weather. When we asked the server about the table location, we told us it was the only table available and told us that "it is the city's fault; they won't let us have an awning!". huh? how does that address the cold?
(2)Bill E.
Grossly overrated...no shade just truth! Service and food subpar had similar experience to other reviews. U bring pancakes and have to ask for syrup (great pancakes tho). I'm an egg lover so for me I just need placed of this caliber to use fresh eggs however they did so at my request after that scrambled yellow mess they brought me! Ha! Lastly don't make excuses about how fast bread cools when tell u my French toast could've been warmer (the sampler really does taste delightful). It's worth checking out for something like the lobster eggs Benedict it looked creative and tasty! It's worth a try but not worth a wait...oan: THE MAPLE BUTTER!!!! Ask them to melt it!
(3)QB Chicago B.
So I've been really excited to try & support this (black owned) business and I'm just completely underwhelmed by the lack of southern charm & hospitality that I was expecting! (poorly decorated too...like an easter basket) The hostess horrible & unfriendly! (The owner came out (blamed the wait on said hostess because she's from Germany (HUH?) as we waited outside to apologized for the long wait IN THE COLD but this isn't an isolated incident...it's been a complaint for a while....fix it!) The servers untrained and also seem unhappy! No one is smiling...appeared pissed to be working! Our server never introduce himself and just not professional! So as we sit waiting 30ish min for food, I ask for a drink menu...not available but they do have juice! As I look around, no one has juice...put it on the menu & the profits will increase to help pay for the training this place mos def requires! So the food...arrived cold after waiting 30 min for a table and 30ish min for the food! When returned, IT WAS THE SAME PLATE MIRCOWAVED!!! WTF! I refused it and requested a fresh order! When my fresh plate arrived, it was tasty...nothing special! Only the toppings changed nothing different in the batter & the berries (2 strawberries on my strawberry french toast) not so fresh! Same goes for the 6 blueberries on my blueberry french toast. Just a few candied nuts on my caramel french toast! The just okay food is overshadowed by the extreme poor service! I will not return nor suggest... We live in a restaurant mecca...not worth it with all the other options we have available! Soooo disappointed!
(1)Sophia C.
Best breakfast spot in the city with fantastic service! It's not just breakfast, it's a breakfast experience.
(5)Temple T.
I've have been here a few times and the food never disappoints. The weekends can be very crowded so don't be in a rush and try the French toast flight so you can sample all the popular flavors at one sitting. Enjoy!
(4)Sadie G.
Stopped by for some hangover food. Any place I can find chicken and waffles is already up there in my books, especially if they are as well made as these.
(5)Marissa P.
Had the flight of French toast and the chicken sausage, both were incredibly good! The flight of French toast was all different flavors which was fun to try and the chicken sausage had little bits of what I believe were apples which was also amazing. The hot chocolate was weak and it would not recommend it. All together this restaurant has really rich decadent and unique foods that I would definitely recommend to try!
(5)Allie P.
Absolutely delicious! And friendly, prompt service. Loved it! We had the flight of French toast, hash browns, and bacon. Great!
(5)Erica W.
If you are looking for the best french toast in Chicago, stop looking because you can find it at Batter and Berries. They offer a french toast flight, where you can get 4 different flavors of french toast. My flight included a slice of lemon, blueberry, caramel, and strawberry. Each slice had fresh fruit and flavorings drizzled on them, so you didn't need any syrup. It was fun to try each different flavor and to have some variety. They also had a sweet potato french toast that I didn't try, but I heard that it was divine. I also had the short rib omelette, which was one of the specials - I ordered it because the waiter said that it had a red wine reduction, and I'm glad I did because it was probably one of the best omelets that I've had in a very long time - it was just fantastic. He didn't mention the price, and I figured it would be around the price of the other omelets - $12 - maybe a little more for the fancy short ribs. Why was my omelette $16? They are lucky that it was good! My goodness! The potatoes that came with the omelette were delicious and perfectly seasoned. As far as the decor, it's a fun, bright space with lots of artwork, but I will say that the layout of the tables is a bit peculiar. They have a huge communal dining type table in the front room, and the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant vs. being in the front, as you would traditionally find. The food makes up for the "different" layout, though. The chef was very outgoing, and introduced himself to everyone, which is a nice touch. I always like to see chefs involved w/the customers, especially w/a new restaurant. I would definitely go back. Batter & Berries is officially on my brunch rotation.
(4)AJ H.
So after my aunt and uncle ranted and raved about Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park, I had to go check it out for myself. First and foremost, I'm big about mimosas at brunch, so the fact they have BYOB option was great for me. It seems as though everyone in the place frequents the 7 Eleven down the street for champagne :-) Ok, now back to the actual restaurant. We got there on a Sunday afternoon and it was a 35 minute wait for a table, but they have a community table that's similar to a bar at breakfast diner where you can sit down immediately and order. I like the community table concept better because you can sit and actually face whoever you're dining with instead of just sitting next to them. Plus, you can socialize with other patrons at the table if you chose to and it's not akward. I ordered the Chicken Stuffed Waffles with Chicken on top. It was good, but it was waaay too much chicken for me. I had to remove the chicken breast on top. My friend ordered the French Toast Flight that included blueberry, strawberry, caramel and vanilla creme french toast. I should've ordered what she got because I was in LOVE! In the end, we ended up swapping plates. She LOVED the chicken. The customer serivce was awesome. At the end of our meal the chef even came around and introduced himself and asked how the meal was. The only problem I had with Batter & Berries is that they don't have a website, FB or Twitter to spread the word. Thank God for Yelp, huh?
(5)Austin G.
Neat breakfast joint. I ordered the waffle with infused chicken, it was very good. When I got it I couldn't help but want syrup for my waffles, but that wouldn't be good with chicken. It took me the majority of the meal to get over the fact that I was just eating a regular chicken lunch in the shape of a waffle. It was a fun experience.
(5)Angie F.
I LOVE BREAKFAST! I believe in breakfast! So when I heard about Batter & Berries, I had to try it. I heard the wait time could be ridiculous and I'm short on patience for that sort of thing. So I and five friends went at 9:00 am on a Friday morning (while on Christmas Break) to beat the rush. We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time and had excellent food. I had the flight of french toast and hated for that meal to end. I stuck my fork in most of my friends plates, so I can attest to a lot of the choices being really good! Tim was our waiter and he could not have been more attentive. By the time we were leaving, hoards of people were waiting to get in. I'm glad we dodged that. I will go again and again, but only very early!
(5)Marco H.
Charming place with friendly service and fantastic french toast! I tried the Flight of the French Toast, which is a sampling of 4 different french toasts: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and hazelnut. All of them were sweet and delicious. You must order the chicken sausage (2 patties in an order) because it was some of the best I've ever had. There are hints of rosemary (i think) and small chunks of apple cooked in to give it an unexpectedly "crunch". The coffee is decent, as are the pancakes. I'm definitely going back to try the fabled chicken and waffle.
(4)James D.
Wish they were in LA cause I really miss this place right now. Everytime I am in Chicago I make sure to visit this place.
(5)Emily S.
We went the first week they were open and we enjoyed it. We brought our 18month old son and they were very good about having him there. They even had some fun stacking toys for him to play with - not just the normal crayons for him to eat. The home made biscotti was the best I've ever had and by itself made this review 4 stars. The food was good but very rich. Everything was very flavorful and the sweet was super sweet and the savory was so strongly flavored that it got hard to eat after a while. Luckily my husband and I got one savory and one sweet between us so we swapped back and forth. We ended up enjoying it but probably won't go back.
(4)Tierra B.
Long wait on a Saturday morning but overall, the food was amazing. Best French toast I've ever had. Nice vibe and service with decent prices.
(5)Ken D.
Southern hospitality is hard to find north of the Mason Dixon but Batter and Berries is that little taste of home. We've been twice now and are blown away by the service and taste! I love the iPads they use to highlight the specials, the table touch by the chef, and the all around genuine care of their patrons. The French toast is to die for - lemon, graham cracker, strawberry were AWESOME! The crab egg white omelette with the Gouda hits the spot and the lobster Benedict left my foodie friend speechless!!
(5)Julia G.
I have been a long time customer of Batter & Berries and I am really sorry I have to write a review of this kind, but something has to be done about the customer service I have experienced from them in the past couple of days. I had lunch there a few days ago and realized my credit card had been charged twice for the lunch I had. I called there as soon as I realized this happened and was told I could not speak with a manger about the situation because he was too busy at the time. I explained to the young lady that this was unacceptable and could not believe her manager did not see this an an emergency to come to the phone, but he refused and that I had to call after 3 pm. I made the call and of course no one answered because it was after hours. I then called back on Monday assuming this would be a better time and the young lady once again said her manager would not come to the phone. I explained to her that this once again was unacceptable and I wanted to speak with someone asap. The manager would not take the call. They may have great food but it is very unprofessional for an establishment not to see you being charged twice a priority to come to the phone. This situation has still not been resolved and they have officially lost a customer. I will never eat at a place that does not see their mistakes as an emergency to correct and I will defiantly tell everyone I know of my experience.
(1)Maurice E.
Finally went to Batter and Berries for breakfast. The French toast flight was very good especially the Grand Maurier sample. I had lobster omelette was good nice amount of lobster. The homemade pork sausage was good a little spicy. The negative hash browns a little cold. There was 30 minute wait hostess was great about keeping us up on how long we had. Overall highly recommend ..
(4)Michael H.
Swung by this morning for breakfast after having marched in the Thanksgiving parade. Overall I recommend checking it out. Pros - I had the french toast flight, my daughter had chocolate chip pancakes and my wife went with the Kobe sliders. We all walked away very happy with our meals. The blueberry french toast and lemon were my favorites. The caramel drizzled slice was overly crunchy and hard to chew, but it didn't detract too much. - The inside of the restaurant was clean, the tables were comfortable and everyone working there was warm. - Overall, the selections on the menu looked appetizing. I'll be curious to stop back and try others. - The chef came out and had a brief conversation with us, which I always like. Cons - As others have mentioned, the wait for service can take long. Our daughter never got her juice until the breakfast came. We could never get the waiter's attention because he was working a larger table near the back. He apologized when he finally came with the breakfast, but the food took a long time to come out and the waiter took an equally long time to return our credit card. Probably don't want to eat here if you are in a rush. - I could see some people feeling the price is a bit high for breakfast.
(4)Nina T.
Eating here was the highlight of my Chicago trip. This place has Excellent food and service in a warm and inviting space. It doesn't get any better.
(5)Jared D.
Came to Batter & Berries over the weekend and will be back next weekend. It was probably the best breakfast I've had in the city. Everything was a 10 out of 10. Service, attentiveness, quality of the food, quickness, etc. Also, the head chef and owner was an awesome guy. He came by our table twice to introduce himself and check on us after our meal. The place isn't huge, but it's not small by any means..so the fact that he walks around introducing himself and talks to his patrons was really cool. The food: The menu is huge and has some really great, unique options. My girlfriend had the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle, which has chunks of fried chicken inside. I've never had a dish like this. The first bite was good, then it just got better and better. I ended up eating quite a bit of her meal. However, my dish was quite frankly the best french toast I've ever had. I went with the french toast flight (caramel, strawberry, blueberry, and a chocolate rum slice). Holy shit. I didn't have a favorite as they were all awesome. If you're a fan of french toast, get this. Batter & Berries has only been open for 5 months, but they didn't act like a new restaurant. The service was prompt and we only waited 20-30 min for a table. We didn't take advantage of this feature, but its BYO. How many breakfast places in the city are BYO!? I'm looking forward to returning for another breakfast and trying something off the lunch menu in the near future as well.
(5)Sean T.
Like most of the other reviews, the food is incredible. I am a huge fan of the french toast and the maple butter is out of this world. It's one of the few brunch places that can not only provide a diverse menu, but make all the dishes top notch. There is nothing on the menu that I've seen myself or others not enjoy. Perhaps what I like best about the place is how passionate they are about the food. The chef genuinely seems to care that you enjoy your meal and the servers go out of their way to make sure you are happy. It seems each time I'm there something new has popped up on the menu that is worth trying. The only problem is that it can be difficult to get a table at times. It's not their fault though that they've become so popular. Obviously word has gotten out. If you do hit them up on the weekends, go early or be prepared to wait. Prices are a bit high, but you honestly get your money's worth with food this good. With food this good, I"d love to see them offer a carry-out option in the future.
(5)J M.
2 slices of french toast for $11? Terrible service. It took 15-20 mins for someone to ask if we wanted coffee and we had to flag 2 people down to place an order. When the food came we were waiting for napkins, ketchup, sugar, cream, syrup... they just dropped the food on the table and we felt like we were bothering them asking them for stuff. I could have just made eggs at home if I wanted that experience. Too bad. The food was good, but all things considered there are just too many places for me to bother going back.
(2)Babatunde O.
B&B is now my go to spot in Chicago for chicken and waffles. The maple butter is flame! Definitely ask for extra hot sauce. The hot/salty/sweet combo was impressive. Staff was EXTRA friendly. Get there early on the weekend if you want a good seat. We weren't too keen on their chicken sausage, but, like many restaurants, stick to what they do well and you'll be satisfied.
(4)Kristine T.
Went there last Thursday, and proceeded to stuff myself stupid. I got the French Toast Super Flight: Four different flavored french toasts plus a "special" for that day. So, I received Strawberry, Blueberry, Caramel, Lemon + Strawberry Rum Cheesecake. A lot of people mess up french toast: I hate seeing the fried egg pieces on it. This wasn't like that. It was pretty, and had a nice crispy, yet chewy texture on the outside. I also got scrambled eggs with cheese...and they put a LOT of cheese on it. I also sampled some hash browns with cheese, and the chicken sausage patties. They were nicely seasoned, and approximately the size of two McDonald's hamburgers. It's a pretty simple decor with house music playing in the background. I LOVE house music, even at 8am, but...There were some people at a table seated right in the middle of the restaurant, and they were quite loud. I wished the manager would've told them to keep it down a little. There was a bucket in the center of the table with, I guess, champagne (it's BYOB). Don't know if they were getting pickled over there, but luckily we were able to tune them out. I liked it so much, that I'm going back again tomorrow morning. I'll try to take pictures...
(4)Jessica V.
Best French Toast EVER. We have eaten here a few times now, and I just can't help but order the French toast flight. How can you go wrong with four different types of French toast, perfectly prepared, all on one plate?? The chef also makes a 5th type every day so you can opt for a piece of that as well with the flight for like $2 more. My boyfriend ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufe. So good. It's like chicken and waffles, only better. The chicken was perfectly fried and the waffle was out of control! The service has been impeccable when we have been here. I see mutiple more brunches here in my future.
(5)Allie B.
Because of the close proximity to my boyfriend's apartment, I've been here more then I would like to admit. But it's okay, because the food is that amazing! Neither of us have ever been disappointed. The staff is so friendly and attentive, service is timely and the food is always hot and flavorful. Go for the super flight- it is a must even if you are not a French toast fan. The cheesy hash browns are also delicious. I just wish they would bring the crab omelet back- that is my only complaint. If you're going on weekends try to go before 10- that seems to be when it really gets busy.
(5)Cee B.
I've been a patron here since they opened and the food is GREAT!!!!! Typically on the weekends, I order food for carry out. Today I find out that they do not offer that service anymore so I am stuck at work craving Caramel French Toast, chicken sausage and eggs with extra cheese and now IM HEART BROKEN AND DISAPPOINTED BEYOND REPAIR. PLEASE change this policy ASAP! Im literally in tears because of this. I can't help it, once I find a great place I love to eat at, I support it daily. Signed, Disappointed Patron who wish you had carryout again!
(4)Jillian S.
Delicious! And fast service!!! Would've made it 5 stars, but everyone waiting to be seated was crowded around my and many other peoples' tables. Had a coat in my face about the entire meal. However, food was amazing, our waiter was super nice, and the food came in less than 10 minutes. Also, it's BYOB so had mimosas. Yum!
(4)Ihoneybadger L.
Batter and Berries is definitely a great place for Brunch! I'll list my complaints first before going into the good stuff. 1) SINAGE is terrible! They need really need someone to re-vamp their sign and logo. It blends into the building and makes it difficult for folks who pass by to see/notice. Just from a marketing perspective, their product is already great, now it's time to make it visible and noticeable. You guys should really hire someone with a good knowledge of graphics to really spruce up your menu! Your great product deserves great advertisement to accompany it! 2) The restaurant isn't really designed for large parties, and spacing is quite small and packed. But enough complaining, now onto the great stuff! 1) I absolutely loved their menu. The food was delectable! The portions were quite generous and prices were reasonable. The food was incredibly flavorful and the different combinations explored different pallets for taste. We ordered a few different things, chicken and waffles, french toast platter, special lobster dish that day (can't remember the exact name). I enjoyed the different variety of offerings. Overall the food was incredibly scrumptious! The fact that we had to wait 45 minutes for seating a full house is truly a testament of how delicious the food there was! I will definitely be re-visiting on my next escapade to Chicago. 2) My other favorite part about this restaurant was the service! I loved their staff! You can really tell that they care about their customers, and really knowledgable and proud of their establishment. The staff really took care of our party when we were there, explaining the menu to us and really patient with all of our inquiries (first timers) . Also this place is incredibly family friendly and stresses community involvement and customer appreciation. The chef came out and randomly made an announcement about how much he appreciated two regulars who have been supporting him from the beginning. Genuine appreciation like that is hard to find now-a-days, but will keep customers coming back from day and day out. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!
(4)Erin S.
So I decided to leave the Southside for a Saturday lunch with a good friend. I think I should have stayed at home. As most reviews have mentioned! the wait can be very taxing. I was given 3 wait times in one brief conversation with the hostess( I guess that was her job). I watched people come and go for about a hour. She and the young girl in the restaurant, called for people at a snail's pace. Both repeatedly talked about a wait area in the back. Limited seating in the wait area created more congestion and confusion. Four groups of two complained about the wait and being passed over by the hostess. She accommodated the angry guests, extending my wait for a table. When we finally able to be seated, we briefly saw our waiter, then received water that ended up being our drink. I also got a coffee that was never refilled and I was never approached for a refill. My friend always orders water sans ice. When she received a refill, it was from the pitcher with ice, so she didn't drink it. I tried the flight French toast. It was tasty, but seemed like a small portion of food. Cheese crusted hash browns were interesting but rather tasteless. We saw our waiter three times including when he took our orders. For some reason, the young girl came up behind my friend and covered her eyes with her hands. My friend was pretty shocked and annoyed by it. The girl seemed oblivious to the inappropriate nature of the interaction. I don't plan in returning. Amazing food can make up poor other areas, but adequate food really doesn't.
(2)Jessica K.
Absolutely love Batter & Berries. No, the decor and ambiance aren't like other brunch places in the city but you come (and return) to Batter & Berries for the food and service. I actually do not ever order french toast but after seeing photos and reviews, had to try it. DELICIOUS. Perfectly crunchy and what a burst of flavors. I had some sort of crab omelette as well, and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The ingredients were so fresh and though seafood can smell fishy, this omelette did not. They also cut their hash browns fresh, and you can tell that they owners/chef really put time and energy into the place. If you're a tea person, you must try one of their teas. They're all loose-leaf and so very fresh and fragrant. I'm telling you, this place does not get enough credit in Chicago. If you're looking for fresh, excellent food with generous portions AND fantastic service where the chef/owner takes the time to greet you, Batter & Berries is a must.
(5)Emily Y.
Thank god my girl friends like to share. The plan was to order everything and pass our plates to the right. The french toast flight was delicious (caramel french toast doesn't sound like something I'd like, but it turns out that it's something I LOVE), the Cluck & Gaufre (chicken & sweet potato waffle) was phenomenal - hot sauce especially, and the Cluck & Gravy (biscuits & chicken sausage gravy) was killer. Our guy friend got the breakfast sandwich and he doesn't share, but he devoured it and then licked the rest of our plates clean. I know this sounds a little weird, but the biscuits and gravy - by far my favorite - reminded me a lot of thanksgiving dinner. In the best possible way. The chicken sausage is as terrific as everyone has claimed, and the biscuits themselves seemed extra savory. I really can't speak to the waitstaff, because my friends were all being primadonnas this particular morning. Despite our semi-poor behavior, our waitress was very nice and gave us good recommendations and advice, despite probably wanting to slap half of us silly. Things moved a little slowly, but nothing worth grumbling about.
(5)Bethany K.
I confess that I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but when I do I come here to assuage it. The french toast is good and their specials are always inventive, although when we ate there today the specials were on an ipad which felt a little contrived. I guess it was nice that we could see pictures of the presentation but it also meant that it took a long time to get through them as they were being shown to our table in the manner of a woman reading a picture book to small children. The waitstaff are always very friendly and attentive and our coffees are always topped off. Possibly because I avoid this place on the weekends(?) but my food has always come out in a timely manner. However, they need to get a second door for winter! It was a warmish day today (40's?) and every time the door opened frigid fingers of chilly air were sent crawling up my back; this is a relatively small venue so there's no escaping that cold.
(3)Tee G.
Is there a way I can give more than 5 stars? Because I seriously need to give B&B more than 5 stars. Seriously. My debonair breakfast buddy B.V. has been raving to me about this place for a while now, but for one reason or another I could never make it up there whenever I visited him in Chicago. This time, I struck it lucky! We were just there this past weekend & AHA! We got moving in time enough to get to B&B for brunch! We knew there would be a wait for our party of 3, but what I didn't know was that the chef provides a YUMTASTIC berry drink for folks who have to wait outside for a table. It was freshly made, & had real blueberry pieces in it. I wanted to hug the cooler it was in, it was so good. One of the managers came out & chatted us up as we waited for our table; he was hilarious! Just one of the many ways B&B shows their appreciation for their customers. The other way they show it is with their STELLAR food! So finally the wait was over (it was actually pretty short, considering how many folks were already dining or waiting) & we were seated. Our server T. was so awesome & hilarious, I want him to be my new bff. He was so amazing & funny, I ~have~ to tack on an extra star over & above the 5 stars just for him. He welcomed us first timers to the place warmly, & seemed to be having as great of a time as we were! We each got the french toast super-flight, & they were DREAMY. I almost couldn't deal with all of that deliciousness on one plate. The hashbrowns come with cheese in them by default? OH YES. My other friend had the veggie egg-white omelet, & it was all I could do to keep myself from putting my fork into her plate. Not only is the food excellent, but it is plated beautifully. Each plate is a work of art that you can eat. And you should eat them. Lots of them! I'm already plotting my return. It's almost a good thing B&B is so far away from me, because I'd be there every.single.weekend. I'm not even kidding.
(5)nikki s.
Despite some of the poor reviews, it's been pure bliss both times I've been to Batter & Berries. Obviously they must be trying to work out the kinks. Service was always pleasant and both times my party and I were seated promptly (perhaps it's because we came later). The interesting menu and the fact that the food is slammin' is what brought me back! Supa dupa props go to... -the sweet potato waffle & chicken breast w/the special sauce -the french vanilla infused french toast -cheese hashbrowns (literally the best i've tasted--EVER) -lobster egg white omelet is on fya! They could get a little more creative with the drinks, but that can come later. Again, my experience has been stellar and it was well worth the 20 minute drive.
(5)Fran B.
Highly recommended by friends. VERY DISAPPOINTED. How should I begin. Told the expected wait would be 45 minutes- was one hour and 1/2. Told later that because it was only 2 of us, the seating took longer as a way of explanation-Doesn't help to see groups who arrived an hour later seated before we were. 20 minute wait on the food. Food arrived tasty but COLD. Didn't bring the beverages but did remember to keep it on the bill. Nice employees, pleasant attitude but Very disappointing experience from a customer service perspective. It's not just the food management needs to think about-it's the whole experience. Frances B-J.
(1)Ashley M.
I went to B&B on a Sunday around 12:45 and it was PACKED! I went alone so i got seated almost immediately. You could tell the hostess was new but she was pleasant and not to over whelmed given how busy it was. I was seated at the large table in the middle of the room. This was a little awkward since it seats 10 and there was about four other small parties at the table so i wasn't able to do any general people watching since all i had to look at was a stranger eating across the table from me. My server was very attentive, gave me the specials with good descriptions. I orded the french toast flight given all the reviews and my server's recommendation. I also got hashbrowns, which you could tell were homemade, with two over-easy eggs. All my food was AMAZING. I even liked the blueberry french toast and I'm generally not a fan of blueberries. My server didn't rush me to leave like they often do when i go out to eat alone. Over all great food and service, I will definitely be going back! FYI this place is also byob if you want mimosa you need to bring the chamagne!
(5)Gwen C.
Loved everything about this place! French toast "flights"! What can be better than that? Coffee excellent, service excellent! Wish we lived in Chicago so we could go more often! Thank you Yelp for helping us find this place!
(5)Jennifer E.
The chef/owner was so inviting and courteous. It reminded me of being back in the South with all their gracious hospitality and of course, yummy food.
(5)d u.
Pretty great food, friendly and effective staff, bustling atmosphere. I went on a Sunday around midday with clear weather and there was about a 40 minute wait, once we were seated the waiter was timely and attentive in spite of the absolutely packed house. I would say that the food arrived only just warm, but it was all cooked to perfection, remarkably sweet french toast if that's your fancy, and the deconstructed omelette and sweet potato fries were spot-on as well. Come with some time to spare and the meal should be worth it.
(4)Mike M.
Fried chicken insane buckwheat pancakes insane coffee strong staff friendly place will change ur life
(5)Brad C.
Had a great experience here last week. Excellent food and even better service. The staff and owner were very friendly and welcomed my table for coming in and since it was our first time they gave us the low down on the weekly french toast flavor. That's right Batter & Berries has a special weekly french toast flavor, what an awesome way to keep you coming back in. This last week was peanut butter and it was awesome! If you aren't into french toast then you have to try the Cluck-N-Gaufe, aka chicken and waffles. The chicken is great and the waffle has sweet potatoes cooked right into it. I can see this becoming a go to brunch spot in the future.
(4)Billy M.
Homemade is right on. Fresh. You better like butter. Great french toast for sure, service staff was awesome and entertaining. Chicken sausage was also as noted in previous comments: fantastic. Definitely worth a stop for an off the beaten path breakfast stop.
(4)Zachary G.
I walked up to the host stand and stood there while the two hostesses continued their conversation. After about 30 seconds they finally turned to me and just stared; I had to ask, "Can I get a table for two?" before either of them talked to me. It wasn't busy (the place was half-full and there were 2 or 3 servers, 2 or 3 bussers, 2 hostesses, and the chef even had time to come out and talk to several tables later on, ours included), but it took our server about 5 minutes to stop by our table. It's not that big of a deal, but someone could have stopped by our table and given us water or coffee. When our waiter took our order he came on a bit too strong. Maybe this isn't a fair complaint; maybe he is genuinely really enthused to work there, but I'm hungry, I haven't had any coffee, and it's too early in the morning for me to handle such seemingly fake excitement. After waiting for 15 minutes, our waiter came back and asked if we'd gotten our food yet. I feel like this is something he should have known seeing as he took our order. At the very least he should have been able to guess, seeing as there were only coffee cups and an orange juice glass on our table. He plays it off as a joke, then says that he thinks our food will be right up. Another 15 minutes go by and we flag our waiter down and ask if our food is coming. He admits that he had forgotten to put our order in until he came by our table last. It's alright that he made a mistake, shit happens. But this means that he lied to us when he said our food would be right up, and also didn't address the issue and didn't keep us apprised of the situation. Another 15 minutes go by, we get up to find our waiter and tell him that we're leaving, but he is nowhere to be seen. (This isn't a big place, either. There are maybe 20 tables at the most.) So, we tell the hostess we're leaving. When we get 20 feet out the door, the waiter comes running out and tells us our food is up. Too late, buddy. Also, as long as I'm hating on the place. I saw a busser spill a cup of water on a little kid and his grandmother. Instead of apologizing, he kept saying that he didn't know why anyone would put water in a coffee mug. Also also, the place is painted and decorated like a day care or something.
(1)Carter T.
Great service, LOVED the lemon french toast. Will go again to try the crab eggs benedict and cheesy hash browns!
(5)Nina E.
The food here is AMAZING! The French toast flight is great, especially if you add the special of the day. I shared the flight with one person, along with an order of chicken sausage, cheesy hash browns, and a broccoli, spinach, and cheese omelet. The service was superb. There was no wait for our table. The flight came first before the sides. B&B is definitely on my list of top breakfast/brunch restaurants in Chicago. Thanks to Chef Derek Rylon, Don Jones (manager), and Sam (server) for making my morning complete!
(5)NewtotheBay J.
Hands down the best brunch I've ever had!!! Shrimp omlette, steak omlette, blueberry waffle, cheese hasbrowns, biscuits and gravy. ..OMG!!! Waitstaff very personable, owner came by to see if everything was stellar, and the wait time was minimal on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)Emily Z.
'What goes around a yard but never in it' ... A- fence! Our server had all sorts of jokes, which are usually not my thing but he was really nice and attentive as was the chef who checked on us multiple times! We were there on a Friday around lunch time and there were about 4 other tables being used. I would love to give them a 4 but we only liked one of our dishes and a 4 felt like the equivalent of giving Lindsay Lohan a A+ citizenship award... just not the right thing to do. The menu had a nice variety and everything was very fresh and presented well. The specials board was thoughtfully explained by our server and there was no way I was leaving with out trying their specialty Peppermint Schnapps French Toast. We opted for the special french toast flight which is $2 more than the flight listed on the menu bringing it to $13. One half piece of 5 thick cut slices, Strawberry, Caramel, lemon, blueberry and Peppermint Schnapps french toast. All were good, the lemon and Caramel were my favorite baring the obviously star, Peppermint. I'm not sure I could have done that much carbs myself so I am glad I had a friend to help chow down 50%. We also decided on the Arnold? Alfred? Its the chicken sandwich with Guinees BBQ sauce on the top of the lunch page. It looked amazing and the sub sweet potato fires were amazing, the sandwich though was so big and saucey it was nearly impossible to eat and it lacked any real pizazz. I will be back because they are great and being nice gets you a long way in my book! Shop Local!
(3)Chip H.
Terrible service!! Very disappointed after reading the reviews about the French toast flight, average at best!! Chicken sausage was too sweet. Won't be back!
(2)Gail G.
Really excellent breakfast place. Unusual menu items and specials, all executed flawlessly. Warm, efficient service. And they let me come in out of the rain even though I showed up before they were open. Highly recommended.
(5)T Renee C.
The staff are so nice and very knowledgeable about the menu! It's usually a long wait if you don't get there early enough. It opens at 8am and I got there 5 minutes after and there was already a nice crowd. I had: French toast flight (not bread person..but it was delicious). With the "flight" you get a sample of all of the flavors and the flavor of the day. (Blueberry, lemon zest, caramel w/pecans, strawberry and honeydew was the flavor of the day. *no syrup needed. Crawfish omelette was one of the specials (I substituted the "cheese bacon for regular cheese. It also came with a side of cheesy hash browns. Everything was delicious!
(5)K M R.
Hands down the best breakfast spot in Chicago. The food is mouth watering. The service is superior and the ambiance is very pleasant. Considering the wait was 90 minutes, I was happy that the atmosphere was very plesant.
(5)Oskar M.
Incredible chicken and waffles - definitely get this. Interesting French toast flight, but not mind-blowing. Hash brown was out if control - definitely get it as a side. It's like a Mac n cheese - hash brown fusion. Service was not the best - had to wait about 15 min before ordering. Would definitely come back though to explore more of the menu. Could reach 4.5 if service is improved!
(4)Dizzle F B.
Went to Chicago for Labor Day weekend, and received a tip to hit up this Black owned business. The wait is ridiculous, which is the reason for 4 stars, but the food was bomb. Hit that french toast flight...OMG. Do go if you super hungry, cause you can expect an hour to hour n half wait on the wkend, bt if you love good food it will be worth it.
(4)Christy A.
PSA: 1. Prepare to wait, but I assure you it's worth it. 2. No split groups will be seated so make sure all of your party is there when you're ready to be seated 3. The line forms outside before the doors even open at 8am, arrive early 4. The space is small (maybe tight for larger parties 5. The dishes are "saucy" if you're not a heavy eater ask for sauces on the side or to be held 6. Portions are large (split a few dishes to try a variety) Now that we have the formalities out of the way, enjoy this amazingly succulent food made with the most TLC imaginable. That was a bit dramatic, but seriously, the food is spectacular. Once we were seated the service was fast and friendly. Although it was crowded, everyone seemed to be engulfed in their plates presentation and the taste of their meals. It was like being in a slow-mo movie. The food is prepared and plated to perfection; colorful, flavorful, strategic and downright mouth-watering. It's apparent the Chef, Derek Rylon, puts his heart into his work. Lobster Benedict - 5/5 Veggie omelet & Hash - 5/5 Waffle - 5/5 Batteries & Berries is in a class of its own when it comes to breakfast. They just do it right. Thank me later.
(5)Ericka A.
A couple lovely ladies and I came here for Brunch on a Sunday. It was a very tasty experience and I recommend you give them a try! The wait can be a bit long, but it's worth it. You give them your phone number and they can text you when your turn is coming up and again when your table is ready. We waited about 1 hour after being given a 1.5 hour estimate. They sat us at a communal table and were very prompt with our drink order. We got pineapple-orange juice to go with the bubbly we brought (they are BYOB) and one of the employees opened the bottle for us with ease. The food order didn't take long to appear. Aimee M got the Crab Cakes Benedict, Angela P ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof), Osi V had the Executive Pork Chop, and I also went with the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof). We were happy with our choices and also enjoyed the others. The chicken and waffle with a sweet potato batter and sweet-n-spicy sauce was good, but I personally preferred the benny and the pork. Their pork chop was so tender! The pork sausage was good too, but next to the fried chicken it was a bit too much of a muchness. The cheesy hash browns were a nice side that went well with each entrée, though. We couldn't decide what kind of French toast we wanted so we made the logical choice to try the Flight Of French Toast, which gives you a sample of the Blueberry, Strawberry with whipped cream and maple butter, the Caramel with nuts, Lemon with shredded zest, and Chips Ahoy cookies and chocolate. I gotta admit that I was disappointed by this dish. The Strawberry was the crowd pleaser and I think that's because it had the most flavor and was the most moist. The Lemon came in at a close second, but all of them had a superficial flavor. It's made with a thicker toast and I don't think they were dipped in egg long enough. I'm not sure if that's their normal way of prepping it, but it seemed rushed. We would definitely come back, but maybe arrive closer to 12pm so we can wait it out over at Atlas Brewing across the street.
(4)Aimee M.
Yelpers reviews didn't steer us wrong. Everyone talked about a wait, and wait we did...I think it was about 90 minutes that Sunday morning. But after about an hour, I lost track. They have a system of texting you when you are up next to be seated. And when you're lethargic from a lack of caffeine, lack of sleep and hunger pangs, that text becomes one of the most blessed texts you can ever receive. Our foursome decided to each order a savory entree and then selected the french toast flight to add a bit of sweetness. Everyone's entree looked at tasted wonderful (we are a sharing bunch). From my crabcakes benedict (which was full of lots of fresh crabmeat but unfortunately the poached egg was a little overdone), Osi V's pork chop breakfast (super tender and flavorful chop), Ericka A and Angela P's fried chicken and sweet potato waffle (tender chicken and flavorful waffle with a bit of a spicy kick). Of the flavors in the french toast flight, my favorite was the strawberry and then the lemon with the chocolate chip being my least favorite. Gotta love a place that is BYOB. The orange pineapple juice they provided for our bubbly made for some refreshing mimosa's. Now when we visited it was super hot outside; so being overheated, plus being in a crowded restaurant, I couldn't feel any AC at all and that made for a super sweaty brunch. But very grateful the staff kept our water glasses filled too.
(4)Christiana S.
I came when they were still wanting customers a couple years ago and it was amazing, now it is so packed and I'm not altogether sure why. I'm sure they have some good signature dishes but I was less than impressed with my breakfast wrap and my boyfriends broccoli and cheese omelette. Experience could've been improved if there wasn't an 1.5 hour wait, more expanded dining area, and a waitress who cares that you're paying for the food and the service. Needless to say I doubt we will come back.
(2)B A.
Cliff notes: good French toast flight, BYOB, don't get the crab cakes The French toast flight was delicious, and I highly recommend it. However the crab cake Benedict left much to be desired. It did have a lot of crab, but it was not seasoned well. The cheesy hash browns also lacked flavor, were undercooked (crunchy), and the whole dish came out lukewarm. The cheese had congealed. The food came out VERY quickly, which generally is a good thing. But, based on the fact that the food wasn't warm and the cheese was congealed I suspect that dishes are pre-made to speed up service. Again not a bad thing but, but the dishes need to be heated up and assembled properly so that the meals still taste good. Others in my party really enjoyed the chicken and waffles, and the biscuits with chicken gravy. Seemed to be popular. Also, as you likely have read, there is quite a wait, 40+ mins. They will text you when your table is ready, you reply to confirm, then you come inside they walk you to a little waiting area with a bench. This extra step seemed really unnecessary. Got my hopes all up, lol, and I had to sit and wait some more.
(3)Jackie M.
One of my favorite breakfast/brunch. I highly recommend coming in a weekday or after 1pm weekday to beat the crowd and easier to find parking. I've been here few times and the service was attentive. There was a time when the entree took about 20min to come out. The manager apologized and waived the entree, which was a nice gesture and I was patiently waiting. Here are all the dishes that i've personally ordered over few visit. The waiter will present the daily special with photos from the ipad, which i think it's very neat. The entree may seem pricey $12 - $18, but the seafood portion is very generous and you pay for what you get. Flight of special french toast - It comes with 5 different types of french toast flavor that is in season. Generally, they serve blueberry, banana/pecan (fav), strawberry, and etc. The french toast in here is crispy and i can eat it without maple syrup. It's not the typical french toast in a breakfast joint. I recommend ordering the french toast as a dessert and share it. Crab cake benedict: Daily special which is not on the menu. I've ordered this dish twice on 2 separate occasion, because it's that amazing. I've been to the east coast which crab cake is literally chunks of crab meat. This place does not disappoint and you will taste chunks of crab meat! chicken and waffle: i'm not a big fan and didnt finish this. I didn't like the savory waffle made from sweet potatoe. It's not my palette to eat savory waffle. The fried chicken was made from white meat and it was dry. It was quite miserable trying to finish this entree. Total dislike. Buffalo shrimp wrap - comes with large shrimp (generous portion of LARGE shrimp). Deconstructed steak: It looks better than what it is. The steak was mediocre and dry. Go for the seafood entree! Entree I would love to try in the future: lobster omelette, scallop omelete lobster benedict. By the way, it's BYOB!
(5)Anthony P.
A surprise charge on your bill is bad enough, but when a manager refuses to fix it, and accuses you of trying to rip them off, that is a customer service failure. This place is BYOB. We showed up with a bottle of champagne. Our server offered us flutes of orange juice for $4.50. Imagine our surprise later to see the check with 2x charges for the flutes, plus the charge for a 0.5L of orange juice. We had no idea we were ordering souvenirs. A conversation with the manager led to accusations of trying to rip them off. Keep the flutes. A complete shame, because we really do enjoy the food.
(1)Melvin D.
Had some tasty Twix french toast and it was delicious :) I don't think they have it every day though... My friend had the scallop omlette (is that how you spell that?) And I had the chicken fajita omlette... So stuffed! I would definitely recommend this place :) We will be back for sure!
(5)Neil H.
Best brunch in Chicago. Me and a friend went on a Tuesday (we heard of long wait times on the weekend) and it was packed. The atmosphere is great and there is the potential to sit and a communal table. We ordered the breakfast burrito, crab cakes and after talking with the waitress we split the French toast flight. The burrito and crab cakes were delicious but the French toast was even better. Whatever you order get some French toast to share!
(5)Pinklon T.
Not impressed. I told my lady we could have went to wildberry or yolk and got better food. Scallop omelet and crabcake benedict. Really bad fishy smell. Stale bacon...Peach cobbler french toast was good, and they had nice plates lol, but Not good enough for us to do this twice.
(2)Bree N.
Definitely the type of place you would only come to for some sort of special occasion. Overall the food is very heavy and probably too pricey to go to all that often. I ordered the broccoli and cheddar omelette (don't be surprised when it comes out open faced - still tastes good). It comes with cheesy hash browns as well, which were good but nothing amazing. I went with a large group and everyone else said their food was amazing - the chicken and waffle plate had the best reviews. Maybe what I ordered was just too plain but I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)John R.
The best French toast I've EVER had in my life. If you travel to Chicago, you MUST, have breakfast here. Great ambiance, good service, decent location. Everyone in my party, (7 of us) loved the food. Get there now!
(4)Alisha O.
Enough said...don't walk, run to this spot! The bacon was perfect, the cheesy hash browns were yummy. You can believe the hype!
(5)Staci E.
This place was delicious! The Super Flight was fun to try. It was a taste of a variety of the French Toast that they serve. Absolutely delicious! My favorite was the lemon French Toast. I also had the steak and eggs. My steak was nice and tender, smothered in gravy and mushrooms. Yes! Definitely understand what all the hype was! Will return!
(4)Leslie Y.
Went on a Friday for brunch with a couple of out of town friends about 2 weeks ago. We were recommended to come here from 2 our friends, and it is this cute random little yellow awning place. We parked in the neighborhood nearby so we wouldn't have to pay for parking. The wait time they told us would be around 45 minutes, but we just walked around the block, and we were seated in about 20-25 minutes at the communal table in the middle with high top chairs. We loved the communal table, because you could see what others ordered, and we got to chatting with a nice man there who had been there multiple times, and had tried EVERYTHING on the menu except for the chicken and waffles (the sweet potato ones everyone talks about). So, he had some great advice to give on what to order. But, all the cheers goes to the waiter. He is one of the few waiters I've met that is honest. He told me he was in the 2% of people who didn't actually like the chicken and sweet potato waffle, and I was amazed because he totally convinced me not to get it, so I went for the spinach omelette which was AMAZING. Because we were sitting at the communal table, the nice man I mentioned earlier actually offered me some of his sweet potato waffle. Yup, just a stranger I just met. Seriously, the communal table was great. I agreed with the waiter in that he felt there was too many flavors competing. I did feel like there was a TON of nutmeg in the sweet potato waffle that kind of overpowered everything. So I think a lot of people like the chicken and waffles, but just ask yourself first if you like nutmeg. And, if you like sweet potatoes, obviously. Our waiter recommended the dish with biscuits and gravy, but something about how their oven stopped working and they couldn't make any more biscuits. :( sadness. Both my friends ordered the french toast flight and you can bet I tried theirs. AMAZING! Really amazing flavors and very delicious. And yup, no need for syrup. They both loved it. Really friendly atmosphere!
(4)Josie F.
Please do not tell me to get here by three and you will serve me. 2:56 kitchen closed. Too bad for you. I knew what I was going to order. Three dished to taste for one person. Your first loss of many.
(1)Christina M.
Phenomenal customer service. No wait. I went on a Friday morning. We had the flight of french toast as an app. Lobster omelet. Absolutely delicious. This place is byob. Can't wait to go back and, try other things!
(5)Jen W.
Oh wow best I've had. Will be back For sure :) people are all friendly - chicken and waffle? Really but awesome
(5)Ashley M.
I was recommended to Batter & Berries by a fabulous Chicagoin and I was not disappointed. I had the Strawberry French Toast, and it is very flavorful, no need to add syrup because it holds its own. My french toast was accompanied by the chicken sausage, the waitress warned me that the chicken sausage was sweet, well it was. It was not a good combo with my already sweet french toast. On the flip side, the crab omelet is AMAZING!! It is stuffed with gouda and SO much crab. Topped with zucchini and squash, the flavors meshed together so well. I enjoyed Batter and Berries, but come prepared to wait. Our hour wait turned into one hour and a half.
(4)Rosie D.
Went here yesterday for my birthday brunch. I've been wanting to go here for a long time because everyone raves about the food here. I just hate that it's in Lakeview. And in general I try to stay away from Lakeview unless I absolutely need to be there. But I made the trek anyway and it was worth it. Be warned it is byob so dont leave your bottle at home. If you do though the 7 eleven down the street sells booze. And you'll have time to get said bottle because your wait will be no less than 30 minutes. But I think that's the usual for most super popular brunch spots. Once we got seated everything went super smoothly. We ordered the crab cakes w/ poached eggs, the lobster spinach omelette and the french toast flight. Everything was amazing. Seriously this was the best brunch I've had in a really long time if ever. I'm only deducting a star because our food was a bit cold and the space was small and we were sat by the front door. However I would definitely make the trip back to Lakeview for their french toast. Just maybe once all the snow melts.
(4)Michelle W.
The French toast flight is a fun concept, but some slices were much better than others. The blueberry and strawberry were quite yummy, but the lemon curd and sweet potato were meh...missing something. My friend ordered the shrimp Alfredo omelet, which he did not realize was "deconstructed." The Alfredo sauce was tasty, and the shrimp was big, but overall it needed salt. This place had been on my brunch list after seeing an episode of "Check, Please!" The episode said it was great for sweet brunches -- wish I had remembered to tell my friend that!
(3)Margaret B.
This place looks a little small and unassuming in a cool area of Lincoln Park. We were told the standard wait time of 45 minutes, while there were multiple tables clearing out. My friend went back to ask about the wait time, and it so happened that the really nice restaurant manager was right behind the hostess and pointed to an empty table up front. I got the Buffalo Shrimp Wrap with sweet potato fries and was surprised by the hefty portion. A really great deal for not too much money. The wrap was stuffed with greens, which I loved, and huge chunks of blue cheese, and just enough buffalo sauce. The shrimp was ginormous. The perfect lunch for wandering around Chicago.
(4)Monica A.
This is one of my fave spots in the Chi. Worth the wait, though none today! I tried the signature French toast which is a sampler of lemon, pecan, strawberry and blueberry! Surprisingly I think I liked the lemon best.
(5)Toni R.
Shrimp and crab Benedict was excellent Cluck and gauf was also great Great service We were here at 7:58am and sat right down
(5)Martin I.
Really good food for a really good price! Waiter was friendly and service was really fast, definitely recommend this place. Got the executive and the waffle sampler, definitely try out both!
(5)Christopher D.
As some of the other reviews point out, some of the operational, customer service aspects could probably be improved I'm sure... but whatever, the food is impeccable and comes at a good price. I'll deal and so should you. I didn't see nor experience anything unusual or unfortunate that I wouldn't also expect from other mom & pop operations. If anything I've been to chain and more prominent/expensive restaurants that should know better and have had much worse experiences. We had the Pork Chop Executive (special), which included a virtually perfect, tender bone-in pork chop that had onions and Rosemary, two eggs, and cheesy hashbrowns as well as the French toast flight, which came with some of the best slices of French toast they have to offer including the blueberry, strawberry, and lemon options, plus an additional (special) slice that featured Twix. The Twix option was too sweet/over-the-top for our tastes, but not bad. That was the only criticism we had from our visit. By far, the pork chop was one of the best I've ever had in my time on this planet. Service was acceptable and timely, and our server was polite and pretty knowledgeable despite her acknowledgement that they were short staffed (I couldn't tell). Every bite was a dream and I will definitely be sure to visit this spot every time I come to Chicago. I thought it was an excellent meal for what we paid and we both left very pleased.
(5)Eric F.
I've been 3 times before and this time I had my cousin from Atlanta who never ate any type of waffle. We had a group of 4 so we ordered Chicken & Goufe, French toast Super Flight, Traditional w/ Chicken/apple sausage, Blue Crab Omelet, and a Steak Omelet. My cousin says she can never have another waffle unless it's this sweet potato infused with chunks of chicken breast(no syrup needed). This chicken and waffle will be the best one you "EVER" had hands down. I don't normally spring for French toast but they out did themselves with the flight where you receive a half slice of all available French toast. On to the omelet. The crab smelled and tasted fresh. I would definitely have this the next time if it wasn't for a limited time. This is not your imitation crab made with fish, this is the real deal! The potatoes and eggs are just potatoes and eggs. I can't expect them to be great at everything, that would be selfish. Although, you do get a lot. The homemade chicken/apple sausage was super good. I've had chicken sausage before but the flavor in this one was kickin' like Bruce Lee. Please! Please! Please go eat here you won't be disappointed!
(5)Clarissa W.
If waiting for an hour and some change for a seat to eat, you'd think the food was stellar as well as hot. The food was ok not great, and half of what ordered was cold. Our waitress was great and food came quickly. I would recommend going on a day they may no be so busy. Also, sitting in a back corner does little for ambience.
(3)Lindsey N.
My first time at Batter & Berries is definitely one I will remember for a long time. The food was amazing (of a party of 6, everyone got the French toast flight or the Cluck 'n Gaufre). I had the French toast super-flight; the "special" French toast of the day was peach cobbler. Amazing. One of the best brunches I had in a long time. Our server, Tusiime, was hands-down, the best server I've ever come across. He was so fun and asked our table riddles. It was fun and our entire table was constantly laughing. Our host was great too, we felt very welcome as soon as we stepped in the door. We were there on a Tuesday at 9 AM and the place was already hopping. Our group was able to be seated immediately, but from what I've heard, there is always a line out the door on weekends. I guess if there's a place with great food and remarkable service, people aren't going to keep it a secret!
(5)Asenath N.
This place is amazing!! One of the best brunch places in chicago! If you are looking for something different and incorporating different protein sources, this is your places. They have seafood, lamb, steak,chicken, and the normal eggs. And everything was so good! The lobster omelette is a must, the lamb trio and the french toast flight. All so good. But all this good food comes with a cost, the wait time. If you don't get their before 9am, you are looking at a 1.5 hour wait! Another thing no mimosas which I think is a must at brunch. Also the food came out way too fast after we ordered. So some of it must be pre-made to order. But I will go because there are more things I want to try.
(4)Halisa V.
This place is awesome! I went during Easter Sunday with a group of friends (5 of us). We waited a little outside and during our wait the owner/main chef, came out and warmly welcomed us to his place. He recommended we try the french toast flight and he said if we did not like it he would cover the cost of it. Once we sat down, not only did we love the french toast flight, we ordered another 3! I had the "Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof)" - chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle topped with a delicious fried chicken breast & drizzled in a nutmeg hot sauce & b&b maple butter. I absolutely loved it!!! What a clever idea to stuff the waffle with sweet potatoes. The others at my table had different kind of omelets, the buffalo chicken sandwich and some kind of salmon dish. (The salmon dish was for our super health conscious friend who lives at the gym lol.. He claimed it was amazing). We are all secretly jealous of him though! Highly recommend this place for breakfast and brunch!!
(5)Renee K.
Excellent place to come on the weekdays, no lines. A comfortable place where they serve great comfort food. We ordered the popular sweet potato waffles with fried chicken and oat bran pancakes. So yummy you guys! I can't believe it's taken us this long to come here. Great service!
(5)Rebecca N.
If this bright little breakfast place were a microcosm of the world, I'd be over the moon. Smiling people and french toast flights. Genius. My friend and I arrived around 9am on a Wednesday and had a precisely 3 second wait for a table. I hear that weekend mornings aren't quite as snappy. If you work a weird schedule, check this place out on a weekday. The hostess and wait staff were all very friendly, attentive, and helpful. Water was refilled super frequently, and an appetizing picture of each special was displayed on a tablet as our waitress described them. Hooray for technology. Coffee was good, but not particularly mindblowing. I picked a crabcake benedict and my friend went for the french toast superflight. Food arrived FASTLY (that's quicker than quickly). My only complaint was that our food wasn't very hot when it arrived. But it was pretty tasty! The french toast flight was interesting for sure. I don't think I'll make another trip to Chicago just to eat here, but if I'm in the area, I'd definitely pop in for brunch again.
(4)Nathan O.
To be honest just plan ahead for the wait cause it pretty bad. Notice that doesn't change the fact that it's 5 stars. Was it annoying waiting in my car outside or a bar yes. The server was so entertaining the guy was clever. A good idea is to get the french toast flight for an appetizer so you and your friends can taste what's felt like it was made by the hands of God.. I had a taste of the chicken and waffle. This is the best chicken in and around waffle ever tasted by anyone probably. Seasoned chicken baked into a waffle with chicken on the side. God is good.. I ordered Carmel french toast eggs with cheese and Bacon. That frent toast topped with maple butter maple syrup and glazed pecans easily one of the most delicious things I have stuck a fork in.. Everything there was made in house and I honestly can't imagine going to Chicago and not eating there now..
(5)Cynthia X.
Came here at 2:30pm on a Friday and there was no wait. (We learned the lesson from coming unsuccessfully during rush hour on a weekend). The french toast flight was great, but not as amazing as everyone else made it out to be. The (four half) slices of bread are definitely on the smaller side, which at $11 something, doesn't make it a good deal. The waffle and gough (?), basically chicken and waffles, was very mediocre. The waffle is a sweet potato waffle, which I personally found to be too sweet. The chicken had good seasoning, but was way too dry (and small!) My verdict: decent food, but definitely not worth any wait over 30 min. This place is byob, which may interest some.
(3)Ruth S.
THE best brunch! SO good! Plan to order like a thousand things off the menu. You cannot go wrong with anything. Louisiana in Chicago! Every flavor of french toast is delicious so get the flight. All of their omelets are "deconstructed" which compartmentalizes the flavors. I had their special omelet which as a Cajun crawfish and veggie omelet which was literally to die for. Sweet potato hash browns are soooo good! All the staff members were very nice. Would come back a thousand times over. Very special and unique spot!
(5)Adrienne T.
FINALLY. I've lived a block away from this place for over two years and could never understand why so many people flocked to this establishment every day. I mean, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on a Wednesday at 10 in the morning there would be a wait. I think that was part of the reason why I avoided this place for so long. Well, I made it. We got there at 8:15 on a sunday and were seated right away. After hitting up a bunch of brunch places in the hood and leaving fairly unimpressed, I was skeptical but also hopeful that this place could wow me. If you look at my recent reviews, it's been a while since I've given a wow. We ordered the deconstructed spinach/gouda omelet and the special deconstructed omelet - with fresh zucchini and crab. WOW. oh WOW. I mean, WOW. I now want all my omelets to come deconstructed. I think what I liked best, was I was given a fair amount of crab and fresh vegetables. I couldn't eat it all and was actually full, which never happens. We ordered a kid version of the chocolate chip pancakes. The pancakes were thin - which I think I prefer now and came with this sweet butter on top that I could have eaten on its own it was so good. One plus - they have five to six special items that are not on the menu. Unlike other restaurants, this place actually shows you pictures of the dishes. Unfortunately, this made it more difficult to decide because they all looked so good. Overall, Great eatery. Well crafted food. Great service. I think I found my "brunch" spot - I just wish they would tell everyone they are closed and open just for me.
(4)Andrew B.
Food was good, an important point that really can't be under stated for a restaurant. The advice I have though is that seating at the rear of the restaurant is acoustically unfavorable to conversation. The front tables, by the door, give a much quieter atmosphere as the seats fill up. Hopefully the next time I come here they will have done something to absorb the noise levels.
(5)Natalia K.
came here on a monday morning expecting the outrageous wait time to be way less than what it is on the weekend.. yeaaaaahhhh no. still waited 45 minutes to get seated but wow it is well worth it. i got the flight of french toast and it was out of this world! i have never had lemon french toast prior to my visit and it is for sure my new favorite. the sweet potato hash browns are an awesome twist on the traditional side dish. definitely coming back again soon
(5)Hana M.
Super flight fench toast & chicken & waffles = fabulous. The Chicken & waffles are amazing. The waffle is sweet potato and in it has bit & pieces of fried chicken. No syrup or anything needed because its all in there. The french toast is thr star. I am not a french toast kinda girl but everytime I go here sure enough I order this to share. They have a lemon one that is to die for! Tart & yummy. The wait is a PAIN. Get here when they open since the place is small. Better yet, get food to go. BYOB, ample of parking space, delicious brunch place, LONG wait! Must try!
(5)Lux O.
I've gotten the chicken and waffles here and they were okay no complaints my mom had the eggs benedict and it was mediocre nothing to brag about the place gets crowded quick,but i probably won't b back, so thatll b one less body to worry about at least.
(3)Brett B.
I really want to give this place a better review... I do... but I didn't have the best experience there. When we arrived, we were expecting a pretty bad wait time - and were told it would likely be about 2 hours. That's fine, we had a group of 4 people and it was a busy time on a Sunday. We tried calling from across the street (we were waiting at Atlas Brewery) and the hostess hung up on us twice. We decided to head on over and were told to wait in the "front area." There were three hostesses who sat there on their phones and talked to each other while the wait staff worked like crazy to get the tables ready. The front table was cleared off and one of the hostesses gave us a "shoo" motion saying, "You can sit there." We sat down and looked around, wondering where the menus were - but there were none. Normally... a hostess would seat you... and bring you the menus? When our waitress approached our table, she saw we didn't have them and walked back to the stand, "Uh.. guys.. my table doesn't have menus." One rolled her eyes and brought them over. Our waitress seemed a bit stressed out but explained the menu (none of us had been there) and made suggestions. Given what I've mentioned before, I would normally give this place a 1-2, but the food made up for it. My girlfriend and I split two dishes: the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof), which was quite good, a sweet potato waffle (stuffed with chicken) and a piece of fried chicken with nutmeg hot sauce on it. The only thing I found upsetting was that there was no syrup for the chicken and waffles. (it's all infused in the butter) and began tasting a little dry. The second dish was the french toast flight (we opted for the "super flight" which included the chocolate strawberry champagne toast as well) - the french toast was delicious, very flavorful and cooked very well. Overall, I'd say it was an interesting experience, but the welcoming staff really needs to get it's act together.
(3)Good E.
Small, crowded, overrated. One of the owners comes outside & like a ghetto ass classless clown, continuously hollers out patrons names. Wtf kinda ish is that? Ur an embarrassment for ur own establishment. He then belittles his staff publicly, hollering at them as well. The food, just meh. I had the sweet potato waffle & chicken and the waffle was awful. U didnt taste any sweet potato, tasted like a piece of awful gingerbread. The chicken was drenched in hotsauce after i asked for no hotsauce. Tables right outside the bathrooms, complete turnoff. Definitely wont be back, not worth the wait or hefty price
(2)Tony M.
Good breakfast had lobster benidict was good not best I ever had but then again I'm comparing to spot in new Orleans I had them but overall great place for breakfast never been on weekend I hear it gets really packed .
(4)Christopher G.
Enjoyed a great breakfast at B&B on Memorial Day. There was a line when I arrived with a 1 hour wait but it moved quickly and once seated the service was fast and my food served in less than 10 minutes after ordering. I enjoyed Strawberry French Toast and a plate of delicious bacon as a side with a glass of OJ. The crowd was energetic but classy. Definitely come here when you can for the food and for a great way to start any morning!
(5)Minh-An C.
My friends and I arrived at this place around 1 PM to grab brunch/lunch on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and boy was the line long for this place. We had a party of 3 and waited close to two hours for a table. My friends and I were starving by the time we got seated and during our wait, we went to a nearby Starbucks to grab a drink while we waited. Note: they have their regular menu and then they have a special menu that is written on the chalkboard and the waiter will highlight them to you before you order. I wish they would have the special items printed on a menu so I can read it and not have to be rushed in my decision. Also, the pricetag of each plate wasn't attached so I was hesitant in ordering from the special menu. The waiter place your order through an iPad, too so that's pretty cool until you have to face with technical difficulty...which happened to us. I got the chicken and waffles while my friends got the blueberry french toast and the crawfish omelette ($16/17?). Food came out pretty fast and we finally got to enjoy our first meal of the day. My friends and I were all pretty satisfied with our food. It wasn't the best chicken and waffles I have ever had though so if I do come back here, I would probably try something from their special menu or the executive plate (steak and eggs) I saw someone order. And I would definitely try to go during times where I wouldn't have to wait so long for a table.
(3)Kayla L.
You have to try the crab cake eggs Benedict and french toast flight! Definitely a food experience not to miss. The only downside is the long wait (1 hour minimum) but the food makes up for it! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
(5)Nicole R.
I have gone here several times. My boyfriend works at a company next to it. The food is always great! I love the crab cakes benedict the eggs are perfectly poached every time. The French toast flight is also amazing. It is almost always crowed there and I do not mind that. It just means that the food is good. The service is sometimes slow, but I have never had a messed up order. Don't go here if you are in a rush because it is always very busy.
(5)Yuri H.
5 stars for the food. Absolutely delicious. My friend and I had the scallop omelette and the French toast flight which comes with half a slice of all the French toasts they have to offer. Both were stellar. -1 star because it was so loud! My friend and I felt as if we had to yell at each other. One of our servers came by our table, and I think she said something along the lines of "let me know if you need anything." But I only got that much from reading her lips. We came here on a Tuesday morning. There wasn't a wait, but it was still very crowded!
(4)Phyllis S.
super busy! but theres a reason why....it's so good. After having it once I've wanted it every weekend morning after. The french toast are perfect and the give you a butter to eat it with. The hashbrowns are so good. So yum. You can also request hot sauce. I love everything spicy so I put it on the hashbrowns....the coffee is good. Every time I've gone I've had to wait but they text you when you're up so I like that because that way you don't have to hold those dirty square vibrators that you know they never clean. The wait has never been that bad. worth it.
(5)Ken O.
OMG - incredible restaurant on Lincoln Avenue in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area. I had seen several reviews on this place and decided I would need to try it. So glad I did. A buddy and I went to this restaurant on a Monday shortly after 11am. The place was already packed. We were able to find couple of seats at the communal table. Yessica was our server and she went over the extensive menu with us. Then departed so we can review the menu ... again and again. Everything looked so good. When Yessica came back, we were finally ready to order. My friend had ordered the Steak Omelet and I had ordered the Strawberry French Toast with sides of bacon and the Cheese Hash Brown. The decor is very bright with the yellow walls, sunshine from the large windows and the paintings hanging throughout the restaurant. There are various sizes of tables throughout this wooden floor restaurant. The volume was not as bad as it could have. The food runner had brought us the meals within an appropriate amount of time. As many people that were there, the food could have taken longer. Kudos to the kitchen staff!! Regarding the food... incredible. Everything was done perfectly including the service. As we were eating, more and more people to being seated and waiting to be seated. Get there early - enjoy a great neighborhood restaurant. Looking forward to go back.
(5)Tim H.
I'm in love with this place. Always an enjoyable experience with GM Don at the helm. I find the journey into the city on the weekend to be my best bet. There always seems to be an early start to the crowd. The staff typically does a stellar job of keeping the crowd rotated. They have the cool check in system that will text you to confirm your table, if there's a wait. I have certainly enjoyed the Lamb Chop Trio and every French Toast Flight to date has been fantastic. The Chef is always enticing you with a new creation. A great communal table is available too.
(5)Dani O.
The only thing I can see putting people off when considering trying this place is the wait. You will wait, but it's 100% worth it. The amount of food and quality of food itself would be enough to satisfy me, but the experience here was fantastic. We had a French toast flight to start and share, and the server was kind and knowledgable and his recommendations were spot on. When three of us couldn't decide what to get, he suggested we each get something different and rotate plates. Best solution ever. We tried a crawfish omelette (with about 50 crawfish on it--they don't skimp), chicken and waffles which was heaven, and crab cakes Benedict. The meal was amazing, and the atmosphere was so home-y. Different servers kept checking in on us, so we always felt well attended, and during our meal, the head chef came around to thank us for coming in. We left satisfied and happy.
(5)Caress T.
A fun atmosphere and a great place for brunch! It's got delicious options, amazing prices, and it's BYOB, for anyone who is interested. Everything I had was seriously DELICIOUS, and many of the other meals on the nearby tables looked amazing as well. The music is a little loud, but the tables are spaced well. It's intimate, but still feels like a restaurant. I will definitely be back!
(4)Amanda M.
This review is solely for their food, as I did not dine in. Boo scooped me up some food to go as he dined there for Sunday brunch. I got the sweet potato waffle and chicken. I tend to order chicken and waffles if a place has it, but I often find it to be mediocre. Most of the time, the chicken and waffle itself are pretty good but doesn't quite come together as an actual dish. However, at Batter & Berries, their chicken and waffle was just how it should be. The sweet potato waffle meshed well with the chicken and the chicken was very flavorful and moist. The fact that the waffle was also stuffed with chicken was quite genius and made the sweet & savory dish work very well. The maple butter was yummy while the hot sauce was somewhat basic. It wasn't bad, but was reminiscent of Frank's red hot buffalo sauce. Overall, best chicken and waffles I've had. Would like to dine in and try other items sometime, but not sure if I would wait 1.5 hours for it like the bf did.
(5)Uptown G.
There are few times in my life I'd ever justify a wait greater than 1 hour for food. I suppose this was one of those times. I had a guest in town, and I had heard great things about this place. I got there around 10am on Labor Day weekend Sunday, and our wait was about an hour and 15 minutes. The beauty of it was that as soon as we sat down we ordered our food, and it came within 10 minutes, no joke! I had the French toast flight - excellent! And I normally NEVER order French toast at restaurants. My friend tried the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. She mentioned the waffle was a bit sweet, but the hot sauce with the chicken toned that down a bit. The service was pretty good. And the food was great! I'll definitely be back again...
(5)Rebecca C.
Soooo yummy! I had been telling my mom about this place for awhile and finally we made it. It took me awhile to write this review, actually I thought I already did.. hmmmm This place is small inside, but very cute. We did have to wait out for what felt like forever. There is no correct time to come here and beat the crowds. Just be patient and wait. Luckily, we were seated along the wall. Since it is small in here, it can easily get congested. There is also a large table in the middle, which holds a lot of people, but I personally would not bring a big group due to the wait. It is also very loud in here, which is something I did not like. However, this rating is for the food. I had the banana foster waffles and MMMM MMM it was good. My mom had the french toast and she really enjoyed it. It looks very sweet, but she said it was just the right amount. That was the same for mine. I at least recommend to try it once. As far as a breakfast spot to go and have a conversation, I wouldn't recommend, you wont be able to hear!
(4)Mith R.
If you're looking for mediocre breakfast that's WAY TOO SWEET combined with long waits and an overpriced menu, than this place is your jam. Seriously though, these 4-5 star reviews are what make me question yelp ratings. The food served here is a complete mess. Do you not want your french toast to taste like anything but caramel sauce? How about dousing everything else is various sauces while were at it? Think of this place as a more-expensive IHOP.
(2)Evie H.
Factoring in a couple of factors, Batter & Berries gets a solid 3. Our wait time on a Sunday was a good 1 hr 15 min before we even got seated. Then it was another 25 min before we got our food after ordering. I got the Super French Toast flight which comes with a slice each of blueberry, strawberry, caramel, lemon, and the special of the day - Golden Oreo. I must say that it was very classic french toast - just a little crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However at $14, I just don't think two and a half slices of bread topped with a little bit of fruit and puree should be worth that much. Out of the five, the golden oreo was my favorite with the caramel coming in second (though too sweet), then the lemon. The blueberry and strawberry were both fairly standard. + that the interior is gorgeous. All the pictures on the walls are items I would love to have myself. + that they have the Lakers purple and yellow going on - for the level of noise. It was so loud that I had to yell so that my dining buddy could hear me even though he sat less than two feet away. Bottom line: Batter & Berries is okay if you have nothing to do and don't mind waiting around (there's Starbucks nearby for those interested.) Otherwise, there are other brunch places to go to.
(3)Jennifer C.
Come hungry and order the goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle with cinnamon butter). It is savory, spicy and sweet and the harmony of flavors is delicious. The staff are super warm and friendly and the vibe is very convivial. The place was packed on a weekday at lunchtime. The decibel level was very high but worth it for the fantastic food.
(4)Yuki Z.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Saw my friend's pictures of the French toast and lobster omelet, and I was like "I have to go to this place." Eventually after three weeks waiting, I went and it was AMAZING!!! We were told the waiting would be about an hour and half. Even though we came with the preparation of waiting, an hour and half still sounded crazy. We still decided to wait and walked around in the community (the Japanese stationary store in the corner is cute and good for killing time btw). And surprisingly, I got the message half an hour later saying that we got a table! Lucky! (It's really convenient that you left your phone number there and they would text you when your table would be ready) We got the super flight of French toast! Great concept but as others said, some are better than others. Blueberry one is definitely our favorite! So yum! We also got the lobster omelet! GREATTT! The server was really pleasant and funny haha. Loved him! The place is pretty crowdy and probably a little bit loud, but the food is amazing! Definitely want to go back!
(5)Crystal L.
1. 40 minute wait that was actually an hour and 20. 2. Poached egg that was raw. 3. Second try at poached egg that was closer to fully boiled 4. Bland shrimp and crab Benedict. 5. Pleasant server.
(2)Shon A.
Came here to have brunch for 2 on a Sunday. Threw our names down around 1045a-11a and weren't seated until 1230p or so. So the wait was deffiently substantial if its over 1.5 hours for a table for two! I would have to say the food was ok. My friend ordered the Chicken & waffles which were mediocre and I ordered a steak omelette which was not good at all. The only good item we ordered was the french toast. Not going to lie, we got the sampler plate and all of them were good but the strawberry & blueberry really stick out! The atmosphere was very loud and it was not pleasant. You literally had to scream to the person sitting across from you to get a sentence out. I would not recommend going unless you have a lot of patience
(2)Brittany G.
This place was just amazing!!! Food was great, excellent service and the people are real down to earth. Came all the way from Ohio to try and was wowed for sure! I had the super flight which is all of the French toast flavors in one serving and it was heaven sent!
(5)Patrick J.
Great food friendly staff. Love this place. Excellent service and the owner was very nice.
(5)Jamal S.
4.5! Pretty much the best breakfast of life ! I had the chicken and waffles & it was out of this world. The down side about this place is the LONG WAIT! And it's so tiny . If you don't wana wait , be there when thy open .
(4)Sofia C.
I don't get what all the hype is about. We waited for over an hour, the hostess was very rude and aside from the sweet waiter we had everyone else acted like they were doing us such a big favor. The crowd was rowdy and loud. Not a relaxing or nice environment for weekend brunch. So disappointed because the photos on yelp looked amazing and the reviews were generous. FOOD: coffee- (3/5) Meh. french toast flight- (3/5) Cool concept and presentation. It just didn't taste as good as it looked. crab & shrimp benedict- (3/5) The crab & shrimp benedict was ok, but the cheesy hash browns everyone was raving about were gross and looked like they had been reheated. buckwheat pancakes (2/5)- Very dry.
(2)Maxwell M.
I had one of the best meals of my entire life here. "The goof" (sweet potato waffle and fried chicken) was unbelievable. The hot sauce was on point, the waffle was perfect, the chicken was tender and delicious. I got lucky and didn't have to wait for a table, but I would gladly wait hours for a meal here. This is my new "must stop" when I am in Chicago
(5)Pranitha P.
Absolutely amazing. My friend and I went right at the opening on a Sunday morning so we were able to avoid any crowd. He was visiting Chicago, and I'm so glad we decided to go here before he left. The waiter was kind and timely on the order and we were seated immediately. I had an egg white omelette with spinach, it was huge but delicious. My friend tried the chicken and waffles and love them. We both shared the french toast which was both of our favorite - a little too sweet to eat all of them . I would definitely come again and recommend to friends!
(5)adam c.
Tasty breakfast! Loved the fajita omelet and shared the French toast flight.. So full but happy ... Will return!
(5)Preston L.
Let's be real here. There really is not a better breakfast option in the Lincoln Park area. I consider myself the Tim Gunn to the breakfast eateries world, harshly judging with just a hint of sass....and this place, like a good Michael Scott "that's what she said", always leaves me satisfied and smiling. This place brings actual art and craft to breakfast, creating exquisite plates that one would only imagine to see on the deepest depths of Pinterest, but you can get it here, for very reasonable prices. They're famous for their French toast flight (best French toast I've ever had) so be sure to check that out. Hurry in, and make all your Instagram followers jealous after you inevitably post that picture of your meal to your profile.
(5)Stephen R.
Absolutely fantastic. Mind I am NOT the one to wait for a table if I don't for myself that I love the food, so, thankfully, the date and I were up early and literally arrived at 8am (opening time) to try it out. I can see why people wait. He had a deconstructed fajita omelet and I had the biscuits and gravy with over-medium eggs. We split the super French toast flight as a breakfast dessert. Everything was cooked PERFECTLY and I was legit shocked at how quickly everything came out. Maybe that's because of the horrid experience I had in my hometown at the "rave diner" there haha. They clearly want to turn tables, but I never once felt rushed. Definitely go if you can. And get the French toast, though I was overstuffed by the end. The early bird gets the table! Haha. It was full up by the time we left.
(5)Noah E.
We went here this morning for my birthday. My fiancé had heard good things and after looking it up on here we decided it was a good choice. First off, the design of the restaurant is terrible. The waiting space is in the middle of the dining area and the bathrooms are 4 feet from the tables. No one wants to sit next to a bathroom. We waited for about 50 mins, even after arriving at 2. Once seated we ordered quickly. She wanted to try the chicken and waffles and I got the crab cake Benedict. Everyone raves about the French toast but I would rather make it than pay 11 bucks for bread. The chicken and waffles was disappointing. The flavors were just weird, and because the waffle was more dry and cakey it was like eating sweet potato bread. The chicken was over cooked and dry. The Benedict was good but nothing to rave about. We were still eating after closing time, so the server who clearly wanted to push people out, dropped off the check as we were still eating and after one min came back to open the bill to see if we had payed yet. Restaurants tend to forget people base their expectations not only on food but service. We won't be back here. The food is mediocre and the service was sub par.
(2)Keith P.
Outstanding service...from the greeting at the door to the knowledgable wait staff. And the food? Well worth the 40min drive!
(5)Lauren D.
We went here on a weekday around 11:15 am. We got seated within 5-minutes. I was surprised how busy it got 15-minutes later. The line was out the door. We had their two specials that day. I ordered the shrimp which was tossed in light fluffy eggs and came with some wonderfully seasoned, tender potatoes. The shrimp was huge and fresh, but it was overcooked so it was not tender. This is the reason for my 4-star review. The customer service is excellent. They take very good care of you. The Manager (possibly Owner) came to our table to ask us "how is everything?" I was honest and told him my shrimp was overcooked, but otherwise everything else was fantastic! He offered to replace my meal, but I was more than 50% done with my food, so I said "No thanks." However, this will not prevent us from returning. We really, really like this place. Service is worthy of 5-stars. We spent $35 (excluding tax and tip), but we only had water (no coffee or juice). It was a cold winter day when we hit up this joint, but the space heater near the table kept us toasty warm. It was loud and got crowded quickly. We were glad that we arrived early enough to beat the lunch crowd. My niece enjoyed her meal immensely. This area is "Pay to Park," but we got lucky -- a spot almost in front of the restaurant. TIP: Arrive before the crazy lunch crowds. Enjoy a nice lunch or super early breakfast. The tables get turned over quickly. Of course, the faster the tables turn-over the more money they make. We never felt rushed or pressured to leave despite how crowded it got. I run everyday at 4 am, so getting to Batter & Berries super early works perfectly for me. I prefer being here when it is a bit more quiet and less crowded. The vibe here is very friendly, and the Owners/Managers are very hospitable. It's a great place for people watching. They have a large table in the center with tall stools which gives the feel of a large community table. We will definitely return again. If you have never been here before, but have this restaurant on your bucket list for 2015, hit it up.
(4)Samantha G.
This review is for the French toast flight. And the side of cheesy potatoes. And the juice. And the service. I knew this place was a gold mine when we pulled up to a parking spot. But then I also knew there was gonna be a long wait when I saw a long a$$ line of people outside. We b!?€he'd and moaned how hungry we were, and how we were about to eat the leather off our purses. And then they called our name. The most beautiful word I heard all day, bc I knew I'd get fed. So they sat us at this long table with other people. Kinda like being back in grade school, when we had to sit next to people we didn't know/never would be caught sitting next to. Weird. But I was determined to get food. I got the omelette with goat cheese, asparagus, and scallops. I like all those ingredients, just not together. But it did come with a side of awesome. I mean, a side of cheesy potatoes. You'd have to try it to understand what you've been missing every morning. We also ordered the French toast flight. It was sooooooooooo freakin good. The blueberry was my favorite. The cream sauce they use is mind blowing. Will upload a photo just like every other patron in the restaurant has done. The others ordered the chicken and waffles, and the ham with eggs. They agreed that it was very good. But then again, eating with an elite yelper does have its rewards. Just ask them ;)
(5)Jeff J.
One of the best breakfast restaurants I have ever been to. Seriously worth spending a few hours digging my car out of this Chicago winter storm to be here. I had Banana Puddin French Toast and Chicken and Waffles. Can't emphasize enough how much I love this food. Yummmmmmmmm
(5)Emily M.
Wow! This place definitely gets my vote for the best French toast! If you're looking for something sweet, go here! Went on a Saturday with a 20 minute wait...not bad! Great coffee, super friendly staff, and great service! A bit noisy inside, but the food is worth it!
(5)Joanna G.
From Los Angeles visiting a friend. She recommended this breakfast spot. Attempted to come on a Sunday however the wait was over an hour, I now know why. We ordered the flight of French toast. It was Ah-amazing!!! The lemon French toast was by far my favorite! It was a party on my palate!
(5)Julie T.
Love, love, love this place! Service is good, food is amazing and the atmosphere is comforting. Best brunch I've ever been to. There is a wait but so worth it. Had the chicken and waffles, flight of French toast, and scallop omelette and it was impeccable. So good!
(5)Chriselda W.
The service is the worst. Be prepared to wait for upwards of an hour and half, with the potential of your table being taken by another party. The waiters were rude and the hostess was disrespectful. This has happened to my party multiple times. The food was great but the hassle to get a table was a nightmare. Not only was my request to speak with management denied, but our waiter kept getting ruder and ruder. Your best bet is to take your business to Hash House A Go Go. The service and food is divine. PS: after every trip to B&B I take my business to Hash House because I refuse to support a business that doesn't not appreciate my business.
(1)Willie T.
Service played a pretty big part in this score. Our waitress was generally unenthusiastic in the beginning but that's not the worst part. I had the Cluck-n-Gaufre which is a sweet potato waffle stuffed with fried chicken with a side of fried chicken. Sounds good but it was terrible fried chicken. It's like they didn't brine the chicken. It was really dry in the center and I just gave up eating it. Like how does a restaurant screw up fried chicken that badly? Should have bought some KFC and served that instead. The waffle itself was good but not enough to redeem the dish. My friends got the French toast flight and those were solid but nothing out of this world. I mean it was just toppings on top of French toast. Macerated blueberries or strawberries for blueberry or strawberry French toast. The salted caramel was tasty as was the mango. The food would have been a 3 and I would have come back to give it another try but the service killed it for me. I told the waitress about the dry chicken when she came by and she said sorry apathetically and just left. No manager or hostess came by to address the issue. Then the waitress brought the check and said no rush before we even finished our food or asked for it. They must have really wanted that table for that line outside! We took a look at the check and kept eating and she immediately came by because she thought we were paying. She did say no rush right? The guy serving water was way more professional and courteous than she was. If I could give 1.5 stars I would. There are so many better breakfast places in Chicago like Longman and Eagle where the service is just as good as the food that I see no reason to go here.
(2)Fred H.
There was a lot of word of mouth buzz around this place, so I decided to give them a try. Almost hidden away in the eclectic Lincoln Park neighborhood, a bright yellow awning above the door marked the spot. Ample pay box street parking available. Upon entering, we were greeted by a less than enthusiastic hostess. She didn't speak, no smile and directed us to a table by saying " right there" with a head nod. This wasn't a good first impression, especially from a customer who just drove from the western suburbs to patronize. The space was cramped and the place was packed. The decor reminded me of something you might see in a coffee shop on a college campus. Bright and inviting. I really liked the first come first serve community table that was situated in the center of the restaurant. Specials were written on chalkboard placed high on the wall near the ceiling. Service was average. Although the waitstaff was being courteous by refilling coffee and or water, it was getting annoying because of the small space. We were seated on a wall near the door so there seemed to always be someone walking by. Now on to the food. I had the Apple Belgigue (waffle with caramelized apples) and the cheesey hashbrowns. The food was good pure and simple. My only critique about the Apple Belgigue is the sweetness. It was almost overly sweet, especially with syrup and the homemade butter. I also didn't enjoy the caramelized apples on the waffle, so I just removed them. The hashbrowns were excellent. All and all, the food made up for the negative first impression but I would like to go back and give them a try on another day when there is less of a crowd.
(3)Rick D.
I really enjoyed the food here. I ordered the deconstructed chicken omelet. And the buckwheat pancakes.
(4)Camille C.
Oh ma word!... After a couple of failed attempts at waiting in line we finally got to eat here after Christmas Day. It was as per usual super packed. We put our names down and went for coffee at a adjacent Starbucks. Lo and behold we came back and were seated right away. The food was on our table 10 mins after our order. Boy had the chicken and waffles and I ordered the crab cake benefits. In addition, we ordered a flight of French toasts. The crab cakes benefit were very fresh, and the cheese hash browns hit the spot! Now the chicken was ridiculous! Very very well seasoned. Perfectly fried. Perfectly seasoned. Perfectly moist. Perfectly crisp! The hot sauce was unlike anything I tasted before with just the right amount of heat. The sweet potato waffles were spongy, and lightly sweetened. French toast were also on point! The place is well worth the wait!
(5)K R.
This experience was really interesting and cool at the same time. This was my first time eating at this spot and I was definitely happy I tried it out. We waited about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad. The service was fast and efficient. We ordered the Waffles and chicken. The portion size is decent and filling. The orange juice is $4 dollars, I think I will stick to water or coffee next time. Other than that this place rocks.
(4)XTreats X.
Definitely one of the best places in Chicago. If you come later in the day be prepared to wait for a little but it's well worth it! The chef is very friendly and extremely innovative. People rave about the French toast flight and the chicken and waffles but it's all amazing! My only complaint is that it is too close to my apartment so I'm compelled to frequent. It also has a great south side atmosphere, which is refreshing since it is engulfed by a pretentious neighborhood. So if there is a bad review on here it is probably from a rich mom that went on a girls brunch date and wanted to feel like she was superior. GO TO BATTER & BERRIES!
(5)Emily E.
You must get the chicken and waffles here. Amazing! Worth the long wait, believe me! Menu has great savory and sweet options, like the French toast flights!
(5)A P.
As others have said, get the French Toast flight...loved the lemon and pecan ones. Also bring champagne if coming for brunch. Otherwise you'll be the only ones who didn't.
(5)Carolina N.
I will never come here or recommend this place. I live and love Lincoln Park but this place needs to check themselves. Extremely rude and terrible staff. I also was contacted by someone who may work there or knows someone who works there and their message was EXTREMELY vulgar, harsh, and offensive. They did not like my initial review I posted about being mistreated by the hostess when I asked her simple questions regarding wait times and help with our parking situation during a rainstorm. Get over it B&B, I am not eating there and I don't think that your staff is nice. No one should subject themselves to mean employees just for chicken and waffles. Lincoln Park is a neighborhood filled with amazing brunch spots with sometimes disgruntled employees but who are at the very least professional and competent.
(1)Dee T.
Delish!!! I had the French Toast Super Flight and the Chicken & Geuf ("Goof" - it's a chicken sweet potato waffle with a side 'o chicken breast). Soooooo goooood! No syrup needed. That chicken was the best!! The breakfast selection was great and there were some tasty sounding daily specials; they looked good too ( I saw a few as they went by). No grits though. I didn't even pay attention to the lunch menu. The breakfast was singing to my tummy. Lol! The service was great and classic Chicago house music played low in the background. Nice touch. The owner(s) and manager walk around interacting with everyone which also made the experience enjoyable. But really it's all about that great food!! Kudos to this place. In Chicago for 4 days and I'm going back tomorrow!! Yuuummy!!
(5)Anastasia M.
Excellent service. The owner/chef greeted us and ensured our satisfaction which was a refreshing reprieve. He really cares about his work and it exudes through the polite and professional staff. I was fully welcomed and informed of the options available and the food was delicious! I can't wait to return.
(5)Sara S.
My favorite meal I had while visiting Chicago from San Francisco was here. Will suggest this place to anyone. Also service, excellent vibe, amazing food!
(5)Try4Gold ..
Disappointed...I heard a lot of great things but it's only okay, far far far from special. The french toast flights are "meh" ...a strawberry or a blueberry here and there, it's not different, it's a lot the same.
(3)J A.
Coffee was good. Host staff friendly. thanks to YELP we were prepared to wait. Food came out fast. Server was charismatic. Told jokes and riddles. French toast flight was fun. Chicken and waffles is amazing. Huge portions. Friendly to our 5 year old. Overall a good experience and we will be back!
(5)Laurie S.
Fun atmosphere - plan to wait at least 45 min on the weekend. Good solid coffee. Best French Toast- we ordered the flight and you get 1 slice of each flavor good for sharing. Don't ask for syrup. Each piece is to be eaten as prepared. The omelets are deconstructed so there is cheese in the omelet and the meat and veggies come on the top. Their cheesy hashbrowns with a side is hot sauce take it to a new level. I can't wait to come back!!
(5)Theresa S.
Today was my first time there and the food was amazing. I would definitely visit again!
(5)Karen M.
Took a large group to this wonderful eatery. The chicken infused mildly spicy chicken & waffles were superb. The "flight" French Toast entree even topped the waffles with their infused strawberry, blueberry, lemon and pecan brioche selection treat ..it was said and truly amazing that you do not need syrup on either of these breakfast delights ...the traditional eggs, anyway you like, with side of cheesy hash browns..accompanied by 2 hamburger sized sausage patties..made in house with either pork or chicken. There was nothing but all smiles and a great tip.....left for this gotta go and dine location Karen McCray, President Rich Central Marching OLYMPIAN Band
(5)Tish B.
Today was my first visit here. Me and my family were not disappointed! As soon as we walked in the greetings were so warm and friendly! We were seated immediately because we got there early LOL! Everything we ordered was so DELICIOUS! Our waiter was so nice and the owner is hilarious. They made us feel so comfortable and can't wait to go back!
(5)Damian F.
This was our first attempt to dine at Batter and Berries. Friendly servers, Caramel French toast was amazing and the environment was fun (one server in particular did a hilarious birthday dance for another customer). I was expecting more from the chicken and waffles (the butter on the waffles saved it for me). Overall we had a great experience! We will be back.
(4)Jenna C.
Holy Moses, yelpers ain't lyin! That french toast flight is out of this world! Latte was also yummy and cute, featuring some foam art. As far as the wait - although it went quickly and we were lucky to get a nice day to just stand outside, I'm left wondering what people do in the winter or bad weather. With how popular this brunch spot is, I'm hoping they can expand soon! :)
(3)D J.
Best breakfast in town! I really don't have the words to describe how delicious it is! Of course I had the 'Flight of French Toast' which I devoured (best french toast I've ever eaten) & I also had the crab cake Benedict which was just as good. This place is very tight & small & the wait is typically long. So if you're in a rush or just an impatience person you probably want to go somewhere else. But it's totally worth the wait & then more waiting. The service was very welcoming & personable. Oh & they were playing some nice music, too! Try it! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Sean B.
Best brunch in Chicago. Chef Rylon is a genius. The chicken and waffles with the homemade sauce is amazing. I'd recommend getting the sauce on the hash browns as well. Many specials to choose from daily. WILL WAIT on weekends. Very quick service. Extremely friendly staff. The only flaw I've found is this place is their hash browns, which are slightly undercooked for my taste every time. Everything else is flawless however, so 5 stars it is!
(5)Siobhan C.
Worst service! We were charged $9 for an espresso drink. The manager came over and expressed that he had been a Starbucks manger and that that was the proper charge. He kept arguing with us until I finally just agreed to pay the bill. This is not to mention that the food was completely bland. Don't go here unless you want to waste your money on tasteless food and espresso drinks that cost more than your meal.
(1)E M.
I had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. It was amazing. You don't need syrup. The maple butter is enough.
(5)Yvonne B.
Batter & Berries was a memorable experience. Everything about it was vivid: the noise, the crowd, large artwork, lively service, and the food - oh! the loveliness of the food! - was like being at a festival or parade. My senses were heightened to the buoyancy of a beach ball bouncing above a crowd. This sort of environment walks a fine line between being fun or obnoxious but Batter & Berries did a good job of staying on the right side. We went at 9:00 AM this morning and although it was already busy we scored a table for three soon after walking in. The waiting area is near the back of the restaurant with concrete garden benches. It's a pretty small space but the tables aren't crammed TOO close together. For example, our server was able to review the menu with our table and our neighboring table simultaneously; however, we weren't close enough to touch and we couldn't overhear each others' conversations. Speaking of our server, he was a CHARACTER. He called me boo and repeatedly touched my shoulder in a congenial manner. He asked us about three riddles throughout the course of the meal and generously doused our hot chocolates and waffles with whipped cream. I don't think that my friend Howard was a fan, but M and I were both amused. Near the end he was still jovial but seemed keen to flip our table. It isn't the sort of place to linger anyway because so many people are standing around waiting both indoors and out and it just gets awkward. This is what we got: Banana-Nut Belgigue Waffle (doused with whipped cream) and with a side of hashbrowns. The waffle was too rich, but still a positive dietary experience. The hashbrowns were perfect. They were were fried, shredded potatoes - not greasy and not salty. Crab Cakes with poached eggs and hashbrowns. The crab cakes were made with REAL crab and were declared by M to be the best she's had in a long time. Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) was amazing. It is a sweet potato waffle with large shreds of chicken INSIDE the waffle. The waffle is dusted with powdered sugar and a scoop of maple butter in the middle. It is served with a fried chicken breast on top and a small puddle of hot sauce with nutmeg. Every component resulted in moments. The kind where you just pause and the cacophony around you evanescences and it's just you and the food and the flavors and textures and the ebb and flow of chewing and experiencing... Gosh. I'm jittery and sweaty just writing about it. So, the bill came to $60 for the three of us. I thought it was worth it and reasonable enough for me to foot the bill myself. M liked all of her food but commented that she prefers breakfast restaurants that emphasize meat more than bread. We recommend going as early as possible.
(5)Yo L.
This place is GOOD! All of the fresh fruit that came on top of our entrees were sweet and fresh. The taste of everything is definitely of QUALITY. Service was Great. Any item you would normallly put syrup on, I would suggest tasting it first. Plus there is a house sweet butter which accompanies the plate that is delicious. For the first time in my life, I ate pancakes without syrup. I want to give them 5 stars but I'm deducting a star because of no (or the lack of ) Air Conditioning. My BFF did not finish her meal becuz it was so stuffy inside the establishment and she began sweating horribly. Other that....it is a MUST TRY!
(4)Kim N.
So not impressed. We heard great things about this place and the reviews were amazing. However, and this only applies to small percentage of people, me being one. They don't have any dairy free options except salad and fruit. We got in line, waited 15 mins to put our name in, used the restroom and since we had a 45 min wait decided to look at the menu. Every breakfast item is severed with cheesy hash browns. No substitutions. All the omelets have milk and cheese in them. No substitutions. At this point I ask the hostess whom I had to track down and get her to stand still for a min to ask her if they had and items that I could eat without dairy. She said "Nope, wait, yes fruit and salad. We don't change items." Really!!!! Most places go out of their way to accommodate a food allergy. They just said nope. They had gluten free, but not dairy free. Way to lose an entire group of lactose intolerant, dairy allergy and vegan people.
(1)Bianka M.
Greatness in the form of FOOD with a superb atmosphere paired together & you get "Batters n Berries". I'm not a big 5 star type of person however I am fair, honest & not easily impressed. This place deserves all 5 of the STARS available to be given when reviewing from the interactive kitchen staff, more so the owner & chef who openly come out to mix and mingle with the patrons while asking about the dishes being dined on & taking in any suggestions with a smile. I've dined at Batters N Berries a total of 5 times now as I no longer live in Chicago & this restaurant opened as soon as I relocated. I do visit home (Chicago) often & every trip includes a gathering to Batters N Berries with a group of individuals either Family, Friends of Business Associates. I've introduced people who live in Chicago currently to the restaurant & they are now regulars. We LOVE everything from the FRESH ingredients to the exquisite & unique combination of flavors creating tasty & memorable dishes. Some FAVORITES: Deconstructed Shrimp or Lobster omelette French Toast Flight Chicken Sausage Patty Sweet Potato Hash Chicken & Waffle with chicken in the waffle BYOB - Come with some bubbly & they provide flutes & you can order orange and/or Pineapple juice to create your specialized mimosa while enjoying your fellowshipping with friends & eating on AWESOMENESS.. Enjoy
(5)Daisy R.
First time here this morning had the cluck n gaufe(chicken and waffles). But not just any chicken and waffles. The waffle is sweet potato with a maple butter. The chicken is expertly seasoned and has a nutmeg hot sauce. Oops forgot to mention there is chicken in the waffle batter. Ohh yeahhh! Had some cheesy hash browns which were delicious. We also had the traditional eggs over easy, the cheesy hash browns, and an incredible carved ham. Absolutely delicious, have been wanting to come here for awhile and I wish we would have come sooner. The French toast flights look amazing. Can't wait to go back this place has sweet and savory done right. YUM!!
(5)Kendal P.
Had breakfast here this morning and loved every bite. It's an easy walk from Days Inn and not too busy on a Tuesday morning. Had the veggie omelet and French Toast flight. The omelet was well-seasoned and the veggies were obviously fresh - still crisp and not mushy! I loved all four of the flavors in the flight - having just one would not be as satisfying. The owner asked every table how their meal was and was genuine in his invitation for our return! Highly recommend.
(5)Jennifer L.
An hour and 45 minute wait for French Toast? You've got to be kidding me! My fiancé and I stopped by a little bit before noon on a Sunday afternoon. We were quoted at an hour and 45 minutes and were told that there were 16 other parties of 2 waiting to be seated before us. I seriously considered leaving and finding somewhere else to eat. But, the curiosity won out and so we decided to wait. Luckily, there are plenty of places where you can go around the area to wait it out. We returned and there was still a small wait. The hostess led the crowd of people who were on the waiting list away from the door and to the back of the room. There is a small waiting area by the bathrooms and kitchen. Eventually, we were seated toward the hostess stand by the window and door. Unfortunately, it would get cold when the door was open, but thankfully, the hostess was great about reminding people to keep it shut. As for the food, I ordered the Super French Toast Flight. It comes with samples of their four regular French toast slices (blueberry, strawberry, caramel and lemon). The special French Toast of the day was berry, which included blackberries and raspberries. The French Toast was, hands down, one of the best that I've ever eaten. I enjoyed that the slices were not super thick. They were drenched with just the right amount of egg and were a little crispy on top as well. I enjoyed that fresh fruit was used as toppings instead of syrup. Maple butter was served with the toast was delicious! The lemon was one of the best. It is served with walnuts and shaved pieces of lemon. It had just the right amount of sweetness and zest. The berry one was delicious due to the generous helping of berries and raspberry drizzle. The caramel one was great as well and tasted even better with the maple butter on it. The strawberry and blueberry ones did not disappoint. I enjoyed my flight with a side of bacon, which I requested to be cooked crispy. The bacon added a nice saltiness to my very sweet meal. My fiancé got the lobster omelette, which was "deconstructed". Generous portions of lobster were served atop egg whites. The omelette came with a side of cheesy hash browns. The concept of a "deconstructed" omelette was pretty neat and enjoyable. I tried a few bites and enjoyed it too. The interior is small, but bright and inviting. Our waiter was efficient and friendly. He placed our order on an iPad, which was unique. Another plus is that it is BYOB so you can create your own mimosas. We also parked on Lincoln in front of the restaurant for free which was nice. Otherwise, you can find free street parking if you're willing to hunt for it. The downsides, aside from the wait, would be that the restaurant is small. But, the bright decor was pretty inviting. The house music was a tad too loud making it hard to have a conversation without having to yell across the table. Thankfully I was too busy shoving my food with the delicious French Toast to even attempt to make conversation with my fiancé. Was it worth the wait? Yes since I wasn't starving when we got there and I had a small bite to eat elsewhere while waiting. Would I have wanted to wait if I was starving? Definitely not. I definitely plan on coming back, but trying to work on the timing so I don't have to wait two hours! Perhaps they'd let me call in my reservation before we make the trek down from the 'burbs to eat there??
(4)Mika H.
I'm a breakfast foodie and this is one of my favorites! I haven't been disappointed yet and I've worked my way around almost the entire menu. They have special items from time to time that aren't on the menu and those have been awesome! My go to is the Cluck and Goof aka Chicken and waffles. It's a chicken infused sweet potato waffle with a chicken breast on the side (makes me hungry just writing about it.) Yum!! Pros: Best brunch ever! BYOB Cons: Wait time can get long sometimes so don't wait until you're starving to go.
(5)David B.
I went on a weekday I thought the food was pretty good I will never give a restaurant a lower rating because of a long wait ( REALLY PEOPLE?) I had the crab meat eggs Benedict .. They were decent ...I agree I was a little surprised it came with no muffin .. I tasted my friends French toast and it was great .. I like the idea of using iPads to show the food .. However our waitress had a THICK accent and it was very difficult to understand her ... One thing I'll say is the name is PERFECT .. Because the French toast sampler was VERY good
(3)Lauren H.
Brought my mom here for mother's day and we waited over an hour to be seated! Thank God it was a nice day, because we had to wait outside. This places is SOOOOO small on the inside. Very limited seating for those who are waiting. No stars are lost for this, because the hostess took our names, even though it was 3:30pm, when we arrived and they were closing at 4pm. Everyone was allowed to stay and eat, as long as their names were given before 4pm. Sweet! My Crab Benedict was AH-MAZING! I haven't had eggs benedict in a long time, because I no longer eat pork. But a crab substitution? Yes! It was perfection! My mother loved her lobster omelette, I had a taste and it was better than my food!!! *speaks volumes* Now, these were mother's day specials...I'm not sure how frequently they return on the menu. However, my brother had a pulled pork sandwich and he loved it! :-) We did share the French Toast Flight (which is a french toast sampler; it comes with different varieties). I must say, I was not really impressed with their french toast. I've had way better. It was dry and the french toast that came with fruit (strawberry and blueberry) were not hitting on anything for me. Our waiter bragged that french toast was their specialty...but I liked their other food more. *shrug* Speaking of our waiter...he was fantastic! Exceptionally attentive, checked on us often, but not in a "I'm rushing you to finish" sort of a way. He was genuinely making sure we didn't need anything. He also started a Riddles Game with us (all of his tables) and we were competing with one another. We lost! *shakes fist* But, it's all good. Bottom-line: Cool people and over-all, good food. If you can, go during the week...Saturdays and Sundays are monstrous. Lol.
(5)Lisa B.
Mmmmmm!!!! My fiancé found this place on yelp before we planned out our trip to Chicago. It is soooo good! I got the french toast flight. Best french toast in Chi-town. I've been to a few other places in Chicago that are supposedly known for their french toast but it did NOT compare to this place. Staff was very nice too. I suggest going early before the crowd gets there. We went on a week day and it was crowded. It made me wonder if anybody in Chicago works or if they all worked from home? Interesting... My fiancé got the crab benedict and he enjoyed that as well.
(5)Samantha W.
Simple. AMAZING food! Omg! The food was very tasty. I had the crab cake omelette and I must say it was absolutely delicious. I also had the the Carmel French toast! It was like heaven lol! Never had anything like that before. My best friend and I was fighting over the last piece that's how good is was. If you are ever up north please try this place you will not be disappointed. Get there early it takes 25-30 minutes to be seated.
(5)Monica E.
Does this place need any more rave than it already does?? Always my go-to breakfast spot and they are always packed! Can you blame myself and everyone else in the Chicagoland area? Friendly staff, great service, BYOB and amazing food. It's definitely a must try.
(5)Carrie G.
This place is SO. VERY. GOOD. We had: the deconstructed steak omelette, the biscuits and gravy, and the French Toast Flight! Yumma Nomnom! Service is excellent, food comes out fast and perfect. The place was packed when we were there but the service was still great! Great coffee too! Always a plus when you're a bit jet lagged.
(5)Andrew B.
The cluck and goufre is culinary genius, and I'm always impressed by the lower carb breakfast offerings (steak and eggs, creative ommlettes). Service is always great, service staff are very knowledgeable about the dishes and specials. The owner/chef had come out on multiple occasions just to walk around and check on tables. Get here early, before 10am. Cramped space and long waits hold this place back from 5 stars.
(4)Danielle H.
Loved the food! I took my friend for her birthday and we tried the chicken omelette and strawberry French toast. the service was super fast and the food was so delicious and fresh. Would defiant leg recommend and go back
(4)Nicole F.
This place was amazing! The line was out the door and there was a 45 minute wait for two people. I was spending the day in the city so we figured we would wait. Half hour later my name was called. I got the banana nut waffle and it was really good! It was the perfect size and the vanilla drizzle they put over it was icing on the cake.! The staff was super friendly too! It's also a BYOB which we didn't know!! Great food! Definitely coming back! It was worth the wait.
(5)Melita J.
My brother told me about this place and we went for breakfast today. Delicious from scratch food, served fast and hot! Great service and decent prices. Very crowded and wait time can be long. Definitely with the wait!
(5)Kelly S.
Had a heavenly brunch here and highly recommend it. The French toast flight is a must! The staff was very sweet and attentive too. On my list for my next Chicago visit.
(5)Nuri K.
I love their food. The staff are friendly . I have no complaint just hope they will expand their place.
(5)Cindy B.
I've never gone wrong! The French toast is the classic. What they're known for. Have to try it! My other fav is the goof n cluck delicious sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken. Food is uniquely delicious. Service is great. Just expect a wait of at least 30 mins.
(5)Adem R.
POSSIBLY my all time favorite place in Chicago!! The chef is a genius, the staff is first class. Cant recommend this place enough
(5)Dayna K.
Holy good god this place is good! Fast service, the food is insanely delicious!!! Props to the chef! Pricey but that's Chicago!
(5)Sade B.
This place is awesome. Its cozy but accommodating. I had the lobster and shrimp Benedict. It was so fresh and tasty. My husband had the French toast flight. It was very good as well. The service is fast and friendly. I would definitely visit this place again
(5)Oluchi O.
Yes, yes and yes! Always friendly staff, the food is always great and people are always lined up to be there. FYI, I ONLY go on Mondays and Wednesday morning...( no wait!)
(5)Terrel K.
Nice experience.had the vanilla bean french toast.really nice and tasty with great tasting homemade maple butter.eggs were nice,fluffy and fresh.bacon tasted like it was from corn king very low quality and was cold,although they replaced it with warm bacon it was still dry and low quality.coffee was not very good either.like the special menu items.will try this place again and hopefully the next meat i get will be tasty to.
(3)Brad M.
The wait can be long but do yourself a favor and just walk down the street and grab a drink at a bar and head back to have some of the best food you've ever tasted. Hands down the chicken and waffles makes this place the reason I've already been twice in the past month and I don't even live in Chicago. The french toast flight is great as well. Once seated the time waiting for food was insanely fast, it is spoiling me now when I go to other places. I must also say the staff has been great as well. I wish I could go every week.
(5)LaQuita B.
I love the variety of selections. The french toast and the spinach and lobster omelet are to die for! Menu is a bit pricey. I wish they had more comfortable seating also. If you like plain white sugar in your coffee bring some with you. They only have sugar substitute and raw sugar. I go during the weekday around 10ish and it is less crowded and am able to walk in and get seated right away versus what I have heard about going the weekends and 2 hour waits or long lines but that just shows how awesome the food is.
(4)Kate U.
GO HERE and get the french toast. It is out of this world good that you don't even need to put syrup on it. Food-wise this has been my top brunch place in Chicago; sure if you go on Sunday morning there will be a bit of a wait, but go earlier and you won't be waiting nearly as long. Trust me, it's worth the wait and the potential parking fee (there is usually street parking available on Lincoln by the restaurant.) The waiters are very knowledgeable and honest about what is popular and what is good for your taste. Very attentive but not too much that it's annoying or you feel like you can't have a private conversation. I told the waiter that I liked "sweet" and I got the blueberry french toast. OMG, yum. They have cinnamon butter that they put on the french toast and all of the breaded items (pancakes, biscuits, waffles, etc) and that butter is so tasty. The hash browns are also very good, gosh I'm making myself hungry just thinking about this place. Come hungry, leave happy.
(5)Kevin B.
Probably one of my favorites Breakfast places in Chicago. Its almost a must-go if you live here or just visiting. I've been here 3 times in the past year and every single time its been better than the time before (which is hard to do). Food - Excellent. Their French Toast may be the best I've ever had. I've tried the French Toast flight and just the regular Caramel French Toast and both were excellent. It was cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of sweetness. I've also had Crab Benedict (which I think is a seasonal entree) as well as deconstructed Chicken Fajita skillet. Both were seasoned and cooked to perfection. And just for a little unknown fact that most people don't know about...THE PLACE IS BYOB. So you can definitely bring champagne, vodka or whatever you like to go along with some orange juice to start your breakfast off right!!!! Service - Excellent. Food came out in a timely manner. Wait staff was very nice, pleasant and professional. No complaints whatsoever. Price - Extremely reasonable especially considering the quality of food they present. The only thing I would suggest is to expect a wait especially on weekends. But the food is definitely well worth the wait. So thats not enough to bring it down from the 5 stars. And I repeat BYOB, BYOB, BYOB, BYOB!!!!!!!
(5)Angel L.
Pros: The food was different and pretty good. Of course I had the Flight with ham and sweet potato hash browns. The only thing I wasn't too pleased about was the hash brown dish. It was more like a lumpy mashed potatoes and it was too rich for my pleasing. Other than that, food was pretty good. Cons: The wait. Don't tell me 45 minutes when it's actually an hour and a half. So, I recommend only going to this place if you have time to kill. The management gave us the most shrug look when we told him we don't mind the wait just tell us so we could have left and went somewhere else (because we were on a tight schedule.) So am I running back? No but I definitely think everyone should experience at least once. Great business to support.
(3)NaKetha K.
I really love the food here it is unique and exceptionally awesome. I visited 2 times. My first visit I thought I would swing by and grab a quick breakfast. The wait was crazy. I had to leave and call my order in for pick up. The second visit my girlfriend visiting Chicago and our kids went. We had a party of 7. The wait was extra long. Once agin the food was awesome. My recommendation if you are on a time schedule don't stop here. If you have a party over four, they do not have seating for large groups so you have to wait for multiple tables to empty. If you have all the time in the world, and you want to experience an flavorful breakfast check out this spot. I the chicken and waffles. The lemon frech toast is amazing. This place should really expand. ..
(4)Belinda P.
The wait was 2 hours, but worth it .The caviar seafood omelet was so good. Will definitely come back.
(5)Kathleen A.
Nice to see diversity especially on the North side! We were impressed to see how busy it was on a Tuesday at 11am. On to the review. For people who really like French toast, this seems to be your place. I had the crab cake and shrimp Benedict. I took a chance as I'm not a big crab cake person. It was ok. Slightly fishy but then I'm pretty particular when it comes to that. Also, they use those tiny shrimp. I would have preferred the prawn cut up in pieces. More flavor. The potatoes were good. Cheesy. Needed a little salt tho. I don't know what they cook their food in, but it left a shiny residue on our plates which l, to me, isn't terribly clean tasting. Our waitron was fine, if a little solemn but I made her laugh and she was fine. Service is blazingly fast! The food came out quite quickly. Must be those mini iPads they use. One suggestion for them: they have a waiting area plopped in the middle of the tables. I think they're missing out on more revenue since it's so crowded. Put those stone benches outside and more tables inside.
(4)Kathleen H.
I really wanted to give B&B more stars, but they hype is not all that it should be. The atmosphere is nice and the service is decent to good. However, I got one of the specials at the convincing of the server (the crab cake benedict) without any indication of price. The specials board had no prices listed either. Now, I absolutely should have asked...but I was shocked when the bill came that the price of my plate was $18!! My friend's meal was only $10 (she got a waffle). The food was good, but not 5 star outstanding. I recommend trying it out though!
(3)Cheyenne R.
This should be your first stop for brunch when you're in the city. Excellent wait staff, incredible food, and its byob.
(5)T C.
My all time favorite for breakfast and lunch. The French Toast is one of a kind, the lobster omelet and hash browns is unbelievably delicious and the Buffalo chicken sandwich is slap yo mamma good. Chef Rylon ROCKS
(5)Tiffany T.
Everyone has been telling me about this place so I decided to give it a try. I was not impressed during my visit. Let's start with the wait, most restaurants have waits so I'm not going to ding them for that. However, if your party is less than 5, they will not call you so you have to wait outside in the COLD or in their OVERCROWDED "wait area." Is my business less valuable because I didn't bring four friends along???? Fine, don't let this ruin it Tiffany, everyone says it's worth it. We sit and wait about 10 minutes for our waiter. My daughter's food came out rather quickly, however, mine took a little longer. My daughter had the banana waffle which I enjoyed. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle which I did not enjoy. The chicken was flavorful but I didn't care for the waffle. So based on having to wait 40 min in the cold, 10 minutes to see a waiter and a $40 breakfast that was ok at best, I'm not really dying to go back. Maybe in the summer when I have four of my friends with me so they can call us when our table is ready.
(2)Marisa Y.
I had such high hopes for Batter & Berries. The first time I tried to come, the line was 2.5 hours long so when I got a chance to come back and the line was only 20 minutes, I was so excited. Unfortunately, I just didn't think the food was anything to write home about. I ordered the chicken and waffles and it just decent. Sadly, I think Hash House has better chicken and waffles than Batter & Berries. My friend ordered a flight of the french toast and said it was good as well, but also pretty standard. Usually Yelp doesn't lead me astray like this so I was pretty disappointed that I didn't find an excellent brunch here. It is BYOB though so take advantage.
(2)Cindy A.
There's always a wait but it's well worth it because the food is amazing. My husband always orders either the strawberry or blueberry french toast & I absolutely love their deconstructed omelets. The chef & owner Derek Rylan always has a smile on his face. As a reminder make sure to plan enough time for breakfast because you will have to wait to be seated.
(5)Jason G.
Just went here this morning as it was nearby and had great yelp reviews. I also remember seeing it on check please so I had to check it out. We were the first ones in there and ordered the special ham and bacon omelet with a super special mushroom sauce as our server said it was her 2nd favorite dish. We also ordered the Chicago's best and check please sweet potatoe and chicken waffles with fried chicken. The food came out quick, and let me tell you, the chicken and waffles were the best I've ever had. The reason for the 1 star off was the special didn't have any of the "super awesome mushroom sauce" on it. They happen to be out, and just served it up without it anyways. This made it a very bland, not worth 17 dollars, not worth 10 dollars, not worth 7 dollars meal. However the chicken and waffles I will gladly pay whatever amount you want! You call it! If they opened a chicken place, they could sell the crap outta that fried chicken! All in all, I will be back and I will re-review!
(4)Tabatha S.
Seriously, I had a sweet potato waffle, topped with fried chicken, maple butter, nutmeg, and hot sauce. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever eaten. And the hash browns and bacon... Do it. It's worth waiting for a table!
(5)Kamille F.
Sooo good! The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because it was too noisy and I could barely hear my server! I ordered the Carmel French toast (amazing! No syrup needed) with the chicken patties that had pieces of apple in iy sigh scrambled eggs. My mother had the veggie omelette and hash browns; and what's really unique is they put the veggies on top of the omelette instead of adding it in with the eggs. The next time I come back (trust I will be back lol) I'm going to try the specialty French toast; a couple weeks ago they had pink moscato French toast...where else can you find that besides batter and berries??!!
(4)Rudy C.
This place was pretty delicious! I'll start by saying be prepared to wait about 2 hours---no joke...and when you wait you NEED to wait inside or they'll call over your name--they will not text you or call you or come outside when they're busy. It is BYOB which is pretty epic. I went with 2 other friends and we killed 4 bottles of champagne while we were eating. The staff was very friendly, the food was great (I forgot what I ordered) but it was real good! I'll definitely come back sometime and probably come by earlier so I don't wait 2 hours.
(4)Meggan P.
Crazy long wait but it's well worth it! Had the caramel French toast and pork bacon. Prices are good too
(5)Two L.
This place is always amazing! My wife & I recently visited on a Saturday afternoon at about 12:30 and even though we had to wait over 90 minutes for our table, our meal almost made us forget about the super long wait. I ordered the Scallop Omelette special which was delicious and the cheese hash browns were a great compliment. We also had the super flight of French toast which is something that I would recommend to everyone. The regular 4 that they have are phenomenal and it's always nice to try the special. I will be back again soon for sure! A tip, I think if you come with a party greater than 2 you will probably be seated sooner than if you only have a party of 2 since their usually is so many of those.
(5)Kyle C.
Well never got to try the food here because apparently they don't allow you to place to-go orders over the phone. You have to come in to the store to place a to-go order... Um that kind of defeats the purpose. Not sure where the management went to business school... If at all... But turning down a good portion of customers with this ridiculously stupid rule makes absolutely no sense. Would give you zero stars if it was an option.
(1)Candace M.
This was my first time dining at Batter & Berries and the food was really good. I ordered the executive medium well with eggs w/Gouda cheese scrambled hard. The eggs weren't scrambled as hard as I'd have liked them to be, but they were good nonetheless. The French toast sampler was AMAZING! The kids had strawberry French toast and I was turned off when I asked our server for syrup and he suggested we try it as is as the butter was maple syrup infused. We took his advice and OMG, it was perfect! The owner made his rounds which was nice and our server was friendly. The only negatives was it is a small place which was extremely loud and extremely hot--almost as if they did not have the air on. In spite of those things, this is a really good place for brunch and I'd DEFINITELY recommend the French toast. You will not be disappointed!
(4)Jordan P.
Great brunch place!! The food is delicious. I had the French toast flight with a side of bacon. It was amazing! You get to sample every type of French toast that they have. But thankfully each flavor only comes in a half slice, so you don't get completely stuffed. The French toast flight comes in the regular flight or the deluxe flight. The deluxe includes a sample of their French toast flavor of the day. My favorite flavors were the lemon and the caramel. The lemon had a delicious zing to it and was just sweet enough. I wasn't a huge fan of the butter cookie french toast, which was the special of the day. It was way too sweet and the cookies weren't well incorporated into the French toast. But overall, I really enjoyed the flight and I completely understand why this place is known for the French toast. My dining companion got "the executive" - steak and eggs. The steak was amazing and cooked to perfection. It was smothered in a delicious gravy - and this is coming from a girl who really isn't a big gravy fan in general. And best of all, it came with the restaurant's signature, delicious cheesy hash browns. Yum!! The service here is also amazing! The owner and the staff are all amazingly friendly and go out of their way to make sure you have a good meal. They also do this cool thing where they place your order from an iPad. Very cool and I think it helps the food to come out quicker. The only downside about this place is that the decor leaves something to be desired. It definitely looks like someone with little to no restaurant experience designed the place. Overall, great brunch place. Definitely check it out. PS - for my fellow tea lovers, they have a great selection of loose leaf teas!
(5)Mike H.
The first time I tried chicken n waffles, I was a young 23 year old, getting ready for a big day of prepartying for a Lil Wayne concert. Since we already had the Hypnotiq and Hennessy, we decided the best thing to pair up with that was Eggo's and Jewel Fried chicken. It was a life changing combination. Since then, my standards have risen for Chicken n Waffles, and Batter & Berries has provided me with the best I've had so far. They make the waffle with a sweet potato batter, with chicken chunks inside...genius. They topped that with a fried boneless chicken breast and some excellent hot sauce. Dirty South gourmet greatness. Aside from that, the place is BYOB, so we were able to pop bottles of Andre and get our mimosa on. The service was awesome, they quickly brought out a bucket of ice for our $5 bottles, and different employees stopped by our table multiple times to see how our meals were. As a rule, I don't take off stars for long wait times, because that means the place is doing something right, but be prepared to wait a lonnnnnng time to get a table on the weekends.
(5)Benjamin V.
Amazing atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, incredible food, great prices. Amazing... Chicken and Waffles is the best I've ever had. A must try brunch spot in Chicago. Some have complained about the line in the front and congestion... I think the text system manages it well and have few complaints. Get there early!
(5)Crystal W.
The best brunch I've had in Chicago thus far! I had the shrimp alfredo omelet with bacon and cheese crusted hash browns and it was amazing! So tasty, the shrimps were huge and the homemade alfredo sauce was perfect! Our server was charming, we came on Christmas eve, so there was no wait and it's byob! I can't wait to go back! Loved it!
(5)Jinu J.
I did not experience a long wait time and the service was quick and friendly. I got the Chicken and Waffle, and it was definitely a new take the flavor. The maple butter is one of my favorite. All the food that came out of the kitchen looked delicious and I loved the chefs suggestions on how to eat the food.
(4)Fatima K.
Id give this place 5 stars for its French toast flight- super tasteful French toast with different flavors. I loved bongo room for its French toast but this will be my go to place now! The crab and shrimp eggs Benedict I ordered had awesome shrimp and crab cake but the eggs were over cooked. Didn't have that oozing yolk when I cut through them, which makes me give this place 4 stars. So not the best for eggs Benedict. The staff is super friendly and they ask you if u're eating there for the first time and walk you through the regular menu and specials with pictures off an iPad. Awesome touch I must say! Helps making the decision when u look at pictures on the menu. Keep up the service guys! I'll be going back whenever I feel like having French toast :)
(4)Heather B.
One of my favourite things to do when visiting my hometown of Chicago is go out for a great brunch- and this spot didn't disappoint. I didn't mind the short wait (about half hour) as from what I'd heard I was expecting much longer! The three of us decided to split entrees to try a variety- we ordered the chicken and waffle, French toast flight and the shrimp omelet (daily special). Everything we had was absolutely delicious- great flavours and mix of textures, though for my liking the waffle was slightly dry without the addition of some maple syrup. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and despite the big crowd waiting for tables, we didn't feel rushed at all. Also appreciated the nice cup of bottomless coffee, something I desperately miss for brunch! Great value for the food and service too, as the total came to about $22 each including tip. A must try if you're in Chicago- but prepare to wait!!
(4)Carmen H.
If you enjoy traditional breakfast fare with a new and eclectic flair, this restaurant is the place for you! My husband and I enjoyed some of the signature items on the B&B menu. We had the shrimp alfredo omelets, the french toast sampler plate (maple, lemon, blueberry, strawberry) and I had a side of chicken sausage. Everything was delicious! I should mention that the space is small-ish, a bit noisy and we had to wait about 30 minutes to get in. Once seated, everything moved quickly and the staff are very attentive, which is great. Happy eating:-)
(5)iddells E.
Thank you, Yelp, for the wonderful reviews that sparked my curiosity to give this place a try. If I go here on a Wednesday morning and return Saturday of the same week, you know this place is good. If I order the French toast flight on both visits, you know that I've been having French toast dreams because Batter and Berries' are just so amazingly delicious!! The waitress was right...absolutely no maple syrup is needed in your blissful consumption of the French toast. My experience on a Wednesday morning compared to a Saturday early afternoon was like night and day. Just a few tables were being waited on on Wednesday whereas on Saturday, each table was occupied and there were hoards of people standing in the back area and in between tables with the wait-time ranging from 45-60 minutes. I didn't mind waiting because I already knew what was in store...the French toast is worth the wait, people! I've also tried the steak and eggs from my dining companions and that was pretty good too! Despite the craziness, service was friendly and prompt. I was pretty surprised at how the staff handled their tables as well as the waiting crowds. I didn't sense any frustration or irritability as the waiters worked among the chaos...I just saw smiles. The chef even made his way to greet each table. Mmmmm...I'll definitely be back. Many, many times.
(5)Ty N.
Wonderful breakfast food. Extremely creative dishes prepared by the chef. The service is great, and using an iPad to take the customers orders as well as show the specials for the day (actual images of the dishes already prepared) is a fantastic idea. You don't just come to this particular restaurant just to eat, you come for the experience.
(4)Chelsea S.
I had my first experience at Batter and Berries today! While, I'm not typically one for sweet breakfast foods, I had to try the super French toast flight based on all of the reviews! The French toast was wonderful. I love that the French toast was the star and not the toppings. I hate when I order something and the toppings overwhelm the plate. My French toast was cooked to perfection. Crispy edges and chewy in the middle. My boyfriend ordered the chicken fajita omelet, and while he thought it was too much work to eat,( I guess one does not enjoy working for their food) the taste was amazing. Our server was super friendly and attentive. My only complaint is how crowded the space is. We were sat right in the front by the door and crowds of people were coming in, holding the door open, making it a little challenging to stay warm. I definitely recommended trying this place for breakfast!
(4)mike h.
The menu is amazing Service friendly and fast Food absolutely amazing Zero complaints I found my new breakfast spot
(5)Jess P.
Yaaaaaas. This place is EVERYTHING. Cheesy hash browns and French toast sampler/flight hits the spot every time. Do I wish they took reservations? Everyone does. But it's so worth the wait. I'd wait 10 times longer cuz it tastes that good. Hope you get the staff member that will offer a riddle or a joke cuz it's amazing. Great family business in Lincoln Park and I hope it continues to thrive.
(5)Holly S.
Food was good-had the lemon French Toast-but the service was weak. They don't have diet coke.
(3)Tamera B.
Our second visit to Batter & Berries left my emotions seriously bruised. Our first visit was fantastic, but a much larger crowd was added to our second visit and the "ish hit the fan"!!! Hence, I have to knock some stars off the five star rating I gave initially........it was that bad. The staff at Batter & Berries have no concept of crowd control & traffic flow. So, when we arrived, the restaurant was full, but no one was waiting to be seated. The hostess, then led us to the "waiting area", which is in the middle of the restaurant, off of the main walkway and across from the restrooms. This place is not large, so this is awful for traffic flow. Anyway, we were told our wait would be 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, approx. 4 additional parties of 2 were seated in the "waiting area" and a separate line formed at the door. The waiting area didn't have enough seating for everyone. So there were some people standing against the wall where the restroom doors are at AND blocking the main walkway the servers use......just messy. So, we were finally seated at the "common table" about 25 minutes later. After we sat there unattended for about 5 minutes, a server came by and said "Do you want coffee?" We both replied yes and he ran off. We didn't get a hello or anything.....I don't even know if he was our server or just being helpful. So, he brings us black coffee with no sugar or cream and runs off.......like, warp speed fast. I was really bent out of shape by this time because I was super hungry and I wanted to drink some coffee to "fix" my mood, but I do not drink black coffee. We saw the guy that gave us coffee, but he would not make eye contact with us nor would any of the other servers. So, we waited another 7-10 minutes and no one came by to get our drink order, food order, or to greet us........NOTHING. So, we politely got up and left. The food is really good, but it will be awhile before we give Batter & Berries a try again.
(2)Joshua E.
This place is very disorganized. Albeit it's very busy and popular, I personally didn't like my dish. I had the lamb chop trio and it was a really different taste. One I wasn't really wasn't prepared for. Over all abidance wasn't that great because it was packed. I especially didn't like the hour and 45 minute wait.
(3)Chelsea V.
Awesome people and love the food! I rarely give five stars but my experience here was amazing!
(5)Lynn J.
The wait was extreme...1 1/2 hour on a Saturday. However, the food was excellent! It was also served very quick!!! I would definitely come back again.
(4)Big D.
Very good food. Atmosphere was great. Server was very personable and had knowledge of the menu. I got the executive. Steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Eggs with the hollandaise sauce was so good i can't describe it in words. Before the check came i said i don't care what the bill is...It's worth it. Wish they had one on the south side. Will definitely be back.
(5)Becka E.
Great brunch option and like all the other popular brunch spots, you'll have a bit of a wait. Our original wait was around 1 hr and 45 minutes but they managed to seat us around an hour. Luckily, if you put your name and number down, they'll send you a text when ready so you can walk around the town a bit and waste time. The whole place is small, loud, colorful and everyone looked like they were having a great time. I had two in my party and we were seated at the 'communal table' in the middle of the room which was cool. There was enough room on the table so you didn't feel like you were right up on the next party. We ended up ordering their Cluck-n-gaufre (Chicken and Waffles) and Lobster/Spinach omelette which I basically inhaled. The chicken and waffles actually came with bits of chicken cooked into the waffle with another piece of chicken on the side. My friend had this and said it was amazing so I definitely will be trying it next time. My lobster and spinach omelette was actually better than I expected. No one element of the dish was overpowering (i.e. too much salt, weird lobster taste) and while it was a tiny bit runny, I thoroughly enjoyed it along with my side of pancakes. We also had tea with our meal. They give you a sort of sampler board with little shakers of tea from which you can smell and see which one you want. After you choose, they'll bring you your own little personal "tea pot" brewed with loose tea from which you can get about three cups. I had English Breakfast w/ cream and my friend had some interesting walnut/flower mixture. Bottom line: From what we had and saw (spying at other people's food), this place has great flavor, nice service and a great price. BYOB...nothing more said there. If you're picky and looking to order plain waffles/pancakes/french toast, try going to IHOP or something because I didn't see too many options for plain anything (except maybe the pancakes and the protein). Definitely a place to try.
(4)Tasha W.
This place is always busy so be sure to put your name on the seating list as soon as you arrive. The waiting area is in the middle of the resturant. The owner is always on site greeting customers. The specials are not on the menu yet on the chalk board near the ceiling. The waitress was very polite and showed pictures of every meal on her tablet before you order. Once you order you don't wait long for your food. The food looks just like the pictures. They food is very very good. The toast taste wonderful. I tried almost everything. This is a very nice place to eat. It's worth the wait in line.
(5)Jessica C.
This place was fantastic! We had to wait a half hour and it was extremely loud in there that I could barely hear myself talk, but the food was absolutely delicious. I got the deconstructed chicken fajita omelette and it was one of the best omelettes I've ever had! I tried a bite of my friends French toast and that was also delicious. Doesn't have great ambiance but fantastic food.
(5)A F.
Hubby and I decided to visit B&B on Saturday morning. We called ahead and the hostess said there was about a 20 minute wait. We arrived and the wait grew to one hour. What an hour that was watching the delicious looking plates being delivered to the 30 or so tables in the tiny restaurant. Finally, our name was called and we were seated at a small table in the back in view of the energetic and busy busy kitchen. Our waiter, who I was convinced moonlites as a standup comedian, approached our table in all of his surround sound splendor. He announced all of the specials, and we waited. The restaurant bustles with chatter and laughter. Soft house music played in the background. Hubby ordered the crawfish omelette, and I ordered the lobster Benedict. Both were amazing. We also ordered the French toast flight which was the best I've ever had. Overall,this was a wonderful dining experience, and I'll definitely be back. The only "meh" of the meal were the cheesy hash browns. They were average at best which was surprising because of the awesomeness of everything else.
(4)Kaelyn G.
There is one word to describe Batter & Berries and that is "Amazing". I came here with a group of four to celebrate my St. Patricks day birthday. There was a 20 minute wait which wasn't bad compared to the 2 hr wait that most people experience. The food was awesome. I had the Cluck & Goof which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken. It also came with an extra chicken breast and their very tasty and unique nutmeg hot-sauce. I also tried the Crab Cake Benedict which was also really good and flavorful. The service was the best. Our waiter was very attentive and the manager even came over to ask how everything tasted. It was a great experience, I will be returning soon.
(5)Barton T.
Imagine a kid making every imaginable flavor of french toast, accompanied with some creative sides. This is Batter & Berries. Let's get down to it. The place is cozy, meaning if you go at peak time, it can be up to a two hour wait. When it's good, this is the effect of the cause. Live with it. Be patient or use this tip (go during the week or before 10 on the weekend). The menu is creative yet focused. The chef and the servers work in unison making sure the quality is consistent and the flavors are good. The thing you must try (in my opinion) is the flight french toast and the cluck n goufe. The flight is a sample plate of all the flavors. For a little extra you can add the special flavor of the week. The cluck n goufe is the start to me. Why? Because it' a chicken and chicken waffle with a banging hot sauce as the syrup. Of course they have other things on the menu. I can say I haven't had anything outside of breakfast food, so I can't comment on the lunch side of the menu. All in all, make the time, bring a bottle (BYOB) and experience it and see what flavor you like the best. (SIDE NOTE: Dreamsicle and the Peanut Butter french toast were the best!!!).
(5)Jennine I.
I took my son and sister here for a birthday celebratory breakfast. I was forewarned that they have crazy wait times so we arrived shortly after opening and there was no wait at all. I guess because we went on a weekday. There was plenty of street parking available. First impressions..I will say that the place is really small and cramped. However, the food was just excellent!! I love the french toast super flight, which has 5 pieces of french toast. We also had the hash browns and the chicken sausage. The waitstaff can be more a little more friendly and attentive, but our actual waitress was awesome. A lot of the staff just moped around the large table in the middle of the room, which I thought was weird. I hope that they open a 2nd larger location. Overall a good experience. I will be back.
(5)Rachel B.
I went for my birthday in January 2015 for brunch. The staff was friendly and prompt and the menu was a great variety of savory and sweet dishes. We definitely took advantage of the BYOB and brought a few bottles of champagne. The line is usually pretty crazy for brunch so expect a wait when you get there, but it's worth it. The French toast flight is a must for your first time.
(4)Monica B.
Damn, the wait is long here. It's a cute little restaurant, but we waited a good hour for Sunday brunch. Everything on the menu sounded soo good, but I ordered the famous Fried Chicken and Waffle. It was delicious and totally lived up to the hype. I definitely want to come back and try some of the other sweet and savory items. Everything looked great!
(4)Temprest B.
Their food is the bomb, their customer service was great what more can you ask for. I wish their chefs can come to my house every morning and cook for me lol
(5)Rod P.
Go on a workday during brunch hours or after lunch to avoid the long wait. Food is flavorful. I had the special "pork chop executive" and the Mrs, the deconstructed salmon omelette. Plus we shared a caramel candied walnut French toast (no syrup required). If I had to critique one thing, I'd say, avoid the coffee and BYOB.
(5)Kendall H.
Came here on a trip to Chicago. I got the chicken and waffles, which were really different than what I'm used to at home but good. The waffle was almost like pumpkin cake, but with some chicken inside, and fried chicken with hot sauce on the side. Service was really fast, both me and the table next to me got our food in under 5 min. The place was full on a Monday morning so I'd guess weekends are crazy.
(5)Nisa J.
I don't think I can express how much I love the food at the restaurant. I especially enjoy the Carmel French toast and apple sausage!!! Try to go as early as possible ... I've waited up to 2 hours for a seat.
(5)Leticia M.
I had the French toast fight that was good with a side of eggs. Lots of parking in the street but yet again I did go on a Monday. Staff is very attentive. Place is small with lots of staff :) food comes out like in 10 min which is awesome. Majority of the staff were Hispanic so that's cool. If you are a first timer they have an iPad where they have photos of their specialties. Place doesn't take American Express :(
(4)Kavi P.
Was looking for a good french toast or pancake. This place was great for their french toast especially because of the 'float' with the four different flavors. I do wish there was a bit more variation...I feel that there wasn't enough to appeal to more people. If I wasn't craving french toast I'm not really sure what I would've ordered....
(3)Robin H.
The food here is very very good!
(4)Kaitlin S.
Really really great food. I truly respect a menu where the chef takes pride in what he's put together-- urging patrons to try the food in its original form (sans syrup/salt/pepper). I had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken baked into it. I mean, damn! Of course, the only downside is the wait. There is almost always a line (I live nearby and always look out the window when I pass). However, that's a great problem to have for a restaurant. My only qualm was the hostess that told me my wait for a table of four was 10 minutes, and then we went on to wait for 55 minutes. When we did sit, we got the communal table and had to eat with two other groups. But, honestly, the food makes up for any menial issues like that.
(4)Francisco G.
WILL never eat here again!!!! Beside that tacky decor and ratchet music, the food is bland and over price. I got some espresso shots and it was nearly $10. When I expressed concern to management, the douche bag (with a really tight shirt on) argued where we typically get our coffee because that price is normal. Uh, no. So instead of listening, he just continued to insult us. Never going back.
(1)Kim B.
I'll admit that Batter & Berries has great french toast. Where else can you find watermelon french toast?! My only complaint is the fact that they use regular white bread so the toast gets limp and soggy. The result is great flavor, not so great texture. The chicken & sweet potato waffle was tasty as well. Even the hot sauce they use is good and I don't even like spicy food. I like that the chicken is boneless so you don't have to eat it with your hands.
(3)Ma Lorie A.
Almost four stars for the grub presentation, 3 stars because it tasted like ihop food. Now there's nothing wrong with ihop, if you like eating at Ihop. I appreciated the New York style dining which gave me an opportunity to eye the lamb chops the stranger across from me was chomping on. However, if you have to look at someone else's food, you know yours isn't appetizing enough! I enjoyed the French toast flight but the cheesy hash browns aren't as good as what they tell you on yelp! On to the next one.
(3)Tiffany P.
1. Yes the food is great. 5 stars 2. Yes you will likely have to wait. Normal for a place with food as good as this 3. Yes the service is horrible. 0 stars...seriously There is no denying that the food is good. I've tried many things off the breakfast menu and have always found the taste to be beyond what I expected. Try to go with a small group only 2 if possible. I once went and there were 6 of us and we seemed to have been 'forgotten' when trying to be seated and then many food items were forgotten and they advised only 1 waffle iron was working so we all got our food at different times. The hostess that they have working for this place are horrible. They will have their personal bluetooth or headphones in one ear. They are full of attitude and you pretty much have to just tell them what you want because they won't ask if you need help or anything. I have no issues with the wait staff they've always seemed to do the best the could under the circumstances. Last time I visited there was something in my waffle like a piece of plastic. My waitress comped it but she didn't really say anything about it or ask questions or anything. No management ever came by to say anything about it. I don't require a lot of attention at a restaurant but i found this to be a bit unacceptable. To the owner of Batter & Berries: Please get the service together! Take some classes, do research online or hire a restaurant manager who knows how to handle business.
(2)Melissa V.
Two words to describe B&B? Yes. Lawd. The chicken & waffles and fish & chips are amazing. Go there - you will not be sorry!
(5)Mickey A.
Note to self: this is BYOB. My friend and I knew it was BYOB but at the time, we were too hungover to even think about alcohol at brunch. Like a lot of brunch places, there is a good wait time, even on extremely cold days. It's such a cute place with some pretty cool artwork. The owner himself is cool. He would come outside every so often to chat with those of us waiting and go around the tables making sure everyone was well fed. I had plans to get the French toast flight. But once we heard the specials, I had a tough decision to make. French toast flight or crab cake benedict. I'll just pat myself on the back for going the crab cake benedict route. It was quite heavenly. I tried to take my time and savor this but couldn't. I stuffed myself and still had a small amount left to take home. And the cheese hash browns were too good. I almost asked about substituting those for something else, but our server said keep them. They are his favorite and that I wouldn't regret it. He was right.
(4)Hannah C.
This is one of those spots that should stick to their specialty. We went last Sunday and most of us wound us disappointed. The highlight: the caramel french toast, which was just as amazing as our charming waiter promised. Their tea selection was impressive and the other breakfast beverages (coffee and hot chocolate) were fine. The downside: the side of chicken sausage was barely warm and had a disgusting uncooked flavor so bad two of us spit it out. The two sandwiches (BBQ and Buffalo Chicken) we tried were both lackluster, and the fries had a strange fishy aftertaste. Overall, it wound up being an hour wait and a $50 bill for one good dish. I'm not saying don't go, but don't try to push this place outside its French toast comfort zone.
(2)Lisa H.
Was looking for a brunch place to catch up with an old friend and stumbled across Batter & Berries. Reviews look promising and the photos reeled us in. We went around noon (assumed it would be peak hour) and had already braced ourselves for a wait. To our surprise, there was no line and was seated immediately. My friend ordered the chicken-n-gaufre (a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle, topped off with pieces of chicken drizzled with sweet hot sauce and syrup) and I ordered the crab benedict. My friend enjoyed her entree, it was basically chicken and waffles with a twist. The sweet potato waffle played well with the sauces and chicken. For my crab benedict, I thought it was delicious. B&B's crab benedict was not like the usual benedict I have at other brunch places. There was no english muffin, but two large crab cakes topped off with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Everything about the benedict was just right. It also comes with a side of their famous cheesy hash browns which I thought it was ok, nothing to rave about. I would of rated this brunch place an extra star, but I thought their service wasn't on par. It wasn't that busy and we still didn't get the service I would have expected. It took the waitress almost 20 mins to come over to take our order. We even saw other people who arrived after us getting their order taken. The waitress also wasn't too attentive to us either. She would pass us a couple of times and I would try to get her attention for our check. When she finally gave us our check, she never returned to process it. We got fed up of waiting, so we brought it to the front to get everything settled. The prices are very competitive with most brunch places I have been to, but B&B offers great food; kudos to the chef! The service could of been better though. Hopefully next time I decide to stop by, the servers will be a little bit more attentive.
(3)Stacey M.
This place is The BOMB .com. I want to eat here everyday! No complaints except our waitress took awhile to get to us, the place was full though. I had the Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. We had a half order of the French toast special, Strawberry Champagne, it was scrumptious. Side of pancakes with maple butter.. SO delicious. Wasn't sure I'd like them because of the lemon zest but it was a yummy touch! I tried my friends egg white veggie omelet (special) and Pork chop & eggs, both great!! I can't wait to go back here and get the French toast flight or chicken & waffle!
(5)Dick L.
We came here for breakfast a few weeks ago and had a great experience. I had forgotten to write a review of this place until I found the photo I took of my chicken & waffle. The restaurant was very packed on a Saturday morning. I was not too crazy about the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles I had, but the french toast flight that my girlfriend got was excellent. Their bacon is also very good. Very interested to try the rest of their menu -- we will be back!
(5)Symone W.
love this Restaurant! also, love that it is black-owned in predominantly white Lakeview/Lincoln Park. Unique in the sense that they show you photographs of their specials on an iPad which I thought was smart and creative. I love seeing pictures of what to order beforehand. I had the Blueberry Waffle and the Spinach and mushroom Omelet. The Waffle was amazing! very sweet and only needed the maple butter that came along with it. It reminded me a lot of a blueberry muffin and was yummy when I reheated it later that evening. The spinach and mushroom omelet was also divine. The omelet is made with cheese inside and the spinach and mushroom sauté on top. Additionally this comes with a side of cheesy hashbrowns. They make their own hot sauce and it was so yummy I had to ask if they bottled/sold the sauce. Spicy with a hint of garlic. Only complaint is that the choices for omelets are limited. Having some traditional omelets like a meat and cheese (ham, chicken sausage, etc) wouldn't hurt!
(4)J. Terrell A.
Freaking fantastic. My new go-to place for brunch. The wait is long but so worth it. Weekends are busy. We arrived around 12:45 and the wait was 45 to 60 mins. Anticipation built as the servers delivered deliciousness as we stood waiting to be seated. My dining partner opted for the Super French Toast, a total of five flyers that included one mystery flavor which we figured was chocolate. Best. French. Toast. Ever! I picked up The Executive - steak and eggs with hash browns. It was good, but I preferred the French Toast. There servers are prompt and friendly. The coffee is bottomless and the the music is lively. Hit this place up, you will not regret it... but go early!
(5)Lauren W.
Not worth the hype. $13 omelet that was VERY oily and had some weird veggie paste on top. The server was sweet but the guy who sat us was kind of rude. I would be bummed if I waited for an hour to go here!
(2)nicole m.
People there are friendly and quick to get your order and explain the dishes. The French Toast was subpar, they had different ones and I ordered the super flight; but it seemed like a blanket french toast with a different glaze ... nothing to write home about. I also tried the chicken and sweet potato waffles ... that was the star ... wished there was more sauce and less salt.
(2)Eva S.
once upon a winter day in 2013, christmas eve our group decided on some brunch at lovely Batter & Berries totally packed on Tuesday morn' but finally we were seated thank God we finally got a table and with some coffee, reheated our server, charming and delightful read off the daily specials get the flight of french toast, he winked with spiked egg nog toast & sprinkles we scanned the menu hungrily and finally reached a verdict: the flight it is, the chicken & waffle, broccoli omelett, lobster benedict with four of us at a table and four ginormous plates we created a rotation system so we can each have a taste i loved the food, i'm coming back it's settled, lincoln park is rad though the establishment is small, it's cozy Around $15 per head, ain't bad! reviews of disatisfied patrons, why be so disappointed? anything less than four stars is a review to be avoided
(4)Felica B.
They have by far the WORSE AND UNPROFESSIONAL customer service! You walk in to a hostess with a terrible attitude! We were told that we were about to be seated only to have our seats given away! When asked to talk to the manager she told us that she will get him when she gets ready! That surely sparked a fused! However when the manager finally came he said we were wrong and said he didn't care if we left! After driving and hour to get there and waiting a hour and a half to be seated! Wow!!! It is also so small in there and people are standing over you while you eat your food! The waiting room is a joke! The waiters bumping into you and each other! It is a fire hazard! Again... DO NOT GO!!! I'm only giving one star because I have to in order to write this review
(1)Jaquleen H.
SCALLOP OMELETTE!!!!! Creamy goat cheese in the middle topped with jumbo scallops, perfectly cooked asparagus and mushrooms in a white wine sauce!!! So delicious! By far one of the best dishes I have ever had!!! Amazing! You will not be disappointed!
(5)Alex J.
The foodies have been raving about Batter & Berries, so I dragged my girlfriend out in the morning and told her we were going to see what the hype was about. The wait was over an hour, so we threw our name on the list and went shopping like the good weekend Americans we are. Came back about an hour and fifteen minutes later to find out they were almost to our name, so we re-arrived in the nick of time. Her french toast flight, one of the staples, was pretty good and she was satisfied. I ordered one of the blackboard, chalk-written specials, because I have a soft spot for specials: a crayfish omelette with bell peppers and cheesy hashbrowns. The hashbrowns were somewhat bland for how prevalent they are on the menu; they were just sort of heavy but not spunky like everything else on the menu. We also mistakenly ordered a side of sweet potato fries; it's not that they were bad, we were just so full that we couldn't properly approach them. I have heard rumors that they don't cook food to order, and I believe it because our food came out quicker than you can say, "Batter and Berries." This isn't a problem when the place is popping, but, on the rare occasion that things are slow, I can imagine the quality of this practice would suffer. In any case, we may come back at some point, particularly if I see a special on their Instagram that rubs me the right way.
(4)Tamikca B.
Don't do it! Very very rude staff, hostess very snotty! Manager has zero management skills! I walked out after watching this snotty host storm through the already crowded area and say " fuck this shit" in front of maybe 20 customers which included young children. . . Presentation is everything. Not a good representation of mom and pop shops, nor the owners.. i even watched a dissatisfied customer walk out and the manager yell. "Clean off my table"! to awaiting staff before the customer even got away from the table. I think this place needs a new manager, 2 new hostess and better communication skills. This place is not a good representation of the community, nor the owner. I hope the owner make changes before it's to late. I hear the food is good though.
(1)Chelleveda S.
So I have been trying to visit this place since September and for reason or another I wasn't able to....I believe now that I was supposed to wait and build up my anticipation. I walked in and was immediately seated at the community table which was cool because I didn't have to dine alone. I was immediately brought water and offered coffee. The manager Jay just so happened to be sitting at the table and made sure that my waitress gave me prompt, courteous service. My food was brought out fast and was delicious. Once the manager found out it was my first time and finding out that I love peach cobbler he let me sample a slice of the peach cobbler french toast which was even more reason why I will be patronizing this establishment again. The hostess Nicky was very helpful with letting me know which times and days are the busiest.......so on that note if you come after 9:30ish on a weekend please be prepared to wait because it gets pretty crowded.
(5)Rishabh A.
We waited for the table on Saturday for 2+ hours and after that the food was not good. We ordered the famous fried chicken and waffles and I have definitely had better food at other brunch places. All the other food options was ok and kinda pricey for a brunch place. I would skip it and may be go to another brunch place with the wait time.
(1)Jessica A.
I have never been somewhere like this! The food is OUT OF THIS WORLD INCREDIBLE! The service is great, and environment is artsy and interesting. The only thing that needs any altering is how scary loud the music is. I couldn't talk to our server or my family and it was 11am. But I can't wait to come back!!!
(5)Justine M.
Pretty good brunch place. I had the crab cake benedicts and the crab was pleasently fresh tasting. It also came with a side of cheese crusted hash browns which I didn't find amazing. I got some crusty cheese in some bits and most of it was very mushy. I also shared the super flight with a friend which had the lemon, strawberry, carmel, blueberry and cookies and creme french toast. The lemon and strawberry were the most flavored. The others weren't that impressive. Note: There was a line out of the restaurant at 7:55 with about 7 people waiting to get in on a Sunday. This place gets VERY busy around 8:30 so come when it opens. Also very small inside
(3)Leslie P.
This place was not worth the hype! Waited in line for about an hour. I was standing over people who were eating their food. I'm sure this was annoying to them. Was finally seated at the back table closets to the kitchen. Then people were standing over me as I ate. My friend ordered the strawberry French toast and had hair in them. I ordered apple waffle and it was dry and nasty. Manager was also very rude. I was very disappointed. I really wanted to like the food here. It just might have been a bad day!
(2)Samuel A.
I DO NOT recommend this place. My friend is visiting town so I wanted something to eat that was fast and not so far from where we are in Lincoln Park so this was it. We got there and immediately were greeted by a very sassy hostess who didn't eve look at me at any moment and told us, quote, "you can go seat in the waiting area over there cause you gotta wait at least 45 min". So we go to the waiting area, honestly 4 tables can be arranged there and wait time would have been less. What a waste of useful space right in the middle of a restaurant. We wait and wait and wait. Finally we are seated right next to the bathroom door so we asked to be moved to another table. They did. My impression was that they don't really take care of who they hire as servers in this place. Service really sucks. There were 3 girls behind the hostess podium just chit chatting as one of them was sitting in a chair with customers sitting on that table. Buzz boys and waitresses walking up and down and standing around looking at each other and having conversations next to customers. It seemed to us like the servers literally go out of bed and went straight to work. Nobody working there seemed to think that their image and the way they present to the customers is how successful their business can be. I mean one of the 3 hostesses was sitting at a table with customers eating on that table as she chit chatted with the other two about people walking in and out. That's not ok. Management in this place, they must get these issues together and train their staff on proper serving manners. I have a lot of friends in the service industry and anywhere else that would be unacceptable. And now to the food. The heater in there was warmer than our food was. Food was tasteless. I can see this place being busy while people want to still go try the new place around but once it's been there for a bit, if not taken care of their service/ staffing issues, I see them closing down sooner than they expected. I will not be going back to his place.
(2)Isabel H.
Amazing food. I don't mind waiting for a seat, but the second time I went in the hostess was so rude that I didn't even want to eat there anymore, but the first time I went the servers were incredible, so I'll have to go back another time when that hostess isn't there because this place really is worth it.
(3)M.j. R.
I have been here twice. The first time we were with a large group and everything went great and I liked the food. Months later I went back the second time I went with my girlfriend and they had terrible customer service. No one would even look at me so I could ask them how long the wait was. After 20 mintues the host told me 1 hour and 30 minutes. I was shocked. No one was waiting for a table and there was open seats for 2. Needless to say I will never go back there and neither will any of my friends.
(1)Julian C.
I went there for the first time Friday. There was a 30 minute wait for 2 people but It was well worth the wait. We had the lobster omelet and the chicken and waffles. Both dishes were absolutely amazing! The service was great as well. I liked the fact that the waitress had pictures of the specials on an iPad so you could see the dish before ordering. Definitely worth going to again....and again lol
(5)Victoria W.
Hours of operation, 8am-3pm. Come as early as possible, especially the weekend. If you come around 10am, there is already a long line waiting. We were here on a Sunday at 10:15, already had to do a 45 minute wait. Which is quite long, for a breakfast joint. Ordered the french toast with flight, which is the fancier version, got charged extra for that, and the egg white omelette with scallop. we each also had a small juice. Items are overpriced. We each ended up paying $20 before tax. I mean the food was good, but it was not worth that much. The scallop were fresh, there were 3 of them. Paired with mushroom, some asparagus stem and a plain egg white omlette folded. I could try to recreate this at home for a lot less. The french toasts are probably harder to recreated. It had a nice maple butter pairing with it. DIfferent flavors of french toast, strawberry, blueberry and one that looked like cinnamon? The meal was very rich though, I was all full and bloated for the rest of the day and couldn't even have dinner. I guess the service was alright, the lady came over and showed up on her ipad the additional offerings of the day. They are also listed on on the wall. But no price next to it, tricked up, the omelette ended up being so expensive. We were between that and the crab cakes... But then our server forgot our juice and we had to ask for it. I thought service was nothing special, the lady at the front, the hostess was quite stressed with the long line. 1 bathroom in the restaurant.
(3)Marisol A.
Very rude hostess! If that's the service as you enter, I could imagine the rest of the service. Decided not to wait. Very bummed because I wanted to try a new place.
(1)Ange L.
So my husband and I were looking for a new brunch spot yesterday, one that served bottomless mimosas. I went on Yelp and found that Batter and Berries was rated high; they didn't have the mimosa special we were looking for, but it'sBYOB, so we thought that's the next best thing. Well when we arrived, it was a sea of black folk waiting outside. We put our name on the list and were told it would be a 45 minute wait. We thought, the food HAD to be good if all these people were waiting this long. *NOTE: Since the wait is long, don't come famished like I did. Have a snack before you come!* Anyway, the host graciously seated us and our waitress was attentive. I ordered the French toast flight, chicken sausage and eggs scrambled hard with cheese and onions. My husband ordered the Executive. We both found that the food was delicious from the first bite til the last. They recommend not adding syrup until after you taste the french toast, and I am glad that I waited because I didn't need to add a thing! I rarely eat eggs and never finish them, but I ate all of mine yesterday. Delicious!! This place surpasses my Chicago breakfast favorites like Yolk and Bongo Room. And to top it all off - its BLACK OWNED!!! I had such a lovely experience, I shook hands with the owner and congratulated him on owning such a great place with tasty food! I cannot say enough good things about Batter & Berries. I will certainly be back again, and bring family and friends who visit the Chi. Thank you Yelp as always for not letting me down. Just remember you will likely wait a while so have a snack or something before you come!
(5)Olga Q.
AMAZING! This breakfast was the best breakfast I think I've ever ever had EVER. Why the 4 stars you're asking? Well the ambiance is frankly not great. We stopped in at around 1:30ish on Sunday and it was SLAMMED! We were told the wait was about an hour and a half for a table for two. We put our name on the list and actually waited, but we left and came back because the space is too crowded to hang out in. It's a really really small restaurant which makes it feel very crowded, uncomfortable and loud. It was hard to even speak to my husband it was so loud. Also it wasn't the cleanest place I've been too, but considering its tiny and busy I'm assuming it's just very difficult to keep it squeaky clean during a Sunday rush. They seated us at a table which was right next to the restroom, which I thought was kinda gross. People walked in and out consistently and left the door open which faced right into the dining room and, lucky me, opened right up in front of our table. I kept praying no one passed gas or fell ill while we were eating breakfast. I really have to say that the placement of the tables right by the restroom like that needs to be rethought because that alone made me feel as if I wouldn't want to go back. I ordered the salmon executive, which was a cut of salmon with a lemon sauce with a side of scrambled eggs and cheddar hash browns. My husband had a ham and bacon omelette and then we ordered the peanut butter French toast to share. The second I took one bite of the salmon I knew that they could have seated me inside the restroom and it would have been worth it! Every single item served to us was perfection. I will definitely go back and maybe next time request another table.
(4)Mary T.
Delicious! My friend and I stopped by for brunch on a Saturday around 9 and didn't have to wait too long. In fact we had just enough time to grab some champagne at the 711 next door for our mimosas. I had biscuits and gravy and my friend ordered the chicken and waffles; both were excellent. Our waiter was extremely friendly and the service was quick and efficient. I will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Justine A.
Be prepared how beloved and popular this place is. I went on a Thursday at about 10am and I was lucky to get a seat at the community table. The French toast flight was awesome and everything else looked equally scrumptious!
(5)Latisha C.
Yummy Delicious. Great atmosphere! Cozy! Sundays R off dee chain, beware the wait is ReaL BUT it was worth it.
(5)Marvin J.
By far my favorite place to eat breakfast. I've had several things on the menu and nothing has been less than excellent. The French toast flight is a must. They are always changing their menu items which keeps me coming back often.
(5)SweetestThing E.
This was my first time going here and I was extremely excited because of all the hype. But unfortunately I have to say I was not pleased. First of all there was a 1 hour long wait so of course i was starving when it was finally time for me to be sat to eat. The food came out super fast which is good and bad at the same time. Bad because I knew the good was precooked! My crab cakes were super cold and my cousins french toast was cold as well! I wouldn't come back. Especially with these prices. Our server was nice though.
(2)Tracey G.
This was my second visit to Batter & Berries. I had previously gone for the first time in May. I took my husband for his birthday. Back then it was amazing! We had raved to all of our friends about the freshness and delicious food. That is why I was so excited to bring my mother. Yesterday we decided to take my mom who was in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were there yesterday at approximately 11am. I was not crowed so we were seated immediately. However the waitress didn't initially come to our table for at least ten minutes. I ordered the French toast flight with eggs, potatoes and bacon, mom ordered the apple waffle with a side of bacon and my husband ordered blueberry waffle with a side of eggs and bacon. I was very surprise because our food was ready in literally under 7 minutes. I believe this was the reason the food didn't taste as good. My French toast was very dry like it had been sitting for a while. I had to pour syrup all over it to try and make it work. I assume it was pre made and they just added the fruit and cheese. This was truly disappointing because when we first visited back in May the French toast was so fresh and fluffy you didn't need any syrup. Not the case at all this time. Both my mom and husband said they both had very dry waffles. I also had potatoes with cheese. The cheese was scorched which left a burnt taste with each bite. The one good thing that we all agreed on was the bacon. The bacon was cooked perfectly. Perhaps we should have just ordered a plate of bacon and I could have saved myself $63.00. We were extremely disappointed. Not really sure if I will return. Seems like the novelty has worn off.
(2)Danielle G.
The food at Batter & Berries is awesome, especially the special Crab Cake Benedict that was a special the day I went - it was delicious, not full of other stuff that distracted from the crab. I also had the French Toast Flight - much above average french toast in 4 different flavors. The flavors are so good you don't even need the syrup, but can get some if you want. If you can make time for the long wait, it's worth it. I'd love to see them move to a bigger space, especially something with a better set up for parties waiting for tables.
(4)LaShaya L.
I was in chicago visiting friends and family. I came with four friends and this was one place we decided on. We attempted to visit this restaurant twice in three days. We drove almost forty minutes for the nasty hostess to tell us it would be almost three hours for us to be seated. Three hours would have put us past the closing time of the restaurant. Not to mention people who were on the list received text messages when a table became available. They had people who hadn't even shown up when they received the text and they held the tables for them. I would think after five or so minutes if someone hadn't shown up, next person in line would be seated. This wasn't the case at all. Needless to say we went right down the street, got serviced right away and will never return batter and berries!
(1)Sean S.
I visited this place after being encouraged by a friend to have a late breakfast on a Monday. We arrived to the location to find about 6-8 people sitting outside, and I feared a long wait. The guy at the front stated a 20-30 minute wait, but not a minute after paying the meter and placing the ticket on the dashboard, he called our name. We were seated at the large table in the center, shared with 14 other people. Despite it being crowded, our waitress arrived quickly and showed us the specials on her IPAD ("wow!") We ordered the french toast flight, the chicken and waffle, and the crab omelet. Everything was great! There was a hot sauce on the chicken that was surprisingly appropriate for breakfast; the waffle was made of sweet potatoes, and although slightly sweet, it wasn't too sweet (I didn't even need syrup); the crab omelet was very tasty and was just enough to fill the average person. The French toast flight was excellent as well, although the slices weren't as big as I usually prefer, the taste more than made up for it. Oh, and be sure to have some of the berry juice outside. I don't know if they give refills inside, but while you're waiting outside, grab a cup. It tastes like watermelon juice (not very sweet), but it's great for having to sit outside while you wait. I would go again, but since I live in the south suburbs and rarely get to the north side of the city, I wouldn't make a special trip for it, especially knowing the possibility of a long wait.
(4)Rocco S.
We went to check out this place on a weekday afternoon. Not much of a wait. Service was pretty slow and not very attentive. We ordered the seafood Benedict, the biscuits and gravy, and the chicken and waffles. The Benedict was basically an over cooked poached egg on a dried out seafood patty. I don't think there was even an English muffin underneath. The potatoes were very greasy, but decent. I was really disappointed Chicken and waffles had a dried out chicken breast that was probably pounded and double fried. The waffle was okay. They forgot to bring any syrup, so we had to wait for someone to come around to get it. Took around 5-7 minutes to finally get someone's attention. The biscuits were probably the best thing we had. But really just average. Gravy was pretty thin though. The space was kind of dark and felt a little dirty. Overall I don't understand why this place gets such top reviews. We really wanted to like it, but it just didn't work out for us. Service was below average and the food was dried out and just not that good. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but we will not be going back.
(2)Chiquita C.
I'd love to give this place five stars but the wait is always ridiculously long . Literally ever day no matter what time . Other than that I'm madly in love with every entrée I've tried . The chef is always coming up with creative new additions and weekly specials . Everything is always fresh . I eat here every time I'm home . Plus it's BYOB .
(4)Valerie M.
Stopped by after a 5k last weekend. Hour and half wait. I can't understand why it is still like this months after opening. I have not seen the owner or staff try to make any adjustments to make this better. Not sure if a reservation system would help or not. I will not wait that long for breakfast food it's just ridiculous. Please get rid of the hostess with the stank attitude who doesn't know what she is doing.
(1)Andre W.
My friends have been raving about this place for about a year and every time I am invited I either have plans or I am too drunk to get up and get here. I came on a chilly Sat morning and was welcomed to a 35 minute wait which is around my threshold of time for being seated in a restaurant. While I was waiting outside, I noticed a sign that said byob (next time I know!) so I knew a mimosa wasn't going to happen...lol. Also while waiting I was able to see everyone's plate and it made me hungrier as everything looked delicious. My wait ended up being more like 20 minutes. We were shown to our table which was like a communal high top across from a couple that had some loud ass friends that recognized them as they were leaving so there was a temporary discomfort with the seating arrangement, but it was the only space for two that was available at the time so we had to take it. Server came by and gave us a breakdown of specials that weren't on the menu and everything sounded scrumptious. I took a gander @ the menu, but decided on the surf & turf omelet that came along with some awesome cheesy hash browns. The surf & turf omelet included shrimp, steak, cheese and lobster....well worth the $17. One of the best omelets I ever had, no doubt. Bring your appetite here as the portions are a nice size. I noticed a lot of people getting the french toast flights which allows you to taste multiple french toast offerings. Came back again and had the Lobster Benedict and it was also delicious. Awesome food and awesome service! I would definitely recommend getting here before noon as the wait can get pretty lengthy at that point. I also recommend bringing a bottle of champagne if you want mimosas as I said earlier it is BYOB.
(5)Bethtina W.
This place is delicious! Loved the mimosa idea. The food was scrumptious. i had the pancakes and my wife had the lobster omelet. We both ate it to the last drop. It's crowded, but the servers were friendly. It's a bit pricey.
(4)Lyn W.
This was my first time here and the food was well worth the wait! I had the peach punch tea and it was so good. For dinner I ha the chicken and goof (chicken and sweet potato waffle). It looked and tasted amazing!! The service was really good. Our server was on point and very personable. I can't wait to come back again and bring my husband. It was the best chicken am waffles I've had ever. Plus it's BYOB so next time I will be bringing my own champagne for some mimosas.
(4)Jeff H.
The sweet potato waffles and fried chicken are the best! Making a beeline to B and B on our next trip to Chicago. 5 star all the way!
(5)Reecie B.
Love, love, love this place! I always get the caramel french toast which is awesome! I'm one of those people who likes my food hot so I learned after a few times to tell them to bring my French Toast out the second it is done. Also i ask for syrup when I order. Some of the waiters try to guilt you into not using syrup but I know what I like. Anyway I ask in advance because otherwise my food gets cold while they run around looking for the syrup. This place is byob for champagne which a lot of people take advantage of. It's always packed and sometimes there is a long wait but it's totally worth the wait!
(5)Yasmin C.
LOVELY little place for a solo brunch that I grabbed while in Chicago for a few days. The place was energetic when I popped in around 11:30 or so on a Friday morning, and I was seated at a large center communal table. Despite being surrounded by other parties at the big table, it was large enough that I felt like I had my own space to relax. The restaurant is simple and decorated in bright colors, with a very casual feel. I ordered my coffee, which came out quickly as I scoured the menu. "French Toast Flight" caught my eye...what the &*%*#(. Well of course I was ordering that. Scouring the web now, I see that this place is a bit of a French toast heaven with new flavors and ventures rising regularly. The lineup during my visit was blueberry, strawberry, caramel, and lemon. I also ordered a side order of chicken sausage to satisfy my savory tooth. Food was all delicious...I loved the flight for 1) its modest size, unlike most French toast experiences I've had in my life, and 2) the variety of awesomeness. I think the caramel was my fave, followed closely by blueberry. Of course, they were all great, and I gave myself up to a world of sugar and happiness. Chicken sausage was a tad oily but otherwise also yummy and sufficient to provide the sweet-and-savory fix I needed. I think the whole thing with tip came out to about $20...not bad for a quick, yummy meal. An added bonus was taking home half of each slice of French toast to donate to my generous friend and host for the weekend. I would totally come back here for brunch! Loved it.
(4)Aric C.
This place is on point! Whoo hoo can't wait to go back!
(5)Tom W.
Amazing french toast. Their cheesy potatoes are.on of the.best breakfast sides.I.have ever had.
(5)Soleil K.
IT IS SO GOOD! !!! I LOVED IT. WORTH EVERY BITE. On a Monday morning, Of the four of us we had the French toast, pancakes, apple waffles, pork sausage, chicken sausage, hash browns ,and finally the broccoli and cheddar omelet. It was really a taste bud satisfaction. The food came out within 15 minutes; awesome. The fruit is infused into the French Toast, it's definitely not your average. Everything had amazing flavor. One con that could bother some is that they strongly insist that you order the food AS IS. NO CHANGES. Another thing that's different is the way their omelets are made. They put the ingredients ON TOP of the omelet instead of inside. I prefer the inside method, but it was still a good experience. They also have cheesecrusted hash browns that we tried. Pretty tasty Go try it, you won't regret it
(5)Marsha G.
Really wanted to try this place due to all the fb buzz on it. Finally went one weekday morning with my husband. Had to drive around due to the fact that their is only street parking and other consumers of nearby businesses occupied most of the spaces. Got in and the wait for food wasn't long at all. I had the French toast flight and it was really good. I hate blueberries but I really enjoyed the toast. My husband had the steak and some ham and that was great to. Only wish the location was bigger because I can only image the wait on the weekends with nowhere to stand and wait but infront of other ppl tables while they eat
(4)Gwen D.
With an abundance of stellar brunch spots in town, I consider an adequate brunch inadequate. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries falls into that boat. Fine, but standing in my way of something better. Although I don't prefer sweet breakfast foods, Batter & Berries' signature French toast stood out amongst all the dishes at the table. My friends and I split the French Toast Flight, sampling strawberry, blueberry, lemon, caramel and pumpkin toast served with maple butter. Even amidst the delicious French toast, I liked the maple butter best of all! I ordered the biscuits and gravy, served with coleslaw and (perfectly) poached eggs. Unfortunately, the biscuits, gravy and coleslaw were all overwhelmingly sweet, masking any and all other flavors or seasonings. I also stole a few bites of a friend's cheese-crusted hashbrowns, which made me crave Crosby's Kitchen's cheese hashbrowns. I did love my bite of my friend's Lobster Benedict because duh. (I sound like such a mooch. Thanks, friends!) TL;DR: Hit Batter & Berries if and only if you're a French toast fanatic who lives in the area.
(2)Riana Elizabeth E.
About the only complaint I have about this place is that it's only open until 3pm. Thank God they're open every day, but plan on a wait no matter what day you visit. The hot tea selection is fantastic (try the toasted almond)! There's a communal feel to the place with the large family-style table in the center and how close the small tables are set together. It didn't feel awkward, however, since our server immediately turned our table and the one next t us into a "team" and started asking us brain teasers. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and exceedingly fast - which is great because I was starving. I tried someone else's French Toast Flight - the Lemon French Toast lives up to the raving reviews - but I ordered the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict. My God, if it's on the menu for the day, order that dish! These were the best crab cakes I've ever had! Just huge chunks of crab, the perfect amount of delicate seasoning, and toasted to a golden hue. I'll be back!
(5)Bethany C.
I went to B&B on a recent business trip to Chicago and I was so impressed that I made a point to eat there twice in five days! The wait staff was warm, lovely, and knowledgeable. You really cannot expect better service. On my second visit, our initial server remembered us and came to chat while our current server treated us to some riddles. Fabulous! The food is creative, flavorful and FRESH! Everything is homemade, it seems. The French Toast flight is a MUST. I also adored the Cluck and Gravy. Whatever the special is - GET IT! You're in for a treat. My hat is off to the chef and staff of this charming establishment. I look forward to visiting again on my next time in the 310.
(5)Ciera J.
Great place for brunch! The food is great, the staff is beyond amazing and attentive, it's a black owned facility which is awesome! Will come again with my girlfriends.
(4)Michael U.
The Gist: No Website, BYOB, Breakfast and Lunch only. The Why: Located in a city that I consider to have the best breakfast/brunch scene in the United States Batter & Berries I knew walking into this new Lincoln Park location that I was taking a risk - passing up another chance to dine at Bongo Room, Southport, m.henry, or 2 Sparrows in favor of the 'new kid on the block' - but focused on all-natural ingredients, honest-to-goodness local sourcing, and innovative breakfast/brunch/lunch dishes with a lot of tongue-in-cheek nods to the south Batter & Berries seemed like my sort of place. The Reservation/Setting/Service: As one might expect from such a place, reservations are not necessary (nor taken,) though arriving around 8:45am on a Friday the traffic was still good, approximately ten tables turned during my 45 minute meal and with the space brightly lit, the music cheerful, and Chef Rylon checking in on tables frequently. With a coffee/pastry bar set at the center of the room and kitchen in back as only one server worked the room I'll note that coffee went empty more than once, but aside from that Sam was pleasant, efficient, and full of knowledge and recommendations related to a rather extensive menu. The food and drink: Coffee ($3) and Water, two entrees - $13 each. La Colombe Coffee: Brewing Nizza with its characteristic deep caramel notes Batter & Berries had me at 'hello' with the coffee selection, though I will note that consistent with the all-natural theme only Stevia and Sugar in the raw are offered as sweeteners making me glad I'd pilfered a plethora of Equal from the Skyharbor Airport the day before. Super Flight: Suggested by Sam as a way to make the most of the menu this plate featured half a slice of each daily French Toast option, on that day inclusive of blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel, and French vanilla. Generally a fan of maple syrup with my breakfast sweets but with none offered on this plate what I received would actually prove to be some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted as each piece of buttery brioche was infused with custard of a different flavor and subsequently topped with complimentary compote, spread, or cream. Crisp on the exterior and custard soft within it would be hard to choose a favorite and although I must say $13 seemed a bit excessive for the portion this was definitely a situation where you got what you paid for, each bite as good as the last. Cluck N Gaufre: Reportedly a dish slowly becoming their "signature" this one really came out of left field; I mean sure I expected chicken and waffles but I didn't expect tender bits of cooked chicken INSIDE the sweet potato waffle in addition to the tender and juicy breast drizzled with nutmeg spiked hot sauce on top. Tender and crispy - sort of like a potato pancake but rife with savory notes - and finished off with maple butter this dish touched on all parts of the palate with both sweet and savory coming through with aplomb as sweet and heat competed for attention on the tongue. The Verdict: Another standout in a breakfast and brunch scene that outshines even those of New York and San Francisco a breakfast meal at Batter & Berries does not come cheap, yet with items far more interesting than your average diner and a chef/owner that clearly cares about his product and his customers I'd place Chef Rylon's little eatery on Lincoln in the same league with 2 Sparrows and Bongo Room for innovative brunch fare and while the service needs a little work (or the restaurant needs more servers) I'd not hesitate to return or recommend it to anyone looking for a great breakfast.
(4)Alex J.
In my Jeezy voice, "super flight, super flight.... Yeahhhh, You know I want a super flight!!!"
(4)Ifetayo O.
This was a beautiful restaurant. From the moment we walked in the vibe was great. When we sat down, our server Tim, was there to help us and we got water and great seats. He let us know all the specials of the day and was ready to take our order in a timely fashion. We sat down at 2:25 and got our food at 2:35. One may think that because it was given to us so quickly that it wasn't good or fresh, but quite the contrary. Everything was so flavorful and delicious. You could taste all of the seasonings, and being a college student, this was a total change from DHall food. I ordered the chicken and waffles and my friend ordered the kids strawberry french toast and fajita omelet. The french toast was the bomb dot com and the waffle was actually sweet potato flavored and had chicken in it. You do not need syrup to enjoy this meal, that's how flavorful it is. All in all, this is a great place, and I will continue to go here when I come to chi-town to visit.
(5)Jaz B.
Overrated. Food was good but anything would be good if it's slathered in buttered and sugar. Service was horrible- from over an hour wait, to the rude manager and the inattentive waitress. The manager had no business running a restaurant and would be better suited as a DMV worker. We never got refills on coffee or water. Save yourself the headache and take your food to go or better yet visit Jam and Honey up the street.
(1)Candi R.
So all my friends have been whispering about this place called batters and berries and since I consider myself Chicago's unofficial food expert I knew visiting was a must. And let's just say this girl is not disappointed! !! Food was delicious, fast, and most importantly TASTY I ruined my diet but it was worth the experience will be back again sooner than later and I stay in the south suburbs but did u hear me it's worth it YES HONEY
(5)Anthony G.
One word AMAZING... The French Toast are awesome! If you want an awesome breakfast or a breakfast/brunch date with a lucky person, I highly recommend this place, it has a great atmosphere, great staff who knows the menu and meals of the day by memory. Five stars overall for the extra friendly people and atmosphere
(5)Amber W.
Absolutely amazing and delicious!! I think this may be one of my top 3 favorite brunch places...ever! The chicken and waffles is good. The owner was very insistent that I eat it without putting any syrup on it for my first bite. I followed his advice and I was glad I did! Definitely didn't need any syrup. There is a certain sweetness and tanginess that make a great flavor that comes from the hot sauce, the chicken, and the sweetness of the waffle. Absolutely delicious!! The other unique thing about this place is their french toast, which is in several different fruit flavors. The special thing about their French toast is that, it's not just regular French toast topped with fruit, each piece of French toast tastes like the fruit it has on it. It is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it!! As I mentioned earlier, the owner is so nice. Came to our table to ask us how we liked it, was very polite, joked around, was very down to earth. I am going back there every time I go to Chicago!
(5)Ashley A.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? Amazing! I have been hearing about Batter & Berries for a long time now. All of my friends were raving about the food, but I never was able to find a free morning to go. Mother's Day was coming up and my sister and I really wanted to take our mom, so we thought it'd be the perfect occasion. From the reviews and from my friends, I knew there could be killer wait times. It can be annoying, but to me that is also a sign that there is something special going on and I still really wanted to go on Mother's Day, even though I knew it would probably be crazy busy! We decided to arrive at 7:30am (they open at 8am) and we made the right call. There were people lined up in their cars waiting as the same time as us. We started forming a line outside to door about 15 minutes before they opened and ended up being the 2nd group in there. Perfect timing. We were immediately greeted by our awesome and extremely enthusiastic waiter. I wish I had gotten his name, because he was great. He was clearly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about the menu and the restaurant experience, and he explained everything to us very well. There were three of us and my 7-month old baby (they have high chairs and the place is baby-friendly), so we decided to split some things on the menu. My mom ordered the crab cakes benedict, and we all shared the peach cobbler French Toast, as well as a super flight of French Toast (a sampler of all the flavors. DELICIOUS). I also had the homemade chicken sausage, which was great. They are also BYOB, so we brought a bottle of champagne and had mimosas as well. Overall, it was such a great experience! My mom was so happy on Mother's Day, and that makes me happy! I will definitely be back to try more things off the menu. A note: as we were leaving, the outside of the restaurant was PACKED full of people waiting. It was a madhouse. I know it was Mother's Day, but I get the feeling this place is packed on any day. My suggestion is to do like we did: get there before opening. It's early, but totally worth it!
(5)Zakia C.
All I can say is I love this place!! It's worth the wait and just try anything, you won't be disappointed. Oh, don't add anything before you taste it.
(5)Ashlee T.
I've been trying to go to this place a couple of times but the wait was always long and I can certainly see why the wait is so long... THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!!! My bestie and i went on a Thursday to avoid the long wait. We couldn't decide on what we wanted so we ordered 3 breakfast dishes to share. 1) french toast flight 2) chicken infused sweet potato waffle and 3) deconstructed fajita chicken omelet When I say everything was delicious you have to believe me.. the Owner/chef came out and introduced himself to my friend and I; he even checked to make sure the food was delicious being that we're from the home of the chicken and waffle (wooop woop Los Angeles).... i highly recommend..
(5)Karla K.
Told there was a 45 minute wait...we waited an hour and a half while " regulars" were seated before us. Had to leave because the wait time was so off. Food may be good but how they treat people was atrocious. Sorry but someone can do better.
(1)Margaret G.
Sometimes one just needs some booze at 10:30am on a weekday morning. Don't ask questions. No corking fee at B&B AND I can drink as much cheap champagne and prosecco I can carry? No convincing me I'll be there! My friend Jessica N had big reason to celebrate and I was honored to be her fete buddy for the morning. Both of us are big suckers for french toast so neither of us could pass that up. We feasted on the french toast sampler. Incredibly sweet. Right up my alley. Food A+. Now why the three stars. I found the wait staff extremely pushy. I had my plate snatched away within two seconds of putting my fork down. The staff was soo eager to clean our table that my bottle of presecco with at least a third left in it was thrown out before I could pipe up and say something. Also, if you byob you are required to order a glass of juice. I read prior reviews pointing out how cold it is inside the restaurant. And those are accurate statements. I purposely picked a table toward the back and I still had my winter jacket on the entire meal. Sweet tooths will love the French toast. Give it a try
(3)Dustin J.
Chicken and waffles all day! French toast flight is a must. Service was on point. Our server (2-see-me) was funny and outgoing. Great experience !
(5)Candy Eden M.
The food is good not great. Be ready to wait for a table. And be open to share a table with strangers.
(3)Passhon J.
My first experience was the best and that is why I still come. Since then, I've had an average experience here. The food is really good. No matter what you order, you will never be disappointed. Lemon french toast.. awesome, Chicken spinach wrap w/ sweet potatoe Fries... amazing, spinach omelet.... Perfection. The wait is ridiculous. They should consider expanding or creating a RSVP list. Overall, you should try them out if you want to experience some Good Chicago Food. The food will make you forget that you had to wait 2 hours to be seated.
(4)Michael B.
Going to be brief. The chef asks that you try your food without condiments first. The chef knows... ENJOY!
(5)Alissa H.
Saturday breakfast ... Arrived around 8:30 and it was crowded already! But we luckily got a our seat within minutes. Your entire party has to be there in order to be seated. We ordered flight of French toast( which comes with a sampling of all 5 of their speciality toasts... Carmel was the favorite, followed by strawberry, then lemon, apple pie and blueberry) and banana-but Belgium waffle. Both were delicious. Didn't need the syrup for waffle.
(5)Oscar B.
This was my second visit. 1.get the French toast flight. 2. Get the tea (they're all great)! Both of my experiences here were GREAT. I guess that would explain why they're never empty. My servers were nice and friendly and very helpful. The fish and chips, shrimp egg white omelet, lobster benedict, and crab cakes benedict are all amazing. The cheese crusted hash browns alone are enough to come check the place out. Oh! I forgot... the buttah!!!! OMG!!! Is butter supposed taste like breakfast cake batter?
(5)G. F.
This place is officially part of our rotation after our first visit today. I took off a star because we had to wait a bit longer than normal after sitting to be attended to and had to get our own menus...probably an isolated incident...and because it's a little small inside. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They were on top of things and the food came out really fast even though they were pretty busy! Their great attitudes definitely added to our experience (especially since I took my 5-year-old and 17-month-old by myself). Their menu isn't all that big but there's just enough variety...and it's great to have options you don't see on most menus these days. The fried chicken and sweet potato waffles were out of this world! I'll have a hard time ordering anything else each time I go back. The super pancake flight was good, not awesome (and a bit overpriced). Got chicken sausage on the side and sweet potato hash and both were fantastic. It seems to get full by 9:00 on Saturday so try get there before then...they have a comfortable place to wait for your table but it isn't big. At the very least this place is worth trying to judge for yourself. For me, it's a great place to mix with some of our other favorites (since they have fairly similar menus)...we'll definitely be back sooner than later.
(4)Magda L.
Went on a Wednesday at noon and was by myself so I was seated immediately. My server (Leslie I think??) was sweet and knowledgeable. She talked me into the french toast super platter but honestly, I required very little coaxing. Maple rum and caramel were my favorites. This place is great. Come on a weekday if you can. Leslie told me the wait is usually 2 hours on the weekends.
(5)Lauren E.
I was really excited to try this place because of the Urbanspoon reviews, but was so disappointed. First of all, the hostesses didn't smile once, and looked completely miserable working. We put our name in and were told 45 minutes to an hour. I checked in after 45 minutes of listening intently, and they said they called our name already (I'm 99% positive they didn't). They acted very bothered by me asking. 20 minutes later they finally sat us and didn't apologize for the wait, just showed us the table without saying anything. SO, I was going to let this go because I heard the food was worth the wait; unfortunately, that was absolutely not the case. We had two oily, undercooked veggies/omelets and hashbrowns. We felt very rushed even though we were just in there for about 20 minutes. I would recommend finding a different breakfast place; there are plenty in the area to go to that will treat you like a paying customer. The only good thing was that the buspersons were friendly and attentive. Please re-evaluate your restaurant, Batter & Berries!
(1)Kelly O.
The food was good, but that's about it. Service was horrendous. Continuously had to track down someone for coffee and water refills. Will not be coming back due to poor service.
(1)Lisa R.
I have been to this place twice already this summer! Brunch with a co-worker and took husband for breakfast for Father's Day; the place was packed and food was great! I heard reviews from friends and reviews on TV so I had to go. When I walked into the place a man walked out and said "what an experience". I came out of the place saying the exact...same...thing! Infectious uplifting atmosphere, great decor, lots of activity, staff and customers are friendly to each other. Sweet potato Waffle is my favorite. The owners are in THE PERFECT location. The business recently celebrated 2 year anniversary and manager was visiting tables to ask about their food - everyone looked happy in the place. Take your out-of town friends to this place; all will have a great time - and a great experience!
(5)Yujia Q.
Disappointed with the service of this famed Chicago brunch spot. During the end of our 1-hr meal, we were repeatedly asked (every few minutes or so) by different servers whether we were finished with the meal. When we asked to speak to the manager to express our frustration, we were told that this was a very busy restaurant and many customers were waiting and the table needed to turn. We couldn't have had a more rushed meal and certainly will not return. Restaurant management should consider re-training service industry etiquette to the staff.
(1)Ervin J.
Second time visit today to Batter n Berries and it was just as good as the first visit. I've had the chicken n waffles and the French Toast Flight, both signature dishes and they were amazing. Both visits my guests had different dishes and seemed just as pleased. The flavor, quality, and presentation of the food is impeccable. Breakfast food can be so so and routine but not Batter n Berries. This is place gets it right every time. The wait can be long on Saturday and Sunday so be prepared for a 45-an hour wait but it's worth it. Once you sit down the service is extremely quick and efficient. I also love that the business is black-owned and thriving. Sadly, I will be leaving Chicago and moving to another city but this will always be my brunch spot when I come visit the city.
(5)Margreth C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday at around noon. There was a hour - hour and a half wait. We walked around and then came back in a hour and our name was called just in time! It was super loud, and there was a lot of people. I could hardly hear the waitress. She did a good job explaining the specials and had pictures of the food on her mini iPad which is smart. We got the chicken and waffles and the flight French toast and all of it was amazing! I preferred the chicken and waffles over the French toast! I would definitely come back and wait a hour to eat and would recommend anyone to come and check it out! So delicious and the service was great!
(5)Noelle E.
Amazing French toast here. I would give this place 5 stars except they wouldn't let me order a plain cheese omelette. Thought that was kinda strange, but other wise everything is very good. And they play disco house!
(4)Alyssa M.
I love the food here- the French toast is amazing- so I had to give it a 3, HOWEVER, the hostesses have much to be desired. When we got there, we were not greeted or spoken to, granted it was very busy, but I had to ask the hostess to put our names in and asked how long the wait would be. She said 35-45 minutes (for 2 ppl) which was fine with us. 40 minutes later my fiancé went up to ask if they knew how long it would be until we were seated and the hostess rudely said "I already told you it would be 40-45 minutes." She acted like she had no time for this, or it was an inconvenience to her when IT IS HER JOB. When we got seated, about 15 minutes later, she said our names to call us up for our table, didn't make eye contact or say a word and motioned with a point of s finger a table for us to sit at. Still without speaking a word to us. When she brought us our menus I made a point of saying thank you, and still no word from her. This started our experience here off extremely poorly. I wish I would've gotten her name to call and complain. However, most of the staff seems great and very friendly. Our wait staff has always been great here. I hesitated to write a review because I really love batter and berries, but I would be embarrassed to bring out of town friends here based on the welcome staffs attitude and behavior.
(3)Justin S.
I've been to Batter & Berries about 4 times now. The first was when it first opened and was the best visit. I went with some friends and had the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) which was delicious. My friend also mentioned the omelet she had was the best she ever had. The Chef came out and chatted with us which was a great touch. I've gone back recently and ordered the same and the quality of food has seemed to go downhill a bit. They do get busy but they are pretty good about trying to get you into the restaurant as fast as possible. It's worth going to but I don't feel its as good as it used to be.
(3)Mike H.
I love this place. Any time that I have friends or colleagues visit from out of town, I usually take them here! (UNLESS, they are on a diet.) The food is absolutely delicious, and often times decadent. Their savory dishes are rich and their sweet dishes are richly sweet! It may be a bit much if you're used to typical breakfast/brunch food. But that's what makes this place popular. It's not supposed to be typical. In a city like Chicago that is so segregated, it's nice to have this racially diverse spot in the heart of Lincoln Park!
(4)Katarina X.
My coworker has been trying to get me to go to breakfast for a very long time. I personally try to keep work and personal separate- like Church and State- the one and only thing tempting me from this? Butterfinger French Toast. This exists, it is delicious, this is not a test. Amazing. She lured me with a picture of this chocolate champagne French toast special served previous and the Butterfinger is phenomenally-mind-blowing. Worth re-prioritizing work relationships for. Worth a two hour wait- you heard me. Worth it, do it, get here now.
(5)Leah C.
third time's a charm... yes it took 3 times to finally get a table (ahem on a monday) at this hot spot! and it was worth it! i generally do not like breakfast food but my sweet tooth does enjoy picking at a shared apple pancake or fruit waffle with my eggs. at b&b, my sweet tooth discovered the french toast flight; i do not like french toast at all but had to try their signature dish - we ordered one to share and it made me a convert...wow! the french toast was crunchy and so very flavorful - not just soggy bread with heaps of blueberry/strawberry/what have you syrup and equally syrupy fruit on top. the actual batter gave the french toast its flavor: blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and the flavor of the day: peanut butter! we could not decide which we liked best! i ordered the vegi omelette served "deconstructed": veggies on top of the egg whites. i loved that the choice of veggies were green beans and colorful peppers (not your typical spinach or broccoli). i didn't love how buttery the eggs were...i little bit too greasy for my taste. the selection of berries (and melon) served on the side were also such a refreshing alternative to potatoes or mini cup of overripe cantaloupe and sour grapes. my husband loved his lobster omelette (i had a bite sans lobster to try the absolutely delectable smoked gouda!). he had a very difficult time deciding what to order as there were many other specials that sounded equally delicious (pork chop, pork sausage breakfast wrap, crab benedict) along with the regular menu items. we need to go back! oh need to add: the servers were very informative and are armed with ipads not only to take your order but to give you visuals of their specials! with all the wonderful choices, this actually made it a tiny bit easier to decide. what a great idea!
(5)Rosie A.
This is by far my favorite breakfast/ brunch place! The food is AMAZING!! Fast and friendly service. The specials change weekly, but if you dine during the banana pudding French toast, I highly recommend it.
(5)james p.
The best french toast and breakfast spot in the city, hands down. Food is excellent and quality is consistent!!
(5)Justin B.
The vanilla bean rum french toast special was incredible, the homemade pork sausage was incredible, and the service was exceptional. (Next time, I will be showing up with a bottle of champagne to add mimosas to the mix.) Now I know why there's always a huge freakin' wait here...we came on a Wednesday at 10:45 AM and there was still a 15-minute wait, and that was after we tried coming last Sunday soon after Batter & Berries opened. If anyone has some advice on when this place is NOT totally jammed, it would be appreciated!
(5)Tori M.
Came here with friends after the 4th of July for brunch. We got there around 830 and there was a tiny wait starting to form, but we were seated shortly after. We got the French Toast Flight to share before our meal which was amazing! I had the B&B Breakfast sandwich, that was delicious. I took half home and was able to heat it up the next day for breakfast. My bf got the sweet potato chicken and waffles. The waffle was very yummy, as was the chicken. The service was great and very fast! Also, I love that this place is BYOB. I will definitely be back!
(4)Eunice J.
OH MY GOD the wait was the WORST. And don't get me wrong, This isn't my first rodeo. A friend and I waited over two hours when we should NOT have because the hostess was seating 3-4 ppl groups before us (even if they arrived later). This was because there weren't enough two ppl tables and they absolutely refused to seat two people at a four person table. It's worth going once especially if you're a sweets person - but GO WITH A GROUP
(3)Stephanie L.
Batter & Berries & Brunch & Breakfast...Oh MY! This place is twerking me...just like Miley. #amazingservice Our girl went over everything. Was attentive and showed us lots of yummy pics on her handy mini ipad. I was drooling within 5 mins of walking in and wanted everything on the menu. #amazingbreakfast Yummy crab omelette with egg whites, smoked gouda cheese, HUGE chunks of crab (#sorrysebastianfromlittlemermaid.Iateyou), delicious cheesy, creamy, crunchy hashbrowns. Amazing super french toast flight...yup, didnt need extra syrup. I loved the crunch that was in every bite. Strawberry, blueberry, caramel, lemon, oatmeal raisin...they all were #delicious #greatprice Brunch that doesnt blow the bank...yup, its here. BYOB if you are interested. Fantastic coffee #iwillbeback #goduringtheweek!
(5)Bert T.
An annoying waste of time, money, and calories... The much heralded French toast flight, WASN'T. French toast is made by soaking bread in beaten eggs and then lightly frying it. I was served a small portion (two slices) of bread that was completely dry -- I couldn't see, or taste, that it had been anywhere near an egg. Not at all. This after I waited twenty minutes to be seated and was finally shown to a chair at the communal table that had been AVAILABLE THE ENTIRE TIME. Others who came in after me were seated at tables. I was both passed over AND made to wait for no reason at all. No excuse. And the general atmosphere was unpleasant. I looked around and saw that almost every table held one or more bottles of champagne (the group nearest me had 3 bottles for 5 people). Everyone lingered after their meal to finish their wine -- no wonder there was a wait. And they were all screaming at each other to be heard over the music. There are times when I enjoy hanging out with a bunch of happy drinkers, listening to loud house music tracks, but after 2 pm on a weekday is not one of them. I don't like needlessly noisy meals. The one star was for the side (extra cost) of ham. The ham was fine. I will NOT be back -- bad food and rude service aren't worth the hassle.
(1)Mykie H.
I gave B&B a few tries and really wanted to like it, especially because I live and work so close by. The food is very average, and in the greatest food city there is, average just isn't good enough. The service was pretty bad for both dine-in and carry-out, and I can't figure out why the restaurant itself is so loud. For what you get, it's really over-priced. I recommend taking your hard-earned dollars elsewhere.
(2)Andi M.
Heard a great deal of buzz about this place. From word of mouth to WTTW. We went on Memorial Day... A huge crowd had the same idea. The wait to get in was about 45 mins. A long time to wait. But time passed quickly as I walked up and down Lincoln. Admiring the historic architecture and taking photographs. Once we were seated. Our server came immediately and explained the dishes. Also was very interested to learn this was out first visit. We ordered the famous Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof). It was a sweet potato waffle topped with a hint of maple butter. Also with a piece of fried chicken with a tad bit of hot sauce. No need for syrup. Our food came out quickly. One bite and I it was on. Delicious is not even the word for it, The food was excellent. Each bite made you just savior the moment. I just have to go back there again. So I can really give a proper review. The long wait was well worth it. Next time they say it's a long wait. No problem! I'm just Happy to be here!
(5)Gabriela L.
The chicken and waffles were phenomenal. I loved that the sweet potato waffles had the chicken inside . Nice touch. Friendly staff too. The wait was pretty bad just because we got here at noon on a Saturday which I guess is expected.
(4)Lauren W.
First of all, you have never had a waffle like the sweet potato waffle on the cluck n goufre. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and as a self proclaimed hot sauce connoisseur, the homemade hot sauce was out of this world. On top of all of that, the service was more than desirable and the atmosphere was inviting. And, if that's not enough, the food came out in half the time expected.
(5)Josh W.
Good but not great. . Chicken and waffles needed more sauce... Steak and eggs was overcoo
(3)Kourtney V.
I went here for my birthday came around 9 and we waited to be seated about 30 min, once seated we were serviced promptly and food came quickly...I order the crab cake benedict DELICIOUS...My mom and sister ordered the french toast which they said was AMAZING!!! Wonderful atmosphere....worth the wait!!
(5)April J.
WORST breakfast ever!!!!! The food came out in about 3 minutes. Alls that means is all our food was pre made. Eggs- AWEFUL!!! Hash browns- greasy slop!!! French toast flight- cold and I'm sure just pulled out if a pan and a different syrup and butter put on each. SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!
(1)Kat L.
I have now been here multiple times, always with teacher friends. All I have to say is that the teachers of CPS love the fried chicken sweet potato waffles out of this place! Where else can you order a freaking FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT? I'll tell you. ZERO PLACES. I've also tried a bunch of other stuff on their menu and all of it has put me into a temporary sense of euphoria. As if that isn't enough to make you show up, everyone there is kind, and happy, and jovial. As a customer you really get the sense that I love to give people when I cook which is just making people really happy with great food because you like them. If you're smart, I'll see you there. If not, then you obviously hate brunch.
(5)Jasmine O.
My first time eating at Batter and Berries was last summer, when the Singles Ministry had a restaurant shut down there. It was great we had the restaurant all to ourselves. The food was amazing, I had the caramel French toast and it was superb! Flash forward to April 2014 I went again with some girlfriends of mine. We went around 11 am on a Saturday morning. There was a 45 minute wait, the only thing is there is nowhere to sit and wait in the restaurant. Everyone was waiting outside, granted it wasn't that cold out, but it was chilly. My girlfriends and I went down the street to a local boutique and browsed around until it was time to see if a table was available. The only downfall about his restaurant is it is really crowded and small, but it's worth the wait. The staff is friendly and our waiter was very entertaining. I must remember to bring champagne or wine, since it's BYOB.
(4)Philip M.
There is not much I enjoy more than eating... As such, I am constantly looking for great restaurants. The search is over!!! B&B is awesome!!! Everything I tried was delicious (deconstructed steak omelette, shrimp omelette, blueberry waffle, biscuits and gravy, and cheese crusted hashbrowns). It was all absolutely amazing. I will definitely be back anytime I'm in chi-town!
(5)Matt K.
This place is one of a kind! Had the Fried chicken w sausage gravy on top, cheesy hash browns, eggs over medium w hot sauce & a side of Texas white toast w caramel butter... Unreal! Food came in less than ten minutes and that was with a packed house on Xmas!
(5)Jennifer P.
Great experience here today. Long wait but totally worth it. Original recipes and quality ingredients. Definitely coming back. Manager was professional and genuinely cared about our experience and the quality of the food.
(5)Stephanie H.
I think this place is ok. There are definitely better places for brunch in the city, but I think this place is certainly fine. I went yesterday (Saturday) with a friend and we got there right before 11 and were quoted a 35 minute wait. My guess is we waited about 20 as a few parties ahead of us deserted to go where I have no idea because there's really not much else open in that area at that time of day. I was familiar with the menu but our server advised us that they are known for their french toast. Listen to them. I really wanted some eggs so I went with the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet. It was a joke. I should have gotten french toast. Everything was greasy. It was an omelet with a few pieces of chicken and sauteed onions and peppers on top. Next to it was a pile of cold, and I mean cold not lukewarm, hash browns. Those weren't good, in fact I'm pretty sure the hash browns wouldn't have been good hot either. My friend got the super flight of french toast and I had a few bites and it was pretty good, but on the french toast scale of 1 to Bongo Room, these are probably in the middle to upper middle range. The decor is best described as neo-classical daycare cafeteria and some of the tables are quite cramped. But I thought the wait/check-in process went pretty smoothly. This place is fine, but not in my top brunch places in the city.
(3)Leslie B.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and am glad I did! On a Sunday at 12:00 there was a twenty minute wait for two. Once seated, our waiter was quite the character. He was instantly making us laugh and giving us recommendations from the menu. Halley W. and I split the Cluck-N-Gaufe, a side of chicken sausage, and the special french toast, which was roasted almond. The Cluck-N-Gaufe took us both a few bites to decide if we liked it or not, but eventually we decided it was delicious, just very unique. This sweet potato waffle with chicken inside, plus chicken on top, plus yummy hot sauce was one of the oddest dishes I've ever had, but it worked! Definitely recommend. The chicken sausage is made in-house and was really tasty, this was a great savory side to add. Lastly, the star of our meal was the roasted almond french toast. I feel like they should make this a part of their full-time menu (it was the weekend special). There were clearly almonds in the batter as you tasted the flavor throughout every bite. When at Batter and Berries, I would definitely recommend sharing sweet and savory dishes. One of the sweet dishes in its entirety would be too much, but it's absolutely worth having. All in all, I'm glad I went to Batter and Berries, but I'm not sure I'll return anytime soon. Breakfast was weirdly expensive, $13 for a not overwhelmingly large waffle with a smallish piece of chicken? Suspicious. $3 for a cup of coffee? Not Intelligensia or anything like that, just regular coffee. Hmm. No thanks.
(3)Julia W.
Hubby and I went this past Saturday. We arrived at 10:30am and was told it would be a 30 minute wait. From the reviews I was expecting longer. We were seated within 15-20 minutes. We ordered our food and received it in literally 12 minutes. The place was very busy, so we were shocked. Everything was delicious and our server was great. I think larger parties have to wait longer for bigger tables.
(5)Jennifer T.
Great place. There's going to be a bit of a wait but it's worth it. My husband & I shared the French toast flight which was wonderful. Our server was upbeat & nice, we liked him a lot. We definitely can't wait to visit again!
(4)Justen H.
Amazing experience here its a long wait buts its well worth this is my second time here and its is great everytime
(5)Maya W.
This is the best place to go for an awesome, delectable, and flavorful dining experience with what would seem to be very basic breakfast items. The French Toast is unlike any I've had before with such an incredible variety of flavors - blueberry, lemon, strawberry, spiced Apple, Carmel and walnuts. Though I've never had eggs benedict, the lobster benedict was the best ever! It had huge chunks of lobster fried to a crispy perfection with perfectly cooked eggs on top. This meal was so full of flavor, it so delicately titillated my taste buds that no seasoning (salt, pepper, syrup, etc. ) was ever needed. Not only was the food excellent, but so was the service from the hostess to the table bussers. Even the manager was speaking with all of the customers, helping out where needed and creating an environment of joy and happiness! I will be back!
(5)Christy L.
When Batter & Berries first opened, I had brunch there with a friend and would have rated it 4-5 stars. Our experience was great: the food tasty, service attentive, and ambiance about what you'd expect for a diner'ish-brunch place. Fast forward about eight months, and now I think the food is just average. My friend and I ate brunch here on a Saturday. Arriving around 11am, our wait was no more than 15-20 minutes, which is completely reasonable during peak brunch hour. Our service was a little over-bearing; I felt uncomfortable. I ordered the Super French Toast sampler, and all but the orange daily special were tasty. My side of sausage was incredibly dry; I didn't eat more than a few bites. My friend had an egg dish, which she said was bland, and commented there her hash browns were cold. She tried my French Toast and agreed it was the way to go. I'd give Batter & Berries another shot but wouldn't recommend it with raving reviews like I did months ago...
(3)Ben M.
Very long wait and rude service. You can find food just as good at many other restaurants in the city.
(1)Ria S.
My first review for this place was over a year ago and it was 5 stars. This time it is barely 1. I have been a staunch supporter since they opened. I always order the french toast super flight but due to a strawberry allergy I cant eat the strawberry french toast. Chef Rylon is aware of this and always lets me substitute due to the allergy. I encountered one of the other owners Craig Richardson and not only did he absolutely REFUSE to make any exceptions but he was somewhat nasty in his response. I informed him I was one of the early supporters of his business but he didn't care nor was he interested in the fact that my request was due to a food allergy. Customer service is key to any business and I think that owner or not he can brush up on his customer service skills. I travel from the near southside to eat here & I am very disappointed.
(1)Mile N.
This place sets the bar for brunch!!! Excellent omelettes and the French toast flight is out of this world. The entire staff is very friendly and welcoming. I'm a customer for life!!!
(5)Thanh L.
Chicken and waffles!! Never had it before, but I am a fan after this place. The staff was friendly and price was reasonable. The chicken was crispy and cover with a nice hot sauce. The waffles had bits of chicken in it. Staff always took time to make sure that we didnt need anything even though it was busy
(5)Michael C.
Fire!!! The food was so good, i had the french toast, cheese eggs & ham! they use this maple infused butter that was so damn good i asked for some to go! haha! im going back! Cons: The wait time. The place was pretty loud, for some reason they have folks waiting in the place who have not got a table. the restaurant is not that big to start with so why not use that space for more tables?? i felt like people were looking at me eat the whole time, its not a deal breaker but it could be done better.
(5)Robyn W.
I visited Batter and Berries for the first time today. After reading the reviews I had prepped myself for a long wait. I was hoping since it was a Tuesday it wouldn't be too bad. Well the reviews are correct. I had to wait. For a party of 2, we waited 30 minutes. The hostess asked if we didn't mind sitting at the "community table." It was a table that sat 10 people. So we agreed. After sitting there for about 20 minutes we watched them clean and bus the table and seat more coupled until eventually it was full. Still no waitress. I asked the hostess where the waitress was at. Her response was they were extremely busy. Um ok? So eventually the waitress came and took the order. Surprisingly the food came out really quick. I am giving 3 stars because the time it took to get service once seated. I knew going in I would have to wait. But once seated I expected better service. The food....great. I really enjoyed my meal. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. The maple butter they serve and the sweetness of the waffle was great. No syrup needed. The chicken was tasty and spicy. In the future I will not sit at the community table. I feel they sat us first and waited to take the order until the table had all new patrons at it. I saw people who were seated after us at private tables leave before us. Also, this restaurant is very small so with its popularity and good food it will feel very tight and when you eat you will have patrons waiting to be seated salivating over your plates or staring at you to hurry it up. I will return.
(3)Tara A.
After all the hype, I made it my business to try this place out today. I was warmly greeted & seated right away by the hostess & my server immediately came over w/a smile & bubbly personality & told my friend & I about the specials for day. Our food was served SUPER fast & the presentation was nice BUT the food was nothing to brag about, in me & my friends opinion. She ordered pancackes, said they were heavy not light & fluffy. Eggs & Bacon a la cart. I ordered the Crab Cakes Benedict w/cheesy hash browns. The cakes were OKAY & I didnt care for the hash browns, tasteless. All in all, I wont be going out my way to return. If Im ON the block & hungry, then maybe but otherwise I can get a better breakfast some place else. Maybe my expectations were too high or just maybe, its just a new spot w/mediocre food. Don't believe the Hype bcuz its just that: HYPE!!
(2)Rozalynn B.
Food was great! We ordered The Flight, The Executive, & Strawberry french toast.. Service was great! Be sure to arrive early because it gets VERY PACKED. I'll definitely be back. I'm sold on this place.
(5)Barbara M.
The French Toast was great. But everything else had too many weird seasoning, especially the homemade sausage, and they were under-cooked, yuk. The pancakes were doughy. I left with a really bad after taste. I was hoping for the best with this place but I so won't be going back. Oh I forgot, there were so many non work staff in and out of that kitchen, at one point I thought that's where the bathroom was located. Please stop the guy from doing silly chants and riddles!!! Highly disappointed.
(2)Jing C.
Have been here 3 times and am convinced that Batter & Berries is the Jekyll and Hyde of Chicago brunch spots. When its good, it's great. When its bad, you're left feeling like you'll never get that 3 hours of your life back. The good: Really thoroughly good food. Great French toast flights!! They pair all four delicious and varied flavors into a flight so you don't have to pick. The chicken and waffles is delish (chicken actually inside the waffle) and the omelet and hash browns are good too. The first couple times we came our server made us feel right at home with jokes and a smile. Amazing. Started recommending Batter and Berries to folks immediately. The bad: The service. The last time we came here and waited over 2 and a half hours for a table. What started as a quote for "30 minutes" (expected for Chicago on a Sunday) slowly turned to one hour then two. During that time, two groups our size who were friends with the hostess came so we got bumped. It was clear from their conversations that they didn't have reservations and came on a whim. Got seated right in when we had already been waiting for an hour. This happened twice. In the same morning. No apologies for the wait or the inequitable treatment. Our waitress actually gave us attitude when we asked what might be ordered quickly or taken to go because one of our friends needed to catch a flight. Yes, I know brunch is for indulging with friends, not speedy service but we had spent 3 hours there without getting any food yet! The food is great but that experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Two in our group ended up scrambling because of the unfair long wait (needed to get to a flight and a soccer game). There's too many good brunch places in Chicago to risk a bad experience like this one. Don't waste your morning like we did!!
(1)Kristine C.
This place is not a family or a friendly establishment. If you have children or if you think babies are cute don't go here, because they hate babies. If I could give this place zero stars I would. My husband and I went there last weekend with our two friends and their 6 week old infant. We checked in at 9:30 am for a table, and they said the wait would be about 30-45 minutes. Ok, no big deal, we waited the 45 minutes. 10:15, we check in, they said another few minutes. 10:30 we check in, and are told to ask again inside. The hostess says, "um, I don't know when you'll get seated. It will be another 45 minutes to an hour." I asked how it was possible that a 30 minute wait turned into a 2 hour wait, and I also noticed that there were tables turning, so why couldn't we sit? The hostess replied, "well, if you didn't have the baby, we could seat you." I'm sorry, what?! What do you suggest we do, leave the baby outside and sit and eat? If you had a problem with us bringing the baby in, you should have said so at 9:30, and we would have just gone somewhere else. Don't make us wait an hour and then tell us we aren't welcome, because we have an infant. There are so many amazing restaurants in chicago, take your business elsewhere. We walked up to jacks on halstead. They were incredibly welcoming, I highly recommend that restaurant instead!
(1)Jeff A.
We went during the week and we went early. The wait was almost non-existent! Many of the reviews talk about how long the wait is, and frankly this is why I rarely go to brunch anywhere anymore, it's the thing to do, and good brunch places, well they have long waits for a reason, they are where everyone wants to eat. The food and service was just excellent! Lamb chop special, I almost reordered it, it was that darn good! (had we not already ordered three dishes to split between the two of us I would have!) The Executive - perfectly cooked rib eye bathing in saucy onion mushroom red wine goodness! Yes sir may I have another! Super flight of French toast - she notes with a smile as she drops the plate that we will not be needing syrup and be sure to utilize that maple butter, I could have rubbed my self up and down with that maple delight and just smiled on top the hill all day long, it was delish, and every variety of French toast was just tasty and moist and wonderful! We loved every moment!
(5)Alec H.
Great place, great food, great people. The menu is great and there is a great selection for kids. I highly recommend this place but I would suggest being prepared for a long wait because along with the great food comes a great wait.
(5)H N.
My husband, 3 friends, a child, and I were came here for breakfast last Sunday. The restaurant was busy and we feared we'd have a super long wait. 30 minutes wasn't too bad of a wait. The staff were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious! I can see why the wait was so long. All of us enjoyed our meal: my husband loved the pork sausages (seem homemade) so much we tried going back today but the wait was 90 minutes so we went somewhere else. The salmon omelet was delicious as was the crab cake benedict. My only complaint is that the place is too popular with long waits. I hope the restaurant expands to other locations or in their current place. We're definitely returning. 8:00 AM next time.
(4)Peter H.
The specials were unique and delicious! Our server has a great schpiel for the specials and even gave us a riddle to ponder while we waited for the food! (Which wasn't long at all) Make sure you have the maple butter and get a side of their home made hot sauce!
(5)Kyla H.
I went this morning. The wait was very long. Although the hosts had a tad bit of an attitude my experience was great! My party sat at the community table which i feel is great for those who have been waiting For and hour+. The have a waiting area in the back Which is only two benches. I really think the two booths infront could get switched out with the waiting area. Our waiter was friendly and really funny. We could tell he was working his butt off. The food was great i had the french toast flight. I would not recommend the syrup on blueberry. And lemon after awhile got nasty. I tasted chicken and waffel which was great. The hot sause really brung moister and alittle kick. With the steak omlet the steak was cooked perfectly and the gravy was delicious. If you decide to go to thos place i am telling you you will love it. Also i forgot to mention they are famous for french toast and chicken and waffels.!
(4)Diana R.
I discovered this place a couple of months ago and i have been obsessed ever since! the first time i came here i ordered the french toast flight which was really good, the french toast didn't need syrup because they were that good! i also ordered fries and let me tell you they are one of the best! the chives make them taste amazing. I also ordered the chicken sausage, but i was not overly impressed with these. they have a syrup taste, and although at first i didn't mind it, after a while i couldn't eat it anymore. The second time i was there i ordered the cluck and gaufere ( sweet potato waffle with chicken on the inside, and chicken on the side) this was really great! the manager even came up to our table to make sure i was enjoying it. Lastly, the third time i was there i ordered the pulled pork sandwich and that was also amazing. the pulled pork was nice and juicy, and there was a generous amount of pulled pork on the sandwich. i also ordered a side of a biscuit (which is $2/biscuit, kind of expensive) and that also didn't not disappoint. my one complaint would be that sometimes if your sitting too close to the door you are constantly feeling that cold air coming in and out of the restaurant. Overall, amazing place to eat at.
(5)Alzetta H.
Finally made it to Batter and Berries and it exceeded my expectations. Arrived at about 9:45 on a Tuesday morning and the timing was perfect. Entered an empty restaurant and by the time my coffee was served, the place somehow became full to capacity. Ordered the cluck and goof, which is a sweet potato waffle with chicken. It was amazing!!! Was slightly concerned about any type of hot sauce being on my chicken with a waffle, but it worked. Also ordered the cheesy hash browns. They were tasty but had to add salt to pepper to season to my liking. We also ordered the French Toast Flight, which was also amazing. The pictures made me think this was simply a dessert disguised as breakfast, but it was delightful and not too sweet. The service was remarkable and the owner was humble and made me feel as though he truly appreciated us dining there. Overall awesome experience and I can't wait to return.
(5)Kristie S.
I live in the area and have been here a few times. There is always a long wait, but it had been worth it for the food. I brought my sister there on a Sunday morning. The host quoted us 1 hour and 20 minutes which was accurate. When our table was ready, the host asked if we were willing to share a 4 top with two other women we didn't know. We did not wait that long to share a table! Luckily, the communal table opened and we found two spots there. My sisters food came out (French toast flight and hash browns), and I had to wait another 5 min for my food. Her French toast was cold, so we waited another 10 minutes for our waiter to see if we could send it back. When my sister told him about her food, his response was "well what do you want me to do about it?!" She said she didn't know, and he started to raise his voice and said "I don't know what you want me to do about it." I finally had to step in and ask for him to get her a new plate. She looked like she was going to cry. The manager ended up comping her meal. Overall, they have terrible service. That is not a way to treat your customers, and I will never go back there.
(1)Kristina V.
The food was good, but not as tasty as I had imagined. The broccoli omelette was literally egg, broccoli, and cheese, no seasoning or spices. The cheesy hash browns were very good. The flight of French toast was good, but I've tasted better flavored French toast at places like Kanela and Yolk. If I could rank these three places I would rank Kanela first, Yolk second, then Batter & Berries. It was good food and I have no complaints, but it wasn't exciting at all to my taste buds.
(3)David L.
My server was Nadine & Nadine was so passionate and was very knowledgeable of the culture of the business, I was very impressed, I'm not the kind that gives credit but when I do, it absolutely needs to be acknowledged. I ordered the Banana-Nut Belgigue waffle with a vanilla sauce and a side of a well-seasoned boneless chicken breast. My meal was PERFECT, The ambiance was GOOD, The Staff was Polite & GREAT!!! What else can you ask for? Thank you! DvD
(5)Tricia D.
Thanks again to Thrillist for introducing another fabulous, new Chicago establishment to mi estomac! B: etter plan to order some french toast bc this is what they're (Chef Rylon came by and told us himself) known for! A: te the flight of french, which included blueberry, strawberry, lemon, and caramel, and I surprisingly liked the lemon the best. T: he batter's infused with the flavors, so it's not just the topping delivering the boom! T: oast aside, P and I shared the traditional breakfast, 2 eggs, hash browns, and house made pork sausage. E: asy enough street parking on Lincoln. R: eally energetic and loud in here, so make sure to bring your boisterous voice for conversation.
(3)Careese H.
We drove an hour and a half to try this place out because it was highly recommended and it lived up to all of the hype! The French toast flight, the spicy pork sausages, the chicken sausage, the crab Benedict, and the lobster omelet were all delicious!
(5)Krystal M.
The food was freaking AMAZING. It was hot, flavorful and orgasmic. Yes, it was THAT good. I've had the Crab Cake Benedict, Lobster omelet, French Toast sampler (during different visits). I've NEVER been disappointed with the food. Another plus is that you're allowed to bring your own drink. Whether it be fresh juice or libations. My only two complaints are the wait times and price. Each time I've gone, I've had to wait an hour and the bill was $70 for two people. A couple of friends told me that they'd gone during the weekday and there was no wait at all. I guess it just depends on when you chose to go. If you don't mind the wait, I strongly suggest this place.
(4)Jacki G.
The best brunch ever!!! The blueberry waffles, French Toast Flight and crab/shrimp Benedict were SO delicious! At least an hour wait but totally worth it...Chef Rylon came by our table and when he saw we hadn't ordered the flight special French Toast, a blackberry cheesecake French Toast, he sent one over to point out our error in skipping the special.... He was SO RIGHT !!!
(5)Larry D.
YES! If you are short on time, just take my word for it, stop reading now and plan your next breakfast at this place. Just, yes! Been there once, can't wait to go back. I had the chicken and waffles (they have some funny name for it that I can't recall). It was the best chicken and waffles I've ever had. They were pretty sheisty on the hot sauce on top, and I should dock them a star for that, but I'm in a giving mood tonight - so I hope they read this and put more hot sauce on the darn thing and not make me order extra for 50 cents. Otherwise, the fried chicken atop the sweet potato waffle was awe inspiring. My dining partners ordered the crab cake benedict and it was met with so/so reviews from that individual. He said it was a good dish, but because of personal taste, he wouldn't order it again, citing the lack of "zip" he was hoping for. My other partner had the French Toast Flight which apparently is their coup de grâce and most famous item on the menu. All we were getting from him were moans of pure ecstasy as he was eating with a promise to return and order the exact same dish. It is also what I'll be trying on my next trip. The wait staff kept my glass full (which is about 90% of my rating of any server), were attentive and I appreciate their use of technology in the iPads they use not only to place your order tableside, but also to show you pictures of the features of the day and popular dishes - very smart. The staff was extremely friendly - my only suggestion for such a small and intimate place where it is clear the Chef runs the joint is that it would be nice for him to come out himself and visit the tables. I feel like chefs who make the time to do that probably gain a lot of insight into their operation and the successes and failures of their dishes. The 5 stars were well earned - tres bien!
(5)Kelly M.
They say third time's a charm. Tried to come to Batter & Berries on 2 prior occasions. First time, the wait was 2 hours and the next time, it was temporarily closed. So, my 2 lovely daughters and I finally got there early enough on a Sunday morning to beat most of the after church crowd. Even so, the wait was almost an hour. (TIP: we put our name in and did a couple of errands) Batter & Berries was definitely worth the wait. I ordered the special lobster omlette- and wow! It was fabulous. One daughter ordered an egg sandwich with potatoes and a side of pancakes, the other ordered a delicious veggie omlette. We all split the super french toast flight which was out of this world! Food was excellent, service was fast & pleasant. Don't forget to BYOB so you can make mimosas with OJ!
(5)Stephanie B.
I cannot say enough good things about this place! We went on a Friday at 11 and the place was packed. Its a small but cute space. Anywhoo, the owners is a sweetheart and the food is amazing! My friend and I shared the caramel french toast. What french toast needs NO SYRUP? THIS ONE!!! I also had the egg white omelete with shrimp. It was cooked in some wine sause and the hashbrowns are (excuse me) ORGASMIC lol!!! I will definitely be back again!!
(5)Bridgette H.
Breakfast food with gourmet quality. I mean this place has crab omelets, shrimp and grits duck Benedict...need I say more? Where else can you get breakfast food like this?? For all of the delicious dishes the prices don't break the bank. I will say the wait to actually get a seat is a little long. But what place isn't on a Saturday or Sunday? Give this place a try. It will give your taste buds a nice shock.
(4)Charla B.
The problem when people rave about a place is that you have higher expectations than you should. I was underwhelmed by my experience at Batter and Berries. My friend and I were catching up over the holidays and decided to do brunch. First, it was cold outside and there was a 45 min. wait. We decided to stick it out, but did wait outside. The hostess never told us there was a waiting area inside. #Fail. We finally were seated, but by the door that constantly opened and closed causing use to freeze. They need to fix this issue with the another door or awning door as other businesses do. It took forever for our server to come over, and she was anything but pleasant. Our waitress needed a lesson in customer service. The food was not good. It was mediocre at best..The coffee was borderline nasty. The french toast flight was disappointing. My friend and I were expecting the french toast to be dipped in the batters with strawberries, blueberries, lemon and carmel as promised. The french toast was plan thin bread topped with the toppings, but nothing more. The lemon one, may have had lemon extract. The chicken in the chicken and waffle meal was good, but the waffle left a lot to be desired. The cheese hasbrowns were overcooked. Simple things like eggs and bacon were fine. However, for what we paid for our food, everything should have been great. Needless to say, I probably will not be making any more trips to this restaurant. If you do choose to go, try a random weekday. I believe many of the problems we encountered were rushed cooking, service and the staff being overwhelmed.
(2)S N.
After so many visits, I am final writing my review. LOVE the spot...There are very few places where everything I've had is delicious. While there will be a wait on weekends, it is so very worth it!!
(5)David H.
Simply put: this is one of thee best places to eat in Chicago. The menu is so full of flavor and creative design but the best part is the prices. My recommendations: 1) French Toast Flight. 2) Buffalo Shrimp Wrap. 3) Pork Chop Executive.
(5)April T.
My friends and I from Columbus are here for the weekend and Chris the manager and Chef Rylan accommodated us to the best of their abilities! They greeted us explained the menu and let us know the status of our order the entire time. The food was amazing!!! We ordered the Pork Chop executive, scallop omlet, crab cakes Benedict, and the Cluck n Gaufre. We also got a couple flights of French toast which were all very very tasty! We're going to make it a tradition to come for breakfast every time we come here. Oh and Tusemee our server was quick and super funny. I hope you're quick witted because he's hilarious and has the best riddles
(5)Tosha K.
So good!!! This cute little cafe is great. The strawberry french toast is so good. My sister had the carmel french toast and the homemade chicken sausages! Yummy. The service is good too. Not a fan of the coffee but the food was so good it didnt matter. The line is long to wait for a table but it is worth every bit of it. Ill be back!
(4)jennifer p.
I have visited this establishment on more then one occasion, and all I can say the experiences have been WONDERFUL, food DELICIOUS just all out FANTASTIC
(5)Roxy H.
I've been hearing a lot about this place. Great buzz about it. Decided to finally try to go to brunch 3/16/14. Tips: Put your name on the list. There is an hour wait so leave and come back in 30 minutes or so. The waiting area is awkwardly plopped in the middle of the entrance and dining area. Next tip: Ask for the specials. My waiter did not give me the run down of specials. Don't know why. My 4 year old asked him why he didn't - fail - lol. Loved: They are playing house music! Low but enough volume to make out the songs. loved that. Very friendly staff. I think everyone that worked there came by to say hello. Love great service. The food was ready in like 5 minutes! Not kidding - quick turn around. Lot's of "us" (see my photo) in the place but it's a mixed crowd no less. I will be back!
(4)Allison V.
The french toast flight was amazing! At the recommendation of a friend, we ate breakfast there the first day of our trip. We enjoyed it so much, we returned the last day before our flight home.
(5)Jaysi B.
I had a reconstructed lobster omelet that blew my mind. They did not skimp on the lobster, worth every penny! Their cheesy hash browns are equally delicious.
(5)Savannah G.
Batters and Berries is simply delicious! Everything is homemade, and makes your mouth water just by looking at it. I had the crab cakes Benedict and honestly I can't stop dreaming about it! Plus the waiting staff is phenomenal, my particular sever could sell me on anything. Definitely recommend!!!
(5)Carla C.
Went with a few friends and they had a hour wait but baby bye I'm not mad the food was 2 kinds of deliciousness. Their the service was super fast and the waiter great!
(5)Dawn D.
What a disappointing outing. Excited that my cousin was treating me to the often talked about Batter & Berries - stunned by the vibe of the restaurant, the owner and the subpar food. The swap meet ambiance left much to be desired. I've visited small breakfast spots but the decor is so hideous I was distracted by its ugliness. Once the specials were explained I was disappointed to find that the surf & turf omelet could not be substituted with shrimp as opposed to the turf- the beef. Ok, fine no problem. I got the spinach & mushroom omelet with sweet potatoes hash browns. I sent the hash brown back because the shredded potatoes on top were undercooked. I replaced with the cheesy hashbrowns and they were over cooked! I couldn't get a break. As the owner walked around asking people 'how is everything' I guessed he found my disappointment & criticism a shock. He was rude & dismissive to my concerns over the surf & turf omelet. He told me I couldn't replace the turf with surf because of the 'count' of the food. Really? Is this a elementary cafeteria or a restaurant? No accommodating paying customers? Umm, yeah I'm good with this dump. I didn't finish my food & I definitely won't be darkening the door of lumpy batter & sour berries again. PS all was not lost- my server was gracious and fabulous!
(1)Terron J.
UNSANITARY!!!!!!!! I WILL NOT BE RETURNING AND HAVE REPORTED THEM TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT!!!! This place is only busy because of location. The food and quality of service are not even up to par. The owner needs to clean house on the staff. Only two people on that staff are good waiters. Don't get me started on the rude hostess. She must be a product of nepotism. The rest of them.... God help them. So rude! My last visit was today! The manager/and chef were on the floor vacuuming during a busy shift right next to our table. It was disgusting! The smell of the vacuum and the air coming from it was hitting our table. It was the rudest and most ridiculous thing I've seen in a restaurant. I don't care to see the chef carrying mats with dripping melting snow on them across the dining area. Nor do I care to see him parading about the dining area in his dirty apron that I'm sure he's using in the kitchen. Gross!! We waited twenty minutes to be greeted by the rude waitress Elvira. She took the order of two other tables that sat down AFTER us. Then gave me attitude when I simply said I'm ready to order. She told me to " Wait". I guess she was flustered but rudeness isn't helpful to someone who sees you taking the order of two tables that were seated after you. I own two restaurants and I tell you....When we get busy...I usually am busy helping my staff. - Not sitting at a table on my laptop tweeting. Volume and Quantity do not equal quality----Message to the owners!!!
(1)maimuna s.
This is such a great place for brunch! I had the fried chicken and french toast and it was soo good. Def do not come here hungry because the wait is VERY long and can take hours! Def worth the wait though :)
(5)Olivia T.
This is a fabulous restaurant! The food was on point and perfect! We had the porkchop executive, super flight French toast, and deconstructed steak omelet. As soon as we sat down and ordered the food came right away. There's definitely a long wait, but with the service and good food we had, it was well worth it. What made an even greater experience was the waiter we had. Super funny guy. Made the entire time at the restaurant fun. Thanks Tusiime!
(5)E M.
In town visiting from Texas and my friends raved about this place, but I was underwhelmed by the menu. The food was just ok. I had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was so bland. The cheesy hash browns were good, but not amazing. The prices were great, the atmosphere is very cool, but it didn't live up to the hype. Maybe my expectations were too high.
(2)Nicole P.
The food is so good! We also had a very attentive waiter who also kept us entertained with random but witty riddles. Highly recommended!
(5)Michelle E.
I've only been here once, service was great when I went. Although it's kinda loud in there but then again it's a small place. I had the fish and chips and I love their fries! Def going back
(5)Amber H.
I hadn't been in quite some time and was excited to return. I was very disheartening and I was truly disappointed that a very unfair seating policy had been instituted. I arrived at 1:30 and put my name on the list. The hostess quoted me 30 minutes for a wait time. I went back to my car and 15 minutes later I sent my son in to inquire about the wait from there. The hostess then told him to come back in another 30 minutes. I came in to double check and the hostess confirmed that is exactly what she told him. I asked why the wait time had increased and was told that people who were on the list from earlier in the day who left and decided to come back must be seated 1st. So you can put your name on the list, run several errands and return and bump others. I've always been a fan of awesome black-owned gems. But it's those black-owned gems that don't survive because of poor customer service practices and inconsistent policies. In the case a representative from the company would like to refute this, the 2 hostesses on duty January 18th, 2015 were Nicki (sp) and Tamia. Nicki is the hostess that explained the new policy to me.
(1)Amy PagesofVision W.
The absolute best breakfast I have ever eaten at. I stay in Chicago 6 days and had breakfast here 5!! My lamb and eggs were great, southern fried chicken was to die for and don't even get me started on the French Toast that needs no syrup!! Go early or late because otherwise the wait is really long. The famiky style counter was lots of fun to sit as well. It's a small place but the staff are very friendly. The waiter we had, Kumseme (Come-See-Me is how he told us to pronounce his name) was so great. I love love love this place and it made home feel like home again!!
(5)Shirley W.
Great place! Was there the first time today and I got the Rylon salad and strawberry French toast. Both really good and decent price. Except the coffee was $3 which I thought was a bit pricey. But overall it was great!
(5)Ellie W.
The food is amazing here and definitely worth the long wait. Make sure to order the French toast flight as an "appetizer" and try other items on the menu, too. I had the chicken & waffles and it was awesome. You have to be a sweet potato fan, which I am. The food was so good that we all cleared our plate. We will definitely be back, but will try to get there a little earlier than 11am to beat the crowd.
(4)Rosalyn T.
This is my 2nd time here, The food is delicious. .I came back to bring my family (which included two 70+ years old). The 1st time was pretty crowded, however the Manager on duty recognized the inconvenience and gave us coffee and profusely apologized. However, I guess there wasn't a manager on duty; OUR wait was 2 hours AND 20 minutes. Since we had an odd party of 5 it took much longer to seat us. Casey one of the Hostesses was HOSTLESS!!! CRAZY.......PROCEED WITH CAUTION
(2)Cathy H.
Im probably late but this place is the business! Try the French toast flight....and the chicken sausage. Yum!
(4)Andy M.
A decent brunch at a nice little eatery. That would be my description of my visit to Batter & Berries. Once again, I sacrificed my arteries in search of the perfect biscuits and gravy. B&B's version of this Southern specialty didn't disappoint me. The sausage gravy was delicious. There were a few glitches with along the way that warrants me giving B & B only three stars. Our food came in stages. There was a good 15 minute lapse from the time I got my food to the time my Wife got hers. The servers seemed confused by our order. Being the gentleman that I am, I waited until everyone had their grub before digging in. By that time, my brunch was cold. Its kind of sad. The untimely service ruined what could have been a spectacular brunch. Here's the bottom line: If you're looking for a neat little brunch spot to cure even the meanest hangover, give Batter and Berries a shot. What I tasted of the food was good enough for me to give them another try.
(3)Cassidy P.
Service is great & fast. French toast flight is amazing, at a good price ($11). Yes, it's essentially two pieces of bread, but it's rich and delicious and very filling, imho. It gets suuuuper busy after 10, so get there early!!
(5)Dr. M.
I'm not sure how to rate this place... The food is eclectic and the menu is very interesting. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was excellent! The cheesy hashbrowns are delicious as well. The spinach omelet was just spinach on top of eggs...not very exciting nor good. The wait was to be expected, but I was very surprised by the lack of customer interaction and attentiveness by our waitress. After being seated, we waited 15 minutes for a waitress, and I finally had to ask the greeter to send a waitress over. Once she arrived, much later (she had passed our table several times before) she was unenthused and could not even muster up a smile. However, the "bus boys" were friendly, fast and efficient and very well deserving of the tip given. Their service was much appreciated, and made up for the waitress...who left us waiting. Overall, I would have to give the place another shot, because everyone I know, swears by this place. Besides the obvious...lines and waits - must be an indicator of something worth waiting for???
(3)Shabaka M.
One of the best breakfast experiences I have ever had! Their French toast flight is a must have if you are a first timer; the chicken waffle with the homemade sauce is superb as well. The staff was professional, knowledgable and extremely courteous during my visit. My only complaint would be the size (capacity) of the place. Get their early on weekends if not hold out for during the week.
(5)Anu Y.
Of the charts for brunch! Their lobster omelet and the french toast flight was yummy! The only downside is that wait is long but the food comes really fast. Overall, very impressed!
(5)Randy V.
Excellent service and excellent breakfast! Warmly greeted by Don when we entered. It was our first time here, and Don went over the specials which was well worth it. He made sure we understood how to eat the food to maximize the flavors and it was absolutely amazing!
(5)Jessica C.
I came with a friend to Batter & Berries a little past 2PM on Saturday and the place was PACKED! Which spoke to how popular this place is. Luckily, since it was later in the afternoon, we only had to wait about 10-15 min for a table. Our server was very friendly and attentive; he ran through the very detailed specials and checked up on us very often for a place that was still bustling with customers. Also our food came out in a matter of 5 minutes. We got the executive and the raved about chicken and waffles. Both dishes had very nice presentation (must take picture worthy heh.) and tasted very good, although I guess I expected the chicken and waffles to be "blow my mind" good, but they didn't quite reach that level for me. The chicken and the waffle both tasted great separately, but I wasn't sure if they really tasted great together. I expected to taste the chicken inside the waffle, but the bread was too sweet and dense to make out the chicken. It was definitely a good experience though--had to come just to try the waffle with chicken in it. Though it did not go as expected, now I can be at ease. Possibly overhyped it for myself by reading through many yelp reviews and getting overexcited. But it was delicious anyway. TL;DR Good food, great service. Worth it for the experience.
(4)Jake B.
I liked the food a lot! The hostess was a bit short in a way which but she set the proper expectation for the wait time which was long but the food made up for it. I had the sweet potato waffle with chicken... Waffle was sweet and the chicken had a complimentary hot sauce that just worked very well with the sweetness of the waffle. The chef/owner stopped at my table and said hello which was nice because i was able tell him how much I liked the food but I wasn't sure if it was normal or he just did it because I had my food warmed up just after getting it because it wasn't hot like it just came off the stove, but warm like it had been waiting for the crab eggs Benedict that my friend had (he liked his meal also) It is one of the better breakfast/brunch places I have been and I will definitely will be going back to try the French toast which I heard is also very good. Keep it up Batter & Berries
(4)Renee W.
I heard so much about this place, I had to go. I knew I didn't want to wait, so I chose to go on a Monday afternoon. The place was still fairly crowded. I tried the Crab cake Benedict and my husband had the Cluck and Goof (sweet potato waffle and chicken). We ordered and the food came out in 5 minutes flat.....weird (explained the temperature--warm) The food presentation was good, I was surprised that my crab cakes had no seasoning. The waffle was GREAT (lukewarm)...the chicken atop of the waffles--great too. The chicken sausage was very tasty but very tough and my hash browns were a little cold. If I ever return, I will just have the Chicken and Gouf. I probably won't go back though--it't too far and there are other specialty breakfast places that are closer and have free parking. For those interested...you can bring your own alcoholic beverages in to drink with your meal.
(3)Jennifer P.
The attitude of the hostess was HORRIBLE. It was very stuck-up and rude. There was a point in time that she gave my cousin and I a dirty look while calling us for our table. Other than the poor attitude of the hostess, I enjoyed the meal seeing that it was my first time there. I loved the Brown Sugar & Cinnamon french toast with cheese hash browns and scrambled eggs!
(4)Tiffany C.
Black Owned Business that does an amazing job at everything. Food - 5 I had the biscuits and gravy with coleslaw. I wish I had a vat of this to just eat at my liesure. The Coleslaw was not as great because of the cut of the cabbage I received and it needed more dressing, but the biscuits and gravy were so good I can overlook it. Ambiance - 4.5 Super cute with lovely tables and a chalkboard that has the specials. Price - 5 Not over priced and I was so happy with my selection I still would have paid more for it Service - 4.5 The girl was very nice, but she was a new server. I can be forgiving about it though since it was her first day. She took a bit too long to get to us for the bill and when we asked if it could be separate checks for two people she came back with the bill split. And took a Looooong time to come back with the correction. But the chef came out and checked on every person about the food and gave his card. Yep... I became a fan! Overall - 5 Run, dont walk to this place. I will be back whenever I can.
(5)Rits M.
Batter and berries tries to do things differently, but go here if you want a good solid brunch option. Let's start with the bad- it doesn't take reservations, and it can be upto a 45 min wait if you go around 11.30-12 on a sunday. The waiter mixed up J's order, she had asked for the super flight of waffles and he had brought the flight, but he rectified this quickly, within 5 minutes. I had the cluck and gravy which came COLD. The waiter took it away immediately but a new one didnt arrive till half an hour later. They comped me for the dish though, which was nice of them. On to the good: when my dish did arrive it was GOOD! the eggs were well done and the gravy was delicious- lots of sausage. The waffles were good solid options, they had a bourbon waffle which was interesting and i LOVED their maple butter. Besides the rush, the place is cute, a little diner-y, but fun, and they have samples of art for sale on the walls.
(3)Corina V.
Sunday brunch is something I really look forward to especially going to a restaurant that has such rave reviews. The food and server were great, I highly recommend their cheesy hash, pork sausages and hot sauce (all homemade) but why the low review? The hostesses ruined what would have been a great experience. It is a beautiful day out so we were expecting a long wait, however we were skipped over (after waiting 45 minutes) and then when I asked her how long the wait would be (after she seated another couple) she told me she could be seating people instead of talking to me. If it hadn't been for the friendly server and good food, this establishment would have gotten 1 star.
(2)Matthew T.
So..... Normally I would have wrote a terrible review because of the long wait, but seriously I think the almost 2 hour wait was well worth it!! The service was great, and the food even better. To top it off Batter & Berries was a BYOB without a corkage fee. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to try a new brunch restaurant in Chicago. Recommend: Chicken & Waffles (Chicken Waffles & Fried Chicken with hot sauce sauce).
(5)Maureen V.
I was not impressed at all. I came with a party of 5 and we were seated right away in the middle table, except the service stood in the way of me sitting down for 2 minutes while everyone else was allowed to. This was after my 5K so I was pretty tired by this point. Our waiter seemed annoyed by the moment we sat down. He explained the specials and the flight and such. He took a while to get our order which shouldn't be a long drawn out thing with 20 things on the menu. They also don't allow substitutions so you can't sub in the French toast flavor of the day in the flight unless you add it. At $11 for 4 half pieces of French toast, I wasn't impressed. I could have made it at home and poured the toppings on top myself. They didn't do anything special to make this plate their own. The lemon was different but didn't taste very good. The strawberry flavor and caramel flavor were good but the actual French toast was thin and dry. Our waiter brought our check as one, and refused to split the check. This was really inconvenient and wasn't appreciated. He barely visited us and seemed really annoyed with our table the whole time. We asked about splitting the check with another waiter and he said it's up to the waiters discretion. So basically out waiter was so annoyed he didn't feel like it. Service was rude, they took away our plates and silverware before we were done with our coffee and seemed to want us to rush out. Awful experience, bad service, and subpar food.
(2)Susie L.
It was about a 15 min wait this past Saturday for 2, not bad. We ordered the cheese crusted hash browns and the well-known chicken and waffles. Yup. I knew it. It was amazing. The chicken was pretty moist, with a delicious hot sauce, crispy salt-iness, alongside the not-too-sweet sweet potato waffle with creamy maple butter... I mean, what a genius concoction. And our server was so attentive and friendly. And even in the midst of the chaos of people waiting and walking all around, she kept so calm and composed, never ever rushing us. I will definitely come back.. and with a bottle of champagne next time! Thanks for the tip Chicago's Best TV!
(5)Katheryn L.
Amazing food and the head chef/owner was kind enough to stop by my table twice to introduce himself and see how everything was turning out! I only wish I could eat here every day! Be sure to arrive early because they stop taking name promptly at 3pm and there is a huge crowd because it is that good. I had the vegetarian omelette which are served deconstructed, and a side of the lemon french toast. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned, service was prompt and kind. Definitely try this place sooo good.
(5)Ms.Publicity's P.
Great place!!! We went on a Sat in the mist of the St. Patrick's Day rush and it was extremely busy, but they moved the crowd and turned the tables without feeling rushed. The electronic ordering system made all the difference in allowing the servers to socialize while food being made. The food did not disappoint and arrived extremely fast and deliciously made. We ordered the Executive Country Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Omelet. By only using egg whites the omelet was not too heavy are rich couple with Alfredo sauce which seemed to be made from scratch in house. The owner and Chef could be seen greeting customers and checking on satisfaction throughout our visit. The noise level was a little on the loud side for me, but it could have been a result of hyped parade goers who had already a few drinks under there belts.
(5)Ed H.
Was looking for a brunch place by my lonely self, and decided on this place because the menu just looked so different than your standard brunch place. Since I was by myself, I sat at the communal table right in the center, which was completely fine by me. Got me in and out quick! I was a bit embarrassed when they yelled out "ED PARTY OF ONE!!!" Awkward lol. Ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre. Being a fan of sweet potato, waffles, and chicken, I just had to try this out. The waffle certainly did not disappoint. Had a strong sweet potato flavor, the flavor of the syrup was there, but I still had to drizzle some extra on the top because I like my waffles wet. The chicken inside was a nice touch, but I don't know if it added a whole lot. The fried chicken I got wasn't super hot when it came out, but I still ate it anyway.
(4)Courtney D.
I am SO a fan of B&B! My experience was about 2 weeks ago around the Christmas holiday, my aunt and I wanted a good breakfast. I had heard many good things about this place and decided to take her here. The wait: About 20-25 minutes. There is a waiting area in the back if you do not want to stand outside. We didn't mind waiting, we had a chance to look at the menu and decide what we wanted. We came on a Saturday, btw. The service: Our waitress, Elvira.. was "ok". She seemed to be very busy, and a couple times we had to ask the manager for assistance in refilling coffee, etc. No big deal. The FOOD: O.M.G. it's so good. we ordered the french toast flight (EXCELLENT), eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. The portions were so large we able to share everything. We loved every single bite. definitely will be back!
(4)lesley r.
I'm a big fanatic of breakfast food and brunch. So I've tried a lot of restaurants around Chicago but this restaurant I feel should be in it's own category. First, I live French toast so I decided to try this place because of all the hype about the French toasty flight and yeah, it's everything it's hyped up to be. They make all the sauces and butters in house and exactly how each French toast is prepared is how you should eat it. Best breakfast I've had in a long time, maybe even years. (Sorry mom) it was so good I woke up early the next day to go back and try the cluck & gaufre.
(5)Rashida R.
Three words: Lemon French Toast! Chef Rylon puts his spin on the most important meal of the day, making it the most savory! Yes, the wait is intense but it is a statement about just how good the food is here. Don't become a regular because 1) your own cooking will begin to pale in comparison and 2) you'll just go from foody to fatty. I like the use of the iPad to show you what's cooking. Though the hostess gets a little frazzled when people crowd the entry way, the wait staff are kind, attentive, and a couple are really funny. And I don't know another restaurant that plays legit house music. And, and, and it's black owned! Pie-yow!
(4)She D.
Simply horrible customer service. The young lady working the reservation both is totally unproffesional and rude. She was rude to us and other patrons as well. She even told the staff to make us wait to take our oder. The bus boy gave horrible service. The owner came out to speak with us and offered to give us a free French toast never received it. AT LEAST IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT ..please have good service. I could not enjoy the food for the horrible service we received....
(1)Amanda C.
Seriously what is not to love about this place?!?!???! First off you walk in and instantly feel warm inside. The decor is super cute and let me tell you, customer service is on point. Every one here has a great attitude and you can tell they love what they do. The manager stopped by and made conversation with us which I thought was nice. Our waiter was hilarious (can't remember his name) and kept coming by at various points with riddles. Cracked me up. I noticed he didn't do this with every one so he probably has a sense of who's up for it and who's not. On to the food. Maaaaaaaannnnnn that Chicken & Waffle. Forget about it. Not a drop left on my plate. The amazing waffle was stuffed with fried chicken and was accompanied with a nice piece on the side with hot sauce on it. Maple butter on top. This dish didn't even need syrup. The combination of flavors were great. My dad had the biscuits and gravy with cole slaw and eggs. I had some and the flavors when perfect together. I am so picky with cole slaw... that stuff was good. We both had a cup of coffee which was fresh and always filled quickly. I found this place randomly and am glad I did. Can't wait to go back and try their other unique dishes. It not cheap but not too pricy for the quality either. Stop in and try it out. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)Jeff S.
I have friends who have been raving about Batter and Berries for quite some time and I finally got the chance to experience it for myself. I am now a believer. Believe the hype. Batter and Berries is solid. The French toast flight is remarkable and highly recommended. The service was attentive and professional.
(5)Allie H.
Although the food was good (not superb), the experience our party had here was disappointing. We waited for a good 45 minutes/hour outside before we were seated- they don't take reservations! The inside is crazy crowded and loud. We could barely have a conversation in the cramped space. Our waiter had to yell and forgot to bring us back our credit cards. The chicken and waffles were delicious, the french toast was OK, but none of it was worth the wait or the crowd. If you want to have a decent conversation over brunch, don't go here.
(2)Farah W.
What a great find here in Lincoln Park. We heard about this place from someone at a retail store and were driving around the neighborhood looking for a lunch/brunch spot for a post xmas meal. It may not matter to most, but to find a place in the heart of Lincoln Park where the customers are mostly brown (all types of brown, not just african americans) is just awesome. Makes me proud to call Lincoln Park home. Now don't get the wrong idea, there were plenty of non-brown folk here as well. The food was delicious. I pretty much ate some of my daughters kids menu food, my wife's meal and I inhaled my Sweet Potato Pancakes with Hot-Sauced Chicken Breast. It took a while to get service because they are so busy but the waitress came around with an Ipad and pictures of the dishes we wanted to order. This place gets busy and probably needs to expand because I can see someone dinging them for wait time. Once ordered our food came up in no time. This is a great find in Lincoln Park and the food is absolutely amazing.
(5)Cj J.
My wife and I attended on a Sunday around 11. We had a 45min-1hr wait but excited because we heard a lot about this place. I enjoyed the food but the atmosphere was very loud and busy. I tend to like a bit more of a calm and relaxing environment but this place was packed to the bone and the noise was like a night club. It was a great food experience and I am glad i tried it. I would look for a different place next time for a more chill environment.
(4)Kim C.
Absolutely Delicious...We were on the hunt for a great brunch spot in Chicago. So, after much research and "kissing a few frogs" we decided that Batter & Berries was a must try spot on our last day. I had the Blueberry French Toast, which was full of flavor and seemed to melt in my mouth...a side of bacon and eggs. All in all, this was too much food for me. The bacon was smoky and crispy. Eggs were ok...I really wanted to save room for the French toast, so the eggs were cast aside. My hubby had the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken, which he stated was like none other. Overall great experience...nice, quaint place with attentive servers.
(5)Nish R.
Despite the 1.5 hrs we spent to get a table I still like this place. I mean the wait was ridiculous. They have to have a better system because most ppl that came after us got seated b/c they were small parties. We had 5 ppl. In the end they had to pull up a chair for us for table with 4 settings but they could've done that half hour ago. There was a family with 2 kids waiting and the kids looked so miserable for having to wait that long. Anyway, the place is cheery and has a nice vibe to it. Chef comes and talks to you. Servers are friendly and nice. They have a great selection of decaf teas. Yay, finally a place that caters to us non-caffeine tea tollers. I had to have the fried chicken and sweet potato waffles. It was good. Everyone loved their food. Will definitely go back but not on a weekend. I don't care how good the food is I wi t gonna wait 1.5 hrs again.
(3)Natasha L.
I came here for breakfast with two of my friends a week ago, and the place / food was just ok. The menu is pretty small, which would be fine if they allowed substitutions to be made, but they do not! My friend wanted strawberry waffles, but all they had were blueberry, and weren't willing to give her strawberry.... in fact, they said they couldn't even give her plain!!!--because the batter was premixed. We both ordered the blueberry waffles and it was ok... nothing special; I've def had better. Our other friend ordered an egg sandwich, and it seriously looked like I made it myself in my kitchen. Our server was nice, but I could hardly hear anything he said and I was literally like a foot away from him! The whole experience was kind of a let down.
(2)Pam H.
We heard about the lines and we heard about the food and decided the food would be worth the wait. Good decision. Bonus:around 12:30 , midweek, there was no wait. It would have been worth it even if there were a wait. The food: I had the chicken and waffle, my friend had the eggs benedict over crab cakes with cheesy hash browns. Chicken breast was moist and tender and crispy crusty on the outside. There was a spicy sauce on the chicken. There was maple butter on the waffle. The waitress explained that Chef Rylon recommended that all 4 components (chicken waffle spicy sauce and sweet butter) be eaten in one bite. Chef Rylon rocks. Crispy, spicy sweet and waffle all together in my mouth. Mmmm ( that sound you hear is a sigh of bliss over a well seasoned tasty good textured and nice looking dish.) Like I said, Mmmm. I sampled my friends crab cake. You could actually taste the crab. It was a full tasting counter to the nicely poached egg which was runny enough to make an unctuous sauce when combined with the Hollandaise. The Hollandaise itself was more tangy but we never did figure out what the flavor was. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. I sampled the cheesy has browns. The cheese is melted over a generous portion of potatoes. I 'm not sure it was the best textural pairing with the crab cakes and eggs ( a bit of green salad on the plate might have been better), but certainly good with other dishes. Coffee was hot, not too bitter and plentiful. Wait service was prompt, friendly and they did not hover. We did not have to ask for coffee refills; the staff was there to offer first. Quibbles: the room is noisy even when the place is not full. The spicy sauce on the chicken was a bit too vinegar-y standing alone although it meshed well when eaten with the other components. The specials were on a chalkboard, but not the prices. Cost $24 per person for entree, coffee , tax and tip. Plus meter parking on well- patrolled Lincoln Ave (Thanks to the manager who announced the coming of the meter maid) We will be back
(4)Brandon B.
I'm a little conflicted. I'm motivated by food, so overall, it's a four. The good: the French Toast flight was amazing, so were their omelets. On special, they had a salmon omelet and a scallop omelet. Simply delicious. The price point is great as well. I was at Girl and the Goat last weekend, and two scallops cost me $17. Their omelet included three, and it was I believe $14. Finally, when you order, the food comes out very quickly. The bad: The wait was painful. It took two hours, though I guess it wasn't their fault they are so popular. Also, I think the hostess has a tough job, and can come off as a little abrasive. I can get over that though. I am not itching to go back, simply because of the wait, but the food is the real deal.
(4)Carolyn L.
Went here with my mom for some great breakfast over the summer! It's a cute unassuming little place with street parking in Lincoln Park. The staff was friendly and the waffles were delicious. My mom tried the Cluck-N-Gaufre and it was the first time both of us have jumped on board this fried chicken and waffle bandwagon. I do NOT regret it. It's just a super filling breakfast option! Pretty sure I got something with blueberries which was great and seasonal. They also have a great selection of pancakes and french toast, which I'd love to go back and try. This place is great for families or for hungover brunches. It's bright and fun and everything on the menu looks scrumptious.
(4)Keith A.
I don't do 5* easy. I don't do them easy at all. But, it's the special places that bring this out and Batter&Berries fully deserves it. A good friend of mine is here when he can, and he hit me up on a sunday morning to do brunch with his fiancee. Being hungover always works with breakfast food, so this was perfect for me. To start, this place was humming really well when I arrived. Granted, I got here around noon, but I was very glad that my friends had gotten a table already. We started off with a french toast flight. It's several different french toasts all on one plate. Makes sense right, guess what, it's as awesome as it sounds as well. How do you like 'dem apples? What's really cool is that each week they do a special french toast as part of the flight and this time we got mocha and chocolate for our special french toast. Nope, no complaints from me whatsoever. You also have to like the carrot of a new french toast each week. That's 52 different ones, so you have to come in and find out. After that I had to get myself the lobster omelet. They were doing an "omelet bowl" as it was super bowl sunday. I don't get why people were going so much with the crab as 1) Baltimore is a shithole and 2) Lobster is awesome. Well, it did turn out that all of the crab lovers got their super bowl wish, but I was put in my happy place by having lobster and eggs in front of me. Really, it's two of my favorite things all in one. What's extra cool is that all of the ingredients are on top of the omelet. Some people may find it weird, but the chef wants you to see that he's using good ingredients and you are gonna enjoy them, m'kay. Well, my omelet ruled. The eggs were insanely fluffy and man, there was an awesome amount of cheese in there. Seriously, I had to basically treat the cheese like I was eating pasta by wrapping it around my fork. Again, me in my happy place. And I haven't even mentioned the service yet. Well, they rocked! With the deluge of people that were there, one wouldn't fault them for being in the weeds. Well, that was far from the case as it was a well oiled machine. They were on top of everything. Obviously they are used to this, but it's always nice to see it run like this. Batter&Berries is an easy return for me. While brunch isn't always a weekend activity for me because of work, it's still a blast when I get the chance. I can't wait to come back here in the future and I hope they keep staying packed.
(5)Lauren N.
I was excited to try this place since it was recommended by my brother. So today me and my mom went at around 10:45am . Anyway I got the the buttermilk pancakes and chicken sausage. My mom ordered the traditional which consists of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits. I must say I was not impressed with the food. The only flavorful thing on the menu was orange-cranberry juice. We had to keep putting additional seasoning on our food. Don't think I will be coming back.
(1)Klassic C.
This place is a great breakfast spot but get there early or you WILL have a nice wait .. I loved it so much my co workers and I ( who work 3rd shift) would get off and go here every 2 weeks! last time I went I was told no more plain waffles which was a bummer but overall as many times as I have been I have been satisfied. the french toast is always good and the weekly flavor is very creative. the staff is generally friendly and attentive nice breakfast place I think i have o.d ive been so many times lol anything is a reason to go great for showing out of towners a good nice meal
(4)Melanie V.
Meh. This place is just...meh. The positives? +Our waiter was super sweet and informative AND he took the time to split our check on 3 cards. Very nice. +The banana pudding french toast (one of their specials) was also phenom. No syrup needed, so that meant that the bread wasn't soggy and disappointing as usuallly happens with french toast. Ok, now the not so positive? +Cffee was $3. Blah. +Wait was 45 minutes and our group of 5 waited nearly 40 minutes for the food to come out. +The crab omelette (another special) was $16 and was only served with soggy hashbrowns. I didn't really like the gouda/crab combo, but thankfully one of my friends enjoyed it. +It was effin' freezing in there because people kept walking in and out. +I sat at the end of a four-seater table and practically got hit in the head a dozen times by the people waiting. That's really not what I want to deal with on a Sunday morning.
(3)Jeff N.
ALWAYS on the hunt for GREAT breakfast places, as breakfast is our favorite meal. Wandered into French Toast heaven this morning. The place was packed at 9:20, but we were given a nice place to sit and wait for the 20-25 minutes they said would be the delay. They were right about the wait. And it was worth it. The marquis items for breakfast are their French toast selection. After much deliberating over their delicious sounding menu, we opted for the Lemon French Toast (my wife's selection) and the Blueberry French Toast (mine). The waitress tempted us with a glorious looking Pork Chop and egg selection and Lobster Benedict; made even more tempting by her showing us pictures from her tablet (nice touch). At FIRST BITE we were hooked! Wow!. We also ordered the side of chicken sausage and the cheese hash browns. Oh, my! My only regret in writing this review is that it may attract even more people to this gem. p.s. This is a BYOB restaurant, as if things couldn't get any better.
(5)Hanh S.
Came here for Saturday brunch. For the amount of business they get the place is super small and cramped- while waiting for a table you're bound to be in someone's way. That was really the only downside of the place. They do give out free coffee while you wait- but be warned that if you continue to get coffee once seated they will charge you. The waitress was super friendly and helpful. They present their specials on an iPad slideshow so you get to see the food and they do an excellent job explaining what it all comes with. Love being able to see the food before it comes! My table ordered the french toast flight, lobster omelette, and crabcake benedict to all share. EVERYTHING was tasty and amazing. The omelette and benedict were pretty large portions, while the french toast flight, not so much, but probably my favorite of all the things I tried. It comes with 4/5(?) half slices- so like, 2 whole pieces of bread slices in total. I would recommend the extra hungry to actually order two flights. Service was quick and friendly. I can't wait to come back and try it out again!
(5)hlzdg h.
Been here four times. Waited to review because I did agree with the service issues. It's gotten better, but even if it's peaks out at mediocre, this is the reality: the chicken sausage is ridiculous. It just is. And yes, I do mean the chicken sausage, not the pork sausage. Both are made by Chef Rylon and good, however, the chicken sausage is a standout. I would come here once a week with okay service just to get it. Like the sausage, Chef Rylon makes most of what you eat. If you order a turkey club, you get real, freshly carved turkey - not cold cuts. The hash, batters for pancakes, waffles and French toast, maple butter, etc. are all made by Chef Rylon and very good. I have more of a taste for savory vs sweet, so The French toast and sweat potato waffle were a little on the sweeter side for my liking, but both were meals I would get again with a twist (regular waffle with the cluck and gaufre for instance). Chef Rylon appears to really care about the success of his place and your enjoyment of his cuisine. He is seen often throughout the place and always says to simply grab him from the kitchen if you have any issues with te food. I doubt that's ever been necessary. Good value too for what you get. Never look at the bill and think that it's out of whack. Quite the opposite. 4.5 star place to me. If service gets corrected, Batter & Berries will be one of the toughest weekend spots to get a table.
(4)Judith J.
I heard so much about Batter & Berries that I just had to give them a try. Who doesn't like a good breakfast and who can make a bad breakfast? Well, many places get it wrong, but Batter & Berries got it right. If you are looking for your traditional ordinary breakfast, then this is not the place for you or your palate. This place takes breakfast to another level with their creative ways of taking a 1950's breakfast meal and making it into a 21st century delight! I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaufre, which is a great spin on chicken and waffles. It's a chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle served with a fried chicken breast topped with a nutmeg hot sauce and maple butter. And of course I ordered a side of bacon, which they served in a bowl. I like my bacon long and crisp and not rolled in a bowl with grease at the bottom, but the bacon was good nonetheless. The chicken inside the waffle was nice, but the waffle would have been just as delicious without it. They take their orders on an ipad, how cool is that and the food comes out quickly. I love the way they have the daily specials on the blackboard where you can clearly see it and read it. Great artwork on the walls and the bathroom is nice and clean. My server was okay, but if you ever get Tim, you are in luck. I love the way he described the specials to the other table (yes I was ear hustling), he made me want to order another meal. Some places try to be creative and it looks pretty and that is what you got a pretty plate of food. But Batter & Berries makes your brain think hmmm, I wonder how that will taste and your mouth says yum, this is good! I love that it is black owned and doing well. I will be back to try another creative breakfast selection!
(4)Alfreda D.
I love, love, love brunch! It's my favorite meal and time of day. I've been to quite a few brunch spots in Chicago and love trying out new ones, especially those that come recommended. And this place is BYO champagne and wine which is nice. It's expected that the wait time at brunch spots will be outrageous for a variety of reasons including a) just as many people love brunch like I do, b) the place is small or c) the place is wait-worthy. I'm going to give Batter & Berries a) and b) for now. My friend had been here before so she raved about it and knew that the wait would be crazy after 11am. So we went at 9am! That's not even brunch mind you... it's breakfast. LOL. Anyway, she was late. Yup, I'm calling her out... late. So at 9am on a Sunday the place was already jumping. The wait was only about 10 minutes, but wow, I'm still surprised there was a wait that early to begin with. You can't get seated until your entire party has arrived so my wait time turned into 45 minutes. Whomp whomp! And it was cold outside. That's another downside of a small location. There's nowhere to house your waiting guests except for outdoors! After a solid 30 minutes of waiting, the manager (I suppose) came out to greet the waiting guests. He gave this whole speech like an auctioneer rattling off specials and must haves, must dos, etc. etc. It was entertaining. At the end of it all, he offered everyone free coffee while we waited. I would have much appreciated that 30 minutes sooner because my fingers were frozen at that point and we got seated shortly after so I didn't get the free coffee after all. We got seated by the window so it was still a little chilly inside, but we were seated so I was happy. They are known for their French toast. They have 4 flavors (I believe) and offer a flight that gives you one of each flavor to try. And according to the manager, their chicken and waffles are the best. I wanted to try something I wouldn't normally make on my own, so I ordered the pork chop that came with eggs and potatoes. The pork chop was made well and it was flavorful. The potatoes, however, weren't cooked long enough. They are made with cheese which sounded exciting, but they weren't fully cooked... they weren't crispy, the cheese wasn't melted, so overall it was a letdown. My friend who had been here a few times before agreed that it was noticeably different from her other visits and wasn't as good. Just my luck. Nevertheless, the pork chop and eggs were satisfying and I had plenty of food. I tasted my friend's French toast and it was really good too. But I don't know. I didn't leave thinking I would be willing to wait however long to try something different on the menu. It's a decent spot and was highly frequented. But it wasn't to die for or to wait 45+ minutes for. I don't think I can give it c) just yet. It's not really wait-worthy but it's "A-OK".
(3)K S.
If you are looking for an awesome place to have breakfast or brunch look no further! The French toast sample had cookies and cream, lemon, caramel, blueberry and pecan French toast. All were delicious! I got the sweet potato waffle stuffed with chicken with a piece of fried chicken on the side! So super good. The owner also makes his own maple butter! This place has a very warm feel and the staff is so friendly. Every time our waiter came to the table he always had something funny to say or he told a riddle. We even met the owner who thanked us for coming! The food is amazing and I will definitely go back!!
(5)Micah L.
Holy goodness, this place is amazing. I ordered their French toast flight with the "special" flavor of the week (worth the extra $2) and it could quite possibly be the best French toast I've had in my life. I stole some bites from friends' plates and the waffles and hash browns are also good. French toast was the winner hands down though. Decently priced for Chicago and for the amount of food you get. The hostesses weren't the most friendly but that didn't affect our experience too much. Our food came out late, however they generously discounted our meal and came out and personally apologized for it. Overall I would definitely recommend it! One last tip- you might have to wait a little depending on the day. Less wait time if you're flexible with seating.
(4)Brennan B.
I've been here a couple of times now and the food is always excellent! I've had the super flight (platter of french toast) as well as a few other dishes. As a fair warning, you will more than likely have to wait at least 25 minutes for a seat especially if you go during peak hours. It is a small place so there isn't much standing/waiting room and the noise level can get loud quickly. After the wait, you're good to go! The staff members are very friendly and attentive and it doesn't take long at all to prepare the food!
(4)Tricia P.
Simply amazing. It's that simple. Just go. The food was great the service was wonderful. .
(5)Eric K.
What people don't realize is that the place seconds as a great coffee shop. There's a big communal hi top table in the middle of the restaurant. I'm bringing my laptop next time. Could use some wifi tho... Get the chicken and waffles. Also ask for extra hot sauce.
(5)ms L.
The food was great! The hash browns were more of a mash potato, than the typical hashbrowns that Im use to. We went on a wednesday at about 1pm, we were seated immediately, however it took 10-15mins before we got water and our order was taken. Another thing I didn't like is that the owner or manager, spoke to everyone else and asked how other patrons around us, was enjoying their food, but we were neglected. The french toast flight was awesome, my boyfriend didn't care for his pancakes or the "mash browns" aka hash browns
(3)Kamilah P.
The customer service at this place is horrific. We arrive and were told there was a 40-45 min wait. We stand outside in the rain waiting for 40 min where we check to see where we are on the list as several parties have gone into the restaurant that arrived after us. We go inside and the lady proceeds to tell us that we weren't on the list. Then the 2nd hostess says she remembers but she lost the list. They insisted that we wait another hour. They never apologized for the inconvenience, they later said the bus boy dropped the list so we must have gotten lost in the shuffle. Still no attempt to rectify the situation. In addition, no one advised us that we could have sat inside for the hour we were standing in the rain. We received a major attitude from all three hostesses who were unorganized, unprofessional and rude.
(1)Nike R.
Came here on a Thursday morning hoping it would be empty. Now, it wasn't the line out of the store crowd you get on the weekend, but it wasn't empty either. My food was divine. The service was prompt. What more could you ask for? Definitely an A+ experience.
(5)Joyce D.
I've been meaning to go to Batter & Berries for months...I finally got to go and I really like it. The food is really good. My party and I had the "Chicken and Goof", the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, and the French Toast Flight. With the exception of the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, everything was EXCELLENT! There was a certain taste on them that my taste buds did not like...that didn't keep my mother and daughter from cleaning the plate so someone enjoyed them. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the space and noise. It's a very noisy spot...I enjoy House Music as much as anyone but it was a bit much for a breakfast experience. In terms of space, I like cozy but for the traffic this place gets, it could be twice as big and still not be big enough. Great food!
(4)Whitney W.
I enjoy this place very much. I intend on becoming a regular there since I work just next door. They have amazing food, good service with servers who have very fun personalities! The serving sizes are just enough to get you full, not stuffed. I really appreciate that the food is healthy, fresh, and reasonably priced for the quality you are receiving. Particularly, I find it admirable for an African American to open a restaurant right in Lincoln Park and maintain its success by going against the stereotypical hole in the wall, fried chicken, soul food restaurants and creating something that anyone would enjoy. I have seen this place packed on weekends! I would recommend this place to anyone, and I love BYOB establishments!
(5)Kristina S.
Delicious, Decadent, Flavorful food- beautifully decorated: the food and the restaurant!! Come support black businesses
(5)Sarah B.
First time I've ever had lobster benedict. And now I'm irked more brunch spots don't attempt to make it. Although I would probably just be disappointed because there is no way it would be as good as the lobster benedict at B&B. Good service, lively atmosphere, and looking forward to going back. Minus one star for mediocre coffee. If you're gonna have an amazing brunch menu, at least make sure the coffee is in the same class.
(4)Annie G.
After reading the amazing reviews on Batter & Berries, my boyfriend and I knew we had to see what all the hype was about. Saturday brunch wait times are typically at least a half hour, but the food and service definitely make up for the long wait times. The Flight of the French Toast (blueberry, caramel, lemon and strawberry with maple butter) is my favorite. No syrup necessary. The chicken and waffles are delicious (sweet potato waffle with pieces of chicken cooked in and a piece of fried chicken on the side covered in hot sauce) were on a list in Travel & Leisure for top places for chicken and waffles. The omelets are also delicious. No matter how busy it is, the service is always great. Southern hospitality meets midwestern charm.
(5)Laura P.
The rudest hostess team I have encountered. Neither one responded to my "good morning". One was on the phone while seating guests the other simply walked away to what I learned was to figure out if there was an open table. If that is how the owner wants his establishment represented, I will go some where else. Hello is a simple word to say.
(1)Sabby H.
The wait is super long. The food is good, I've had the crab Benedict and scallop omelet. Very good meals. Their French toast flight is great. Not sure I'm too tempted to come back given the long wait times. There are plenty of good brunch places where you don't have to wait an hour and a half.
(4)Sheila G.
The food is amazing. Period.The wait is extremely long on the weekends. The place is BYOB. After waiting a hour 15 minutes don't expect to stay long since they rush you out very quickly. Living in NYC brunch is very different from Chicago. If B&B doesn't want ppl to stay long times than they should have some sort of policy in place instead of being passive aggressive. The food gets 4 stars, the service a 2.
(3)RT S.
Steak omelet has a big piece of tendered steak on top. They so not cheat by putting a few prices inside the omelet. omelet comes with gravy and harsh. Very good. Flight french toast is the combination of all their french toast. The strawberry is the best. Very crowded and loud so be prepared.
(4)Rahul K.
Best brunch ever. Wait is well managed, and well worth it. My kids love their strawberry French toast and I love their lobster Benedict. Yummmm.
(5)Monique D.
The best breakfast that has ever touched my lips! You have to try the French toast flight!
(5)Candace M.
I did enjoy the french toast flight and the owner was very friendly. I went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded. I still haven't figured out all the hype, I've definitely experienced better. Just being honest.
(2)D G.
Fantastic food, great service. One of the most delicious brunch spots in the city. The only reason I don't go there more often is because there is always a line. But that's because the food is so good. So if you've got some time on a Saturday or Sunday morning, pick up some champagne (it's Byob) and head on over.
(5)Marshall G.
Not 4-stars as is reflected on yelp, but a decent brunch place. Service was decent. And although there was a wait, was seated right away somehow. The portions were a little small on the French toast flight, but they were very tasty. If you're not that hungry and want a lighter brunch option, this may be it!
(3)Jeffery E.
Bad for big groups (5+) We went early Easter Sunday morning and the wait was surprisingly short. Unfortunately, the manager horribly manages the seating and does so with an uncaring attitude inconsiderate of customer relationship and subsequent future revenue from patronage. Read: dude's a d-bag and loss well-tipping folk today. We had a party of eight and we're told we'd wait approx 20 min. There were empty tables but not all together so we understood. After 35 min, our new estimate was another 25 min. The hostess said she tried to seat us after a table left and was awaiting for the adjacent table; her manager required a smaller party be seated instead, thus pushing our seating. He explained to us that two adjacent tables would need to finish at the same time for us to be seated. Now, it's totally possible that, in this small restaurant with only two places to seat larger parties, that is would have taken hours. He also did nothing to try and assure us he was looking to satisfy us or was working to please us in any way. After watching many parties be seated near instantly and being treated with zero empathy or care, we decided to take our dollars elsewhere. The hostess was great; the manager was horrible. His service is impersonal at best, and his management practices are impractical and amateurish. He lost revenue today and future revenue from our circle we implore not to patronize a business we were excited to experience. I pray he grows, and if not, forcibly goes.
(1)Kim H.
French toast flight!! Run don't walk!! Soo delicious... Deconstructed omelets delicious .. Great, fun atmosphere
(5)Karley E.
I would give this place ZERO STARS if i could. Since moving to Chicago I have heard nothing but raves about Batter & Berries, so when my family came to visit I decided to take them there...I wish I never did! They have no idea what customer service is. We went on a Friday morning and they said we would have to wait 35 minutes, no big deal we expected to wait. Around 25 minutes into our wait I went inside and asked if they think we will still be seated within our 35 minute wait time. We just wanted to see if we had time to walk around. The hostess responded with "Yes, that's what I quoted you." When 45 minutes rolls around my dad walks in and said how much longer, the hostess said not too much longer. At an hour my sister goes in and asks what is going on. The hostess said you still have 6 groups of 4 ahead of you! So, my sister asks for the manager. The host lets him know that she did mis-quoted us. He was extremely rude and said the wait time is just an estimate and not a guarantee. That there was nothing he could do, and we could wait or leave. I was a host for 4 years, and we always gave accurate times so our guests could make the decision to stay or go. I also say the manager let guest in who 100% came way after us (regulars or friends probably). I do not care how great the food may be, there are tons of other breakfast places in the Chicago area that make food just as well, if not better. I highly suggest that everyone does not waste their time and goes somewhere else. Batter and Berries does not live up to the hype! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!
(1)Wei H.
My biggest lesson learned from eating here is that a party size of 3 is the most difficult to be seated. That said, the wait is not as bad as Yolk on a Saturday. The french toast really was phenomenal. I am not a french toast person so I wisely did not choose the flight or the regular portion. I got the special that day the vanilla frappacino and was blown away. And i don't know what they did to the ice cream coz it sure did not melt for an hour. Although, $6 for one slice of bread, as fancy and delicious as it was, was pushing it. The chicken n waffles were also good. Waffles were just the right degree of crunchy on the outside and bouncy on the inside. My friends said the chicken was flavorful. On to my own main dish - the egg white omelet with crab, zucchini, bamboo shoot and something else, was extremely disappointing. There was a lot of extra moisture that came out of the zucchini and tomatoes and that just did not go well with the already bland egg white. I also wish that there could have been more cheese, or should I say, the cheese could have been more evenly distributed? Hash browns were too moist for my preference and frankly nothing special. Service-wise, our waiter was nice, attentive and patient enough to repeat some special items to us while a lady that seated us came across a bit rude. We waited for 45 minutes outside on a 60s degree day and she did not bother to tell us there was a seating area inside while we waited... Also, when we asked why our food came after the people that came in and ordered after us, we were told that there were only two waffle makers. How did those people that arrived later could have gotten their waffles first, that baffles me till this day. Overall I am impressed by the french toast and really the presentation of everything. There are other interesting items on the menu that I will very likely return for. This time, I will know better than wait outside.
(4)Erich S.
Helpful and friendly service and a well executed brunch. The server (Christie) was helpful in finding both food options and hot tea. Wife had an avocado club sandwich with fries that were well seasoned but not overpowering. I had an amazing concoction of sweet-potato waffles with chicken inside the waffles, topped with gently fried chicken and hot sauce. They brought syrup but it never needed it (and I'm a waffles and syrup kinda guy for brunch).
(5)Brianne B.
Went on a Wednesday morning and had no wait time whatsoever. Enjoyed a quick and delicious meal -- the apple waffles. So yummy!!!
(4)Claire F.
I enjoyed Batter and Berries, although I'm not sure I would choose to go back there when there are many other places in the city to try. I went here on a Sunday with three girlfriends, and the wait was about thirty minutes, which was nice as I was expecting longer. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. I ended up ordering the chicken and sweet potato waffles after I had seen so many good reviews of them on Yelp. I was not disappointed and especially enjoyed the hot sauce that was put on the chicken and on the side. I am giving this a four instead of a five as while it was good, I do not think there is enough on the menu to keep me coming back or any unique menu items that set it apart from many of the other brunch places in Chicago. Perhaps if I had had the french toast, which I have heard plenty of good things about, I would feel differently.
(4)Samantha J.
If you're looking for french toast, this is THE place. Awesome service- everyone is super friendly including the chef who walks around and converses with the customers (part of me wonders what goes on in the kitchen while he's roaming around the floor, but stopped caring once I sank my teeth into their lemon french toast). The atmosphere is cute and quaint. Their pumpkin spice hot chocolate is fabulous and their french toast sampler was way more than filling (their gingerbread french toast is second to the caramel-both unique and tasty). Their sweet potato hash browns were a little surprising, they weren't crispy as I was kind of expecting/hoping, but sweet potatoes are great no matter how they're cooked. Overall, lovely service and great food at affordable prices. Definitely plan to come back.
(4)Bethany R.
I went with a few family members on a Monday morning for brunch around noon, and the place was jam-packed with a diverse group of patrons. LAZ parking was easy, as it was during the business week. We were seated at the large table in the center, which I'll assume is for larger parties, and ended up with a more community-table like feel. We're chill, so we didn't have any qualms about it. It took a while for the server to make her way to us, and then we ended up being seen by one or two other servers in between. There was definitely a bit of confusion going on, amid a cacophony of conversations, layered with a little-too-loud upbeat music. We could barely hear our server. The menu is average in the number of selections, and the price point seems reasonable for its location. Two people ordered breakfast (French toast flight & omelette) and two people ordered lunch (veg wrap & combo). Our food took quite a long time to come out, but it was definitely worth the wait. We had no complaints about our food, and pretty much cleaned our plates. However (!), there was nothing spectacular about our meals. We did notice, that a patron near us sent her French toast flight back because it was served cold. A few suggestions: 1. Turn the music down, as there's already enough noise with all of the conversations going on! 2. Get your servers better organized and competent. 3. Add some sound-absorbing art to the walls (e.g., cloth art). 4. How can you serve corn syrup instead of REAL maple syrup? For shame. Overall, my experience wasn't horrible, but I don't plan on going back or recommending it to others. For a better experience, find an Ann Sather.
(2)Danny A.
Great food and service. They were slightly busy even on a Thursday afternoon. Regardless they seated us promptly and provided a high chair without us asking for my niece. Everyone was very polite, from the hostess to our waitress. Our food came out quickly and was AMAZING! We of course had the French toast flight, I had the traditional breakfast and mom had the chicken quesadilla Omelette. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Abony T.
I heard some many great things about this place. Today my mother decided to treat me to brunch at Batter and Berries. I walked in and it was packed but not a long wait. We sat down and I couldn't help but look at everyone's food around me that I almost forgot we brought a bottle for BYOB. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. We started with the Flight of French Toast which was ah-maze-zing!!! My mother had the lobster omelette and I had the Deconstructed Steak Omelet. I love the music they played while we eat. It was almost like grooving and eating at the same time lol. I really love this place and can't wait to come again with friends and family.
(5)Nicki W.
It's beyond me why this place gets such fantastic reviews. I decided to come back and give it a second try and was seriously underwhelmed. It was a packed Sunday morning and we waited about 45 minutes for a table which is about standard. The hostesses were pretty rude once again. Everything from the initial greet to the way they shouted the names of people on the list when their tables were ready. They didn't seem to give a damn about making anyone's dining experience cheerful. We sit down at the table and the bussboy brings us water and asks us if we wanted coffee. Then we sat there for about 15 minutes before anyone even approached the table. Regulars seem to get treated real well around here and everyone else seems to get seriously overlooked. The chef walked around laughing with all his buddies but I never once saw him table touching with anyone else. The icing on the cake was the chef hacking and coughing while standing at the table next to us. All that was going directly on our food. Have some class buddy. The waiter was unattentive and forgetful. We ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich and the biscuits and gravy. Neither were anything special. We asked for a side of ranch and ketchup once the food arrived and never got it. My friend ended up getting up and asking someone else. Not once did our waiter come back to make sure we needed anything. I will also point out that both of the times I've been here, the eggs have been runny. It was pretty gross. I will not be back. What a shame because it's right in the hood.
(1)Irma G.
Hi....as I sit here in your establishment I can not believe what I see...as me and my friend are looking over your menu I see one of your employee's with head phones on and taking orders!!! That is so disrespectful while the guest is trying to order their food. I hope u have a talk to your hostess, waiters, and staff!! They need to be retrained...other than that the food is FABULOUS!!!
(1)Reginice C.
The best!
(5)Heather B.
We chose this place on a whim this morning. We started with the Super French Toast Flight (includes a piece of the daily special french toast as well as strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel). Today it was Godiva liqueur, which was my least favorite of the 5. Very good overall, though I found it curious that it was served much more lukewarm than warm/hot. My husband got the chicken and waffles and I had simple scrambled eggs and a side of the cheese hash browns (which were served cold, though I got an immediate replacement when I asked). Friendly, quick service, more than decently good food overall. I'd stick with the specials and the things they hype up like the chicken and waffles to get the most bang for your buck (and tastebuds!!) ETA: Apparently I need to clarify that the well-deserved 4 stars are for the overall experience. I'd think that any rational, reasonable restaurant patron would be able to differentiate between a tiny mistake (ie cold hash browns) and a bad experience where I wouldn't highly recommend the restaurant. Fixed, small mistakes are overlooked in my book.
(4)Kira W.
Went here today for breakfast with my dad and wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be after reading all the reviews. First of all, the restaurant is crazy loud...I know it's the city but seriously, it was hard to hold a conversation. I got the french toast flight and sadly, I felt that each of the four pieces were very dry. They are creative flavors, yes, so that was the upside, but I had to add syrup diluting a little bit of the specialty flavors just to soften the bread. My dad had a mushroom omelet that he enjoyed. The service was indeed great and the location is easily accessible as well. I would love to go back and maybe try something different on the menu but with so many other great brunch places in the area, I'm in no rush.
(3)Caitlin J.
This place is my most favorite place in the world for breakfast. The food is gorgeous, tastes phenomenal, and always leaves me walking out the door satiated.
(5)Anne T.
Always great for breakfast!
(5)Natalie L.
Hubby and I stopped in here after our dentist appointments on a Saturday morning and had a pleasant breakfast. I had the blueberry french toast and hubby had a deconstructed omelette. The french toast was very good and I appreciated that I didn't have to slather it in syrup (in fact this is frowned upon). They infuse the french toast with fruit and it is cooked to be a little crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Hubby enjoyed his omelette. I have two reasons for not giving this place 5 stars. The first is the decor/ambiance. The walls are a very jarring yellow and the artwork reminds me a of a daycare. This is one of those places that needs to decide what it wants to be. Are you a classy restaurant where the chef has a visible presence and syrup and substitutions are frowned upon? Or are you a decent breakfast place with yellow walls and art from an old lady's garage sale? Cuz you can't be both. My other issue, if you can call it that, was with the service. Our server was friendly and our food was served promptly. The service lacked confidence. This is probably because the place is new, but there is no other way to describe it. She did not seem comfortable doing what she was doing. If we are back in the area, this is probably a place we would go but we wouldn't make a special trip up to Lincoln Park for it.
(3)Laurie V.
Okay, yum, I say- YUM, I say! We ordered the "flight" of french toast, which included strawberry, lemon, blueberry, maple, and the special for the week- cranberry rum. My friend and I both agreed the cranberry rum was the best one. It was special #37. The restaurant has been open for 37 weeks and each week, there is a new featured french toast. We also shared the special omelet. Egg whites and crab meat with some sort of squash in the mix. Just delicious. It came with a very generous portion of hash browns, which were done just perfectly. Crispy brown on the outside, just how I love them. I like that the Belgian waffles here are called "belguiques". Although we didn't try them, they looked amazing, as well. Service was great. My coffee cup runneth over. Very attentive server. I also saw the chef walking around the restaurant, stopping to talk to his customers. It added a very personal and warm touch. As I find myself spending a lot more time in Chicago these days, I plan to return here again.
(4)Tijuana W.
My colleagues and I visited B & B today! We waited fifteen minutes but it was fine. Our waiter was very entertaining. The owner came over to greet us and gave us a complimentary French toast flight! Impeccable customer service! And BYOB. Let's just say us nursing students was able to unwind mid semester!
(5)JC P.
Fried chicken+ waffles+ spicy sauce +flavored butter= gastrorgasmic experience!!! Is worth every minute of the wait!
(4)Caeleigh R.
The service here is great. The waiters and waitresses are a little in your face and seem to tell you a bunch of information about their specials when you can just look and read the board yourself. At any rate, they're sweet and know their food. The chef you can tell has a great love of food and has some very creative ideas. However, the execution for these great ideas, lacks the wow factor in my mouth. My food was barely warm so I have a feeling it might have been sitting in the window for some time. The eggs were oily, and when I got one of the chicken wraps, it was mostly tortilla. The french toast flight wasn't all that they seemed to put it up to be and even though I'm not of french toast, my boyfriend's unbiased opinion determined that it was in fact nothing special. The chicken sausage here is yummy. The waffle with caramelized bananas and syrup in the batter is also extremely yummy. Really, the idea of this place is great and the chef has amazing ideas for some potentially yummy food, but the day I went, it just was not as good as it sounded or looked. Which reminds me, the presentation of the dishes is FANTASTIC. I love the decor and the layout of the restaurant. I don't plan on coming back though.
(3)Chrissy S.
I'm not always willing to wait 40 minutes for breakfast on Saturday, so I'm glad that I actually did. It was amazing. It's a small restaurant with quite a menu of options. We sat at the big community table with about 8 other people. My brother went sweet with the waffle flight; I went savory with steak omelet. We had a side of chicken-apple sausage. My plate was more than enough for two breakfasts (and reheated well the next morning). Coffee was decent. I really enjoyed this place and would enjoy coming back to try more items off their menu!
(4)Theresa F.
3.5 stars really. We ordered a couple of their savory dishes. The food blew me away for the first half of it until the greasiness started getting to me. Service was decent, but the young lady at the greeting station needed an attitude adjustment. All in all, I'd probably go again but only when I'm in the mood for sweeter fare as that is their specialty. In saying that, I'm assuming they do better with the sweet dishes versus the savory.
(4)Weirdtee G.
Delicious restaurant!!! Be prepare to wait but its worth it. Had the breakfast wrap and was full to a coma lol. Owner is really sweet and personable. Came around to check up on us! Nice neighborhood breakfast/brunch spot!
(4)Markesha W.
My first visit here was great Leslie was my server Friday 5/16/14 I visited the restaurant a second time 5/23/14 and all I can say is I will NEVER go back from management on down customer service training is a huge opportunity. When we were seated coffee was offered I asked the bus boy the price of a glass of orange juice his response was you have to ask your server, Ok not a problem I'll glance at the menu and figure it out myself. We ordered our breakfast I had a salmon executive my husband ordered pork chop executive and the French toast flight when our breakfast came out the strawberry and blueberry pieces of French toast were hard over cooked my husband asked the bus boy Pedro for our server and explained our concern he passed the message to another server who said I'm not their server my husband requested the manager who was seating another guest the manager Don doesn't seem to know how to work under stressful or busy circumstances he threw his hands in the air and said when I finish seating them I'll be with you with an attitude. Don came over we stated our concern he took the plate back and brought a fresh order maybe 7 minutes passed. The attitude of the staff from management on down was unacceptable I tried to explain to Don how I thought they could improve service in the future if I was the owner of this business none of my employees would ever be allowed to say that's not my job the customer does not care who's job it is, just communicate with the appropriate person and get the job taken care of Don the manager told me that bus boys don't have to talk to customers in fact they don't want to talk to customers they are there to fill glasses and clean up then in a dismissive tone said we fixed the problem and got you a fresh order no compassion he didn't care that now our food was getting cold as we waited for our food to be prepared properly. This business will NOT go far it reminded me of a breakfast chicken and waffles and that business is going under the sad part is the food was pretty good but for $55 for breakfast and poor service I'd rather go somewhere else. Maybe Leslie can be promoted and she could pass some of her skills to the staff Don has to be related to the owner I have no idea how he is still working here especially as management.
(1)Di M.
I decided to come because on the weekend the waiting line is tremendous and was curious. The food is amazing, I had the crab cake Benedict. I went during the week. The service was surprisingly fast. I will return
(4)Marissa G.
Convenient location and great service and accommodation. I ordered the french toast flight with bacon and hash browns and everything was delicious! The chef came out and chatted with us for a while to make sure everything was to our liking and told us to come back again soon. I'll have to bring champagne along next time to take advantage of the BYOB offering.
(5)Denise C.
This food was stupid good. The wait was a bit on the ridiculous side because I had a party of 10 and the place is small (or quaint) but it was well worth the wait. I had the chicken and waffles (it's not called that though) and it was the BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLE COMBO EVER! They season the chicken and place it into the waffle batter AND...they give you a superbly seasoned chicken breast on the side. I went to Hop House A Go Go last week and got their Chicken and Waffle and was so disappointed that it didn't/couldn't measure up to the one I had here! This is the BEST breakfast spot in Chicago. Oh...and the food is cheap:)
(5)Robert R.
Batter and Berries is the real deal. I had a chicken fajita deconstructed omelette and was duly impressed. Yes, I know it seems wrong to serve both chicken and eggs together, but if the chicken fajita omlette is wrong y'all, I don't wanna be right. The homemade pork sausage is good, but could use some of the herbs sprinkled about the plate. The service was attentive and intelligent, the ordering system is slick, the server using his smartphone to place the order was an interesting add to the experience. The space is charming, bright and there's an interesting thematic symmetry throughout. I'm not impressed with my orange juice coming from a Tropicana carton...lie to me if you must, but I don't want to see how the orange juice was made. Chef Rylon is a wonderful and gregarious host and his presence was definitely a plus. All-in-all, it's at four stars because it's got some things to fix, but nothing worth drawing out or complaining about... this is one of those places that will work its' kinks out and be a neighborhood staple for a long time to come.
(4)Chicago F.
Highly recommend. Super friendly, funny staff. Great food presentation. Cozy, lively. Great specials. AMAZING Oreo French toast! I am not a fan of super sweet things, and these babies are PERFECT. Compliments to the Chef. Go, you'll love it.
(5)mary r.
I think this is what I've been looking for in a breakfast joint!! Quality. Quantity. Wonderful service. Nice patrons. What more can you ask for? And the menu has something for everyone. Regular classics. And creative gourmet. I hope this place stays open for a long time. I plan on becoming a regular.
(5)Raquel B.
I have never finished every bite of a plate before and I just did that here today. Ya'll have to try the sweet potato waffles and cheesy hash browns with the homemade hot sauce! Best brunch I ever had!
(5)Steve A.
Just tried to order take-out from this place. I assume the hostess answered the phone, and for some reason could not take my order. She said I'd be transferred to a waiter to take my order. Fine. 5 minutes later, I'm still on hold. I hang up, tell this place to go Ef itself, and swear I'll never give them any of my business. You people are a joke.
(1)Gooses G.
Great things: Got seated right away even though it was a busy Sunday brunch Attentive, friendly, and helpful wait staff from host to busser to server Biscuits and gravy meal was delicious Food was not greasy, even if ordering traditionally greasy items! Got to meet the chef, who seems like a wonderful and talented individual who really cares about his restaurant and prides himself on it Great neighborhood brunch spot--I'm going to be taking my visitors here from now on!
(5)Cherie J.
The French toast flight is a must to try at this place.
(4)ninette s.
before making this place our mommy/daughter breakfast selection this month, I did my research - read some reviews, checked pics of the food etc. I noticed, many of the bad reviews all centered around bad customer service and/or the wait so I was already prepared but turns out Those bad reviews had to have been before their newbie kinks were worked out... because customer service was certainly NOT a problem today. mind you we arrived @ 8:36am on a Saturday though and they open @ 8:00am - perfect timing on our part I might add.. because we were greeted, seated, served and walking out in about an hour! by then here was a line waiting outside to get in. whew!. Elvira was there in a flash but then gave us our space to peruse the menu as it was our 1st time. my daughter decided on the Banana-Nut Belgigue... it was yummy even the next morning! I had the super flight of french toast- the diff btwn a flight and the super flight is the super adds an extra triangle of whatever the flavor of the week is: so I had a taste of blueberry, my least fav, strawberry, caramel nut, lemon yum!, and the spcl flavor was pineapple upside down cake also yum! even thought the place only seats apprx 68 ppl, it was bigger than I had envisioned and quite pleasant. other than the odd waiting area smack dab in the middle of restaurant- who thought that was a creative idea?!. my daughter enjoyed the waiter-his name escapes me as I type- who had her solving riddles for her doggie bag LOL our orders came out timely, correct, and hot. I saw many complaints of this as well... it must be the time and/or day you wandered in... I'd give it another shot if I were you. I must point out to reviewer Katrina C who complained the lemon french toast tasted like lemon, heaven forbid, and I quote: Not like bread or cinnamon or anything french toast-like .why in the world would I want my 'lemon' french toast tasting like cinnamon ewww. ijs. everyone's plate going by looked more delish than the last - can't wait to get back to try more 'n' more items...next up if available...for sure is that lobster omelet! my daughter was disappointed she didn't get to meet the chef but enjoyed her food and our quality time immensely nonetheless . Thank you B&B for a perfect setting. Moms: there's a nail spa right across the street ! Sincerely, a satisfied customer
(4)Lyla C.
I never review anything unless I really like it. These folks are truly making their food with love. I am obsessed. get the pork chop special while you can. By far the best chicken and waffles I have had in Chicago
(5)I L.
Very, very good, and consistent. I just wish they would offer a healthy breakfast choice or two. When they had an egg white special, it was loaded with a creamy sauce that negated the egg whites. (Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but I am looking for healthy choices on the menu every week!! My husband doesn't care as much, but I do!) Offer a fruit bowl, egg white frittatta or something that I know I can enjoy guilt free.
(4)Suvondal E.
The Flight of French Toast!!! There's nothing else to say. It can get extremely cozy on the inside at times and before you know it the bill can add up but its worth every bite!
(5)Tory w.
B and B has ruined just about every other breakfast place in Chicago for me. I literally don't want to go anywhere else. EVER. And to think, if I had gotten the address right of another Lincoln Avenue breakfast joint, I might never have stumbled upon this amazing place. I've been four or five times now and I love it more every time. The staff is really, really friendly, especially a particular waiter who loves to tell riddles and is absolutely hilarious and so personable that you want to invite him to join you for breakfast. Chef Ryland (I think) regularly makes the rounds of the restaurant and personally asks everyone how they are enjoying their meal. It's obvious that he has a great deal of pride in his little business, as well he should! The decor is pretty and inviting. But all of this would amount to nothing if it didn't have quality food, it is a restaurant after all! Let me just say: The food is simply incredible. Almost everything is homemade, organic, local, FRESH, etc. They even grind their own sausage. I highly, highly recommend the flight of French toast - I think I've had it every time I've gone. It's so good I can never decide which flavor to save for last. I usually end up regretting saving anything for last because I am so full! The sausage is full of flavor, both the pork and chicken are good. The cheesy potatoes are one mouthful after another of cheesy goodness. I've never ordered their specialty, the Cluck and Gaufre, which is fried chicken in a sweet potato waffle with fried chicken on top, but a friend has had it and said it was good. On top of all of this, a righteous cup of coffee. You can't go wrong with B and B.
(5)Wilonda G.
I good friend took me the Saturday before my birthday. She warned me the wait would be long. It was totally worth it. Everything I ate was simply beautiful. I am a lover of breakfast. We had the super flight which was a taste of about 5 different french toasts. Each one was amazing. And also, during that time, they featured a crab omelet, it left me speechless.The following week we returned and ordered the crap omelet once more considering it was the last day for it. We have all intentions on returning soon and frequently.
(5)Kate D.
My fiancee and I have been here about ten times since randomly popping in on a Saturday morning. I can't get enough. Honestly. And the fact that there is a different french toast each week, keeps us coming back. I just keep wondering, how WILL he top the last one?! I've had the Cluck N' Gravy many a time, and I can't recommend it enough. The super flight is my other's favorite choice. I've also had the deconstructed omelets (Crab and Chicken Fajita) as well as the Banana Nut Belguique. All wonderful. Our service is always great. Food always the freshest ingredients. Always a pleasant weekend treat!
(5)Jill S.
I was looking for a place to stop in and get a quick coffee and treat on my way to an appointment - and I happened upon Batter & Berries. The people who work there are wonderful, and I felt very comfortable sitting at a table sipping a nice, strong cup of coffee and eating a little plate of the best cornmeal shortbread cookies. This is definitely a place to be added to your list of breakfast/brunch/lunch stops!
(5)Elliot O.
Foods unreal. Price is kind of high but still worth going. You get a lot for your money.
(4)Emily L.
First time in, played it safe with a signature dish of blueberry waffles. First bite in, i knew i would be back! I typically think breakfast places think that one wants nothing more on a Sunday morning than to eat their weight in pancakes and maple syrup only to feel over served and under productive the rest of the day. Not so here. Perfect portion size to Keep Calm and Carry On with your day! Next time in, tried their breakfast wrap... I didn't think I could have trumped the blueberry waffles love, yet the addition of their homemade hot sauce easily became my first choice for the following week's order. Oh and they have a "Waffle of the Week" that changes every Sunday-big fan of going Sunday (as do others but the wait is barely 15 minutes max for party of 2)
(5)Noemi C.
Best French Toast I've had! Definitely going back. (Had the Flight, they were all good).
(5)Nikki D.
Food here was okay, but the service was terrible. I brunch with with my girlfriends about once a month, and since a few of us live in the neighborhood we thought we'd give this new local spot a try. Sadly, the service was so poor we will not go back. The server was slow to come introduce himself, slow to take our order, we had to flag him to get coffee refills after all three of our mugs were completely empty, and waited about 40 minutes after we ordered our food to have it on the table. His apology was that "the kitchen is really small," which is a) not true because you can see right inside the kitchen from most of the tables, and b) a poor excuse, since we saw several other tables who were seated after us get their food significantly sooner than we did. The french toast was pretty good (I had the "flight" and liked the lemon best) but was not so amazing to risk wasting so much time waiting for it to come. Sorry Batter & Berries - I liked the idea and was hopeful this would be the new neighborhood gem, but I will not be back.
(2)KeyandD L.
The food is awesome. ..everything made fresh and from scratch! Service was good...staff was friendly...food was AMAZING. Only wish they had a mobile website, would have made it easier to find/call! I will definitely go back!
(5)Brittany L.
The food here is excellent. Their french toast is the best I've ever had and the maple butter they put on it is amazing. The only downside is how small the restaurant is so it gets extremely busy on the weekends. I usually go between 8 and 9 on the weekends to avoid the wait. Once you are seated, you get your food pretty fast even when they are really busy.
(5)James H.
Here on a Sunday for brunch. An hour wait so went to Starbucks for coffee. Had the chicken and waffles, they were awesome! The eggs benedict was ok. The French toast with berries was great! Well worth the wait.
(4)Nicole L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Seriously, best french toast I've ever had (we ordered the caramel). And the veggies in my omelet were so fresh and delicious. I was seated right away, despite it being a busy morning. Sundays usually have a long wait, so I suggest going during the week or on Saturday. The staff was very friendly and welcoming, and there was always someone coming to fill my coffee or water. They could improve the decorations, but that doesn't matter to me. If anything it made the quality service seem as a very pleasant surprise.
(5)Shivika J.
French toast flight was delicious. All of the flavors were so good, I could not choose a favorite. Crab omelet was decent, however I would highly recommend adding some Old Bay Seasoning to add some flavor to it. Disappointed that the omelet was $16, especially since there was not enough crabmeat to justify $16. Hashbrowns were delicious! Wished I had known it was BYOB...
(3)Mindy T.
I have been meaning to review this place for a while. I am not a regular Yelp-er, but this place needs to be experienced! I will try to keep this short and sweet just like Batter and Berries. The wait was a little long but the chef came outside and was sure to address the crowd and say that he appreciated our patience and that he promised it was "worth the wait"...and it truly was. We started with the French Toast Flight. I am crazy for syrup on anything and this is the first time in my life that I did not need to add anything to this amazing french toast. My favorite, which was a special that day, was the Mimosa French Toast. Divine! Then we ordered the Cluck and Guff and the "Arthur". Both very good and worth the wait. The portioning was great as well. We were able to take a little home for a little late afternoon snack. Our service was as delightful as the food. We will be back to try other dishes at Batter and Berries. It is a bit of Southern hospitality in the hard edge that is the city of Chicago. Congrats! Keep up the good work and creativity!
(5)Andrea B.
It's kind of ridiculous that I've been to this place 4 times in 6 weeks ... But I have. Always consider ordering the French toast special. The chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle is other-wordly. The homemade flavored butter adds a wonderful touch to everything. Service has been great every time I've been, and I appreciate the Chef and manager coming out to say hi from time to time. AND it's BYOB?! I love B&B! Prepare yourself.
(5)Dr Keith W.
Went with three guest and was amazed. People wait for the great experience of food and the atmosphere. It was an amazing experience and the owner comes and welcomes guest to his extended home. THE service is truly on point. We had to share plates just to enjoyable the delectable presentations and taste this amazing experience. Thank you can not wait to return.
(5)Pandora A.
Very nice staff who made sure to get me seated within a reasonable amount of time. Once seated, I found my waiter to be unhelpful and rushed. He almost seemed annoyed by my wanting extra time with the menu. I should've left when I realized the waiter sucked. Instead, I brushed him off with hopes of great food to come. I decided to order the chicken with sweet potato waffle. I'm no chicken and waffle connoisseur, but my meal left much to be desired. The meal overall wasn't hot. And the waffle can be best described as bland, doughy, and overstuffed with pieces of room temperature chicken. The fried chicken was decent, but nothing special. Overall, I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food wasn't even mediocre. And I'm pretty sure they leave food sitting out that's already prepared until someone orders it. That's the only logical explanation for fried chicken that's room temperature. I won't be coming back. I guess the next time I want chicken and waffles, I'll catch a flight to LA and visit Roscoe's on Pico.
(2)C J.
The food was great and I will definitely come back again! We went on a Sunday morning and the wait to be seated was an hour but it was well worth it. The place is not that big so I can see why the wait time can be very long. I had the french toast float and chicken sausage. I'll go back just for those two items! And it's BYOB too!
(4)Christian V.
I love this place! From the friendly and welcoming staff, to the amazing homemade treats, this place is great. The chef came out to check on us as well as one of the owners. Our server was a lot of fun keeping us on our toes with riddles. I highly recommend the Cluck-n-gaufre(chicken and waffles) and the French Toast flight. Everything is pretty much made in house from chicken sausage to an amazing maple butter. The French toast of the week, Snickers was amazing. I will be back!
(5)Aaron F.
My friend and I came here and ordered/split a super flight french toast. And then ordered another. 26 bucks. I'm not a french toast expert, but this stuff was better than anything i've ever tried to make/have ordered, nice. Chef was a cool guy. As a 19 y/o I never had anyone come up to me other than my server, nice. I dk why people complain about the layout. There were chairs that we sat on, and tables that we ate on. It was clean. Nice. -1 because our server was okay, whatever..lol.
(4)Ash H.
I can't stay away the food is fresh, and it taste heavenly not to mention I'm big on customer service and so are they please stop by and treat someone you love to some food made with love.
(5)Tony G.
Had the French toast flight which was absolutely incredible! Got the flight that included the special which happened to be the rum and coke which was delicious and cooked to perfection! Service was fast and incredibly friendly! Will definitely return!
(4)Wilbert M.
After waiting over 30 minutes for table we were anticipating an extraordinary breakfast. Unfortunately, the food was inedible and the prices was too expensive for the quality of food served. We will not be going back.
(1)Tasha F.
I went here two weeks ago on my b-day. It was about 10am and the line was out the door, so imagine my surprise when we were seated immediately. See, it's a reason that I don't travel in packs ;-) The atmosphere was bright and loud. When I say loud, we could not hear each other or the waitress telling us about the specials. The din of the voices and the house music and the high ceilings makes for an acoustic nightmare. We ordered the sweet potato chicken and waffle to split, she got a chicken sandwich and I, the traditional breakfast. The manager stopped by to chat and said he would stop by to see how we liked it before we left, that didn't happen. The sweet potato pancake was awesome, and I am not a waffle fan. I asked for extra napkins and butter and never got them. I asked for them at separate times. The chicken was tasty, my daughter loved her fries, said they were the best she'd ever had. The traditional breakfast was meh. The temperature was luke-warm as if it had been sitting. The hash browns were like a mush, the bacon was decent. I had asked for my eggs, over hard, I cannot stand runny yolk. What did I get? Medium. When I showed her, she asked me did I want them cooked more? She said it in a way that I should say no. Now it is my policy not to send back food..all those well-done steaks I get, when I ask for medium, I eat. But I cannot abide runny yolks and it was my birthday and I was going to have what I asked for. I'm thinking, I would like some new eggs, but I sat as she got a little plate and scraped the egg off my plate, leaving the gross yolk. They did bring new eggs with dried parsley flakes splashed across the top, which I could not get off, so that ruined it for me. The coffee was good with real cream. I love when you get real cream in a little creamer. I would not return unless I was in the neighborhood and it was before the morning rush.
(4)Rebecca C.
The food here was absolutely delicious. We tried the flight of French toast, which is great if you're a French toast junkie like me and want to try all the different kinds. We also tried the hash browns, i don't know if ill ever be able to eat them without cheese again. Overall good service, but a little slow. I will definitely be back!
(4)Patrick C.
Was there this past weekend and plan on going back. the service was good, food was unique and REALLY good. I like the feel of the place and loved the fact that the chef/owner came out to welcome us and ask for feedback. You have to feel good about a guy asking for your biz, asking for you feedback.
(5)Katherine F.
This place has wonderful food and excellent service. Try the flight of French toast or the cluck and gravy. Loose leaf tea selection is excellent as well.
(5)elizabeth b.
Great food.. had the french toast flight with the, oh so yummy, maple infused butter (lemon was amazing!) and the deconstructed omelet (veggies on top!). Both were fresh with flavorful ingredients, not too much cheese or salt overpowering the food! Oh, and the homemade hash browns.. were super tasty too! Service was friendly and quick!
(5)Nelson C.
very good, hope they stick around as they'll be part of the rotation for breakfast. tasted like some home cooking....yummm. everything was noticeably fresh tasting. chicken and goof...good stuff. recommend some of their fresh baked goods too!
(4)Apollo T.
Overall, the food is OK for a brunch place; nothing spectacular. The lemon French toast is good, but everything else is just average. Nothing on the menu is a standout and all the food taste pretty blah. The omelets are particularly bad: they're like an overcooked Denny's omelet - belch! (And those are really gross!) On my 2nd visit, I didn't bother to start or finish the omelet - I had it removed. I gave the place 3 visits. There are other, better places to eat. Service, however, is an absolute nightmare - by the maitre d, the wait-staff, and by Donald, the manager. In my final visit, I came as a single person and watched as my name was obviously and intentionally overlooked as the maitre d repeatedly seated individuals who signed in after me. Her feedback: "We can seat 2 at a table for 4, but not 1 at a table for 2 when it's busy." That made NO sense considering it was late on a Sunday and it wasn't busy. I purposely arrived later in the day to avoid the long wait. I brought this to the attention of Donald and he just looked at me as though I were speaking French. The guy is totally useless. The maitre d: If you're not careful, she'll seat you at the worst possible table: right near the bathrooms. On my 2 initial visits with a friend, she wanted to place us near the bathroom when other two-person tables were available. Go figure. The wait-staff: For all 3 visits, I had to ask for things: more water, silverware, syrup for the French toast, napkins. On the 1st and 2nd visits (when the omelet didn't work out), I asked for soft scrambled eggs. Each time they came back hard as a rock. I asked the wait-person if that looked like a soft scramble and each time it was "They look OK to me." When I asked if they knew the difference between a hard scramble or a soft scramble, the first wait-person said no and the second one shrugged her shoulders. I accept that it's the kitchen's fault, but I recall each wait-person had a hard time with "runny, half-cooked eggs." Both times I brought this to the attention of Donald. He says a lot without saying anything: "I understand. We try to give customers the best service," etc., etc., ad nauseum. It was like hearing a recording. He even admits the kitchen staff are challenged on how to execute a soft scramble. Really?! And getting the check on all 3 visits was an effort in futility. Once they serve the food, they're gone! Not a big place, but it's challenging to track down the primary wait-person. If you want me to wait for an hour or longer for average brunch food, it definitely will NOT be Batter & Berries. I'm done. After 3 visits, I won't be back. But, good luck to them. They seem to be popular and I'm sure they'll survive without my contributions.
(2)Lindsey M.
Went for lunch today and was AMAZED. The waitress insisted we made no changes or add-ons to our food at the demand of the chef and I was not expecting to be proven so right. We ordered the french toast flight which comes with lemon, blueberry, strawberry, and plain french toast as an "appetizer" and it was so delicious with the maple butter and I'm so glad I didn't add syrup. I also had the BBQ chicken sandwhich, which was good as well, but the herb fries were to die for (esp bc I love super seasoned food). Def going back!
(5)Anna C.
My husband and I went to eat breakfast at this location because we bought a restaurant.com gift certificate. We sat down and I ordered the french toast flight and my husband ordered the chicken and waffles. We thought our food was quite good and would be willing to come back. However when we received our bill we were told by our server that the establishment was no longer taking the gift certificates and that we had to present the certificate before we sat down. We looked on the paper and no where does it say that we had to mention it before we ordered. We asked to speak with the manager, which he later came to the table to discuss the issue. He told us they no longer accepted the gift certificates any longer and did not do a thing to make the situation better. This place has poor customer service and even after speaking with the manager found that they do not know how to treat their customers. Needless to say, we will not be going back and they will say anything to make a few extra bucks. On our way out, we asked to speak with the manager again about the situation. The manager explained that no one in their business signed up for restaurant.com and that restaurant.com put the gift certificates online without permission from the establishment. When we spoke with him a few minutes earlier about the issue he never mentioned that and simply said that they were no longer accepting the gift certificates. It seems like they are changing their story so they do not have to give the discount and are will to lose customers over a few extra dollars.
(1)EC C.
Love this place. Great atmosphere, Owner is amazing guy, & the food... Well there is none like it. Food is the best. Thanks for being available.
(5)Tal C.
Really 3.5 stars but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now because it's new. Solid new breakfast place in Lakeview. The menu is mainly french toast and belgian waffles, with some deconstructed omelettes and sides. I got the deconstructed spinach omelette, my husband got the fried chicken and waffles, and we split a flight of french toast (1 of each of the 4 flavors). The french toast really is amazing and definitely worth going back for. It's made with homemade batter so each kind really tastes fresh and different rather than just a piece of regular french toast with flavored sauce on it. My husband really like the fried chicken and chicken-stuffed waffles but said the chicken in the waffles was kind of weird. The deconstructed omelette is just okay- I really think they need to step it up a bit in their egg department and offer their omelettes also as scrambles, and also have a build your own omelette option. Either way, I know that putting the toppings on top of the omelette makes it easier to make the omelette, but it is a lot more difficult to eat- everything just fell out. Overall though, good food, service was efficient and friendly, reasonable prices, and best of all, no wait. Go for the french toast though, it's awesome.
(4)Miriam M.
How amazing is Batter & Berries? It is extraordinary. It is totally worth missing an extra hour of sleep to get there early to ensure you get a table without waiting a long time to be seated. The french toast flight is not to be missed, but always upgrade to the Super Flight! The food is exceptional. I took my husband and teenagers and they loved it. I went back a few weeks later with my girlfriends and their daughters for a mom and daughter outing and it was fun and the experience was still just as great. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Tussimee is not to be missed. He is the best waiter we have ever, ever had the pleasure of dining with. Take everyone you know, they will love you for it. This restaurant is not be missed.
(5)r.v. s.
Seriously? $75 for a family of 4 (with two small kids) to eat a so-so breakfast? The waiter pushed the extra kiwi french toast on us on St Patrick's Day-- bleah..!Coffee was bleah... And the service was sloooooow. Nothing stellar or stand-out, and once the place gets going, the small space is not for the claustrophobic. The lemon french toast was good, though...
(2)Amanda W.
Just opening up but the place is decent. They still need to work on a couple of kinks. Serve breakfast and lunch all day. *Lemon French Toast: Yes! If you like lemon, get it. The french toast looks like normal french toast but the inside is super moist with almost a creamy lemony center. Lemon zest on top, served with walnuts (tasted like candied walnuts) and lemon maple butter. My only gripe was that it wasn't warm by the time we got it. I think they timed it wrong since it came out at the same time as our other dish (which was warm) but this would have tasted better if they had found a way to keep warm until they brought it out to serve. *Tempura battered Fish and Chips:Light and crisp outside, very flavorful, big hunks of fish cooked well. The fries had a little too much seasoning for my taste but I enjoyed whatever they used to season them Not my #1 brunch place but I would definitely go back...especially for that lemon french toast.
(3)Bonnie A.
Everything was really good. I came here for a birthday brunch with a few friends and we all shared each other's food. The french toast was FABulous! I really like the fact that the french toast was designed to not need extra condiments. It was a very French-like thing to do like it is considered rude to ask for A1 sauce for your steak. A friend ordered filet mignon and it sounds odd to say this but it was definitely one of the better filet mignon I've had and this is a brunch place!! The artwork hanging on the walls were intriguing too, not the usual artwork with paint splattered all over the canvas and selling for $400-500.
(4)stephanie s.
Wait was supposed to be 15 minutes... 80 minutes later sat down for our meal! Food was not great; 2 of my friends spent the majority of the afternoon in the bathroom. Will not be returning.
(2)Kara S.
So I just got back from Batter and Berries and I wish I could give this place 0 stars.....where do I begin? How about the disgusting looks we received once we walked into the door as if we didn't belong in the Lincoln Park area. The hostess acted as if she was hesitant to sit us as if we would run out on the check or something. We were seated and we waited about 20 minutes for our waitress Nadine to come. We continuously were looking at our waitress and she finally looked at us and said she would be with us. But of course before she came to our table she stopped at the couple's table that was there way after us to take their order. I was pissed and I wanted to leave but my friends and I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Their order came out and guess what....my order didn't. I sat for about 20 minutes without food. I was upset, an it got the point where I didn't even want my food. Nadine the waitress insisted on me trying my food and bought it out anyway 15 minutes later. I got it and it was nothing to brag about. At the end of our meal I asked for the manager, he took his time to come over but when Don came by I was glad to share my dining experience with him. While I was telling what happened and how his bust boys were using our table as if it was cleaning station he just looked at me as I was wasting his time. Homeboy had the audacity to offer my friends and I a $5 gift certificate for "our troubles" for our $70.00 bill. Sorry Don you will not insult me so you can keep your measly $5 gift certificate. I have never in life been treated by someone of my own race the way I was. Whenever I spend money with other cultures I am treated with way more respect and they are more accomandatining. I will never visit Batter and Berries ever again in life. I used to think it was truly sad when I would hear African Americans say they don't support black businesses but after my experience at Batter and Berries with the hostess, Nadine, and the manager Don I now understand their reasoning....never again will I visit this establishment
(1)Missy C.
Expensive. The buttermilk pancakes sweet times ten! Only butter is maple flavored which is also over sweet. Waiter advised chicken sausage sweet. Eggs are like egg beaters.....definitely not fresh. If you like it loud and sweet this is your joint. The plate had some pretty berries that I enjoyed. Coffee good. Waiter very loud, friendly but in attentive to necessary details....my friend didn't have water and my eggs were delivered after I had almost finished my pancakes.
(2)Ashley N.
Great food, great service!!!! Please come to the southside!!!!
(5)Tiff B.
The wait on the weekends is brutal, but no worse than other brunch hot spots in the city. It's worth it for the delicious caramel french toast. My husband loves the chicken and waffles dish and they play awesome music to boot. The owner and manager are both very friendly and are always walking around greeting the customers. I'm not sure if the lunch menu items are any good, but if you stick with the french toast, you can't go wrong.
(5)Katherine H.
Let me explain why I gave this place 5 stars: Service: We had Sam - he was tentative, prompt, knew the specials, nice, and quick. He weren't overly nice (like fake-nice), we didn't have to wait too long to take our order or receive any refills, food, or extras. Your server is not the only one who will be paying attention to your table - the hostess cleared our table as she was walking by. The owner was walking around pouring coffee (we had already gotten coffee, but he still stopped by our table). I give extra props to the owner for walking around to almost every table and asking how their food is, how they are doing, if they have any questions, etc. You can tell he is proud of his product and restaurant, as he should be. Even the chefs were walking around, serving food and asking about their product. It was a great sight. Wait/seating: We did go for brunch on a Sunday at 12:45. We were told our wait (for 2 people) would be around 30-45 minutes. We were seated promptly before 1 - so about 15 minutes, not bad at all. They have the option to either sit at a normal table or a community-style table (when seats become available). We were sat at a normal two-top. There isn't a lot of waiting space, but service goes quickly so as long as you don't come in with a big party, I feel like you'll easily get a table within the wait time (if not quicker). Seating is a little cramped, but not as bad as some brunch places I've been to. Food: I was very impressed by the options on the menu - they had both a breakfast and a lunch side, which is good for brunch-goers who may not necessarily want breakfast-style food at the time. Most of the options on the breakfast side were traditional breakfast items with a twist, which I liked. At our table we had the buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries and homemade maple butter, cheese-crusted hash browns, homemade pork sausage, and chicken with sweet potato waffles. The menu explicitly states that things like salt, pepper, and syrup are available upon request, but they recommend trying it how the chef prepares it - which we did. My pancakes were soft, fluffy, and a little crispy around the edges - just how I like them. There was a little lemon-zest in the batter, which added a great depth to the flavor - not your original, plain buttermilk pancake. The maple butter really complimented the pancakes and the combination of butter, powdered sugar, and berries made the need for syrup nonexistent. The pork sausage was good - not the best I've had - but the flavor was really fresh and not overpowering and really complimented both of our meals well. The hash browns were perfect - I aways feel the need to add salt/pepper to my hash browns when I go out, but not this time! My boyfriend's sweet potato waffles were delicious - and I am very picky about waffles (they were really soft, almost like a pancake, that's why I liked them). They had maple butter as well and the chicken - breast, lightly breaded, with homemade hot sauce on top - really went well with the waffles. A perfect combination. Long story short, I highly recommend this place. I will go back, but never with a party larger than 4 people if I go on a weekend. I'm happy to have a small, unique place with a tentative staff, owner, and chefs in our neighborhood. So far my favorite brunch place in Chicago.
(5)Ndh H.
French toast is out of bounds! I'm a HUGE french toast lover & this is by far the best I've ever had. I had the blueberry & others had the carmel. Both were great but that carmel was excellent, not too sweet like I expected. I love chicken sausage but this was quite bland. If I were in a blind taste test I would never had guessed that it was supposed to be sausage. It's missing the much needed thyme, fennel, sage & red pepper flakes. Tasted like a plain chicken burger so it definitely needs some work. This is a rather tight space so I'd suggest parties of 4 or smaller & if you're going for breakfast..GO EARLY or you will be waiting. The chef came out to see how service was, that was very welcoming. And yes I told him about the sausage! :)
(4)Rachel B.
Waking up "early" on a Sunday wondering where to get some grub. We're visiting friends who just moved into Lakeview, so Lincoln Park was en route and a colleague said how great Batter and Berries was. For a table of 2, we waited less than 5 min - note: before 10am. I got the cluck n gaufre( chicken and sweet potato waffle) - AMAZING! My husband got the deconstructed spinach omelet and it was great, too. Friendly wait service and awesome food, parking is free on Sundays, too.... we'll be here again!!
(5)Dm32 M.
4 friends and I waited 1 hr 45 mn outside to be seated. The foolishness behind this wait time was 5 people in our goup, so we had to wait until a group of five left. So in the mean time groups of 4, 3 and were seated before us. To add insult to injury the table size was the same!!! Also we couldn't change any of the ingredients of our meal, but food was ok.
(1)Lanell R.
Some of the best Chx and waffle you can find. Get therr early, it gets packed.
(4)Cam L.
This is a nice breakfast place with a friendly staff and a good atmosphere. The food was pretty good and they tried to bring a good spin on breakfast food (deconstructed omelettes, etc.). The main sticking point was trying to serve patrons food that didn't need anything extra like condiments or salt/pepper. Give it a try.
(3)Dawna G.
Great breakfast even if you don't get the french toast! I had the deconstructed spinach omelette and added chicken sausage on top. It comes with a tasty sauce on it. What's great about it is you can see all of the ingredients, they're all very fresh and you get generous portions. My father had the chicken fajita omelette with some hot sauce on it. Colorful bell peppers, thick slices of onion and chicken, really good and flavorful. The homemade chicken sausage is a must order side. We also tried the french toast. We're not big waffle/pancake/french toast fans but we loved the mocha french toast with mocha butter on it. The service was great--we came on a weekday so perhaps not a real "test" for service. The owner came out and greeted us and others and asked us about the food. Will definitely be back.
(5)Sara C.
Excellent waffle flight and crab omelet. Would recommend - outstanding breakfast find!
(5)Zara H.
Went here for the first time today and both hubs and I loved it. Considering it was prime Sunday brunch time (11 a.m.), we expected a long wait when we saw a huge crowd outside. We were quoted 35-40 mins, but somehow were seated after only 13 mins. During our wait outside, chef Rylon came outside & told everyone about the specials that day - which I thought was super cute because you could tell how excited he was and that he truly loves what he does. Our server was super friendly & our food came fairly quickly. I had the french toast flight (lemon, caramel, strawberry & blueberry) along with the cheesy hashbrowns. Hubs ordered the banana nut belgigue (waffle) and homemade chicken sausage. Everything was delicious - this definitely makes our list of top brunch spots in the city.
(5)Kisha N.
So this is my first review and I must say I had an amazing experience. I saw this place on a friends IG page and thought I would give it a try. It was my sons 19th bday yesterday so we did brunch here. Upon arriving, the first thing I noticed was the 20 people outside waiting for a seat. REALLY?!?! I went ahead and put my name on the list anyway. Standing outside, the establishment had juice outside for everyone to drink. It was delicious and free. ( yall know I love free). As your name came up on the list, the little cute server came outside and called your name with the biggest voice Ive ever heard on a little lady. You could be a block away and hear her. Finally, the cook came out twice while I was waiting to ensure that everyone was doing fine and had no complaints or concerns. Very nice touch. Now on to the food.. AMAZINGGG.....I had the french toast flight and it was like heaven in your mouth. They served it with this homemade butter ( I forget the flavor) that I could have eaten by itself. The french toast had unique flavors that required no syrup. I was ready to vomit from being so full. My son tried the chicken and waffles and could not stop eating. Now for the highlight of my meal....( drum roll please.....pause for effect....) my server. I think his name was Tunami. He was the most personable, knowledgable, helpful, considerate, and funniest hostesses I have run into. He was always there to tell you a funny joke and had the place lively. You would think it would be a distraction but it was quite the opposite. I will definately return. I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the hour long wait, but it was worth it! Kudos.....
(4)Sean P.
The food is outstanding. The menu has some really unique, creative things on it. The chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle was really good. THE FRENCH TOAST is the best I have ever had. When I go with friends we order a flight as a appetizer then each order our own meal. The guy that owns the place is so nice and comes out and talks to people. I would like to see the service get better. When I go to a restaurant, I really appreciate when there is at least some sense of urgency to help the customer, and I didn't get that either time I have been here. 4 stars because the food is that good.
(4)Lavon K.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! We went on a Sunday at 11:15 and waited 1.5 hours and as I saw the food coming out to other customers I thought, it's not very fancy looking with ruffles and sparkles so how in the world is this place so packed with people WILLING to wait 1.5 to 2 hours. Well, when we sat down I knew exactly why! Our waitress was very patient and helpful. She explained the specials using an iPad. Genius! You were able to see exactly what your food will look like when it comes. No guess work. No disappointment. No, uhh waitress can you take this back, this isn't what I thought it was gonna look like. There were five of us. I ordered the super flight. The extra French toast was mimosa French toast. YUMMERS!! Our table ordered the sweet potato hash browns, regular French toast flight, ham, egg and cheese sandwich, caramel French toast, apple cinnamon waffle, eggs, cheese crusted hash browns and coffee. Every single thing I tried was a winner!! No frills, no thrills, no ruffles and no sprinkles -- just good food. The owner walks around quiet and proud of his accomplishment which I admired. We would happily go back.
(5)Abby E.
French Toast flight is heavenly. Not as good for large parties as I'd thought, but very kid friendly and the owner is incredibly hands on and nice. I'd go back!
(4)Dina E.
Went on a Tuesday morning at 10 am, was greeted by a friendly hostess and seated right away. The waitress was very helpful and explained the menu. We ordered a flight of french toast, (the best we've ever had) and I normally don't like french toast. It was crisp and flavorful. We also ordered an entree from the specials, a delicious egg white shrimp scampi omelete with hashbrowns and chicken and waffles. This was the best egg white omelete I've ever had and the garlic sauce was light, creamy and superb! My husband raved over the chicken and the waffle had a wonderful, nutmeg flavor and was prepared perfectly. I was thriilled with the variety of loose leaf teas offered. Everything was served hot and plated beautifully. I will be back next week and will bring friends! Go and go often! It was well worth the one hour drive from the burbs. Street parking is ample during the morning on weekdays.
(5)Brandice S.
My second time at this place... I gave it a second chance even though our 1st experience started with a rude hostess that did not want to honor our request for a four top... Understandable considering we were a party of 2. She told us we couldn't sit there unless we had 3-4 people in our party which was fine until we looked around and saw multiple 4tops filled with 2 people. Whatever the food was good. So now a month later we go again and yet again was met with a little rudeness from the same hostess. When she was asked if we wait outside for our name to be called how will we know our table is ready..... Like to me that is a simple question but I guess she was asked that too many times and got frustrated by it. This time our food tasted like they rushed to prepare it... Not overly satisfied.
(2)Nicole M.
Great service! Delicious food! Loved the French toast flight :-)
(4)Dayna R.
Had the Deconstructed Spinach Omelet topped w/mushrooms, Swiss cheese & a spinach-mushroom sauce (added grilled onions) w/the B&B Cheesy Omlette & Chicken Sausage. My meal was DEE*LISH! Be sure to try a flight of French toast (including strawberry, blueberry, lemon & caramel) as an appetizer if you go w/a large group. It included the standard Challah bread drenched in each flavorFILLED tasty mixtures, then griddled to perfection & served w/delightful garnishes. LOVE the option to BYOB to construct Mimosas on weekend. Chef Rylon came by our table to check on how we enjoyed our meal and our host and waitress were very attentive as well! It was an AWESOME foodie experience! We will definitely be visiting again!
(5)Susan M.
This adorable place just opened next to my office and I LOVE it!! The chef/owner is always around to great you and answer questions. Today I had an amazing fresh and yummy egg white omelet with mushrooms and spinach -would have it again tomorrow! I also had the ceased chicken wrap last week and that was terrific too! Show up and support this great new neighborhood gem!
(5)Amy L.
I came here for the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken... and I left still starving. Why you ask? I'm not sure what happened. I would give this place a solid 3.5 stars if I could but I've rounded down for this one because I left still hungry... Came here with a group of 5.. 3 of us including me ordered the sweet potato waffle and fried chicken. My friends waffle came out superb, light fluffy and sweet with the chicken pieces inside. Mine... dense, slightly browned, and not so good. In fact I only ate the chicken and left my waffle because it just didn't taste right to me. In the end they didn't charge me for my dish but I think I would have preferred them to have gotten it right instead of me leaving just as hungry as I went in. I also tried the sweet potato hash, I guess I was expecting something on the salty side but instead I got something overly sweet so I wasn't a fan. There was definitely a big crowd for this neighborhood establishment, we waited for about 30 minutes but they were very good with service. Someone told me their french toast flights were also very good, maybe it was just a fluke with my waffle but its enuogh to deter me away for a while.
(3)Michael L.
Not bad food. Didn't like the server too much but it won't discourage me to come back
(4)John C.
Nice staff , good neighborhood, food was okay, broccoli an cheese omelet was bland potatoes under cooked. Sweet potato waffle was good flavor but was soggy with 2 little pieces of chicken, chicken breast was very good.would not travel to this restaurant may go there if I was walking past.
(2)J U.
Pancakes don't need syrup... 'Nuff said!
(5)C L.
Come here for the French toast flight. Best French toast I have ever had in my life. The other breakfast items we ordered were not bad, but nothing to rave about either. The Place is loud but nothing matters when that French toast arrives. It's insane how delicious they are, they will not disappoint.
(4)Charlene A.
My sister introduced me & a friend to this place last weekend when we met up with a friend who is expecting twins! Meter parking on a Sunday was decent. This place is a pretty good size. The atmosphere is casual & vibrant with a great selection of music playing throughout. Onto the food! I had the french toast flight special which gave a strawberry, a blueberry, a lemon, caramel & their special of the weekend- a coconut French toast!! YUM!!! I also ordered their house made chicken sausage, which was very tasty. Our server - don't remember his name :/ but I'll call him the "riddle man" was very nice & friendly & would come by with some funny riddles. The chef makes himself present & visits each table to see how the food is which was nice. Every weekend the chef said they will have a new flavor of French toast so I definitely want to go back & try them! Overall I think it's a great new place that is definitely worth checking out!
(5)Vanessa J.
My new favourite breakfast place. The flight of flavourful French Toast is a must to perk up the morning pallet. I wanted something different and the crab omelette hit the spot. It was light and fluffy with the right amount of zucchini, cheese and onions. This was my 3rd time and the wait for a seat is well worth it. The chef always greets the crowd and the waiting customers. I am very pleased again!
(5)Marcia B.
Waited over an hour on saturday around 1pm...but it was worth it for the french toast, best french toast I ever had in my life! i forget the name..I think they put graham crackers on it . I will definitely be back :)
(4)Camille W.
I went here for brunch last Sunday with a group of six. I feel that several of their service kinks have been worked out. Service was phenomenal. The waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and made great suggestions. Our table ordered lemon and blueberry frenchtoast, a French toast flight, chicken and waffles, a classic and a breakfast sandwhich. About twenty minutes later the food came out together and hot. I was impressed with the wait time as they seemed to be quite busy. The waiter was also very attentive in filling up our water and coffee throughout the entire time. The chef/owner came out to chat with us and the rest of the tables which was a nice touch. It is true that they do not serve standard breakfast condiments because the chef believes in creating flavorful dishes that don't require extras. I can respect that. And if you ask for salt, syrup, or whatever, they are happy to give it to you. We were all very pleased and impressed with our experience at Batter and Berries and plan to become regulars for their French toast.
(5)Alicia S.
Great customer service and wonderful food!!! I had the chicken and waffle and my SIL had the biscuits and gravy...both were delicious!! My 2.5 yo daughter was with us and they were very accommodating, bringing her fruit while we waited for our table and small toys once we were seated. We will definitely be back really soon!!
(5)Will M.
Fast and VERY friendly service. The French toast and bacon seems like it was made earlier in the morning and warmed to serve. Go for the service and variety.
(4)Awilda G.
This should actually be a 1 1/2 star and its based on the food being good, but our overall experience was not good at all. I was really excited to go hear because it was highly recommended. As I also do I check out the menu and base my decision to go on what is served on the menu. What follows is our experience based on overall experience, aesthetics and food. Aesthetics: Nice colors vibrant, unfortunately the restaurant is small and the floor plan is not conducive to the volume of people. First you enter and you leave your name with the hostess which the area interferes because of the high volume of people in the area. You are told to either wait outside or they have a waiting area. We decided to wait in the waiting area (this is where it gets interesting) the waiting area is in the middle of the restaurant in front of the bathrooms. First that is the worst area for waiting, the volume of people going to the bathroom and the serves going the kitchen is too much for such a small waiting area. Personally the waiting area should be in the front where they have two areas with tables. Second there should be less two people tables, this made it difficult to seat parties over two. Third there is a cabinet at the back where they keep their supplies they have to tell the person sitting in front of that area to move so they can get things. The supplies should not be in the eating area. We finally were seated after an hour unfortunately the hostess is not very organized and other people were being seated before us that came after. The are we were seated at was the hostess area and again there were so many people in the area that our view were peoples butts by our table not a pleasant way to eat your food. Food: I had the Flight of French toast, it was good but I expected a little more, they all tasted like they were made from the same batter and then different sauces on them, I expected the different taste be infused in the french toast. I also had the sweet potato hash, which I did not like, it was bland and my food was a bit cool, I like my breakfast hot off the pan. My daughter had the caramelized banana waffles (belique) it was good overall, she felt it had a slight burnt marshmallow taste which she didn't mind it just seemed a bit off. My boyfriend had the Chicken and Waffles. It was good but a few things were a bit different. The waffles were served with no maple syrup, they also had pieces of chicken inside the waffle which made some of the pieces a bit harder and dry, the chicken breast was good but a hot sauce was poured over it and it infused in the waffle. Bacon was good, coffee was ok and the tea was good. Overall because of the one hour wait and the experience that we had with the hostess, the waiting area and the unorganized layout of the dining and waiting area it was not a pleasant experience. We payed almost 60 dollars and the experience and food was not worth the 60 dollars, we had a much better experience at Bakin' and Eggs down the street and the food is much better and the service is great as well as Yolk. Both place less expensive. I will not be recommending this place nor will I be going back to Batter & Berries.
(1)Rachel B.
We went here for brunch this morning and it was delicious! I was craving a breakfast sandwich so that's what I ordered and it was really good. I got a side order of hash browns and they were okay. They would have been better with salt but there was none on the table and our waiter never came back to check on how we were doing. My boyfriend got the french toast sampler platter thing and it was delicious. I've never had flavored french toast before, but I tried each of his pieces. He liked the strawberry the best but I think the lemon was good, but actually they were all great! When we go back it's definitely what I'll be ordering! The decor of the restaurant is super adorable but the layout could pose problems. There's a raised bar like table in the center of the room and due to the fact that it is raised and the tables surrounding it are at the regular level, well let's just hope if any girls are wearing skirts, they're crossing their legs! Our waiter was very nice and friendly but, like I said, he never came back to see how we were doing after dropping off our food, aside from quickly filling my water once after I was done eating, so I never got the salt for my hash browns. Also, they take their orders on ipod touches which, while it's pretty cool, kind of seemed awkward, like he was texting someone while taking our order; I guess it's just new technology to get used to. Chef Rylon was out walking around and talking to everyone. He was very nice and friendly and it was really cool to meet him. Overall the restaurant was great. We will definitely be back but have to knock it down one for service.
(4)Julia R.
I know what a good breakfast is...with so many options in Chicago it is hard to choose! This is a place you MUST try and not only try but become a regular! Believe me!
(5)Jamie G.
My mouth has never been happier. French Toast super flight. Chicken and Waffles (there's actually bits of chicken IN the waffle!). Eggs Benedict. OMG. I'm still in the afterglow. Wish the space was larger with more bathrooms.
(4)J M.
After moving to the neighborhood over seven months ago, we finally made it to B&B. Perfect spot for Sunday brunch.
(5)Veronica L.
Went to this place for brunch with friends for the first time on St. Patrick's Day....the food was great and awesome service!!!
(5)Kris R.
sunday. our weekly family brunch. this was a new spot for us. me no likey all that much, unfortunately. me and the bro ordered the chicken and waffles. this is chicken-stuffed waffles with chicken on the side, in a spicy syrup. i gotta say, the waffle batter is more on the cakey/doughy/drier side. the chicken was white meat and dry. the spicy syrup was not too bad. it was tasty and a ton of flavor, but it was dry. disappointed. my nieces weren't havin' the pancakes and syrup. the reg syrup tasted weird to both of them, so they didn't eat much. oh and the batter had a ton of nutmeg. dude, easy on that. the server was nice. decor is strange. one thing they do have down - the hashbrowns. they were the shit.
(2)Evelyn H.
My boyfriend and I decided to give this place a try on a Saturday afternoon and came in with the expectation to wait a bit for a table. The long wait time that other reviewers mention is definitely true on a weekend. We ended up waiting a little over an hour when we had originally been quoted the wait time to be "45 minutes or less". It might also be true that those with bigger parties get seated first and if I ever plan to come again, I'm going to find a third or fourth person to string along or maybe even try and join forces with another party of 2. :P Anyway, the food was pretty good and came out extremely quick. I love cheese, so I was I happy to see so much gooey cheese in the midst of my deconstructed omelet and in my hash browns. No complaints there. My boyfriend's dish came with fries and those were delicious as well. There was however, one slight issue with the service. My boyfriend had asked for a soda when we first placed our order but when our meals came, his drink didn't arrive along with it. Our server came by once, to hurriedly drop off some ketchup and hot sauce and didn't come back until we had finished our meal. When she came with the check at the end of the meal, she said something to the effect of "I never brought you your drink so of course I didn't add it on your check", chuckled, and left. Seriously? She honestly shouldn't have even mentioned it because at that point, we had just about given her the benefit of the doubt that she might have forgotten about it. An apology or offering a free drink next visit or somethingggg would have been a nice attempt at saving the situation (even if she had brought the drink out midway through the meal would have worked) instead of just pointing out the mistake and not providing any sort of remedy for it.
(3)Ryan S.
We were down from Madison visiting my brother and his wife in Lakeview East. We've been unimpressed with some of their area breakfast joints in the past, as have they, so we Yelped around for a bit. This was one they hadn't heard of, so we headed down. Right off the bat the server was great and offered up a few riddles while we browsed the menu. The chef came out and said hello, and told us how blown away we would be by the food. And yes, the food... We ordered a "French Toast SuperFlight" for the table, which is all of the french toast offerings on the menu + the special, which that day was a banana brulée... We could have probably stopped there; when they arrived we devoured it like a pack of wild dingos. Everyone had their favorite, but a big hit was the pecan toast, which was an imitation and then improvement over the concept of a pecan bun. My wife was a bit bored by the biscuits & gravy (so was I) but if we hadn't had had the french toast first, I doubt we would have felt the same. It was a good solid version. I'm always willing to judge a place by it's chicken and waffles (Hearty Boys wasn't so great) and have had some great incarnations of this in the past, and this was definitely one of the best and most interesting. As other reviewers have noted, there is chicken IN the waffle and it's served alongside a wonderfully breaded chicken with a spicy syrup/sauce. It was amazing. Just go... This place needs to be in business by the time we get back to Chicago!
(5)Kupkake G.
Can someone say delicious? I absolutely love this place. Not just food it's an experience. Yumtastic!!! I need more stars.
(5)Sheila C.
I'm sorry but - Don't believe the hype! First off, I went with my two daughters on a Monday morning thinking it wouldn't be too busy. It was. Getting in the door was a hassle because there's no room to come in. Then you get shouted at to come all the way in so the doors can close. But there's no where to go. The place is too small. We gave our name and was lead to the "waiting area". What a joke. It's in the middle of the restaurant and is only big enough for 6 people. There were already 6 people there so we, as well as about 10 others, were standing in the path of the servers, trying not to bump into them and vice versa. We finally got seated by the door (remember this is where the mob of people pretty much have to stand because the waiting area is full) and my daughter makes the comment that she loves looking at butts while eating...and there was a sea of them. Anyway, we all got the flights of French toast. We were not impressed. It tasted like regular toast with a drizzle of flavor. It was dry. The scrambled eggs were browned, the bacon wasn't cooked enough and I never got a refill on my coffee. Maybe we're not sophisticated enough but I wished I could have regurgitated the whole meal and gone to the Original House of Pancakes and had a satisfying breakfast for under $50 instead of the $72 I spent. Oh, yeah...The young lady who led us to the waiting area, acted like she just totally did not want to be there.
(2)Patricia M.
New and exciting menu! Chef is very creative and does great job marrying flavors! Nice place. Good service! I will return.
(4)Carmen B.
If you want good pancakes, visit this spot. I had the Buckwheat pancakes - not a high level of buckwheat in the batter (I like that), but I could clearly taste the flavor. Nice fruit accompaniments, a maple butter and maple syrup, which makes a difference to me. There was a mix of families with kids and adults. The staff was very nice, service was pretty quick and I enjoyed Sunday brunch. Next time I'll check out the omelets.
(3)Ryan C.
Visited Chicago for the weekend and this place was near by. The table couldn't decide what to get so we had 5 different breakfast items. Everything we had was delish. I have told everyone about this place and if I ever make it back to Chicago I am definitely making it back. Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle - Highly Recommend French Toast Flight - A must even if you get one to split. Hopefully they have the white chocolate peanut butter option Deconstructed Steak Omelet - Amazing and the cheesy hash browns are so good. Brunch is the time to go. Service when we went was great. Friendly, quick, and very knowledgeable. Thanks for the great food!
(5)Hana Y.
Great place for a girls' brunch and it's BYOB, so bring your mimosas!
(4)Abbie F.
This place was awesome! We had the super french toast, biscuits and gravy and eggs with bacon and hashbrowns. Our waitress was very nice and the food came out spaced out enough to fit on the table. I thought the biscuits and gravy was the best meal that we ate and my friend thought the French toast.
(5)Shaynee S.
A fabulous breakfast spot for you and whomever you would like to split that french toast flight with. Busy as can be and for good reason, this establishment is clearly chef driven and has certain brunch flare that appeals to the masses. Taking pride in their ever so famous french toast flights, Batter and Berries also has delectable savory menu items that will have you wanting more. Items that caught my eye where the chicken and waffles and the fajita omelette, but the crab Benedict special stole my heart. After indulging in a carefully crafted Crab Benedict, I had nothing but smiles and compliments to share. The quality and abundance of the crab in the Benedict was superb and well worth the price. Besides great food and a vast tea selection, the service was on point. Our server was attentive, personable, charismatic, and a hard worker. Many of those skills are already instilled in a successful individual, but to have a customer become fully aware of this shows a marking of a great establishment that not only makes good food, but treat their people well. People, just go. Have the french toast flight and be amazed because it'll happen.
(5)Bart S.
This was our 3rd visit. Came on a Sunday as they opened their doors at 8AM. Friendly staff, bus boy was great making sure the coffee cups were filled. The waitress was great, The food- was a major let down this visit. On our previous visit we had their broccoli cheddar omelette that was was uninspired. Our simple order of Buttermilk Pancakes and the French Toast sampler were just average at best. Had to ask the waitress for syrup. Isn't that something that should just be served with pancakes and French Toast? The pancakes were one turn away from being burned, the french toast sampler was ok,,,just ok. The thing that really upset me, was the order was a couple of degrees above room temperature. The place was not that busy, and the server couldn't get that food to our table piping hot off the grill? Come on. That's lame. It was a poor value for what we were served, but that's eating in Lincoln Park I suppose.
(1)Sonia A.
Because the food was so good, I went again with another friend. This time the service was spot-on AND the food was still yummy. I told my server that the last time I had come I had had bad service, so she had one of the manager come talk to me. The manager (the owner's sister-in-law) was so nice and personable. I really liked her and was happy that she was so concerned that I had had bad service. I will go again. I shared the crab omelette and a plate of lemon and the special french toast. Delicious.
(4)miss k.
Came here as a party of 4 plus an infant on Sunday and loved it. The restaurant was crowded and the waiting area (really, in a hallway in the back) was awkward and not very functional, especially with a small child in tow. There is NO room for strollers (and no place to lock outside). That being said, once we were seated, the service was great and the food DELICIOUS. The chicken & waffle dish is outstanding, and my husband devoured the french toast flight. I can't wait to come back and try more!
(4)B H.
Great new place on Lincoln. Wonderful fresh ingredients, house made sausage and pastry. Friendly owner and staff. Definitely worth a try.
(4)Andreea S.
*this is not a review about the food* we decided to go there for brunch yesterday (Sunday), but we ended up leaving half an hour into our waiting time given the hostess' rudeness! When I arrived, she didn't even look up from her phone to talk to me, she was checking her citibank account and texting with people that then she was writing down on the waiting list!!! I specifically saw her texting someone back telling them they were on the list after I saw her writing their name down. Yes, I know it's rude to look into people's phones, but I was a little impatient and was curious to see what was keeping her from noticing me...it's not like she was trying to hide her phone screen anyways. Eventually, some other customer talked to her over me to put his name down and that's when I spoke up that I was there first and she reluctantly wrote my name down and estimated the wait to 45 min-up to 1 hour. Half an hour later I went back to inquire about the wait estimate since we were getting kinda hungry and wanted to see if we should check out some other places, she gave me attitude about inquiring *just* half an hour later, and told to come back to ask after it's been at least 1 hour because she cannot estimate...isn't it a hostess' job to estimate the wait time? Does she just give random waiting times to customers? And what's up with the attitude? We've eaten at busy brunch places countless times, but the hostesses have always been apologetic about the wait, almost always getting called up for our table before the estimated wait time. Yes, the food matters, but being treated with respect also does!
(1)Shameka A.
Great food.... It was a long wait but it was worth it!!! Friendly staff and the owners come out to greet you.
(5)Rae M.
I absolutely loved everything about this restaurant, homemade food, awesome energy from the servers and amazing food. I will visit each and every time I'm in the area!!!
(5)Vincent W.
Coming here I had two expectations: delicious batter and berries galore. Unfortunately, Batter & Berries only came through on having tasty batter, but failed to deliver on my "berry" expectations. According to the menu, the pancakes I ordered were said to come with seasonal berries. I was disappointed when they arrived with one strawberry and literally ten blueberries. Not nine, not eleven - ten. Never mind the fact that the word berries is in the name of this establishment, compared to how similar dishes are served at other brunch places in the area - M Henrietta, Tweet, and Sola, to name a few - this just felt cheap. The batter of the pancakes was tasty - as was that of my girlfriend's waffle (she ordered the "goof") - but at the same time, her fried chicken was dry. My other complaint was the service. The host was not unfriendly, while at the same time being everything but friendly and welcoming. Add to that, we had to wait a few minutes for a table - not a big deal - but when we were seated we were surprised to find that we were sat at a communal table. That's not a big deal either, but it would have been nice to have been told this / given an option ahead of time. Our waitress was friendlier, but when our food took a long time (~20-25 mins) to come out (and indeed, several other two tops around us who ordered after us were served before us), I had to get her attention to find out what was going on, instead of her being proactive about it. We may come back to try some of the other dishes, but with so many good brunch options around Chicago, it would be far from being our first choice.
(3)Bridget N.
I came here with a good friend of mine. I was expecting the food to be very good because of the reviews I have read on yelp, which rarely fails me. HOWEVER, I was extremely disappointed. First of all, my waitress was terrible. She took 20 minutes to come and check on us and see whether we were ready to order drinks, and then another 15 to take our food order. She also completely neglected to ask whether I wanted any more coffee or water the entire time I was there. (Though the coffee was terrible anyway) Then there was the food. I ordered the broccoli and cheese omelette, with hashbrowns. What I received was a flat omelette, covered in cheese with three hunks of raw broccoli on top. I could have made a better omelette for 1/4 of the price in my own home. The hashbrowns were fine, though they were burnt on top and should have it described on the menu that they were made with cheese and sour cream (in the case a customer was a vegan). The worst part about this place however, was that my friend as well as myself have felt completely nauseated all day. I haven't been able to eat anything at the risk of throwing up--which is definitely attributed to this food. Do not eat here, there are dozens of better spots within two blocks of this place.
(1)Rebe G.
We have been there twice now and the food does not disappoint! However, the service needs to improve to make this a 5-star place. While we got seated right away, it took over 5 minutes both times to have a server acknowledge us and get us coffee. We even asked. The same thing happen at two other tables. It does not appear that there is structure to the table assignments and the staff seems to gather to chat without noticing a new table has been seated. We will give it another chance, but I hope the service improves.
(3)Bonni S.
My friend and I shared the spinach omelette and the French toast flight. Both were so excellent. The spinach and mushrooms were fresh and delicious. I think I dreamed about the French toast, especially the key lime. I will be back! The staff was excellent. The chef visited us more than once to check on us. The waitress was very attentive and Jason the manager was wonderful.
(5)N W.
Soo good!!! Met the chef. Had the caramel French Toast and it was soo good.
(5)Gretchen R.
I have been to Batter & Berries 4 times now. The first 3 times my breakfast was AMAZING. I went there again this morning, and found my waffle undercooked. While I love how fast my order came out, I would have prefered it to be fully cooked. I still gave 4 stars because the other 3 times I have been have been completely delicious.
(4)Erica T.
This was my 3rd visit, and I must say. . . it's better every time! The Lobster Omlet special #56 was AWESOME! Also the Crab Cakes Benedict. I waited over an hour (Memorial Day) but worth every minute! Must go !!!
(5)Jason A.
Very tasty food although my omelet was cold. The Super French Toast flight was tremendous. Our server was friendly but didn't give us a lot of attention. I don't blame him though because he wasn't getting a lot of help. The place was packed and people were waiting outside, yet we tried to leave our table for 10 minutes before we got a bill. Then that took time. There is a waiting area in back but I'm thinking it would probably serve them well to add a table or two. And more servers. I hope they figure it out though because the food really was awesome. They use fresh ingredients and have a really creative menu, all housemade. That's how it got to four stars. I'll go back for sure but if my food is cold we'll have to have a chat.
(4)Dee H.
Best french toast I've ever tasted! None of that thick "egg-y" batter, just crunchy outside, chewy inside goodness! The taste is indescribable, you just need to try it. The handmade chicken sausage and cheesy hashbrowns are awesome as well. Everyone I have sent to this place have nothing but great things to say and keep going back. It's worth the trek up north from the southside.
(5)Lynn E.
My French toast was cold, and I had to ask for extra fruit topping. They don't serve sugar-free drinks, because the owner, who is a doctor, recommends against it. Yet they serve fried and sugary foods.
(4)Azra H.
I was tempted to give it 3 stars but I really wanted to give it a five!! Food was AHHHHMAZING! (i thought so) Really really really GOOD and yummy and I dream about it at night. The service on the other hand was TERRIBLE. our server was nice but we had to ask for more coffee 5 times...NO JOKE! We constantly had to ask for more creamer and sugar, after the 2nd time I dont know why they didnt just bring a whole bunch to save their time. I had the chicken and sweet potato waffle. SO yummy and we split the special flight. My friend had the special breakfast burrito with a tomato tortilla,eggs, cheesy hash, and homemade sausage, she said it was eh. Nothing too special about it. My other friend never even got her order. The server said she didnt hear her but I remember she repeated it back to us and she heard the "with a side of bacon" but not the buttermilk pancake part? (all my friend received was the side of bacon) Good this we ordered the flight to split so she had something to eat. \ I'll probably be back but not for a girls Sunday brunch date.
(4)Ryan S.
Dine here Sunday 9/29 for breakfast and the food was great. This food might get me to come back but the hostess is terrible. She greeted us with no smile like she was angry at the world. After asking how many we had she went back to tell the staff to get the tables set and then returned said nothing for a couple minutes while we stood there awkwardly. She then huffed and waved us along to our table. This first impression was terrible and will likely keep me from really recommending it. With all that said the food was great, just don't expect to feel welcomed when you step through the doors.
(3)Zayna D.
What an amazing brunch at this place! Had the sweet potato chicken and waffles, crab omelet and biscuits & gravy. Everything was exceptional, especially the owner who made everyone feel welcome! Will be back.
(5)Toni J.
Nom, nom...and nom! As you know anything that gets a buzz in Chicago gets crowded quick, but when I came to visit my hometown Chicago last weekend I had to visit this place. I heard the words "chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle" and was sold. First of all, the chicken that came with this waffle was the absolute juiciest, well seasoned, fresh piece of meat ever...no, really. Fried to perfection. I wish they fried chicken and sold it. In fact, I hope this place ends up on one of those Food Network shows for the best chicken and waffles. The waffle was pretty good too. I was expecting a more sweeter taste, something with a little more cinnamon/nutmeg/vanilla--almost like pie, but it was actually a great combination with the chicken. I requested syrup because I have a severe sweet tooth and almost gave the chef a heart attack. He was very cool and came to the table to ask if I had tasted it sans syrup and I assured him it was perfect as is, but I'm a messy foodie who needs it extra fat. I wish I had've tried more things, everything honestly looked great. The service was enh...just okay, but they had "cute" little iPads to give you a glimpse of the food before you ordered. Even with the not so great service the food was delicious and the place has a real home feel to it. Nothing over the top, no fancy napkins, just great food, great music and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)Yaliyah H.
New breakfast place!! Friendly hostess, excellent service and very kid-friendly. The decoration is tasteful and welcoming. We loved that the chef came out to greet us and chat. The food is superb. I recommend "The Goof" (an updated spin on chicken 'n waffles), the french toast options (lots of fruit flavors) or "The Executive" (steak and eggs). This is will be my family's new breakfast spot for sure.
(5)Gracia L.
A new breakfast spot around the corner from our house, glad to see it especially since Salt & Pepper diner still (never? who knows) isn't open. We arrived at 8am (we have a early-rising toddler) and were warmly greeted. It has a cheery atmosphere with good light towards the front. My husband ordered the flight of french toast and he LOVED it. So good. I ordered the bacon/cheese/egg sandwich and I also really enjoyed it. I was most impressed by the side of fruit I ordered for my daughter - it was so nicely displayed I almost didn't want her to eat it! The mint garnish was a nice addition and it was a really lovely fresh fruit variety. Not just a bunch of cantaloupe and melon that usually comes with a fruit side at other breakfast spots. I think the waiter ordering on the ipod was a bit weird; I knew he was taking our order but it instinctively made me feel like he was texting or not paying attention (though I knew he was). I think I'd rather than remember the order or write it down old school. That's just me. Not a complaint just thought it was kind of odd. They had nice quality table toys/games to hand out to the many families that continued to walk in after us. Nice addition to the neighborhood. We'll go back.
(4)Josh P.
Seriously the best breakfast food in Chicago. Amazing staff. We came here for a meeting and decided to order a few plates of everything. We ordered the french toast with different toppings like lemon and pecans, amazing. Chedder eggs, belgian waffle, bacon, it was all perfect. I will be back for sure!!!!
(5)Todd G.
I was greeted by a friendly hostess and Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" over the loudspeaker when I entered B&B. It was my first visit and, despite it being a holiday, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately. She had the chicken and waffles while I had the French Toast flight. Both were delicious. As the menu suggested, you really don't need syrup to eat with either meal. Each was sweet on its own. We added a side of cheese-encrusted hash browns and enjoyed those as well. While the food was good, the service was exceptional. At least three people (not including our server) came over to inquire on our meals...including the chef (who was proudly wearing a t-shirt that said "Chef).
(4)I P.
My husband and I came across this place through yelp reviews the first week we moved to Chicago and it put us off to such a great start! We went for Sunday brunch and were told the wait would be close to 2 hours - and it was well worth it! We ended up getting asked an hour into the wait if we didn't mind sharing a 4 person table with another couple and we said yes (which I normally wouldn't but we were super hungry). It was such a great decision because we met two really great women who always come here for brunch and knew the menu inside and out!. The best part of the experience was that the server would give each table a riddle to try and solve and the chef came out wearing his PJ pants to each table to ask how the food was. Super friendly place that makes you feel like you are eating at your friends restaurant. Fantastic chicken & waffles and chicken sandwhich! We will definately go back again
(5)Joey Z.
This breakfast was phenomenal and chef rylon was so nice. Definitely go to this place and try the French toast. It changes weekly with fresh fruit and ingredients!
(5)dan l.
Best French toast on the planet.
(5)Brandy J.
I had brunch here a few days ago. I was very pleased with the service and food. The waiter greeted us within moments of sitting down. He gave us all the specials of the day. I choose the French toast flight which was delectable it included lemon, caramel, strawberry and blueberry. I also ordered the cheesy potato and housemade chicken sausage. My friend ordered rhe deconstructed steak omelette and cheesy potatoes. She also enjoyed her food. The owner came around to our table to make sure everything was ok. Its a small quant place and willl def dine here again. We didn't have a wait at all but we dined on a Monday.
(5)Sondra P.
The Lemon french toast was Amazing! No syrup needed...Perfect! Go get you some :) Also the staff were fun and friendly. We even met the Chef. I love this place, but they need a southside location (HydePark please...).
(5)Chrissy B.
I'm slowly branching out and trying new brunch places. After reading enough reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to give Batter & Berries a shot. I appreciated the seating area away from the door, and was fine with a 20 minute wait. The smells were intoxicating, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the menu. 30 minutes later, we were seated near the front door, and immediately wished they had a second door to block some of the chill. Our waiter was funny, but I wished he had spent less time telling me riddles and more time getting our order in. I can understand the wait, if everyone else is experiencing it, but tables everywhere were getting in and out and here we sat with no food. It was another 35 minutes before we were served, and the food was incredible. I ordered the Crab Omelette, and my boyfriend had the Blueberry Belgique. Absolutely delicious, but nothing gets my goat more than having to wait 20 minutes to get the check. I wish I could say I'll be back, but there are far more places to try and get better service than here.
(3)Jason L.
I ordered the French toast sampler, and it was nothing short of amazing. Staff was very friendly, the restaurant was very clean. I'll be back.
(5)Marsha F.
This a great breakfast place especially if you love French toast. Its not perfect service like any other brunch spot but it is worth a visit. I will be going back for sure.
(3)adya a.
Prepare to wait, but it's more then worth the wait. The food here is amazing. The chicken sausage is the best I've ever had. The maple syrup is unlike anything I've ever had. You must try the French toast flight it is amazing. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Helen L.
Hands down, the greatest French toast I have ever eaten. Friendly, attentive wait staff, fresh delicious coffee. Go now before the rest of Chicago learns about this place.
(5)Abigail L.
Great place! Scallops, Asperagus and mushrooms on my omelette, please! Service was good. Based on previous reviews, they must have worked on this.. Food was timely and amazing flavor. A bit pricy, but I did order sea scallops on my omelette. (and they did NOT skimp on the scallops, on size or quality) After the meal, the chef held the door for us, thanked us for coming and talked with us about his ever changing menu. Thanks chef Raylon! We will be back!
(5)Brent G.
My office is close-by so I eat here about once per week. Very creative food and the ingredients are among the freshest I've had, even for Chicago. The staff mingle and interact with diners and this is part of the charm. Set aside a little time, as the service is not fast (and is probably not designed to be).
(5)Sherrie M.
All of the food is absolutely amazing! Was ready to recommend this place to friends and fam. However, the service is wanting. My friend's breakfast was 45 minutes late and they gave us a 15% discount off her meal...what's up with that? Then the waitress was majorly confused about how to charge our credit cards, and claimed that we were paying too much, we explained that we WEREN'T, but she insisted, so we let it lie and gave a generous tip to make up for the difference. About 40 minutes later the manager came over and said that we didn't pay enough and that she wanted our credit cards back to void the first transaction and charge us the correct amount!! What a mess!! It was embarrassing that they even came over to us....SERIOUSLY, THEY NEED TO THINK ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE and finding qualified staff that understand how to properly ring up a tab!! But again, we LOVED all of the food...hopefully they improve their service b/c then this place will truly be a hit!
(4)Lindsay D.
Such great service! The chef came and spoke to us twice, the hostess did the same, and our waiter was hilarious- very upbeat and friendly. The recommendations were really helpful! Four of us shared the french toast flight as an appetizer- all five were completely infused with flavor. All four of our meals were delicious and would recommend this place to anyone for brunch
(5)Pie B.
I came here early one morning with a friend after reading a bunch of rave reviews on yelp and some random blogs. We were so excited for the food, only to experience a catastrophic let-down. 1. Cluck N Gaufre. Everyone says this is the best thing ever. Chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffle with a lightly battered fried chicken breast, nutmeg hot sauce, and maple butter. It sounds pretty awesome, and the flavors are all there. However, the waffle was dry and the chicken over cooked. Subpar execution. Booo. 2. Sweet potato hash. I had read this was amazing. It was soggy and barely lukewarm. No golden crisp. Some of the shreds of sweet potato were undercooked. 3. Deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet with swiss cheese and a spinach-mushroom sauce. The sauce was essential non-existent--a tiny little drop on the side of the omelet. The cheese consisted of cheap, unpalatble slices of swiss. It came with a side of "crispy cheese potato hash." Neither crispy nor cheesy. Flop. 4. #48 Snickers French Toast, one of the specials. The one redeeming factor. This was delicious and crispy. It could have come out hot, though, but was instead barely warm. The order that shined. Go with the French toast. Our waitress was not well versed in the menu and unable to answer our questions (i.e., what's a snickers french toast?). She was nice, but would linger awkwardly throughout the duration of our brunch. Ultimate disappointment. This place has a lot of potential but failed to deliver. We wanted so much to love this place!
(2)Julia D.
I'm a south sider, the trip to the north side for breakfast was my idea of an adventure. It was worth the drive! It was truly a delight and delicious! The fare was original and plentiful. I am certain to return. Now let me keep it real, we went on Good Friday afternoon and the service was a nightmare! It was obvious that something was Way OFF service wise. It was a half hour wait for a table, when there were clearly empty tables. Only one guy was cleaning tables, so that may have been part of the trouble. It would have been quite alright if it had not taken fourty-five minutes for my food. I overheard the owner say he was displeased with the days going on, that commentary and the flavor of his food will force me back.
(4)B V.
Dear other breakfast places, pack your bags cause the champ is here!! As a "breakfast person" I have found my little slice of heaven. I have been here twice and floored twice. The food is so delicous. The wait staff is very friendly. The manager checks on you and chats candily about the place and they have a very soulful music background. Think Marvin Gaye, MJ, Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott all while you enjoy your meal. Thursday is house music day. House music and french toast? Umm yes please. Speaking of which I had the french toast flight. Four different ones each in a different flavor. Strawberry, lemon, pecan, carmel. All incredible. I dont even like strawberries but I LOVED this french toast. I also had the best chicken sausage I ever tasted in my life! Most chicken sausage taste like cardboard. This was decadent! Run don't walk to this spot. Weekends are packed and for good reason. They may have to knock down a wall soon for space. Get in early. They close at 3. I can't wait to try the something new on the menu next time!!
(5)Michelle L.
M suggestion is to get there before 9 AM because there isn't a wait before that but once it's 9 AM expect to wait at least an hour. The owner is so nice and will come outside if your waiting and he is also very hands on while you are inside. The food is also amazing and different then what you can get anywhere else. I always get pancakes or french toast and my boyfriend gets the steak and eggs which he loves
(4)Ellarey M.
The french toast flight is amazing - do it. You won't regret it.
(5)Vinodh N.
two words, amazing brunch!!!!
(5)Shawnee L.
This was my first visit and I definitely will make it a habit. A friend has been trying to get me to the restaurant for a while & today I gave in all I can say is that I'm mad I've been missing out on this!! The only reason I didn't 5 star it is because there are still some things that I've yet to try but what I did have was fantastic. As most of the reviews stated the french toast were to die for. Also, when you get good service, a warm welcome and a we'll see you later you know that is a place you want to frequent.
(4)Ashley S.
After seeing this place with such a cute name pop up recently, my boyfriend and I decided to go check it out for brunch. The Chef came by to greet us and the other two couples who were waiting, and I thought it was nice of him to be so welcoming. We were seated within 5 minutes and that's when everything went downhill. It took about 45 minutes for us to receive our orders of French toast, which can be overlooked since this is a relatively new place. However, I was very offended by the waiter when he finally gave us our food and said, "Sorry for the wait guys, but it's worth it, you'll see," before he rudely ran away without asking if we wanted anything else. I had to flag down another waiter to ask for syrup for the French toast, which should have been standard at every table. We were never asked if we wanted anything to drink, or checked on to see if we wanted refills of our drinks the entire time we were there. Although we received our food at the same time, the table of four next to ours received their dishes 15 minutes apart. Another complaint is that there were no fans and the thermostat right by our table read 79F. It would be nice if they could make it a little bit more comfortable in there. There was a couple with a small child also sitting next to us, who waited for their food about the same amount of time as us. They ended up taking their food to-go after the Chef came out and explained why everything takes so long to make. I don't think that amount of wait for food is acceptable, and all the chef/owner needed to do was apologize instead of trying to justify himself/make excuses. Overall, the food was really good, the service needs some serious improvements. There's hope for this restaurant though. I'd recommend waiting until they have things in order before stopping by this place.
(2)Courtland H.
Great new brunch and lunch spot. Chef Rylon is super skilled and very involved. Very surprised at some of the 1 star reviews, i would recommend anyone who wrote one to try the place again, maybe not on a busy weekend day because i think places like this can get so busy on weekends that stuff can fall through the cracks customer servicewise. Had the deconstructed chicken omelet, kobe sliders, wifey had the short rib omelet - which seemed like a weird flavor combo(as most of the dishes do) but was executed so well. Have been to lots of breakfast and brunch places around town and these guys have it down for sure. also an excellent tea selection and good coffee.
(5)Jennifer R.
This place was AMAZING!! My boyfriend and I tried it for the first time today and it did not disappoint. As we walked in, we were greeted warmly and sat down right away. The server was very nice and attentive. She did a great job giving us suggestions on what to get. I really appreciated it!!! We ended up getting Blueberry French Toast brioche bread dipped in house made blueberry batter & topped with fresh blueberries & our b&b maple butter and Banana-Nut Belgigue topped with caramelized bananas, b&b maple butter & drizzled in vanilla sauce. We also got a side of bacon. The server let us know that the Chef suggests to take a bite first of the French Toast and Waffle before adding syrup. I am glad I did take the Chef's advice (as you should). Each of the items we had were soooo tasty and I think this was the BEST breakfast I had in a long time!! The side of bacon was great as well. Not to crispy and you actually had 3 slices of meaty bacon not like other breakfast places where the bacon is non existent. All and all it was a wonderful visit and I can not wait to go back and try more!! BTW...please do not add syrup to the French Toast you will not need it!!
(5)Amy P.
JL and I decided to try this place for brunch and overall, it's a nice addition to the neighborhood. The menu is not quite as extensive as many of the other popular places to brunch, and that may be why the options available try to seem a cut above the standard fare. You won't find a regular omelet on this menu, as all of the omelets are "deconstructed". What is a deconstructed omelet, one may ask, and I was set on finding out. JL, SL and I each ordered a deconstructed omelet - one spinach and swiss, one broccoli and cheddar, and one chicken and peppers. When the food arrived, I have to say, I was a little disappointed because it looked just like a plain old omelet. The only difference might be that the cheese and some of the other ingredients were on the top, but they were on top of (drum roll please) a plain old omelet! By not having the cheese inside, I actually felt that the omelet itself was a bit dry. SP had the Cluck and Gravy - a dish that was described as "chicken and corn muffins...topped with chicken sausage gravy". All his favorite things! During the wait for our food, he mentioned several times that he could not wait to eat. I guess he was hungry. When his dish came out, we were all expecting a decadent plate of chicken, muffins and gravy, but nothing could be farther from the truth. His dish consisted of mostly hash browns, with a little square sauce dish that contained 3 half dollar-sized biscuits, topped with a couple tablespoons of gravy. Alas, there were no corn muffins, nor was there any chicken. The size of his main dish could literally fit in my cupped palm. Now, was it yummy? It certainly wasn't bad. It just wasn't what a hungry man would expect. The "corn muffins" were unique in that they were neither muffin nor biscuit, but something in between. Soft, moist little tiny morsels studded with corn. The gravy was also flavorful without being overly rich, and the amount of gravy was not so much that it would ruin the texture of the muffin/biscuits. In a nutshell, this was biscuits and gravy without the guilt (or the heart attack). Lucky for SP, we ordered the french toast flight to share, so most of my omelette made its way into his plate while I happily dedicated my attention to the carbs. Now onto the french toast. I don't eat french toast all that often, because most of the times it is drowned in butter and syrup. Some will say that that's just how french toast should be, but I disagree. French toast should consist of bread that has soaked in the goodness of the egg and other flavorings, without being overwhelmed by it. It should be custardy, not soggy, and each bit should satisfy the taste buds without sending your blood sugar to alarming levels. This french toast was just that. The lemon was absolutely divine, topped with what looked like candied lemon zest that made it taste like lemon frosting. The caramel was topped with candied walnuts and caramel sauce and again, was so delicious without being overly heavy or cloying. This was french toast that you could eat everyday. Overall, I think what stood out to me the most was that all of the dishes seemed to be fairly healthy. There are sweet potato hash browns in addition to regular hash browns and neither had the typical tell-tale signs of having been doused in butter and oil. All of the dishes enabled you to taste the ingredients first and foremost, without masking it in the (delicious) taste of butter. Brunch without the guilt? Why not?
(3)Tiva T.
This is a great place for breakfast/lunch on the weekdays ($9 lunch trio with salad, soup, and a half-sandwich) and for brunch on the weekends. The ingredients are fresh and the food is delicious. The wait staff is very friendly and competent. I have only two suggestions: (1) Chef Rylon explained that his deconstructed omelets are designed to showcase the quality of the ingredients. Ok, I believe him, but I prefer my omelet ingredients mixed in. Consider adding a "constructed omelet" option. (2) The kitchen can be a tad slow. On the weekdays, especially, people want to be able to get their meals, eat, and go. Pick up the pace! Bottom line: Support this Black-owned Northside local business!
(4)Tiffany B.
There was a wait but it was well worth it. The service is spectacular at this place and the food is even better! Best birthday brunch ever!
(5)Brian S.
We live very close to Batter & Berries so we were really anticipating this restaurant's opening. However, both my wife and I came to the exact same conclusion after our experience..."meh." The restaurant is supposed to focus on breakfast and yet.... My coffee was never refilled; never even asked. It took forever for someone to come and take our order, even longer to have the food come out of the kitchen despite there only being 15-20 other patrons; food finally arrived cold. waitstaff confused about their respective coverage and always fumbling around with iPhones (presumably the order entry system). lemon french toast came with walnuts on it...not indicated on menu...my daughter is allergic, so I couldn't share with her. These guys should know better. Syrup never arrived for daughter's pancakes. Sweet potato hash browns barely cooked; more like the innards of a sweet potato served mushy on a plate. Deconstructed spinach omelette way over salted and served with some spinach goop paste. not good. chef appeared and came around to introduce himself as chef/owner. nice fellow. He has his work cut out for him. For now, we're skipping the failed attempts at "upscale" breakfast and sticking with S&G and Nookies
(2)Leslie A.
This is such a friendly restaurant! They treated us like family. The food was AMAZING! You must get the french toast flight. My faves were the caramel and lemon. Our waiter told us funny little riddles and was just so warm. I highly recommend this place. I hope I can get back again soon!
(5)angela d.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! The french toast is OFF the chain! I am actually scared of what the wait will be when people discover how amazing it is!
(5)Jessica B.
Crab cake Benedict w cheesy hash changed my liiife. Also loved the strawberry cheesecake French toast. Soo good. Friendly service. I just didn't like the community high table in the middle where we sat. I'll def be back soon!
(5)Lisa B.
not a fan. greasy and impossible to avoid oily cheese. hash browns way under cooked even after sending them back. I do not get the hype about this place. we had to keep asking for coffee refills as well. I do admire that the owner has busted his tail to open his own restaurant. Takes courage and shear determination. If you want the best brunch in the city check out Mhenry or MHenrietta.
(2)Jon D.
This place is a solid 4 star brunch. It's bright, welcoming, friendly, and the opposite of every pretentious new brunch place that seems to open once a fortnight. Sure, the menu seems like it was printed out at the place, and put in to clear plastic envelopes, but that's almost endearing, as if they care more about the food they're putting out, than the aesthetics of the presentation of the food list. I'm a savory "brah:" eggs, sausage, ham, omelets, bacon, skillets, the usual. This time I went for sweet, as so much of their menu was just that, pancakes, french toast, and another thing, with a name I can't remember. French toast flight arrived in a timely fashion with strawberry (good, but not really too distinct,) blueberry (tasty,) caramel something something (decadent and delicious,) lemon something (my least favorite, but not by any definition "bad",) and a key-lime special. Again, it was all quite good, but keep in mind I'm not a sweets guy, and if I am, french toast is like the bronze medal behind waffles and pancakes. Like a distant bronze. Waffles and pancakes are all head to head, but then waffles pull forward like Mark Cavendish, leaving enough time between the two, like maybe 12 seconds, to be noticeable, but not really change up the field too much, as they're going in to the mountains the next day. Girlfriend went traditional with a sweet potato hash. I like my sweet taters savory, and this was a little more traditional brown sugar sweet. That being said, they were really enjoyable, but hot damn, the ham steak that came with her meal? That was REALLY well done. Not well done in the way that it was overcooked, but in the way that it was prepared excellently. The eggs also looked good, but I was too busy chowing on FT to pay attention. Some folks on here have complained about the lack of salt, pepper, and syrup on the table, and to you fine people I say "try it first." Seriously, just try it before you start saying that you NEED syrup for french toast. I bet half of you pour that aunt jamima "pancake syrup" on your stuff, not even real maple. Fine, each to their own, but this french toast didn't need more sweet stuff on it, it was fine just the way the outrageously-social-chef-who-came-around-to-every-Âtable-twice intended it to be. Also, look on the menu, it even says something to the degree of "try it first". Sweet: Clean, quick seating, friendly service. Really friendly service, it felt family run. Not so sweet: Coffee was blah, refills were tortoise-esque.
(4)Nick A.
Did not disappoint what so ever. Couldn't make up mind so I went with the chicken gaufre, eggs and the hash browns. Came out very quickly and the service was excellent. The hash-browns were definitely worth getting too. Perfect mix of burnt and soft hash. The sweet potato waffle was unique. I don't know if I was totally in love but they were a nice change from the the spiciness of the chicken
(4)John K.
Simple, bright, clean and tastefully decorated. A comfortable spot. Had the buffalo shrimp wrap which came with sweet potato fries. Shrimp was big and chunky, fries were the perfect side. My daughter had the blueberry Belgian waffle, and devoured it without syrup which speaks volumes for the flavor!
(5)Eve F.
I've been here three times since it opened a few weeks ago which is probably a bit embarrassing. It's been hit or miss each time. Food: I would give the omelet 's 1 star (I've ordered them twice) - the "deconstructed" broccoli cheese omelet was cold, and the cheddar on top had already solidified by the time it got to me - gross. I understand the Chef wants to showcase the "freshness" by putting the broccoli outside the omelet - but even the most amazing broccoli couldn't save a cold solid omelet . My friend's spinach omelet was really soggy and unappealing. They only give you condiments on request, which is a tad pretentious and also shameful for the customer to have to ask for salt. The french toast has been great every time - it isn't stuffed like some of the nearby restaurants (Toast, Kanela's..), but there's a lot of flavor and the maple butter adds something different. If you're willing to take on the calories - I would definitely recommend them - the orange has been my favorite, the caramel pecan is up there as well. Lunch has been a little better for me - the veggie wrap has good (not soggy) veggies. My boyfriend really enjoyed the burger. The fries are awesome - I think they are the main reason I keep going back. Service: The waiters seem really distracted and confused by the process of ordering with their phones and not having a station to enter in items. As a customer it is hard to know the waiter was taking my order or texting a friend - perhaps using tablets or iPads would be easier. I really like the owner and Chef and wish them well - just maybe wait a few weeks until it becomes a fully functional restaurant.
(3)Stephanie L.
So, I've been to this place a few times, and it seems to just get better every time I go. I've come for breakfast, brunch, family get togethers, business meetings, all that jazz. That's why I finally had to post about it... Decor: Puts me in the mind set of being in a beautiful natural setting for a relaxing walk. I can almost hear the tranquility of the water coming out of the wall art. Really serene. Service: I seem to always get this nice guy that gives us a few riddles while taking care of our order. A real nice addition to the brunch experience. The chef always comes out to greet us, and that's nice. Price: Very reasonable for the type of food you get. This is breakfast to another level, and thank God its reasonable enough for me to enjoy it! FOOD!!: This is the icing on the cake! The food is outstanding! I must say the flight of french toast is outstanding! I am not a french toast eater, but this place takes it up a few notches! Whatever your "10" is for french toast, then this must be a "13" because it takes your mind past what you would expect french toast to be. Truly mind blowing. I've also had the waffle, wraps, burger, salmon sliders, steak sandwich, and salad, and they all have been exceptional. This is brunch to the next level... Hope this helps, and if you're in the area, make sure you go! And if you're not in the area, get in your car and drive there! ITS THAT GOOD!!!
(5)Janene M.
The food really gets 4 stars it's great. My review came down to a 3 due to the service from our server, specifically, which averaged out to 2 stars. We went on a Sunday. It is extremely busy and the place is very small. If you go on the weekend, you need to have some patience and not be starving when you get there. We waited 45 minutes for a table. We were seated. It was our very first time. Our server, Trent, did not explain the specials, the menu or anything about what makes this a different dining experience from other brunch spots. It did not help that the server at the table next to ours explained the specials to every single customer. One of the specials was a lobster omelet. My sister asked was it good? He goes, do you like lobster? She says yes, he says, well you'll like the omelet. Thanks.... that was helpful. We place our order, 30 minutes later, still no food. Your food's coming up, says Trent. Every table around us is getting their food. Mind you they were seated after us. Trent, where is our food, we say. It's coming. Finally he admits our ticket is lost in cyber space (they use iPads to take the order), it's coming right out. It comes out 50 minutes later. If we had not driven from the Southside and had a 2nd stop to go to in that neighborhood, we we would've left. We ordered the French toast flight, which tasted like heaven. Especially, the peach cobbler french toast! We also ordered 2 of the specials, crab cakes benedict and the lobster omelet. The crab cakes, heavenly. The lobster omelet was good, but I wouldn't order it again. The chef (and owner) came out to speak to the customers. I pulled him to the side and told him how long we waited. He was aware and apologized. We received our French flight for free. He told us when we come back, ask for him and we would get another French flight on the house. The manager also spoke with us on our way out. Overall, the food is delicious. Worth the wait. It is very small so people are on top of you. Like the other reviewers stated, if you're seated near the front, you are treated to the blast of arctic air every time the door opens. I appreciated the apology and great service from Chef Rylon and the manager. I hope Trent is never our server ever again. I would return.
(3)Danielle S.
this is the best dang breakfast I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE CITY... NOW i CAN'T GET ENOUGH..I GO EVERY SUNDAY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE CHEF HAS AS THE SPECIAL...Each sunday I am never disappointed...the french toast is amazing! GET THE SUPER FLIGHT!!! hash browns and sausage complete my meal and it so good I want to hug the chef...I think I did the last time I was there! LOL...the staff is knowlegeable and friendly and the chef is so passionate about what he creates..he makes everything sound delish. My BF had the Chicken and Waffles and was floored at how delish and full he was...I CAN'T say enough wonderful things about this cozy spot...it's a new favorite for my friends and I!!!
(5)Slim G.
The Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffle blessed by baby Jesus himself & the restaurant is BYOB ! The only bread on I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is because if the three hour wait time .
(4)michael b.
Service was slow but nice and fun attitude made up for it. Food was the problem. Hash browns were not fresh. Clumps of hard cheese mixed with dry potatoes! Lobster cakes had a weird consistency. Broccoli omelette was over cooked. Maybe the sweet stuff is good?
(2)Andrew M.
I am half tempted to write a negative review, just to deter people from coming here. But that would be selfish of me. Everyone needs to enjoy this place, because it is worth a trip. GET THE FRENCH TOAST FLIGHT! For all that is good in this world, get the french toast flight. It is french toast like I've never had before. When I went, the special of the day was butterscotch french toast. Add it for a dollar or two extra. Worth every penny. Also, the butter is amazing. Homemade and delicious! My girlfriend ordered the omelet and enjoyed it, though not as much as I enjoyed my french toast. She actually ended up eating more of my breakfast than she did of hers. The chef is awesome. He knows that he makes a great food and is clearly proud of it. He is friendly and goes to every single table to say hi. GO THERE! Why are you reading this review? Get off your chair and go to Batter & Berries.
(5)George P.
This place is gourmet breakfast at a very reasonable cost! The French toast flight is original and delightful! Flavors like lemon, strawberry, blueberry hazelnut! Chicken sausage is homemade.. Hell everything is homemade, and the atmosphere is vibrant and soulful.. This of one place you have to visit..
(5)Dave S.
B&B is a relatively new breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in what was previously a somewhat desolate stretch of Lincoln Ave. It is a welcome addition. On a recent weekend morning, we were seated immediately, even though the restaurant was packed. The crowd was a nice mix: families, young couples, and folks from what appeared to be a variety of walks of life. The dining room itself is great: bright, open, and filled with a nice vibe from all the excitement. I like the abundance of natural light, which makes for perfect newspaper reading. We were greeted by a very nice, efficient waitress within a few minutes. I had several questions about the menu, and she answered each knowledgeably and without seeming hurried (even though she was slammed). We ordered and the chef/owner, Rylon, soon made his way to our table. He is quite personable and very obviously passionate about food and his restaurant. His presence in the dining room is a nice touch. We ordered a salad and the spinach omelette. Both were excellent: fresh, flavorful, and not the typically sink-in-your-stomach brunch fare. I'm eager to go back and sample additional things on the menu.
(5)cos f.
Again I have tried to really like this place , giving it a chance time and time again ... but if you are a solo diner you do not get the service as another customer..and this place if you are a solo male diner it is even better ..Day off... went in for a quick breakfast as I have done several other occasions... i asked to be seated at a larger table and was told we cannot do that with the lunch rush...uhm 10 in the morning lunch rush ...and then to have another solo customer seated alone at a larger table just after me ...ok.... service was slow to none... no server approached for 10 minutes....and when they did ... "did you order yet??? " no specials were recited to me really this place needs better communication and better front of the house..or maybe they just don't want a one person table ... i have given this place it's last chance in my book...I would not urge you to go ... i will not go back , there are MUCH better places for the money they charge...
(1)Roger M.
This is southern cooking; I didn't see that mentioned in any of the previous reviews. The chef knows his thang and is slingin' some fine southern fare. If it wasn't apparent enough, the sweet potato and chicken waffle with fried chicken is a twist on the traditional chicken and waffles with the sweet potato, nutmeg and hot sauce. A nice balance of Savory, sweet and spicy. There are even bits of chicken in the waffle. A tad overkill I must say as it didn't really need/add to it. Biscuits and gravy were a nice contender; no twist on this though, just an additional eggs any way and cole slaw, which was rather bland. The rich chicken sausage gravy and tender biscuits held their own however, and it didn't need any more pizazz. We over did it with the super-flight of french toast, and while it was a good sampling, not all were amazing but well done. It included blueberry, strawberry (tasted like strawberry gel in pies), lemon, caramel pecan and birthday cake (special of the day). Well done B&B.
(4)Christine G.
I know this joint does not need another outstanding review. But jeez. Its like slap ya mamma good! They have quite the cult following so be prepared to wait. I went on a Monday at 10am and we still waited about 30 minutes to get seated. Went once before on Sunday at 1pm and wait was almost 2 hours! I am not a french toast gal, but we ordered the french toast flight with also a sample of the daily french toast special. Sooooo good! It was nice to be able to try them all. My favorite was the caramel. Went in large group so we all got to sample quite a bit. There home made butter and hot sauce are scrumptious! My only disappoint was the biscuit--it was horrible. But this place is so worth the hype. An added bonus was to talk and make friends with others waiting. People shared their favorites and stories of previous visits. It is like a little community of friendly regulars just waiting to talk to you about this place-- which is pretty cool.
(5)Sawyer L.
We came in for the chicken-stuffed sweet potato waffles topped w/ hot sauce & more fried chicken or muffins with chicken-sausage gravy raved about it the the Thrillist review, but they were out when we ordered. The chef told us that they were remaking the muffins, but we had already ordered by this point. I'm glad we did! The open-faced steak omelet with caramelized onions, mozzarella, and a beefy broth was delicious! The side cranberry muffin was so moist it made me want to try the ones that go with the friend chicken. The hash-browns were the best I've had - not burnt or dry like at Nookies. Chef Chris nails the sweet and savory taste that makes soul food so distinct. I will be dreaming about this breakfast.
(4)Josh B.
This restaurant is a wonderful addition to the neighboorhood. I found that all of the servers were extremely kind. The interior is cool without trying too hard. Well-lit, stylish, and relaxing atmosphere. The chef randomly came over and made conversation with us, which was great. He was funny and friendly. We had the best french toast we've ever had in our lives.Ever. The chef's salad was flavorful and unique. I'm really looking forward to trying more of the dishes here. This is a world-class breakfast. Definitely coming back here again. I hope this restaurant makes a ton of money. It was a great experience.
(5)Gladys P.
After an episode of "Check,please!" I was excited to try out the restaurant. We expected a wait but thought it was worth it since we had read so many positive reviews. When we checked in with the hostess we were told it would be about an hour wait for a party of three and there only 6 parties ahead of us. Time passed and we began to notice people that arrived after us and when we were waiting were seated before us and it was more than 6 parties! Obviously we were annoyed, especially when we would see large parties or guests that arrived after us were being seated. We went to ask the hostess how much longer we had to wait because at this point it was 2 hours! At this point we saw a party of three that arrived 20 minutes after us get seated. The hostess told is that parties of 3 and 4 were tough to seat and they don't seat by time of arrival BUT the number of guests in a party! We obviously would have left and gone elsewhere if we knew of this seating arrangement. We finally were seated and stayed since we have already waited so long. The food was ok, maybe because we were so irritated and annoyed, and a but overpriced. I don't think we will return after this experience.
(2)Summer F.
I am completely dumbfounded as to how this place gets such good ratings. 1) It is crowded and there is no where for people to wait, so there are people just standing around learing at you for your table 2) they dont have an entry way, so everytime the door opens, you get a blast of cold air 3) the decor was nothing special 4) the service was poor, our waitress either had too many tables or not enough support. We were short one place setting, so I asked for a fork, which was delivered when we were half finished, so one of us had to eat with a spoon. Asked for some ketchup for someone's fries, it showed up when we were done. Not to mention no one ever checked to see if we needed another drink etc 5) the chef is walking around in pajamas pants with a tshirt that says "chef", is that supposed to make me want to pay these prices? 6) the food is OK, and over priced. The french toast flight, which is so well named I went to this place just to get it. $11 for 2 pieces of bread, part with some blueberries on it, part with some strawberries, part with some nuts, and part with some maple butter. Absolutely nothing special about this, and for $11 it is exactly 2 pieces of bread. I can only imagine that all of these people raving about this french toast, have never personally made french toast, hence have no idea that it cost about 25 cents to make and is really simple. Everything else we ordered was also OK and overpriced.
(2)Roshani C.
Food was really good. The french toast was yummy and so were the hashbrowns. Service was friendly. Our waitor was super funny because he was sharing riddles with us.
(4)Toya R.
few times you eat breakfast and have an opportunity to taste completely NEW tastes! I love everything. I dream about the French Toast Flights. The chicken sausage is so good that I order extra to take home. The food is unique, beautiful, and delicious. the service is outstanding. The owner/chef takes time to talk with you. And, the atmosphere is inviting and cheerful. I have noticed that when I go at 930am, there is no problem with crowding. outstanding, high tech service that is right on time on and quite friendly. i LOVE this place.
(5)M G.
I don't write a lot of yelp reviews though I do go out to eat quite a bit. We regularly go to breakfast in search of the perfect breakfast place, but rarely go to the same place twice. Batter and Berries will definitely be an exception to that rule. We love this sunny breakfast spot. The staff is warm and attentive with the chef making rounds to the table. The coffee is good and regularly refreshed. The food is really exceptional. The scrambled eggs are fluffy and flavorful. the hashbowns have a nice crispness to them and are a little finer than the usual grade. They make their own sausage -both chicken and pork- and both had a real freshness and herbiness to them. We have also tried the caramel french toast served with a flavored butter. It really is out of this world. It doesn't need syrup for my tastes, but if you like yours a bit sweeter they'll bring you complimentary real maple syrup. I really don't think I'm exaggerating on of these points. We look forward to returning soon!
(5)Stormin' N.
Thank you fellow YELPERS for turning me on to this place. Took a ride from the Burbs Sunday for a trade show. Friend said "Let's leave early and go to some place cool for breakfast in the city". "No problem", I said. And I turned to YOU! I hate to repeat but I ditto much of the reviews. Cute place (a little noisy with a crying baby), great french toast (and I didn't need syrup!). I would pass on the sweet potato hashbrowns. Great staff, helpful and funny (riddles and all) and totally enjoyed Chef Rylon visiting everyone. I even saw him with a broom and dust pan sweeping in the kitchen. What a hands on owner! I will be back!!!
(5)John M.
Batter and Berries rules! The first time I went I didn't try the Cluck n Gaufre, but remedied that my second time. This dish is incredible!!! I've had chicken and waffles at countless places including Roscoe's in LA. The Cluck n Gaufre brings the dish to new heights. What really did it for me was the owner/chef coming out and saying hi to every table. Super nice guy and very sincere. Come here and you won't be disappointed. Also, make sure to get a side of the chicken sausage. It ain't cheap, but it's worth it.
(5)Rebecca H.
I had the french toast flight, which I would suggest everyone getting! I also had the homemade chicken sausage which was very good as well.
(4)Vic C.
Pretty good food. Just beat the morning brunch rush at 10:15. The portions are perfectly sized.
(4)Demetri K.
Great French Toast and Lobster Omelette.
(5)Lael J.
Good food, great service, pleasurable environment. Will definitely come back!!!
(5)TJ W.
SWEET BABY JESUS!! This place is awesome! So many people had been telling me about this place, so my brother and cousin decided to take me here for my birthday. I really have no words for this place. I think a good slap to the cook's face would be appropriate. Wait...would that be appropriate? I think they'll take it the wrong way, so I'll just try to find the best way to describe by experience. The restaurant is small, clean and bright. My family and I went on Monday morning, so it wasn't crowded at all. We were greeted immediately and seated. Once opening the menu, I wasn't sure of what to get since I'm a very picky eater. Everything has something in it (i.e. fruit, lemon, caramel, etc.). I'm a pretty simple person and I HATE fruit in my food. So, after browsing for about 20 minutes, I decided to get the strawberry French toast ( I know, I was surprised too!!), chicken sausage (perfect for all of us who don't eat beef or pork) and eggs. Honey, when I tell you that the French toast was made by Jesus himself, I'm not lying! My brother had caramel French toast and that was pretty tasty too. There was caramel oozing out of the bread. How in the heck did they manage to do that?!!! Anyway, my experience was great. I'm pretty sure I had a food gasm! :) I've found a new favorite breakfast spot.
(5)Joe G.
Excellent crab Benedict and La Colombe coffee is smooth and strong. Don the manager and staff are very gracious. All together a great place.
(5)Paul T.
Let's start by saying the food was very good. The French Toast flight was excellent. But I was kinda done after waiting over an hour for a four top. When the server came to take our order the computer crashed. Oh, then it crashed again when we were trying to get our bill! If that kind of thing is happening even once a month seems to me they should invest in a backup system or go back to the old credit card swipe machines that take an image of your card!
(3)Meghan C.
Went to Batter & Berries while visiting Chicago. Took the L from our hotel and then a short walk. Food was amazing (we went for the chicken&waffles and french toast flight). We loved both but were both floored by the chicken and waffles. The manager (or owner - not sure) stopped by the table to greet us and then gave directions to some nearby sites. Overall a great choice for brunch!
(4)Loretta F.
Excellent french toast flights and chicken sausage. It's BYOB, so bring the champagne and have a few mimosa's. Don't forget to bring your patience The wait can be significant. I arrived at noon on a Saturday and waited about 45 minutes. It's a small establishment and they don't take reservations. The locals who probably frequent the restaurant seem to be oblivious of the long wait. So, they sit and sit and sit; long after they've finished their meal. Just a little courtesy, please, for other patrons!
(4)Matt G.
The french toast is outstanding and the staff is very good.
(5)bj f.
after two visits to this great new neighborhood addition i can attest to a jekyll/hyde reaction. love, love, love the french toast! but the belgiques & deconstructed omelets are not orders i'll be placing again. on our first visit, my hub, the french toast gourmand, ordered the flight, which consisted of a sample of strawberry, lemon, caramel & blueberry, all excellent, although we agreed the caramel was a bit sweet for our tastes, good in a sample portion, but too cloying for a full order. however, the winning feature of the toast, aside from the tasty flavors, is the consistency, with a pleasantly crunchy outside crust and moist, but not soggy center. soooo well done! i always go for egg white offerings, and i was enthused by the thought of a deconstructed omelet, with the fillings serving as a topping for the eggs rather than being blended in. i enjoyed the actual product much less than the concept. though the broccoli was cooked as i like it, neither too raw nor soggy, the stalks were very large, and the cheese didn't incorporate itself into the dish at all; there seemed to be a disconnect. i ate all the broccoli, but was left with a mound of egg whites, which on their own were not interesting enough to finish. i guess i like a scramble better after all, so i won't go there again, although the lobster does sound tasty, and may be more to my liking since it advertises a sauce. the hash browns were nicely prepared and seasoned, with a crunchy crust which resembled a potato pancake, and my hub liked the homemade chicken patty sausage, though i found it too herbal for my taste. also, though very cordial, our server was fairly unconscious to our needs; coffee wasn't refilled, and it took FOREVER for our check to be delivered. maybe he misinterpreted my mound of eggs to mean i hadn't finished? our meter ran out as we waited for the check, which made for an anxious and hasty exit. on our second visit, my husband ordered the blueberry french toast and i opted for the belgique, which is their way of presenting a belgian waffle. his was as tasty as we remembered, but i found the waffle to be dense and doughy, so different from the light texture of the toast. there was an artificiality to the flavor that i didn't enjoy either. my hub, who didn't object to its density or sweetness, came to the rescue and traded 3/4 of my order with two of his slices, so i was a happy camper. also, on this visit, there seemed to be more back-up help; the coffee flowed well, which imho, is expected when it's $3 a cup, and the check came before the meter expired. all in all, i would heartily recommend b & b for its french toast, and perhaps after our next visit, the biscuits will garner a positive thumbs up as well, because that's going to be my next order.
(4)Tiffany B.
Girlfriends and I went for breakfast, well it ended up being later than breakfast time by the time we all got there, around noon. There was about an hour and half wait.....but I would wait ALL OVER AGAIN!!! The french toast flight was worth the wait and then some. You know its an awesome restaurant when everyone there waits for an hour or longer and doesn't complain or leave. The Chef came out and greeted us and made our experience one to remember!! We cannot wait to go back!! :-)
(5)Norma G.
I rarely take the time to review, but I wanted to give this restaurant the credit it deserves. I live just a short walk away but never came in to the restaurant because it always seemed so busy. I drove or walked by and people were always gathered outside the doorway. This past week, I decided to visit the restaurant because of all the wonderful reviews. I was not disappointed!! First of all, the wait was not long at all. You are brought to a waiting area towards the back. Secondly, you should expect to be just a short distance away from the next table. This is the city, after all. I expected to wait to have to take my order, but a server took my order right away and recommended a delicious french toast flight that I am still dreaming about!! I couldn't make up my mind about the eggs with steak and shrimp, so I had that too!! It was delicious! My son had pancakes and bacon and he loved it. I also expected to wait for the food, because it was so busy, but it came right away. The food was high-quality and presented very well. I plan to make this a favorite restaurant and cannot wait for my next visit. All the patrons seemed to be in a good mood and the manager (I believe) even walked by to ask us how we enjoyed our meal. I have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and I can honestly say that I have not experienced a restaurant with such a positive vibe and delicious food!!
(5)Laura W.
We live in the area and were excited that there is a new cute brunch spot in the neighborhood! We went for breakfast today and the food was incredible. I got the lemon french toast which was fantastic! Very moist and great flavor! My husband got the spinach/mushroom decontructed omlette, which was also incredible! It was very fresh and had a unique mushroom/spinach puree which brought out more flavor! Even the hash browns and bacon were great! It's a very bright and cheerful environment with a lot of beautiful paintings/pictures on the walls. Also I love the island that they have in the center of the place for big groups! The waitress was very friendly and great for giving out her recommendations and the chef came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was good. So overall a great spot with far better food than a lot of brunch spots that I've been to, with none of the waiting (at least yet). Definitely check this place out!
(5)P S.
Just happened to pass by and was hungry to decided to stop in. I might have missed it otherwise - the sign IS big, but the yellow interior and sign would not have caught my attention. BUT I'm glad I did stop in! The staff is super friendly, and they have a kids menu as well as breakfast and lunch items. My daughter ate ALL of her chocolate pancakes - she's a picky eater. I opted for the Batter Burger - which was absolutely delicious. Large onion rings perfectly friend and crispy perfectly seasoned fries, not to mention the perfectly cooked juicy burger. Yummy!
(5)j m.
Excellent. Service was great, nice people better food. Their interpretation of chicken and waffles, is next level good. Tons of food. Not especially cheap, but worth it.
(5)Trixy D.
Wandered in for breakfast while waiting for another shop to open, and did not know what a treat I was in for! They had only been open a week or two, but I was treated to an extremely delicious half hot chocolate/half coffee with TOASTED marshmallows, and a beautiful omelet that was cooked in the lightest most delicious oil, with fresh spinach, mushrooms and swiss cheese. They were still working out the bugs, but the service was great, friendly, explanatory (which makes up when something might not go as expected) and the chef/owner came out towards the end of my meal to make sure I was satisfied with everything! It has a nice vibe, not super cozy and warm, but not big and boxy or touristy either. Just a great local gem. I am not often in that area, but plan on going back specifically to eat here again. They have some amazingly creative options on the menu and I'm dying to try some of them!
(4)Marrissa W.
SERVICE: I found this place on yelp (looking for brunch in Lincoln Park) and wanted to go somewhere new with friends. On coming up to the restaurant, it looked super cute and nice and was really noticeable from the street. We got there (there were 4 of us) and it was somewhat crowded, but there were obvious tables but we couldn't sit until a waiter/waitress came to seat us. That took about 8 minutes. Not a huge deal, but still we were hungry. Also, notice there as one actual waitress, two manager looking men and a cook coming in and out of the back helping serve. I don't think they were expecting this many people that day. So we sat down and waited, and waited, and waited and waited and FINALLY! we had service. Once we ordered, we noticed other groups coming in and having to wait as long as we did. Again, not a huge deal, but because the place is small people are waiting right near your table. They served the food, I believe it was the manager that did that, but we had waited a long time. Again, the restaurant wasn't too crowded, but I think they told some waiters/waitresses to go home and didn't expect the amount of people that were there. So for brunch more than a 45 minute wait becomes excessive. Finally, we ate but my friend and I wanted to order something else (potatoes and bacon) and we were worried it would be another long wait and it was. All in all, I would blame the service on the unexpected amount of people in the restaurant that day, but nonetheless, it took a bit too long for everything. FOOD: AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME. So I just ranted on the service, but truthfully the food was awesome. I had the french toast (there are a few different kinds with different fruit) and they were soft and really good. DOWNSIDE: Depends on what kind of eater you are, I was hungry after my main meal. So to the point, order the main dish but then put in a second order because the sizes are decent, but if you are hungry order something else too at the same time. WOULD I GO AGAIN? Heck ya! But I would go during the week and a non holiday (I I went on Lincoln's birthday during my first visit).
(3)Jerry K.
This place was great. The food was original and the staff were attentive! My girlfriend and I will definitely return. Highly recommended neighborhood breakfast.
(5)Toni J.
quick service, food was great & we met the chef which made me want to come back and support a great business... I'll give it 5 stars once my husband gives his stamp of approval
(4)Pat S.
The food was pretty good; IF YOU LIKE THE GREASTEST FRENCH TOAST THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC! Unfortunately I had scream in ALL CAPS when eating there because the music is SOOOOOO loud. If they would turn it down a bit I'd be here more often.
(3)LeeAnn W.
Had breakfast here for the first time this morning as part of a business group I belong to. The pancakes were fantastic - they were crisp on the outside (in a good way) and soft and yummy on the inside, with a slight lemon flavor. Best buttermilk pancakes I've ever had. The chef came out to chat with us and the staff was really friendly. I'm already planning a trip back to try the french toast!
(5)Andrea B.
Fantastic! Great tasting food! Excellent menu selections I couldn't figure out what to order I nearly wanted about seven things on the menu. Guess that means I'll be coming back. Service was a bit slow but for a small restaurant cooking everything from scratch and fresh I was prepared. The chef is So friendly and personable. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)Cristine K.
gotta try their french toast flights. it is to die for. excellent neighbourhood breakfast joint, not too pricey and excellent service. Chef even comes out and greets you some times. recommend going early on weekends as I have seen long line ups.
(4)Andrew B.
Delicious food and very friendly service! Had breakfast here for the first time on 7/13/12 with 4 friends. We each ordered something different and we all loved our food. The French Toast is absolutely incredible. The omelets are superb, with the ingredients layered on top of the eggs so you can really taste every flavor. Everything is FRESH and they use all natural ingredients, nothing artificial. (There's not even Sweet & Low in the sugar container) Chef/owner Derek Rylon made a point to come over and speak with us before we ordered to explain his cooking methods and later to ask if we were enjoying everything. Our waiter was lots of fun, asking us silly riddles, which had us all laughing and added to the experience. We can't wait to go back and work our way through the various items on the menu ( I have my eye on their version of a Reuben sandwich). I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Jeffrey M.
so good. so gooooooooood. soooooooooo gooooooooooood!
(5)Heidi L.
I just went to Batter and Berries for the first time today after service at the Bodhi Center. Best french toast you have ever had in your life!! My friend actually got the french toast sampler and I had some of the lemon french toast, so good. I actually had the kale salad and it was also delicious. This place is run by really good people and has a great vibe. The chef sat down and asked us how things were after our meal - so sweet. I would love to see some smoothies or fresh veggie/fruit combo juices added to the menu. Fantastic overall. My only complaint - the atmosphere so jovial that it got a bit loud, but still more than worth it.
(5)Angela R.
My sister and I heard about this place on thrillest and decided to check it out. I have to say the food was so good that we came back for breakfast and lunch. I had the chicken deconstructed omelet and OMG was it good!!! The vegetables and chicken that were on top were not only really well seasoned and tasty but were very fresh. My sister tried the cluck-n-gaufre. I Had a few bites and I have to say it was very interesting. It had the most amazing sweet and savory taste. The flavors married really well together. It was a sweet potato waffle with chicken stuffed inside with a maple butter. Unbelievable! For lunch I ate breakfast again and tried the banana nut waffle which was so good I didn't use any syrup. It had caramelized bananas on top of a waffle that reminded me of banana pudding. YUM!!! My sister had the salmon sliders. I noticed that this dish was very tasty yet light. On top of the good food the service was great as well along with their decor. I would definitely recommend this place. Great addition to Lincoln Park!!!!!
(5)Laurie R.
Stopped in with a friend for the first time on a busy Saturday morning. First time for both of us. She had the lemon French toast, I had the deconstructed spinach omelet. Both excellent. The hashbrowns with the omelet were especially good - light, crispy and well seasoned. I try breakfast all over the city and this is comparable to Yolk, Elly's, Nookie's, Toast, Victory's Banner, etc. The only place where I like the food better is M. Henry. The price was reasonable. The server was attentive and helpful. The decor is fine, nothing special. As others have said, the layout is a bit odd. Docked a star because the noise level was excruciating, due to both a packed restaurant and music that was both ridiculously loud and stupid to boot - I think it was a radio station. My friend and I spent the entire breakfast shouting "what did you say?" and "excuse me I didn't hear you!" If the owner/chef addressed the layout and the noise level, this could easily be one of the best breakfast places in Chicago.
(4)Robert N.
I visited this restaurant for brunch a few weeks after it opened so thing may be better, I wanted to like it more as it is a two minute walk from home for me... The food was good, I had the flight of French toast...Maybe this is just a personal preference but i hate how everything is served on glass plate, you can see right through you plate to the table...it didn't help that our table was sticky/ dirty when we arrived; i waited for one of the employees who were standing around chatting to check in with us after we were seated... After about 5 minutes I got up and asked them for a napkin to wipe down the table, instead of coming over to help they handed me a napkin as if it was my problem... I was annoyed that the service was so poor... The chef came out to ask us how everything was, that was nice. I split the bill and the staff didn't know how to do it, I guess it was a new system and they didn't know how. Overall poor service but pretty good food
(2)Jenni B.
great honest staff...chefs are roamin around introducin themselves, i got chicken and waffles...AWESOME...sweet potato waffle and some friend chicken.. great salt and sweet balance. handle it
(5)Tracy R.
French Toast flight is sublime... Chef Rylon is a talented and gracious host. Bright, pretty, charming place with enough great sounding options on the menu, I'll have to keep coming back to try them all!
(5)Piper P.
Overly salty 20 dollars for corn meal polenta with a big red beard hair....really?????? Not impressed,
(1)Peace P.
I was recently introduce and had to go for breakfast 3 days later. I enjoyed the cheese hash browns, pork sauage & sea scallops. Unfortunately, I did NOT enjoy the egg white omelet & french toast flight . Our server was pleasant. Yes, I will go again not sure when.
(3)Suzanne S.
An awesome find! What a great place for breakfast. We took our daughter here while in town, and now she has gone several times. Just like home cooking, but better. And the waiter was jovial and fun. Giving us trivia to solve while he got our delicious dishes. We are definitely going back again when we are in town.
(5)DJ S.
This is one of those restaurants that you walk away just feeling impressed that food can be this good! Do yourself a favor and eat breakfast here if you're in Lincoln Park. I found this place on Yelp and decided to try it based on favorable reviews and it was worth it. I had the french toast flight and got to try a little bit of everything--strawberry, blueberry, caramel, and lemon I believe. There are only two major drawbacks with this place and they have nothing to do with the food! First, there are large crowds depending on the time of day you go...this attests to the fact that the food is great. Second, parking can be a bit of a hassle here, but that is true of most places in Lincoln Park. Overall, a great french toast experience and a must try.
(5)Melanie B.
I have a good feeling about this place. I am thinking if all future visits go as well as our first, we'll be stopping in quite a bit. It's nice to have a convenient brunch spot that's not too hard to get into. Honestly, that worried me a little bit, but I needn't have been concerned. Their thing, as the name says, is batter (french toast primarily) and berries adorning the dishes. The husband got the special french toast, blackberry cheesecake...yum. Somehow they infused butter with cream cheese. It was magnificent. I got the waffle with caramelized bananas. Mmmm. I could have used a few more banana slices, but it was very nice. I do agree with what some of the others have said about the decor. I don't get it. Some of it is for sale, e.g., temporary, I hope, but it's kind of bright and jarring. I'm being really picky, but as an editor, I hate the font they're using in the menu and signage. It's like...almost jester. And no one likes jester. I think we also saw the chef/owner walking around. That's nice to see, and to know the chef is invested in your experience. Ooh also I want to try the lunch. I think I saw pretzel buns...
(4)Jenna Z.
Just finished a great brunch. French Toast Flight was a fave along with the Buckwheat Pancakes. The best part was a visit to the table by Chef Rylon the owner - a great personal touch that made us happy to be supporting a local business. Ambiance on a Sunday is boisterous and alive- not for those looking for a peaceful brunch. Thanks for a great start to the day!
(5)Emmanuel O.
You haven't eaten brunch until you've been here! #noleftovers
(5)Chevy R.
You will leave craving more!!! I'm speechless! Always in a party of 3-6, no one ever has a complaint! The staff are super awesome, they give presentations of the food and come with funny jokes! The wait is often pretty long, they really need to expand the size! BYOB! Parking on the street can get difficult!
(5)S R.
This place is one of a kind. You have to be willing to wait because they're always packed, particularly for weekend brunch, but the wait is worth it. They have a ton of specials that change a lot, the chef is super creative with different seafood, meat, eggs and sweet dishes - that all seem to keep the integrity of brunch at it's prime. They're known for their French toast - you can get the flight and try them all, great for sharing, even as an appetizer... Which is not something I usually do for brunch, but I make an exception here. Chicken and waffles are to die for. The sweet potato waffle with chicken cooked in is one of the fluffiest, most flavorful waffles I've ever had, and coupled with the fried chicken and amazing hot sauce, safe to say these far outdo any chicken and waffles I've had before. We also shared the buttermilk pancakes which were fluffy and perfect with the berries and maple butter. This place can do no wrong. Their chef is an absolute genius. The servers are smart, quick and eager to help, and the host staff has their process down to a science - handling tons and tons of hungry customers in a relatively small restaurant space. Batter and berries is a spot not to be missed for one of the best brunches you'll have in Chicago.
(5)Dee D.
I do NOT like to wait - and typically don't BUT it was my bestie's birthday so wait I did and ... this time it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT... AND I would wait again! The staff was friendly, the food came quick, hot and was out of this world delicious!
(5)Joslyn J.
This place is NOTHING short of AMAZING! My sorority sisters and I visited Chicago for a reunion trip and to enjoy great food. We heard this was the place to go, so we took a train and walked almost a mile from our downtown hotel. We had a large group and the place was packed (as expected) so we waited about an hour. The chef came out and greeted everyone waiting which was really nice. We had already looked over the menu so we asked about the sweet potato chicken and waffle. We are from California and have Roscoe's chicken and waffles which is great! He told is that his chicken and waffle was rated the best in the nation so we had a friendly conversation about that. He also suggested the super flight of french toast and stated if we didn't like it then he would buy it. Needless to say he sent 2 super flights to the table and we devoured them in 2 minutes. The flavors and special butter are second to none. We had 9 in our party so we ordered e everything from crab omelets, to pork chops, chicken and waffles to salmon and it was ALL amazing! The restaurant is also BYOB so we got our own mimosas, that was definitely a first. I encourage anyone ever close to Chicago to come treat yourself and eat here!
(5)Kyle S.
Get here before 10am!!! Amazing food and service. Got here at 10:05. Had a 90 minute wait, which turned in to 60 minutes. Left our phone number and walked to Starbucks. They called us when our table was ready and we were back within 5 minutes. Server (Tusiime) was fantastic. Took the time to explain everything thoroughly. Food was at our table within 12 minutes. Left there full and satisfied at 11:45. With an hour wait this was remarkable. When we left there were 21 tables in the wait line. Try the French toast flight and the buffalo chicken sandwich. Chicken and waffles is solid as well.
(5)Nida K.
The only thing I hate about this place is the fact that its in the north side. I wish people starting businesses would do so in our hood versus in the north side. Especially when they are from the south side. Anyway, that's personal shit. This place is awesome!!! We tried 4 different dishes. We had the French toast flight which was so very good. My favorite one was the pecan or cinnamon or praline. It was that kind of flavor. Second dish was the crab cake dish. It was good. Not my favorite, but real good. Flavors were full and rich. Third dish was the chicken and waffles. I don't have to go on about how amazing they were because of all the other reviews. But one this is... They cook the chicken into the batter. Holy crap!! Last dish was- Hmmmm..... I don't quite remember what it was but I know that it was damn good. They took away all our dishes empty!!
(5)Angie L.
I have eaten at Batter & Berries twice and I must say this is my favorite breakfast spot hands down. If you go on a Saturday be prepared to wait 30 -45 minutes if you are a late riser like me. I ordered the super flight and it comes with their special French toast of the week as well as strawberry, lemon, blueberry and caramel. The French toast comes with maple butter and it is so delicious. I also ordered the cheesy hash browns and homemade chicken sausage. I highly recommend the chicken sausage soooo good. The service was excellent and our food came out very fast and was hot. I can't wait until my next visit to try something new.
(5)TeMeka W.
I came here for a business meeting on a Friday afternoon. The decor is colorful, bright, and inviting. There was still a line that meant a 20 minute wait but I took that as a sign that I would be pleased with my first time experience. And, I have to admit that I was surprised and excited to see so many African American patrons at a spot on the north side not far from where I lived. Their brunch menu definitely has a lot of great options. Yet, due to other self-imposed restrictions at the time I can only wish I tried some of the sweeter options. My server also used an iPad to show us pictures of the specials which I found to be a nice touch. As far as what I ordered, the hash browns I loved; yet, the broccoli and cheese omelette was just okay. I'm not sure that I like the deconstructed concept to it. Overall, I had a good experience. My only downside comment would be that the hostess was not very informative or efficient. She failed to tell me that my whole party needed to be present in order to be seated and I was only waiting for one other person. Then, I stood in front of her hostess stand for over 15 minutes. And it wasn't until she seated a couple that came in after me that she decided ask me if she may escort me to the waiting area. I understand why restaurants have this policy of seating a whole party but there was no sign that clearly stated it. And, again the hostess did not mention it to me until i asked her why I was bumped in line. Considering I did have a heavy bag with business items with me, it would have been nice to be able to prepare a little bit for my meeting whether I was being seated at a table or in the waiting area. So that would be my only comment for room for improvement. I did let the hostess know directly that I thought she should have told me about the policy of all guests being present much sooner.
(3)Trish F.
Food was ok. Customer service sucks. Y'all gotta do better
(2)Sarah L.
i got a special, which had lobster in it. it was pretty mediocre, but it also had a lobster shell piece in it. when i told the waitress, she was like "oh" and did nothing. i emailed management and they were like "oh" and also did nothing. wish i loved this place, since its POC owned and really cute, but i think they're overpriced, for sure.
(2)Jayson B.
Hands down the worst breakfast that I've had in a very long time. The word of the day with this Restaurant is "Amateur" In Every Way!!! After waiting 30min for our food. Not only was my whole order wrong but it was cold. They had the audacity to tell me that they don't allow substitutes, but yet couldn't get their basic order right. On another note, with an extremely limited menu, how do you run out of ingredients to prepare some of of your most popular items? The manager was no where to be found. You couldn't pay me in 10 free meals to step foot back in this place. You've been open for a year! Extremely disappointed!
(1)Katie D.
First of all: the staff is amazing. Chef Rylon is the most personable chef I've met. I really hope he succeeds in his goals for this place. I got the strawberry french toast and it looked and smelled so good. Then I ate it and it was orgasmic. My eyes closed because I had to enjoy it all. -- guess this didn't post a couple years ago but better late than never.
(5)Ariel L.
Holy hell, who designed the interior of this place??? It looks like it belongs in the florida pan handle or somewhere in the sunbelt. Good thing the food didn't match the decor... The staff was super friendly and the food was quite tatsy. Everything was fresh, and there were some interesting takes on the food. I'd pobably rate the food a solid 3.5. I really enjoyed their fresh house made sausages. I ordered their biscuits and gravy. The gravy was damn tasty, but the portion was on the small side. Everyone else's orders were much larger, so i wouldn't knock them for it, but I also wouln't order it again. If I lived in the area i'd come by on a regular basis, but given that I don't live in that neighbohood, I doubt you will ever see me there again. There are just too many places to go to.
(3)Shradha A.
The flight of the french toast was indeed as good as described by everyone else. There was no wait for a late sunday brunch and the chef personally came out to ask how everything was going. Service started a little slow but she got a lot more attentive as others left and she had fewer tables to take care of (she seemed to be assigned all tables as she appeared to be the only server). My friend has the deconstructed omelet and liked it, but I certainly think their french toast is the real winner.
(4)Danielle P.
Omg this was my first time there today.... This was the best breakfast I've had in a looooooooong time. The service was great I'm definitely going back!!!! I had the sweet potato waffle n fried chicken with ham and sweet potato hash, it was excellent!!!!
(5)Hesham A.
French toast here is amazing. I also had the chicken stuffed sweet potato waffles that were pretty damn good. Restaurant is nice, great service, great location. Portions are large. Would definitely recommend this for breakfast/brunch. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Justin H.
My favorite place to get breakfast in the city. Can't go wrong with the french toast flight or steak omelette.
(5)Eames E.
My [genderorientation]friend suggested this place to me, this is a big deal given if she recommends a bad establishment she'll end up as "battered" as the berries in the eponymous name. I had the lobster benedict, which laid on top of some kind of potato shards and then coated in a hollandaise sauce that has since been coagulating in my fridge ever since along with all that cheerleader blood. Overall, I'd recommend this place, but the lobster benedict was the most expensive brunch item and id recommend the stuffed chicken waffle instead.
(5)Jon M.
Once the service kinks are worked out this will be a solid 4 star brunch option on the North side. A fun take on fried chicken and waffles that does not try to be more or less than it is but it is definitely unique. I'm not even a waffle kinda guy but the moment I saw it, I had to try it, and I was not disappointed. Regarding the service: The hostess did not seem the most organized or necessarily vocal which does not help a busy and loud place like this on a late Sunday morning. She playfully mentioned that she called my name inside and out before she 'found' me...as I was standing next to the host stand where I was the entire time and never heard my name once... Overall, service was a bit slow which on a busy Sunday for a brunch joint is a bit of a stretch but I am confident once the staff hits their stride this will all be worked out. On a minor logistical cold weather complaint, the single front door operation made it a bit unbearable by the end of the meal for my friend sitting closer to the door. A double door/temporary outside door should be the norm for a place like this. If possible, request a table further away from the front door while the weather is still a bit chilly. On the plus side, it was great that the owner/chef made the rounds to every table which always tells me the guy cares what the customers are eating and saying about it. Will look forward to a return visit and updated review.
(4)Raymond S.
Not much I can say about B&B other than this place is awesome. I have to knock it a star for inconsistency. The first time I got the french toast it had a texture unlike any other french toast I've had in Chicago. Uniquely custardy and amazingly flavorful. The second visit it was still good, but the french toast didn't have that same texture, I'm assuming the cook didn't let the bread soak for long enough. The chicken and waffle is also very well done. I was mostly impressed with the crab benedict. It was considerably more expensive than the other items, but still a bargain for how much crab you get.
(4)D B.
We're visiting from out of town and found this lovely spot with the help of Yelp. My little ones loved the pancakes, specially the butter. Hubby and I shared the Super Flight of French Toast (each piece was better than the last) and the Traditional Breakfast. The cheese hash browns we're the best I've ever had, maybe made with asiago? Down home atmosphere, fantastic food and very friendly server and manager.
(5)Letitia C.
Let me say, I NEVER write reviews on anything..But this place?..I just had to. The Food was EXCELLENT!!!! I had the crab omelet, and the French toast flight. My daughter had the kids chicken fingers. Even the chicken fingers were good! Everything was seasoned perfectly and the flavors went together very well. The service was fine for me..I had no issues at all. We did wait about 20-30 minutes but I am a patient person and it was well worth the wait. I'll be back!!! My bill was $49.80 for 3 people (myself, 7 year old and 3 year old) They are a bit pricey but they're worth every penny.
(5)steve L.
The food is surprisingly light for breakfast food which is nice. Enjoyed the French toast the most and the crab benedict was a close second.
(4)Thomas M.
After seeing the endless line day after day I figured it would be awesome. As I waited 30 minutes for a table and food was going by, my mouth was watering. It ended when we got our order. Nobody had the pancakes or French toast so can't review them, but we had the chicken and waffles, executive omelette, and the shrimp and crab Benedict. The shrimp and crab was just ok, was missing something a little bland. The eggs were cold and also just ok. The chicken was the same and waffle was way to sweet. The cheese hash browns were horrible. We figured it out. Everything is mass produced then re heated the cheese had hardened the eggs and waffle were cold and the centers never got warm. Would I eat here again, no. There are to many other choices. Besides long wait extremely loud and not the friendliest of staff.
(2)Kylana G.
Very good breakfast spot. I have only been twice (don't live nearby), but I have been happy with the service and food both times. I also have several friends who have been and have great things to say about the place. There have been a few complaints on Yelp and FB regarding a long wait - but people need to be realistic. If you go to a popular breakfast/brunch spot that has limited seating after 10:00 am on a Saturday/Sunday, you should expect a wait. Seriously. Check it out for yourself. This place has a great variety of food options and is an overall yummy spot.
(4)Rachel W.
My husband and I were quoted a 45 min-1 hour wait. We watched while MANY larger groups (3-6 people) were seated before us. Then the hostess would come out and ask who doesn't mind sitting together - and everyone rushed to get in (it had started to rain). She didn't follow the list at all. We ended up waiting an hour and 20 minutes. I watched the hostess (young pretty gall with her hair in a bun on the top of her head) get in two verbal arguments with irritated patrons. Not the most welcoming thing to witness. Our server was fantastic - fast and hilarious. He made the visit worth it. I ordered the French toast flight and my husband got the breakfast burrito. Both were good, but nothing special. It was a memorable experience, but a very frustrating start to the day. Only go if you are in a party greater than two. You will be seated much faster.
(3)Ali K.
This is one of the greatest Breakfast places in the nation by far. Think of the soul food influence but its been turned on its head and brought into the breakfast arena. I told my friend that I had been reading the reviews on this place and people were going stark raving mad about it and he said "IT'S HIS FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT" only a few blocks away so we would walk to it. It was the perfect way to introduce me to the Chicago culinary scene. Apparently this place on the weekend is extremely packed with lines out the door it's that good, so my suggestion is coming during the week during the work day if you're off or visiting the area. Promptly seated in the corner by the window, Batter and Berries has a nice little bistro feel to it, not that much seating but the atmosphere is very welcoming. The hostess was pretty easy on the eyes as well :) To the food, they have a good amount of options mostly comfort style breakfast food and a few lunch dishes but stick to the breakfast options. The pancake options they had were pretty tempting but then i saw the French Toast Flight and I couldn't resist. Five different types of french toast (four traditional and then the special french toast offering. That week it happened to TIRAMISU! THE REASONS ITS IN ALL CAPS LOCK IS BECAUSE THE FLAVOR WAS MINDBLOWING UNBELIEVABLY GOOD! The entire French toast flight sampling was perfect then to top it off I got the Chicken Gaufre. (Chicken and Waffles to simplify) THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES I HAVE HAD SO FAR IN MY LIFE. Because it's not a regular waffle it's a sweet potato waffle with a little slight hint of cajun spice (not sure it's that) mixed with the waffle gives you a little kick and it's lip-smacking good. Obviously the chicken was juicy and had just the right amount of hot sauce on it, the combination of the two together was mouth watering. I don't know if Willy Wonka or Sylvia The Legendary Harlem Restaurant owner walked in here and said CREATE THE COMFORT SOUL FOOD EQUIVALENT JUST WITH BREAKFAST but whatever/whoever the inspiration was a mecca of greatness was created. THIS IS A MUST GO TO WHEN VISITING CHICAGO.
(5)Christian Y.
Good food but terrible service when trying to get seated. We went for Sunday brunch and of course it was packed but we were willing to wait. Fast forward to over an HOUR later when we went to check on our table we were told we received a text a while back however that was not the case. We were then asked if we gave the correct number which made us give the ultimate stone face. Then we were promised the next available table...commence to watching folks get seated ahead of us. So then she comes to us and asks if we were the party of three...well we were not three people so the discovery that there were two parties with the same name and apparently there was no party of three ever it was just another party of two. At this point it is like an episode of hunger games but we have waited too long to quit. The hostesses were definitely in over their heads...so then FINALLY we got a table. It was like we won the lottery for dumb people who stay too long in line at a restaurant. So after we got seated we were immediately given drinks which helped to stave off the momentary fainting spell I was going to have. Thankfully we had an all star waiter (Tim) who quickly came over and took our full order (we studied in the time before we sat down) and made sure we were taken care of. The good was good and hot but I just could not get past the whole ridiculous seating situation. It just seemed like the ladies at the front had issues maintaining and establishing control.
(3)Britney R.
We tried coming here last month but it was too packed. So what better way to say farewell to 2013, than a nice hearty brunch with the girls?! We got in quickly. Our server was AMAZING (I believe his name was Tusemi). We ordered a flight of the French toast to split. The special was the mimosa French toast- it was great. So were the blueberry, caramel, strawberry and lemon. I ordered another special- the surf & turf omelet - marinated steak and jumbo shrimp with bell peppers over an omelet stuffed with mozzarella. It was DEEELISH! My friend ordered the lobster Benedict. It was also really good- only complaint there was the eggs were over-poached. Otherwise, Great service, great food, what more could you ask for? I would suggest everyone check this place out, but make sure to get here early- wait times can be up to 2hrs. Happy New Year!
(4)Jon F.
First ones in the door this morning and it was delicious. We had a flight of French toast and the crab cake Benedict.
(5)Laura H.
We really like this place a lot. Our waiter was wonderfully warm and charming. We arrived shortly before 9:30 on Sunday and were seated right away. Our food arrived super fast, so fast you would think they anticipated our order and got a head start! Despite a long list of fab sounding specials, on our virgin visit, we couldn't pass up the Cluck n Gaufre (chicken and waffles) and French toast flight. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Sweet potato waffle with chicken in the batter, with delicious fried boneless chicken breast topped with a wonderful spicy sauce. A perfect blend of sweet and spicy. The French toast flight consists of four of their flavors that they select, no substitution. You can get a "super flight" that also includes their French toast daily special. We did the super flight and included the spiked eggnog flavor. The regular flight includes blueberry, strawberry, caramel and lemon. The caramel was my favorite, followed closely by the lemon. The spiked eggnog was also very good but crazy sweet! We love finding new brunch spots, and this one's a keeper!
(4)GingerWine 0.
Addicted to Lemon French toast (real lemon zest and pecans and something I can't quite put my finger on), though have the flight if you haven't before.
(5)Myia S.
Took my boy friend to Batter and Berries for his Birthdate on a Monday morning, it was a pleasant experience. The service was great and the food was excellent. The atmosphere was really cool and laid back they are well known for chicken and waffles, French toast and egg Benedict. So when visiting you should try one of the few and on the second and third visit try others(just a suggestion). There were so many different flavored French toast to choose from I didn't know what to get; however, they do have a French toast flight which is like a sampler you will have four different flavors of French toast on one order. I really enjoyed this place because you get to see what you order because they have the pictures of most of the food on a iPad. I ordered the Carmel French toast and my boy friend order the chicken and waffles. It was divine! The Carmel French toasts came out with maple butter on it you didn't even need and syrup! The chicken was crispy and moist and the waffle was fluffy and it was actually a sweet potato waffle. I will be a returning customer I don't have any complaints.
(5)Laye W.
This by far has become my most favorite place to eat breakfast. Because it is THAT amazing, you have to prepare for the long line, and the long wait. The food is absolutely worth it though! My brother came to visit from Dallas, so I decided to take him to brunch. I was with a group of 4 people so it took about 30 minutes to be seated. We ordered our food, and in less than 10 minutes, the food came out hot, fresh, and amazing. I'm really big on drinking tea as well, and the tea at this restaurant is also great. I ordered a Banana-nut waffle, with the cheesy hash browns. It was perfection! It was so good that two days later, my brother and cousin went back for a second helping.
(5)Arturo B.
I finally got a chance to try this place and I enjoyed the food. I had the gator omelette special and the chicken sausage. I wanted to try something different with gator omelette. I enjoyed it and could not complain except that unfortunately I could not differentiate the gator from the myth that it tasted like chicken. It was delicious but I thought it was a little overpriced at $17. I must admit that gator is not a typical ingredient but considering that the omelette was not particularly large and had only some mushrooms,tomatoes and hash browns. It was filling but for a simple omelette it still seemed pricey considering I could get steak and eggs for only a few dollars at a lot of places. Still it was interesting to try something you don't to many places.
(4)Jessica B.
Bring on the French toast!!! Try to get to Batter early as the line grows longer and longer as people wake up and casually accumulate outside. Although, it didn't seem like your roll out of bed, come in your pj's type place either. The men and women are dressed to impressed. I enjoyed observing everyone. On to the food. It's BYOB. They have great tasting smooth coffee. VERY ATTENTIVE staff- I am allergic to certain nuts and never had a waiter ask me if I were allergic to anything before I asked, let alone show me the actual dish I ordered on an iPAD. Interesting. Mom and I ordered the very popular French toast flight (including a soon to be gone pina colada French toast) My fave was the caramel. We also shared crab cake benedict. Delicious and flavorful. Aha- the side of sautéed veggies we ordered last minute were great also, tender and perfectly seasoned. I can't wait to go back and try everything else Batter and Berries has to offer.
(5)Jordan S.
During our entire meal I kept thinking I died and gone to breakfast heaven. It was that good. I made my very first trip to Chicago last weekend with my boyfriend and this was the first restaurant we went to. Boy am I glad we did! We were tempted to order the Cluck-N-Gaufre (Goof) since it is such a unique dish, but opted instead for their daily special, the Crab Cakes Benedict, and the Flight of French Toast. We made the right choice. The Crab Cakes Benedict was creamy-savory-deliciousness. The French toast was out-of-this-world. Seriously the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of French toast. It's made out of Brioche bread, and it was sweet and lightly crispy on the outside, and nice and soft on the inside. Each flavor of toast in the flight was better than the last (Caramel Pecan, Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Rum, Lemon...mmm!). No need for syrup with this French toast. Not to mention the service was excellent! Thanks for making my first restaurant experience in Chicago unforgettable. My only disappointment is that there's not a Batter & Berries in San Diego. Until we meet again.
(5)Nik L.
Reminds me of bongo room. Not as creative and succulent but....almost. I'd go back. Fun energy, diverse and relatively quick. I'd like to see more on the menu
(4)Maria P.
This morning my foodie of a husband and I checked this place out. We went at 9:30 and waited 5 minutes for a table. I ordered the crab omelet which comes with their cheesy hash browns. The omelet was excellent, don't get me wrong, but my meal was $16.50. That's a lot considering the atmosphere and well, breakfast food! My husband ordered eggs, bacon, and hash browns with a side of toast. Yes, that's correct, toast is considered a $1.50 side there. We both got coffee which was nice and hot, a regular and a decaf. They were slow to fill our cups though and when you wait 20 minutes for food, you like to enjoy your coffee. The service was friendly and mildly attentive. If we go back we will have to try what they are known for... their waffles!
(3)Sean R.
I frequent Batter & Berries and like many of the reviews I am very satisfied with the food. I would recommend a new person going that you do not go at peak brunch times after 12 on Saturday or Sunday. You will wait about 45 minutes because it is a very popular place. Try and experience it during the week or earlier so you can really enjoy the place. Also try the weekly french toast or the Chicken Waffle these are the staples of the restaurant I highly recommend. One last tip if you like a Mimosa you can bring your own champagne.
(4)Carl J.
Got a tip from a new friend that this was the place to take your honey for brunch. So right. Management, service, food and price were great. My new friend has moved up to friend for life.
(5)Ava B.
The wait, as we expected, was long: one hour on a Saturday afternoon. Our server was very friendly and accommodating. Our dishes came out very quickly, which was appreciated after the long wait. The restaurant is also rather noisy. BYOB with no corkage fee is good. The food was pretty good, but not great. Crab Cake Benedict was fresh, but rather bland. I think I enjoyed the cheesy hash browns that came with it more. We also had the Super French Toast Flight. It was good and the maple butter added some nice flavor. Other than the lemon and the strawberry, though, the other French Toast flavors just didn't stand out from each other very much. The orange juice was not fresh-squeezed. I think this place is pricey for what you get. Crab Cake Benedict was $17. Super French Toast Flight was $13 for the equivalent of 2 slices of toast. Frozen orange juice was $4. Our total bill for two came to over $50 not including tip. While I might return if in the neighborhood, I'd have to say that there are other places that are a better value with better food elsewhere.
(3)Angela M.
My husband enjoyed his Deconstructed Chicken Fajita Omelet. However, our hash browns were received cold, chicken and waffles were just Ok and the chicken sausage a little too sweet. The wait was long and when I went in to find out why the wait was longer than initially stated (we were told an hour and ten minutes and time was creeping up on an hour and a half), we were in within 15 minutes. I've had friends rave about this place and it was a major disappointment to me. Thus, I will continue my journey in locating and possibly recommending other black owned businesses.
(2)Jessie T.
I would have given this place 2 1/2 stars if I could. Giving it three is pushing it. A friend and I finally tried this place about a week or so ago. The food was good (nothing to over brag about and over price). We went on a Saturday morning (Air-Water Show day) and arrived about 9:00 am or so and put are name on the wait list. The young lady that checks you in can use a class in hospitality. She wasn't the most friendliest person to greet paying customers of their establishment. Our wait time wasn't long at all, about 15 minutes. Our party was of three and we were seated at a "community style table" which we didn't care for but we sat there anyway. The waitress we had was friendly and helpful since this was our first time there. She went over some of the items on the menu and their specials including showing pics of the specials and of the french toast dish (which I personally didn't think was that amazing from the pic). The menu was simple. Not overwhelmed with a lot of food choices. We ordered the salmon special, the crab cake benedict special, my son had his usually breakfast menu items (eggs, hashbrowns, bacon). Now, the bus boys were another story. Never been to a breakfast/brunch place and after you are seated they come and take the coffee cups away without even asking if you want coffee or not. My friend had to tell him she did want coffee and had to also ask, after he poured the coffee, for cream and sugar. Also, had to ask for a set of eating utensils which we all didn't have at our seats. They just seem to stand over to the side by the counter, complain and look disinterested. Our waitress had to even tell them to refill our glasses with water. The most interested part was when one of the waiters dropped a plate of food he was bringing to a table. The manager who was just walking back and forth at the time instantly had a unpleasant disposition about himself. I even told my friend that he should probably go in the back and get himself together because his entire demeanor was coming across the wrong way to the customers. He spent most of his time walking back and forth on his cell phone which I thought was rude. Overall, I most likely will not be back. I wasn't impressed. You really want to support black-owned businesses but one of the main components to me that they miss on is providing good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment. The food can be average but if you have good-excellent customer service and a welcoming environment, that's what keeps me coming back. I've enjoyed breakfast/brunch spots that have much better hospitality and friendlier service and not over priced.
(2)Charles M.
Me and my girlfriend went it was amazing she got the sweet potatoe n chicken waffle and I got the cinnamon apple waffle it was sooo good definitely going back the owner came out and greeted us and was very friendly the service was excellent they even had an iPod with their specials definitely now one of my favorite breakfast spots
(5)Darius G.
Everything about my dining experience was great! The hostess Neki was very friendly. She offered an accurate approximate wait time and went over the daily special with me while I waited to be sat. My server was Tusimi. Although I was pretty set on what I was planning on ordering he gave me a tour of the menu and I actually changed my order based on his suggestion! He was very helpful and offered up a few jokes while I was waiting for my food. The food was excellent! by far one of the best breakfast joints I've visited in the city. Between the friendly and fun service and the wonderful food I'll definitely be back for me.
(5)William K.
This is a case of the 'Most Improved Customer Service" review. In my 2 previous assessments of this restaurant, the customer service was the torn Achilles heel of such quality food, and made for a squeamish experience. Upon returning a succession of times, and hoping for the best, I finally was witness to the service that such a restaurant should have with quality food. My reservation prior was with a few of the wait staff, who were either too concerned with customer interactions and not food service efficiency, or a host/hostess that wasn't present to seat me and my party in a timely manor (with light-moderate table activity). These areas have been improved drastically, perhaps due to the absence of the employees at fault for such analysis. Ever since returning, there is a new rotation of servers/wait staff that are far more efficient to the customer needs (all around), and the environment has a smoother aesthetic with these updated employees. My preferred time to dine in is Monday after 1p, where the observation of the improved service has been noted for about a solid month now, which means that the changes were not by chance. If you care to experience the great food, and the newly improved service efficiency, perhaps the weekday afternoon post-lunchtime would be great. I raise my glass to Batter and Berries for making the adjustments, and reward improvement by engaging my colleagues in that direction, so please keep it going. w.k-
(5)Jeff R.
This place was awesome! Long wait, but worth it. I had the scallop omelette with mushrooms. Delicious! Had a mini flight of the cinnamon brown sugar French toast. So decadent and delicious. Just the right amount of flavor. No syrup needed. Even the butter was good! My girl had the crab cake omelette which was almost as good as the scallops. The sides of hash browns were good too. Great gravy! Definitely coming back!
(5)Marie B.
Ok the French Toast might be the best I've ever had! Get the French toast flight...u won't be disappointed. I would have given it 4 stars, but the service was slow, she messed up an order, my hash browns were over cooked, & no biscuits on Monday. I have to go back again though to give it a second try.
(3)Sharina R.
3.5 stars The food was good, but expensive for the amount given. $11 for the Flight of French toast which came with 4 triangles of assorted French toast and NO sides, is a bit ridiculous. Each side you get is an additional $3 each, so if you want French toast with bacon and potatoes, be prepared to pay $17 for your food alone, never mind if you have guests with you. I got the cheese crusted hash browns. The hash browns were good, but I've had better. The French toast was so damn good though man let me tell you. You can also get the super flight which is 1 more triangle for $2 of their flavor of the week or whatever. Mine was cherry pie so I didn't end up getting it. Then, there's this maple butter on top, which is to die for. You don't even need syrup for this dish. Our bill for 3 people was around $60 The customer service was great and our server was INCREDIBLY knowledgeable about the menu front to back, as well as the specials that were going on. The food came rather quickly. I liked this place, but the prices are enough to hinder me from returning.
(3)Diva B.
I went to Batter & Berries for the first time yesterday afternoon. It was crazy crowded, inside and outside. The hostess told us that the wait would be about an hour, but she promised it was worth the wait. I trusted her, and I'm so happy that I did! Our wait ended up being only about 15 minutes because we were a party of 2, versus the other large groups. After hearing so much about the French toast flight, I decided to order that before even looking at the menu. I also ordered a veggie omelet special. Everything was superb!!! I was blown away by the French toast flight, particularly the lemon. My second favorite was the caramel French toast. The other two were strawberry and blueberry, which was pretty much just regular French toast with the fruit on top, but still delicious. The French toast is so good that they don't even serve it with syrup. The omelet was the fluffiest I've ever had, fluffier than I ever could have imagined was possible. It was topped with broccoli, green beans, peppers, and some kind of delicious sauce. My only complaint is that the place is LOUD!!! Not only is it packed with people talking and laughing, but they play house music on full blast, so everyone is talking over the music, which makes it louder. Our server had to put her ear 2 inches from my mouth in order to hear my order. It's all good though, I'll be back!
(5)Joni R.
Treated my niece to breakfast one windy Saturday and we came up north to B&B. The wait time was 30 minutes( I'm cool w/ that..it was a Saturday morning) we were seated, juice and coffee on deck, placed our order and anxiously waited. 1) Chicken stuffed sweet potato waffle with fried chix breast, drizzled w/ nutmeg hot sauce sauce and maple syrup. That shish was good! The chicken in the waffle were pieces of fried chx! 2) My niece ordered the southwest omelette. Grilled chicken breast w/ strips of red/yellow/green peppers and onions...On top! The deconstructed omelette as Chef likes to call it. Great food, wonderful staff, creative food choices( lobster omelette, shrimp/ crab Alfredo omelette..where else do you see that) and decently priced for breakfast. Get in here fast!
(5)Selena A.
After watching on Check Please and hearing about this place again recently my son and I decided to go on Sunday morning. We were fortunate to have no wait time. There were larger parties waiting so we got lucky. We had an excellent server who had a riddle every time he came to the table. The food lived up to the hype. We shared a super flight of French toast and an egg white omelet with salmon. It was light and delicious. Coincidently, the Check Please segment aired again right before we left home. Mario you're right I could have smoked a cigarette and I don't smoke. I will certainly be back. Also, I got a chance to take a picture with the owner who came to our table several times. I recommend being patient, well worth the wait. Next time I have my eye on the pork chop I saw on the plate of another guest, it was huge and looked wonderful.
(5)Krystal M.
Batter and Berries is so absolutely delicious. I would definitely rate it, one of the top 3 breakfast spots period. The menu is so fresh, and all the dishes are bursting with mouth watering flavors that keep you coming back for more. Although, this restaurant gets pretty crowded, the staff keeps everything running smoothly, and you'll be seated in no time. The food comes out so quickly, it's almost unbelievable. One of the servers who gave us a great experience was Tusime. He is always in great spirits, and always has a great riddle to get you through the day! While you're visiting might I suggest trying the cluck n gaufe, Carmel French toast, and crab Benedict....... Thank me later :-)
(5)Mason C.
I didn't think breakfast could taste so good. Get the french toast flight!
(5)Sheri F.
I loved the food! I have been there and have had the french toast flight which was amazing! The pork sausage also very good. It reminds me of Bob Evans sausage with a little spice to. The broccoli and cheese omelette was loaded with cheddar and had huge chunks of broccoli. The cheddar hashbrown were good but needed more seasoning. The deconstructed steak omelette was ok. Huge chunks of steam and lots of gravy. The times I went we were told the wait would be 45 or 50 minutes but the wait wasn't that long. The server was polite and attentive. Food came out very fast. I absolutely love this place and recommend it. The only issue I had was that there was a gentleman, who im guessing was the owner, was greeting people asking how they liked the food. I noticed this gentleman pay more attention to the tables where Caucasian people were sitting. One table happened to be next to us. For an establishment that has a large African American clientele, I feel that everyone should feel welcome no matter their race. Other then that this place is wonderful.
(4)Brian M.
I went here on a Saturday with my roommates around noon and the wait was 45 minutes. From what I've read this is pretty standard and you should always plan on a wait. But let me tell you, it's 100% worth the wait. I ordered the French Toast Flight and a cafe latte. Instantly I took a picture and posted it to instagram. It was a thing of beauty. Four different flavored french toast slices. A blueberry, caramel, lemon, and strawberry with maple butter and syrup, each bite was better than the last. I didn't want it to end. Our server spoke extremely fast to a point where I completely gave up on the specials and focused all of my attention on the ipad she was displaying with pictures of dishes that I couldn't see because of the lighting and glare. I honesty couldn't tell if it was English or Spanish. Also, this place could use a design overhaul. Everything from the "Batter & Berries" sign outside to the inside, it looked very amateur. It's not somewhere you can stay long. You get in, focus on your food, and get out ASAP. We will definitely be coming back for the food, and at the end of the day that's all I care about!
(5)Candace W.
PHENOMENAL! *drops mic and walks off stage, Randy Watson style. Lol There is not much else to say about the food. The service is also impeccable. It is so nice to see owners be visible and take so much pride in the experience they provide for their customers! I haven't seen it done better in awhile. Bravo!!
(5)Kori B.
Great menu especially if you like to explore new dishes. The service and food is awesome!
(5)Lisa J.
freshness of food is what you will find at the cozy, charming oasis on Lincoln Ave, in the heart of Chicago's Near North side. The service and quality of food is hard to match. This is an ideal spot for the entire family, group of friends or just one on one.
(5)Katie R.
best french toast. ever. i got the super flight - definitely preferred the blueberry and strawberry over the other three (the special was sweet and savory, the flavor was a little funky to me) as the lemon and caramel french toast were just a little too sweet for my taste - especially the caramel! nonetheless, some of the best french toast. it is a little bit crispy - hard to explain, but the flavor and texture were absolutely fabulous. the cheesy hash browns were spot-on as well. our waiter kept telling us jokes and was very attentive. the rest of the staff we encountered were very sweet as well. good coffee. cute place. can't wait to come back and fill my belly with a full order of blueberry french toast.. ohhhh yeah.
(5)Jayne T.
My food was not hot, the host staff were rude, the table structures are all wrong, the bus boys are clumsy. Chicken sausage were really good.... Not to mention we were rushed from out table once we got the bill...!Im sticking to the bongo room.
(2)Kelli B.
First your Facebook page and now here..And now on to my yelp review... I wish I could give you guys 0 stars. My experience was THAT bad. Your hostess was the rudest and most unprofessional person I think I've ever encountered in a long time. After making several seating errors and not even owning up to the mistakes, I provided you feedback and still wanted to give you guys a shot. I waited until my birthday to drive a ways to support a black business I assumed was up and coming that came with decent recommendations, but alas I'll never know if the food experience would have helped me overcome how awful the incoming service experience was. Once your 'hostess' (what a joke host) told my party that we could 'sit over there', I'd had it. Why exchange good consumer dollars with a restaurant that doesn't even understand rule #1 of the restaurant industry, without service you have nothing. No one will ever get to sample the supposed (as I didn't get to try it) great food you have to offer when they can't even get past the nightmare service awaiting them as soon as they arrive. Ok...now on to other sites so I can tap to warn other patrons to skip the hassle and choose another venue who takes their service seriously.
(1)Bethany B.
After a long wait to be seated (1.5hr), the food was good but it wasn't hot, more like luke warm. If you're going to wait over an hour for an awesome plate, I would expect it to be hot. We also noticed where food was being wasted, as we, and other patrons, were brought food we didn't order. I wonder how much money is being lost. If the food was hotter, I would give them 4 stars, and if they did a better job of managing their orders and not wasting food 5 stars. I would definitely go back - the French Toast Flight, and Peach Punch tea was AWESOME!
(3)Marquis B.
I like to call myself a connoisseur of good food and, as far as breakfast goes, this is top notch. An elegant assortment of breakfast favorites and classy alternative combinations create a bombastic menu of great tasting food. Each dish I've had here has been exquisite and consistent to say the least. The french toast is of course what people come for, but with interchanging menu options (my favorite being the lobster benedict) and B&B staples like the delicious potatoes, you begin to find yourself making up reasons to return to try everything else they have to offer. The service is exceptional as well, though quite often you may experience a wait and calling ahead is not accepted, it is a testament to the delectable dishes you experience once inside. You are greeted with friendly wait staff, constantly checked on, and you will see the general manager at least 4 times before leaving so he can accommodate you in any way you need to ensure a great experience. Highly recommend.
(5)Chey W.
I went here today for the first time with a friend. We came in and were seated right away because it was a tuesday morning at 8:30am (on weekends expect an hour+ wait). The waitress explained the specials board and even showed us a picture of what each dish looked like on an ipad mini...very helpful. I ordered the super french toast flight (blueberry, strawberry, lemon, caramel and vanilla bean rum), deconstructed broccoli cheddar omelette (that came with cheesy hash browns) and chicken sausage. I am now a huge fan of the french toast flight and chicken sausage....they were my favorites. I like that they have different specials every week so it keeps it interesting. The food was flavorful abd AMAZING, staff and general manager were friendly and the atmosphere was good. Oh, and my friend loved her french toast flight, ham and bacon as well. After one visit, this is my new favorite breakfast spot. Can't wait to try other dishes.
(5)Joe L.
Get the French Toast super flight and a side of ham. U can thank me later
(5)Jenna A.
Just left this place. Went to brunch with the hubby for his birthday. Had the sweet potato waffle with the chicken and he had the steak omelette. We both lived the food and friendly service. As a fellow food- business owner, i say kudos to you guys! We will definitely be back!
(5)Shaun S.
This place is GREAT! Ive only had breakfast there and every time has been outstanding service. My fav is that French Toast Flight with cluck n goof lol.. No syrup needed with their maple butter! Smh... All i can say is Delish... Stay away for wknd brkfst unless u like waiting for an hour!
(5)Chris M.
OMG!!!! The food is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!! Do not go on Saturday the wait is horrible !!! But that lemon french toast and crab cakes Benedict makes it worth the wait!!! Sooooooo good !!!!
(5)Jeremy W.
French Toast unlike I've ever had, quite good! The coffee is kind of weak, but that's a forgivable sin. Super nice owner and the staff is very attentive. I went at 8:00am on a Sunday, one of the first patrons that day; 20 minutes later the place was packed. Try this place, it's a winner.
(4)Liz G.
A solid 4 stars. Batter & Berries is one of those places with really great, really fresh food and excellent service. The last time I went there they said it would be about 25 minutes wait but then some seats opened up at the communal table in the center and we were seated in under 10. Our server was very friendly and made sure we had all the information we needed. She saw that we had brought champagne (it's BYOB) and suggested a large orange juice that she brought with champagne glasses. We ordered the Super French Toast Flight - this week's special (they have had one every week since they opened) was Chocolate Strawberry Champagne FT. A couple crawfish omelets and a side of chicken sausage that was recommended by the waitress. The Super French Toast Flight was great, it comes with 5 large half slices of French Toast, each a different flavor - I'm a big fan of the lemon one. My only complaint would be the French toast was a luke warm temperature and should have been served warmer. The omelets come deconstructed which is nice because you see what you are getting and can create that perfect bite. The crawfish omelet was tasty with mozzarella cheese and crawfish and tricolored peppers on top. When I think of crawfish, I think of ones bigger then shrimp - that's not the case with this omelet, these are more baby sized. We tried the house made chicken sausage at the recommendation of the waitress and it was very flavorful and a good sized portion. I've also tried the biscuits and gravy which are very good with a nice flavorful gravy. A solid experience here at Batter & Berries with only a few minor complaints. If you are looking for brunch in the neighborhood, look no further! ps. Don't be afraid of the center, communal table - it will get you seated faster and you will be able to listen to other people's conversations :)
(4)Heather P.
They had me at chicken and waffles! In my opinion, there is truly a desperate need for chicken and waffles on the North Side. Thanks to Batter & Berries, I no longer have to venture far from my very own hood to get a taste of the goods. The description led me to believe it was a sweet potatoe waffle stuffed with chicken. I'm not sure if the waffle batter was sweet potatoe or if just the butter was somehow sweet potatoe flavored. Doesn't matter - all you need to know, it was scrumptious! The waffle actually had been stuffed with chicken!!!! My sister had a deconstructed spinach and mushroom omelet and it was excellent! My fiance had the steak and eggs and he was disappointed with the fact that his steak was overcooked, but you have to keep in mind that this restaurant opened up two days prior so there were some kinks yet to be worked out. For one, the kitchen is very open. Some people might like that, I personally don't. I prefer to live in ignorant bliss; where I do not necessarily need to see where my food comes from or how it got there - just so long as it tastes good, I don't need to be bothered with the details. So I suggest closing that off. They did not yet have any diet beverages, unfortunately. Our server was a bit odd. Not unfriendly or unhelpful, maybe a little blunt and rough in his delivery. Apparently orders are taken on ipad touches; but at first we thought he was just texting rather than taking our order. He also told us our son was cute - ahem, my daughter was wearing a dress and when I corrected him he said he doesn't pay attention to those things. Okay....didn't effect our experience, just an example of his rough exterior. They were able to accomodate 5 adults and 2 high chairs in a matter of minutes without a hassle - perfect! A nice touch having the owner and chef come around to the tables. Bravo, Batter and Berries! We'll see you again before too long!
(4)Bridget K.
What's not to love about Saturday or Sunday brunch. My friends and I a group of 3 arrived around 11 am and were seated by 11:30 am. Batter & Berries is cosy and has cute decor. Getting seated at our table was a little confusing because the hostess was trying to seat 2 groups of people at once. Once we were seated we were given our menus and visited by our waiter. He recommended the french toast with is there speciality. A few minutes later the waiter returned with coffee and a iPad for entering our orders. Before long our orders arrived. One friend chose the flight, I had the lemon french toast and another friend got the chicken and waffles. All three things were good. The service was good as well.
(4)Trevian T.
It is with great sadness that I write this review because I had high hopes and wanted to like this place. First, we waited for our table(no big deal), but the hostess sat everyone who came after us before us and then commenced to explain she called us but we weren't present. Not to sound egoistic, but we are very attractive people and are impossible to miss. And, we were in the waiting area the entire time and even gave our waiting bench to some elderly women who came after us and stood for 30 more minutes. Well, let's get passed the point that they just overlooked seating us. So now we are seated. Truly the saving grace of the restaurant was TOOSEEME(sp?) our waiter. If not for him, 1 star surely. We ordered the chicken+goefre and the crawfish omelet. My omelet came out 12 minutes before the chicken. I don't know about you, but do you ever go out to eat alone while someone is sitting at the table WITH you? When I finally got upset and asked why the chicken hadn't come out yet while my partner was starving (my food was now cold )and I practiced common etiquette by waiting to eat, I was told,"We bring it out while it's warm." Is that a major feat in a restaurant?????? I mean isn't that a basic task???? Ok, let's get passed that. (WTF) Now we have our food. The waffle was tasty so 1 star for that. My crawfish omelet was tasteless. I was wondering where the bacon was as I was told it was an ingredient inside???? Please put some seasoning in those hash/mashed potatoes, please!!!! I asked for hot sauce 3 times before getting it. In all honesty, this place ruined a perfectly sunny Sunday morning. Plus, we came from downtown on Chicago Marathon day and drove the long route to get there. Thank God parking was free! I'm into supporting black owned businesses, but damn, this place made me feel bad for having high expectations...which I will uphold.
(2)Stephen L.
The service was very attentive. My partner and I shared the deconstructed chicken fajita omelet and French toast. The chicken sausage is homage patties and was very flavorful. The meal was very enjoyable. We went on a weekday so a weekend brunch may be a little slower. We will be back.
(4)Zach A.
There aren't a lot of restaurants in life that you really want to tell your friends about, well, this us one of them. I was so impressed with the taste! OMG, the chicken and waffles were wonderful and the variety of French Toast, remarkable! I now understand why they said you don't need syrup. A great place for a date, business meeting, a meal with friends or in my case, family friendly. This place is a hit and I encourage you to try.
(5)Tawana W.
5 of us including 1 child went for Sunday brunch. Hostess was very polite and accomodating. Space is cute and distance between tables is appropriate. Ample street parking on Sunday morning when we arrived. Between the 5 of us we ordered chicken sausage, hash browns, french toast flights, steak & egg omelet, fresh fruit, coffee and juice......and since we each love tasting food we tried it all! My opinion, the french toast flights are lovely....good flavor, good variety, perfect serving size. The steak & egg omelet was well flavored but mine was supposed to have swiss but ended up with colby cheese....didn't stop me from eating it one iota and it was still delish. The fruit was fresh and presented nicely and the beverages were fine. My one odd moment was the chicken sausage and hash browns. The sausage has some of the best seasoning I've had in a long while but because it's not encased in skin and I miss the snap you get from biting into sausage. Just a personal preference and not a negative especially if you like patty sausage. However, my hash browns were flavorless and required large amounts of salt and pepper to taste like anything......hopefully it'll be better next round. I didn't have a chance to taste the pancakes, but I'll be back and will go for it soon....real soon.
(4)Elibe E.
I've been hearing about this place for some time and I finally wandered in for brunch this weekend. NOTE: B&B is a BYOB, so be sure to stop by your local party store for champagne, etc. B&B's brunch menu is made of up of SEVERAL varieties of French toast, pancakes, standard stuff (eggs, hash browns), and the chicken and waffles dish. My order: standard breakfast with chicken sausage ($1 upcharge). Amazing. The sausage is patty-style, and it tasted very fresh - definitely not processed/packaged/frozen. The servers and staff are very welcome and friendly - I'll be back to try some other dishes.
(4)Matt M.
I will admit that making a reservation for 8 is a bit hard to relate to but our experience was quite bad. If you can't service a large group than just say so B&B! We had a reservation but still waited 45 minutes past our reserved time to be seated. When we were finally seated it was right next to the front door and the frigid air that would rush in every time customers came and went. I suppose double doors or some type of enclosure is a bridge too far. Anyway, half of our group had to keep their coats on to stay warm. The real failure of this spot was the kitchen's ability to make our food in a timely manner and bring it out together. The people who ordered omelettes received their meal a full 20 minutes before the people who ordered anything else. Since my group valued manners more than warm food, their meals were effectively cold by the time every one was served. The head chef/owner seemed like a nice enough man but he made no apology for the complete lack of professionalism from his kitchen. Perhaps if he spent more time in the kitchen and less time glad-handing his patrons his tables would be served all at once. The food was very good but pricey. Can't recommend this place.
(2)cj w.
When I saw the line for the restaurant sprawling outside the doors, I had to try it out for myself and the food didn't disappoint. Sampled a few items, but my favorite by far was the French Toast Flight, definitely a must have! Also don't forget this is a BYOB, something I didn't realize until after I sat down and saw everyone with mimosa in hand
(4)Gabrielle R.
All I can say is this is probably the best breakfast I've had at a restaurant in a long time. I absolutely loved everything I had and the sweet potato waffles were amazing. Will be back for sure.
(5)Candace L.
Superb service! The owner/chef is personable and the staff is welcoming. The food is extremely fresh, hot, and mouth watering delicious. It was well worth the drive! So pleased with this experience! Ill definitely be back!!!
(5)Merrick D.
We are currently finishing out meal at Batter and Berries and the check was just placed at our table. I am in utter dismay at the customer service provided by the management. We came with a $15 gift certificate that we purchased 2 months earlier. Despite the fact that the gift certificate clearly states that it does not expire, we were informed by the manager that they would not, under any circumstances, apply out gift certificate to our bill. We were told that they stopped accepting gift certificates last week. What does that even mean?? Then the manager gave me a song and dance about how they never authorized the gift certificates on the first place. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, especially since he told me they had been accepting them since last week. Bottom line this is a business that isn't putting its customers first. At some point it will catch up with them. I hope this review can prevent any other Chicagoans from getting ripped off like I did.
(1)Cee. D.
Dined Date: Wednesday Sept 4 2013 BA-by, Batter & Berries got it going on! It's so refreshing to see a BOB thriving and doing the damn thang. For starters: My Sugar in the Raw vs White Sugar Struggle--------------- ~Coffee [bottomless] was good (not too weak/not too strong, just the way I likes it) BUT [rewind], after receiving my coffee, WHAT? Where's the white sugar packets? I quickly noticed that there were only Sugar in the Raw and Splenda packets in the sugar dishes, on the tables surrounding me O_Oh hellz NO! Understandably-Supposedly, the Sugar in the Raw [unbleached] is better for you?, but, I have tried it, and I DON'T likes the way it makes meh coffee taste! I was ready to beg! I was thinking to self, there is no way in the world, you 'bout to tell me yawl ain't got no white sugar up in here. My waitress and I laughed 'bout it and she kindly brought me some white sugar-from the kitchen, poured in a little cup. WHEW, thank goodness. Sans the white sugar, I would have had to have her take that coffee off meh bill. ~Blueberry French toast, eggs were delicious! I ate 1/2 of everything and got the rest to go. The pattie pork sausage was meh. ~Being greedy, I also ordered the sweet potato waffle w/chicken to go; the waffle was meh and the chicken was OK. ~Owners of B&B, I love the funky ware that was chosen to rep your concoctions. ~Restroom gets an A, as it didn't give me the heebie-jeebies.. ~I will for sure return to B&B, more than likely, when I have a day off during the week, to avoid the wait that other yelpers yelped about. FYI-B&B is BYOB, but I'll just BMOS {bringMyOwnSugar}.
(5)shari h.
Well, what can I say! I am happy and content. The family and I flew into O'Hare with Batter and Berries as our destination spot. Mr. Don Jones and the staff did not disappoint.Made it to the breakfast spot before the Saturday lines up!! OMG!! We tried a lil bit of everything....Crab omelet, lobster Benedict w/ cheesy hash browns and a French toast flight...banana pudding,strawberry,lemon,pralines and blueberry with a side of bacon!!! And to top it all off ....Listening to Chicago House Music!!! I can go back home and get back in the bed...my day is complete!! :-)
(5)Paula W.
I visited today and had the French toast flight, chicken and waffle, and biscuits with chicken gravy. All were excellent and the butter that comes on top of the French toast and waffle was devine. The biscuits and gravy was flavorful and was accompanied by eggs and coleslaw?!? (Weird I know but it was delish) My only complaint was my food was not piping hot when it arrived and I was sitting 5 feet from the kitchen. I would definitely go back.
(4)Mark L.
Had crab cakes bennidict and chicken and waffles. Crab cakes were very good, chicken came out dry and I sent it back. Second chicken was better but they just remade the chicken not the waffle or anything so it was cold. Waffle top sweet.
(3)Stephen M.
I've eaten here twice very recently. First with Blake M who is a breakfast aficionado and then with Alex M, gourmand extraordinaire. First round: me: Strawberry French toast--lively strawberry taste and cooked to perfection (on the sweet side, so I worked a 1/2 slice trade with Blake M for a 1/4 blueberry waffle). Again, the fruit is monster good. Of the two, I'd go with the blueberry waffle--not as sweet, a tasty, near crisp waffle-very good! Second round: me: Caramelize banana with waffle--again sweet (1/4 trade with Alex M for fruit pancakes taste). The pancakes have lemon in them, at least for this dish. Interesting, but that piece of information should be on the menu. This is another one of the city breakfast dining delight storefronts. Go and enjoy! Oh, and each time I went, the hostess was friendly and outgoing (not as complained about in an earlier review by another. Maybe a bad day or they read the review). p.s. to me: you're ordering too sweet! Stop it!
(4)Krista G.
We went at prime time on a Sunday and waited over an hour. When we ordered the food came out immediately but it was cold. It probably would have been awesome. I will definitely give it another try on a weekday. Staff was great amidst the craziness thou!
(4)Sneha P.
The French Toast Flight is yummy, and the Chef came by to check on us during the meal. The lemon french toast had a yummy whipped sugar butter and it was my favorite. : ) I'll definitely go back! I recommend it COMPLETELY! My friend got the eggs/biscuits/gravy, and it was good too. I want to try that and the waffle/fried chicken eventually.
(5)Jacob J.
For whatever reasons, the painted yellow of the banner outside on their sign and the look of their menu's has never garnered my attention. Often times I'd walk by, look in and just keep going without scoping reviews or making the connection in my mind that this is a place I've previously bookmarked to try. That all ended today when I got an early morning invite to breakfast. A few of us hit Spyner's for karaoke the night before and brunch / breakfast was discussed. Actually a "good" brunch was discussed so I needed a great spot to take a few friends to. Let's see if I can stick to the gist of things to keep the review short and sweet. (Which seldom occurs) Four people and three of which tend to order savory more than sweet. Just in case, I kept a backup idea for breakfast in mind (Toast). Luckily our waitress came up with a few good ideas for sampling and our minds were made up. Two got specials of the day and the other two got the same order consisting of the chicken and waffles. The two specials were the pork chops breakfast and the crab cake eggs Benedict. Since the place was busy and we had time to wait, I insisted we dine on an appetizer consisting of the French toast flight. She, our waitress insisted on the "super flight", we instead confirmed on the regular. Dude that shit was awesome. Like super, duper good. Each piece was different, some had a soggy inside with crunch exterior and others were sweet from their tasty toppings. I should note that per the menu the chef mentions to try the food as is before reaching or asking for additions. Like salt, pepper, hot sauce or maple syrup. Most of us loved our food with the exception of the pork chops. Good size portion except one person commented it tasted like something Mom could have made at home. If weekends are too busy, try a weekday if you get the chance. I'd say we were there at a good time to score some properly created food. We hung out afterward a bit longer than others and got a chance to meet and greet with the chef! Kudos!.
(5)Kelly N.
This is my favorite breakfast go-to in my neighborhood. Be prepared for waits on the weekend - but keep in mind, there's a reason why there's always a wait. The food is PHENOMENAL. I've had the lemon french toast and blueberry french toast and loved them both. I really like that you don't even need syrup with the french toast because of the delicious maple butter that comes with the dish. The sides (sausage, hash browns) are a bit on the smaller side, especially if you decide to share, but along with the french toast, you'll leave feeling satisfied. I really like that the chef/owner comes out to meet with his customers and hear how they're enjoying the food. Great customer service. I would recommend Batter and Berries to anyone that loves breakfast - especially french toast!
(4)Terry A.
By far the best waffles I ever had in Chicago I definitely will be coming back to this delicious spot good job y'all ur business is nice clean great atmosphere family friendly children are more then welcomed I give it will be coming back soon !!!
(5)Rachel S.
We came upon Batter and Berries pretty randomly on a Sunday morning, and it was the best random event of 2013 so far. Although the wait was considerable, and they do need a wind blocker for the front door, the food completely, confounding-ly amazed me. Service was a little slow, since they were packed to the gills, but when my chicken and waffle arrived, I got serious I-have-to-focus-my-whole-life-on-eating-this tunnel vision. The dish is a sweet potato waffle (sweet but not too sweet and fluffy as all get out), with maple butter, and a fried chicken breast with nutmeg hot sauce. What!? It was like a mind-blowing buffalo chicken and the best waffle of your life. Damn. My partner had the biscuits and gravy, the gravy of which was exceedingly rich, but made with the house-made chicken sausage and the side of cheesy hashbrowns still has me salivating. They offer sweet potato or cheesy hashbrowns, but who would turn down cheesy crispy potato bits given the chance? No one! We were feeling flush, so we also ordered a lemon french toast, which tasted like lemon pound cake to me. It also had some of the maple butter on top and would be great for anyone who likes lemon and doesn't like off-season berries. All in all, a great experience. This place is bumpin', the chef even came out at one point and admonished us to fasten our seat belts. Boom. Be prepared to wait if you go on the weekend, but KNOW, it is worth the wait. I'm eager to return and try the chicken sandwich. =)
(4)Ken S.
Worth the wait.... Come b4 u get hungry because u will have to wait... Good things r served 2 those that wait @ B&B. Friendly attentive staff, best breakfast I've had in Chicago ...... In a word, GO!
(5)Jan E.
Their specialty is fancy French Toast and it's indeed delicious. Great service.
(4)Adrian R.
I have been to batter and berries several times and never left disappointed. Yes it is small. Yes the wait can be long but u have long waits at any decent brunch place on a Saturday or Sunday in Chicago. If u don't have to wait then that means the food isn't good. I will say they need a new hostess or training. They aren't rude but not the nicest. Food is spectacular. I am not picky when it comes to waiters. Just be polite, take my order and ask if I want more water or coffee. Some people just like being difficult customer and having butt kissed. Food is always hot. Best brunch place for the money in Chicago. I always leave satisfied. I will take them over a place like yolk any day. People need to get over the size and the fact u can't substitute items. Stop being so damn picky and difficult. Just go and order cause it's damn good.
(5)Elizabeth Z.
Food is pretty good - wait is not! Had to come during the week because waiting for 2 hours on the weekend was just not happening. Love the fact that everything really is fresh. Also, loved the waitresses and their ipads showcasing the specials - What a great idea! Wasn't too crazy about the sweet potato waffle with the chicken on the inside but the chicken on the top was delicious. We got several sides of the special hot sauce it came with. We even got extra to take home! We did try a small piece of the lemon french toast and i actually liked it even though i was hesitant at first. Service was on top of it as well.
(4)Kia P.
This a great place for breakfast just make sure that you get there early to avoid the long lines
(5)Rich K.
I felt compelled to write my own thoughts after I saw a few unfavorable reviews that just don't do this place justice whatsoever. Hands down, THE best breakfast joint I've ever been to. This has been echoed by a few of my family members and my girlfriend as well. The french toast flight is absolutely incredible. No syrup needed with Chef Rylon's maple butter, which is also amazingly good. For anyone who likes french toast or waffles, order them here and I promise you will not be disappointed. I've eaten here 5 times now and I have left very happy every time. Chef Rylon also makes it a point to say hello to each table and thank them for stopping in. I found that unique nowadays, and a bonus for a place serving such amazing food.
(5)Aprill H.
My co-worker and I took my boss there when she came in from NY. Service was excellent (I love that they show pics of the menu items), and the GM came over to our table and was super friendly. Food was amazing! I had the Bailey's French Toast and my Co-workers had the French Toast flight and the Caramel French Toast. (They strawberry french toast was a little too sweet, but other than that they were all great). We also ordered chicken sausage and eggs. Will definitely be back :)
(5)Kaitlin L.
This place is awesome- what I especially love is everything is made in house. They roast the poultry, link the sausage, bake their own pastries, even go so far as to make their own chipotle ketchup (surprisingly awesome) and spicy pickles. The service there was extremely friendly and the Chef had the best Bulls chef hat I've ever seen, maybe the only one I've ever seen. My boyfriend and I both ordered deconstructed omelettes even though we had no idea what it meant- I got the mushroom and spinach, he got the chicken fajita. When the plates came out, we saw why they are deconstructed- everything but the cheese is presented on top of the omelette rather than inside. The owner/chef of the place came by our table to chat and explained that a deconstructed omelette showcases the fresh ingredients they use in house (I can attest to that, everything was without a doubt insanely fresh). Most breakfast spots throw in their old veggies when making an omelette, chop it up nice and small so we would never notice. Never thought about that, but the freshness of the omelettes will definitely bring me back to Batter and Berries. Next time, gotta try the french toast. The workers were swearing by it and they even have a money back guarentee if you are not satisfied with it- not that I want the money, I just want an awesome French Toast
(5)Victoria S.
I came with my friend and her toddler son. They were very helpful with getting her son settled, from helping pack up and move his stroller, to bringing him toys to keep him busy while we ate. The food was very, very good, and the chef came out to say hello. The wait time was exactly what they said it would be, and the prices were very reasonable. The only thing that could be improved on was the service was a little slower than preferred. We actually lost track of our waitress for a while. Luckily the bus boy was there to help us out. All in all, B&B is a great place for brunch. It's worth the wait for the amazing breakfast menu. Go and check it out.
(4)Sheri T.
Service awesome. Food awesome. Will be back. Large portions and reasonably priced. Feels himey
(5)Kelly R.
My second visit and it was just awesome as my first! The customer service was off the chain. The manager even came outside and explain the menu and coffee to all while we waited. Our waiter Tim was great!
(5)Michelle H.
THE best french toast you will ever have. (I only know this because my ladyfriend was sweet enough to share a few bites.) Get the sampler plate -- you won't be disappointed. I ordered the chicken & waffles and they were delicious! The chicken has a kick to it, but it balances well with the sweetness of the waffles. I'm so glad that this place opened up in my neighborhood! Will never be settling for Clarke's or Ann Sather for breakfast again.
(5)Linda W.
How do you turn customers away before they sit down? Take Batter & Berries' "Business Policy" and don't even sit them down! We were so excited to check this place out today as it was highly recommended. It was adequately busy for a Friday mid-morning brunch. My boyfriend and I waited patiently for a hostess (or anyone) to greet us and seat us. After a few minutes of figuring out if we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait, an older lady came up to the podium who appeared to be a hostess as she crossed off numbers on a pad. I cleared my throat and loudly greeted HER hello! (sheesh) Then glancing the room a few seconds, she directed us that it would be a 10-15 minute wait. We were dumbfounded as there was a clean 4-top table directly in plain sight of us (not to mention another in the back). "Oh no", she replied, "That's a 4-top, That's for four people. There's only two of you." "Um...but there's no one else waiting for that table ma'am. There's no one waiting at all". "No, but it's Business Policy". "So you mean to tell me that you're going to hold a perfectly good table for four imaginary, maybe customers while there are two willing customers who are available right now?" "It's Business Policy here" "Oh, ok. Well then, goodbye." We'll go someplace who's happy to serve us and won't discriminate by the number of people in our party. This kind of "business policy" reeks of poor customer service and heavy focus on their own superiority. Perhaps they should add some humble pie to their menu if they want to stay in business. *Note: Due to this instance, we were unable to try their food so this review has no reflection on their food because well, they wouldn't serve us.
(1)Kamilah S.
My bff and I came here on a Saturday afternoon and only had to wait 20 minutes. I had the French toast flight, delish, it came with 5 different types of French toast all very tasty. I also had the chicken sausage, it had good flavor, but it was a tad salty for my taste. MY bff had the lobster benedict, I enjoyed the lobster, I am not a big fan of whole eggs (I only eat egg whites). Overall, I would come back. We even got to meet the chef, he is very friendly. Yessica, our server was polite, she speaks very quietly and she has a bit of an accent and the place can be a little noisy which made it a little hard to hear and understand her.
(4)Danielle L.
We heard about this place through many, many friends and this place is blowing up for good reason. Delicious food, incredible service, beautiful place. What is not to love? The food is fresh and innovative and did I say delicious? The entire staff was incredibly friendly. Our waiter was helpful and entertaining (he ended each visit with a riddle which our kids--and my husband--enjoyed). He made good recommendations, which we wound up selecting: the french toast platter, the crab omelette (the day's special), and the egg nog pancakes. Everything was fab, unique and full of flavor. (The only thing I would recommend is that they start serving fresh orange juice and Starbucks or Intelligencia coffee). Little things made us feel even better about the place like the fact that they use ipod touches to take orders. The high tech angle probably has something to do with how well run the place is. Very smooth from start to finish. The owner greeted us, asked us how we liked everything. He was approachable and genuine as he made his rounds, greeting customers. We will be back for sure. So glad to see a fellow Chicago south sider running an upstanding, outstanding business!
(5)Ben K.
At the risk of being uncomfortably cheese, this place is both delicious and adorable, and as the eccentric chef Rylon said when he came out to greet us upon entering (as he did with every other guest in the restaurant), "If you don't like your meal, I'll buy it. I've said that to thousands of people and never bought one meal." And seriously, the food is really really good. I read disappointed reviews of "deconstructed" omelets which kept me away for a few weeks and I am just shocked that anybody who likes omelets could be down on the food they put out here! The ingredients are fresh, and unlike every omelet you've ever had where the meat in it is overcooked or chopped to little tiny pieces, the "deconstruction" allows them to prepare the meat/veggies and omelet/cheese components separately so they are both properly cooked. And both parts are damn good. Also the service is highly energetic and irreverent. Prepare to be slightly taken aback and then won over by your extremely outgoing server.
(5)Diva T.
Me and my friends went after church for a Sunday brunch. Automatically knowing that it is Sunday afternoon, we anticipated a wait. We were told that we had to wait 45-60 minutes. Again, knowing that this is Sunday, we knew that the wait anywhere would be around that time, so we put our name on the list and waited outside in the car. After about 45 minutes, we went back into the restaurant where we waited an additional 25 minutes to get our seats. While we were waiting inside for our table, the waiting area (in the middle of the restaurant) was completely filled so we had to wait by the door where we had to constantly move for patrons to come through. It had gotten so crowded that at one point, we were almost standing on top of the patrons that were sitting down eating. The interior the restaurant was filled with tropical purple, green, and gold colors. 40x60 paintings that filled the walls, and background of entertaining music. Once we were sat down, we waited about 5 minutes before we got serviced. The silverware and cups were clean. There were condiments on the table. The server did a wonderful job in telling us the specials. I ordered the shrimp omelet special, my two friends ordered the chicken and waffles, and we all split the french toast flight. The french toast flight was supposed to be an appetizer, but it was accidentally given to a table that sat down after us so we got the flight with our meal. One of my friends originally wanted a meal that had biscuits, but unfortunately they were out. The meals were excellent. We were literally dancing in our seats while we were eating. I cleaned my plate of shrimp omelet and my two friends said that their chicken breast was moist, but no longer wanted to eat the waffles after the chicken was gone. The french toast flight had a character of its own. Each one was as delicious at the first. The owner came by each table to greet the patrons and make sure that our service was up to par. My friend asked the owner why was it that they ran out of biscuits, he said that he only makes 80 in the morning and he wants them all to sell out so he can make new ones in the morning. He also agreed to take a picture with us so remember our visit. Overall, I give it a four because at the end of the day, we all agreed that despite the uncomfortable wait, we would return. But a few suggestions would be to possibly make the waiting area a little more comfortable.
(4)Courtney W.
Okay, this place is amazing. I just types Brunch into the Yelp search bar and had Lincoln Park set as the neighborhood. I hadn't even heard of this place before, and I like to consider myself in the know about new restaurants, especially brunch places. The service was great. They told us that we would have to wait 30 minutes for a group of 4, but we only waited about five. They serve Mighty Lead tea which won me over at the beginning. I'm not much for french toast so I ordered the Cluck-N-Gaeurf which is a sweet potato waffle infused with chicken with maple butter. They places a grilled chicken breast soaked in hot sauce on tops of this scrumptious waffle. It was absolutely outstanding. A little steep at $13 but it was worth it. My friends all ordered french toast and agreed it was the best they had ever had. The offer a french toast flight which allows you to try all the options. They also have a special type of french toast that they offer once a week. I loved everything about this place, this is the real deal my friends.
(5)Lindsey W.
Pretty good. I love french toast and never thought a place could base their menu around it, but Batter & Berries have succeeded. First of all the southern-like hospitality is just unheard of. The chef and owner came out to discuss the menu items, tell stories and welcome us to the restaurant. Then he came back to see what we thought- seriously! I had the strawberry french toast, with strawberries in the batter and on top- something about them caramelized and it was addicting. Even the has browns were cooked to perfection. I'll definitely be back to try the chicken and biscuits. Suggestions: The hostess claimed it would be a 20 min. wait so we sat at the bar (not real bar- but high table) yet there were empty tables the entire time we were there. Up the service, but keep the food as is!
(4)Glenn H.
I recommend this place even though the food may be a tad pricey for the amount of food that is given but its a really good place to eat if you prefer quality over quantity. The French toast was amazing (even though I never ordered it....eating off plates is highly looked upon) and I had the Executive which is steak covered in wine sauce reduction with mushrooms and onions along with cheesy hash browns and eggs, all of which were really good. The food arrived quick and the customer service was great.
(4)Jeff R.
As far as french toast, waffles, and other baked breakfast foods go, this place is wonderful! They make a whole variety of amazing french toasts with the flavorings baked into the batter. They use fresh and tasty ingredients to do so and maintain a sweetness to many of them without going overboard and drowning out the other flavors. Staff is friendly and decor is bright and cheerful. There are also plenty of other options beyond french toast and waffles, so don't let that scare you off if you'd like other breakfast items.
(5)Christina R.
Holy moly is this place good, we waiting an hour and a half BUT at least they told us up front. You have to go early or on a weekday, hash browns are awesome. The owner/chef was in the room and I asked him for a big hug because I loved his food so much. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE, but don't freak out about the wait, plan ahead.
(5)Engineer E.
We frequently eat brunch at FLO, Yolk and Tweet - but we wanted to try something new so ran across Batter on Yelp. There looked like an intimating line upon arrival but it ended up only being a 15 min wait for two (this was on a Saturday at 11ish). But while standing outside, a man approached us, introduced himself as Derek (owner and chef) then asked if we wanted our bottle of champagne chilled in their refrigerator while we wait for our table. We were in such disbelief. What was his agenda? Was he the owner or was he just going to book it down the street after we handed him the bottle? No, he really was the owner and chef and he really did put it in the fridge. Unbelievable customer service. After being seated, our waiter Tim was EXTREMELY helpful. He took his time explaining the menu and answered any of our questions. I tend to over-tip, but this time it was warranted. Our waiter did a great job checking up on us throughout the entire meal and made sure we were comfortable. It was loud but not because of the music (I didn't even hear any music) but because it was packed. Derek ended up coming by our table THREE times to check up on us too, giving us recommendations, background about the food and his culinary journey. I read on a review he only talks to regulars - this was our first time so no. He claimed he had no canned foods in the kitchen and that everything was fresh so I inquired on the location of the lobster in the lobster eggs benedict, which he told me he just received from Maine. We ended up going with the lobster benedict and he was truthful - it was definitely fresh lobster and the poached eggs were perfect to boot. I ordered the Cluck & Gravy (Biscuits and chicken sausage gravy) - excellent biscuits and the gravy was addicting. Portions were large, food came out fast. We kept hearing about how good their french toast was so we ordered the "SUPER Flight" and split it. You don't need maple syrup on this because the flavor itself takes care of your palette. That and some mimosas made it a very enjoyable brunch. We'll definitely come back soon - I'd recommend to anyone.
(5)Kelvin W.
I honestly have to rate this place as just average. Everything is just a little too sweet for breakfast. I had the french toast flight along with a chefs special chocolate peanut-butter french toast and Chicken Sausage. My wife had the crab meat omelet and my daughter had the Chicken Sweet Potato Waffles. This place would be great for desert but not for breakfast. Did I mention that the cost for 3 people to eat breakfast came to $73.00 or the fact that the wait was over 1 hour. Never again!!! Overrated!!! There are better places to eat a real breakfast. The meal should come with an insulin shot.
(2)Nada A.
we were waiting for more than 2 hrs for a table.
(3)Melissa H.
The best French toast I've ever had. Doesn't need syrup. Quite frankly I think u would ruin it if u did. I got the super flight that included lemon, blueberry, hazelnut, strawberry. This is a black owned business and chef Rylon came out to talk to us before and after breakfast they have chicken sausage here we want to try next time. Kid portions available. My son got the chocolate chip pancakes.
(5)Kyle P.
Great brunch with no wait for now. Super friendly staff and the best French toast in town. Get the sampler. The chicken and waffle is fantastic as well
(5)Mark S.
And now the reply from the Manager to the email I wrote to him!! Now, maybe it's just me, and i'm speaking from over 40 years of hospitality work, is that any guest who sends a personalized email to the boss outlining the great food, some good/bad news, and a negative observance about staff behavior would want to respond asap and NOT blame the guest for his outreach. Contrary to my last line in my first email I will not return to Batter & Berries. "Chris, I apologize for not returning your email in what YOU considered a timely fashion, but I was not the server, and the matter has been dealt with. Thank you for your concern and Yelp review. Don Jones General Manager Batter & Berries" A copy of an email I wrote to the manager, which did not merit a response from him. Afternoon Don, I just left your restaurant after it being recommended by my co-worker. She suggested the french toast as it was the best she'd ever had. Of course I disputed that because I think the restaurant I work at has the best. She said to get it without any syrup and I was very skeptical; I'm a huge syrup guy. But I did and have to admit it was pretty phenomenal. I had the flight and the flavors were great. It was cooked to perfection. On to the good and bad. The good news is you were busy; the bad news is you were busy. It was pretty loud. :-) Now, something that disturbed me. There was a table of two quite pretty ladies next to my table. They were very nice as well as one of them struck up a conversation with me while she waited for her friend. Anyway, there was an African American male waiter working and though the table wasn't in his station he made a point of going up to the table several times. I know that wouldn't be uncommon for a server to go up to a regular customer and greet them. It's how we get regulars. But every time he went up there were sexual innuendos from the very start. He hugged one of the them and kept putting his hands on both of them. Now, I do that too when I am serving but I do it to every table I come in contact with; it's just who I am. He only did it to that one table, not any in his real station at all. He went over the line when he walked up to the table and while grabbing his shirt asked, "Do either of you have a needle and thread?" Before they could answer he pulled up his shirt sleeve and flexed his muscles saying, "Cuz I'm ripped!!!" His acquaintance chuckled and the one he didn't know didn't ever smile. She did not think it was funny at all, in fact I would say by her expression that she was pretty offended. I'm not writing to get the server in trouble but I wanted you to know. I'll be back, I know that.
(1)Azin S.
Best Brunch ever. Delicious food and wonderful staff! Chef Ryan came to our table himself and asked what could he do to make it better! They are BYOB so if you want Mimosa being your own champ an and they make it for you. It is worth the wait and believe me you'll go again and again.
(5)Susan F.
Monday morning and it's crowded. Got the French toast flight. FANTASTIC. I asked for syrup (a big no-no). The waitress smiled and said it's very sweet so you really don't need syrup. She brought it any way and she was right. The best French toast ever. The bacon was good and crisp. The cheese hash browns were just ok. Needed more seasoning. Service was ok. Place is small. Love it. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Matt M.
The BEST breakfast I have EVER had. Period. We were visiting from Michigan and went to B & B on Sunday. It was so good, we had to go back on Monday before returning home. The French Toast flight was sublime, and I ordered Chicken & Waffles for the first time in my life. The sweet potato waffle with maple butter was so good, and balanced so nicely with the chicken and hot sauce. My wife had a crab meat omelette which she says was delicious. The side of house-made chicken sausage was delicious as well. Overall, I can't say enough great things about this place, can't wait to go back!
(5)Ji K.
Chef Rylon is cool. :) He is the owner and chef of the newly established Batter & Berries. My three girlfriends and I stopped in for brunch this past Saturday, and he came by right away to greet us. He gave us such a warm welcome and immediately recommended some of their best dishes to us. He even went so far as to give us a taste of their homemade chocolate biscotti and offered to pay for the french toast if we didn't love it. Lucky for him, we loved it. :) Please note that we're all so-so french toast fans, so the fact that we loved our french toast flight is saying a lot. Every flavor (strawberry, blueberry, banana walnut, lemon, and peach) was fresh, unique, and outstanding. The texture of the french toast, in general, is the best we've all tried-- having the perfect balance of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside-- and each slice was so delicious and full of flavor that we completely forgot about syrup. Our savory dishes were good as well and their homemade sausage was a nice treat, but my hope is that their savory items will catch up to the level of their french toast. I can tell that Chef Rylon is the kind of chef who never stops improving and only wants his customers to be completely satisfied, so I will gladly patronize Batter & Berries and look forward to coming back to this cute little brunch spot to taste what other deliciousness awaits.
(4)R J.
Thanks Thrillist.com ...saw their review about Berries & Batter's opening day today. Stopped by to see about some French Toast. Tried their French Toast Sampler -Delicious! also got a side order of their very tasty patty sausage, which I will recommend as well. See photos.
(4)Bob G.
Great breakfast. Amazing food. Best buckwheat pancakes ever. My entire family was delighted. The service was great...but a little slow at first...the manager came around to check on us and we got great advice from the waiter. We were thrilled, and it was fun.
(5)Andrea S.
We got there at 10:30am and the wait was about 50 minutes. The service once we got inside was also a little slow. These are the only reasons I'm taking away 1 star, because otherwise the food was AMAZING. We got the french toast flight that had one piece of every type of french toast and each flavor was delicious! Also got the traditional with the chicken sausage substitution which I highly recommend. Lastly, got the Goof which was OK compared to the other two orders. I would love to go again, but next time, would probably bring a book for the long wait.
(4)