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Name: Melrose Restaurant
Address: 3233 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60657
Telephone: (773) 327-2060
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.20

Melrose Restaurant

3233 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60657

(773) 327-2060
Store is closed

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Melrose Restaurant Menu

For Starters

Jalapeno Peppers

Onion Rings

Chicken Fingers

Classic Caesar Salad

Mozzarella Sticks

Soup Salad And Bread

Crisp Green Dinner Salad

Homemade Bowl Of Soup

Southwestern Homemade Chili
Super Salads

Peppercorn Steak Caesar Salad

Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad

Meculin Greens

Mesculin Greens With Chicken Bread

Mesculin Greens With Portabella Mushrooms

Julienne Salad

Greek Salad

Grande Taco Salad

Grande Taco Salad With Chicken

Curry Chicken Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Stuffed Tomato

Fresh Fruit Plate (seasonal)
Originals

2 X 2

Eggs Benedict

Eggs Florentine

Green Eggs And Ham

San Francisco

Huevos Calientes
Skillets

Hobo

Gypsy

Steak

Corned Beef Hash

Meat Lovers

Fajita
Fluffy Omelettes

Cheese

Sausage Or Bacon Or Ham With Cheese

Garden Vegetarian

Spinach

Fresh Mushroom

Apple And Cheddar

Western

Mexican (hot)

Spartan

Portuguese

Asparagas And Cheddar

Feta Cheese Tomato And Onions

Tomato Fresh Basil & Parmesan Cheese

Zucchini Tomato & Cheddar Cheese

Imported Feta Cheese

Lox And Onion
Platters

Lox Sandwich

Lox For Two

Fruit Plate

Breakfast Barrito

Breakfast Croissant Sandwich

Pancake Sandwich
Egg Appeal

Three Eggs

Bacon And Eggs

Link Sausage And Eggs

Canadian Bacon And Eggs

Ham Off The Bone And Eggs

Minced Ham And Scrambled Eggs

Corned Beef Hash And Eggs

Health Club

Skirt Steak And Eggs

Ribeye Steak And Eggs

Steakburger Patty And Eggs
Pancakes & More

Pancakes

Buckwheat Pancakes

Old Fashioned Dollar Pancakes

Homemade Cheese Blintzes

Belgian Waffle

Buckwheat Waffle

French Toast

Crunchy French Toast
Beef Burgers

Melrose Burger

Choose Your Burger

Bacon Cheeseburger

Patty Melt

Acapulco Burger

Bleu Burger

California Burger

Irving Burger

Hiviera Burger

Turkey Burger

Veggie Burger
Hot Sandwiches

Hot Beef

Hol Turkey

Hot Meat Loaf
Croissants

Ham Turkey & Swiss

Ham. Turkey & Avocade

Turkey American

Roast Beef & Swiss

Vegetarian Croissant
Super Sandwiches

Portabella Sandwich

Veggie Wrap

Reuben Reuben

Hot Corned Beef On Rye

Philadelphia Steak Sandwich

The French Dip

Skirt Steak Sandwich

Monte Cristo

Tune Melt

Melrose Special Sandwich

Chicken Caesar Pita

Blackened Chicken Sandwich
Club Sandwiches

Turkey And Bacon

Bacon Lettuce And Tomato

Ham And Cheese

California Club

California Club With Chicken Breast

Tuna Or Chicken Salad
Plain Sandwiches

Real Turkey

B.l.t.

Tuna Salad

Chicken Salad

Hamburger (1/2 Pound)

Cheeseburger (1/2 Pound)

Chicken Breast (8 Oz.)

Curried Chicken Salad

Grilled Ham And Cheese Combo

Grilled Cheese
Pasta

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken

Spaghetti Or Penne Pasta

Penne Pasta

Penne Pasta With Portabella Mushrooms

Penne Pasta With Grilled Chicken

Penne Past With Shrimp

Chicken Scaloppini

Chicken Artichoke

Pollo Pesto Pasta

Eggplant Parmesan

Stir Fry Vogetables

Stir Fry Vegetables With Chicken Or Beef Strips
From The Broiler

Broiled Skirt Steak

Broiled Butt Steak

Steak & Shrimp Combo

Center Cut Pork Chops

Chopped Steak (16 Oz.)

Beef Liver
Chicken

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Breast A La Parmigiana

Chicken Breast Marsala

Roasted Torn Turkey
Seafood

Fresh Whitetish

Broiled Atlantic Salmon

Grilled Walleye Pike

Grilled Tilapia

Fried Shrimp
Side Orders

Canadian Bacon

Sausage Links Or Patties

Spicy Chorino Sausage

Apple Chicken Sausage

Vermeat Maple-cared Ham

Bacon Strips (4)

Corned Beef Ham

Chicken Breast

Hash Browns

Steak Fries

Toast

Bagel

Bagel With Cream Cheese

Bananas With Cream

Strawberries

Grapefruit

Oatmeal

Cereal

Cared With Fruit

Cottage Cheese

Mexican Salsa

Healthy Choice
Dessert

Old Fashioned Sundae

Banana Split

Chocolate Soda Or Root Beer Float

Milk Shake Or Malt

Single Scoop Of Ice Cream

Fruit Pie

Pie A La Mode

Assortment Of Caked

Cheesecake

Rice Pudding
Beverages

E Lix R

Coffee

Mighty Leaf Herbal Teas

Whole Or Skin Milk

Chocolate Milk

Orange Juice Or Grapefruit Juice

Carrot Juice

California Tomato Juice

Apple Or Cranberry Juice

Iced Tea (with Refills)

Soft Drinks

Lemonade

Healthy Meal suggestions for Melrose Restaurant

For Starters

Jalapeno Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Onion Rings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Fingers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mozzarella Sticks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Salad And Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crisp Green Dinner Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Bowl Of Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwestern Homemade Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Super Salads

Peppercorn Steak Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meculin Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesculin Greens With Chicken Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesculin Greens With Portabella Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Julienne Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greek Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grande Taco Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grande Taco Salad With Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Fruit Plate (seasonal) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Originals

2 X 2 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggs Benedict [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggs Florentine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Eggs And Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Francisco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevos Calientes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Skillets

Hobo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gypsy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corned Beef Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat Lovers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fluffy Omelettes

Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage Or Bacon Or Ham With Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Vegetarian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple And Cheddar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Western [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican (hot) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spartan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portuguese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagas And Cheddar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Feta Cheese Tomato And Onions [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Fresh Basil & Parmesan Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zucchini Tomato & Cheddar Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Imported Feta Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lox And Onion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platters

Lox Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lox For Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Barrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Croissant Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pancake Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Egg Appeal

Three Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Link Sausage And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Canadian Bacon And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ham Off The Bone And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minced Ham And Scrambled Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corned Beef Hash And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Health Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Skirt Steak And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ribeye Steak And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steakburger Patty And Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pancakes & More

Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buckwheat Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Old Fashioned Dollar Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Cheese Blintzes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buckwheat Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crunchy French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beef Burgers

Melrose Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Choose Your Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Cheeseburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patty Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Acapulco Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bleu Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Irving Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hiviera Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Sandwiches

Hot Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hol Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Meat Loaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Croissants

Ham Turkey & Swiss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ham. Turkey & Avocade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey American [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef & Swiss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Croissant [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Super Sandwiches

Portabella Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben Reuben [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Corned Beef On Rye [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Philadelphia Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The French Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Skirt Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Monte Cristo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tune Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melrose Special Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Caesar Pita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackened Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Club Sandwiches

Turkey And Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Lettuce And Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ham And Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Club With Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Or Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Plain Sandwiches

Real Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

B.l.t. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburger (1/2 Pound) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeseburger (1/2 Pound) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast (8 Oz.) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curried Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Ham And Cheese Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Fettuccine Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Or Penne Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Pasta With Portabella Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Pasta With Grilled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Past With Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Scaloppini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Artichoke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Pesto Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stir Fry Vogetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stir Fry Vegetables With Chicken Or Beef Strips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
From The Broiler

Broiled Skirt Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Butt Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak & Shrimp Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Center Cut Pork Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped Steak (16 Oz.) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Liver [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Chicken Piccata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast A La Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Torn Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Fresh Whitetish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Walleye Pike [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Orders

Canadian Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage Links Or Patties [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Chorino Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple Chicken Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vermeat Maple-cared Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Strips (4) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corned Beef Ham [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hash Browns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bagel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bagel With Cream Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bananas With Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grapefruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oatmeal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cereal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cared With Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cottage Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Healthy Choice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Old Fashioned Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Split [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Soda Or Root Beer Float [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milk Shake Or Malt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Single Scoop Of Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pie A La Mode [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assortment Of Caked [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

E Lix R [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mighty Leaf Herbal Teas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Or Skin Milk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Milk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Juice Or Grapefruit Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Tomato Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple Or Cranberry Juice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iced Tea (with Refills) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soft Drinks [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Lidia L.

This diner was a nice little old fashioned place that we stopped by as my first meal in Chicago. We got here in time for brunch. I ordered the croissant sandwich which was your typical sandwich and it was good. My boyfriend ordered the corned beef hash skillet and when I tasted his, it was delicious! Full of flavor to my liking. I also ordered the coconut french toast just to try it because everyone raved about it and .... it was pretty darn good/fantastic. All in all, we had a lot of food for 2 people for only 2 orders.
(3)
tracy g.

I just love this place! It is right across the street from my sons' school! Breakfast...yummy. I have the coconut french toast! Holy cow! First of all, anything with coconut I am in love with. This breakfast is so good! I have had their patty melt and their soup is really good for lunch. They also have this wide selection of teas. I tried the toasted almond and it was very tasty. The owners are nice and friendly too. U should try this place!!!
(4)
Jacques M.

What with the strange automatic door on the side of this place? Am I in a grocery store? Nope I'm headed to the outside patio. I either must have gone on the wrong night or people are rating higher based on the fact that it's open late at night. My food was ok, not horrible but pretty forgettable. The waitress brought out our salads with no silverware, no big deal I'm sure she'll be back, right? Five minutes later no sign of her (couldn't even see her), my wife had to get up and get our silverware from the cart (I know I should have been a gentleman and got it, sorry). In her defense the waitress was very attentive and friendly after the main dishes were served, but I have to take away a star for having to get our own silverware. Atmosphere is pretty nonexistent, and the food isn't good enough to make up for it. Overall, if I lived nearby I might stop in during a late night, but since I don't I probably won't be back.
(2)
Lawrence Y.

I've been just here a couple times, and the place isn't anything to rave about. Recently I had the grilled chicken sandwich (cajun style) and it was alright. It pretty much came out as a chicken cesar salad. I was tempted to try the Chicken Piccata here, but something was telling me 'diners' wouldn't be the place to excel with pasta dishes. I've also had a few bites of the meat skillet, and thought it was ok. The server we had most recently was always pouty and had sighface, so I don't know... service and food here isn't too exciting?
(3)
John Y.

I haven't been here in years but back in the day it was a Gay Mecca for late night diners after the bars closed especially. I can report it's still a great place to get a good meal and lots of coffee refills. Reasonable prices too! It was funny though we had a neurotic waitress that filled our full salt and pepper shakers and sugar dispenser three times while we ate. Hey!.... but she was so sweet and where else but at the Melrose would one find a neurotic waitress to make the evening more colorful? Melrose is still great!
(5)
Bobby H.

If you do NOT like roaches in your food or beverages, this is NOT the place for you. The 2nd time I found a roach in my pop, I vowed to never go back -- and I haven't . To add further insult, there was no appology and it was not removed from my bill - they simply replaced the 'roach' drink. Gross.
(1)
Charles J.

If the sign of a good restaurant is the line to get a table, then Melrose is a great spot, especially on weekends. We love to drive into the city now and then from the far SW Burbs and do brunch somewhere in the city and Melrose is one of our favorite spots. I can only speak to their breakfasts because regardless of the time of day, that's what I order there. Fabulous omelette's, both is quality and selection! Portions are very generous - you probably won't (and shouldn't) finish it all. I also love people watching and on a Sunday morning, there are a lot of people to watch on that corner of Broadway and Melrose. I love the feel of the environment of the area and it adds tremendously to the whole experience there. Prices are very reasonable as far as near city eating establishments go. If there were any drawbacks, it might be the wait to get in, especially if you're pressed for time. It's a can't miss in my book!
(4)
Kenny T.

Food is alright here but every time my gf and I eat here, we get sick. Not food poisoning sick, just feel really gross and tummy wriggly sick. They're overpriced and all their food is far greasier than any food should legally have a right to be. It's okay if you're drunk at 3-5am but otherwise, steer clear and spend your money elsewhere.
(2)
Tchad E.

If you have lived in Lakeview long enough, sooner or later you will end up at Melrose restaurant/diner. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Great staff, decent food, ok prices. Overall, not a bad way to kill some time and pack your gullet. I usually eat here every 3 or 4 months, but last week was here - what? - 4 times? It was just that kind of week. Luckily I live two blocks away and can just bounce over. They don't seem to be as busy as they were when I moved to the city in the early '00s, so it is easy to do some planning or study a bit without having the staff hound you. Most of the time I have had to ask for my bill. As far as favorite food goes, I have always been partial to the roast beef & swiss croissant or the ribeye steak. I am not sure that I have had anything terrible there - their matzah ball soup is a little salty and weak, but this isn't grandma's house, so it's fine. The perfect neighborhood stop-in: Go to study or read a bit, go when you don't feel like cooking, go in between errands, go when you desperately need something greasy to sop up the booze sloshing around in your stomach after a night out.
(4)
Sam R.

The Melrose is incredibly solid. Weather it's sobering up with a cheeseburger, having a chat over pie, breakfast with the folks, or it's 4am and I forgot to eat dinner, The Melrose is always there for me, and it food is consistently good. I have only two complaints, both small: 1- They don't offer the tortilla soup often enough. It's their best soup, but it's almost never offered. 2-I love the people who work at the Melrose, and they define it, but sometimes... they're a little chatty. I thought it was just this one guy, but it's been a few different servers now; I don't mind some small talk, but I came for food. If I want conversation, I'll come with someone else. Please, don't sit down and ask me questions while I'm in the middle of eating with a friend. You guys are great, but it's too much. Seriously though, it's insane that for the number of times I've eaten there, I've never had a bad meal.
(4)
Michael E.

A great little 24 hour diner that does a good job at a fair price. Breakfast is great on their outdoor patio, though I'd sit as far away from Broadway as you can as the noise can hinder your conversions throughout your meal. The menu has everything you'd want and can get 24 hours a day. Prices are comparable to other diners in the area I've tried (see my other reviews). Park is a challenge in the later morning and early evenings. Wait staff area very attentive. It is a nice brunch location when it isn't Sunday so check it out!
(5)
K. M.

I wish I could give the Melrose a better review since it's right next door, but I feel like I would've enjoyed this place more if I were drunk. It's your typical greasy spoon. I had an omlette with hash browns. Nothing to write home about. The portions are HUGE so be prepared to share or take something home with you. Super cheap diner prices. I might come back while stumbling home after a late night out with friends.
(2)
Adeyemi K.

Horrible! Defn not coming back here not matter how late night it is. Yes - they are one of the few places open at 3am but there is no excuse for slow service and cold food. Also our waiter blatantly forgot pieces of our order - didn't even write it down. This place is not worth it. Hit up McDonalds instead for late sustenance.
(1)
Ali L.

3.5 stars. Great place with perfect ambiance. I'd eaten here quite a bit and every time I've had decent food. Not great, not awful. Get the roasted turkey, preferably in a sandwich, which I'm pretty sure they roast everyday. It's a great place to people watch on a nice day, and they allow dogs too!
(4)
Philippe F.

I've been here a handful of times before I moved just down the street. The handful of times prior were because it is a 24 hour joint. Assume away. Now that I live down the street, my lady and I have breakfast on the weekends, when we are feeling lazy. My recommendation and go-to item is the Spartan Omelette (which is on their b-fast menu, but not brunch). A fluffy omelette with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and feta. Beautiful, tasty, crumbled up feta. And LOTS of it! On top of that, you get to choose two sides. Unfortunately their pancakes are only OK, but sometimes they have maple cinnamon butter to top the pancakes which make them better. Recently they started giving bananas as sides as well. Oh, did I mention Intelligencia coffee as well?!?! If not having breakfast, their sammiches are pretty good too. Their clubs are humourmous! I'm not a fry snob, I just prefer skinnier fries, than the steak fries (which are still good when dipped in mayo). California Club (chicken, avocado, sprouts, mayo, tomato and lettuce) is awesome. I managed to eat my first piece like a normal sandwich, but had to use fork and knife the for everything after. The pieces are really that big. As if nothing can make the sandwich bigger, I've decided to add bacon next time around. See you next week Melrose.
(4)
Maria P.

I've eaten at Melrose solely for breakfast over a half dozen times. The food is fresh and they have a wide variety of fresh squeezed juices which is really what intrigued me at first. Who knew there was such a thing as banana juice? I've had a couple of their omlets and eggs with sausage, no complaints really there. They also have Intellgentsia coffee there, which is excellent coffee. The waitstaff is OK, nothing to brag about. Breakfast for 2 with coffee and a juice is just under $30.
(3)
Joshua C.

I originally had a soft spot for Melrose, but I have been burned too many times by them to ever give them much thought the next time I need my diner fix. The food is solid and the value is definitely there, but too many infractions--ranging from hair in my honey mustard to lipstick on the water glasses--made the idea of eating at Melrose again too repulsive to consider. It's too bad, too, because I love late night diners and their turkey club is damn near perfect.
(3)
Milena M.

I saw all of the waitresses with their bare hands in the fruit, picking up toast, and generally just pawing around in the food. If I would have seen that before I had eaten, I would have gotten up and left. Since I saw it afterwards, I tried very hard not to get sick. The food took far too long for a diner and I could see that every waitress brought the food to 2-3 tables with the customers having to tell them that's not what they ordered and then they went to another table until they got it right. Needless to say, we will not be back. Someone please call the health department.
(1)
Ricoche T.

I used to be a regular customer here but no more. The food quality has slowly declined to the point that the last time I ate there, I left half of my food on my plate. The staff continues to be some of the friendliest but that just cannot make up for the smaller portions and poorly cooked food. My friend had a chicken sandwich that not only smelled terrible when they brought it to the table, it also looked like something out of a vending machine. The waitstaff were embarrassed but basically said that the kitchen makes it "that way now." YECH!! As I said, I left half my dinner on my plate because it was not only cold but also was so tough---like it had been reheated 4 times before they served it to me. I also have to say that over the past 6 years, more and more of my friends refuse to go here anymore so something has clearly changed for the worse.
(1)
C W.

Good and greasey. Last few times I went, I was very happy. Sometimes you get a bad waitress, but odds are with you. One of my fav hangover spots.
(4)
Jack H.

The best place ever to go when you're drunk at 5am after a night at Boystown! This place is like any other cute 24 hour diner. It has cheap but great food, friendly service (I wish I remembered my servers names from the times I've been here so I could give props...they always are really great), and there is such a GREAT variety of tea! I will take this place over Clark's or Ihop ANY day. Melrose is far from being a fancy restaurant, but it still gets 5 stars from me because in the diner category, it is one of the best.
(5)
Jill P.

Three weeks ago while waiting for a take away order at the counter I saw an employee, who appeared to be a chef's helper, prepare a fruit cup. Well don't ya' just know that he reached into the cooler with his BARE HANDS (OMG!!!), grabbed and sliced a handful of strawberries and filled the cup. Afterwards, he proceeded to completely peel a banana, hold it in his BARE HANDS (OMG part 2!!!) and slice it onto the strawberries. I thought, surely I am hallucinating and, that cannot be going out to a customer! Indeed, this "helper" put the fruit cup on a plate with the entire order. It was then taken to the customer. I was paralyzed with disgust. I may have even stopped breathing. How dare he? My husband and I love the Melrose and Linda, Best in the Business Server of the Century. The soups are terrific but after this incident, we just can't bring ourselves to imagine...if this goes on in full view what must go on behind the kitchen doors (OMG part 3!!!)? Mister man with the salt and pepper hair, YOU'RE FIRED!!!
(1)
Michael M.

The food just isn't that good and it's expensive. It's main virtue is that it is about the only place in the vicinity that is open 24 hours.
(2)
Margaret J.

AMAZING lemon blueberry pancakes! Please, do your taste-buds a favor and order them. Now! GO!!!
(5)
Aaron C.

I had always heard so many good things about Melrose, that today I finally decided to try it. The restaurant atmosphere is definitely very warm and inviting. Wonderful service, great food, great menu, great coffee!
(4)
Mike P.

I lived in East Lakeview for 2 years and I can believe I didn't review Melrose. It's a solid diner choise, on par with Stella's, but not quite as good. I prefer them for dinner over Stella's. Love the Club Sandwich. To sum up the experience. Melrose is a place that I'm always cool with grabbing a bite at if I'm in the neighborhood, but I don't make a special point to go there, like say, The Bagel or Stella's.
(4)
Brent W.

When I worked in the area, I lunched here about a half dozen times, all fairly decent iirc, but also forgettable in its own way. Found myself in the area the other day and was craving a Turkey and Bacon Club sandwich; it was either here or Stella's down the street, and since we're looking for 300, opted for the Melrose to bolster the count. The real star of this show ?? The pickle! Crisp and delish, just the right snap in texture and zing in flavour (that's for you Matty.LGC). I should also mention they have a great chicken pasta soup that comes w. all lunches and dinners...another perk when doing a diner lunch (complimentary soup!). The Turkey was definitely meh and I am again confronted w. the task of dismantling a triple decker club sam so as to eat it with any reasonable decorum and tact (and to also weed out any bad bits of turkey and bacon. yes, picky when it comes to fat on turkey and bacon, not a fan). And then they serve steak fries. I mean for rayals, who. eats/prefers. steak. fries ?? If I wanted baked potato taste, i'll order a damn baked potato. Until then, fries should be crispy and delectable (see Steak n Shake, Portillo's, McD's, J. Alex, etc. for a proper french fry). Don't think I'll be back, maybe for some brekkie but no more lunchy lunch here.
(2)
Edwin Q.

I'm in love with the Melrose... I don't know if it is for the fact that it's open 24 hours so it has saved my life a few times under circumstances I'm not describing here... Or perhaps for the green banana they put next to your omelet on Sunday brunch. I know! It may not be the cleanest restaurant in town... or the most glamorous... but who cares! Their waitresses are always friendly and you always leave feeling full and satisfied! Love you Melrose!
(5)
Corin W.

You know, when I was in college I used to go to this place at least a couple of times a week. I had some time to kill yesterday so I ate there. I was actually looking for something light--but its not possible to get anything light there. Either you get some horrible omelet the size of a human head or some heavy sandwich platter. As I ate there I wondered why I ever thought the place was so great . I had the melrose special sandwich which used to be my favorite thing and again, I wondered why I ever liked it. The chicken was dry, the fries were burnt and after I was done I'd felt like I'd eaten a baby. It cost 11 bucks and I suddenly realized how unsustainable American diner food is. With that same 11 bucks I could have made enough sushi, Thai curry or Tibetan momos at home to feed me for a week and I would have felt a lot healthier about it. I'm realizing these days that sustainable food, sustainable cooking, and sustainable eating practices are so incredibly important . I think the days of " a big hunk of meat on bread" are kind of silly, unhealthy and wasteful. Next time I will just go over to little Saigon or China town and eat more sustainably and healthily. It will be a better value, tastier and I will have leftovers too.
(2)
Lucky S.

There are better diners in the area. I went here with my husband and was disappointed by the place. The menus had errors on them; the food was mediocre at best. They were skimpy on the cheese and ham in my omelet. I recommend going someplace else.
(2)
Dave F.

One frozen night, I went to Melrose with my girlfriend, her mom and her sister, mostly based on its proximity to her sister's apartment. It turned out to be a pretty good choice. I got the stir-fried veggies (which I realize is a strange choice at a diner) and a cream of chicken and rice soup. The veggie dish was very good and full of flavor. They were cooked just right, with just a hint of a crunch and not over-sauced. The rice it came with was perfect, too. The soup, however, was just okay. It tasted good, but lacked substance. It was like someone remembered at the last minute that it was supposed to have chicken and rice in it and tossed in a tiny bit from someone else's dish. The staff was attentive and friendly, and the place had the small local feel that I want out of a good diner. I would absolutely come back here.
(4)
Brandon T.

Stumbling around lakeview at 2:30 am and hungry? Stop by here for some decent enough breakfast food and hear how everyone elses night has been going as they yell at each other. Kind of a nice night cap if I do say so myself.
(3)
Natasha B.

Good food... love their skillets. My one complaint is the manger or owner, not sure. I have seen him scream and curse at employees in front of customers and my young daughter. I have witnessed it twice, it is very unprofessional. I felt so bad for my server I gave her a little extra tip, especially since she really didn't do anything wrong. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------------------
(2)
Alyssa V.

Melrose has a good location, is 24/7, has a broad variety of menu options (including out of the ordinary diner selections like zucchini and tomato omelets), and good service. Last night a group of us stumbled in there around 4:30. Needing something to put in our stomaches immediately, we glaced at the appetizer section and quickly ordered the appetizer sampler. Since it was 8 dollars, we figured it should be enough....but it was actually 8 samples in total. A dollar a piece? Moving on.... I split the breakfast burrito with Stephanie and it was OK. A lot of eggs instead of vegetables but get this: They put like an entire avocado in that burrito!! That pushed this review up an extra star. Even though the hashbrowns weren't even room-temperature.
(3)
Shantell B.

How does this place have more than one star?? I went here one night with a friend, ordered the taco salad, it was gross. Flat out, the lettuce was frozen and wet, and of course the meat was cold because of the frozen lettuce. So, after explaining to the manager that I didn't care for it he barrated me with why? why? why? I felt like I needed a lawyer just to ask for something else. He tells me "Why? so you can not like that too", I paid for my appetizer and left. I love greasy spoons, I'm not a picky eater, but I can't stand horrible customer service.
(1)
Karrie O.

4 years ago I lived right next door to Melrose and let me tell you....it became my neighborhood staple right away. Being 1 of 4 roommates I can honestly tell you that we all had an enjoyable time there whether it was a hungover Sunday breakfast or a late night 4th meal. Matter of fact, it was the first place my parents and I ate after a long day of moving in, in August 2007. This place is straight from the 80's and we loved every minute of it. The service is fantastic and who doesn't love complimentary bread rolls when you sit down? Every now and again I'll go have a bite to eat at my ol stomping grounds and have a flashback of the memories that were made there with great friends. The icing on the cake of my Melrose dining experiences....the owner even gave me a mug since I was an adoring customer of the joint. Who doesn't love that kinda treatment?
(5)
Sage J.

3rd time I have been here. By all appearances it looks like a dive, but a gem in the city. Reasonable prices, great food and great service. I have had sandwiches the past few times and been very happy. The bread basket is my favorite, I love the assortment of baked bread! YUMMMY! Great place to go for a quick casual bite or breakfast with friends. If Im in the hood, I will be back. :)
(4)
Liesel F.

I love the Melrose!! The food is standard diner food, but it's amazing after a night of drinking. It's open 24 hours, so you can stop in any time. I really like their omelets and flakey French toast. They have good coffee, too.
(4)
Dustin G.

I love Melrose Restaurant! I used to live across the street from the place and I miss being able to run over and get a malt or a turkey burger whenever I want. It's classic diner food and no frills, but that's what I want in a place like this. They have the best "after-bar" food and they're open all night. They're skillets are great the next day when you've got a hangover. No night of partying in Boystown is complete without a stop by the diner for some late night munchies!
(4)
Stephanie F.

Try the banana and coconut french toast.. it's SOOOO good. Also, they serve a whole banana (in the peel and everything!) with every egg breakfast.. how fun!
(4)
Shana M.

So! Impressed! I was really shocked by the quality of the food here. And any diner that serves a good pickle wins my heart immediately. I ordered the California Burger (comes with bleu cheese, avocado, mozzarella and red onions). I asked for medium rare and was actually served a medium rare burger! People, I swear, this IS cause for celebration. At most diners you either don't get a choice or they cook it medium well no matter how sweetly you request medium rare. The burger was juicy and had the yummy char-grill flavor only an old and greasy grill can provide. I found the mozzarella to be unnecessary and removed it. The red onions were MIA and the avocado was sort of haphazardly thrown on top but, once I doctored it up I didn't miss the onions and chowed down. YUM! The burgers all come with either soup or salad and steak fries. The steak fries could, admittedly, have been cooked more, but they'll re-heat for lunch beautifully today. Plus the place looks like every diner from my childhood in aquas and mauves and fake plants. It's tacky mall heaven! With burgers! My friend ordered the meatloaf which looked really good too. He says he's been there quite a few times and hasn't been disappointed yet. I'll have to try to get back for the reportedly fluffy eggs or pancakes and coffee.
(4)
Briana H.

Great all American food, huge variety on the menu, and prices that are totally reasonable. Plus, they're open 24 hours, so I've often called at odd hours with odd cravings, and they're always willing to accommodate. If you haven't checked it out, it's definitely worthwhile.
(4)
Dell C.

I had a cheeseburger that was over cooked & dry (asked for medium-not medium-well or well done) with fries that were cold in the middle. My friend had a chicken salad that wad bland. The "homemade" soup of the day would have been better had it been from Campbell's condensed soup can. Should have gone to 5 Guys or Stella's Diner - they were still open. Only thing this place has going for it is that it's open at 3am when you just don't want to cook for yourself.
(1)
Michael T.

Melrose reminds me of Flo's or whatever the "Kiss my grits!" diner was in the early 80's sitcom. The food: really quite good. Admittedly, every time I walk into a diner I pretty much only want to order breakfast (since I never make breakfast food at home) and I am totally addicted to their breakfast burrito. The wrap is made of spinach (or at least it's green, so I'll trust them) so you don't feel totally gluttonous, and they cram a whole freakin' avocado in there, I swear. The service: dinertastic. All of the waitresses, save for a few, have Floattitude in spades. They cuss at the cooks and call you 'honey' or 'sweetie' or 'dear' and you just know that they were born to be diner waitresses and live the part. Awesome. The location: also fantastic. I live right by Nookies and it's almost impossible to get a table there between 11-2 on weekend mornings, but walk a few blocks to Melrose and get seated immediately and get your food just as fast. The downsides: hey, it's diner food. It's not meant to be healthy, and it's not meant to be eaten regularly. But when you're totally craving something diner-ish and you don't want to wait hours, Melrose is the perfect spot to get your diner experience on without breaking the bank.
(4)
Sika G.

I used to love this place, it was our regular diner. But lately the quality of the food has seemed to deteriorate and I have been less and less happy with my food. It also seems (or is it just me?) that the restaurant has become less clean. I had to have the waiter get rid of a bug the last time I was there, and it wasn't the only one. Maybe it's just because it's summer, but it did not help my appetite.
(2)
Eva D.

I absolutely love this diner. It's about a 1/2 block from my apartment which makes it super convenient at 2 am. The coffee (Intelligentsia) is amazing. Typical diner fare. I always order off the breakfast menu, I hear some things, like the taco salad ,aren't great. But stick to breakfast and you won't be disappointed. I usually order a side of toast and the strawberries and bananas in cream-- sliced strawberries/bananas topped with a gratuitous amount of whip cream and served in a sundae dish. You have to try it, it's delicious! And as one of the waiters always says "healthy too." Haha, well maybe.
(3)
Patrick G.

Melrose is a staple in my diet. However, I have never been blown away by their food. The food is standard but not special. My favorite is the bleu cheese burger, which is all right. Its great for larger groups in the evening because its usually empty enough to push a few tables together. This would all be fine except that the prices are high for what they offer. What ever happened to cheap diner food? Probably the location... A redeeming factor is the service. I have never been disappointed by the service at Melrose.
(3)
Drucilla D.

The Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches at Melrose are incredibly delicious. In fact everything that I've ever tried at Melrose is incredibly delicious AND they give you such a generous portion that it's enough to share with your homeboys at the table. The servers can be a little on the crazy side (if you're lucky enough to get one of those particular servers) but the staff is overall very attentive, willing to work with you to get your order prepared exactly as you want it and they are quick on the refills which I appreciate very much. I wish Melrose were in my neighborhood, I'd be there all the time.
(5)
Rafael C.

It's open 24 hours and it serves diner food. No need to glamor this up as I go here only out of necessity. As Carly P. says, this is a breakfast place ... period. Anytime I have a breakfast fix late at night I can count on this place for a solid meal with good service. I will come back to give it a fair shot with something other than breakfast. If I find some good grub on the lunch/dinner side perhaps I will be happy to update them to 4 stars.
(3)
Lee T.

Very OK. Service, food, cleanliness... OK.
(3)
Kevin G.

Excellent diner. Open late, clean, and consistently tasty. Some of the work staff would do well to keep their bitching out of earshot of the customers. If you have a grievance with another employee... I don't care. Other then that breakfast is served all day...my favorite.
(3)
Amy J.

I happened upon this place while looking for things to do to fill the time while my boyfriend was working. He is in Chicago on business and I tagged along so I could explore a new city. My breakfast ("The Hobo" skillet) was fresh, plentiful and super tasty! It also came out incredibly fast once I gave my order! The waiter I had was sweet, checking on me often and refilling my water. He also gave me some suggestions on places to see in the Lakeview area. After finishing my food, my boy came to meet me there so he could eat. I was in the booth for well over an hour and I never felt rushed or uncomfortable. The boy ordered a meat lovers skillet and said it was very, very good. The wheat toast he had looked delicious! If I weren't phasing out the gluten, I would have tasted it. Mm...
(4)
Sophie B.

Typical greasy spoon. They have some exotic and unique items as well as some classics. A little over priced for the quality, but not bad. Good for a hot meal and quivk service.
(3)
Bill C.

Friends went to Melrose for a pre-Holiday dinner. There were about 15 of us and they did well seating us, however, the wait staff had trouble keeping track of who ordered what. The food was mediocre at best. We had a combo-appetizer of chicken strips, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, and mozzarella sticks. The plate was "plunked" down, all the items were dried out, "old" looking and there were no dipping sauces. In-edible at best. I had a so-so Greek salad which was small and over priced. The corned beef sandwich my dining partner had was a little better and was served with fries that looked way better the what we were served as an appetizer. It will be a long time before we'll return
(1)
Becky W.

I used to live next door to this place. I miss it. I used to love walking by daily and checking out the soups. All of the soups are homemade, and delicious. My favorites are the Cream of Chicken and rice and chicken noodle. I miss being able to order it when I was sick. Some of my other favorites are the veggie burger, which they make themselves I believe. You can see all of the vegetables inside! And the Melrose 2x2. 2 pancakes and 2 egss. My breakfast heaven. Oh melrose, I miss you.
(5)
Ginny L.

It's a shame I'm rarely in this neighborhood anymore, because I'd go here a lot more if I was... but it's worth going a bit out of my way for a burger here, in my opinion. I always get the burger with bleu cheese, mozzarella, avocado, and red onion. It's amazing. The fries are decent, but just as a side, not as something to get on their own. (Yeah, that's right, a lot of places I'll just order fries. Got a problem with it?)
(4)
T M.

Since it was so nice out yesterday, a friend and I decided to ride our bikes around and stop more or less randomly at whatever restaurant had outdoor seating and looked mildly interesting. And thus, we ended up at the Melrose. It's got one of those Chicago everything-and-the-kitchen-sink diner menus, with pasta, sandwiches, burgers, breakfast, etc., etc., etc. We decided to order stuff we wouldn't usually contemplate, just for the hell of it. So I got a chicken breast stuffed with cheese and broccoli (and which, I found out later, included bacon). My friend got the chicken scallopini. What I received was this abomination covered in something that resembled cheese, but was probably some variety of oddly colored Velveeta. For some reason it came with mashed potatoes, which were bland enough to require the semi-gross brown gravy it came with. Although an abomination, it was decently tasty. The chicken scallopini was said to be pretty good, despite not looking quite as expected. As for the service... well, we got our food, and the check, eventually. I don't think I would necessarily go back, unless I was unexpectedly in the neighborhood and wanted to try their breakfast menu. But no one got sick, nothing was truly disgusting (at least to us- your estimation of the food could vary considerably), and it was pretty cheap.
(3)
Josh H.

I love, love, love Melrose restaurant and for one reason... No, not the delicious Cabbage soup that gives me gut rot... No, not the amazing homemade ranch that I bath my sandwiches in... No, not even the rude managers/cashiers who refuse to split bills... No, no the best thing about Melrose that keeps me coming back is the waitress Beth!!! Beth has been a comfort away from my family life. She never judges, nor complains, but serves drunks with a smile on her face 5 days a week. She makes me smile ear to ear every time I see her. Melrose does not know what an asset they have on their hands because Beth is super grade A lady! Fajita skillet please! Go here at about 2 AM for a real show.
(5)
Lesley S.

I love Melrose, especially if you go in the summer for brunch. They have a nice little outdoor section where you can sit and people watch. Inside it is a cosy little diner atmosphere with tons of windows so lots of people watching inside as well if you like that kind of thing, which obviously I do since I've mentioned it twice now. Wow. Another thing I like about Melrose is that they have HUGE salads, I especially like the Julienne Salad. They had a good soup selection as well, at least 3 soups every time I have been to choose from and they are all delicious and taste homeade. One time my boyfriend ordered some sort of a chicken dinner there and it came with bread, soup, sides and ice cream. Our waiter was a bit nervous, I think when naming off the ice creams he referred to one as Buttercrotch instead of Buttercrunch which I'm not sure if that was intentional or not given the area that restaurant was in. I seemed to be the only person who noticed, but it brightened my day a bit.
(4)
Autumn H.

It's a great diner. Service is better in the morning and on weekend. Though it's great that it's open late nigh I wish they would tidy up their late night service more. Coffee is very good, and food tends to be delicious though it is diner food, burgers are great, omelets are ok though the new California omelet is really good. The Benedicts are good but I LOVE the breakfast burrito(huge filled with eggs, onions, chilies, in a amazing pablaon cream sauce.. There is something nice about the casual nature of the serves. All in all. If you want great diner food but nothing special yet still amazing food that is worth your buck.... this is the place. I've become a regular.
(4)
Amanda Z.

This place is alright, for what it is: diner-food. Open 24 hours, you can get nearly whatever you might be hungering for at any hour of the day...breakfast, grilled cheese, pie...coffee. They have a nice little patio open in the nicer weather too. Service is spotty, sometimes you can get good service, sometimes you have to hunt down your server. And there's truly nothing special about the food. One thing that irritates me: No free refills!!!! Seriously...how cheap. If I'm thirstin' for a cold Diet Coke (or Diet Rite, as it may be here)...give me a ref'. I won't drink THAT awful much.
(3)
James E.

I grew up in New Jersey, so having that background is henceforth going to influence all my reviews of diners. Contrary to popular belief, we from the great Garden State do not all love Bruce Springsteen, I actually don't own a Bon Jovi album (though I did come close), and the town I grew up in doesn't have a nuclear waste facility within a ten mile radius. But the one thing all of us from New Jersey have in common is an undying love for diners. So here I am, over 700 miles away from the diners of my youth. But Melrose isn't far away at all. This place is exactly what everyone should expect from a diner: good food (not gourmet), sassy waitresses, and a low-pressure place to hang out with friends. The ham & cheese omelet always hits the spot. The toast is, well, toasted. The coffee is pretty darned good and if you ask for the hash browns to come out crispy, they're delectable. Addy is our favorite server. She's hilarious and doesn't take bullshit from anyone. This is a great place to go to have a nice setting for a casual conversation with friends over unpretentious food that'll leave you feeling satisfied in the end.
(4)
John G.

A solid place you can go to again and again!
(4)
Dpb T.

French toast is the greatest.
(4)
M. M.

The local Lakeview diner. The menu is massive and I have actually come up with a little equation that conveys my thoughts on the the price of food here... it is always about 3 dollars more that you feel good about paying. The portions are gigantic so it works out if you can split a meal. There really is no way to totally dislike a place that is 24 hours in this neck of the woods either.
(4)
Cathy O.

August 2, 2007. Ben and Cath are lugging what seems to be the 3,659th @#$% box of books or rocks or whatever is the most dense material known to mankind up to Ben's apartment in a slow, outdated elevator with one of those gates that never seems to close correctly on the first, second, or third tries. Tempers are flaring. Strong, strong language is being used. It is the HOTTEST DAY EVER, the air conditioner is not working properly, and neither have had anything to eat or drink besides Diet Coke in seven hours. Both are hungry, and they will most certainly end their relationship THEN AND THERE if they do not take a break. Then, in one of those moments in which the clouds part and the angels from the heavens above break into song, they step into Melrose, and all becomes right with the world. If I could have only three more words, they would be: Chicken. Pasta. Soup. You think I am being dramatic when I say that Melrose saved my relationship, and, sure, of course I am. But let me say this: I'm not sure who's hating on the soup at Melrose, but they are either joking or lying. Simply, Melrose has the best soup I have ever had (next to my dad's, which I am convinced can cure the common cold). Chicken Pasta. Chicken Noodle. Chicken Rice. Creams of Chicken, Broccoli, Potato, and Carrot. Tortilla. Beef Barley. Navy Bean. Cabbage. Oh, the cabbage. I am sure I missed at least five kinds of soup in this list. This place is our standby for late (or very, very early) breakfasts, weekday dinners, and late-night food dashes. In my experience, the food is always good and tasty and served at the right temperature. They keep the Diet Coke flowing, which is fantastic for an addict like me. (To Amanda, a reviewer below: I have never been charged for refills! Perhaps this depends on the waitstaff? Ask next time you're there.) I'm partial to the sandwiches, especially of the club variety, but I've ordered off both the specials chalkboard and the dinner portion of the menu and have never been disappointed. I have never received poor service, which may be due to my frequent visits and that the waitstaff knows us practically by name. Lastly, they have that jar of jellybeans up front by the register. If you have looked for red ones after your meal but couldn't find any, I am so, so sorry. It's likely my fault. I promise to pay more attention to the cleanliness the next time I go, because it seems as if this is a point of contention for many of the other reviewers. I should say that in my faithful dining over the past year at this restaurant I have never witnessed anything that made me question their sanitary practices. So many people saying that there is an issue, however, combined with the slightly high prices, makes me give Melrose four stars instead of five. But, Melrose, no hard feelings. I'd visit you any day. (And any time, because, OMG OPEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS? Heaven!)
(4)
Jacob J.

Years ago I'd stop through for a quick bite after drinks.. always thinking it was decent for that "golden nugget" kind of option. I.e. breakfast, brunch, burgers and shit. Then a few times while dining we noticed deficiencies in the food and then service. Then an article in the Chicago reader (I think) mentioned during Thanksgiving; a few of the kitchen staff had allowed the 5 second rule to occur while handling a Thanksgiving turkey. If a turkey was dropped, what else could've been dropped!
(2)
Sofia L.

I love this place. It's a typical diner, except the food is better than it sounds. It reminds me of Denny's when I was a kid--before it sucked. There is plenty of seating--especially booths, which I love--and the owner is always there. Waiters/waitresses are often Eastern European. I had an old American lady once, and she was pretty bad, but otherwise the servers are pretty good. The food is great. The portions are very large and I've never felt ripped off. In my experience, the food is comes out quicker when the restaurant is full. Food often comes with a banana and toast. Their whole grain toast is actually whole grain. Foods with cheese are not overloaded with cheese--just the right amount. Platescome out piping hot. I don't like coffee, but my bf is a coffee snob to the extreme. He LOVES the Intelligentsia coffee--it's hot, fresh, and they refill your cup constantly. I've read that some people don't like this place because they touch your food with their bare hands--I've never seen this happen. Finally, get a window seat so you can people watch!
(5)
Beth P.

Melrose seemed like a cute little corner diner, and it took us forever to try it. Maybe we built it up too much or something because we weren't that impressed. We are big diner people, but there are so many in the area that do it better than Melrose. It is 24 hours though, and I have found that beer goggles work for food as well as potential mates. Most of the sandwiches we've tried have been ok, with the exception of the tuna salad, which was really really tasty. So there's that. Watch out for the 'tude you might get if you ask to substitute anything. Sheesh.
(3)
Vito C.

Lived in the neighborhood for years, I recommend the Navy Bean soup on Monday, Cream of Chicken on Sunday, and for those not so hungry the soup, salad and bread basket can hit the right spot. The servers are friendly, Daniel rocks in the evenings. Glad The Melrose is still alive & kicking. They even offered $5.99 breakfast (24 hrs a day) in the past. The neighborhood loves a deal and with so many new places, its cool The Melrose offers their loyal customers a great deal.
(5)
Eric M.

The Melrose is the kind of diner every neighborhood needs. Open all the time, plenty of pie, fresh fruit, well-executed classics, friendly but seasoned and tough staff. Imagine the diner in Seinfeld or, perhaps more appropriately, the Showtime version of Queer as Folk, and you know what to expect. Personally, I love the belgian waffles here. I get them a la mode with strawberries and am never disappointed. The sandwiches are also well-crafted, and on a hot summer day their fruit plate can really hit the spot. Just don't fall asleep at your table or you may wake up to the gruff face of the CPD - I've seen it happen (to other people, thankfully not to me).
(4)
Rob W.

I've been here a number of times for brunch, lunch and dinner (late). The food is reasonably priced and very delicious. We are able to bring in beer or champagne (for mimosas) which is delightful. The service is absolutely excellent. The atmosphere is very relaxed, reminiscent of classic diners. The food quality and portions are excellent. I'm always happy with whatever I order. Having been to many other brunch spots in the area, this is the one that we keep coming back to. It's the best!
(5)
Chaviva G.

It seems that most people would happily choose Stella's Diner or somewhere else over the Melrose Restaurant. And I've been putting off going here for a nosh for nearly a year because of all the shittastic reviews about this place. But, well, I don't know what the beef is all about, because I had outstanding service, delicious food, and it helps that the waitress was awesome and it was a late, gorgeous night. I showed up around 9:30 fresh out of a movie and hungry. It was either going to be Chipotle or Melrose, and I was craving a burger so I hit up the Melrose. This nice little old man opened the door for me as I came in and the moment my foot hit the restaurant he was yelling "Who's working up front? Anyone?" and people came a'running to seat me. I don't even know if this guy works there, but he was elderly with a bit of an accent and knew how to make things happen. So a woman sat me outside, and after a few second came to take my order, apologizing that no one had brought me water yet "Changing of the guard!" she said. (And there were people counting out tips, so I knew this wasn't just smoke she was blowing.) I ordered the Melrose Burger, medium rare, with a salad instead of soup, and that was that. The waitress was this probably 60-something lady with bright read hair who had the charm of a waitress at a diner in the middle of Iowa. She kept commenting on the beautiful weather, and later when she brought my bill put her hand on my shoulder and thanked me for coming in. I mean really, that's top tier service. The salad, adorned with croutons, was your typical diner salad and hit the spot (yummy ranch!). Then, the burger arrived, looking huge, with the coleslaw and steak fries, as well as my favorite thing -- a pickle. I did up my burger with the fixins and went straight for the coleslaw -- my true gauge of a restaurant. If they're willing to throw that on there, then they better be able to stand behind it, darn't. Unfortunately, they'd sort of pureed their coleslaw, which just doesn't do it for me. Coleslaw is about specific things: texture, tang, sweetness, consistency, etc. This one had the taste of a perfect balance between tang/sweetness, but it just lacked the proper consistency. The burger though? Perfectly cooked. I haven't had a burger so perfectly cooked in a long time, and it was juicy and delicious -- nothing overly seasoned about it, it was a true straight-up burger. The entire meal cost me about $9, which in truth I could have gone to a little corner joint and gotten a greasy burger and fries for maybe four bucks less, but what can you do? The guy who cashed me out had an accent (Eastern European?) and the entire place just had this old-world vibe about it in the people that worked there. Overall: Good meal, great service, decent price. I'll go back, of course :)
(4)
Lindsay S.

Four words: dead mosquito in food. And then they look pissed when my GF won't eat it? I'm sorry what else do you have roaming around back there. i was already nervous about this place but it can highly recommended when we first moved here. I ate here with a friend once. Not impressed at all. Tasted like iHop's lunch menu. But the bug...I just can't overlook that. Never again.
(1)
Zack R.

Typical breakfast/diner. I am a fan and will always go there if someone asks me to go, but I just have one item on the menu that I really like. That item: The green eggs and ham which is basically a pesto scrambled egg with ham. It is delicious. On the negative I have gotten a rotten banana from them (not a euphemism, they give you a free banana with every breakfast) once. It was fixed though. The service is good, but I never really have a hankering to go here, just sort of am happy to go if it is suggested.
(3)
Dean K.

Consistently good breakfast. Eggs are poached perfectly, bacon is soft but crispy and the hash browns are nicely cooked. The orange juice is so pulpy you could eat it with a fork so I stick to milk or Coke. I've never understood, though, how they figure out which of the people who order the side of fruit will get the fruit cup and who will get the banana. I wish you were offered the option.
(4)
Izzy S.

I've been coming here for years. It's a diner, not much else to say. It's one of two place in the neighborhood that's open 24/7. It's either this or Ihop. The food is great at 4-5am when you stumble in drunk. The place could be a bit cleaner.
(4)
Beth F.

Who gets drunk in the middle of the week? I do! And when I'm hungover at work and sitting in my cube in downtown Minneapolis, it hits me all over again just how much I miss the Melrose. I used to live a couple blocks away so on those unfortunate mornings after one drink too many, the Melrose always came to the rescue. The sheer volume of the food they bring to the table cures almost any ailment and for a 24-hour diner, the food is better than average, in my opinion. And not only that, but after scarfing down a massive serving of eggs and hashbrowns, the thought of sitting in a cube all day with a headache seems almost tolerable. The breakfast food is probably my favorite thing about this place. I've tried a few of the sandwiches and thought they were just ok, but nothing special. But all the breakfast dishes I've tried have been great. They also serve a banana with each breakfast plate, which I love. I only went here once after a weekend night out at the bar and it was a total madhouse, and not in the good way. I've generally tried to stay away from this place during high-peak hours because the service isn't fantastic and when it's busy, you feel it. But during the less busy hours, I've never had any problems. The food is always hot, drink refills come pretty quickly and most of the servers smile if you make eye contact with them.
(3)
Jo W.

Reading these other reviews, I'm relieved (and distrurbed) to know that I'm not the only one who has witnessed their lack of sanitation. I've eaten here a couple times, but the last and final time I went there I ordered breakfast. I did not eat my banana. When the waitress took our plates, for whatever reason I watched her take them back... and then I saw her take my uneaten banana off my dirty plate and put it back with the others. GROSS. I know a banana has a thick peel, but still. GROSS.
(1)
Colleen C.

As far as outdated 24-hour diners go, this one is at the top of my list. The food isn't extraordinary, but for diner food, it's pretty good. The favorite thing I've had so far is the turkey dinner. It was quite yummy. Prices are okay, and they have a huge menu to choose from. I keep meaning to try the pumpkin pecan pancakes they've had on the specials menu, but I always stick with dinner. But one of these days, I will. Also it should be mentioned that the wait staff is AWESOME. Every time they've been friendly, attentive, and sometimes just really entertaining (like this one older lady who was a huge Sox fan and kept chatting up my boyfriend about the Sox and trashing the Cubs in front of a table of Cubs fans.) My friends say it's gross, but I very much disagree. Yeah, it's not the cleanest, most inviting place to sit and have a meal, but it sure beats The Golden Nugget/Angel/Apple. By a lot.
(4)
Brett K.

I liked this place so much after trying the first time that I went back the very next day! Though it appears standard-dinerish, the food was great and the staff was both polite and helpful. The portion sizes are also great in relation to the price. The last thing I'll say--also positive--is that it's open 24 hours a day, which is great for someone looking to grab a bite late a night.
(4)
Yogi B.

Melrose Restaurant won't win any awards for "fine dining", but their soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners have never disappointed me. It's open 24 hours a day. A cup of soup or dinner salad comes with your meal or sandwich. Their soups are freshly made. Try the sweet & sour cabbage soup, their specialty--YUM! (The dinner salad is mostly iceberg lettuce, though.) Melrose does a good job at specialty salads, from spinach to taco to? (I can't remember them all...) Melrose also does a good breakfast. Fluffy Omelets are my favorite for breakfast there. The Hobo skillet is also very yummy. They have inexpensive dinner specials and a pretty exhaustive menu.
(4)
David N.

This is one of those places that have been around for a very long time. Now I can see why they stay in business. The food is great and the wait staff I give 5 stars to! They have some good choices to pick from for breakfast items. I have not eaten here for lunch or dinner, but the menu has some great choices on it. This is one of those places you can just grab a quick bite at any time of the day or night. Thank you especially to the entire wait staff for being so friendly and attentive. You are what makes this restaurant stand above so many others.
(5)
Erin L.

Best diner in Lakeview. Me and my boyfriend go there all the time and get the same server, she's super nice and we get our food really fast. It's decently priced and you get huge portions of food. All the food I've ordered is good, I would definitely recommend this to any vegetarian. Its also open at all hours which is pretty sweet.
(4)
Kurt O.

The food, service and music are usually very good. It's a nice place to read the paper and relax or meet with a friend for breakfast. The waiters are always very and helpful. It's a dependable place for a nice breakfast.
(4)
Kevin B.

50/50 I know that is an easy way out, but it's true. I have eaten here quite regularly over the past 8 years and for the most part have had adequate service and food. But, there were a few times that the service was so bad that it killed many of the good experiences. The staff rotation is pretty noticeable, so must not be the best place to work for. That being said some of the waitresses have been over the top nice, while others have been... well might need to check that they have a pulse. Double check your take out. If you get home and notice you didn't get your fries they will scream at you on the phone that you are liar and to come back tomorrow for your fries. I blame the management for this behavior, not the employees. After 2am, this place is heaven though... you and everyone else is usually too drunk to care how the service and food is... if anything my sympathy is with the staff, not the customers at that time of night :)
(3)
David C.

I live down the block from this restaurant and I feel lucky to be able to stroll down there for a meal. The place is just easy. The food is not fancy, just comfortable, regular, good, meals. The value is very good, i.e., you get a lot of food and always leave full. In warm weather, my favorite pastime is to eat at their sidewalk tables with friends and family. They do a nice job with the flowers that are out there. I guess the only thing it's lacking is a familiar face or character working there, you know, the types of host/manager/owner who always remembers you and likes to chat you up when you come in. Other than that, don't change a thing.
(4)
Lori B.

My first time here was a few days ago. My husband use to frequest here a few years ago. The food was good, the spartan omlette was really good and my husband had the California club and it was very good. The only reason I feel the need to comment is my coffee cup had a huge chip in it and they gave me spolied, curdled skim milk for my coffee. Other than those two things, it was really good.
(3)
Kristy L.

Best diner in Lakeview, with tons of vegetarian options. The portions are huge and the breakfasts are especially tasty. I also really love the staff there; it is really truly a diner with a boys town flair where everyone is friendly and the waiters treat my boyfriend like a king :P (i.e. "what are you havin' today gorgeous?")
(4)
Jean Z.

Exactly what did you expect from this regular family restaurant? Open 24hrs, check. Big omelets, check. Yummy pickles with the cheeseburgers, check. Refill my pop for free, check. Outdoor seating, check.
(5)
Amber W.

I love this place! Great for late nights after the bar, and just to go for good eats! Ed is the greatest waiter ever! If you go... Ask for him directly!
(5)
Chris W.

Tasty spinach and bacon salad, speedy service, Arctic AC (ergo, a nice hideout on AC-less Chicago evenings, otherwise bring a sweater.)
(3)
Suee S.

I came here on Christmas because I really wanted an omlette with feta and didnt feel like making one myself. So I decided to go to Melrose Restaurant since its right by my apartment. The omlette was good and I got alot of food. I think it was a little pricey for the type of restaurant but I did get alot of food like I said. Less food with a lower price would be better. There isn't free WIFI which kind of sucks since I was eating alone and it would be nice to go online while I wait for my food. When I went to pay the manager or whoever he was asked if I wanted to leave a tip which I had left on the table already so I said no. I feel as though he got kinda weird about me saying that I didnt want to leave a tip. I guess its an ok restuarant. Ive only eaten there this one time so I cant really say too much about it. Ill give it a 3 star because of the weirdness of the cashier......
(3)
Samantha L.

I've been here twice... once when sober, once when drunk. Both times, the food was decent, but it's super greasy diner food, so be prepared. Also, the first time (sober), I asked for EASY on the onions, and I think the waitress maybe instead requested EXTRA onions, cause my breakfast was swimming in onions. Overall, not a bad diner, but don't expect it to be wonderful. It's definitely a step up from Golden Nugget!
(3)
Bill M.

This Lakeview diner on Broadway is more special for breakfast/brunch than for lunch or dinner. There is some outdoor seating in the summertime. Enjoy your omelet or burger or whatever.
(3)
Sara B.

This place is my clam in the hectic world of the city. Well, during normal waking hours that is...I know they are good for a after bar meal but have not been here yet during that time... I love their food. It comforts me as it fattens me up just like grandma would do. It's good for the soul. :-)
(4)
Rob A.

I love this place. It's cheap, the portions are huge, and you get soup or salad and bread included with the dinners for less than what most restaurants charge for only the entree. The atmosphere is nice, the staff is friendly and the food is top notch comfort food. I eat here several times a month. The hot meatloaf sandwich is my favorite. I've also been there for breakfast and it's wonderful. Huge portions, tasty skillet items. No pretense here, either. Just good home cookin' without the attitude. If you want a cheap, relaxing, old fashioned diner experience, this is one of the best in the city.
(4)
Vince F.

This is where you go after you have had way too much to drink and it is the only place open. If you are tired and drunk enough, you won't notice that the food is awful and the place is shabby. Now I understand there is a certain nostalgia factor going for Melrose. But I am new to Chicago. And stanky bathrooms negate nostalgia any time. The waitress is fun though. Yes, waitress. I am sure there is more than one, but I always have had the same woman. She is straight out of a sitcom. I love her. But I hate Melrose.
(1)
Kori E.

This is probably one of the best diner's in the city! Excellent food!
(4)
M C.

Totally needed to get out of the house at 3 am earlier this week, during the week... ended up here. loved it. I usually end up at the 24 hr starbucks then to clark's, but I won't be doing that anymore. At 3 am the place wasn't empty, and it wasn't loud. The wait service was extremely welcoming and prompt. I've been looking for a good 24hr place and this is it. I usually only get chicken fingers or mozzarella sticks wherever I go so they totally pass the test. clark's has the absolute worst chicken fingers. fuck that.
(5)
Pam N.

Upon request, they put *bacon* INTO a *waffle* and topped it with *whipped cream* !!! A diner that will do that for me... and is a block away from my bf's house... That's all I could ever ask for.
(5)
Mike K.

Open 24 hours, the waitresses were cool as hell, and the skillet i had was pretty f'n fantastic. I like this place alot.
(4)
Steve T.

Having not have eaten here in a sober state of mind, I was holding off on reviewing since most things when drunk end up tasting like the hands of God made them. That said, I had a good late night dinner after Wednesday's Navy Pier Fireworks. The grilled chicken avocado sandwich was really good, and the chilly diet coke after wandering around in night time humidity, hit the spot.
(4)
Jen G.

This is a great diner. Good deals, large portions (I always split or take half home=good value) and very convenient most times of the day. I am particularly partial to their curry chicken salad, but believe it or not, have had the fish here! Fresh veggies and soups too. I am a fan. I will miss this place when I move to UV. Minus a star for cleanliness and ambiance....
(3)
yakob j.

Probably the best Diner style food around. This place is classic california diner, with a great menu, and fresh ingredients. I ordered a special mexican egg scramble, and they sliced a whole avocado on to it. Every time i go i'm impressed ( being that it's an all night diner) Thumbs up.
(4)
Jay A.

This place is 24/7 service so it's good for all :-) I like soup and burger here! Milkshake .... yum but regular taste not thing unique
(4)
Ashley M.

The dinner selections are a little better if you have some alcohol in your system, but I truly enjoy the breakfasts. Love the Greek omelet and the Blueberry pancakes!
(4)
David A.

Love a late night snack! Soups are delicious (mushroom barley, chicken with rice). Burgers are my favorite, any with bleu cheese are great! Fries & cole slaw are delicious, service is attentive. A must-visit!
(4)
Jennifer B.

Three words: potato pancakes benedict. So good. It's a genius idea, poached eggs, canadian bacon and hollindaise atop two of what might be the best potato pancakes I have ever eaten. The pancakes are flavorful and thick. Everything else I've ever had has been good too, especially the skillets. Very affordable and great service.
(4)
Brandon B.

Great diner: of course its not 5-star food but hey its a 24 hour diner; not to be held to the same standards. Best aspect is the constantly open fun atmosphere....just dont go early on the weekends if you don't like crowds. Service is great 90% of the time, and its a great place to see and be seen. TRY THE CABBAGE SOUP!
(5)
Leigh K.

The two times I've been here have been great. Fun and filling meals at great prices. Amazing waitresses that got our orders correct. Clean atmosphere with interesting people to watch. Free Tootsie Rolls. It's surprising to read negative reviews of Melrose Restaurant. Maybe I'm biased since this was the first place that Zachary and I had dinner, when we were still sizing eachother up. Melrose offers above and beyond what other diners in Chicago offer in their menus. I can't believe I'd lived here over 2 years and had never even heard of this place. Thanks, Z! The omelets here are huge and fluffy and they have a large assortment of fillings. Zachary's favorite is the apple cheddar omelet, but he strayed from it last visit. Being a crazy picky eater at times, I ordered cheese sticks, tortilla soup, and one egg over hard. The egg was prepared perfectly and the yolk hadn't been cracked into the white which is super important since I dislike eating the yolk! Now it's time to gush about my favorite thing here; the tortilla soup. It is the best that I have ever had. In fact, it is so good that when we went here for a late dinner last week I ate one order there and then I got another order to go so that I could have it for lunch the next day. Everyone at work was jealous even though they buy their lunch nearly every single day. I wish Melrose was closer to the Loop so I could get lunch here.
(4)
Nellie T.

Another locals' spot. I go here almost once every weekend for brunch with my boyfriend. I'm not a huge foofoo breakfast person. I like the typical breakfast fare. So this local diner is perfect. They've got a good sized outdoor area. The diner is large so waits are never long if any at all. They also have a large 5 person table outside that they always reserve for larger groups. I think that's really nice. They're on top of their game here. The staff are very friendly and often crack jokes to keep the morning friendly. I love their "San Francisco" which is a perfect portion for a person like me. I love smaller portions with loads of variety. So the San Francisco is perfect. 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, 1 sausage, and french toast. The atmosphere is boystown diner. Sometimes they're playing oldschool music, but a lot of times it's fun dance tunes. I find it energizing. But that's just me.
(4)
Kathleen C.

Lakeview classic - my dad used to take us here as a kid, and after moving to the city as an adult I was pleasantly surprised to learn the corner diner was the same place. Staff has, for lack of a better word, "character". Great breakfast fare, and other diner standards, such as the Grilled Cheese. Great people watching from the patio in warm weather.
(5)
scott s.

Ehh Its Alright
(2)
A. R.

Your basic neighborhood diner. Good food (breakfast all day!), strong coffee, friendly service, and I've never had a sticky table. Can't ask for much more.
(4)
Ms T.

I really want to give this place four stars. The food isn't that great but its predictable and perfect when you just want nasty diner food. But therein lies the problem. The last two time I ate there, the place was so full of flies that I was constantly swatting at flies instead of enjoying my milkshake. When a fly lands on my food, and I see it, I won't eat it. So that makes me worry about how clean the place is. I might try it again sometime but the last two times really turned me off 7/26/07 What a fool am I. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!! After moving, a friend and I decided to go here for brunch because we had gotten up so early to move. She had a salad, I had an omeltte. Fast forward 6 hours later- BOTH SHE AND I were very, very sick with food poisoning! We had totally unrelated food and that is all we ate that day. I will never go here again, even if they were to pay me $1000. Food sucks and it will make you sick. Steer clear!.
(1)
Samantha R.

I love the variety and haven't been disappointed yet. Definitely not a destination restaurant, but you will get good diner food. The portions are HUGE, so you can always take some home- plus there's complimentary bread and my meals have usually come with a salad, so I never leave less than stuffed. Love that they serve breakfast all day and have had delicious French toast. It's nothing fancy, but I think it's dependable basic food with tons of options. Nice to have a place like this nearby when everyone in your group wants something completely different.
(4)
Shannon D.

This place is grungy, and I have been food poisoned here on the pork chop dinner. Yet if I'm drunk and hungry, the pancakes at 3am cannot be beat. Head to Stella's a few blocks down if you want good food, service and a clean diner. The Melrose is only if you're desperate.
(2)
Melanie V.

Best grilled cheese in the city! ;) It's a double decker sandwich served on Texas Toast. It's enough for 2 meals, I swear. The waitresses and owners here are great. And, I love sweet and sour cabbage soup, so this is the best place to get it since it's so close to home.
(4)
Candice R.

This place reminds me of a diner back in my hometown. It's a great place to go if you want an all night gab fest with a friend. The food's good, nothing fantastic, but they really do give you your moneys worth here. There's pretty much everything you can think of on the menu, and the service is good, nothing fantastic.
(3)
Marti C.

We hit Melrose around midnight, hungry after hitting some local bars. Since it's a 24-hour joint I wasn't expecting luxury or 4-star food. The service was good. The food was delivered quickly. However, it wasn't even as good as Denny's. That is sad. If you're in need of nourishment in the late night hours I say go for it. But if you're hungry when other restaurants are open, I would pass.
(2)
Sarah F.

I love going out for breakfast. This place was a huge disappointment. The service was horribly slow and rude and the food was terrible. There was a hair in my boyfriend's omelette and mold on my bagel. When we told the manager/owner, he didn't seem to care. There are way better diners in Chicago. Don't waste your time!
(1)
Meg L.

It makes me sad to see a place with such great potential that is ruined by the owners' attitude! Love the waiters, they seem to have every best intent for the restaurant and their customers, I only wish I got the same attitude form the owners. Every time I go in I get the sense from the owners that I'm not welcomed, like they would rather not serve me. Well, please don't open up a restaurant if you don't want to serve people. I love the 24 hour availability of this place and the stuffed french toast is the best! The food is generally decent, never makes me sick and pricing is fair enough. I'd give this place another star or two if the owners would change their attitude. Honestly, I avoid this place often because of the owners, I'd rather take my money elsewhere where I feel more welcomed.
(2)
Louis A.

Not sure how I haven't reviewed Melrose. Probably because I have never eaten in --- always have ran out for myself and friends, mostly in fits of drunken hunger. Well, we celebrated my birthday the other night and I finally made an appearance in person with a posse...and we were honestly pretty wound up to the point where I think we were loud, obnoxious, and even insulting! Whatever....the waitstaff were all good sports about it and even brought me some birthday pie...which I couldn't dare to eat after barley picking at my club sandwich. But damn, that sandwich was good the next day. Oh, and get the soup. Whatever it is --- don't care. Get it...for takeout...and be amazed by the sheer volume of goodies that are thrown in the bag. Also, don't forget to tip your takeout waiter, homes...
(4)
Gabe M.

I think this place gets less than stellar reviews because it's called a restaurant when in fact it's a diner. The portions are huge, and a little heavy (aka diner food) and your meal often includes nice extras like soup. The burgers I've had were top notch. The atmosphere is a little dated, but the service is familiar and friendly. The value is awesome - i can't believe I ate so much for 9 bucks!
(4)
Ann Y.

Seriously this place is nothing special. It is overpriced and the menu is pretty boring. The service is average and there are just so many better restaraunts out there.
(1)
Lesley G.

This place is pretty good for what it is. Don't go expecting anything other than 24-hour diner fare, cause that's what you're going to get. I've had the bacon and eggs with hashbrowns and toast and it was really quite tasty. I think the omelets can be a bit buttery, but you can ask them to not cook your stuff in butter if you want. Someone I was with got a sandwich that looked tasty. Chicken noodle soup was good, or maybe it was chicken rice, i dont' remember. I pretty much always just get breakfast foods at diners though. It is what it is, but it does that well.
(3)
Ardie F.

Melrose has a huge selection of food to choose from. I had the Pesto Chicken Pasta and it was quite good. They are open 24/7.
(4)
Nicole B.

I went here Saturday after Halloween festivities and it was a blast! Looking at all the tables filled with people in costume was such entertainment. The waitress was a sweetheart. I got made fun of for ordering a salad and not the usual drunk food, but it was huge, filling, and delicious. Plus I had enough for lunch the next day.
(4)
Leanne E.

We went to Melrose Restaurant to sit in an out-of-the-way large booth to discuss some union business. The waittress was wonderful to give us both the service we wanted and the privacy we needed to discuss business. She wasn't intrusive and yet kept the table refurnished with what we wanted and the dinners we ordered were fantastic. It's got a great neighborhood feel with an enormous menu and best hours.
(4)
Philip K.

...just not memorable. I was there a few weeks ago and I can't even remember what I ordered. It seems like it would be a fun place to hang out late at night, maybe while after a few drinks at a club, but we went there for dinner. The food was fine and so was the service. But I just can't give it more than three stars.
(3)
Joe K.

I can't believe all the negative reviews here! I won't go so far as to say I love this place, but jeez. I'm a late-night person that's worked in too many restaurants in the past. I will not go into a restaurant if it's within a half hour of their closing time. Trust me, people, if you're going to play the odds...it's not a good idea. So when I realize at 10:30 on a weeknight that I'm hungry, my options are limited. And Melrose is EXACTLY what I miss about where I used to live. A 24 hour diner, where for about ten bucks you can get a bottomless cup of coffee, a cup of soup, and an entree (oh how I miss the added bonus of round-the-clock's free dessert, too...). I can't stop ordering the california burger, my only complaint is that I think they just cut an avocado in half and toss it on there...which, at the thick part of the avocado, makes for a bite with a LOT of avocado. The place is clean for a 24 hour diner, and I have a pretty massive appetite and have never walked out of there hungry. Apparently after reading these reviews I'm going to have to check out some of their breakfast selections now, too...mmm...
(4)
Jeff E.

The service and friendliness of the staff is what makes this place better than average. The food is pretty good, but with everything else in the area, it falls right in line. Try it - if you're not a snob you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Cara B.

Melrose has saved my life on more than one occasion. A 24 hour diner a building away from my apartment is now a requirement for any place I ever have after this one. Their omelets are ginormous and their burgers are great after a night of heavy drinking. In the summer sit out on the patio, it's great people watching!
(4)
Mitchell P.

Cute outdoor seating. We went here for bruch after visiting the farmer's market at nettlehorst school. I got a cornbeef hash skillet, which was the perfect solution for the hangover that i was sporting that day. The outdoor seating is good, and makes for very fun people watching.
(3)
Noah B.

The avocado burger is awesome! It's pretty par with most of the diners in Boy's Town and Andersonville, but it's a staple of the neighborhood, so check it out.
(4)
Brook G.

Service here is not good. After being seated, we had to wait quite a while for our waitress to come and take just our drink orders. It wasn't even remotely busy. We also had to remind her to bring our bucket of condiments after we got our food. Which, by the way, was not very good. Hopefully their breakfast here is a lot better than the dinner entrees my boyfriend and I had. He got the California burger and I had the Veggie burger. He couldn't even finish his (which rarely happens) because it was loaded with so much Blue Cheese. And the description on the menu of mine was not really what I got. The veggie patty was dry and pretty much fell apart all over my plate. The mashed potatoes were bland, and the pickle that came with had a very odd taste to it. The 3 different rolls of bread in the basket were all hard and tasted like they had been made a few days ago. The only good part of the food I would have to say is the Chicken Pasta Soup he got. When we were done, we waited another long time for our waitress to bring the check. We actually had to ask the bus boy who was clearing our plates to get it for us. For $9 a person, I think I'll go somewhere where I can get better service and decent food. I don't expect much from diners, but Melrose falls way short.
(2)
Little Miss Sunshine B.

I have a love - hate relationship with this place. Its kind of like the boyfriend that beats you up but you go back to him anyway because sometimes he makes you breakfast in the morning...
(2)
CJ E.

The food is mediocre, and heavy. Its one of those places where you get a large portion of food, you start to eat it, simply to finish whats on your plate, but by the fifth bite, you realize you have no reason for eating the food. The silverware is slightly dingy, and the place itself is no better. Its like picking someone up at a party, Its great thought late at nights after a party, but during the day when the sun is out, you can do much better.
(2)
Brett C.

Good Staple Diner. I think the cozy atmosphere is what people usually go for, and the great covered outdoor patio in the summer. Good menu variety, but not so much on the vegan or vegetarian side, which is strange given the neighborhood. I usually get the penne pasta with fresh tomatoes and portobello, or the portobello burger and fries, or their garden burger and fries. They come with good sized soups and salads, and are always generous with the bread basket. I don't understand what all the complaints are here. It's better than Stellas or the golden nugget as far as food quality and ambiance. And don't tell me Stellas has a better out door patio. C'mon. Really.
(4)
Jennifer P.

My girlfriend and I love Melrose. It's by far our favorite diner ever. It has a very homey atmosphere and is very welcoming. Their soups are very good and their food is usually very good as well. Also, their banana splits are excellent!
(4)
Richie K.

It's been over a year since I've been back home, but Melrose will always have a special place in my memory. The sight of many late-night, 2am homecomings--after hastily dropping-off my luggage from O'Hare at home. There was always one lady that served my sister, friends, and I--the one with too much mascara. She would sometimes mess up our order, but she'd give us free pie a la mode in return. Oh, how I miss you, Melrose!
(4)
Melissa B.

Should I be embarrassed that this was my first date with my fiance? But seriously, it's good food, 24 hours a day. Blows Clarke's outta the water. Their waitstaff is friendly and informative. And man, are their portions huge.
(4)
Emily D.

24 hours and BYOB....amazing! The food is decent but the service is amazing. This place is right on my corner so it's really convenient and for a neighborhood diner this place goes above and beyond. Nothing out of the ordinary about the food but the menu is huge, you get a bread basket and soup comes with everything except breakfast. Definitely a very solid diner.
(4)
Marcus C.

It's exactly what you expect - a greasy spoon that serves condensed soup, standard burgers and sandwiches, and steak fries. Perfect for that next-day recovery!
(3)
Lee R.

what do you need to know? the food is great. check. the service is good. check. the price is decent. check. and no matter what time i've gone, be it noon or 1am, i always leave thinking: "wow. that was a real slice of life."
(4)
Emily K.

I used to LOVE Melrose, not for the food exactly, but for the great service. I used to go in there after nights of drinking with friends because I lived really close. Everytime we got the southern waiter. He was the best!!! He always made everyone feel welcome and was always cracking jokes. I would go in there sober sometimes as well for a late night bite to eat and he would always be there so excited to see us, urging us to sit in his section, even when he was really busy. He seemed to always have regulars in there to see him as well. I went in there a few weeks ago at the same time looking for our same vivacious server. The man at the front told us that he had just left. I thought that was odd because he always worked the late night shifts. I finally sat down and asked the server we were given where the southern waiter was. He told us that he got fired. I do not know what the circumstances were but i do know that they lost a great server who brought in TONS of business. Good Luck Melrose.
(1)
Steve R.

Decent portions and a nice lil' ole patio, but really the food is just average for the cost. There's better breakfast places, though this one will do the trick if you're in the neighborhood. It's ok, that's about it.
(3)
Rebekah K.

I actually went here at 2 am for coffee with some friends after a severely disappointing meal at Buona Terra; I had a vastly superior meal here! The cream of Carrot soup is FANTASTIC. I had never eaten cream of Carrot soup before, I had never HEARD of it, but I am going back for it. It was peppery, and carroty, and creamy, and so incredibly warming after coming in from the rain! I had the fluffy vegetarian Omelette and it was delicious! So full of delicate steamed veggies! The mix was so harmonious! It was savory, and crunchy, and salty (but not obnoxiously so) and hot, and flavorful! It is weird I went to a reputable italian restaurant earlier than evening and had a mediocre meal (at best) then at this little diner I had one of the best omelettes I have ever consumed. Service was very impressive! She kept the hot water jars for our tea very full! When I said I did not want a potato with my omelette she offered fresh fruit! MY FAVORITE! Food was good! Service was good! HOWEVER, prices are a lot more than you expect from the looks of it! Not cheap, but quality validates it.
(4)
Robyn M.

Do you think the fact that they give you a banana with every breakfast has anything to do with it being in "boystown"? Is that a banana on your plate or are you just glad to see me? The food is fine. I like this place becasue y ou don't have to wait for two hours just to get some pancakes, they have outdoor seating, and they give you a carafe of water on your table. Don't wait for the server to take your money though. Its pay as you go at the register!!
(3)
Seiji C.

it's funny how the same diner in two different places can be either "an institution" or "a dump" it's certainly both, but it's more a question of whether you're goin for a dining experience or a diner experience. order the grapefruit. just cuz its cool to see a steak knife sticking out of a piece of fruit
(4)
Zac K.

Your total local diner- however, 3 stars for the 24hr factor. Many a summer night spent here after a truly crazy night out in the Chi. Good breakfast foods and soups. Some rude waitstaff though-
(3)
Kevin T.

It's one of the nicer diners that I have visited. We just got back from the place. People watching is ok there I recommend ordering the stuffed tomato. It is very delightfully stuffed with a tasty tuna salad. Also, I highly recommend their orange juice..... fresh squeezed with ample pulp (which I love btw).
(3)
Jeff N.

Underwhelmed would be a good start here. Conveniently located near my daughter's apartment and we went because she stated she liked the place. Really folks, so many better 'all purpose' diners around. My Ceasar salad with poached salmon was just OK. Nice sized piece of salmon but the dressing was a bit on the bitter side. My wife's club sandwich and my daughters wrap were fine, but unremarkable. So many good and unique restaurants in the area, it will be a while before I return. Now I know why the place was 2/3 empty at 6:30 on a Sunday night.
(3)
Hannah T.

Crunchy French toast. All day, every day. Not literally every day, I wish.
(5)
Zach B.

I live a block away - so you're scaring away locals who would visit on a weekly basis. Picked out this place just walking on broadway and it was pretty crowded so I thought I'd try it out. We were sat right by the line where the cooks give the food to the servers. So you heard everything the cooks said. Oh boy, not the best move here. The main chef directing was having it his way and no one elses. Numerous times I hear a server try to modify an order (like no steak or no veggies) and he wasn't having it. I ordered the chicken pot pie. On the menu it comes with a salad or soup, with one side. Nice deal! So I got a salad and the pot pie with steak fries to share. Welp, I got mashed potatoes, and even the waitress showed me she wrote it down on her pad. She told the chef, and he replied "it comes with mashed potatoes, deal with it." So I was stuck with taters. But still - the mashed potatoes had little pieces of plasic like it was covered up and reheated or something. She showed it to the chef and and there was no response after that. TLDR; great food, cheap, but disorganised servers and a chef/cook who lets everyone in the restaurant know he doesn't care about the customer's wishes. What an awkward meal.
(2)
David R.

Sitting at the counter while the little old lady takes my order...and then NEVER PUTS THE ORDER IN. A to-go order she takes after me comes and goes and she looks at me and says "where's your food"? Good question. Then I watch her make out the order and put it in at the back of a very long cue as she lies about being down a cook, etc etc. Never coming back. Oh, and today...a few weeks later...I get an irate Yelp message from them, saying: "Dine in comes first. Learn how to tip and eat in. I know who you are talking about and leave her alone." ---Well, I WAS dining in...I tipped her 20% regardless of the lie...and I'll certainly leave her alone as I am never coming back.
(1)
Mike M.

We came to get pie and they were closed, I was disappointed and said I just wanted some pie. Well the sweetest waitress let us take a look at what they had left and take it to go. I guarantee 9 out of 10 times at other resturants your gonna get told to f'off but not this lady this time and that means a lot. Thank you, Addy
(5)
Alan Q.

Had the coconut French Toast and it was great. Don't forget to try their hot tea, they have a good selection and it's imported from out of country. I did one with a strong Almond flavor; loved it! Maybe don't sit outside though as we were nearly attacked by bees.
(5)
Tim S.

It has been 30 or so years since my last visit, happy to see you there. Friendly staff and good food,
(4)
Kathryn C.

Walk by this place daily ever since moving to Lakeview and finally stopped in for breakfast. Was not disappointed! Great service, food, coffee - classic and simple upscale diner.
(4)
Rikki H.

Food is pretty good for diner food . Service is so slow. I've also seen the cook hit the bell on the expo with the knife he was using, so I'm guessing that being sanitary isn't very high on the list of importance there. But they are open 24 hours. And we have never had to wait for a table
(3)
Megan L.

One of the most mediocre places I've been to in Chicago. It's diner-style food, but not done well. The portion size was above average - my croissant sandwich came with a huge portion of hashbrowns and a banana. The sandwich was straightforward - bacon, American cheese, and egg, but I could probably cook a better breakfast sandwich at home. Service is fast and my party of 2 was seated quickly in the heart of weekend brunch time, but I probably won't be back - there are too many other amazing restaurants I'd rather try or visit again in this city to waste brunch opportunities here.
(2)
Kevin N.

How does what amounts to a Greek diner stay open, relevant, and popular for decades? Roll with the changes and deliver good value on breakfasts and late-night 24 hour fare, that's how! I've eaten here so many times that predate Yelp, even when I used to live in Chicago, I'm surprised that unlike so many places, this diner is still going strong. What has changed is the interior and the menu, although slightly. The newest incarnation has a contemporary California vibe, with a mix of Fifties furniture and horizontal unfinished grey wood paneling. It's actually very tasteful. As for the food, think breakfast food and skillets as the mainstay, with salads, wraps, and burgers additionally. My last visit included a skillet with hash browns, beets, bacon, and cheese, really heavy on the hash browns. This was a post New Year's Eve sop-up-the-merrymaking meal for four of us, so either we weren't too picky, or we wouldn't have been able to discern otherwise. One had a hearty bacon cheeseburger and that thing went fast. Another of us had a steak and eggs skillet with no complaints there either. My husband, generally a vegan, ate a mushroom cheese wrap. The food is nothing really to write home about, but is adequate and does the job. On New Year's day, he rolled out of bed and asked, "What did I order last night?" Was it the food or the merrymaking that made the experience a blur?
(3)
Mark S.

Great place for breakfast. We last ate here on a Sunday morning around 9am. Service was good, prices decent, generous portions. Eggs Benedict was delicious, eggs done perfectly. One of very few good places open 24 hours in the city.
(4)
John D.

Way too many things went wrong with my visit. 1. Completely open restaurant and they sit us next to the booth with the most obnoxious, loudest, train wreck of a girl who was sharing way too many details of her sad life. 2. The bread and crackers served with my soup had no butter and an open packet of half eaten saltines. 3. Food was just bland and didn't taste too particularly well and the price I paid for that crap fest was was too much. Do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else.
(1)
Ramon C.

LIARS!!!! They ARE NOT open 24/7. I literally walked in and asked, and they were like..."que paso, no open." Yelp lies and they lie! Lies...a Minelli!
(2)
Christopher W.

I finally made my way to Melrose. It's in one of my favorite areas of Chicago and I had heard of the famous corn flake french toast. I was stuck in Chicago for the day (there are worse fates) and decided to check this off my list. I was totally charmed by the decor and the staff was very friendly. I did have said french toast and it was fine. Nothing noteworthy but again totally acceptable. I can't claim it's a value, it's priced for the city, but I would stop by again.
(3)
Ken O.

Stopped into this restaurant yesterday for a late lunch. First thing I had noticed, this restaurant had remodeled. The restaurant is really sharp. The food, turkey dinner, and service was just okay. Nothing to remember.
(2)
Eric G.

I've dined here several times over the years. It's one of the spots you can stop by and do some people watching anytime of the day or night. I usually wind up getting one of their green salads which I find tasty. My last trip I went it looked like they remodeled the place a bit. The changes looked nice. Instead of my usual salad, I opted for a mushroom burger. Enjoyed it along with a small beef barley soup. I've never had a bad meal here. I'm sure I will be back.
(4)
Anna B.

Ok, I'm sure not many people review diner's, but I had to write that this place is one of my favorites. I've only been here for breakfast on sunday's, and they have a great thing going for what it is. But mainly I have to say if you're in the area and want some drunk food, this place has everywhere beat. I also have had this amazing lady named Addy (I think) multiple times, and she is the nicest waitress I have ever met.
(4)
Darren S.

No water still after I ask them! They told me that that don't have enough staff... And 30 mins after still no one take the order... They have only 9 table included us....another 30 min after we order the food... We still don't have water...well ... It is unforgettable dinner in my life! Ha!
(1)
Emily G.

Food is always really, really good for being a 24/7 diner and for the price, but the service is always a little iffy. Glad they got new owners though! The remodeling looks so much better.
(4)
Rick T.

Good lord almighty. What are these people doing? Don't you hate people who try hard to be something they are not? Well, stop into Melrose, the restaurant equivalent. I've loved Melrose for years. Yes, I was drunk for at LEAST 80% of my visits. But I loved them any way. Now, they're trying to reconceptualize the place. Their first step was to (and I'm not making this up) hose off planks from wooden palates and nail them to the restaurant walls for a rustic look. Fine. Then, they changed the menu. Melrose may very well be the only 24-hour diner in America, possibly the world, where you cannot walk in and order a Denver omelette. Or a Western omelette. The new menu has perhaps 7 omelette options. If you want a kale omelette, they've got ya covered. But for a diner classic, you have to build your own omelette and add on $1 for each ingredient. Screw that. Soda refills? They charge for every single one now. There are literally two different menus that they use throughout the day. I still can't figure out what time each is available. I walked into Melrose (drunk) about a month before their big reinvention. The waiter and manager stared at me and said, "Uh, if you want something simple, we can try to make it for you, but our cooks just walked out on us." MMMM. No thanks. I went to Walgreens and got some frozen White Castle instead. Come on, Melrose. Your exterior is dominated by a 50-year-old neon sign with foot-high letters that say "Pancake Specialties." At least half of the neon letters are busted out. A good 90%of the lightbulbs on your main sign are out of commission, too. Stop trying to be something you're not. You're a 24-hour diner. Own it. And get a goddamn Denver omelette back on the menu.
(3)
Andrew S.

Solid diner. Straightforward egg and side options with some very good, creative pancake & griddle options (e.g. coconut crusted French toast). Great value for the quality.
(5)
Sam N.

the more things change, the more things stay the same as the saying goes. After thinking about it after my last visit here a few weeks ago, I dont really want it to change :) A slice of Americana. What the "pick me up cafe" was to my late night binge cravings in my youth, this has that same feeling except I am not hungry ever when I leave here. A good place to hang out with your friends who dont venture beyond the 2800 block of N Broadway because they hate everything that is not Lakeview. But back to the food.I love me some late night/early morning cali omlette.The cheese cheese omlette is quite filling. If you need some carb cravings, you had best ask them to whip up some of the best French Toast in the city with their "Melrose french toast" It's like Tempo but without the rough late night/early morning crowd.
(5)
Adam O.

I got really sick after eating here Friday night. I got the stuffed chicken breast because it was one of the specials. 3/4 of the way through the meal I started getting sick. My girlfriend and I quickly paid and had to run back to our apt. It's now Sunday and I still feel like s**t. I've been coming to this place for 3 years and have had a few problems here and there, but never anything like this. I won't be coming back anymore.
(1)
Kirk M.

No more. Worst kitchen nightmare I ever experienced. We waited almost an hour for our food. It arrived cold. Have you ever tried to eat cold greasy French Fries? Don't. Seriously a joke. Not coming back. By Felicia. A truly sobering experience. The BOYcott begins now hunties!
(1)
Vince G.

I went there yesterday. I love changes but the changes there was disgusting the server was so non attentive. I had a egg white scramler whit fruit and multi grain toast he had the nerve to tell me .it doesn't come with toast come on I'm a breakfast server the menu plain out sucks from before when changing a menu don't down grade up grade "never ever" again the worst experience.
(1)
Michelle C.

Never felt so ill after 2 bites. Fries tasted cold and stale burger was not edible. Waited over a hour for meal literally took 3 bites and asked for check. Will never go back
(1)
Lorenzo L.

Bummer. I went last night for the first time in 4-5 years. Sadly, It's not as good as it used to be. It used to be my go to place for a patty melt . Had one last night , and was really disappointed . Bread was "vaguely "grilled , so it didn't have that crispy exterior. Onions were not cooked down until sweet and golden. They were still crunchy. Last , but not least , it's a whopping $8.99 a la carte. Fries ( and other sides begin @ +$1.50). Not the solid diner I remember. Servers were busy talking amongst themselves . Thumbs down.
(3)
Katie O.

I lived around the corner from Melrose for years and have had about a quarter of the things on the menu (my favorite is the veggie skillet with poached eggs - I've seriously had dreams about it since moving away). This is a fantastic place for brunch and it's rare to wait more than 5 minutes for a table. If you're coming home from the bar, Melrose is a fun place to get your carbs before going to bed. I love that it's open 24 hours and serves the whole menu the entire time. Whatever you're in the mood for, you got it! Now, don't be confused - this is still a diner, you won't be blown away by the uniqueness of the food, modern decor, or over-the-top waitstaff. You will however, feel totally welcome, and be able to order any down-home dish you're in the mood for at any point in the day any day of the year. If you want a real treat - get the homemade veggie burger (topped with bacon, for the meat-eaters). SO GOOD!
(5)
Debra H.

We used to come here on a regular basis when we lived in the neighborhood. Since we were back in the hood we thought we would give it a try. Service was very good...our waitress was charming and attentive. Food was very average. The breakfast sandwich was served on a large tasteless croissant. The jelly was the worst we have ever had at any restaurant. Perhaps they should purchase the small packets instead of buying it in bulk. Years ago it was packed on the weekends...that is no longer the case. There are now several better breakfast options in the area.
(3)
Lindy W.

What the hell happened?? We used to go to this diner fairly regularly, and then life got in the way, and a year plus later, we found ourselves at the doorstep of Melrose Restaurant. ("I thought it was Diner?") We shrugged and went in, wondering how long we'd have to...("there's nobody here. On a saturday night after midnight?") We shrugged and were seated. The menu...wait, I know I had a favorite omelette, and none of these are anything I'd eat. Well hell, I'll just get a grilled cheese, solid diner f...what? No grilled cheese. All over the map, I asked the waiter what was on the 8.95 nachos. "Cheese. (Long awkward pause as I waited for more bc SURELY at that price there's more.) A little pico de gallo. Little bit of guac." Here is me :-/ Anyway, we ordered. Then I noticed our waiter going back to sit down with some chick who had a 12 pack of beer. They joked around. Another waiter came back and picked her up, swinging her around. (Our food came.) Then she and our waiter went outside a side door. They were gone for close to 10 minutes. He came back in, red-faced, wiped his hands on a towel, then buttered some toast, grabbed plates from the kitchen and took them to the table behind us. I no longer felt like eating my mediocre french dip sandwich. The chick walked past the window outside, smoking a cigarette like she was done, and I was too. Upon leaving, I noticed the filthy, half completed tile job on the floor, just dirtiness everywhere. RIP Melrose Diner. Driving past IHOP in boystown a little later, I wished we'd gone there instead.
(1)
William B.

I live around the corner and have already regarded the place as a public good -- even though I don't come here too often, it's incredibly comforting to know that it exists, brightly-lit, not-too-fancy, and open 24 hours. I would even pick it as a dependable meeting spot on occasion, or stop when I wanted a meal or a cup of coffee at truly odd hours. Well sometime pretty recently they seem to have gotten a new menu and stepped things up a notch -- red flannel hash with real roasted beets, a poblano version of their benedict, a better-looking version of their waffle, and so on. I swear the coffee's gotten better too. All of a sudden I wonder if I actually might start coming here often after all.
(3)
Adam R.

Every time I go here I ask myself why I didn't go down the street to Stella's. The nice thing about this place is it is open 24 hours (and holidays), but it's not even that good for post-bar food. The servers are very nice, but the food is mediocre if not poor. I had the French Dip sandwich didn't have the sauce it was supposed to have on it, and the au jus was tasteless...like brown-colored water. I've had their southwestern chicken sandwich, and that wasn't as bad, but the prices are ridiculous. You get a sandwich and fries for around 11 bucks. You can go down the street and eat the same thing--prepared much better--at Stellas for a third of the cost. From the reviews, it sounds like they were once a great place. They're clearly not in their glory days.
(2)
Kelsey W.

Been here a few times now due to its proximity to my apartment. It is very mediocre. The first time I went (late night ish), I'm pretty sure the kitchen staff had walked out and it seemed like the owner or manager was in the kitchen. Most items in the menu were not available and the orders were taking so long that I left before receiving any food. The second and third time I went was for breakfast/brunch. The food was adequate. The service was ok. This is definitely not a place I would take people who are visiting Chicago given the number of fabulous brunch spots elsewhere in the neighborhood. They've remodeled since I last ate there, so the restaurant itself looks much better (inside remodel only). Not sure if their menu was updated as well.
(2)
Richard G.

So sad, this used to be one of the best Greek diners in the area. They once upon a time had a great big menu with so much options to choose from and a huge breakfast menu. It was always busy from early morning to late night after hours when late night bar patrons would go eat there. Over the past 5 or 6 years they have slowly but surely raised prices, people stopped going including myself and I would believe they suffered the financial loss from losing customers. Well they got greedy. Now today I went back willing to pay the price for a nice big plate of food. Nope.....the menu shrank to stuff like fancied up burgers and sandwiches and now you pay more to add soup or fries. None of the great stuff they used to serve. It's all gone, not even any good appetizers. And the wait staff, well it was told that our waitress was "on her break" so it would be a few minutes. What?! This place changed!!! Not for the good. Yea, it looks nice, but they are trying to be one of those fancy restaurants that are picking up in the area. I think the owner is forgetting his roots and that they were originally just your neighborhood diner with good food and sensible prices. We politely declined to eat there and had dinner at a better location. Never again, RIP Melrose Diner.
(1)
Lisa H.

My mistake. Went back today. There was a line out the door... But many tables available to sit at. No host at the door to seat people. Servers ignoring you as they walked by. Finally, we sat ourselves - which was what people leaving told us to do. We sat, and sat, and sat... Finally just left. There were at least 10 open tables and still a line out the door. Servers walked past us numerous times without even looking in our direction. Ended up going to Stella's. Someone greeted us. Took our name. Told us how long the wait would be. We sat, had great service. Good food and were on our way. What. A. Crazy. Concept.
(1)
Megan M.

My mom and I stopped in here looking for a different place to grab a late breakfast. I was pleasantly surprised by how updated it was inside - as that was not what I pictured having seen the signage outside. We both ordered breakfast and liked what we ordered - I ordered the turkey brussel sprout skillet. It was really good, though could've used a bit of sauce.
(3)
John D.

One staffer tried to fleece me on breakfast for one and make it 24 dollars by making all of the items in the combo a la carte. As a lifer at melrose I will not be going back.
(2)
Jay R.

Wa Wa Wa Wa.. You remember the sound they made when you missed a bucket in the grand prize game on The Bozo Show....Ok I'm dating myself but that's the sound I heard in my head when I walked in saw the new decor and read the updated menu which was considerably smaller and a lot more expensive. The decor change was fine maybe it needed a face lift, in fact it did need a face lift because our nick name for this place was the dirty diner cause it was old and kind of dirty. We still went and brought friends and family because the food was good, cheap and you got a lot and they had a huge menu. Now they think after they hang some reclaimed wood on the wall it means they can jack the prices up for the same food they served you before. Well not exactly now they limit the sides you get and you don't get the banana with your meal ( don't take that the wrong way). All the things that where good are gone. When I go out for diner food mostly for breakfast I want a little of this and a little of that when I ordered eggs in the past I got hash browns and either a side of toast or pancakes and fruit. Now its eggs and one side no fruit. The eggs look so lonely on that plate I want to give them a hug. Seriously you go out to this kinda place for a rib sticking meal with a big selection and you know its not expensive. My wife who loved the egg sandwich which use to cost about 6 bucks, a egg served on a bagel with cheese and bacon side of hash browns and fruit now its 10 bucks the strip of bacon is extra and no fruit. If you go here and you have never been you might say hey this place is ok but compared to the old place it's only a sad shadow of it's former self. Maybe they thought redecorating might make them more like the fancy over priced breakfast places but they just turned a great diner into a overpriced diner with limited selection, and seriously who wants to decide if they want toast, pancakes or hash browns when you are hung over.. not this guy.. I want em all.
(2)
Rylee S.

We came for brunch and it was good- however it was about 130pm and all they offered us was a breakfast menu. The service was SO SLOW. Seriously, the slowest. 15 min to take our drink order. Almost 20 min waiting for the check... At first I felt bad for the waitress because it was pretty busy in there but then I saw her filling to-go orders for 15 minutes and never took a break to check on her customers. We never had our drinks refilled AT ALL. The worst part came when we could hear, what I assume to be the owner or manager, yelling at his staff like they were little children- I swear I almost said something to the man when I walked by. We weren't even sitting close to the bar area and he was speaking loud enough for us to hear every word. I don't really want to support a place that treats their employees like garbage.
(2)
scott r.

Melrose is that place you go that just feels home. The staff know their customers, the food is good and always reliable. It has become our go to place for years now. It has undergone a facelift recently and a new menu, but all in all, it's still the same. Please don't come with a large party and ask the old man at the front to split your bill. It's annoying. This is a mom and pop, or pop and son place that has served the area well for years. A gem!
(5)
Stuart F.

If I could have one breakfast for the rest of my life it would be the breakfast burrito with chorizo and hash browns on the side. Poblano sauce, delicious fluffy eggs, chorizo mixed with cheesy goodness...gah. I'm sorry, I'm drooling. I also highly recommend the salsa which I've never had anything quite like. Goes amazingly well with the hash browns. Only reason it gets four stars instead of five? Seating can be hard to come by and it is a tad expensive. Still highly recommended.
(4)
Kyle P.

Overpriced. My wife and I got two sandwiches, one water, and one coke. The price? With tip, OVER THIRTY DOLLARS. AT A DINER. Unacceptable. Get this: they charge extra for sides. As in, you can't even get potato chips or fries with your deli sandwich without a $2 charge or whatever it was. What a rip off! We live on Melrose St and it would be so amazing to have a cheap, greasy 24-hr diner on the end of our street... sadly, it's not meant to be. Also, I was really sad that they took away the onion rings. We will not be back.
(2)
Dan K.

Melrose USED to be the place I frequented 3 times a week. But I doubt I will ever go back. Sure, the new decor is nice, but the new staff is terrible, unfriendly and the new TINY menu is way overpriced (the sandwiches and burgers no longer come with fries) and is just trying too hard to be something it's not. Melrose, you lost your charm. You even took down the photos from past Halloweens and the ads for local events. You used to be a part of the community. Sad to see that you'll end up going under within the year. Damn shame.
(2)
Drew W.

Odd changes happening to a long-standing Lakeview favorite. Going a little upscale with the decor; new booths, some unfinished wood on the walls, etc. Menu is different, whacking you for sides for a couple of bucks now. Everything seems to have gotten a little expensive for what it is. Food has not improved much, not that it was bad though. I miss the banana for a garnish on the omelet plates. Server was very nice, better than the last two I had there. One was hopped up I swear and the other announced he was mostly deaf so he couldn't promise he would get our orders right. This one was very pleasant, though very tentative (it was her second day) and unsure of herself. Odd thing, when the waitress first approached the table she let us know we couldn't order sandwiches or pastas because they only had one cook working. Ummmmm, huh? What is so hard about sandwiches? So there goes having a Reuben. Seriously, there were 10 people in the place, including our party of two, and four were just having dessert. Oh, and there are no pastas on the menu we got. Odd. Went with breakfast as it was after 11pm on a Saturday evening. Omelet my lady friend ordered was good, my Meat Lover's "skillet," while served on a plate (?) was okay. Waitress was attentive. Place is clean. I miss the old Melrose.
(2)
Justin S.

I have been frequenting Melrose Diner for years. It has traditionally been a location with great food, friendly service, reasonable prices, and large portions. They also have the most delicious soup to eat on a cold winter day! However, on my most recent 09/07 visit everything changed... New smaller menu. Food was poorly prepared. (soggy hash browns) The AC was off. There were flys and gnats circling my head (felt like eating inside a barn). Service was spotty. Prices had gone up. And my stomach was upset the minute I left. Sadly, Melrose has lost a loyal customer if higher prices on lower quality food, served in an unsanitary environment is the new direction they are taking the business. Hopefully they will work harder to maintain the higher standards that made them one of the most popular diners in Lakeview East.
(2)
Joshua D.

This place is ok. We used to go often when we first moved to Chicago (~3 years ago) but now I'd only go if someone else asked me to go there or if I didn't feel like walking to another place (because it's really close to my home). They revised the menu recently. It includes more vegetarian options (a plus) but the new options aren't that great to me. It feels like they tried to upscale it a bit with the new menu and renovations, but I'm not a big fan of either. Also, the service is usually mediocre at best.
(3)
Kevin L.

What happened to Melrose Restaurant ??? When I lived in the neighborhood years ago, this was a great place to eat inexpensive but delicious food from an extensive menu. I revisited today and can't believe how things have changed. Gone is the variety on the menu, the great atmosphere, and friendly service. Our waiter, Chuck, was so snotty and inattentive that I had to go over to the manager and ask what was wrong because my friend and I were pretty much ignored the whole time. No offers for drink refills, no asking if we wanted to try dessert, and a seriously snotty attitude (i'm not being overly sensitive). Trust me, we are guys who love to eat and they could have made a small fortune off us. Instead we got rudeness and contempt as customers. Hey Melrose, lose the attitude if you plan on staying in business. 2 stars for decent food (potato cakes with Hollandaise sauce) and god people watching from the windows. Otherwise, pass by Melrose Restaurant and try much better options on Broadway/Halsted. Even IHOP has a better menu selection and way better and friendlier staff !!!
(2)
Jessica G.

I love, love, love this place. Sometimes you just want the comfort and relaxation of a diner, but you have to settle for crappy diner coffee and short-order breakfast. Not here! It's got the ambiance of a comfy diner down to the pleather booths and rotating dessert case, but with GOOD coffee (Intelligentsia I believe) and really good food as well. Fresh squeezed juice, delicious french toast, amazing savory skillets and scrambles (love the pesto-laden 'Green Eggs and Ham'!) and I've never left unsatisfied.
(5)
Sean S.

Melrose food IS great dinner food. The HAD a great menu, friendly staff, and the prices were great. Been going here for the most part 2-3 nights a week for nearly a year since I moved down the street. Fast forward a few weeks and they have a new menu (TERRIBLE, and prices have gone through the roof) the staff has turned over (it's like they don't understand they are in the service industry), and no one seems to care. Luckily the cooks will still serve off menu items or I would not be going here anymore. My advice stick to the old Melrose, if you need to raise prices a bit because costs are going up, so be it, but reducing the menu to nothing, raising prices astronomically and making customers pay for all of the different sides, is not going to work. You will run your customers right to other restaurants and dinners. Remember this is not fine dining and if I am going to pay $16 for a burger it is not going to be at a dinner.
(1)
Zack H.

I spent the better part of my morning in the windy 20 degree Chicago weather waiting for my friend to finish running in some stupid 8k race. I couldn't feel my feet and snot was running down my nose. That was preferable to my experience at this social experiment gone wrong. First off, they brought a thing of water out for us but didn't give us cups for like 10 minutes. They gave us silverware for 1 out of 4 seats. The lady kept trying to bring other table's food to us as if she had no idea what the hell was going on. To top it all off, the bathroom sink had the weakest water pressure of all time. Picture an old man with a weak prostate squeezing out the last drops of his morning prune juice. That's just what you want after taking a dump. In all, we waited about 50 minutes before our food got to us after sitting down. Here are some things you can do in 50 minutes: Attend a one credit hour college course. Watching two episodes of a TV show. Run an 8k. Go to the store, buy groceries, cook breakfast yourself, clean dishes. Anyways, I'd rather spend another morning out in the cold because at least in the cold I got to look at gams.
(2)
Karl S.

#HaDrinking coffee with my sister, will let you know how it turns out. Turned out awesome; definitely eat there.
(5)
J R.

The old man dies and the son or grandson is running the place to the ground. I use to eat here from 2001-2010 and what a great dinner it use to be. You would come for breakfast before you headed to the lake or a neighborhood fest or late night after drinking at the bars. Waitress would laugh with you and the owner shook everyone's hand or stopped at the table to say hi. Today, its a different story & what a sad story it is. I went back the other day and the remolding looks great but that's about all I can say. Ordered a sampler and was told they are out of mozzarella sticks, onion rings & jalapenos poppers. What dinner is this that they are out of the most popular stuff people order, its like being out of pancakes at a pancake house. No one was happy and the place was empty (always busy no matter time of day back in the day). My advice to the son or grandson who is the owner now, good luck because in a few years the doors of this place will hit you on the ass as you run this great place into the ground. Money does not grow on trees son, you need customers. Will never return again, found myself a new dinner that is actually a dinner and has food in stock.
(1)
Melissa F.

So we come here time to time, Part of why is because the service is always off, you wait forever for them to take your order. But the food comes out quick, than you wait forever for a check. They've recently started remodeling it looks great. The food is really good. Just give yourself time!
(3)
Kim B.

Attempted to go this weekend, we put in our name with a guy at the front then took a step back (to let other people do the same). He stepped away to ring someone out and a lady then decide to set at least 4 parties that arrived after us and completely ignore the waiting list. After the fourth time, I briefly questioned why she seated people who just walked in the door, she rudely replied she couldn't find us (we were 3 feet away) and we just needed to wait our turn. Well lady, you skipped our turn a total of four times. I won't go back, nor do I enjoy being treated poorly. Go to Stella's or the Bagel instead.
(1)
Letty S.

Fruit flys everywhere, waitress only put in 2 orders and we had 3. Food was cold, coke was flat and bread was hard as a rock. We also had to grab our own silverware from other tables after being seated for 20min. If I had anything good to say the coffee was decent and steak sandwich was good. This place overall is terrible, I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Roxanne A.

Thank you Melrose for making late weeknight dates possible. Between his law school hours and my class/rehearsal schedule, the only time we can meet up is 9pm or later. Unfortunately, a lot of the restaurants in Lakeview close around 10pm and we don't want to rush dinner. Here's where Melrose comes in with its fabulous around the clock hours. Melrose is able to accommodate our late night dates without having to spend a ton and feeling the need to rush/finish our conversation/food. The menu is largely diner type fair, but the food is good and the price is just right. My goto entree here is the Ultimate Grilled cheese with texas toast and double layers of cheese. It was the ultimate comfort food for a nice comfortable unrushed date. The interior reminds me of the typical New Jersey diner. There is a large amount of seating. The service is surprisingly good for a 24 hr place. It is a reliable late nice spot. Remember like at all diners, you pay your check at the counter.
(4)
Kyle D.

Came here for lunch, and while the menu looks promising the food is just average. They have a large menu with a ton of options, but the food that my party had was all "just okay". Nothing really stood out taste wise. However, certain things on the menu have massive portions. The atmosphere and service were average as well. We weren't really greeted when we walked in, and they certainly didn't welcome our business. The service was slower than it should have been, and our waitress seemed to forget about us at times. Overall, Melrose isn't a bad option. The food is good and the prices are too, but with so many other great options in the area for lunch, why not go somewhere else? Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 6.5/10 Food: 7/10
(3)
Chris T.

While it's not the liveliest place, it's a pretty decent diner. Came here randomly one Saturday night for a quick bite before a night of drinking. I had the Acapulco burger, and it was better than I thought it would be. The buns they use are tastier than your average grocery store brands. And while I told myself i was only going to eat half of it, before i knew it, it was all gone. The soup and fries were just ok. While I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here, I wouldn't put up a protest if I was brought here again sometime.
(3)
Christopher D.

This place is great. All the one stars on here are just haters and wishing for the past. Ignore them and try it. By the way, the skirt steak breakfast was amazing and the waffle was fantastic too. And it's 24/7...
(5)
C. M.

Do not get the meatball sandwich. I opened the meatball sandwich and literally one meatball in the middle ... I guess they expected someone not notice with all the other things on top of it...told the server I felt a little jipped about it and he said "yeah one meatball" and walked away. I guess there is truth in advertising ..the menu does say "meatball" sandwich not "meatballs".
(1)
Jimmy C.

Delicious food, great service, fair prices. 6 plates among us were all great! And it's open 24/7. Awesome diner. :-)
(5)
Ime P.

Came in for the first time, it seemed like a decent restaurant, however the staff really need some training. After ordering coffee, we asked for few more minutes to look over the menu, and sure enough, less than a minute later, our waitress was back to take our order asking "do ya know what ya want yet?", okay, let's go with french toast, no powdered sugar, please. "Sure, do you want powdered sugar?, uhmmm, no, but I'll have some mixed berries. We ordered some bacon on the side, which was cold, rest of the food wasn't warm either. Don't use the restroom either! Unless you're wearing gloves, it need some serious TLC from bleach and lysol. The food is overpriced for what they offer. Wait staff needs to be more attentive. We will not be visiting again any time soon.
(2)
A F.

Living in the city my entire life, melrose is my go to place for diner food. I would give 5 stars for the food, especially the cabbage soup, but I don't know what has happened here lately. In the past few months they remodeled, but the staff and organization of the place is just out of control. They "ran out" of so many things on the menu, didn't have straws, gave us half a piece of used bread in a basket, our dishes and silverware were dirty. What is going on melrose??? Get some good management in there and get it together!! Your customers are walking out, get them back before they don't come back at all.
(2)
Dave H.

My first visit to melrose was in 1998 when I was a college freshman. It's been live hate ever since; I loved it but hated my waistline! Sadly, something has changed. The fellow who owns or manages it is a piece if work. Here's my last three experiences: I was sitting on a duct tape covered stool, ran to use the bathroom, and came back to find the owner yelling about the waste of ice tea in my glass and that she should try to not give customers refills. Last time I had to listen to him berate an employee for giving out too much butter to a customer, calling her stupid. He literally made it sound like the packet of butter was a rare commodity that was to be rationed. Today was the last straw; sitting again on a duct tape covered surface the dude was throwing a temper tantrum at his employee. Verbatim he said 'you don't ask that question. They ask for anything you charge the customer. I don't care if they complain, you charge for every change. I'm going to clean house and get rid of everyone'. Literally he did this in front of 6 or 8 customers. I paid my $13 for French toast (I see why he has to watch his profit margins) and left. Yes, he cleaned house, starting with me. Common sense says you don't berate your employees in general, in particular not in front if paying customers, and you don't belittle your customers either. Terrible business acumen.
(2)
Kevin P.

Not bad but not great.. the service was really fast but the server forgot to bring something I ordered. The server seemed a little confused, but she was trying very hard to be nice so I don't want to be mean about her. Food was decent, price was very affordable.. not the worst place in the world, but probably not looking to get back here anytime soon either.
(3)
Michael R.

Seriously this place used to be our spot. They have taken all the good food off the menu, replaced it with crap and raised their rates to cover their remodel. I ordered an omelette and it looked like slop. The waitress and waiter staff is a whole other thing. This place is worst than a Waffle House in the hood.
(1)
Joanne G.

Bad service. Order took so long to get out and I ordered a sandwich, something that doesn't need to be cooked... Shouldn't take 35 min
(1)
Beth L.

I love Melrose. I have loved this diner since the early 1990s. The food keeps getting better as the years go on. This is the place to go for an early morning, post-bar breakfast, or any breakfast. Try one of the skillets or a egg sandwich on a croissant - the bacon is delicious. Tasty food & friendly staff, plus cute/cool decor. It beats any diner on the East coast, I think.
(4)
Mustafa A.

This is the first time i go to Melrose after they changed their menue .. And it's hideous !! They cut back on the dinner items big time . Raised the prices . And now you have to pay for your sides ! Never going back there again bye bye
(1)
Javier Q.

I came here on Sunday around noon. I was looking for a new diner to eat near my job. From the outside the place looks rather small. But once going inside the place is pretty decent. It was also packed with people, so Melrose must be doing something right. We were seated and I looked thru the menu............ So i don't know if I should laugh.... or if this is a joke..... or maybe I was just hallucinating but did the Soda section say just "1 refill"? LMAO let me catch my breath on this one..... Are u serious, just ONE refill? LOL Ive worked in the restaurant industry and to fill a Large size cup will cost the company about .10 cents...... The soda cup when arrived was small...and also packed with ice. x__X 6 sips and the soda was gone X__x .... just give me two 12 oz cans then to get the $1.99 worth. I know this must be so stupid for some people to read, like why is he complaining about the soda price....its the damn principle that counts!!! or just maybe im a fat kid at heart that loves the bubble goodness of soda.... other places is just Refills............Ya'll so cheap o_0 Also I read that to "share a plate" if your sharing or whatever it's $1.50 .... lol... why are you charging for ridiculous things? Please explain that logic The food came, I had the Bacon and Cheddar omellette. It was delicious, dry on top from the cheese, but pretty decent. They also bring u a bread basket in the beginning which was awesome. The server man was nice, nothing really special, but nice. The thing i didn't like was the paying infront for your meal. Usually the server does that for you. I kinda disliked the idea in being in line like i was in a cafeteria trying to pay for my food. I swear it took like 20 minutes in order to finish paying and leaving. I like to eat, pay right away, and leave. The line forming infront to pay is a lil ridiculous. X___x Not a horrible place. P.S If you ask for soda..... ask for ice on the side that way you get your $1.99 worth !!! =] ...but they might charge you for having a cup with ice on the side as well X__x
(3)
Kate H.

My sister and I were looking for a quick place to grab lunch. Since I live nearby and there seemed to be a lot of options on the menu, we thought we would give this place a try. I ordered a caesar salad with blackened chicken. When I received the salad I noticed that there were cucumbers, eggs and raw red onions on it. I pointed out to our waitress that the salad I received did not seem to match the description on the menu of the caesar salad that I ordered. Instead of simply correcting the mistake, she brings over a menu to the table where she reads the description of the caesar salad and only then decides that it is indeed not correct. She then asks me THREE times whether I am "really allergic" to something on the salad that was brought out. I have to firmly state that I am not interested in this salad and would just like the caesar that I originally ordered. Eventually a caesar salad with blackened chicken was made and brought out for me. Given the poor service, I don't think I will be back.
(2)
ChicagoFoodie S.

I'm sorry to say but all good things must be coming to and end, at-least here. This place was my go to diner at-least 3 times a week. I lived down the street...I loved this place. Because the quality of the food and the lack of decent service, I have not been back here. Quality shouldn't decline and prices increase. Sure doesn't keep the local traffic coming back. Keep customers happy and coming back should be priority.
(2)
Gio C.

I really was concerned with sanitary situation... Tiles under the table were missing.... What a decorative ethos to save money. I couldn't pay attention to food lol
(1)
Jenn R.

Been going here for years. Service is usually OK. Food is good diner food. I've had a pesto omelette, taco salad, some kind of club sandwich on a croissant, chicken-rice soup, chilaquiles, and probably lots of other things. You can't beat a 24-hour diner in fun area. They redid the place a couple years a go I think. Frankly, I don't care what decor a 24-hour diner has, old-timey is kind of charming, but the place looks a little more modern now.
(4)
Jeff R.

Went here for breakfast. The waitress was friendly. Ordered a skillet that had chirizo and jalepenos. Was really good. Would definitely come back for that skillet. My friends' skillets were a little bland compared to mine and the coffee was burnt. Overall great place with friendly workers.
(4)
Ling H.

Melrose is an awesome diner. My corn beef hash and eggs were delicious and their homemade salsa was to die for. I love this diner. It's super chilled; the staff is nice, the owner, Theodora, is super cool. AND....they have free Wi-Fi. Highly recommend this place when you are alone or with a group.
(5)
Cheryl A.

Good for simple breakfast and late night fare. They do the basics decently and have some good twists on the usual diner fare. I've only had breakfast type food here.
(4)
Oskie C.

It used to be a great place with great food. To bad it used to be... Now it's a below average that looks more like a retirement house.
(1)
Annemarie H.

Ok...I've only eaten here completely trashed OUTTA my mind....but holy amazing Blue Cheese burger! I have even once had a friend bring me one home trashed after a St. Patrick's Day disaster and with her walking at home in the freezing cold all the way to Belmont and Broadway it was still the best blue cheese burger I ever had! I'm just Saying!!!
(4)
Beth C.

The breakfast was great. We have been here a couple of times and the food has been wonderful. I like the decor inside it over very trendy
(4)
Jared D.

Kind of wish I waited the 15-20 minutes to go to Stella's instead, as it's one of my favorite breakfast spots in the area. But since we didn't want to wait, we tried Melrose for the first time this morning and the experience was just OK. I got the chicken omelet, which was huge, but fairly empty inside. There was barely any veggies or chicken, so that was annoying. Also, my menu said there was no additional charge for an egg white omelet, so I pointed this out to my waitress when she said it was $1.25 extra, and she wouldn't honor it. Not a huge deal, but they should probably make sure the menu's are all consistent. My gf had the poblano benedict and it was good, much better mine. I would go back to Melrose for late night grub, but won't return for breakfast if I don't have to .
(2)
Isaac C.

I ordered delivery of a 4 dollar large orange juice and chocolate milkshake and got half of what seemed to be the smallest cup I've ever seen. Terrible customer service, overpriced, and not good quality. The milkshake wasn't even a full glass, 1/4 of it was gone and was the sorriest excuse for a milkshake I've ever seen. Hash Browns were dry and stale, and the omelet was disgusting. I called them back and they wouldn't even work with me. Worst customer service ever. They said what they sent me was a large. The regular shake I bought was twice as large as they cup of the tiniest orange juice cup I've ever seen. Beware, this place sucks.
(1)
Rich S.

I'm sure hoping with the new management coming in that Melrose will return to the past when it comes to delicious food and great service
(3)
Adrianne C.

Food is always great, but the manager/owner guy is yelling at an employee every time I'm in here. It's so rude and off putting. He makes me never want to come back.
(2)
Carrie D.

DO NOT!! I Repeat DO NOT waste your time dining here.... Unless you enjoy being treated like your business isn't welcomed on top of receiving horrible service!!!!! From the moment I walked in to be seated, everything was so unprofessional. I myself have been working in restaurants for 10 years as a server, bartender, manager and cringed at how poorly this place was ran. The owner was just resting up at the front table watching everyone come in for a table. A huge line was forming to be seated and to pay your bill up front. This poor host ( who is only one person!) obviously can't do it all!! That's when YOU, the manager, should be stepping in to help and make sure everything is ran smoothly! After waiting 5 min.. He precedes to just point to the table to sit at for each customer walking in. Mind you, he never walks anyone to the table or even brings menus!!! I sit at our booth watching this man just do absolutely nothing while the servers are scrambling to tables and the host has a line forming out the door. We sat at our booth for a good 10 min before we even received menus.. With our server even saying out loud to us- " it would help if he would seat people with menus instead of just pointing where to seat!" I laughed and realized I wasn't being too picky or crazy and asked her if he was the manager because he doesn't seem to do much of anything.she agreed! Hahaa WOW...Even your employees think it! I watched all the waitresses get yelled at to hurry up and to get to tables-couldn't stop shaking my head. Down to never receiving glasses with our water pitcher, no refills, no smile, to not even getting the right change back by the host.. Who couldn't even figure out math for a $25 check! That's prolly why there was a line forming! Might want to get some new staff and learn how to properly run a restaurant! I'll never go back! So many other amazing diners nearby!
(1)
Andrea S.

For a typical diner, it was exactly was I expected - friendly owner (I'm assuming he was the owner) who saw us to our table, good services, low cost, and quick food. I'm glad this 24hr place is down the block from me. I had the fajita skillet - spicy and cheesy! The sunnyside-up eggs on top were perfectly cooked but the hash browns were nothing special. I forgot to mention they carry intelligentsia coffee - definitely a plus for me!
(4)
Dane M.

Food has always been good. One of the best tuna melts Ive ever had. However they seem to run out of things like straws and diet coke which I thought was pretty weird.
(3)
April J.

I've given this place a solid three chances. And its terrible. Food is low quality, and the service is too. I'm not a huge fan of chain restaurants but id rather go to IHOP
(2)
Randall S.

I just wanted a sandwich. The food was okay, hot but bland. The waitress was friendly and cool, we all laughed when she tried to hit us up for cigs hahaha but we don't smoke. The problem came with the bill. NONE of my items were the same price as what was on the menu. The grilled cheese was 6 dollars and the chicken I asked to be added was an extra 5 dollars (not 2 like the menu said). Same with the tiny glass of apple juice......75 cents more than advertised. When I asked about this, I was told, not my problem, pay as requested. 16 dollars total for what I ordered, 6 more dollars than the total on the menu. I can accept bad service or meh food but NEVER already overpriced food being up charged. Don't go here. I never will again.
(1)
Robyn R.

Pricey for a plain old diner...$9 for the French Dip, and then an additional $1.50 for fries, which should have been included in the price. Plain diner food, no frills...the waiter was a bit slow. Wasn't that happy with the pricing or the service.
(2)
Brittany M.

Its been over a day & I cant shake what happened. Take out order for a blackened chicken sandwich. Went to pick up the order 10 minutes later than it was scheduled to be done. A man stands at the front counter-offers no help. I ask about takeout, he points to a woman in the back writing something. I wait another 5 minutes before she acknowledges me- says to go back to the front counter. She grabs a few drinks for one of the only 5 tables with people at them dining in. Finally coming to me at her leisure. THEN without one word, hands me a bill with a line through the total $13.51 contrary to the menu price. I ask, I'm sorry what is the price of this chicken sandwich!? She looks at the ticket and says, "total $15.95". Ummm, nooo? I grab a menu and show her the price $9.95. She says $10.95. I didn't realize this was a negotiation?? Anyways, I handed her $11 and left. HOW IS IT OKAY TO CHARGE GUEST MORE THAN MENU PRICE? How is it okay to ignore carry out guest? Bc its a smaller tip? Oh yea, the sandwich was bone dry and there were only 6 soggy fries. Wound up in the garbage. So very disappointed in Melrose service now. Not going back.
(1)
Lynn O.

This place has been a staple in my life for 25 years. The service is always spot - on (though sometimes they are slow on the coffee refills) but the food is terrific and the atmosphere is welcoming. The new menu is healthy and diverse but keeps the usual suspects. It was a second home to me as an 80's bartender, and a welcoming spot as a Lakeview mom. Love it!
(5)
Elise K.

I like this diner. The food is consistent and its open 24-7. In the summer, I love to sit outside and enjoy brunch. In the winter this place is warm and inviting. The food is inexpensive and portions are large. The staff is well trained and are good to talk to. If you are looking for a "home cooked" meal that isn't at home, this is your place. My favorites include: Breakfast skillets Pancakes (buttermilk, buckwheat) Club Sandwich (esp the California, no mayo, add bacon) Stuffed Peppers (one of the specials) Cabbage soup (I have this every time I eat something other than breakfast) Grilled Cheese (its a double decker sandwich - 3 slices of Texas toast and 4 cheeses) I continue to go back and carry out over and over. Yes, it is a diner, but it has charm in the food.
(4)
Scott H.

Absolutely terrible! Went in for late night food. Waited for almost an hour then when we sat were told the kitchen was backed up and we would have to wait a half hour to even order! The restaurant was only half full. The staff was rude and not helpful. Do not go here...I'll never go back!
(1)
Maurice H.

I went there with my hungry 2 year old daughter and we got no service after a half hour of waiting (it wasn't even really busy). We walked out thanks for the horrible experience!
(1)
Brandon F.

For quite awhile Melrose has been going down the toilet..The owner was very cheap and didn't care about his people or customers..The place was turning into a dump. All the staff quit and I stopped going too. They were running out of food and had new people every week which would be gone the next week. I went back two nights ago and what a difference. I met a new manager who was on top of everything. Like a General in charge of his army..The place is being remodeled and looking good. Service was fast and it was very busy. I think they got rid of the older cashiers who were Greek and rude. The new manager was very friendly and I will be sure to go back soon.I food was very good and it was a fun experience.
(4)
Kaleigh G.

I have lived in the area for over a year and keep coming back to this neighborhood favorite for the welcoming service, delicious food and great atmosphere. I love that they participate in all community events, and that their staff actually seems to enjoy being at work - even if it's 3 am. I love the potato pancakes, club sandwiches and fluffy omelets! And though it's just a little thing, I always save one last bite of room to grab some of the Jelly Beans from the cashier's area on my way out.
(4)
Sara H.

I don't remember to write reviews often. I tend to do so when something stands out which is the reason for this one. My waiter, the hostess & other employees were exceptionally friendly. I had lemon blueberry pancakes, apple chicken sausage and coffee. Pancakes had big fresh blueberries and sausage was light and paired well. They serve Intelligentsia coffee which I tried for the first time Really nice. I learned tips about the city & had a relaxing breakfast. If you are looking for a tr ulys welcoming restaurant and good food, this is the place.
(5)
Bryan S.

Entire party (4 of us) got a minor case of food poisoning. Food tasted fine at the time (regretted it later). 2 stars for the friendly service. Not bad if you're looking for a late night place for dinner (assuming you won't get food poisoning).
(2)
Chelsea D.

I absolutely love diner food. Nothing is as great as being starving and sitting down to a multiple page menu of comfort food. Melrose definitely satisfies any diner-food craving. My favorite is the hot open-faced turkey sandwich. Also- my favorite mashed potatoes in Chicago. I think the prices are a little high for the food- my husband and I somehow threw down $35 one time for breakfast, but it's still a favorite of mine. It's also a pretty big restaurant and I never had to wait for a table.
(4)
Katrina F.

I'd give Melrose a solid 3.55 stars. Grade school math taught me I need to round up. I've lived in the neighborhood and been coming here for 8 years.Eating in, depending on what time of day, night or wee early hours of the morning can vastly change you're experience in here. I've had great service to average to blah service. Food: The menu has high and low lights. I've had terrific, HUGE vegetable filled omelets, a delicious turkey bacon club with REAL turkey and freshly baked bread, a Greek salad with scrumptious toppings but too much iceberg and a less than stellar, not memorable breakfast burrito that had a funky sauce. Their soups are delicious and come with fresh bread. Melrose is a neighborhood staple that I have embraced. In a area being invaded by chains, it's nice to see this mom and pop stop survive and thrive.
(4)
Joe S.

Average food, at best. The only redeeming quality is the outdoor patio. Great spot to people-watch on a nice day. Other than that, the servers are pretty surly and the owner/management is downright unfriendly.
(2)
Michael D.

Good standard diner fare. Sweet and Sour cabbage soup is excellent, and the burgers are pretty good too. For some reason they are always out of desserts (they've never had pie when I was there, which is weird for diner. Problems with our refrigerator, we ran out, etc.). Overall no major complaints. There is some limited outdoor seating in the summer, if for some reason you want to sit on a sidewalk in Lakeview.
(4)
Lauren P.

BANANA! We all got a banana with our entree, which I thought was super cute. Everyone should have a daily dose of their fruits right? We came to this cute diner after we did a 5k dash for pancreatic cancer. I ordered the vegetable skillet which was good, and my friend ordered the lemon blueberry pancakes. However, our friends from another table let us try their dish, the coconut french toast..... and it was the BOMB! The coconut french toast wasn't too sweet, just heavenly. Oh, and paciugos gelato is across the street ;)
(4)
Becky Y.

I'm really sad because this used to be one of my favorite places over the last few years. Sadly today I walked in and was totally surprised to see a totally new updated interior. To be fair they probably needed to do this BUT they used to be a restaurant with plentiful cheap options and fast service. Now that they've remodeled there's a line for a table which I guess I understand and good for them but they haven't hired new staff appropriately because it was over 10 minutes before we got waters or menus once seated. On top of that the new menu says "garnished with sides of salad, soup, or fries..." (Probably not worded exactly but they definitely say garnished) and then proceed to charge you an extra $1.50 if you choose to actually have those garnishments (actually $1.50 if you only have one side). Also I think the quality of the food has suffered. I ordered the taco salad with beef. They topped the salad with sloppy joe beef. Disgusting. They also now charge a hefty corking fee for byob-ing which they never did before. Super bummer. Used to be my favorite place. Now I'm not so sure I'll be back. Sorry Melrose
(2)
LA T.

Best thing about this place? There is always a seat. Food is mediocre but they do have a pretty decent breakfast sandwich. Oh and once, they gave me a coke in a filthy glass. Gross!
(3)
Joseph C.

most horrific restaurant experience I've ever had. starting with the waiter did not know anything of what to do or how to be a waiter we got a bottle of ketchup droped on the ground by the waiter a shard of glass in my foot, ordered a pot pie with a pastry on the bottom and basically chicken noodle soup dumped on top with mashed potatoes on the side. my girlfriend ordered a deluxe grill cheese which is three slices of bread and cheese in the middle we got 3 slices of bread in between two slices was cheese and in between the other two wear nothing. I basically got a grilled cheese with an extra piece of bread I will not be going back to this place considering I did talk to the manager and he looked at me as if I were speaking a language he's never heard. horrible experience I wouldn't recommend anybody going to this place.... - 4 stars
(1)
Kay K.

they just changed a menu, removed all my fevorite dishes. AND... bagel with lox is 13.95. it's way tooooo steep for 2 pieces of lox and the cheepest bagel you can find on the market. never going back!
(2)
Peter L.

Went here twice during a recent trip to Chicago. Great diner. Attentive waitstaff. The food is delicious -- very strongly recommend the cabbage soup. I'm not a big fan of that sort of thing but I tried it on my brother's recommendation, and I definitely would encourage others to do the same. Open 24 hours, extensive menu with lots of typical diner fare, and good food at reasonable prices. It's hard to stand out in a city like Chicago with so many good dining choices available -- but they do a solid job. Their only drawback is the parking situation (no lot, just the local street parking) which can be a bit painful. If you're already in the neighborhood though this is a good place to visit.
(4)
Robert S.

This place is ok...barely. Two stars is brutally honest. I've grown to like it over the years, but it's still a gritty dive that could use a makeover and sprucing up. There are a couple of great waitresses that seem to be here every time I stop by.
(2)
Cassie M.

I've been back a few more times and every time (except the first) have had crappy service. These girls stand around chatting, ask really stupid questions, act super awkwardly, and barely check on you at all. "Would you like a menu?" doesn't need to be asked when both people are reading menus. When someone asks what kind of pie you have, don't say "I would have to check" and then stand there all weird... go check! Do not bring me my check before asking if we wanted anything else. Don't visibly cringe when someone orders something. Don't make me ask for more water because you're too busy talking to the 2 other waitresses who are also ignoring tables. Ugh, I could keep going but I'm getting annoyed. Basically the only good service I've had here is from this sweet guy who said he's been there forever. He's funny and attentive. The rest seem to be useless.
(3)
Sai S.

The owner was yelling at the waitress in front of everyone. He collects tip but I guess he doesn't give the employees. I would just give them cash so at least they get their rightful tips.
(2)
Tom K.

Came in for a late night snack. Had the monte cristo and it was pretty darn good. Would return. The menu is rather large and the prices low. Can't go wrong for a late night diner.
(3)
Kristine N.

Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night dining, Melrose is the place to go. They are so accomodating with their menu and it's very helpful. Really great prices for the amount you get.
(4)
Mike C.

To be fair, we were warned as we walked in that they were short staffed that evening. And my friend said that she has been there multiple times with no problems. That fact earns Melrose a sympathy star. But our service was terrible. I know the employees can't do much about under staffing, but come on. It can't take that long to make a skillet, and the restaurant wasn't even half full. We ordered our food and were treated to some bread, which was nice. The soup took a while, but it wasn't an unreasonable amount of time. After that, nothing. Our waitress didn't even check on us once for another 45 to 50 minutes. Finally, we flagged her down to check on the progress of the food. Turns out, the food had been sitting under the heat lamp for quite some time. All in all, it took over an hour between the time we walked in the door to the time we got our lukewarm food. By then we were so hungry and tired, we just gulped it down, paid, and left. We weren't offered free drinks or a discount of any kind for all of that. I'd be happy to go back at a time when they are properly staffed, as I've heard this place can be great. But after our experience, I can't in good conscious give this place any higher than 2 stars.
(2)
Kris P.

While I really want to like this place, the service has been horrendous the last 3 times we came here for a late breakfast. It takes forever for someone to stop by and take your order, the food takes forever to get to your table, and the servers will forget your stuff over and over again. I'm mainly talking about brunch on the weekends. They never seem to have enough servers. Today we got there at 11:45 a.m. to have brunch. We were seated quickly which was great since the place was packed. However, we were seated at a corner booth and for 20 minutes we just sat there waiting for someone to stop by and take our order. We watched one waiter pass our table 7 or 8 times and he didn't even make eye contact. After waiting 20 full minutes with no server, we walked out. We also overheard a guy at the table next to us complain to his server that their food was taking too long and they were going to have to leave. He was furious. The last time we came here, it was a similar story. Took about 15 minutes for the server to come by and even take our drink orders. Then it took about 40 minutes to get pancakes. We were there for probably an hour and a half just for breakfast, and that was not our choosing. The time before that was the same thing. We have officially given up on this place. We will be going to Stella's or The Bagel down the street on Broadway. Service is much, much better.
(2)
John D.

I went here twice during my last Chicago stay, mainly because my friend goes here all the time and knows all the staff. And plus they use Belly. Score (STL needs to step up their universal dining rewards game)! My friend told me this place was a diner I always give them low expectations. However Melrose has top-notch food. They even have a large selection of loose tea to choose from! It is a great way to warm up from the chilly winds outside. They sometimes give you free refills depending on the waiter. I also really enjoyed the food I had. It was a penne pasta and they were happy in removing the chicken for my dietary restrictions. The waitress that day even warned me about the chicken before she put the order in. I will obviously be back for the ambiance of a 24-hour "diner," and the extensive playlist of disco music that they played every time I was there. Oh yes!
(4)
Adrienne T.

This place reminds of a restaurant my grandparents would take me to. I can only comment on the brunch. It's a fairly standard eatery with large portions and an all-american fare menu. I had an omelet but it was more like a scrambler......not bad though. Plus :They do have outside seating and the coffee is surprisingly good.
(3)
Monica B.

I LOVE MELROSE DINER! This place is amazing! Everything you want in a diner. The neighborhood/friendly feel, generous portions and naughty foods. They are open 24 hours, there's always something going on and the food is great. My favs are the grilled cheese, blackened chicken sandwich (has a nice kick to it) and overall great soups. In the summer you got a banana with your entrees too, that's just the cherry on top! Go to for late nights!
(5)
gary m.

The waitress April is the best , very gay friendly and outgoing, always has a smile very upbeat personality , I read a message from Larry , who mentioned April , waitresses were arguing, April loves everyone and She's a Boys town girl .
(5)
Christina F.

I'm being generous for giving them 2 stars. The prices are way to high for the crap they serve. I went there with a group of 4 and the bill came out to about $50. Two skillets, a turkey burger, and a BLT for $50? You have got to be joking. The only redeeming quality is that its open 24 hours. We had been drinking all night, nothing heavy just a few beers and some mixed drinks. We were pretty buzzed when we walked into Melrose around 1am. We sat in a booth and was greeted by our waiter, Patrick, who was loud, obnoxious, and a bit judgmental (well in our opinion). He seemed like the type of person who is super nice to your face while making fun of you behind your back. He flirted with every man in the place, I guess I'm just not into seeing someone who's bringing me food try to get it in. Anyway, the food came and it was so disappointing for the price. The sausage on my skillet was so disgusting and that's pretty telling since I had been drinking and hadn't ate since noon. My eggs were hard and leathery, my toast was soggy. My friend didn't even touch his turkey burger. I will say that the fries were really good for steak cut ones. All in all, I probably won't be back here unless I know Patrick doesn't work here anymore. And if I ever stumble in there, I'll just get some steak fries.
(2)
Johnny T.

Barring the veracity of a TERRIBLE rumor concerning the employment of a rockstar employee... after an exhausting night of great highs (and skipping the lows. Yay!), winding down with banana cake topped with vanilla sauce and ice cream, HOMEMADE CHERRY LIMEADE and words of sass/wisdom spoken with a southern drawl, all the while listening to the tap-tap-tap of a rainstorm that you missed by *this* much... is a fantastic way to end the day. No doubt. At times like those, I don't know what I would do without the Melrose. I am hoping against hope, the rumors are false and more such nights are in my future. 4-stars for hope and memories.
(4)
Sandy F.

I am glad I live close to this place. We come here for breakfast every once in a while on the weekends and its always good. As an east coast girl I just can't explain the joy in finding a good diner where you feel like you can go with your friends and drink coffee and just hang out for a while. It reminds me of a diner I used to go to back home. We've always had good service and we've never felt rushed. One of these days we'll have to try out their regular lunch/dinner menu.
(3)
Cesar M.

Driving by the hood with a cuople of friends coming from a bar and they wanted to eat here. I wanted to give this place another chance so... The problem with some places is that thay are almost good but the small important details bring them down. I gotta say that the patty on the burger I ordered was better. I ordered the acapulco burger which comes with avocado (I love avocado big, small, hass, butter or paper skin) Well they bring the burger with not avocado but old guac. really old guac. It was really brown and that is not acceptable. Good base but they miss on the details
(3)
Mike D.

Great breakfast food. It's a diner but a bit bigger so you don't feel so crammed. Our waitress, Linda, was awesome...exactly how every waitress should be. I had the southwestern skillet and it was amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)
Max L.

Live on the block, and this has become a regular! Breakfast is all good, great with a banana that comes with each order and some fresh squeezed juice (not free). Cabbage soup is very flavorful and full of vege's (chicken soup not so much) and the 4 cheese grilled cheese is great. They have daily specials that would surprise anyone, including stuffed peppers, pot roast, and many others. The "Yankee Pot Roast" is a Friday special that is served over pasta with a potato pancake. I was surprised at how tender to roast was, absolutely no knife required. Great balance of textures with the pasta and crunchy potato pancake. Not everything is incredible, but for a neighborhood diner, this is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (open 24 hours)!
(4)
Jessica B.

How do you screw up a milkshake? To answer this question, visit Melrose Restaurant, home of the most offensive milkshake you'll ever drink. I say "drink" because their milkshakes are 100% liquid; in fact, I'm positive mine was just frothy milk. My boyfriend and I ordered chocolate milkshakes and were convinced they accidentally gave us chocolate milk. When I asked if their shakes were made of ice cream, the waitress replied "Ummmm, I think so?" ... right. I can't speak for their food because I'm never going back to try it. Their dessert case looked sad and gross and a bug crawled across our table right after we got the check. They're a 24-hour establishment so I would suggest going when your under the influence and your taste buds are horny. Otherwise, save your money and time and check out one of the MANY other superior diners in the neighborhood.
(1)
E P.

I don't care what anyone says, but this is one of my favorite diners in the whole world. The sweet and sour cabbage soup is one of my favorite foods in the whole world. Yes it's that good. And the vegetarian options are always plentiful.
(5)
Lori R.

OMGoodness. Get the egg white omelets they are heaven, pure heaven. Service is ALWAYS friendly and great. Its a diner... Enjoy!
(4)
Tony D.

My plate, silverware and glass were all dirty; not just with waterspots but food that was caked on. The food was awful in fact we had one sandwich removed from our bill because it had spoiled vegetables on it. I will not go back.
(1)
Anna D.

I live in the neighborhood & wish this place was better. Got an omelet with cheese once. Instead of the cheese being in the omelet they put a slice on top and tried to melt it...I think, smdh. Can't even convince my 8yr old nephew to go anymore. I gave it two stars because the people are nice an it's 24hrs.
(2)
Alicia C.

There are only 3 things I like from this place but these 3 things are really awesome. I am bona fide addicted to their cabbage soup. The best cabbage soup ever. Unique sweet/sour/salty flavor that's absolutely delicious. Comes with bread and crackers --- would not recommend the bread because often stale and the servers cut the bread using bare hands. I also really like their hummus. Tastes too damn good to be healthy. Comes with warm soft pita and great vegetables. And randomly, I also really like their pickles. Other than those 3 items, I would not particularly recommend anything other food item off their menu.
(3)
Brandon V.

4 stars for the selection and taste of food, as well as the service. / 2 stars for the price of said food, as well as the absence of WiFi. = 3 stars.
(3)
Ashley O.

Perhaps I just had a bad experience. I love diners (Clarks, Nookies.. love them), but Melrose did not stack up for me. First of all, I felt like our waitress hated us as she wouldn't smile and seemed very unhappy the whole time. My hummus tasted funny, the turkey in my salad was marbled with fat (read: overly processed), and my boyfriend said his burger wasn't very good either. I will say the bread they served before the meal was delish. Although we only live a few blocks away, I am sad to report we will not be back here.
(2)
Jelena Z.

Melrose has quickly become my go-to choice for late-night dining. Two visits in two weeks! Both times, I had the pleasure of getting waited on by Eddie, a fine gentleman with a Southern accent and a warm disposition. He's super patient when I change my order, and seems unfazed when my dining companions ordered a smorgasbord of sauces and sides. The menu has just the right amount of everything. Solid burgers and sandwiches seem the way to go here, though I haven't yet tried the breakfast items. Also, do order the cabbage soup! There's just something about it. Pretty decent value considering you get bread when you sit down, plus soup and fries (or a side of your choosing) with burgers/sandwiches. The coffee is hot with frequent refills, and Eddie will brew a fresh pot of decaf should you need it. Lifesaving service right here!
(4)
Stefanie G.

I've been going to Melrose for a few years with friends and we love it. The egg white omelets are fluffy and amazing. We've never had a problem with service or had a hard time getting a table. Great place for breakfast!
(4)
Ben R.

Had breakfast here 2 days in a row. Both days service was good and food was very decent. The diner is what you expect from a place that's open 24 hours a day. Will definitely come back here again.
(3)
Michael B.

Good stuff! We had breakfast here this morning and were very impressed. It's a little bit higher end in terms of price, but the food is EXCELLENT and portion sizes were very reasonable. A fun place to take out-of-towners.
(4)
Jessie G.

Great service. The place smells a bit like my grandma's house (in the onion, garlic way, not the fresh cake and apple pie way). The vegetable soup was great and tasted exactly like her's - but with more veggies! It's also really cheap and I can't wait to stop by on a cold winter today. My hamburger was really good. My husband had the house salad with his meal and said it wasn't great, the lettuce was too wet, but other than that we'll definitely go back. Oh and the owner was nice, btw! Food is average, but service, selection and price made up for it.
(5)
Sam C.

I didn't think it was possible for a diner to mess up nachos or burgers as much as Melrose did. The ONE requirement for nachos is for melty cheese. Like, seriously, the only necessary requirement. Even tortilla chips could be substituted for, like, potato chips or something but as long as the cheese is sufficiently melty, I'd be cool with it. Yet somehow my nachos came out with very little melty cheese. My boyfriend ordered a burger, which was absolutely mediocre and overcooked, but the fries were decent. Of course, the fries being good were the only thing served in moderation. Boo. Our waiter, however, was very good and nice, so that earned this restaurant another star. But seriously, if you can go to any other diner, you should.
(2)
Cameron H.

Overall decent place. A little better than your typical greasy spoon. I've been here numerous times, mostly after the bars. I've never had an issue with this place. This time, I ordered a skillet (jalapenos, mex sausage, onions and cheese). It was tasty and heavy. I would go back as the food was decent and the service was good!!
(4)
Courtney C.

To start, Melrose has a diner feel and very laid back atmosphere, which I very much enjoyed! The place was packed as it was the afternoon after the St. Paddy's Day celebration in Chicago. The reason for only three stars is because the service was rather slow. It took at least 10 minutes for us to be greeted at the door, mind you, we weren't the only ones waiting and then it took even longer to have our waiter come up to us once we were seated. Obviously, it looked like they had a few employees be no shows possibly from partying too much the night before! I thought the food was great and so was the coffee, which they serve Intelligentsia, which I like! I would def try this place again in the future just not on a day after a big party night like st paddys day!
(3)
Justine M.

Everytime i've eaten here I always get a huge amount of food. Which is expected for the price (or should be at least). Decent diner food (Better to go for breakfast). open 24 hours which is always good. More european-ish rather than american diner food.
(3)
Jarvis A.

The service was great. The food was average. Not bad, but decent. To be fair, this was my first time and I ordered the chili cheese burger. So maybe that wasn't their shining star item.
(3)
Talia T.

Packed night, still got a booth for 4. Prices slightly high, but decent portions. Service was great by our waitress, she offered more than enough coffee refills. She was also very specific on the dishes that were still available to order. Again, it was packed so the food took a little longer to get to our table. We had to pay up front at the register & the man was just a bit grumpy. If it weren't for this man who put us off at the register, we might go back.
(3)
S J.

I travel a lot for work and eat in a lot of diners, Melrose is by far the best I've been to in the whole USA. Quote me on that. Especially the southwest skillet, w poached eggs!
(5)
Andy R.

Oh how the might has fallen. I've been in the neighborhood for a few years. I have been to Melrose a bazillion times (and have already reviewed them twice before). However, I am going to stop going there because of my latest experience. I went there with some friends for some late night food. I understand late night service is slower than day time service, but it was a little much. We waited over 45 minutes to receive our food. I had another friend join us and order 20 mins after we ordered, and we still waited another 25 mins to get the food. I'm not sure if the waitress put a hold on the order until all the food was made, but even 25 mins is too long for a diner. To make matters worse, when I went to pay, I had trouble. I asked the manager at the register to help split our check two ways. He said "I can only split it 5 ways because there are 5 items. Talk to your waitress if you want it split differently." Umm ok. After I explained the waitress was MIA he got her for me. The waitress simply rewrote the items on a different check, and then starred the ones to be combined. Then the manager just manually added those items up on a calculator. Why couldn't he do that to begin with? Other notables about how this place has fallen is there prices have increased, and the service has decreased. Now, there service was never "great," but its worse now. I'd rather go to other restaurants now--either Stellas, or the Edge.
(2)
Jordan M.

The most redeeming quality about Melrose is that they're opening all the time. I'm a big fan of the diner setting, so unless something amazing pops out at me, it's just another nice place to go to. The food is pretty greasy, and as my predecessors have said, the breakfast is the best thing to go for.
(3)
Peter N.

Interior is very spacious, except you're cramped once you sit down - not sure how they accomplished that. The men's bathroom was dirty - standing water in the stall. However, actually a decent price considering the location. Food isn't excellent, but it's diner food done right. Asked for fruit cup with meal - got hashbrowns and a sad banana instead.
(3)
Daniel C.

This place was great. The service was quick and attentive. I got a gigantic chili cheese burger that was cooked as ordered. My friend got a turkey burger with avocado on it (i think) and she enjoyed half then and half for lunch the next day. We went during normal dinner hours but I bet this place is great for late night sobering up hours.
(4)
Ed U.

Where's Heather Locklear? Where's that guy who couldn't act? What do you mean which one? youtube.com/watch?v=X1WIâ€¦ ...is it me or were there 79 moussed-up SoCal "actors" under the age of 35 featured in those opening credits? This ain't no WeHo apartment complex. No, no. The bloom has definitely faded from this plastic rose, as this old-fashioned diner is strictly for the late-night munchies. But the owner is in his gray suit making sure his staff is being attentive and keeping his third eye on the cash register. Lots of Naugahyde booths sometimes held together by duct tape. The menu is nothing special, but it is indeed a 24-hour joint ,and well, I was hungry near midnight after seeing the campy "Shear Madness" at the Chicago Theater. I had the $7.45 BL&T Club sandwich, which was standard issue, and came with a huge pile of steak fries (I imagine they had been sitting in the warmer since dinner). The service was courtesy of a veteran waitress, the "What'll you have, hon'?" variety, who was spending the rest of her time hand-making holiday decorations. The owner must love her. You could do worse...and I think half those people in the Melrose Place credits aren't working now. Perhaps they could get jobs here. FOOD - 3 stars...standard diner fare AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...its glory has faded and so has the Naugahyde SERVICE - 3 stars..."Just holler if you want anything else. I'll be cutting up snowflakes." TOTAL - 3 stars...barely but hey, it's open 24/7
(3)
AnaPhylaxis B.

Waffles with walnuts yummy. Quick service (at that time), the food was quite good and I liked it's proximity to where I needed to be. Place was clean I love diners and this place would be one of those that would be easy to get to and not a lot of decisions to be made. It has all the usual diner staples, laid back atmosphere and a nice place for a quick stop. We actually went here because we just came from a fancier place and I was STILL starving. Melrose to the rescue.
(3)
Meghan C.

I really liked this place. We came here just after the 5k Dash for Detection, so I had worked up quite the appetite. We went in and were seated right away. The only downfall was that it took a while for our server to come to the table, they were short a cook, so apparently they had to push back serving Lunch? that was kind a bummer because we had a few people who wanted lunch items and we had to wait even longer to order. I had the meat-lovers skillet and it was DELICIOUS!!! I ate every bit of it and you get a banana! I though that was pretty neat, but I already had my banana for that day, so I just saved it for later. Also, if you are going to have separate Checks, let your server know before you stand in line at the register because the man will not do it at the counter. What was kind of frustrating too because we had to hunt down our server, and then stand in line again. Over all, great food, but some of the service is kind of lacking - thats where they lost a star.
(4)
Yves M.

You'll find me here every Saturday morning for breakfast. Best skillets around. Try the meat eater's skillet, tremendous. The Lox plate/sandwich is also terrific - rare to find good quality Lox at a diner. A homie environment with the friendliest good looking waitresses. This place never closes - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
(4)
Derek B.

This place feels like home. It's the first place I went in Chicago, and I've been going back for years. Service is always good, the menu is more diverse than a typical diner, and the prices are great. I love the location, too.
(5)
Todd M.

I would eat here all the time when I lived in the area. I went back tonight and I was throughly disappointed. The food was ok (nothing special) but the service awful. The person who rang us up was extremely rude and blamed us for not telling the waitress to split our check. She told us she has worked in "fine dining" and the customers who eat at Melrose are not fine dining customers. Since when is it ok to blame the customer? The whole experience left a really bad impression on our entire group. With so many great places to eat in the area, I definitely will not be back to this restaurant again.
(2)
Adrienne G.

Melrose is a mediocre diner that is one of the few late night places in the area. The service is what one would expect from a diner. The food is just disappointing, not the best, but it is mostly edible. The food is like Lucy moving the football out of the way so Charlie Brown busts his tuckus on the ground. I want to give this place 2.5 stars but considering that every time that I have come here, for take away and to sit down, I have never been impressed. It is like Eggsperience in that respect. That being said, I know I am going to wind up here on some late late night when I'm in the hood. And I will try to kick that football, only to have it moved away moments before I can get to it. But hey, at least I know there's somewhere to go when I'm starving, in Lakeview, and everywhere else is closed.
(2)
Aaron B.

There are greasy spoons and then there is Melrose. Back in Detroit I used to go to a chain called Rams Horn after a long night out and Melrose is the adult equivalent of Rams Horn here in Chicago. Did you stay out till 4am and the PBR has you feeling kind of hungry? Go to Melrose. Are you trying to save some money and want a buffet meal on a beer budget? Go to Melrose. I went here once for the 'Perch Dinner' which included the following: Cabbage soup Corn on the cob Cole slaw Perch ice cream dessert $9 = great deal Best part is the waitress was like one of my mom's euchre pals named Flo. Right on Broadway just north of Belmont this is the place to go after a fun night of bar hopping in Wrigleyville. Go here
(5)
Sopla R.

Pros first: Above average diner food. No frills here but thats..OK Portions, price point, tasty breakfast all good. Servers are always friendly enough and accommodating. Cons: why no line for a tip when you use a credit/debit card? I always wonder are they pooling tips here? is my server getting the tip? I think from now on I'm just going to leave cash tip.. maybe that's why they do that? I dunno.. but when I worked in a restaurant that did the pooled tips thing .. they still had a "tip line" just sayin'.. Does the mgr/owner that's always there EVER smile?? Seriously !! Menus have typos, cross outs, gross, how about just reprinting them and getting rid of those old ugly sleeves/menus!
(3)
Danielle N.

Disclaimer: This review is purely for their brunch. Delicious and huge fluffy omelettes. If you order an egg white omelette, it is almost even larger and fluffier than the regular eggs. Typical laid-back diner atmosphere with quick service and never a wait on a Saturday morning. They have a nice sidewalk seating area and open sliding door for nice days. If you live in the Lakeview area, definitely try it out!
(4)
Tom T.

My partner and I have been going to Melrose together a couple of times a week for over two years now. We have seen significant improvements lately, and we love some of the wait staff that has been there for a long time. However, the weekend day manager who does the seating is a major turn off and we avoid the place when we see him. Every time we visit, we ask for our favorite waitress. Unlike the other Melrose staff that know us and make us feel welcome, the weekend day manager is rude and often ignores our request for a particular waiter. Now I know this can be difficult when it is busy, and if he was polite there would be no problem. However, not only does he never welcome us or gives any indication that he recognizes us as loyal customers; he is often down right rude. In my opinion Melrose would be much better off without him. We would definitely eat there more often.
(3)
Michael H.

It's a diner, what can you say? I would only go for breakfast and would lunch/dinner elsewhere. However, I was shocked by how delicious the breakfast burrito was. Covered in mole sauce and stuffed with avocado and poblano peppers - delicious! Highly recommend.
(3)
Sam E.

If you are in Boystown late at night and need something to sustain the remainder of you late night out Check this place out if you haven't already. It's open all night. Ok so Melrose gets five stars for being a good diner. Hey, she knows what she is and she owns it!! Beth is a gem. Indecisive? She will help you make your own decision. Tried Sweet and Sour Cabbage soup for the first time and it was wonderful. The Ruben is good and so is the patty melt. More local than tourist and I love it.
(5)
Melanie A.

I love the variety of the menu and how many vegetarian options they have. I've ordered breakfast food, sandwiches, and soup here and it's all been pretty good. Definitely not the best I've had, but it's convenient. The servers aren't always the friendliest, but they're pretty fast even when the restaurant is busy. Melrose is my go-to if I want a full meal late at night.
(4)
Brian C.

This place has a great diner feel to it. It feels much more authentic than places like Clarks. Also, the waitresses are super models if you dig chicks...And then there are some older waitresses who will give you a little bit of sassy attitude, which I kinda like at a diner. As far as the food goes--eh, it's a diner. I like this place for what it is.
(4)
Albert H.

Pretty decent place. Typical food you'd expect from a diner, but it's a little more jazzed up here. I got their pizza burger once and that was a regrettable decision, but every other time I've had a great experience here. It's slightly pricier but worth it every now and then. Definitely try their Eggs Benedict.
(3)
Erika G.

Home of the Four Star BLT. When I was 8, and at a restaurant with my parents, I'd always order BLTs. I loved 'em. My mom made them at home also for Saturday lunches, and I couldn't get enough. Crunchy, salty, chewy, juicy. Mmmmmm! Perfect food, all the food groups are represented. Lunch, late night snack, or even breakfast - yum! Now, 40 years later, I'm still eating them. Do I have a limited palate, or do I just stick with things I love? I'll leave you to ponder that, those of you that know me. The BLT here is sublime. A double decker club packed with bacon goodness. Here on Yelp, where we are all bacon fetishists, we notice these proportions. The perfect proportion of lettuce, and not too many tomatoes. Add to that some very good fries and a cup of soup - this is a nice size lunch! My young friend slurped down his lowfat chocolate milk, and devoured his cheesburger - pronouncing it "So delicious!", all without talking with his mouth full! Bueno! I'll come back here. Solid, simple comfort food, and the service is gracious and attentive. Excellent for kids.
(4)
Doris M.

I go to Melrose almost every weekend for brunch. The food is just the right balance of salt and grease for any occasion, their coffee is amazing (Intelligentsia), and the music takes me all the way back to my Zack Morris-loving years. A little Bangles, some Richard Marx, and a dash of Wham. Service can be spotty depending on your server. Joe is great, and there's the older lady who seems stressed but is on top of her game, don't worry. My favorite part might be the jellybean jar at the check out counter. Use the spoon. Not your kid's grubby hands.
(4)
Carly R.

Great neighborhood diner. Hefty portions of diner quality not-the-healthiest food, but the coffee is AMAZING. Mostly terrible service, but you don't care because its cozy and the food is decent. A great place to go with friends in the area and just relax and talk for hours.
(4)
Rick C.

I live half a block away, been here a fair amount (half dozen times) and well, here's the scoop: 1. Breakfast is better than dinner, they do an okay job with brunch fare (eggs, pancakes, waffles and what have you). 2. Dinner, or anything requiring a bit of culinary skill, quite frankly, sucks...had a chicken club sandwich one night that I got halfway through and felt as if I would get sick if I took another bite (really, grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, and bacon-how can you mess that up???) even the french fries served with it were fried in stale oil--if I hadn't been home, I would have returned the entire order, would've been better off with a sandwich from Walgreens. 3. Staff, other than the dudes at the register and a couple of friendly am waitresses (don't remember their names) are pretty blah...as if they're wearing wet underwear or an itchy shirt. They aren't rude, just not engaged in customer experience. 4. At breakfast, they give bananas, nice touch (unless I get a green one, then it's a lesson in delayed gratification). 5. One more thing...someone needs to pay attention to the men's room more often...smelly. 6. All in all, I'd only return if I'm too lazy to walk to Stella's or I'm too liquored up to care about quality.
(2)
Ben E.

This is a quintessential diner and really deserves a full 5 stars for its staff, food, and atmosphere. Plus, even better, for the rest of February 2011 they're offering perhaps the best breakfast special in the city: $6.95 for almost any item on their all-day breakfast menu, including the steak and eggs (usually priced at $15.95). This is pretty ridiculous, given the amount of food you receive, and its quality. My steak was a perfect medium rare, grilled nicely, and very flavorful. The eggs were exactly over medium and the hashbrowns were perfectly crisped...you get the idea. All the servers genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs and the service is exactly what you'd want at a diner -- efficient, fast, friendly, and helpful without being overly obtrusive. If you're craving diner food but want it to be GOOD, then go here. It's comforting and perfect on a chilly day.
(5)
Melissa T.

Came here after a late night of drunken debauchery. I kept thinking to myself that it was essentially a glorified Perkins with a better menu. The croissant sandwiches looked delightful. The pancakes looked good. $7 for small jalapeno poppers and $10 for a bland blackened chicken sandwich is a little steep for my liking given the purpose of the visit (after all, it's not like I was really going to remember what I ate in great detail), but I'm sure I'd be more than obliged to come here in the future if I was a) in the area and b) in need of sustenance to soak up the aftereffects of a good night out with friends.
(3)
Anthony D.

This place is three stars at best. I went in yesterday and had some little child who should have been is school run up to me and tell me to take my picture before I say down. How annoying. Everybody there is foreign so I can hardly understand them when they talk to me and I feel dumb sitting there analyzing what they said before I respond. Food was so-so. Their chicken noodle soup had the black veins from the chicken in it which immediately turned me off. Their chicken salad club tasted pretty good but it was hard to eat since it was so big. I can't stand when restaurants make their food too large to put in your mouth. I just don't understand what the hell possesses these idiots to make friggin food so big. Coffee was good, my boyfriend liked his pancakes but nothing extra special. Our server took his sweet time sitting there staring out the window at the next table over from us where I am assuming they roll silverware in their downtime, while I sat there for the better part of ten minutes waiting for him to come over and ask if I needed a box for my Godzilla sandwich. I'm sure I will go back in here and there when I'm in the mood for an interesting meal. As for breakfast and lunch places, Horizons cafe up a little north on Broadway is still my favorite in every aspect.
(3)
Sara P.

I went here for breakfast on a Sunday morning at around 11am. We were seated immediately and brought water. The table and seats were clean, as was the restaurant around us. There was a big mix of people, from young couples to old-timers enjoying their paper or book. I got the corned beef hash plate with three eggs and white toast. It was good. I liked their hash, it was different from most places in a good way. They used good, thick cut white toast. Their fruit side was fresh and tasty. Service was quick and friendly. There's no "wow" factor about the food here, but it's good, quick and will fill you up if you're hungry without making you feel gross.
(3)
Elizabeth R.

I stumbled upon this place on New Year's Day after striking out with long waits at Stella's and The Bagel on Broadway. The place was packed, but we got one of the last tables, close to the entrance. Note on the decor: 80's neon sign mixed with random, strange paintings of contorted people (a bit scary). Lots of half-filled balloons also graced the ceilings on this day, and started to travel downward throughout the meal. The waitress offered us organic teas -- the one we had was good (forest berries). I ordered a small orange juice. I honestly do not know how one can screw up orange juice, but it was bad. Sour and too pulpy and I didn't take more than one sip. I ordered the potato pancakes next. Equally as disappointing. Way too fried and there was a weird taste to them. I am giving this place 2 stars because the eggs did look better than my meal, and I liked their thick toast. I would venture to guess I will NOT be going back to Melrose anytime soon. But who knows, I might want to take a look at those paintings again whenever I need a good laugh.
(2)
Julie E.

The Neighborhood Diner Open 24/7 Intelligentsia Coffee Fluffy Omelettes Burgers Galore Healthy Options, Substitutions Accommodated Friendly Servers, Prompt Service Outdoor Seating in Warm Weather Meh Desserts, Not Homemade Long Live the Melrose!
(4)
Karen B.

If i could give it six stars i would. its a awesome, 24 hour place. good diner food, i love the turkey sandwich and the french fries are amazing. the view of the street is fun bc its cute gays and people coming from the gym. It hits the spot, esp. if your like me and worked a double shift and dont want to think. im a regular and love it
(5)
Marissa G.

My partner loves Ukrainian borsht, so the sweet and sour cabbage soup (which is similar in taste) really hit the spot at Melrose the other day-- and I have to admit, although I thought I hated the stuff a year ago, the soup is growing on me and the diner does it very well. In addition, we had the greek salad, four cheese grilled sandwich with steak fries. Greek salad was loaded with fresh feta, cut it huge chunky strips and not crumbled along with four briny anchovies-- super fresh and unafraid! That's the way it should be! The four cheese grilled cheese was cheesy and included tomato and had a nice crunchy, buttery and greasy crust. Service though, was not great. We were sitting outside for a while before our server made any acknowledgment of us and we had to flag her down to get the check.
(3)
Izzy N.

My southwestern skillet with no cheese and no chorizo please! came with a banana? Yes it sure did. And the obligatory choice of pancakes or toast. I like that extra touch of giving me a banana on the side. They want me to have a well rounded meal! Awwww. So sweet. I like that. Nice and dependable breakfast skillets anytime of day. For what it is- it's alright.
(3)
Chris W.

Best diner in Chicago. Period. Try the Monte Cristo.
(5)
Bradford M.

Amazing breakfast diner food.
(4)
Brandon Y.

I've been here 4 times since discovering it about a month ago. Each time I have the same thing, Huevos Calientes. It's a very simple dish but it's so amazing that I can't bring myself to try anything else, even though a lot of other things on the menu look really good. Lots of burgers, various breakfast skillets (my girlfriend enjoys the hobo). Anyway, about those Huevos Calientes.... Scrambles eggs all mixed up with spicy chorizo, Jack cheese, and sorrano peppers. It's pretty dang spicy and pretty dang delicious. It comes with some of the best diner hash browns I've had, toast, and a banana. Since I starting frequenting this place it's become one of my favorite meals for any time of the day. Anyway, enough about the eggs.... The service has always been very good. We are greeted quickly, they don't pressure you into making a quick decision, they have always paid attention to an special orders (I like my eggs a little well done) and once ordered, the food ALWAYS comes out very promptly. The servers have always been very attentive, which is great because I always drink a ton of water. As you can see, I really love this place. Writing this review makes me want to go there right now.
(5)
Antonio A.

Good pancakes, good service, a little pricey for a greasy spoon--I'm a big fan of the Golden Nugget, myself. I'm a softy on ratings sometimes, so I give it a 4.
(4)
Shiloh W.

Best pancakes EVER!! Bonus: During the summer they have Iced Coffee & Great Little Patio
(5)
Michelle C.

My parents came to visit me in my new apartment over the weekend with my mom's best friend and I suggested Melrose since it's right around the corner and within walking distance of my place. We were there around 10am on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too crowded which was nice. We got a nice booth along the windows and were served right away. Cons: Dirty silverware So-so coffee The straws feel dirty and grainy, even after being taken out of the wrapper Pros Orange juice was fresh squeezed Service was good - server was friendly. Good location Food was good! I had the crunchy french toast which was a delight! A little heavy on the oil and butter, but good diner breakfast. I loved it so much I ordered it for pick up the next night (for dinner) and it was a little too much twice in the same weekend. I'd say it's more a treat. Would return again.
(4)
Brenda L.

Giving this place one star is too much. The food here is terrible. Went here for dinner on a Friday night and ordered the fish dinner with mac & cheese. The breaded fish was so dry and hard I could have pounded nails with it. The mac & cheese was gritty and inedible. The dinner was supposed to come with a desert but I was never offered one. I told the waitress the food was awful and she took it off the bill. This is isn't my first bad experience with this "diner". Stay away from this dump.
(1)
Richard B.

Kitchen may fix what you order, maybe not. Twice, recent orders were either incomplete or wrong. Not the servers fault either. There seems to be some conflict between the kitchen and wait staff. Accuracy not what it used to be. All in all, a welcome place in the neighborhood if you want hot coffee and don't expect fine dining. Oh, consider indoor tables if garbage has not been picked up yet, the alley is pretty close to the outdoor tables. Otherwise, outdoor seating is pretty nice and not congested. Diner food, 24 hours, nice people. Great classic neon sign too!
(4)
Chris C.

Great breakfast. Open 24/7 and is very welcoming. Loved the steak and eggs!!
(4)
Andrea P.

The great thing about Melrose is that they are in a very convenient location right in the heart of boystown and they are open 24/7. It's a really relaxed atmosphere and it is your typical yet rare diner in the city. They have a pretty vast selection of food and it's a great place to go if you're craving Belgian waffles and scrambled eggs at midnight! It's also a really good place to go if your craving a cesar salad or our old fried food freind..mmm...JalapeÃ±o poppers anyone? On a rather random note, Melrose has the most aaaammmaazing vegetarian burger!! I ask for it with grilled onions, avocado, swiss cheese, and NO sprouts. Oh YUM! Just a random tip, if you live in the neighborhood or happen to find yourself near Melrose and you have a cold or your stomach just can't handle any heavy foods, the chicken soup is AMAZING!
(4)
Tim S.

Oh, Melrose. An excellent place for breakfast, dinner or late night. The menu is all over the place and I haven't been disappointed yet. Wait staff is usually fairly interesting and any window seat makes for some great people-watching. Don't be fooled by their dinner specials, though. Even though you get a soup or salad and plentiful portion, the dessert option with the dinner specials is your choice of bread pudding, jell-o, or ice cream.
(4)
Colleen C.

Well...of course this was my next logical stop after the bash at Sura Thai Bistro :) Who knew dining at 3am on a Thursday morning could be so rewarding? Certainly not I. Buckwheat pancakes should just be called "alkie sponges." Amen. Great service, relatively clean, open 24 hours, fun little slice of life (an off-duty drag queen hauled her feathers out in a bag as we were finishing our meal). Our waitress was friendly and efficient. Oh, and Diet Coke. Cure to all of the world's problems, I swear.
(4)
Milton C.

OK to bad service + good to OK food + great location and hours = ho hum. It was better a few years back. Switching to Ann Sathers.
(3)
Jack P.

The Melrose was the first place I ate breakfast in Chicago, while looking for an apartment. I have been there countless times since. It is on a number of my top five lists including: 24-hour diners, comfort food, places for fluffy omelets, and places to go out and eat by yourself. For some, reason, even if you are by yourself, you just never feel like Mr./Ms. Loner diner there. Probably because of the classic friendly diner staff, whose attitude often spills over to the customers. The Melrose has also served an interesting role for me on those holidays when I just can't deal with family or maybe even friends. One Thanksgiving, when I needed some "me" time, I went there mid-afternoon for dinner, had a complete Thanksgiving dinner with trimmings for $10-12.00, brought a couple of magazines to read, and took a post-dinner walk by the lake front on what was an unusually mild November day, and then sauntered back home for a nap. It's also a great place when you are just looking for dessert and coffee. Doug and I recently had mid-afternoon Easter dinner there, left for a little browsing and pet food shopping, then returned to the M for dessert and coffee a few hours later. The waiter was convinced we just couldn't stay away because he was so completely charming. Of course we let him think that. I'm afraid it was really the chocolate silk pie and plain cheesecake. Hot turkey sandwiches overflowing with gravy, several course meals for $12.00 or so, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, the fluffiest of omelets with the requisite banana on the side, warm, friendly salt-of-the-earth staff, breakfast on the sidewalk in the summer with all the Broadway people-watching. That's The Melrose. I hope it stays there forever!
(4)
Robert F.

Ah, Melrose. You order a giant breakfast burrito and they give you an unadvertised banana on the side. As if to say, hey, man, I know you are about to down this entire thing, and some hashbrowns, and then take a 3-hour nap, but we feel that if you could find some room in there, you may have forgotten this food group this morning. If not, go ahead and take me to eat later. Yes, I know bananas cost like 10 cents, but it's the thought that counts. They also express this with consistently friendly, well-above-average for a city diner service. They are one of the few places around open 24 hours, have decent coffee, decent prices, fresh tasting diner fare and let you linger for as long as you damn well please. I can only speak for their breakfast menu, because that's what I go to diners for, be it 8am or 5pm. I have never gotten anything I regretted and have never left hungry. What more can you ask for from your neighborhood diner? Fucking awesome carrot cake, you counter? They have that, too.
(4)
Jess L.

...too bad I felt sick after coming here. It's a bit too greasy for me, I guess. Otherwise, it has a great feel of a neighborhood diner.
(2)
A J.

I love breakfast. This place always delivers. That about sums it up!
(4)
Nick S.

One thing I love about moving to Chicago is the spread of 24hr diner establishments that cater to the late night crowd. I don't think I've ever been inside of the Melrose in the light of day. Let's be real now.. I had low expectations for the quality of food from the get go. I never really expect much to come out of these type of restaurants but I have that special affinity for what they offer. Burgers and breakfast items are your safest bet. I've been told that I've ordered different things before in the past... I don't quite remember them but I don't imagine feeling too good after consumption. The waitstaff here is the best part I have to say. I love the eclectic bunch of waiters/resses that work here and almost all of them have the most adorable eastern european accents. Always friendly, attentive, and speedy. It's great that I live a 2 minute walk away. If they upped their culinary game this place would be phenom.
(3)
Arlene G.

i went here a few weeks ago & totally forgot 2 write my review....anyways, ive been coming here for years & i can always count on it 2 provide me with great comfort food. i had egg, bacon & pancakes for dinner. i can eat breakfast food any time of the day! great food & service! will keep coming back!
(4)
Lindsay A.

I know i'm breaking hearts by posting this review but unfortunately Melrose is just full of disappointments for me. Here's why: 1. Cost for product- Where do they get off charging over 10 dollars for every salad when all they offer is some awful romaine lettuce with some meat thrown on it? Also, try ordering a milk shake and you will be sadly disappointed to find it comes in a juice cup. BOOO 2. Variety- The menu might be large, but do not be fooled, its not that exciting. Most of it is really boring. 3. Quality- Kind of gross. Conclusion: trust me, I know. Its right down the street from me, easy access and its 24 hours, but walk the extra few blocks and go to Nookies instead.
(3)
Syngin A.

I absolutely loved and lived at the Melrose Restaurant when I was in law school 15 years ago when Lakeview was cool like Bucktown and not a mirror image of Lincoln Park, like it is now. The waiters were adorable, and you couldn't get an outside table in the summer during brunch on the weekends. The food was plentiful, delicious and comforting for cheap. The coffee never stopped, and they didn't mind if you practically slept there all night. There was even fun artwork hanging on and from the ceiling. Then, the cute waiters became grumpy, tired waitresses, the food didn't seem so good anymore, and the crowd changed. I miss what this place used to be. Now, it seems like a tired, ordinary diner with no character. I think Stella's down the street stole their thunder.
(3)
Kegan C.

My mom and I decided to brunch here one Sunday afternoon a week ago. I had a turkey croissant and soup; she had a grilled cheese and soup. Well, the sandwich I had was dry, but it tasted better after assaulting it with condiments. And the soup? No thanks. I don't like creamy anything; I could have sworn the waitress said there was regular chicken and rice soup. But the cake-taker was when the waitress asked my mom if she needed her coffee reheated; my mom said yes. The waitress brought the pot over, poured more lukewarm coffee into my mom's cup, and moved on. At least she was friendly, though. I've definitely had better.
(2)
William C.

I have lived in the area since 1996 and have frequented Melrose quite often. Yes the service can be sketchy from time to time and the bathrooms all filthy but I have to admit for diner food it is not bad. If you are just wanting to grab a burger or something it is really not bad. I mean you get bread and soup with it and coffee. Breakfast is really awesome. I love the crunchy french toast and a side of ham with fresh squeezed oj. The portions are enormous. Somewhat pricey but overall I would say it is worth it.
(3)
Brian C.

Again, not much I can say that hasn't been said by the 100+ reviews before me. Consistently good food, good portions for the price, upbeat wait staff, a kept-up appearance and a local neighborhood haunt. Their corn-flake french toast is delicious.
(4)
Laz R.

Been here twice for breakfast and the food is excellent. Every time I go to Chicago I make it a point to stop by here.
(4)
Ken L.

I only dined at this place when i was intoxicated and need some food late late at night, like 4 in the morning. The servers are nice, but food sucks. And during daylight hours I would have better options than this place. On top of that the person is like giving me an attitude that my card didnt when thru the first time and said he's gonna be charged about $.25 by the bank for that... wtf? do i loooook like im in the mood to care?
(1)
M.G. S.

I really like this place. I don't get why people complain about their dinner menu on here...in my opinion it is a breakfast place. A really good one. My coffee is always full, my check is always on time, and the food comes out hot. If you're in Lakeview and you want/need a good breakfast, I will always recommend Melrose. It is in a great little neighborhood that has a farmer's market across the street on Saturday's in the warmer months. It is open 24 hours. They serve great coffee. I love that they give you a full plate of great food... and a banana. They serve a balanced breakfast. It is BYOB which is nice as well. When you pay at the counter they have a jar of jelly beans to make sure that you don't walk out with breakfast breath.
(4)
Carri A.

I will be honest and confess that I have dined at Melrose only in my most inebriated states, except for a meal or two. The cabbage soup is dynamite and the rest of the menu is your standard diner fare. Really good while you're eating it, but your stomach may disagree once you leave the restaurant. Impressive amount of vegetarian options, super friendly service (though the owner guy is a super creep) and very reasonable prices for the above-average portions. A solid late night choice.
(4)
Bill R.

I love the Melrose! I like the spinach and feta omelette, cheeseburgers, hot turkey sandwich and french toast. Not only is the food great but the portions are big! So you never leave hungry. Its no accident this place has been in business 30+ years.
(5)
Claudia D.

A group of friends from cardiac rehab took me with them for lunch here on St. Patrick's Day. Lovely little diner. 2 of my friends are regulars here and I understand why! The selection on the menu is extensive and a terrific value. Most of our party had the corned beef lunch special which included the corned beef slices, vegetables, broth, soup, and a choice of jello or ice cream for dessert (about $11). I had a corned beef reuben (fresh fruit instead of fries!) and loved it. Very tender and juicy - not at all dry. It came with a choice of soup. Another friend had the meat loaf lunch special. The specials all included a choice of soup. Three were offered that day: chicken noodle, split pea, and the sweet & sour cabbage. I had the sweet & sour cabbage which was excellent. The waiter was very good, accurate, attentive, and helpful. I will go back again if in the neighborhood for a casual filling lunch. BYOB is OK here.
(3)
Sarah S.

Stella's was closed early last night, so we headed over to the Melrose Restaurant. Being open 24 hours is definitely a plus. Unfortunately, the place was only mediocre. The service was fine and the place was clean enough, but the food ranged from really good to really bad. The menu was great, with a wide variety and plenty of vegetarian options. We weren't hungry enough to justify any of the entrees, most of which included soup or salad, so we just ordered some appetizers (nachos and onion rings) and a side order of fries. The "really good" was the nachos. Everything about them was good. Even the tortilla chips that didn't have toppings on them were tasty even though I usually find tortilla chips to be bland on their own. They were topped with cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. I don't really like sour cream, and guac isn't my favorite, but I can honestly say "mmmmm." The fries were in the middle. They were just OK. They were good, but not particularly flavorful. I like my fries to be crispy or with herbs or something, but they were just plain old average steak fries. I can't complain, but they were nothing to write home about. The "really bad" were the onion rings, which we wound up sending back after each trying one. They could have been good, I think, but they were basically burnt. I don't know if this was a fluke or if this is just how they make them there, but they were really not good. They were edible, I suppose, but I don't go out to eat for just "edible." Definitely not worth 5.95. Overall, I'll probably wind up going back. It's convenient and it's always open. Based solely on the nachos, I definitely want to see what else they have to offer. And who knows? Maybe the onion rings being burnt was just a mistake. At least the waitress was polite about it and took it off the bill.
(3)
Paul A.

Melrose is yet another one of those diners that has been around the 'hood forever. It's the kind of place where you could become easily a regular. The menu is standard fare - nothing too fancy at all - but check out the daily specials - you get quite the deal. On my last visit, I bought the Chicken Breast special - rec'd soup, the meal and ice cream for $9.99. Quite filling. It's also perfect for that late-night urge you might have. The desserts are to die for I think - the slices of cakes are huge! LOL
(4)
Ann M.

A favorite diner of mine for 20 years now - Melrose on Broadway was one of the very first restaurants I visited in Chicago. I love the Melrose Special sandwich! The portions are huge, so it is a great place to feed a hangover, but it's always a reliable choice when you aren't looking for anything fancy. Great breakfasts, too.
(4)
Joel A.

A short stumble from the Boystown bars and you can find pretty solid diner food here at this 24 hour joint on Broadway. The burger is very enjoyable here, especially after a few cocktails. Please be extra nice to your server and tip well... oh, the stuff they must have to deal with!
(3)
Ellen S.

My experience was from appx 5 years ago..I am only posting it now since I pass by that place often and on the bus the people behind me were telling their horror story which reminded me of mine.. My family member and I went there for a late lunch and split the Julianne Salad. It was huge,plenty for two. Ranch dressing was in a metal container placed on top of the salad(ick!). We both split the salad and just had water to drink. It tasted ok.Not too much you can do to screw up a sald right ? Well,less than 24 hours later, my family member and I became so sick and spent the next 2 days non stop in the bathroom without a break. I was weak and sick for a week after and lost clients since I could not do my work. Does the Board of Health inspect these places in Lakeview ? Gosh,I sure hope so.
(1)
Graham T.

Typical diner with typical diner food and solid service. We liked the variety on the menu and the food arrived very quickly. If you are in the Lincoln Park North area this is a good choice for breakfast. The interior layout was a bit cramped but our waitress made it work. Would go back without complaint if I was in town again.
(3)
Kelly M.

Melrose is exactly what you expect it to be: So so food, but tolerable at breakfast, if you can tolerate that type of food. Open 24 hours, this place can be dangerous, as so so food at 3 am quickly becomes the "best burger/grilled cheese/chicken sandwich and fries you ever had..."
(2)
Dan B.

I have been to Melrose twice, once over a year ago and today. I have ordered the same thing both times, and both times left thinking wow...that is one of the best breakfast burritos I have ever had. It is huge, filled with tons of avocado and roasted poblanos, and covered in a creamy poblano sauce that I would be content to lather myself with... damn it's good! It is for this reason alone that Melrose gets 4 stars, the hashbrowns were about 2 stars, and what is with the whole banana on every plate? Both me and my dining partner left them untouched. The service is spotty and not overly friendly. But I kid you not, coming from a man who has had many a breakfast burrito Melrose is undoubtedly near the top
(4)
Amber D.

The breakfast here is great, and it's even better that it's served all day. I like the fact that you can call and place an order, and also get a general estimate of when it will be ready. Really, I ordered breakfast, they told me it would be ready in 12 minutes, I walked across the street 12 minutes later, and viola; my food was already packaged and ready to go home with me. (I like punctuality.) The food and service is excellent, and the people are super friendly.
(4)
Kristin C.

Melrose has ginormous, fill-you-up, fluffy-ass (or fill-up your fluffy-ass. Whichever you prefer) omelets. I always get the one with feta, zukes and tomatoes. I have ordered sandwiches before and they are OK - not as good as the breakfast grub by any means. The atmosphere here is great. I mean, it's a 24-hour diner so who knows what you will get. I like coming here on the weekend to read the paper and to have quiet thinking time. Or something. My boyfriend found a fly in his food here once. But that doesn't stop me! I mean, don't we eat like 16 spiders in our sleep each year?
(3)
Lisa F.

While walking through the neighborhood to visit Wiggleyville for the four-legged children the hubby and I stopped in here for lunch. It was the typical diner atmosphere. Pretty extensive menu including about 5-6 daily specials. We chose the fried perch with macaroni and cheese. The salad appetizer that came with the meal was mediocre. Just your typical lettuce with a typical dressing. Nothing to write home about there. The fish was decent yet typical. The macaroni was okay. I've certainly had better and certainly worse. The husband said he preferred Stella's down the road, whereas I preferred this more. The prices did seem a bit steep for what was received. Oh yeah, didn't notice any queso on that menu, pfft! Hehe
(3)
Jordan R.

Over the past ten years I've watched the prices of this place rise astronomically while the quality of its food has struggled to stay the same if not go into a freefall. Three stars for being 24 hours, but I've been let down the last few times I've gone here.
(3)
Carolina P.

I miss this place. The avocado burger is great! The ranch dressing is made from scratch so its delicious especially when you dip your fries in it. I know, I sound like a big fatty ding dong but try it you'll agree.
(5)
Max K.

Good service, good food, decent prices. What more can you ask for?
(4)
Eric D.

Got to love having a diner thats open all the time right across the street. The place isn't outstanding in any regards other than its convenient and I can grab food whenever I want. I've been here a few times and found the food to be just fine, no more, no less.
(3)
A.S. V.

This is the original, and now the only Melrose restaurant. Not so much happening at night, it's more of an ideal brunch location on weekends, although there's often a substantial waiting time.
(3)
Alan T.

A typical 24 hour urban diner. You've all been to one and you all know what to expect. Decent enough food if you're desperate enough to need to go there. I used to get breakfast there quite often when I used to work across the street. Not a bad joint overall, but I seriously question this place on their sanitation. Their bathrooms never seem to get cleaned, you can see that just about every surface needs a good scrubbing, and their chicken soup made my friend so sick he ended up in the emergency room later that day. There are a lot of other late night dining options in this part of the city - go somewhere else instead and take a pass on the food poisoning. Seriously wasn't worth the $750 ER bill.
(1)
anthony g.

This is one of the best diner's on the northside.Open all day, it has one of the best breakfast menu's around.You will love this place if your the meat & Potato's type. Wait staff are great & friendly, and a nice place to go in the wee hour's of the morning, after a night out.
(4)
Kathryn M.

Considering I live down the street this is one of my go to late night places. The portions are pretty big and the late-night servers have a good sense of humor. It's a little pricey for diner food, but the people watching and yummy breakfast food make up for it. Good late night/breakfast place.
(4)
Natalie B.

One of the times I ended up at Melrose, it was in response to my friend chanting "Ba-Con, Ba-Con" after a long night dancing at Reserve. It's good for late night chowing down. The crowd is entertaining too :)
(3)
Allie B.

I'm reviewing b/c it's close to my place and they make a great grilled cheese/club sandwhich, but it's true ... this place is a dump. Doesn't seem that bad from the outside (and the outdoor seating is nice), but when was the last time they cleaned the bathrooms? Service totally sub-par, so ask for a carafe of water if you're nursing a hangover, they don't come by too often.
(1)
Molly G.

Lakeview Classic is right. It's nothing fancy, def. a typical 24 hour greasy spoon, but the sweet and sour cabbage soup is the best I've ever had and the egg white omlettes rockl! UPDATE: I still like this place, the sweet and sour cabbage soup keeps me coming back, but a couple good people don't work there anymore, the service is much less friendly, and as much as I like local dives, there comes a time when the place needs a good cleaning and Melrose is falling behind and it shows.
(3)
Olivia L.

I recently went here for Sunday breakfast, and I was plesantly suprised with our food. It's a true diner in every sense of the words, from food offerings to hours to decor. There was an interesting cross-section of people there--everyone from the elderly to girlfriends, couples to families. It's definitely one of the best deals in the area, at least for the quantity of food you get. I ordered french toast with fresh strawberries, along with a side of hashbrowns, and it was all less than $10 for HUGE portions. It's super-busy inside with not the most relaxing environment or music, but overall I was pleased. I do think that for diner fare, Stella's south of belmont on broadway will continue to be my standby for their slightly higher quality of ingredients and overall better tastes.
(3)
Benjamin H.

This place has taken Clark's place as my late night breakfast spot. Solid egg, potato and meat combos, of course allowing me to empty a whole bottle of Ketchup here in one sitting. Went for lunch once and the sandwiches were HUGE. Good food for a reasonable ticket.
(4)
Misi P.

I dined here with my friend Keith the other night after running around the city. They've got nice fluffy pancakes, which was great and my service was pretty good. It wasn't too noisy for 4am and the my server was friendly and knew what she was doing. Might become an afterhours staple...
(4)
Kirsten S.

If you're looking for late night diner food, this is the go-to place. Nothing fancy, open 24hrs and friendly staff. I live down the street and find myself there atleast once a weekend. The tuna melt,mmm...after a night out at the bars. They serve it on an english muffin, scoop a heaping portion of tuna and top it off with melted cheddar cheese. Hash browns, crispy and tasty. Eddie is usually our server....nicest guy. A perfect neighborhood diner.
(5)
Amanda P.

The only reason this place stays around is because it's open all night. Servers are nice, food sucks. I have never been here during daylight hours.
(2)
John M.

Melrose is pretty much an institution in East Lakeview. The menu, however, is hit or miss in my opinion. I enjoy very much their omelettes and salads. The burgers and sandwiches leave a bit to be desired, though. Too bad for the smoking ban, because I always loved going to Melrose after a long night out and sit in smoking and drink coffee. The service is always on target, provided you're lucky enough to get one of the veteran waitresses.
(3)
M M.

Food is average, menu is GIGANTIC, which I love. Any craving you can ever have will be satisfied here, though not fully bc the food is not top-notch. If you are an omelette fan, which I am not, I would suggest going here as everytime I've come a friend has ordered one and they have really liked it. For breakfast I'll get pancakes, the chicken sandwich was pretty dry- turkey sandwich was just OK- fries are good and greasy. The location is convenient and prices are cheap, so I'd stop in for some good hangover or late-night food.
(3)
Jim L.

Another good breakfast joint. This place is cool because they have outdoor seating. Tasty food and tasty views of all the pretty trixies.
(4)
Liza O.

Went there for lunch on a weekend with a friend. I had a club sandwich which was tasty. It's fine if you're in the mood for diner food, but there was nothing spectacular. The service was decent enough, but it didn't stand out. I'd go again if I was in the area and wanted a sandwich or breakfast food.
(3)
Dee W.

Not my first pick in diner food. Food is mediocre and it's usually preferred to be there for brunch than late night dining.
(2)
nicole r.

I used to eat at Melrose all the time when I lived in Lake View...it was sort of our "go-to" place when we couldn't figure out dinner. So last night, we were in the area and decided to stop in for a bite...BIG MISTAKE. Melrose, what has happened to you? Our soup was lukewarm, bordering on cold, and my chicken was raw in the middle. My boyfriend's chicken salad sandwich had a funny taste and caused him to throw up all night. Sorry, Melrose, I guess we only have our memories now.
(1)
Bethany K.

I think this diner is o.k. It's not my first choice for dinner in Lakeview, since most of the time I go there is seems like the servers are always new and a bit slow. However it's a great breakfast spot. The inside is large so you usually don't have to wait, and they have a large menu with lots of selection!
(4)
Sydney K.

This place kind of grosses me out. When's the last time they did a good scrub down? And the food is lacking too. There are so many great spots to eat on the Broadway strip - I would skip this one.
(1)
Liliana S.

yes, this place isnt the cleanest in the world. They do have flies on the windows as if they were at home. Kinda sick. The food is okay but you cant get passed how unclean this place is, at least I can't.
(2)
Y. W.

The place is kinda pricey, but the food is awesome and they're open 24 hrs. The staff is usually very friendly. I went here on Christmas, when it was packed, and they were still efficient.
(4)
Lynne D.

You will love this place if you like finding small flies in your salads! Though if it weren't for the small fly, the salad would have been great actually! But I sat at a booth by the window, and there was a dead fly on the ledge next to the booth and 5 other flies buzzing around. It was a very disheartening experience. Also, the waitstaff was not overly friendly; excellent customer service is NO a priority.
(1)
amy k.

classic. decent food. good prices. great servers during the day. take some books and do some studying at the big tables and they'll just keep bringing you some coffee. look out the window and all will be right with the world.
(4)
A N.

Melrose serves a purpose. Its an all-nite diner. The food is definitely not great. In fact, except for the breakfast menu and the grilled cheese, it's downright bad. But the staff is fantastic- I live right down the street and am in there quite a bit at 2am on my walk home, and they're always fast with my order and very friendly, always remembering me and saying hi. For under $10 you can get your main dish, hash browns, fruit, and toast, or with dinner, fries, soup, and bread, so the price is great. The outdorr patio is very nice in the summer. I've spent many nights studying there, and they let me sit for two or three hours, refilling my drink and bread basket, even if I've only ordered a $5 dish. Its a great place to go with friends the morning after a crazy night and chow down on greasy food. Its BYOB. Basically don't come here expecting 5-star cuisine- you won't get it. But the staff, atmosphere, price, etc., makes it a perfect all-nite diner option.
(4)
Cassie B.

i really like this place. open 24/7, good diner-style food (i.e. they have everything from breakfast to sandwiches to entrees like chicken and steaks - not that you'd want to eat a steak here). good for hungover brunch. large outdoor seating area.
(4)
Ravi B.

I've been here after drinking a few, and been here sober, and neither time was very enjoyable. You gotta worry about a place when even beer goggles don't make the food look any better (or taste).
(2)
Stephanie M.

For after clubbing or any late night, when you're hungry, this is a good place to go. The servers are friendly, and the place has an old fashioned homey feel. Open 24 hours. The food isn't the greatest but it's okay when you're hungry at 2 a.m. I like the carafe of water they give you at your table.
(3)
Erin B.

greatest drunk food ever...
(4)
Bianca W.

Melrose is my favorite 24-hour neighborhood restaurant. The corner location makes it a great place to people watch either outside or sitting inside at a window booth. This restaurant is the only diner I know that serves sweet and sour cabbage soup, which I must say is delicious.
(3)
Meghan z.

This place is a great place to go when you are starving and your friends can't agree on what kind of food to get. It's a typical diner with a huge menu of food! There is something here for everyone. Their soups are always pretty tasty, but sometimes the food is just OK. The chicken, I have found, can be a little bit rubbery. The burgers however, are delish! And...you also always get a bread basket, which these days is a rare thing. The best reason to go here though is the service. This place doesn't waste your time with the ditzy girly girl waitresses. These servers are always on their "A game". The food always comes out in a timely manner and they are also good and recommendations. Overall I would say it is one of the best diners in the city. Come here and expect great service and lots of options.
(4)
ryan w. v.

If you're a mo, it's a place (not the place) to see and be seen, but if you're not a mo it's just a place to see and eat. I don't think there is anything super duper special about this place, but the gays like it. I did have great customer service from our little waitress lady friend. She looked incompetent with taking our orders, delivering them correctly, and even remembering to refill our drinks. But, she was all there and then some; closing each sentence with a, "Thanks, Honey" or "Thank you, Dear." I had the Healthy Choice (granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit) bowl. It was the perfect size meal and the fruit (strawberries, blueberries, and bananas) were sliced fresh. I would have enjoyed it better with some honey, but ate it anyway. In short: great service, full menu, okay food, lots of gays.
(3)
Barbara I.

A group of 8 friends went to the Melrose today...we wanted corned beef and cabbage...went at lunch time, no reservations. The Melrose is a typical diner ( or familiarily called "greek" restaurant). The restaurant is clean and bright..has the typical diner menu - daily specials, with soup/salad and small dessert. The corned beef was very good...only 1 boiled potatoe, but that was okay because there was alot of corned beef. The thing that really stands out is the waiter we had...all our food came at once, separate checks (yeah!) and when all of us except one got dessert with our meals..the waiter offered to bring to the dessertless a dessert...very nice...I definitely will go back.
(4)
Brad B.

Sitting at the counter at Melrose is a lovely experience. Late morning on a Saturday you can overhear couples discussing what they are going to do for the balance of the day, the expeditor yelling at the staff to get orders out and the occasional Trixie recounting her random hookup from the night before to her hungover friends. Evidence the money quote from one such conversation this morning: "....Well....I just didn't want to go home alone...." Sweet. The spinach, cheddar and ham omlette was lovely too.
(4)
Katie P.

Ah. The Melrose. I've eaten here a couple times and there are a couple themes running through all of my experiences: 1. The portions are HUGE. Omelettes are four-egg monstrosities of breakfast goodness that come with toast AND hash browns. Just on that one plate you've got enough carbs and protein to run your body for roughly three days. But despite the enormity of the serving, the food tastes really good. Usually when quantity wins the tug-of-war, quality gets thrown to the curb. Not so here. 2. GET THE ORANGE JUICE. Fresh squeezed, baby. 3. QUICK SEATING. Even on a Sunday at 11am, the longest I've waited is 10 minutes and that was for a table for 4. When it was just 2 of us there was absolutely no wait. Awesome. 4. REASONABLY PRICED. For the amount of food, which suggests you should calculate price "per pound," you can't beat it. My only caveat is that the service can be spotty. There's not a lot of personal attention and doting so if you need an ego-boost go elsewhere. But for that brunchy, diner breakfast, do not hesitate. Go.
(4)
Katie H.

Everytime I walk by this place and see the crowds of people eating here I can only wonder why. My one and only experience here entailed finding a big long hair (blond, so not mine) after taking a bout 4 bites of my mediocre omelet. When the waitress came back 20 minutes later she started to take the plate, asking "are you done?". I replied that considering I found this giant hair right here in it, yeah, I'm done. She just said okay and took the plate. No apology, didn't take it off the bill. Bad food, awful service, and hairy eggs. I won't ever go back.
(1)
Clare T.

Pretty much what everyone else has said: The Melrose is a solid neighborhood diner. There is very little chance that you will be unable to find something you like on the enormous menu. Waitstaff is helpful, portions are huge. The Melrose was always my place to get a burger on my way home after long happy hours. They have great fries here, too. I have had many a delicious diner breakfast here as well. Love the '80s decor and awesome soundtrack in this place. It's not unusual to hear something out of an early '90s rom-com coming through the speakers as you chow.
(4)
Dani C.

my fiance and I live 2 doors down from this restaurant, so we are there frequently. The grilled cheese and fries (with salad) is under $10. bread baskets with every meal. the jelly beans at the register. There is an outdoor patio in the summer, which is one of the hot spots for sitting, eating, and people-watching. while limited, they do have vegetarian menu choices. My fiance regularly gets the spaghetti with fresh tomatoes, which is not on the menu.
(5)
Max P.

Just moved down the street from this place. Food is ok.service is ok sometimes but not very cozy. Open 24 hours ups my review but I think I am going to walk 3 blocks up to Stellas where the servers are always friendly ,food is great , and I won't overhear that a new waitress quit because the manager made her cry.
(2)
Mike G.

Veggie Skillet!!! Loved it. Amiable service. Large portions. Great value. Loved it
(5)
Anna H.

This by far my favorite neighborhood haunt! The portions are generous, the waitstaff kind and capable, and the food itself rocks! I particularly love that no matter what combinations of things I order or how much (or little) I order, I get the same lovely service. They have this fantastic bacon, egg, and cheese croissant that rocks my world, and it's also great to just go in on a Sunday morning and drink a cup of coffee and eat half of a honeydew melon (for like $2! so cheap!) while reading the paper. The only thing I don't like is the garish artwork, but even that has its charms, I guess.
(5)
Cathy H.

How have I not written a review about the Melrose yet?! I'm not really a diner person, but the Melrose is turning me into one. First, I think it's super cute. (I guess I kind of have a double standard about its super-cuteness: in reality, it's about the same as Clarke's on Belmont, but because the Melrose has good food, I think to myself, "Ooh, an old-fashioned diner with good food! So awesome!" With Clarke's, I think "Ew, the food is gross. The least they could do is update the interior!") Second, the service is tops. I've had a bunch of different waitresses here, and they've all been sweet and attentive. Esp. the one who calls everyone "honey"--cute! Third, the food is AWESOME. I seriously have never had a tastier grilled cheese sandwich anywhere. I trek many blocks to eat their four-way grilled cheese (even though Clarke's is literally five seconds away from my apt, and even though Melrose is kind of across the street from my gym, so I always feel a bit guilty staring at the gym and scarfing down seven million calories worth of grilled cheese...but oh! It's worth every damn minute on the treadmill). And their cabbage soup is SO good. I have no idea why it's so addicting...it's this tomato-based, slightly-sour, full-of-veggie DELIGHT. Anyway, go. It's so good. And it's open 24 hours.
(5)
Terris A.

This is your standard diner type place with cheesy decor, medicore service, semi-bad coffee and food that is hit or miss. I have only ever eaten their breakfast items (no matter what time of the day) and have never been impressed. Its a good place when we just want to eat breakfast food and don't want to pay a lot.
(3)
Damian C.

Pretty good place - my monte cristo wasn't the best I've had, but the size of my lunch was ridiculous. The interior reminded me of a cross between an 80s fast food restaurant (Rax maybe) and a nursing home dining room. The waitstaff was friendly and the crowd was a diverse bunch. Seems a pretty good choice for your hangover cure.
(4)
Calvin T.

Not Suitable for young Kids! We turned up for a early evening meal with our kids only to be told that we could not take the stroller to the outdoor seating. The place was empty at the time! No service here for Families! - No choice but 1 Star.
(1)
Alex R.

How can the Melrose Diner have less than 5 stars from me? No, it cannot. Melrose, you deserve 5 stars, and nothing less.
(5)
Mary d.

This place gets 4 stars because it's one of the few places I've ever eaten at that gets the scrambled egg done right. There's a hint of cheese and it's very moist and fluffy. The pancakes are good, and the fries are the juicy STEAK fries. Yum! And, yes, the interior leaves A LOT to be desired, but this is the type of place you can come when wearing your sweats, so keep that in mind. The serving staff can vary with quality...as can the fruit cup.
(4)
Genevieve R.

The California burger with it's uber amount of blue cheese, mozzarella, and avocado was seriously the best burger I have had in Chicago (who would have thought?) Top it off with steak fries (a little lacking on the seasoning) and salad to boot, and I enjoyed a wonderfully satisfying meal after a long night at Finley Mahone's. The hash browns could have been a little crispier, but my boyfriend reported that the garden omelet was satisfying but still not Nookies quality. The waitress was prompt with service and our water and coffee was never empty.
(4)
Dpb T.

French toast is the greatest.
(4)
Kyle D.

Came here for lunch, and while the menu looks promising the food is just average. They have a large menu with a ton of options, but the food that my party had was all "just okay". Nothing really stood out taste wise. However, certain things on the menu have massive portions. The atmosphere and service were average as well. We weren't really greeted when we walked in, and they certainly didn't welcome our business. The service was slower than it should have been, and our waitress seemed to forget about us at times. Overall, Melrose isn't a bad option. The food is good and the prices are too, but with so many other great options in the area for lunch, why not go somewhere else? Atmosphere: 7/10 Service: 6.5/10 Food: 7/10
(3)
Chris T.

While it's not the liveliest place, it's a pretty decent diner. Came here randomly one Saturday night for a quick bite before a night of drinking. I had the Acapulco burger, and it was better than I thought it would be. The buns they use are tastier than your average grocery store brands. And while I told myself i was only going to eat half of it, before i knew it, it was all gone. The soup and fries were just ok. While I wouldn't go out of my way to come back here, I wouldn't put up a protest if I was brought here again sometime.
(3)
Christopher D.

This place is great. All the one stars on here are just haters and wishing for the past. Ignore them and try it. By the way, the skirt steak breakfast was amazing and the waffle was fantastic too. And it's 24/7...
(5)
C. M.

Do not get the meatball sandwich. I opened the meatball sandwich and literally one meatball in the middle ... I guess they expected someone not notice with all the other things on top of it...told the server I felt a little jipped about it and he said "yeah one meatball" and walked away. I guess there is truth in advertising ..the menu does say "meatball" sandwich not "meatballs".
(1)
Jimmy C.

Delicious food, great service, fair prices. 6 plates among us were all great! And it's open 24/7. Awesome diner. :-)
(5)
Ime P.

Came in for the first time, it seemed like a decent restaurant, however the staff really need some training. After ordering coffee, we asked for few more minutes to look over the menu, and sure enough, less than a minute later, our waitress was back to take our order asking "do ya know what ya want yet?", okay, let's go with french toast, no powdered sugar, please. "Sure, do you want powdered sugar?, uhmmm, no, but I'll have some mixed berries. We ordered some bacon on the side, which was cold, rest of the food wasn't warm either. Don't use the restroom either! Unless you're wearing gloves, it need some serious TLC from bleach and lysol. The food is overpriced for what they offer. Wait staff needs to be more attentive. We will not be visiting again any time soon.
(2)
Dave H.

My first visit to melrose was in 1998 when I was a college freshman. It's been live hate ever since; I loved it but hated my waistline! Sadly, something has changed. The fellow who owns or manages it is a piece if work. Here's my last three experiences: I was sitting on a duct tape covered stool, ran to use the bathroom, and came back to find the owner yelling about the waste of ice tea in my glass and that she should try to not give customers refills. Last time I had to listen to him berate an employee for giving out too much butter to a customer, calling her stupid. He literally made it sound like the packet of butter was a rare commodity that was to be rationed. Today was the last straw; sitting again on a duct tape covered surface the dude was throwing a temper tantrum at his employee. Verbatim he said 'you don't ask that question. They ask for anything you charge the customer. I don't care if they complain, you charge for every change. I'm going to clean house and get rid of everyone'. Literally he did this in front of 6 or 8 customers. I paid my $13 for French toast (I see why he has to watch his profit margins) and left. Yes, he cleaned house, starting with me. Common sense says you don't berate your employees in general, in particular not in front if paying customers, and you don't belittle your customers either. Terrible business acumen.
(2)
Kevin P.

Not bad but not great.. the service was really fast but the server forgot to bring something I ordered. The server seemed a little confused, but she was trying very hard to be nice so I don't want to be mean about her. Food was decent, price was very affordable.. not the worst place in the world, but probably not looking to get back here anytime soon either.
(3)
Michael R.

Seriously this place used to be our spot. They have taken all the good food off the menu, replaced it with crap and raised their rates to cover their remodel. I ordered an omelette and it looked like slop. The waitress and waiter staff is a whole other thing. This place is worst than a Waffle House in the hood.
(1)
Joanne G.

Bad service. Order took so long to get out and I ordered a sandwich, something that doesn't need to be cooked... Shouldn't take 35 min
(1)
Beth L.

I love Melrose. I have loved this diner since the early 1990s. The food keeps getting better as the years go on. This is the place to go for an early morning, post-bar breakfast, or any breakfast. Try one of the skillets or a egg sandwich on a croissant - the bacon is delicious. Tasty food & friendly staff, plus cute/cool decor. It beats any diner on the East coast, I think.
(4)
Mustafa A.

This is the first time i go to Melrose after they changed their menue .. And it's hideous !! They cut back on the dinner items big time . Raised the prices . And now you have to pay for your sides ! Never going back there again bye bye
(1)
A F.

Living in the city my entire life, melrose is my go to place for diner food. I would give 5 stars for the food, especially the cabbage soup, but I don't know what has happened here lately. In the past few months they remodeled, but the staff and organization of the place is just out of control. They "ran out" of so many things on the menu, didn't have straws, gave us half a piece of used bread in a basket, our dishes and silverware were dirty. What is going on melrose??? Get some good management in there and get it together!! Your customers are walking out, get them back before they don't come back at all.
(2)
Javier Q.

I came here on Sunday around noon. I was looking for a new diner to eat near my job. From the outside the place looks rather small. But once going inside the place is pretty decent. It was also packed with people, so Melrose must be doing something right. We were seated and I looked thru the menu............ So i don't know if I should laugh.... or if this is a joke..... or maybe I was just hallucinating but did the Soda section say just "1 refill"? LMAO let me catch my breath on this one..... Are u serious, just ONE refill? LOL Ive worked in the restaurant industry and to fill a Large size cup will cost the company about .10 cents...... The soda cup when arrived was small...and also packed with ice. x__X 6 sips and the soda was gone X__x .... just give me two 12 oz cans then to get the $1.99 worth. I know this must be so stupid for some people to read, like why is he complaining about the soda price....its the damn principle that counts!!! or just maybe im a fat kid at heart that loves the bubble goodness of soda.... other places is just Refills............Ya'll so cheap o_0 Also I read that to "share a plate" if your sharing or whatever it's $1.50 .... lol... why are you charging for ridiculous things? Please explain that logic The food came, I had the Bacon and Cheddar omellette. It was delicious, dry on top from the cheese, but pretty decent. They also bring u a bread basket in the beginning which was awesome. The server man was nice, nothing really special, but nice. The thing i didn't like was the paying infront for your meal. Usually the server does that for you. I kinda disliked the idea in being in line like i was in a cafeteria trying to pay for my food. I swear it took like 20 minutes in order to finish paying and leaving. I like to eat, pay right away, and leave. The line forming infront to pay is a lil ridiculous. X___x Not a horrible place. P.S If you ask for soda..... ask for ice on the side that way you get your $1.99 worth !!! =] ...but they might charge you for having a cup with ice on the side as well X__x
(3)
Annemarie H.

Ok...I've only eaten here completely trashed OUTTA my mind....but holy amazing Blue Cheese burger! I have even once had a friend bring me one home trashed after a St. Patrick's Day disaster and with her walking at home in the freezing cold all the way to Belmont and Broadway it was still the best blue cheese burger I ever had! I'm just Saying!!!
(4)
Beth C.

The breakfast was great. We have been here a couple of times and the food has been wonderful. I like the decor inside it over very trendy
(4)
Kate H.

My sister and I were looking for a quick place to grab lunch. Since I live nearby and there seemed to be a lot of options on the menu, we thought we would give this place a try. I ordered a caesar salad with blackened chicken. When I received the salad I noticed that there were cucumbers, eggs and raw red onions on it. I pointed out to our waitress that the salad I received did not seem to match the description on the menu of the caesar salad that I ordered. Instead of simply correcting the mistake, she brings over a menu to the table where she reads the description of the caesar salad and only then decides that it is indeed not correct. She then asks me THREE times whether I am "really allergic" to something on the salad that was brought out. I have to firmly state that I am not interested in this salad and would just like the caesar that I originally ordered. Eventually a caesar salad with blackened chicken was made and brought out for me. Given the poor service, I don't think I will be back.
(2)
ChicagoFoodie S.

I'm sorry to say but all good things must be coming to and end, at-least here. This place was my go to diner at-least 3 times a week. I lived down the street...I loved this place. Because the quality of the food and the lack of decent service, I have not been back here. Quality shouldn't decline and prices increase. Sure doesn't keep the local traffic coming back. Keep customers happy and coming back should be priority.
(2)
Gio C.

I really was concerned with sanitary situation... Tiles under the table were missing.... What a decorative ethos to save money. I couldn't pay attention to food lol
(1)
Jenn R.

Been going here for years. Service is usually OK. Food is good diner food. I've had a pesto omelette, taco salad, some kind of club sandwich on a croissant, chicken-rice soup, chilaquiles, and probably lots of other things. You can't beat a 24-hour diner in fun area. They redid the place a couple years a go I think. Frankly, I don't care what decor a 24-hour diner has, old-timey is kind of charming, but the place looks a little more modern now.
(4)
Jeff R.

Went here for breakfast. The waitress was friendly. Ordered a skillet that had chirizo and jalepenos. Was really good. Would definitely come back for that skillet. My friends' skillets were a little bland compared to mine and the coffee was burnt. Overall great place with friendly workers.
(4)
Ling H.

Melrose is an awesome diner. My corn beef hash and eggs were delicious and their homemade salsa was to die for. I love this diner. It's super chilled; the staff is nice, the owner, Theodora, is super cool. AND....they have free Wi-Fi. Highly recommend this place when you are alone or with a group.
(5)
Cheryl A.

Good for simple breakfast and late night fare. They do the basics decently and have some good twists on the usual diner fare. I've only had breakfast type food here.
(4)
Oskie C.

It used to be a great place with great food. To bad it used to be... Now it's a below average that looks more like a retirement house.
(1)
Jared D.

Kind of wish I waited the 15-20 minutes to go to Stella's instead, as it's one of my favorite breakfast spots in the area. But since we didn't want to wait, we tried Melrose for the first time this morning and the experience was just OK. I got the chicken omelet, which was huge, but fairly empty inside. There was barely any veggies or chicken, so that was annoying. Also, my menu said there was no additional charge for an egg white omelet, so I pointed this out to my waitress when she said it was $1.25 extra, and she wouldn't honor it. Not a huge deal, but they should probably make sure the menu's are all consistent. My gf had the poblano benedict and it was good, much better mine. I would go back to Melrose for late night grub, but won't return for breakfast if I don't have to .
(2)
Isaac C.

I ordered delivery of a 4 dollar large orange juice and chocolate milkshake and got half of what seemed to be the smallest cup I've ever seen. Terrible customer service, overpriced, and not good quality. The milkshake wasn't even a full glass, 1/4 of it was gone and was the sorriest excuse for a milkshake I've ever seen. Hash Browns were dry and stale, and the omelet was disgusting. I called them back and they wouldn't even work with me. Worst customer service ever. They said what they sent me was a large. The regular shake I bought was twice as large as they cup of the tiniest orange juice cup I've ever seen. Beware, this place sucks.
(1)
Rich S.

I'm sure hoping with the new management coming in that Melrose will return to the past when it comes to delicious food and great service
(3)
Adrianne C.

Food is always great, but the manager/owner guy is yelling at an employee every time I'm in here. It's so rude and off putting. He makes me never want to come back.
(2)
Robyn R.

Pricey for a plain old diner...$9 for the French Dip, and then an additional $1.50 for fries, which should have been included in the price. Plain diner food, no frills...the waiter was a bit slow. Wasn't that happy with the pricing or the service.
(2)
Brittany M.

Its been over a day & I cant shake what happened. Take out order for a blackened chicken sandwich. Went to pick up the order 10 minutes later than it was scheduled to be done. A man stands at the front counter-offers no help. I ask about takeout, he points to a woman in the back writing something. I wait another 5 minutes before she acknowledges me- says to go back to the front counter. She grabs a few drinks for one of the only 5 tables with people at them dining in. Finally coming to me at her leisure. THEN without one word, hands me a bill with a line through the total $13.51 contrary to the menu price. I ask, I'm sorry what is the price of this chicken sandwich!? She looks at the ticket and says, "total $15.95". Ummm, nooo? I grab a menu and show her the price $9.95. She says $10.95. I didn't realize this was a negotiation?? Anyways, I handed her $11 and left. HOW IS IT OKAY TO CHARGE GUEST MORE THAN MENU PRICE? How is it okay to ignore carry out guest? Bc its a smaller tip? Oh yea, the sandwich was bone dry and there were only 6 soggy fries. Wound up in the garbage. So very disappointed in Melrose service now. Not going back.
(1)
Carrie D.

DO NOT!! I Repeat DO NOT waste your time dining here.... Unless you enjoy being treated like your business isn't welcomed on top of receiving horrible service!!!!! From the moment I walked in to be seated, everything was so unprofessional. I myself have been working in restaurants for 10 years as a server, bartender, manager and cringed at how poorly this place was ran. The owner was just resting up at the front table watching everyone come in for a table. A huge line was forming to be seated and to pay your bill up front. This poor host ( who is only one person!) obviously can't do it all!! That's when YOU, the manager, should be stepping in to help and make sure everything is ran smoothly! After waiting 5 min.. He precedes to just point to the table to sit at for each customer walking in. Mind you, he never walks anyone to the table or even brings menus!!! I sit at our booth watching this man just do absolutely nothing while the servers are scrambling to tables and the host has a line forming out the door. We sat at our booth for a good 10 min before we even received menus.. With our server even saying out loud to us- " it would help if he would seat people with menus instead of just pointing where to seat!" I laughed and realized I wasn't being too picky or crazy and asked her if he was the manager because he doesn't seem to do much of anything.she agreed! Hahaa WOW...Even your employees think it! I watched all the waitresses get yelled at to hurry up and to get to tables-couldn't stop shaking my head. Down to never receiving glasses with our water pitcher, no refills, no smile, to not even getting the right change back by the host.. Who couldn't even figure out math for a $25 check! That's prolly why there was a line forming! Might want to get some new staff and learn how to properly run a restaurant! I'll never go back! So many other amazing diners nearby!
(1)
Andrea S.

For a typical diner, it was exactly was I expected - friendly owner (I'm assuming he was the owner) who saw us to our table, good services, low cost, and quick food. I'm glad this 24hr place is down the block from me. I had the fajita skillet - spicy and cheesy! The sunnyside-up eggs on top were perfectly cooked but the hash browns were nothing special. I forgot to mention they carry intelligentsia coffee - definitely a plus for me!
(4)
Dane M.

Food has always been good. One of the best tuna melts Ive ever had. However they seem to run out of things like straws and diet coke which I thought was pretty weird.
(3)
April J.

I've given this place a solid three chances. And its terrible. Food is low quality, and the service is too. I'm not a huge fan of chain restaurants but id rather go to IHOP
(2)
Randall S.

I just wanted a sandwich. The food was okay, hot but bland. The waitress was friendly and cool, we all laughed when she tried to hit us up for cigs hahaha but we don't smoke. The problem came with the bill. NONE of my items were the same price as what was on the menu. The grilled cheese was 6 dollars and the chicken I asked to be added was an extra 5 dollars (not 2 like the menu said). Same with the tiny glass of apple juice......75 cents more than advertised. When I asked about this, I was told, not my problem, pay as requested. 16 dollars total for what I ordered, 6 more dollars than the total on the menu. I can accept bad service or meh food but NEVER already overpriced food being up charged. Don't go here. I never will again.
(1)
Lynn O.

This place has been a staple in my life for 25 years. The service is always spot - on (though sometimes they are slow on the coffee refills) but the food is terrific and the atmosphere is welcoming. The new menu is healthy and diverse but keeps the usual suspects. It was a second home to me as an 80's bartender, and a welcoming spot as a Lakeview mom. Love it!
(5)
Elise K.

I like this diner. The food is consistent and its open 24-7. In the summer, I love to sit outside and enjoy brunch. In the winter this place is warm and inviting. The food is inexpensive and portions are large. The staff is well trained and are good to talk to. If you are looking for a "home cooked" meal that isn't at home, this is your place. My favorites include: Breakfast skillets Pancakes (buttermilk, buckwheat) Club Sandwich (esp the California, no mayo, add bacon) Stuffed Peppers (one of the specials) Cabbage soup (I have this every time I eat something other than breakfast) Grilled Cheese (its a double decker sandwich - 3 slices of Texas toast and 4 cheeses) I continue to go back and carry out over and over. Yes, it is a diner, but it has charm in the food.
(4)
Scott H.

Absolutely terrible! Went in for late night food. Waited for almost an hour then when we sat were told the kitchen was backed up and we would have to wait a half hour to even order! The restaurant was only half full. The staff was rude and not helpful. Do not go here...I'll never go back!
(1)
Maurice H.

I went there with my hungry 2 year old daughter and we got no service after a half hour of waiting (it wasn't even really busy). We walked out thanks for the horrible experience!
(1)
Brandon F.

For quite awhile Melrose has been going down the toilet..The owner was very cheap and didn't care about his people or customers..The place was turning into a dump. All the staff quit and I stopped going too. They were running out of food and had new people every week which would be gone the next week. I went back two nights ago and what a difference. I met a new manager who was on top of everything. Like a General in charge of his army..The place is being remodeled and looking good. Service was fast and it was very busy. I think they got rid of the older cashiers who were Greek and rude. The new manager was very friendly and I will be sure to go back soon.I food was very good and it was a fun experience.
(4)
Kaleigh G.

I have lived in the area for over a year and keep coming back to this neighborhood favorite for the welcoming service, delicious food and great atmosphere. I love that they participate in all community events, and that their staff actually seems to enjoy being at work - even if it's 3 am. I love the potato pancakes, club sandwiches and fluffy omelets! And though it's just a little thing, I always save one last bite of room to grab some of the Jelly Beans from the cashier's area on my way out.
(4)
Sara H.

I don't remember to write reviews often. I tend to do so when something stands out which is the reason for this one. My waiter, the hostess & other employees were exceptionally friendly. I had lemon blueberry pancakes, apple chicken sausage and coffee. Pancakes had big fresh blueberries and sausage was light and paired well. They serve Intelligentsia coffee which I tried for the first time Really nice. I learned tips about the city & had a relaxing breakfast. If you are looking for a tr ulys welcoming restaurant and good food, this is the place.
(5)
Bryan S.

Entire party (4 of us) got a minor case of food poisoning. Food tasted fine at the time (regretted it later). 2 stars for the friendly service. Not bad if you're looking for a late night place for dinner (assuming you won't get food poisoning).
(2)
Chelsea D.

I absolutely love diner food. Nothing is as great as being starving and sitting down to a multiple page menu of comfort food. Melrose definitely satisfies any diner-food craving. My favorite is the hot open-faced turkey sandwich. Also- my favorite mashed potatoes in Chicago. I think the prices are a little high for the food- my husband and I somehow threw down $35 one time for breakfast, but it's still a favorite of mine. It's also a pretty big restaurant and I never had to wait for a table.
(4)
Katrina F.

I'd give Melrose a solid 3.55 stars. Grade school math taught me I need to round up. I've lived in the neighborhood and been coming here for 8 years.Eating in, depending on what time of day, night or wee early hours of the morning can vastly change you're experience in here. I've had great service to average to blah service. Food: The menu has high and low lights. I've had terrific, HUGE vegetable filled omelets, a delicious turkey bacon club with REAL turkey and freshly baked bread, a Greek salad with scrumptious toppings but too much iceberg and a less than stellar, not memorable breakfast burrito that had a funky sauce. Their soups are delicious and come with fresh bread. Melrose is a neighborhood staple that I have embraced. In a area being invaded by chains, it's nice to see this mom and pop stop survive and thrive.
(4)
Joe S.

Average food, at best. The only redeeming quality is the outdoor patio. Great spot to people-watch on a nice day. Other than that, the servers are pretty surly and the owner/management is downright unfriendly.
(2)
Dan K.

Melrose USED to be the place I frequented 3 times a week. But I doubt I will ever go back. Sure, the new decor is nice, but the new staff is terrible, unfriendly and the new TINY menu is way overpriced (the sandwiches and burgers no longer come with fries) and is just trying too hard to be something it's not. Melrose, you lost your charm. You even took down the photos from past Halloweens and the ads for local events. You used to be a part of the community. Sad to see that you'll end up going under within the year. Damn shame.
(2)
Drew W.

Odd changes happening to a long-standing Lakeview favorite. Going a little upscale with the decor; new booths, some unfinished wood on the walls, etc. Menu is different, whacking you for sides for a couple of bucks now. Everything seems to have gotten a little expensive for what it is. Food has not improved much, not that it was bad though. I miss the banana for a garnish on the omelet plates. Server was very nice, better than the last two I had there. One was hopped up I swear and the other announced he was mostly deaf so he couldn't promise he would get our orders right. This one was very pleasant, though very tentative (it was her second day) and unsure of herself. Odd thing, when the waitress first approached the table she let us know we couldn't order sandwiches or pastas because they only had one cook working. Ummmmm, huh? What is so hard about sandwiches? So there goes having a Reuben. Seriously, there were 10 people in the place, including our party of two, and four were just having dessert. Oh, and there are no pastas on the menu we got. Odd. Went with breakfast as it was after 11pm on a Saturday evening. Omelet my lady friend ordered was good, my Meat Lover's "skillet," while served on a plate (?) was okay. Waitress was attentive. Place is clean. I miss the old Melrose.
(2)
Justin S.

I have been frequenting Melrose Diner for years. It has traditionally been a location with great food, friendly service, reasonable prices, and large portions. They also have the most delicious soup to eat on a cold winter day! However, on my most recent 09/07 visit everything changed... New smaller menu. Food was poorly prepared. (soggy hash browns) The AC was off. There were flys and gnats circling my head (felt like eating inside a barn). Service was spotty. Prices had gone up. And my stomach was upset the minute I left. Sadly, Melrose has lost a loyal customer if higher prices on lower quality food, served in an unsanitary environment is the new direction they are taking the business. Hopefully they will work harder to maintain the higher standards that made them one of the most popular diners in Lakeview East.
(2)
Joshua D.

This place is ok. We used to go often when we first moved to Chicago (~3 years ago) but now I'd only go if someone else asked me to go there or if I didn't feel like walking to another place (because it's really close to my home). They revised the menu recently. It includes more vegetarian options (a plus) but the new options aren't that great to me. It feels like they tried to upscale it a bit with the new menu and renovations, but I'm not a big fan of either. Also, the service is usually mediocre at best.
(3)
Monica B.

I LOVE MELROSE DINER! This place is amazing! Everything you want in a diner. The neighborhood/friendly feel, generous portions and naughty foods. They are open 24 hours, there's always something going on and the food is great. My favs are the grilled cheese, blackened chicken sandwich (has a nice kick to it) and overall great soups. In the summer you got a banana with your entrees too, that's just the cherry on top! Go to for late nights!
(5)
gary m.

The waitress April is the best , very gay friendly and outgoing, always has a smile very upbeat personality , I read a message from Larry , who mentioned April , waitresses were arguing, April loves everyone and She's a Boys town girl .
(5)
Kevin L.

What happened to Melrose Restaurant ??? When I lived in the neighborhood years ago, this was a great place to eat inexpensive but delicious food from an extensive menu. I revisited today and can't believe how things have changed. Gone is the variety on the menu, the great atmosphere, and friendly service. Our waiter, Chuck, was so snotty and inattentive that I had to go over to the manager and ask what was wrong because my friend and I were pretty much ignored the whole time. No offers for drink refills, no asking if we wanted to try dessert, and a seriously snotty attitude (i'm not being overly sensitive). Trust me, we are guys who love to eat and they could have made a small fortune off us. Instead we got rudeness and contempt as customers. Hey Melrose, lose the attitude if you plan on staying in business. 2 stars for decent food (potato cakes with Hollandaise sauce) and god people watching from the windows. Otherwise, pass by Melrose Restaurant and try much better options on Broadway/Halsted. Even IHOP has a better menu selection and way better and friendlier staff !!!
(2)
Jessica G.

I love, love, love this place. Sometimes you just want the comfort and relaxation of a diner, but you have to settle for crappy diner coffee and short-order breakfast. Not here! It's got the ambiance of a comfy diner down to the pleather booths and rotating dessert case, but with GOOD coffee (Intelligentsia I believe) and really good food as well. Fresh squeezed juice, delicious french toast, amazing savory skillets and scrambles (love the pesto-laden 'Green Eggs and Ham'!) and I've never left unsatisfied.
(5)
Sean S.

Melrose food IS great dinner food. The HAD a great menu, friendly staff, and the prices were great. Been going here for the most part 2-3 nights a week for nearly a year since I moved down the street. Fast forward a few weeks and they have a new menu (TERRIBLE, and prices have gone through the roof) the staff has turned over (it's like they don't understand they are in the service industry), and no one seems to care. Luckily the cooks will still serve off menu items or I would not be going here anymore. My advice stick to the old Melrose, if you need to raise prices a bit because costs are going up, so be it, but reducing the menu to nothing, raising prices astronomically and making customers pay for all of the different sides, is not going to work. You will run your customers right to other restaurants and dinners. Remember this is not fine dining and if I am going to pay $16 for a burger it is not going to be at a dinner.
(1)
Adrienne T.

This place reminds of a restaurant my grandparents would take me to. I can only comment on the brunch. It's a fairly standard eatery with large portions and an all-american fare menu. I had an omelet but it was more like a scrambler......not bad though. Plus :They do have outside seating and the coffee is surprisingly good.
(3)
Zack H.

I spent the better part of my morning in the windy 20 degree Chicago weather waiting for my friend to finish running in some stupid 8k race. I couldn't feel my feet and snot was running down my nose. That was preferable to my experience at this social experiment gone wrong. First off, they brought a thing of water out for us but didn't give us cups for like 10 minutes. They gave us silverware for 1 out of 4 seats. The lady kept trying to bring other table's food to us as if she had no idea what the hell was going on. To top it all off, the bathroom sink had the weakest water pressure of all time. Picture an old man with a weak prostate squeezing out the last drops of his morning prune juice. That's just what you want after taking a dump. In all, we waited about 50 minutes before our food got to us after sitting down. Here are some things you can do in 50 minutes: Attend a one credit hour college course. Watching two episodes of a TV show. Run an 8k. Go to the store, buy groceries, cook breakfast yourself, clean dishes. Anyways, I'd rather spend another morning out in the cold because at least in the cold I got to look at gams.
(2)
Karl S.

#HaDrinking coffee with my sister, will let you know how it turns out. Turned out awesome; definitely eat there.
(5)
J R.

The old man dies and the son or grandson is running the place to the ground. I use to eat here from 2001-2010 and what a great dinner it use to be. You would come for breakfast before you headed to the lake or a neighborhood fest or late night after drinking at the bars. Waitress would laugh with you and the owner shook everyone's hand or stopped at the table to say hi. Today, its a different story & what a sad story it is. I went back the other day and the remolding looks great but that's about all I can say. Ordered a sampler and was told they are out of mozzarella sticks, onion rings & jalapenos poppers. What dinner is this that they are out of the most popular stuff people order, its like being out of pancakes at a pancake house. No one was happy and the place was empty (always busy no matter time of day back in the day). My advice to the son or grandson who is the owner now, good luck because in a few years the doors of this place will hit you on the ass as you run this great place into the ground. Money does not grow on trees son, you need customers. Will never return again, found myself a new dinner that is actually a dinner and has food in stock.
(1)
Tom K.

Came in for a late night snack. Had the monte cristo and it was pretty darn good. Would return. The menu is rather large and the prices low. Can't go wrong for a late night diner.
(3)
Kristine N.

Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night dining, Melrose is the place to go. They are so accomodating with their menu and it's very helpful. Really great prices for the amount you get.
(4)
Mike C.

To be fair, we were warned as we walked in that they were short staffed that evening. And my friend said that she has been there multiple times with no problems. That fact earns Melrose a sympathy star. But our service was terrible. I know the employees can't do much about under staffing, but come on. It can't take that long to make a skillet, and the restaurant wasn't even half full. We ordered our food and were treated to some bread, which was nice. The soup took a while, but it wasn't an unreasonable amount of time. After that, nothing. Our waitress didn't even check on us once for another 45 to 50 minutes. Finally, we flagged her down to check on the progress of the food. Turns out, the food had been sitting under the heat lamp for quite some time. All in all, it took over an hour between the time we walked in the door to the time we got our lukewarm food. By then we were so hungry and tired, we just gulped it down, paid, and left. We weren't offered free drinks or a discount of any kind for all of that. I'd be happy to go back at a time when they are properly staffed, as I've heard this place can be great. But after our experience, I can't in good conscious give this place any higher than 2 stars.
(2)
Kris P.

While I really want to like this place, the service has been horrendous the last 3 times we came here for a late breakfast. It takes forever for someone to stop by and take your order, the food takes forever to get to your table, and the servers will forget your stuff over and over again. I'm mainly talking about brunch on the weekends. They never seem to have enough servers. Today we got there at 11:45 a.m. to have brunch. We were seated quickly which was great since the place was packed. However, we were seated at a corner booth and for 20 minutes we just sat there waiting for someone to stop by and take our order. We watched one waiter pass our table 7 or 8 times and he didn't even make eye contact. After waiting 20 full minutes with no server, we walked out. We also overheard a guy at the table next to us complain to his server that their food was taking too long and they were going to have to leave. He was furious. The last time we came here, it was a similar story. Took about 15 minutes for the server to come by and even take our drink orders. Then it took about 40 minutes to get pancakes. We were there for probably an hour and a half just for breakfast, and that was not our choosing. The time before that was the same thing. We have officially given up on this place. We will be going to Stella's or The Bagel down the street on Broadway. Service is much, much better.
(2)
John D.

I went here twice during my last Chicago stay, mainly because my friend goes here all the time and knows all the staff. And plus they use Belly. Score (STL needs to step up their universal dining rewards game)! My friend told me this place was a diner I always give them low expectations. However Melrose has top-notch food. They even have a large selection of loose tea to choose from! It is a great way to warm up from the chilly winds outside. They sometimes give you free refills depending on the waiter. I also really enjoyed the food I had. It was a penne pasta and they were happy in removing the chicken for my dietary restrictions. The waitress that day even warned me about the chicken before she put the order in. I will obviously be back for the ambiance of a 24-hour "diner," and the extensive playlist of disco music that they played every time I was there. Oh yes!
(4)
Christina F.

I'm being generous for giving them 2 stars. The prices are way to high for the crap they serve. I went there with a group of 4 and the bill came out to about $50. Two skillets, a turkey burger, and a BLT for $50? You have got to be joking. The only redeeming quality is that its open 24 hours. We had been drinking all night, nothing heavy just a few beers and some mixed drinks. We were pretty buzzed when we walked into Melrose around 1am. We sat in a booth and was greeted by our waiter, Patrick, who was loud, obnoxious, and a bit judgmental (well in our opinion). He seemed like the type of person who is super nice to your face while making fun of you behind your back. He flirted with every man in the place, I guess I'm just not into seeing someone who's bringing me food try to get it in. Anyway, the food came and it was so disappointing for the price. The sausage on my skillet was so disgusting and that's pretty telling since I had been drinking and hadn't ate since noon. My eggs were hard and leathery, my toast was soggy. My friend didn't even touch his turkey burger. I will say that the fries were really good for steak cut ones. All in all, I probably won't be back here unless I know Patrick doesn't work here anymore. And if I ever stumble in there, I'll just get some steak fries.
(2)
Johnny T.

Barring the veracity of a TERRIBLE rumor concerning the employment of a rockstar employee... after an exhausting night of great highs (and skipping the lows. Yay!), winding down with banana cake topped with vanilla sauce and ice cream, HOMEMADE CHERRY LIMEADE and words of sass/wisdom spoken with a southern drawl, all the while listening to the tap-tap-tap of a rainstorm that you missed by *this* much... is a fantastic way to end the day. No doubt. At times like those, I don't know what I would do without the Melrose. I am hoping against hope, the rumors are false and more such nights are in my future. 4-stars for hope and memories.
(4)
Sandy F.

I am glad I live close to this place. We come here for breakfast every once in a while on the weekends and its always good. As an east coast girl I just can't explain the joy in finding a good diner where you feel like you can go with your friends and drink coffee and just hang out for a while. It reminds me of a diner I used to go to back home. We've always had good service and we've never felt rushed. One of these days we'll have to try out their regular lunch/dinner menu.
(3)
Cesar M.

Driving by the hood with a cuople of friends coming from a bar and they wanted to eat here. I wanted to give this place another chance so... The problem with some places is that thay are almost good but the small important details bring them down. I gotta say that the patty on the burger I ordered was better. I ordered the acapulco burger which comes with avocado (I love avocado big, small, hass, butter or paper skin) Well they bring the burger with not avocado but old guac. really old guac. It was really brown and that is not acceptable. Good base but they miss on the details
(3)
Mike D.

Great breakfast food. It's a diner but a bit bigger so you don't feel so crammed. Our waitress, Linda, was awesome...exactly how every waitress should be. I had the southwestern skillet and it was amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)
Max L.

Live on the block, and this has become a regular! Breakfast is all good, great with a banana that comes with each order and some fresh squeezed juice (not free). Cabbage soup is very flavorful and full of vege's (chicken soup not so much) and the 4 cheese grilled cheese is great. They have daily specials that would surprise anyone, including stuffed peppers, pot roast, and many others. The "Yankee Pot Roast" is a Friday special that is served over pasta with a potato pancake. I was surprised at how tender to roast was, absolutely no knife required. Great balance of textures with the pasta and crunchy potato pancake. Not everything is incredible, but for a neighborhood diner, this is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (open 24 hours)!
(4)
Jessica B.

How do you screw up a milkshake? To answer this question, visit Melrose Restaurant, home of the most offensive milkshake you'll ever drink. I say "drink" because their milkshakes are 100% liquid; in fact, I'm positive mine was just frothy milk. My boyfriend and I ordered chocolate milkshakes and were convinced they accidentally gave us chocolate milk. When I asked if their shakes were made of ice cream, the waitress replied "Ummmm, I think so?" ... right. I can't speak for their food because I'm never going back to try it. Their dessert case looked sad and gross and a bug crawled across our table right after we got the check. They're a 24-hour establishment so I would suggest going when your under the influence and your taste buds are horny. Otherwise, save your money and time and check out one of the MANY other superior diners in the neighborhood.
(1)
E P.

I don't care what anyone says, but this is one of my favorite diners in the whole world. The sweet and sour cabbage soup is one of my favorite foods in the whole world. Yes it's that good. And the vegetarian options are always plentiful.
(5)
Lori R.

OMGoodness. Get the egg white omelets they are heaven, pure heaven. Service is ALWAYS friendly and great. Its a diner... Enjoy!
(4)
Tony D.

My plate, silverware and glass were all dirty; not just with waterspots but food that was caked on. The food was awful in fact we had one sandwich removed from our bill because it had spoiled vegetables on it. I will not go back.
(1)
Anna D.

I live in the neighborhood & wish this place was better. Got an omelet with cheese once. Instead of the cheese being in the omelet they put a slice on top and tried to melt it...I think, smdh. Can't even convince my 8yr old nephew to go anymore. I gave it two stars because the people are nice an it's 24hrs.
(2)
Alicia C.

There are only 3 things I like from this place but these 3 things are really awesome. I am bona fide addicted to their cabbage soup. The best cabbage soup ever. Unique sweet/sour/salty flavor that's absolutely delicious. Comes with bread and crackers --- would not recommend the bread because often stale and the servers cut the bread using bare hands. I also really like their hummus. Tastes too damn good to be healthy. Comes with warm soft pita and great vegetables. And randomly, I also really like their pickles. Other than those 3 items, I would not particularly recommend anything other food item off their menu.
(3)
Brandon V.

4 stars for the selection and taste of food, as well as the service. / 2 stars for the price of said food, as well as the absence of WiFi. = 3 stars.
(3)
Ashley O.

Perhaps I just had a bad experience. I love diners (Clarks, Nookies.. love them), but Melrose did not stack up for me. First of all, I felt like our waitress hated us as she wouldn't smile and seemed very unhappy the whole time. My hummus tasted funny, the turkey in my salad was marbled with fat (read: overly processed), and my boyfriend said his burger wasn't very good either. I will say the bread they served before the meal was delish. Although we only live a few blocks away, I am sad to report we will not be back here.
(2)
Jelena Z.

Melrose has quickly become my go-to choice for late-night dining. Two visits in two weeks! Both times, I had the pleasure of getting waited on by Eddie, a fine gentleman with a Southern accent and a warm disposition. He's super patient when I change my order, and seems unfazed when my dining companions ordered a smorgasbord of sauces and sides. The menu has just the right amount of everything. Solid burgers and sandwiches seem the way to go here, though I haven't yet tried the breakfast items. Also, do order the cabbage soup! There's just something about it. Pretty decent value considering you get bread when you sit down, plus soup and fries (or a side of your choosing) with burgers/sandwiches. The coffee is hot with frequent refills, and Eddie will brew a fresh pot of decaf should you need it. Lifesaving service right here!
(4)
Stefanie G.

I've been going to Melrose for a few years with friends and we love it. The egg white omelets are fluffy and amazing. We've never had a problem with service or had a hard time getting a table. Great place for breakfast!
(4)
Ben R.

Had breakfast here 2 days in a row. Both days service was good and food was very decent. The diner is what you expect from a place that's open 24 hours a day. Will definitely come back here again.
(3)
Michael B.

Good stuff! We had breakfast here this morning and were very impressed. It's a little bit higher end in terms of price, but the food is EXCELLENT and portion sizes were very reasonable. A fun place to take out-of-towners.
(4)
Jessie G.

Great service. The place smells a bit like my grandma's house (in the onion, garlic way, not the fresh cake and apple pie way). The vegetable soup was great and tasted exactly like her's - but with more veggies! It's also really cheap and I can't wait to stop by on a cold winter today. My hamburger was really good. My husband had the house salad with his meal and said it wasn't great, the lettuce was too wet, but other than that we'll definitely go back. Oh and the owner was nice, btw! Food is average, but service, selection and price made up for it.
(5)
Sam C.

I didn't think it was possible for a diner to mess up nachos or burgers as much as Melrose did. The ONE requirement for nachos is for melty cheese. Like, seriously, the only necessary requirement. Even tortilla chips could be substituted for, like, potato chips or something but as long as the cheese is sufficiently melty, I'd be cool with it. Yet somehow my nachos came out with very little melty cheese. My boyfriend ordered a burger, which was absolutely mediocre and overcooked, but the fries were decent. Of course, the fries being good were the only thing served in moderation. Boo. Our waiter, however, was very good and nice, so that earned this restaurant another star. But seriously, if you can go to any other diner, you should.
(2)
Cameron H.

Overall decent place. A little better than your typical greasy spoon. I've been here numerous times, mostly after the bars. I've never had an issue with this place. This time, I ordered a skillet (jalapenos, mex sausage, onions and cheese). It was tasty and heavy. I would go back as the food was decent and the service was good!!
(4)
Courtney C.

To start, Melrose has a diner feel and very laid back atmosphere, which I very much enjoyed! The place was packed as it was the afternoon after the St. Paddy's Day celebration in Chicago. The reason for only three stars is because the service was rather slow. It took at least 10 minutes for us to be greeted at the door, mind you, we weren't the only ones waiting and then it took even longer to have our waiter come up to us once we were seated. Obviously, it looked like they had a few employees be no shows possibly from partying too much the night before! I thought the food was great and so was the coffee, which they serve Intelligentsia, which I like! I would def try this place again in the future just not on a day after a big party night like st paddys day!
(3)
Justine M.

Everytime i've eaten here I always get a huge amount of food. Which is expected for the price (or should be at least). Decent diner food (Better to go for breakfast). open 24 hours which is always good. More european-ish rather than american diner food.
(3)
Jarvis A.

The service was great. The food was average. Not bad, but decent. To be fair, this was my first time and I ordered the chili cheese burger. So maybe that wasn't their shining star item.
(3)
Talia T.

Packed night, still got a booth for 4. Prices slightly high, but decent portions. Service was great by our waitress, she offered more than enough coffee refills. She was also very specific on the dishes that were still available to order. Again, it was packed so the food took a little longer to get to our table. We had to pay up front at the register & the man was just a bit grumpy. If it weren't for this man who put us off at the register, we might go back.
(3)
S J.

I travel a lot for work and eat in a lot of diners, Melrose is by far the best I've been to in the whole USA. Quote me on that. Especially the southwest skillet, w poached eggs!
(5)
Andy R.

Oh how the might has fallen. I've been in the neighborhood for a few years. I have been to Melrose a bazillion times (and have already reviewed them twice before). However, I am going to stop going there because of my latest experience. I went there with some friends for some late night food. I understand late night service is slower than day time service, but it was a little much. We waited over 45 minutes to receive our food. I had another friend join us and order 20 mins after we ordered, and we still waited another 25 mins to get the food. I'm not sure if the waitress put a hold on the order until all the food was made, but even 25 mins is too long for a diner. To make matters worse, when I went to pay, I had trouble. I asked the manager at the register to help split our check two ways. He said "I can only split it 5 ways because there are 5 items. Talk to your waitress if you want it split differently." Umm ok. After I explained the waitress was MIA he got her for me. The waitress simply rewrote the items on a different check, and then starred the ones to be combined. Then the manager just manually added those items up on a calculator. Why couldn't he do that to begin with? Other notables about how this place has fallen is there prices have increased, and the service has decreased. Now, there service was never "great," but its worse now. I'd rather go to other restaurants now--either Stellas, or the Edge.
(2)
Jordan M.

The most redeeming quality about Melrose is that they're opening all the time. I'm a big fan of the diner setting, so unless something amazing pops out at me, it's just another nice place to go to. The food is pretty greasy, and as my predecessors have said, the breakfast is the best thing to go for.
(3)
Peter N.

Interior is very spacious, except you're cramped once you sit down - not sure how they accomplished that. The men's bathroom was dirty - standing water in the stall. However, actually a decent price considering the location. Food isn't excellent, but it's diner food done right. Asked for fruit cup with meal - got hashbrowns and a sad banana instead.
(3)
Daniel C.

This place was great. The service was quick and attentive. I got a gigantic chili cheese burger that was cooked as ordered. My friend got a turkey burger with avocado on it (i think) and she enjoyed half then and half for lunch the next day. We went during normal dinner hours but I bet this place is great for late night sobering up hours.
(4)
Ed U.

Where's Heather Locklear? Where's that guy who couldn't act? What do you mean which one? youtube.com/watch?v=X1WIâ€¦ ...is it me or were there 79 moussed-up SoCal "actors" under the age of 35 featured in those opening credits? This ain't no WeHo apartment complex. No, no. The bloom has definitely faded from this plastic rose, as this old-fashioned diner is strictly for the late-night munchies. But the owner is in his gray suit making sure his staff is being attentive and keeping his third eye on the cash register. Lots of Naugahyde booths sometimes held together by duct tape. The menu is nothing special, but it is indeed a 24-hour joint ,and well, I was hungry near midnight after seeing the campy "Shear Madness" at the Chicago Theater. I had the $7.45 BL&T Club sandwich, which was standard issue, and came with a huge pile of steak fries (I imagine they had been sitting in the warmer since dinner). The service was courtesy of a veteran waitress, the "What'll you have, hon'?" variety, who was spending the rest of her time hand-making holiday decorations. The owner must love her. You could do worse...and I think half those people in the Melrose Place credits aren't working now. Perhaps they could get jobs here. FOOD - 3 stars...standard diner fare AMBIANCE - 2.5 stars...its glory has faded and so has the Naugahyde SERVICE - 3 stars..."Just holler if you want anything else. I'll be cutting up snowflakes." TOTAL - 3 stars...barely but hey, it's open 24/7
(3)
AnaPhylaxis B.

Waffles with walnuts yummy. Quick service (at that time), the food was quite good and I liked it's proximity to where I needed to be. Place was clean I love diners and this place would be one of those that would be easy to get to and not a lot of decisions to be made. It has all the usual diner staples, laid back atmosphere and a nice place for a quick stop. We actually went here because we just came from a fancier place and I was STILL starving. Melrose to the rescue.
(3)
Meghan C.

I really liked this place. We came here just after the 5k Dash for Detection, so I had worked up quite the appetite. We went in and were seated right away. The only downfall was that it took a while for our server to come to the table, they were short a cook, so apparently they had to push back serving Lunch? that was kind a bummer because we had a few people who wanted lunch items and we had to wait even longer to order. I had the meat-lovers skillet and it was DELICIOUS!!! I ate every bit of it and you get a banana! I though that was pretty neat, but I already had my banana for that day, so I just saved it for later. Also, if you are going to have separate Checks, let your server know before you stand in line at the register because the man will not do it at the counter. What was kind of frustrating too because we had to hunt down our server, and then stand in line again. Over all, great food, but some of the service is kind of lacking - thats where they lost a star.
(4)
Yves M.

You'll find me here every Saturday morning for breakfast. Best skillets around. Try the meat eater's skillet, tremendous. The Lox plate/sandwich is also terrific - rare to find good quality Lox at a diner. A homie environment with the friendliest good looking waitresses. This place never closes - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
(4)
Derek B.

This place feels like home. It's the first place I went in Chicago, and I've been going back for years. Service is always good, the menu is more diverse than a typical diner, and the prices are great. I love the location, too.
(5)
Todd M.

I would eat here all the time when I lived in the area. I went back tonight and I was throughly disappointed. The food was ok (nothing special) but the service awful. The person who rang us up was extremely rude and blamed us for not telling the waitress to split our check. She told us she has worked in "fine dining" and the customers who eat at Melrose are not fine dining customers. Since when is it ok to blame the customer? The whole experience left a really bad impression on our entire group. With so many great places to eat in the area, I definitely will not be back to this restaurant again.
(2)
Adrienne G.

Melrose is a mediocre diner that is one of the few late night places in the area. The service is what one would expect from a diner. The food is just disappointing, not the best, but it is mostly edible. The food is like Lucy moving the football out of the way so Charlie Brown busts his tuckus on the ground. I want to give this place 2.5 stars but considering that every time that I have come here, for take away and to sit down, I have never been impressed. It is like Eggsperience in that respect. That being said, I know I am going to wind up here on some late late night when I'm in the hood. And I will try to kick that football, only to have it moved away moments before I can get to it. But hey, at least I know there's somewhere to go when I'm starving, in Lakeview, and everywhere else is closed.
(2)
Aaron B.

There are greasy spoons and then there is Melrose. Back in Detroit I used to go to a chain called Rams Horn after a long night out and Melrose is the adult equivalent of Rams Horn here in Chicago. Did you stay out till 4am and the PBR has you feeling kind of hungry? Go to Melrose. Are you trying to save some money and want a buffet meal on a beer budget? Go to Melrose. I went here once for the 'Perch Dinner' which included the following: Cabbage soup Corn on the cob Cole slaw Perch ice cream dessert $9 = great deal Best part is the waitress was like one of my mom's euchre pals named Flo. Right on Broadway just north of Belmont this is the place to go after a fun night of bar hopping in Wrigleyville. Go here
(5)
Sopla R.

Pros first: Above average diner food. No frills here but thats..OK Portions, price point, tasty breakfast all good. Servers are always friendly enough and accommodating. Cons: why no line for a tip when you use a credit/debit card? I always wonder are they pooling tips here? is my server getting the tip? I think from now on I'm just going to leave cash tip.. maybe that's why they do that? I dunno.. but when I worked in a restaurant that did the pooled tips thing .. they still had a "tip line" just sayin'.. Does the mgr/owner that's always there EVER smile?? Seriously !! Menus have typos, cross outs, gross, how about just reprinting them and getting rid of those old ugly sleeves/menus!
(3)
Danielle N.

Disclaimer: This review is purely for their brunch. Delicious and huge fluffy omelettes. If you order an egg white omelette, it is almost even larger and fluffier than the regular eggs. Typical laid-back diner atmosphere with quick service and never a wait on a Saturday morning. They have a nice sidewalk seating area and open sliding door for nice days. If you live in the Lakeview area, definitely try it out!
(4)
Michael D.

Good standard diner fare. Sweet and Sour cabbage soup is excellent, and the burgers are pretty good too. For some reason they are always out of desserts (they've never had pie when I was there, which is weird for diner. Problems with our refrigerator, we ran out, etc.). Overall no major complaints. There is some limited outdoor seating in the summer, if for some reason you want to sit on a sidewalk in Lakeview.
(4)
Lauren P.

BANANA! We all got a banana with our entree, which I thought was super cute. Everyone should have a daily dose of their fruits right? We came to this cute diner after we did a 5k dash for pancreatic cancer. I ordered the vegetable skillet which was good, and my friend ordered the lemon blueberry pancakes. However, our friends from another table let us try their dish, the coconut french toast..... and it was the BOMB! The coconut french toast wasn't too sweet, just heavenly. Oh, and paciugos gelato is across the street ;)
(4)
Becky Y.

I'm really sad because this used to be one of my favorite places over the last few years. Sadly today I walked in and was totally surprised to see a totally new updated interior. To be fair they probably needed to do this BUT they used to be a restaurant with plentiful cheap options and fast service. Now that they've remodeled there's a line for a table which I guess I understand and good for them but they haven't hired new staff appropriately because it was over 10 minutes before we got waters or menus once seated. On top of that the new menu says "garnished with sides of salad, soup, or fries..." (Probably not worded exactly but they definitely say garnished) and then proceed to charge you an extra $1.50 if you choose to actually have those garnishments (actually $1.50 if you only have one side). Also I think the quality of the food has suffered. I ordered the taco salad with beef. They topped the salad with sloppy joe beef. Disgusting. They also now charge a hefty corking fee for byob-ing which they never did before. Super bummer. Used to be my favorite place. Now I'm not so sure I'll be back. Sorry Melrose
(2)
LA T.

Best thing about this place? There is always a seat. Food is mediocre but they do have a pretty decent breakfast sandwich. Oh and once, they gave me a coke in a filthy glass. Gross!
(3)
Joseph C.

most horrific restaurant experience I've ever had. starting with the waiter did not know anything of what to do or how to be a waiter we got a bottle of ketchup droped on the ground by the waiter a shard of glass in my foot, ordered a pot pie with a pastry on the bottom and basically chicken noodle soup dumped on top with mashed potatoes on the side. my girlfriend ordered a deluxe grill cheese which is three slices of bread and cheese in the middle we got 3 slices of bread in between two slices was cheese and in between the other two wear nothing. I basically got a grilled cheese with an extra piece of bread I will not be going back to this place considering I did talk to the manager and he looked at me as if I were speaking a language he's never heard. horrible experience I wouldn't recommend anybody going to this place.... - 4 stars
(1)
Kay K.

they just changed a menu, removed all my fevorite dishes. AND... bagel with lox is 13.95. it's way tooooo steep for 2 pieces of lox and the cheepest bagel you can find on the market. never going back!
(2)
Peter L.

Went here twice during a recent trip to Chicago. Great diner. Attentive waitstaff. The food is delicious -- very strongly recommend the cabbage soup. I'm not a big fan of that sort of thing but I tried it on my brother's recommendation, and I definitely would encourage others to do the same. Open 24 hours, extensive menu with lots of typical diner fare, and good food at reasonable prices. It's hard to stand out in a city like Chicago with so many good dining choices available -- but they do a solid job. Their only drawback is the parking situation (no lot, just the local street parking) which can be a bit painful. If you're already in the neighborhood though this is a good place to visit.
(4)
Robert S.

This place is ok...barely. Two stars is brutally honest. I've grown to like it over the years, but it's still a gritty dive that could use a makeover and sprucing up. There are a couple of great waitresses that seem to be here every time I stop by.
(2)
Cassie M.

I've been back a few more times and every time (except the first) have had crappy service. These girls stand around chatting, ask really stupid questions, act super awkwardly, and barely check on you at all. "Would you like a menu?" doesn't need to be asked when both people are reading menus. When someone asks what kind of pie you have, don't say "I would have to check" and then stand there all weird... go check! Do not bring me my check before asking if we wanted anything else. Don't visibly cringe when someone orders something. Don't make me ask for more water because you're too busy talking to the 2 other waitresses who are also ignoring tables. Ugh, I could keep going but I'm getting annoyed. Basically the only good service I've had here is from this sweet guy who said he's been there forever. He's funny and attentive. The rest seem to be useless.
(3)
Sai S.

The owner was yelling at the waitress in front of everyone. He collects tip but I guess he doesn't give the employees. I would just give them cash so at least they get their rightful tips.
(2)
Tom T.

My partner and I have been going to Melrose together a couple of times a week for over two years now. We have seen significant improvements lately, and we love some of the wait staff that has been there for a long time. However, the weekend day manager who does the seating is a major turn off and we avoid the place when we see him. Every time we visit, we ask for our favorite waitress. Unlike the other Melrose staff that know us and make us feel welcome, the weekend day manager is rude and often ignores our request for a particular waiter. Now I know this can be difficult when it is busy, and if he was polite there would be no problem. However, not only does he never welcome us or gives any indication that he recognizes us as loyal customers; he is often down right rude. In my opinion Melrose would be much better off without him. We would definitely eat there more often.
(3)
Michael H.

It's a diner, what can you say? I would only go for breakfast and would lunch/dinner elsewhere. However, I was shocked by how delicious the breakfast burrito was. Covered in mole sauce and stuffed with avocado and poblano peppers - delicious! Highly recommend.
(3)
Sam E.

If you are in Boystown late at night and need something to sustain the remainder of you late night out Check this place out if you haven't already. It's open all night. Ok so Melrose gets five stars for being a good diner. Hey, she knows what she is and she owns it!! Beth is a gem. Indecisive? She will help you make your own decision. Tried Sweet and Sour Cabbage soup for the first time and it was wonderful. The Ruben is good and so is the patty melt. More local than tourist and I love it.
(5)
Melanie A.

I love the variety of the menu and how many vegetarian options they have. I've ordered breakfast food, sandwiches, and soup here and it's all been pretty good. Definitely not the best I've had, but it's convenient. The servers aren't always the friendliest, but they're pretty fast even when the restaurant is busy. Melrose is my go-to if I want a full meal late at night.
(4)
Brian C.

This place has a great diner feel to it. It feels much more authentic than places like Clarks. Also, the waitresses are super models if you dig chicks...And then there are some older waitresses who will give you a little bit of sassy attitude, which I kinda like at a diner. As far as the food goes--eh, it's a diner. I like this place for what it is.
(4)
Albert H.

Pretty decent place. Typical food you'd expect from a diner, but it's a little more jazzed up here. I got their pizza burger once and that was a regrettable decision, but every other time I've had a great experience here. It's slightly pricier but worth it every now and then. Definitely try their Eggs Benedict.
(3)
Erika G.

Home of the Four Star BLT. When I was 8, and at a restaurant with my parents, I'd always order BLTs. I loved 'em. My mom made them at home also for Saturday lunches, and I couldn't get enough. Crunchy, salty, chewy, juicy. Mmmmmm! Perfect food, all the food groups are represented. Lunch, late night snack, or even breakfast - yum! Now, 40 years later, I'm still eating them. Do I have a limited palate, or do I just stick with things I love? I'll leave you to ponder that, those of you that know me. The BLT here is sublime. A double decker club packed with bacon goodness. Here on Yelp, where we are all bacon fetishists, we notice these proportions. The perfect proportion of lettuce, and not too many tomatoes. Add to that some very good fries and a cup of soup - this is a nice size lunch! My young friend slurped down his lowfat chocolate milk, and devoured his cheesburger - pronouncing it "So delicious!", all without talking with his mouth full! Bueno! I'll come back here. Solid, simple comfort food, and the service is gracious and attentive. Excellent for kids.
(4)
Doris M.

I go to Melrose almost every weekend for brunch. The food is just the right balance of salt and grease for any occasion, their coffee is amazing (Intelligentsia), and the music takes me all the way back to my Zack Morris-loving years. A little Bangles, some Richard Marx, and a dash of Wham. Service can be spotty depending on your server. Joe is great, and there's the older lady who seems stressed but is on top of her game, don't worry. My favorite part might be the jellybean jar at the check out counter. Use the spoon. Not your kid's grubby hands.
(4)
Carly R.

Great neighborhood diner. Hefty portions of diner quality not-the-healthiest food, but the coffee is AMAZING. Mostly terrible service, but you don't care because its cozy and the food is decent. A great place to go with friends in the area and just relax and talk for hours.
(4)
Rick C.

I live half a block away, been here a fair amount (half dozen times) and well, here's the scoop: 1. Breakfast is better than dinner, they do an okay job with brunch fare (eggs, pancakes, waffles and what have you). 2. Dinner, or anything requiring a bit of culinary skill, quite frankly, sucks...had a chicken club sandwich one night that I got halfway through and felt as if I would get sick if I took another bite (really, grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, and bacon-how can you mess that up???) even the french fries served with it were fried in stale oil--if I hadn't been home, I would have returned the entire order, would've been better off with a sandwich from Walgreens. 3. Staff, other than the dudes at the register and a couple of friendly am waitresses (don't remember their names) are pretty blah...as if they're wearing wet underwear or an itchy shirt. They aren't rude, just not engaged in customer experience. 4. At breakfast, they give bananas, nice touch (unless I get a green one, then it's a lesson in delayed gratification). 5. One more thing...someone needs to pay attention to the men's room more often...smelly. 6. All in all, I'd only return if I'm too lazy to walk to Stella's or I'm too liquored up to care about quality.
(2)
Ben E.

This is a quintessential diner and really deserves a full 5 stars for its staff, food, and atmosphere. Plus, even better, for the rest of February 2011 they're offering perhaps the best breakfast special in the city: $6.95 for almost any item on their all-day breakfast menu, including the steak and eggs (usually priced at $15.95). This is pretty ridiculous, given the amount of food you receive, and its quality. My steak was a perfect medium rare, grilled nicely, and very flavorful. The eggs were exactly over medium and the hashbrowns were perfectly crisped...you get the idea. All the servers genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs and the service is exactly what you'd want at a diner -- efficient, fast, friendly, and helpful without being overly obtrusive. If you're craving diner food but want it to be GOOD, then go here. It's comforting and perfect on a chilly day.
(5)
Melissa T.

Came here after a late night of drunken debauchery. I kept thinking to myself that it was essentially a glorified Perkins with a better menu. The croissant sandwiches looked delightful. The pancakes looked good. $7 for small jalapeno poppers and $10 for a bland blackened chicken sandwich is a little steep for my liking given the purpose of the visit (after all, it's not like I was really going to remember what I ate in great detail), but I'm sure I'd be more than obliged to come here in the future if I was a) in the area and b) in need of sustenance to soak up the aftereffects of a good night out with friends.
(3)
Anthony D.

This place is three stars at best. I went in yesterday and had some little child who should have been is school run up to me and tell me to take my picture before I say down. How annoying. Everybody there is foreign so I can hardly understand them when they talk to me and I feel dumb sitting there analyzing what they said before I respond. Food was so-so. Their chicken noodle soup had the black veins from the chicken in it which immediately turned me off. Their chicken salad club tasted pretty good but it was hard to eat since it was so big. I can't stand when restaurants make their food too large to put in your mouth. I just don't understand what the hell possesses these idiots to make friggin food so big. Coffee was good, my boyfriend liked his pancakes but nothing extra special. Our server took his sweet time sitting there staring out the window at the next table over from us where I am assuming they roll silverware in their downtime, while I sat there for the better part of ten minutes waiting for him to come over and ask if I needed a box for my Godzilla sandwich. I'm sure I will go back in here and there when I'm in the mood for an interesting meal. As for breakfast and lunch places, Horizons cafe up a little north on Broadway is still my favorite in every aspect.
(3)
Sara P.

I went here for breakfast on a Sunday morning at around 11am. We were seated immediately and brought water. The table and seats were clean, as was the restaurant around us. There was a big mix of people, from young couples to old-timers enjoying their paper or book. I got the corned beef hash plate with three eggs and white toast. It was good. I liked their hash, it was different from most places in a good way. They used good, thick cut white toast. Their fruit side was fresh and tasty. Service was quick and friendly. There's no "wow" factor about the food here, but it's good, quick and will fill you up if you're hungry without making you feel gross.
(3)
Elizabeth R.

I stumbled upon this place on New Year's Day after striking out with long waits at Stella's and The Bagel on Broadway. The place was packed, but we got one of the last tables, close to the entrance. Note on the decor: 80's neon sign mixed with random, strange paintings of contorted people (a bit scary). Lots of half-filled balloons also graced the ceilings on this day, and started to travel downward throughout the meal. The waitress offered us organic teas -- the one we had was good (forest berries). I ordered a small orange juice. I honestly do not know how one can screw up orange juice, but it was bad. Sour and too pulpy and I didn't take more than one sip. I ordered the potato pancakes next. Equally as disappointing. Way too fried and there was a weird taste to them. I am giving this place 2 stars because the eggs did look better than my meal, and I liked their thick toast. I would venture to guess I will NOT be going back to Melrose anytime soon. But who knows, I might want to take a look at those paintings again whenever I need a good laugh.
(2)
Julie E.

The Neighborhood Diner Open 24/7 Intelligentsia Coffee Fluffy Omelettes Burgers Galore Healthy Options, Substitutions Accommodated Friendly Servers, Prompt Service Outdoor Seating in Warm Weather Meh Desserts, Not Homemade Long Live the Melrose!
(4)
Karen B.

If i could give it six stars i would. its a awesome, 24 hour place. good diner food, i love the turkey sandwich and the french fries are amazing. the view of the street is fun bc its cute gays and people coming from the gym. It hits the spot, esp. if your like me and worked a double shift and dont want to think. im a regular and love it
(5)
Marissa G.

My partner loves Ukrainian borsht, so the sweet and sour cabbage soup (which is similar in taste) really hit the spot at Melrose the other day-- and I have to admit, although I thought I hated the stuff a year ago, the soup is growing on me and the diner does it very well. In addition, we had the greek salad, four cheese grilled sandwich with steak fries. Greek salad was loaded with fresh feta, cut it huge chunky strips and not crumbled along with four briny anchovies-- super fresh and unafraid! That's the way it should be! The four cheese grilled cheese was cheesy and included tomato and had a nice crunchy, buttery and greasy crust. Service though, was not great. We were sitting outside for a while before our server made any acknowledgment of us and we had to flag her down to get the check.
(3)
Izzy N.

My southwestern skillet with no cheese and no chorizo please! came with a banana? Yes it sure did. And the obligatory choice of pancakes or toast. I like that extra touch of giving me a banana on the side. They want me to have a well rounded meal! Awwww. So sweet. I like that. Nice and dependable breakfast skillets anytime of day. For what it is- it's alright.
(3)
Chris W.

Best diner in Chicago. Period. Try the Monte Cristo.
(5)
Bradford M.

Amazing breakfast diner food.
(4)
Brandon Y.

I've been here 4 times since discovering it about a month ago. Each time I have the same thing, Huevos Calientes. It's a very simple dish but it's so amazing that I can't bring myself to try anything else, even though a lot of other things on the menu look really good. Lots of burgers, various breakfast skillets (my girlfriend enjoys the hobo). Anyway, about those Huevos Calientes.... Scrambles eggs all mixed up with spicy chorizo, Jack cheese, and sorrano peppers. It's pretty dang spicy and pretty dang delicious. It comes with some of the best diner hash browns I've had, toast, and a banana. Since I starting frequenting this place it's become one of my favorite meals for any time of the day. Anyway, enough about the eggs.... The service has always been very good. We are greeted quickly, they don't pressure you into making a quick decision, they have always paid attention to an special orders (I like my eggs a little well done) and once ordered, the food ALWAYS comes out very promptly. The servers have always been very attentive, which is great because I always drink a ton of water. As you can see, I really love this place. Writing this review makes me want to go there right now.
(5)
Antonio A.

Good pancakes, good service, a little pricey for a greasy spoon--I'm a big fan of the Golden Nugget, myself. I'm a softy on ratings sometimes, so I give it a 4.
(4)
Shiloh W.

Best pancakes EVER!! Bonus: During the summer they have Iced Coffee & Great Little Patio
(5)
Michelle C.

My parents came to visit me in my new apartment over the weekend with my mom's best friend and I suggested Melrose since it's right around the corner and within walking distance of my place. We were there around 10am on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too crowded which was nice. We got a nice booth along the windows and were served right away. Cons: Dirty silverware So-so coffee The straws feel dirty and grainy, even after being taken out of the wrapper Pros Orange juice was fresh squeezed Service was good - server was friendly. Good location Food was good! I had the crunchy french toast which was a delight! A little heavy on the oil and butter, but good diner breakfast. I loved it so much I ordered it for pick up the next night (for dinner) and it was a little too much twice in the same weekend. I'd say it's more a treat. Would return again.
(4)
Brenda L.

Giving this place one star is too much. The food here is terrible. Went here for dinner on a Friday night and ordered the fish dinner with mac & cheese. The breaded fish was so dry and hard I could have pounded nails with it. The mac & cheese was gritty and inedible. The dinner was supposed to come with a desert but I was never offered one. I told the waitress the food was awful and she took it off the bill. This is isn't my first bad experience with this "diner". Stay away from this dump.
(1)
Richard B.

Kitchen may fix what you order, maybe not. Twice, recent orders were either incomplete or wrong. Not the servers fault either. There seems to be some conflict between the kitchen and wait staff. Accuracy not what it used to be. All in all, a welcome place in the neighborhood if you want hot coffee and don't expect fine dining. Oh, consider indoor tables if garbage has not been picked up yet, the alley is pretty close to the outdoor tables. Otherwise, outdoor seating is pretty nice and not congested. Diner food, 24 hours, nice people. Great classic neon sign too!
(4)
Chris C.

Great breakfast. Open 24/7 and is very welcoming. Loved the steak and eggs!!
(4)
Andrea P.

The great thing about Melrose is that they are in a very convenient location right in the heart of boystown and they are open 24/7. It's a really relaxed atmosphere and it is your typical yet rare diner in the city. They have a pretty vast selection of food and it's a great place to go if you're craving Belgian waffles and scrambled eggs at midnight! It's also a really good place to go if your craving a cesar salad or our old fried food freind..mmm...JalapeÃ±o poppers anyone? On a rather random note, Melrose has the most aaaammmaazing vegetarian burger!! I ask for it with grilled onions, avocado, swiss cheese, and NO sprouts. Oh YUM! Just a random tip, if you live in the neighborhood or happen to find yourself near Melrose and you have a cold or your stomach just can't handle any heavy foods, the chicken soup is AMAZING!
(4)
Tim S.

Oh, Melrose. An excellent place for breakfast, dinner or late night. The menu is all over the place and I haven't been disappointed yet. Wait staff is usually fairly interesting and any window seat makes for some great people-watching. Don't be fooled by their dinner specials, though. Even though you get a soup or salad and plentiful portion, the dessert option with the dinner specials is your choice of bread pudding, jell-o, or ice cream.
(4)
Colleen C.

Well...of course this was my next logical stop after the bash at Sura Thai Bistro :) Who knew dining at 3am on a Thursday morning could be so rewarding? Certainly not I. Buckwheat pancakes should just be called "alkie sponges." Amen. Great service, relatively clean, open 24 hours, fun little slice of life (an off-duty drag queen hauled her feathers out in a bag as we were finishing our meal). Our waitress was friendly and efficient. Oh, and Diet Coke. Cure to all of the world's problems, I swear.
(4)
Milton C.

OK to bad service + good to OK food + great location and hours = ho hum. It was better a few years back. Switching to Ann Sathers.
(3)
Jack P.

The Melrose was the first place I ate breakfast in Chicago, while looking for an apartment. I have been there countless times since. It is on a number of my top five lists including: 24-hour diners, comfort food, places for fluffy omelets, and places to go out and eat by yourself. For some, reason, even if you are by yourself, you just never feel like Mr./Ms. Loner diner there. Probably because of the classic friendly diner staff, whose attitude often spills over to the customers. The Melrose has also served an interesting role for me on those holidays when I just can't deal with family or maybe even friends. One Thanksgiving, when I needed some "me" time, I went there mid-afternoon for dinner, had a complete Thanksgiving dinner with trimmings for $10-12.00, brought a couple of magazines to read, and took a post-dinner walk by the lake front on what was an unusually mild November day, and then sauntered back home for a nap. It's also a great place when you are just looking for dessert and coffee. Doug and I recently had mid-afternoon Easter dinner there, left for a little browsing and pet food shopping, then returned to the M for dessert and coffee a few hours later. The waiter was convinced we just couldn't stay away because he was so completely charming. Of course we let him think that. I'm afraid it was really the chocolate silk pie and plain cheesecake. Hot turkey sandwiches overflowing with gravy, several course meals for $12.00 or so, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, the fluffiest of omelets with the requisite banana on the side, warm, friendly salt-of-the-earth staff, breakfast on the sidewalk in the summer with all the Broadway people-watching. That's The Melrose. I hope it stays there forever!
(4)
Robert F.

Ah, Melrose. You order a giant breakfast burrito and they give you an unadvertised banana on the side. As if to say, hey, man, I know you are about to down this entire thing, and some hashbrowns, and then take a 3-hour nap, but we feel that if you could find some room in there, you may have forgotten this food group this morning. If not, go ahead and take me to eat later. Yes, I know bananas cost like 10 cents, but it's the thought that counts. They also express this with consistently friendly, well-above-average for a city diner service. They are one of the few places around open 24 hours, have decent coffee, decent prices, fresh tasting diner fare and let you linger for as long as you damn well please. I can only speak for their breakfast menu, because that's what I go to diners for, be it 8am or 5pm. I have never gotten anything I regretted and have never left hungry. What more can you ask for from your neighborhood diner? Fucking awesome carrot cake, you counter? They have that, too.
(4)
Jess L.

...too bad I felt sick after coming here. It's a bit too greasy for me, I guess. Otherwise, it has a great feel of a neighborhood diner.
(2)
A J.

I love breakfast. This place always delivers. That about sums it up!
(4)
Nick S.

One thing I love about moving to Chicago is the spread of 24hr diner establishments that cater to the late night crowd. I don't think I've ever been inside of the Melrose in the light of day. Let's be real now.. I had low expectations for the quality of food from the get go. I never really expect much to come out of these type of restaurants but I have that special affinity for what they offer. Burgers and breakfast items are your safest bet. I've been told that I've ordered different things before in the past... I don't quite remember them but I don't imagine feeling too good after consumption. The waitstaff here is the best part I have to say. I love the eclectic bunch of waiters/resses that work here and almost all of them have the most adorable eastern european accents. Always friendly, attentive, and speedy. It's great that I live a 2 minute walk away. If they upped their culinary game this place would be phenom.
(3)
Arlene G.

i went here a few weeks ago & totally forgot 2 write my review....anyways, ive been coming here for years & i can always count on it 2 provide me with great comfort food. i had egg, bacon & pancakes for dinner. i can eat breakfast food any time of the day! great food & service! will keep coming back!
(4)
Lindsay A.

I know i'm breaking hearts by posting this review but unfortunately Melrose is just full of disappointments for me. Here's why: 1. Cost for product- Where do they get off charging over 10 dollars for every salad when all they offer is some awful romaine lettuce with some meat thrown on it? Also, try ordering a milk shake and you will be sadly disappointed to find it comes in a juice cup. BOOO 2. Variety- The menu might be large, but do not be fooled, its not that exciting. Most of it is really boring. 3. Quality- Kind of gross. Conclusion: trust me, I know. Its right down the street from me, easy access and its 24 hours, but walk the extra few blocks and go to Nookies instead.
(3)
Syngin A.

I absolutely loved and lived at the Melrose Restaurant when I was in law school 15 years ago when Lakeview was cool like Bucktown and not a mirror image of Lincoln Park, like it is now. The waiters were adorable, and you couldn't get an outside table in the summer during brunch on the weekends. The food was plentiful, delicious and comforting for cheap. The coffee never stopped, and they didn't mind if you practically slept there all night. There was even fun artwork hanging on and from the ceiling. Then, the cute waiters became grumpy, tired waitresses, the food didn't seem so good anymore, and the crowd changed. I miss what this place used to be. Now, it seems like a tired, ordinary diner with no character. I think Stella's down the street stole their thunder.
(3)
Kegan C.

My mom and I decided to brunch here one Sunday afternoon a week ago. I had a turkey croissant and soup; she had a grilled cheese and soup. Well, the sandwich I had was dry, but it tasted better after assaulting it with condiments. And the soup? No thanks. I don't like creamy anything; I could have sworn the waitress said there was regular chicken and rice soup. But the cake-taker was when the waitress asked my mom if she needed her coffee reheated; my mom said yes. The waitress brought the pot over, poured more lukewarm coffee into my mom's cup, and moved on. At least she was friendly, though. I've definitely had better.
(2)
William C.

I have lived in the area since 1996 and have frequented Melrose quite often. Yes the service can be sketchy from time to time and the bathrooms all filthy but I have to admit for diner food it is not bad. If you are just wanting to grab a burger or something it is really not bad. I mean you get bread and soup with it and coffee. Breakfast is really awesome. I love the crunchy french toast and a side of ham with fresh squeezed oj. The portions are enormous. Somewhat pricey but overall I would say it is worth it.
(3)
Brian C.

Again, not much I can say that hasn't been said by the 100+ reviews before me. Consistently good food, good portions for the price, upbeat wait staff, a kept-up appearance and a local neighborhood haunt. Their corn-flake french toast is delicious.
(4)
Laz R.

Been here twice for breakfast and the food is excellent. Every time I go to Chicago I make it a point to stop by here.
(4)
Ken L.

I only dined at this place when i was intoxicated and need some food late late at night, like 4 in the morning. The servers are nice, but food sucks. And during daylight hours I would have better options than this place. On top of that the person is like giving me an attitude that my card didnt when thru the first time and said he's gonna be charged about $.25 by the bank for that... wtf? do i loooook like im in the mood to care?
(1)
M.G. S.

I really like this place. I don't get why people complain about their dinner menu on here...in my opinion it is a breakfast place. A really good one. My coffee is always full, my check is always on time, and the food comes out hot. If you're in Lakeview and you want/need a good breakfast, I will always recommend Melrose. It is in a great little neighborhood that has a farmer's market across the street on Saturday's in the warmer months. It is open 24 hours. They serve great coffee. I love that they give you a full plate of great food... and a banana. They serve a balanced breakfast. It is BYOB which is nice as well. When you pay at the counter they have a jar of jelly beans to make sure that you don't walk out with breakfast breath.
(4)
Carri A.

I will be honest and confess that I have dined at Melrose only in my most inebriated states, except for a meal or two. The cabbage soup is dynamite and the rest of the menu is your standard diner fare. Really good while you're eating it, but your stomach may disagree once you leave the restaurant. Impressive amount of vegetarian options, super friendly service (though the owner guy is a super creep) and very reasonable prices for the above-average portions. A solid late night choice.
(4)
Bill R.

I love the Melrose! I like the spinach and feta omelette, cheeseburgers, hot turkey sandwich and french toast. Not only is the food great but the portions are big! So you never leave hungry. Its no accident this place has been in business 30+ years.
(5)
Claudia D.

A group of friends from cardiac rehab took me with them for lunch here on St. Patrick's Day. Lovely little diner. 2 of my friends are regulars here and I understand why! The selection on the menu is extensive and a terrific value. Most of our party had the corned beef lunch special which included the corned beef slices, vegetables, broth, soup, and a choice of jello or ice cream for dessert (about $11). I had a corned beef reuben (fresh fruit instead of fries!) and loved it. Very tender and juicy - not at all dry. It came with a choice of soup. Another friend had the meat loaf lunch special. The specials all included a choice of soup. Three were offered that day: chicken noodle, split pea, and the sweet & sour cabbage. I had the sweet & sour cabbage which was excellent. The waiter was very good, accurate, attentive, and helpful. I will go back again if in the neighborhood for a casual filling lunch. BYOB is OK here.
(3)
Sarah S.

Stella's was closed early last night, so we headed over to the Melrose Restaurant. Being open 24 hours is definitely a plus. Unfortunately, the place was only mediocre. The service was fine and the place was clean enough, but the food ranged from really good to really bad. The menu was great, with a wide variety and plenty of vegetarian options. We weren't hungry enough to justify any of the entrees, most of which included soup or salad, so we just ordered some appetizers (nachos and onion rings) and a side order of fries. The "really good" was the nachos. Everything about them was good. Even the tortilla chips that didn't have toppings on them were tasty even though I usually find tortilla chips to be bland on their own. They were topped with cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. I don't really like sour cream, and guac isn't my favorite, but I can honestly say "mmmmm." The fries were in the middle. They were just OK. They were good, but not particularly flavorful. I like my fries to be crispy or with herbs or something, but they were just plain old average steak fries. I can't complain, but they were nothing to write home about. The "really bad" were the onion rings, which we wound up sending back after each trying one. They could have been good, I think, but they were basically burnt. I don't know if this was a fluke or if this is just how they make them there, but they were really not good. They were edible, I suppose, but I don't go out to eat for just "edible." Definitely not worth 5.95. Overall, I'll probably wind up going back. It's convenient and it's always open. Based solely on the nachos, I definitely want to see what else they have to offer. And who knows? Maybe the onion rings being burnt was just a mistake. At least the waitress was polite about it and took it off the bill.
(3)
Paul A.

Melrose is yet another one of those diners that has been around the 'hood forever. It's the kind of place where you could become easily a regular. The menu is standard fare - nothing too fancy at all - but check out the daily specials - you get quite the deal. On my last visit, I bought the Chicken Breast special - rec'd soup, the meal and ice cream for $9.99. Quite filling. It's also perfect for that late-night urge you might have. The desserts are to die for I think - the slices of cakes are huge! LOL
(4)
Cathy H.

How have I not written a review about the Melrose yet?! I'm not really a diner person, but the Melrose is turning me into one. First, I think it's super cute. (I guess I kind of have a double standard about its super-cuteness: in reality, it's about the same as Clarke's on Belmont, but because the Melrose has good food, I think to myself, "Ooh, an old-fashioned diner with good food! So awesome!" With Clarke's, I think "Ew, the food is gross. The least they could do is update the interior!") Second, the service is tops. I've had a bunch of different waitresses here, and they've all been sweet and attentive. Esp. the one who calls everyone "honey"--cute! Third, the food is AWESOME. I seriously have never had a tastier grilled cheese sandwich anywhere. I trek many blocks to eat their four-way grilled cheese (even though Clarke's is literally five seconds away from my apt, and even though Melrose is kind of across the street from my gym, so I always feel a bit guilty staring at the gym and scarfing down seven million calories worth of grilled cheese...but oh! It's worth every damn minute on the treadmill). And their cabbage soup is SO good. I have no idea why it's so addicting...it's this tomato-based, slightly-sour, full-of-veggie DELIGHT. Anyway, go. It's so good. And it's open 24 hours.
(5)
Terris A.

This is your standard diner type place with cheesy decor, medicore service, semi-bad coffee and food that is hit or miss. I have only ever eaten their breakfast items (no matter what time of the day) and have never been impressed. Its a good place when we just want to eat breakfast food and don't want to pay a lot.
(3)
Damian C.

Pretty good place - my monte cristo wasn't the best I've had, but the size of my lunch was ridiculous. The interior reminded me of a cross between an 80s fast food restaurant (Rax maybe) and a nursing home dining room. The waitstaff was friendly and the crowd was a diverse bunch. Seems a pretty good choice for your hangover cure.
(4)
Calvin T.

Not Suitable for young Kids! We turned up for a early evening meal with our kids only to be told that we could not take the stroller to the outdoor seating. The place was empty at the time! No service here for Families! - No choice but 1 Star.
(1)
Alex R.

How can the Melrose Diner have less than 5 stars from me? No, it cannot. Melrose, you deserve 5 stars, and nothing less.
(5)
Mary d.

This place gets 4 stars because it's one of the few places I've ever eaten at that gets the scrambled egg done right. There's a hint of cheese and it's very moist and fluffy. The pancakes are good, and the fries are the juicy STEAK fries. Yum! And, yes, the interior leaves A LOT to be desired, but this is the type of place you can come when wearing your sweats, so keep that in mind. The serving staff can vary with quality...as can the fruit cup.
(4)
Genevieve R.

The California burger with it's uber amount of blue cheese, mozzarella, and avocado was seriously the best burger I have had in Chicago (who would have thought?) Top it off with steak fries (a little lacking on the seasoning) and salad to boot, and I enjoyed a wonderfully satisfying meal after a long night at Finley Mahone's. The hash browns could have been a little crispier, but my boyfriend reported that the garden omelet was satisfying but still not Nookies quality. The waitress was prompt with service and our water and coffee was never empty.
(4)
Ann M.

A favorite diner of mine for 20 years now - Melrose on Broadway was one of the very first restaurants I visited in Chicago. I love the Melrose Special sandwich! The portions are huge, so it is a great place to feed a hangover, but it's always a reliable choice when you aren't looking for anything fancy. Great breakfasts, too.
(4)
Joel A.

A short stumble from the Boystown bars and you can find pretty solid diner food here at this 24 hour joint on Broadway. The burger is very enjoyable here, especially after a few cocktails. Please be extra nice to your server and tip well... oh, the stuff they must have to deal with!
(3)
Meg L.

It makes me sad to see a place with such great potential that is ruined by the owners' attitude! Love the waiters, they seem to have every best intent for the restaurant and their customers, I only wish I got the same attitude form the owners. Every time I go in I get the sense from the owners that I'm not welcomed, like they would rather not serve me. Well, please don't open up a restaurant if you don't want to serve people. I love the 24 hour availability of this place and the stuffed french toast is the best! The food is generally decent, never makes me sick and pricing is fair enough. I'd give this place another star or two if the owners would change their attitude. Honestly, I avoid this place often because of the owners, I'd rather take my money elsewhere where I feel more welcomed.
(2)
Louis A.

Not sure how I haven't reviewed Melrose. Probably because I have never eaten in --- always have ran out for myself and friends, mostly in fits of drunken hunger. Well, we celebrated my birthday the other night and I finally made an appearance in person with a posse...and we were honestly pretty wound up to the point where I think we were loud, obnoxious, and even insulting! Whatever....the waitstaff were all good sports about it and even brought me some birthday pie...which I couldn't dare to eat after barley picking at my club sandwich. But damn, that sandwich was good the next day. Oh, and get the soup. Whatever it is --- don't care. Get it...for takeout...and be amazed by the sheer volume of goodies that are thrown in the bag. Also, don't forget to tip your takeout waiter, homes...
(4)
Gabe M.

I think this place gets less than stellar reviews because it's called a restaurant when in fact it's a diner. The portions are huge, and a little heavy (aka diner food) and your meal often includes nice extras like soup. The burgers I've had were top notch. The atmosphere is a little dated, but the service is familiar and friendly. The value is awesome - i can't believe I ate so much for 9 bucks!
(4)
Ann Y.

Seriously this place is nothing special. It is overpriced and the menu is pretty boring. The service is average and there are just so many better restaraunts out there.
(1)
Lesley G.

This place is pretty good for what it is. Don't go expecting anything other than 24-hour diner fare, cause that's what you're going to get. I've had the bacon and eggs with hashbrowns and toast and it was really quite tasty. I think the omelets can be a bit buttery, but you can ask them to not cook your stuff in butter if you want. Someone I was with got a sandwich that looked tasty. Chicken noodle soup was good, or maybe it was chicken rice, i dont' remember. I pretty much always just get breakfast foods at diners though. It is what it is, but it does that well.
(3)
Ardie F.

Melrose has a huge selection of food to choose from. I had the Pesto Chicken Pasta and it was quite good. They are open 24/7.
(4)
Kathleen C.

Lakeview classic - my dad used to take us here as a kid, and after moving to the city as an adult I was pleasantly surprised to learn the corner diner was the same place. Staff has, for lack of a better word, "character". Great breakfast fare, and other diner standards, such as the Grilled Cheese. Great people watching from the patio in warm weather.
(5)
scott s.

Ehh Its Alright
(2)
A. R.

Your basic neighborhood diner. Good food (breakfast all day!), strong coffee, friendly service, and I've never had a sticky table. Can't ask for much more.
(4)
Nicole B.

I went here Saturday after Halloween festivities and it was a blast! Looking at all the tables filled with people in costume was such entertainment. The waitress was a sweetheart. I got made fun of for ordering a salad and not the usual drunk food, but it was huge, filling, and delicious. Plus I had enough for lunch the next day.
(4)
Leanne E.

We went to Melrose Restaurant to sit in an out-of-the-way large booth to discuss some union business. The waittress was wonderful to give us both the service we wanted and the privacy we needed to discuss business. She wasn't intrusive and yet kept the table refurnished with what we wanted and the dinners we ordered were fantastic. It's got a great neighborhood feel with an enormous menu and best hours.
(4)
Philip K.

...just not memorable. I was there a few weeks ago and I can't even remember what I ordered. It seems like it would be a fun place to hang out late at night, maybe while after a few drinks at a club, but we went there for dinner. The food was fine and so was the service. But I just can't give it more than three stars.
(3)
Joe K.

I can't believe all the negative reviews here! I won't go so far as to say I love this place, but jeez. I'm a late-night person that's worked in too many restaurants in the past. I will not go into a restaurant if it's within a half hour of their closing time. Trust me, people, if you're going to play the odds...it's not a good idea. So when I realize at 10:30 on a weeknight that I'm hungry, my options are limited. And Melrose is EXACTLY what I miss about where I used to live. A 24 hour diner, where for about ten bucks you can get a bottomless cup of coffee, a cup of soup, and an entree (oh how I miss the added bonus of round-the-clock's free dessert, too...). I can't stop ordering the california burger, my only complaint is that I think they just cut an avocado in half and toss it on there...which, at the thick part of the avocado, makes for a bite with a LOT of avocado. The place is clean for a 24 hour diner, and I have a pretty massive appetite and have never walked out of there hungry. Apparently after reading these reviews I'm going to have to check out some of their breakfast selections now, too...mmm...
(4)
Jeff E.

The service and friendliness of the staff is what makes this place better than average. The food is pretty good, but with everything else in the area, it falls right in line. Try it - if you're not a snob you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Cara B.

Melrose has saved my life on more than one occasion. A 24 hour diner a building away from my apartment is now a requirement for any place I ever have after this one. Their omelets are ginormous and their burgers are great after a night of heavy drinking. In the summer sit out on the patio, it's great people watching!
(4)
Mitchell P.

Cute outdoor seating. We went here for bruch after visiting the farmer's market at nettlehorst school. I got a cornbeef hash skillet, which was the perfect solution for the hangover that i was sporting that day. The outdoor seating is good, and makes for very fun people watching.
(3)
Noah B.

The avocado burger is awesome! It's pretty par with most of the diners in Boy's Town and Andersonville, but it's a staple of the neighborhood, so check it out.
(4)
Melissa B.

Should I be embarrassed that this was my first date with my fiance? But seriously, it's good food, 24 hours a day. Blows Clarke's outta the water. Their waitstaff is friendly and informative. And man, are their portions huge.
(4)
Emily D.

24 hours and BYOB....amazing! The food is decent but the service is amazing. This place is right on my corner so it's really convenient and for a neighborhood diner this place goes above and beyond. Nothing out of the ordinary about the food but the menu is huge, you get a bread basket and soup comes with everything except breakfast. Definitely a very solid diner.
(4)
Marcus C.

It's exactly what you expect - a greasy spoon that serves condensed soup, standard burgers and sandwiches, and steak fries. Perfect for that next-day recovery!
(3)
Brook G.

Service here is not good. After being seated, we had to wait quite a while for our waitress to come and take just our drink orders. It wasn't even remotely busy. We also had to remind her to bring our bucket of condiments after we got our food. Which, by the way, was not very good. Hopefully their breakfast here is a lot better than the dinner entrees my boyfriend and I had. He got the California burger and I had the Veggie burger. He couldn't even finish his (which rarely happens) because it was loaded with so much Blue Cheese. And the description on the menu of mine was not really what I got. The veggie patty was dry and pretty much fell apart all over my plate. The mashed potatoes were bland, and the pickle that came with had a very odd taste to it. The 3 different rolls of bread in the basket were all hard and tasted like they had been made a few days ago. The only good part of the food I would have to say is the Chicken Pasta Soup he got. When we were done, we waited another long time for our waitress to bring the check. We actually had to ask the bus boy who was clearing our plates to get it for us. For $9 a person, I think I'll go somewhere where I can get better service and decent food. I don't expect much from diners, but Melrose falls way short.
(2)
Little Miss Sunshine B.

I have a love - hate relationship with this place. Its kind of like the boyfriend that beats you up but you go back to him anyway because sometimes he makes you breakfast in the morning...
(2)
CJ E.

The food is mediocre, and heavy. Its one of those places where you get a large portion of food, you start to eat it, simply to finish whats on your plate, but by the fifth bite, you realize you have no reason for eating the food. The silverware is slightly dingy, and the place itself is no better. Its like picking someone up at a party, Its great thought late at nights after a party, but during the day when the sun is out, you can do much better.
(2)
Brett C.

Good Staple Diner. I think the cozy atmosphere is what people usually go for, and the great covered outdoor patio in the summer. Good menu variety, but not so much on the vegan or vegetarian side, which is strange given the neighborhood. I usually get the penne pasta with fresh tomatoes and portobello, or the portobello burger and fries, or their garden burger and fries. They come with good sized soups and salads, and are always generous with the bread basket. I don't understand what all the complaints are here. It's better than Stellas or the golden nugget as far as food quality and ambiance. And don't tell me Stellas has a better out door patio. C'mon. Really.
(4)
Jennifer P.

My girlfriend and I love Melrose. It's by far our favorite diner ever. It has a very homey atmosphere and is very welcoming. Their soups are very good and their food is usually very good as well. Also, their banana splits are excellent!
(4)
Richie K.

It's been over a year since I've been back home, but Melrose will always have a special place in my memory. The sight of many late-night, 2am homecomings--after hastily dropping-off my luggage from O'Hare at home. There was always one lady that served my sister, friends, and I--the one with too much mascara. She would sometimes mess up our order, but she'd give us free pie a la mode in return. Oh, how I miss you, Melrose!
(4)
Lee R.

what do you need to know? the food is great. check. the service is good. check. the price is decent. check. and no matter what time i've gone, be it noon or 1am, i always leave thinking: "wow. that was a real slice of life."
(4)
Emily K.

I used to LOVE Melrose, not for the food exactly, but for the great service. I used to go in there after nights of drinking with friends because I lived really close. Everytime we got the southern waiter. He was the best!!! He always made everyone feel welcome and was always cracking jokes. I would go in there sober sometimes as well for a late night bite to eat and he would always be there so excited to see us, urging us to sit in his section, even when he was really busy. He seemed to always have regulars in there to see him as well. I went in there a few weeks ago at the same time looking for our same vivacious server. The man at the front told us that he had just left. I thought that was odd because he always worked the late night shifts. I finally sat down and asked the server we were given where the southern waiter was. He told us that he got fired. I do not know what the circumstances were but i do know that they lost a great server who brought in TONS of business. Good Luck Melrose.
(1)
Steve R.

Decent portions and a nice lil' ole patio, but really the food is just average for the cost. There's better breakfast places, though this one will do the trick if you're in the neighborhood. It's ok, that's about it.
(3)
Rebekah K.

I actually went here at 2 am for coffee with some friends after a severely disappointing meal at Buona Terra; I had a vastly superior meal here! The cream of Carrot soup is FANTASTIC. I had never eaten cream of Carrot soup before, I had never HEARD of it, but I am going back for it. It was peppery, and carroty, and creamy, and so incredibly warming after coming in from the rain! I had the fluffy vegetarian Omelette and it was delicious! So full of delicate steamed veggies! The mix was so harmonious! It was savory, and crunchy, and salty (but not obnoxiously so) and hot, and flavorful! It is weird I went to a reputable italian restaurant earlier than evening and had a mediocre meal (at best) then at this little diner I had one of the best omelettes I have ever consumed. Service was very impressive! She kept the hot water jars for our tea very full! When I said I did not want a potato with my omelette she offered fresh fruit! MY FAVORITE! Food was good! Service was good! HOWEVER, prices are a lot more than you expect from the looks of it! Not cheap, but quality validates it.
(4)
Robyn M.

Do you think the fact that they give you a banana with every breakfast has anything to do with it being in "boystown"? Is that a banana on your plate or are you just glad to see me? The food is fine. I like this place becasue y ou don't have to wait for two hours just to get some pancakes, they have outdoor seating, and they give you a carafe of water on your table. Don't wait for the server to take your money though. Its pay as you go at the register!!
(3)
Seiji C.

it's funny how the same diner in two different places can be either "an institution" or "a dump" it's certainly both, but it's more a question of whether you're goin for a dining experience or a diner experience. order the grapefruit. just cuz its cool to see a steak knife sticking out of a piece of fruit
(4)
Sam R.

The Melrose is incredibly solid. Weather it's sobering up with a cheeseburger, having a chat over pie, breakfast with the folks, or it's 4am and I forgot to eat dinner, The Melrose is always there for me, and it food is consistently good. I have only two complaints, both small: 1- They don't offer the tortilla soup often enough. It's their best soup, but it's almost never offered. 2-I love the people who work at the Melrose, and they define it, but sometimes... they're a little chatty. I thought it was just this one guy, but it's been a few different servers now; I don't mind some small talk, but I came for food. If I want conversation, I'll come with someone else. Please, don't sit down and ask me questions while I'm in the middle of eating with a friend. You guys are great, but it's too much. Seriously though, it's insane that for the number of times I've eaten there, I've never had a bad meal.
(4)
Michael E.

A great little 24 hour diner that does a good job at a fair price. Breakfast is great on their outdoor patio, though I'd sit as far away from Broadway as you can as the noise can hinder your conversions throughout your meal. The menu has everything you'd want and can get 24 hours a day. Prices are comparable to other diners in the area I've tried (see my other reviews). Park is a challenge in the later morning and early evenings. Wait staff area very attentive. It is a nice brunch location when it isn't Sunday so check it out!
(5)
K. M.

I wish I could give the Melrose a better review since it's right next door, but I feel like I would've enjoyed this place more if I were drunk. It's your typical greasy spoon. I had an omlette with hash browns. Nothing to write home about. The portions are HUGE so be prepared to share or take something home with you. Super cheap diner prices. I might come back while stumbling home after a late night out with friends.
(2)
Adeyemi K.

Horrible! Defn not coming back here not matter how late night it is. Yes - they are one of the few places open at 3am but there is no excuse for slow service and cold food. Also our waiter blatantly forgot pieces of our order - didn't even write it down. This place is not worth it. Hit up McDonalds instead for late sustenance.
(1)
Ali L.

3.5 stars. Great place with perfect ambiance. I'd eaten here quite a bit and every time I've had decent food. Not great, not awful. Get the roasted turkey, preferably in a sandwich, which I'm pretty sure they roast everyday. It's a great place to people watch on a nice day, and they allow dogs too!
(4)
Philippe F.

I've been here a handful of times before I moved just down the street. The handful of times prior were because it is a 24 hour joint. Assume away. Now that I live down the street, my lady and I have breakfast on the weekends, when we are feeling lazy. My recommendation and go-to item is the Spartan Omelette (which is on their b-fast menu, but not brunch). A fluffy omelette with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes and feta. Beautiful, tasty, crumbled up feta. And LOTS of it! On top of that, you get to choose two sides. Unfortunately their pancakes are only OK, but sometimes they have maple cinnamon butter to top the pancakes which make them better. Recently they started giving bananas as sides as well. Oh, did I mention Intelligencia coffee as well?!?! If not having breakfast, their sammiches are pretty good too. Their clubs are humourmous! I'm not a fry snob, I just prefer skinnier fries, than the steak fries (which are still good when dipped in mayo). California Club (chicken, avocado, sprouts, mayo, tomato and lettuce) is awesome. I managed to eat my first piece like a normal sandwich, but had to use fork and knife the for everything after. The pieces are really that big. As if nothing can make the sandwich bigger, I've decided to add bacon next time around. See you next week Melrose.
(4)
Maria P.

I've eaten at Melrose solely for breakfast over a half dozen times. The food is fresh and they have a wide variety of fresh squeezed juices which is really what intrigued me at first. Who knew there was such a thing as banana juice? I've had a couple of their omlets and eggs with sausage, no complaints really there. They also have Intellgentsia coffee there, which is excellent coffee. The waitstaff is OK, nothing to brag about. Breakfast for 2 with coffee and a juice is just under $30.
(3)
Joshua C.

I originally had a soft spot for Melrose, but I have been burned too many times by them to ever give them much thought the next time I need my diner fix. The food is solid and the value is definitely there, but too many infractions--ranging from hair in my honey mustard to lipstick on the water glasses--made the idea of eating at Melrose again too repulsive to consider. It's too bad, too, because I love late night diners and their turkey club is damn near perfect.
(3)
Milena M.

I saw all of the waitresses with their bare hands in the fruit, picking up toast, and generally just pawing around in the food. If I would have seen that before I had eaten, I would have gotten up and left. Since I saw it afterwards, I tried very hard not to get sick. The food took far too long for a diner and I could see that every waitress brought the food to 2-3 tables with the customers having to tell them that's not what they ordered and then they went to another table until they got it right. Needless to say, we will not be back. Someone please call the health department.
(1)
Ricoche T.

I used to be a regular customer here but no more. The food quality has slowly declined to the point that the last time I ate there, I left half of my food on my plate. The staff continues to be some of the friendliest but that just cannot make up for the smaller portions and poorly cooked food. My friend had a chicken sandwich that not only smelled terrible when they brought it to the table, it also looked like something out of a vending machine. The waitstaff were embarrassed but basically said that the kitchen makes it "that way now." YECH!! As I said, I left half my dinner on my plate because it was not only cold but also was so tough---like it had been reheated 4 times before they served it to me. I also have to say that over the past 6 years, more and more of my friends refuse to go here anymore so something has clearly changed for the worse.
(1)
C W.

Good and greasey. Last few times I went, I was very happy. Sometimes you get a bad waitress, but odds are with you. One of my fav hangover spots.
(4)
Jack H.

The best place ever to go when you're drunk at 5am after a night at Boystown! This place is like any other cute 24 hour diner. It has cheap but great food, friendly service (I wish I remembered my servers names from the times I've been here so I could give props...they always are really great), and there is such a GREAT variety of tea! I will take this place over Clark's or Ihop ANY day. Melrose is far from being a fancy restaurant, but it still gets 5 stars from me because in the diner category, it is one of the best.
(5)
John G.

A solid place you can go to again and again!
(4)
Jill P.

Three weeks ago while waiting for a take away order at the counter I saw an employee, who appeared to be a chef's helper, prepare a fruit cup. Well don't ya' just know that he reached into the cooler with his BARE HANDS (OMG!!!), grabbed and sliced a handful of strawberries and filled the cup. Afterwards, he proceeded to completely peel a banana, hold it in his BARE HANDS (OMG part 2!!!) and slice it onto the strawberries. I thought, surely I am hallucinating and, that cannot be going out to a customer! Indeed, this "helper" put the fruit cup on a plate with the entire order. It was then taken to the customer. I was paralyzed with disgust. I may have even stopped breathing. How dare he? My husband and I love the Melrose and Linda, Best in the Business Server of the Century. The soups are terrific but after this incident, we just can't bring ourselves to imagine...if this goes on in full view what must go on behind the kitchen doors (OMG part 3!!!)? Mister man with the salt and pepper hair, YOU'RE FIRED!!!
(1)
Michael M.

The food just isn't that good and it's expensive. It's main virtue is that it is about the only place in the vicinity that is open 24 hours.
(2)
Margaret J.

AMAZING lemon blueberry pancakes! Please, do your taste-buds a favor and order them. Now! GO!!!
(5)
Aaron C.

I had always heard so many good things about Melrose, that today I finally decided to try it. The restaurant atmosphere is definitely very warm and inviting. Wonderful service, great food, great menu, great coffee!
(4)
Mike P.

I lived in East Lakeview for 2 years and I can believe I didn't review Melrose. It's a solid diner choise, on par with Stella's, but not quite as good. I prefer them for dinner over Stella's. Love the Club Sandwich. To sum up the experience. Melrose is a place that I'm always cool with grabbing a bite at if I'm in the neighborhood, but I don't make a special point to go there, like say, The Bagel or Stella's.
(4)
Brent W.

When I worked in the area, I lunched here about a half dozen times, all fairly decent iirc, but also forgettable in its own way. Found myself in the area the other day and was craving a Turkey and Bacon Club sandwich; it was either here or Stella's down the street, and since we're looking for 300, opted for the Melrose to bolster the count. The real star of this show ?? The pickle! Crisp and delish, just the right snap in texture and zing in flavour (that's for you Matty.LGC). I should also mention they have a great chicken pasta soup that comes w. all lunches and dinners...another perk when doing a diner lunch (complimentary soup!). The Turkey was definitely meh and I am again confronted w. the task of dismantling a triple decker club sam so as to eat it with any reasonable decorum and tact (and to also weed out any bad bits of turkey and bacon. yes, picky when it comes to fat on turkey and bacon, not a fan). And then they serve steak fries. I mean for rayals, who. eats/prefers. steak. fries ?? If I wanted baked potato taste, i'll order a damn baked potato. Until then, fries should be crispy and delectable (see Steak n Shake, Portillo's, McD's, J. Alex, etc. for a proper french fry). Don't think I'll be back, maybe for some brekkie but no more lunchy lunch here.
(2)
Edwin Q.

I'm in love with the Melrose... I don't know if it is for the fact that it's open 24 hours so it has saved my life a few times under circumstances I'm not describing here... Or perhaps for the green banana they put next to your omelet on Sunday brunch. I know! It may not be the cleanest restaurant in town... or the most glamorous... but who cares! Their waitresses are always friendly and you always leave feeling full and satisfied! Love you Melrose!
(5)
Corin W.

You know, when I was in college I used to go to this place at least a couple of times a week. I had some time to kill yesterday so I ate there. I was actually looking for something light--but its not possible to get anything light there. Either you get some horrible omelet the size of a human head or some heavy sandwich platter. As I ate there I wondered why I ever thought the place was so great . I had the melrose special sandwich which used to be my favorite thing and again, I wondered why I ever liked it. The chicken was dry, the fries were burnt and after I was done I'd felt like I'd eaten a baby. It cost 11 bucks and I suddenly realized how unsustainable American diner food is. With that same 11 bucks I could have made enough sushi, Thai curry or Tibetan momos at home to feed me for a week and I would have felt a lot healthier about it. I'm realizing these days that sustainable food, sustainable cooking, and sustainable eating practices are so incredibly important . I think the days of " a big hunk of meat on bread" are kind of silly, unhealthy and wasteful. Next time I will just go over to little Saigon or China town and eat more sustainably and healthily. It will be a better value, tastier and I will have leftovers too.
(2)
Lucky S.

There are better diners in the area. I went here with my husband and was disappointed by the place. The menus had errors on them; the food was mediocre at best. They were skimpy on the cheese and ham in my omelet. I recommend going someplace else.
(2)
Dave F.

One frozen night, I went to Melrose with my girlfriend, her mom and her sister, mostly based on its proximity to her sister's apartment. It turned out to be a pretty good choice. I got the stir-fried veggies (which I realize is a strange choice at a diner) and a cream of chicken and rice soup. The veggie dish was very good and full of flavor. They were cooked just right, with just a hint of a crunch and not over-sauced. The rice it came with was perfect, too. The soup, however, was just okay. It tasted good, but lacked substance. It was like someone remembered at the last minute that it was supposed to have chicken and rice in it and tossed in a tiny bit from someone else's dish. The staff was attentive and friendly, and the place had the small local feel that I want out of a good diner. I would absolutely come back here.
(4)
Briana H.

Great all American food, huge variety on the menu, and prices that are totally reasonable. Plus, they're open 24 hours, so I've often called at odd hours with odd cravings, and they're always willing to accommodate. If you haven't checked it out, it's definitely worthwhile.
(4)
Dell C.

I had a cheeseburger that was over cooked & dry (asked for medium-not medium-well or well done) with fries that were cold in the middle. My friend had a chicken salad that wad bland. The "homemade" soup of the day would have been better had it been from Campbell's condensed soup can. Should have gone to 5 Guys or Stella's Diner - they were still open. Only thing this place has going for it is that it's open at 3am when you just don't want to cook for yourself.
(1)
Michael T.

Melrose reminds me of Flo's or whatever the "Kiss my grits!" diner was in the early 80's sitcom. The food: really quite good. Admittedly, every time I walk into a diner I pretty much only want to order breakfast (since I never make breakfast food at home) and I am totally addicted to their breakfast burrito. The wrap is made of spinach (or at least it's green, so I'll trust them) so you don't feel totally gluttonous, and they cram a whole freakin' avocado in there, I swear. The service: dinertastic. All of the waitresses, save for a few, have Floattitude in spades. They cuss at the cooks and call you 'honey' or 'sweetie' or 'dear' and you just know that they were born to be diner waitresses and live the part. Awesome. The location: also fantastic. I live right by Nookies and it's almost impossible to get a table there between 11-2 on weekend mornings, but walk a few blocks to Melrose and get seated immediately and get your food just as fast. The downsides: hey, it's diner food. It's not meant to be healthy, and it's not meant to be eaten regularly. But when you're totally craving something diner-ish and you don't want to wait hours, Melrose is the perfect spot to get your diner experience on without breaking the bank.
(4)
Sika G.

I used to love this place, it was our regular diner. But lately the quality of the food has seemed to deteriorate and I have been less and less happy with my food. It also seems (or is it just me?) that the restaurant has become less clean. I had to have the waiter get rid of a bug the last time I was there, and it wasn't the only one. Maybe it's just because it's summer, but it did not help my appetite.
(2)
Eva D.

I absolutely love this diner. It's about a 1/2 block from my apartment which makes it super convenient at 2 am. The coffee (Intelligentsia) is amazing. Typical diner fare. I always order off the breakfast menu, I hear some things, like the taco salad ,aren't great. But stick to breakfast and you won't be disappointed. I usually order a side of toast and the strawberries and bananas in cream-- sliced strawberries/bananas topped with a gratuitous amount of whip cream and served in a sundae dish. You have to try it, it's delicious! And as one of the waiters always says "healthy too." Haha, well maybe.
(3)
Patrick G.

Melrose is a staple in my diet. However, I have never been blown away by their food. The food is standard but not special. My favorite is the bleu cheese burger, which is all right. Its great for larger groups in the evening because its usually empty enough to push a few tables together. This would all be fine except that the prices are high for what they offer. What ever happened to cheap diner food? Probably the location... A redeeming factor is the service. I have never been disappointed by the service at Melrose.
(3)
Drucilla D.

The Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches at Melrose are incredibly delicious. In fact everything that I've ever tried at Melrose is incredibly delicious AND they give you such a generous portion that it's enough to share with your homeboys at the table. The servers can be a little on the crazy side (if you're lucky enough to get one of those particular servers) but the staff is overall very attentive, willing to work with you to get your order prepared exactly as you want it and they are quick on the refills which I appreciate very much. I wish Melrose were in my neighborhood, I'd be there all the time.
(5)
Rafael C.

It's open 24 hours and it serves diner food. No need to glamor this up as I go here only out of necessity. As Carly P. says, this is a breakfast place ... period. Anytime I have a breakfast fix late at night I can count on this place for a solid meal with good service. I will come back to give it a fair shot with something other than breakfast. If I find some good grub on the lunch/dinner side perhaps I will be happy to update them to 4 stars.
(3)
Lee T.

Very OK. Service, food, cleanliness... OK.
(3)
Kevin G.

Excellent diner. Open late, clean, and consistently tasty. Some of the work staff would do well to keep their bitching out of earshot of the customers. If you have a grievance with another employee... I don't care. Other then that breakfast is served all day...my favorite.
(3)
Amy J.

I happened upon this place while looking for things to do to fill the time while my boyfriend was working. He is in Chicago on business and I tagged along so I could explore a new city. My breakfast ("The Hobo" skillet) was fresh, plentiful and super tasty! It also came out incredibly fast once I gave my order! The waiter I had was sweet, checking on me often and refilling my water. He also gave me some suggestions on places to see in the Lakeview area. After finishing my food, my boy came to meet me there so he could eat. I was in the booth for well over an hour and I never felt rushed or uncomfortable. The boy ordered a meat lovers skillet and said it was very, very good. The wheat toast he had looked delicious! If I weren't phasing out the gluten, I would have tasted it. Mm...
(4)
Sophie B.

Typical greasy spoon. They have some exotic and unique items as well as some classics. A little over priced for the quality, but not bad. Good for a hot meal and quivk service.
(3)
Bill C.

Friends went to Melrose for a pre-Holiday dinner. There were about 15 of us and they did well seating us, however, the wait staff had trouble keeping track of who ordered what. The food was mediocre at best. We had a combo-appetizer of chicken strips, onion rings, jalapeno poppers, and mozzarella sticks. The plate was "plunked" down, all the items were dried out, "old" looking and there were no dipping sauces. In-edible at best. I had a so-so Greek salad which was small and over priced. The corned beef sandwich my dining partner had was a little better and was served with fries that looked way better the what we were served as an appetizer. It will be a long time before we'll return
(1)
Becky W.

I used to live next door to this place. I miss it. I used to love walking by daily and checking out the soups. All of the soups are homemade, and delicious. My favorites are the Cream of Chicken and rice and chicken noodle. I miss being able to order it when I was sick. Some of my other favorites are the veggie burger, which they make themselves I believe. You can see all of the vegetables inside! And the Melrose 2x2. 2 pancakes and 2 egss. My breakfast heaven. Oh melrose, I miss you.
(5)
Ginny L.

It's a shame I'm rarely in this neighborhood anymore, because I'd go here a lot more if I was... but it's worth going a bit out of my way for a burger here, in my opinion. I always get the burger with bleu cheese, mozzarella, avocado, and red onion. It's amazing. The fries are decent, but just as a side, not as something to get on their own. (Yeah, that's right, a lot of places I'll just order fries. Got a problem with it?)
(4)
T M.

Since it was so nice out yesterday, a friend and I decided to ride our bikes around and stop more or less randomly at whatever restaurant had outdoor seating and looked mildly interesting. And thus, we ended up at the Melrose. It's got one of those Chicago everything-and-the-kitchen-sink diner menus, with pasta, sandwiches, burgers, breakfast, etc., etc., etc. We decided to order stuff we wouldn't usually contemplate, just for the hell of it. So I got a chicken breast stuffed with cheese and broccoli (and which, I found out later, included bacon). My friend got the chicken scallopini. What I received was this abomination covered in something that resembled cheese, but was probably some variety of oddly colored Velveeta. For some reason it came with mashed potatoes, which were bland enough to require the semi-gross brown gravy it came with. Although an abomination, it was decently tasty. The chicken scallopini was said to be pretty good, despite not looking quite as expected. As for the service... well, we got our food, and the check, eventually. I don't think I would necessarily go back, unless I was unexpectedly in the neighborhood and wanted to try their breakfast menu. But no one got sick, nothing was truly disgusting (at least to us- your estimation of the food could vary considerably), and it was pretty cheap.
(3)
Josh H.

I love, love, love Melrose restaurant and for one reason... No, not the delicious Cabbage soup that gives me gut rot... No, not the amazing homemade ranch that I bath my sandwiches in... No, not even the rude managers/cashiers who refuse to split bills... No, no the best thing about Melrose that keeps me coming back is the waitress Beth!!! Beth has been a comfort away from my family life. She never judges, nor complains, but serves drunks with a smile on her face 5 days a week. She makes me smile ear to ear every time I see her. Melrose does not know what an asset they have on their hands because Beth is super grade A lady! Fajita skillet please! Go here at about 2 AM for a real show.
(5)
Lesley S.

I love Melrose, especially if you go in the summer for brunch. They have a nice little outdoor section where you can sit and people watch. Inside it is a cosy little diner atmosphere with tons of windows so lots of people watching inside as well if you like that kind of thing, which obviously I do since I've mentioned it twice now. Wow. Another thing I like about Melrose is that they have HUGE salads, I especially like the Julienne Salad. They had a good soup selection as well, at least 3 soups every time I have been to choose from and they are all delicious and taste homeade. One time my boyfriend ordered some sort of a chicken dinner there and it came with bread, soup, sides and ice cream. Our waiter was a bit nervous, I think when naming off the ice creams he referred to one as Buttercrotch instead of Buttercrunch which I'm not sure if that was intentional or not given the area that restaurant was in. I seemed to be the only person who noticed, but it brightened my day a bit.
(4)
Autumn H.

It's a great diner. Service is better in the morning and on weekend. Though it's great that it's open late nigh I wish they would tidy up their late night service more. Coffee is very good, and food tends to be delicious though it is diner food, burgers are great, omelets are ok though the new California omelet is really good. The Benedicts are good but I LOVE the breakfast burrito(huge filled with eggs, onions, chilies, in a amazing pablaon cream sauce.. There is something nice about the casual nature of the serves. All in all. If you want great diner food but nothing special yet still amazing food that is worth your buck.... this is the place. I've become a regular.
(4)
Amanda Z.

This place is alright, for what it is: diner-food. Open 24 hours, you can get nearly whatever you might be hungering for at any hour of the day...breakfast, grilled cheese, pie...coffee. They have a nice little patio open in the nicer weather too. Service is spotty, sometimes you can get good service, sometimes you have to hunt down your server. And there's truly nothing special about the food. One thing that irritates me: No free refills!!!! Seriously...how cheap. If I'm thirstin' for a cold Diet Coke (or Diet Rite, as it may be here)...give me a ref'. I won't drink THAT awful much.
(3)
James E.

I grew up in New Jersey, so having that background is henceforth going to influence all my reviews of diners. Contrary to popular belief, we from the great Garden State do not all love Bruce Springsteen, I actually don't own a Bon Jovi album (though I did come close), and the town I grew up in doesn't have a nuclear waste facility within a ten mile radius. But the one thing all of us from New Jersey have in common is an undying love for diners. So here I am, over 700 miles away from the diners of my youth. But Melrose isn't far away at all. This place is exactly what everyone should expect from a diner: good food (not gourmet), sassy waitresses, and a low-pressure place to hang out with friends. The ham & cheese omelet always hits the spot. The toast is, well, toasted. The coffee is pretty darned good and if you ask for the hash browns to come out crispy, they're delectable. Addy is our favorite server. She's hilarious and doesn't take bullshit from anyone. This is a great place to go to have a nice setting for a casual conversation with friends over unpretentious food that'll leave you feeling satisfied in the end.
(4)
Cathy O.

August 2, 2007. Ben and Cath are lugging what seems to be the 3,659th @#$% box of books or rocks or whatever is the most dense material known to mankind up to Ben's apartment in a slow, outdated elevator with one of those gates that never seems to close correctly on the first, second, or third tries. Tempers are flaring. Strong, strong language is being used. It is the HOTTEST DAY EVER, the air conditioner is not working properly, and neither have had anything to eat or drink besides Diet Coke in seven hours. Both are hungry, and they will most certainly end their relationship THEN AND THERE if they do not take a break. Then, in one of those moments in which the clouds part and the angels from the heavens above break into song, they step into Melrose, and all becomes right with the world. If I could have only three more words, they would be: Chicken. Pasta. Soup. You think I am being dramatic when I say that Melrose saved my relationship, and, sure, of course I am. But let me say this: I'm not sure who's hating on the soup at Melrose, but they are either joking or lying. Simply, Melrose has the best soup I have ever had (next to my dad's, which I am convinced can cure the common cold). Chicken Pasta. Chicken Noodle. Chicken Rice. Creams of Chicken, Broccoli, Potato, and Carrot. Tortilla. Beef Barley. Navy Bean. Cabbage. Oh, the cabbage. I am sure I missed at least five kinds of soup in this list. This place is our standby for late (or very, very early) breakfasts, weekday dinners, and late-night food dashes. In my experience, the food is always good and tasty and served at the right temperature. They keep the Diet Coke flowing, which is fantastic for an addict like me. (To Amanda, a reviewer below: I have never been charged for refills! Perhaps this depends on the waitstaff? Ask next time you're there.) I'm partial to the sandwiches, especially of the club variety, but I've ordered off both the specials chalkboard and the dinner portion of the menu and have never been disappointed. I have never received poor service, which may be due to my frequent visits and that the waitstaff knows us practically by name. Lastly, they have that jar of jellybeans up front by the register. If you have looked for red ones after your meal but couldn't find any, I am so, so sorry. It's likely my fault. I promise to pay more attention to the cleanliness the next time I go, because it seems as if this is a point of contention for many of the other reviewers. I should say that in my faithful dining over the past year at this restaurant I have never witnessed anything that made me question their sanitary practices. So many people saying that there is an issue, however, combined with the slightly high prices, makes me give Melrose four stars instead of five. But, Melrose, no hard feelings. I'd visit you any day. (And any time, because, OMG OPEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS? Heaven!)
(4)
Jacob J.

Years ago I'd stop through for a quick bite after drinks.. always thinking it was decent for that "golden nugget" kind of option. I.e. breakfast, brunch, burgers and shit. Then a few times while dining we noticed deficiencies in the food and then service. Then an article in the Chicago reader (I think) mentioned during Thanksgiving; a few of the kitchen staff had allowed the 5 second rule to occur while handling a Thanksgiving turkey. If a turkey was dropped, what else could've been dropped!
(2)
Sofia L.

I love this place. It's a typical diner, except the food is better than it sounds. It reminds me of Denny's when I was a kid--before it sucked. There is plenty of seating--especially booths, which I love--and the owner is always there. Waiters/waitresses are often Eastern European. I had an old American lady once, and she was pretty bad, but otherwise the servers are pretty good. The food is great. The portions are very large and I've never felt ripped off. In my experience, the food is comes out quicker when the restaurant is full. Food often comes with a banana and toast. Their whole grain toast is actually whole grain. Foods with cheese are not overloaded with cheese--just the right amount. Platescome out piping hot. I don't like coffee, but my bf is a coffee snob to the extreme. He LOVES the Intelligentsia coffee--it's hot, fresh, and they refill your cup constantly. I've read that some people don't like this place because they touch your food with their bare hands--I've never seen this happen. Finally, get a window seat so you can people watch!
(5)
Beth P.

Melrose seemed like a cute little corner diner, and it took us forever to try it. Maybe we built it up too much or something because we weren't that impressed. We are big diner people, but there are so many in the area that do it better than Melrose. It is 24 hours though, and I have found that beer goggles work for food as well as potential mates. Most of the sandwiches we've tried have been ok, with the exception of the tuna salad, which was really really tasty. So there's that. Watch out for the 'tude you might get if you ask to substitute anything. Sheesh.
(3)
Vito C.

Lived in the neighborhood for years, I recommend the Navy Bean soup on Monday, Cream of Chicken on Sunday, and for those not so hungry the soup, salad and bread basket can hit the right spot. The servers are friendly, Daniel rocks in the evenings. Glad The Melrose is still alive & kicking. They even offered $5.99 breakfast (24 hrs a day) in the past. The neighborhood loves a deal and with so many new places, its cool The Melrose offers their loyal customers a great deal.
(5)
Eric M.

The Melrose is the kind of diner every neighborhood needs. Open all the time, plenty of pie, fresh fruit, well-executed classics, friendly but seasoned and tough staff. Imagine the diner in Seinfeld or, perhaps more appropriately, the Showtime version of Queer as Folk, and you know what to expect. Personally, I love the belgian waffles here. I get them a la mode with strawberries and am never disappointed. The sandwiches are also well-crafted, and on a hot summer day their fruit plate can really hit the spot. Just don't fall asleep at your table or you may wake up to the gruff face of the CPD - I've seen it happen (to other people, thankfully not to me).
(4)
Rob W.

I've been here a number of times for brunch, lunch and dinner (late). The food is reasonably priced and very delicious. We are able to bring in beer or champagne (for mimosas) which is delightful. The service is absolutely excellent. The atmosphere is very relaxed, reminiscent of classic diners. The food quality and portions are excellent. I'm always happy with whatever I order. Having been to many other brunch spots in the area, this is the one that we keep coming back to. It's the best!
(5)
Chaviva G.

It seems that most people would happily choose Stella's Diner or somewhere else over the Melrose Restaurant. And I've been putting off going here for a nosh for nearly a year because of all the shittastic reviews about this place. But, well, I don't know what the beef is all about, because I had outstanding service, delicious food, and it helps that the waitress was awesome and it was a late, gorgeous night. I showed up around 9:30 fresh out of a movie and hungry. It was either going to be Chipotle or Melrose, and I was craving a burger so I hit up the Melrose. This nice little old man opened the door for me as I came in and the moment my foot hit the restaurant he was yelling "Who's working up front? Anyone?" and people came a'running to seat me. I don't even know if this guy works there, but he was elderly with a bit of an accent and knew how to make things happen. So a woman sat me outside, and after a few second came to take my order, apologizing that no one had brought me water yet "Changing of the guard!" she said. (And there were people counting out tips, so I knew this wasn't just smoke she was blowing.) I ordered the Melrose Burger, medium rare, with a salad instead of soup, and that was that. The waitress was this probably 60-something lady with bright read hair who had the charm of a waitress at a diner in the middle of Iowa. She kept commenting on the beautiful weather, and later when she brought my bill put her hand on my shoulder and thanked me for coming in. I mean really, that's top tier service. The salad, adorned with croutons, was your typical diner salad and hit the spot (yummy ranch!). Then, the burger arrived, looking huge, with the coleslaw and steak fries, as well as my favorite thing -- a pickle. I did up my burger with the fixins and went straight for the coleslaw -- my true gauge of a restaurant. If they're willing to throw that on there, then they better be able to stand behind it, darn't. Unfortunately, they'd sort of pureed their coleslaw, which just doesn't do it for me. Coleslaw is about specific things: texture, tang, sweetness, consistency, etc. This one had the taste of a perfect balance between tang/sweetness, but it just lacked the proper consistency. The burger though? Perfectly cooked. I haven't had a burger so perfectly cooked in a long time, and it was juicy and delicious -- nothing overly seasoned about it, it was a true straight-up burger. The entire meal cost me about $9, which in truth I could have gone to a little corner joint and gotten a greasy burger and fries for maybe four bucks less, but what can you do? The guy who cashed me out had an accent (Eastern European?) and the entire place just had this old-world vibe about it in the people that worked there. Overall: Good meal, great service, decent price. I'll go back, of course :)
(4)
Lindsay S.

Four words: dead mosquito in food. And then they look pissed when my GF won't eat it? I'm sorry what else do you have roaming around back there. i was already nervous about this place but it can highly recommended when we first moved here. I ate here with a friend once. Not impressed at all. Tasted like iHop's lunch menu. But the bug...I just can't overlook that. Never again.
(1)
M. M.

The local Lakeview diner. The menu is massive and I have actually come up with a little equation that conveys my thoughts on the the price of food here... it is always about 3 dollars more that you feel good about paying. The portions are gigantic so it works out if you can split a meal. There really is no way to totally dislike a place that is 24 hours in this neck of the woods either.
(4)
Zack R.

Typical breakfast/diner. I am a fan and will always go there if someone asks me to go, but I just have one item on the menu that I really like. That item: The green eggs and ham which is basically a pesto scrambled egg with ham. It is delicious. On the negative I have gotten a rotten banana from them (not a euphemism, they give you a free banana with every breakfast) once. It was fixed though. The service is good, but I never really have a hankering to go here, just sort of am happy to go if it is suggested.
(3)
Dean K.

Consistently good breakfast. Eggs are poached perfectly, bacon is soft but crispy and the hash browns are nicely cooked. The orange juice is so pulpy you could eat it with a fork so I stick to milk or Coke. I've never understood, though, how they figure out which of the people who order the side of fruit will get the fruit cup and who will get the banana. I wish you were offered the option.
(4)
Izzy S.

I've been coming here for years. It's a diner, not much else to say. It's one of two place in the neighborhood that's open 24/7. It's either this or Ihop. The food is great at 4-5am when you stumble in drunk. The place could be a bit cleaner.
(4)
Beth F.

Who gets drunk in the middle of the week? I do! And when I'm hungover at work and sitting in my cube in downtown Minneapolis, it hits me all over again just how much I miss the Melrose. I used to live a couple blocks away so on those unfortunate mornings after one drink too many, the Melrose always came to the rescue. The sheer volume of the food they bring to the table cures almost any ailment and for a 24-hour diner, the food is better than average, in my opinion. And not only that, but after scarfing down a massive serving of eggs and hashbrowns, the thought of sitting in a cube all day with a headache seems almost tolerable. The breakfast food is probably my favorite thing about this place. I've tried a few of the sandwiches and thought they were just ok, but nothing special. But all the breakfast dishes I've tried have been great. They also serve a banana with each breakfast plate, which I love. I only went here once after a weekend night out at the bar and it was a total madhouse, and not in the good way. I've generally tried to stay away from this place during high-peak hours because the service isn't fantastic and when it's busy, you feel it. But during the less busy hours, I've never had any problems. The food is always hot, drink refills come pretty quickly and most of the servers smile if you make eye contact with them.
(3)
Jo W.

Reading these other reviews, I'm relieved (and distrurbed) to know that I'm not the only one who has witnessed their lack of sanitation. I've eaten here a couple times, but the last and final time I went there I ordered breakfast. I did not eat my banana. When the waitress took our plates, for whatever reason I watched her take them back... and then I saw her take my uneaten banana off my dirty plate and put it back with the others. GROSS. I know a banana has a thick peel, but still. GROSS.
(1)
Colleen C.

As far as outdated 24-hour diners go, this one is at the top of my list. The food isn't extraordinary, but for diner food, it's pretty good. The favorite thing I've had so far is the turkey dinner. It was quite yummy. Prices are okay, and they have a huge menu to choose from. I keep meaning to try the pumpkin pecan pancakes they've had on the specials menu, but I always stick with dinner. But one of these days, I will. Also it should be mentioned that the wait staff is AWESOME. Every time they've been friendly, attentive, and sometimes just really entertaining (like this one older lady who was a huge Sox fan and kept chatting up my boyfriend about the Sox and trashing the Cubs in front of a table of Cubs fans.) My friends say it's gross, but I very much disagree. Yeah, it's not the cleanest, most inviting place to sit and have a meal, but it sure beats The Golden Nugget/Angel/Apple. By a lot.
(4)
Brett K.

I liked this place so much after trying the first time that I went back the very next day! Though it appears standard-dinerish, the food was great and the staff was both polite and helpful. The portion sizes are also great in relation to the price. The last thing I'll say--also positive--is that it's open 24 hours a day, which is great for someone looking to grab a bite late a night.
(4)
Meghan z.

This place is a great place to go when you are starving and your friends can't agree on what kind of food to get. It's a typical diner with a huge menu of food! There is something here for everyone. Their soups are always pretty tasty, but sometimes the food is just OK. The chicken, I have found, can be a little bit rubbery. The burgers however, are delish! And...you also always get a bread basket, which these days is a rare thing. The best reason to go here though is the service. This place doesn't waste your time with the ditzy girly girl waitresses. These servers are always on their "A game". The food always comes out in a timely manner and they are also good and recommendations. Overall I would say it is one of the best diners in the city. Come here and expect great service and lots of options.
(4)
ryan w. v.

If you're a mo, it's a place (not the place) to see and be seen, but if you're not a mo it's just a place to see and eat. I don't think there is anything super duper special about this place, but the gays like it. I did have great customer service from our little waitress lady friend. She looked incompetent with taking our orders, delivering them correctly, and even remembering to refill our drinks. But, she was all there and then some; closing each sentence with a, "Thanks, Honey" or "Thank you, Dear." I had the Healthy Choice (granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit) bowl. It was the perfect size meal and the fruit (strawberries, blueberries, and bananas) were sliced fresh. I would have enjoyed it better with some honey, but ate it anyway. In short: great service, full menu, okay food, lots of gays.
(3)
Barbara I.

A group of 8 friends went to the Melrose today...we wanted corned beef and cabbage...went at lunch time, no reservations. The Melrose is a typical diner ( or familiarily called "greek" restaurant). The restaurant is clean and bright..has the typical diner menu - daily specials, with soup/salad and small dessert. The corned beef was very good...only 1 boiled potatoe, but that was okay because there was alot of corned beef. The thing that really stands out is the waiter we had...all our food came at once, separate checks (yeah!) and when all of us except one got dessert with our meals..the waiter offered to bring to the dessertless a dessert...very nice...I definitely will go back.
(4)
Brad B.

Sitting at the counter at Melrose is a lovely experience. Late morning on a Saturday you can overhear couples discussing what they are going to do for the balance of the day, the expeditor yelling at the staff to get orders out and the occasional Trixie recounting her random hookup from the night before to her hungover friends. Evidence the money quote from one such conversation this morning: "....Well....I just didn't want to go home alone...." Sweet. The spinach, cheddar and ham omlette was lovely too.
(4)
Katie P.

Ah. The Melrose. I've eaten here a couple times and there are a couple themes running through all of my experiences: 1. The portions are HUGE. Omelettes are four-egg monstrosities of breakfast goodness that come with toast AND hash browns. Just on that one plate you've got enough carbs and protein to run your body for roughly three days. But despite the enormity of the serving, the food tastes really good. Usually when quantity wins the tug-of-war, quality gets thrown to the curb. Not so here. 2. GET THE ORANGE JUICE. Fresh squeezed, baby. 3. QUICK SEATING. Even on a Sunday at 11am, the longest I've waited is 10 minutes and that was for a table for 4. When it was just 2 of us there was absolutely no wait. Awesome. 4. REASONABLY PRICED. For the amount of food, which suggests you should calculate price "per pound," you can't beat it. My only caveat is that the service can be spotty. There's not a lot of personal attention and doting so if you need an ego-boost go elsewhere. But for that brunchy, diner breakfast, do not hesitate. Go.
(4)
Katie H.

Everytime I walk by this place and see the crowds of people eating here I can only wonder why. My one and only experience here entailed finding a big long hair (blond, so not mine) after taking a bout 4 bites of my mediocre omelet. When the waitress came back 20 minutes later she started to take the plate, asking "are you done?". I replied that considering I found this giant hair right here in it, yeah, I'm done. She just said okay and took the plate. No apology, didn't take it off the bill. Bad food, awful service, and hairy eggs. I won't ever go back.
(1)
Clare T.

Pretty much what everyone else has said: The Melrose is a solid neighborhood diner. There is very little chance that you will be unable to find something you like on the enormous menu. Waitstaff is helpful, portions are huge. The Melrose was always my place to get a burger on my way home after long happy hours. They have great fries here, too. I have had many a delicious diner breakfast here as well. Love the '80s decor and awesome soundtrack in this place. It's not unusual to hear something out of an early '90s rom-com coming through the speakers as you chow.
(4)
Dani C.

my fiance and I live 2 doors down from this restaurant, so we are there frequently. The grilled cheese and fries (with salad) is under $10. bread baskets with every meal. the jelly beans at the register. There is an outdoor patio in the summer, which is one of the hot spots for sitting, eating, and people-watching. while limited, they do have vegetarian menu choices. My fiance regularly gets the spaghetti with fresh tomatoes, which is not on the menu.
(5)
Max P.

Just moved down the street from this place. Food is ok.service is ok sometimes but not very cozy. Open 24 hours ups my review but I think I am going to walk 3 blocks up to Stellas where the servers are always friendly ,food is great , and I won't overhear that a new waitress quit because the manager made her cry.
(2)
Mike G.

Veggie Skillet!!! Loved it. Amiable service. Large portions. Great value. Loved it
(5)
Brandon T.

Stumbling around lakeview at 2:30 am and hungry? Stop by here for some decent enough breakfast food and hear how everyone elses night has been going as they yell at each other. Kind of a nice night cap if I do say so myself.
(3)
Natasha B.

Good food... love their skillets. My one complaint is the manger or owner, not sure. I have seen him scream and curse at employees in front of customers and my young daughter. I have witnessed it twice, it is very unprofessional. I felt so bad for my server I gave her a little extra tip, especially since she really didn't do anything wrong. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------------------
(2)
Alyssa V.

Melrose has a good location, is 24/7, has a broad variety of menu options (including out of the ordinary diner selections like zucchini and tomato omelets), and good service. Last night a group of us stumbled in there around 4:30. Needing something to put in our stomaches immediately, we glaced at the appetizer section and quickly ordered the appetizer sampler. Since it was 8 dollars, we figured it should be enough....but it was actually 8 samples in total. A dollar a piece? Moving on.... I split the breakfast burrito with Stephanie and it was OK. A lot of eggs instead of vegetables but get this: They put like an entire avocado in that burrito!! That pushed this review up an extra star. Even though the hashbrowns weren't even room-temperature.
(3)
Shantell B.

How does this place have more than one star?? I went here one night with a friend, ordered the taco salad, it was gross. Flat out, the lettuce was frozen and wet, and of course the meat was cold because of the frozen lettuce. So, after explaining to the manager that I didn't care for it he barrated me with why? why? why? I felt like I needed a lawyer just to ask for something else. He tells me "Why? so you can not like that too", I paid for my appetizer and left. I love greasy spoons, I'm not a picky eater, but I can't stand horrible customer service.
(1)
Zac K.

Your total local diner- however, 3 stars for the 24hr factor. Many a summer night spent here after a truly crazy night out in the Chi. Good breakfast foods and soups. Some rude waitstaff though-
(3)
Kevin T.

It's one of the nicer diners that I have visited. We just got back from the place. People watching is ok there I recommend ordering the stuffed tomato. It is very delightfully stuffed with a tasty tuna salad. Also, I highly recommend their orange juice..... fresh squeezed with ample pulp (which I love btw).
(3)
Jeff N.

Underwhelmed would be a good start here. Conveniently located near my daughter's apartment and we went because she stated she liked the place. Really folks, so many better 'all purpose' diners around. My Ceasar salad with poached salmon was just OK. Nice sized piece of salmon but the dressing was a bit on the bitter side. My wife's club sandwich and my daughters wrap were fine, but unremarkable. So many good and unique restaurants in the area, it will be a while before I return. Now I know why the place was 2/3 empty at 6:30 on a Sunday night.
(3)
Eric D.

Got to love having a diner thats open all the time right across the street. The place isn't outstanding in any regards other than its convenient and I can grab food whenever I want. I've been here a few times and found the food to be just fine, no more, no less.
(3)
A.S. V.

This is the original, and now the only Melrose restaurant. Not so much happening at night, it's more of an ideal brunch location on weekends, although there's often a substantial waiting time.
(3)
Alan T.

A typical 24 hour urban diner. You've all been to one and you all know what to expect. Decent enough food if you're desperate enough to need to go there. I used to get breakfast there quite often when I used to work across the street. Not a bad joint overall, but I seriously question this place on their sanitation. Their bathrooms never seem to get cleaned, you can see that just about every surface needs a good scrubbing, and their chicken soup made my friend so sick he ended up in the emergency room later that day. There are a lot of other late night dining options in this part of the city - go somewhere else instead and take a pass on the food poisoning. Seriously wasn't worth the $750 ER bill.
(1)
anthony g.

This is one of the best diner's on the northside.Open all day, it has one of the best breakfast menu's around.You will love this place if your the meat & Potato's type. Wait staff are great & friendly, and a nice place to go in the wee hour's of the morning, after a night out.
(4)
Kathryn M.

Considering I live down the street this is one of my go to late night places. The portions are pretty big and the late-night servers have a good sense of humor. It's a little pricey for diner food, but the people watching and yummy breakfast food make up for it. Good late night/breakfast place.
(4)
Lidia L.

This diner was a nice little old fashioned place that we stopped by as my first meal in Chicago. We got here in time for brunch. I ordered the croissant sandwich which was your typical sandwich and it was good. My boyfriend ordered the corned beef hash skillet and when I tasted his, it was delicious! Full of flavor to my liking. I also ordered the coconut french toast just to try it because everyone raved about it and .... it was pretty darn good/fantastic. All in all, we had a lot of food for 2 people for only 2 orders.
(3)
tracy g.

I just love this place! It is right across the street from my sons' school! Breakfast...yummy. I have the coconut french toast! Holy cow! First of all, anything with coconut I am in love with. This breakfast is so good! I have had their patty melt and their soup is really good for lunch. They also have this wide selection of teas. I tried the toasted almond and it was very tasty. The owners are nice and friendly too. U should try this place!!!
(4)
Jacques M.

What with the strange automatic door on the side of this place? Am I in a grocery store? Nope I'm headed to the outside patio. I either must have gone on the wrong night or people are rating higher based on the fact that it's open late at night. My food was ok, not horrible but pretty forgettable. The waitress brought out our salads with no silverware, no big deal I'm sure she'll be back, right? Five minutes later no sign of her (couldn't even see her), my wife had to get up and get our silverware from the cart (I know I should have been a gentleman and got it, sorry). In her defense the waitress was very attentive and friendly after the main dishes were served, but I have to take away a star for having to get our own silverware. Atmosphere is pretty nonexistent, and the food isn't good enough to make up for it. Overall, if I lived nearby I might stop in during a late night, but since I don't I probably won't be back.
(2)
Lawrence Y.

I've been just here a couple times, and the place isn't anything to rave about. Recently I had the grilled chicken sandwich (cajun style) and it was alright. It pretty much came out as a chicken cesar salad. I was tempted to try the Chicken Piccata here, but something was telling me 'diners' wouldn't be the place to excel with pasta dishes. I've also had a few bites of the meat skillet, and thought it was ok. The server we had most recently was always pouty and had sighface, so I don't know... service and food here isn't too exciting?
(3)
John Y.

I haven't been here in years but back in the day it was a Gay Mecca for late night diners after the bars closed especially. I can report it's still a great place to get a good meal and lots of coffee refills. Reasonable prices too! It was funny though we had a neurotic waitress that filled our full salt and pepper shakers and sugar dispenser three times while we ate. Hey!.... but she was so sweet and where else but at the Melrose would one find a neurotic waitress to make the evening more colorful? Melrose is still great!
(5)
Bobby H.

If you do NOT like roaches in your food or beverages, this is NOT the place for you. The 2nd time I found a roach in my pop, I vowed to never go back -- and I haven't . To add further insult, there was no appology and it was not removed from my bill - they simply replaced the 'roach' drink. Gross.
(1)
Charles J.

If the sign of a good restaurant is the line to get a table, then Melrose is a great spot, especially on weekends. We love to drive into the city now and then from the far SW Burbs and do brunch somewhere in the city and Melrose is one of our favorite spots. I can only speak to their breakfasts because regardless of the time of day, that's what I order there. Fabulous omelette's, both is quality and selection! Portions are very generous - you probably won't (and shouldn't) finish it all. I also love people watching and on a Sunday morning, there are a lot of people to watch on that corner of Broadway and Melrose. I love the feel of the environment of the area and it adds tremendously to the whole experience there. Prices are very reasonable as far as near city eating establishments go. If there were any drawbacks, it might be the wait to get in, especially if you're pressed for time. It's a can't miss in my book!
(4)
Kenny T.

Food is alright here but every time my gf and I eat here, we get sick. Not food poisoning sick, just feel really gross and tummy wriggly sick. They're overpriced and all their food is far greasier than any food should legally have a right to be. It's okay if you're drunk at 3-5am but otherwise, steer clear and spend your money elsewhere.
(2)
Tchad E.

If you have lived in Lakeview long enough, sooner or later you will end up at Melrose restaurant/diner. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Great staff, decent food, ok prices. Overall, not a bad way to kill some time and pack your gullet. I usually eat here every 3 or 4 months, but last week was here - what? - 4 times? It was just that kind of week. Luckily I live two blocks away and can just bounce over. They don't seem to be as busy as they were when I moved to the city in the early '00s, so it is easy to do some planning or study a bit without having the staff hound you. Most of the time I have had to ask for my bill. As far as favorite food goes, I have always been partial to the roast beef & swiss croissant or the ribeye steak. I am not sure that I have had anything terrible there - their matzah ball soup is a little salty and weak, but this isn't grandma's house, so it's fine. The perfect neighborhood stop-in: Go to study or read a bit, go when you don't feel like cooking, go in between errands, go when you desperately need something greasy to sop up the booze sloshing around in your stomach after a night out.
(4)
Karrie O.

4 years ago I lived right next door to Melrose and let me tell you....it became my neighborhood staple right away. Being 1 of 4 roommates I can honestly tell you that we all had an enjoyable time there whether it was a hungover Sunday breakfast or a late night 4th meal. Matter of fact, it was the first place my parents and I ate after a long day of moving in, in August 2007. This place is straight from the 80's and we loved every minute of it. The service is fantastic and who doesn't love complimentary bread rolls when you sit down? Every now and again I'll go have a bite to eat at my ol stomping grounds and have a flashback of the memories that were made there with great friends. The icing on the cake of my Melrose dining experiences....the owner even gave me a mug since I was an adoring customer of the joint. Who doesn't love that kinda treatment?
(5)
Sage J.

3rd time I have been here. By all appearances it looks like a dive, but a gem in the city. Reasonable prices, great food and great service. I have had sandwiches the past few times and been very happy. The bread basket is my favorite, I love the assortment of baked bread! YUMMMY! Great place to go for a quick casual bite or breakfast with friends. If Im in the hood, I will be back. :)
(4)
Liesel F.

I love the Melrose!! The food is standard diner food, but it's amazing after a night of drinking. It's open 24 hours, so you can stop in any time. I really like their omelets and flakey French toast. They have good coffee, too.
(4)
Dustin G.

I love Melrose Restaurant! I used to live across the street from the place and I miss being able to run over and get a malt or a turkey burger whenever I want. It's classic diner food and no frills, but that's what I want in a place like this. They have the best "after-bar" food and they're open all night. They're skillets are great the next day when you've got a hangover. No night of partying in Boystown is complete without a stop by the diner for some late night munchies!
(4)
Stephanie F.

Try the banana and coconut french toast.. it's SOOOO good. Also, they serve a whole banana (in the peel and everything!) with every egg breakfast.. how fun!
(4)
Amber D.

The breakfast here is great, and it's even better that it's served all day. I like the fact that you can call and place an order, and also get a general estimate of when it will be ready. Really, I ordered breakfast, they told me it would be ready in 12 minutes, I walked across the street 12 minutes later, and viola; my food was already packaged and ready to go home with me. (I like punctuality.) The food and service is excellent, and the people are super friendly.
(4)
Kristin C.

Melrose has ginormous, fill-you-up, fluffy-ass (or fill-up your fluffy-ass. Whichever you prefer) omelets. I always get the one with feta, zukes and tomatoes. I have ordered sandwiches before and they are OK - not as good as the breakfast grub by any means. The atmosphere here is great. I mean, it's a 24-hour diner so who knows what you will get. I like coming here on the weekend to read the paper and to have quiet thinking time. Or something. My boyfriend found a fly in his food here once. But that doesn't stop me! I mean, don't we eat like 16 spiders in our sleep each year?
(3)
Shana M.

So! Impressed! I was really shocked by the quality of the food here. And any diner that serves a good pickle wins my heart immediately. I ordered the California Burger (comes with bleu cheese, avocado, mozzarella and red onions). I asked for medium rare and was actually served a medium rare burger! People, I swear, this IS cause for celebration. At most diners you either don't get a choice or they cook it medium well no matter how sweetly you request medium rare. The burger was juicy and had the yummy char-grill flavor only an old and greasy grill can provide. I found the mozzarella to be unnecessary and removed it. The red onions were MIA and the avocado was sort of haphazardly thrown on top but, once I doctored it up I didn't miss the onions and chowed down. YUM! The burgers all come with either soup or salad and steak fries. The steak fries could, admittedly, have been cooked more, but they'll re-heat for lunch beautifully today. Plus the place looks like every diner from my childhood in aquas and mauves and fake plants. It's tacky mall heaven! With burgers! My friend ordered the meatloaf which looked really good too. He says he's been there quite a few times and hasn't been disappointed yet. I'll have to try to get back for the reportedly fluffy eggs or pancakes and coffee.
(4)
Ellen S.

My experience was from appx 5 years ago..I am only posting it now since I pass by that place often and on the bus the people behind me were telling their horror story which reminded me of mine.. My family member and I went there for a late lunch and split the Julianne Salad. It was huge,plenty for two. Ranch dressing was in a metal container placed on top of the salad(ick!). We both split the salad and just had water to drink. It tasted ok.Not too much you can do to screw up a sald right ? Well,less than 24 hours later, my family member and I became so sick and spent the next 2 days non stop in the bathroom without a break. I was weak and sick for a week after and lost clients since I could not do my work. Does the Board of Health inspect these places in Lakeview ? Gosh,I sure hope so.
(1)
Graham T.

Typical diner with typical diner food and solid service. We liked the variety on the menu and the food arrived very quickly. If you are in the Lincoln Park North area this is a good choice for breakfast. The interior layout was a bit cramped but our waitress made it work. Would go back without complaint if I was in town again.
(3)
Kelly M.

Melrose is exactly what you expect it to be: So so food, but tolerable at breakfast, if you can tolerate that type of food. Open 24 hours, this place can be dangerous, as so so food at 3 am quickly becomes the "best burger/grilled cheese/chicken sandwich and fries you ever had..."
(2)
Dan B.

I have been to Melrose twice, once over a year ago and today. I have ordered the same thing both times, and both times left thinking wow...that is one of the best breakfast burritos I have ever had. It is huge, filled with tons of avocado and roasted poblanos, and covered in a creamy poblano sauce that I would be content to lather myself with... damn it's good! It is for this reason alone that Melrose gets 4 stars, the hashbrowns were about 2 stars, and what is with the whole banana on every plate? Both me and my dining partner left them untouched. The service is spotty and not overly friendly. But I kid you not, coming from a man who has had many a breakfast burrito Melrose is undoubtedly near the top
(4)
Lisa F.

While walking through the neighborhood to visit Wiggleyville for the four-legged children the hubby and I stopped in here for lunch. It was the typical diner atmosphere. Pretty extensive menu including about 5-6 daily specials. We chose the fried perch with macaroni and cheese. The salad appetizer that came with the meal was mediocre. Just your typical lettuce with a typical dressing. Nothing to write home about there. The fish was decent yet typical. The macaroni was okay. I've certainly had better and certainly worse. The husband said he preferred Stella's down the road, whereas I preferred this more. The prices did seem a bit steep for what was received. Oh yeah, didn't notice any queso on that menu, pfft! Hehe
(3)
Jordan R.

Over the past ten years I've watched the prices of this place rise astronomically while the quality of its food has struggled to stay the same if not go into a freefall. Three stars for being 24 hours, but I've been let down the last few times I've gone here.
(3)
Carolina P.

I miss this place. The avocado burger is great! The ranch dressing is made from scratch so its delicious especially when you dip your fries in it. I know, I sound like a big fatty ding dong but try it you'll agree.
(5)
Max K.

Good service, good food, decent prices. What more can you ask for?
(4)
Yogi B.

Melrose Restaurant won't win any awards for "fine dining", but their soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners have never disappointed me. It's open 24 hours a day. A cup of soup or dinner salad comes with your meal or sandwich. Their soups are freshly made. Try the sweet & sour cabbage soup, their specialty--YUM! (The dinner salad is mostly iceberg lettuce, though.) Melrose does a good job at specialty salads, from spinach to taco to? (I can't remember them all...) Melrose also does a good breakfast. Fluffy Omelets are my favorite for breakfast there. The Hobo skillet is also very yummy. They have inexpensive dinner specials and a pretty exhaustive menu.
(4)
David N.

This is one of those places that have been around for a very long time. Now I can see why they stay in business. The food is great and the wait staff I give 5 stars to! They have some good choices to pick from for breakfast items. I have not eaten here for lunch or dinner, but the menu has some great choices on it. This is one of those places you can just grab a quick bite at any time of the day or night. Thank you especially to the entire wait staff for being so friendly and attentive. You are what makes this restaurant stand above so many others.
(5)
Erin L.

Best diner in Lakeview. Me and my boyfriend go there all the time and get the same server, she's super nice and we get our food really fast. It's decently priced and you get huge portions of food. All the food I've ordered is good, I would definitely recommend this to any vegetarian. Its also open at all hours which is pretty sweet.
(4)
Kurt O.

The food, service and music are usually very good. It's a nice place to read the paper and relax or meet with a friend for breakfast. The waiters are always very and helpful. It's a dependable place for a nice breakfast.
(4)
Kevin B.

50/50 I know that is an easy way out, but it's true. I have eaten here quite regularly over the past 8 years and for the most part have had adequate service and food. But, there were a few times that the service was so bad that it killed many of the good experiences. The staff rotation is pretty noticeable, so must not be the best place to work for. That being said some of the waitresses have been over the top nice, while others have been... well might need to check that they have a pulse. Double check your take out. If you get home and notice you didn't get your fries they will scream at you on the phone that you are liar and to come back tomorrow for your fries. I blame the management for this behavior, not the employees. After 2am, this place is heaven though... you and everyone else is usually too drunk to care how the service and food is... if anything my sympathy is with the staff, not the customers at that time of night :)
(3)
David C.

I live down the block from this restaurant and I feel lucky to be able to stroll down there for a meal. The place is just easy. The food is not fancy, just comfortable, regular, good, meals. The value is very good, i.e., you get a lot of food and always leave full. In warm weather, my favorite pastime is to eat at their sidewalk tables with friends and family. They do a nice job with the flowers that are out there. I guess the only thing it's lacking is a familiar face or character working there, you know, the types of host/manager/owner who always remembers you and likes to chat you up when you come in. Other than that, don't change a thing.
(4)
Lori B.

My first time here was a few days ago. My husband use to frequest here a few years ago. The food was good, the spartan omlette was really good and my husband had the California club and it was very good. The only reason I feel the need to comment is my coffee cup had a huge chip in it and they gave me spolied, curdled skim milk for my coffee. Other than those two things, it was really good.
(3)
Kristy L.

Best diner in Lakeview, with tons of vegetarian options. The portions are huge and the breakfasts are especially tasty. I also really love the staff there; it is really truly a diner with a boys town flair where everyone is friendly and the waiters treat my boyfriend like a king :P (i.e. "what are you havin' today gorgeous?")
(4)
Jean Z.

Exactly what did you expect from this regular family restaurant? Open 24hrs, check. Big omelets, check. Yummy pickles with the cheeseburgers, check. Refill my pop for free, check. Outdoor seating, check.
(5)
Amber W.

I love this place! Great for late nights after the bar, and just to go for good eats! Ed is the greatest waiter ever! If you go... Ask for him directly!
(5)
Chris W.

Tasty spinach and bacon salad, speedy service, Arctic AC (ergo, a nice hideout on AC-less Chicago evenings, otherwise bring a sweater.)
(3)
Suee S.

I came here on Christmas because I really wanted an omlette with feta and didnt feel like making one myself. So I decided to go to Melrose Restaurant since its right by my apartment. The omlette was good and I got alot of food. I think it was a little pricey for the type of restaurant but I did get alot of food like I said. Less food with a lower price would be better. There isn't free WIFI which kind of sucks since I was eating alone and it would be nice to go online while I wait for my food. When I went to pay the manager or whoever he was asked if I wanted to leave a tip which I had left on the table already so I said no. I feel as though he got kinda weird about me saying that I didnt want to leave a tip. I guess its an ok restuarant. Ive only eaten there this one time so I cant really say too much about it. Ill give it a 3 star because of the weirdness of the cashier......
(3)
Samantha L.

I've been here twice... once when sober, once when drunk. Both times, the food was decent, but it's super greasy diner food, so be prepared. Also, the first time (sober), I asked for EASY on the onions, and I think the waitress maybe instead requested EXTRA onions, cause my breakfast was swimming in onions. Overall, not a bad diner, but don't expect it to be wonderful. It's definitely a step up from Golden Nugget!
(3)
Bill M.

This Lakeview diner on Broadway is more special for breakfast/brunch than for lunch or dinner. There is some outdoor seating in the summertime. Enjoy your omelet or burger or whatever.
(3)
Sara B.

This place is my clam in the hectic world of the city. Well, during normal waking hours that is...I know they are good for a after bar meal but have not been here yet during that time... I love their food. It comforts me as it fattens me up just like grandma would do. It's good for the soul. :-)
(4)
Rob A.

I love this place. It's cheap, the portions are huge, and you get soup or salad and bread included with the dinners for less than what most restaurants charge for only the entree. The atmosphere is nice, the staff is friendly and the food is top notch comfort food. I eat here several times a month. The hot meatloaf sandwich is my favorite. I've also been there for breakfast and it's wonderful. Huge portions, tasty skillet items. No pretense here, either. Just good home cookin' without the attitude. If you want a cheap, relaxing, old fashioned diner experience, this is one of the best in the city.
(4)
Vince F.

This is where you go after you have had way too much to drink and it is the only place open. If you are tired and drunk enough, you won't notice that the food is awful and the place is shabby. Now I understand there is a certain nostalgia factor going for Melrose. But I am new to Chicago. And stanky bathrooms negate nostalgia any time. The waitress is fun though. Yes, waitress. I am sure there is more than one, but I always have had the same woman. She is straight out of a sitcom. I love her. But I hate Melrose.
(1)
Kori E.

This is probably one of the best diner's in the city! Excellent food!
(4)
M C.

Totally needed to get out of the house at 3 am earlier this week, during the week... ended up here. loved it. I usually end up at the 24 hr starbucks then to clark's, but I won't be doing that anymore. At 3 am the place wasn't empty, and it wasn't loud. The wait service was extremely welcoming and prompt. I've been looking for a good 24hr place and this is it. I usually only get chicken fingers or mozzarella sticks wherever I go so they totally pass the test. clark's has the absolute worst chicken fingers. fuck that.
(5)
Pam N.

Upon request, they put *bacon* INTO a *waffle* and topped it with *whipped cream* !!! A diner that will do that for me... and is a block away from my bf's house... That's all I could ever ask for.
(5)
Mike K.

Open 24 hours, the waitresses were cool as hell, and the skillet i had was pretty f'n fantastic. I like this place alot.
(4)
Steve T.

Having not have eaten here in a sober state of mind, I was holding off on reviewing since most things when drunk end up tasting like the hands of God made them. That said, I had a good late night dinner after Wednesday's Navy Pier Fireworks. The grilled chicken avocado sandwich was really good, and the chilly diet coke after wandering around in night time humidity, hit the spot.
(4)
Jen G.

This is a great diner. Good deals, large portions (I always split or take half home=good value) and very convenient most times of the day. I am particularly partial to their curry chicken salad, but believe it or not, have had the fish here! Fresh veggies and soups too. I am a fan. I will miss this place when I move to UV. Minus a star for cleanliness and ambiance....
(3)
yakob j.

Probably the best Diner style food around. This place is classic california diner, with a great menu, and fresh ingredients. I ordered a special mexican egg scramble, and they sliced a whole avocado on to it. Every time i go i'm impressed ( being that it's an all night diner) Thumbs up.
(4)
Jay A.

This place is 24/7 service so it's good for all :-) I like soup and burger here! Milkshake .... yum but regular taste not thing unique
(4)
Ashley M.

The dinner selections are a little better if you have some alcohol in your system, but I truly enjoy the breakfasts. Love the Greek omelet and the Blueberry pancakes!
(4)
David A.

Love a late night snack! Soups are delicious (mushroom barley, chicken with rice). Burgers are my favorite, any with bleu cheese are great! Fries & cole slaw are delicious, service is attentive. A must-visit!
(4)
Jennifer B.

Three words: potato pancakes benedict. So good. It's a genius idea, poached eggs, canadian bacon and hollindaise atop two of what might be the best potato pancakes I have ever eaten. The pancakes are flavorful and thick. Everything else I've ever had has been good too, especially the skillets. Very affordable and great service.
(4)
Brandon B.

Great diner: of course its not 5-star food but hey its a 24 hour diner; not to be held to the same standards. Best aspect is the constantly open fun atmosphere....just dont go early on the weekends if you don't like crowds. Service is great 90% of the time, and its a great place to see and be seen. TRY THE CABBAGE SOUP!
(5)
Leigh K.

The two times I've been here have been great. Fun and filling meals at great prices. Amazing waitresses that got our orders correct. Clean atmosphere with interesting people to watch. Free Tootsie Rolls. It's surprising to read negative reviews of Melrose Restaurant. Maybe I'm biased since this was the first place that Zachary and I had dinner, when we were still sizing eachother up. Melrose offers above and beyond what other diners in Chicago offer in their menus. I can't believe I'd lived here over 2 years and had never even heard of this place. Thanks, Z! The omelets here are huge and fluffy and they have a large assortment of fillings. Zachary's favorite is the apple cheddar omelet, but he strayed from it last visit. Being a crazy picky eater at times, I ordered cheese sticks, tortilla soup, and one egg over hard. The egg was prepared perfectly and the yolk hadn't been cracked into the white which is super important since I dislike eating the yolk! Now it's time to gush about my favorite thing here; the tortilla soup. It is the best that I have ever had. In fact, it is so good that when we went here for a late dinner last week I ate one order there and then I got another order to go so that I could have it for lunch the next day. Everyone at work was jealous even though they buy their lunch nearly every single day. I wish Melrose was closer to the Loop so I could get lunch here.
(4)
Nellie T.

Another locals' spot. I go here almost once every weekend for brunch with my boyfriend. I'm not a huge foofoo breakfast person. I like the typical breakfast fare. So this local diner is perfect. They've got a good sized outdoor area. The diner is large so waits are never long if any at all. They also have a large 5 person table outside that they always reserve for larger groups. I think that's really nice. They're on top of their game here. The staff are very friendly and often crack jokes to keep the morning friendly. I love their "San Francisco" which is a perfect portion for a person like me. I love smaller portions with loads of variety. So the San Francisco is perfect. 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, 1 sausage, and french toast. The atmosphere is boystown diner. Sometimes they're playing oldschool music, but a lot of times it's fun dance tunes. I find it energizing. But that's just me.
(4)
Anna H.

This by far my favorite neighborhood haunt! The portions are generous, the waitstaff kind and capable, and the food itself rocks! I particularly love that no matter what combinations of things I order or how much (or little) I order, I get the same lovely service. They have this fantastic bacon, egg, and cheese croissant that rocks my world, and it's also great to just go in on a Sunday morning and drink a cup of coffee and eat half of a honeydew melon (for like $2! so cheap!) while reading the paper. The only thing I don't like is the garish artwork, but even that has its charms, I guess.
(5)
Ms T.

I really want to give this place four stars. The food isn't that great but its predictable and perfect when you just want nasty diner food. But therein lies the problem. The last two time I ate there, the place was so full of flies that I was constantly swatting at flies instead of enjoying my milkshake. When a fly lands on my food, and I see it, I won't eat it. So that makes me worry about how clean the place is. I might try it again sometime but the last two times really turned me off 7/26/07 What a fool am I. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!! After moving, a friend and I decided to go here for brunch because we had gotten up so early to move. She had a salad, I had an omeltte. Fast forward 6 hours later- BOTH SHE AND I were very, very sick with food poisoning! We had totally unrelated food and that is all we ate that day. I will never go here again, even if they were to pay me $1000. Food sucks and it will make you sick. Steer clear!.
(1)
Samantha R.

I love the variety and haven't been disappointed yet. Definitely not a destination restaurant, but you will get good diner food. The portions are HUGE, so you can always take some home- plus there's complimentary bread and my meals have usually come with a salad, so I never leave less than stuffed. Love that they serve breakfast all day and have had delicious French toast. It's nothing fancy, but I think it's dependable basic food with tons of options. Nice to have a place like this nearby when everyone in your group wants something completely different.
(4)
Shannon D.

This place is grungy, and I have been food poisoned here on the pork chop dinner. Yet if I'm drunk and hungry, the pancakes at 3am cannot be beat. Head to Stella's a few blocks down if you want good food, service and a clean diner. The Melrose is only if you're desperate.
(2)
Melanie V.

Best grilled cheese in the city! ;) It's a double decker sandwich served on Texas Toast. It's enough for 2 meals, I swear. The waitresses and owners here are great. And, I love sweet and sour cabbage soup, so this is the best place to get it since it's so close to home.
(4)
Candice R.

This place reminds me of a diner back in my hometown. It's a great place to go if you want an all night gab fest with a friend. The food's good, nothing fantastic, but they really do give you your moneys worth here. There's pretty much everything you can think of on the menu, and the service is good, nothing fantastic.
(3)
Marti C.

We hit Melrose around midnight, hungry after hitting some local bars. Since it's a 24-hour joint I wasn't expecting luxury or 4-star food. The service was good. The food was delivered quickly. However, it wasn't even as good as Denny's. That is sad. If you're in need of nourishment in the late night hours I say go for it. But if you're hungry when other restaurants are open, I would pass.
(2)
Sarah F.

I love going out for breakfast. This place was a huge disappointment. The service was horribly slow and rude and the food was terrible. There was a hair in my boyfriend's omelette and mold on my bagel. When we told the manager/owner, he didn't seem to care. There are way better diners in Chicago. Don't waste your time!
(1)
John M.

Melrose is pretty much an institution in East Lakeview. The menu, however, is hit or miss in my opinion. I enjoy very much their omelettes and salads. The burgers and sandwiches leave a bit to be desired, though. Too bad for the smoking ban, because I always loved going to Melrose after a long night out and sit in smoking and drink coffee. The service is always on target, provided you're lucky enough to get one of the veteran waitresses.
(3)
M M.

Food is average, menu is GIGANTIC, which I love. Any craving you can ever have will be satisfied here, though not fully bc the food is not top-notch. If you are an omelette fan, which I am not, I would suggest going here as everytime I've come a friend has ordered one and they have really liked it. For breakfast I'll get pancakes, the chicken sandwich was pretty dry- turkey sandwich was just OK- fries are good and greasy. The location is convenient and prices are cheap, so I'd stop in for some good hangover or late-night food.
(3)
Jim L.

Another good breakfast joint. This place is cool because they have outdoor seating. Tasty food and tasty views of all the pretty trixies.
(4)
Liza O.

Went there for lunch on a weekend with a friend. I had a club sandwich which was tasty. It's fine if you're in the mood for diner food, but there was nothing spectacular. The service was decent enough, but it didn't stand out. I'd go again if I was in the area and wanted a sandwich or breakfast food.
(3)
Dee W.

Not my first pick in diner food. Food is mediocre and it's usually preferred to be there for brunch than late night dining.
(2)
nicole r.

I used to eat at Melrose all the time when I lived in Lake View...it was sort of our "go-to" place when we couldn't figure out dinner. So last night, we were in the area and decided to stop in for a bite...BIG MISTAKE. Melrose, what has happened to you? Our soup was lukewarm, bordering on cold, and my chicken was raw in the middle. My boyfriend's chicken salad sandwich had a funny taste and caused him to throw up all night. Sorry, Melrose, I guess we only have our memories now.
(1)
Bethany K.

I think this diner is o.k. It's not my first choice for dinner in Lakeview, since most of the time I go there is seems like the servers are always new and a bit slow. However it's a great breakfast spot. The inside is large so you usually don't have to wait, and they have a large menu with lots of selection!
(4)
Sydney K.

This place kind of grosses me out. When's the last time they did a good scrub down? And the food is lacking too. There are so many great spots to eat on the Broadway strip - I would skip this one.
(1)
Liliana S.

yes, this place isnt the cleanest in the world. They do have flies on the windows as if they were at home. Kinda sick. The food is okay but you cant get passed how unclean this place is, at least I can't.
(2)
Y. W.

The place is kinda pricey, but the food is awesome and they're open 24 hrs. The staff is usually very friendly. I went here on Christmas, when it was packed, and they were still efficient.
(4)
Lynne D.

You will love this place if you like finding small flies in your salads! Though if it weren't for the small fly, the salad would have been great actually! But I sat at a booth by the window, and there was a dead fly on the ledge next to the booth and 5 other flies buzzing around. It was a very disheartening experience. Also, the waitstaff was not overly friendly; excellent customer service is NO a priority.
(1)
amy k.

classic. decent food. good prices. great servers during the day. take some books and do some studying at the big tables and they'll just keep bringing you some coffee. look out the window and all will be right with the world.
(4)
A N.

Melrose serves a purpose. Its an all-nite diner. The food is definitely not great. In fact, except for the breakfast menu and the grilled cheese, it's downright bad. But the staff is fantastic- I live right down the street and am in there quite a bit at 2am on my walk home, and they're always fast with my order and very friendly, always remembering me and saying hi. For under $10 you can get your main dish, hash browns, fruit, and toast, or with dinner, fries, soup, and bread, so the price is great. The outdorr patio is very nice in the summer. I've spent many nights studying there, and they let me sit for two or three hours, refilling my drink and bread basket, even if I've only ordered a $5 dish. Its a great place to go with friends the morning after a crazy night and chow down on greasy food. Its BYOB. Basically don't come here expecting 5-star cuisine- you won't get it. But the staff, atmosphere, price, etc., makes it a perfect all-nite diner option.
(4)
Cassie B.

i really like this place. open 24/7, good diner-style food (i.e. they have everything from breakfast to sandwiches to entrees like chicken and steaks - not that you'd want to eat a steak here). good for hungover brunch. large outdoor seating area.
(4)
Ravi B.

I've been here after drinking a few, and been here sober, and neither time was very enjoyable. You gotta worry about a place when even beer goggles don't make the food look any better (or taste).
(2)
Stephanie M.

For after clubbing or any late night, when you're hungry, this is a good place to go. The servers are friendly, and the place has an old fashioned homey feel. Open 24 hours. The food isn't the greatest but it's okay when you're hungry at 2 a.m. I like the carafe of water they give you at your table.
(3)
Erin B.

greatest drunk food ever...
(4)
Bianca W.

Melrose is my favorite 24-hour neighborhood restaurant. The corner location makes it a great place to people watch either outside or sitting inside at a window booth. This restaurant is the only diner I know that serves sweet and sour cabbage soup, which I must say is delicious.
(3)
Natalie B.

One of the times I ended up at Melrose, it was in response to my friend chanting "Ba-Con, Ba-Con" after a long night dancing at Reserve. It's good for late night chowing down. The crowd is entertaining too :)
(3)
Allie B.

I'm reviewing b/c it's close to my place and they make a great grilled cheese/club sandwhich, but it's true ... this place is a dump. Doesn't seem that bad from the outside (and the outdoor seating is nice), but when was the last time they cleaned the bathrooms? Service totally sub-par, so ask for a carafe of water if you're nursing a hangover, they don't come by too often.
(1)
Molly G.

Lakeview Classic is right. It's nothing fancy, def. a typical 24 hour greasy spoon, but the sweet and sour cabbage soup is the best I've ever had and the egg white omlettes rockl! UPDATE: I still like this place, the sweet and sour cabbage soup keeps me coming back, but a couple good people don't work there anymore, the service is much less friendly, and as much as I like local dives, there comes a time when the place needs a good cleaning and Melrose is falling behind and it shows.
(3)
Olivia L.

I recently went here for Sunday breakfast, and I was plesantly suprised with our food. It's a true diner in every sense of the words, from food offerings to hours to decor. There was an interesting cross-section of people there--everyone from the elderly to girlfriends, couples to families. It's definitely one of the best deals in the area, at least for the quantity of food you get. I ordered french toast with fresh strawberries, along with a side of hashbrowns, and it was all less than $10 for HUGE portions. It's super-busy inside with not the most relaxing environment or music, but overall I was pleased. I do think that for diner fare, Stella's south of belmont on broadway will continue to be my standby for their slightly higher quality of ingredients and overall better tastes.
(3)
Benjamin H.

This place has taken Clark's place as my late night breakfast spot. Solid egg, potato and meat combos, of course allowing me to empty a whole bottle of Ketchup here in one sitting. Went for lunch once and the sandwiches were HUGE. Good food for a reasonable ticket.
(4)
Misi P.

I dined here with my friend Keith the other night after running around the city. They've got nice fluffy pancakes, which was great and my service was pretty good. It wasn't too noisy for 4am and the my server was friendly and knew what she was doing. Might become an afterhours staple...
(4)
Kirsten S.

If you're looking for late night diner food, this is the go-to place. Nothing fancy, open 24hrs and friendly staff. I live down the street and find myself there atleast once a weekend. The tuna melt,mmm...after a night out at the bars. They serve it on an english muffin, scoop a heaping portion of tuna and top it off with melted cheddar cheese. Hash browns, crispy and tasty. Eddie is usually our server....nicest guy. A perfect neighborhood diner.
(5)
Amanda P.

The only reason this place stays around is because it's open all night. Servers are nice, food sucks. I have never been here during daylight hours.
(2)
Darren S.

No water still after I ask them! They told me that that don't have enough staff... And 30 mins after still no one take the order... They have only 9 table included us....another 30 min after we order the food... We still don't have water...well ... It is unforgettable dinner in my life! Ha!
(1)
Emily G.

Food is always really, really good for being a 24/7 diner and for the price, but the service is always a little iffy. Glad they got new owners though! The remodeling looks so much better.
(4)
Megan L.

One of the most mediocre places I've been to in Chicago. It's diner-style food, but not done well. The portion size was above average - my croissant sandwich came with a huge portion of hashbrowns and a banana. The sandwich was straightforward - bacon, American cheese, and egg, but I could probably cook a better breakfast sandwich at home. Service is fast and my party of 2 was seated quickly in the heart of weekend brunch time, but I probably won't be back - there are too many other amazing restaurants I'd rather try or visit again in this city to waste brunch opportunities here.
(2)
Eric G.

I've dined here several times over the years. It's one of the spots you can stop by and do some people watching anytime of the day or night. I usually wind up getting one of their green salads which I find tasty. My last trip I went it looked like they remodeled the place a bit. The changes looked nice. Instead of my usual salad, I opted for a mushroom burger. Enjoyed it along with a small beef barley soup. I've never had a bad meal here. I'm sure I will be back.
(4)
Anna B.

Ok, I'm sure not many people review diner's, but I had to write that this place is one of my favorites. I've only been here for breakfast on sunday's, and they have a great thing going for what it is. But mainly I have to say if you're in the area and want some drunk food, this place has everywhere beat. I also have had this amazing lady named Addy (I think) multiple times, and she is the nicest waitress I have ever met.
(4)
Hannah T.

Crunchy French toast. All day, every day. Not literally every day, I wish.
(5)
Zach B.

I live a block away - so you're scaring away locals who would visit on a weekly basis. Picked out this place just walking on broadway and it was pretty crowded so I thought I'd try it out. We were sat right by the line where the cooks give the food to the servers. So you heard everything the cooks said. Oh boy, not the best move here. The main chef directing was having it his way and no one elses. Numerous times I hear a server try to modify an order (like no steak or no veggies) and he wasn't having it. I ordered the chicken pot pie. On the menu it comes with a salad or soup, with one side. Nice deal! So I got a salad and the pot pie with steak fries to share. Welp, I got mashed potatoes, and even the waitress showed me she wrote it down on her pad. She told the chef, and he replied "it comes with mashed potatoes, deal with it." So I was stuck with taters. But still - the mashed potatoes had little pieces of plasic like it was covered up and reheated or something. She showed it to the chef and and there was no response after that. TLDR; great food, cheap, but disorganised servers and a chef/cook who lets everyone in the restaurant know he doesn't care about the customer's wishes. What an awkward meal.
(2)
David R.

Sitting at the counter while the little old lady takes my order...and then NEVER PUTS THE ORDER IN. A to-go order she takes after me comes and goes and she looks at me and says "where's your food"? Good question. Then I watch her make out the order and put it in at the back of a very long cue as she lies about being down a cook, etc etc. Never coming back. Oh, and today...a few weeks later...I get an irate Yelp message from them, saying: "Dine in comes first. Learn how to tip and eat in. I know who you are talking about and leave her alone." ---Well, I WAS dining in...I tipped her 20% regardless of the lie...and I'll certainly leave her alone as I am never coming back.
(1)
Mike M.

We came to get pie and they were closed, I was disappointed and said I just wanted some pie. Well the sweetest waitress let us take a look at what they had left and take it to go. I guarantee 9 out of 10 times at other resturants your gonna get told to f'off but not this lady this time and that means a lot. Thank you, Addy
(5)
Alan Q.

Had the coconut French Toast and it was great. Don't forget to try their hot tea, they have a good selection and it's imported from out of country. I did one with a strong Almond flavor; loved it! Maybe don't sit outside though as we were nearly attacked by bees.
(5)
Tim S.

It has been 30 or so years since my last visit, happy to see you there. Friendly staff and good food,
(4)
Kathryn C.

Walk by this place daily ever since moving to Lakeview and finally stopped in for breakfast. Was not disappointed! Great service, food, coffee - classic and simple upscale diner.
(4)
Rikki H.

Food is pretty good for diner food . Service is so slow. I've also seen the cook hit the bell on the expo with the knife he was using, so I'm guessing that being sanitary isn't very high on the list of importance there. But they are open 24 hours. And we have never had to wait for a table
(3)
Kevin N.

How does what amounts to a Greek diner stay open, relevant, and popular for decades? Roll with the changes and deliver good value on breakfasts and late-night 24 hour fare, that's how! I've eaten here so many times that predate Yelp, even when I used to live in Chicago, I'm surprised that unlike so many places, this diner is still going strong. What has changed is the interior and the menu, although slightly. The newest incarnation has a contemporary California vibe, with a mix of Fifties furniture and horizontal unfinished grey wood paneling. It's actually very tasteful. As for the food, think breakfast food and skillets as the mainstay, with salads, wraps, and burgers additionally. My last visit included a skillet with hash browns, beets, bacon, and cheese, really heavy on the hash browns. This was a post New Year's Eve sop-up-the-merrymaking meal for four of us, so either we weren't too picky, or we wouldn't have been able to discern otherwise. One had a hearty bacon cheeseburger and that thing went fast. Another of us had a steak and eggs skillet with no complaints there either. My husband, generally a vegan, ate a mushroom cheese wrap. The food is nothing really to write home about, but is adequate and does the job. On New Year's day, he rolled out of bed and asked, "What did I order last night?" Was it the food or the merrymaking that made the experience a blur?
(3)
Mark S.

Great place for breakfast. We last ate here on a Sunday morning around 9am. Service was good, prices decent, generous portions. Eggs Benedict was delicious, eggs done perfectly. One of very few good places open 24 hours in the city.
(4)
John D.

Way too many things went wrong with my visit. 1. Completely open restaurant and they sit us next to the booth with the most obnoxious, loudest, train wreck of a girl who was sharing way too many details of her sad life. 2. The bread and crackers served with my soup had no butter and an open packet of half eaten saltines. 3. Food was just bland and didn't taste too particularly well and the price I paid for that crap fest was was too much. Do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else.
(1)
Ramon C.

LIARS!!!! They ARE NOT open 24/7. I literally walked in and asked, and they were like..."que paso, no open." Yelp lies and they lie! Lies...a Minelli!
(2)
Christopher W.

I finally made my way to Melrose. It's in one of my favorite areas of Chicago and I had heard of the famous corn flake french toast. I was stuck in Chicago for the day (there are worse fates) and decided to check this off my list. I was totally charmed by the decor and the staff was very friendly. I did have said french toast and it was fine. Nothing noteworthy but again totally acceptable. I can't claim it's a value, it's priced for the city, but I would stop by again.
(3)
Ken O.

Stopped into this restaurant yesterday for a late lunch. First thing I had noticed, this restaurant had remodeled. The restaurant is really sharp. The food, turkey dinner, and service was just okay. Nothing to remember.
(2)
Rick T.

Good lord almighty. What are these people doing? Don't you hate people who try hard to be something they are not? Well, stop into Melrose, the restaurant equivalent. I've loved Melrose for years. Yes, I was drunk for at LEAST 80% of my visits. But I loved them any way. Now, they're trying to reconceptualize the place. Their first step was to (and I'm not making this up) hose off planks from wooden palates and nail them to the restaurant walls for a rustic look. Fine. Then, they changed the menu. Melrose may very well be the only 24-hour diner in America, possibly the world, where you cannot walk in and order a Denver omelette. Or a Western omelette. The new menu has perhaps 7 omelette options. If you want a kale omelette, they've got ya covered. But for a diner classic, you have to build your own omelette and add on $1 for each ingredient. Screw that. Soda refills? They charge for every single one now. There are literally two different menus that they use throughout the day. I still can't figure out what time each is available. I walked into Melrose (drunk) about a month before their big reinvention. The waiter and manager stared at me and said, "Uh, if you want something simple, we can try to make it for you, but our cooks just walked out on us." MMMM. No thanks. I went to Walgreens and got some frozen White Castle instead. Come on, Melrose. Your exterior is dominated by a 50-year-old neon sign with foot-high letters that say "Pancake Specialties." At least half of the neon letters are busted out. A good 90%of the lightbulbs on your main sign are out of commission, too. Stop trying to be something you're not. You're a 24-hour diner. Own it. And get a goddamn Denver omelette back on the menu.
(3)
Andrew S.

Solid diner. Straightforward egg and side options with some very good, creative pancake & griddle options (e.g. coconut crusted French toast). Great value for the quality.
(5)
Sam N.

the more things change, the more things stay the same as the saying goes. After thinking about it after my last visit here a few weeks ago, I dont really want it to change :) A slice of Americana. What the "pick me up cafe" was to my late night binge cravings in my youth, this has that same feeling except I am not hungry ever when I leave here. A good place to hang out with your friends who dont venture beyond the 2800 block of N Broadway because they hate everything that is not Lakeview. But back to the food.I love me some late night/early morning cali omlette.The cheese cheese omlette is quite filling. If you need some carb cravings, you had best ask them to whip up some of the best French Toast in the city with their "Melrose french toast" It's like Tempo but without the rough late night/early morning crowd.
(5)
Adam O.

I got really sick after eating here Friday night. I got the stuffed chicken breast because it was one of the specials. 3/4 of the way through the meal I started getting sick. My girlfriend and I quickly paid and had to run back to our apt. It's now Sunday and I still feel like s**t. I've been coming to this place for 3 years and have had a few problems here and there, but never anything like this. I won't be coming back anymore.
(1)
Kirk M.

No more. Worst kitchen nightmare I ever experienced. We waited almost an hour for our food. It arrived cold. Have you ever tried to eat cold greasy French Fries? Don't. Seriously a joke. Not coming back. By Felicia. A truly sobering experience. The BOYcott begins now hunties!
(1)
Vince G.

I went there yesterday. I love changes but the changes there was disgusting the server was so non attentive. I had a egg white scramler whit fruit and multi grain toast he had the nerve to tell me .it doesn't come with toast come on I'm a breakfast server the menu plain out sucks from before when changing a menu don't down grade up grade "never ever" again the worst experience.
(1)
Michelle C.

Never felt so ill after 2 bites. Fries tasted cold and stale burger was not edible. Waited over a hour for meal literally took 3 bites and asked for check. Will never go back
(1)
Lorenzo L.

Bummer. I went last night for the first time in 4-5 years. Sadly, It's not as good as it used to be. It used to be my go to place for a patty melt . Had one last night , and was really disappointed . Bread was "vaguely "grilled , so it didn't have that crispy exterior. Onions were not cooked down until sweet and golden. They were still crunchy. Last , but not least , it's a whopping $8.99 a la carte. Fries ( and other sides begin @ +$1.50). Not the solid diner I remember. Servers were busy talking amongst themselves . Thumbs down.
(3)
Katie O.

I lived around the corner from Melrose for years and have had about a quarter of the things on the menu (my favorite is the veggie skillet with poached eggs - I've seriously had dreams about it since moving away). This is a fantastic place for brunch and it's rare to wait more than 5 minutes for a table. If you're coming home from the bar, Melrose is a fun place to get your carbs before going to bed. I love that it's open 24 hours and serves the whole menu the entire time. Whatever you're in the mood for, you got it! Now, don't be confused - this is still a diner, you won't be blown away by the uniqueness of the food, modern decor, or over-the-top waitstaff. You will however, feel totally welcome, and be able to order any down-home dish you're in the mood for at any point in the day any day of the year. If you want a real treat - get the homemade veggie burger (topped with bacon, for the meat-eaters). SO GOOD!
(5)
Debra H.

We used to come here on a regular basis when we lived in the neighborhood. Since we were back in the hood we thought we would give it a try. Service was very good...our waitress was charming and attentive. Food was very average. The breakfast sandwich was served on a large tasteless croissant. The jelly was the worst we have ever had at any restaurant. Perhaps they should purchase the small packets instead of buying it in bulk. Years ago it was packed on the weekends...that is no longer the case. There are now several better breakfast options in the area.
(3)
Megan M.

My mom and I stopped in here looking for a different place to grab a late breakfast. I was pleasantly surprised by how updated it was inside - as that was not what I pictured having seen the signage outside. We both ordered breakfast and liked what we ordered - I ordered the turkey brussel sprout skillet. It was really good, though could've used a bit of sauce.
(3)
John D.

One staffer tried to fleece me on breakfast for one and make it 24 dollars by making all of the items in the combo a la carte. As a lifer at melrose I will not be going back.
(2)
Lindy W.

What the hell happened?? We used to go to this diner fairly regularly, and then life got in the way, and a year plus later, we found ourselves at the doorstep of Melrose Restaurant. ("I thought it was Diner?") We shrugged and went in, wondering how long we'd have to...("there's nobody here. On a saturday night after midnight?") We shrugged and were seated. The menu...wait, I know I had a favorite omelette, and none of these are anything I'd eat. Well hell, I'll just get a grilled cheese, solid diner f...what? No grilled cheese. All over the map, I asked the waiter what was on the 8.95 nachos. "Cheese. (Long awkward pause as I waited for more bc SURELY at that price there's more.) A little pico de gallo. Little bit of guac." Here is me :-/ Anyway, we ordered. Then I noticed our waiter going back to sit down with some chick who had a 12 pack of beer. They joked around. Another waiter came back and picked her up, swinging her around. (Our food came.) Then she and our waiter went outside a side door. They were gone for close to 10 minutes. He came back in, red-faced, wiped his hands on a towel, then buttered some toast, grabbed plates from the kitchen and took them to the table behind us. I no longer felt like eating my mediocre french dip sandwich. The chick walked past the window outside, smoking a cigarette like she was done, and I was too. Upon leaving, I noticed the filthy, half completed tile job on the floor, just dirtiness everywhere. RIP Melrose Diner. Driving past IHOP in boystown a little later, I wished we'd gone there instead.
(1)
William B.

I live around the corner and have already regarded the place as a public good -- even though I don't come here too often, it's incredibly comforting to know that it exists, brightly-lit, not-too-fancy, and open 24 hours. I would even pick it as a dependable meeting spot on occasion, or stop when I wanted a meal or a cup of coffee at truly odd hours. Well sometime pretty recently they seem to have gotten a new menu and stepped things up a notch -- red flannel hash with real roasted beets, a poblano version of their benedict, a better-looking version of their waffle, and so on. I swear the coffee's gotten better too. All of a sudden I wonder if I actually might start coming here often after all.
(3)
Adam R.

Every time I go here I ask myself why I didn't go down the street to Stella's. The nice thing about this place is it is open 24 hours (and holidays), but it's not even that good for post-bar food. The servers are very nice, but the food is mediocre if not poor. I had the French Dip sandwich didn't have the sauce it was supposed to have on it, and the au jus was tasteless...like brown-colored water. I've had their southwestern chicken sandwich, and that wasn't as bad, but the prices are ridiculous. You get a sandwich and fries for around 11 bucks. You can go down the street and eat the same thing--prepared much better--at Stellas for a third of the cost. From the reviews, it sounds like they were once a great place. They're clearly not in their glory days.
(2)
Kelsey W.

Been here a few times now due to its proximity to my apartment. It is very mediocre. The first time I went (late night ish), I'm pretty sure the kitchen staff had walked out and it seemed like the owner or manager was in the kitchen. Most items in the menu were not available and the orders were taking so long that I left before receiving any food. The second and third time I went was for breakfast/brunch. The food was adequate. The service was ok. This is definitely not a place I would take people who are visiting Chicago given the number of fabulous brunch spots elsewhere in the neighborhood. They've remodeled since I last ate there, so the restaurant itself looks much better (inside remodel only). Not sure if their menu was updated as well.
(2)
Richard G.

So sad, this used to be one of the best Greek diners in the area. They once upon a time had a great big menu with so much options to choose from and a huge breakfast menu. It was always busy from early morning to late night after hours when late night bar patrons would go eat there. Over the past 5 or 6 years they have slowly but surely raised prices, people stopped going including myself and I would believe they suffered the financial loss from losing customers. Well they got greedy. Now today I went back willing to pay the price for a nice big plate of food. Nope.....the menu shrank to stuff like fancied up burgers and sandwiches and now you pay more to add soup or fries. None of the great stuff they used to serve. It's all gone, not even any good appetizers. And the wait staff, well it was told that our waitress was "on her break" so it would be a few minutes. What?! This place changed!!! Not for the good. Yea, it looks nice, but they are trying to be one of those fancy restaurants that are picking up in the area. I think the owner is forgetting his roots and that they were originally just your neighborhood diner with good food and sensible prices. We politely declined to eat there and had dinner at a better location. Never again, RIP Melrose Diner.
(1)
Lisa H.

My mistake. Went back today. There was a line out the door... But many tables available to sit at. No host at the door to seat people. Servers ignoring you as they walked by. Finally, we sat ourselves - which was what people leaving told us to do. We sat, and sat, and sat... Finally just left. There were at least 10 open tables and still a line out the door. Servers walked past us numerous times without even looking in our direction. Ended up going to Stella's. Someone greeted us. Took our name. Told us how long the wait would be. We sat, had great service. Good food and were on our way. What. A. Crazy. Concept.
(1)
Stuart F.

If I could have one breakfast for the rest of my life it would be the breakfast burrito with chorizo and hash browns on the side. Poblano sauce, delicious fluffy eggs, chorizo mixed with cheesy goodness...gah. I'm sorry, I'm drooling. I also highly recommend the salsa which I've never had anything quite like. Goes amazingly well with the hash browns. Only reason it gets four stars instead of five? Seating can be hard to come by and it is a tad expensive. Still highly recommended.
(4)
Jay R.

Wa Wa Wa Wa.. You remember the sound they made when you missed a bucket in the grand prize game on The Bozo Show....Ok I'm dating myself but that's the sound I heard in my head when I walked in saw the new decor and read the updated menu which was considerably smaller and a lot more expensive. The decor change was fine maybe it needed a face lift, in fact it did need a face lift because our nick name for this place was the dirty diner cause it was old and kind of dirty. We still went and brought friends and family because the food was good, cheap and you got a lot and they had a huge menu. Now they think after they hang some reclaimed wood on the wall it means they can jack the prices up for the same food they served you before. Well not exactly now they limit the sides you get and you don't get the banana with your meal ( don't take that the wrong way). All the things that where good are gone. When I go out for diner food mostly for breakfast I want a little of this and a little of that when I ordered eggs in the past I got hash browns and either a side of toast or pancakes and fruit. Now its eggs and one side no fruit. The eggs look so lonely on that plate I want to give them a hug. Seriously you go out to this kinda place for a rib sticking meal with a big selection and you know its not expensive. My wife who loved the egg sandwich which use to cost about 6 bucks, a egg served on a bagel with cheese and bacon side of hash browns and fruit now its 10 bucks the strip of bacon is extra and no fruit. If you go here and you have never been you might say hey this place is ok but compared to the old place it's only a sad shadow of it's former self. Maybe they thought redecorating might make them more like the fancy over priced breakfast places but they just turned a great diner into a overpriced diner with limited selection, and seriously who wants to decide if they want toast, pancakes or hash browns when you are hung over.. not this guy.. I want em all.
(2)
Rylee S.

We came for brunch and it was good- however it was about 130pm and all they offered us was a breakfast menu. The service was SO SLOW. Seriously, the slowest. 15 min to take our drink order. Almost 20 min waiting for the check... At first I felt bad for the waitress because it was pretty busy in there but then I saw her filling to-go orders for 15 minutes and never took a break to check on her customers. We never had our drinks refilled AT ALL. The worst part came when we could hear, what I assume to be the owner or manager, yelling at his staff like they were little children- I swear I almost said something to the man when I walked by. We weren't even sitting close to the bar area and he was speaking loud enough for us to hear every word. I don't really want to support a place that treats their employees like garbage.
(2)
scott r.

Melrose is that place you go that just feels home. The staff know their customers, the food is good and always reliable. It has become our go to place for years now. It has undergone a facelift recently and a new menu, but all in all, it's still the same. Please don't come with a large party and ask the old man at the front to split your bill. It's annoying. This is a mom and pop, or pop and son place that has served the area well for years. A gem!
(5)
Kyle P.

Overpriced. My wife and I got two sandwiches, one water, and one coke. The price? With tip, OVER THIRTY DOLLARS. AT A DINER. Unacceptable. Get this: they charge extra for sides. As in, you can't even get potato chips or fries with your deli sandwich without a $2 charge or whatever it was. What a rip off! We live on Melrose St and it would be so amazing to have a cheap, greasy 24-hr diner on the end of our street... sadly, it's not meant to be. Also, I was really sad that they took away the onion rings. We will not be back.
(2)
Melissa F.

So we come here time to time, Part of why is because the service is always off, you wait forever for them to take your order. But the food comes out quick, than you wait forever for a check. They've recently started remodeling it looks great. The food is really good. Just give yourself time!
(3)
Kim B.

Attempted to go this weekend, we put in our name with a guy at the front then took a step back (to let other people do the same). He stepped away to ring someone out and a lady then decide to set at least 4 parties that arrived after us and completely ignore the waiting list. After the fourth time, I briefly questioned why she seated people who just walked in the door, she rudely replied she couldn't find us (we were 3 feet away) and we just needed to wait our turn. Well lady, you skipped our turn a total of four times. I won't go back, nor do I enjoy being treated poorly. Go to Stella's or the Bagel instead.
(1)
Letty S.

Fruit flys everywhere, waitress only put in 2 orders and we had 3. Food was cold, coke was flat and bread was hard as a rock. We also had to grab our own silverware from other tables after being seated for 20min. If I had anything good to say the coffee was decent and steak sandwich was good. This place overall is terrible, I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(1)
Roxanne A.

Thank you Melrose for making late weeknight dates possible. Between his law school hours and my class/rehearsal schedule, the only time we can meet up is 9pm or later. Unfortunately, a lot of the restaurants in Lakeview close around 10pm and we don't want to rush dinner. Here's where Melrose comes in with its fabulous around the clock hours. Melrose is able to accommodate our late night dates without having to spend a ton and feeling the need to rush/finish our conversation/food. The menu is largely diner type fair, but the food is good and the price is just right. My goto entree here is the Ultimate Grilled cheese with texas toast and double layers of cheese. It was the ultimate comfort food for a nice comfortable unrushed date. The interior reminds me of the typical New Jersey diner. There is a large amount of seating. The service is surprisingly good for a 24 hr place. It is a reliable late nice spot. Remember like at all diners, you pay your check at the counter.
(4)

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Address : 3233 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL, 60657
Phone (773) 327-2060
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :Open 24 hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No

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Melrose Restaurant

3233 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60657

Melrose Restaurant Menu

For Starters

Super Salads

Originals

Skillets

Fluffy Omelettes

Platters

Egg Appeal

Pancakes & More

Beef Burgers

Hot Sandwiches

Croissants

Super Sandwiches

Club Sandwiches

Plain Sandwiches

Pasta

From The Broiler

Chicken

Seafood

Side Orders

Dessert

Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Melrose Restaurant

For Starters

Super Salads

Originals

Skillets

Fluffy Omelettes

Platters

Egg Appeal

Pancakes & More

Beef Burgers

Hot Sandwiches

Croissants

Super Sandwiches

Club Sandwiches

Plain Sandwiches

Pasta

From The Broiler

Chicken

Seafood

Side Orders

Dessert

Beverages

Lidia L.

tracy g.

Jacques M.

Lawrence Y.

John Y.

Bobby H.

Charles J.

Kenny T.

Tchad E.

Sam R.

Michael E.

K. M.

Adeyemi K.

Ali L.

Philippe F.

Maria P.

Joshua C.

Milena M.

Ricoche T.

C W.

Jack H.

Jill P.

Michael M.

Margaret J.

Aaron C.

Mike P.

Brent W.

Edwin Q.

Corin W.

Lucky S.

Dave F.

Brandon T.

Natasha B.